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Nadine Samonte, husband celebrate 13th anniversary with renewal of vows

Nadine Samonte and her non-showbiz husband, Richard Chua, marked their 13th wedding anniversary by reaffirming their commitment to each other.

The couple was surrounded by their family and friends as they renewed their wedding vows on Thursday, Oct. 29. Moments from the event were shared through the pair’s respective Instagram pages.

‘Happy 13th Anniversary, my love! After 13 beautiful years together, here we are, renewing our vows and promising to love each other all over again,’ the actress wrote.

‘I love you so much, my love and I love our three beautiful kids more than words can ever express. You four are my greatest blessings,’ she added.

Samonte also expressed her gratitude to those who have been a part of their love story and celebrated with them.

Chua, for his part, thanked his wife for her efforts and dedication to their family.

‘It’s always been you my love, from the first day we met, up until my very last breath. I love you always and forever my life,’ he vowed.

Samonte and Chua tied the knot in 2013, then welcomed their firstborn Heather in 2016. The actress gave birth to their second child Titus in 2019 and their youngest Harmony in 2021.

2027: Adeleke, Oyetola set aside differences to back Tinubu

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Saturday unveiled 30 campaign vehicles donated to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The vehicles were donated by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, through the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement.

The event, held in Osogbo, Osun State, attracted supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party.

Other attendees included APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal; Accord Party Chairman in Osun, Victor Akande; Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun; and other political leaders.

Osun Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, read Adeleke’s address at the event. The governor praised supporters from different political parties for working together to secure Tinubu’s re-election.

Adeleke said the alliance was formed specifically to support Tinubu’s second-term bid. He urged members of the coalition to put aside past disagreements and work together to secure between 1.5 million and two million votes for the President.

He, however, clarified that the agreement did not cover legislative elections.

According to him, members of the coalition would support Tinubu in the presidential election but remain free to campaign for their respective candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.

Adeleke also urged campaign members to take their message to communities across Osun State and explain the benefits of the Federal Government’s projects and economic reforms.

Speaking on behalf of Oyetola, the APC candidate in the last Osun governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, said Tinubu’s re-election campaign was gaining support across party lines.

He described Adeleke’s role in coordinating the Rainbow Campaign Council as evidence that the President’s re-election was more important than individual political interests.

Oyebamiji said the APC was targeting 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun State, adding that the goal could be achieved through unity and effective mobilisation.

He also urged voters to support APC candidates contesting legislative seats.

Basiru called on Osun residents to support Tinubu in 2027, citing government initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and federal road projects in the state. These include the Ilesa-Ife-Ibadan Expressway, Osogbo-Gbongan Expressway and Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan roads.

The Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Dr Kestin Pondi, who represented Tompolo, said the vehicles came with speakers, generators and amplifiers to support grassroots campaigning.

Pondi urged Osun State to deliver all its votes for Tinubu, adding that more resources would be provided to strengthen the campaign.

The Osun coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Timothy Olanrewaju, also promised that the group would work to secure maximum support for the President.

Despite the alliance, Adeleke and Oyetola have maintained some distance from each other. Their differences were also noticeable during the recent inauguration of the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council, which Oyetola and several APC leaders did not attend.

Gov. Sani hails Abbas’ project interventions as Speaker flags off projects in Sabon Gari

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas for facilitating development projects to improve education healthcare and security in Sabon Gari Local Government Area.

The governor made the commendation during the flag-off of several projects and the commissioning of a 20-bed primary healthcare centre that Abbas facilitated in the local government.

Sani represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Abdulkadir Meyere said Abbas had shown commitment to improving his constituents’ living conditions by providing critical infrastructure and empowerment programmes.

He urged residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) arguing that continuity in leadership would ensure the completion of ongoing projects and sustain development across the area.

The governor acknowledged that some of the projects facilitated by Abbas might not be completed before the 2027 general elections but urged the people to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and Abbas’ return as Speaker to ensure their completion.

He urged residents to vote for the APC at all levels saying continued support for the party would ensure the sustainability of development initiatives in Sabon Gari.

Speaking at the event Abbas said the projects were designed to address critical needs expand opportunities and improve access to essential public services.

The projects include a 10-classroom block at Saidu Primary School Samaru; a proposed secondary school in Samaru; a National Open University study centre and computer-based testing centre in Dogarawa; and a diagnostic centre at Isa Chikaji Primary Healthcare Centre.

Others include a police station at the Queen Elizabeth Area Command GRA and the 20-bed primary healthcare centre at Zangon Dan Borno Dogarawa Ward.

The Speaker said the 10-classroom block would provide pupils with a more conducive learning environment while the proposed secondary school would enable them to continue their education beyond the primary level.

He added that the National Open University study centre and computer-based testing facility would expand access to higher education and digital examinations particularly for residents who might otherwise struggle to access such opportunities.

On healthcare Abbas said the proposed diagnostic centre at Isa Chikaji Primary Healthcare Centre would improve access to medical investigations stressing that adequate equipment and qualified personnel would be necessary to deliver effective services.

He also said the 20-bed healthcare facility at Zangon Dan Borno must be supported by qualified medical personnel reliable services and an effective referral system to ensure quality healthcare delivery.

Abbas said the proposed police station at the Queen Elizabeth Area Command would strengthen security operations enable faster emergency responses and promote cooperation between security agencies and residents.

He commended President Tinubu Governor Sani and other stakeholders for their support for development and security in the area.

The Speaker urged contractors handling the projects to comply with approved specifications and timelines and called on residents to protect the facilities and monitor the utilisation of public funds.

He said the interventions were part of efforts to translate the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda into tangible benefits for communities and assured residents of his commitment to facilitating more development projects and providing effective oversight to ensure their completion.

Also speaking the member representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency Sadiq Ango Abdullahi said Abbas had facilitated several development projects and empowerment programmes for his constituents.

He listed empowerment initiatives including the distribution of motorcycles and grinding machines as well as financial assistance for small-scale businesses.

The Chairman of Sabon Gari Local Government Jamilu Albani also commended Abbas for allocating resources to development projects in the area.

Albani said the interventions covered roads educational facilities and healthcare infrastructure adding that residents would continue to benefit from the projects.

He urged people to support the APC saying continuity in governance was important to sustain development and ensure the completion of ongoing projects.

Suspected NPA leader slain in South Cotabato encounter

A suspected leader of the Regional Instructors Bureau of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the military and police in Polomolok, South Cotabato Friday evening.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, identified the fatality as Noel Pamaong, also known by the aliases ‘Lauro’ and ‘Santi.’

He had an outstanding warrant of arrest for multiple attempted homicide issued on July 6, 2023, by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 in Surallah, South Cotabato.

Pamatong reportedly resisted arrest and traded shots with lawmen, forcing soldiers to return fire.

Catu said the operation was carried out by personnel of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, led by Brig. Gen. Omar V. Orozco, and the 603rd Infantry Brigade, under Col. Manuel Leo Q. Gador and operatives of the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (PPO).

During the operation, authorities recovered a .45-caliber pistol and a hand grenade.

Catu, also commander of Joint Task Force Central, underscored the importance of close coordination among security forces in conducting law enforcement operations.

Catu commended the personnel of the 1st Mechanized Brigade and 603rd Infantry Brigade, as well as the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office and the local residents who continue to support efforts to maintain peace and security in their respective areas of responsibility.

Catu said the follow-up operation is ongoing to locate Pamatong’s companions still in the mountains of South Cotabato.

NAFDAC DG canvasses coordinated regulation of medicine in Africa

The Director-general of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, has said that Nigeria’s participation in the evolution of the African Medicines Agency AMA would strengthen the collective resolve of African countries to establish a more coordinated, effective and harmonised regulatory environment for medicines and other medical products.

Prof Adeyeye made the assertion at the on-going Inaugural African Medicines Agency (AMA) Week taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from Sunday 25th to Friday 30th of October 2026 by Her Excellency Commissioner of Health and Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union, Amb A. Twum-Amoah where Nigeria finally deposited its instrument of ratification of the AMA Treaty as the 34th Member state of the African Union.

‘This represents a historic milestone in the advancement of medicines regulation and public health across the African continent,’ she said, adding that this important development reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding public health, combating substandard and falsified medical products, promoting pharmaceutical innovation, and advancing local manufacturing as a cornerstone of health security and economic development.

Prof Adeyeye stated that it also provides an opportunity to deepen collaboration between Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the African Medicines Agency, and other national and regional regulatory institutions in pursuit of shared continental health objectives.

She maintained that Nigeria’s participation should now be translated into practical action through sustained institutional collaboration, regulatory capacity development, information sharing, scientific cooperation and the effective implementation of the AMA Treaty.

Ultimately, she noted that the success of the African Medicines Agency will be measured by its contribution to ensuring that every African has access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable medicines. This will be driven through the maturity of the different National Regulatory Agencies. The DG added that Nigeria’s ratification is therefore not merely a diplomatic or legal achievement; ‘it is a significant investment in Africa’s health security, pharmaceutical sovereignty and sustainable development.’

‘As Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest pharmaceutical markets, the NAFDAC boss explained that Nigeria’s participation strengthens the collective resolve of African countries to establish a more coordinated, effective and harmonised regulatory environment for medicines and other medical products,’ she said.

The AMA week conference is anchored by the Director General, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, the Governing Board, representative of the Conference of State Parties and AU Special Envoy. It is being attended by medicine regulatory agencies across the continent, Regional Economic Communities representatives, important dignitaries within the global health ecosystem including WHO and the European Union development and international partners.

Catholic bishop lauds election of BARMM Chief Minister Macacua

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Inter-religious Dialogue (ECID) welcomed the election of Abdulraof ‘Sammy Gambar’ Macacua as chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

‘A historic step for the peace process. Mr. Macacua is the first to hold this office in the newly established BARMM government,’ said Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, chairperson of CBCP-ECID and convenor of the Inter-religious Council for National Transformation (IRLCNT).

Bagaforo said the election of Macacua marks the final phase of the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the peace accord between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

‘It is a milestone for Bangsamoro, for Mindanao, and for the whole nation,’ Bagaforo said in a statement.

He also congratulated the MILF and its leaders, led by Chairman Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim and Vice Chair Mohagher Iqbal, for a peaceful and democratic transition from its interim administration.

‘This orderly handover shows the maturity of the Bangsamoro people’s political life and the strength of the peace they have built together,’ the Roman Catholic bishop said.

Bagaforo also said he is hoping for an inclusive Bangsamoro.

‘We pray that the new BARMM government will be inclusive of all, especially the Moro, indigenous, and settler peoples, the tri-people who share this land,’ Bagaforo said.

‘We urge the new leadership to reach out to everyone in the spirit of reconciliation, and to lead the region toward genuine progress and the welfare of all its constituents.’

He said the CBCP-ECID supports and is in solidarity with the new Bangsamoro government and Parliament.

‘The Church will continue to walk with our Muslim brothers and sisters, with Indigenous Peoples, and with all communities in the region in dialogue, friendship, and the common work of building a just and lasting peace,’ Bagaforo said.

Weak peso pushes NG debt to record P19.66 trillion

The country’s outstanding debt ballooned to another record high of P19.66 trillion as of end-September, due to issuance of government securities and peso depreciation against the dollar.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed that the national debt inched up by 0.3 percent in end-September to eclipse the previous all-time high of P19.61 trillion in August.

On a year-on-year basis, the debt stock picked up further by 12.6 percent from the P17.46 trillion recorded a year ago.

The outstanding debt was equivalent to 99.5 percent of the government’s projected P19.77-trillion debt stock by the end of 2026.

For September alone, the government’s debt stock increased by P53.47 billion from the previous month.

Treasury data showed the current debt pile is now mostly made up of domestic debt with a 67.4-percent share, while external obligations accounted for 32.6 percent.

Domestic debt inched up by 0.07 percent to P13.25 trillion in end-September from P13.24 trillion in end-August.

‘The increase was mainly due to the P7.66 billion net issuance of government securities, while peso depreciation against the dollar added P1.12 billion to the value of onshore dollar bonds,’ the BTr said.

The peso weakened against the dollar to 62.601 as of end-September from 62.209 as of end-August, the BTr said.

Domestic debt also increased by 10.7 percent from P11.97 trillion in September 2025.

Total external obligations likewise increased by 0.7 percent to P6.41 trillion as of end-September from P6.37 trillion in end-August. The amount was nearly 17 percent higher than the P5.48 trillion booked in September 2025.

‘The increase was mainly attributable to the P40.12 billion increase in the peso value of foreign-currency denominated debt due to peso depreciation against the dollar and the P9.27 billion net availment of external loans,’ the Treasury said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northeast to Southeast 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3, gradually Southeast to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Afternoon

Southwest to West 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Southwest to Northwest 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

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

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

West to Northwest 3, locally Variable

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southwest to Northwest 3, locally at first North to Northeast

Smooth to Slight, locally at first Slight

North Coast

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Time of issue: 1130

Date: 31/10/2026

PBA: NLEX eases into semis, sweeps Phoenix

NLEX brought out the broom and swept aside Phoenix mercilessly with a 137-89 victory to secure a place in the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Robert Bolick put on an early barrage with 16 of his 23 points in the first quarter as the Road Warriors won their best-of-five quarterfinal series, 3-0, to become the first team to reach the semis.

Bolick’s explosion was marred by three triples and three four-point shots to help propel NLEX to just its third semis appearance in franchise history while breaking a string of quarterfinal disappointments.

Import Deonte Burton had 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Schonny Winston also scored 19, Kevin Alas posted 12 points each and Enoch Valdez chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds for the Road Warriors.

The Road Warriors will take on either the Converge FiberXers and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a best-of-five series which starts in December following the fifth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Phoenix saw its campaign end miserably after failing to make it competitive like in the previous two games.

Import Marcellus Earlington scored 19 points, but not enough to stave off elimination for the Fuel Masters, while Ricci Rivero had eight points and three assists but went down with an injury in the first half.

Jason Perkins returned to action after dealing with an Achilles injury, but played just three minutes with three points for the Fuel Masters.