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Cedrus Trustees Limited has been recognised as the ‘Fastest-Growing Corporate Trustee of the Year’ at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards held in Lagos, marking the third consecutive year the company has received this prestigious award.

The award underscores the company’s exceptional growth trajectory, innovation, and unwavering commitment to delivering bespoke trust solutions that enable wealth creation, preservation, and seamless intergenerational transfer for clients across diverse sectors.

A proud subsidiary of Cedrus Group Africa, Cedrus Trustees continues to set industry benchmarks through professionalism, transparency, and client-focused service excellence. Its consistent expansion and innovative approach to trust administration, corporate trusteeship, and estate planning have solidified its reputation as one of the most trusted names in Nigeria’s financial services landscape.

Commenting on the recognition, Olubusayo Adeniyi, chief executive officer of Cedrus Group Africa, described the award as a testament to the Group’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

‘This award reinforces our belief in the power of trust, integrity, and innovation. At Cedrus, we are driven by a mission to deliver sustainable financial solutions that empower clients and strengthen the economy,’ he said.

Also speaking, Monisola Folorunsho, group chief operating officer, expressed appreciation to BusinessDay Media for the recognition.

‘This award reflects our team’s hard work, integrity, and client-centered approach. We remain committed to delivering world-class trust solutions that protect assets, empower businesses, and promote sustainable growth. We dedicate this recognition to our clients and partners whose confidence continues to inspire us’, she noted.

Cedrus Trustees Limited provides a comprehensive suite of trust services, including corporate, private, and public trusts, estate planning, and fiduciary advisory.

Guided by its vision to offer secure, transparent, and innovative trust solutions, the company continues to redefine excellence and shape the future of trusteeship in Nigeria.

Nigeria has launched the Visit Nigeria Initiative, a government-backed project designed to overhaul the country’s global image, attract investment, and expand its tourism economy through a structured engagement with diaspora communities and international partners.

Unveiled at a private event in Abuja, the initiative sets out a four-pillar strategy focused on narrative change, diaspora and investor engagement, tourism promotion, and the creation of a centralised digital platform to streamline travel and business processes.

Iyad Ghraizi, Founder and Project Director, said the initiative aims to move Nigeria ‘beyond talk to building real solutions that welcome the world and drive economic growth.’ The project was developed by Ghraizi alongside Kunle Fakeye, Vivienne Aghoghovbia, Alamin Muhammed Uwais and Kelechi Dozie.

In a bid to strengthen its global positioning, the initiative appointed UK-based strategist and venture capital advisor Charmaine Hayden as its inaugural Brand Ambassador. Hayden said the mandate goes beyond visibility to building ‘the mental, cultural and economic infrastructure’ required to boost investor confidence and deepen global identification with Nigeria’s future.

The event also featured Enoch Hyelaparda Danbaba, a humanitarian and aviation expert known for the #ChangingTheNarrative campaign. Danbaba, Nigeria’s first National Youth Ambassador to South Africa, has partnered with Visit Nigeria to amplify positive representation and youth engagement.

The initiative’s digital platform, currently under development, is expected to integrate visa information, travel services, investment pathways and cultural content, positioning itself as a one-stop interface for visitors and investors.

With tourism contributing less than 5 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP despite the country’s demographic and cultural scale, the project’s promoters say the initiative marks a decisive step toward unlocking an underleveraged economic frontier.

‘Nigeria is stepping forward to take ownership of its narrative and open its doors as a destination for tourism, culture, commerce and investment,’ Danbaba said.

The Visit Nigeria Communications Office said further announcements will be made in the coming months as the digital platform and international rollout take shape.

TASH X, Lagos’ newest contemporary dining destination, has announced an exclusive partnership with Filmhouse Group, Nigeria’s leading cinema and entertainment company.

Born from a vision to merge the city’s love for flavour, film, and culture, TASH X is set to redefine how Lagosians experience dining and entertainment.

The partnership will see TASH X launch its flagship restaurant within Filmhouse IMAX Lekki, introducing a new way to eat, connect, and unwind in one of the city’s most dynamic spaces.

‘TASH X is more than a restaurant it’s an experience,’ said Latifah Adams, Founder and CEO of TASH X. ‘We wanted to create a space where good food, good design, and good company come together effortlessly. Partnering with Filmhouse allows us to extend that idea into something truly immersive a place where dining and cinema become one seamless story.’

At Filmhouse IMAX Lekki, guests will soon be able to savour an elevated dining experience before or after a movie; enjoying bold, flavour-forward dishes in a setting that feels both contemporary and comfortable. Designed with Lagos’ cosmopolitan audience in mind, TASH X blends refined aesthetics with warmth and accessibility, embodying the brand’s ethos: bold flavours, beautiful spaces, memorable moments.

For Latifah Adams, this partnership marks a natural evolution of her culinary journey. Her creative approach to food and presentation first drew the attention of Filmhouse Group through her catering collaborations at The Cube within Filmhouse IMAX.

That connection has now blossomed into a full-fledged partnership, one that brings her signature style to audiences on a much larger scale.

‘Collaboration is at the heart of our vision at Filmhouse Group,’ said Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group (Filmhouse Cinemas, FilmOne Entertainment, and FilmOne Studios).

‘Our partnership with TASH X embodies this spirit blending entertainment and culinary hospitality in a celebration of taste, culture, and community. Together, we’re redefining cinema experience while supporting homegrown innovation.’

Each TASH X space will reflect the energy of Lagos itself; vibrant, bold, and inviting. With this partnership, both brands are not only elevating the cinematic experience but also deepening the connection between lifestyle, leisure, and local creativity.

TASH X is a contemporary Lagos dining brand founded by entrepreneur and culinary visionary Latifah Adams. Rooted in creativity and connection, the brand brings together bold flavours and refined spaces designed for modern social experiences. Through its partnership with Filmhouse Group, TASH X introduces a new standard for dining within Nigeria’s entertainment scene.

Filmhouse Group is Nigeria’s foremost cinema and entertainment company, comprising Filmhouse Cinemas, FilmOne Entertainment, and FilmOne Studios. Through innovation, storytelling, and partnerships, the Group continues to enhance Africa’s cinematic landscape and deliver world-class entertainment experiences.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she will press charges against a man who groped her during a public appearance.

Mobile phone footage of the incident on Tuesday shows Sheinbaum speaking to a group of supporters on a street near the National Palace in Mexico City.

In the video, a man approaches her from behind and attempts to kiss her on the neck and place his hands on her body.

Sheinbaum moved away quickly and a member of her team stepped in, but she was visibly shaken. The offender has been arrested.

‘My view is, if I don’t file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country?’ Sheinbaum said at a news conference on Wednesday.

‘I decided to press charges because this is something that I experienced as a woman, but that we as women experience in our country,’ she said. ‘I have experienced it before, when I wasn’t president, when I was a student.’

She added that she had decided to press ahead with bringing charges against the suspect as he had allegedly harassed other women in the crowd.

‘A line must be drawn,’ she said.

Women’s rights groups and feminist commentators have said the incident shows the extent of ingrained machismo in Mexican society, where a man believes he has the right to accost even the president if she is a woman.

Femicide is also a huge problem in Mexico, with a staggering 98% of gender-based murders estimated to go unpunished.

Sheinbaum promised to tackle the issue as a candidate, but so far in her administration there has been no discernible improvement in that area of violent crime.

The incident also comes amid discussions about presidential security and the wider safety of politicians.

As president, Sheinbaum has broadly followed the approach of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in having close and regular contact with her supporters on the streets or in campaign events.

On occasion, that has presented security concerns for her team. However, she confirmed in her new conference she had no intention of changing her policy of interacting with her supporters.

The incident also happened just days after the murder of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, a municipality in the violent state of Michoacan, at the local Day of the Dead celebrations.

Manzo had called on Sheinbaum for greater federal support in Uruapan in the fight against drug cartels. Around 35 candidates were killed in the lead up to the general election last year in what was considered the bloodiest campaign in modern Mexico.

Since taking office, Sheinbaum has made in-roads in improving the country’s dire security situation, particularly clamping down on fentanyl-trafficking – a key issue for her US counterpart, President Trump.

Nigeria successfully priced $2.35 billion in Eurobonds maturing in 2036 and 2046, marking the largest-ever orderbook achieved by the country and underscoring strong investor confidence in its macroeconomic policies and fiscal management.

The 10-year, $1.25 billion bond, maturing in 2036, was priced at a coupon of 8.6308 percent, while the 20-year, $1.10 billion note due in 2046, carried a coupon of 9.1297 percent.

The transaction, concluded Wednesday, attracted orders exceeding $13 billion, reflecting broad-based demand from investors across multiple jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said in a statement.

Nigerian investors also participated in the Eurobond offer, signaling domestic endorsement of the government’s reform agenda.

Demand spanned a range of investor classes, with fund managers, insurance and pension funds, hedge funds, banks, and other financial institutions among the participants.

‘We are delighted by the strong investor confidence demonstrated in our country and our reform agenda. This development reaffirms Nigeria’s position as a recognised and credible participant in the global capital market,’ President Bola Tinubu commented, while highlighting the significance of the offering.

The federal government views the Eurobond offer as an important component of its broader financing strategy, with proceeds intended to cover the 2025 fiscal deficit and support other government financing needs.

Analysts say the offering demonstrates Nigeria’s sustained ability to tap international capital markets for long-term funding despite a challenging global environment.

‘This successful market access demonstrates the international community’s continued confidence in Nigeria’s reform trajectory and our commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth,’ Wale Edun, minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the Economy, commented on the market reception.

For Patience Oniha, director-general, DMO, ‘Nigeria’s ability to access the Eurobond market to raise long term funding needed to support the growth agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a major achievement for Nigeria and is consistent with the DMO’s objectives of supporting development and diversifying funding sources.’

The Eurobonds will be listed on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market, the FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, and the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

Market participants say the listing is expected to enhance liquidity and attract a diverse investor base, reinforcing Nigeria’s status in the global bond market.

Joint bookrunners for the Eurobond issuance included Chapel Hill Denham, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Standard Chartered Bank, while FSDH Merchant Bank Limited served as financial adviser.

Observers noted that the successful pricing of both long-tenor instruments at competitive yields reflects strong investor appetite for Nigerian sovereign debt, bolstered by the government’s ongoing policy reforms and prudent fiscal management.

A tragic accident involving a train and a tricycle occurred on Wednesday at the Phototek Junction in the Abattoir community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of the tricycle driver and a passenger.

Some eyewitnesses who spoke with our correspondent described the scene of the accident as ‘harrowing.’ One of them, Mary Philip, recounted, ‘The train was blaring its horn, but despite the loud warning and repeated honking, the tricycle rider attempted to speed across the railway track.’

Philip lamented the tragic loss of life, stating, ‘Tragically, the tricycle was struck, which claimed the lives of the driver and a passenger. It’s rather unfortunate.’

Another eyewitness, Mohammed Ibrahim, corroborated Philip’s account, saying, ‘The incident occurred at 11 am on Wednesday when the train coming from Bukuru and heading to Jos suddenly crushed the tricycle, instantly killing two persons at the scene, while two women who were passengers were also injured.’

Adam Abdullahi, the spokesperson for the Jos Railway Station confirmed the accident, attributing the cause to the tricycle rider’s refusal to stop despite warnings.

‘What happened was that at the level crossing, our official stopped him, but he refused to stop. The train’s speed eventually caught the tricycle, causing the accident,’ he stated.

The remains of the deceased were later evacuated from the scene, leaving behind a trail of grief and sorrow for the families and loved ones of the victims.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Ministry of Transport has expressed deep sympathy with the families of the victims of the unfortunate railway accident.

Davou Gyang, the commissioner for Transport described the incident as a tragic and painful reminder of the need for strict adherence to traffic rules and safety measures around rail crossings.

Gyang, on behalf of the Ministry, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured in the mishap.

‘We mourn with the families affected by this sad event. It is indeed a painful loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. This tragedy underscores the need for every road user to exercise caution and patience, especially around railway intersections,’ the commissioner stated.

He assured that the Ministry is working closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and relevant agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and prevent future occurrences.

The commissioner further appealed to motorists, tricycle operators, and pedestrians to always observe safety signs and signals at railway crossings, warning that disregard for such regulations endangers lives.

Gyang reaffirmed the commitment of the Plateau State Government to enhancing transportation safety through effective public education, enforcement of traffic laws, and improvement of safety infrastructure across the state.

Phil Foden scored twice and Erling Haaland struck against his former club as Manchester City cruised to a 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, climbing to fourth in the Champions League table.

Haaland, wearing the captain’s armband for the night, continued his red-hot form, netting his 27th goal of the season for club and country.

Waldemar Anton grabbed a late consolation for Dortmund, but substitute Rayan Cherki sealed City’s emphatic win with a stoppage-time strike. The defeat was Dortmund’s first in Europe this season, dropping them to 14th in the standings.

City manager Pep Guardiola, with Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool in mind, rotated his squad by resting Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias.

Despite a bright Dortmund start, Foden broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a precise left-foot finish into the far corner.

Haaland soon doubled the lead, converting Jeremy Doku’s dazzling cross, before Foden made it 3-0 with a sublime curling effort from Tijjani Reijnders’ pass.

City momentarily lost focus late on, allowing Anton to pull one back, but Cherki’s composed finish restored the three-goal margin.

Guardiola praised his side’s attacking rhythm, noting, ‘We created so many chances and showed real quality in front of goal.’

With the win, City extended their unbeaten European run and underlined the Premier League’s dominance this season; all six English clubs now sit in the top 12 halfway through the new Champions League group phase.

Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the invasion of the party’s national secretariat by uniformed security personnel, describing the action as a dangerous affront to democracy and the rule of law.

George stated this on Wednesday during a press conference at his office in Ikoyi, Lagos, noting that the ‘brigandage’ was carried out in concert with a minority faction of the party.

The Atona Oodua maintained that the invasion, which occurred after the judgment stopping the PDP convention, was an illegal and unlawful act by security agents, adding that it was a clear recipe for anarchy.

In a 31 October judgment, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court ordered the stoppage of the PDP’s convention scheduled for 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State.

George pointed out that the judgment triggered the invasion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by uniformed security personnel acting alongside a minority faction.

‘What a travesty of justice. The deployment of uniformed personnel into the private chambers of a major political party is a direct assault on democratic values and the freedom of political association guaranteed by our Constitution.

‘This action undermines public confidence, threatens national stability, and sends a dangerous signal to the international community about the state of democracy in Nigeria.

‘In his judgment stopping the PDP convention, Justice Omotosho is trying to force his personal judicial opinion into the sacred judicial interpretation of the apex court of the land.’

Continuing, the elder statesman added: ‘The Supreme Court said the judiciary has no right to dabble into a party’s internal affairs. So, on this judgment, Justice Omotosho is clearly wrong.

‘This is judicial rascality. It should be condemned by all Nigerians, the CJN and the NJC. Justice Omotosho wants to set Nigeria on fire and destroy this democracy the way the First and Second Republics were destroyed by some judges and the political class.

‘His judgment is the joke of the century – an open recipe for anarchy and a display of judicial brigandage.

‘Justice Omotosho ruled that evidence adduced before him established that the PDP failed to comply with provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as its own Constitution. Who told him this?

‘INEC officials monitored our congresses. He did not invite INEC officials to ask them what happened during our congresses. So, on what evidence did he base his judgment?’

George called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to call the judge to order.

‘Any judgment capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order should be avoided. What power does he have to order the PDP not to have its national convention? Has the judiciary gone to the dogs? As I said earlier, during all our congresses leading to this convention, INEC officials were present,’ George said.

Prolific Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen moved to the top of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League scoring chart with six goals, overtaking Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe.

Osimhen netted a sensational hat-trick to inspire Galatasaray to a commanding 3-0 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, handing the Dutch side their fourth straight defeat of the campaign.

The Super Eagles star opened the scoring in the 59th minute before calmly converting two penalties, sealing a memorable night for the Turkish champions.

The treble takes his European career tally to 25 goals, making him Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in European competitions, surpassing former Inter Milan and Newcastle United forward Obafemi Martins.

Osimhen’s prolific form has powered Galatasaray’s resurgence in Group F, with the 26-year-old scoring in three consecutive wins since missing the opening defeat to Frankfurt.

He previously scored the winner against Liverpool and bagged a brace in a 3-1 triumph over Bodø/Glimt.

Despite strong competition from Europe’s elite forwards, with Mbappe, Kane, and Haaland each on five goals, Osimhen now leads the race for the Golden Boot in this season’s Champions League.

Galatasaray’s Nigerian talisman continues to underline his reputation as one of Europe’s most clinical strikers, combining power, pace, and composure to devastating effect.

When Donald Trump recently placed Nigeria on the list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern’, it became a talking point in the diplomatic and business circles. Beyond politics, it is a reminder that in today’s hyper-connected world, reputation is everything. What happens on the global stage mirrors what can happen to any business.

Let’s imagine Nigeria as a listed company, +234 Holdings PLC, with its headquarters in Lagos and branches in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu. Suddenly, this company faces negative headlines: accusations of poor governance, internal conflicts, and safety issues. Investors panic, partners demand answers, and customers begin to doubt its credibility.

When perception becomes risk

+234 Holdings is feeling the heat. Its Port Harcourt operations have faced repeated community protests; social media in Abuja and Ibadan is trending with anger; investors in Lagos are worried about regulatory penalties; and journalists in Kano are asking tough questions.

Rapidly, an operational problem becomes a strategic issue. The board’s biggest fear isn’t the incident itself, Lagos or itself; it’s what people are saying about it. As we know, in business, perception spreads faster than facts. A video clip from Jos or a tweet from Enugu can trigger investor anxiety in minutes.

This is why AI has become a secret weapon for businesses. It can track sentiment, predict public reaction, and even suggest the right tone for engagement, before inconsequential rumours become full-blown trending stories.

How AI can help

1. Sentiment analysis and early warning: AI can scan millions of online posts, news stories, and chats to detect negative sentiment early. For example, an NLP (Natural Language Processing) system could flag an unusual spike in words like ‘fraud’, ‘unsafe’, or ‘corruption’ linked to your company. It can also identify which locations (say, Port Harcourt or Kano) are trending negatively and why.

Credible AI organisations in Nigeria can help build dashboards that measure ‘reputation heat’ across the country. There is also the option of buying an off-the-shelf solution. For leaders, this means insight before impact.

‘By combining predictive analytics and communication modelling, executives can prepare ‘what-if’ responses long before a crisis hits.’

2. Customer and stakeholder engagement: AI-driven chatbots can respond instantly to complaints or misinformation, whether from investors in Lagos or civil society activists in Bayelsa. These bots can communicate in multiple Nigerian languages, reducing tension through immediate feedback.

Imagine an AI assistant on your company’s website, capable of explaining safety procedures, issuing verified statements, or calming rumours. That single interface could save millions in reputational damage and rebuild public trust in hours, not days.

3. PR and crisis simulation: AI tools can simulate how bad news might spread and how public sentiment could shift. For example, if a regulatory fine were announced in Abuja, AI could predict how investors in London or customers in Lagos might react. It can also generate draft statements or social-media responses tailored to each audience that are consistent, transparent, and aligned with your brand tone.

By combining predictive analytics and communication modelling, executives can prepare ‘what-if’ responses long before a crisis hits.

Lessons for Nigerian business leaders

Every Nigerian executive should see the current global scrutiny of Nigeria as a wake-up call. If a nation can lose investor confidence overnight, whether justified or not, the same can happen to a company. Whether you run a bank in Victoria Island, an energy firm in Port Harcourt, or a logistics startup in Kano, the same principles apply.

Sentiment is data. If you’re not tracking what people say about your brand in real time, you’re blind to risk.

AI isn’t a luxury. It’s an operational necessity for monitoring, analysing, and managing perception in an always-on media landscape.

With AI, organisations can listen better, act faster, and rebuild credibility more intelligently.

A 90-day AI playbook

In Month 1, map out key stakeholders and data sources: social media, customer complaints, community reports, and press mentions across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

By month 2, deploy sentiment dashboards and chatbots for feedback. Set alerts for negative mentions above a set threshold, say, 20 percent week-on-week.

By Month 3, integrate insights into leadership decisions. Let AI-generated reports brief your board on reputational health and stakeholder mood. Use these insights to guide communications, risk management, and community engagement. Soon, ‘gut feeling’ becomes data-driven intelligence.

Bottom line

Using the recent situation in Nigeria as an analogy is a mirror. Nations, like companies, live and die by trust. AI provides the modern toolkit to defend that trust through data, foresight, and empathy at scale.

From sentiment analysis and chatbot engagement to crisis simulation and reputation dashboards, AI offers multiple use cases and solutions that every Nigerian business can start using today. Those who embrace it won’t just manage crises; they will shape narratives.