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Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, on weekend, commissioned the newly completed model state office complex of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Warri, Delta State.

The ceremony, held at the Commission’s Delta State office complex located beside the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Headquarters on Airport Road, Warri, marked a significant milestone in the NDDC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence and operational efficiency in the state. Speaking at the event, Governor Oborevwori commended the NDDC Board and Management for their commitment to infrastructural development and institutional reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery across the Niger Delta region.

He described the commissioning of the office complex as a welcome development that would bring the Commission closer to the people, improve administrative efficiency, and promote better collaboration with the Delta State Government on development initiatives. The Governor reiterated his administration’s readiness to partner with the NDDC in implementing sustainable projects that align with the state’s MORE Agenda, particularly in areas of infrastructure, youth empowerment, and human capital development. Earlier, the NDDC Managing Director, along with members of the Board, lauded Governor Oborevwori for his leadership and support for regional development initiatives, noting that the new office complex symbolizes the Commission’s renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and community impact.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, and representatives of civil society organizations from across Delta State.

The NDDC model state office complex in Warri is equipped with modern facilities designed to provide a conducive working environment for staff and to facilitate effective coordination of the Commission’s programmes and projects within the state.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has warned protesters to desist from vandalising public and private property during Monday’s planned protest in Abuja over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Olusola Odumosu, FCT Commandant of the Corps, issued the warning on Sunday in Abuja, stressing that the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) remains a top priority for the security agency.

According to Odumosu, the Corps has deployed a massive contingent of officers and special forces across strategic locations in the FCT to safeguard infrastructure and ensure the safety of residents before, during, and after the planned rallies.

‘The Corps will not condone any form of vandalism or theft of public and private facilities, all in the name of protest,’ Odumosu said.

He noted that the personnel had been properly briefed and directed to maintain professionalism and civility while performing their duties.

Officers were also instructed to avoid harassment, intimidation, or accidental discharge, with Odumosu emphasising that no form of indiscipline or overzealous conduct would be tolerated.

‘We are prepared, as always, to ensure there are no incidents of destruction of properties or threats to peace in the territory. ‘The deployed men have been cautioned to adopt a non-kinetic approach while carrying out the mandates of the Corps,’ he stated.

The commandant, however, issued a stern warning to individuals planning to hijack or disrupt the peaceful demonstrations, vowing that anyone caught engaging in criminal acts would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The warning comes amid heightened tension in Abuja as separate groups prepare to stage demonstrations either supporting or opposing the release of Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021.

Kanu faces seven counts of terrorism and treasonable felony, charges linked to his activities with IPOB, which was outlawed by the federal government in 2017. He was first arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, but fled the country following a military invasion of his home in Abia State.

The protest is being spearheaded by Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, alongside other civil society organisations, who insist that the demonstration will proceed despite a Federal High Court order restraining mass protests around key national institutions in Abuja.

Emiliano Buendia came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner as Aston Villa defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rodrigo Bentancur gave Thomas Frank’s side an early lead, capitalising on a defensive lapse to put Spurs in front. However, Villa hit back before halftime when Morgan Rogers produced a superb strike to level the score. The visitors completed the turnaround in the closing stages when Buendia fired home from distance to seal all three points for the in-form Midlands side.

Tottenham’s poor home form continued; they have now suffered 11 defeats and managed just three wins in their last 18 Premier League games at home.

Since replacing the sacked Ange Postecoglou in the summer, Thomas Frank has endured mixed results at Spurs’ 62,000-seat stadium, where frustrations have grown following a 1-1 draw with Wolves and a defeat to Bournemouth earlier this season. The end of Tottenham’s seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions leaves them sixth in the table, with Frank conceding the match could have gone either way.

‘It was exactly the game I expected, very tight,’ Frank said. ‘I think 1-1 would’ve been a fair result. Villa scored two goals from outside the box in moments where you wouldn’t expect them to score. Fair play for their moments of quality.’

For Villa, the result marks their fifth consecutive win in all competitions, three in the Premier League and two in the Europa League, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches. It was also a landmark victory, as they finally beat a top-four rival away from home after taking just one point from six such fixtures last season.

Unai Emery hailed his players’ resilience and growing confidence.

‘The way the players responded, even when we were losing 1-0, is exactly how we want to build this team,’ Emery said. ‘Most importantly, we are recovering players and the dressing room feels very different now.’

The win lifts Villa to 10th place, with sights set once again on re-entering the race for Champions League qualification.

The management of Dangote Refinery has disclosed that over 650 international ships have lifted petroleum products from the refinery in less than a year to countries in Europe and Asia.

Captain Rana, Head of Marine, Dangote Refinery who made this disclosure this when a delegation led by King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council visited the massive refinery, said this is a high turnover for a new refinery terminal.

Rana said more ships are waiting on high sea to lift oil to more international markets. According to him, the terminal has about 120 kilometers of pipelines under the sea-bed from the terminal.

He explained that the ships are offshore because of the shallow of the water. Rana teasingly said that though Nigeria got its independence in 1960 but said Nigeria really got its independence when Dangote Refinery started to produce petrol. ‘This refinery is true sign of independence, when you produce your own goods without relying on outside’.

Also speaking, Reno Omokri, former presidential aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan and advocate of grow Naira, grow Nigeria initiative who was among the delegation said that in Nigeria, it is not really the volume of the money one has, but what is more important is the value of the money.

He explained that the money Nigerians hold will not have value, if Nigeria does not export products. ‘It will not have value if we do not replace imports with locally produced goods and services’.

‘Dangote Refinery is the reason why Nigeria is no longer the largest petrol importer in Africa. South Africa has overtaken Nigeria. ‘Nigeria is now the largest exporter of petroleum products in West Africa’, Omokri said.

He challenged Nigerians whether in government, in labour unions, and in the private sector that it is better for Nigerians to earn money that has value.

According to him, the more ships lift oil from Dangote Refinery, the more the Naira has value and that is why we all need to support Dangote Refinery to work.

He recalled that for a long time, Nigeria has been having trade deficits. But last year, we had a trade surplus of $14 billion. This year, Nigeria is about to surpass that figure. His message to Nigerians was to support and buy Nigerian products. ‘When you are buying products, such as petrol, be intentional and purposeful to buy Nigerian refined products’.

Omokri said that ‘when we buy foreign products, we are driving down the value of the naira’.

King Dakolo said he was overwhelmed by the investment at Dangote Refinery. He described Dangote Refinery as a revolution which Nigeria must try to sustain.

He strongly believed that the investment will make a lot of positive difference in the lives of Nigerians and it must be encouraged.

‘ We in the Niger Delta have a sense of fulfilment that, after years of not making the best of our natural resources, God has raised a man like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Refinery to end the distortions in the value chain of Nigeria’s oil and gas downstream industry, by making local refining of our resources a possibility’.

The king reiterated that the Niger Delta and Nigeria benefit and profit more when Nigeria’s oil and gas are locally refined and globally marketed.

He called on the Federal, State, and Local Governments, the organised private sector, and most especially unions to cooperate with Dangote as he refines locally.

He advised, especially PENGASSAN to understand Nigerians’ pains and not erode the gains. ‘Our refineries would have been working since 2007, when the Obasanjo administration sold a 51% stake in the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries to a consortium called Bluestar Oil, of which Aliko Dangote was the principal promoter.

What happened? PENGASSAN went on a strike over the sale, and as a direct consequence of that strike, the late President Yar’adua cancelled the sale. For eighteen years, those refineries remained comatose after spending $18 billion.

Dakolo therefore said ‘When you talk about a cabal in the oil sector ensuring that Nigerians keep paying unnecessarily high prices for oil and gas products, that cabal are the oil unions.

Sooyah Bistro, a premium quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand, has announced a multi-million-naira commitment to fund small businesses. The move comes under its new entrepreneurship development initiative, ‘Sooyah Dreams.’

The campaign ran from September 1-15, 2025, and forms part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its market presence. It also reflects Sooyah Bistro’s goal to integrate social impact with brand growth.

Over N500,000 was awarded to winners during a presentation ceremony held at the company’s Oniru outlet in Lagos.

The initiative invited young Nigerians to submit short videos outlining their business ideas and aspirations. The grand prize of N250,000 went to Victoria Orleans, a poultry farmer and founder of a charity academy for underprivileged and special-needs children.

Nwokolo Blessing, a private chef, secured the second-place prize of N150,000. Other participants received consolation gifts worth N100,000.

According to Olamidun Ogundoyin, founder of Sooyah Bistro, the campaign was inspired by her personal entrepreneurial journey. She started the company with N20,000 and a single grill, a story that has grown into one of Nigeria’s most recognisable fast-casual food brands.

‘When I started Sooyah Bistro, the only capital I truly had was belief and grit,’ Ogundoyin said. ‘The Sooyah Dreams initiative is not just about money. It’s about permitting others to dream boldly. We’re investing in the same hustle that built this company because financial pressure can crush a brilliant concept before it even gets off the ground.’

Ogundoyin added that the company plans to scale the initiative and invest millions of naira annually to fund innovative and scalable ideas from emerging entrepreneurs.

Industry analysts say Sooyah Bistro’s model reflects a growing trend among Nigerian consumer brands seeking to anchor their relevance in community-driven growth strategies. As consumer preferences shift toward socially conscious brands, initiatives like Sooyah Dreams could help strengthen customer loyalty and market differentiation in the competitive QSR segment.

For Orleans, the grand winner, the award represents more than a financial grant. It is a validation of her entrepreneurial dream.

‘Sooyah Bistro’s story of starting small and growing big has always inspired me,’ she said. ‘This N250,000 isn’t just cash; it’s a massive vote of confidence.’

Similarly, first runner-up Blessing said the initiative highlights the growing role of private companies in supporting grassroots businesses.

‘When you’re hustling, sometimes all you need is that one push to get you over the line,’ she said. ‘Sooyah Dreams proves that big brands can genuinely care about people building their future.’

Harry Maguire delivered a dramatic moment at Anfield as his 84th-minute header sealed Manchester United’s first victory at Liverpool since 2016, lifting the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim.

United had stunned the home crowd only 61 seconds into the match when Bryan Mbeumo fired past Giorgi Mamardashvili after being played through by Amad Diallo. The goal sparked controversy, as Liverpool players protested that play should have been stopped for a head injury to Alexis Mac Allister, who had gone down following a collision with Virgil van Dijk moments earlier. Gakpo’s equaliser in the 78th minute appeared to have rescued a point for Arne Slot’s side, but Maguire’s towering header ensured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under Amorim’s reign.

The result leaves Liverpool four points behind leaders Arsenal and struggling with a fourth straight defeat, their worst run in 11 years, despite spending nearly £450 million ($604 million) in the transfer market.

United, meanwhile, climb to ninth place, just two points behind Liverpool, as Amorim recorded his biggest win since taking charge nearly a year ago.

‘It means everything,’ Maguire said after the match. ‘They’ve had the better of us over the last few years. We haven’t given our fans enough days like today, it’s been a long time coming, coming to this ground and picking up three points.’

Governor Sim Fubara who has tasted all types of judiciary in uncountable cases in his short span in politics and governance, seems hungry of a judicial system that operates in its own without interference.

He seems hungry for a time when a man facing a case in court would rely on interpretation of the law by lawyers and judges without bizarre twists and turns that come outside of jurisprudence.

The governor has thus pledged necessary support to ensure the Judiciary operates as a truly independent and effective justice system.

Gov Fubara gave the assurance while formally declaring open the 2025/2026 legal year at a special court session at the State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt on Friday. He expressed satisfaction not only with the event’s success but also with the Bar and Bench’s commitment to advancing the integrity of the judicial system.

The Governor said that the Rivers State Judiciary ranks among the best in Nigeria, adding that it features some of the brightest judicial minds who courageously interpret and apply the law with a high sense of justice.

He reminded the lawyers, that as ministers in the temple of justice, they are under oath to conduct themselves honestly in their practice of the law before the courts, to uphold the rule of law and advance the course of justice at all times.

‘Similarly, every judge is under a judicial oath to provide equal justice to all persons according to law to the best of their knowledge and ability without fear, favour, or affection’, he said.

He stressed that the judicial oath is not composed of mere words but demands that judges act with moral courage to resist pressure, and ensure that both friends and foes have access to equal and impartial justice.

He, therefore, requested that all courts, inferior or superior, should perform their duties with courage, adjudicate and interpret the laws and cases in ways that promote substantial justice, democracy, and citizens’ fundamental rights.

The governor, however, declared that the political crisis is now over, with all parties fully reconciled, and his administration back on its feet, affirming that he holds no grudges or ill feelings toward anyone.

He stated that the administration is now re-energised and has resumed the implementation of people-centric policies, programmes, and projects with greater determination to achieve the developmental milestones set to enhance the well-being of the people of Rivers State.

Governor Fubara reiterated his commitment to work with the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, and other stakeholders to recover lost ground, sustain peace and accelerate development of the state.

He also appreciated the Chief Judge for providing functional, effective leadership, exceptional courage, and an unwavering determination to ensure justice is served to all who seek the aid of the courts. The Chief Judge was believed to have held the Judiciary firm during the impeachment threats and his position was said to have saved the situation as it allowed the Executive arm and legislative arm to resolve their problems without using the Judiciary as the linchpin. Speaking earlier during the thanksgiving service at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara called on the Judiciary to remain steadfast as a ‘true temple of justice’, urging the courts not to let the innocent suffer unjustly.

In his remarks, Simeon Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, highlighted the absence of a Committee on Prerogative of Mercy in the state, which, he said has contributed significantly to congestion in custodial centres.

He noted that the non-reduction of sentences for inmates, including 493 male and 15 female death-row prisoners, is beyond the Chief Judge’s powers, and called for government intervention.

He thanked the governor for the support given to the Judiciary so far, and solicited for more encouragement to reduce the pressures judicial officers face in the performance of their duties.

Also speaking, Cordelia Eke, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, said the 2024-2025 legal year began with optimism but was soon overshadowed by political and institutional turbulence.

She noted that the state of emergency and suspension of key elected officials disrupted democratic governance and tested the resilience of the justice system. ‘The absence of an Attorney General caused serious delays in justice delivery, unprocessed legal applications, and financial losses,’ Eke stated.

According to her, the situation underscored the urgent need to fortify laws that protect institutions and ensure that the justice system continues to function even in difficult times.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Onueze Okocha (SAN), expressed concern over the battered image of the Judiciary, lamenting that many Nigerians have lost faith in the courts due to inconsistent judgments and prolonged case delays.

He urged judges to resist personal interests that could influence their professional conduct, calling for renewed integrity and faster dispensation of justice. Earlier in his homily during the thanksgiving service, Patrick S. Eluke, Apostolic Administrator, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, urged members of the legal profession to uphold moral and spiritual integrity in their practice, reminding them of their ‘sacred duty’ to ensure that justice reflects honesty, compassion, and fairness.

He cautioned against hypocrisy, rivalry, and unhealthy competition within the legal profession, stressing that true justice must protect the vulnerable and remain unswayed by material or political influence.

He further called on elected leaders to demonstrate patriotism and accountability to the people who entrusted them with power, noting that democracy and justice thrive only where integrity and fairness prevail.

Highlights of the event were presentation of gifts to the Governor, his Deputy, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge; as well as prayers for the Government, the Judiciary, the State and the country.

Interswitch, an African payments and digital commerce company, stated that scalable infrastructure and trusted partnerships, not just innovation and capital, will drive Africa’s next technological advancement.

Akeem Lawal, the managing director of Interswitch Purepay, emphasized that Africa’s digital growth depends on resilient infrastructure, collaborative partnerships, and trusted technology systems. Speaking at Moonshot by TechCabal 2025 in Lagos, he highlighted the critical role of these elements in sustaining long-term progress in the continent’s digital economy.

‘Infrastructure creates the foundation for partnerships. Every card tap, bill payment, or money transfer relies on trust in unseen systems. At Interswitch, we build that trust daily. Innovation alone isn’t enough; we must modernize, integrate AI, and strengthen digital systems to meet current and future demands, especially in payments and financial technology,’ Lawal said.

He added, ‘Infrastructure sets the path, collaboration builds momentum, and trust powers the journey. Together, they drive Africa’s digital future. Technology alone won’t suffice-enduring infrastructure, united partnerships, and trust turn innovation into impact.’

Lawal stressed that sustainable progress requires more than innovation. He advocated for structured investments and collaboration, including public-private partnerships, domestic resource mobilization, and regional integration, to scale solutions effectively. Supporting Lawal’s point, Jumoke Oduwole, Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment citing data by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Google said in a report that Africa’s digital economy could contribute $180 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2025 if infrastructure gaps are addressed. However, only 38 percent of the African population in 2024 used the internet due to barriers like cost, digital literacy, and infrastructure gaps, especially in rural areas, highlighting the need for robust digital infrastructure.

Additionally, a 2024 report by the World Bank noted that public-private partnerships have driven 60 percent of fintech growth in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the importance of collaborative models.

Interswitch itself processed over 1.2 billion transactions in 2023, according to company data, demonstrating the scale and trust in its payment infrastructure. These figures reinforce Lawal’s call for resilient systems and partnerships to unlock Africa’s technological potential.

Citing the State of Africa’s Infrastructure 2025 report, he noted that the continent holds over $1.1 trillion in domestic capital through pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. Unlocking these homegrown resources, he said, will redefine Africa’s growth trajectory by driving African-led innovation at scale.

Mud, timber, and bamboo have been listed as top alternatives to expensive, largely imported, building materials that could be used to build low-cost housing in Nigeria.

Sanmi Olowosile, chairman of the Sustainable Green Environment Initiative, has urged Nigeria to rediscover the use of these local materials, explaining that with proper treatment, bamboo’s tensile strength can match conventional steel. Olowosile, who spoke the Sustainable Building Conference 2025 hosted by BusinessDay, explained further that the bamboo plants also regenerate within 18 months, absorb carbon, and can create jobs if policies were in place to scale its usage.

‘Importantly, such policies could attract the much-needed funding to power the almost 30 million housing unit deficit in Nigeria,’ he said, pointing to Rwanda’s thriving Climate Fund as proof that intentional policy attracts billions in support. As a way to check rent increase, Architect George called on the government to improve the road and rail transportation network, to encourage more people to move away from overcrowded commercial centres, to neighbouring locations where rents are more affordable. This has become necessary as a recent poll reveals that 72 percent of Nigerian workers spend 40 percent of their salary on house rents.

This was one of the findings in the recently conducted BusinessDay Talk Exchange polls on the State of Housing in Nigeria.

’72 percent of respondents spend between 4 to 6 months of their annual salaries on house rents, amounting to about 40 percent of their income,’ the poll revealed.

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged forgery of his signature. The development further complicates preparations for the party’s planned national convention slated for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In separate petitions dated October 15 and received by the three agencies on October 16, Anyanwu denied authorising or signing a letter dated August 29, 2025, purportedly sent to INEC concerning arrangements for the convention. He described the document as forged and urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute those behind the act, Punch reported. In his letter to INEC titled ‘Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,’ Anyanwu wrote: ‘My attention has been drawn to a letter with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol. 1M/25-140, purportedly signed by me. Regrettably, the letter was never signed, authorised, or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged or cloned version of my signature on such a sensitive document.’

He called on the IGP and DSS to identify and prosecute the ‘officers of the Peoples Democratic Party and their collaborators within INEC’ allegedly involved in the forgery.

The petitions, obtained by PUNCH Online, come amid deepening internal wrangling over control of the party’s structures and the zoning of key offices ahead of the national convention. The controversy has already split the National Working Committee (NWC) and led to a flurry of court actions. Tensions have been high within the PDP as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, continue to clash with the camp of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. The disagreements centre on leadership tussles in the South-South zone, control of party organs in states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau, and the micro-zoning formula for upcoming elections.

Adding to the turmoil, three party officials Austin Nwachukwu (Imo), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia), and Turnah Alabah George (South-South Zonal Secretary) have filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to halt the convention. In the case numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, they accuse the Damagum-led NWC of violating the party’s constitution and internal guidelines. At the court’s sitting before Justice James Omotosho, proceedings were stalled by a dispute over who is legally authorised to represent the PDP. Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche, both claimed to be the party’s counsel. The judge directed them to submit evidence of their authorisation before the substantive hearing, which was adjourned to October 20.

In a related twist, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 members of the NWC reaffirmed the decision to remove the party’s National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and appointed Chief Uche (SAN) as his replacement. However, Ajibade insisted he remains the legitimate Legal Adviser, stressing that only a national convention can remove him.

With the latest allegations of forgery, police and security investigations could further delay or derail the PDP’s convention plans, widening existing divisions within Nigeria’s main opposition party.