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Counties leave Sh100bn idle as development projects stall

County governments left Sh100.2 billion of available funds unspent in the year to June 2026, while execution of development budgets weakened and 189 projects worth Sh10.51 billion stalled, exposing a widening gap between approved spending and delivery.

Controller of Budget (COB) Margaret Nyakang’o says counties had Sh596.78 billion available for spending during the year but used Sh496.58 billion, translating into an overall absorption rate of 83.2 percent.

The biggest shortfall was in development, where counties spent Sh126.69 billion of the allocated Sh233.69 billion, absorbing just 54.21 percent of allocations compared with 57 percent a year earlier and leaving nearly Sh107 billion unspent.

‘The total funds available to the County Governments in the financial year 2025/26 amounted to Sh596.78 billion. These included Sh415 billion equitable share of revenue raised nationally, Sh97.55 billion from OSR (own-source revenue) and Sh1.47 billion from other revenues,’ said Dr Nyakang’o.

‘County Governments spent a total of Sh496.58 billion, comprising Sh369.89 billion for recurrent activities and Sh126.69 billion for development activities.’

The weak execution of development budgets means billions earmarked for roads, markets, water infrastructure, health facilities and other capital projects did not translate into completed projects during the financial year.

Only three counties achieved development absorption above 80 percent, led by Kilifi at 84.52 percent, Wajir at 83.03 percent and Mandera at 80 percent, according to the budget watchdog.

On the other end, 13 counties absorbed half or less of their development budgets, with Kisumu recording the lowest rate at 25.92 percent, followed by Siaya at 26.53 percent and Nairobi at 28.47 percent.

The poor performance left a growing list of unfinished investments, with counties reporting 189 stalled projects valued at Sh10.51 billion.

’22 counties reported 189 stalled projects valued at Sh10.51 billion, out of which Sh4.21 billion had already been paid,’ said the COB.

Nairobi accounted for the largest value of stalled projects at Sh2.24 billion across 57 projects, followed by Isiolo at Sh1.77 billion from seven projects, highlighting the financial cost of delays on capital investments.

Kakamega reported 26 stalled projects worth Sh848.95 million, while Baringo had 23 projects valued at Sh163.32 million, as Machakos reported 22 projects worth Sh891.58 million.

The figures point to a persistent implementation problem in devolution where county administrations allocate money for development but struggle to move projects from procurement and contracting into actual construction and completion.

Counties also carried Sh172.53 billion in trade payables at June 30, creating another constraint for contractors and suppliers and potentially slowing new projects as administrations struggle to clear obligations from previous years.

The accumulation of unpaid bills is significant for development, as contractors facing delayed payments can slow work, suspend construction or demand settlement of previous obligations before taking on additional county projects.

The challenge has previously been linked to procurement disruptions, with an earlier COB review showing that 10 counties cut development spending by Sh1.7 billion in the three months to September 2025 following disruption caused by the transition to the electronic government procurement system.

The squeeze is occurring even as counties remain central to delivery of services such as healthcare, local roads, markets, water and sanitation, making development spending a key measure of whether the devolved units are converting budgets into public assets.

Dr Nyakang’o has urged counties to prioritise stalled projects that can be completed and operationalised, allocate adequate resources for completion, as well as resolve outstanding contractual obligations.

‘County governments should prepare verified schedules of stalled projects, prioritise projects that can be completed and operationalised, and allocate adequate resources in future budgets,’ said the COB.

‘Ring-fence projects under investigation and pursue appropriate recovery, enforcement, or corrective actions where loss or irregularity is established.’

APC chieftain urges Tinubu to improve social intervention schemes

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to strengthen and comprehensively review the federal government’s social intervention programmes to cushion the impact of economic hardship on Nigerians.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said interventions targeting youth employment, skills development, cash transfers, school feeding, agriculture and social protection must be properly implemented and monitored to deliver measurable benefits.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye said social intervention should go beyond budgetary allocations to determine whether public funds were actually reducing poverty and improving household purchasing power.

‘Such interventions must have clear targets, transparent beneficiary selection, strong monitoring and measurable performance indicators to minimise leakages, duplication and abuse,’ he said.

Oyintiloye also urged the President to strengthen workers’ allowances and welfare packages, arguing that improved incomes would boost purchasing power and stimulate local businesses.

He commended Tinubu for allocating N462.66 billion to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in the 2026 Appropriation Act, but said the scale of poverty required more effective intervention.

‘Since the intervention programmes are meant to alleviate poverty among the masses, every necessary strategy must be in place to ensure that allocated money has positive impacts on the lives of less privileged Nigerians,’ he said.

Oyintiloye urged Nigerians to remain patient, saying, ‘The hardship Nigerians are presently facing will soon be a thing of the past.’

September 27: Azerbaijan remembers heroes of 44-day Patriotic War

September 27 is observed in Azerbaijan as Remembrance Day, a date dedicated to honoring the memory of servicemen who lost their lives during the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020.

Across Azerbaijan, the day is marked by commemorative ceremonies, visits to martyrs’ cemeteries and memorial sites, and tributes held at public institutions and communities. Citizens gather to remember those who died during the war, lay flowers at graves and monuments, and express respect for their sacrifice.

Remembrance Day was established by a presidential decree on December 2, 2020, several weeks after the end of the war. September 27 was chosen as the date because it marks the beginning of the hostilities in 2020.

The day has become an important part of Azerbaijan’s public commemorative calendar. Government institutions, local authorities, educational establishments, cultural organizations and civil society groups organize events dedicated to preserving the memory of the fallen. Exhibitions, conferences, tree-planting campaigns, commemorative gatherings and other initiatives are held in different parts of the country.

One of the central elements of the commemoration is the nationwide one-minute silence observed at noon. At 12:00, people across the country stop to honor the memory of those who died during the war. The national flag is displayed on streets, avenues, squares and residential buildings, creating a visible expression of the country’s collective remembrance.

Commemorative events are also held in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. These ceremonies carry particular significance as the territories where the war took place are now undergoing extensive reconstruction and development. The return of residents to their native settlements and the restoration of infrastructure have also become part of the country’s post-war agenda.

Remembrance Day is observed beyond Azerbaijan’s borders as well. Azerbaijani communities and diaspora organizations in different countries hold commemorative ceremonies, bringing together members of the community to honor the fallen and preserve their memory.

The day also provides an opportunity to reflect on the human consequences of armed conflict. Alongside remembering those who died, commemorative events draw attention to the importance of protecting civilians, supporting war-affected families and addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict.

For families of the fallen, Remembrance Day carries a deeply personal significance. The annual commemorations provide an opportunity to keep the memory of their loved ones alive and to recognize the sacrifices made by those who died during the war.

Over the years, September 27 has come to represent both remembrance and reflection in Azerbaijan.

Through ceremonies held across the country and by Azerbaijani communities abroad, the day keeps the memory of the fallen at the center of public attention while emphasizing the value of peace, security and a stable future for coming generations.

Cardinal Ambo: In age of AI, embrace imperfections that make us human

A handwritten correction on a page, a voice that trembles while speaking, or a mistake openly acknowledged may be among the strongest proofs of humanity, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio ‘Ambo’ David said as he urged educators to resist machine-like standards of perfection in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Speaking before the graduating class and faculty of De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU) at the Philippine International Convention Center on September 19, David said schools must focus not only on producing competent graduates but also on forming people capable of growth, compassion, and moral courage.

The Kalookan bishop delivered the message as DLSAU conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, recognizing his contributions to biblical scholarship, pastoral leadership, social justice, and the promotion of human dignity.

David acknowledged that artificial intelligence has become one of the most transformative developments confronting modern education. AI systems can now summarize texts, organize research, generate polished prose, and solve complex problems in seconds, he noted.

Yet even as technological capabilities advance, he said machines remain incapable of moral discernment, genuine empathy, and the human capacity for conscience.

‘Even some of the people developing the most advanced AI systems are warning us that these technologies are progressing faster than our institutions can adequately evaluate, regulate, and supervise them,’ he said.

‘Technological power can advance much faster than human wisdom,’ he added.

The greater challenge, according to David, is not the prospect of machines becoming more human but the possibility of people trying to become more like machines.

‘The greater danger may be that human beings will try to become too much like machines, obsessed with optimization, efficiency, productivity, performance, and perfection,’ he said.

Rather than pursuing flawless performance, David encouraged educators and students to embrace vulnerability and imperfection as essential features of authentic humanity.

‘What reveals our humanity are often our imperfections,’ he said, pointing to hesitations, handwritten corrections, cracked voices, and mistakes honestly acknowledged as signs of a person willing to learn and grow.

He pointed out that while machines can process vast amounts of information and provide answers with remarkable speed, education has a deeper purpose.

‘Let artificial intelligence become better at being artificial, and let education help human beings become better at being human,’ David said.

True education, he added, forms the conscience, cultivates critical thinking, and teaches people how to build meaningful relationships.

A machine may analyze data and recognize patterns, but it cannot look at a struggling student with genuine concern and offer encouragement.

Drawing from the Lasallian mission of faith and service, David challenged graduates to use their education not merely as a pathway to personal success but as a means of uplifting others.

He also offered a broader interpretation of the honorary degree bestowed on him, saying honoris causa should inspire people to make their education, influence, and privilege a ’cause for the dignity of others.’ing his address with a challenge to the graduates, David urged them to become the kind of people no technology can replace.

‘Form human beings whom artificial intelligence can never replace,’ he said.

‘People capable of compassion, of moral courage, of solidarity and wonder, of loving, acknowledging a mistake, asking for forgiveness, beginning again, and sacrificing themselves for something greater than themselves,’ he pointed out.

How natural disasters, medical advancements forced Jehovah’s Witnesses’ U-Turn on blood transfusion

For many years, Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW), as a religious organisation, have based its stand on blood transfusion on the interpretation of Mosaic Law, which, among other things, forbade believers from anything that relates to blood.

According to the organisation, Jehovah connects the sacredness of life with blood. It therefore bases its stand on Jehovah’s command to Noah in Genesis 9: 4, which says ‘…only flesh with its life, its blood you must not eat.’

Over the years, JW have operated strictly against blood transfusion, which many have endured even at the expense of loved ones.

But a recent update from its leadership, tagged ‘2026 Governing Body Update #6 ‘, discussed an adjustment to JW’s position on blood components – further indicating that ‘Christians are not under the Mosaic Law.’

While the organisation holds the right to its interpretation of the Bible as a religious sect, many adherents have lost their lives for refusing to accept blood transfusion in their critical moments, while the belief lasted.

In recent months, several natural disasters like earthquakes in Venezuela, Japan, and Colombia, wildfires in Europe and in North America, and devastating mudslides in Asia have affected many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In many of the affected places, Jehovah’s Witnesses were directly involved in rescue efforts involving fellow witnesses, where local brothers and sisters donated over half a million dollars’ worth of food, clothing, and other supplies.

While JW branch offices in affected areas set up relief centres to help people in need of essential items, those in critical condition and in need of blood transfusion could not get the help required because the organisation they belong to does not support blood transfusion.

According to the Governing Body, Jehovah’s Witnesses have always endeavoured to reflect on God’s view of the sacredness of life. While that position is true and justified, it was, however, based on a misinterpretation of the scriptures.

The occurrence of natural disasters and medical advancements in a way forced the Governing Body to reevaluate the organisation’s position on blood transfusion – therefore positing that ‘It’s an opportunity for each of God’s servants to reflect Jehovah’s view of life.’

According to the Governing Body, obedience to Jehovah’s view of life includes avoiding the consumption of blood.

‘And since the underlying principle is respect for life, it also includes avoiding blood guilt caused by murder or by careless or reckless conduct that could result in the loss of life.’

Furthermore, the Governing Body, in obedience to the apostolic command to abstain from blood, reiterated that the Bible does not comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care.

‘Therefore, like other choices about health care, each Christian must make his own decision about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care.’

New perspective/Biblical understanding on blood transfusion

The Bible expressly warned that believers are not to add or remove from any part of the scripture. However, this part of the Bible and other commandments have been interpreted from various points of view.

Therefore, it is not surprising to see the JW Governing Body review the organisation’s stand on blood transfusion – which for many years have exposed Jehovah’s Witnesses to controversies in many places.

‘It’s more about Biblical understanding of the principle about the use and consumption of blood that became clearer,’ a witness who wanted to remain anonymous told BusinessDay.

She added that there has been no pushback from within the organisation to force the Governing Body to review her position on blood transfusion.

‘There are so many people that I know that would still refuse any form of blood, because their conscience doesn’t allow them.’

She also clarified that whole blood is still not taken by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but they can only take the four components as required for treatment

‘If their conscience allows it, they can store their own blood and reuse it for medical procedures. The former principle was to take fractions of the components of whole blood and not whole blood or the full components,’ she said.

The anonymous Witness also disclosed that the review was not directly influenced by technological advancements. ‘JW’s have always been tech-savvy and use tech to their advantage.

‘We’ve always had very successful no-blood surgeries, backed by the world’s most advanced doctors,’ she added.

Importance of blood transfusion

Blood transfusion is primarily needed to save a person’s life when they have lost too much blood. It helps people with severe anaemia by giving their body the red blood cells it needs to carry oxygen.

Blood transfusion is also very important during major surgeries, accidents, childbirth, and other emergencies, where the patients’ blood count is low.

Similarly, some patients with serious illnesses may also require blood or blood components as part of their treatment. ‘Having enough safe blood available in hospitals means doctors can respond quickly when someone’s life is at risk,’ Said Yekeen, former chairman, YMLSF OYO State branch, told BusinessDay.

According to Yekeen, hospitals need regular blood donors to ensure that blood is available when patients need it urgently – hence people should be open to blood donation and transfusion.

‘People should be willing to donate blood because their small act of kindness can save someone’s life,’ Yekeen said.

According to him, donated blood is carefully tested/screened and matched to make the transfusion as safe as possible. ‘By donating blood and being open to receiving it when necessary, we can help save lives and support one another,’ he added.

Power of decision given to each Witness

While the recent review of the Governing Body is seen as a welcome development, much still has to be done in areas of acceptance because the U-turn now places the power to give or receive on individual Witnesses.

Therefore, the Governing Body warned that taking the matter lightly could harm a Christian’s conscience and his relationship with Jehovah.

The warning according to the Governing Body was based on the fact that members of the Body are not masters of other believers’ faith, but are rather fellow workers in faith.

‘This scriptural clarification allows each Christian to do as stated in Galatians 6: 5. Each one will carry his own load.

‘After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood,’ the Governing Body stated.

On the back of this, the Body urged Witnesses to prayerfully consider all factors relevant to their situation when making medical decisions involving products derived from blood.

‘In this way, each Christian can make a decision that leaves him with a clean conscience and shows deep respect for Jehovah, the source of life.’

The Governing Body also touched on how individual Witnesses can view the acceptance or rejection of any blood-related product.

‘Each Christian will likely reason differently. Some might reject all such products because they believe that taking any part of blood is wrong.

‘Others might accept certain products because they represent a small percentage of whole blood,’ the Governing Body stated.

Caloy’s double gold worth ?4M

Carlos Yulo is entitled to P4 million in cash incentives from the government for winning two gold medals in the men’s artistic gymnastics competition at the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games.

Yulo arrived in Manila over the weekend following a spectacular showing at the Asian Games in Japan.

Under Republic Act (RA) 10699, the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, an Asian Games gold medalist is entitled to a P2-million cash incentive. A silver medalist is expected to receive P1 million and a bronze medalist P400,000.

Yulo won the men’s floor exercise and vault events. His younger brother Karl Eldrew earned the bronze medal in the horizontal bar last Thursday.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman Patrick Gregorio, is expected to announce the distribution of the Asian Games cash incentives next month.

The 26-year-old Carlos, a three-time world champion and Paris Olympic double-gold medalist, returned to Manila on Saturday with the 18-year-old Karl Eldrew.

Yulo’s longtime coach Allen Castañeda is set to receive P2 million for guiding Yulo to his two gold medals and an additional P200,000 for Karl Eldrew’s bronze.

Mixed martial artist Jean Claude Saclag is also set to receive P1 million for his silver medal in the traditional MMA men’s -65kg event.

The Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 team of Maria Pasilang, Kennan Ka, Kacey Dela Rosa, and Amyah Espanol will share the P1 million incentive for their silver-medal finish.

The other six bronze medalists are weightlifter Ian delos Santos, karateka Marie June Adriano, MMA fighter Carlos Alvarez, the soft tennis team, and the women’s karate kata team.

Yarn worker shortage disrupts handloom supply chain

A shortage of workers in yarn production is disrupting the country’s handloom textile supply chain, which has led some farmers to stop planting fiber crops and left weavers struggling to secure yarn, according to the Philippines’ Science chief.

During the recent opening of the 2026 Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival (PHWFL) at a mall in Araneta City, Cubao, Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said the lack of machinery and workers for yarn production has weakened demand for agricultural materials that can be processed into fibers.

As a result, some farmers in areas that previously produced fiber crops have stopped planting because there is no viable market for their output, he said.

Solidum said the situation points to a broader gap in the country’s innovation ecosystem, where producers of raw materials are not sufficiently connected to industries capable of processing them into textile inputs.

‘We can clearly see that this is necessary. It is important that not only the national government but also the private sector step in and play a role in this effort, because this is what our country needs: an organization that can scale up the processing and manufacturing of the necessary materials so that more of our fellow Filipinos can produce them,’ he explained.

‘If there are better facilities that can be established to produce more yarn, then production can be done on a larger scale,’ Solidum added, noting that this would not only support handloom weaving but also expand the production of locally made garments.

He said a stronger yarn manufacturing sector could also generate jobs beyond weaving, including positions in yarn-production facilities, garment manufacturing and retail.

‘It would be better if the private industry would takeover to make it more profitable,’ he noted.

Bridging the yarn gap

Part of the government’s efforts to address the supply gap is the establishment of Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Centers (RYPICs), which are intended to process locally available fibers into yarn for weaving and textile production.

Among these is the RYPIC in the Ilocos Region, which can produce up to 13 metric tons of yarn annually under an eight-hour operating schedule, with the potential to increase output by extending operating hours.

The facility at Isabela State University-Ilagan Campus can produce about 50 kilograms of yarn per day, while the RYPIC in Cotabato has an annual production capacity of up to 40 metric tons.

However, Solidum said the existing capacity remains insufficient because demand for yarn extends beyond handloom weavers.

He pointed to the government’s own requirements for locally produced textiles under Republic Act 9242, or the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Act, which requires government agencies and offices to use locally produced Philippine tropical fabrics for official uniforms and attire.

Beyond increasing production and demand, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute has also been working to connect local weavers with consumers. This was among the aims of the three-day PHWF, which featured 30 weaving communities from across the country.

Last year’s PHWF in Ilocos generated more than P3.3 million over four days, with more than 120 weavers from 40 communities participating. The HIBLA Weavers’ Fair held in Araneta City in May generated another P4.1 million.

‘These numbers are important. But behind every peso is something even more important: A weaver who earned. A family who is assured of food on the table, sent their children to school, and accessed health care, a skill and tradition that is sustained,’ Solidum said.

He said the handloom sector demonstrates how an innovation can become a tradition while creating opportunities for further innovation and income generation.

‘That is the kind of impact that we want Philippine science and technology to have,’ Solidum said.

2,000 Jigawa academics endorse Tinubu, Namadi for second terms

More than 2,000 academics under the Jigawa State Academic Forum have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, for second terms in office.

The academics announced their endorsement during an interactive session with Governor Namadi at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Dutse.

Chairman of the forum, Prof. Haruna Birniwa, said the decision followed an assessment of the achievements of the Tinubu administration at the federal level and the Namadi administration in Jigawa State.

‘Those of us here physically present, about 2,000 plus, and others who are unavoidably absent, make an unflinching support for our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Malam Umar Namadi to continue for a second term,’ Birniwa said.

During the session, Namadi highlighted the achievements of his administration in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, economic empowerment and employment under its 12-Point Agenda.

He also outlined policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, which he said had positively impacted Nigeria and Jigawa State.

Speaking with reporters after the endorsement, Namadi said the meeting was initially expected to attract about 700 academics but recorded an attendance of more than 2,000.

He said, ‘After all the presentations we made to them, they were able to appreciate what Mr President has done for Nigeria and what he has done also for Jigawa State.

‘They were very happy with what we have done and they were also happy with the President. So, at the same time, they endorsed both the President and myself for the second term.’

Namadi said the endorsement demonstrated that the academics were closely following developments in the country and assessing government performance.

He assured them that his administration would continue to improve the lives of the people and would not disappoint them.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, described the endorsement as significant and urged the academics to continue supporting programmes that improve the lives of Nigerians.

He also called for sustained improvement in the performance of both administrations over the past three years.

Glocient Hospitality, Ikogosi resort win big at Lagos travel expo

For its growing role in developing and managing travel destinations across the country, Glocient Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Cavista Holdings, emerged Top Travel Company in Nigeria, while Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort was awarded Best Resort in Nigeria.

The awards were presented to the company at the Top 100 Travel Icons in Nigeria Awards at the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos recently.

The famous Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State is known for the meeting point of warm and cold springs and its unique natural setting. Under Glocient Hospitality’s management, the resort has grown beyond that singular attraction to offer comfortable accommodation, wellness experiences, corporate retreats, conferences, events and outdoor leisure.

The awards highlight the work done to develop and manage destinations with strong natural and tourism potential.

Francis Ogosi, hospitality manager at Glocient Hospitality, said that the recognition reflects the hard work of the whole team and the value of intentional destination development.

‘These recognitions show that with the right management, investment and service, Nigeria’s tourism assets can become destinations that attract visitors from home and abroad,’ he added.

Glocient Hospitality said that the awards are both a milestone and a reminder to keep improving hospitality standards, grow domestic tourism and position Nigerian destinations more competitively across Africa and globally.

LIMCAF and the long game of investing in young artists

More than N60 million will be at stake when 100 artists converge on Enugu for the grand finale of the 19th edition of Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF). This year’s edition, themed ‘Open Letter’, concludes in the final week of October at the International Conference Centre of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu.

Six art professionals have been appointed to the 2026 National Jury Panel. They include: Chike Obeagu as chairman, Adiwu Talatu Onkala, Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, Bella Anne C. Ndubuisi, Dotun Popoola and Frank Omoh Agbiyoa Ugiomoh, while Jerry Buhari, a professor, will curate the exhibition.

Their task is to sift through the works that have survived the selection process in LIMCAF’s regional centres. The 100 artists who emerged from the different parts of the country now face the final selection.

Chike Obeagu, who chairs the panel, is a contemporary artist, scholar, curator and an associate professor at the Federal University of Lafia. He has curated LIMCAF three times.

Adiwu Talatu Onkala, an artist and associate professor of Painting at the University of Maiduguri, has engaged with gender, identity and the social realities of contemporary Nigeria, particularly the experiences of women in the Northeast.

Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, an artist and art historian, is the Steven and Lisa Tananbaum Curator at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. He previously held curatorial positions at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Dartmouth’s Hood Museum.

Bella Anne C. Ndubuisi, a cultural affairs specialist, has worked in culture, community development and international development. She has also been involved with LIMCAF in Taraba.

Dotun Popoola is a contemporary sculptor known for making works from discarded scrap metal.

Frank Omoh Agbiyoa Ugiomoh, an artist, art historian, critic and educator, has more than four decades of experience. African art history and historiography are central to his scholarship.

Buhari, the exhibition’s curator, has been a professor of Fine Art at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, since 1982. His career has included studio practice, teaching and curating exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad.

The prize money is only part of what the festival has built up since Robert Orji, founder of Rocana Nigeria Limited, started the competition for young artists in 2007. Over the years, LIMCAF has spread its selection process across different parts of the country, while some of its past winners have gone on to establish themselves on the Nigerian visual arts scene.

At the top of the pile is the Elder Kalu Young Artist of the Year Prize, formerly the festival’s overall winner’s prize. It was rechristened last year and is now worth the naira equivalent of $2,000. The prize is sponsored by the family of the late Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, a former LIMCAF chairman and visual arts aficionado.

The category prizes cover photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics and digital art, ranging from ?500,000 to ?1 million. The Chinelo Chime Prize for Best in Photography carries ?1 million, while the prizes for painting, sculpture, drawing and ceramics are worth ?500,000 each.

There are also prizes with more specific briefs. The Armstrong Agoreyo Prize is for the best artwork made from waste paper, while the Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Prize recognises an outstanding work by an artist living with a disability.

Individuals, families and organisations have established other prizes. They include the Justice Anthony Aniagolu Prize for Originality and the Dr Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical Proficiency. Regional prizes include the Mfon Usoro Prize for Best Entry from the Uyo Centre and the VinMartins Ilo Prize for Best Entry from Enugu.

The festival’s rewards do not stop at the prize money. One of them is a two-week, all-expenses-paid trip to Dakar, Senegal, for the Dakar Art Biennale, or Dak’Art. There are also residencies and boot camps.

There are special prize categories for female artists, while LIMCAF’s workshops take its activities to primary and secondary school children, with particular attention to those living with disabilities. Abuja and Enugu have hosted some of these workshops in recent years.

Behind the prizes and programmes is a list of supporters that has grown over the years. They include the Alliance Française network in Nigeria, the Institut Français and the French Embassy, as well as Clam Lab, Paris; Rocana Nigeria Limited; the Pan African Circle of Artists; Honeywell Group; FBN Holdings; the Enugu State Council for Art and Culture; the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos; and Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja.

The prizes themselves have attracted endowments and special donations from the Justice Anthony Aniagolu family, Vin Martin Ilo, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Mfon Usoro, the Pius Okigbo family, Art Is Everywhere, the Centre for Contemporary Art, Professor El Anatsui and Engr. Gesi Asamaowei, among others.

Robert Orji started LIMCAF in 2007 as a competition for young artists. Since then, artists from different parts of the country have entered each year, while several past overall and category prize winners have gone on to establish themselves on the Nigerian visual arts scene.

This year’s finalists will meet in Enugu in October, as LIMCAF looks forward to its 20th edition next year.