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The European Cultural Centre, Nigeria (ECC Nigeria) and the Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM) have signed a landmark 15-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cultural diplomacy, promote migrant inclusion, and advance cross-continental collaboration between Africa and Europe.

The agreement establishes a long-term framework for cultural exchange, policy dialogue, migrant reintegration, youth empowerment, and creative collaboration. One of the first joint projects under this partnership is the Cultural Hangout Festival (CHF) – a flagship Afro-European event that celebrates migration through art, music, trade, and storytelling.

Speaking during the signing, Ambassador Sunny Victor Onuoha, Director of International Cooperation, and board member, ECC Nigeria, described the partnership as ‘a bridge of culture and cooperation between continents.’

Mr. Aihawu Victor, Director of PCMM and CEO of the Cultural Hangout Festival, noted that ‘migration should be seen not as a crisis, but as a story of resilience,creativity, and shared humanity.’

Both organizations will jointly implement programs that include the Migrant

Excellence Awards, youth and children’s cultural programs, and the creation of Cultural Exchange Resource Hubs.

The partnership’s first major outcome will be showcased at the Cultural Hangout Festival 2025 (CHF Abuja), holding December 12-14, 2025, in commemoration of the United Nations International Migrants Day.

Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has expressed concerns over the rising bank interest rates in Nigeria, describing the development as one of the major obstacles to economic growth and the empowerment of ordinary citizens.

Speaking at the weekend during the 2nd edition of the annual Aare Afe Babalola Day at the Ewi’s Palace, Ado-Ekiti, Babalola lamented that the harsh lending conditions imposed by banks have made it nearly impossible for small business owners and farmers to access credit facilities.

He said that the prevailing 20% interest rate has crippled the capacity of ordinary Nigerians to start or expand businesses, thereby worsening the two hydra-headed monster of unemployment and poverty levels in the country.

Babalola explained that the present economic situation has worsened with multinational companies relocating out of the country and the living conditions of Nigerians deteriorating.

‘The way things are today with many of the multi-national companies relocating out of the country, no reasonable investor wants to come and invest in Nigeria,’ he lamented.

He recalled that there was once a time in Nigeria when everyone, regardless of their profession, maintained a small garden for farming and had enough food to eat and share.

Babalola contrasted that era of plenty with the present, which he described as a period of hardship, saying the country now suffers from poor infrastructure, erratic power supply, and widespread insecurity.

In response to the economic challenges, the Legal icon said he established two cooperative societies with a combined capital base of N200 million to provide soft loans for at least 2,000 people at a minimal interest rate of five percent.

Babalola explained that the initiative was conceived as a direct intervention to support artisans, traders, farmers, and other low-income earners who have been locked out of the formal financial system due to stringent banking policies.

He added that the cooperative societies are already operating effectively and have begun making significant impacts in lifting the people out of poverty and idleness.

He, however, appealed to more Ekiti indigenes to join the cooperative groups, stressing that collective participation and prompt repayment of loans would ensure the sustainability of the scheme and the eventual eradication of poverty.

‘If members follow the workings of the cooperative societies by repaying their loans on time, sooner than later, poverty and unemployment would be a thing of the past,’ Babalola said.

At the event, Babalola made a donation of N100 million toward the completion and beautification of the palace pavilion, besides the N100 million donated to the two cooperative societies.

Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji said that Babalola has immortalised himself by building human resources across Nigeria that will outlive him.

Oyebanji said that the legal luminary has made tremendous impacts in the lives of many Nigerians through philanthropy, his legal profession and establishment of ABUAD, where thousands of citizens are deriving their livelihoods and enhancing their careers.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said that the government of Ekiti State is proud of the achievements and life trajectory of the elder statesman, who emerged from a humble background and turned out to be a shining light across Nigeria and globally through his industry, innovation, character, honesty and philanthropy.

Katsina State has announced plans to flag off farmers’ radio MSME Clinics and commission several other projects during Vice President Shetima’s visit to the State scheduled on Tuesday.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Livestock, Prof. Ahmed Bakori, said the farmers radio station is expected to address aspects of the state’s agricultural production

According to him: ‘The State Government is making arrangements to receive Shettima on Monday, where he is expected to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Dikko Radda on Tuesday.

‘One of the projects to be inaugurated by the vice-president is the newly established e-centre where farmers can get quick responses.

‘The government has planned planning to have the farmer radio station, so that they can communicate with all the farmers in the state freely.

‘The radio station would offer on-demand support and advice, covering topics from production management to marketing and pest control’.

According to him, the radio initiative is part of a holistic strategy to improve agriculture in Katsina, which also includes providing access to modern equipment and training programmes.

The radio station, he said, was designed to support the state’s large agricultural base, particularly small holder farmers who have a high degree of radio listenership.

He said: ‘With this development, the farmers would have three sources of information, which include the normal extension workers, and the new Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA).

‘The farmers would have a radio station where they would be able to communicate, ask questions, so that an expert would be able to respond to them.

‘With that, we believe that the management aspect of our agriculture production will be seriously addressed.

Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transportation, Alhaji Sani Magaji-Ingawa, said the Vice President would also inaugurate a 3.3 kilometer road project within the metropolis.

According to him, the road, which started from the Katsina central Mosque, and ended at the WTC roundabout, was constructed at the cost of N1.9 billion

The Director-General of the state’s Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA), Aisha Aminu,also revealed that during the visit, Shettima would declare open the 9th expanded national Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Abuja after a week away in Rome, the capital of Italy, where he had taken part in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government meeting.

President Tinubu, whose aircraft touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 7:30pm, had participated in the high-level meeting aimed at strengthening regional and international collaboration in combating terrorism and violent extremism, with special focus on West Africa.

The meeting was hosted at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, Rome.

The Aqaba Process, launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, is co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of Italy.

Since its inception, it has convened 33 meetings across different levels, from technical expert sessions to summits of Heads of State and Government, with its agenda built around prevention, coordination, and closing operational gaps in counterterrorism efforts.

The Rome session was attended by several world leaders, including King Abdullah II, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Algeria’s Upper House President, Azouz Nasri, as well as delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, joined the deliberations, which were held behind closed doors.

On the sidelines of the conference, President Tinubu held a series of bilateral meetings-first with Prime Minister Meloni on enhancing Nigeria-Italy economic and security cooperation; then with Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and African Affairs, who reaffirmed Washington’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to resolve internal conflicts and fight terrorism.

The Nigerian leader also met privately with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, where discussions centred on promoting religious harmony and addressing disinformation campaigns that falsely portray Nigeria as intolerant of faith diversity.

President Tinubu was received on arrival by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

Nigeria’s first elected female deputy governor, Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu, has declared October 23, 2025 – the day she turns 80 – as a day of sobriety, urging people across the world to fast and pray for survival, sustenance, and divine intervention amid global hardship.

In a statement personally signed to mark her 80th birthday, Ojikutu said the divine message came to her strongly, emphasising the need for collective prayers to reduce the suffering caused by the economic challenges across the world.

According to her, the level of hardship is deepening, and there is an urgent need to seek God’s mercy to guide world leaders towards selfless and wise decisions while granting citizens discernment and resilience.

Ojikutu, a former deputy governor of Lagos State, is expected to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to offer prayers and seek divine mercy ahead of her birthday.

She called on all God-fearing individuals to join in fasting and prayer on Thursday, October 23, to avert what she described as ‘a looming global disaster.’

She urged that all gifts meant for her birthday should instead be converted into acts of charity for the deprived and less privileged, encouraging people to share pictures of such gestures with her as their gifts.

‘The message from God is coming to me very strong that there’s a need to humble ourselves through fasting and prayers to ease the suffering in the land. It’s not only in Nigeria but across the world,’ Ojikutu said. ‘My birthday request is that all gifts be turned into support for the deprived and less privileged. The wave of suffering across the globe, according to divine revelation, will worsen unless we fast and pray to avert it.’

It would be recalled that Alhaja Ojikutu once issued a warning, based on revelation, about the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s health during his tenure between 2016 and 2018 – a warning she said was not heeded.

Last Wednesday, the ancient town of Iperu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area (LGA) of Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State, paused for hours, soaked in glitz and glamour, as Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, his siblings and the entire Abiodun family hosted the 90th birthday celebration of their jewel of a mother, Chief Mrs. Victoria Olaitan Abiodun, in grand style.

From the hallowed hall of St. James Anglican Church, Iperu, where dignitaries from across the world converged for a commemoration service in celebration of Mama Abiodun’s life of service and devotion, to the streets of Iperu, where the jubilant people of Remoland, across all social and economic divides, celebrated Mama Victoria Olaitan Abiodun’s birthday as a remarkable milestone, and all the way to the grand reception in honour of the celebrant, held within the alluring confines of a tastefully constructed marque on the premises of the Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo, prayers, joy, music, and heartfelt tributes honouring a deserving matriarch, filled the air.

Truth be told, the 90th birthday events of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s mother were heartwarming celebrations of her life and legacy. Family, friends, and loved ones gathered to rejoice over a life that has touched numerous others for good. The day teed off at the beautiful and historic St. James Anglican Church with stunning stained-glass windows, elegant chandeliers, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The wooden pews showed as if freshly polished, and the altar was decorated with a special 90th birthday arrangement. All in honour of a devoted and revered member of the congregation, Mama Victoria Olaitan.

Sitting pretty and radiating joy, the ninety-year-old birthday-girl looked around her to see a church hall filled to the brim and pouring out, into the expansive compound and beyond. Her expressions were those of happiness and fulfilment. Adorned beautifully in sparkling white iro and buba, with glittering royal blue gele and ipele, and stable blue shoes to match, mama caught the picture of the day’s special guest of honour.

Behind her and her children with their immediate families, family members, friends, guests and church members, all dressed in the eye-catching green and orange aso ebi, gather to celebrate this milestone birthday. The congregation sang hymns and songs of praise, accompanied by the church choir. The music – uplifting and celebratory, and the mood was simply joyous. The choir sang, the congregation danced, and the celebrant beamed with appreciative smiles at dignitaries from across the country, including a strong delegation from the presidency that had Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and others. Their presence showed how important the event was to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Also present were former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the incumbent Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Olamilekan Solomon, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; former governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Olusegun Mimiko, James Ibori, Ibikunle Amosun, Kayode Fayemi, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Senator Dave Umahi and numerous other members of the National Assembly.

Corporate Nigeria also poured into Iperu to celebrate Mama Abiodun, as business giants like Dr Deji Adeleke, Sayuu Dantata, Chief Toyin Okeowo, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Dr Zacheus Adedeji, Dr Tunde Lemo, Aig-Imoukhuede Aigboje, led numerous other giant players to the birthday celebration.

An impressive array of traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Olowu of Owu, Oba Prof Adelola Matemilola; Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi; Eleposo of Eposo-Remo, Oba Mukaila Olabinjo; Elegushi of Ikate, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Oniru of Iru land, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan; Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Ogbeni Oja and Adele Awujale of Ijebuland, among scores of other monarchs, regaled the gathering with royalty.

From the host state, the attendance was simply huge. Everybody who mattered was joyously present. Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Deputy Governor; Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly; Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu; Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Dr Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the Chief of Staff; Mr Dapo Okubadejo, Chief Economic Adviser and Finance Commissioner; and Chief Yemi Sanusi, Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led all other state and ruling party functionaries to Iperu.

In his sermon during the church service, the Bishop of Remo Anglican Diocese, Most Reverend Olusina Fape, who described the celebrant as a devoted and committed Christian who had done a lot in the vineyard of God, while speaking on the theme, ‘The grateful heart receives more blessings from God,’ urged the celebrant to continue her life of service to God. Reading from Luke Chapter 1, verse 46 to 49, he likened Mama Abiodun’s life to that of Holy Mary, who gave birth to Jesus, as Prince Dapo Abiodun has raised the name of the family as the performing governor of Ogun State.

The clergyman used the opportunity to eulogise Governor Abiodun for the massive infrastructural development in the state, adding that the construction of the Gateway International Airport at Iperu-Remo is a big relief, not just for Ogun state but the entire southwest geo-political zone.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said that innovation alone cannot replace the foundational importance of ethics in building a credible and transformative capital market.

Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, stated this at the weekend during the 29th annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) held in Abuja.

He maintained that a truly transformative capital market must be built on ‘integrity, transparency, and accountability.’

According to him: ‘No amount of innovation can replace the foundational importance of ethics. A truly transformative capital market must be built on integrity, transparency, and accountability.’

Agama urged stockbrokers to uphold the highest levels of professionalism and ethical conduct in their operations, noting that the credibility of the market depends on trust and fairness.

‘In every thriving market, investors must have full confidence that the intermediaries who manage their wealth are guided by the highest standards of honesty and competence,’ he said.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s conference, ‘Capital Markets in a Digital, Ethical, Sustainable Era: Pathways for Economic Transformation,’ Agama described it as timely and reflective of global trends.

He explained that the world is currently witnessing a transition where technology drives innovation, ethics anchor trust, and sustainability defines the future of finance.

‘These three dimensions-digitalization, ethics, and sustainability-are not separate pillars; they form the foundation of a modern, inclusive, and resilient capital market,’ he said.

The SEC boss pointed out that technological innovation is reshaping capital markets globally, citing the emergence of online trading platforms, digital assets, data analytics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence as examples of tools revolutionizing how capital is raised, invested, and supervised.

Agama noted that the Commission has embraced digital transformation as an opportunity to enhance efficiency, transparency, and investor protection in the Nigerian market.

‘We are strengthening our market surveillance systems, automating regulatory processes, and introducing risk-based supervision frameworks-all aimed at positioning the Nigerian capital market for the realities of a digital economy,’ he said.

He added that the SEC is working closely with market stakeholders, including the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, to promote digital literacy and build capacity across the market.

‘As technology evolves, so must our skills, our ethics, and our shared commitment to fairness and professionalism,’ Agama stated.

He described the CIS as a key partner in promoting professionalism, setting standards, and enforcing ethical codes that define the stockbroking profession.

‘As regulators, we continue to emphasize that professionalism and ethical conduct are non-negotiable,’ he said. ‘Together, the SEC and the CIS must continue to strengthen ethics education, continuous professional development, and disciplinary frameworks to ensure that the market remains a place of trust.’

Agama’s remarks reflect the Commission’s broader commitment to positioning the Nigerian capital market as a transparent, innovative, and investor-friendly environment capable of driving sustainable economic growth.

Tension has gripped residents of Dyom settlement , Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State following reports that armed herders and bandits have seized control of farmlands and residential areas in the community .

Eyewitnesses disclosed that the herdsmen and the bandits have established strongholds within and around the community, frequently setting up camps close to residential homes and retreating into nearby farms whenever security operatives or members of the local vigilante outfit, Anyam Nyor, are sighted.

A resident, Terhile Uma, who spoke on phone with The Nation, described the situation as unbearable and dangerous saying it’s creating tension .

‘Our house is close to Dyom settlement and whenever the herders hear that soldiers or Benue security outfit code named ‘Anyam Nyor’ are around, they quickly leave our compound and hide in our farms.The suspected bandits and their boys are everywhere. We can’t eat, farm, or even move freely around our homes. What kind of wickedness is this?’

The resident further revealed that fear of reprisal attacks has silenced most villagers.

The bandits are said to be operating in the area in a similar way the late Terwase Agwaza, alias Gana, operated , imposing taxes on market days and assuming authorities .

Many families, according to reports, have abandoned their farms, while others remain trapped in their homes under constant fear of violence.

Local sources say the ongoing insecurity has crippled farming and market activities in the area, with food shortages and displacement on the rise.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations officer,PPRO Edem Edet, a DSP, said she was yet to get the reports.

Security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the development at press time. However, community leaders are calling for urgent intervention from both the Benue State government and the military authorities to restore peace and protect residents from further attacks.

Lagos Achievers Lions Club and Eko Excellence Virtual Lions Club (both of District 404B3 Nigeria) midweek took this year’s World Literacy Day celebration to two Lagos schools: Obalende Primary School and Ikoyi Girls Primary School, also in Obalende, Lagos, respectively.

Both clubs thereafter came together, Thursday, to mark the day with a literacy competition for the pupils at Obalende Primary School.

Tagged: World Literacy Day 2025, with the theme: Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era, the guest speaker/facilitator, Lion Olapeju Paraiso, a member of Eko Lions Club, enlightened the pupils on the importance of the computer, the cell phone and its relevance to modern day education.

She also drilled them in spelling and reading competitions, with winners going home with school bags and exercise books.

Additionally, all participating students went home with free exercise books.

Speaking at the end of the event, president of Lagos Achievers Lions Club, Lion Hassan Olawale, stated that Literacy is one of the core areas of Lions Club International, and that they took the programme to the school to impact and encourage the pupils in their quest for education.

First Vice President of Eko Excellence Virtual Lions Club, Lion Lucky Nwandei, said the programme was to mark the day and ensure that the pupils were not left out of the global celebration.

The facilitator, Lion Paraiso said following the programme, the pupils would begin to ask questions and dreaming dreams to make the world a better place.

The Senate of League of Imams in Osogbo has advocated for all political parties in Osun State to zone their 2026 governorship tickets to Osogbo, the state capital.

The group known as Alasaro of Osogbo through its President, Sheikh Ilyas Afolabi Alawe in a statement over the weekend said all Osogbo indigenes are united in the demand that its the turn of Osogbo to produce Governor of Osun State.

He stated that Osogbo being a historic town in old Western Nigeria, formerly part of old Oyo State and now the capital of Osun, has played a decisive role in determining who occupies the Bola Ige Government House.

According to him: ‘No son or daughter of Osogbo has ever been elected Governor since the state’s creation 34 years ago. The elders, community leaders, and stakeholders are determined to change this in 2026.

‘We can start with the forthcoming governorship election by rallying behind our competent sons and daughters from various political parties vying for the seat.’

Also, the Chairman of the Osogbo Elders Council, Prince Adeleke Ibiloye, backed the zoning of the 2026 governorship seat to Osogbo.

He said: ‘We have, over time, stood firmly behind other towns that sought our support for their own in various political capacities. It is now time to extend that same hand of fellowship and support to our very own. It is our turn to produce the next governor of this state in 2026, and we believe those we have supported in the past will now repay our good gestures.’