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Cape Verde made history on Monday after securing qualification for their first World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Eswatini in their final Group D qualifier of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Blue Sharks, needing a win to seal one of Africa’s nine automatic berths for the expanded 2026 World Cup, delivered a commanding second-half performance in front of over 15,000 jubilant fans in Praia.

After a goalless first half, Dailon Livramento broke the deadlock in the 48th minute before Willy Semedo doubled the advantage six minutes later.

Substitute Stopira put the result beyond doubt with a stoppage-time strike to spark wild celebrations across the island nation.

Cape Verde finished top of Group D with 23 points; seven wins, two draws, and a single defeat, four points clear of second-placed Cameroon, who were held to a goalless draw by Angola in Yaoundé.

‘Giving this happiness to these people is enormous. It’s a victory for all Cape Verdeans and, above all, for those who fought for our independence. It’s a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence,’ Cape Verde coach Pedro ‘Bubista Brito said.

Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, who has represented the national team for nearly two decades, was overcome with emotion after the final whistle.’

Cape Verde’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a remarkable rise for the tiny Atlantic archipelago, with a total population of just over half a million.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for introducing draft guidelines that mandate all banks to refund customers for failed Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions within 48 hours.

In a statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, the Commission described the CBN’s move as a major step toward strengthening consumer protection and accountability in Nigeria’s banking system.

According to the FCCPC, the CBN’s Draft Guidelines on the Operations of Automated Teller Machines in Nigeria were released shortly after the Commission published its Consumer Complaints Data Report in September 2025.

The report, covering the period from March to August 2025, revealed that the banking and fintech sectors recorded the highest number of consumer complaints nationwide, over 3,000 in banking alone, with about ?10 billion recovered for customers across 30 sectors.

The findings identified recurring consumer grievances, including failed transactions, unauthorised deductions, and delayed refunds, issues the new CBN guidelines are designed to address.

Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, described the proposed directive as ‘a timely and long-awaited correction to a persistent consumer challenge.’

‘It is consistent with what the FCCPC has been advocating, given the number of complaints we receive about failed transactions. We commend the CBN for this decisive step, which will ease the burden on consumers and rebuild trust in financial services,’ he stated.

The Commission emphasized that the proposed refund directive aligns with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, particularly Sections 17(g), (h), (l), (s), and (t), which mandate the elimination of unfair practices, promotion of fair dealings, and protection of consumer interests across all sectors.

It urged the prompt adoption and enforcement of the new policy, stressing that early implementation would provide immediate relief to consumers while reinforcing accountability within the banking sector.

To ensure the effectiveness of the policy, the FCCPC announced plans to collaborate with the CBN in setting up systems to monitor compliance and ensure timely redress when banks fail to meet the 48-hour refund deadline.

The Commission further advised consumers with unresolved ATM or electronic transaction issues to first report such cases to their banks or the CBN. Where the issue remains unresolved, complaints can be escalated to the FCCPC through its online porta.

According to the FCCPC, sustained cooperation among regulatory agencies will lead to faster resolutions, prevent recurrence of consumer grievances, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Simba Group, in partnership with Luminous Power Technologies, has unveiled a new range of Luminous solar inverters and lithium batteries in Lagos.

Speaking at the launch, Vinay Grover, Group Managing Director of Simba Group in Nigeria, in a statement, emphasised the changing energy needs of Nigerian households and businesses: ‘Nigerians need power solutions that are not just reliable, but also intelligent – capable of supporting modern lifestyles, from home offices to family entertainment. Our new lithium and inverter systems are designed precisely for this. They represent a smarter investment in uninterrupted living and peace of mind.’

Simba Group executives also underlined how solar and lithium technologies are reshaping the global energy landscape and opening new opportunities in Nigeria for energy independence, reliability, and cost efficiency.

The newly launched products, according to the statement, reflect Luminous’s continued focus on innovation and tailoring solutions for regional requirements, while leveraging Simba’s longstanding reputation for trust, reach, and dependable service. Together, the companies reaffirm their commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality, and future-ready energy solutions for Nigerian homes and businesses.

The gathering brought together the top 50 of Simba’s channel partners from across the country, underscoring the strong bonds that have defined the journey of Simba and Luminous in Nigeria.

In a country where sports unite millions, Olamiji Osifeso, founder and CEO of City Rebels Predictions (CRSPredictions), says he is using data to change the way fans see the game. His mission is to transform sports prediction from a game of chance into a culture of learning, logic, and literacy.

Founded in July 2022, CRSPredictions has rapidly grown into a platform that blends sports analytics, technology, and education. For Olamiji, a graduate of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, the goal isn’t entertainment – it’s enlightenment. ‘Sports prediction shouldn’t be about chance,’ he said. ‘It should be about knowledge – knowing how data connects to results and how logic improves decisions.’

From inception, CRSPredictions was designed to stand apart. Unlike many prediction platforms built around odds and risk-taking, Olamiji created a hub for pure analysis – offering fans accurate, data-backed insights without promoting gambling.

Launched officially in 2023, the platform provides detailed match previews, statistical breakdowns, and trend analyses for top football leagues. These tools help users appreciate the reasoning behind outcomes rather than rely on emotion. ‘We want people to enjoy the beauty of football through intelligence,’ he explained. ‘When fans understand the logic behind play, they appreciate the game differently.’

Before launching CRSPredictions, Olamiji honed his entrepreneurial grit in Lagos’s Mandilas Market, managing automobile imports and fashion retail. ‘When you’ve run a business in Mandilas, you learn creativity and problem-solving,’ he recalled. ‘That mindset of improvisation is now part of CRSPredictions – we grow by innovating.’

In 2024, while working as an Admin Officer in a Petroleum and Engineering company, Olamiji combined his analytical training with his passion for sports, giving rise to a platform now recognized as a leading name in Nigeria’s growing sports-tech ecosystem.

Beyond analysis, Olamiji envisions sports as a gateway to digital and data literacy. He sees football statistics as a relatable way to introduce young Africans to data science, probability, and critical thinking. ‘If you can understand football data, you can understand real-world analytics,’ he said. ‘It’s about interpreting information, spotting patterns, and making informed decisions.’

Through interactive content and social media engagement, CRSPredictions encourages fans to view sports as both entertainment and education. The company is also exploring partnerships that will embed data-learning modules within sports communities, empowering young Nigerians with logic-based skills.

In an online ecosystem dominated by speculation, CRSPredictions stands out for its ethical stance. The platform emphasizes accuracy, transparency, and integrity – values that have earned it a loyal user base. ‘Integrity builds longevity,’ Olamiji noted. ‘We don’t promise luck; we promise logic. Every analysis we publish is traceable to data and verified methods.’

This commitment to credibility has allowed CRSPredictions to grow organically, proving that innovation rooted in trust can flourish even without massive funding.

Looking ahead, Olamiji plans to expand the platform’s reach by developing a mobile app, integrating machine-learning algorithms, and introducing interactive dashboards that visualize sports data in real time. His long-term vision is to position CRSPredictions as Africa’s leading sports-intelligence platform – linking passion with precision and promoting responsible fan engagement across the continent.

‘Sports can teach us more than we think,’ he said. ‘It can teach patience, logic, and decision-making. Through CRSPredictions, we’re showing that the future of sports isn’t about luck – it’s about learning.’

In just two years, Olamiji Osifeso has built more than a digital platform; he has created a model for how young Africans can apply data to solve problems creatively. His journey from small ventures to a growing sports-tech enterprise embodies the ingenuity and resilience defining Africa’s new innovation wave.

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged the service chiefs to be more ruthless with terrorists killing innocent citizens in the country.

Oyintiloye said the killings in some parts of the north and other parts of the country needed to stop, although the security agencies were doing their possible best to deal with the situation.

The APC chieftain made the remarks while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo.

Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), expressed concern over the rise in the spate of killings by suspected bandits in Kwara, Borno, Zamfara, and Niger State.

According to him, the heads of security agencies must take the bull by the horns and go hard on those involved in the killings and their sponsors.

The former lawmaker said Nigerians were living in fear and anxiety across the country despite the efforts of the security agencies to bring the situation under control.

He, subsequently, urged the service chiefs not to rest on their oars until they succeeded in winning the war against terrorist groups in the country.

Oyintiloye also advised the service chiefs to look inwards and fish out those who might be working against their relentless efforts to crush the activities of terrorists in the country completely.

‘There is no doubt that the service chiefs are doing their best against these terrorists, but they need to be more ruthless with them.

‘I will also urge them to look inward and fish out those who might be working against their efforts at the war front.

‘This is important and necessary to restore public confidence in the security agencies and restore peace and security in the country.

‘People are tired, and many of them are living in fear of the unknown due to the activities of those perpetrating violent crimes in the country,’ he said.

The party chieftain also highlighted the need for the service chiefs to involve local security networks in intelligence gathering to tackle the menace.

Oyintiloye said people, especially stakeholders living in different communities, must be engaged in intelligence gathering, noting that this would go a long way in preventing terrorist activities and their attacks.

He further said that the security agencies should also target the financial backbone of terrorist groups in the country to complement their efforts.

The lawmaker, however, commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for providing the needed support and budgetary allocation for the security agencies to reduce violent crimes in the country.

Oyintiloye noted that with the cooperation of all stakeholders, acts of faith, patriotism, honesty, and the positive mindset of Nigerians, the country would defeat the menace of insecurity in due course.

Heirs Insurance Group (HIG), Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance group, has announced the launch of the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival, targeted at promoting cultural diversity and an Inclusive Travel Ecosystem.

The one-day festival billed for 29th November is a bold call for an inclusive travel ecosystem for Africans, and will convene thousands of attendees, including travel ecosystem stakeholders, embassy representatives, tourism content creators, and travel lovers, across the tourism value chain for a first-of-its-kind immersive celebration of global cross-border tourism and culture.

With the theme ‘Promoting Cultural Diversity and an Inclusive Travel Ecosystem,’ the event will feature high-level diplomatic dialogues and fireside chats with renowned African travel creators, aimed at fostering strong relationships and promoting global tourism, to build a more connected world.

Guests can look forward to an unforgettable experience, featuring immersive games, live performances, thought-provoking panel sessions, cultural showcases, vibrant music, and a curated marketplace with diverse vendors across food, lifestyle, tourism, and entertainment, all designed to bring the world closer to home.

Speaking about the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival, Ifesinachi Okpagu, chief marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group, emphasised the uniqueness of the event and the role of insurance in facilitating such deep and meaningful convenings.

She said: ‘Travel is about discovery, exposure, and connection. The world is more connected than ever, but with border restrictions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to explore possibilities and opportunities. Heirs Insurance Group is creating a platform to address these limitations, as insurance plays a key role in unlocking these opportunities safely. Through the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival, we are championing a physically borderless world and provoking meaningful conversations that promote responsible, inclusive travel for all.’

Registration is officially open for the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival. Interested participants can secure their free passes on the company’s website.

Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents. With a rapidly expanding retail footprint and an omnichannel digital presence, Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs General Insurance Limited, Heirs Life Assurance Limited, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, serves both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.

Heirs Insurance Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.

The NNPC Limited, Sahara Group, Eroton EandP, and Bilton Energy Ltd have unveiled Nigeria’s first wholly owned 2.2-million-barrel capacity Floating Storage and Offloading vessel, designed to drive sustained oil and gas production.

In a statement seen by BusinessDay, the firms said the vessel is Nigeria’s first crude oil terminal to be commissioned in 50 years.

‘Christened Cawthorne, the Floating Storage and Offloading Terminal is a world-class facility designed to enhance crude evacuation from Nigeria’s OML 18 and nearby assets. OML 18 partners include Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Eroton EandP, OML Eighteen Energy Resource Ltd (a Sahara Group Company) and Bilton Ltd,’ the statement said.

Udobong Ntia, NNPC’s executive vice president, who represented Bayo Ojulari, the group chief executive officer, said the vessel ‘is another bold achievement from the partnership between NNPC and its JV Partners that will guarantee seamless operations and bolster the strategic targets set by President Bola Tinubu towards ensuring optimised upstream production in Nigeria.’

Strategically stationed offshore Bonny, the double-hull FSO vessel with a storage capacity of 2.2 million barrels represents a bold step forward in strengthening Nigeria’s crude export infrastructure and operational resilience, according to Sahara Group.

It was added that the facility will receive, store, and offload crude oil to export tankers, providing a dependable solution to the logistical and infrastructural constraints that have long limited Nigeria’s crude evacuation capacity.

Seyi Omotola, NNPC’s chief upstream investment officer said the vessel represents a renewed hope for Nigeria’s upstream sector, adding that it also reaffirms the growing capacity of the nation to make its energy sector globally competitive.

Tosin Etomi, the head of commercial and planning at Asharami Energy, a Sahara Group upstream company stated, ‘The Cawthorne FSO stands as a symbol of innovation meeting necessity. It is not just a vessel; it’s an assurance of continuity, reliability, and value creation for our partners, our nation, and our people. This collaboration with the NNPC, NUPRC and other stakeholders embodies the drive to turn complex energy challenges into sustainable solutions that power progress across Africa.’

Etomi said the ultramodern vessel is fitted with digital capabilities that make it a vessel ‘built for the future, driving operational flexibility, reducing carbon exposure from barge movements, and enhancing overall evacuation safety. It’s an investment in the resilience of the upstream sector and our environment.’

Etomi added, ‘The commissioning of FSO Cawthorne reaffirms Sahara Group’s and indeed OML 18 partners’ commitment to powering progress responsibly through partnerships, innovation, and infrastructure that strengthen Africa’s energy independence.’

The statement added that the FSO Cawthorne project was conceived to address persistent challenges in Nigeria’s evacuation system, including limited barging capacity, delays in ship-to-ship transfers, and reduced vessel accessibility due to siltation at various berthing slots, which is much needed to support the assets’ 2025 exit volume of 50,000 bopd.

‘Through this innovation, OML18 partners have created a more efficient, safer, and sustainable alternative that will reduce pipeline dependency and the risks associated with oil theft and vandalism. The conversion of the Cawthorne vessel from a very large crude carrier into a fully integrated FSO unit was a feat of engineering excellence. It included extensive modifications, state-of-the-art mooring systems, and cutting-edge import and export infrastructure, all designed in line with international maritime, safety, and environmental standards such as IMO and MARPOL.

Fitted with a Marine Control System, the first and only FSO with such in the region, it combines this technology with artificial intelligence to maximise fully automated import/export systems, PAGA, and security, to list a few of the features.

‘The vessel can accommodate up to 50 personnel on board, offering a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for crew members and operations staff. Beyond its immediate operational benefits, the FSO serves as a scalable platform capable of accommodating future production increases and tie-ins from surrounding oil fields, further cementing its role as a strategic national asset,’ the statement concluded.

At the 21st edition of the AKWAABA African Travel Market, held in Lagos from September 14 to 16, 2025, Interswitch once again demonstrated why it remains at the heart of Africa’s digital revolution. As a headline sponsor and exhibitor, the company spotlighted how fintech innovation is redefining the way Africans travel, do business, and create content.

For Interswitch, AKWAABA was not just another industry gathering; it was an opportunity to demonstrate how platforms like Quickteller Travel are simplifying journeys, connecting ecosystems, and unlocking prosperity for millions.

One of the most notable moments came during a panel session featuring Nnenna Ajanwachuku, Vice President, Transport Ecosystem at Interswitch Group, who spoke on how African travel content creators can unlock new monetisation pathways, while also challenging the industry to think beyond the familiar.

According to her, the future is about subscription models, immersive digital tours, NFT-based travel assets, and creator communities, all underpinned by the right payment infrastructure.

‘Interswitch is not just facilitating transactions,’ Ajanwachuku explained. ‘We are unlocking new revenue streams, fostering financial inclusion, and powering prosperity across Africa’s travel and tourism sector.’

With Quickteller Travel’s multi-currency, cross-border payment capabilities, creators can now reach audiences globally, monetise local authenticity, and scale faster than ever before.

Another strong theme from Ajanwachuku’s session was the role of language in travel storytelling. While English and French help capture international audiences, she argued that indigenous African languages remain critical for cultural resonance and trust-building.

By pairing AI-driven translation tools with seamless payments, Interswitch is helping creators share authentic African stories in local languages and get paid for them, anywhere in the world.

Interswitch has also positioned itself as a natural connector between startups, creators, and operators. With its fintech APIs enabling instant payouts, affiliate booking systems, and co-branded campaigns, the company is building shared value systems where businesses and creators thrive together.

‘The future of Africa’s travel economy lies in collaboration and shared innovation,’ Ajanwachuku said. ‘Interswitch is bridging the gap between technology providers and creators because when one grows, we all grow.’

At its core, Interswitch is doing more than digitising payments. With Quickteller Travel and Quickteller Transport, it is building an integrated mobility ecosystem spanning flights, buses, ferries, and trains so that travel across Africa becomes smarter, safer, and more reliable.

By connecting payment systems to mobility networks, Interswitch is making travel more inclusive, ensuring that both structured operators and small players benefit from Africa’s digital transformation.

As Africa’s travel and tourism sector accelerates its digital transformation, Interswitch stands out as a catalyst for innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration. By powering new revenue models, enabling seamless cross-border transactions, and creating growth opportunities, the company is helping to define the future of African travel and tourism.

He also touched on recent developments in local content enforcement, revealing that PENGASSAN had signed an agreement with Sterling Oil Company aimed at limiting expatriate dominance and ensuring Nigerian workers are trained to take over jobs.

On the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Osifo reminded the Federal Government that the true spirit of June 12 lies in delivering good governance and improving citizens’ welfare.

‘ThisDay’ newspaper of June 3, 2025. Front page Headline: ‘FG: DESPITE CRITICISM, CNG INITIATIVE HAS ATTRACTED $500M, CREATED OVER 10,000 JOBS’

(from Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja)

‘Despite initial takeoff challenges, the coordinating office of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) said it attracted $500 million in investment and created 10,000 jobs nationwide in less than one year.

Besides, the secretariat noted that at least 255 new conversion centres had been established, while 53 daughter stations for refilling had been inaugurated.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Programme Director and Chief Executive of the PCNGI, Michael Oluwagbemi, noted that in spite of the criticisms that have trailed the initiative, close to 100,000 vehicles have been converted, from a mere 4,000 hitherto.

One major issue with the programme has been the reported inadequate infrastructure, as there are too few Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations and conversion centres across the country compared to the demand by motorists, particularly outside major urban areas.

Describing a key newspaper report on the alleged gaps in the programme as ‘alarmist’, being barely seven months old in operation nationwide, Oluwagbemi stated that before the current push, there were hardly any CNG vehicles on the roads and no demand at the few 11 CNG stations nationwide since a 2017 pilot by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

‘This is a result of massive incentives provided by the administration and the breakthrough in awareness due to the economic benefits of the switch. Nigerians love CNG, and the programme is working.’

‘One year out, we are pleased that even the doubting Thomases are singing a new tune. With over 50,000 vehicles and rising to 100,000, the queues at CNG stations are naturally going to rise because of such an unprecedented increase (from a mere 4,000) in vehicle count.

This is a result of massive incentives provided by the administration and the breakthrough in awareness due to the economic benefits of the switch. Nigerians love CNG, and the programme is working.

Indeed, the private sector, as well as public partners that will develop the necessary infrastructure to meet the rising demand of CNG vehicles, are taking note. Just last week, two new daughter stations in Abuja were commissioned, with AY Shafa and Femadec investing in these ventures,’ Oluwagbemi added.

According to him, over 175 stations are being rolled out nationwide by various partners, explaining that just last week, the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) awarded 10 new equity investments to develop their various gas projects.

‘Three of them were focused on developing CNG stations. This was in addition to four of the six initial N123 billion investments made last year by MDGIF being directed at the sub-sector. In one year, the CNG sector has attracted over $500 million in investments and created over 10,000 direct jobs. 255 new conversion centres that didn’t exist last year and 53 daughter stations exist today as a result of some of those investments.

‘Nigeria is making progress with respect to CNG infrastructure, but engineering feats take time. It took over 70 years to get addicted to petrol and diesel. It will take more than seven months to be weaned off the addiction,’ Oluwagbemi added.

‘Guardian’ newspaper of June 2, 2025.

Front page headline: ‘ECOWAS ENDORSES DANGOTE REFINERY AS PETROLEUM SUPPLY BACKBONE’

(By Waliat Musa)

‘President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Touray, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformational project with the capacity to meet the petroleum needs of Nigeria and the entire West African region.

Touray, who led a high-powered ECOWAS delegation on a working visit to the 650,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) facility in the Lekki Free Trade Zone (FTZ), Lagos, lauded the refinery as a ‘beacon of hope for Africa’s future’ and a demonstration of what the private sector could achieve in driving regional industrialisation.

Moved by the scale and sophistication of the facility, the ECOWAS Commission President said, ‘What I have seen today gives me a lot of hope, and everybody who doesn’t believe in Africa should come here. Visiting here will give you more hope because this is exactly what our continent should focus on.

We have seen something I couldn’t have imagined, and really, the capacity in all areas is impressive. We congratulate Dangote for this trust in Africa because I think you do this only when you have the trust, and he has a vision for Africa, and this is what we should all work to encourage.’

According to Touray, the refinery, which produces Euro V standard fuels, is critical to helping the sub-region meet its 50 ppm sulphur limit for petroleum products, a standard many imported fuels fall short of.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded a total of 1,502,733 completed online and physical voter registrations between October 6 and 10, 2025, seven weeks, with women emerging in the majority.

According to data released by the Commission, female registrants accounted for 55.14% (828,563) of the total figure, while males made up 44.86% (674,170).

The figures reflect a growing participation of women in the electoral process, underscoring their increasing political engagement ahead of upcoming elections.

INEC’s report also shows that 1,106,731 (about 74%) of registrants are youths aged 18-34, indicating sustained enthusiasm among young Nigerians to participate in governance.

In addition, students accounted for 507,097, while persons with disabilities (PWDs) represented 21,244 of the total new voters captured.

Of the total registration, 878,715 completed their pre-registration online, while 674,018 registered physically at INEC offices and designated centres nationwide.

The Commission described the progress as encouraging, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive voter registration and ensuring that every eligible Nigerian, especially women, youths, and PWDs, can exercise their civic rights.