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NCDC detects two additional suspected Ebola cases in North-East Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has detected two additional suspected cases of Ebola disease in Nigeria’s North-East region, with both individuals isolated as laboratory investigations and contact tracing commence.

The agency disclosed this in an Ebola response update issued on Saturday, October 31, 2026, stating that laboratory testing was being conducted to determine whether the suspected cases were confirmed infections.

According to the NCDC, contact tracing is ongoing as part of measures to monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the suspected cases and prevent possible transmission.

The development comes amid heightened public health surveillance following Nigeria’s earlier response to an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a strain of Ebola, involving a traveller from Uganda.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain proper hand hygiene, practise enhanced sanitation and comply with public health advisories to reduce the risk of infection.

The agency said further updates would be provided as verified information becomes available.

It also advised members of the public to contact its toll-free line, 6232, or visit its website for official information and guidance.

Kings bamboozle Beermen to move within win semis sweep

With the manner of how they won Game 2, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is quite surprised with the way his Gin Kings have taken a 2-0 lead over San Miguel Beer in their best-of-five PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series.

Not that he doesn’t want it.

‘We didn’t even dream that we would be able to get out even 1-1, much less 2-0, so we’re definitely on a roll,’ Cone said after a 126-99 rout of the Beermen at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday. ‘Our offense is clicking and guys are locked in defensively.’

‘We’re just trying to keep pressure on San Miguel, keep attacking and keep going at them.’

A near triple-double from import Jordan Murphy, the outside shooting of RJ Abarrientos and Stephen Holt, the all-around work of Scottie Thompson, plus defensive effort from Isaac Go enabled Ginebra to move a win shy of advancing to the semifinals despite a rough start to the conference.

‘So far, it’s working, and I really don’t have any complaints at this point,’ Cone said.

Ginebra can go for the sweep on Tuesday down south, when the PBA makes a rare return to Dasmariñas, Cavite. And Cone wants to make sure his Kings won’t give the Beermen a lifeline.

‘Two games don’t make a series, as we all know, we’ve heard this many times before,’ he added.

Murphy had 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Gin Kings continued their turnaround since he arrived as a replacement for Riley Grigsby. The import known for muscling his way inside has led Ginebra to five wins in six appearances.

San Miguel couldn’t solve just Murphy’s play, but Ginebra as a collective unit. The Beermen would eventually fall to a big margin in the second half that they could not get over.

And now the Beermen will look to at least extend the series to a fourth game, even after a defeat that seemed like a stinger, psychologically.

Meanwhile, NLEx and TNT seek a sweep of their respective series on Sunday at the same venue.

NLEx will take a crack at becoming the first team to qualify for the semis in their 5:15 p.m. meeting with Phoenix in Game 3 before TNT tries to bring out the broom against Magnolia at 7:30 p.m.

The Road Warriors gained a 2-0 lead last Wednesday with a 124-117 win in Antipolo, but they remain wary given their experience of squandering previous quarterfinal advantages in the past.

‘Excited to be this close, but we can’t think too much about it because anything can happen. It’s a best-of-five series,’ said NLEx gunner Robert Bolick.

How Transporter Allegedly Killed Retired Civil Servant in Ogun

A 49-year-old transporter, Saburi Lateef, has reportedly confessed to strangling a retired civil servant, Mrs Adedotun Oluwaseun, and inflicting multiple machete wounds on her body at her residence in Bode Olude, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Lateef, popularly known as Alhaji Oki Osan, was arrested more than 10 months after the murder by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command following investigations reportedly intensified on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

In a shocking twist, the suspect allegedly joined sympathisers who visited the deceased’s residence to mourn her, despite his alleged involvement in the killing.

A police source at the Homicide Section of the command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the investigation initially yielded no breakthrough until the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, directed detectives to intensify efforts to unravel the murder.

The source said the killing was suspected to have been motivated by the belief that the deceased had recently collected her retirement benefits, which the suspect allegedly wanted to steal.

According to the source, Lateef gained access to the woman’s apartment through a window while she was away attending a friend’s retirement party around the Rounder area of Abeokuta.

He was allegedly ransacking the apartment when the woman returned.

In a bid to prevent her from raising the alarm, he reportedly strangled her before picking up a cutlass and inflicting multiple wounds on her body.

The source added that the suspect subsequently moved her body to the toilet and placed it on the closet to ascertain whether she was dead.

However, Lateef claimed that the killing followed a financial disagreement involving N3.45m, which he allegedly entrusted to the deceased.

He said he had known Oluwaseun for about 10 years and became close to her after she moved into her residence at Bode Olude.

According to him, he sold his broken-down truck as scrap for N3.5m and handed the balance of N3.45m to the deceased, whom he claimed had promised to lend him money to purchase another vehicle.

He alleged that despite repeated requests, the deceased neither provided the promised loan nor returned his money.

Explaining what happened on the day of the incident, Lateef said he was determined to recover the money.

‘Though I was drunk that day, it was not the first time I had taken alcohol. I was just frustrated that I needed my money,’ he reportedly said.

He admitted gaining access to the apartment after removing the burglary proof from one of the windows.

‘When she came, we had a serious disagreement and I strangled her. After that, I picked a machete in her apartment and inflicted cuts on different parts of her body,’ he said.

However, the deceased’s family dismissed the suspect’s account, insisting that they neither knew him nor had any knowledge of a financial transaction between him and their mother.

The eldest daughter, Mrs Taiwo Atanda, said her mother had visited her and spent several hours with her and her children after attending a friend’s retirement party on the day she was murdered.

She said the family became worried the following day when repeated calls to her mother’s telephone failed to connect.

Atanda said a woman living close to the deceased’s residence was contacted to check on her.

The woman subsequently went to the house with another resident, where they discovered the deceased’s body on the toilet closet with multiple machete wounds.

The daughter expressed shock that the suspect claimed to have been close to her mother, insisting that nobody in the family had ever seen him around the deceased.

‘We don’t know this man. We have been celebrating Christmas with my mother, and we have never seen him in her house. My children usually spend their holidays with her, but nobody has ever seen him around her.

‘The first time I saw him was the day after my mother was killed. He was one of the mourners who came to her residence,’ she said.

The family called on the police and the Ogun State Government to ensure that justice was served, insisting that their mother must not die in vain.

Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, attributed the breakthrough to the persistence, professionalism and commitment of officers and men of the command.

He assured residents that the police would sustain efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.

2027: Wike urges FCT stakeholders to deliver polling units for Tinubu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has charged supporters of President Bola Tinubu to translate their endorsement into votes in the January 16, 2027, election, insisting that every stakeholder must deliver his polling unit, ward, local government area and state.

Wike gave the charge on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

The meeting brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, six area council chairmen, indigenous communities and residents, who endorsed Tinubu for a second term, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North and former Kwali Chairman Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.

He warned stakeholders against claiming credit for victory without contributing at the grassroots, saying genuine support must be demonstrated at polling units.

‘Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward, deliver your local government, deliver your state,’ he declared.

‘I don’t want to hear that I lost my polling unit, but we won. There is no grammar like that. If you lose your polling unit, don’t say you won, because you never contributed to the victory,’ Wike added.

He described the endorsement as significant and thanked traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen and residents for supporting the initiative.

Wike urged residents not to repeat what he described as the mistake of the 2023 election, saying 2027 offered an opportunity to correct it.

‘We shall never make the mistake we made in 2023. Are we going to make the same mistake? No! When you realise a mistake, you correct it,’ he said.

The minister called on residents to support Aduda, whom he described as their son, father and friend, saying effective representation required a senator who understood their concerns and remained accessible.

Questioning the performance of the incumbent senator, Wike asked, ‘Today, can you say in all honesty, the person representing you in the Senate, does she care about you? Has she called you for a meeting any day?’

He attributed Tinubu’s endorsement to the President’s interventions in the FCT, particularly in infrastructure development and the upgrading of traditional institutions after 27 years of neglect.

Wike disclosed that Tinubu had also approved SUVs for traditional rulers, which would be presented on December 4. He said leadership required the courage to do what was right despite criticism.

He commended the six area council chairmen for cooperating with the FCTA despite their party differences, noting that their collaboration had driven progress in the city centre and satellite towns.

The minister listed the establishment of the FCT Youth Development Secretariat, Women Affairs Secretariat and Civil Service Commission as major achievements, saying civil servants could now rise to the positions of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.

Addressing youth representatives who complained about delays in securing an audience with him, Wike apologised and fixed November 10 for a meeting with youths from the six area councils. He also disclosed that he had secured Tinubu’s approval for four buses for youth mobilisation.

He promised a separate meeting with persons with disabilities, urging them to mobilise and exercise their franchise.

On the Rainbow Coalition, Wike explained that it was designed to unite political parties behind Tinubu without forcing them to abandon their political identities. He also commended the APC and PDP chairmen in the FCT for supporting the initiative.

He assured non-indigenous residents of inclusive governance, noting that Tinubu believed in accommodating both indigenes and other Nigerians in the FCT.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Abiodun Essien, said the Federal Government had completed 164km of roads in the North-Central and had 1,207km under construction nationwide. He added that 850,000 students in the region had benefited from the student loan scheme.

The President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, described the endorsement as historic, linking confidence in the administration to Wike’s projects, including the Uje-Gwagwalada-Ruruwoshi-Abaji Road. He also praised members who funded the event from their life savings.

The Renewed Hope Ambassador, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, described Wike’s appointment as a blessing, urged the sustenance of ethnic balance and described Aduda as the best senator the FCT had produced.

Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Aduda commended Tinubu for appointing Wike. He listed 30 inherited projects completed, 76 new projects awarded and 10 more expected before the end of the year, and pledged legislative support for good governance.

The FCT APC Chairman, Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo; his PDP counterpart, Samaila Muhammad Dogara; AMAC Chairman and FCT ALGON Chairman, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu; and youth leaders Yamawo Destiny and Felix Acka all pledged to deliver votes for Tinubu.

Maikalangu appealed for the payment of compensation to indigenes, while Acka called for vehicles to support grassroots mobilisation.

Traditional rulers, including the Ona of Abaji and Permanent Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa, also pledged their support for Wike and the endorsed candidates.

Gov Lawal presents Staff of Office, official vehicles to 19 Zamfara Emirs

Governor Dauda Lawal has presented staff of office and official vehicles to 19 emirs in Zamfara State.

The coronation and presentation ceremony took place at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, the state capital.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, the Etsu Nupe and the Emir of Gwandu.

Following their oaths of office, Governor Lawal presented staff of office to 11 first class emirs and eight second class emirs.

Each newly coronated emir also received a GAC ULTRA SUV (2025/2026 model), a MIKANO ZNA HILUX vehicle and an EV ANTIQUE MODEL car (DDP). The vehicles are intended to support their travels and help them engage more closely with their communities.

In his remarks, Governor Lawal said the ceremony reflected his administration’s recognition of the traditional institution as an enduring part of society and an important partner in promoting peace, stability and development.

He noted that the ceremony also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to giving traditional rulers the recognition and institutional support they need to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

He said, ‘The staff of office being presented today signifies the authority entrusted to you by the State,’ he said.

‘It also represents a responsibility to govern your respective domains with fairness, wisdom, integrity, and compassion.

‘I expect every emir to carry out their responsibilities without discrimination, uphold justice, and ensure that the traditional institution remains accessible to all members of the community.

‘Our people must find guidance, fairness, and reassurance in their traditional rulers.

‘Recognising the importance of royal palaces as centres of traditional authority and community engagement, I reaffirm our commitment to completing the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the remaining royal palaces.

‘This is part of our broader effort to strengthen these institutions and improve the conditions in which traditional rulers carry out their responsibilities.

‘We are also providing official vehicles to the 19 emirs. These include GAC ULTRA SUVs (2025/2026 models), MIKANO ZNA HILUX vehicles, and EV ANTIQUE MODEL cars (DDP).

‘This provision is intended to facilitate travel across your respective emirates, encourage closer engagement with your communities, and improve coordination with government institutions.

‘I expect these vehicles to be properly maintained and used responsibly in support of your official duties.’

The governor also urged the royal fathers to build a productive partnership between their emirates and the State Government.

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, urged the newly coronated emirs to remain fully loyal to the authority. He also encouraged them to respect and uphold the dignity of the traditional institution as they discharge their duties.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (B)

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1018hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. Increased cloud will be present at times with isolated showers and/or thunderstorm.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northeast to Southeast 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3, gradually Southeast to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Afternoon

Southwest to West 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Southwest to Northwest 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northwest to Northeast 3, gradually Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

West to Northwest 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southwest to Northwest 3, locally at first North to Northeast

Smooth to Slight, locally at first Slight

North Coast

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Time of issue: 1130

Date: 31/10/2026

Rainbow Coalition: Foreshadow of Wike’s ‘4th term agenda’?

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 will remain significant for some time to come in the political life of Rivers State following the formal launch at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, of the much-hyped Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political platform cobbled by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Given its unpretentious mission to dominate the politics of the hydrocarbon-rich Rivers State, along with some other states, the dispensation has raised concerns in several quarters due to its antecedents, and the unrelenting war of attrition that came to serve as the hallmark of its principal sponsor, against real and perceived opposition.

The high point of the attrition campaign was the capitulation and volte-face adopted for peace to reign by the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who, in spite of being a prime victim, has been forced to align with and endorse the coalition.

Among the trending questions now is what implications the ongoing coalition drama have for the future of the state, given the fact that the Rainbow Coalition is, in essence, the imposition of an incongruous political platform, seen by not a few observers as the fourth term agenda for Wike, which is being imposed on the disparate groups that make up the state.

The argument for this consideration draws from Wike’s proclivities in respect of the governorship of Rivers State. He had served two terms as governor of the state between 2015 and 2023, which qualified as first and second terms. Restricted by the constitution to serve a third term, he had manipulated Fubara into office, with the intention that the latter would remain a mere placeholder while he exercised real power. It was the reluctance of Fubara to act the placeholder that spawned the crisis between them; hence the Fubara tenure is widely seen as Wike’s troubled third term by proxy.

Now, courtesy of the Rainbow Coalition, Wike is positioning governorship candidates, namely, Kingsley Chinda of the APC and Sam Ejekwu of the PDP, both of whom are from his Ikwerre ethnic group, to ensure that one of them wins to serve as the enabler of his fourth term agenda.

With respect to the evolution of the Rainbow Coalition, not a few have rightly or otherwise likened its circumstances to the fable of the fox that lost its tail in a fight, only to gather the rest of the pack to advocate a new wisdom in living without a tail. In the case of the sympathisers of the Rainbow Coalition as presently constituted, what may be missing is the capacity for discretion and appreciation of political history, along with imperative for balance of interests among the constituent groups in the state.

The political history of Rivers State posits that ethnic harmony among the constituent groups is guaranteed with the rotation of the office of governor between the upland and riverine components of the state: which the Rainbow Coalition dispensation has come to disrupt.

Meanwhile, against the facade of seeming widespread acceptance of the Rainbow Coalition by some communities in Rivers State rages a growing storm of reservations over its tendency of assimilating opposition actors, often without as much as any consultation with their constituencies.

With respect to the mission of the Coalition, it needs to be recalled that it was cobbled by Wike to fulfill the promise of a consolidation of the Rivers State votes for Tinubu’s re-election gambit. Hence, hardly do considerations about the development challenges of Rivers State feature in the calculus and conversations of the coalition.

This situation renders it a retrogressive dispensation that offers any prospects of progress to the state. As is also widely appreciated, the history of the Rainbow Coalition situates it as the consolidation of Wike’s his grip on the state as a base for an eventual return to another contest for the nation’s presidency.

Easy to recall is Wike’s failed bid for the Presidency in 2022 and his vengeful fight-back against the PDP, as well as later joining of forces with the then APC candidate Bola Tinubu. In the light of the foregoing, the political future of Rivers State stands at a cross roads. In one direction lies the portends of allowing the future to be determined through the political alchemy of Wike, which features his sole prerogative of determining who governs the state now and in the future.

The demerit of this situation lies in the wisdom of the fact that no individual is altruistic enough to be entrusted with absolute political power over a group. And that includes Wike. Against the backdrop of the merit of political representation being the advocacy by a representative for the betterment of his or her constituency, the circumstances of a bandwagon declaration of subservience to single potentate by a generation of political elite, even without consultation, evokes concerns of possible manipulation.

To accentuate the incongruity of the Rainbow Coalition in the political firmament of Rivers State is the African proverb which states that only a child with compromised appreciation of his or her ancestry points to the parents’ grave with the left hand. Hardly is the message here a mystery to the affected. In the final analysis, therefore, the future of the state will be better served with an unfettered political space, which has to be spawned now with the forthcoming 2027 general polls. This is where and why the Wike dispensation through the Rainbow Coalition has shot itself in the foot with its inclination towards restricting the democratic space.

9 types of headaches you should know

A headache is one of the most common health complaints, but not every headache feels the same. Some cause a mild pressure around the forehead, while others can produce severe throbbing pain, nausea or sensitivity to light.

The cause can also determine where the pain is felt, how long it lasts and what other symptoms appear with it. Knowing the different types of headaches can help people recognise patterns and know when medical attention may be needed.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights 9 types of headaches and headache-related conditions you should know.

1. Migraine

Migraine is more than an ordinary headache. It can cause moderate to severe, often throbbing pain that may affect one side of the head, although both sides can sometimes be involved.

Many people with migraine also experience nausea and increased sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Physical activity may make the pain worse. Some people experience an aura before or during a migraine attack. This may include flashing lights, blind spots, changes in vision, tingling or other temporary neurological symptoms.

Migraine attacks can last for several hours or, in some cases, longer. Certain foods, stress, hormonal changes, lack of sleep and other triggers may contribute.

2. Tension headache

Tension headaches are among the most common types of headache. The pain is usually described as dull, pressing or tight rather than throbbing. It may feel as though a band is wrapped around the head, with pressure around the forehead or temples.

Stress and muscle tension can contribute to these headaches. Poor sleep, prolonged screen use and spending long periods in one position may also play a role in some people.

Tension headaches are often less severe than migraine, although they can still interfere with daily activities when they occur frequently.

3. Cluster headache

Cluster headaches are less common but can be extremely painful. The pain usually develops on one side of the head, often around or behind one eye. Attacks can be so severe that a person may find it difficult to sit still.The affected eye may become red or watery, while the eyelid may swell or droop. The nostril on the same side may also become blocked or runny.

Cluster headaches often occur in groups or clusters, with attacks happening repeatedly over a period of time. Some people notice that attacks occur at similar times, including during the night. Because of their severity and distinctive pattern, recurrent cluster-type headaches should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

4. Cervicogenic headache

Sometimes the source of a headache is not in the head itself but in the neck. A cervicogenic headache originates from structures in the neck and may begin at the back of the head before spreading towards the forehead, temple or eye.

Neck stiffness and reduced movement may accompany the pain, and certain neck movements can make it worse. Problems involving the neck, including injuries or conditions affecting the joints and surrounding structures, may contribute. Proper assessment is useful because treatment may need to focus on the underlying neck problem rather than simply taking painkillers.

5. Hormonal headaches

Changes in hormone levels can trigger headaches, particularly migraine, in some women. Some women notice that their headaches occur around the time of menstruation. Menstrual migraine is a recognised type of migraine and can sometimes be more severe or last longer than attacks occurring at other times.

Pregnancy, perimenopause and changes in hormonal contraception or other hormone treatments can also affect headache patterns.

Keeping a record of when headaches occur in relation to the menstrual cycle can help identify whether there is a hormonal pattern.

6. Sinus-related headache

Sinus problems can sometimes cause pain or pressure around the forehead, cheeks or eyes.

A genuine sinus-related headache is usually associated with inflammation or infection of the sinuses. Other symptoms may include blocked nose, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell and, in some cases, fever.

However, many people who describe their headaches as sinus headaches actually have migraines. This distinction matters because treating the wrong condition may not relieve the headaches. Persistent facial pressure or headache accompanied by significant nasal symptoms should be assessed to determine the actual cause.

7. Medication-overuse headache

Taking headache medicines too frequently can sometimes make the problem worse. Medication-overuse headache occurs when regular use of medicines for acute headaches contributes to headaches becoming more frequent or persistent.This can happen with medicines such as paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans and some combination painkillers when they are used too often.

People who find themselves reaching for painkillers repeatedly because of frequent headaches should speak with a healthcare professional rather than simply increasing their medication. Treatment may involve reducing or stopping the overused medicine under appropriate medical guidance and addressing the underlying headache disorder.

8. Caffeine-withdrawal headache

For people who regularly consume caffeine, suddenly cutting down or stopping can trigger headaches. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola and some other products. Someone who regularly consumes large amounts may develop a headache after suddenly reducing their intake.

Other withdrawal symptoms can include tiredness, irritability, difficulty concentrating and drowsiness. Gradually reducing caffeine rather than stopping abruptly may make withdrawal symptoms easier to manage for some people.

9. Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is not technically a headache disorder, but its severe facial pain can sometimes be mistaken for one. It affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from parts of the face to the brain. The pain is typically sudden, severe and described as an electric shock or sharp jolt. It usually affects one side of the face and may last for seconds at a time, although attacks can occur repeatedly.

Simple activities such as chewing, talking, brushing the teeth, shaving or touching the face can trigger the pain. Because the condition requires a different approach from ordinary headaches, people experiencing repeated electric-shock-like facial pain should seek medical assessment.

Planters, labor groups renew call for higher millgate sugar prices

Sugarcane growers and labor unions in Negros Occidental renewed their call for fairer farmgate sugar prices on Saturday, pointing out that recent price increases remain insufficient to cover high production costs and sustain small-scale planters.

Recent raw sugar bidding results showed gains across major mills in the province, with Hawaiian-Philippine Co. reaching P2,888 per 50-kilogram bag (Lkg), First Farmers Holding Corp. rising to P2,760/Lkg, and Universal Robina Corp. (URC) mills alongside Victorias Milling Co. (VMC) posting upticks to P2,660/Lkg.

Molasses prices also improved, offering slight relief to distressed farmers.

In a joint statement, the Sugar Council-composed of the Confederation of Sugar Producers’ Associations Inc. (CONFED), National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), and Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers (PANAYFED)-along with labor groups National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP-TUCP) and Democratic Association of Labor Organizations (DALO), thanked Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Rep. Dino Yulo (Neg. Occ ., 5th District) for supporting their push for higher prices.

The group urged other local officials across sugar-producing provinces to join the initiative.

The joint council pointed out that current price levels still fall short of what is required to keep operations viable, especially for small planters and agrarian reform beneficiaries.

They noted that current returns are inadequate to cover heavy production costs, recover losses from the previous crop year, finance the upcoming cropping cycle, and meet the welfare needs of farmworkers.

‘We therefore reiterate our call for fairer prices without affecting consumer prices for domestic raw and refined sugar,’ the statement read.

The alliance urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to closely monitor market movements to establish a stable market climate and restore confidence in the sector.

‘Lastly, we welcome every opportunity to dialogue with the government and our stakeholders in order to push forward a viable future for our producers. But as always, critical collaboration and a steadfast search for solutions will remain our guiding principle in fighting for our industry,’ the groups added.

Explosion averted as diesel tanker overturns opposite FRSC in Anambra

Disaster was averted yesterday following a sudden overturn and emptying of content of a petroleum tanker loaded with diesel along Awka-Onitsha expressway in Anambra State.

The incident which occurred opposite the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) office was reportedly caused by brake failure occasioned by air leak in the braking system.

Although no casualties were recorded an eye witness said the tanker’s cab sustained damage while the cargo compartment remained intact.

State Fire Chief Engr Chiketa Chukwudi confirmed the incident saying a Toyota Sienna was also involved in the crash.

He said quick arrival of firefighters who conducted continuous damping-down and hazard mitigation operations prevented possible fire outbreak.

He urged motorists especially tanker operators to ensure proper vehicle maintenance and prompt report of emergencies to the appropriate authorities.

He said ‘Anambra State Fire Service has successfully prevented a potential disaster following the overturning of a 45000-litre Shafa Petroleum tanker loaded with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO/Diesel) along Awka Expressway opposite the FRSC office on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

‘The distress call was received at 1308 hours prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters to the scene.

‘Preliminary findings suggest possible brake failure caused by an air leak in the braking system.

‘The tanker’s cab sustained approximately 60 per cent structural damage while the cargo compartment remained intact. A Toyota Sienna was also involved. Fortunately no casualties were recorded.

‘Firefighters conducted continuous damping-down and hazard mitigation operations preventing a possible fire outbreak.

‘The diesel cargo was safely transferred into another tanker under fire safety supervision and the scene was secured and declared safe for traffic.

‘Firefighters withdrew at 1756 hours of the same day after successfully completing the operation.’