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PH Red Cross to deploy over 1,800 personnel for Undas

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will deploy 1,848 personnel for its Undas Operation 2026, including 248 staff members and 1,600 volunteers.

The agency will also deploy 314 first aid stations, 149 welfare desks, 103 mobile units, 104 foot patrol teams, 65 ambulances and 19 emergency vehicles.

These resources will be stationed at cemeteries, bus terminals, seaports, airports and command posts.

Of the first aid stations, 35 will be set up in the National Capital Region, 149 in Luzon, 38 in the Visayas and 29 in Mindanao.

The PRC also reminded the public to observe home safety measures, including locking all entry points, keeping emergency contact numbers accessible and preparing for emergencies.

For road safety, it urged motorists to stay alert, follow traffic rules, check schedules and plan their routes ahead of time.

Earlier, the Department of Health placed Metro Manila under code white alert status, directing hospitals and emergency response teams in the region to remain on heightened alert in anticipation of a possible increase in patients requiring immediate medical attention.

The measure aims to help ensure public safety and preparedness during the Undas period.

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

SITA moves to acquire Flightscape

SITA has agreed to acquire Flightscape, CAE Inc.’s airline operations software business, whose solutions help airlines plan flights, manage crews, control operations, coordinate ground activities and deliver in-flight services.

According to experts, the acquisition will help airlines make better operational decisions and coordinate recovery more effectively across the aviation ecosystem.

Commenting, Chief Executive Officer, SITA, David Lavorel, said, ‘Airlines need to make the best possible use of their aircraft, crews and infrastructure while responding to increasingly complex operational challenges. With Flightscape, we will bring together our respective complementary capabilities to strengthen what we offer airlines and connect their operational decisions with insight from across the aviation ecosystem. That will help our customers anticipate disruption, recover more effectively and run more resilient operations.’

Flightscape’s software is used daily by more than 90 airlines, helping them plan, manage and operate flights across their networks.

Also commenting, CEO of SITA for Aircraft, Yann Cabaret said, ‘The hardest decisions in an operations control centre come when plans change and every minute counts. Technology and AI can now help airlines and their partners see more of what is happening and respond together. With Flightscape, our aim is to give an airline’s operations team and its partners across the industry the same information when plans change, so they can recover as one operation rather than as separate parts.’

‘I believe SITA is a natural home for Flightscape and an excellent strategic fit for the business. This transaction positions Flightscape within an organisation deeply connected to the global air transport industry. I am excited about what this combination will mean for Flightscape, its customers and its future, said Carter Copeland, President, Flightscape.

Academic activities grounded as LAUTECH ASUU embarks on indefinite strike

Academic and other related activities have been grounded at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution proceeded on an indefinite action on Thursday.

The union had earlier given the management of the institution a 14-day ultimatum to address its demands, which include the full implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement alongside its consequent arrears dating from January 2026, as well as the immediate payment of all outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and promotion arrears spanning 2013 to 2025.

It noted that while the December 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement was officially accepted and approved for implementation by the Governing Council of LAUTECH, the administration repeatedly blamed a paucity of funds for its failure to take effect.

Aside from financial demands, the union is also pushing for the resolution of non-financial matters currently before the Vice-Chancellor and the university administration.

These include addressing the distortion of the university governance structure, such as skewed membership of the staff disciplinary committee, the recomposition of the Committee of Provosts and Deans, and transparency concerns surrounding the adopted electronic voting system.

The union, in a statement jointly signed by the branch Chairperson, Prof Olujimi Dada, and the Secretary, Dr Soji Arinola, expressed deep frustration that, despite exploring multiple formal and informal avenues of dialogue, the authorities failed to address their concerns.

It urged all members of the union to remain resolute and to note that only information or directives coming directly from the branch Chairperson remain authentic at all times.

Device verification: Reps seek protection for used phones, small importers

The House of Representatives on Thursday called for a review of the implementation of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) mobile phone device verification requirements over concerns that the policy could increase handset prices and restrict access to affordable mobile phones.

The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Sani Wakili, who urged the Commission to strengthen enforcement of Type Approval and device verification requirements for mobile phones and other SIM-enabled devices without imposing unnecessary burdens on legitimate businesses and consumers.

In his lead debate, Wakili explained that the verification framework operates through the Device Management System (DMS) and the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), which facilitate the identification and verification of mobile devices through their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.

The lawmaker noted that the enhanced verification framework, which took effect on 7 October 2026, introduced compliance requirements for newly imported devices. He warned that the additional obligations could increase operating costs for importers and retailers, potentially leading to higher mobile phone prices for consumers.

He further cautioned that technical errors, database mismatches and limitations in the NCC’s scanning and verification systems could result in legitimate new and second-hand mobile phones being wrongly rejected or blocked, creating difficulties for lawful users and businesses.

According to him, while the policy is intended to combat counterfeit, cloned and stolen devices, its implementation must not undermine legitimate trade or deny Nigerians access to affordable communication devices.

Wakili also expressed concern that the cost and complexity of compliance could disproportionately affect small-scale importers and retailers, potentially disrupting their businesses and limiting access to mobile phones for low-income and less privileged Nigerians who depend on them for communication, education and commercial activities.

To address these concerns, the House urged the NCC to review the implementation of the device verification framework in consultation with relevant stakeholders, with a view to simplifying compliance procedures, reducing associated costs and ensuring that the policy achieves its objectives without imposing avoidable economic hardship.

The lawmakers further called on the Commission to establish a fair, transparent and accessible verification process for used and second-hand mobile phones to prevent legitimate devices from being unfairly rejected or blocked.

The House subsequently mandated its joint Committees on Communications and Commerce to engage the NCC and relevant stakeholders and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

In addition, the House mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the implementation of the resolution, signalling the lawmakers’ determination to balance the fight against counterfeit and stolen devices with consumer protection, affordable access to mobile phones and the sustainability of legitimate businesses.

Fear of career reprisals threatens good governance – Boss Mustapha

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has warned that fear of career reprisals can prevent civil servants from giving honest advice to political leaders, potentially exposing them to costly mistakes.

Mustapha said officers who feared that speaking frankly could jeopardise their careers might resort to telling leaders what they wanted to hear rather than providing the professional guidance needed for effective governance.

‘Where officers fear that honest advice will cost them their careers, they may offer comfortable advice instead. A service that cannot speak truth to power cannot protect power from its own mistakes,’ he said.

He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 colloquium of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries and Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation (CORFEPS), themed ‘Navigating the Headwinds of Governance: Centrality of the Civil Service’.

Mustapha, who served as SGF from 2017 to 2023, said the strength of the civil service lay not in agreeing with political authorities but in its ability to provide candid advice, implement lawful decisions and account transparently for results.

He said professional independence was essential to effective governance, stressing that civil servants should be able to identify risks, present evidence and explain the likely costs and consequences of policy choices without fear.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who opened the colloquium, also highlighted the need for a constructive relationship between political leaders and career civil servants.

He said public servants must uphold impartiality, integrity and responsible management of public resources, while political leaders should respect professional standards, value frank advice and provide the clarity, resources and authority required to implement policies.

Represented by Sadiq Wanka, a Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Shettima said the Federal Government was shifting its focus from the number of policies announced and committees inaugurated to whether interventions solve problems and improve citizens’ lives.

CORFEPS National Chairman, Yayale Ahmed, said retired senior public servants had a responsibility to make their accumulated experience available to succeeding generations and contribute to stronger public administration.

The colloquium also featured the unveiling of the CORFEPS Journal on Public Policy and Governance, intended to document administrative experience, preserve institutional memory and promote evidence-based policymaking.

On his part, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, said ongoing reforms were aimed at building an efficient, productive and citizen-centred service, stressing, however, that the ‘effectiveness of governance depends significantly on the ability of the Civil Service to advise objectively, implement policies efficiently and remain accountable to the citizens it serves.’

World Maritime Day: NIWA reaffirms commitment to safer waterways

Acting Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Alhaji Yusuf Girei, has reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to translating maritime policies into practical results that ensure safer waterways, reliable infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.

Delivering his goodwill message on the occasion of the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held recently, Girei congratulated stakeholders and commended their dedication to advancing Nigeria’s maritime sector.

This year’s celebration, themed: ‘From policy to practice: Powering excellence,’ was graced by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Fatima Sugra Mahmood; chairperson and keynote speaker, Mrs. Mfon Usoro; directors and heads of departments, CEOs of Parastatals under the ministry, members of the diplomatic corps, industry stakeholders and the media.

Girei noted: ‘This year’s theme reminds us that strong policies create value only when they are translated into meaningful action. In the maritime sector, that means safer waterways, reliable infrastructure, environmental stewardship and services that support trade and economic growth.’

He said NIWA remains committed to working with state governments, industry stakeholders, host communities and development partners to improve navigation, strengthen safety standards, modernise facilities and protect the waterways on which many livelihoods depend.

He stressed that excellence in the maritime sector is a shared responsibility that requires skilled professionals, effective regulation, investment in innovation and a culture that places safety and sustainability at the heart of operations.

‘By working together, we can build a maritime sector that is competitive, inclusive and prepared for the future,’ he added.

In a highlight of the celebration, the acting managing director joined in the award presentation for the Primary School Children’s Essay competition category, sponsored by NIWA. The first position went to Idris Jibril Oladimeji, of Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos, who won N200,000 cash and a laptop computer.

The second position went to Suleiman Aisha of St Paul’s Anglican School, Lagos Island, who received N150,000 and a laptop computer, while the third position went to Yahaya Aliyah of St. Mathias Girls Primary School, Lagos, who received N100,000 cash and a laptop computer.

Alake: $700b asset sale claims untrue

Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake has refuted the rumour that Nigeria sold $700 billion worth of its solid minerals or surrendered its national security architecture to the United States.

He described the reports as products of a ‘riotous imagination’.

Refuting the claims in Abuja Alake stated unequivocally that no Nigerian asset was exchanged or ceded under any bilateral arrangement.

The minister spoke during the inauguration of the Nigeria-United States Committee on Strategic Cooperation in the Solid Minerals Sector.

Addressing critics during the panel’s inauguration Alake explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both nations was purely a government-to-government framework designed to connect American capital with local operators – not a transfer of national assets.

‘There is no sale of any Nigerian asset. There’s nothing exchanging hands… We created a platform to facilitate mingling of U.S. investment ventures with Nigeria’s local operators. It is in the public domain. We signed it in public and published it in four or five national newspapers’ he said.

Dispelling reports that Washington was set to take over the nation’s mineral wealth and security operations the minister stated that such assertions were false.

‘The reports claiming the U.S. was coming to take over Nigeria’s minerals and security architecture were untrue at best and products of riotous imagination at worst’ Alake said.

Detailing the economic philosophy behind the alliance the minister noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was determined to end Africa’s long history of unfavorable terms in global trade.

He said Nigeria holds key critical minerals needed for the global clean energy transition and is leveraging them to forge equitable partnerships rather than selling raw assets.

‘Africa has historically held the short end of the stick in global economic transactions and Nigeria is determined to change that model’ he said.

‘We have the resources the critical elements the world needs to transition to clean energy. So we are creating a new paradigm – you bring your capital expertise and technology to match with our natural resources and create a win-win situation. The investor gains Nigeria gains.’

To make the vision a reality Alake said the Federal Government had made in-country processing mandatory for all foreign and local investors.

The minister stressed that the era of raw ores being carted ‘from pit to port’ without value addition was over.

He said the government strictly refused mineral titles to applicants without a clear pathway to domestic processing.

According to him this policy shift has already spurred significant investments including West Africa’s largest lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State.

Alake urged the newly inaugurated committee to execute its duties with diligence imploring its members to identify high-value investment opportunities and translate the bilateral framework into measurable outcomes to help achieve President Tinubu’s $1 trillion national economy target.

Reinforcing the minister’s stance the Permanent Secretary in the ministry Faruk Yusuf Yabo said the committee provides a structured mechanism to turn growing diplomatic talks into tangible investments.

The Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy Jonathan Baas stated that Washington’s intent is to build secure supply chains while ensuring host nations capture value from their resources.

‘We just signed a contract today on looking into building AI data centres in Nigeria at the Nigerian Economic Summit. That’s the direction Washington wants us to go’ Baas said.

The U.S. envoy listed energy artificial intelligence and critical minerals as priority investment focus areas.

The Managing Director and CEO of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC) Martins Imonitie assured the government that the committee would coordinate the implementation and track progress to position Nigeria as a major global player in the solid minerals sector.

Tax laws harmonisation major step towards ending arbitrary levies, others – JRB

The Joint Revenue Board (JRB) has described the harmonisation of tax laws as a major step towards ending arbitrary levies, overlapping taxes and exploitative revenue collection practices in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of the JRB, Olusegun Adesokan, said the initiative would eliminate revenue collection practices that have increased operating costs for businesses and driven up consumer prices.

He said more than 21 states had passed harmonised tax laws aimed at addressing overlapping taxes, curbing illegal revenue collection and creating a more enabling environment for businesses to grow.

Adesokan said the strong performance of states in internally generated revenue (IGR) aligned with the objectives of the reforms, which include improving tax administration, expanding economic activity and bringing more taxpayers into the formal system rather than imposing heavier burdens on existing taxpayers.

He noted that the figures suggested states could improve revenue mobilisation while reducing tax pressure on eligible individuals and businesses.

‘The mission is to ensure that the tax burden is fair and that Nigerians have the space to do their businesses, earn more and improve their livelihoods,’ he said.

The reforms are also expected to increase the disposable income of eligible workers by reducing their personal income tax liabilities.

Adesokan explained that eligible deductions include pension contributions, mortgage interest and qualifying rent relief, which are considered when determining taxable income under the relevant provisions.

He said the framework was designed to ensure that low-income earners pay reduced or no personal income tax where they qualify, while higher-income earners contribute in line with the applicable rules.

According to him, the initiative aims to leave workers with more money to spend, save or invest, potentially boosting household consumption and domestic business activity.

The JRB said the harmonised law would also establish a more uniform framework for taxing businesses in the informal sector, addressing inconsistencies in the way states previously administered such taxes.

Adesokan said the board would support state revenue agencies through digitalisation, training and closer institutional collaboration to ensure that the new framework translated into more efficient tax administration.

He disclosed that the new law prohibits the sale of stickers and emblems for revenue collection, the establishment of roadblocks for tax purposes and unauthorised cash collections, warning that offenders would face legal consequences.

The JRB further explained that the effectiveness of tax exemptions for small traders and entrepreneurs would depend not only on the provisions of the law but also on compliance by state and local government revenue officials.

The board is also introducing a unified national Tax Identification system that will enable revenue authorities to access and verify taxpayer records across jurisdictions to strengthen enforcement and improve coordination.

Adesokan disclosed that more than 100 million Tax Identification Numbers had already been generated.

Under the arrangement, state revenue authorities will be able to verify relevant taxpayer information when individuals and businesses conduct transactions in other states, reducing repeated documentation and duplicate tax demands.

The system is also expected to simplify access to government permits, licences and other public services by improving coordination among revenue authorities.

The JRB said that, under the initiative developed in collaboration with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, more than 100 different taxes, levies and charges imposed at the subnational level had been streamlined into nine approved categories.

The categories cover income tax, stamp duty, property tax, road tax, development levy, economic development levy, annual levies, user charges and other approved charges.

The board said the reform was intended to replace fragmented state and local government revenue practices with a more predictable tax system, particularly for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.

It also disclosed that it was working with the police and state revenue authorities to establish a national task force to remove illegal revenue collectors from highways and transport corridors.

According to the JRB, the planned enforcement operation would extend to local government areas, where businesses and transport operators frequently face multiple demands from different revenue-collecting authorities.

LAUTECH ASUU declares indefinite strike over unimplemented agreement entitlements

Academic activities at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso have been completely grounded as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared a total comprehensive and indefinite strike starting from midnight on Thursday October 29 2026.

The decision to embark on the industrial action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university administration on October 14 2026 after a formal trade dispute was declared with the full backing of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

In a statement jointly signed by the branch Chairperson Prof. Olujimi Dada and the Secretary Dr. Soji Arinola the union expressed deep frustration that despite exploring multiple formal and informal avenues of dialogue the authorities failed to address their burning concerns.

The union noted that while the December 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement was officially accepted and approved for implementation by the Governing Council of LAUTECH the administration repeatedly blamed a paucity of funds for its failure to take effect.

ASUU drew the attention of the general public to the fact that LAUTECH and other tertiary institutions owned by the Oyo State Government remain the sole defaulting institutions in the entire Southwest zone and within the Ibadan Zone of ASUU where the agreement has not been fully implemented.

In response to the 14-day ultimatum the university administration invited the union to a meeting on Tuesday October 27 where they explained efforts made to contact the Visitor to the University Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene.

However the congress of the branch which met on Wednesday October 28 reviewed the outcome of the meeting and realized there had been no significant or relevant response to their demands.

The striking lecturers are specifically demanding the full implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement alongside its consequent arrears dating from January 2026 as well as the immediate payment of all outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and promotion arrears spanning from 2013 to 2025.

Aside from financial demands the union is also pushing for the resolution of non-financial matters currently before the Vice-Chancellor and university administration.

These include addressing the distortion of the university governance structure such as skewed membership on the staff disciplinary committee the recomposition of the Committee of Provosts and Deans and transparency concerns surrounding the adopted electronic voting system.

The union also raised concerns over inadequate office spaces and infrastructural deficiencies specifically pointing out the ICT unit.

With the commencement of the strike from on Thursday October 29 all academic operations including: lectures examinations laboratory works statutory meetings and all interactions with students-have been suspended indefinitely.

Prof. Dada urged all members of the union to remain resolute and note that only information or directives coming directly from the branch chairperson remain authentic at all times.