Author: user user

Lagos warns residents against dumping refuse in canals as flood risks rise

The Lagos State Government has warned residents against dumping refuse into canals and drainage channels, cautioning that the practice worsens flooding and undermines efforts to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

The warning was issued on Saturday during the October edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which was monitored by the wife of the governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in the Ajina area of Ikorodu Local Government Area, and the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, in Ikeja.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu urged residents of Ikorodu to sustain the sanitation exercise beyond the last Saturday of every month, expressing hope that the local government would emerge as the cleanest in the state.

She stressed the importance of continuous public sensitisation in promoting environmental cleanliness, noting that changing people’s attitudes towards sanitation requires sustained efforts.

The governor’s wife encouraged residents to adopt proper sanitation practices in their homes, schools, markets and communities, emphasising that keeping Lagos clean was a collective responsibility.

She also commended residents, particularly children, youths, market traders and environmental sanitation workers, for their active participation in the exercise and their early turnout to clean their surroundings.

Speaking with journalists after the monitoring exercise in Ikeja, Agoro said Saturday’s exercise was the seventh since March. He urged local government chairmen and their executives to mobilise residents and intensify efforts to improve environmental cleanliness.

He described sanitation as a continuous responsibility and expressed concern that government officials observed some residents dumping refuse into canals during the exercise.

According to him, the Ministry of the Environment had been notified to clear the affected canals, while arrangements were being made to reconstruct a canal in the area in consultation with the relevant drainage authorities.

Agoro, however, warned that clearing the canals would have little impact if residents continued to dispose of waste indiscriminately.

The Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mr Akeem Dauda, said the council had been sensitising communities on the need to stop dumping refuse into canals and other unauthorised locations.

Dauda commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing it as an important platform for mobilising residents and promoting environmental responsibility.

The sanitation exercise in Ikeja covered Onilekere Street, Saidu Street, Olumo Street, Ijesha Close and Olúkòyí Street.

Meanwhile, the state government has introduced an environmental sanitation competition among all local government areas to encourage cleanliness and promote healthier environmental practices.

Under the initiative, the local governments will compete for recognition as the cleanest in Lagos State, with the winner expected to be announced soon.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Tunbosun Ogunbanwo; and members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) also participated in the exercise.

Why SDP can’t be part of rainbow coalition – Senatorial candidate

Olanrewaju Osho is the senatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the January 16, 2027 election. In this interview by Muideen Olaniyi, he speaks on the issues in the party, the Rainbow Coalition, State Police debate, leadership deficit and the FCT natives and original inhabitants among other matters.

If elected Senator, what exact legislative instrument will you push to secure full political status, mayoral status, or second-tier benefits for FCT?

The constitution has a position on the status of FCT already as the capital of Nigeria. What caused the agitation for governor or mayor was the unmet desires of the people. The people desire good governance that guarantees better life and progressive development and this has been elusive for decades now.

Where there is good governance that exceeds the expectations of the people, they will not bother so much about how it is delivered or what is the office of the person delivering the good governance to them – whether it is delivered by a minister, a senator, Rep member, governor, a mayor, a local government chairman or a councillor.

My first focus as senator will be on how to use the legislative position to ensure that the existing politically created offices serve the people better.

If the elected officers occupying the various offices that we have now don’t offer to the people good leadership and excellent service, how will creating a state or office of the mayor serve the people better when the governor and the mayor will still come from amongst the current crop of leaders whose services haven’t advanced development as desired by the people?

The primary thing to do is to encourage good leadership first. After using the office of the senator and the instruments of law – making to up the good governance ante, we will then take up the issue of Governorship or mayor via a strategically conducted process that will guarantee success. The issues have been put forward unsuccessfully before. Why did they not succeed? We will look into that and generate the energy of the people of FCT to represent the issue and we will carefully avoid the land mines that caused failure in the previous attempt.

FCT natives, original inhabitants demand for land rights, compensation, and inclusion. Where do you stand on the Abuja Master Plan versus indigenous land claims?

The foundational errors made in the design of the FCT project has done a lot of injustice to the original inhabitants and the issue demands that we address it with honesty, wisdom and resilience.

The Federal Government couldn’t meet up with the amount agreed for compensation on the acquired land at the onset of the FCT project because it was more than a whole year’s annual budget of Nigeria then. The payment was staggered and a lot of other unplanned things happened along the line.

Be that as it may, the original inhabitants deserve land rights, compensation, and inclusion. I will work as the senator for FCT to upgrade every community of the original inhabitants to legacy towns within the capital city. Instead of demolishing any of these communities, we will lay a foundation to see them transformed to what we will all be proud of as beautiful communities that remind us of the original history of FCT.

The master plan must be reengineered to emulate places like Istanbul, Turkey where the old and the new are interwoven into a spectacle that is the pride of the country’s ingenuity.

Area Councils are the poorest tier of governance in Nigeria. What is your plan for constitutional funding and autonomy for the six Area Councils?

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has addressed the issue of directly funding the Local Government already. What is needed is advocacy for compliance by the governors and the minister.

I will use my office as senator to ensure that the law is respected. FCT Area Councils are not branches of the Minister’s office. The Area Council chairmen were elected by the people to serve them. The underdevelopment in these area councils are largely not the fault of the minister. The underdevelopment in most of the area Councils is because of poor leadership skills on the part of the chairmen. If every Kobo received is judiciously spent, people will feel the impact of government more.

As the most senior elected official in FCT, I will work closely with all these elected officials to change the narrative of governance and development.

With 70 percent of FCT residents living outside the city centre, what is your concrete plan for satellite towns – water, roads, primary health centres, schools?

The issue of plan for satellite towns – water, roads, primary health centres, schools are directly under the purview of the executive arm of government which is headed by the minister.

I will use my office as Senator to promote the passage of bills that FasTrack development in all of these things where applicable and I will use the means of collaboration to solve some of these problems where necessary.

The satellite towns are growing inorganically contrary to the vision of our founding fathers because many of the development in the satellite towns are not structured. I will promote structured development through robust town planning and infrastructure provision through budgeting advocacy.

Why is SDP in a field dominated by All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC)/coalition? How do you sell SDP to FCT voters who see politics as two-horse race?

The people of FCT have voted for the candidates of PDP (the then ruling party) over the years. Yet, most of their problems remained unsolved.

In the last election they voted for the candidate of the reigning movement (Obedient / Labour Party) and most of their problems still remain unsolved. All of these make it easy to sell myself and my party SDP as the solution they have been waiting, hoping and praying for.

Good enough, the APC candidate is someone they have tried before for 20 years. And they have also tried the candidate of ADC for four years as the incumbent senator. The Obedients have now ported to NDC. The candidate of NDC had been in charge of our health sector in FCT before and the sector still has a lot of challenges today. The people now know I am their best candidate if they truly desire to do things differently and see sustainable progress happen.

SDP is fractionalised nationally. Which faction do you belong to, and how will that not affect your campaign?

I am surprised at this question because your statement is far from the truth. The forces of destabilisation came to destroy SDP but they failed. The Supreme Court ruled twice in favour of the SDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no choice than to comply. SDP is not fractionalised. The SDP has one National Secretariat, one National Chairman Prof. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, one presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo, and one senatorial candidate for FCT, Olanrewaju Osho. It amounts to ignorance on the part of anyone to embrace the narrative of factionalisation in SDP. It is not true.

The Rainbow Coalition – President Tinubu is bringing opposition governors into his Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). Are you open to aligning with Tinubu’s government if elected?

I am a member of SDP. I am not in any rainbow coalition because our political ideology in SDP is different from that of neo-liberal ideology. We care about the people. That’s why our manifesto is Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity. That’s why my personal manifesto is fix FCT. The other candidates want position. We want solution to FCT challenges. The rainbow coalition is not bothered about challenges in the FCT. We are. I can’t also be part of rainbow coalition because I don’t support one party state ideology, no matter how it is well disguised.

FCT in 2023 voted massively for Peter Obi/Labour. How do you break Labour Party’s stronghold in AMAC, Bwari and Kuje in 2027?

I was the best senatorial candidate in the 2023 election. There was a debate in Abuja which revealed it. The Obedients’ surge made me to come 4th because our type of voters are the same people with the change mentality. Many of them, after seeing the performance of the people they got elected have reached out to me privately to apologise and promised to grow above sentiments in the next election. They know that the party and the movement will move to the background after the election. The quality of the candidate will determine what happens from then on. The Obedients who truly care about competence and capacity know that we are the best for all FCT people who truly desire to be served by a brilliant leader.

If elected, what will be your first three bills in the 11th National Assembly?

The FCT has no law-making body. The National Assembly makes law for FRSC. This is why the Senator of FCT has to work extra hard to ensure the passage of laws that will move FCT forward. I will push for the following five bills within our first 24 months. FCT Affordable Housing and Urban Development Reform Bill. This bill is to address housing shortages and improve access to decent housing. FCT Security and Community Safety Bill. This bill is to create stronger collaboration between security agencies and communities. FCT Transportation and Mobility Improvement Bill. This bill is to improve transportation systems across Abuja and satellite towns. FCT Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Bill. This bill is to unlock the agricultural potential of rural FCT communities. FCT Tourism, Culture and Creative Economy Development Bill. This is to make Abuja a leading tourism and creative economy destination.

How will you ensure FCT voice is not drowned in Senate debates on budget, security, and allocation?

I will ensure FCT’s voice is heard by ensuring that my voice is not drowned. I will ensure that my voice is respected by doing my home work very well before presenting our position. I will speak with data, logic and passion on every issue I am pursuing on behalf of our people.

Evidence – based presentations will be my tactic. With that, we will move hearts and brains to see the reasons for our advocacies.

FCT hosts over 100,000 IDPs. What is your legislative plan for them?

Many of the IDPs in FCT have been here for over a decade. This is terrible and every well meaning people should be bothered about this. It’s a bad thing for anyone to be in IDP camp in their country for this long and this is on us. I have a robust plan in my manifesto to work with the appropriate ministries of government to help these people return home or settle properly and restart their lives.

We will use many creative ways and programmes to achieve this.

Rent in Abuja is now higher than Lagos. What practical intervention can a senator push?

The solution rests in building more affordable housing. Our affordable housing development programme will partner with the Area Councils to introduce council flats. The private sector will also be mobilised to support providing solution through the introduction of rent to own programme and other innovative solution. Addressing the issue of affordable housing, affordable transportation and boosting economic activities will reduce the cost of living. Our Fix FCT Manifesto will help address this issue in partnership with the executive.

Kidnappings in Bwari, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji have become routine. The last Senate called for a security summit but nothing changed. What will you do differently?

The headquarters of all the security agencies are in the FCT. I will engage with them to promote intelligence gathering and effective policing. This will help in addressing the security challenge proactively. We will promote investment in community surveillance programme to boost proactive security system. We will also champion the provision of better training, equipment and better encouragement for our law-enforcement officers. We will support community security advancement efforts to reduce crime and criminalities in our communities.

Do you support state police and FCT-controlled security outfit given FCT’s special status?

We are running a Federal System of government. The system respects the right of the federating units to establish their own security outfit. So, I support state police and we will promote it in FCT to make our people safer. I also support Local Government Police because each tier of government is supposed to be in charge of its security with Federal Police coming in only where support is needed.

FCT youth unemployment is masked by civil service jobs. What is your plan for tech, creative economy and artisan clusters in Lugbe, Kubwa, Nyanya axis?

Our manifesto, FIX FCT. It is actually an acronym that provides solutions to the various challenges of the FCT. We want to show that the office of the Senator of FCT is a powerful office that could play a major role in addressing the challenges of FCT.

How SMEs gain access to much-needed credit

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being linked to formal financing through lending and enterprise development programmes aimed at helping businesses overcome barriers to growth, with new figures highlighting the role of credit in supporting Uganda’s private sector.

A report titled Report to Society 2025, published by dfcu Bank, shows that the lender financed 6,527 SMEs in 2025, while its foundation facilitated Shs38.08 billion in credit to enterprises, highlighting the role of financial institutions and business support programmes in connecting enterprises to formal financial services.

The figures come amid growing attention to the financing needs of businesses seeking to expand beyond small-scale operations, invest in production, strengthen supply chains and create employment.

For many enterprises, accessing finance is only one part of the challenge. Business development skills, market connections and partnerships can also determine whether firms can use credit effectively to grow and become more resilient.

‘Uganda’s economic growth depends not only on helping businesses start, but also on enabling promising enterprises to become stronger, more productive and more resilient,’ Dr James Ssemwanga, chairperson of dfcu Foundation, said. ‘Many businesses have the potential to grow, create jobs and support wider value chains, yet they need more than capital alone. They need the skills, partnerships, market connections and financial services that can help them move to the next stage.’

The foundation, which transitioned from a Business Development Centre in 2024, has supported more than 4,000 enterprises since 2018 and reached over 80,000 beneficiaries, according to the report.

At the launch event at Serena Hotel Kampala on Wednesday, Dr Winifred Mary Tarinyeba Kiryabwire, Chairperson of dfcu Bank said: ‘We are sharing these results not simply to celebrate our progress, but to give our stakeholders a basis on which to assess our contribution and challenge us to do more.’

Linking businesses to finance

The Shs38.08 billion in credit facilitated through the foundation represents one of the report’s key indicators of its role in connecting enterprises to formal financial services. The report also identifies the financing needs of businesses described as the ‘missing middle’: enterprises that have moved beyond survival but still require appropriate financing, business development services and market access to scale. Such businesses may need support that combines finance with technical expertise and commercial connections, rather than lending alone.

The foundation’s approach includes working with SMEs, aggregators, processors, commercial farms, manufacturers and other enterprises linked through production and distribution networks.

These connections matter because the growth of an individual business can have implications for suppliers, producers, workers and other firms within the same value chain.

Women entrepreneurs are another group highlighted in the report, which says the bank’s Women in Business programme has supported more than 80,000 women entrepreneurs.

The initiative forms part of efforts to expand women’s participation in economic activity through enterprise development and access to financial services.

The foundation also reports that the majority of its more than 80,000 beneficiaries since 2018 have been women and young people. It aims to support more than 100,000 additional beneficiaries between 2025 and 2030 through enterprise development, value-chain connections and market-oriented partnerships.

Accountability in banking

Charles M. Mudiwa, managing director and chief executive officer of dfcu Bank, said the publication of the report was intended to account for the resources and trust placed in the institution by customers, investors and the wider public.

‘Uganda’s understanding of sustainability did not begin with the introduction of environmental, social and governance frameworks. Our communities have long understood the importance of protecting the natural world, preserving what matters and ensuring that future generations can benefit from what has been entrusted to them,’ Mr Mudiwa said.

‘That same principle applies to banking. Our customers and stakeholders entrust us with their money, their businesses and their confidence. We therefore have a responsibility to account for how we use those resources and what they help us achieve,’ he said.

He said the report brought together the institution’s impact stories and key figures, providing stakeholders with a view of its contribution beyond conventional banking services.

The report also documents community health and environmental initiatives, illustrating how the institution’s activities extend beyond business financing. It says community health interventions reached more than 25,000 Ugandans, while a three-year partnership with Rotary Uganda involved a Shs1 billion commitment towards preventive healthcare through medical camps.

The interventions include consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, dental and eye care, health education and referrals. The report lists outreaches in Jinja, Mbuya, Mutungo, Kasenyi Landing Site and Kamwokya.

On environmental initiatives, the bank reported that 62,000 trees were planted or distributed in 2025. The report acknowledges the importance of distinguishing between trees planted and those distributed, as well as tracking survival rates and maintenance arrangements to establish longer-term environmental outcomes.

Negros Occidental gov calls for ‘compassionate’ pricing of sugar

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he hopes the buying price of sugar hits P3,000 per 50-kilogram bag (Lkg) to enable farmers to survive.

‘We cannot compel the traders to buy at the price we want [but] we are hoping they understand the situation and are more compassionate,’ he said.

This crop year, the country is estimated to produce 1.6 million metric tons of sugar, and he hopes the farmers can average P3,000 per LKg to make it sustainable, Lacson said.

At the current P2,600 per bag, even efficient farms will just break even, so you can imagine what will happen to small farmers, he added.

The good sign is that recent events show the sugar industry has united against the importation of sugar, he said.

‘I hope the unity among the sugar leaders will continue,’ Lacson added.

A confederation of sugar planters’ groups and labor unions in the sugar industry earlier called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to urgently address sugar millgate prices, warning that current market rates are below production costs and threaten the survival of local farmers.

Market data from the first weeks of October shows average raw sugar mill-gate prices in Negros Occidental hovering at around P2,600 per 50-kilogram bag (LKg), they said in a joint press statement.

The group is now pushing for a baseline mill-gate price of at least P2,900 per LKg to help planters cover surging expenses for fertilizer, fuel, hauling, and farm labor.

Tried and tested: Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

THE first thing I notice when holding the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE for the first time is how perfectly it fits in my hand. It has a 6.7-inch display and is quite ‘tall.’ Its thickness is at 7.4mm. The back has a glossy finish. Like all Samsung phones, the Samsung Galaxy FE feels premium, encased in Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ and an aluminum alloy frame. It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

As I am coming from using Samsung’s flagship devices, I immediately wanted to look at the difference in the FE’s 6.7′ display (2340 pixels with a 120Hz refresh rate). I like how big the display is and it was crisp and vivid. To be honest, it was not as bright as the S26 Ultra’s display. But with prices starting at P46,990 for the 8GB + 128GB model compared with the S26 Ultra’s P86,990, the S26 FE is looking good. Money is, after all, a serious consideration in these financially challenging times so if you want something reasonably priced without having to shell out nearly P100,000, you know the FE is a good deal. The other storage options for the FE are 256GB and 512GB.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, is powered by an Exynos 2500 chipset built on a 3nm process, an improvement from the 2025 processor. The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE also has the latest versions of Android and One UI out of the box. It will also get Android support up to Android 24 (seven major updates).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has a 4,900mAh typical battery capacity with support for 45W wired charging. The FE’s battery is higher than the Flip8’s 4,300 mAh and the Z Fold8’s 4,800 mAh, both of which last the whole day. The 4,900mAh means up to 29 hours on a single charge.

The Galaxy S26 FE features a triple rear camera setup and a single front-facing selfie camera, enhanced by Samsung’s ProVisual Engine and AI processing. The main camera is a 50MP wide sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization. The 12MP ultra-wide sits at f/2.2 for landscapes and group shots, and the 8MP telephoto adds 3x optical zoom with its own OIS and an f/2.4 aperture.

On the front, the upgraded 12MP selfie camera offers a wider view. At the core of the camera experience is the ProVisual Engine, designed to enhance image quality across different shooting conditions, including low light and distant subjects. The main camera also supports up to 8K video at 30fps and 4K video at 60fps for detailed, high-resolution footage.

As someone who has used Samsung’s flagship models for years now, I would describe the S26 FE’s camera as reliable and steady. To compare, the Galaxy S26 Ultra still takes amazing photos from the Upper Box and General Admission of Mall of Asia Arena and the S26 FE can shoot good concert photos from Lower Box. For a midrange phone, this is very much acceptable.

To be honest, while the camera of the S26 FE is reliable, if you are a frequent concertgoer buying a phone for this purpose I would advise you to get the S26 Ultra because you won’t always be seated in Lower Box. However, if you’re using your phone camera normally for everyday things, the S26 FE is enough.

It’s worth noting that the S26 FE has the My FanCam feature. This Galaxy AI video-editing feature turns wider group or concert recordings into tight, personalized solo tracking shots. This is very helpful for taking videos and shooting photos during concerts and events.

As for videos, daylight videos are fine. The nighttime videos can be a bit bright. The stabilization is quite good, so that is a bonus.

In terms of performance, I would say the Galaxy S26 FE was fast, smooth, and reliable except for a few lags here and there. The lags usually happen at the end of the day so is it safe to say that they occur when the phone is ‘overworked?’ Otherwise, the S26 FE’s performance was satisfactory.

I would recommend the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE to someone who’s looking for a good everyday phone. The models with the larger memory will allow you to do more things seamlessly, such as gaming and streaming.

Considering the price and everything else, one of the major cons for me is the glossy back, which can be slippery and a fingerprint magnet. Otherwise, the S26 FE is a solid phone with some of the features that have made Samsung’s flagship phones iconic.

Eala yields to Shnaider a second time around

Alex Eala fell prey to Diana Shnaider of Russia for the second time around, surrendering a tough 6-2, 6-7 (5), 4-6 meltdown to miss out on a Final Four seat in the WTA500 Toray Pan Pacific Open at the Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo, Japan.

World No. 19 Eala wasted multiple chances to move at match point in the second frame and could not regain her groove in the decider as Shnaider pounced on the opportunity behind a 3-1 start to re-assert mastery after her gutsy sweep in the WTA500 Ningbo Open Round of 16 in China last week in China.

Shnaider, world No. 13, beat Eala in Ningbo, 7-5, 6-4, to deny her a quarterfinal spot.

Don’t let humble backgrounds limit your ambition, graduates urged

Graduates have been urged to rise above the limitations of their humble origins, stay ambitious, and renew their determination whenever they face life’s challenges.

The call was made on Friday by the Rubanda West Member of Parliament, Mr. Bruce Balaba Kabaasa, while speaking as the chief guest during the 27th graduation ceremony of Bishop Barham University College (BBUC), a constituent college of Uganda Christian University (UCU), held at the Rugarama Cathedral headquarters in Kabale Municipality.

A total of 410 students, including 10 international students, graduated across various academic disciplines, with 10 students recognized for attaining first-class degrees. The ceremony was held under the theme: ‘Renewed, transformational mindset’.

Addressing the congregation, Mr. Kabaasa cautioned the fresh graduates against letting their background dictate their future possibilities, using his personal journey as an example of resilience.

‘Some of you may be tempted to believe that your humble background has already determined your future. Never allow your background to imprison your mind, aspirations, and possibilities. I went through modest schools, but here I am not only as a Member of Parliament, but as a leader with a record of service and achievement in this country,’ Mr. Kabaasa said.

He shared that his career included two decades of uninterrupted service at Makerere University, a journey marked by significant obstacles. He noted that every time he was confronted with challenges, he chose to renew his faith to prepare for the next phase, advising the graduates to adopt the same mindset.

Speaking at the same event, the Principal of Bishop Barham University College, Dr. Alice Jossy Kyobutungi, challenged the graduates to lead with integrity, competence, and faith, drawing inspiration from Matthew 5:14. She reminded them to remain firmly grounded, quoting an African proverb that states when roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.

Dr. Kyobutungi also highlighted several operational hurdles facing the growing institution, including limited academic programs, financial constraints, stiff competition from rival tertiary institutions, and deficits in staffing, infrastructure, accommodation, research funding, and transport.

Despite these setbacks, she assured stakeholders that university management, in partnership with the governing council and UCU administration, remains committed to prudent financial management, accountability, and strategic partnerships to transform these challenges into opportunities for growth. She reiterated BBUC’s goal to build a Christ-centered institution that combines academic excellence with practical skills, research, entrepreneurship, and Christian service.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, Prof. Canon Aaron Mushengyezi, who represented the university chancellor, advised graduates to measure their success by the trust they earn and the lives they impact rather than material wealth or public recognition. He emphasized that Uganda and the wider region require professionals who serve with competence and humility across all sectors, urging the cohort to let their faith shape their conduct and their knowledge inform their decisions.

Ashes of deceased don’t belong at home, bishop reminds flock

A reminder from the Catholic Church in this season honoring the dead: urns containing ashes of the deceased should be laid to rest in a sacred place, such as a cemetery or columbarium.

‘A cemetery or columbarium also gives family and community a shared place to pray for and remember the deceased,’ Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, Negros Occidental, said in an interview with the Inquirer.

He said this guidance reflects the Church’s belief in the ‘dignity of the human person and the resurrection of the body.’ A designated resting place also allows families and the wider community to gather and pray for those who have died.

Keeping an urn at home is generally not encouraged under Church teaching, except in grave and exceptional circumstances and under conditions specified by the Vatican, Alminaza said.

The Vatican clarified in 2023 that Church authorities may consider requests to keep a small portion of a person’s ashes in a significant place, provided the remains are treated respectfully and the ashes are also kept in a sacred place.

Alminaza said, ‘That clarification does not establish a general exception for bringing an entire urn home for Undas.’

Must be buried

The Archdiocese of Manila also cited its Oct. 24 guidelines stating, ‘The cremated remains should be buried in a grave, mausoleum or columbarium … the urn should not be kept permanently at home or family altar.’

The city government of Mandaluyong has allowed families in this Undas season to temporarily bring home urns kept at the Ash Repository and Columbarium of the Garden of Life Memorial Park.

The city government said this arrangement was intended to ease congestion in cemeteries and give families an opportunity to remember their departed loved ones at home. Families are expected to return the urns on Nov. 5.

‘Still, in light of the Church’s guidance, the more fitting practice is to leave the urn in its resting place and make it easier for families to visit, pray and remember there,’ Alminaza said.

LEXLUC NTDA partner to boost tourism in Nigeria

A private tourism development firm LEXLUC Global Services and Tours has partnered with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority NTDA in a bid to further develop domestic tourism across Nigeria.

The strategic partnership aimed to strengthen the ‘Meet My Town Know My State’ tourism initiative by encouraging Nigerians to explore destinations across the states experience historical sites and cultural heritage and boost community participation in tourism.

A statement issued by the partners stated that ”Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) LEXLUC will coordinate and implement approved activities develop tourism packages mobilise sponsorship and partnerships and report on progress. NTDA will provide relevant tourism information institutional coordination policy guidance and support for stakeholder engagement subject to its mandate and applicable approval processes.”

The signing of the strategic agreement was recently coordinated by Head of Legal Services at NTDA Olufunke Soleye and Head of Legal at LEXLUC Mary Oluwatoyin Noibi-Edoze.

Director of the Marketing and Promotions Department at NTDA Mr. Olufemi Akinyele was also present alongside staff members of the department.

At the signing of the strategic agreement between the two partners the Chief Executive Officer of LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd. Mr. Oluwole Ajayi said the initiative ”was developed to help Nigeria harness its tourism potential attract investment and create more opportunities within the sector.”

‘Tourism is the number one employer worldwide. Whether we like it or not we have to key into it and make sure it becomes the number one employer in Nigeria too’ Ajayi said.

Ajayi also revealed plans for a proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival which he stressed could complement the initiative’s broader objectives.

He noted that the proposed event was expected to form part of future tourism activities subject to the necessary planning and approvals.

He expressed confidence that the collaboration with NTDA would help advance the initiative and attract investors to Nigeria’s tourism industry.

In his remarks NTDA’s Director-General Mr. Ola Awakan said the partnership aligned with the core mandate of the tourism development agency to promote and develop tourism adding that the collaboration with the private sector was important to the sector’s growth.

‘It’s a laudable project. We are going to give you national and institutional backing. You are also helping us achieve our mandate and we are helping you to bring your idea to fruition. So it is a win-win situation. All of this is in the interest of Nigeria’ Awakan said.

He lauded Ajayi for sustaining the initiative and reiterated NTDA’s commitment to supporting it.

14,000 Ilocandia security, emergency personnel all set for Undas 2026

Around 14,000 security and emergency personnel will be deployed across the Ilocos region to strengthen public safety and road security during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2.

Police Maj. Cherry Tolentino, chief of the Police Regional Office I public information office, said the deployment would include 6,181 police officers, supported by 1,603 personnel from partner agencies and 6,532 force multipliers.

The personnel will secure cemeteries, major thoroughfares and tourist destinations to maintain peace and order, address public safety concerns, and assist residents and travelers, Tolentino said during the Philippine Information Agency’s online Kapihan sa Ilocos on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the Ilocos region has intensified its operations under Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2026 to ensure roadworthiness of vehicles and passenger safety.

LTO Ilocos Region Operations Division chief and Supervising Transportation Regulation Officer Atty. Danica Blyn Sanchez said the measures include inspections of public transport terminals and vehicles, stricter operations against colorum vehicles, and closer coordination with partner agencies.

As part of efforts to prevent drug-impaired driving, the LTO, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, PRO 1, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Department of Health, is conducting random drug testing of public utility vehicle drivers and conductors in San Fernando City, La Union, Sanchez said.

The Philippine National Police has also established police assistance desks in cemeteries and along major thoroughfares to provide immediate assistance and respond to public concerns.

Authorities urged residents to secure their homes before traveling, avoid posting real-time travel locations on social media, and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Unified 911 emergency hotline.

Motorists, passengers and pedestrians were also reminded to observe traffic rules, exercise caution and cooperate with authorities to help ensure a safe, peaceful and orderly Undas observance throughout the region.