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Insurance regulator limits buying of foreign reinsurance

The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has tightened rules on offshore reinsurance, requiring insurers to first exhaust local capacity before seeking approval to place Kenyan risks with foreign reinsurers.

In a circular, the IRA said the increase in the mandatory reinsurance cession to Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re) to 25 percent from 20 percent would be the first move in strengthening local reinsurance capacity as insurers begin renewing their reinsurance contracts.

‘Going forward, ensure exhaustion of the local capacity by arranging reinsurance programmes with local reinsurers before seeking approval to reinsure with foreign reinsurers,’ said Godfrey Kiptum, IRA chief executive in a circular dated September 16.

Primary insurers transfer part of their risks to reinsurers to whom they pay premiums, reducing their exposure from massive or catastrophic losses.

The regulator’s intervention comes as insurers prepare their reinsurance programmes for 2027, with companies required to begin negotiations early and file final cover notes with the Authority by October 31.

A reinsurance cover note is a temporary but legally binding document that proves a reinsurance contract is in place before the official policy document is issued.

IRA’s order looks set to curb offshore placement of Kenyan insurance risks in a market that has several other reinsurers including Continental Reinsurance, East Africa Reinsurance, Ghana Reinsurance, WAICA Reinsurance (Kenya) and ZEP-RE.

The 25 percent mandatory business for Kenya Re follows amendments to the country’s reinsurance rules. Under the amended rules, every insurer is required to reinsure with Kenya Re a quarter of each of its reinsurance treaties relating to general business.

The requirement for compulsory cessions will only cease if Kenya Re is privatised. The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed insurer is 60 percent owned by the government.

The regulator said it had ‘noted with concern’ a trend where some insurers have been flouting reinsurance rules, warning that it will not allow such firms to write new business from January 1, 2027 if their reinsurance arrangements flout rules.

‘You are expected to start your reinsurance negotiations early and the final reinsurance cover notes shall be filed with the Authority for approval latest by 31st October 2026,’ said Mr Kiptum.

‘Please note that unfair contract terms will not be accepted in the treaties and companies will not be allowed to write any new business effective 1st January 2027 if their reinsurance arrangements will not have been approved before that date.

IRA raised concerns about several non-compliance practices by insurers including late submission of reinsurance arrangements for regulatory approval and arranging reinsurance through brokers that are not regulated or registered under Kenyan law.

The regulator said some insurers have also been entering into reinsurance arrangements with ‘lowly rated or unrated’ reinsurers and reinsuring with foreign firms not registered under the Insurance Act.

Insurers have further been told to avoid concentrating more than 50 percent of a risk with a single reinsurer unless they provide justification for the placement.

The IRA is also tightening scrutiny on insurers that enter into reinsurance contracts but fail to honour payments.

IRA said companies submitting their 2027 arrangements would have to provide proof that reinsurance balances up to the second quarter of 2026 have been settled, or present an agreed payment plan with the reinsurers.

The regulator says insurers will have to show evidence of actuarial certification of the adequacy and contractual certainty of reinsurance arrangements.

The actuarial reports must cover the insurer’s five-year claims risk profile, changes in its reinsurance management strategy, the credit ratings of reinsurers and the structure of reinsurance arrangements.

Actuaries will also be required to give an opinion on the adequacy of insurers’ retention levels and purchased reinsurance capacity, ceding commissions, minimum deposit premiums and rates for non-proportional treaties.

The IRA measures collectively tighten the conditions under which insurers can transfer risks to overseas markets, giving local reinsurers a more prominent role in Kenya’s insurance market.

‘All facultative placements, both local and overseas, shall be shared with the authority before placement,’ the IRA said.

Cattle value chain: Stakeholders say cows business could be next wealth spinner if well planned

Organised stakeholders in the cattle business have described the cattle value chain within the livestock economy as another gold mine and a critical huge contributor to Nigeria’s economy if properly harnessed.

They told BusinessDay in Port Harcourt that cattle could replace oil/gas because of its vast value chain from cattle rearing to meat industry and the trade from it.

This is as the head of the Fulani in Rivers State has said they lost so far over four million cows to rustlers and thieves in transit from north to the south, with loss of human lives as well as extortion at checkpoints.

This is coming from the organised body called the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN), as its members announced their resolve to strengthen the body for collective interest of Nigeria and its citizens.

Over the years, no doubt, the oil sector took the centre stage in Nigeria’s economy contributing huge revenue to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and became a big employer of labour over and above the agricultural economy.

Most analysts however believe that the Agric sector remains critical to the livelihood of Nigerians. That could be why every government at all levels is committed to promoting the sector and its vast potentials.

Both individuals, corporate institutions or organizations appear to be in the farm business, from grains to livestock production.

This seems to inform the resolve of NACDPAMN to strengthen its members and position the association as the umbrella body of all associations/groups in the cattle value chain. These include dealers, butchers, breeders or rearers, among others.

In his inaugural speech recently, Godspower Eke, a chief and first chairman of the association in Rivers State chapter, revealed that the association, established in 2021 and inaugurated in 2024 by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was poised to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its over-dependence on oil.

He noted that livestock is seen as key area with its growth, and its vast grazing land and large cattle population.

According to Eke, the mission of the association includes to transform the livestock sector from its current subsistence level to a thriving, commercialised industry; and to provide jobs and sustain vast livelihoods for Nigeria’s growing population.

Eke also recalled that President Tinubu had made several key statements by highlighting the economic potentials of the cattle value chain, noting that it could boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities, and also enhance the establishment of livestock development (now established) to unlock immense economic potentials. It is also intended to stop what he termed wanton killings between the herders and farmers.

Also, the National President of NACDPAMN, Iliyasu Bulama, in his speech in September, 2026, noted that: ‘The association is the voice, the bridge, and umbrella platform of Nigeria’s cattle value chain representing the commercial heart of national food system, the dealers, marketers, processors, and others.’

Bulama said the association was a strong institution that would ensure that it strengthens multi-stakeholders’ collaboration for secured livestock and traceability, verification and prevention of cattle theft or rustling in Nigeria.

Baba Othman Ngezarma, the National president of cattle breeders under the name ‘Myeltti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)’, had disclosed last year in Eleme, River State, that so far breeders had lost 4m cows to rustlers from 2014 to 2025 while Nigeria spends over $2bn on milk importation.

The stakeholders including Eke, Othman, and Bulama who commended President Tinubu for creating the new Livestock Development Ministry, said NACDPAMN would not relent in their resolve to upscale the huge potentials in the cattle value chain.

They added that the new ministry was a critical issue to herders and farmers. Sarki Yau Mogodi, Paramount Chief of the Fulani’s in Rivers State, who also spoke to this medium, has described the Nigeria cattle value chain as another gold mine next to the oil and gas economy.

Mogodi who is also a frontline cattle breeder in the country disclosed this is an interview recently with our correspondent in Port-Harcourt, said the value chain has enormous potentials that need to be properly harnessed to boost the livestock industry and revenue of the country.

The royal father observed that Nigeria is in a new dawn of growth and development being driven by the National Association of Cattle Dealers, processors and markets of Nigeria (NACDPAMN) with mission and commitment to harness abundant but untapped opportunities, huge foreign revenue earnings, meat, hides and skin, leather, by-products, logistics, cold chain and export chain, among others.

He noted that the association being the major driver of the value chain faced perennial challenges ranging from farmers-herdsmen clashes, cattle rustling, security, obnoxious taxation and criminal attacks among others.

He however said the members were resolute with determination to revolutionise the sector to greater height.

Mogodi who highlighted four major challenges confronting Fulani herdsmen advocated education, job opportunities, entrepreneurship, empowerment for Fulani youths across the country and access to cattle ranches for the herders.

He emphasised: ‘Fulani youth are very talented and industrious in any aspect of life. They can study any course in any institution in the world.’

He strongly noted that in this 21st century, any child who is denied education is denied life because education is the key and bed-rock of socio-economic development and growth all over the world.’

The Sarki also lamented thus: ‘We have lots of out-of-school children. Some have lost their parents and thousands of cows to criminals across the country. We go through a lot of challenges while transporting our cows from the North to the South-South, South-East and South-West due to criminal attacks, killing, rustling and extortion at checking points’.

Mogodi cited some instances: ‘During the end SARS protests on October 22, 2020, some hoodlums raided our Fulani camp in Eteo-Eleme Community of Rivers State and killed 21 cows, killed two in Obigbo Local Government and killed some more in Etche Local Government Area. Nothing was done by relevant authorities in the state’.

The Sarki appealed to the Federal Government to help his people out from this sympathetic situation because: ‘Some elements in the society are now bent on destroying our business and image despite our commitment and contribution to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.’

He also called on the Federal Government to create Fulani Youth Development Commission (FYDC) or Danfodio Youth Development Commission (DYDC) like other commissions such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the south to enhance their socio-economic lives, wondering where Fulani youth would find themselves in the next 30 years based on the global challenges, if nothing was done.

Klatham keeps options open

The Klatham Party has caused a stir by going against the opposition whip’s position and voting in support of the 2027 budget bill.

Unsure of its commitment to scrutinising the government, the main opposition People’s Party (PP) has removed Klatham from the opposition whip.

The whip is a mechanism for coordinating opposition parties in scrutinising the government. The move opens the way for the opposition camp to restructure ahead of the planned no-confidence debate.

Klatham is widely seen as the party positioning itself for a place in the Bhumjaithai-led (BJT) government. The question now is whether it will actually be invited to join the coalition and, if so, under what conditions.

A useful option

The Klatham Party’s move cannot be viewed separately from the way the BJT is managing the coalition, with Newin Chidchob keeping an eye on the party’s direction and timing from behind the scenes.

The ruling party appears to be playing two roles. On one side, Prime Minister and BJT leader Anutin Charnvirakul has left the door open, saying that “anything is possible”. On the other, the party’s spokesman says the coalition remains unchanged.

Keeping Klatham in the running to join the government therefore gives the BJT more room to negotiate with its current partners, particularly Pheu Thai. It also sends a message that if disagreements emerge, Klatham could be brought in instead.

However, if the coalition remains stable, there is little reason for the BJT to make changes. Bringing Klatham into the government would not be a simple decision, given the party’s growing political strength.

Klatham won 58 seats in the latest election, giving it considerable bargaining power and making the government more cautious about bringing it into the coalition.

A partner to watch

Its leader, Capt Thamanat Prompow, is widely regarded as a politician who knows how to build political strength. After spending just over a year in government with control of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, he helped turn Klatham from a little-known party into a major political force.

With 58 MPs, Klatham is no longer a small party that can be brought into the government and easily managed.

It could expect around four or five ministerial positions when joining the government. That would require cabinet seats to be taken from current coalition partners, potentially causing a stir.

The political experience and parliamentary skills of key party figures have made the government wary that bringing a party with 58 MPs into the coalition could create another centre of power within the government and lead to conflicts in the future.

Capt Thamanat’s political record also adds to the concern. He has shown an ability to create political pressure, expand his influence and shift political alliances when circumstances change.

That may explain reports that Capt Thamanat could stay behind the scenes rather than take a cabinet position himself, in an effort to reduce resistance from the public and political business groups.

Even with such an arrangement, the timing of any move will depend on whether the government sees a need for Klatham’s support.

An immediate move is unlikely because the current allocation of cabinet seats and the government’s support in parliament remain settled.

The situation could be different towards the end of the government’s term. Bringing Klatham into the coalition at that stage could help strengthen the government’s parliamentary position, potentially taking its support above 300 seats ahead of the next election.

In that scenario, Klatham would serve more as an additional source of support than as a replacement for a major coalition partner such as Pheu Thai.

Showing goodwill

For Klatham, remaining outside the government also has advantages.

By supporting the budget bill, the party has demonstrated its parliamentary discipline, keeping its MPs together in attendance and voting and showing that it can deliver a bloc of votes for the government when needed.

There have also been reports that Klatham representatives have been in contact with the BJT to say the party is ready to join the government without conditions, although it is expected to seek the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry quota.

But as long as the current coalition remains intact and concerns about Klatham’s past political moves persist, the party is likely to remain a backup option that gives the government additional bargaining power.

The most likely scenario for now is that Klatham will continue to support the government on key votes to build goodwill, while remaining outside the cabinet.

A real opportunity could emerge if a major political crisis develops or divisions become serious enough for the main coalition parties to stop working together. In that situation, Klatham and its 58 MPs could become an important factor in maintaining the government’s stability.

A test

The coming no-confidence debate could be more important than the budget vote in determining where Klatham stands.

Assoc Prof Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, director of the PhD programme in Politics and Development Strategy at the National Institute of Development Administration, said Klatham’s support for the budget bill is linked to the planned censure debate.

With 58 MPs, Klatham could significantly increase the number of votes against the government if it remains in the opposition, putting greater pressure on the administration to secure enough support to survive the debate.

Mr Phichai said an agreement could be reached for Klatham to support the government, but the party would likely seek a guarantee in return.

Its main demand would be a clear commitment on cabinet positions, particularly if it fears supporting the administration only to be left outside the government afterwards.

For that reason, he said, Klatham could push to join the coalition before the no-confidence debate. If the government is unwilling to bring the party in, Klatham could interpret this as a sign that the administration is not serious about offering it a place in government and could still vote against it.

The situation could become more complicated if the BJT is uncertain whether Pheu Thai will support the government.

Mr Phichai said bringing Klatham into the coalition beforehand could provide an additional bloc of votes and reduce the government’s reliance on Pheu Thai. But doing so would require a cabinet reshuffle.

The key issue would be which party gives up ministerial positions, with the quotas likely to come from either the BJT or Pheu Thai. Taking back positions from existing coalition partners could create internal tensions, he said.

If Klatham becomes convinced that it will not be invited into the government after the no-confidence debate, it could instead turn to Pheu Thai and vote against the government, potentially leading to the end of the current administration and the formation of a new coalition.

A new government could potentially be led by a Pheu Thai prime minister, which would reduce the BJT’s role to that of a coalition partner, he said.

Mr Phichai also warned Klatham’s bargaining power could change once the no-confidence debate is over. If the party supports the government first and waits to see whether it receives cabinet positions afterwards, it could lose much of its leverage.

Once the government survives the debate, there would also be less reason for it to bring Klatham into the administration, he said.

House of Js Unveils Sapphire Bag, Celebrates Growth and Transformation

Nigerian fashion brand, House of Js, founded by Jolly Precious Amaka, is set to unveil its latest bag, Sapphire, on October 1, 2026, as the brand continues to expand its creative offerings.

The new design follows the brand’s debut Jade collection and draws inspiration from nature, the moon, personal growth and transformation.

According to Jolly Precious, the Sapphire bag was inspired by the shape and symbolism of the crescent moon, which she described as a representation of hope, love, brightness and different aspects of the human experience.

‘I was inspired by nature and the shine of the moon. Shaped as a crescent, I thought about how the moon illuminates the world at night from whatever angle,’ Jolly said.

‘The quilts ‘squares’ represent several parts of the illusion of the moon. To some, the moon is just for brightness, to others it is a symbol of love or hope. It represents a part of the human experience that cannot be altered.’

She explained that Sapphire follows House of Js’ practice of naming its bags after precious stones, adding that the new design would be available in red, black and brown.

Unlike the Jade collection, Jolly Precious said Sapphire was developed as a standalone design because of its distinctive concept and manufacturing process.

‘Sapphire is a standalone bag, not released with any collection. It should have been released as our debut bag, but it took a lot to manufacture, so it comes unique,’ she said.

‘It is definitely not a bag to be seen in any store, as it took a lot of intentionality and intellectual property to make this design.’

The creative process lasted more than three months and involved several samples before the final design was achieved.

Jolly Precious said the bag was produced with microfiber leather, which she described as a durable material suitable for the African market.

‘The bag is made with microfiber leather, for its sustainability in the African market to outlive cowhide as we want a bag that does last in whatever weather or condition,’ she said.

She said House of Js considered several materials, including PU leather, cowhide and sheep leather, before settling on microfiber.

‘PU leather was not good enough for the concept and cowhide leather was quite fancy. The only option we had was sheep leather, which would take longer to get, from the tanning of the leather in a specific condition to them making the bags in a specific way,’ Jolly explained.

‘Microfiber proved to be more durable for the design pattern of the bag. It was not an easy decision but in order to bring the design to life as imagined, we had to choose microfiber.’

The crescent shape also forms a major part of the bag’s symbolism, with Jolly linking it to growth and transformation.

‘A crescent moon represents growth in the design to me, but of course our buyers have a specific meaning to what the crescent moon represents, hence the quilted ‘boxes’ on the bag as designed,’ she said.

‘Every answer has a space to sit for every buyer.’

Jolly Precious Amaka also explained the decision to introduce the bag in red, despite sapphire traditionally being associated with other colours.

‘Why must it be rigid, when growth is possible even in the abnormal?’ she said, describing the colour choice as another expression of the brand’s emphasis on individuality and transformation.

She said Sapphire was designed to accommodate different lifestyles and occasions, rather than being limited to a particular setting.

‘To be honest, Sapphire can be styled for whatever occasion you have. It is not just a party or work bag. It is designed for all occasions,’ Jolly said.

The founder disclosed that the production process was accompanied by several challenges, including difficulty sourcing materials, rejected samples and delays associated with the leather.

‘I had quite a lot of challenges with the manufacturing. It took over three months to bring this beauty to life. From not having the materials needed, to having wrong samples to delay as a result of the leather,’ she said.

‘I am absolutely glad and give God the glory that Sapphire is here to stay.’

Jolly Precious said she wants customers to develop their own interpretations of the bag and its quilted details.

‘I really want our customers to have a unique story to fit into the quilts of what Sapphire means to them. Sapphire is all about growth, specifically made for a transformed woman. So be a Sapphire,’ she said.

The Sapphire bag will officially launch on October 1, 2026, with 300 pieces produced for the initial release. It will be available through the House of Js website and its social media channels.

Jolly Precious described the release as a significant milestone for the fashion brand, saying House of Js would continue to explore new creative opportunities.

‘This new release is a great milestone for us at House of Js. We are glad for growth and aim to work higher to achieve more,’Jolly said.

She disclosed that the brand’s next major release would most likely come in 2027, with plans for an exclusive House of Js clothing collection, while the brand also continues to explore collaborations with other designers.

Schoolboy hailed for clearing rubbish from flooded city street

Amid heavy flooding in Bangkok, a schoolboy’s simple act of civic-mindedness has drawn widespread praise online after he was filmed wading through murky water to collect floating rubbish before it could clog the drains.

The clip, posted on TikTok by user Ndphk on Saturday, quickly drew attention on social media. The uploader accompanied the footage with a short caption expressing admiration for the boy’s actions.

The video was recorded in flooded Soi On Nut 17 during rain on Saturday. The water level had risen nearly halfway up car wheels, and numerous rubbish bags could be seen drifting with the current.

Against that backdrop, the boy stopped beside the flooded road, set down his school bag and umbrella, and began picking up floating rubbish bags. He then carried the waste to a nearby bin, preventing it from being swept into drains and removing obstacles from the flooded roadway.

His simple action struck a chord with many viewers, who flooded the comments section with praise.

Many commended not only the boy but also his parents and teachers for instilling a sense of civic responsibility and concern for the wider community.

“His parents have raised him really well. Admirable,” one commenter wrote, while also encouraging the youngster to take care of his health after wading through dirty floodwater.

Others said the fact that he acted without being prompted reflected strong public-minded values and consideration for others.

As the clip gained traction online, many commenters described the youngster as a “little hero” for his efforts during the flooding.

Lutheran Church Diobu explores best ways to turn children away from evil

Most children have deviated and carry out deadly practices that stun their parents, when discovered. In most homes these days, pornography is commonplace, immorality is full, cult practices are in vogue, guns are hidden under the bed, and most sons are into yahoo-yahoo, yet parents hardly knew.

Thus, on the day Cecilia Thomas, a deaconess at the Lutheran Church of God in Diobu District marked her 73rd with her first son, Edidiong, being unveiled as an Elder, the congregation admitted that the deaconess was truly a ‘Silent Queen’ who raised her children the most perfect method.

Many thus looked up to her methods especially as her husband died early and she was saddled with the task of bringing up two boys and a girl in a place such as Diobu.

When asked to reveal her template, she waved prayer as the key. ‘Some of our women are not with their children in same location. Prayer is the weapon that can reach them wherever they are because God is faithful. Maybe, one day, God will touch and change them. They will come back to the right path.’

What dominated the thanksgiving ceremonies was the fact that the deaconess was the silent type, yet all her children turned out excellently well in character and career.

She disclosed her method: ‘We brought them up in Christ and church culture. They were well taught and they were made to know that whatever we as parents asked them to do, if they did not believe it, they should follow the word of God. So that is why.’

The Mummy showed huge appreciation to the guests and to God that gave a bright weather on a day in September in a rainy region. She said: ‘God is faithful.’

Edidiong Thomas: Children caring for children:

Edidiong Thomas is the first child of the Thomas family. He was made ‘Elder’ on the day her mom was unveiled on her 73rd. Responding to the accolades to her family for being well brought up, he said it’s all about family norms and values.

He emphatically said why children are going astray very much is because their parents are mere children. ‘Children are bringing up children’, he declared.

As a way of advice, he urged parents of today to emulate good models they see around them. ‘Copy from the old time religion, copy those things that had been existing, plus all the norms and values that were there before now. Then imbibe those things into your children.

‘You don’t just say you know because of career. A lot of people are missing the mark. They become too focused on career and then leave the most important thing which is taking care of the children.’

On the double celebration for mother and son, Thomas said he felt happy and elevated for what God has done; being installed as an Elder. ‘Above all, I am happy for what God has done in my life and my family. Today also is my mom’s birthday. I am overjoyed. And then lastly I asked for and prayed for a fair weather and we god it, all day to this moment. So I am extremely overjoyed.’

He admitted that while growing up, they stuck to their parents’ words. ‘I know that children of today appear to be much into Yahoo life, immorality, lack of attention in the class, cultism, etc. Looking at the lives of then and now, the difference seems huge.

‘To me, it’s all about norms and values. As a person and for my family, we held onto norms and values. Apart from that, we were trained and catered for by parents.

‘Most parents are not mature in the spirit, not mature in the head. And then they become influenced by social factors. I also know it’s because of the information that we have today. Then, there was no internet, etc. Exposure was limited. Internet was created to improve life. Some parents can still help their children use it to better their lives instead of using them to be more corrupt than they should be. So, it’s all about norms and values. We were given norms and then we hope that we will also transfer them to the children we are raising.’

Cleric, Oliver Iwoha on why evil men fill govt positions:

Oliver Iwoha, reverend and Port Harcourt District Superintendent of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Diobu, who hails from in Imo State threw much light in why bad men fill up government positions.

He admitted that churches and community townhall meetings look for best of their best to serve in positions, but said it is not so when it comes to electing persons into office.

The Superintendent, who arrived Diobu back after many years of leaving the District, said: ‘What God requires from us is faithfulness, sincerity, straightforward. But now, what we are seeing today is the opposite. Those in authority will like to bring in those that will do their bidding and cover them and their mistakes. They will not touch people that are sincere and straightforward.

‘The leaders suppress good people and elevate evil persons. They prop up those people that are like them so that they will cover for and protect each other. That is what we see these days. It is not only in Lutheran Church that they seek out good men and women. Other churches do so, too.’

On advice to voters, he urged the society to try the true Christian way; ‘Vote on tested and confirmed people you know. Choose people that are God-fearing. God requires those that are straightforward, sincere, humble, etc. This is because if you elect a leader, he or she must represent you and be accountable.

‘So, look for people that will truly represent you, that will tell you the truth, that will help you, that will lead you and tell you what the government is all about. It should not be people that will turn round to silence you.’

He mentioned Peter Obi as one of those loved by the ordinary people but said those in authority seem to fear him. ‘Today in Nigeria, politicians have used money to buy and deceive the people. During election, they will begin to share money to people, an end up blind their eyes.

‘Now the people will no longer see the good people that are straightforward, people that can represent them fully. Because of that money that they will eat today, tomorrow that money will not be there. The people that can serve may not have that particular money, but they are ready.

‘We know a man that is very ready and prepared to serve as President but they would not allow him because of his straightforwardness. They fear he may expose the rot in government.’

Throwing back, he said he arrived the previous evening only to learn that the family his co-minister left behind was doing double celebration. He talked about his journeys from Diobu to Owaza (Abia State) to Enugu, Bayelsa, etc, and now to Diobu as head.

‘Upon return here, I was officially notified that Sister, Deaconess Cecilia Thomas, and her son, Edidiong Thomas, would have great thanksgiving. Incidentally, the late husband of the woman was the one that I took over from as a lay preacher in Owaza 1987. Today, I am here witnessing the 73rd year of his wife who actually was behind the success of man as family head. Here now, we are receiving and celebrating them as our Elder and Deaconess; and to work with them here in the church.

From what he knew about them, he drew some lessons for young mothers and today’s children. ‘Yeah, like I said, the late Bro Moses Thomas was a dedicated and agile minister. Every Sunday, he would travel from here in Diobu Port Harcourt to Owaza in Abia State to conduct church service until I was sent. The wife was very supportive.

‘She is a straightforward woman, very dedicated, humble, and sincere. I know her very well as a strong member in the Women Fellowship. I was happy when I arrived yesterday, I was informed that she has been installed a Deaconess in this church. The son was very young those days.

‘To the glory of God, today, both mother and son are now Deaconess and Elder in our midst; and I am privileged to work with them. It’s a blessing, and honour, and also a responsibility.’

He regretted that the hunt for money has caused distraction for families but that the deaconess is very humble.

‘I advise women to emulate her humility. She is respectful and dedicated. Dedication is always expected in this work. When you dedicate yourself, people will see, because it was as a result of her dedication that the people at home saw that dedication, saw the humility and faith, and they picked her to be a Deaconess.

‘In the same way, our brother, Edidiong, was found to be dedicated and humble and sincere, and they picked him and made him and Elder. So, that can serve as a lesson to young people to realise that people are watching them, especially in the body of Christ. They must learn that when you are dedicated, when you know your work, when you are sincere and straightforward, God and the body of Christ will find you and use you. All that God wants from us is dedication, straightforwardness, sincerity. That is also what will take us to heaven.’

Why three minutes of vigorous movement may lower cancer risk

If you spend most of your working day seated at a desk, a few minutes of vigorous movement could be more useful than you think.

A new study suggests that replacing sedentary time with physical activity, particularly short bursts of vigorous movement, is associated with a lower risk of several cancers.

The study, published in July in BMC Medicine, analysed activity data from 59,218 men and women who were part of the UK Biobank. Participants wore activity trackers for a week, allowing researchers to measure how much time they spent sitting, standing and engaging in light, moderate or vigorous activity.

Researchers then examined their medical records over roughly eight years, looking at 13 cancers that have been associated with physical inactivity. They used statistical models to estimate what could happen if participants replaced some of their usual sitting time with different types and intensities of physical activity.

Standing was associated with lower cancer risk compared with remaining seated, but movement appeared to have a stronger association. Light activity was associated with greater benefits than standing, while vigorous movement showed the strongest association.

The study found that about three minutes of vigorous activity was associated with a similar reduction in cancer risk as about 90 minutes of light-intensity movement.

Vigorous activity in the study included movements that substantially increased breathing and heart rate, such as rushing up stairs or running to catch public transport.

For Riya Shah, a cancer specialist physiotherapist at Performance Medicine Kenya, the findings reinforce a broader message about the importance of movement throughout the day.

‘Regular movement is one of the most important modifiable lifestyle factors we can influence across the cancer continuum, from prevention, through treatment and recovery, and into survivorship,’ she says.

Shah says people often think of exercise as something that has to happen in a gym or as a structured workout, yet the body benefits from movement throughout the day. ‘Our bodies are designed to move throughout the day,’ she says.

There is already evidence linking higher levels of physical activity with a lower risk of several cancers, particularly breast and colorectal cancer, she said. Physical activity is also associated with better cardiovascular and metabolic health.

For someone who spends eight or more hours sitting at work, Shah says the focus should not be solely on finding time for a workout before or after work.

Instead, people should also look at how they can interrupt long periods of sitting. ‘Don’t wait until the end of the working day to ‘do your exercise’. Build movement into the working day itself,’ she says.

Her suggestions include standing up and walking around for a couple of minutes every 30 to 60 minutes, walking to speak to a colleague instead of sending a message where practical, taking the stairs, walking while making a phone call, getting up to refill a water bottle and having walking meetings where possible.

Standing, she says, is certainly better than remaining completely sedentary, but ideally people should move rather than simply switch from sitting to standing.

‘Even a short walking break can increase muscle activity, circulation and energy expenditure,’ she says.

The idea of vigorous movement can also be less complicated than it sounds.

It does not necessarily require a gym, running track or exercise equipment.

Shah says climbing several flights of stairs, walking quickly uphill, carrying heavy shopping, cycling quickly or running to catch a matatu can potentially qualify, depending on how hard the activity makes a person work.

‘Exercise doesn’t have to look like exercise,’ she says.

For one person, climbing several flights of stairs may constitute vigorous activity, while for someone who is fitter, the same activity may only be moderate.

A useful indicator, Shah says, is breathing. During vigorous activity, breathing and heart rate increase substantially and a person may only be able to say a few words before needing another breath.

However, she cautioned against interpreting the study as suggesting that three minutes of exercise a day is all a person needs.

The study was observational, meaning it identified an association between physical activity and cancer risk but did not prove that the short bursts of vigorous movement directly prevented cancer.

Shah says the finding should instead be viewed as an encouraging message for people who currently do little physical activity.

‘If you currently do very little activity, small amounts of purposeful movement can still matter,’ she says.

Those short bursts can be a starting point and can gradually be built upon, she adds.

There are also possible biological explanations for why physical activity may influence cancer risk. During vigorous movement, heart rate, blood flow, breathing and muscle glucose uptake increase. Exercise can also influence insulin sensitivity, metabolic health, inflammation, body composition and the immune system.

Shah says researchers are also studying how exercise mobilises immune cells, including natural killer cells, which are involved in identifying and responding to abnormal cells.

But cancer prevention cannot be reduced to physical activity alone.

‘Physical activity is important, but it doesn’t eliminate other established risk factors such as tobacco exposure, alcohol consumption, unhealthy body weight and diet,’ she says.

For people with sedentary jobs, her advice is therefore simple: move whenever there is an opportunity.

Walk during a phone call. Take the stairs. Walk part of the journey where practical. Break up long periods of sitting. Add some brisk walking to the day and incorporate strength exercises such as squats, calf raises, glute bridges or resistance exercises at least twice a week.

The broader message is not that everyone needs to find an extra hour in an already busy day.

Rather, movement can be accumulated throughout the day, from the journey to work and the office stairs to household tasks and short bursts of faster activity.

‘Don’t aim for perfection, aim to avoid sitting continuously for hours at a time,’ Shah says.

Memory of martyrs honored in Lachin on Remembrance Day

The memory of the martyrs who fought heroically in the Patriotic War and sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity was honored with a one-minute silence in Lachin district on September 27 – Remembrance Day.

Participants gathered in the central square of Lachin city to pay deep tribute to the memory of the martyrs.

At 12:00, traffic and pedestrian movement across the district was suspended. Drivers sounded their horns, and a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Lachin district, the Lachin District Restoration, Construction and Management Service, law enforcement agencies operating in the district, families of martyrs and local residents.

DA backs ‘phased’ pork tariff hikes

To support Filipino hog raisers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said it is seeking to restore pre-African swine fever tariff levels for imported pork through staggered increases.

The proposal follows the agency’s discussions on Sept. 24 with industry stakeholders, who called for the move as farmgate pork prices continue to drop.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he has taken up this matter with President Marcos. He said they had proposed the initial return from a 25-percent to a 35-percent tariff.

Then by Jan. 1, hopefully 40 percent, back to (the original) rate. So, that alone can help,’ Tiu Laurel said.

As of August, farmgate prices of pork dropped to P150 per kilogram, lower than P215 in June 2025.

The DA is also seeking a tariff line for frozen pork jowls, which have become a major import due to their lower tariff treatment, increasingly competing with local pork in the retail and food service sectors.

Rivers agency teams up with Mayor of Housing to fight refuse menace Garden City

Port Harcourt as capital of the South-South has come under attack for refuse all over the city. Hope, however, seems to surge back as the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has indicated interest in the fight.

The real estate success strategist and major supporter of the Rivers State government has teamed up with Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to improve the sanitation level of the Garden City.

Most citizens have continued to cry out of rising refuse dumps across the Garden City as many beaches and play areas have been overtaken by refuse heaps and dumps.

Now, the Mayor of Housing and the RIWAMA authorities have agreed on construction of receptacles at strategic locations in the Garden City for the erection/construction of waste collection point to forestall the dumping of refuge on the roads.

At a meeting held on September 23, 2026 in Port Harcourt, it was agreed to get more refuse collection centres.

A statement that rang out of the meeting said as part of efforts to keep Port Harcourt clean and restore its Garden City status, the RIWAMA was to collaborate with the Mayor of Housing to build more standard refuse collection centres across the city.

According to a statement from the RIWAMA media unit, Ibimina Wokoma, the Managing Director of RIWAMA, received the Mayor of Housing and his team in his office in Port Harcourt.

The statement added that the meeting centred on constructing more collection centres to put an end to the growing trend of dumping refuse on road medians across Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City.

‘You will recall that RIWAMA has always maintained that road median dumping is an offence. The Agency has also deployed enforcement officers across the city, but many residents and informal waste workers have continued to ignore the warning’, the statement emphasized.

It was agreed that the available bins and receptacles were no longer enough to serve the growing population, following the rapid development and expansion happening across the state. ‘The planned construction of new standard centres is expected to address this.’

Speaking during the visit, China said he is passionate about restoring the beauty of Port Harcourt.

According to him, as part of his vision to project Rivers State as a top tourism destination in the world, there is every need to support the waste management system.

‘The rate at which people dump refuse on the middle of the road is alarming. We can create proper places where refuse can be dumped and evacuated as and when due, so that businesses can thrive and we can sustain a healthy environment,’ he said.

China, who is a leading entrepreneur in Africa, further disclosed that his new project, the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City, would model the Garden City of a new dream, ‘Where waste segregation and recycling will be fully practiced.’

He promised that it would be one of the best estates to live in Nigeria, and also promised to support RIWAMA in its massive sensitization drive across the state.

Responding, Wokoma said RIWAMA has already built several receptacles across the city and was working to build more. He added that collaborations with private organizations and institutions like the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education have already produced some receptacles, while more were still ongoing.

He said the Agency welcomed such partnerships because waste management was everybody’s business and its effect touches all persons.

‘As the State Government is expanding the city with major infrastructure, there is more development, more people are coming in and more waste is being generated. So having good collaborations like this will go a long way in supporting government’s efforts,’ Wokoma said.

The first phase of the construction would commence in a few days and will spread across the city, the statement added.

Residents were advised to look out for the Green and Blue coloured RIWAMA waste collection points around major streets and desist from dumping refuse on the median.

Also in attendance were, Cosmos Okoro, RIWAMA Director of Administration and Human Resources; Harry S. Henry, Head, Media and Advocacy; Godwin Njoku who accompanied the Mayor of Housing.