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Edo APC to kick off campaign in November

The Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council has said it would kick off its campaigns ahead of next year’s general election in November.

It said its campaign team would visit the 4519 polling units in 192 wards across the 18 local government areas.

The Edo APC Campaign Council said its Senatorial Coordinators would handle and coordinate the campaigns.

Director General of the Campaign Council Matthew Urhoghide who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City said the party’s candidates would be paraded and presented during the campaigns to speak to the electorates to ascertain the quality of the party’s candidates.

Urhoghide also accused opposition political parties of pretending not to see the achievements of President Bola Tinubu.

He said President Tinubu has done well to deserve re-election.

Urhoghide noted that what President Tinubu has done was worthy of commendation and renewal of his mandate.

He said the campaigns would be driven by establishing social contract to the people of Edo State and for the electorates to get the full exposure of the party’s candidates to enable them make informed decisions on election day.

The Edo APC Campaign DG said President Tinubu knew the risk involved in stopping multiple exchange rates even at the risk of the renewal of his mandate and went ahead to ensure the country has one exchange rate.

According to him ‘Tinubu stopped a voodoo economy where anything goes. Economy that is dictated by Mallams and foreign exchange speculators It was not governed by basic economic principles of supply and demand. It was not based on production it was not based on anything. Those who had the privilege of getting the exchange rate from CBN for the importation of raw materials they had a different exchange rate.

Those who were going for medical tourism had a different exchange rate. Those who were going for education had a different exchange rate.

‘For the President to have the audacity to say even if it will cost me my position as president I will go for it. Our economy at that time people would say we’re at a precipice. It was beyond that.

The country would have collapsed. It was virtually impossible for us to run this country further. That was the position I was when I left the Senate.

‘But for somebody to come and have taken the bull by the horn and have said that this is the direction to go that is somebody to be supported.

‘The President himself said we have gone past the tell you nobody is stealing money in this country brazenly.

‘And that is what those in opposition are even talking about. You look at it they don’t even know what they are saying. Is it the issue of subsidy that was a scam in this country?’

Mao pledges to push govt to roll out national health insurance scheme

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has vowed to push the government to roll out a comprehensive national health insurance scheme to help millions of Ugandans struggling to pay medical bills at health facilities across the country.

Mr Mao made the statement while speaking as chief guest at the opening of the 6th ITC International Insurance Conference in Gulu City on Thursday. The conference was hosted by the Insurance Training College of Uganda.

According to him, many Ugandans cannot afford proper medical treatment because of poverty, and a government-backed health insurance scheme is the solution.

His remarks followed concerns raised by insurance sector players, who decried low insurance coverage and bureaucratic processes in processing bills.

‘I have promised to mobilise my colleagues, like the Minister of Health and other relevant officials (ministries), so that we can agree and set a timetable. Ghana has done it; Uganda can do it also,’ Mr Mao told the gathering.

He said not every Ugandan belonged to the insurance sector, adding that a government-backed scheme would enable citizens to access healthcare without shouldering the full cost of treatment.

‘So we need a government-backed scheme, so that any citizen can go to hospital and there is a limit, so that if the hospital requires you to pay Shs300,000, for instance here, I think a private place like C-Care (in Gulu City), they charge Shs60,000 per night, if you are admitted,’ he said.

The justice minister also pledged to address bureaucratic hurdles and delays insurers face in processing bills and agreements through government structures.

‘That two-week commitment is still alive and well; I think they are telling me politely to enforce it. So I promise to enforce the two-week rule,’ Mr Mao added.

At the conference, which brought together more than 200 insurance companies, sector players cited government delays in processing applications and agreements, affordability challenges and a severe lack of public awareness as factors hindering the sector’s growth.

Although the sector has accumulated premiums exceeding Shs2 trillion, Mr Saul Sseremba, the chief executive officer and principal of the Insurance Training College of Uganda, said insurance coverage remained as low as 1 per cent, leaving many Ugandans uninsured.

Mr Sseremba also urged the government to expedite sector reforms to ensure effective regulation.

‘We’ve asked the government to expedite the National Health Insurance Scheme because we believe that once it comes on board, then we have everyone insured. As the insurance sector, we have the capacity,’ Mr Sseremba said.

Ms Deborah Mwesigwa, the commercial business manager for Sanlam Allianz Insurance Ltd, said limited public awareness and affordability continued to discourage Ugandans from taking up insurance.

‘The other bit is the affordability that has made the majority of our population not appreciate the need for insurance,’ Ms Mwesigwa said, adding that the industry was developing cheaper products to address specific needs and make insurance more accessible to low-income earners.

According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), more than 90 per cent of Ugandans rely on direct out-of-pocket expenditure to pay their medical bills.

Dr Protazio Sande, the acting chief executive officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda, said a universal healthcare coverage mechanism could ease the financial burden on the government and free up resources for other competing priorities.

‘We are advocating for universal health insurance coverage, so that every Ugandan can be assured at least of one of the basic needs,’ Dr Sande said.

Insecurity: Navy marines kill 34 terrorists, disrupt operations in Lake Chad

The Nigerian Navy Marines at the Naval Base Lake Chad, in conjunction with the 403 Amphibious Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under Operation HADIN KAI, have killed 34 Boko Haram terrorists (BHT) in the Lake Chad area.

This was contained in a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja on Saturday by the Naval Spokesman, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

The statement explained that the Nigerian Navy Marines conducted offensive operations against terrorist elements on October 28, 2026, with initial reports indicating that eight terrorists were killed in action.

It added that a subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revised the casualty figure to 28 terrorists killed in action.

According to the statement, in a separate operation on October 30, 2026, the Nigerian Navy Marines deployed at the Naval Base Lake Chad conducted another offensive strike against an identified Boko Haram terrorist enclave at Dumba.

It further explained that the operation followed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions that facilitated the identification and monitoring of terrorist elements before a precision strike was executed.

According to the statement, a preliminary Battle Damage Assessment indicated that six terrorists were neutralised, while several others reportedly sustained injuries.

It noted that the casualty figures remained subject to further verification as operational assessments continued.

The statement added that the recently established Nigerian Navy Marines had served as a force multiplier under Operation HADIN KAI, strengthening offensive operations against terrorist elements.

According to the statement, ‘Their operational contributions have enhanced the capacity to target terrorist enclaves, disrupt hostile activities and deny Boko Haram terrorists freedom of action within the Lake Chad area.

‘These efforts continue to support the degradation of terrorist capabilities and advance ongoing operations to restore peace and stability in the North-East.’

It reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to supporting joint operations through sustained offensive action and intelligence-driven engagements to strengthen national security and protect vulnerable communities.

Boracay, Taipei top Filipino travel picks for ‘Undas’ break

FILIPINOS are heading off to Boracay Island and Taiwan for the Undas (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) break, officially from October 31 to November 2.

Booking data cited by AirAsia MOVE also indicated travelers’ growing preference for international destinations, even as domestic vacations continued to account for the majority of the booking platforms’ flights and hotel bookings.

In a news statement, the company said domestic flight bookings slightly slipped to 83 percent of total bookings this Undas from last year’s 86 percent, while local hotel bookings fell significantly to 62 percent from 82 percent last year.

On the other hand, international bookings rose to 17 percent of total bookings this year’s Undas, from 14 percent in 2025. The booking platform’s data also showed that the share of international hotel bookings more than doubled to 38 percent this year from 18 percent in 2025.

MOVE’s findings appear to be supported by the latest data shared by the Manila International Airport Authority, which showed that passenger foot traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from October 27 to 30 reached 590,016, a slight uptick of 2.74 percent from the same period last year.

So far, domestic passengers accounted for 51 percent of total Undas foot traffic, or 301,351, almost unchanged from last year. International passengers, on the other hand, rose by 4.88 percent to 288,665, year on year.

Among the world’s best beaches

Boracay, popular the world over for its creamy powdery white beaches, remained a standout destination this year across flights, hotels, and SNAP! (flight and hotel) customer choices.

Cebu and Manila also continued to be favorites across all said booking categories, while Iloilo and Tacloban were among the leading destinations for both flights and hotels.

Moreover, MOVE’s booking data indicated that more Filipinos are tapping the SNAP! combination, with domestic bookings rising to 76 percent this year, from 66 percent in 2025. Boracay, Cebu, and Manila were among the top local choices for these travel packages.

Meanwhile, Taipei ranked first among international bookings for flights, hotels, and SNAP! in 2026.

Da Nang in Vietnam led in international flights and hotel bookings, while Kuala Lumpur was a popular choice across flight, hotel, and SNAP! packages. Bangkok remained a popular destination for hotel bookings and SNAP!.

MOVE’s findings reflect the recent outbound travel data of the Department of Tourism, which showed a 7.16 percent increase in Filipinos traveling abroad from January to September 2026, and where Vietnam and Taiwan were also top destinations.

Shifting travelers category

‘What stands out is that familiar travel traditions and the desire to explore new places can coexist. Undas remains an important time for Filipinos to reconnect with family, but the holiday also allows some travelers to discover destinations beyond their usual routines. Our role is to help them find travel options that fit the kind of break they want to have,’ said Malou Japson, Country Representative of AirAsia MOVE in the Philippines.

While solo travelers accounted for the largest category of flight bookers this Undas at 55 percent of the total, it was lower than in 2025, when they accounted for 66 percent, according to MOVE data.

There has been a slight uptick in ‘duo’ bookings, or bookings made for two travelers, at 22 percent from last year’s 18 percent, while ‘small-group’ bookings rose to 10 percent from 6 percent. Flight bookings by families also edged up to 10 percent from 8 percent.

Hotel bookings also showed a similar shift in travelers: Family bookings rose to 17 percent in 2026 from just 6.5 percent the year before, even as duos remained the largest share at 58 percent, although this was significantly lower than 72 percent in 2025.

MOVE’s data suggested that Filipinos are planning their vacations earlier, with 72 percent of flight bookings made at least 15 days before Undas 2026, compared to 51 percent in 2025. Still, the average length of trip was consistent, lasting six days for both years.

AirAsia MOVE is Capital A’s travel platform and voted Asia’s Best Travel Booking App at the World Travel Tech Awards for four consecutive years since 2023. It offers a comprehensive selection of travel choices across over 700 global airlines and more than a million hotels worldwide. The booking platform also offers travel services like airport transfers, travel insurance, duty-free shopping, attractions, live-event ticketing, among others.

2027: Abejide targets 2m votes for Tinubu in Kano, empowers Yoruba, Ebira, Igala communities

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, has challenged Yoruba and other non-indigenous communities in Kano state to mobilise at least two million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Abejide made the call on Saturday during the 2026/2027 Kano State Empowerment Programme organised by the Leke Abejide Foundation, where hundreds of millions of naira worth of financial and material support were unveiled for women, widows and other beneficiaries from Yoruba, Ebira and Igala communities resident in the state.

The lawmaker, who represents Yagba West, Yagba East and Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State, said the beneficiaries were drawn from Yoruba communities originating from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi states, as well as the Ebira and Igala ethnic groups of Kogi State.

Abejide, who is also the Asiwaju of Yoruba people in Kano, explained that the decision to extend his foundation’s empowerment initiative to Kano was informed by his longstanding relationship with the people, having lived and conducted business in the state for about 34 years.

He said the intervention was designed to provide sustainable economic opportunities and lift beneficiaries out of poverty through business support, rather than relying on temporary handouts.

The lawmaker disclosed that the foundation had earmarked N500 million for interest-free loans to women organised into cooperative societies, including widows and other businesswomen, to strengthen their businesses and improve their economic independence.

He also announced the distribution of food items, clothing and direct financial assistance to widows, assuring beneficiaries that the programme would continue beyond the 2027 general elections.

‘The era of our women going to borrow from financial institutions with interest they cannot pay is over for good. As long as you are a serious businesswoman resident here in Kano, your season of dryness is over by the grace of God,’ he said.

To ensure accountability and sustainability, Abejide said the foundation had established a monitoring mechanism to track the loans and ensure repayment. He warned that beneficiaries who failed to fulfil their repayment obligations would not qualify for subsequent rounds of the scheme.

He further disclosed plans to introduce a separate empowerment programme for youths and male entrepreneurs, particularly unemployed young people, to equip them with the resources and opportunities needed to become self-reliant.

However, Abejide urged the beneficiaries and the wider non-indigenous communities to translate their appreciation of the intervention into political participation, calling for massive support for President Tinubu and all APC candidates in 2027.

‘I am not just here to spend my hard-earned resources but I am soliciting for your support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Do not treat the election as a party affair but as a collective responsibility,’ he said.

Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who attended the event, expressed dissatisfaction with the nearly 500,000 votes President Tinubu received in Kano State during the 2023 presidential election, arguing that the voting strength of non-indigenous communities in the state should not be underestimated.

He challenged the Yoruba and other ethnic communities to consolidate their political participation and work towards delivering a higher number of votes in the 2027 elections.

‘Your voting population in Kano delivered nearly 500,000 votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last presidential election. That performance was not satisfactory, and we must do better this time,’ Bello said.

The former governor expressed confidence in Abejide’s mobilisation capacity, saying he expected the lawmaker to mobilise at least two million votes for Tinubu in the next presidential election.

‘I am convinced that the votes he mobilises for Mr President should not be less than two million, if not more. And this should not be limited to the presidential election. We must also work for all APC candidates, from the President to the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly,’ he added.

Bello also appealed to Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the president should be allowed to complete two terms in office in the interest of political stability.

Subjects we find interesting in school

Students have a wide range of interests in the subjects they are taught at school. This interest, if sustained, helps them to develop a love for the subjects, even beyond secondary school. OLANIYAN LUKMAN spoke to some Ibadan secondary school students about the subjects they find interesting and why. Their views.

Samson Badmus, 15 years old

The English topic I find most interesting is essay writing. I enjoy learning about it because it teaches me how to express my thoughts and ideas clearly through writing. I learned that an essay consists of three main parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction presents the topic, the body explains the main points, and the conclusion summarises the essay. I also learned how to organise my ideas, use correct grammar, and arrange sentences into meaningful paragraphs. This topic has helped me improve my writing skills and build my confidence in English.

Olatunji Muheez, 13years old

The biology topic I find interesting is learning about living things and how they function. I enjoy biology because it helps me understand more about plants, animals, and the human body. Biology is the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. It is also about the different parts of living things, how they grow, reproduce, and survive. Biology increases my knowledge of nature and how our bodies work. It also helps me understand the importance of taking care of our health, protecting the environment, and appreciating the world around me.

Peter Akiola, 14 years old

The new topic I was taught and found interesting is Agriculture. It is interesting because it teaches about farming, growing crops, and rearing animals. I learned that agriculture provides food, raw materials, and employment opportunities for people. I also learned about the importance of soil preparation, planting, irrigation, and harvesting. Agriculture is important because it helps to feed people and contributes to the development of the economy.

Olaniyan Hassan, 12 years old

The new topic I find interesting is Computer Science because it teaches about computers, technology, and how they work. I learned that computers help us solve problems, communicate with others, store information, and perform different tasks. I also learned that computer science involves programming, software development, and problem-solving. This topic increased my interest in technology and helped me understand the importance of computers in our daily lives.

Peter Success, 14 years old

The new topic I find interesting is Economics. I found this topic interesting because it taught me how people use their resources to satisfy their needs and wants. I learned about demand and supply, production, consumption, and the importance of money. I also learned how individuals, businesses, and governments make economic decisions. This topic helped me understand how the economy works and how economics affects our daily lives. I hope to learn more about this subject in the future.

Aishat Olaniyan, 15 years old

I find Mathematics interesting because it solves problems using numbers, formulas, and calculations. I learned about addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and algebra. I also learned that mathematics helps us develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Mathematics is important in our daily lives because we use it when counting money, measuring things, shopping, and calculating time.

The elderly, children benefit from JCI medical outreach in Ibadan

THE Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ibadan Elite has provided free medical services to 500 elderly persons and children across Ibadan under its Elite Health Drive Project.

The outreach, in its third phase, was held at Oke Aremo, Ibadan, where 250 adults and children benefited from it on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists, the president of JCI Ibadan Elite, Ibukunoluwa Otesile, said the Elite Health Drive Project is one of the organisation’s flagship projects, funded through a grant won from the JCI-Crocodile Foundation.

She explained that phase I of the project was held around this year’s June, phase II on 27th October this year at Idi-Omo, Oja Oba, while phase III was held at Oke Aremo on 28th October this year.

Otesile said the foundation’s target beneficiaries are the elderly and children, adding that the team settled for Oja Oba and Oke Aremo communities after looking for where underserved elders could be found within Ibadan.

‘In total, we impacted 500 beneficiaries. We have had 100 before, 150 yesterday, and 250 adults and children today – 150 adults, 100 children, she said.

Services provided include blood pressure checks, hepatitis B screening, HIV tests, malaria parasite tests, blood sugar tests, and eye checkups by an optometrist.

Based on the results, drugs and glasses were administered to beneficiaries.

Otesile said a critical health need discovered during the outreach was elevated blood pressure among many of the beneficiaries, some of whom were not aware of their condition.

‘Quite some persons we saw here have elevated blood pressure. Some of them were not even aware, and this is why some people just sleep and do not wake up. This is as a result of elevated blood pressure. We’ve created awareness about the disease and administered drugs for people with that health concern,’ she said.

One of the volunteers, from the Nigeria Red Cross, advised parents to always keep their children hydrated because of the heat wave.

The project was funded by JCI-Crocodile Foundation SDG Community Grant, in partnership with the Nigeria Red Cross, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Oyo Messi, and Krishat Pharmaceutical.

Tajudeen Adekunle celebrates AMAA recognition for Fathia Balogun’s ‘Efunroye’

Filmmaker Tajudeen Selim Adekunle, Assistant Director on Fathia Balogun’s movie Efunroye, has celebrated the film’s nomination for Best Film in an African Language at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), describing the recognition as an encouraging moment for everyone involved in the production.

In an interview with newsmen, Adekunle said the nomination was particularly rewarding because of the commitment, teamwork and effort required to bring the film to life.

He noted that recognition at such a major African film award platform provides visibility not only for the production but also for the professionals whose contributions behind the scenes help turn creative ideas into finished films.

Adekunle said the nomination had further strengthened his determination to improve his craft and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Nigerian film industry.

Speaking about what drew him to filmmaking, he said he had always been fascinated by the creative and technical processes that take place behind the camera.

He explained that his interest goes beyond storytelling, as he enjoys seeing how different departments on a film set work together to transform an idea into a production that audiences can connect with.

Adekunle described the Assistant Director’s role as one that requires creative understanding, organisation and problem-solving. According to him, the position involves coordinating shooting schedules, managing cast and crew, preparing scenes and ensuring effective communication among different departments.

He added that the job requires balancing a director’s creative vision with the practical demands of production, including time management, logistics, safety and continuity.

On his experience working with filmmakers, Adekunle said working with different directors had broadened his understanding of filmmaking and exposed him to different approaches to storytelling and production management.

The Assistant Director attributed the growing popularity of indigenous Nigerian films to audiences’ increasing desire for stories that reflect their identities, languages, cultures and experiences.

He, however, stressed that the growth of indigenous cinema also depends on improvements in production quality, including cinematography, sound, performances, costumes and production design.

Adekunle said filmmakers working on indigenous-language productions must pay particular attention to cultural representation, explaining that language, pronunciation, mannerisms, costumes and traditions must be handled with care.

Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the future of Nigerian indigenous cinema, noting that the country’s rich cultural diversity and storytelling traditions offer opportunities for films to reach audiences beyond Nigeria.

He called for greater investment in training, technology, post-production and distribution, as well as stronger international promotion to ensure that indigenous Nigerian films gain wider recognition in the global market.

Adekunle’s involvement in Efunroye and its AMAA nomination marks another encouraging moment in his professional journey, as the film joins other African productions competing for recognition on the continent’s film stage.

One dead, driver injured as LASEMA responds to three overnight road emergencies in Lagos

One person has died and another sustained injuries in three separate road emergencies in Lagos, including a fatal collision involving two granite-laden tipper trucks in Epe, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has said.

The fatal accident occurred at about 6:19 a.m. on Saturday at Oke-Oso, inward Itokin, Epe, when a tipper truck reportedly suffered brake failure, lost control and collided with another truck.

According to LASEMA, the impact threw the motor assistant of the first truck out of the vehicle, killing him instantly.

The agency’s Whales Response Team stationed in Epe recovered the remains of the deceased adult male, placed them in a body bag and handed them over to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Both accidented trucks were also recovered and taken to the FRSC office.

The fatal incident was one of three separate road emergencies handled by LASEMA overnight and early Saturday morning, with the other incidents occurring along Odo-Iyalaro Bridge and in Mushin.

At about 7:58 p.m. on Friday, the agency’s Tiger Response Team responded to a collision involving a Toyota Camry, with registration number AGL-70HU, and a Toyota Venza, registered as FST-893KF, on Odo-Iyalaro Bridge, inward Maryland.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the Venza had stopped by the roadside because it had run out of fuel when the Camry rammed into it.

LASEMA said the Camry driver was suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Although no life was lost, the driver of the Camry sustained injuries and received initial medical attention from LASEMA paramedics and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

He was subsequently evacuated to the Trauma Centre for further treatment, while both vehicles were towed to Area F Police Station.

The agency said its response team cleared the scene and reopened the bridge to traffic.

In another incident at about 10:36 p.m. on Friday, LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team attended to a broken-down HOWO truck, with registration number JJJ-293XZ, at Olosha, Mushin.

The truck became stuck on a failed section of the road, obstructing about 60 per cent of the carriageway and disrupting traffic.

No casualty was recorded in the incident.

The agency said traffic diversion measures were introduced while its heavy-duty recovery equipment, Super Metro, was deployed to remove the truck.

The vehicle was eventually recovered and moved to a lay-by, restoring free movement along the road.

Reacting to the incidents, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged motorists to prioritise vehicle maintenance and road safety.

He warned drivers against operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol and called for strict compliance with traffic regulations.

The agency reiterated its readiness to respond to emergencies across Lagos State, urging residents to report incidents through its toll-free emergency lines, 767 and 112.

Young widows seek help to prosecute husband’s suspected killers

Two young widows whose husband Azuka Sunday was allegedly killed in 2024 have beggged Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene the prosecution of his alleged killers.

The widows Joy Friday aged 28 and Favour Azuka aged 34 said the bodies of their husband and two of his friends were yet to be found.

They said their husband was invited for a job in Obagie community in Oredo local government area and was never seen again.

The widows spoke when they led a peaceful protest to the premises of the Edo State of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and called for investigation into their husband’s death.

Joy said their children have stopped schooling.

She said they were offered money to keep quiet but declined collecting the money.

‘Our husband Azuka Sunday went to Obagie community to work in 2024. They said he was killed but we are still looking for his body.

‘We heard that somebody in government is trying to secure release of the suspect fingered in the killing of our husband.’

Favour said the suspect sent N500000 to cater for the children but the money was rejected.

She said they want the remains of their husband to be found and the killers prosecuted.