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THE creator of 40andFabulousNaija, a Nigerian reality TV show, Ambassador Jolly Nnenna Abani, has called for greater support from sponsors, partners, and broadcasters to expand a project aimed at empowering women and creating jobs across communities.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Abani, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Mother of Models International, said the initiative was designed to tackle stereotypes against women aged 40 and above while equipping them with practical skills to achieve economic independence. She said the programme also creates opportunities for girls and other vulnerable groups through training and empowerment schemes.

‘Strong women build strong nations,’ Abani said. ‘When women are empowered, entire families and communities are lifted out of poverty. This project is about healing, empowerment, and giving women – especially those over 40 – a second chance to thrive,’ he added.

Abani explained that 40andFabulousNaija goes beyond entertainment by providing women with hands-on skills that can create sustainable livelihoods. The show, which doubles as a non-governmental organization, also offers support to single mothers, widows, divorcees, and survivors of abuse who often face barriers to social and economic inclusion.

She appealed to major television networks to provide access to airtime, lamenting that value-driven content such as hers is often sidelined while shows that ‘erode family values’ dominate viewing schedules.

‘We are not asking for free airtime,’ Abani stated. ‘What we are asking for is a fair commercial arrangement – a purchase of airtime so our content can reach the audience it deserves. When you invest in this project, you are investing in women, families, and the future of our society,’ she stated.

Preparations are underway for Season 3 of the show, which will, for the first time, include men who will join the house on weekends to network and showcase their businesses, while women will live in the house full-time. According to Abani, this format aims to encourage entrepreneurship and collaboration among participants.

Abani said she remains optimistic about the upcoming season, describing it as a turning point for the programme and its impact.

‘Anticipate a season filled with hope, progress, and greatness,’ she told journalists.

The 40andFabulousNaija platform has so far provided empowerment and training for women and girls in different communities, with Abani emphasizing that sustained support from stakeholders would allow it to expand its reach, create more jobs, and promote decency and family-oriented values in society.

THE Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend the recently approved N32,000 minimum pension to retirees of seven defunct parastatals who were omitted from the increase.

The association described such inclusion as a ‘just and befitting Pensioners’ Day gift’ that would further demonstrate the President’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and justice for all retirees.

In its 2025 Pensioners’ Day Celebration Message jointly signed by the President General, Elder Benjamin Amakko, and the General Secretary, Mr. Franklin Erinle, FEPPPAN appealed to President Tinubu to ‘graciously direct the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to include pensioners from the seven defunct parastatals who were wrongly excluded from the N32,000 pension increase.’

The affected entities, the statement noted, include the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), NITEL/MTEL, People’s Bank, Assurance Bank, NICON Insurance, Nigeria Insurance, and the Petroleum Institutes.

FEPPPAN expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for his administration’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of retirees, especially for ensuring regular and prompt payment of pensions across the country.

The association said the President’s compassion has brought renewed hope and dignity to many senior citizens who once suffered neglect, noting in particular his approval of palliatives for pensioners to ease the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal. ‘That gesture speaks volumes of a listening and humane leader,’ the statement read.

FEPPPAN, however, urged the Federal Government to release the three-month N25,000 palliative already approved by the President to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on pensioners nationwide.

The Association further called on all tiers of government-federal, state, and local-to prioritise pensioners’ welfare by ensuring prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, and by providing affordable healthcare and housing tailored to the needs of senior citizens.

‘These are not privileges; they are rights earned through decades of loyal service to our beloved country,’ FEPPPAN declared.

Celebrating Nigeria’s senior citizens as heroes of service, the Association saluted the strength, dignity, and legacy of pensioners who gave their best years to the growth and stability of the nation. ‘You are the pillars upon which our nation stands tall,’ it said. ‘You gave your youth, your strength, your skills, and your best years in service to Nigeria. Today, we say with pride: You are our pride, our inspiration, and our moral compass,’ it added.

The message, titled ‘A Salute to Our Heroes: Celebrating the Strength, Dignity, and Legacy of Nigeria’s Senior Citizens,’ described October 5 as a special day in the heart of every pensioner – one proclaimed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari as the National Pensioners’ and Senior Citizens’ Day, set aside to honour the invaluable contributions of the nation’s elders to peace and progress.

FEPPPAN urged every pensioner to ‘wear this day as a badge of honour,’ adding that their labour and sacrifices are written not only in national policy but also in the living memory of the nation they helped to build.

The Association praised pensioners as ‘beacons of integrity, discipline, and service,’ whose legacy continues to inspire younger generations. ‘Your story teaches that dedication and integrity are never in vain,’ it said, stressing that the Nigeria of today stands firmly on the foundation of their sacrifices.

Reaffirming its dedication to protecting the rights and welfare of retirees, FEPPPAN pledged to continue engaging constructively with government to ensure that no pensioner is left behind. It extended goodwill to all senior citizens, both in the public and private sectors, wishing them good health, long life, peace of mind, and the respect they truly deserve.

The Senate is set to address growing claims of a ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria, which have been circulated both locally and internationally by some media outlets, advocacy groups, and religious organizations. Lawmakers say the narrative misrepresents the country’s complex security challenges as purely religious.

A motion titled ‘Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and the International Communities’ will be debated on Tuesday.

The motion, sponsored by former Senate Leader Ali Ndume, has Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto North), and Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South) as co-sponsors.

According to a copy of the motion seen by Tribune Online, the senators said the aim is to correct what they described as a distorted narrative in some international media reports portraying Christians as the sole victims of Nigeria’s violence.

They noted that ‘serious security challenges including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and targeted attacks which have affected citizens across various religious, ethnic, and regional backgrounds, resulting in loss of lives and property among both Christian and Muslim communities’ are being wrongly presented in religious terms, a development they warned could further divide the country.

The move follows the Presidency’s recent response to United States Senator Ted Cruz, who alleged that Nigerian officials were ignoring or supporting mass killings of Christians by Islamist militants.

Cruz, in a post on his X handle, claimed that Christians in Nigeria were facing systematic persecution.

Responding, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismissed the claims as false and misleading. He said Nigeria’s security problems are caused by terrorism, banditry, and criminality-not religious persecution-adding that the country enjoys religious harmony.

Ndume and his co-sponsors expressed concern that the US Senate and Congress may have been influenced by such claims and could move to label Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ a designation typically reserved for nations accused of human rights or religious freedom violations.

They urged the Senate to reject the characterization of Nigeria’s security crisis as a ‘Christian genocide’ and to reaffirm that the ongoing conflicts stem from socio-economic, ethnic, and criminal factors that cut across religious lines.

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to ‘encourage diplomatic missions especially US Embassy, International organisations, and foreign media to rely on verified, balanced, and credible sources-including security agencies, local communities, and independent observers-when reporting on religiously sensitive issues in Nigeria.’

They further advised the government, through the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, to ‘engage US Senate and Congress; international partners and diaspora networks through official briefings and fact-based publications to correct misconceptions.’

They also proposed that Nigeria ‘support interfaith peacebuilding programmes that emphasise shared victimhood and national unity’ and ‘ensure justice and accountability for all victims of violent attacks-whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise-to address impunity and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has urged residents and business owners in Abuja to pay their taxes promptly, noting that steady tax payments are key to sustaining the ongoing infrastructure projects across the city and its surrounding areas.

Wike made the appeal on Monday during the flag-off of new road and drainage projects in Asokoro Extension.

He said tax revenue remains central to government efforts to deliver quality roads, drainages, streetlights, and other public facilities.

He emphasized that paying taxes is both a civic duty and an investment in collective well-being.

He said: ‘All these good roads, drainages, and streetlights wouldn’t be possible if you don’t pay your taxes.

‘Dis soup sweet, na money kill am. If you don’t have money to buy the right ingredients, the soup won’t taste good. In the same way, if we don’t have funds, we can’t deliver the kind of city Abuja deserves.

When you pay your taxes, you are buying comfort, safety, and pride for Abuja. So, let’s all do our part to make this city the pride of the nation.’

The Minister explained that the projects are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope infrastructure agenda aimed at repositioning Abuja to compete with other major cities globally.

‘This government is committed to ensuring that the FCT competes favorably with other cities of the world,’ Wike said. ‘What you see in the developed world isn’t magic, it’s the result of leadership commitment. That is what Mr. President has brought to Abuja.’

Over the past ten days, Wike has launched several projects across the FCT, including roads, water systems, and streetlights. He said the Asokoro project shows the government’s determination to develop every part of the capital.

‘Without proper road networks, drainages, and streetlights, life becomes difficult. But by the time these are completed, Asokoro will rank among the most beautiful areas in Abuja,’ he assured.

Wike also noted that the ongoing projects have created jobs for thousands of young people through the construction firms working across the city.

‘Everywhere you go, construction is ongoing and that means jobs for our young people. This is part of the Renewed Hope agenda,’ he said.

He added that the FCT Administration will soon begin rehabilitation of 40 schools and start new projects in the health sector.

‘We’ve touched transport, roads, sports, and education. Now we’re moving to health. No sector will be left untouched,’ he stated.

The Minister called for continued public support and patience, saying progress takes time and resources.

‘The Abuja of two years ago is not the same today and by tomorrow, it will be even better,’ Wike concluded.

DETAILS of how the South-West caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may adopt a preferred candidate for national secretary ahead of the national convention of the party coming between November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital emerged on Monday.

Nigerian Tribune recalls that the battle for the position, which is zoned to the South-East in the outgoing dispensation, was mired on controversy and litigation between two tendencies, which left the PDP almost in limbo for about two years.

The PDP eventually settled for one of the claimants to the post, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, in a seeming compromise at the 100th National Executive Committee of party.

Some main stakeholders in the party told the Nigerian Tribune that the leaders from the South-West were holding extensive consultations on how to come up with a consensus candidate since the position is already ceded to the geopolitical zone ahead of the elective convention.

A source said two bigwigs of PDP from the South-West have in London as more party faithful intensified lobbying for their preferred choice from Ogun State, which is micro-zoned with Lagos State.

Incidentally, the current deputy national secretary of PDP, Architect Setonji Koshedo, hails from Lagos.

Other party chieftains informed the Nigerian Tribune that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State would be given the right to put forward a possible preferred candidate because of the status and strategic position of the two-term governor in PDP caucus in the South-West.

But his choice, according to the leaders, would not be automatic as it will be subject to due process since, in the words of one the PDP elders; PDP is not a one-man show.

The stakeholders also ruled out the possibility of either Oyo or Osun getting the privilege to present candidates for the post of national secretary, since both states currently hold the posts of deputy national chairman and national vice chairman/zonal chairman respectively.

In a memo dated September 1, 2025, addressed to the PDP national chairman through the deputy national chairman (South), the zoning committee for the Southern Region zoned the positions opf national auditor, and deputy national organizing secretary along with national secretary to the South-West.

The committee recommended the posts of national financial secretary, deputy national secretary, national women’s leader and deputy national leader to the South-East, while the offices of deputy national chairman (South), national publicity secretary, deputy national treasurer and deputy national legal adviser were proposed for the South-South.

Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune on the phone on preparations for the PDP convention as regards national offices, a former deputy national chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George, emphasised the issue of privileged that would be given Governor Makinde in making a greater input into who emerges as the consensus candidate of the South-West as national secretary, in consultations with other elders and leaders of thought of the party.

George, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, said: ‘The governor should have an interest in who emerges as the candidate for the position given his position in the South-West PDP caucus. Though it is not automatic, we must able to concede to the governor. We will share whatever is left.

‘If there are certain things we observe that needs a collective action, we will settle them. He knows what he wants in consultations with elders.

‘Whatever he brings, we will approve and if there are issues, we will address them and move forward. That’s the way the PDP works, once it is something that will bring comfort, unity and progress to the South-West.

He said the PDP was ‘not like the other political party because there is no room for arbitrariness; we have had all congresses at the ward, local and state levels.’

‘The position they gave us, we will have to call a meeting and work with the elders. We will network and get the support of everybody. It is a collective responsibility. It is not a private property,’ Chief George said.

A former national vice chairman of PDP, Chief Eddy Olufeso, said that all processes that will culminate into the national convention remain seamless, citing the conduct of congresses from ward to the local and state levels so far.

He said the leaders do not envisage any form of hiccups because of the ongoing collaborative efforts of the critical stakeholders in the PDP to guarantee the emergence of formidable structures.

Similarly, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Senator Olu Alabi, told the Nigerian Tribune that there are concerted efforts by the leaders to produce a consensus candidate for the post of national secretary.

AS the battle of wits rages among the Osun State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Union Of Local government Employees (NULGE) over Osun local governments allocations, the leadership of Omoluabi Progressives in the state, on Monday, warned the Federal Government to stop starving duly elected local government executives of their statutory funds.

The group, within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, further described the alleged attitude of the APC-led Federal Government of imposing illegal local government chairmen and diverting council funds as a direct assault on democracy in the state and across Nigeria.

The chairman of the group, Azeez Adesiji, who expressed displeasure over the development at a press conference in Osogbo, called for resistance against what he alleged as the conspiracy of the Federal Government and the APC to divert billions of naira into an illegal account opened in the name of ‘yes or no’ illegal chairmen in the state.

According to him, ‘Instead of upholding the law, the Federal Government has chosen to perpetrate fascism by starving duly elected local government executives of their statutory funds and diverting billions of naira into an illegal account opened in the name of these ‘Yes or No’ illegal chairmen.

‘This is not only unconstitutional but a direct theft of the people’s resources and political brigandage,’ Adesiji said. He described the development as ‘a declaration of war against the Nigerian Constitution and the people of Osun State.

‘The Federal Government is setting a dangerous precedent by disregarding valid court judgments to entrench rejected cronies in power.

‘We condemn in the strongest terms this overbearing conduct of the federal government, which has shown that it will stop at nothing to manipulate institutions, desecrate the courts, and subvert the will of the people.

‘This same pattern of lawlessness is already creeping into Osun politics ahead of the forthcoming elections, and Nigerians must take note of what this portends for 2027.

‘This is a brazen assault on democracy, rule of law, and the sanctity of the constitution by the APC-led administration. Those parading themselves as council chairmen and councillors have no lawful mandates, no constitutional backing, and no electoral legitimacy.

‘APC’s attempt to build legality on the election it conducted based on a technical victory over a pre-election matter, despite a judgment that nullified the election outrightly, is laughable and the height of political rascality,’ he stressed.

‘We warn that funds deposited in the accounts of the disputed council officials must not be touched,’ describing any such withdrawal as criminal. ‘Local government funds must be released to legitimate and constitutional authorities.

‘By any accounting procedure, government allocation cannot be paid directly or indirectly into any government functionary’s account. Doing so would amount to an egregious violation of financial regulations, which the ICPC should address with urgency’.

‘We charge professional bodies and democratic institutions, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and civil society groups, to stand up against the misuse of Osun people’s resources as the APC’s political war chest.

‘We also call on democratic institutions, civil society organisations, labour unions, opposition parties, and the international community to resist the creeping authoritarianism allegedly being imposed through local government structures.

‘The struggle for local government autonomy must not be turned into an APC scheme for political capture and financial looting,’ insisting that those behind the diversion of council funds must be held accountable.’

Omoluabi has no locus to interprete law -APC

But when contacted by the Nigerian Tribune on the allegation, Osun APC accused the Omoluabi group of seeking attention through political propaganda and suggested that the group should preoccupy itself with resolving its internal crisis within the ADC rather than meddling in Osun’s local government affairs.

The party’s spokesperson, Chief Kola Olabisi, in a statement in Osogbo, stated: ‘There couldn’t have been any need for their tirade beyond mere attention-seeking as that is the only way they could be heard.

‘No fabricated or concocted side talks can take the place of the Appeal Court judgment which was not challenged in the Supreme Court.’

He described the Omoluabi Progressives’ criticism as belated and unnecessary, claiming that it is acting behind time.

‘The matter of the delayed federal allocations to the local governments had long been settled by the Court of Appeal judgment of February 10, 2025 and what authority does the Omoluabi Progressives have to interpret court judgments?

‘The Appeal Court judgment expressly reinstated the APC local government chairmen and councillors, making them the constitutionally elected council officers in the face of the law.

‘Who conferred the status of interpreter of the law or court judgment on the busy-body members and leaders of the questionable Omoluabi Progressives?’ Kolawole queried.

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday marked another milestone in its transformation journey with the commissioning of the NAF Headquarters Annex Complex in Gudu, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Monday by the Service Spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to the statement, the new NAF headquarters annex facility, designed to decongest the overstretched Headquarters in Garki, was described as a bold step towards strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing productivity, and boosting personnel welfare.

Beyond its administrative value, the project also reinforced the NAF’s capacity to project airpower more effectively in defending the nation and protecting the lives of citizens.

Speaking at the event, the Special Guest Minister of Defence, Dr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, commended the foresight of the NAF leadership, noting that the project reflected resilience, vision, and commitment to institutional growth.

He observed that since its establishment in 1964, the Air Force had expanded tremendously in scope and responsibility, creating the need for new administrative and operational support structures.

According to him, relocating key branches such as the Air Secretary, Standards and Evaluation, Transformation and Innovation, as well as the 051 Personnel Management Group and an Annex of the Chief of the Air Staff’s Office, would not only ease congestion but also provide a firmer institutional foundation for the future.

While praising the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, for aligning the project with his Command Philosophy of maintaining a highly motivated force through welfare and infrastructural renewal, he declared, ‘This Annex is a reflection of the Air Force’s habit of excellence and foresight’.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff explained that the Gudu Annex was deliberately acquired and remodelled to create a conducive work environment and strengthen coordination.

He emphasised that the project underscored the Service’s commitment to excellence and welfare, noting that motivation thrives where efficiency and infrastructure are prioritised.

According to him, ‘the commissioning of the HQ NAF Annex stands as a testament to our dynamism, resilience, and forward-looking posture,’

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, described the commissioning of the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Annex Complex in Gudu as more than the unveiling of a new structure.

He noted that the event represents a defining milestone in the continuous transformation and dynamic growth of the Nigerian Air Force.

Several dignitaries attended the occasion, including the Acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Augustine Akobundu; the Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Honourable Kabiru Al-Hassan Rurum; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Service Chiefs and other senior officers.

THE Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend the recently approved N32,000 minimum pension to retirees of seven defunct parastatals who were omitted from the increase.

The association described such inclusion as a ‘just and befitting Pensioners’ Day gift’ that would further demonstrate the President’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and justice for all retirees.

In its 2025 Pensioners’ Day Celebration Message jointly signed by the President General, Elder Benjamin Amakko, and the General Secretary, Mr. Franklin Erinle, FEPPPAN appealed to President Tinubu to ‘graciously direct the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to include pensioners from the seven defunct parastatals who were wrongly excluded from the N32,000 pension increase.’

The affected entities, the statement noted, include the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), NITEL/MTEL, People’s Bank, Assurance Bank, NICON Insurance, Nigeria Insurance, and the Petroleum Institutes.

FEPPPAN expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for his administration’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of retirees, especially for ensuring regular and prompt payment of pensions across the country.

The association said the President’s compassion has brought renewed hope and dignity to many senior citizens who once suffered neglect, noting in particular his approval of palliatives for pensioners to ease the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal. ‘That gesture speaks volumes of a listening and humane leader,’ the statement read.

FEPPPAN, however, urged the Federal Government to release the three-month N25,000 palliative already approved by the President to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on pensioners nationwide.

The Association further called on all tiers of government-federal, state, and local-to prioritise pensioners’ welfare by ensuring prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, and by providing affordable healthcare and housing tailored to the needs of senior citizens.

‘These are not privileges; they are rights earned through decades of loyal service to our beloved country,’ FEPPPAN declared.

Celebrating Nigeria’s senior citizens as heroes of service, the Association saluted the strength, dignity, and legacy of pensioners who gave their best years to the growth and stability of the nation. ‘You are the pillars upon which our nation stands tall,’ it said. ‘You gave your youth, your strength, your skills, and your best years in service to Nigeria. Today, we say with pride: You are our pride, our inspiration, and our moral compass,’ it added.

The message, titled ‘A Salute to Our Heroes: Celebrating the Strength, Dignity, and Legacy of Nigeria’s Senior Citizens,’ described October 5 as a special day in the heart of every pensioner – one proclaimed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari as the National Pensioners’ and Senior Citizens’ Day, set aside to honour the invaluable contributions of the nation’s elders to peace and progress.

FEPPPAN urged every pensioner to ‘wear this day as a badge of honour,’ adding that their labour and sacrifices are written not only in national policy but also in the living memory of the nation they helped to build.

The Association praised pensioners as ‘beacons of integrity, discipline, and service,’ whose legacy continues to inspire younger generations. ‘Your story teaches that dedication and integrity are never in vain,’ it said, stressing that the Nigeria of today stands firmly on the foundation of their sacrifices.

Reaffirming its dedication to protecting the rights and welfare of retirees, FEPPPAN pledged to continue engaging constructively with government to ensure that no pensioner is left behind. It extended goodwill to all senior citizens, both in the public and private sectors, wishing them good health, long life, peace of mind, and the respect they truly deserve.

The Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure, has joined the global community in marking this year’s Customer Service Week, themed ‘Mission: Possible.’

The annual celebration, which recognizes service excellence and customer appreciation, provided CSCS an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to innovation, resilience, and customer satisfaction – values that have defined its leadership in Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, HarunaJalo-Waziri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, expressed gratitude to customers and employees alike for their unwavering trust and dedication.

‘Our impressive achievements are only made possible by your unflinching faith in our audacious mission to revolutionize the Nigerian capital market,’ Jalo-Waziri said. ‘As we celebrate our esteemed customers, I also appreciate my colleagues, whose empathy and dedication continue to make real positive changes in serving our customers and the market at large,’ he said.

This year’s Customer Service Week celebration comes on the heels of several transformative digital initiatives by CSCS, which have strengthened efficiency, transparency, and access across Nigeria’s capital market.

Among these innovations is RegConnect Version 2, an upgraded registrar platform featuring real-time data validation, omnichannel transaction capabilities, and seamless API integration to enhance operational reliability. CSCS also launched the Custodian Portal, a secure and user-centric interface that simplifies portfolio and trade management, document tracking, and share transfers for custodians.

Further expanding financial inclusion, CSCS, in partnership with MTN Nigeria, introduced the *7270# USSD Code Service, enabling investors to check account balances, stock positions, and Direct Cash Settlement (DCS) status directly from their mobile phones, even without internet access.

Jalo-Waziri emphasized that these innovations reflect CSCS’s continued drive to ‘make the impossible possible,’ underscoring its strategic role in deepening investor confidence and digital transformation within the capital market.

The organization also highlighted the importance of its employees, whose professionalism ensures seamless clearing, settlement, and market access for millions of investors locally and internationally.

As Nigeria’s capital market prepares for its transition to a T+2 settlement cycle in November 2025, CSCS reaffirmed its readiness to deliver world-class services aligned with global standards, further cementing its position as a key enabler of market growth and efficiency.

With over two decades of service, CSCS remains pivotal to the Nigerian capital market’s evolution, from the dematerialization of share certificates to the modernization of post-trade infrastructure.

Licensed and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), CSCS serves as the central depository for a wide range of securities including equities, corporate and sub-national bonds, mutual funds, and commodities.

Through a mix of cutting-edge digital platforms, web and mobile applications, and a responsive customer service framework, CSCS continues to deliver on its mission to enhance market trust, investor accessibility, and service excellence.

AS the world marks World Habitat Day 2025, the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called for urgent action toward climate-resilient housing, sustainable urban planning, and inclusive housing policies across Nigeria.

It warned that ‘every home built today must stand against tomorrow’s climate risks.’

World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October each year. It was established by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities and reaffirm the basic right of every human being to adequate shelter. It also reminds the global community that everyone has the power and responsibility to shape the future of urban settlements

This year’s global observance, held on October 6, 2025, is themed ‘Urban Crisis Response’, drawing attention to how conflicts, climate disasters, and economic instability are transforming cities and deepening inequality. The theme emphasizes that inclusive urban crisis response must create the conditions for people to return, reintegrate, and rebuild their lives with dignity.

According to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), over 122 million people are currently displaced worldwide, with more than 60 percent of them seeking refuge in cities. This growing trend of urban displacement is exerting immense pressure on already fragile housing systems and public services, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria.

Nigeria’s urban crisis is escalating rapidly, driven by poor planning, weak enforcement of regulations, and rapid population growth. Experts estimate that Nigeria’s cities are expanding at a rate far faster than their infrastructure can support, resulting in overcrowded settlements, pollution, and inadequate social amenities.

The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), in its statement to mark World Habitat Day, expressed concern that Nigeria’s urban landscape is under increasing strain due to unregulated construction, poor waste management, and the loss of green areas meant to serve as buffers against flooding and heat waves.

The organization noted that cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Asaba, green belts originally designed as utility corridors and environmental buffers have been converted into residential and commercial properties.