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Seychelles has emerged as Africa’s most powerful passport in 2025, according to the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks countries based on global travel access without prior visa requirements.

With visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 destinations, Seychelles maintains its lead on the continent. It is followed by Mauritius with 149 destinations, while South Africa comes third with access to 103 destinations.

Botswana ranks fourth with 85 destinations, and Namibia follows closely at 79. Lesotho (76) and Eswatini (74) also feature prominently among Southern African countries with relatively strong passports.

In East and West Africa, Malawi and Morocco tie with access to 73 destinations, while Kenya and The Gambia share the tenth spot, granting holders entry to 71 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index 2025 provides an annual global ranking of passports based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), offering insights into travel freedom worldwide.

1. Seychelles – 156 destinations

2. Mauritius – 149

3. South Africa – 103

4. Botswana – 85

5. Namibia – 79

6. Lesotho – 76

7. ESwatini – 74

8. Malawi, Morocco – 73

10. Kenya/Gambia – 71

Comedian Seyi Law has congratulated fellow comic Deeone for his extraordinary achievement of completing a 52-hour stand-up comedy performance in Lagos.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Seyi Law praised Deeone’s determination, passion, and years of preparation that led to the record-setting feat, describing it as a monumental moment in Nigerian comedy.

He wrote, ‘What started as a joke to many was, in truth, a vision fueled by passion and years of planning. From 2021, the journey was long, demanding, and relentless, but today, it has become a reality. A record-breaking 52 hours of performance is no small feat. It’s monumental.

‘While we await the official confirmation, I want to take a moment to celebrate your unwavering dedication, resilience, and sheer willpower it took to get here. You’ve done what most wouldn’t dare to attempt, and I pray this achievement opens doors to even greater success. Congratulations, my brother @DeeoneComedian. You made history today.’

Although Guinness World Records has yet to officially verify the attempt, Deeone’s performance, which lasted 52 hours and some minutes, has been widely celebrated by fans and colleagues.

The comedian had initially aimed for a 60-hour performance, held from October 2 to 4, 2025, at Pallazo Lagos in Opebi, Ikeja.

His announcement of the event, shared via a comical ‘burial-style’ flier on Instagram, stirred massive attention online ahead of the show.

Ahead of Anambra Election scheduled for Saturday, November 8th 2025, a civic-tech platform that turns citizen evidence into public accountability, Citizen Monitors has announced the rollout of its new election-monitoring web application.

The application is designed to let citizens document and verify what happens at polling units across the state.

A statement by the platform said: ‘The web app allows users to capture, upload, and view real-time reports from polling units, creating a public evidence base for transparent elections.

‘ Capture and upload evidence: Users can upload clear photos or videos of result sheets and incidents, tagged to their polling units.

‘ Automatic context: Each report includes timestamp and GPS location for easy verification.

‘ Peer review: Reports are checked by other users before appearing on the public dashboard.

‘ Live view: A statewide map and ticker display verified updates as they come in.

‘Election day should be clear, not chaotic. The platform helps turn citizens into calm, coordinated witnesses instead of bystanders.

‘Trust grows when people can see the evidence. With this app, Anambra can protect its polling units with facts, not noise,’ Co-founder of Citizen Monitors Adeshop Haastrup said.

‘Our message is simple: see it, record it, verify it. If each unit plays its part, election day becomes clearer and safer for everyone,’ spokesperson for Citizen Monitors Olajumoke Alawode-James said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be hosting all-important Council of State meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

This followed the invitation extended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to members of the Council of State and the Police Council to a high-level strategic meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025.

The notice of the invitation was contained in a statement by the Director Information and Public Relations in the office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, on Tuesday.

According to the statement , the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Okop Umobong, said the hybrid meeting will deliberate on matters of national importance, with a particular focus on national security and policing challenges across the country.

The meetings are slated to hold at the Council Chambers, Aso Villa, Abuja.

The Council of State is expected to meet at 1:00 p.m while the Police Council will convene at 2:00 p.m. Members have been requested to attend either physically or virtually.

The SGF, in extending the invitation, underscored the importance of the sessions in aligning national leadership on key policy and security priorities.

The statement added that the high-level engagement reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued commitment to addressing pressing national issues and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians.

‘The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, has extended an invitation to members of the Council of State and Police Council to a hybrid strategic meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025.

‘According to the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Okop Umobong, the meeting aims to discuss matters of national importance and key issues affecting national security and policing.

‘This high-level meeting underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing pressing national issues and ensuring the safety and security of citizens’, the statement said.

This will be Tinubu’s second Council of State meeting, having convened his first on August 13, 2024, which attracted former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari with Governors and other members.

The council passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu’s administration and discussed key national issues.

Weeks after the Dangote Refinery commenced free fuel distribution across the country, the pump price of petrol has remained as high as N900 per litre in Edo State.

The refinery had earlier announced that fuel prices in Edo would drop to N851 per litre following the start of its free distribution initiative nationwide.

However, checks across petrol stations in Benin City on Monday showed prices ranging between N885 and N900 per litre, with no visible reduction.

While most station managers declined to comment, some attendants who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were yet to receive any free fuel supply from the Dangote Refinery.

A commercial driver, Nosa Igbinosun, expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he was surprised that stations in Edo had not reduced their prices despite reports that some had received products from the refinery.

He called on the state Task Force to intervene and ensure that petrol stations benefitting from Dangote’s distribution scheme sell fuel at the approved price.

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has declared October as Pharmacy Rx emblem month to promote public awareness of the role of community pharmacies in healthcare delivery across the country.

The declaration was made by the national chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, during a press conference held at the association’s national secretariat on October 4, 2025.

Pharm. Ezeh described the initiative as a major milestone in the advancement of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.

‘It gives me great honor and joy to formally declare this month as Pharmacy Rx Emblem Month,’ he said. ‘This special designation is not just symbolic but a powerful statement that reaffirms the central role of community pharmacy in safeguarding the health and well-being of our people.’

He explained that the Rx emblem-the universal symbol of trust, professionalism, and healing-represents the integrity and credibility of community pharmacists who provide genuine medicines and expert care.

‘By dedicating this month to the Rx emblem, we are showcasing our community pharmacy premises as unique sanctuaries where patients can confidently access authentic medicines, professional pharmaceutical care, and comprehensive healthcare services,’ he added.

Pharm. Ezeh emphasized that community pharmacies serve as vital health hubs within neighborhoods, providing more than just prescription dispensing.

‘In an era where counterfeit and substandard medicines threaten public safety, the Rx emblem stands as a beacon of assurance and authenticity, guiding patients to where quality and professionalism are guaranteed,’ he noted.

He outlined the objectives of the month-long campaign to include promoting public awareness that pharmacies bearing the Rx emblem are trusted centers of excellence in healthcare delivery, as well as reinforcing the bond between pharmacists and the communities they serve.

Showcasing the wide range of services offered by community pharmacies, such as patient counseling, chronic disease management, preventive care, and wellness support.

Pharm. Ezeh called on Nigerians to recognize the strategic position of community pharmacies as the most accessible healthcare facilities for millions seeking medical attention.

‘Let us use this month to boldly tell our story, that community pharmacy remains the most accessible and trusted healthcare facility,’ he said.

In his closing remarks, he urged government authorities, healthcare stakeholders, and the general public to support community pharmacists in their mission to deliver quality healthcare, protect lives, and build healthier communities.

‘Together, let us make the Rx emblem shine as a trusted guide to safe medicines, professional care, and healthier living,’ he concluded.

The ACPN reaffirmed its commitment to empowering community pharmacists and strengthening the delivery of quality pharmaceutical care across Nigeria.

For the second straight year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, has won the 2025 Golden World Award (GWA) from the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

The prestigious prize was presented at the body’s 70th anniversary in Ghana. The historic event featured the inauguration of IPRA’s new President, Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, the first African woman to assume the role. She succeeds Natasa Pavlovic Bujas.

Established in 1990, the Golden World Awards – regarded as the ‘Oscars of Public Relations’ – celebrate campaigns that exemplify excellence, ethics, and impact. The 2025 gala, the first-ever hosted on African soil, coincided with Ghana’s Institute of Public Relations’ 50th anniversary.

The NCS-IMPR partnership topped the Publication category with a book titled ‘Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management,’ which highlights innovative PR strategies implemented under the leadership of Comptroller-General Wale Adeniyi.

It comprises practical case studies and engagement tools, and illustrates how strategic communication can enhance an institution’s reputation through transparency, boost revenue through stakeholder engagement, and reinforce national security through effective crisis communication.orsed by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), the 162-page publication co-authored by Kabir Abdulsalam and Maryam Na’Allah also received commendation from Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Receiving the award in Accra, Nigeria Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, remarked, ‘This honour reaffirms the power of communication in building institutional credibility. Under CG Adeniyi, our service has embraced transparency, innovation, and accountability.’

Dr. Sule Yau Sule, Chairman of IMPR’s Board of Directors, described the honour as a testament to public-private collaboration in strategic communication: ‘This recognition proves that Nigerian agencies can compete globally. PR is not just for publicity; it is a tool for reform and public trust.’

The latest accolade came after the 2024 GWA win in Belgrade, Serbia, where the ‘100 Days of Impactful PR at Customs Service’ campaign triumphed in the Crisis Management category, positioning the NCS as a global benchmark for reform-driven government communication.

Led by CEO Yushau Shuaib, IMPR has secured IPRA awards for nine consecutive years since 2016. It was named the Most Creative PR Agency Worldwide in 2020 by the Global Creativity Index (GCI) published by PRovoke Media, organisers of the SABRE Awards.

The Federal Government is mobilising 49 per cent of Nigeria’s $2 billion fibre optic network investment project to accelerate broadband penetration and support the country’s transition to a digital economy, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, has said.

Tijjani disclosed this in Abuja during a plenary session organised by IHS Towers, one of the largest independent owners and operators of shared telecommunications infrastructure globally. The session was part of activities marking the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit, which is ongoing in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, the Federal Government’s contribution is aimed at bridging the nation’s connectivity gap and building the infrastructure backbone needed for nationwide digital transformation.

According to the Minister: ‘The implication is that every state, every local government, and every ward of Nigeria will be covered in the design. So wherever you lead, there will be a point of presence, a fiber-optic network that is close to your home. And what Nigeria is then going to see once we’re able to deploy this is that your connectivity will no longer be viewed using mobile connectivity at home, even from a fiber-based connectivity.’

He noted that ‘the biggest issue in the telecom sector is to invest in infrastructure, which the federal government is currently mobilising because we require huge broadband infrastructure to drive telecoms growth,’ the minister said.

He explained that expanding fibre optic networks across Nigeria is crucial for achieving affordable and reliable internet access. ‘For Nigerians to have connectivity, we need to invest in fibre optic networks, which will cost about $2 billion. Since no single company can raise that, the federal government opted to bring in 49 per cent, and we want the private sector to bring the other 51 per cent,’ Tijjani said.

The Minister noted that improving broadband connectivity will directly translate into economic growth.

Tijjani also revealed that in less than two years, 11 states have declared zero Right of Way (RoW) charges for broadband infrastructure deployment – a move he described as vital for accelerating rollout and reducing operational costs for telecom companies.

He added that the government’s broader strategy includes leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive national growth and position Nigeria as a leading destination for technology investment.