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Federal Govt states tackling challenges Barau tells Osinbajo

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has rejected the picture of a gloomy economy and democratic governance painted by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at a public lecture in Yola Adamawa State.

He said the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking steps to address long standing challenges confronting the country.

Barau said that while Osinbajo’s observations drawn from the Afrobarometer surveys on Nigeria and other African countries were valid the ongoing efforts geared towards addressing the economic issues should not be glossed over.

He said government also needs to improve communication with the people to highlight its efforts.

Barau spoke during a public lecture titled: ‘Democracy and Development: Rethinking the Leadership Question’ organised to commemorate Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s 59th birthday on Tuesday.

The lecture was delivered by Prof. Osinbajo who was vice-president between 2015 and 2023.

The former vice president expressed concern about the failure of democratic governance across Africa after almost three decades of uninterrupted democratic rule in several countries.

Alluding to the Afrobarometer surveys Osinbajo who was defeated by President Tinubu during the APC presidential primary in 2022 highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with democratic institutions economic hardship declining public confidence in government and diminishing youth participation in electoral politics.

He noted that although 64 per cent of Africans preferred democracy to other forms of government only 38 per cent were satisfied with the way democracy was working in their respective countries.

Osinbajo a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) also said 59 per cent of Africans considered their national economies to be in bad shape while 51 per cent said their economies had deteriorated.

He lamented the rising cost of living unemployment inadequate access to healthcare and declining voter turnout warning that persistent hardship could weaken public confidence in democracy particularly among young people.

Responding to the presentation Barau said: ‘I know he is a very good orator a good public speaker and an intellectual to the core. Having said that I am compelled to make some comments on the paper. It is a very beautiful and thought-provoking paper.’

However Barau pointed out that the gloomy picture painted by the surveys was being addressed adding that the gaps were partly attributable to inadequate communication between governments and citizens.

He said: ‘What I want to say is this: one important reason for the gloomy picture portrayed by the surveys particularly those conducted by Afrobarometer is what the professor talked about and specifically observed: the issue of communication between the leaders and the led. There is no proper communication.’

The Deputy Senate President maintained that governments at the federal and state levels were taking steps to address the challenges identified by Osinbajo particularly in the areas of education infrastructure and economic development.

On education Barau said government was expanding access to education to address the challenges posed by the growing population and its large youth demographic.

He said providing educational opportunities for children particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds remained critical to addressing the country’s long-term developmental challenges.

Barau stressed: ‘Before now it was very difficult for a child who did not have the means to go to school. Now everyone except a child who does not want to go to school can go to school in Nigeria with the NELFUND introduced by this administration.’

He also drew attention to the importance of infrastructure development in driving economic prosperity noting that roads water supply and other essential facilities are necessary to improve living standards and stimulate economic activities.

Barau listed some road projects across the country including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway the Badagry-Sokoto Highway and several projects in the Northeast and Northwest as evidence of the government’s efforts to address infrastructure deficits.

He said: ‘When we talk about economic prosperity you cannot achieve it without a certain level of infrastructure including road networks water supply and other essential infrastructure.

‘This is what is happening currently in this country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration. Roads are being constructed everywhere to propel the process of bringing economic prosperity. That is being done. It is a long journey but it is being done. Yet there is no proper communication.’

Barau called for sustained public engagement to ensure that Nigerians are adequately informed about government policies projects and interventions.

On the economic challenges he said the rising cost of living should also be understood within the context of global economic pressures.

Barau attributed the increase in the cost of energy goods and services to international conflicts and disruptions in global supply chains particularly those affecting major food-producing regions and energy markets.

Barau attributed the volatility in global energy markets to the disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz a major international oil transit route.

He said: ‘The fact is that these challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria; they have an international dimension. The rising cost of living is partly attributable to conflicts in different parts of the world including the Middle East as well as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

‘These conflicts have disrupted global supply chains driven up energy prices and increased the cost of goods and services worldwide’ he added.

Barau who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament said the resulting economic turbulence had affected many countries noting that Nigeria could not be insulated from global economic developments.

He added: ‘Nigeria is not an island.’

Barau urged political leaders public officials and other stakeholders to take responsibility for communicating government policies and interventions more effectively stressing that improved communication is essential to bridging the gap between citizens’ expectations and their understanding of government performance.

He said Nigerians should be adequately informed about the challenges confronting the country the measures being taken to address them and the progress being made towards economic recovery and national development.

CBN, NITDA renew call for local storage of payment data as January 2027 deadline nears

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have intensified their appeal to banks, fintech firms and payment service providers to store critical payment transaction data within the country before the January 1, 2027 compliance deadline.

Regulators said the requirement is essential for protecting Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, improving oversight of the financial system, safeguarding sensitive customer information and building greater resilience as digital payments and cloud services expand rapidly across the economy.

The renewed push came during the CBN-NITDA Executive Regulatory Dialogue on the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative and data localisation, held in Lagos on Wednesday.

In his keynote address, CBN Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability Lamido Yuguda described data as a strategic national asset. As financial services increasingly depend on digital payments, mobile money, fintech platforms and online banking, the location and security of transaction data have become critical.

While cloud computing offers efficiency, scalability and innovation, Yuguda cautioned that it also introduces risks around cybersecurity, operational resilience, third-party dependence and regulatory visibility.

He insisted that critical payment data must be stored and managed inside Nigeria by the January 2027 deadline. Local storage alone, he stressed, is not enough; institutions must maintain strong cybersecurity, business continuity, disaster recovery and risk-management frameworks.

Banks remain fully accountable for risks arising from their use of cloud providers and other technology partners.

The CBN said it would keep working with NITDA and other agencies to ensure financial-sector rules align with national digital infrastructure standards.

Officials made clear that data localisation is not intended to stifle innovation or cut Nigeria off from global technology. Instead, it seeks to create the security and regulatory certainty needed to attract investment and support sustainable growth.

Hajiya Rakiya Shuaibu Mohammed, Director of the Information Technology Department at the CBN, told participants that the apex bank was working closely with industry players to achieve full compliance.

A recent CBN survey showed that more than half of the institutions that responded were already prepared to meet the localisation directive. The remaining firms, she noted, still needed clearer guidance and practical support to close the gaps.

‘Our ultimate expectation is that by January 2027, everyone will be on board to have payment data localised,’ Mohammed said. She explained that the policy would give regulators better visibility over transactions and strengthen the stability of the financial system. The dialogue, she added, was designed to address industry concerns, clarify expectations and identify the real obstacles facing banks, fintech companies and infrastructure providers.

Mohammed emphasised that the CBN preferred engagement and technical support over immediate sanctions for institutions making genuine efforts. However, she warned that deliberate attempts to undermine the policy or outright non-compliance would attract penalties. Feedback from stakeholders would be reviewed carefully, and justified adjustments would be considered on their merits.

She also revealed that a large share of the CBN’s own data is already hosted in Nigeria, while work continues to bring remaining secondary data onshore. In 2025, the bank further tightened supervision of the payments sector by creating the Payment Systems Supervision Department.

NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa stressed that Nigeria’s growing reliance on digital infrastructure has turned control of critical technology and data into a national priority.

The National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, he said, aims to build domestic capacity so that essential digital services can continue even if external disruptions affect global technology providers.

The programme aligns with the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda and the need to strengthen local technological capabilities.

As the deadline draws closer, regulators urged industry players to use platforms such as the Lagos dialogue to resolve outstanding questions on infrastructure readiness, implementation challenges, cybersecurity standards and the dangers of over-dependence on single technology vendors.

Michelin Guide awards new PH star

A new Michelin-starred restaurant has arrived in town, as the prestigious dining guide unveiled its second Philippine edition on Thursday, bringing the country’s roster of Michelin-starred establishments to 10.

Flow, a fine-dining restaurant along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati, was the lone newcomer to the coveted one-star category, joining eight other establishments that retained their distinctions from last year.

Blending Philippine and Peruvian flavors, Flow is co-owned by chefs Kevin Jonathan Uy, who previously worked in Peru, and Gabriel Ong, his childhood friend and fellow Enderun Culinary Arts alumnus.

‘Bringing together the culinary traditions of the Philippines and Peru, Flow in Makati celebrates the remarkable connections between two cultures through a distinctive and contemporary approach to gastronomy,’ Michelin said in its citation of Flow.

Still reigning over the country’s Michelin-starred dining scene is Helm, the Makati fine-dining establishment of Filipino-British chef Josh Boutwood, which retained its distinction as the Philippines’ sole two-Michelin-star restaurant.

The latest selection, unveiled on Thursday, expanded the guide’s roster to 127 establishments across Metro Manila, surrounding areas and Cebu, up from 108 in its inaugural edition last year.

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attended the awarding ceremony at a hotel in Pasay.

All eight restaurants awarded one Michelin star in 2025 retained their distinctions this year: Asador Alfonso in Cavite, Celera in Makati, Gallery by Chele in Taguig, Hapag in Makati, Inatô in Makati, Kása Palma in Makati, Linamnam in Parañaque and Toyo Eatery in Makati.

Bib Gourmand

The 2027 edition also recognized 31 restaurants with the Bib Gourmand distinction, awarded to establishments serving quality food at reasonable prices.

Recipients included Abaseria Deli and Cafe, Bolero, Cabel, COCHI, Em Hà N?i, Lampara, Manam at the Triangle, Morning Sun Eatery, The Pig and Palm, Apag Marangle, Balay Dako, Tatang’s Lechon, and Tito Boy.

Michelin Selected

Another 86 establishments earned the Michelin Selected distinction, which recognizes restaurants worthy of inclusion in the guide even without a Michelin star or Bib Gourmand award.

These included Blackbird, Antonio’s Aurora, Automat, Canton Road, China Blue, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill, House of Lechon, Locavore, Metiz, People’s Palace, The Test Kitchen, Your Local, Digámo and Tadhanà.

Beyond its restaurant distinctions, Michelin also recognized individuals making their mark on the country’s dining and hospitality industry.

Special Awards

Clyde Joshua Zafra, restaurant manager of Tito Boy, received the Service Award, while Francis Lacson, a former seafarer turned chef at Digámo, took home the Young Chef Award.

Ron Job Sanchez, bar beverage manager at Automat, received the Exceptional Cocktails Award, while Frances Tariga of Tadhanà earned the Opening of the Year Award.

The latest Philippine edition coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Michelin star, one of the world’s most sought-after culinary distinctions.

Following its latest round of anonymous inspections, Michelin said: ‘Inspectors are seeing greater consistency, technical confidence, and a deeper engagement with local ingredients and culinary history.’

‘Chefs are embracing native ingredients, regional traditions and familiar Filipino flavors in increasingly creative and sophisticated ways. Traditional recipes are being reinterpreted with fresh perspective while contemporary concepts remain deeply connected to local rules,’ said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of Michelin Guide.

‘This evolution is creating a culinary landscape that feels both exciting and unmistakably Filipino,’ he added.

Customs to host CGC’s conference, C-Pact 2026 to advance border security

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to host the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Conference from December 7 to 8 and the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) 2026 Conference from December 9 to 11 in Abuja, as part of its commitment to strengthening border security, facilitating legitimate trade and advancing regional economic integration.

The conference, themed: ‘Securing Borders, Enabling Trade: A Customs Commitment to Safer Communities,’ will provide a platform to review the service’s modernisation efforts, assess progress against previous commitments, and reinforce the relationship between effective Customs administration, national security, and trade facilitation.

C-PACT 2026, themed ‘One Border, Interconnected Systems: Advancing Customs Cooperation through One-Stop Border Posts,’ will extend the discussions to the continental level, focusing on practical approaches to coordinated border management and digital connectivity across Africa.

The conference will bring together relevant government officials, Customs leadership, trade stakeholders and institutional partners to examine the Service’s progress in implementing modernisation and trade facilitation reforms.

The event will examine intelligence-led enforcement, emerging border threats, inter-agency collaboration, and officers’ professional responsibilities in protecting communities and maintaining public trust.

A major component of the conference will be the examination of how digital transformation and stakeholder partnerships are improving Customs operations.

Discussions will give stakeholders, including AEO beneficiaries, the National Single Window Secretariat, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), excise-sector representatives, and other relevant institutions, an opportunity to assess reform outcomes and identify areas for further improvement.

Building on the national conference, C-PACT 2026 will provide a continental platform for Customs administrations, policymakers, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Regional Economic Communities, border management agencies, development partners, technology providers and private-sector stakeholders to advance cooperation in African trade. The conference will address persistent challenges affecting cross-border trade, including fragmented procedures, duplicated controls, limited information exchange, incompatible digital systems, and insufficient coordination among border agencies.

It will explore how One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), supported by interconnected Customs platforms, coordinated risk management, harmonised procedures and secure information exchange, can reduce delays, lower trade costs, and improve the predictability of goods movement across African trade corridors.

Calapan bishop mourns death of SVD missionary priest

Calapan Bishop Moises M. Cuevas is mourning the death of Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionary priest Rudolf Holzgartner, who spent more than five decades helping form generations of Filipino priests at Saint Augustine Seminary here.

Cuevas described Holzgartner, who passed in Germany on Wednesday, as a model of charity, prayer and discipline whose influence extended beyond the seminary to the families and communities he served.

Holzgartner held several key positions at the seminary, serving as prefect, procurator, rector and spiritual director. He also managed the seminary farm, which helped support the institution.

Cuevas said Holzgartner’s formation work influenced the first generation of the local clergy and generations of seminary formators, including those who continued their work until recent years.

‘We cherish and admire the formation values he helped build into the culture of all our seminaries,’ the bishop said.

He recalled that Holzgartner demanded discipline and excellence in academics, athletics, farm work and outdoor activities, pushing seminarians to reach their potential through daily discipline rather than output alone.

Despite his uncompromising standards, Holzgartner earned the gratitude and affection of his former students, even in their old age, Cuevas said, citing the priest’s visits during his retirement as a testament to how much he was loved.

‘He was empowering long before the term became fashionable,’ the bishop said.

Cuevas also praised Holzgartner’s quiet dedication to charity and prayer, saying the full extent of his assistance to the poor, workers and their families might never be known.

‘Just as he was with his charity, so was he with his prayer, plain and steady, no fanfare but always there,’ he said.

He also urged the Saint Augustine Seminary community, alumni, priests and laypeople to offer a requiem Mass for Holzgartner at the earliest time. He encouraged seminarians to include the deceased priest in their Masses

5 things to check before buying honey

Buying pure honey in a typical local market can feel like taking a gamble. When you walk into a market, almost every seller swears their honey came straight from the forest. But once you get home, you often realize you bought boiled sugar syrup mixed with brown dye.

?Fake honey is everywhere nowadays because adulterators mix real honey with cheap corn syrup, rice syrup, or sugar water to double their profits. Spending hard-earned money on fake honey is frustrating, especially when you need it for health, tea, or cooking.

?According to agricultural reports from the Agriculture Institute, pure honey has a low natural moisture content and high density, which causes it to behave differently from water-based sugar mixtures. Knowing how pure honey reacts can save you from buying adulterated sugar mixtures.

In this article, Tribune Online examines five direct, practical things you must check at the market before paying for that bottle of honey.

Check how thick and flowy the honey feels

?The first thing you should inspect at the seller’s stall is the honey’s thickness and how it flows when poured. Real honey is naturally dense and moves slowly when you tilt the bottle or drop a spoonful.

?When you ask the seller to pour a little drop on a spoon or saucer, watch how it falls. Authentic honey will pour continuously in a thick thread without breaking quickly, forming a small pile at the bottom before flattening out. If the liquid splashes like water or spreads out immediately, it contains added water or thin sugar syrup.

Perform a quick water drop test

?You can easily carry out the famous water test right at the market stall using a small cup of plain water. This test works because original honey does not mix with cold or room-temperature water easily due to its heavy molecular structure.

?Ask the seller to drop a single teaspoon of honey into a clear glass or cup of water without stirring it. Pure honey will drop straight to the bottom of the glass as a solid lump and stay intact. Adulterated honey or sugar syrup will start melting instantly, leaving cloudy trails in the water as it dissolves on its way down.

Try the thumb or paper towel test

?Another quick physical test you can perform on the spot is testing a small drop on your thumb or a piece of paper. Pure honey stays together because of high surface tension and low moisture content.

?Put a tiny drop of honey on your thumb nail. Original honey will sit in a neat lump and remain intact without running down your finger. If the drop spreads out immediately or drips down your hand like water, it is diluted. Similarly, if you drop pure honey on a paper napkin, it will sit on top without soaking through quickly, whereas fake honey will leave a wet water ring on the paper.

Smell the floral aroma and check the taste

?Never pay for honey without smelling and tasting a small sample first. Authentic honey is produced by bees from flower nectar, so it carries a distinct natural scent.

?When you open the bottle, pure honey should give off a mild floral, woody, or herbal aroma depending on the vegetation where the bees collected nectar. Fake honey usually smells like plain sugar syrup or has no scent at all. When you taste real honey, it gives a complex sweetness followed by a slight scratch or tickle at the back of your throat, whereas fake honey just tastes like flat sugar water.

?Watch out for natural foam, pollen, or crystalisation

?Many market buyers mistakenly assume that clear, spotless honey is the best quality, but the exact opposite is often true. Unprocessed, raw honey usually contains minor natural imperfections that show it came directly from a beehive.

?Look closely at the bottle for small specks of pollen, tiny air bubbles, or faint foam near the top neck. If you notice that the honey has turned thick, cloudy, or sugary at the bottom of the bottle during cold weather, do not panic. This process is called crystallisation, and expert bee farmers confirm it is a natural sign of raw, unheated honey. Honey that remains completely crystal clear for years without solidifying has likely been heavily processed or mixed with artificial syrup.

FG arraigns fake agency DG Adeyemi in Court

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Thursday, arraigned the self-acclaimed Director-General of the ‘fake’ Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Adeyemi was arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, on a 22-count charge bordering on forgery, false personation as a public servant, and obtaining over N27 billion to start the fake agency and N3.8 billion for personnel costs.

The prosecuting agency, ICPC, alleged in the charge that Adeyemi obtained the N30.8 billion from government coffers by forging a document addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

The prosecution alleged that, on March 8, 2024, in Abuja, the defendant forged a document, to

a letter Reference: SH/COS/209/A/3456 dated 8th March 8, 2024, purportedly signed/ issued by the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, appointing Adeyemi as the Director-General of the ‘fake’ PFIPC, with the intention of causing it to be believed as genuine and occupying government office facilities at the Federal Secretariat Complex Phase III.

ICPC claimed that the forged document was presented by the defendant as portraying himself as Director-General of the PIFPC in order to obtain government recognition and legitimacy for the purpose of carrying out his fraudulent activities.

Adeyemi was further alleged to have forged a document, captioned, ‘Re: Request for approval of self-accounting status’, addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation for the non-existent agency to operate within the government financial reporting structure.

He was also alleged to have forged documents to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to get a domain name for the agency.

The prosecution accused Adeyemi of gifting N210,000 to Aminu Abdullahi, an Assistant Chief Technical Officer in the Office of the Secretary General of the Federation (OSFG), ‘to facilitate the allocation of office space,’ without official authorisation.

He was further alleged to have gifted the sum of N300,000 to an officer in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Ogaba Harry, to facilitate the release and handover of two official vehicles, a Prado Jeep and Land Cruiser Jeep, to him (Adeyemi).

ICPC also alleged that on July 29, 2025, the defendant collected he sum of N20 million from the Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Oyekunle Gbenga, under the false pretence of a ‘project facilitation loan’, in respect of a purported contract valued at N2.8 billion awarded by the ‘fake’ agency for the procurement of furniture, electronics and refurbishment of his (Adeyemi’s) official residence.

According to ICPC, all the alleged offences were carried out between 2024 and 2026.

It added that the offences contravened Sections 364, 366, and 132 of the Penal Code Cap. 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990; Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act and Section 9(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 9(b) of the same Act.

Adeyemi, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him in the open court.

Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Fatima Bardi, asked the court for a date for the commencement of trial to enable the prosecution to prove its case against the defendant.

Counsel for the defendant, Ibrahim Angulu SAN, on his part, applied orally to the court to grant the defendant bail, citing Adeyemi’s prolonged detention and health challenge.

According to him, Adeyemi had spent 155 days in detention and had obtained a health report from the police clinic, where he had been receiving treatment, to show his deteriorating health condition.

Justice Halilu, however, directed the defence counsel to file a written bail application.

He subsequently adjourned the case to November 9 for commencement of trial and possible hearing of the defendant’s bail application.

JUST IN: Fire guts section of Gbagi market in Ibadan

Despite heavy rain in Ibadan on Thursday night, a fire broke out at a section of Gbagi Market, razing shops on the Adeline side of the popular market.

The incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and was captured in a video circulating online, showing thick flames and smoke rising from the market as the rain continued to fall.

In the video, traders and residents could be seen raising the alarm as the fire raged, with goods and property reportedly caught in the inferno.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage could not be independently confirmed.

Gbagi Market, also known as Gbagi International Market, is one of the largest textile and general markets in Ibadan and Oyo State.

Classes suspended in Surigao Sur town after magnitude 5.9 earthquake

Classes at all levels in public and private schools in Lingig, Surigao del Sur were suspended Thursday at noon after a series of earthquakes, including a magnitude 5.9 tremor, jolted off its coast.

Lingig Mayor Elmer Evangelio issued Memorandum No. 15 halting classes until further notice as a precautionary measure against potential building damage and ongoing aftershocks.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the magnitude 5.9 tectonic earthquake at 11:19 a.m. off Lingig’s coast. The quake was followed by several aftershocks throughout the day, with magnitudes ranging from 1.7 to 4.3.

Local disaster authorities and Phivolcs advised residents to monitor official advisories and remain vigilant for further ground movement

Man drags in-law to court over wife’s absence

A man, Sani Muhammad Minister, has dragged his in-law, Mansur Sharada, before an Upper Sharia Court at Post Office road, Kano Municipality, over his wife’s failure to return from Saudi Arabia for one year after their marriage.

The case is before the court presided over by Judge Garba Hamza Malafa.

Counsel to the complainant, Barrister Bashir Garba Labbo, told the court that his client met a woman, Naja’atu, and they discussed marriage.

He said the complainant was later referred to Mansur Sharada, who allegedly acted as the woman’s guardian (wali), and paid him N500,000 as part of the marriage arrangements.

The lawyer added that a wedding date was subsequently fixed, and the complainant paid an additional N150,000 as dowry before the marriage was solemnised.

However, the counsel alleged that shortly after the wedding, the bride travelled to Saudi Arabia and had yet to return, despite spending one year there.