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UK Govt. names Vicky Seymour as new Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria

The UK Government has announced the appointment of Ms Vicky Seymour as Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja. The British High Commission made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.

Seymour succeeds Mrs. Gill Lever, who completed her who completed her tour of duty in June.

‘Seymour has now taken up her role in Abuja, where she will support and strengthen the UK’s partnership with Nigeria. The partnership spans economic growth, security, migration, development, international collaboration and the links between our people,’ the statement reads.

According to the mission, Seymour brings over two decades of experience across diplomacy, international development and government. It said she recently served as Head of the East Africa Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a position she held since 2023.

It said that she also formerly led the FCDO’s Trade Diplomacy Department and served as Development Director in Mozambique. Meanwhile, Seymour expressed delight to take up the role in Abuja.

‘I look forward to getting to know this extraordinary country, meeting people from across Nigeria’s diverse communities, and building on the strong partnership that already exists between our two countries. Together, I hope we can continue creating opportunities for greater collaboration and links between our people in the years ahead,’ she said.

Before joining the civil service, Seymour worked in the not-for-profit sector with a focus on migration.

BIR: 14 more drugs exempt from VAT

To ease treatment costs and improve access to affordable health care, the government has expanded the list of medicines exempt from value-added tax (VAT) to 2,277 drugs.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) published the updated roster of VAT-free medicines under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law and the CREATE Act, following endorsement by the Food and Drug Administration.

The updated list includes 14 medicines aimed at cutting out-of-pocket medical expenses, particularly for those undergoing long-term treatment for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Broken down, cancer medicines topped the list at 708, followed by 537 for hypertension and 331 for diabetes.

The BIR circular also identified 300 medicines for mental illness, 172 for high cholesterol, 152 for kidney disease and 77 for tuberculosis.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that ischemic heart disease, neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia as well as diabetes mellitus were the top causes of death from January to September 2025.

‘The bureau remains steadfast in implementing tax policies that directly benefit our people. By expanding the list of VAT-exempt medicines, we are helping make essential health care more affordable,’ BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said.

The BIR said every peso saved through the VAT exemption helps families continue treatment, purchase essential medicines and better manage their everyday needs.

LASEPA seals four Lagos firms over environmental violations

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed four establishments for violating environmental regulations in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency announced the enforcement in a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday.

LASEPA said the affected establishments operated in the Ijora Causeway and Apapa areas of the state.

It said the facilities were sealed over persistent violations of environmental regulations in spite of repeated warnings and abatement notices.

The agency said it also gave the companies several opportunities to comply with its directives before the enforcement.

According to LASEPA, the facilities failed to implement corrective measures issued by the agency.

The sealed establisments include Helmar Building Materials at 8 Ijora Causeway, Ijora.

Others are Laprivad Nigeria Ltd., behind Funky Yetty along Ijora Causeway, and Innocast Nigeria Ltd. on Saka Alao Street, Apapa.

Also sealed was Body Language Shipping and Cargo on Liverpool Road, Apapa.

LASEPA said the enforcement underscored its commitment to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and protecting public health across the state.

Sarines vs Sarines up; Bregente faces Taga-An

Rolando Bregente matched par 72 on a rainy Wednesday to earn top seeding in men’s play of the NGAP’s Match Play Championship, even as the double championship bid of young Lisa Sarines will have to go through her twin sister Mona in the first round of the knockout matches at soggy Luisita in Tarlac.

Jet Hernandez, the player who has a shot at the men’s double, advanced as the No. 3 seed by shooting a 74 for 142, as Filipino-Japanese Shinichi Suzuki took No. 2 after a second round 70 to finish two shots behind the 24-year-old Bregente, who closed out the two-round qualifying with a 72 for 139.

‘I think half the challenge this week was making it to the match play stage,’ Hernandez, who won the Strokeplay title by 22 strokes over Bregente and Chris Remata last week, said as he battles teener Alexis Nailga, a multiple leg winner in the Junior PGT, who advanced as the 14th seed after rounds of 78 and 75.

Bregente, a member of the national pool like Hernandez, will be up against Ronel Taga-An, who fired an 80 to advance as the No. 16 seed, even as the 6-foot-3 Suzuki slugs it out with Geoffrey Tan.

Alden Richards shines spotlight on PH education crisis in GMA documentary

Kapuso star Alden Richards takes on one of the country’s most pressing issues as he shines a spotlight on the worsening state of education in the Philippines in a new GMA Public Affairs documentary.

Airing on Saturday, August 8, “Rebuilding Broken Rooms: A GMA Public Affairs Education Special” follows Alden as he travels to different parts of the country to witness firsthand the challenges faced by students, teachers, and communities struggling with inadequate learning facilities and literacy gaps.

For Alden, the documentary goes beyond storytelling – it is an opportunity to inspire action and raise public awareness about the country’s education crisis.

‘Gusto kong magamit ‘yung boses na meron ako para maipalaganap ‘yung mensahe na kailangan marinig ng sambayanan,’ Alden said in the documentary’s teaser.

‘Gusto ko maging part nung advocacy para mamulat natin ‘yung mga tao sa kung ano ba talaga ‘yung sitwasyon ngayon,’ he added.

Alden’s journey begins at Tinungkaan Elementary School in Alabel, Sarangani, which the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) identified as having the highest number of low-emerging readers in the country.

There, he meets Teacher Gerwin and his students, who brave river crossings and mountain trails every day just to reach their temporary classrooms-a daily reminder of the obstacles many Filipino children face in pursuit of education.

The documentary also visits Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila, where seven out of every 10 students struggle with reading comprehension, the highest recorded number of low-emerging readers in Metro Manila.

Among them is Grade 2 pupil Jannah Will, who still cannot read a complete sentence. Some days, the child is unable to attend classes because there is no money for transportation. Although another school stands near their home, it has remained closed since it was damaged by a fire two years ago.

In Ciudad Nuevo Elementary School in Naic, Cavite, Alden witnesses how makeshift classrooms have become a necessity due to severe classroom shortages.

Meanwhile, at Calubcob Elementary School, vacant housing units from a residential project have been converted into classrooms, forcing students to learn in spaces plagued by extreme heat, noise and conditions not designed for education.

From isolated mountain villages to densely populated urban communities, “Rebuilding Broken Rooms” seeks to uncover the realities behind the country’s education crisis while paying tribute to the resilience of Filipino students determined to pursue their dreams and teachers who continue to serve despite limited resources and inadequate facilities.

“Rebuilding Broken Rooms: A GMA Public Affairs Education Special” premieres on Saturday, August 8, at 9:30 p.m. on GMA Network.

Visa Monthly Medal tees off tomorrow

Royal Colombo Golf Club will host the Visa August Monthly Medal on 7 and 8 August, with an impressive field of over 310 golfers set to compete in one of the club’s most popular monthly competitions.

Play will commence at 7 a.m. on 7 August, while Day Two will tee off at 6 a.m.

Golfers of varying handicaps will battle for top honours in their respective divisions, with keen competition expected throughout the two-day event. The prize-giving will take place on 8 August at 7 p.m. (SJ)

President Mahama Tours Bob Marley Museum

President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Bob Marley Museum as part of his official trip to Jamaica.

The President toured the museum alongside Andrew Holness and Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange.

Located on Old Hope Road in St. Andrew, the museum is the former home of reggae legend, Bob Marley. It is one of Jamaica’s leading cultural attractions, preserving the life and legacy of the iconic musician whose messages of freedom, unity and social justice continue to inspire people around the world.

The visit came after bilateral talks between President Mahama and Prime Minister Holness, where the two leaders discussed strengthening diplomatic ties and expanding economic cooperation between Ghana and Jamaica.

Providing an update on social media, Prime Minister Holness highlighted the close historical and cultural links between the two countries.

‘As two nations with shared history and strong cultural connections, we continue to build on our partnership through South-South cooperation, expanding opportunities in trade, investment, and economic development,’ he said.

Holness noted that the discussions focused on increasing collaboration across key sectors and identifying new opportunities that would benefit both nations.

‘I look forward to the continued growth of this important partnership and the lasting benefits it will bring to Jamaica and Ghana,’ he added.

During his visit, President Mahama also spent time with members of the Rastafarian community and received cheers from onlookers after joining them in playing a traditional drum.

PRESS RELEASE – CUT

The Department of Nursing of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), the partners of the Erasmus+ project Virtual Children’s Hospital for Learning Pediatric Nursing (VLPN), and the Paediatric Nursing Initiative Group of the Cyprus Nurses and Midwives Association, invite you to the conference entitled ‘Virtual Learning, Shaping the Future of Paediatric Nursing Education.’

The conference will take place on 23 September 2026 at CYENS in Nicosia and will be conducted in English. It will bring together distinguished speakers from Cyprus, Finland, Estonia, and Belgium, who will share recent developments, experiences, and practices in the field of virtual learning in paediatric nursing education.

The conference highlights the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in paediatric nursing education, focusing on contemporary learning technologies. Through presentations and an interactive workshop, participants will have the opportunity to explore and experience VR applications for paediatric nursing education, discovering how this technology contributes to the creation of realistic, safe, and interactive learning environments while enhancing the development of clinical skills, critical thinking, and confidence among paediatric nursing students.

The VR applications that will be presented were developed within the framework of the VLPN project and the Erasmus+ project Extended Reality Learning Framework for Pediatric Nursing Students (PeDXR).

Registration is free of charge, and participation will be accredited with 5.25 CE credits by PASYNM.

Due to the limited number of places available, registrations will be accepted on a strict first-come, first-served basis. Participants are encouraged to register early to secure their place.

For registration and further information, please visit the conference website:

Scientific Coordinator:

Dr. Christiana Nicolaou

Assistant Professor

Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences

Cyprus University of Technology

Email: c.nicolaou@cut.ac.cy

Tel.: +357 25 00 2033

VLPN Project Coordinator:

Turku University of Applied Sciences

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (B)

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 06/08/2026 UNTIL 1200 07/08/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1007hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine, but during the night and in the morning locally increased low cloud coverage will be present with risk of local mist and possibly fog patches.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 29°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night Northwest 3 to 4, gradually near the coast Northwest to Northeast 3 Slight, gradually near the coast Smooth to Slight

Morning Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, initially near the coast Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Afternoon Southwest to West 4 to 5, locally 5 Slight

Night Southwest to West 3 to 4, gradually near the coast Northwest to Northeast 3 Slight, gradually near the coast Smooth to Slight

Morning South to Southwest 4, initially Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Afternoon South to Southwest 4, at times 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight

Night Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

Morning Southeast to South 3 to 4, initially Variable 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night South to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually near the coast Southeast to Southwest 3 Slight, gradually near the coast Smooth to Slight

Morning Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4, later Southwest to Northwest Smooth to Slight

AfCFTA executes agreement with Bergmans Security Consultant to modernize Customs Service

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, on Thursday, formally executed a 20-year, $3.1b Concession Agreement with Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited for the implementation of the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project (ACMP).

The signing ceremony took place at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, and comes weeks after the two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to transform customs administration and facilitate seamless trade across Africa.

The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, signed on behalf of the continental body while Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman of Bergmans, signed for the company.

The project aims to provide the technological backbone required to operationalise key AfCFTA protocols on customs harmonisation and trade facilitation while enabling African customs administrations to improve operational efficiency, safeguard government revenues and accelerate intra-African trade without imposing additional financial burdens on national budgets.

Speaking after the concession was executed, the AfCFTA Secretary General praised Bergmans for the unprecedented changes it has brought to Nigeria’s Customs Service through digitalization and other technology- driven innovations, which he said have helped to improve clearance operations speed, reduced time and drastically brought down corruption while revenue inflow has more than tripled.

He said the initiative aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, regarded as the world’s largest free trade area, adding that already, 50 member countries have keyed into the project, adding that it would support the creation of a single continental market serving approximately 1.3 billion people with a combined gross domestic product estimated at $3.4 trillion.

According to him, the deal was a critical milestone in the digital transformation and overall modernization of African trade and customs infrastructure.

He praised the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Customs Service for engaging Bergmans to showcase their ingenuity, saying it was the great feat they recorded with the Nigerian experience that motivated the AfCFTA Secretariat to decide to engage the company to drive the African Customs transformation initiative, adding that all Africans should be proud of Bergmans.

The Chairman of Bergmans, Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, said with the execution of the Concession, the company was good to go and ready to invest $3.1 billion, saying among its obligations was the deployment of continent-wide digital and physical customs infrastructure designed to modernize Customs procedures, improve trade corridors and simplify the cross-border movement of goods among AfCFTA State Parties.

He said the Nigerian project has achieved significant success and gained international recognition, serving as a model for customs modernisation across the African continent, adding that with the concession, Bergmans would introduce advanced Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology, integrated data centres and multilingual customs portals that will support the continent’s official languages.