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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has refuted claims by a former Director General of the agency, Temisan Omatseye, that the $700m Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) has been converted to naira and is no longer being held in United States dollars.

In a statement released on Sunday, NIMASA said this claim is incorrect and does not reflect the actual status of the CVFF.

The NIMASA statement reads, ‘The attention of the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been drawn to reports circulating in some sections of the media alleging that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) has been converted to naira and is no longer being held in United States dollars.

‘The reports attributed this claim to a former Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Omatseye, who reportedly alleged that the conversion was undertaken to enable the Fund to earn higher interest rates.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, this claim is incorrect and does not reflect the actual status of the CVFF.

‘The revenue streams accruing to the CVFF are denominated in different currencies. Accordingly, funds remitted in United States dollars are retained in dollars with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while contributions remitted in naira are retained in the local currency. There has been no conversion of the dollar-denominated component of the CVFF to naira, contrary to the allegation.

‘Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, is working assiduously towards ensuring the imminent disbursement of the Fund to qualified beneficiaries.

‘The Agency has received applications from eligible beneficiaries, some of whom are currently undergoing the required documentation processes with their preferred Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs). NIMASA remains optimistic that the disbursement process will commence shortly.

‘The Honourable Minister’s commitment to ensuring the disbursement of the CVFF is consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to strengthen indigenous capacity, empower local operators and enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

‘In view of the foregoing, maritime stakeholders, industry operators and members of the public are advised to disregard the misleading reports suggesting that the CVFF has been converted from dollars to naira.’

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) is targeting the growth of Africa’s estimated $30 billion fashion industry into a $500 billion economy through a comprehensive development roadmap to be unveiled at the CANEX Weekend 2026 in Lagos State.

The initiative, which seeks to reposition Africa’s fashion industry as a major driver of economic growth, trade and employment, will be presented at a joint exhibition stand established by CAFA and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy on 5 November 2026.

The unveiling, scheduled to coincide with CAFA’s first anniversary, will take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Lagos, with the organisation inviting fashion stakeholders, investors, policymakers and international partners to explore opportunities within the proposed framework.

CAFA President, Aare Lai Labode, said the organisation was working with African governments to harmonise policies on sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property to ensure that the continent derives greater economic benefits from its creative industries.

He explained that the initiative was designed to move African fashion beyond creativity and cultural expression towards a structured industrial economy capable of generating wealth, creating employment and strengthening the continent’s participation in international trade.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on 5 November 2025, when the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed the document on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Musawa said the initiative, known as Afroliganza, was aimed at establishing a sustainable fashion economy anchored on African heritage and driven by indigenous institutions.

‘Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact,’ she said.

The Minister further stressed that strategic investments in the fashion industry could generate millions of employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people, while strengthening local manufacturing and expanding the economic contributions of the creative sector.

Registered in Rwanda, with its headquarters in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also collaborating with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure the African Union’s adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is equally progressing towards becoming the second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Within its first year, the organisation brought together 50 nations at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and signed a memorandum of understanding with Trkiye’s ASRIAD.

As part of its industrial development strategy, CAFA is promoting the local processing of African raw materials into finished fashion products, while its ‘Own What We Create’ initiative seeks to strengthen intellectual property protection.

The organisation is also introducing the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark to promote quality standards and authenticity, alongside the establishment of African Global Fashion Houses in international markets.

Another major component of the roadmap is the African Global Fashion Games, scheduled to debut in Nigeria in 2028.

The competition, which will hold every three years and alternate between African and international host countries, will bring designers together under their respective national colours, combining creative competitions with investor engagements, business deals and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event will challenge competing countries to produce designs using identical materials within a fixed period, placing emphasis on craftsmanship and technical skills.

Labode urged African governments to support the adoption of the Charter and encourage participation in the Games Register by establishing national teams, stressing that the continent must begin to translate its creative resources into measurable economic value.

‘Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,’ he said.

CAFA consequently called on fashion designers, artisans, creatives, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to visit its exhibition stand throughout the four-day CANEX Weekend, scheduled to hold from 5 to 8 November, to explore the roadmap and identify opportunities in design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships.

The Peace Arena for Youth Foundation (PAY-F), in partnership with PeaceJam Nigeria, the Rotary Club of Akoka, District 9112, and the Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, District 9111, has urged students and members of different ethnic groups to embrace peaceful coexistence and shun violence.

The call was made at an event themed ‘Choosing Peace Over Violence,’ held on Saturday at the Tolu Odugbemi Hall, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Speaking on the theme, a Rotary Peace Fellow alumna, Rotarian Grace Anuforo, identified six forms of violence, including physical abuse, sexual violence, social and emotional abuse, cybercrime, verbal abuse, and cruelty.

Anuforo advised participants to set boundaries and walk away from bullying, physical attacks, and verbal abuse rather than retaliate.

She said, ‘This isn’t weakness. It means that you have power over the other person. You shouldn’t allow the actions of a bully to control you. You must think about the consequences of your actions before you act.

‘Being a peace ambassador in your various schools means engaging in peaceful dialogue and teaching other students the rudiments of peaceful coexistence. You must let them understand the dangers of hurting fellow students or engaging in actions that could make them feel violated.’

Also speaking, an official of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Awojumobi Oluwaseun, described initiatives of this nature as important in promoting peaceful coexistence, conflict resolution and positive behavioural changes among students, particularly amid growing social challenges in schools.

He expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of students, their enthusiasm and the quality of presentations, noting that the programme had fostered an effective partnership among the organisers, teachers and students.

According to him, the initiative provides students with opportunities to acquire practical knowledge beyond the conventional classroom environment.

He urged teachers to reinforce the lessons by creating opportunities for participating students to educate their peers through classroom engagements, school assemblies and other collective activities.

‘The students are agents of change, and they can influence others in their classes. They should be encouraged to continue talking to themselves, encouraging one another and spreading the message of peace beyond the programme,’ he said.

Oluwaseun also advised the organisers to develop information materials, including magazines and flyers, to sustain awareness and encourage positive behavioural changes among students.

He urged the participants to sustain their enthusiasm and commitment, stressing that peace education should extend beyond the programme and become part of their daily conduct within and outside the school environment.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Executive Director of PAY-F and Coordinator of PeaceJam Nigeria, Dr Doyin Ogunyemi, described the theme as timely, noting that shaping young people’s lives positively from an early age could have lasting effects on their behaviour and choices in adulthood.

Ogunyemi, a former president of the Rotary Club of Akoka, urged young people to maintain harmonious relationships with those around them and promote peace in their communities and beyond.

She said the foundation believed that peace education should begin early, adding that students needed to understand that they could navigate life’s challenges by choosing peaceful responses over violence.

According to her, young people often encounter situations that provoke frustration and could lead to physical violence or emotional abuse, but they must understand that responding violently or peacefully is a choice.

She also stressed the need for peaceful conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians to embrace dialogue, tolerate opposing views and remain united despite their differences.

Ogunyemi identified poverty, inadequate resources and economic difficulties, including the rising cost of transportation, as some of the factors that could trigger frustration and violence among students and members of society.

She called for equitable access to available resources and urged students to serve as role models by demonstrating peaceful ways of resolving disagreements.

The PAY-F executive director also advocated the integration of more peace clubs into school curricula to equip students with the skills to manage difficult situations and maintain peaceful relationships.

‘We want to build a country where, even when we disagree on an issue, we can engage in dialogue rather than fight, pick up weapons or resort to other negative actions,’ she said.

Ogunyemi added that individuals must take responsibility for promoting peace, beginning with themselves, their immediate surroundings, schools and communities before extending the message to the wider world.

The event attracted 340 students drawn from 21 schools across Lagos State and neighbouring Southwest states, teachers, development practitioners, Rotarians and peace advocates.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has said he and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are committed to national unity, improved security, increased investment in healthcare and education, and policies aimed at reducing poverty.

At an NDC town hall meeting, held in Owerri on Saturday, Obi raised concerns about poverty and insecurity and urged voters to protect their ballots.

He also addressed concerns about electoral transparency, while urging residents to participate in the 2027 general elections.

He advised the people to remain at their polling units to monitor the process until the final results were declared.

The former Anambra governor described protecting votes as an important responsibility of citizens exercising their democratic rights.

He thanked party members, candidates, organisers and supporters in Imo State for participating in the meeting, describing national development as a collective responsibility.

The Owerri engagement forms part of the NDC’s ongoing political outreach ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He criticised President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s economic record.

Obi said that President Tinubu had not spent a night in the state despite spending more than 260 days abroad.

He also accused the administration of accumulating substantial debts without delivering corresponding improvements in citizens’ living conditions.

Obi cited poverty, hunger, insecurity and the number of children outside the education system as major national concerns.

The NDC candidate revealed that more than 140 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty, adding that approximately 18 million children were out of school.

On arrival, Obi visited the Relief Market in Owerri, where he interacted with traders, buyers, and other residents about their experiences with the current economic situation.

The perceived rivalry between Nollywood actresses, Toyin Abraham and Funke Akindele, has resurfaced on social media, following a post by Abraham.

Barely 24 hours after Akindele announced her partnership with Facebook to promote her forthcoming movie, The Four: No One Fights Alone, Abraham took to Instagram to share a throwback post celebrating her previous collaboration with TikTok for her movie, Oversabi Aunty.

Akindele had announced the partnership on October 29, promising fans exclusive behind-the-scenes content and other promotional activities ahead of the film’s release.

Abraham in her post on October 30, wrote: ‘Throwback to when TikTok collaborated with OVERSABI AUNTY! It was such a beautiful experience, and I’m looking forward to more amazing collaborations as we gear up for BESTIE.’

The timing of the post triggered reactions, with some social media users interpreting it as a subtle attempt to draw comparisons with Akindele’s latest partnership.

While some accused Abraham of engaging in unnecessary competition with her colleague, others dismissed the criticism, arguing that she was simply celebrating a previous professional collaboration while promoting her forthcoming movie, Bestie.

The development has once again brought the perceived rivalry between the actresses into focus, particularly as both prepare to release movies during the December cinema season.

Akindele’s The Four: No One Fights Alone is scheduled for December 11, while Abraham’s Bestie is expected in cinemas on December 16.

Although neither actress has suggested that the development is connected to a rivalry, their respective promotional activities have once again provided social media users with fresh material for comparison.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has said that the Federal Government spent not less than ?1 trillion on cancer control in the last one year.

Bagudu made this known at the 5.4-kilometre walk in Abuja, with the theme, ‘One Walk, One Fight – Walk Away Cancer,’ which brought together survivors, health advocates and political leaders in a united call for early detection, prevention and stronger government support to combat one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.

The minister explained that ?350 billion had been invested in establishing cancer centres across the country, while over ?300 billion had also been committed to cancer detection equipment, in addition to other allocations to the health sector.

He stressed that additional revenue had been made available to state and local governments for cancer prevention, early detection and treatment, adding that there was a need to hold them accountable for the judicious utilisation of the funds.

‘I want to commend the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), under the leadership of its president, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for its relentless and longstanding cancer awareness and sensitisation campaign.

‘Cancer control remains one of the priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector,’ he said.

On her part, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Maria Mahmoud, said early detection played a significant role in combating cancer before it advanced, urging Nigerians, particularly women and girls, to undergo regular screening, which she said was available at little or no cost in many centres.

‘We really appreciate and commend this sensitisation initiative for Nigerians. With this kind of massive turnout, the high prevalence of cervical cancer will go down,’ she said.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, also said nobody should fight cancer alone, stressing the importance of early screening and noting that the disease did not discriminate based on age or social influence.

‘To all cancer patients and survivors, we see your fight and honour your courage. We shall continue to stand with you in solidarity,’ she said.

In his remarks, the president of the Cancer Society of Nigeria, Professor Abidemi Omonisi, called on the Federal Government, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support cancer patients and survivors as part of efforts towards national development.

‘I want to thank the president of the UICC, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for being a leading cancer control advocate in the country. She is not just an advocate but also contributes financially to supporting cancer patients and survivors because treatment is very expensive,’ he said.

In her address, the president of the Union for International Cancer Control, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, said the organisation, in collaboration with other stakeholders, had been fighting cancer for over 12 years and would not relent in its efforts to tackle the deadly disease.

‘We want to see a lot more financial appropriation for the fight against cancer. A lot has been done this year, and we want to thank President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for investing heavily in the health sector for national development,’ she said.

A cancer survivor, Mr Farooq Oreagba, said he had been diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer more than 12 years ago, attributing his survival to early screening and detection.

‘To everyone here, being diagnosed with cancer is not a death sentence. All I need from everyone is regular screening, as early detection saves lives. My cancer was detected even when I was not ill. I have a few more years to go, and I am still not ready to quit,’ Oreagba said.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, has been elected the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Representative on the Board of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO).

Prof Ike-Muonso emerged victorious in a keenly contested election at the WAITRO Summit 2026, held in Istanbul, Trkiye, between 26 and 28 October, defeating two other candidates in what was described as a landslide victory.

The other contestants were Prof Wellington Riach Liamba Masamba, Vice-Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Botswana, and Prof Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University (AKUM), Nigeria.

His election is considered a significant achievement for Nigeria, as it provides the country with an opportunity to strengthen its participation in international discussions on scientific research, technological innovation and industrial development.

The development is also expected to boost Sub-Saharan Africa’s representation in WAITRO’s governance and decision-making processes, particularly in shaping research priorities, promoting technology transfer and establishing partnerships that translate scientific discoveries into practical industrial applications.

WAITRO is a global association of industrial and technological research organisations committed to strengthening collaboration, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships among research institutions, universities, industries and other innovation stakeholders across the world.

Prof Ike-Muonso’s emergence comes against the backdrop of RMRDC’s efforts to promote research-driven industrialisation, indigenous raw materials development, value addition and technology commercialisation in Nigeria.

Under his leadership, the Council has intensified efforts to bridge the gap between research institutions and industry, encourage local processing of raw materials, commercialise research findings and support the development of a competitive manufacturing sector.

His new position on the WAITRO Board is expected to provide a broader international platform for advancing these objectives through increased collaboration, knowledge sharing, technology transfer and strategic partnerships with research and technology organisations across the continent.

For Nigeria and the wider Sub-Saharan African region, the election presents an opportunity to secure greater visibility in global research and innovation initiatives while promoting indigenous technological solutions, local content development and the effective utilisation of scientific knowledge and natural resources for sustainable economic growth.

The outgoing 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has described the institution as strong but not perfect, saying more work is needed to achieve its ambition of becoming a world-class university.

Adebowale spoke at a valedictory ceremony organised to mark the completion of his tenure at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, where the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan Caleb, and other stakeholders paid tributes to his leadership.

The ceremony, themed ‘Celebrating Leadership, Legacy and Service,’ attracted government officials, university administrators, union leaders, religious representatives, security agencies and community leaders.

Speaking as chairman of the occasion, Caleb commended Adebowale for preserving the university’s heritage while building what he described as a resilient and responsive institution capable of addressing emerging challenges.

He said Adebowale’s leadership aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on strong institutions and a knowledge-driven economy.

Caleb also disclosed that the Federal Civil Service was undergoing comprehensive reforms aimed at improving efficiency, productivity, accountability and citizen-centred service delivery, adding that the university system would benefit from the reforms.

In his valedictory address, Adebowale said his administration had prioritised the welfare of members of the university community, insisting that no institution could fulfil its mission without caring for its people.

‘Leadership is a burden. Every decision carries the weight of lives and destinies. I have led by listening to the community and through consultations. I have insisted on due process, defended autonomy and governed with integrity,’ he said.

He added that the university continued to attract outstanding students and scholars, while partnerships with government agencies had helped ensure that its research addressed national needs.

However, the outgoing vice-chancellor acknowledged that funding remained a major challenge, stressing that sustained investment was necessary to provide excellent infrastructure and strengthen the institution’s global standing.

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan branch, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, represented by his vice-chairman, Dr Tayo Ajibade, commended Adebowale for his disposition towards staff welfare.

Afolabi urged the incoming 14th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olapegba, a former ASUU executive in the university, to sustain attention to staff welfare as he prepares to take over the institution.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has declared that his administration has ended the era of political profiteering, intimidation and irresponsibility in the state, insisting that Abia would never return to what he described as years of bad governance.

Governor Otti made the declaration on Sunday at the formal flag-off of his re-election campaign at the Umuahia Township Stadium, where thousands of Labour Party supporters from the 17 local government areas of the state converged for the ceremony.

The event, which transformed the Abia capital into a carnival-like atmosphere, attracted various support groups, organisations and dance troupes, as party faithful expressed solidarity with the governor’s bid to secure another four-year term.

The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘The world now knows that Abia is on the right track: Never shall we return to the era of irresponsibility’, made available to the Nigerian Tribune.

Addressing supporters, Governor Otti recalled his unsuccessful attempts to rescue the state from what he described as years of man-made hardship in 2015 and 2019, declaring that the political siege on Abia was eventually broken in 2023.

‘We ended the era of political profiteers. We defied intimidation to liberate Abia and break Abia from the era of siege. Never shall we go back to the era of irresponsibility. Nothing will make us go back to Egypt,’ he declared.

Recalling the experiences of residents whose properties were allegedly demolished because of their political affiliations, the governor assured Abians that such incidents would not happen again, declaring: ‘Never again will anyone’s fence be pulled down on account of political choices. I declare Abia free.’

He said his administration required another four years to consolidate its achievements and establish enduring institutional safeguards that would protect ongoing reforms, promote transparency and eliminate what he described as the remaining vestiges of mediocrity in the state.

‘The only battle worth fighting is the one geared towards leaving Abia better than I met it, and I enjoin you to join me as we continue to fight that fight. I appeal to you to join me in fighting that battle in the next four years in order to consolidate on our records of performance,’ Governor Otti said.

Unveiling his campaign manifesto, ‘The New Abia: From rescue to consolidation’, the governor said it contained detailed plans for sustaining the achievements of the past three and a half years, adding that institutionalising transparency remained a major priority of his administration.

Highlighting his administration’s performance, Governor Otti disclosed that about 400 road projects covering more than 1,000 kilometres had been completed across the state.

He also listed improvements in primary healthcare, the employment of over 9,000 teachers, the construction of smart schools and investments in Abia State University, Uturu, and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

Other areas, according to him, included the revival of industries in Aba, support for small and medium-scale enterprises and investments in agriculture to promote food sufficiency.

Governor Otti further declared that his administration had restored the dignity of Abians, urging supporters to vote for the Labour Party in all elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

However, in a demonstration of political tolerance, he extended goodwill to candidates of other political parties and directed state functionaries to make public facilities available to any political party seeking to use them for campaign activities, provided the required fees were paid and applicable regulations observed.

Governor Otti also urged his supporters to focus their campaigns on issues, policies and records of performance, warning against political brigandage and other electoral misconduct.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has asked states to regulate excessive upfront rent demands following viral incident in Benin City, Edo.

Atiku made call in a post on his X handle on Sunday while reacting to report of tenant in Benin City who allegedly assaulted his landlord for increasing rent from N300,000 to N1 million.

‘No rent dispute should ever end in blood, and I urge calm on all sides. Yet viral scenes from Benin City speak to pain that young renters across Nigeria know well: sudden increases, arbitrary charges, and nowhere fair to turn,’ he said.

He said states should adopt laws that reflect current wage realities and protect both tenants and landlords.

‘I will require states to adopt wage-reflective tenancy laws, regulate excessive upfront rent demands, set clear rules for rent increases and evictions, and create fast, accessible dispute resolution for landlords and tenants alike. A roof over one’s head should not be a battlefield,’ Atiku said.