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BetKing, Nigeria’s leading gaming and entertainment brand, has announced the launch of the country’s largest Virtuals Jackpot, giving players the chance to win life-changing rewards every hour, every day, and every month. The campaign offers over 120 million naira in cash prizes monthly, making it the most rewarding and inclusive Jackpot ever introduced in Nigeria’s gaming industry. Izzz plenty!

The Virtuals Jackpot will feature three exciting tiers of winnings. The King Monthly Jackpot crowns one lucky winner with 50 million naira every month, while 12,000 additional players will share 10 million naira monthly. The Royal Daily Jackpot guarantees 1 million naira for one winner every single day, and the Duke Hourly Jackpot delivers 50,000 naira to one winner every hour. In total, more than 12,000 Nigerians will benefit from this campaign each month.

With this campaign, BetKing is expanding the players’ circle, ensuring that every BetKing customer has a genuine opportunity to win. By creating multiple entry points to life-changing rewards, the brand continues to redefine accessibility in Nigeria’s gaming industry.

The Virtuals Jackpot builds on BetKing’s recent track record of innovation. Late in 2024, the brand introduced Danfo Lagos, a culturally immersive mobile game inspired by Nigeria’s most iconic transport system, while JJBallx, the Jay Jay Okocha themed football game, launched earlier this year, has added a fast-paced, engaging option to BetKing’s growing iGaming portfolio. These products demonstrate the company’s commitment to blending culture and innovation to deliver unparalleled entertainment experiences.

Speaking about the impact of the revamped jackpot launch, Head of Marketing, BetKing, Nengi Akinola, commented ‘This campaign is about creating consistent, life-changing opportunities for our players. With cash prizes available every hour, every day, and every month, Virtuals Jackpot reinforces BetKing’s mission to make winning more accessible, while celebrating the excitement of play.’

Alongside this, our growing iGaming lineup, including fan-favorites like Danfo Lagos, JJBallX, and the Fame House campaign inspired by Big Brother Naija, continues to push the boundaries of entertainment and give our players even more engaging ways to win.’ She added.

As the largest Virtuals Jackpot in Nigeria, this campaign sets a new standard in the industry, combining scale, inclusivity, and innovation to create more winners than ever before. So, are you the next Virtuals jackpot millionaire? For players across the country, one click could be the moment that changes everything. Play now on https://m.betking.com/virtual

The Steering Committee of the Southwest Citizen-Government Engagement Summit has announced the postponement of the summit originally scheduled for October 9-10, to October 29-30.

Invited participants are expected to attend on the new dates, with arrival scheduled for October 28.

The summit with the theme: ‘Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future’, will still be held at the International Conference Centre (The Dome), Akure, Ondo State, with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as chief host.

Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN, the chairman of the Steering Committee, says the decision reflects the committee’s commitment to ensuring the summit provides a truly meaningful platform for engagement between citizens and the government.

‘The additional time will enable us to conduct comprehensive consultations with participating ministries, agencies and stakeholders; ensure optimal logistical arrangements that facilitate substantive dialogue; and coordinate effectively with the six Southwest state governments and participating institutions,’ he said.

Onigbinde apologised for any inconvenience the postponement might cause and assured stakeholders and the public of commitment to deliver an impactful, inclusive and productive summit that would serve as a landmark platform for citizen-government engagement in the Southwest.

The United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has said she has not heard President Bola Ahmed Tinubu complain about the challenges he inherited from his predecessor since he assumed office as President.

Mohammed said this at an award dinner at Nigeria House in New York to celebrate Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary and the Independence Day Parade and Carnival.

The UN deputy chief said President Tinubu ‘fought hard to get to that seat’, even though he said ‘it was his turn’.

She added: ‘But he also told us that he wasn’t going to complain about what he got. I have not heard him complain.

‘People around him complain about what he inherited, but he doesn’t.’

Mohammed stressed that Tinubu ‘is the President of Nigeria. It is God that put him on that seat. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to get behind him and do the best we can for Nigeria, except you’re trying to tell me that God made a mistake’.

The UN deputy secretary-general congratulated Nigeria and Nigerians on the nation’s attainment of its 65th independence anniversary.

She expressed the confidence that the future is bright for the country.

‘We are a work in progress, and we are 65 years old as a country.

‘However, unless you are part of building a nation, no one else is going to do it for you.

‘It doesn’t matter whether you are in the country or outside the country,’ Mohammed said.

She called for concerted efforts to build the country and not pull it down, saying: ‘If we get into the pull-down syndrome, then who else is going to pull us up?

‘What else are we telling our children? What else are we telling people that we want as our partners?

‘If we are the first people to say that we’re no good, we’re not good enough, and I hope that we just stop doing that.

‘This is because Nigerians are the hardest working, most ambitious, and proud people.’

Super Eagles Numero Uno Stanley Nwabali was on the receiving end yesterday as Richards Bay FC thrashed Chippa United 4-1 and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout in South Africa.

The Natal Rich Boys reportedly took only five minutes to make the presence felt as Bomelo pounced on a misplaced ball in the area and beat Nwabali from close-range.

The fine start continued two minutes later when debutant Mutizwa rose on the end of a curling delivery from a corner-kick and headed in the roof of the net.

Chippa got a lifeline in the opening-quarter as Tshobeni halved the deficit with a smart finish from a tight angle after attacking a probing cross by Nga.

However, there was no comeback as the host added a third ten minutes to halftime when a turnover in midfield saw Bomelo run forward and teed-up Mutizwa to register his brace.

The Chilli Boys made a double change at the break with Thabang Malaoa on for Seun Ndlovu before Giovanni Philander stepped aside for Bandile Dlamini.

But despite spirited efforts by Chippa after the interval, it was Richards Bay that wrapped up the victory in added time when Lundi Mahala ran in-behind a through pass and finished from close-range.

Legend Internet Plc, an indigenous broadband service provider, has been assigned a long-term corporate rating of ‘Bbb-‘ and a short-term rating of ‘A3’ with a Stable Outlook by Agusto and Co.

Agusto and Co. noted that Legend’s strategic pause in customer activations during Abuja’s city-wide construction works has positioned the company to scale more efficiently as disruptions subside.

The recently approved 50 per cent tariff hike by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is also expected to boost earnings and cash flow in the near term.

Chief Executive Officer, Legend Internet Plc, Aisha Abdulaziz said the rating marked Legend’s inaugural rating since its incorporation in 2021 and represented a strong validation of the company’s business fundamentals and growth strategy.

She said the rating reflected Legend’s satisfactory financial condition, supported by its cash-driven operations and low leverage.

According to her, the rating also reflected robust infrastructure investments across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), passing 250,000 homes with 22,000 connected and 10,000 currently active, improving profitability margins, with gross profit rising to 63.9 per cent in for year ending 2024-2025.

She pointed out that the exemplary rating was the outcome of cost optimisation measures and strong expansion prospects, including planned entry into Lagos via merger and acquisition, alongside organic growth in Abuja and future rollouts in Kano and Port Harcourt.

She said: ‘ This is first-time rating from Agusto and Co. is a milestone achievement for Legend Internet Plc. It validates our resilience, prudent financial management, and commitment to building Nigeria’s most reliable broadband network. As we expand into Lagos and other key markets, this rating reinforces the confidence of our investors, partners, and customers in Legend’s ability to grow sustainably while powering digital lifestyles across Nigeria’.

She said Legend Internet, which transitioned to a public limited company in April 2024, is advancing plans for a dual listing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and the London Stock Exchange.

She added that the company continues to diversify its ecosystem with complementary solutions such as LegendMail-Nigeria’s first commercial email platform; MailPay – proprietary fintech application, and Legend Omni-Fibre-to-the-Room – (FTTR) services introduced in partnership with Huawei.

She said that with the rating, Legend Internet has strengthened its position as one of Nigeria’s leading broadband providers, building a stable foundation to accelerate growth, attract investment, and deepen digital inclusion nationwide.

Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, has overturned the suspension of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

The appellate court quashed the order issued by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2019 and declared it as unlawful.

Governor Makinde had, on May 31, 2019, proscribed the activities of NURTW in the state, citing breach of peace.

The governor had also announced the immediate takeover of motor parks by the state government.

Challenging the order, the union, through its counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), filed a suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on July 19, 2021, seeking to nullify the governor’s order.

However, the lower court dismissed the suit on March 23, 2022, saying it lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, NURTW filed an appeal on April 22, 2022, in which it argued that the state government lacked the legal authority to suspend the operations of a trade union registered under the Trade Union Act CAP T14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The union’s counsel, Falana, raised two issues for determination by the appellate court.

Falana asked the court to determine: ‘Whether the lower court’s failure/ neglect to consider, resolve and pronounce on all issues legitimately raised and canvassed by the appellant’s counsel not a miscarriage of justice on the union.’

He also asked the appellate court to determine: ‘whether the executive governor of Oyo State or his agents are vested with the power to proscribe or suspend the operation of NURTW in the state, which is a trade union registered under Trade Union Act CAP T14 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

The union’s counsel argued that it was trite that a court rendered a decision on every issue properly raised before it.

The appellant argued that the trial court erred in law to reach its decision without considering the merit of the case in line with objection raised by the union against counter affidavit of the state government.

While the Attorney-General of Oyo State, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, argued that the suspension of NURTW was as a result of a breakdown of law and order, the union’s counsel countered by submitting that there was no evidence of any breakdown of law and order.

Falana also questioned the legal power of Governor Makinde to suspend NURTW, as all trade unions were on the exclusive legislative list of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The three-man panel in its lead judgment delivered by Justice Kenneth Amadi ruled that Oyo State Government failed to provide evidence of any breach of peace or public order that would justify the suspension of the union’s activities.

‘Nowhere in the counter affidavit filed by the respondents at the lower court did they aver that the conduct of the appellant warranted a suspension on the grounds of breach of peace, law and order.

‘I therefore hold that the respondents failed to justify the suspension of the activities of the appellant based on the ground of breach of peace, law and order in Oyo State caused by the union. I allow this appeal, set aside the suspension on the operations of NURTW in Oyo State. I also set aside the judgment of the lower court,’ Justice Amadi held.

Justice Biobele Georgewill, concurring with the lead judgment, criticised the state government’s handling of the matter.

He said while the state had the authority to maintain law and order, it must do so within the confines of the law.

In his ruling, he held: ‘In the leading judgment, it has been demonstrated that the respondents did not prove the existence of any act of violence against the appellant by merely mouthing violence in its counter affidavit without setting forth the acts of the appellant and concrete evidence to show the acts and conduct that he categorised as violent.’

He noted that ‘if the appellant’s activities were violent, that it is an illegal act, then such violent activities can be checked by the state government, so that the law and order will be restored and maintained by the relevant security agencies, including the police, but it cannot be resolved by resort to another form of illegality by the state government going outside the lawful channel to use its whims and caprices by suspending the activities of the appellant, since the state government does not have any such powers outside of laws of the land.’

Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Governing Council of Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Jide Owoeye, has called for strategic collaboration between universities, industry, donors, and international institutions for development of Africa.

He said governments, private sectors, and regional bodies should continue to implement and refine frameworks (such as those under Addis Convention and HAQAA) that ensure comparability, accountability, and transparency in higher education.

Owoeye, in a lecture: ‘Quality of Education in Developing Countries: Collaboration in Africa and Role of Private Universities’ at the 13th Convocation of Protestant University, Rwanda, said Africa’s journey to transformation, through quality education is not just a goal, but one dependent on the mechanism by which development becomes sustainable, inclusive and dynamic.

On policies and frameworks, he said: ‘Today, universities play a pivotal role in the development of nations.

‘Africa possesses robust policy frameworks that underscore quality education as central to development.

‘Under Agenda 2063, African Union defines one of its key goals as ‘Well-Educated Citizens and Skills Revolution underpinned by Science, Technology and Innovation’.

‘This goal envisions universal access to quality early childhood, basic, secondary, and tertiary education, alongside a substantial increase in qualified teachers and technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship skills.

‘The Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025), aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), has made it clear that equity, inclusion, and quality must go hand in hand.’

He encouraged private universities to invest beyond enrolment growth, because growth in numbers matched by investments in faculty development, infrastructure, learning technologies, research capacity, and curricular relevance is critical.

Owoeye identified strengthening of regulatory oversight in the education sector, quality assurance and collaboration between private and public universities as parameters for transformation of Africa.

He wants an alignment of funding with quality imperatives because both private and public higher education will require more funding-‘not just for access, but to deliver quality: for research, for infrastructure, for teacher training, for quality assurance systems. Innovative financing (grants, endowments, industry-sponsored programmes) should be explored.’

In the area of monitoring of outcomes and ensuring accountability, he said robust metrics of graduate employability, research output, student satisfaction, and learning gains should be tracked and published, while feedback loops must exist so institutions can adjust policies and practices in light of what works and what does not.

Stressing the powers of collaboration, he said private universities have demonstrated their potential to supplement public institutions, to innovate, and to meet growing demand, but their full promise will be realised only when they do not act alone.

Underscoring the importance of inclusion and equity, he advised private universities to be mindful of access for less privileged or rural students; scholarships or financial assistance programmes can counterbalance high tuition fees and reduce inequality.

As a way of kicking off the suggested partnerships, Lead City University is offering full tuition scholarships to graduates of the Protestant University of Rwanda who might wish to undertake their postgraduate programmes in Nigeria.

Chancellor of the University and President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda, Dr Pascal Bataringaya, appreciated Prof Owoeye for the convocation lecture and the promised scholarship.

Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, has called for the protection of investors, entreprenuers as well as employers of labour in the country. He said this in a position paper on ‘Protecting investors and employers: A national policy imperative’ made available to The Nation, yesterday.

Yusuf, an economist, noted that while investors, entrepreneurs, and employers are the lifeblood of every modern economy, as they take risks, mobilise capital, create jobs, generate tax revenues, and drive innovation, but in Nigeria, their rights and investments remain inadequately protected.

Noting that the labour unions play a legitimate role in protecting workers, he nonetheless insisted that their activities must align with the law and national interest. Reforms in this aspect should include proportionality of industrial actions; designation of strategic sectors- including energy, health, transport, and ICT, as essential services, where strikes are restricted or prohibited; introduction of compulsory arbitration in essential sectors to prevent economic paralysis; clear sanctions and restitution requirements for unlawful strikes that inflict damage on businesses and the economy.

‘Labour rights should end where those of employers begin. Investors should have as much rights to protect their investment as labour unions have the rights to protect the workers. There is a need for a fair and equitable balance. Mandatory publication of audited union accounts and governance records to enhance transparency,’ Yusuf said.

According to him, while significant legal safeguards exist for workers and employees, there is no comprehensive framework that protects the interests of investors and employers.

‘This imbalance undermines investor confidence and leaves those who create jobs vulnerable to disruptions- particularly from industrial actions by labour unions. The real sector is especially exposed, given its large workforce, high fixed costs, and significant sunk investments. There are worries as well about the seemingly unlimited powers of regulatory institutions,’ Dr. Yusuf said.

He therefore muted that a robust policy response that creates a fair, predictable, and secure investment climate; protects those who create jobs; and ensures that industrial relations are governed by law, due process, and mutual respect, has therefore become imperative.

‘Protecting investors and employers is not a privilege, it is a national economic imperative. Without them, there can be no sustained growth, no employment, and no national prosperity. Nigeria must, therefore, urgently institutionalise a fair, secure, and predictable business environment that protects those who take risks to create wealth. This is not about weakening labour unions, but about balancing rights and responsibilities, to foster sustainable economic growth, social stability, and national security,’ he argued.

Yusuf argued that investors in the country operate in an environment marked by uncertainty and institutional weakness. He noted key sources of vulnerability to include a of comprehensive legislation guaranteeing the rights of investors or shielding them from harassment, arbitrary regulatory decisions, or unlawful shutdowns; unrestrained union actions follow arising from a growing culture of coercion, intimidation and impunity among labour unions, resulting in industrial actions that are often out of proportion, which frequently escalate into large-scale disruptions that paralyse production, inflict huge financial losses and undermine national economic stability.

The CPPE boss also noted the role of regulatory unpredictability, arising from frequent policy reversals, inconsistent enforcement and opaque regulatory processes which raise business risks and discourage long-term investments; bureaucratic bottlenecks and weak dispute resolution which stems from cumbersome procedures, unauthorised enforcement actions and protracted legal disputes that create delays and uncertainty, undermining investor confidence and productivity. He noted that these factors erode Nigeria’s competitiveness, deter both local and foreign investment and slow economic growth and job creation.

Yusuf also said that these have not been without its economic and social consequences. For instance, investor vulnerability, he explained, carries serious macroeconomic and social consequences.

‘When investors lose confidence, capital flight intensifies, foreign direct investment declines, and domestic enterprises contract their operations. The resulting chain reaction includes job losses, declining tax revenues, and reduced economic growth.

‘Unrestrained strikes in strategic sectors such as energy, transport, and health disrupt production, threaten national security, and endanger public welfare. Policy inconsistency and regulatory arbitrariness make long-term planning difficult, deepening Nigeria’s dependence on imports and weakening its industrial base.

‘Without corrective reforms, these trends will continue to erode national competitiveness, discourage innovation, and diminish Nigeria’s economic resilience,’ he said.

The CPPE therefore mulls new investor and employer protection framework that will establish a fair, balanced, and predictable environment for business. Specifically, the Group noted that this new policy objective should protect investors and employers from arbitrary actions by regulators, labour unions, and government agencies; rebalance industrial relations to ensure fairness and due process for all parties; safeguard strategic sectors of the economy from disruptions that threaten national stability; promote regulatory and policy stability to reduce uncertainty and enhance competitiveness and ensure accountability and enforcement of laws by unions, regulators, and employers alike.

Specifically, it said the country should enact a dedicated Investor and Employer Protection Act to provide a strong legal foundation for safeguarding investors’ rights. The Act should, it said, should codify the rights and obligations of investors, employers, regulators, and unions; prohibit unlawful actions such as intimidation, coercion, unauthorised shutdowns, and harassment; establish penalties, damages, and restitution mechanisms for violations.

‘The Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) should be strengthened for faster, impartial resolution of industrial disputes. An Independent Investment Ombudsman Office should also be created to handle investor complaints and mediate disputes involving government agencies,’ the CPPE boss said.

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed his condolences to the family of the late elder statesman, Amb. Muhammad Jabbi Maradun.

The late Ambassador Jabbi passed away at the age of 82 in Abuja on Saturday, after a prolonged illness.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described Ambassador Muhammad Jabbi as a dedicated elder statesman who worked tirelessly to ensure the creation of Zamfara State.

The statement reads in part: ‘It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of Ambassador Muhammad Jabbi Maradun, a distinguished elder statesman and a true son of our beloved state, Zamfara.

‘Ambassador Jabbi was born on November 12, 1943, in Maradun local government area.

‘Ambassador Maradun served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Tunisia from 1999 to 2003.

‘He was a prominent figure in the movement for the creation of Zamfara State.

‘Following the establishment of Zamfara State, Ambassador Jabbi joined the pioneer military administration under Colonel Jibril Bala Yakubu, where he served as Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, and Tourism.

‘His political affiliations included the GNPP, NPN, and NRC parties, and he was a stakeholder in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

‘His final public service role was as a Federal Commissioner with the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission, a position he held with distinction from 2005 to 2015.

‘On behalf of the people of Zamfara State, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the emirate, and the people of Maradun Local Government for this great loss. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannah as his final resting place.’

Abuja-based Energy FC put up an imperious performance and silenced the home crowd with a commanding 4-1 victory over Snowlions FC of Lagos to retain their 5Stars Premier League title in Lagos on Saturday.

Despite playing away from home, Energy FC showed no signs of intimidation, displaying composure, teamwork and clinical finishing to ensure the prestigious trophy returned to the capital – marking back-to-back victories for Abuja-based teams in the competition.

Star of the night, Titus Ayuba, delivered a master class performance that earned him the Man of the Match award, netting a brace and orchestrating much of Energy FC’s attacking brilliance.

For Lagos fans, however, it was another night of heartbreak, as the city’s teams continue to chase an elusive first 5Stars Premier League title.

The grand finale wasn’t just about football – it was a spectacle. The entertainment segment featured top celebrities including Zlatan, Skiibii, L.A.X, Ibroking, Kanaga Jr., and Sexy Steel, who traded the stage for the pitch, showcasing their football flair in a lighthearted exhibition.

Energy FC walked away with a ?1.5 million cash prize, while runners-up Snowlions FC received ?800,000. The regional runners-up from Abuja and Lagos each earned ?350,000.

Dignitaries who graced the medal and trophy presentation included Dr. Lakinbofa Goodluck, MTN’s Public Relations Manager; Mr. Adanklounon Cyrile, representing the Ambassador of Benin Republic to Nigeria; Mr. Chinedu, representing Nigerian Breweries; League Ambassador Mr. Ibrahim Bakare (Ibroking); and Mr. Desmond Emenike, among others.