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Olajide Olugbade has been named the 270th Certified Global Tech Hero, an honour that recognises a singular career bridging rigorous practice, distinguished scholarship, and high-impact policy engagement in the governance of emerging technologies. Beginning his professional journey in Nigeria as a Governance, Risk and Compliance consultant at a leading global firm, he quickly established a reputation for excellence, delivering transformative assurance, risk management and compliance solutions across public and private sectors. His leadership within firm-level quality and risk roles showcased an early and sustained commitment to raising institutional standards and embedding resilient governance practices.

A scholar-practitioner, Olajide’s academic trajectory complements his professional accomplishments. He graduated with First Class Honours in Project Management and went on to earn advanced degrees that examined the intersection of technology, governance and society. Awarded a prestigious scholarship to pursue graduate study in the Netherlands, he produced policy-relevant research on the FinTech sector that earned international recognition and further academic distinction. Now undertaking doctoral research at a leading American research university, his work interrogates the geopolitical dynamics of artificial intelligence between major world actors, probing implications for security, governance and global stability.

Olajide’s analytical contributions have been translated into practical policy influence. His research and policy work have been disseminated widely, republished in multiple languages, and drawn the attention of international policy communities. He has contributed to influential national security and emerging technology studies at a prominent policy research organisation, and he serves on an ethics and policy team for a major federally sponsored project to integrate AI into advanced manufacturing, work that has informed legislative discussions and stakeholder policy development at the state level. His selection to international expert networks and leadership further underscores the global resonance of his insights.

This immortalisation as a Global Tech Hero recognises scholarly distinction and professional achievement, and a rare capacity to translate technical understanding into actionable governance and policy solutions. Olajide’s work exemplifies the values of responsible innovation through advancing technological capability while prioritising ethical stewardship, security, and equitable outcomes for societies worldwide.

‘Olajide’s career exemplifies how deep technical expertise combined with principled public engagement can reshape policy at the highest levels,’ said Qazeem Oladejo, founder of The Connected Awards. ‘His work has turned complex research into practical frameworks that help institutions and governments govern AI with responsibility and vision.’

Olajide Olugbade’s certification as the 270th Global Tech Hero honours a trajectory of sustained impact and signals a continued expectation that his scholarship and policy leadership will help steer global conversations on AI toward safer, fairer, and more stable outcomes for all.

Germany-Nigeria trade volume is in the region of pound 3 billion, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther, said.

The 30% increase, Ambassador Gunther said, was attributed to Nigeria’s economic recovery.

The envoy spoke with reporters ahead of the joint Nigerian-German binational commission scheduled for Berlin, in German.

Gunther noted that Nigeria remains ‘Germany’s second biggest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa with a total trade volume of 3 billion Euros. Trade volumes have increased this year by 30 % due to Nigeria’s economic recovery.’

Besides, she said more than 90 German companies are active in Nigeria, ‘indirectly creating about 17.000 jobs in Nigeria.’

She also revealed that more investments were coming, especially in the energy and the pharmaceutical sector.

On the energy sector, the envoy revealed that the Presidential Power initiative was in the second phase.

In the area of Visa and Migration, the envoy said no fewer than 7,600 visas were issued to students and short term stay.

She also disclosed that plans were already in place to increase the number.

Gunther, however, stressed the need for legal migration.

She said: ‘All the common goals and projects would not work if they were not supported by travels on all levels between our two countries, plus legal migration.

‘ Last year alone, the German Embassy here in Abuja and the German Consulate General in Lagos granted around 1400 long-term visas for purposes such as study in Germany, family reunion and employment as well as around 6200 visas for short-term stays such as business and tourism.

The envoy said: ‘This year, we are well on track to raise those numbers.

‘The German missions remain committed to furthering the bilateral relations by granting visas to properly documented applications.’

In the area of military cooperation, she said Germany will continue to stand by Nigeria.

Actress Regina Chukwu has condemned verbal abuse in relationships, stating that it is equally as damaging as physical abuse.

Addressing men, Chukwu, in an Instagram post, emphasised that hurtful words can have a lasting impact on a woman’s emotional well-being, causing irreparable damage to her heart, confidence and peace.

According to Chukwu, the effects of verbal abuse can be profound and long-lasting, altering the dynamics of a relationship forever.

She urged men to be mindful of their words and to treat their partners with respect and kindness.

‘Verbally abusing your woman is just as bad as hitting her, because those words echo in places no apology can reach.

‘You might not leave marks on her skin, but you’ll leave damage on her heart, her confidence, and her peace. And once a woman’s peace is gone, you’ll never get the same version of her again,’ she wrote.

Rapper Blaqbonez has revealed the relationship with his father has significantly improved following their reunion in January 2025.

The rapper, whose real name is Emeka Akumefule, recently met his German step-siblings for the first time, marking a new chapter in his family life.

In a recent episode of The Perspective podcast, Blaqbonez disclosed that his bond with his dad is stronger than ever, stating, ‘My relationship with my dad is getting stronger and stronger. We are talking more than ever before. It is better than it has ever been’.

When questioned about his father’s motivations for reconnecting, Blaqbonez emphasised that his dad’s actions were genuine and not driven by his fame, adding that his father is not based in Nigeria and largely unaware of his celebrity status.

Reality star Kiddwaya has criticised the mindset of some Africans following backlash he received after asking for donations online.

Speaking in a recent interview with Trend Centrl on YouTube, he addressed the controversy, saying that Africans often misunderstand the concept of fundraising.

He said: ‘Two things – Bill Gates Foundation asks for donations all the time amongst their rich friends and to people. It’s just an African mentality. That’s the problem with Africans -our level of thinking sometimes is very suppressed and very minimal. We don’t like to think properly and intellectually.’

He went on to explain that requesting donations is a normal practice globally.

‘It’s not a ‘wow’ thing to ask for money. That’s how you sustain yourself,’ he added.

When asked about how the public perceives him compared to organisations like UNICEF, Kiddwaya said he wasn’t bothered.

‘All I care about is that kid’s life I’m saving in hospital. In fact, I shouldn’t have responded to them when I had that backlash. I shouldn’t have even responded to be honest with you but my team said just respond because you know whatever. But deep down I didn’t actually care because they’re not going to hospitals with me seeing people thanking me for saving their lives and stuff and putting people through school who need education,’ he said.

Big Brother Naija season 10 runner-up Ifechukwude Ashiogwu popularly known as Dede, has received N30 million from her fans dubbed the ‘Devass’ as she turns 24 today, October 23.

At an intimate gathering, the reality TV sensation received other luxury items, marking a memorable milestone in her rising career.

Footage shared across social media captured Dede’s emotional reaction as fans presented the multimillion-naira cheque with luxury items, including high-end wigs, fashion pieces, premium shoes, a camera worth approximately N3 million, spa vouchers for herself and her mother, grocery vouchers, and ornate money boxes.

Dede expressed deep gratitude, calling the gesture ‘a blessing beyond imagination.’

Stakeholders have called for establishment of shelters and harmonized data to assist in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Anambra state.

They said battle against GBV required shelters, data as well as trained counselors to be successfully won.

The stakeholders spoke in Awka at a two-day GBV stakeholders consultative meeting organized by Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC) with support from WACOL to harmonize data and create referrals pathway

Addressing participants, State Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ibadin Judith-Chukwu said traumatized victims of violence could better be managed by trained counselors in a conducive shelter.

She however expressed concern over lack of such facilities in the state, calling for assistance from both government and individuals to make such facilities available in the state.

She said, ‘Fighting any form of violence in persons can’t be successful without shelters where victims can be kept for counselling and rehabilitation processes before being reunited to their families and reintegrated into the society.

‘Most times these victims are rescued, they’re already traumatized. The first thing is not to jump into demanding statements from them.

‘Rather, they needed to be taken to a shelter where they would be welcome and made to feel at home with the assistance of trained counselors who would walk them out of the trauma stage before the best can be gotten from them.’

Earlier, Executive Director, GPSDC, Anekwe Eucharia said the project was focused on empowering christian women and female leaders of culture for prevention and response to GBV in Nigeria through the strengthening of grassroots organisations

She listed objectives of the engagement to include reviewing how different stakeholders currently collect and report GBV data in the State, identifying existing gaps and overlaps, as well as finding ways to strengthen referral linkages and to create a referral directory.

‘We also aim to agree on a common framework to harmonizing all GBV data at the same time build stronger collaboration and accountability among MDAs, networks, and organizations working on GBV response,’ she added.

Representatives of Ministries of Justice, Women and Social Welfare, State Bureau of Statistics, Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA), NPF, NSCDC, NHRC, Red Cross and CSO Networks commended GPSDC for organising the workshop, pledging their support to the project.

Detained self acclaimed leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has fired all members of his legal team.

Kanu, who announced the decision on Thursday, told the court that he was willing and ready to now conduct his case by himself.

At the resumed hearing in his Kanu’s terrorism trial on Thursday before a Federal High Court in Abuja, the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) announced his team for the prosecution.

When it was time for the defendant’s legal team to announce appearance, the leader of the team, Kanu Agabi (SAN) stood up and told the court they were only in court out of the respect for the court.

Kanu said they were in court to formally announce their withdrawal from further participating in the trial.

Agabi explained that the reason for their decision’is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that.’

He gave the names of the other SANs, who are also withdrawing to include: Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN) and one other.

Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice James Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.

Kanu confirmed sacking all his lawyers and told the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his case by himself.

Justice Omotosho then, ordered other members of the defendant’s legal team, who were in court, except the SANs, to vacate the courtroom immediately, a directive they promptly complied with.

The judge then, turned to the defendant and asked him to open his case.

In response, Kanu commenced by indicating his intention to make an oral submission, an indulgence the judge granted him despite opposition from Awomolo.

He said he would not open his defence as ordered by the court, because he was questioning the jurisdiction of the court to try him, adding: ‘This is a jurisdictional issue that goes to the heart of this case.’

He hinged his objection to the court’s jurisdiction on four grounds, the first being his claim that the Federal Government, through the prosecution, was ik contempt of a Court of Appeal judgment, which he said ordered his acquittal.

Kanu argued that for the court to grant the prosecution audience, it (the prosecution) must first, comply with the said Court of Appeal judgment.

He said the second ground was that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and

and Customs and Excise Act, under which the charge against him was brought, are repealed laws.

On the third ground, he claimed to have been denied fair hearing. He said his continued detention in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) has denied him the opportunity for adequate consultation with his lawyers to enable him prepare for his defence.

He hinged the fourth ground on his claim that the medical report submitted to the court by a medical team empanelled by the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which certified him fit to stand trial, was forged.

Kanu denied being examined by any medical team and that his blood and urine samples were never obtained for analyses.

He urged the court to declare the proceedings void and order his immediate release in line with the Court of Appeal judgment.

Reacting, Awomolo said Kanu deserved no formal response from the prosecution because all the allegations he made ought to be put down in the form of a sworn affidavit and effectively demonstrated to enable the other party respond appropriately.

Awomolo faulted Kanu’s claim that a Court of Appeal’s decision acquitted him, arguing that the said judgment was set aside by the Supreme Court in a judgment delivered on December 15, 2023.

He said: ‘The judgments of the Supreme Court that was given on December 15 2023 has set aside the judgment they are claiming discharged him.

‘If he has a preliminary objection he should file it and demonstrate all his claims,’ Awomolo said.

The prosecuting lawyer also faulted Kanu’s claim that his right to fair hearing has been breached.

Awomolo argued that Kanu’s claim that the medical report was forged was an indictment on the senior lawyers, who were in his Legal team, who saw the report and found no fault in it.

He prayed the judge to determine all the issues that Kanu raised in his Thursday’s submission when delivering the final judgment.

In his intervention, Justice Omotosho noted that when the medical report was bought up in court on October 16, he sought the views of lawyers to both parties, who did not raise any objection to the report.

The judge said since the report has been admitted by the court, acted on same and made decisions based on it, the court could no longer go back on it.

He said all the decision taken by the court, based on the medical report, stand.

The judge noted that all the issues raised by Kanu in his Thursday’s submission were substantially raised in the no-case submission which the court overruled in a ruling delivered on September 26.

The judge said: ‘On the 26th of September 2015 I considered those issues and held that he has a case to answer. This was to enable him exercise his right to fair hearing to make his case.’

Justice Omotosho recalled that in the spirit of fair hearing, he vacated this courtroom on Wednesday from 9am to 2pm to enable Kanu and his lawyers have a private consultation session, despite the absence of evidence to support his claim that his conversation was being secretly recorded by the DSS’s whose custody he is being detained.

The judge said although all the issues raised by Kanu in his Thursday’s submission had previously been determined by the court, the defendant is not foreclosed, he can still raise them at the final written address.

He then proceeded to call on Kanu to open his defence and overruled him when the defendant attempted to insist on his objection to the court’s jurisdiction.

Justice Omotosho said:

I call upon and appeal to the defendant to open his defence.

I beg the defendant, in the name of the Almighty God, to comport himself and conduct his defence.

‘This is the opportunity that the Constitution gives him under Section 36. It is a right that he can exercise or waive either expressly or by conduct.

‘I beg and I appeal to the defendant to make use of the opportunity, given him by the Constitution, to put in his defence, except he choses to waive it either expressly or by conduct,’ the judge said.

At that point, Ikpeazu intervened and drew the attention of the court to the fact that their (Kanu’s lawyers’) withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday.

He prayed the court to grant Kanu few time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.

Taking a hint from what Ikpeazu said, Kanu said: ‘In the exercise of my right, I wish to state on record that I have not had the opportunity to prepare for my defence.

‘I only had three hours yesterday in this courtroom. Section 36 of the Constitution allows me to be given adequate facilities to defend myself. My lord, I need time,’ he said.

Prosecuting lawyer did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned till Friday, October 24 for Kanu to open his defence.

He said the opportunity given the defendant to conduct his defence began to run from Thursday.

The judge disclosed that he has signed the witness summons requested for by Kanu and that they are available for him to collect and serve on the said witnesses as required.

Kanu, in a notice to defend, filed on October 21, listed the names of prominent Nigerians, including former and serving governors, ministers, military and security chiefs as his intended witnesses, who he said should be compelled to attend court.

Only eight Nigerian states currently meet the global benchmark for women’s participation in health decision-making, a new data released in the Women’s Health Index by Invictus Africa, has revealed.

The States are Rivers, Edo, Delta, Ogun, Enugu, Ekiti, Cross Rivers and Abia.

The findings, unveiled at the 2025 Gatefield Health Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, have triggered calls for urgent policy reforms to close Nigeria’s gender health gap.

The report shows that only a handful of States have achieved the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) benchmark of at least 65 percent of women participating in decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, including contraceptive use.

Kebbi (2.5 percent), Sokoto (5.1 percent), and Niger (5.8 percent) recorded the lowest levels of women’s autonomy in reproductive decisions, underscoring persistent gender inequality in access to care, information, and economic opportunity.

Equally, according to the report, no State has met the National Policy on Population target of reducing the unmet need for family planning to 10 percent by 2025 and zero by 2030.

Cross River (30.3 percent), Ebonyi (29.2 percent), and Bayelsa (27.7 percent) recorded the highest levels of unmet need for family planning, signalling urgent gaps in access and financing.

However, the report urged policymakers to place women’s health and leadership at the heart of Africa’s development and transformation agenda.

‘When we invest in women, we see economic growth, higher workforce participation, and greater productivity. Prioritizing women’s health is not only a moral duty; it’s smart economics,’ said Adenike Adeoye, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead at Invictus Africa.

Speakers at the summit emphasized that Africa’s health resilience depends on empowering women and integrating governance, financing, and workforce systems.

They noted that a woman’s most productive years are often her most vulnerable, and that neglecting women’s health weakens families, economies, and national stability.

Ahead of the elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the northern leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Barrister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as iconsensus candidate for the position of the National Chairman of the party.

The party’s zoning committee had resolved that all positions remain in their current zones, while directing that leader micro zone the positions.

Turaki who is one of the Deputy Chairmen of the convention organising committee, will be presented to the delegates at the Ibadan convention as the National Chairman of the party to take over from Amb. Umar Damagun.

The endorsement of Turaki occurred at a meeting of PDP Northern Stakeholders which took place at the Adamawa Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Wednesday night.

The decision was announced by Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri at the end of the meeting which was attended by PDP from the North, including Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Caled Matfwang of Plateau, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Kigbu Kefas of Taraba.

Fintiri said all the ten positions of the National Working Working of the party zoned to the North will be resolved through consensus.

He was however quick to add that the consensus arrangement ftoes not preclude any member of the party who wish to contest any of the positions, including those zoned outside the geographical area from contesting the elections during the convention.

The endorsement follows a weekend gathering of Northern PDP leaders, where the chairmanship slot was zoned to the North-West geopolitical zone to promote regional balance and party cohesion.

Announcing the decision, Fintiri said ‘As northern leaders of our great party, the PDP and representatives of the states in the North, we have met this evening to deliberate and take a decision on the office of the National Chairman of our party which was zoned to the north.

Fintiri said ‘we have met this evening to deliberate and take decision on the office of the chairman of our great party, the PDP, which was zoned to the north.

‘In our meeting, we have reflected deeply and widely through consultation and going to Ibadan for our national convention, we have adopted a consensus candidate to represent the North, and by extension, Nigeria, as the chairman of the PDP.

‘That gentleman is KT Turaki, SAN. This is our decision this evening, and he is the person we are presenting at that convention as our chairman to represent our party on the 15 and 16 of November in Ibadan’.

Responding to questions, he said: ‘I will not want to preclude what others are speculating outside, but we are gentlemen, and you can see all of us, we are leaders. We represent each of the states in the north, the 19 states, including the FCT. And this is our decision, and we expect this is the lineup of our delegates in Ibadan.

‘PDP is an institution, and we have mechanism to handle all these issues. We will reach out and talk to each other. We have been talking to ourselves, not today, not yesterday. This is a build-up of consensus in the last two weeks, and we have just a consultation, and this is just the result. I am assuring you that the convention will be a rancour free convention.

‘We are still united and focused, and our primary responsibility at the moment is the convention. And this is what we’re discussing primarily’.

Speaking on other positions of the party, Gov. Fintiri assured that all positions of the party ‘will be resolved at the regional level, and they will present their candidates along with others for us to present at the convention.

‘Altogether, we have ten positions in the north, as far as the convention is concerned. But, nevertheless, anybody who still feels he will want to contest in any position is free, and this is what our position has allowed. We are not excluding anybody. But then, we have just announced to you our consensus candidate, as far as these leaders are concerned.

‘But if anybody still feels he wants to contest, I have said it, time will without number That the door is open. Even you, if you want to contest, the positions that have been zoned to the north, you are free. We will sell form to you. If you are not from the north, we will allow you to contest.’