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National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Circuits, Africa’s virtual cinema and audiovisual distribution platform, to digitise its educational and culinary content.

The partnership aims to accelerate the digital transformation of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry by providing online access to NIHOTOUR’s training, capacity development programmes, and culinary showcases.

Established under NIHOTOUR Act, the institute serves as Nigeria’s top agency for training, regulation, and capacity building in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.

Through Circuits’ advanced digital platform, NIHOTOUR will deliver its courses and initiatives to a wider audience, allowing Nigerians, particularly those in hotels, restaurants, catering, travel, and related sectors to access high-quality training.

As part of the collaboration, they will produce and stream culinary shows that highlight Nigeria’s diverse food culture and creative gastronomy. The initiative is expected to set standards for African culinary excellence and promote Nigeria’s reputation as a hub of hospitality innovation.

NIHOTOUR’s Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, described the agreement as a milestone for the sector.

‘This partnership with Circuits aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises innovation, youth empowerment, and economic growth.

‘By embracing digital dissemination, we are extending our mandate to Nigerians, providing them with knowledge and skills to compete globally.’

Chief Operating Officer of Circuits, Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, said the collaboration reflects their commitment to connecting African creativity with global audiences. ‘Partnering NIHOTOUR allows us to merge education, entertainment, and tech to redefine how hospitality expertise and indigenous culinary excellence are shared and celebrated,’ she said.

The MoU reinforces NIHOTOUR’s leadership in hospitality capacity building while leveraging Circuits’ digital infrastructure to expand Nigeria’s global footprint in tourism and gastronomy.

By combining innovation with accessibility, both organisations are paving the way for a new era in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism education.

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun tree-planting campaign in Ondo State, as part of efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability across Niger Delta.

The initiative, aimed at ensuring a greener environment, had earlier been launched in Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo states in partnership with the Foundation for Sustainable Development Options (FOSDO), an environmental solutions non-governmental organisation.

This development comes amid reports of several coastal communities, particularly in southern Nigeria, being devastated by gully erosion.

Speaking yesterday at a one-day sensitisation workshop and tree-planting event held in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with the theme: ‘Reawakening the Practice of Tree Planting’, the Acting State Director of NDDC, Dr. Asonye Victor-Ngozi, said the initiative became necessary in view of the severe ecological impact of erosion across Niger Delta communities.

He noted that the campaign underscored the commission’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, describing the exercise as a practical demonstration of NDDC’s dedication to safeguard the environment.

‘Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating greenhouse effects, improving air and water quality, and sustaining biodiversity,’ he said.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FOSDO, Dr. Anthony Chovwen, lauded NDDC for funding and supporting tree-planting campaigns across the nine Niger Delta states.

Represented by Ms. Abigail Bokoyeibo, the FOSDO Ondo State programme director, Chovwen said the region was not immune to the effects of climate change, adding that the campaign aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability.

‘Through this collaboration, we have conducted sensitisation programmes and environmental education projects, reaching more than 1,000 young people in secondary and primary schools across Niger Delta,’ she said.

Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Menakai Kekwaru, an environmental zoologist from the University of Port Harcourt, highlighted the growing threat of climate change caused by human activities that increased carbon emissions and heated the planet.

Dr. Michael Rotimi Olujugba, a lecturer at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, emphasised the vital role of trees in sustaining life and reducing noise pollution.

He urged all tiers of government to implement policies promoting afforestation, noting that ‘anyone who cuts down a tree should be mandated to plant three new ones.’

The event featured practical tree-planting sessions involving students from participating schools, including Community Primary School, Kofawa; Caring Heart Mega School; Ilaje High School and Community Grammar School, Igbokoda.

The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) has begun mobilising traders across Anambra State to actively participate in the forthcoming governorship election. It said their involvement is crucial to achieving a higher voter turnout.

SIDEC noted that only 92,000 out of over 2.6 million registered voters participated in the 2021 governorship election-a figure the organisation described as worryingly low.

The group is currently implementing the Inclusive Mobilisation for Participation, Advocacy and Civic Transformation (Project IMPACT) in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, with funding support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO).

Speaking during a voter education session at Ochanja Market, Onitsha, SIDEC’s Executive Director, Mrs Ugochi Ehiahuruike, stressed that good governance depends on the active involvement of citizens, not just elected leaders.

‘It is not their government but our government,’ she said. ‘We all must take ownership, and one way to do that is by casting our votes for candidates of our choice.’

Ehiahuruike urged traders not to stay away from the polls or allow a few voters to decide the future of the state.

‘November 8, 2025, is not a day for football matches or movie marathons. It is a day to decide the destiny of Anambra State for the next four years.

Even if you choose not to vote, those who do will determine our collective direction. Come out and be counted. INEC has assured that every vote will count-speak loudly with your voter’s card.’

She also appealed to candidates, supporters, and the electorate to maintain peace before, during, and after the election, stressing that development can only thrive in a peaceful environment.

Rivers United have received a major boost ahead of the CAF Champions League group stage as the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo has been approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for use as the only pitch with the facilities to host CAF games.

The approval comes after CAF’s latest round of stadium inspections aimed at ensuring facilities across Africa meet international standards for safety, broadcast quality, and infrastructure.

This development means Rivers United will host their home fixtures in Uyo after their traditional ground, the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, was declared unfit to stage CAF matches.

The Uyo arena-widely regarded as one of the finest in Africa-has consistently met CAF’s evolving requirements and has hosted several high-profile international and continental fixtures in recent years.

According to CAF’s updated list of approved venues, Morocco tops the continent with 12 approved stadiums, followed by South Africa (10), Algeria (7), Ivory Coast (6), and Egypt (5). Tunisia, despite its football pedigree, has only one approved venue, while several countries-including Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Zimbabwe-currently have none.

CAF officials are expected to continue inspections across the continent, with more venues to be added once they meet the confederation’s strict compliance standards.

The inclusion of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium highlights Akwa Ibom State’s consistent investment in world-class sports infrastructure and stands as a boost to Nigerian football’s continental image.

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has described the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as ‘not just a super-performing minister but parliament’s treasured asset.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Agbese said the attacks on the minister were a ‘calculated attempt to distract a reform-minded public servant whose record of innovation and results has redefined service delivery in Nigeria’s public sector.’

‘In less than a year, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has transformed the Ministry of Interior from a bureaucratic enclave into a model of efficiency,’ he said. ‘He cleared over 200,000 passport backlogs in just three weeks, introduced end-to-end automation that eliminated touting and racketeering, and opened new passport offices across several countries to serve Nigerians in the diaspora. Today, citizens can apply for and collect their passports within days, not months – and that’s a direct outcome of his leadership.’

Agbese noted that Tunji-Ojo’s reforms also extended to other agencies under the ministry.

‘He has brought structure and discipline into the correctional system. Over 4,500 inmates were released to decongest overcrowded prisons, biometric systems have been deployed to track escapees, and jailbreaks have practically become a thing of the past,’ the lawmaker said.

According to him, the minister’s emphasis on human capital development within the paramilitary agencies has restored morale and professionalism.

‘He ensured timely promotions, introduced digital monitoring systems, and improved the welfare of officers. The ministry has become a place of dignity and performance. Under his supervision, it has generated over ?6 billion in revenue this year alone – proof that transparency and efficiency can go hand in hand,’ Agbese stated.

He dismissed the NYSC certificate controversy as ‘a hoax designed by desperate politicians who cannot match competence with results.’

‘The so-called certificate scandal is nothing but noise,’ he said. ‘These are the same old tactics of distraction deployed whenever a young, effective leader begins to challenge the old order. The enemies of progress cannot stand the fact that the Renewed Hope Agenda is working through people like Dr. Tunji-Ojo.’

Agbese urged Nigerians to focus on measurable performance rather than unsubstantiated allegations.

‘Governance is not about gossip; it’s about delivery. Every citizen can see the difference the Interior Ministry is making – faster services, cleaner processes, and greater accountability,’ he said.

He also warned against ‘the weaponisation of social media to smear public officials without proof,’ insisting that all legitimate concerns should follow due process.

‘If there are questions, let the institutions of state handle them – not political jobbers or social media mobs. The rule of law must not give way to mob hysteria,’ he cautioned.

Agbese described Tunji-Ojo as one of the brightest examples of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision, saying his blend of youth, competence, and patriotism had restored citizens’ confidence in government institutions.

‘Dr. Tunji-Ojo represents a new generation of leadership – focused, innovative, and accountable. He is building systems, not headlines. Those peddling falsehoods will fade, but his legacy of reform will remain,’ Agbese declared.

History was made at the Choice De Immaculate Demonstration School (CIDS), Obosi in Idemili North LGA, Anambra State where Miss Saka Aliyat emerged the overall best graduating student of the school.

Aliyat, an indigene of Osun State, bagged awards in multiple subjects, including Igbo language, English, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Economics and Marketing.

The Yoruba girl, who smiled home with several gifts, received additional awards of Best Student in Neatest/Complete Uniform, Affinity to Students, Most Hardworking Student, Most Disciplined and Most Punctual.

Speaking during the 15th Valedictory/Sendforth Ceremony and Prize Giving Day of the school, Aliyat advised fellow students to focus on their studies with more interest, enthusiasm, dedication, diligence and hard work.

She urged them to follow the instructions of the school teachers and that of the Director who, she described as her mentor if they plan to come out in flying colours.

Director of the school, Engr. Solomy Ochokwu, advised the graduating students to be courageous, resilient and embrace integrity and work ethics as they join the larger society.

He urged them to always reflect on the times they spent in the school where they were taught to become the best students in the world.

Ordinarily, the phrase ‘red letter’ is used to describe something, such as a day or an event, of special significance. For example, October 1 every year is a red letter day in Nigeria, because the country attained independence on that date in 1960. That was a joyous and memorable event. However, not all red letter days are joyous moments. The day misfortune fell on New York City by way of a terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, was a red letter day too.

If you wish to understand how The Red Letter issued on October 22, 2025, by the Coordinating Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate, has elements of both types of red letter and more, please follow me through the following semiotic analysis of the letter.

It was Roland Barthes (1915-1980), the French philosopher, literary theorist, and semiotician, who popularised an interesting rubric for analysing sign systems from a variety of perspectives. He found semiotics, the study of signs, a useful way of exposing contradictions and revealing hidden meanings. For example, Barthes showed how a simple advertisement, that of Panzani, a brand of pasta (spaghetti), could be analysed from multiple levels to reveal iconic and symbolic signs as well as surface (denotative) and hidden (connotative) meanings at the same time (see Rhetoric of the Image in his book, Image Music Text, London, Fontana, 1977, pages 32-51). In the following analysis, I juxtapose the various levels of meaning as I go along.

At the iconic level, Pate’s letter is set against a red background in its digital representation. Although the print of the digital copy is white, the red background captures attention much more than the white print. It literally makes the letter red. However, we begin to get the meat of the letter once we begin to decipher the white print.

But what does the white print say? Many things, some direct, others indirect. First, the words confirm the disbursement of N32.9 billion to the commercial bank accounts of ‘primary care facilities in every ward across the country.’ Wait! There are 8,809 wards across the country. That means that there are 8,809 primary care facilities across the country. And how much does each ward get from this pot of money? You do the math. But remember to multiply your answer by three, since the minister says this is ‘the third round this year.’

Second, the letter is presented as an invitation from the federal government to the various communities to help safeguard the spending of the fund by ensuring that it is monitored. There is a much deeper meaning here. Here is a government promoting participatory democracy, by appealing to the people not to ‘stand aside,’ at a time when some cheeky politicians are screaming the death of democracy.

Nevertheless, there is a sense in which the people’s lethargy makes room for the perceived death of democracy: They are not participating as they should, and the letter is very explicit about the problem: ‘Our community members and institutions do not ask how the money is used, or if it reaches the people it was meant for’.

Hence the government’s direct appeal in The Red Letter:

‘Stand up and take ownership

Go to your health facility

Join the committee

Review the plan

Demand openness

Celebrate progress

And above all, make sure the fund truly protects the health of your people.’

Third, there is an indirect appeal to the elite and those who are literate enough to be able to read The Red Letter to disseminate the information: ‘Let this Red Letter reach every community, every ward, and every home. Let it remind us that the health of Nigeria lives in the hands of Nigerians.’ I am doing my own bit here by reproducing The Red Letter and analysing it. You should do your own bit too, by sharing this article with as many people as possible. Make it a point of duty to tell at least ten people to find the primary health care facility in their ward and follow the money by taking part in ward activities and making enquiries about funding.

It must be emphasised, however, that this Red Letter carries far-reaching implications for accountability and citizen engagement beyond wards. Since the return to democracy in 1999, state governments have not been sufficiently accountable to those they were elected to serve. Local government councils and their wards have been shut out of their funds by their respective state governors. It has been reported numerous times since the inception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration that states have been receiving increased allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee, compared to previous years due to the economic reforms by the administration.

Indeed, in the last few months, states have been receiving more funds than the federal government. For example, in September 2025, FAAC’s disbursements were as follows: federal government N711.314 billion; state governments N727.170 billion; and local government councils N529.954 billion. On top of their allocations, oil producing states also received a total of N134.956 billion as 13 percent derivation. These past few months would be the first time in over two decades that states would receive a larger share of FAAC allocation than the federal government. Yet, there is little to show for the increased allocations in many states of the federation. This led me to raise the alarm in September (see Your governor has your money, ask him for it, The Nation, September 3, 2025).

This situation also led the present administration to approach the Supreme Court to seek the loophole in the constitution in granting financial autonomy to local councils. Even then not much development has happened in the councils. It is alleged that some governors had their local council chairmen swear to an oath of secrecy or sign a fund sharing agreement on their council’s funds!

The Red Letter now shows that the ministry of health has even bypassed the councils by going directly to wards and calling on citizens to seize the opportunity by participating in the oversight of their health care facilities. But this is not the first time the federal government would target wards directly. Early in August, President Tinubu approved a ward-level development strategy designed to drive grassroots economic growth and address poverty across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards. It is the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), which is integral to the Renewed Hope Agenda that targets a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Just as Minister Pate appealed to citizens to participate in the affairs of primary health care facilities in their wards, so did President Tinubu appeal to state governors to prioritise the welfare of their citizens at the local level: ‘I want to appeal to you; let us change the story of our people in the rural areas. The economy is working. We are on the path of recovery, but we need to stimulate growth in the rural areas.’

At the end of the day, The Red Letter and the President’s appeal to governors are coded messages: governors should perform and citizens should hold them to account through participation and oversight.

Club World Cup champions Chelsea have entered the race to sign highly rated Nigerian winger Sani Suleiman, joining a host of European clubs monitoring the AS Trencin sensation, as reported by Tribalfootball.

Suleiman, 19, has been in outstanding form since returning to his Slovak club after representing Nigeria at the U20 World Cup. His recent assist against Skalica earned Trencin a valuable draw and saw him named in the Nike Liga Team of the Week.

Chelsea’s scouting team have reportedly requested updated information on the young winger, who is attracting growing attention across Europe. Suleiman’s contract runs until June 2026, with Trencin holding a two-year extension option, effectively securing his services until 2028 – a clause that strengthens the club’s hand in any transfer talks.

The Nigerian’s impressive displays have also drawn interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers, and Bayer Leverkusen, alongside several Italian clubs making preliminary enquiries.

According to the CIES Football Observatory, Suleiman was recently rated the most complete U21 winger in the world, based on seven key performance metrics, and ranked among the top 200 U20 outfield players globally.

With his meteoric rise and increasing demand, this season could mark Suleiman’s final campaign at Trencin, as Europe’s elite continue to circle one of Africa’s brightest young talents.

Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) has inaugurated its women’s wing in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, with a call for unity, mobilisation and grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The state Women Coordinator of AMG and former commissioner, Yetunde Adeyanju, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the group and hailed the women for their steadfastness and courage despite intimidation and harassment.

She said the purpose of the gathering was to sensitise women across the state on the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, emphasising that Ondo State women must take the lead in mobilising massive support for his victory.

Adeyanju lauded President Tinubu for his developmental projects in Ondo State and across the country, as well as his empowerment initiatives that had positively impacted women through federal schemes.

She also commended the Minister of Interior and convener of AMG, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his people-oriented leadership and continuous support for women in Ondo State.

She described him as ‘a minister with a human face, ever willing to listen and always ready to help.’

She said his stabilising role in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State could not be overemphasised.

The women offered prayers for the minister’s continued success in office and in all his endeavours.

Adeyanju reaffirms that as the AMG state women coordinator, her mandate is to ensure every woman in Ondo State votes for the APC and President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

She said AMG women’s wing would intensify its campaigns across the nooks and crannies of the state, with ward-level meetings and grassroots engagements to guarantee overwhelming victory for the President.

The women’s gathering unanimously endorsed President Tinubu’s re-election bid, pledging total commitment to the cause.

In their remarks, several speakers praised the Minister of Interior for his steadfastness in strengthening APC in Ondo State, noting that through his influence and grassroots connections, many individuals from opposition parties had joined APC.

The Director General of AMG, Asiwaju Olumuyiwa Asagunla, hailed the state women coordinator and the entire women’s structure for their passion and loyalty to the AMG movement. He conveyed greetings from the convener, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, reiterating that AMG was birthed to propagate the achievements of President Tinubu and ensure his overwhelming re-election victory in 2027.

The event was attended by prominent members of the AMG, including the Chairman, Leaders Council, Senator Yele Omogunwa; Ondo State Commissioner at Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Otito Atikase; Deputy DG, Ondo South, Afolabi Iwalewa and AMG Secretary, Corporal Nanaopri, among others.

Ivorian international Jonathan Bamba has stirred debate after omitting the Super Eagles from list of favourites for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Despite Nigeria finishing as runners-up in the last edition hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, the AFCON 2023 winner, failed to shortlist the three-time African champions among likely to lift the trophy.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Lille forward backed his country to perform strongly despite the fierce competition expected at the continental showpiece.

‘I have an excellent feeling about it. The team is good, with a rotating squad. Despite the injuries, the team remains competitive. It’s great,’ Bamba said.

‘I don’t know if we are favourites, but I have a good feeling about this CAN.

‘We know the favourites – Senegal with its top players, Morocco also present, and Algeria too. But in this kind of competition, you may be the favourite, but it’s the pitch that speaks,’ he noted.

Bamba’s omission of Nigeria – finalists just months ago – has sparked mixed reactions among fans, who believe the Super Eagles deserve recognition after their impressive run at the last edition where they finished with the silver medal.

With the tournament drawing closer, his comments could serve as added motivation for Nigeria as they seek redemption and a fourth continental title in Morocco.