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Following the announcement of his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), speculations have intensified over the next political move of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, with strong indications that he and his supporters may soon join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of Social and Human Capital Development at the South South Development Commission and a founding chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba, expressed delight at the readiness of the party to welcome the governor into its fold.

Speaking during an interview on Rhythm 94.7 FM in Yenagoa, the state capital, Aganaba said Diri’s reported decision to align with the ruling party was not surprising.

‘The kind of impactful leadership and bold reforms led by President Bola Tinubu have unlocked enormous resources for governors to carry out development in their various states. It is only natural for those who are people-oriented to align with the President,’ he said.

Aganaba added that the formal reception of Governor Diri would be handled by the national leadership of the party, noting that the state chapter would follow their direction.

On the development front, the Odi-born politician expressed optimism that greater unity among political leaders would attract more infrastructural projects to Bayelsa State.

Responding to rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan may contest the 2027 elections, Aganaba cast doubt on such reports, describing Jonathan as a respected statesman now more focused on mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Transcorp Hotels Plc (‘Transcorp Hotels’ or ‘the Company’) (NGX: TRANSCOHOT), the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (‘Transcorp Group’), has announced its unaudited results for the 3rd quarter ended September 30, 2025, recording outstanding performance across key metrics.

The Company delivered ?72.31 billion in revenue, a 49% increase from ?48.49 billion in Q3 2024, while Profit Before Tax (PBT) surged 36% to ?22.4 billion.

This strong performance reflects Transcorp Hotels’ sustained focus on operational excellence, cost efficiency and customer-centric innovation, reinforcing its leadership in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.

The recently commissioned 5,000-seat Transcorp Centre is fast positioning Nigeria as Africa’s hub for world-class Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

Chairman, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Emmanuel Nnorom, said: ‘This impressive Q3 performance underscores our time-tested strategy focused on cost discipline, operational efficiency, and putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. We remain committed to delivering sustainable profitability and long-term value for our investors.’

Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Uzo Oshogwe, added: ‘Our Q3 2025 results reflect our unwavering drive for excellence and our commitment to redefining hospitality in Africa.

‘With the success of our newly commissioned 5,000-seat event centre, we are proud to be positioning Nigeria as the preferred destination for global conferences and events, while scaling sustainable value for our shareholders.’

With its iconic hospitality assets and dedicated team, Transcorp Hotels continues to strengthen its leadership in the sector, setting new standards for growth, innovation, and service excellence in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors. Transcorp Hotels is redefining hospitality standards in Africa through its businesses, including the iconic Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria’s flagship hospitality destination, and digital platform, Aura by Transcorp Hotels.

Tony Akowe, AbujaThe People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the allegation of forgery levelled against it by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The party expressed surprise about the allegation of the National Secretary over 50 days after the letters were signed and delivered to the Independent National Electoral Commission, insisting that Anyanwu actually endorsed the convention and letters he is disowning.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, who addressed journalists on Monday at the party Secretariat, said the letter to the electoral umpire was one of the four letters written and signed on the same day inside the office of the National Chairman and in the presence of PDP Governors, some national leaders and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

He explained in addition to signing the letter, Senator Anyanw was appointed Secretary of the Contact and Mobilisation subcommittee headed by Bayelsa Governor, Douye Siri and actually prepared a budget for the inaugural meeting and submitted same to the Committee Chairman.

Ologunagba displayed several letters and correspondences signed by Senator Anyanwu in preparation for the convention, including a letter on the composition of the National Convention Organising Committee and sub committees.

He said: ‘Now, fast forward the 102nd NEC meeting, which held on the 25th of August, 2025. The Chairman and the National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu, wrote letters. That meeting of the 25th of August was preceded by a meeting of Governors, NWC members, leaders of the party, inside this building, inside the office of the National Chairman and every member of the NWC were present.

‘Others at the meeting are Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa State and Senator Bala Muhammad, the Governor of Bauchi state. They were there at the meeting before the NEC meeting, inside the office of the Chairman and Senator Anyanwu was present, the Legal Adviser was present, the National Organising Secretary was present.

‘The Governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, the governor of Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal, former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, former Minister for Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Taraki (SAN), former Niger state governor Babangida Aliu and all National Working Committee members were present.

‘At that meeting, four letters were were written and signed in their presence inside the office of the National Chairman and these are the letters, I will identify them.

‘The letter to INEC, signed by Senator Anyanwu and the Chairman. The 101 NEC meeting directed them to issue a letter of notice, conveying time, date, venue, and agenda of the national convention at Ibadan. This letter was written for the elective convention, the date, and of course the venue, which was signed by him.

‘Another letter that was signed that day, by him and the chairman, was the composition of the elective national convention committee membership. The third letter that was signed at that same meeting, at the same time, before the same gentleman, was notice of repeat Southeast 2025 Zonal Congresses of People’s Democratic Party. That letter was signed by him and the chairman.

‘The last letter was notice of repeat congresses in Anambra and Ebony State. So these four letters were signed at the same time, at the same venue, before these gentleman.

‘One of the subcommittees, the contact and mobilization committee, as proposed and approved by NEC was chaired by Bayelsa state Duoye Diri, with Senator Aba Moro, Senate minority leader as Deputy while the Secretary is Senator Samuel Anyanwu the National Secretary.

‘He went ahead and started work as subcommittee secretary of the Contact and Mobilization Committee of the convention, He participated in the process of setting up the convention and sub committees.

‘Now, to show that he started working on that, there was a budget that was presented by him. The budget was sent to the Chairman of the Contact and Mobilization Committee.

‘He had a budget prepared by him, under his signature and it says: ‘this is to formally present to his excellency, the proposed budget for contact and mobilization subcommittee’s inaugural meeting for your consideration and approvals towards the national convention. Here is his budget(displaying a document).

‘Now, in foregrounds of that position, he wrote letters to members of the subcommittee. These are his letters (displaying more documents). Now, one of these people he wrote letters to is one Honorable Arthur, who is his personal staff. He’s a member of that committee. He sent a letter to him which was duly acknowledged by that staff of his’.

Displaying more letters, Olugunagba said: ‘These are letters signed by him, of the membership of the contact and mobilization subcommittee of the national convention organizing committee. These are the documents. And that’s why I said to you, you can have alternative propaganda, but you don’t have alternative facts.

‘So, these are the facts as they are today. Curiously, today is 20th of October, right? Nine or 10 days shy of 60 days. And you suddenly woke up and say, oh, that was forged. When this acknowledgement came, the party received the acknowledgement.

‘The NWC is aware of this acknowledgement. So at what point does that become a forged document? 50 odd days after the letter was signed? I mean, you can understand this. This is why we said some of these needs to be interrogated.’

Speaking further, he said: ‘What is important under the criminal law is that there are personal consequences for people when they deliberately misinform security agencies to go on a wide good chase by spurious and sometimes, if I will say that, irresponsible reporting that are not correct. But again, we leave that within them to investigate and we welcome the investigation.

‘So, he who alleges must prove. But you look at the jigsaw, look at the puzzle, four letters were signed at the same time. And then, more than almost two months ago, and one of them suddenly became forged.

‘Beyond this, there is a calculated attempt to derail the party and ensure that the convention is not in place. But again, this is falling flat on the face because it’s untrue. At best, it’s a lie.

‘It is criminal to make false allegations before security officials and security agencies. I would think they should take it up and our party would be interested in having to get to the end of this matter because forgery is a very serious allegation and if anybody who is involved in it or who is behind stories that are not true with regards to that, they should have their day with the security agencies.’

Ebonyi State Government said it has employed 1,936 new teachers for primary and secondary schools.

Special Assistant to Ebonyi Governor on New Media, Leo Oketa stated this in a statement on Monday.

He said the recruitment is part of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration’s comprehensive strategy to enhance the quality of education and address the long-standing shortage of teaching staff in public schools.

According to him, the employment comprises 1,000 teachers for senior secondary schools and 936 teachers under the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to serve in primary and junior secondary schools.

Oketa described the move as a major step towards implementing the Governor’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda, which prioritizes education and human capital development.

Oketa quoted Mrs. Lilian Nwankwo, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Secondary Education Board as stating that the newly recruited teachers have already been posted to their respective schools.

She added that monitoring and inspection exercises would soon commence to ensure effective service delivery and accountability.

‘Recruitment alone is not enough.We must ensure that these teachers are present, dedicated, and delivering quality education to our children,’ Nwankwo said

Oketa, who said the initiative underscores Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to repositioning the education system, described the move as a visionary step toward lasting educational reform.

According to him, the decision will yield immediate and long-term benefits for the state.

He listed the short-term goal to include

smaller class Sizes, reduction of over crowded classe, personalized attention to students employment boost, economic stimulation, and improved morale of teachers.

Oketa noted the long term goals of the move include: Human Capital Development, Sustainable Growth and investment attraction

He emphasised that Governor Nwifuru’s approach reflects a shift from quick fixes to structural and sustainable reforms.

He noted that the Governor’s emphasis on ‘training and retraining of teachers’ ensures the workforce remains globally competitive.

‘Governor Nwifuru’s action demonstrates focus, accountability, and a genuine concern for the future of Ebonyi youths.

‘He is not just improving today’s classrooms; he is building the foundation for the state’s long-term prosperity,’ Oketa noted.

Afrobeats sensation Ruger has responded to ongoing criticism, asserting that negative comments only fuel his ambition.

In a statement on X, the singer expressed frustration with those who dismiss his growth and accomplishments, while thanking fans who defend him against detractors.

‘The disrespect i get sometimes make me laugh. Like do you expect the negative things you say about me is gonna put me down? That sh*t fuels me i love it.

‘I wanna appreciate the people that take it upon themselves to defend me whenever all these rubbish things are said. Coz i don’t defend myself at all. So, tonight I’m so pissed at myself. Coz some people act like they don’t see what i do, how much I’ve grown, the stages i kill every year. They want to stick to a narrative HATERS!!! Y’all are needed in my victory story still so carry on,’ he wrote.

Ruger, who established BlownBoy Entertainment in 2024, dismissed claims that his touring career would decline, highlighting a robust performance schedule across Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, St. Lucia, Russia, Turks and Caicos, and London in 2024 and 2025.

‘The day i announced BLOWNBOY ENTERTAINMENT in 2024, someone said I won’t be touring anymore. Watch this. 2024 i toured EUROPE, CANADA, performed in AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND

2025 i toured EUROPE again, AMERICA, St Lucia, RUSSIA, Turks and Caicos, London’, he added.

He also announced an upcoming Australian tour for 2026, emphasising his forward momentum.

‘I have already announced my AUSTRALIAN tour for 2026 i don Dey future already’, Ruger said.

He criticised the hypocrisy of those who condemn his stage performances involving women while praising similar acts by other artists, vowing to continue featuring women in his shows without apology.

‘I bring bed on top stage dem talk, but go ahead to praise any other person that brings a girl on stage. From now on you’ll see your girlfriends and aunties on my stage and nothing wey anybody go do’, he added.

Ruger also took aim at colleagues who disparage him, particularly those with less international exposure, and refused to engage in their disputes, citing his extensive global travels as a point of pride.

He added: ‘Lastly, i will never reply to any of my colleagues that run their mouth on my name. Especially the ones that don’t have as much visas as i have on my passport. You all will bend a knee soon’.

Affirming his rising influence, Ruger expressed confidence in his trajectory and readiness to embrace critics when his success becomes undeniable.

‘I am the truth and no matter how late some of you realise it, I’ll still accept you with open arms. It is very close. God is good. And I’m RICH AS F3CK bye,’ he stated.

Ten-time African Champions, Super Falcons, will commence training on Monday in the Togolese capital, Lomé ahead of their 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Benin Republic.

Six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala was among the early birds in the Lomé camp, alongside new invitee Joy Omewa, as well as Turkey-based defender Tosin Demehin.

China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi and the home-based quintet of goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, defenders Blessing Ilivieda and Miracle Usani, midfielder Taiwo Afolabi and forward Kafayat Mafisere have also arrived.

Head Coach Justine Madugu has confirmed that the team would begin training sessions in Lomé on Monday afternoon, as they prepare to face the Bénin senior women’s team at the 25,000 – capacity Stade de Kégué on Friday afternoon.

The encounter is a final qualifying fixture for the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations championship to be hosted by Morocco, which also serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, to be hosted by Brazil.

The encounter will commence at 3 p.m. Togo time (4 p.m. Nigeria time). The game will be played in Lome as Benin do not have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The return leg is slated for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta on Oct. 28.

CAF has selected Gambian official Ngum Fatou as referee for Friday’s match.

Fatou will be supported by Mauritanians Mariem Chedad and Hamedine Houleye as assistant referees 1 and 2 respectively, while Gambian Isatou Touray will serve as fourth official.

Halimatou Hamidou from Niger Republic will be the commissioner, while Martha Nyekanyeka from Malawi will be in the role of referee assessor.

SUPER FALCONS FOR WAFCON QUALIFYING FIXTURE VS BÉNIN:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove and Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels).

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal).

Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens). (NAN)

Actress Etinosa Idemudia has argued acting surpasses engineering in its challenges, drawing from her dual experience in both fields.

Speaking on the Bold Enough To Say It podcast, Idemudia described acting as an intensely demanding profession that requires significant dedication and endurance, often misunderstood by those outside the film industry.

Idemudia, who transitioned from engineering to acting, contrasted the structured hours of her former career with the unpredictable schedules and emotional investment required in acting.

She emphasised the grueling nature of the profession, calling it ‘a crazy kind of work’ that demands resilience.

Urging her fellow actors to take pride in their craft, she encouraged them to stand firm against external judgments that downplay the seriousness of their work.

She said: ‘I have been an engineer and I have been an actor, no offence to my colleagues in the engineering world but I dare say that being an actor is much more tasking. It’s a crazy kind of work. It’s a mad person’s work. Don’t let those people that close by 5pm to come and insult us’.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, has disclosed that Africa loses tourist revenue and investment to intra-continental travel barriers.

Achimugu, while decrying the high cost and cumbersome processes involved in travelling within Africa, called on African leaders to come together to agree and implement what the continent needs to open up the skies.

He noted that the desired change in aviation within the continent cannot be achieved by regulatory agencies and organizations like African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) alone.

Achimugu on Monday via his official X handle @mikeachimugu01 posted: ‘I have always loved travelling within Africa. The continent is beautiful and still has a lot of unspoiled places where you can see and taste nature for exactly what it is. The people are also amazing. In countries like Sierra Leone, they adore Nigerian visitors.

‘The problem is, travelling within Africa is expensive. Too expensive. Too cumbersome.

‘Africa is not united in aviation in the way that the EU is. The EU is also harmonised beyond the civil aviation ecosystem.

‘There is need for a political solution here. AFCAC and the regulatory agencies alone cannot change this situation. Heads of States need to come together, agree, and implement what the continent needs to open up the skies of the motherland.

‘Pricing and connectivity remain major concerns. Visa issues too. We need to do better and do so fast. We are losing tourist revenue and investment opportunities because we have refused to remove the barriers of intra-continental travel’.

The People’s Republic of China has commended the Federal Government for the rescue of four of its citizens kidnapped in Kwara State.

The rescue operation was conducted jointly by Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the military.

The commendation was conveyed on Sunday by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at the formal handover of the rescued kidnapees at the DSS medical facility in Abuja.

Represented by the Consul of the embassy, Wang Jun, the ambassador lauded the DSS for the swift intelligence-led operation, which he stated, resulted in the safe and timely rescue of the Chinese miners.

The Chinese nationals, identified as Dansu Zhou, Zhou Hai, Zhou Jia Jun, and Fan Xiu Guo, were rescued on Saturday by a joint team of security operatives compromising the Office of the National Security Adviser, (ONSA), DSS, Nigerian Army and the Police.

The Consul also thanked the DSS for what he described as the outstanding medical care the Service gave the rescued foreigners at their medical facility in Abuja, saying the move significantly contributed to the well-being and quick recovery of the kidnapees.

He praised the DSS medical facility in Abuja, stressing that up until the incident, the Chinese government was unaware that the DSS had such a state-of-the-art medical facility.

‘Following their rescue, DSS operatives immediately took the our citizens to their facilty for medical evaluation. Then they were thoroughly examined by the best professionals before moving them to our embassy in Abuja,’ noted Xingwei.

It was revealed that the Chinese nationals were ambushed and abducted by a gang of seven AK-47 – wielding bandits, on their way to a mining site at Saminaka village, Yagba West LGA, Kogi state.

The recent operations by the DSS across States in Nigeria have targeted criminal syndicates leading to disruption of their activities, interception of arms and ammunition, and dismantling of their networks.

Commendations have been pouring in for the Service for a recent major operation in Asaba, Delta State, in which the Service intercepted seven General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), arms and ammunition, with stakeholders describing the feat as evidence of the commitment of the DSS to tackling insecurity and restoring peace and stability across the country.

Governor Monday Okpebholo has asked the Edo Assembly, to investigate the Radisson Blu Hotel and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

Both projects were begun by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Works were still in-going in both projects even though November 11 has been fixed as tentative date for the commissioning of MOWAA.

Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, who announced receipt of the letter, directed Clerk of the House, Audu Omogbai, to read the letter signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Musa Ikhilo.

The Speaker said an ad hoc committee would be constituted at the next sitting to conduct an investigation into the projects.

Governor Okpebholo also requested the Assembly to screen and confirm nominees for appointment into the Edo State Judicial Service Commission.

The Speaker referred the request to the House Committee on Judiciary with instructions to report back promptly.