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The Federal government has expressed commitment to the continuous support of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the communication sector of the country.

Speaking at the Weekend in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Tope Fasua, reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration has continued its economic rescue by empowering SMEs, especially those in the communication sector.

‘The last time I was travelling out of the country, I bought a very expensive eSIM at Abuja Airport, and I was going to Bangkok. The eSIM worked in London, but it didn’t work in Bangkok. I didn’t get much value for it, but I’m hoping that Esdiac is better. I think it’s much cheaper than what I got’.

He commended the indigenous firm for building a system that reduces the cost of making calls around the globe, assuring Esdiac of government support.

Also speaking, the Founder of Esdiac, Mr. Austin Ugbebor, and the Lead Infrastructure and Security Engineer, Daramola Olugbenga, said the Esdiac Media Parley and Stakeholders Engagement is proof that world-class telecom products can be built and sustained in Nigeria.

Olugbenga explained that Esdiac was designed from the ground up as a statement of local capability, leveraging existing global technologies but building a proprietary, highly scalable backbone.

‘From Esdiac, we have done it and we are still doing it with Nigerians. This is a big statement that we can do it,’.

He stated that the system was initially dimensioned for one million concurrent calls, with architecture that prevents mid-call drops despite network fluctuations.

‘We built in a very scalable manner. So even if there is a network fluctuation, the call will not drop mid-conversation. Once a call starts, it will run to the end’.

At the heart of the local-content pitch is data sovereignty. Both speakers stressed that Esdiac complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and NCC regulations, storing and processing all Nigerian user data in Nigeria.

On his part, Ugbebor said, ‘We authenticate your access into the platform using the SIM and we ride on our own backbone, which is mainly here in Nigeria and also in the US. We are very careful that data here are not transmitted outside the country.’

He noted that as a paid product licensed by both the NCC in Nigeria and the FCC in the United States, Esdiac cannot share user information with third parties without user approval or a court order, and users have the right to request data held about them.

PILOTS are falling asleep in the cockpits because they’re so overworked, a damning new report claims, as reported by Daily Mirror of UK

A survey of 7,200 pilots commissioned by the European Cockpit Association (ECA) warned of tiredness leading to ‘micro-sleeps in the cockpit.’

One pilot told the Mirror that falling asleep while flying was common, but claimed that aviation insiders ‘do not care’ while virtually all passengers are not even aware.

The ECA has argued that there was ‘insufficient rest to prevent cumulative fatigue’ and flight duties extended ‘beyond legal maximums.’

The report suggested fatigue is ‘underreported across the industry.’

‘Airlines reporting systems are often seen as neither effective nor trusted, and a substantial share of pilots fly fatigued because of fear of a punitive reaction from their airline,’ it noted, warning that the situation was particularly bad at low-cost airlines.

Ireland and Malta were identified as countries where the problem is particularly bad, but overall, more than three out of four pilots (77%) reported at least one microsleep while operating an aircraft in the four weeks before completing the survey.

One commercial airline pilot, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Mirror that he’d fallen asleep in the cockpit ‘many times.’

‘I have the responsibility of 234 souls, and I can legally work up to 14 hours straight, not including the repositioning. But after many years I realised nobody cares because, at the end of the day, no airplanes are falling from the sky,» he said.

‘After many nights in-flight, you experience microsleeps from a few seconds up to two to three minutes, but you do not realise and it’s subtle because you might seem to be aware, but you are technically sleeping. It impairs your situational awareness and your judgment ability. But…as I said, nobody cares.»

Only 37% of those surveyed said that they report unfit when fatigued, while 24% confirmed flying when tired. Almost two in five reported a fear of punishment or a «retaliatory response» to reporting fatigue.

ECA president, Captain Tanja Harter, said: ‘The numbers in this report – and the lack of any meaningful improvement over the past three years – are a clear wake-up call for airlines, authorities and the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Something must change in the way Europe deals with pilot fatigue.’

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) said the survey›s results were worrying and should lead to action.

Joji Waites, BALPA director of flight safety, policy and regulation, said: «The ECA’s survey of almost 7,200 pilots is a clear safety signal. That 24% of pilots usually continue flying rather than report themselves unfit due to fatigue is a concern.

«Aviation is the safest mode of transport through pilots’ expertise and professionalism in tandem with other aviation professionals; however, fatigue remains one of the most significant threats. Safety margins cannot hold if pilots are routinely rostered to the upper limits of their flight and duty time limitations (FTL).

With almost half of pilots fearing repercussions for reporting fatigue, we fully support ECA’s call for EASA to strengthen fatigue rules and enforce non-punitive reporting and responsible calls on the use of commander’s discretion.

BALPA thanks the ECA for the considerable work involved in gathering this data. We are still running our Realtime fatigue app to collect actionable intelligence on UK pilot fatigue, so combined with the ECA’s findings, we can create a clear picture of pilot fatigue, which will be fed into the CAA’s ongoing FTL review.

The City Boy Movement has intensified its nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with its Patron, Seyi Tinubu, declaring that the organisation is consolidating its existing structures, expanding its national footprint and strengthening grassroots engagement across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the movement, Arabinrin Aderonke, Tinubu said the mobilisation was already underway, describing the movement’s expanding activities as a deliberate effort to build a formidable national network ahead of the next electoral cycle.

‘The City Boy Movement is already on the ground, mobilising, organising and expanding its national reach ahead of the 2027 general elections. What we are witnessing is a deliberate effort to build on the structures already established, deepen grassroots engagement and strengthen our presence across the country,’ he said.

The movement’s activities have taken it to the South-East, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states, among other parts of the federation, with engagements extending to grassroots communities. The spread of its activities reflects its stated commitment to building a national platform that reaches beyond conventional political centres and engages communities at the local level.

Tinubu, who expressed confidence in the commitment and determination of members, said the task ahead required focus, purpose and collective responsibility. He noted that the movement’s progress would depend not merely on its visibility but on the strength of its organisation and the dedication of its members.

‘As Patron, I am confident in the commitment, energy and determination of our members. We understand the task ahead, and we are approaching it with focus, purpose and a clear sense of responsibility,’ he said.

A lawyer and entrepreneur, Seyi Tinubu is the founder of Loatsad Promomedia, an outdoor advertising company, and has been associated with youth-focused initiatives and philanthropy. His role as Patron places him at the forefront of the movement’s leadership and organisational direction.

Reaffirming the movement’s resolve, he said: ‘City Boy is not a movement of empty declarations. We are building, we are mobilising, and we are taking the work seriously. Let there be no doubt: City Boy means business.’

The City Boy Movement, which emerged as a youth-oriented political mobilisation platform during the 2023 election cycle, has continued to develop its organisational presence across the country. It says its current mobilisation is directed at supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and delivering the mandate.

The member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has unveiled a 150-page development blueprint outlining a long-term vision for the economic and social transformation of the constituency.

The document, titled The Living Borders, was presented to stakeholders at Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State, as part of an engagement convened by the lawmaker to articulate a development pathway for the two local government areas over the weekend.

The development agenda, which followed extensive work on the constituency’s opportunities, challenges and development priorities, is intended to serve as a reference document for identifying its economic advantages, addressing existing gaps and providing direction for sustainable growth.

Speaking at the presentation, Isiaka described the initiative as an expression of what he called ‘development-focused representation’, arguing that meaningful development required a clear plan capable of connecting present interventions with the aspirations of future generations.

‘We know that we cannot do development without a plan. We need a strong development plan, development agenda or development guide, and we need a positive development guide,’ he said.

Explaining the thinking behind the document, the lawmaker said the objective was to identify and bring together the advantages and opportunities available to the constituency in a manner that could guide collective action and development planning.

He stressed that the pursuit of development must take account of both immediate needs and the long-term consequences of decisions taken today.

‘Developing is when you have the best of the day without compromising what the future will be like. That is exactly what we are trying to do and what we are aiming for,’ he said.

Among the major issues highlighted in the development agenda is the economic potential of the constituency’s international border with the Republic of Benin. Isiaka advocated the establishment of a free trade zone to enable Yewa North and Imeko-Afon to derive greater economic benefits from their geographical position.

He also identified the need for tertiary institutions in both local government areas, describing access to higher education as an important component of human capital development and the creation of opportunities for young people.

The proposals reflect the broader ambition to reposition the border communities as centres of economic activity, with improved infrastructure, education and investment opportunities.

The public presentation also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the development proposals and contribute their perspectives on the constituency’s future. Representatives of the Community Development Committee, traditional institutions, the League of Imams and Alfas, and the Christian Association of Nigeria participated in the interactive session.

The gathering included traditional rulers, Baales, former and serving lawmakers, All Progressives Congress chieftains, religious leaders, artisans, traders and youths.

The unveiling was also accompanied by an account of Isiaka’s four-year representation in the House of Representatives. He said his constituency interventions had covered all 21 wards, with projects and programmes spanning healthcare, education, infrastructure, empowerment, skills acquisition and employment.

He listed among the interventions the construction of a mini stadium and police station in Oja-Odan, provision of boreholes in six communities, installation of 1,200 solar streetlights, renovation of primary healthcare centres and the ongoing construction of a Computer-Based Test centre, which he said was 95 per cent complete.

The lawmaker said the development agenda was intended to provide a broader framework for the constituency’s progress, beyond individual projects and interventions.

He urged residents and stakeholders to take ownership of the development vision and work collectively towards its realisation.

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.

GOVERNORS of Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have urged the people not to be deceived by political distractions but to vote massively for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The governors made the call on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mega Rally and Empowerment Programme for the South-East, held at Okpara Square, Enugu.

The governors are Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Dr Peter Mbah of Enugu and Sen. Hope Uzodimma of Imo.

Speaking, Mbah urged the people of the South-East to support Tinubu’s re-election bid to enable him to consolidate the gains of his administration’s economic reforms.

He attributed ongoing development projects, including the construction of primary healthcare centres, to the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

The governor urged women to support Tinubu and APC candidates in the 16 January 2027 and subsequent elections.

‘A good sailor does not abandon his ship mid-sea because of challenges. We must finish the journey we all started together,’ he said.

Mbah described South Easterners as strategic people who had established businesses and relationships beyond the zone, urging them to participate actively in the political process.

Speaking on the empowerment programme targeting 5,000 women across the South-East, Mbah said the initiative followed the empowerment of more than 2,000 women in Enugu within 48 hours.

He said the beneficiaries received cash support, assistance with hospital bills and tools to enable them to generate income.

According to him, the programme is designed to make women wealth creators rather than perpetual beneficiaries of financial assistance.

‘When you empower a woman, you strengthen the family. When you empower a woman, you build a strong community,’ he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the empowerment tools and extend the benefits to their families and communities.

Also speaking, Uzodimma described the rally as historic and commended the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for empowering women across the South-East.

He reiterated the commitment of the region to supporting Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He explained that Igbos had experienced marginalisation for over 60 years but were beginning to witness a new era of political inclusion and development under Tinubu.

He commended the president for expanding the scope of infrastructural and economic development in the South-East.

‘We are now seeing good roads, electricity, health reforms as well as educational reforms in the country. A winning team must not be changed,’ he said.

The governor urged the electorate to sustain the current development trajectory, saying the Federal Government’s economic reforms had increased resources available to states for development.

‘We have more money to build Okigwe to Owerri, Umuahia to Owerri, Orlu to Owerri and Owerri to Port Harcourt roads,’ he said.

Uzodimma added that the improved financial position of the state had enabled his administration to pay salaries and pensions consistently, including 13th-month salaries for workers.

In his remarks, Nwifuru commended the skills acquisition and empowerment initiatives of the APC-led administration, urging South-East women to vote massively for the party.

He described the APC as the only political party with a clear and identifiable manifesto capable of sustaining the country’s development.

The governor dismissed suggestions of his involvement in any political coalition, stressing that his loyalty remained with the APC.

He urged supporters to vote for APC candidates at all levels in the January 2027 elections and subsequent polls.

All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial ticket, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has alleged a conspiracy and warned against any violation of electoral laws and party guidelines.

Shinkafi raised the alarm on Saturday night while briefing journalists at his residence in Gusau, the state capital, ahead of a fresh primary election scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

He urged the APC national leadership to ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent primary, expressing concern that he had been given short notice of the exercise.

‘Lack of formal communication to as an aspirant, the short notice given for the exercise, and the security challenges affecting Zamfara North required adequate preparations and consultations with relevant authorities.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the way the party leadership had handled concerns over the proposed primary election in the senatorial district.

‘I sent three text messages to the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, after seeing a notice announcing the schedule of activities for the Zamfara North senatorial primary on social media scheduled for Monday, 2nd November, 2026.

Shinkafi appealed to the national chairman to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure adequate preparations for the exercise.

Although he said he had no objection to the scheduled primary, he insisted that the process must be transparent, credible, and conducted in accordance with electoral laws and APC guidelines.

He also appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal, the APC state chairman, INEC, and security agencies to maintain neutrality and ensure a transparent, credible, and acceptable primary election in Zamfara North.

The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) on Sunday urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon his re-election bid in the 2027 general elections and allow a younger generation to take over, alleging that he no longer possesses the stamina required to lead a country like Nigeria.

MDPCO is the presidential campaign organisation of the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde.

The organisation said the Presidency was a demanding office that required physical strength, energy and the capacity to provide effective leadership, adding that Tinubu should not continue to hold on to power when he allegedly lacked the capacity to discharge its responsibilities.

The Director of Strategic Communications of the MDPCO, Mr Richard Ihediwa, stated this in Abuja while reacting to the President’s continued foreign trips, including his latest visit to Mecca for prayers, weeks after returning from a vacation in France.

Ihediwa alleged that Tinubu could not withstand the rigours of political campaigning and had to travel to Mecca for prayers after delivering what he described as a brief and incoherent speech at the sparsely attended flag-off of his re-election campaign in Kaduna last week.

Ihediwa noted: ‘President Tinubu is no longer strong. He does not have the stamina to continue in office. It’s a natural tendency. All of us wish and pray to grow old, but we cannot continue to insist on holding office even when we no longer have the capacity, capability and stamina to effectively perform in the office.

‘So, President Tinubu should quit and allow a younger generation to take over. The Presidency is not a retirement home. It is a very demanding office that requires a lot of stamina.

‘Nigeria has been racing backwards in the last three and a half years because we have a president who is not able to lead from the front, who cannot physically oversee governance.

‘President Tinubu at his age is not attuned to the aspirations of the contemporary world. He cannot invest in current technologies because these things would be confusing to him.

‘So, President Tinubu should take the back seat and allow younger hands, like our presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to take over for the next four years to Reset Nigeria with an all-inclusive government of national unity.’

The MDPCO spokesman argued that Makinde possessed the experience, preparedness and energy required to work round the clock and deliver on his promises to Nigerians.

According to him, the country needs a president who can travel across the country, spend quality time with citizens and remain actively engaged in governance, including working into the early hours of the morning.

‘Nigeria needs a president who can travel to every part of the country, spend quality time with citizens and remain actively engaged in governance, even into the early hours of the morning.

‘This explains the enthusiastic reception accorded Makinde, his running mate, Lawal Daura, and the entire campaign train by Nigerians across the North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-South, South-West and South-East geopolitical zones.

‘I want to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians to sustain the momentum, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and vote out President Tinubu if he fails to heed our counsel and withdraw from the 2027 presidential race,’ he added.

On the Federal Government’s announcement of a monthly N50,000 payment to vulnerable households under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, Ihediwa described the initiative as a failed attempt to induce voters.

He maintained that the intervention would not sway Nigerians from their determination to vote Tinubu out of office in 2027.

The spokesman went on: ‘Such panic-driven financial measures cannot save President Tinubu and the APC from defeat. You can see that the APC was defeated in the Osun State governorship election despite the amount of money that they deployed.

‘Again, if you look at the APC campaign flag-off in Kaduna, where over N2tn was reportedly spent to mobilise Nigerians, the campaign still flopped. This is an indication that, despite the APC government’s attempts to induce voters, Nigerians are resolute in their determination to vote out President Tinubu in January 2027.’

Nigerian-born, US-based multidisciplinary artist Dozyé is preparing to return to Nigeria to inspire young people through art and skateboarding, as he expands his creative work beyond the studio to engage communities and encourage self-expression.

The artist hopes to ignite a fresh wave of creativity, particularly among young people from underserved communities, by creating opportunities for them to explore painting, skateboarding and other forms of artistic expression.

His planned return comes as he continues to build an artistic identity shaped by experiences in Nigeria and the United States, as well as an unconventional painting technique he developed following a car accident in 2025.

The accident left him with a lasting concussion and sensitivity to bright lights and screens, forcing him to rethink his creative process and find a way to continue painting without aggravating his condition.

The effects also disrupted his work as a software engineer, eventually forcing him to take time away from his corporate job.

For Dozyé, whose artistic practice depends heavily on visual engagement, the condition presented a significant challenge. Bright lighting triggered severe headaches, making it difficult to work under his usual conditions.

Rather than abandon painting, however, he began experimenting with different lighting environments and discovered that red light was easier for him to tolerate. What started as an adjustment to his condition has since become a defining feature of his artistic practice.

The approach came into focus at The Red Room: Volume II, an immersive art event presented by Dozyé’s Abstract Studio in collaboration with Kamba International in Los Angeles.

The event brought together live painting, music, performances, fashion and tattoo art in a space illuminated by red light, creating an environment where different aspects of contemporary creative culture could interact.

Visitors experienced Dozyé’s creative process while engaging with the music and performances, with the red lighting providing a distinctive backdrop for the exhibition and other artistic expressions.

Beyond its unconventional presentation, his work reflects a continuing process of adaptation and experimentation.

Dozyé combines detailed drawing with abstraction, often beginning with elaborate sketches before painting over them. The underlying structures merge with layers of colour, movement and emotion, creating compositions that balance precision with spontaneity.

His artistic philosophy is captured in a statement published on his studio website: ‘art is the visual language of the soul, each stroke is a word, the whole canvas a conversation with self.’

Born in Lagos and shaped by experiences between Nigeria and the United States, Dozyé explores themes of struggle, hope, silence and expression, using art to communicate experiences and emotions that may be difficult to put into words.

Through Dozyé’s Abstract Studio, his interests extend beyond painting into music, fashion and skate culture, with collaborative events providing opportunities for artists and other creatives to connect and showcase their work.

His forthcoming Nigerian engagement will extend that vision to young people through the proposed Lagos Mainland Youth Skate and Art Camp, an initiative by Dozyé and Dozyé’s Abstract Studio in collaboration with Kamba International and Brotherly NG.

The camp is designed to engage 60 young people, including 50 participants from Lagos Mainland communities and 10 from Kaduna, through skateboarding instruction, safety equipment and collaborative art activities.

The event is being planned for either November 28 or December 5, 2026, with the final date dependent on approval of the proposed venue by Amuwo-Odofin Local Government.

Through the initiative, the organisers hope to provide young people with an opportunity to learn new skills, explore their creativity and connect with others through art and skateboarding.

For Dozyé, the project represents an opportunity to take creativity beyond the studio and into communities, using art and skateboarding as avenues for expression, participation and connection.

As he prepares to reconnect with Nigeria’s creative community, the artist hopes his work and the proposed youth initiative will encourage young people to see creativity not merely as a hobby but as a means of discovering their abilities, expressing their experiences and exploring new possibilities.

His own journey took an unexpected turn after the 2025 accident, leading him to develop a painting technique that transformed a personal limitation into a distinctive artistic approach. Now, as he prepares for his return to Nigeria, Dozyé is looking to build on that experience and ignite a similar spirit of experimentation and creative discovery among the next generation.