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Yayi equips community school with computer ICT centre solar power

The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola popularly known as Yayi has facilitated the construction and equipping of a modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at Orita Community High School Oja-Odan in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The school complex is now equipped with 60 complete desktop computer systems tables chairs and other essential learning facilities to provide students with access to practical computer education and digital skills.

The facility also consists of a 30KVA generating set a 15KVA solar inverter system and air-conditioning units to support reliable power supply and create a conducive learning environment.

According to Senator Adeola the ICT Centre reflected his commitment to improving educational infrastructure and expanding students’ access to digital learning opportunities across Ogun State.

He noted that the provision of modern computer facilities in the school is geared towards helping students develop practical technological skills improve their learning experience and prepare them for future academic and career opportunities.

‘Education remains a critical investment in the future of our young people. By providing modern ICT facilities in our schools we are creating opportunities for students to develop digital skills broaden their knowledge and prepare for the demands of a changing world. Our commitment is to support learning environments that enable students to reach their full potential’ he said.

The ICT Centre is among several educational interventions facilitated by Senator Adeola across Ogun State including a 12-classroom block at Nawarudeen Grammar School Ifo another at Iju Ebiye Secondary School Iju Town and a modern ICT Centre at Lisabi Grammar School Abeokuta to expand access to modern learning facilities and strengthen educational infrastructure across the state.

2027: Adamawa PDP candidate confident of victory despite mass defection to APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Adamawa State Maurice Volnobolki has expressed confidence in the party’s chances of winning the 2027 general election despite the defection of local government chairmen and councillors to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Volnobolki gave the assurance during the inauguration of the party’s 2027 campaign council in Yola where he urged members to remain committed to the party’s campaign.

He said the defection of council chairmen and councillors across the state’s 21 local government areas and 226 wards would not diminish the PDP’s grassroots support or affect its chances at the polls.

‘There is no cause for alarm. I have no doubt in my mind that all of you representing our structures across the 226 wards and 21 local governments are capable of delivering victory for the PDP’ he said.

Volnobolki recalled the 2019 general election when the PDP won in Adamawa despite not controlling the local government councils or having councillors and political appointees.

He said the party could replicate the feat in 2027 through the commitment and mobilisation of its grassroots supporters.

The PDP candidate also commended Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration for its development and empowerment programmes which he said aligned with the party’s manifesto.

‘The party that brought the sitting governor is here and you are the grassroots that brought the governor. I assure you that we are equal to the task’ he said.

He pledged not to disappoint party members who entrusted him with the governorship ticket urging supporters to turn out in massive numbers and vote without fear of intimidation.

The PDP candidate also challenged other governorship contenders to a public debate saying he was ready to defend his policies and programmes before the electorate.

He said his nine-point agenda for Adamawa was anchored on three major pillars: people prosperity and peace.

According to him the proposed agenda would focus on citizens’ welfare justice fairness equal opportunities security and the provision of critical infrastructure.

Earlier Adamawa PDP Chairman Mr Belmont Dogo congratulated members of the campaign council and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to peaceful law-abiding political engagement.

‘We in PDP have no time for propaganda or cheap blackmail but to deliver good governance to Adamawa people in the coming election’ Dogo said.

Also speaking the Director-General of the campaign council Mr Hamman Ribadu pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation across the state to secure support for the party.

The PDP State Legal Adviser Mr John Tunoh administered the campaign council’s code of conduct and urged members to remain disciplined and committed to the party’s objectives.

FUOYE threatens legal action over alleged smear campaign against VC

The management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has threatened legal action over reports linking its Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joshua Ogunwole and other principal officers to alleged cybercrime.

The university said its legal team was already examining the publications warning that it would pursue all available legal remedies including civil proceedings and criminal processes where the facts disclosed an offence.

In a statement signed by its Registrar Mufutau Ibrahim the management described the allegations as unproven insisting that no court of competent jurisdiction had found Ogunwole guilty of cybercrime.

The university also denied claims that the Vice-Chancellor hacked tapped intercepted manipulated or gained unauthorised access to any telephone computer system data or private communication.

It explained that the controversy stemmed from an audio recording that was already in public circulation before the university began an internal administrative process.

According to the statement management did not originate the recording arrange its creation or unlawfully intercept any private communication.

It said the recording came to its attention after it circulated publicly adding that it subsequently sought explanations from individuals connected with it as part of the university’s administrative process.

It further explained that it provided a copy of the recording when access was requested to enable the affected parties to respond to the issues raised.

It said the Vice-Chancellor’s involvement in the matter was strictly in his official and administrative capacity as the head of the institution.

‘There is no factual basis from the records available to Management for portraying him as the person who created the recording intercepted any communication hacked any device or altered any data’ it said.

The university expressed concern over what it described as a sustained effort by some quarters to damage the university’s and its leadership’s reputation by repeatedly presenting disputed allegations as established facts.

It urged individuals involved in the reports to preserve and assemble all documents records communications source materials and other evidence relied upon in making the allegations.

Management warned that if satisfactory clarification or credible factual justification was not provided it would pursue all lawful remedies available to the institution and the affected officers.

The management added that the university’s legal advisers would formally communicate with the individuals concerned.

It however assured that the institution remained stable and committed to its statutory responsibilities adding that it would cooperate with every lawful judicial process while defending its reputation and the integrity of its leadership.

Cloud 9 aces vs world’s best

No promise, no expectation – just all heart.

That’s John Mark ‘Marama’ Tokong’s vow as Siargao’s own takes on the world when the WSL Championship Tour Philippines Pro fires off today at Cloud 9.

Four Filipino wildcards – Tokong, Jayuard Alciso, Mara Lopez and Noah Arkfeld – have been unleashed to face the world’s best and brightest, including reigning world champions and Olympic medalists.

Tokong opens against Brazil’s Samuel Pupo – and if he survives, a monster Round 2 awaits in former world champion Gabriel Medina.

It doesn’t get easier for the rest. Lopez, 15, draws an opening-day nightmare in Australia’s Molly Picklum, the reigning Portugal champion and current Yellow Jersey holder. Alciso faces French Polynesia’s Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast, while Arkfeld battles Australia’s George Pittar.

In a bid for upset, Tokong, the brightest hope among the Filipino bets, will bank on familiarity of the waves, knowledge of every hollow section, every shift of the wind in Siargao waters.

The world has come to Siargao, but PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio had a warning for the invaders during yesterday’s press conference at Café Loka.

‘Watch out for our bets,’ said Gregorio, who is presenting the historic event with Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga.

From today to Nov. 10, Siargao is not just hosting a contest. It’s showing the world what Filipino surfing is made of.

Knight Frank hosts 2026 Golf Classic in Lagos, strengthening stakeholder relationships, championing market excellence

Knight Frank Nigeria, premier real estate consultancy firm, hosted corporate leaders, industry partners, and golf enthusiasts at the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 for the second edition of the annual Knight Frank Golf Classic.

Designed to transcend traditional corporate interactions, the tournament served as an exclusive platform to deepen professional relationships, foster high-level networking, and celebrate long-standing business partnerships.

Originally launched during Knight Frank’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark six decades of operations in Nigeria, the event has now been established as a cornerstone annual tradition.

Speaking on the objective behind the gathering, Frank Okosun, Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Knight Frank Nigeria, emphasized the strategic importance of building connections outside the formal boardroom environment:

‘We are here to enjoy a great day of golf, but more importantly, to celebrate relationships. The Knight Frank Golf Classic brings together our clients, partners, and friends in an environment where we can connect beyond the usual business setting. We value these relationships, and today is an opportunity to appreciate the people who have been part of our journey.’

Commenting on the evolving real estate landscape in Nigeria, Okosun highlighted Knight Frank’s commitment to raising advisory standards across the continent:

‘The market is evolving, and clients need more than property information; they need sound advice, market intelligence, and professionals who can help them navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions. We will continue to focus on delivering value, deepening our expertise, and building relationships that make a difference. Our purpose remains Connecting People and Property Perfectly.’

The 2026 tournament attracted strong backing from major institutional partners, including co-sponsor Tatum Bank.

Highlighting the strategic alignment between banking, wealth creation, and golf, Niyi Adeseun, Managing Director of Tatum Bank, noted:

‘As a commercial bank operating for about 18 months, our sponsorship is a deliberate strategy to connect with visionary wealth creators and leaders. Golf teaches strategic patience and uncompromising integrity, core values that mirror our operations at Tatum Bank.’

Corporate leaders across diverse sectors participated in the 18-hole tournament. Expressing her delight, Funmi Omo, an avid golfer, remarked:

‘The tournament was intentionally curated to bring together friends and corporate colleagues across the Knight Frank family. My experience on the course was exceptional, the weather was ideal, the networking was seamless, and I look forward to participating in future editions.’

Beyond executive networking, the event spotlighted the growth potential of golf in Nigeria. Oluseun Sokefun, Managing Director of Milano Bespoke Limited and an avid golfer, dispelled common misconceptions surrounding the sport, pointing to grassroots youth developments and expanding infrastructure across Lagos and Ogun states as proof of the game’s increasing accessibility.

Report says construction has job creation solution

The 26th World Bank economic report has revealed that the construction sector offers an important near-term entry point for job creation that Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy could leverage on.

Data from the bank shows that as the economy seeks to expand from a GDP of US$50 billion to US$500 billion by 2040, construction will play a central role in supporting the infrastructure and urban expansion needed to sustain long-term growth. It adds that the sector, which remains well below its employment potential, has a major untapped opportunity that could yet support Uganda’s growth ambitions.

‘Despite growing by 11.6 percent in FY25, it employs an estimated 2.3 percent of Uganda’s workforce-less than one-third the employment share of comparable East African economies-reflecting low productivity, limited firm growth, and weak job quality,’ the report discloses.

It further states that construction also plays a broader role in structural transformation by providing the infrastructure through which urbanisation translates into higher productivity across firms, workers, and cities. The report also examines how reforms to strengthen land governance, urban planning, firm productivity, and labor-intensive public investment can position construction as a stronger engine of more and better jobs, productive urbanisation, and structural transformation.

The employment gap in construction reflects a dual market failure, on the demand and supply side. Despite a large underlying need for housing and infrastructure, formal housing remains unaffordable for most Ugandan households. This is thanks to mortgage rates of 16-22 percent, leaving a large gap between housing need and effective demand.

On the supply side, low productivity, fragmented firms, and high input costs limit the sector’s capacity to scale. Together, these constraints suppress activity in the affordable housing segment, where the significant potential for job creation lies, underscoring the need for coordinated reforms to unlock both demand and supply, the report states.

Uganda’s construction sector is dominated by small, informal firms, with few medium-sized firms able to scale productivity and employment. Weak certification, limited career pathways, and low participation of women reinforce low-quality employment and constrain productivity gains, despite evidence that stronger sector organisation and standards can improve these outcomes.

The report reveals that sector underperformance reflects inter-connected constraints spanning three areas.

‘Governance failures are the most foundational: the absence of a sector regulator, weak land administration, slow permitting, inadequate urban planning coverage, and an unapproved land acquisition and compensation policy together create the conditions in which informality is more rational than formalization,’ it states.

‘Second, market failures compound these issues: without a wage premium for certified skills, neither workers nor firms invest in training; without a contractor register, lenders cannot price construction risk, and credit remains expensive and scarce,’ it adds.

Structural conditions-including shallow capital markets, a landlocked geography, high input costs, prohibitive mortgage rates, and tight credit-squeeze both contractor liquidity and household demand while cementing dominant informality in the sector.

Uganda’s own programmes show that construction can generate jobs at scale when project design is aligned with employment objectives, with the report pointing to the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP). The two undertakings indicate that labour-intensive urban investments can generate labour shares of 38-44 percent of project costs, compared with 18-22 percent for mechanised works, while also supporting stronger inclusion outcomes.

‘These experiences provide a credible domestic basis for scaling construction approaches that are more job-intensive and inclusive,’ the report states.

The report proposes a sequenced reform agenda built around three mutually reinforcing policy pillars. The first, and the prerequisite for the others, strengthens the institutional foundation through enacting the Construction Industry Development Bill (CIDB) (formally called Uganda Construction Industry Commission-UCICO Bill), endorsing the land governance legislative package, and streamlining permitting.

The second activates demand through reforming the Physical Planning Act to mandate integrated planning, updating physical development plans with infrastructure servicing commitments, establishing serviced plot programmes on verified public land, scaling labor-intensive public investment and affordable housing.

Qimiao Fan, World Bank director Somalia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, said the third reduces construction costs and strengthens market competition by expanding contractor finance, improving procurement and local content, lowering input costs, and strengthening construction skills.

‘Together, these reforms can transform construction from a fast- growing sector into a leading engine of more and better jobs, competitive cities, and structural transformation,’ he said.

RS Rock Holdings brings Lankan delegation and UK business leaders together

RS Rock Holdings hosted a high-level UK Sri Lanka Investment Promotion Networking Event at Dover Marina Hotel and Spa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, on 22 October 2026, bringing together senior Sri Lankan Government representatives, diplomatic officials, investors and UK business leaders to explore opportunities for bilateral trade and investment.

Among the distinguished guests were High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Nimal Senadheera, and Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, who headed the visiting Government delegation.

The delegation also included senior representatives from Sri Lanka’s ministries responsible for trade, industry and entrepreneurship, and Defence, alongside officials from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.

The gathering provided an opportunity for direct engagement between policymakers and business leaders, encouraging dialogue on Sri Lanka’s economic priorities, market access and potential areas for commercial cooperation.

Strengthening UK-Sri Lanka economic relations

The evening brought together representatives from sectors including hospitality, healthcare, infrastructure, property development, financial services, technology and international trade.

Attendees included representatives associated with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), alongside senior figures from banking, investment, education and professional services.

Addresses from the High Commissioner and Minister provided perspectives on Sri Lanka’s economic development and investment landscape, while an interactive discussion allowed attendees to engage directly with the delegation on practical opportunities for collaboration.

The formal proceedings were followed by a private networking dinner, providing an informal setting for further discussions and introductions.

David Foley, Chief Executive of Dover District Chamber of Commerce and Thanet and East Kent Chamber Limited, welcomed guests and facilitated the evening’s proceedings.

Building a platform for international investment

RS Rock Holdings Chairman and Managing Director Kanagaratnam Rajaseelan, known as Seelan said: ‘It was a privilege to welcome His Excellency the High Commissioner, the Honourable Minister and such a distinguished delegation of senior Sri Lankan Government representatives to Dover.

‘Business relationships are built on trust, understanding and a willingness to explore opportunities together. Bringing Government representatives, investors and business leaders into the same room creates the foundations for meaningful cooperation.

‘Our ambition is to establish an annual international investment event, bringing together representatives from different nations and creating a platform where businesses can explore new markets, share expertise and develop lasting partnerships.

‘At RS Rock Holdings, we believe international investment and local economic development should go hand in hand. We are committed to investing in local businesses, supporting their growth and connecting them with opportunities beyond their traditional markets.

‘This is about creating genuine economic value, both here in the United Kingdom and through the international relationships we develop.’

Investing locally, connecting globally

With interests spanning hospitality, healthcare, wholesale and retail, and investments, RS Rock Holdings continues to develop a portfolio of businesses focused on long-term growth and sustainable commercial development.

The group’s investment in Dover Marina Hotel and Spa provides an example of that approach. Following a multi-million-pound transformation, the historic seafront property joined Tapestry Collection by Hilton in September 2025, becoming Dover’s first Hilton-branded hotel.

Hosting the delegation at the Grade II-listed property demonstrated its growing role as a venue for international business engagement, while highlighting Dover’s position as a gateway between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.

For RS Rock Holdings, the evening marked an opportunity to strengthen existing connections, establish new relationships and encourage further engagement between the business communities of both countries.

ASUSS protests exclusion from national secondary education commission

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act to accommodate the union in the commission’s governing structure.

The union also urged lawmakers to include provisions safeguarding its representation on corresponding state-level education boards.

ASUSS made the demands on Saturday while presenting its memorandum on the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 at a public hearing organised by committees of the Senate and House of Representatives at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Presenting the memorandum at the New Senate Building ASUSS National President Comrade Sola Adigun said the union’s presence in more than 24 states including its exclusive representation of secondary school teachers in over 12 states justified its inclusion in the commission’s governance structure.

Adigun argued that excluding the union would limit organised secondary school teachers’ participation in decisions affecting their profession and the quality of education in the country.

He said the proposed amendment should promote inclusive education governance by recognising the union’s role in representing teachers at the national level.

ASUSS also urged lawmakers to ensure that the amendment did not override existing state laws and administrative arrangements that recognise its participation in education governance.

On state administration the union rejected the proposed part-time chairmanship of state commissions advocating a full-time chairman to ensure effective supervision policy coordination and sustained stakeholder engagement.

It recommended filling the position with an experienced educationist through a transparent merit-based process with clearly defined tenure responsibilities and accountability measures.

The union supported the proposed removal of a PhD as a mandatory qualification for appointment as Chairman and Executive Secretary of the Commission at both federal and state levels.

It argued that professional competence relevant qualifications and experience in educational administration should take precedence over an obligatory doctorate.

ASUSS also backed the inclusion of the 110 Unity Secondary Schools Armed Forces Secondary Schools and public secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory in the Commission’s coverage describing the move as necessary for a more comprehensive national education framework.

Defends position at hearing

The hearing also witnessed an exchange over teachers’ representation after a lawyer representing the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) reportedly claimed that the union was the only body representing teachers in Nigeria.

The intervention was disallowed allowing proceedings to focus on the proposed amendments.

ASUSS maintained that its demand was based on its membership strength national spread and direct involvement in the professional interests of secondary school teachers.

The union urged lawmakers to ensure that the final amendment promotes inclusive governance professional participation administrative efficiency and accountability.

It also called for regular consultation with relevant stakeholders on policies affecting secondary school teachers and the delivery of quality education.

ASUSS reaffirmed its commitment to improving secondary education and advancing teachers’ welfare and professional development insisting that those responsible for implementing education policies must have a recognised voice in the institutions governing the sector.

2027: Tinubu’s govt has brought governance closer to FCT residents – Candido

The Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for the President in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, has described President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a blessing to the FCT, saying it has brought democratic dividends and governance closer to indigenous people and other residents than previous administrations.

Candido spoke on Saturday at the FCT Stakeholders Assembly and Rainbow Coalition meeting for the endorsement of President Tinubu at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

The gathering brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen, indigenous communities and residents, who endorsed Tinubu for a second term, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT senatorial seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North Federal Constituency and former Kwali Area Council Chairman, Danladi Chiya, for Abuja South Federal Constituency.

Expressing appreciation for Wike’s leadership, Candido said the minister’s appointment marked a turning point in the governance and development of the territory.

‘Your coming to Abuja remains a blessing to the good people of the Federal Capital Territory. Some of us have seen successive administrations in Abuja, but we have never seen an administration that provided democratic dividends and brought government so close to the people as the administration of Mr President through you, the Minister,’ he said.

He added that the FCT had witnessed unprecedented attention under the present administration, urging residents not to take the government’s interventions for granted.

‘We have never had it so good. We will continue to add our voices to ensure that we do not become ingrates in Abuja, because this administration has done everything for us,’ he said.

Candido said indigenous communities, including the Gbagyi, Gana-Gana, Bwari, Koro, Gade and Bassa, were beginning to experience a stronger sense of representation in government.

He expressed concern over what he described as a lack of appreciation by some politicians for the administration’s contributions, urging residents to place the collective interest of the FCT above partisan considerations.

He also urged the minister and other political stakeholders to identify genuine supporters and distinguish them from pretenders.

‘Some politicians can be very dishonest. What they say is not exactly what is in them. We have pretenders, and we have to speak out so that we can identify those who are truly working with and supporting you, and those who are behind the scenes trying to do the other way,’ he said.

On the FCT senatorial race, Candido described Aduda as the best senator the territory had produced, saying his record distinguished him from previous representatives.

‘Senator Aduda will go into history as the best senator ever produced in the Federal Capital Territory. We had resident senators and indigenous senators in the past; their records are there. Senator Philip Aduda’s record is here, and everybody can see it,’ he said.

He urged residents, particularly those who had benefited from the administration’s interventions, to demonstrate their support through active participation in the political process.

‘This is the only opportunity that we have, and we should never play with it. We will never allow this government to go without our support. We need to support this administration 100 per cent,’ he said.

Candido, who said he had toured the 17 graded chiefdoms in the FCT as Renewed Hope Ambassador, called for greater inclusiveness in the composition of the FCT administration, urging the minister to ensure adequate representation for the nine traditional chiefdoms and Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds residing in the territory.

Recalling his tenure as chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Candido said he deliberately promoted ethnic balance, noting that his first vice-chairman was Igbo, his first-term council secretary was Hausa, while a Yoruba person served as council secretary during his second term.

‘I believe in inclusivity. I made sure that among the cabinet, we had representation from every shade of opinion and background,’ he said.

He expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win the 2027 elections.

‘By the grace of God, APC is going to win this election 100 per cent, and we are not going to regret it,’ he said.

Security operatives discover 30 decomposed bodies of suspected bandits in Zamfara

The Zamfara State police command has revealed that over 30 decomposed bodies of suspected armed bandits were discovered by security operatives during the ongoing clearance operations in the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Zamfara State Police Command, Public relations officer DSP Yazid Abubakar said the clearance operation was aimed at flushing out armed bandits from Bukuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

He disclosed that the operation has resulted in a series of confrontations between the armed criminal elements and security personnel of the Zamfara State Police Command, operating in collaboration with local civil security outfits.

‘The operation commenced on 28th October 2026, following an attempted attack by armed bandits on Bukuyum town.

‘However, security operatives promptly engaged the assailants in a fierce exchange of gunfire, successfully repelling the attack and preventing the bandits from advancing into the town.

‘During the confrontation, the security operatives demonstrated exceptional courage, professionalism and determination in defending the town and protecting its residents, despite the significant disparity in firepower between the security forces and the armed bandits.

‘Following the engagement, more than thirty (30) bodies believed to be those of neutralised bandits were reportedly discovered in surrounding farmlands.

He said the discovery suggests that the attackers may have sustained significant casualties during the confrontation.

‘It is also noteworthy that the armed bandits are known to evacuate their casualties from battle locations. However, the actual number of casualties remains subject to further verification by the authorities.

The police spokesperson further said that the successful defence of Bukuyum town prevented the assailants from gaining access to the community, thereby averting potential loss of lives, destruction of property.

According to him, preliminary security assessments indicated that the sustained operational pressure has compelled some of the remaining armed bandits to leave the state.

‘The Zamfara State Police Command remains committed to sustaining the ongoing operations in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to rid the area of armed criminal elements, restore public confidence and ensure the safety and security of residents.