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Lions Club trains 30 teachers in Lagos

The Lions Club International District 404B5 Nigeria has held its Lions Quest training for teachers in Lagos.

The event, held at Westerville Nursery and Primary School, Bariga, Lagos, was entitled: ‘Skills for Adolescent: Social and Emotional Learning for Adolescents Teachers,’ and had over 30 participants from five schools, is targeting 3,000 pupils. The programme’s Committee Chairperson, Olapeju Hassan, said the event ranked second most important in the club’s hierarchy after Sight First.

The District 404B5 Nigeria Governor, Phina Origho, said the initiative was designed to train teachers who would transfer the knowledge and values to their pupils and students.

She explained that the participants were selected from various schools, under the sponsorship of different Lions clubs.

‘It is designed to help young people develop life skills like good character, responsible decision-making and healthy relationships as they grow into adulthood. Overtime, we’ve had cases where it has inspired them to drop bad habits like bullying, drug addiction… We have also been able to grow leaders from among the youths. So, it’s no longer just a case of ‘youths are leaders of tomorrow’. They are leaders of today,’ he said.

One of the trainers, Deola Olatunbosun, described the programme as ‘a social and emotional learning, whereby we go into schools, train teachers, who in turn will train students in the competencies of Lions Quest social and emotional learning, such as responsible decision-making, self-awareness, good judgment, self-motivation, and enhancing the self.’

Lion Kola Oyekanmi, who has been involved in the Lions Quest training programme for over a decade, said the programme is curriculum-based and takes care of every social and emotional aspect of every human being.

Breaking it down, Oyekanmi said: ‘We have three skills that we teach – skill for growing, which is useful for primary school ages; skill for adolescence, for junior secondary school; and skill for action, which is useful for senior secondary school and above. Here in Nigeria, we implement just two – skill for growing and skill for adolescence. We try as much as possible to make an impact.’

The proprietress of the host school, Westerville Nursery and Primary School, Lion Yetunde Balogun of Ikeja Golden Lions Club, who was also a participant, described the programme as ‘one of the best initiatives’ she had witnessed and called for more of it; while her head teacher, Mr. Oladeji Shakiru Tunde described it as ‘very impactful and an eye-opener.’

‘Participants now understand what setting a target is, and how to set a goal and achieve it,’ Balogun said, while Oladeji said: ‘We’ve been made to understand that children learn at different levels and from different perspectives; and that teaching is not just about coming to class to teach, but that you need to build cordial relationships with learners in order to understand the child that you’re teaching individually.’

84 per cent of TVET candidates attain full competence – UVTAB

At least 84.4 per cent of candidates who sat the May/June 2026 Technical and Vocational Education and Training assessment acquired full competences, results released Wednesday show.

According to the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), 14,382 of the 17,038 candidates who sat the assessment at both diploma and certificate levels attained full competence.

Of those, 6,268 were female and 8,114 male. Majority, 10,641, offered National Diploma programmes while 4,875 offered National Certificate programmes.

The performance marks an improvement from 2025, when 81 per cent attained full competence.

“Of the 17,038 candidates who sat for the assessment, 84.4 percent acquired full competences. Comparing to the general performance of May/June 2025 where 6,955 candidates acquired full competences, there is a 3 percentage point improvement. We congratulate all the candidates, parents/guardians and other stakeholders,” UVTAB Executive Secretary Onesmus Oyesigye said.

He was speaking during the release of results at UVTAB’s assessment centre in Kyambogo, Kampala, on September 16.

Oyesigye said 2,656 candidates acquired partial competences and are free to retake the assessment until they achieve full competences.

A total of 17,262 candidates registered for the end-of-programme assessment held between May 15 and June 12, of whom 7,536 (44 per cent) were female and 9,726 (56 per cent) male.

Of the registered candidates, 12,385 registered for National Diploma programmes and 4,877 for National Certificate programmes. Some 17,038 sat the exams at 260 centres, representing a 99 per cent attendance rate.

“The number of registered candidates increased from 8,629 in 2025 to 17,262 in 2026, representing a 61 percent increase in registration,” Oyesigye said.

The fields assessed include Technology, Business, Home Science and Agriculture Education and Training.

Technology had the largest male participation at 77.8 per cent (7,042 males against 2,008 females), while Business and Home Science were dominated by females at 73.2 per cent and 75.5 per cent respectively. Agriculture was fairly balanced at 58.4 per cent male and 41.6 per cent female.

UVTAB Board Chairperson Assoc Prof Dorothy Okello said there is a steady increase in female enrollment and improved performance.

“This is a vital step towards ensuring TVET becomes a pathway of opportunities for all Ugandans irrespective of gender,” she said.

She said the Board has operationalised guidelines for assessment of candidates with special needs and refugees.

A total of 60 candidates with special needs registered, with 57 (24 female, 33 male) turning up for assessment. Candidates with visual impairment and albinism were the largest category with 23, followed by physical disabilities with 14.

Okello said the Board has reviewed 22 Assessment Training Packages and 31 curricula, comprising 18 Technology, 12 Business and 1 Home Science programme, under the competence-based curriculum.

Acting Education Minister Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo said government’s priority is to skill all Ugandans through various TVET providers, including industry-based providers.

He said additional regulations were gazetted to strengthen TVET governance, including the TVET Regulations 2026 on admission and administration of both public and private providers.

He encouraged those who did not acquire full competences to return and re-sit.

The release was attended by various stakeholders, including UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo.

SMEDAN, EFCC partner on youth empowerment, cybersecurity

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are set to deepen institutional collaboration, with a focus on youth empowerment, cybersecurity, capacity development and responsible entrepreneurship.

Speaking while on a visit to the EFCC office in Abuja, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, emphasised the importance of partnerships among government institutions in delivering their mandate.

He noted that empowering young people requires a holistic approach that combines skills, access to opportunities, mentorship, digital knowledge, financial literacy and responsible enterprise practices.

While welcoming the SMEDAN team, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, noted that the Commission had followed with keen interest SMEDAN’s youth-focused interventions, describing them as significant efforts towards equipping young Nigerians with opportunities and skills that can positively transform their lives.

He particularly acknowledged the Agency’s growing focus on youth development through capacity building and empowerment schemes, describing such interventions as important contributions to equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and opportunities required to become productive participants in the economy.

The Chairman added that the partnership will ensure they do not follow the path of negative vices that have an unsavoury impact on the country’s economy and image.

According to a statement by SMEDAN, during the meeting, the two Chief Executives agreed on strengthening collaboration through knowledge sharing and joint capacity-building initiatives.

‘A key area of agreement was the proposed infusion of relevant components of the ICSS curriculum into the EFCC’s cybersecurity training programmes.

‘The two institutions equally agreed to explore the participation of EFCC in relevant SMEDAN training programmes, particularly those that can strengthen awareness of cybersecurity, financial responsibility and ethical business practices among entrepreneurs and young people’.

In the statement, ‘the collaboration is expected to create a stronger bridge between enterprise development and financial crime prevention, ensuring that young entrepreneurs are equipped not only to start and grow businesses, but also to understand the importance of operating within the law and protecting their businesses in an increasingly digital economy’.

Senaro launches Sri Lanka’s first motorcycle premier centre and all-new RR250

Senaro Motor Company has made history in Sri Lanka’s two-wheeler sector by launching the nation’s first-ever premier centre dedicated to the motorcycle industry, located at Jubilee Post Junction, Nugegoda while also unveiling its latest motorcycle model, the Senaro RR250.

Senaro, a 100% Sri Lankan-owned motorcycle company with a 23-year history, has expanded its retail footprint with the opening of its new Senaro Premier Centre. Moving away from traditional showroom models, the Senaro Premier Centre introduces an integrated solution that brings together sales, expert advice, genuine spare parts, and custom modifications under one roof.

The new premier centre was officially opened with the participation of former Sri Lanka cricket captains Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga, marking the latest step in the company’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the domestic motorcycle market and enhance the customer experience.

Senaro assembles and marketing a range of motorcycles in Sri Lanka, including the SENARO GN 125, SENARO CLICK 150i and BOXTER 125, among several other models. According to the company, its locally assembled motorcycles incorporate more than 35% local value addition, reflecting its focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and supporting the local automotive industry.

Over the years, Senaro has developed an extensive sales and distribution network covering all provinces and districts across Sri Lanka. The network provides customers with access to Senaro motorcycles as well as genuine spare parts, with the company focusing on improving availability and after-sales support across the country.

The newly opened Senaro Premier Center introduces an enhanced retail concept aimed at providing customers considering the purchase of a motorcycle with a more comprehensive and premium experience.

Customers visiting the center will be able to explore and experience the latest Senaro motorcycle models, obtain information and assistance before making a purchase, and access a range of related services under one roof.

The facility will also cater to motorcycle enthusiasts seeking modifications and upgrades, with Senaro providing facilities to carry out such work according to appropriate technical and quality standards. A key highlight of the opening was the introduction of the Senaro RR250, the newest motorcycle to join the Senaro product portfolio.

The launch further broadens the company’s model range as it seeks to address evolving customer preferences in Sri Lanka’s motorcycle market. The company said it would continue to strengthen its locally assembled product portfolio, distribution network and customer service capabilities while increasing its contribution to Sri Lanka’s domestic motorcycle industry.

EC reports big jump in complaints

The Election Commission (EC) handled thousands of election complaints and cases in fiscal 2024 and 2025, while allocating 282 million baht in subsidies to political parties, its secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said on Wednesday.

Mr Sawaeng presented the EC’s performance reports to parliament, chaired by House Speaker Sophon Zaram. The reports covered work during fiscal 2024 and 2025. A fiscal year closes at the end of September.

In fiscal 2024, the EC organised Senate and local elections and allocated 139 million baht in subsidies to political parties under the organic law on political parties.

The EC resolved to submit 95 case files to the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Appeals Court and regional appeals courts.

It also approved action on 198 other files involving criminal cases, dismissed complaints, closed cases and new elections. A further 394 cases concerned MP and Senate elections, local polls, political parties and other matters.

The EC also carried out 23 projects and 42 activities to promote political participation and understanding of democracy.

In fiscal 2025, party subsidies increased to 143 million baht. The EC received 2,541 election-related complaints, including 1,919 criminal cases, four civil cases and 15 administrative cases.

The EC also organised many elections for provincial administrative organisations and local administrative organisations in 2,462 areas, as well as four by-elections for House seats.

The House set five hours for debate on the EC reports, and 210 minutes for an urgent motion on the southern border provinces.

JUST IN: Kaduna varsity lecturers suspend strike

The Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its strike following approval by Governor Senator Uba Sani to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement as well as the University Governing Council and Management approval to commence the payment of the accrued nine-month arrears, covering the period from January to September 2027.

This was contained in a statement issued by the chairman, Comrade Abubakar Abdullahi and secretary, Comrade Silas Amos Bakut, made available to newsmen in Kaduna Thursday night.

The statement noted that ‘Congress Met on Thursday, 17th of September, 2026, deliberated on the approvals from Government and Council of KASU, and unanimously resolved to accept the offers.

It further maintained that ‘based on the conditions mentioned above, they resolved to suspend the ongoing strike action in the branch, effective 12.01 am, 18th September, 2026.’

The union thanked the governor for approving the implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU approval, saying, ‘We wish to express our profound appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, for granting approval for the implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement at Kaduna State University (KASU).

‘We believe that this significant gesture, among other initiatives, demonstrates your commitment to ensuring that KASU remains one of the leading universities in Nigeria, particularly in the area of staff welfare.

‘We equally commend the members of the Government Negotiation Team for their dedication, commitment, and prompt attention to the issues under consideration. The Union sincerely appreciates and salutes your efforts.

‘We also wish to express our appreciation to the Management of Kaduna State University for providing the necessary information, documents, and support to both the Government Negotiation Team and the ASUU-KASU Team, which greatly contributed to the resolution of the issues at hand.

‘Most importantly, we wish to acknowledge and commend the Government and the Management of KASU for the patience, restraint, and understanding demonstrated throughout the period of the strike action.

‘It is worthy of note that neither the Union nor its members were subjected to threats or intimidation by the Government or University Management during the dispute.

‘This represents a significant departure from experiences in the past. The Union was allowed to exhaust its established internal procedures in both commencing and suspending the strike action.

‘We consider this approach a positive demonstration of respect for due process, constructive engagement, and industrial relations,’ the statement noted.

FG mulls creation of call centres to address power supply glitches

Joseph Tegbe, Nigeria’s minister of power has disclosed plans to establish a nationwide electricity complaints call centre, alongside a dedicated channel for reporting asset vandalism for immediate remediation.

Tegbe who stated this at the launch of the 3megawatt captive solar hybrid power project at the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, on Wednesday, charged students and staff of the Univeristy to help safeguard the new infrastructure by reporting any vandalism of the solar system or other power assets, including transformers and transmission towers.

The minister also explained that a joint team drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is working to curb vandalism of electricity infrastructure nationwide.

‘My office is working on a call centre where electricity complaints across the country can be lodged and resolved. This initiative will provide sustainable job opportunities for our youth nationwide.

‘In addition, we plan to provide a dedicated channel where vandalism of critical assets can be reported for immediate action and remediation,’ he said. Tegbe said that the 3MW solar project would provide a more reliable energy base for teaching and research, while stressing that its long-term performance would be the real measure of the investment.

The project was delivered under Phase II of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).

The minister noted that Yakubu Gowon University project is one of many institutions being powered by federal government to provide enhanced education to students.

He said that the Phase 2 of the energizing education program covers 6 other institutions including: University of Maiduguri and teaching hospital (12MW), Federal University Gashua in Yobe state (1.5MW), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (3 MW), Univerisity of Calabar and teaching hospital (7 MW), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (3MW), and Defence Academy in Kaduna state(2.5MW). ‘Across successful phases, the program is extending this investment in education to different parts of our country. This sustained investment is a testimony to this administration’s consistency of purpose. There is perhaps no better place to demonstrate the practical value of Nigeria’s energy transition than a university.

‘Energizing education also protects the investments already made in academic facilities and specialist equipment. It reduces the disruption that weakens research and makes learning more difficult. These benefits extend beyond the campus, through graduates whose skills strengthen the economy and research that helps solve the country’s problems. ‘The commissioning is not the conclusion of the investment. It is the beginning of its most important phase,’ Tegbe said.

The minister further disclosed plans to deliver such project across all public universities in the country and take the universities off-grid. This for him will ensure a 24 hour power supply for academic activities.

Nigeria wins arbitration case against Sunrise Power

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France, has ruled in favour of Nigeria in the $2.35 billion award sought by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project and directed Sunrise and its promoter to refund Nigeria’s legal fees of $11.8 million.

A three-member panel of the tribunal, in a decision on Thursday, dismissed Sunrise’s claim for a declaration that Nigeria breached its contractual obligations under the settlement agreement and the addendum.

It also rejected Sunrise’s claim for an order that Nigeria should pay the company $400 million in satisfaction of the settlement sum of $200 million and the default sum of $200 million.

The panel further declared that Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise, is bound by the arbitration agreement with Nigeria pursuant to the settlement agreement and the addendum, and that the tribunal has jurisdiction over Nigeria’s counterclaim against him and his firm.

The tribunal ordered Sunrise and Adesanya to reimburse to Nigeria 75 percent of the legal fees and expenses incurred by the country in this arbitration.

The legal fees were given as $11,819,506.51, out of which $2,500,000 will be covered directly from the amount held in escrow by the ICC that will be released upon the notification of the final award.

Sunrise and Adesanya were ordered to pay Nigeria the remaining $9,319,506.51 plus interest at an annual rate of 10 percent, ‘compounded annually, from the date of the notification of this Final Award until such amount is paid in full’.

The arbitration cost is to be shared by Sunrise and Adesanya (75 percent) and Nigeria (25 percent), with the cost fixed at $1,656,500.

The panel was presided over by Melaine van Leeuwen, with Stavros Brekoulakis and Simon Nesbitt as co-arbitrators, and Nigeria was represented by a team of lawyers led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh, now of Paul Hastings LLP.

It would be recalled that Sunrise had, on October 10, 2017, started arbitration against Nigeria at the ICC International Court of Arbitration seeking a $2.354 billion award for ‘breach of contract’ in relation to a 2003 agreement to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba State, on a ‘build, operate and transfer’ basis valued at $6 billion.

In the second arbitration, the company is asking for a $400 million settlement being the terms of the Nigerian government’s failure to honour the settlement agreement both parties entered into in 2020 to end the arbitration.

DOF seeks to triple sugary drinks tax

The Department of Finance (DOF) is pushing to raise taxes on sugary drinks to at least three times their current rate to discourage consumption.

The finance department said Thursday, September 17, that its goal in imposing higher taxes on sweetened drinks is not only to generate revenue, but also to address and curb lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and kidney issues among Filipinos.

‘Gusto natin bawasan o i-discourage ang pagkonsumo ng mga sweetened beverages kasi nakita natin, at sabi din ng mga eksperto din sa health sector, na talagang nagdudulot ito ng mga sakit,’ DOF Assistance Secretary for Revenue Operations Group Euvimil Nina Asuncion told dzMM in an interview.

(We want to reduce or discourage the consumption of sweetened beverages because we saw, and even the experts in the health sector said, that this causes diseases.)

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) report released June 30, diabetes ranked fifth among the leading causes of death in the Philippines in 2026, with 2,795 recorded deaths as of February.

Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Council said on September 10 that 43% of Filipino adults are obese.

The government currently imposes a P6 to P12 per liter excise tax on pre-packed sweetened drinks under Republic Act No. 10963, or the Philippine TRAIN Law.

The DOF, however, proposed to raise these taxes from P6 to P20 per liter for non-caloric and caloric beverages, and from P12 to P40 for drinks using fructose corn syrup.

Should the finance department’s proposal be approved, retail prices of carbonated soft drinks, pre-packed teas and other ready-to-drink juices that are widely available in the market could also increase.

But, unlike previous measures, the DOF is also currently proposing that these excise taxes on sugary drinks be adjusted by around 5% every year.

‘Gusto talaga natin na imbes na magkonsumo sila ng softdrinks…iinom sila ng healthier na alternative,’ Asuncion said.

(We want them to consume healthier alternatives instead of consuming softdrinks.)

The collected taxes from these products are intended to support Universal Health Care, which enrolls all Filipinos into the country’s national health insurance, according to Asuncion.

Full programme of MFA meetings scheduled for next week in New York, CNA learns

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos is set to have a full programme of meetings next week during his stay in New York on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to information obtained by CNA from diplomatic sources, 35 bilateral meetings with his counterparts from UN member states have been confirmed so far, whilst he will also take part in at least five meetings with the President of the Republic, with the programme still being finalised.

As stated, meetings have been scheduled with countries on the African continent, such as Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, Botswana, Senegal, Rwanda, Mauritania and Tanzania, in the Middle East, such as Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Lebanon, in Central Asia, such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and in Asia, including India, the Philippines and the Maldives.

According to the same sources, these meetings are the result not only of geographical planning but also of taking into account the membership of several of the above countries in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, as well as the Turkic-speaking countries of Central Asia.

They added that, following a Cypriot initiative, a high-level meeting of small European states will be co-organized with Andorra at the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the UN, including Cyprus, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Monaco and San Marino, with cooperation amongst the small European states also encompassing the Council of Europe dimension and issues relating to property and missing persons.

They also mentioned that two trilateral meetings will be held with Egypt and Jordan, whilst the Foreign Minister will take part in a series of multilateral meetings, such as the informal EU Foreign Affairs Council with guests from Asian countries, a ministerial discussion on the Middle East chaired by the Qatari Foreign Minister and the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, ministerial meetings on the Middle East and the two-state solution and on rising sea levels, as well as an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers with their counterparts from CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States).

The same sources also said that contacts have already been made with two of the candidates to succeed António Guterres as UN Secretary-General, with the contact with the first candidate having taken place during last year’s UN General Assembly, whilst a few days ago a government minister met with the second candidate as part of another meeting.

They added that there may be further contacts either with the aforementioned candidates or with other candidates, as part of a social gathering to be held in New York.