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Bloom Digital Media Ltd, Abuja’s leading creative and digital communications agency, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Outstanding Digital Agency of the Year’ award at the Marketing Edge Awards 2025, held at Balmora Convention Center, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

This recognition cements Bloom Digital Media’s position as one of Nigeria’s foremost agencies driving innovation, creativity, and measurable impact in the digital marketing landscape.

Speaking on the award, Tseyi Agharaye, Lead Director of Bloom Digital Media, expressed gratitude to the organizers and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to excellence.

Agharaye said: ‘This award is not just a win for Bloom Digital Media, but for our clients, partners, and the incredible team whose passion and creativity fuel everything we do. At Bloom, we believe in pushing boundaries, telling compelling stories, and creating strategies that deliver real value. This recognition inspires us to aim even higher as we continue to shape the future of digital marketing in Africa and beyond.’

Speaking to the recognition, Emmanuel Obi, Creative Director of Bloom Digital Media, shared: ‘This award is a celebration of teamwork, passion, and vision. We are honored to be recognized as the Outstanding Digital Agency of the Year. This achievement underscores the collective dedication of our team, and the trust of our clients. We’re excited to keep building, keep innovating, and keep telling powerful stories.’

Since its inception, Bloom has worked with top-tier brands across aviation, real estate, healthcare, technology, FMCG, and lifestyle sectors, delivering cutting-edge solutions in brand strategy, social media marketing, PR, advertising, and digital transformation.

The Marketing Edge Awards is one of Nigeria’s most respected platforms recognizing outstanding achievements and celebrating brands, agencies, and professionals who have demonstrated excellence, consistency, and innovation in marketing communications. This year’s edition brought together industry leaders, innovators, and trailblazers to celebrate excellence and spotlight brands redefining standards.

With this award, Bloom Digital Media further solidifies its reputation as a powerhouse in digital innovation and an agency to watch on the Global marketing scene.

The commercial city of Aba was transformed into a huge carnival scene when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the 6.7km Port Harcourt Road, reconstructed by the leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.

Amidst sonorous singing and dancing, there were displays by masquerades and DJs. Women and youth groups were not left out, as each competed for available spaces to underscore their joy at the redemption which the project commissioning signified.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi described the completed road project as a miracle delivered by the state government through Julius Berger.

The President commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for the quality of work executed as well as his commitment to infrastructural renewal across the State.

On the reconstructed road, Tinubu said the government and contractor’s efforts have led to the ‘miracle of transformation’ being witnessed in not only Aba, but also the entire state.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director, Administration of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita said, the road is more than a corridor of asphalt and concrete but a lifeline for commerce and connection as it links markets to manufacturers, neighbourhoods to opportunities, and Aba to the broader economy of the South-East and the Niger Delta.

Natives of Babanla, one of the worst-affected communities in Kwara State, have appealed to the government for urgent intervention, stating that worsening insecurity has disrupted their livelihoods, forced displacements, and crippled economic activities.

Speaking in separate interviews with Daily Trust over the weekend, several victims described the situation as unbearable and called on both state and federal authorities to take decisive action.

A community leader in Babanla in the Ifelodun Local Government Area, Prince Yusuf Jimoh, said catering for over 33 displaced persons who relocated to his home following the bandit attacks has become extremely difficult.

‘I operate a block industry and live in a four-bedroom apartment. Imagine the condition we are passing through,’ he said. ‘While I plead with the government to dislodge the bandits from their hideouts, we also appeal for support and assistance to the victims to enable them to rebuild their lives. Everything is at a standstill and feeding has become so hard that some now beg for food. Some victims are staying in mosques. We are presently 33 people living in this modest apartment,’ he added, urging the federal government to act swiftly to prevent residents from losing their ancestral lands.

Another resident, Taibat Jimoh, a trader, said the situation has forced many to abandon their homes and farmlands.

‘We have lost our sources of livelihood and now depend on others in Ilorin to survive. There is no clear sign of when this will end. We cannot go to our farms or anywhere else, and that is why we are begging the government to come to our aid,’ she said.

For 19-year-old mother of one, Hamzat Waliya, the plea is simple: ‘I want the government to help us dislodge the bandits. Once that is achieved, we are ready to go back to our community to continue our lives.’

Also speaking, Alao Mohammad, a resident of Igbaja, said the situation has affected educational institutions in the area.

‘Some university campuses here have relocated their students to Ilorin. I am now appealing to friends, associates, and relatives to help me raise money to move my wife, children, and other family members to Ilorin. I will remain here for now to monitor the situation because this is where I work,’ he said.

Daily Trust reports the state government, in collaboration with troops, has stepped up its onslaught against the bandits after the attacks on Babanla and Oke-Ode communities, which resulted in scores of deaths.

The Senior Pastor of the Apostolic Foundation Church in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Pastor Adedayo Adedayo, has called on Nigerians to believe in their country and work collectively for its development.

Pastor Adedayo, who made the call during a service at the church on Sunday in Gwagwalada, stressed that every Nigerian must have faith in the nation.

‘I bet you, if we believe in Nigeria, we are not inferior to any European nation. Donald Trump of the USA is not inferior to me. It is God that created him, and it is also God that created me as black, and that doesn’t make him superior to me,’ he said.

He asserted that Nigeria can be better if its citizens believe in it and embrace positive actions, noting that Nigeria has the potential to surpass any European nation if citizens consistently do the right things.

He regretted that corruption has been the country’s primary challenge, which he noted has continued to retard development since independence.

The cleric, however, acknowledged the ongoing infrastructural development across the country, especially road construction and the provision of water, stating that this progress will impact the lives of every Nigerian positively.

Experts have tasked the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to translate the surge in oil rigs to increased crude output.

This followed the release of the figure by the commission which showed that Nigeria recorded a significant rise in oil rig count, growing from just eight in 2021 to 69 as of October 2, 2025. The figure represents a 762.5% increase in four years.

According to a statement by the Commission, the 69 rigs include 40 active rigs, 8 on standby, 5 on warm stack, 4 on cold stack, and 12 on the move.

According to a statement by the Commission, the 69 rigs include 40 active rigs, 8 on standby, 5 on warm stack, 4 on cold stack, and 12 on the move.

The NUPRC noted that this surge reflects renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s charge that ‘Nigeria is ready for business’ under a stable and reformed investment climate.

‘This shows a renewed investor confidence in Nigeria. The success aligns with the charge of President Tinubu that Nigeria is ready for business and that the right investment climate prevails now in the Nigerian upstream as daily actioned by the NUPRC,’ the statement said.

Offshore oil rigs are huge structures in the ocean that drill for oil and gas beneath the seafloor.

‘Next challenge is to convert rig surge into crude output’

Speaking with Daily Trust, Prof. Omowumi O. Iledare, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics and Executive Director, Emmanuel Egbogah Foundation, said the achievements deserve commendation but also careful reflection.

He noted that the transformation of NUPRC since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 represents a maturing institution asserting its autonomy and professionalism, saying the separation of policy, regulatory, and commercial roles is gradually yielding visible institutional order.

He added that the reported surge in rig count from eight in 2021 to sixty-nine in 2025 illustrates renewed investor activity and optimism.

He, however, said sustainability, not statistics, is the true measure of success and the challenge ahead is converting this rig resurgence into consistent crude output growth, reserves replacement and improved cost efficiency.

‘Fiscal and governance indicators are also encouraging. Surpassing revenue targets by more than 80 percent in 2024 and approving nearly $40 billion in new Field Development Plans point to rising investor confidence. However, such figures must be sustained through policy consistency, transparent implementation, and credible performance monitoring.’

He said the commission’s embrace of digital bid rounds, the ‘Drill-or-Drop’ compliance policy, and gas-flare commercialisation are aligned with global best practices.

‘Equally notable is the remittance of over N358 billion to Host Community Development Trusts, signaling a new phase of social accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum governance. The real test will be ensuring these funds translate into measurable improvements in welfare and security in producing communities.’

‘On the continental stage, NUPRC’s leadership in forming the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) demonstrates forward-thinking engagement, positioning Nigeria as a regional voice in hydrocarbon governance and energy transition dialogue. From an emeritus lens, therefore, the assessment is balanced. NUPRC has provided regulatory stability, rekindled investor confidence, and demonstrated early signs of institutional maturity. The task now is to consolidate gains, deepen transparency, and entrench professionalism beyond personalities and politics. Performance, after all, is not just about what is achieved-it is about what endures and adds value across generations.’

Workers of the Kwara State Garment Factory on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin to demand urgent intervention over alleged poor working conditions and unfair employment practices.

The protest, held at the frontage of the factory, was monitored by police officers deployed to ensure it was not hijacked.

The protesters also marched along Airport Road, carrying placards to express their grievances.

They said more than 200 staff across the operating, cutting, maintenance and embroidery sections were affected.

Speaking to Daily Trust, an aggrieved staff, Mrs. Kehinde Hussein pleaded with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to look into their plight.

‘The governor whom we regard as our father has been doing well and we commend him,’ she said, adding, ‘But those who he handed the administration of this place to have been treating us unfairly.

‘They gave us probation letters for six months, but more than two years later we are still not permanent employees despite their promise. They deduct too much from our salaries even though we work tirelessly. Despite the economic situation, we are collecting N48,000. We deserve more than the minimum wage and we want the governor to come to our aid. We are really suffering’, she added.

Another protester, Mr Ahmed Ahmed, said workers travel long distances to work daily and that the management had failed to prioritise their welfare.

‘Some of us had to borrow money to come here,’ he said. ‘They promised to pay us N50,000 which is not even enough, but now they pay N48,000, and they do not pay on time. We cannot take this anymore.

This factory was set up by the Kwara State Government to benefit citizens and reduce unemployment, but the management is undermining the good intentions of the governor. We demand justice, fairness and equity. Our welfare should be paramount.’

Another worker, Jimoh Babalola, said the nature of their work warranted better pay and treatment.

‘We came out to protest because of the challenges we face,’ he said, adding, ‘The nature of our work should attract more than N100,000. There is no opportunity for rest or leave, and it does not matter whether you are sick or not.

‘When you complain, they tell you to write a letter, yet they still deduct your salary at the end of the month. One of our colleagues had an accident while traveling, and while recuperating at home, the management still deducted N2,500 daily from his salary. We are family men. How will N48,000 be enough for us in this economic situation, not to talk of the deductions? Many of our colleagues have already left because of the poor conditions. We were very happy when we got employed, but that joy has turned to sorrow. We are pleading with the governor, as a kind-hearted leader, to rescue us.’

Mrs. Ismail Halimah also appealed to the governor to consider their situation.

‘We have been holding these probation letters for more than two years,’ she said. ‘They keep saying we are still in training, but for how long? My transport alone costs N30,000 monthly, leaving me with less than N20,000 before deductions. I have a child and other responsibilities, and the economy is harsh. We are begging His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who we know loves the youth, to please intervene.’

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has announced a temporary shutdown of the garment factory as part of a transition process to a new management team.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, the government said the closure was necessary to facilitate maintenance and inventory checks ahead of the handover to the new operators.

‘Sequel to the advertisement on the expression of interest published in national newspapers in compliance with public procurement regulations for the outsourcing of the management of the garment factory, we are glad to announce that a preferred winner has emerged.

‘The garment factory will, therefore, be temporarily shut down to undertake pre-handover maintenance and inventory checks.

‘All civil servants seconded to the garment factory are to return to their ministries, while trainees are advised to apply to the successful bidder for engagement.

‘All trainees shall be given a one-month training allowance’, the statement added.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has announced the creation of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Council (NNEDC) – a new coordinating body designed to drive industrialisation, attract investment, and harmonise development policies across the northern region.

The announcement followed the successful conclusion of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit (NNIIS) held in Abuja, where participants pledged over $10 billion in new investments spanning mining, agriculture, and power sectors.

In a communiqué signed by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Chairman of the NEF Board of Trustees, the Forum said the NNEDC would serve as the institutional framework for implementing the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Masterplan (NNEDM). The masterplan is anchored on three pillars – security, policy coherence, and private capital mobilisation.

The two-day summit, themed ‘Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture, and Power (MAP 2025)’, brought together federal officials, northern governors, the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), private sector leaders, development partners, financiers, academics, and civil society groups.

According to the communiqué, the event featured exhibitions by the 19 Northern States’ Investment Promotion Agencies, corporate sponsors, and Deal Room sessions (B2B, B2G), resulting in investment commitments exceeding $10 billion over the next five years.

Delegations from Turkey, India, Canada, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia also attended the summit, expressing strong interest in investing in the region’s growth sectors.

The NEF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and pledged accountability and transparency in implementing the summit’s outcomes.

Governors from the North West, North East, and North Central regions signed the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Charter, committing their states to a unified regional economic vision.

The communiqué further stated that the NNEDC will operate under the joint oversight of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF).

A Joint Implementation and Monitoring Taskforce (JIMT) will manage transitional activities and publish an operational roadmap within 60 days.

The NNEDC will also issue quarterly scorecards to track key outcomes such as job creation, energy expansion, and investment inflows.

NEF Director-General, Prof. D.D. Sheni, described the initiative as ‘a decisive pivot from rhetoric to execution’ in Northern Nigeria’s economic journey.

‘With security as the bedrock, policy coherence as the framework, and private capital as the engine, Northern Nigeria can transform its endowments into sustainable growth,’ he said.

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive prosperity, pledging to lead the region into a new era of coordinated economic transformation.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has flagged off the construction of the Transit Way (N2) road project, designed to provide a critical connection between the Central Business Area and Wuse districts through two strategic bridges.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, speaking during the ceremony, said the project, upon completion, will drive economic growth, enhance mobility, and attract investment to the FCT.

‘We are here today to connect from N2, the Wuse District, to the Central Area with two bridges. To the glory of God, this project has been flagged off. I assure you, day and night, we will monitor the contractors handling this work to ensure timely delivery,’ Wike said.

The Minister also announced further investment plans in the education and healthcare sectors.

He said the administration would commence the rehabilitation of at least 40 schools, adding to the 70 schools already under various stages of renovation, with 45 nearing completion.

The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to commit to sustained operational funding for the National Library project.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Lawal Umar, and Secretary, Dr. Amogu Uma Kalu, the association said long-term investment is essential for the library to effectively fulfil its educational and developmental mandate.

NLA also commended Nigeria’s first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her ‘unprecedented’ fundraising initiative aimed at completing the long-abandoned National Library of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja.

It described the first lady’s gesture as ‘a selfless and visionary act of patriotism’ that has rekindled hope in the country’s educational infrastructure.

Oluremi Tinubu, on her 65th birthday, requested well-wishers and donors to contribute to the National Library Project Fund.

The initiative, which transformed a private celebration into a national call to action, has so far yielded N20.7 billion, with the donation account expected to remain open until December 2025.

The NLA said, ‘The funds raised through this noble initiative represent more than just financial contributions, but the collective goodwill and belief of the Nigerian people in the potential of a national library – a belief you, Your Excellency, have effectively energised.’

The National Library project, which has suffered decades of delay and underfunding, has long been a source of disappointment to stakeholders in the education sector.

The NLA noted that Senator Tinubu’s intervention has ‘injected vital momentum into this crucial project’ and ‘shone a powerful spotlight on the importance of knowledge, literacy, and national infrastructure for intellectual growth.

‘When completed, this building will be the epicentre of intellectual inquiry, a repository of our nation’s history and knowledge, and a crucial resource centre for students, legislators, researchers, and every Nigerian citizen,’ the association said.

The Nigeria Police Force and Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were at the forefront of repelling the night attack by Boko Haram terrorists on a military base in Banki town, Bama LGA of Borno State, at the weekend.

Sources from the community, when Daily Trust visited the town, commended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the town for rallying community resilience during the attack.

One of the sources, who prefers a single name, Aminu, said the DPO was asked to flee the town when the insurgents arrived, but he stood his ground instead.

‘He organised his boys to defend their location and the people around them. People celebrated him after the attack.

‘Many people, including the soldiers, had abandoned their positions, crossed to Cameroon and left residents behind, but the DPO encouraged many of us to stay back,’ he said.

Another resident stated that the police, with the assistance of the civilian JTF, secured the Divisional Police Headquarters and Nigeria Customs Service control posts located at the border with Cameroon.

He also commended residents of the town for resisting displacement despite the Boko Haram threats. ‘If we leave here, where do we go?’

‘Why soldiers fled’

Speaking to our correspondent, one of the security sources said it was the dashed hope of an Air Force jet that gave the terrorists an edge over them.

‘The Boko Haram movement was sighted around 4pm, but we couldn’t tell their target location. So, a red alert was declared.

‘An hour later, we learnt that the terrorists engaged troops in Bula-Yobe town. We immediately moved there for reinforcement. Midway, another signal came in that we should return to base.

‘The order was, a fighter jet was on its way to dislodge the terrorists, and it could mistake us for Boko Haram.

‘Unfortunately, before we entered Banki, another signal came in that the Boko Haram terrorists were coming into Banki in large numbers.

‘Our troops were terrified by the massive number of terrorists that the signaller mentioned,’ he said.

He said, when the insurgents started infiltrating, the long chain of commands that the Commanding Officer was receiving prevented them from responding quickly.

‘They kept telling the Commander to be patient, that the Air Force jet was coming to clear them. It’s after they reached the last point that he commanded us to engage them.

‘It’s an hour encounter, but we fought until none of us could recognise one another,’ said one of the soldiers

He said the commanding officer tried to stay back after the soldiers but was overpowered by the terrorists.

‘Thank God for saving his life, because he tried to wrestle the gun truck with the insurgents, but they were too many. It was so dark on that day that one couldn’t identify the person next to him,’ he said.

3 more communities resettled

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has resettled three more communities after residents resisted Boko Haram displacement in Banki.

The governor, who was in Banki on Sunday, where the insurgents attacked military barracks and civilian locations, sympathised with residents and commended their resilience.

‘I purposely came to Banki to salute your courage; your act of bravery is really encouraging,’ Governor Zulum stated. ‘We should not allow a few bad elements to displace this town whose businesses and economic activities have been thriving.’ He added, ‘I want to assure you that the insurgents will not succeed, Insha’Allah. We will strengthen the security of this border town and will support our youth volunteers, hunters, and vigilantes to further fortify this area.’

He assured that robust security measures will be implemented to protect the border town from further attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

As part of his ongoing post-conflict recovery programme, the governor also announced the planned resettlement of three communities, Kumshe, Tarmu’a and Bula Yobe in the Bama Local Government Area.

‘Kumshe, Tarmu’a and Bula Yobe will be resettled. The people deserve a dignified life, and we are committed to delivering it,’ he affirmed.

Zulum confirmed that the rehabilitation of Banki road has commenced, with 30 trucks already deployed to repair the dilapidated route.

He called on the people, particularly the youths, to actively participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise for the betterment of society.

Similarly, Zulum also addressed traders at the Banki Market, where he urged them to be vigilant and cooperate with security agencies for sustainable peace in the area.

In an interview with a security expert and former Director of the Department of State Service (DSS), Barrister Mike Ejiofor, he advised that the government must ensure that an area is fully stabilised before returning internally displaced people to the area.

‘As for now, some of those areas are still not stabilised, so asking the indigenes to return to their ancestral homes is not the right thing to do.

‘But, if the areas are secured, we can deploy civil defence to take charge, and assure the people that the place is secured,’ he said.