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Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr is set to release a joint single, ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ featuring Rema on Friday, October 17, at 1 a.m. WAT.

The announcement buzzed on X, where Ayra Starr dropped a teaser video capturing their electric onstage synergy, while Mavin Records followed up with an official promo post.

Ayra Starr announced the news on Instagram with a striking visual that immediately sent fans spiraling.

In the photo, both artists lift their shirts over their faces, revealing airbrushed portraits of each other on their tees.

Rema flaunted his toned torso and signature tattoos, while Ayra mirrors him with effortless cool, pairing a white crop top with patterned jeans.

This studio pairing builds on their shared stage moments, like the Global Citizen Festival, and promises a fresh vibe blending Afrobeats flair with R and B smoothness.

Experts are set to meet in Lagos to proffer solutions to supply chain issues.

In a statement, the organiser/Managing Director, Pentland Energy Limited, Emeka Eboagwu, said the Nigeria Supply Chain Leadership Summit (NSCLS) would hold on November 14 in Victoria lsland.

He said an expert, Dr. Alban Igwe, would speak on the summit’s theme, ‘Africa Supply Chain Renaissance: Nigeria’s Path Forward’ while the Chief Procurement Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr Adeola Oduntan, would talk on: ‘Nigeria at the Crossroads-Protectionism or Pan-African Trade Integration?’

Also, the Executive Vice President, Afreximbank, Ms Kanayo Awani, would discuss the institutional and financial dimensions of ‘glocalisation’ and Chief Procurement Officer, Renaissance Energy, Greg Akhibi, would examine ‘glocalisation’ of energy and infrastructure.

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the governor’s exit.

Diri, who announced this on Wednesday at the exco chamber in the Bayelsa State Government House, did not state the political party that he will be moving to.

The governor said he left the opposition party for ‘very obvious reasons’.

‘Today, I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party for very obvious reasons

‘I am grateful to all my friends and supporters who have stood by us and with us, and I want to thank all of you. Together, we will continue to build a strong, virile Bayelsa state and a strong and virile country by extension.’

His decision was backed by 23 members of the House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Abraham Ngobere.

Diri’s defection came 24 hours after his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

As of the time of filing this report, Governor Diri has not yet declared his next move.

The PDP had already lost three governors to the APC this year, and with this development, the opposition party is left with eight governors.

Coca-Cola Nigeria has relaunched its ‘Share a Coke’ campaign, an initiative aimed at reigniting the culture of connection, community, and shared moments among Nigerians through an innovative personalisation experience designed for a new generation.

Speaking at the relaunch, the company’s Senior Director and Head of Marketing, Yusuf Murtala, said the campaign embodies the spirit of togetherness that defines the Nigerian experience.

‘In Nigeria, we thrive on moments of togetherness and community where greatness happens. Share A Coke celebrates the everyday connections that turn into memories we hold on to.’

It is a reminder that even the smallest gesture, like seeing your name on a Coke bottle, can spark joy, and bring people closer,’ Murtala.

Originally launched in 2011 as the first-of-its-kind personalisation campaign that replaced the brand logo with consumer names, Share a Coke, Murtala explained, became a global phenomenon. The company he said, is now reviving the campaign on a broader scale; offering even more local names, a deeper sense of personalisation, and new digital engagement opportunities to connect meaningfully with today’s Generation Z consumers.

He said the campaign’s latest edition introduces an enhanced customisation platform that allows consumers to find their names or create personalised messages on Coca-Cola bottles and cans. This, he added, transforms an everyday beverage into a symbol of appreciation and human connection.

Murtala also noted that Share a Coke goes beyond nostalgia to meet the emotional needs of today’s youth who, according to industry insights, ‘crave authenticity and want to connect with real people in everything they do.’

‘Amid the growing dominance of online interactions, Coca-Cola is emphasising real-world connections – the moments shared offline that define friendships and strengthen community bonds.

‘Share a Coke is celebrating the connections and experiences that define this generation in spaces that allow moments of togetherness to thrive,’ Murtala added.

Echoing this sentiment, the Director of Marketing, Valerie Odubogun, highlighted the campaign’s relevance in today’s digital age, stressing that real connections are built in shared physical experiences.

‘In today’s digital world, it is important to celebrate the unique bonds of friendships and this important human connection. Share a Coke reminds us that memories happen when we come together and experience the real magic of human connection; those spontaneous moments of laughter, stories, and genuine connection, shared over a Coca-Cola can, make life so special,’ Odubogun said.

As part of the nationwide rollout, Coca-Cola will reward consumers with millions of naira in cash and prizes from October 1 to December 31, 2025, through personalised 50cl Coca-Cola bottles available at major retailers across the country, according to the company’s leadership. Nigerians will also have the opportunity to participate in Share a Coke experiences during the official launch event in Lagos on October 23.

The campaign’s relaunch, they said, underscores Coca-Cola’s commitment to creating brand experiences that are both personal and community-driven, bridging digital and physical worlds through shared joy and authentic engagement.

Founded over a century ago, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), according to them, operates in more than 200 countries and territories, offering a diverse beverage portfolio that includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani, Powerade, and Minute Maid, among others. The company, they noted, continues to evolve through innovation, sustainability, and initiatives that positively impact communities and the planet.

With Share a Coke returning to the country, the company said it is not only reviving a beloved campaign but also reaffirming the simple truth that sometimes, a name on a bottle can bring people closer together.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to designate resource theft – including illegal mining and the stealing of minerals – as an international crime.

The President warned that the practice poses a direct threat to the stability and security of the West African region.

Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (yesterday SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 2025 annual General Assembly of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, the President said the time had come for the regional bloc to galvanise international support against the trade in stolen minerals from West Africa.

‘I believe that the time has come for ECOWAS to designate resource theft (illegal mining and stealing of minerals in the region) as an international crime that threatens the stability of the region, and galvanizes the world against trade in stolen minerals from West Africa,’ he said.

The President noted that illicit financial flows and the plundering of mineral resources have become a growing menace, fueling insecurity and violent crimes across the sub-region.

‘Stealing of mineral resources is on the rise in the region, fuelling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and other violent crimes such as kidnapping and banditry,’ he said.

President Tinubu warned that no single country could win the battle against illicit financial flows or resource theft alone, stressing that regional collaboration through NACIWA offers ECOWAS a viable platform to coordinate efforts against corruption and its offshoots.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to asset recovery as a key pillar of its anti-corruption strategy, noting that the country had introduced a new legal framework for asset recovery and management.

‘Under Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy, we have prioritized the tracing and recovery of stolen assets. This vision has translated into the recovery of humongous sums by our anti-corruption agencies,’ the President said.

President Tinubu praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led by Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who also serves as the current President of NACIWA, for its ‘prolific record’ in recovering stolen assets.

He said the commission’s successes over the past two years should serve as a case study for member nations at the meeting.

The President further disclosed that his administration has repurposed part of the recovered proceeds of crime to fund social impact programmes.

‘Two legacy programmes of my administration, the Student Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme, commenced operation with the injection of N100 billion in recovered proceeds of crime by the EFCC,’ he said.

The President explained that through the Student Loan Scheme, many indigent students now have access to tertiary education, while the Consumer Credit Scheme is helping working Nigerians acquire essential assets and ease financial pressures in the current economic climate.

Emphasising the need for unity, President Tinubu stated that defeating corruption and insecurity would greatly improve the quality of life in the region.

He urged NACIWA delegates to critically examine anti-money laundering frameworks, financial intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and accountability in the extractive sector to strengthen regional resilience.

‘We need a paradigm shift from rhetoric to deliberate measures to actualize the vision of ECOWAS’ founding fathers for collective prosperity and good governance,’ he said, expressing optimism that the 2025 General Assembly would produce a new framework for inclusive growth and shared progress in West Africa.

President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to ECOWAS and NACIWA, declaring: ‘We are stronger together than being apart.’

He formally declared the 2025 NACIWA annual general meeting (AGM) open.

A Colonel in an elite military unit in Madagascar said yesterday that the armed forces are taking power in the Indian Ocean nation in what appeared to confirm that President Andry Rajoelina had been removed in a coup.

Col. Michael Randrianirina’s announcement in front of a ceremonial presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, came almost immediately after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who has fled the country because of the rebellion by soldiers.

‘We are taking power,’ the colonel said.

Randrianirina said in front of reporters that the military would form a council composed of officers from the military and the gendarmerie law enforcement force. A prime minister would be appointed to ‘quickly’ form a civilian government, he said.

He also said the constitution and the powers of the High Constitutional Court had been suspended. He said a referendum would be held in two years, although the details of that were not immediately clear.

Rajoelina had faced calls to resign through weeks of anti-government demonstrations that rocked the country and were led by young Gen Z protesters.

The turning point in the protests came on Saturday when Randrianirina and troops from his elite CAPSAT military unit joined the protests and turned against Rajoelina. That prompted Rajoelina to say there was an attempt to seize power and go into hiding.

Earlier yesterday, Rajoelina issued a decree from his secret location that dissolved the lower house of parliament, apparently to avoid being impeached. It was ignored by lawmakers and they voted overwhelmingly to impeach the 51-year-old leader.

Rajoelina’s whereabouts are unknown. He had said in a speech broadcast on social media on Monday night that he left the country for a ‘safe place’ in fear for his life after the rebellion by soldiers over the weekend.

Madagascar, a former French colony, has a history of military-backed coups since independence in 1960, including in 2009, when Rajoelina himself first came to power as the leader of a transitional government following a military-backed coup.

The youth-led protests against Rajoelina’s government first erupted last month over electricity and water outages but have snowballed into larger dissatisfaction with the government and the leadership of Rajoelina. Protesters have brought up a range of issues, including poverty and the cost of living, access to tertiary education, and alleged corruption by government officials and their families and associates.

The protesters have said they were inspired by other Gen Z-led movements of frustrated youth that toppled leaders in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Thousands of young protesters continued their anti-government demonstrations in Madagascar earlier yesterday, packing into a main square in the capital, Antananarivo, and repeating their calls for Rajoelina to resign. They also cheered the soldiers.

Madagascar has deep problems with poverty, which affects around 75% of the population of 31 million people, according to the World Bank.

‘We do not get a constant supply of electricity and water from the government,’ said one protester, Soavololona Faraniaina. ‘If Madagascan children are studying in darkness where will the future of this nation be? Where is the wealthy Madagascar that many countries envied?’

CAPSAT is the same powerful military unit that turned against the government in 2009, leading to Rajoelina first coming to power. The unit had said this weekend it was taking charge of all of Madagascar’s armed forces, and new heads of the military and the gendarmerie security forces have been appointed.

CAPSAT commanders had previously denied that they carried out a coup and had said Madagascar’s people should decide what happens next, but the unit appeared to be in a position of authority in some areas of government decision-making since Saturday and Rajoelina called their rebellion against the government ‘an attempt to seize power illegally and by force.’

There was no major violence on the streets – and soldiers riding around on armored cars have celebrated with ordinary Madagascans in the past few days.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said South Africa’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was the result of all the work over the last three years.

There was a lot riding for Bafana before the match after Friday’s goalless draw against Zimbabwe in Durban put their qualifying hopes in doubt.

However, Bafana turned up and blew the Amavubi away with three unanswered goals to claim top spot in Group C ahead of Nigeria, who thrashed Benin 4-0 in the day’s other clash.

‘It feels wonderful. We all knew that we could do it, we believed in ourselves and I think you saw it from the beginning of the game that we wanted to win the game,’ Broos told SABC Sport.

‘The only thing was what happened in Nigeria so Nigeria did what they had to do and we did what we had to do so we’re going to the World Cup fantastic.’

The balance, will-power and overall exuberance of the Bafana team stems from three years of work, identifying the right players and didn’t come together overnight.

‘You know, the age doesn’t matter, it doesn’t. It’s the talent, mentality and this is something also with the young players today – they have the right mentality and have the talent and then you can make a good team and I think we did that in the last three years,’ he added.

‘We changed players and every time it was the right choice, so what happened today was work from three years now, I think the future looks very bright for South African football so let’s do a nice and good AFCON in December and then we go to America.’

The Federal Government has approved $3 billion for the completion of the Eastern Rail Projects, Transportation Minister Said Ahmed Alkali has said.

The minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was embarking on an unprecedented transformation of the transportation sector as a strategic move to unlock a vital artery for the economic development of the country.

He said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the fund, besides the ongoing efforts towards the completion of the 284-kilometre Kano-Katsina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line.

Alkali announced this while declaring open the fifth edition of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) stakeholders’ summit and awards at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja.

This year’s summit and awards had the theme: Building Sustainable Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Nigeria, Current Trends and Future Insights.

The minister acknowledged that building infrastructure alone is not enough but ensuring that they are smart, inclusive, and sustainable in all ramifications to meet the needs of the country.

He described the theme of the summit as timely, apt, and relevant in consolidating ongoing reforms in the transport sector.

Alkali urged the summit’s participants to engage in robust conversations that would address the challenges facing the sector.

The minister praised President Tinubu and the Director General of the NITT for their foresight in developing the sector as the lifeblood of the economy and for recent approval of the National Land Transport Policy by the FEC.

Commenting on the measures the government had taken to further develop the sector, Alkali said: ‘We are upgrading our national pipeline transport network to ensure the efficient transport of oil and gas under the rail modernisation projects.

‘This initiative will strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on road-based haulage, and promote environmental sustainability by cutting emissions from heavy-duty trucks.

‘The future of transport is being shaped by innovation, and Nigeria is not left behind. Just a few months ago, at NITT headquarters in Zaria, we witnessed a landmark achievement – the successful test flight of drones developed by NITT engineers.

‘This milestone underscores our readiness to embrace indigenous technology. From drone systems that enhance logistics and emission monitoring, to intelligent transport systems and blockchain-enabled supply chains, the future we are building is both smart and homegrown.’

The Director-General of NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, said the summit provided a timely platform to ‘bring together stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, investors, operators, and leaders of thought in the transport and logistics sector’.

He added: ‘It is a forum to reflect on where we are, identify what must be done, and chart a clear path for the future of a sector that remains central to national development, regional integration, and global competitiveness.’

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the deployment of N28 billion to distribution companies (DisCos) for the provision of meters under the Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme.

This was contained in the ORDER NO:NERC/2025/107 that was released yesterday.

The order said, ‘The Commission has further approved the deployment of the sum of NGN28,000,000,000 (Twenty-Eight Billion Naira)for Tranche B of the MAF Scheme.’

NERC recalled that as of the April 2024 market settlement cycle, the sum of N21.84billion had accrued and was made available for the procurement of meters under the first tranche of the MAF scheme.

The order added that the Commission approved the use of the sum of N21 billion only from the accrued amount apportioned pro rata to the contributions of the DisCos, for the procurement and installation of meters under Tranche A of the MAF scheme, which concluded on 30 June 2025.

These funds, according to the commission, shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the DisCos, and are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers while also expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B.

The Order, said NERC, shall become effective on 6 October 2025 and may be amended or revoked by subsequent Orders issued by the commission.

It is for the operationalisation of Tranche B of the Presidential Metering Initiative under the MAF.

NERC said DisCos shall utilise N28 billion of the MAF scheme for Tranche B apportioned in accordance with their respective contributions as at the July 2025 market settlement and detailed in Schedule 1, for the procurement and installation of meters for unmetered Band ‘A’and ‘B’customers within their franchise areas.

The order further said NERC shall adopt the median DisCo MAP online bid prices for the August 2025 bid cycle as the final prices for all meter categories.

It also said the evaluation of all bids in respect of Tranche B shall be on the basis of meter stock availability and technical assessment.

DisCos, said NERC, shall, within 10 days from the effective date of this Order, conduct a transparent procurement process for the selection and execution of a contract with MAPs with verified and ready for deployment meter stock for the metering of end-use customer meters under the MAF scheme.

It also said DisCos shall, no later than 15 days from the date of the Order, submit to the Commission a list of their selected MAPs, details of meter inventory, including meter types, brand names, serial numbers,and meter location, to obtain a ‘No-Objection’approval from the Commission.

The Commission introduced the Meter Asset Provider (‘MAP’) Regulations 2018 and subsequently,the Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations (‘MAP and NMMR’) in 2021 to address metering challenges in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (‘NESI’).

These Regulations introduced multiple options for metering end-use customers.

However, according to NERC, despite these significant interventions, the national metering gap persists and currently exceeds seven million.

The order said a key constraint identified is the inability of Distribution Companies (‘DisCos’) to secure financing, whether through debt or additional equity, for the acquisition and deployment of end-use meters and other critical capital investments.

NERC said to mitigate this challenge, the Commission developed and approved the Meter impact of DisCos’ limited creditworthiness on metering deployment across NESI.

Actress Nkechi Blessing has proven the authenticity of her iPhone 17 by participating in the trending ‘Apple Challenge,’ which tests whether high-end iPhones are genuine by submerging them in water.

The challenge was initiated by media personality Daddy Freeze to verify claims by celebrities and influencers about owning original Apple devices.

In a video shared online, Nkechi confidently dipped her ?3 million iPhone 17 into a bowl of water, demonstrating that it was indeed authentic.

Before performing the test, she displayed her collection of Apple gadgets, stressing that all her devices were genuine.

Reacting to criticism from some followers who had mocked her over the phone, she said, ‘I am an Apple girl, as you can see. All my gadgets are Apple. I no go let una wey dey buy this iPhone 17 wey I buy for ?3 million for ?450k, ?250k or ?50k disrespect me. This Apple Challenge na Daddy Freeze start am. If una sure, put una phone inside water like this.’

Her move comes amid online debates and skepticism surrounding claims by some celebrities about owning the latest Apple devices.