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ýý Kogi L-PRES trains personnel on ethical leadership to enhance institutional resilience, productivity

The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES) has held a two-day Ethical Workers’ Leadership Retreat for all the management and support staff; this is a bid to strengthen institutional integrity and enhance project staff productivity.

The retreat, organised in collaboration with the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO), an international anti -corruption NGO based in Lokoja, was themed, ‘Understanding the Fundamentals of Ethics, Workplace Ethics and Public Service Value Orientation’.

While declaring the retreat open, Otaru Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza, the State Project Coordinator, described the training as a strategic investment to build the capacity of the project staff on ethical standards, public service values and institutional resilience to improve productivity at work place, adding that the exercise was beyond routine capacity building, but a deliberate effort to help project staff grow both professionally and personally.

He urged participants to reflect on their work ethics, adjust where necessary, and build on their strengths to deliver the L-PRES Project Development Objective (PDO) in Kogi State.

‘Project implementation is a collective responsibility; true institutional change must begin with the individual contribution to the successful implementation of the L-PRES Project.

‘We have thought outside the box to embrace this worthy collaboration. We are now partners in progress.

‘I advise the project staff to immediately practise what they have learnt as they return back to the office so that the resources invested will not be in vain,’ he said.

He charged project staff to remain committed to self -development, stressing that the knowledge goes beyond L-PRES and will remain relevant even after the end of the project cycle.

Prince Salih Yakubu, executive director, CESVO, said the training was in fulfilment of a pledge made when Kogi L-PRES was honoured for its integrity record.

Yakubu disclosed that Kogi L-PRES ranked second among only ten states that met CESVO’s ethical standards after its annual secret investigations nationwide, adding that the feat earned the State Project Coordinator induction into the CESVO Hall of Fame as Integrity Icon of Nigeria (IION), and the project, the Corporate Ethics and Integrity Compliance Award.

He disclosed that CESVO has trained over 47,000 Nigerians in the last five years on ethical reorientation.

‘The choice is now theirs. We have done a lot of exposures. ‘What we want to see in the next few years is transformation in character, conduct and leadership to make Kogi a model for other states’.

He revealed that a communique was issued at the end of the retreat to set a clear direction, while structures would be put in place to ensure the knowledge is imbibed.

The two-day retreat featured interactive sessions, case studies, role plays and psychometric tests.

Six critical modules were covered, including effective office communication, ethical leadership, managing executive stress, emotional intelligence, strategic planning and office politics.

Yakubu, in his paper titled ‘Managing Workplace Executive Stress: A Silent Killer,’ decried rising stress among Nigerian workers, such as loss of sleep over work, headache, palpitations, hypertension, among others.

He identified excessive workload as a major cause and advised workers to be decisive, set priorities, avoid perfectionism and procrastination, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In a related development, Tom Adejo Yusuf, CESVO Faculty Advisor, in his presentations on Emotional Intelligence and Office Politics, described office politics as the use of power and social networking to influence change, pointing out that it could be positive when it promotes fairness and ethical decision-making, but negative when it involves backstabbing, manipulation and self-promotion.

He noted that over 60 percent of employees engage in office politics and advised staff to be cordial, genuine, helpful, maintain proper documentation, build relationships and guard their character.

The participants described the retreat as eye -opening, thanked the management of Kogi L-PRES and pledged to turn over a new leaf, with a vow that their conscience would henceforth remain their guide.

Man City CEO warns European rivals over Premier League charges

Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano says the club’s legal battle with the Premier League over its financial charges will take ‘a lot more time’ to conclude.

Soriano made the comments on Monday while speaking at a board meeting of the European Football Clubs (EFC), formerly the European Club Association, in Copenhagen ahead of the organisation’s general assembly.

According to the Press Association, Soriano told fellow executives, ‘It’s taken eight years to get here, and it’s going to take a lot more time,’ referring to the Premier League investigation, which began in 2018.

His comments came days after reports emerged that an independent panel had found Manchester City guilty of all but one of the 115 financial-rule charges brought against the club. Sanctions have yet to be determined, while City are expected to appeal the findings.

The charges relate to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, including claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information, failed to provide accurate details concerning player and manager payments, breached UEFA financial regulations and failed to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.

The Premier League has not commented on the reported verdict. City also stopped short of confirming or denying the reports, insisting that the process remains ongoing and subject to confidentiality.

‘The Premier League process remains ongoing with significant elements to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality,’ the club said in a statement.

SM Supermalls honored at Economic Times Human Capital Awards Southeast Asia 2026

Some of the most meaningful work within an organization happens quietly, away from the day-to-day routine. It unfolds when employees step forward to volunteer in coastal cleanups, assemble relief packs for disaster-affected communities, or establish structural pathways that help colleagues envision long-term careers within the company. Recognizing a workplace culture where corporate purpose and personal growth converge, SM Supermalls received two major honors at the Economic Times Human Capital Awards Southeast Asia 2026 during a formal gala ceremony held on July 24 at One Farrer in Singapore.

The prestigious regional platform awarded Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Group Head and Senior Vice President for Human Resources, the Gold Award for Visionary HR Leadership. Simultaneously, SM Supermalls earned the Silver Award for Excellence in Employee Involvement for ESG and CSR, acknowledging its organization-wide mobilization of human capital toward environmental, social, and governance causes. At the center of the Gold recognition for Visionary HR Leadership is a strategic commitment to investing in the holistic employee experience. Over recent years, SM Supermalls has instituted unified frameworks encompassing talent and career development, learning and technology systems, leadership pipelines, culture-building efforts, and well-being initiatives. By combining human-centered leadership with digital capabilities, the company has transformed its human resources operations, generating a reported 230 percent return on investment from HR technology deployments over a three-year timeline.

These strategic investments have delivered measurable operational milestones across the organization achieving 99 percent retention rate among high-potential talent, alongside a 75 percent informal succession realization rate for critical roles. Furthermore, overall employee retention at SM Supermalls is at par with global high-performing company norms. Yet, leadership emphasizes that metrics represent only a portion of the broader ongoing trajectory.

‘We are proud of our progress, humbled by how much more there is to do, and committed to getting better every day. This recognition inspires us to keep improving how we listen, learn, and build a better workplace for our people.’ said Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Group Head and Senior Vice President for Human Resources, SM Supermalls

The company’s people-first philosophy extends past internal talent management into direct community involvement. Through SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, employees actively participate in nationwide coastal cleanup drives, disaster response efforts, and accessibility workshops designed to foster inclusivity for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. In the first half of 2026 alone, 40 percent of the total workforce volunteered time and talent to support localized initiatives across the Philippines.

‘Our business exists to serve people, and that responsibility extends beyond our malls. We are proud of how our employees continue to step forward and contribute their time, talent, and heart to causes that uplift communities. When purpose and people come together, meaningful impact follows’ said Steven T. Tan, President, SM Supermalls

Together, the two awards highlight an integrated organizational strategy: one aspect focuses on cultivating an environment where professionals can build fulfilling careers, while the other empowers those same individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. Viewing these accolades as a standard for continuous improvement rather than a final destination, SM Supermalls remains dedicated to advancing its HR practices and community programs throughout the country.

’I no longer have any privacy’: Vozinha reflects on price of World Cup fame

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says the fame he gained from his outstanding performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come at the cost of his privacy and the ‘peace and tranquillity’ he enjoyed before the tournament.

The 40-year-old shot to global prominence in June after a remarkable performance to help Cape Verde hold eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening World Cup match.

Vozinha made seven saves against Spain as Cape Verde secured a historic result on their World Cup debut, sending his social media following soaring from about 50,000 to more than one million.

His profile increased further after Cape Verde pushed Argentina into extra time before eventually losing in the round of 32.

However, Vozinha said the attention has significantly changed his everyday life and that he preferred the quieter existence he had before the tournament.

‘I’ve lost my peace and tranquillity,’ Vozinha said.

‘I no longer have any privacy, or at least much less than I used to.

‘Now I go out, I go to a restaurant, and there’s always someone who wants to take a photo with me or asks me for an autograph. Or, worse, someone is filming me.

‘That’s what has changed most in my life, and I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it.’

His family has also experienced the impact of his newfound fame. Vozinha’s mother became part of his World Cup story after he revealed that she could not afford a visa to watch his World Cup debut.

US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries subsequently announced that the visa fee had been waived.

Vozinha said his mother now receives daily visits from fans who want to meet him and take photographs.

‘A lot of people want to be famous and have a public profile, but they only see the positive side of that reality,’ he said.

‘To be honest, if I were offered the life I have today or the life I had before, I’d choose the one I had before.’

His performances earned him a nomination for the men’s goalkeeper of the year award at the Ballon d’Or.

‘It’s nice to feel like a kind of ambassador, but I want to make it clear that what we achieved was a collective effort,’ Vozinha said.

‘We made history, and the best news would be if we could harness that momentum to develop our country and improve the living conditions of our people.’

A stronger MICE is Kenya’s next tourism frontier

Kenya’s tourism story has long been defined by our extraordinary wildlife, beaches and culture. These remain powerful attractions, but as we pursue our ambition of reaching 5.5 million international visitors by 2028, Kenya is looking beyond traditional leisure tourism to identify the next engines of growth.

One opportunity clearly stands out, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

Globally, MICE has become an important driver of tourism and wider economic activity. According to the International Congress and Convention Association, more than 11,000 international meetings were held globally in 2024.

The exhibitions industry on the other hand illustrates the scale even more clearly.

According to UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, exhibitions generated approximately $150 billion in direct spending in 2024, attracted 318 million visitors and supported 1.8 million direct jobs and 4.3 million jobs in total.

These numbers matter to tourism because the value of a delegate extends far beyond the conference room. A visitor attending a three-day event needs accommodation, transport, food and other services.

Many also extend their stays, experience local attractions and return later for leisure. MICE therefore creates an opportunity to grow arrivals, bed nights, visitor spending and repeat travel simultaneously.

Destinations are already demonstrating what is possible, Singapore, for example, recorded $2.3 billion in MICE tourism receipts in 2025, a 35 percent increase from the previous year. It also hosted 156 international association meetings, an eight percent increase year-on-year.

These gains demonstrate how deliberately developing business events can strengthen a destination’s tourism economy.

For Kenya, the opportunity comes at an important moment, we are already building the infrastructure needed to compete for larger international events. For many years, the Kenyatta International Convention Centre has been a cornerstone of Kenya’s conference industry and one of the region’s established convention facilities.

It has enabled Nairobi to host major international, regional and diplomatic meetings while connecting delegates to the city’s wider tourism offering.

Today, that capacity is expanding, the private sector continues to invest in hotels and hospitality properties with modern conference and meeting facilities. This is important because Kenya’s MICE proposition cannot depend on a single venue. It must be an ecosystem bringing together hotels, convention facilities, airlines, restaurants, destination management companies, tour operators and attractions.

Government investment is also changing the scale of what Kenya can offer. The Bomas International Convention Complex, currently under development, is expected to significantly expand the country’s capacity to host large-scale international conferences, exhibitions and events.

With major convention spaces, additional halls and numerous meeting and breakout rooms, the facility will enable Kenya to pursue events requiring capacities beyond those currently available.

The government is also taking a more deliberate approach to attracting international events, with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife working to identify, bid for and secure major conferences and other business events for the country.

MICE is increasingly being positioned as a strategic component of Kenya’s broader effort to reach 5.5 million international visitors by 2028, bringing together public resources and private-sector partnerships to strengthen the country’s proposition to international event organisers.

But infrastructure alone will not win the business, we must become more deliberate in identifying the right events, bidding competitively for them, packaging the destination and creating experiences that encourage delegates to stay longer.

The Kenya Tourism Board will continue to position Kenya as a place where people meet, connect and experience. A conference in Nairobi can extend into a wildlife experience in the Maasai Mara, a coastal holiday, a cultural encounter, a culinary experience or an adventure across one of our many tourism circuits.

The 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) provides a timely platform for this ambition. As we bring together international buyers and Kenya’s tourism industry, our objective extends beyond selling leisure excursions. We are also using these relationships to open conversations around conferences, exhibitions, incentive programmes and corporate events that can bring more visitors to Kenya.

If we are serious about reaching 5.5 million international visitors, MICE must be part of the equation. Kenya has the connectivity, experiences, growing hospitality investment and expanding convention infrastructure to strengthen its position in this market.

Our task now is to turn that potential into sustained international business.

Iranian army official says some neighbors do not want a strong Iran

Iran’s Deputy Army Chief for Coordination, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, has accused some neighboring countries of opposing a strong Iran and providing facilities to Tehran’s adversaries for attacks against the country.

‘The enemy does not wish to see a powerful Iran; it desires a weak and fragmented Iran,’ Sayyari said, according to remarks carried by Iranian media.

He argued that the conduct of some of Iran’s neighbors demonstrated that they did not want the country to become stronger.

Sayyari referred to neighboring states along the southern shores of the Persian Gulf and around the Caspian Sea, accusing some of them of supporting Iran’s adversaries.

He did not identify the countries by name.

The senior Iranian military official also alleged that some neighboring states had made military bases and other facilities on their territory available to foreign forces for attacks against Iran.

Sayyari criticized what he described as a contradictory position in which countries provide facilities to Iran’s adversaries while simultaneously seeking assurances that they themselves will not be targeted.

NAF completes local reassembly of first two H125 helicopters

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the local reassembly of its first two H125 helicopters at the NAF Base Ikeja, Lagos.

The NAF disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the helicopters were delivered by Airbus Helicopters and reassembled with the support of Airbus technical personnel.

According to the service, the exercise is expected to strengthen technical collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and Airbus, facilitate knowledge transfer and provide NAF personnel with practical exposure to the support and maintenance of modern rotary-wing platforms.

Sunday Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff, described the development as a positive step towards strengthening the technical and operational capacity of the service.

Aneke said the acquisition of modern platforms must be complemented by the development of the knowledge, partnerships and support systems required to maximise their operational value and sustain them throughout their service life.

‘Beyond acquiring modern platforms, we are committed to developing the knowledge, partnerships and support systems required to maximise their operational value and sustain them throughout their service life,’ he said.

The NAF said the H125 helicopters would provide additional capability for ongoing air operations, including surveillance, tactical mobility and other operational support missions.

The service also expressed appreciation for the continued support and strategic direction of President Bola Tinubu, saying his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security capabilities continued to support fleet modernisation and operational effectiveness.

Paperless Customs: Ferrari expectations with a Morris Minor configuration

The launch of Customs Paperless Declaration from 1 October is undoubtedly a welcome step towards digitalisation and trade facilitation. However, digitising the declaration alone will not automatically deliver faster Customs clearance.

Expecting a dramatic improvement in clearance speed under the present conditions is like expecting Ferrari performance from a Morris Minor configuration.

The real bottleneck is not merely the absence of paper. It is the entire clearance ecosystem-the limitations of the existing ASYCUDA World system, excessive regulatory interventions by Other Government Agencies (OGAs), multiple approvals, physical examinations, manual interventions, fragmented processes and institutional constraints.

If these underlying constraints remain unchanged, there is a real risk that the new paperless system could become another ‘copy-and-paste road show’-where an old, complex clearance process is simply transferred onto a digital screen without fundamentally changing the process itself.

A genuinely paperless Customs environment should eliminate unnecessary physical movement, repeated document submissions, manual endorsements, avoidable approvals and waiting time.

Digitising a slow process does not make the process fast.

It only makes the slow process digital.

What Sri Lanka needs is not simply paperless Customs, but process-less Customs where unnecessary processes are removed.

If the objective is genuine trade facilitation, the 1 October launch should be accompanied by a clear programme to:

simplify the Customs declaration and approval workflow;

address the functional limitations of ASYCUDA World;

reduce unnecessary physical examinations through effective risk management;

integrate OGA approvals into a truly coordinated digital platform;

eliminate repetitive document submissions and physical endorsements;

enable pre-arrival processing and approvals;

provide adequate digital document-upload capacity;

establish clear service-level timelines for Customs and OGAs;

eliminate the need for Customs brokers to physically chase files, officers and approvals; and

measure success by actual reduction in cargo dwell time, rather than merely the number of declarations submitted electronically.

The success of Paperless Customs should therefore not be measured by ‘How many Customs declarations are filed electronically?’

The real question is:

‘How much faster does an import container move from vessel arrival to Customs release?’

If the answer is not significantly faster, then we have not achieved trade facilitation-we have simply digitised bureaucracy.

Sri Lanka does not need a digital version of the existing Customs process.

Sri Lanka needs a fundamentally redesigned clearance process powered by digital Customs.

Paperless is the beginning-not the destination.

Sunnies Studios renews partnership with Erwan Heussaff

Sunnies Studios has announced the renewal of its partnership with brand ambassador Erwan Heussaff for the second straight year.

The new campaign, ‘Everyday Erwan. Everyday Sunnies.’ offers a closer look at Erwan’s life as a chef, digital content creator, collaborator and entrepreneur.

Erwan’s work has earned international recognition, including a James Beard Award, while establishing him as one of the authentic Filipino voices bringing local food and culture to a global audience.

His continued partnership with Sunnies Studios reflects a shared journey of mastering Filipino creative excellence on the global stage. Both Erwan and Sunnies are homegrown talents whose reach include audiences in other countries.

Founded in 2013 by Bea Soriano-Dee, Eric Dee, Georgina Wilson, and Martine Ho, Sunnies began as an eyewear label before expanding into cosmetics, lifestyle accessories, and cafe concepts.

Sunnies World entered the Thai market in 2025 (where Thais love the customizable Sunnies Flask) and Sunnies Face can now be seen on Sephora shelves.

Erwan started as a content creator on YouTube and a restaurateur. He is now considered an authority on Filipino cuisine as he explores different parts of the country in search of good food. He is also considered a health and wellness advocate.

The partnership is a significant milestone for Sunnies Studios, which was recognized as the No. 1 Optical Brand in the Philippines, according to Euromonitor International for

three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025. The recognition comes as the brand continues to expand, with more than 300 stores across the Philippines and over 10 branches in Thailand. This regional growth includes the grand opening of Sunnies World in Central Park, Bangkok, the brand’s first international flagship store, earlier this year.

Sunnies’ growing international presence reflects the ambition of a homegrown brand finding its place on the global stage.

Sunnies Studios is committed to making eyewear more accessible, from everyday prescription needs to lens options designed around different lifestyles. Optical packages start at P1,595, inclusive of an eye exam with a licensed optometrist, frames, and prescription lenses, with different lens packages available.

Screen Safe provides blue light protection for daily screen use, while Sun Adaptive uses photochromatic technology to transition from clear indoors to dark under the sun. Sun + Screen combines blue light and sun protection in one lens, while Ultrathin offers thinner lenses for a lighter feel and is recommended for higher prescriptions of -3.00 and above.

YouTube strengthens links between creators, commerce

YouTube Thailand is expanding from a video-sharing platform as its owner Google pushes towards connected TV, creator-led entertainment and e-commerce, intensifying competition for viewers and digital advertising spending.

The new content includes micro-dramas, creator-produced game shows and suspense programmes.

“After 12 years of YouTube in Thailand, the platform has grown from simple video sharing into the epicentre of culture, connection and commerce,” Rafael Scislowski, country manager of Google Thailand, said at the YouTube Works Awards 2026.

Thailand has 90,000 channels with more than 10,000 subscribers, and is adding 1,000 channels every month, alongside 85% year-on-year growth in YouTube Shorts uploads, according to YouTube Data Thailand in December 2025.

He said YouTube’s role in Thailand’s video and digital advertising market revolves around three areas: culture, connection and commerce.

Mr Scislowski cited Nene Royal’s journey on America’s Got Talent as a prime example of how culture on YouTube is a deep-dive experience rather than an isolated, fleeting trend.

YouTube is a major destination for streaming video in Thailand, covering music, comedy, storytelling and podcasts. Some 94% of Thai Gen Z viewers surveyed said YouTube has the best content for podcasts.

Micro-dramas and short series, which are a new entertainment vertical, utilise serialised short-form storytelling.

The launch of the Short Series feature allows viewers to explore serialised shorts and gives brands a structured way to collaborate on episodic content, he said.

Meanwhile, connected TV reaches more than 13 million adults in Thailand.

In terms of connection, YouTube’s relationship with creators is becoming more important to advertisers, as 90% of surveyed Thais ranked YouTube as their most trusted video platform.

Unlike other social platforms where content disappears after 24 hours, 40% of total views on YouTube videos occur after the first month of posting.

To connect brands with creators, YouTube introduced Creator Partnerships in Thailand. The tool allows marketers to search for creators by keyword, category or trend, while reviewing audience demographics and engagement before deciding on collaborations.

The platform is strengthening the link between content and shopping, said Mr Scislowski. Roughly 87% of Thai Gen Z viewers surveyed said YouTube helps them make more confident purchasing decisions.

“Marketers can bridge brand awareness and performance sales rapidly by combining creator trust with artificial intelligence technology,” he said.

The platform’s Commerce Media Network connects viewers from YouTube ads directly to the checkout pages of marketplaces Shopee and Lazada. The network can also use shopping signals, such as product searches and items added to carts, in targeted advertising.

In a pilot campaign, Nivea Thailand used the Commerce Media Network alongside other YouTube advertising tools. The campaign generated three times as many online purchases and a 32% increase in offline sales.

TRENDS

Thailand’s YouTube culture is shifting from short-lived viral trends towards content that keeps audiences engaged for longer, said Charudej Lertsumitkul, the community partner manager at YouTube Thailand.

He cited KT Kratae’s Bangkok City music video, which surpassed 27 million views and extended into street dance and fashion content at Wat Arun.

Mr Charudej said creator content is competing with traditional entertainment formats. Watch time for TV drama content on YouTube has tripled, while creators such as Thep Leela and GoodDay Official are producing their own game shows.

Talk shows combining informal conversations with food and travel are also attracting communities around shared interests.

He said suspense content has broadened from ghost stories to true crime and analytical programmes such as Mor Tang and The Untold Case. The time viewing suspense content has doubled, matching a trend for travel creators with longer-form content.

Thai viewers seek content that is empowering when it comes to mental well-being, personal development and positive thinking, with video podcasts becoming a key format, said Mr Charudej.

YouTube is linking creator content with e-commerce through its Shopping Affiliate Program, which integrates with platforms including Shopee and Lazada.

More than 50% of eligible creators in Southeast Asia have joined the scheme, tagging products in more than 6 million videos.

Older videos can continue generating sales, as creators can add product tags to existing content, including videos published years earlier.