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Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has planned a grand feast to celebrate his birthday and coronation anniversary.

A statement by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Frank Irabor, said the feast was part of activities to mark the 9th coronation anniversary celebration of the Oba of Benin.

The statement invited all members of the Benin Royal family, Chiefs, Ikao, Igiohen, Edionwere, Okaighele, market women to the feast scheduled to hold on October 20th, 2025.

Actor Lege Miami has revealed that he was edited out of a video tribute to Seyi Tinubu’s 40th birthday due to his limited English vocabularies.

Lege, in a video, expressed disappointment, stating that his inability to speak fluent English led to his segment being removed from the documentary.

He emphasised that Seyi Tinubu isn’t responsible for the situation, stressing that he’s friends with him and urged fans to stop tagging him on social media over the issue.

According to Lege Miami, Seyi’s team had recorded his birthday message at his house but it wasn’t included in the final video.

Miami said: ‘I am responsible for my predicament, because I am the one who doesn’t speak good English. If I speak good English, Seyi Tinubu will include me among people who speak good English and are rich.

‘They brought a camera to my house, they recorded me, and I wished Seyi Tinubu a happy birthday. Seyi’s aides, we know ourselves in the same group, and Seyi removed me from the documentary, but it’s not Seyi’s fault, don’t blame him. Seyi is a good friend, however, if I were to be a good English speaker or I package myself well on social media, they will include me.

‘Seyi is my friend, my paddy, our President’s son, he is my friend.

‘Stop tagging me, it’s unbearable. Is it Seyi that’s responsible for my inability to speak good English? Because I couldn’t speak good English, Seyi refused to add my video to the post. Seyi is not responsible, I caused it myself.’

Gunmen on Friday evening attacked a police station in Zonkwa, headquarters of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least two officers.

The incident, which occurred around 8 pm, threw the usually quiet town into confusion as residents scampered for safety amid heavy gunfire.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the police station, located a few metres from Kamyim Hotel in Kurmin-Bi area of Zonkwa and opened fire on arrival.

It was learnt that the attackers were attempting to free some suspected vandals arrested in Kachia town, believing they were being held at the Zonkwa Police Station.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, said: ‘They came shooting sporadically. It was later discovered that the suspects they came for were not even detained in Zonkwa. But before that became clear, damage had already been done.’

A security source confirmed the attack but declined to give details, saying investigations were ongoing.

In a video sighted by The Nation, two police officers were seen lying motionless in uniform, while a crowd gathered around the scene discussing the assault.

The attack, residents said, has heightened fears over the deteriorating security situation in the area, despite recent peace efforts by authorities.

Security operatives were later deployed to restore calm in the town.

As of press time, the Kaduna Police Command was yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

OMI EKO, Lagos State’s long-anticipated inland waterways transportation project being developed in partnership with the European Union has transited from the blueprint to a reality.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, formally launched the EUR 410 million waterways infrastructure project aimed at developing rapid transportation options that will address Lagosians’ mobility needs.

The project, divided into two components, will be implemented by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), with the second component expected to be completed by 2030.

According to a statement by Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser – Media and Publicity to the governor, Lagos secured the funding for the project via the Global Gateway Initiative, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which earmarked a subsidised loan of EUR 360 for the project.

The statement noted that the first component of the project covers channelisation, marking and dredging of 140km of ferry routes from which Lagos will be developing 15 priority ferry routes, including constructing high-quality infrastructure and facilities.

It added that the entire Inland Waterways Transport infrastructure comprises 25 ferry terminals and jetties with electric charging facilities to power e-vessels. There will be onshore depots for routine vessel maintenance, while land connections, including road surfacing, will be developed for other transport services connecting to ferry terminals.

Sanwo-Olu described the Omi-Eko launch as ‘historic’, noting that the event was not just an unveiling ceremony but a ‘bold statement’ reaffirming Lagos’ frontline leadership in delivering a sustainable integrated water transportation ecosystem.

The Governor said exploring the full range of waterways transportation was a critical priority in his administration’s THEMES+ Agenda to transform mobility in the metropolis.

He said: ‘Every Lagosian knows the frustration of traffic. But a few will remember that Lagos began as a network of islands, knitted together by water. Long before bridges connected city, boats carried dreams, goods, and people across the lagoons. This water body nourishes us, shapes the State’s identity and now, it will carry us into the future.

‘The OMI-EKO project is a comprehensive, future-oriented blueprint for sustainable mobility in Lagos. It merges technology, environmental stewardship and smart design to create waterways that are not just navigated, but optimised. This is the kind of innovative projects cities around the world are building to confront the twin challenges of urban population growth and climate change. Lagos is not waiting to catch up, we are setting the pace.’

The project, it was said, would reduce the negative impact of transport on health, while also reinforcing the State’s ability to fight climate change. It would promote inclusive, more resilient means of mobility.

The investment would bring decarbonised transportation in Lagos, reducing CO2 emissions by 41,000 tonnes yearly. It is expected to take 25,000 passengers yearly, saving travel time by 3hrs on each trip.

Sanwo-Olu said the investment’s objective was to make transportation through water seamless, reduce carbon footprint, the air cleaner and transform waterways from barriers of separation into corridors of opportunity.

The Governor said: ‘The launch of this project is more than a ceremonial curtain pull. It is a covenant with our people, our planet, and with future generations. With OMI-EKO, we are lifting not only boats but lives, businesses, and communities. We are signaling that Lagos is ready to lead Africa’s urban transition by this bold, sustainable, and inclusive investment.’

Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who created LASWA in 2008, graced the ceremony to witness the historic project.

The former Works and Housing Minister hailed the Sanwo-Olu administration for nurturing the agency to a viable global entity.

Fashola said the OMI-EKO project would further expand the scope of the State’s integrated transportation network, expressing optimism that the project would not stall, given the commitment of the European partners.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Seun Osiyemi, said the project would unlock the full potential of Lagos inland waterways, bringing the final piece of the State’s Integrated Multimodal Transportation System to life.

‘OMI-EKO aligns with broader Lagos Transport Policy, which promotes sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, while ensuring that transport solutions serve the people while protecting the environment. The project is not just about ferry operations; it is about empowering communities, creating jobs, easing congestion, and reducing our carbon footprint.’

Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, who doubles as LASWA’s head, noted that the OMI-EKO project was no longer a dream, but a reality that would be changing the course of transportation in Lagos.

He said the 70 hybrid electric ferries that would be deployed after the completion of the project would reduce pollutants’ emissions and boost clean mobility

The LASWA boss said 20 existing jetties would be upgraded with modern terminals across 15 major water routes.

Emmanuel said: ‘In the first phase, there will be dredging and channelisation of 15 ferry routes for safer and faster transport. Part of the benefits include technology transfer and capacity development for key agencies in the waterways, especially LASWA.

‘There will be funding for the informal boat sector under our Vessel Industry. This is how we build a water-based economy that works for all – from operators to passengers, from private investors to our citizens.’

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Noel Barrot, said the project received complete support from EU partners, given the untapped opportunities in Lagos waterways.

The envoy said the OMI-EKO project represented the ‘best possible’ example of what partnership could achieve for the benefit of the people, pointing out that the development was part of the success of the bilateral cooperation reached during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the French President Emmanuel Macron.

The EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, noted the partnership was an historical milestone for Lagos and EU member states, stressing that the investment would enhance life quality.

‘This investment supports development of 12 strategic waterways corridors to enhance secure and efficient sustainable transport networks. Four of these corridors are located in West Africa. We are proud to be part of this project which showcases all the aspects of global gateway development,’ Mignot said.

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has commended the Lagos State government and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) for efforts to ease commuting in the state, with the construction of two transport interchanges in Marina and Mile 2.

The Director of the Africa Department of the AFD, Sandra Kassab, stated this recently after leading a team from the agency to tour the two projects, along with the Commissioner of Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, to check the progress of the work done.

Commenting after the tour, the head of the AFD delegation, Kassab, who was excited about what she saw, and the progress of work done, praised LAMATA and the state government for its commitment in wanting to easing commuting across the metropolis.

She said: ‘We have the joy and the pride to work together with LAMATA for more than 10 years already, supporting the development of an affordable, secure, and reliable transportation system that is integrated.

‘So this field visit is a vibrant opportunity to see concretely how service has been improved through infrastructure investment and to have the opportunity also to really understand the challenge of interconnectivity between the rail, the BRT, and other transportation systems and bring better service to Nigerian people.

‘I have been really impressed, and I reiterate my gratitude to Nigeria, to the State of Lagos, to LAMATA for their trust. We have been lucky enough to work on the planning of the project, to be part of it, and to mobilize resources for the financing of the investment.’

Managing Director of LAMATA, disclosed that the two transport interchanges being built at Marina and Mile 2 to promote intermodal transportation will be ready between the end of the first quarter and the middle of the second quarter of 2026.

Speaking after a delegation from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) led by Sandra Kassab, the Director, Africa Department of the agency, toured the Marina and Mile 2 transport interchange to check the progress of the work done, she said there LAMATA can see great progress with the work done, reason it is very comfortable that at the very latest, at the beginning of the second quarter of 2026, the two interchanges would be delivered.

According to her, the state has a non-motorized policy, which is driving the non-motorized aspect of the Marina Interchange project.

‘And it’s probably unique when you look at the intermodal transport system in Lagos. We must note that Lagos has a non-motorized transport policy as part of its transportation policy. Lagos is probably the first state that has incorporated that in its transport policy.

‘In fact, Lagos is probably the first state that has its own transport policy, and that’s under the purview of our Ministry of Transportation. But what is important here is that Lagos is deliberate about ensuring that we have an adequate non-motorized transportation system. The backbone of that is connectivity, the ability to connect non-motorised transport (NMT) infrastructure to other transport modes.’

She disclosed that when the Marina Interchange is completed, the plan is to have commuters walk from the outer Marina and get to the J. Randle Museum and some parts of the offices around the inner Marina.

LAMATA MD said the state would be reducing carbon emissions because passengers will not use cars to connect these locations.

Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stated that the State Government is committed to completing the project like many others because transportation is the first ‘T’ in the THEMES+agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Kaosarat Bada Ambrose has stated that the state has prioritised implementation of a new industrial policy designed to create a more enabling environment for businesses.

The Commissioner who represented the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Cadbury @60 noted, ‘As part of our administration’s agenda to make Lagos a globally competitive 21st-century economy, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives is leading the implementation of a new Industrial Policy designed to create a more enabling environment for businesses.’

According to her, the policy prioritises infrastructure, investment incentives, industrial clusters, and public-private collaboration.

‘We look forward to working closely with Cadbury Nigeria and other key stakeholders to ensure this policy translates into tangible outcomes, greater productivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity for all.

‘On behalf of Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, I bring you warm greetings and appreciation for your continued investment and operations in Lagos. Mr. Governor places great value on private sector players, especially manufacturing companies like Cadbury Nigeria, who serve as the engine of Lagos State’s economy, creating jobs, stimulating innovation, and supporting community development,’ the Commissioner expressed.

The Commissioner who was the Special Guest of Honour at the BRA NAN WAZOBIA DAY 2025 celebration, put together by Cadbury Nigeria Plc, noted that WAZOBIA DAY is a day set aside to celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity as a nation of over 200 million people, with over 250 different ethnic groups. It is part of Cadbury Nigeria’s commitment to creating a fun and inclusive workplace.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Managing Director of Cadbury Plc, Ms Oyeyimika Adeboye, said the company was able to achieve this milestone due to its determination and focus, irrespective of the economic downturn.

Adeboye noted that Cadbury is called the global snacking engine, as it has lots of products that are yet to be introduced into the Nigerian market, such as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Chocolate, Biscuits and others which will soon be on the Nigerian shelf.

‘WAZOBIA DAY initially celebration started in Nigeria, but later included Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire colleagues, to demonstrate our unity in diversity, as the business has footprints across West Africa.

‘The acronym, BRA NAN WAZOBIA, represents languages used by the major tribes in West Africa.

‘This year’s edition is special because Cadbury Nigeria turned 60 in 2025,’ she stressed.

Also speaking, Owen Ajinwande, Manufacturing Director, Cadbury, noted that people (workers) have been the main focus of the company, as the workers have been passionate about their duties, that is why Cadbury has remained afloat, despite the daunting operational environment.

According to Owen, ‘We have been able to maintain the big bond in Nigeria as the market leader due to the commitment of all our staff, as they know what to do at all times with little or no supervision.

‘Cadbury over the years has been consistent in its quality, quantity and has been relatively constant with price, because we do not believe in passing all the cost to the consumers. This has been one of our secrets over the years.

‘We have been able to cushion the impact of inflation with the system as we are able to identify and reduce the wastes that exist within the system. So that is how we have been able to maintain content and add value to be able to maintain stable prices without passing all the costs to the consumers.’

On his part, the Human Resources Director, Dr Wole Odubayo, stated that as Cadbury is planning to introduce some products into the Nigerian market, that the company will be installing new lines of production for these new products.

He noted that these new moves will mean more employment as it will reduce the current rate of unemployment in the country.

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For High Chief Kehinde Abimbola Dawodu-Avoseh, the esteemed Akogun of Oto-Awori Kingdom, one day will forever linger on in his memory till death.

The reason for this is not far- fetched as he was recently confirmed as a gazetted White Cap Chief in Lagos State.

After achieving so much for himself as an astute businessman and community leader, High Chief Dawodu-Avoseh’s day of honour also became a proud moment for the entire Oto-Awori Kingdom.

Following his historic confirmation as a gazetted White Cap Chief in Lagos State, High Chief Dawodu-Avoseh is now set to take the Oto-Awori Kngdom of Ojo Local Government to another level with his community building abilities.

The confirmation ceremony, held at Iba LCDA on Tuesday, October 2025, according to those close to the monarchs of the kingdom, was a testament to Dawodu-Avoseh’s dedication, hard work, and commitment not only to the Oto-Awori Kingdom, Ojo Local Government but also to Lagos State as a whole.

The ceremony was graced by esteemed traditional rulers from Badagry and Lagos Island, including HRM Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji, the Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom; HRM Oba Dr. Josiah Olanrewaju Ilemobade Aina, Ikuyamiku I, the Oloto of Oto-Awori Kingdom; HRM Oba Momodu Afolabi Asafa MFR, FNMC, JP, the Aladi Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom; – HRM Oba Galib Adeniyi-Rufai, Adeife I, the Olojo of Ojo Kingdom; HRM Oba Abideen Adekanbi Durosimi, the Osolu of Irewe Kingdom; and HRM Oba Nofiu Dauda Odu-Owo Iya Adaraloye 1, Elete of Ete Kingdom.

The presence of the royal fathers underscores the significance of Dawodu-Avoseh’s importance and the respect accorded to him by all and sundry as a community builder.

The remarkable achievement reflects in Dawodu-Avoseh’s outstanding leadership, integrity, and service to the community and his confirmation as a Lagos White Cap chief is a badge of honor not only to himself but also to his family, the Oto-Awori Kingdom, and the entire community.

Several friends and associates of the newly gazetted White Cap chief took time to celebrate his success.

Stakeholders under the auspices of the Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) have applauded the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, for empowering indigenes of the Niger Delta region with over 3000 scholarships.

The stakeholders commended Otuaro’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration through his unflinching commitment to the peace and development of the Niger Delta.

The IYN in a statement on Saturday by its National Coordinator Frank Ebikabo and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, said that Otuaro had not departed from his avowed commitment to bridging the human capital development gap in the region.

The stakeholders further hailed the PAP boss for the recent deployment of 161 beneficiaries from impacted communities for targeted programmes in universities in the United Kingdom.

They urged Otuaro to remain focused and dedicated to the cause of the region and to ignore all attempts by mischief makers to distract him.

The group said the deliberate steps taken by Otuaro to spread educational opportunities in the communities of the Niger Delta remained one of the most effective ways of entrenching lasting peace and development in the region.

The stakeholders said that the Niger Delta and the entire country would feel the positive impacts of Otuaro’s visionary input to education in years to come.

The youth leaders also commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic supervision of the Presidential Amnesty Office, and contributions to entrenched peace in the Niger Delta.

The IYN called on youths of the Niger Delta to prioritize the interest of the region in making a political choice in 2027 and urged them to back Otuaro’s call to support President Tinubu in the forthcoming election.

They recalled the efforts by Otuaro in previous scholarship deployments and vocational training, stressing that the president had been supportive of the PAP initiatives.

The group said: ‘We have noted with keen interest the recent deployment of a huge number of Niger Delta indigenes for scholarship programmes within and outside the country.

‘The record we have shows that over 3000 young people are benefiting from these unprecedented efforts of the PAP under Otuaro’s leadership within the country and 161 in the UK universities for the 2025/2026 academic year.

‘We at the IYN commend the PAP boss for his laudable efforts. We know his antecedents, and we are not surprised that he has made this level of unprecedented impact within a short time.

‘We urge him to remain focused on the job and ignore detractors spreading falsehood about the programme and its leaders.

‘We also call on our colleagues in the Niger Delta to give the requisite support to Otuaro and the Tinubu administration, which has given priority to issues affecting our people.’

The nominations for the 21st Africa Movies Academy Awards (AMAA) have been announced ahead of the 2025 edition.

The nominations were announced by African actors of Nigerian descent including Lilian Aluko, Emeka Ossai, Charles Inojie, and Adaora Anyanwu. Other dignitaries that announced the nominees include Nigerian media personality, Chris Kehinde Nwandu; Executive Director of the National Film and Videos Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini; and former Lagos commissioner, Steve Ayorinde. Both Husseini and Ayorinde represented the AMAA jury at the event.

The award nomination was announced to the media and the general public at the BON Hotel Ikeja Residence situated in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

The nominations streamed live worldwide on AMAA online platforms, as well as the film academy’s digital platforms (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X).

Also gathered at the nominees unveil, which was anchored by veteran Nollywood actor cum singer, Segun Arinze, include the AMAA board led by Dr Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe; Mr George Anyiam-Osigwe, COO AMAA; Tony Anih, Teco Benson, Lancelot Imasuen and several others.

Burkina Faso’s ‘Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions’ dominated with 10 nominations while Nigeria’s ‘Lisabi’ earned seven (7) nominations.

For the highly anticipated AMAA for Best Actress in a leading role, Nigeria’s Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Osas Ighodaro, and Shaffy Bello will slug it out with Rwandan actress Analisa Munyana, South African actress Danica De La Ray Jones, Ethiopian actress Getahun Hailu, Florence Mariserena, and Algiers actress Meriem Medjkane.

The AMAA 2025 award for best actor in a leading role also features some of the best in Africa including Keenan Arrison for ‘The Heart is a Muscle,’ Debebe Eshetu for ‘For Love, for Land, for Power,’ Adjetey Anang for ‘Last Stop,’ Lateef Adedimeji for ‘Lisabi: The Uprising,’ Ayden Croy for ‘Old Righteous Blues,’ Bizimana Hussain for ‘Small Gods,’ Mahamadi Nana for ‘Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions and Nabil Asli for ‘Algiers.’

The AMAA 2025 award for best film has eight African countries competing for the award. The nominees as announced include ‘Algiers’ from Algeria, ‘3 Cold Dishes’ from Nigeria, ‘The Heart is a Muscle,’ from South Africa, ‘Small Gods,’ from Uganda, ‘For Love, For Land, For Power’ from Ethiopia, ‘Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions’ from Burkina Faso, ‘Last Stop’ from Ghana, and ‘Lisabi: The Uprising,’ representing Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, popular Nigerian actor and filmmaker, Charles Inojie and Teco Benson took turns to express confidence in the jury and award organisers as well as delight with the nominations.

Teco Benson, a multiple AMAA winner, noted that the 21st edition of AMAA would further raise the bar in not only the Nigerian film industry but the African film industry as a whole, after proving itself as one of the most laudable reward platforms for African film practitioners.

The 21st Africa Movie Academy Awards will be presented on November 9 at the Balmoral Convention Centre Ikeja – Sheraton in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, Nigeria.