Angels aim to clip the wings of Kirins at Thunder Dome

Second-placed Bangkok United travel to Muang Thong United for a crucial clash at the Thunder Dome Stadium on Saturday night as Thai League 1 returns this weekend after a two-week international break.

The Angels, who have 16 points from seven games, have a chance to draw level with leaders Buriram United with an away victory on Saturday but will face a Muang Thong side desperate for three points at home after failing to win their last four matches.

Bangkok’s only loss this season was against the Thunder Castle last month and they head into today’s game on the back of two successive league wins against Ratchaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Angels coach Totchtawan Sripan will return to his old stomping ground, where he was head coach of Muang Thong during the 2016-2018 seasons.

Also on Saturday, third-placed Ratchaburi host the Lamphun Warriors, Port visit Nakhon Ratchasima and BG Pathum United welcome promoted Ayutthaya United.

Rayong take on PT Prachuap, winless Chonburi host Chiang Rai, while Kanchanaburi meet bottom side Uthai Thani tomorrow.

Buriram have been given a weekend off as they prepare for the AFC Champions League Elite match against Melbourne City on Tuesday.

Pundit applauds ‘Janey’ strategies

The record-breaking live-streaming by Ratchanok “Janey” Suwannaket represents a good example of successful digital marketing that follows the “4 A’s” of success, which refers to algorithm, attention, all together and audience collaboration, according to a marketing academic.

Asst Prof Ake Pattaratanakun, head of Chulalongkorn Business School’s Marketing Department, analysed the elements that contributed to the success of Ms Ratchanok’s live-stream and said TikTok’s algorithm prioritises the consistency of live-streamers, rather than focusing solely on sales performance.

The algorithm favours consistent live-streamers, rewarding those who produce engaging and creative content regularly, which is evident in Ms Ratchanok’s case.

Attention also plays a vital role, as before her live-stream marathon, Ms Ratchanok shared personal stories about her family, which drew significant public interest.

Her live-streams also took place close to the popular “double day” shopping event on Oct 10 (10.10), when consumers were in the mood to shop.

Timing, storytelling and a favourable algorithm helped boost her live-stream and sales to new heights, said Mr Ake.

According to a post by Ms Ratchanok on Facebook, total sales for the six-day (Oct 9-14) event tallied 557 million baht.

Mr Ake said in terms of the “all together” factor, many Asian cultures often embrace collectivism, unlike in Western societies. This leads to fear of missing out, the phenomenon where people take action because they are worried about being left out of social trends or not understanding what others are talking about.

When Ms Ratchanok’s live-streams began trending, many who never watched them before joined in to see what other people were talking about.

Regarding audience collaboration, Mr Ake said Ms Ratchanok successfully broadened her viewer base by partnering with other influencers and high-profile celebrities such as actress Patcharapa “Aum” Chaichua, attracting more viewers.

Many who had never heard of Ms Ratchanok before began tuning in to her live-streams, he said.

“All four factors together created a phenomenon,” said Mr Ake.

“While achieving such a phenomenon is possible, maintaining that level of success is much more difficult.”

SUSTAINING SUCCESS

He noted society has seen many influencers rise to fame quickly, then fade away shortly after.

“To sustain success, consistency, quality of products and services, content value and the creator’s good character are fundamental,” said Mr Ake.

To ensure sustainability, he suggested Thai brands could learn from global examples of artists and companies that turn audiences into loyal fanbases with strong emotional bonds.

For example, US singer, songwriter and actress Lady Gaga has a huge fan club called the “Little Monsters”, which has developed its own culture and activities, keeping them engaged over the years.

Mr Ake said maintaining fame requires more than just delivering quality work — people must also make positive contributions to society, such as through philanthropy.

IS IT FOR EVERYONE?

E-commerce live-streaming involves several costs, such as product costs, platform fees, delivery fees and collaboration fees.

If a large viewership generates significant promotional value, joining a high-viewership live-stream can serve as a powerful brand promotion opportunity, where direct profit may be secondary, he said.

However, large conglomerates may hesitate to place their flagship brands in real-time marketing campaigns as they must carefully assess the potential risks, said Mr Ake.

He said if a live-streamer’s personality aligns well with a brand’s image, big corporations could consider promoting brands that fall under their broader umbrella during these high-exposure marketing moments.

The costly mistakes golfers keep making

If you visit any of Kenya’s golf courses at the weekend, you’ll see familiar faces from boardrooms and C-suites striding across the fairways. These are men and women who have built companies, closed billion-shilling deals and steered industries. Yet many of them fall into avoidable traps when they pick up a club, which keeps their handicaps high.

Professional golfer Simon Njogu, who is currently competing in the Professional Golfers Kenya (PGK) Equator Golf Tour, says that this paradox is no coincidence; it mirrors the very mindset that drives success in business. The only difference is that, unlike in business, money can’t buy better scores in golf.

Logistics firm fails to stop over Sh1m tax demand on stolen BMW

A clearing and forwarding company has been ordered to pay duty, interest and penalties totalling more than Sh1 million for a luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV) that it claimed was stolen en route to Uganda.

The Tax Appeals Tribunal dismissed Seaways Kenya Limited’s application, stating that the firm had not met the conditions for cancelling the transit bond after claiming that the BMW X5 had been stolen at gunpoint.

6 Dead, 14 injured in ghastly accident on Nkalagu-Enugu expressway

Six persons have been confirmed dead while 14 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal motor accident that occurred at the weekend along the Nkalagu axis of the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.

The accident, which happened close to the Nkalagu overhead bridge, involved a commercial Toyota bus and a truck.

Henry Igwe, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi State, confirmed the incident. He said 22 people were involved in the crash, attributing it to dangerous overtaking.

Igwe disclosed that the victims were immediately evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment.

According to him, ‘Some of the injured victims were taken to Annunciation and Orthopaedic Hospitals in Enugu by our officers and the Red Cross, while others were taken to the General Hospital, Ezzamgbo, in Ebonyi State.’ A resident of Nkalagu, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the Enugu-Nkalagu Expressway as ‘the most dangerous road to ply,’ blaming its design and poor construction for the recurring accidents.

He said, ‘The road is very dangerous because of its one-way nature and the hard concrete central demarcation, which doesn’t allow vehicles to manoeuvre or dodge reckless drivers. Since 2019 when former Governor David Umahi began the dualisation of the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway with a flyover at Nkalagu junction, the 1km stretch from the Enugu-Nkalagu boundary to the junction has remained incomplete and blocked.

‘The central demarcation worsens the situation, leaving vehicles with no option during emergencies. Hardly a month passes without an accident on this road. Residents living across the expressway struggle to access their homes due to the blockade.’

He lamented the repeated loss of lives on the axis, calling on the federal and state governments to expedite action on the completion of the project to prevent further tragedies.

2026 WAFCON: Madugu names squad for Super Falcons qualifier against Benin

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has unveiled a 21-player squad for Nigeria’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying clash against Benin Republic.

The two-legged encounter will determine which team secures a place at the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco, which also serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Madugu’s squad features a strong blend of experience and youth, led by team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, recently crowned Player of the Tournament at the last WAFCON, which Nigeria won in Morocco.

The PSG forward also found the net in her club’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Thursday night. Also included are goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years; defenders Michelle Alozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Osinachi Ohale; midfielders Jennifer Echegini, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun; and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.

Nigeria will play the first leg against Benin at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo, as Benin does not have a CAF-approved venue. The return leg is scheduled for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The Super Falcons, ten-time African champions, will be aiming to maintain their dominance on the continent and book their ticket to Morocco as they begin another journey toward WAFCON glory and World Cup qualification.

2027: Yahaya Bello says Tinubu unbeatable, pledges Kogi’s continued support

Yahaya Adoza Bello, former Kogi State governor, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unshakable ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that no opposition merger or political alliance can unseat the president.

Bello made the remark on Saturday in Lokoja, where both President Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo received a formal endorsement for second terms in office.

He said Nigerians should be grateful for having a leader who, in his view, is committed to stabilising the economy and steering the country toward growth.

‘Tinubu has done well since he came on board as President. His efforts so far in stabilising the economy are commendable,’ Bello said. ‘Any merger against President Tinubu by the opposition will never work. It has failed already. Nobody can unseat Tinubu in 2027.’

Bello called on those nursing presidential ambitions to shelve their plans and instead rally behind the president to consolidate on his reforms.

He further urged residents of Kogi State to sustain their support for Governor Ododo, describing his second term as ‘already secured’ given his performance.

In his remarks, Governor Ododo pledged overwhelming support for President Tinubu in the next general election, promising that Kogi would deliver 99 per cent of the votes to the All Progressives Congress (APC). ‘Mr President should have no fear. Kogi belongs to him, and we will turn out in our thousands to vote for him,’ Ododo said.

The governor commended Tinubu for extending federal appointments to indigenes of the state, noting that Kogi would ‘reciprocate the gesture when the time comes.’ On his administration’s achievements, Ododo highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and water supply, adding that more projects would be delivered before the end of his first term.

The endorsement event was attended by key political figures including senator Smart Adeyemi, members of the National and State Assemblies, and Prince Matthew Kolawole, former Speaker of the Kogi House of Assembly.

How Ruth Hassan is empowering young professionals through digital skills, entrepreneurship

You’ve built your career around helping businesses grow and create jobs. What motivated you to focus on entrepreneurship as a tool for economic empowerment?

My motivation came from experience. I graduated with a third-class degree, something that often closes doors in Nigeria’s job market. My first sales job didn’t just give me employment; it gave me a way to create value, build confidence, and learn how business truly works. That single opportunity changed the trajectory of my life.

I realized that many young people like me only need access, mentorship, and the right skill set to unlock their potential. Entrepreneurship, for me, is that multiplier, it doesn’t just change one life, it creates ripple effects that impact families, businesses, and economies.

ANOCS Consulting and ANOCS Academy have trained thousands across Africa. What gap did you see in the market that inspired their creation?

I saw a major gap between what young graduates were learning and what the job market actually needed, especially in tech and sales. Companies wanted results-driven professionals who could grow revenue, but schools weren’t equipping graduates with those commercial or digital skills. ANOCS was born to bridge that gap.

Through ANOCS Consulting, we help businesses build sales teams that perform. Through ANOCS Academy, we train the next generation of African sales and growth professionals who can thrive in global industries like SaaS, PropTech, FinTech, and HealthTech.

How do you measure the real impact of digital-skills training on job creation and business growth in Africa?

We measure impact in two ways, employability and business results. On one hand, over 70% of our graduates secure jobs within three months of completing our programs.

On the other hand, partner companies report up to 25% increases in sales performance after onboarding ANOCS-trained professionals. To me, that’s the real definition of impact, when learning directly translates into livelihoods and measurable business growth.

You’ve worked across multiple industries like real estate, consulting, technology, and logistics. How have these experiences shaped your approach to business strategy?

Each industry taught me something different about people and performance. Real estate taught me persistence and relationship management. Consulting taught me how to think in systems. Technology taught me the power of data and automation. Logistics taught me to value process and execution.

Today, I bring all of that into ANOCS, we build strategies that are people-centered, data-informed, and execution-focused.

Many startups struggle to scale beyond survival. From your experience, what are the most common mistakes small businesses make when trying to grow?

The first mistake is thinking growth is just about marketing. It’s not. Growth is about structure. Many startups don’t build internal systems early enough, such as processes, sales enablement, or people development, and they eventually hit a ceiling.

The second is underestimating sales. Too many founders build great products but fail to build the commercial engine that sustains them. That’s why ANOCS focuses so much on sales leadership. Without revenue, innovation can’t survive.

You led initiatives that generated significant revenue and built internal talent pipelines. What lessons from that experience still guide your work today?

One key lesson: people are the true growth strategy. Every metric, whether revenue, expansion, or market share, ultimately traces back to the quality of the people driving it.

That’s why ANOCS focuses on developing both skills and mindset. We train professionals who not only hit targets but also think critically, collaborate, and adapt to changing markets.

The partnership model you’ve built with NYSC and business schools across Africa is quite forward-thinking. How important are such collaborations in building a sustainable talent ecosystem?

They’re critical. Africa’s talent challenge is too big for any one organization to solve alone. By working with institutions like NYSC, which mobilizes over 300,000 graduates annually, and business schools such as Strathmore and Lagos Business School, we’re embedding workforce development into existing national and regional systems.

These partnerships ensure sustainability, scale, and credibility. Together, we’re building an ecosystem where education meets employability.

You often speak about innovation and transformation. In your view, what does digital transformation mean for African SMEs in practical terms?

Digital transformation isn’t just about adopting new tools; it’s about adopting new thinking. For African SMEs, it means using technology to remove inefficiency, improve visibility, and make smarter decisions.

Sometimes it’s as simple as moving from spreadsheets to a CRM or automating lead follow-ups. The goal isn’t sophistication; it’s effectiveness. Transformation starts when you stop working harder and start working smarter.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in driving business growth initiatives across different markets, and how have you addressed them?

One consistent challenge is mindset, helping people see that sales is a skill, not luck. Another is infrastructure, especially in under-resourced environments.

We address these by focusing on practical, contextualised training and by leveraging partnerships. I’ve learned that real growth happens when you align vision with collaboration and execution.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for ANOCS and its role in shaping Africa’s workforce over the next five years?

Our vision is to train and deploy 5,000 African sales and marketing professionals into the global workforce within three years, focusing on the tech sector.

Beyond that, we want ANOCS to become the continent’s benchmark for sales excellence, where global companies look first when they need smart, driven talent to grow in new markets. Ultimately, it’s not just about jobs; it’s about redefining Africa’s reputation as a go-to source for world-class talent.

EFCC, Immigration repatriate 192 foreign cybercrime convicts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and other financial crimes in Lagos.

According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, the deportation exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), following the conclusion of legal and correctional processes.

‘The final batch of 51 convicts, comprising 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian was repatriated on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

‘This brings to a close the deportation operation that began on August 15, 2025, when the first batch of 42 convicts, made up of Chinese and Filipino nationals, was sent back to their countries. Subsequent groups were deported in phases throughout August and September.

‘In total, the 192 convicts included nationals from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.

‘All were sentenced by the Federal High Court in Lagos after being found guilty of cybercrime, money laundering, and Ponzi scheme-related offences’, the statement read.

The EFCC disclosed that the mass deportation followed a sting operation conducted on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, during which 759 suspects were arrested. Investigations by the Commission, revealed that the convicts were part of a sophisticated cyber syndicate operating under the cover of Genting International Co. Limited, a company allegedly used as a front for large-scale online fraud, identity theft, and Ponzi scheme operations.

The Commission noted that the offenders worked alongside Nigerian accomplices and were responsible for training recruits and managing fraudulent digital platforms that targeted victims both locally and internationally. According to the EFCC, the entire operation, from arrest and prosecution to conviction and deportation was executed in line with due process and court directives.

‘The Nigeria Immigration Service carried out the deportation as directed by the court, bringing this high-profile cybercrime prosecution and repatriation effort to a successful conclusion,’ EFCC stated.

It reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation in the fight against cross-border financial crimes, stressing that the deportations send a strong message about Nigeria’s zero tolerance for cyber-enabled criminal activities.

Aviation sector short of air traffic controllers – Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, has raised concerns over the growing shortage of qualified professionals in Nigeria’s aviation industry, revealing that the government has had to recall and retain retired personnel to fill critical gaps in the sector.

Keyamo made this known on Friday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Africa’s first privately owned university dedicated to aeronautics and management education.

According to the minister, the establishment of IBUAM is both timely and strategic, aligning with the federal government’s ongoing efforts to develop local capacity, enhance technical expertise, and reduce reliance on expatriate professionals in the aviation industry.

‘I want to say that we are short-staffed in certain parts, in certain areas in aviation, and even Zaria was struggling in those particular areas. And one is air traffic controllers. I just want to make it clear that we are short-staffed in terms of air traffic controllers.

‘They are trained as skilled professionals and it’s very difficult to produce them. And so we have the option now of even retaining those who are retired, extending their tenure, bringing them back on contract terms for them to serve us. So we expect that you concentrate in those areas where we are short-staffed.

‘If you look at it, it’s actually complementing the federal government. It’s not competing with us,’ Keyamo said

He noted that the federal government, earlier in the year, granted a licence to IBUAM as Nigeria’s first private university of aeronautics, emphasising that the institution will play a key role in addressing workforce shortages across the continent.

‘African aviation is the fastest-growing sector among all industries on the continent. In the next few years, Africa will be looking for professionals, pilots, aeronautical engineers, and air traffic controllers. We must be ahead of these dynamics, and this university could not have come at a better time,’ the minister added.

Isaac Balami, founder and chancellor of the university, said the institution was conceived as a response to the projected rise in demand for aviation professionals across Africa, as estimated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Balami noted that the university would provide both theoretical and practical training through partnerships with industry regulators, maintenance facilities, and international aviation bodies, ensuring that graduates are technically proficient and globally competitive.

He said IBUAM’s model integrates academic learning with practical exposure to flight operations, maintenance, and management, allowing students to graduate with not only degrees but also professional licenses and certifications.