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Unity colleges staff suspend strike, students may resume September 27

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has suspended its strike over the concession of King’s College, Lagos, allowing the 115 Federal Unity Colleges across the country to reopen.

The decision was reached at a meeting between the leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, ASCSN and the zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools in Kano on Tuesday.

In a communiqué issued on Wednesday, the union leaders said the strike would be suspended to allow a seven member committee to review the concession agreement for King’s College.

The strike began after the ASCSN and the Parent Teacher Association shut down the Federal Unity Colleges over the Federal Government’s decision to concession King’s College to its Old Boys Association.

The schools were originally scheduled to reopen on September 13. However, workers refused to resume, arguing that the concession could affect the future of the Federal Unity College system.

The union said the decision to suspend the strike was also based on the fact that the King’s College concession had been placed on hold pending the report of the seven member committee.

ASCSN has two representatives on the committee.

‘Considering the above, the Zonal Coordinators of the Unity Schools agreed with the National Leadership of the ASCSN that the strike be suspended immediately while awaiting the report of the committee,’ the communiqué stated.

The communiqué was signed by the zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools from the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

Following the suspension, the Parent Teacher Association has proposed Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the date for students to return to school.

The PTA welcomed the suspension of the strike and said it was ready to support the immediate return of academic activities.

However, the parents said the proposed resumption date would depend on confirmation from the Federal Ministry of Education.

The PTA urged the ministry to quickly announce its position on the September 27 date so that parents could make the necessary arrangements.

The parents also called on the government and labour unions to continue their discussions while allowing the seven member committee to complete its review.

They further appealed for the release or restoration of PTA staff affected by the government’s actions.

The dispute over King’s College began after the Federal Ministry of Education directed the immediate handover of the school to the King’s College Old Boys Association following the concession agreement.

The ministry said the transition would be completed within six months, after which Federal Government funding for the school would stop.

However, the government said the arrangement was not a sale or privatisation of King’s College.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the Federal Government remained the legal owner of the 117 year old institution, while the Old Boys Association would be responsible for funding, rehabilitation, modernisation, operation and maintenance.

The workers rejected the concession and extended their protest to all Federal Unity Colleges.

On September 16, the Federal Government and organised labour agreed to suspend the implementation of the concession for two weeks.

They also agreed to set up a seven member committee to review the concession document and address the concerns raised by the unions.

However, a faction of the ASCSN led by its National President, Shehu Mohammed, rejected the suspension at the time and insisted that the strike remained in place.

With the latest decision by the union leadership to suspend the strike, attention is now on the Federal Ministry of Education to confirm whether students will return to the Unity Colleges on September 27.

Sara Duterte trial: Impeachment court amends threshold ruling

The Senate impeachment court on Wednesday voted to revise the 16-vote threshold needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial.

Senator-judges voted 13-1, with six Duterte allies abstaining, that the constitutionally required two-thirds guilty verdict by ‘all members of the Senate’ refers only to those ‘capable of participating’.

This modified trial presiding officer Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero’s July 6 ruling that a fixed 16 votes were required to convict Duterte.

The vote came after the impeachment court heard oral arguments from the prosecution and defense on how the constitutionally required two-thirds vote for conviction should be computed.

Under the newly adopted rule, the constitutionally required two-thirds vote for conviction will be based only on senators who remain legally and factually capable of participating in the impeachment proceedings at the time of voting.

Escudero said the computation will exclude senators who are detained, suspended or otherwise legally restrained from performing their functions; persons sought by authorities whose whereabouts are unknown; those suffering from a physical or medical incapacity; those beyond the coercive processes of the Senate; and others similarly situated.

‘While the chair takes exception to this decision, the chair nonetheless accepts it as a judgment of this court and is bound to give it effect,’ Escudero said in granting the appeal.

‘Accordingly, the chair accepts and declares the ruling adopted by the court as the new controlling ruling upon further proceedings and the chair shall apply this ruling faithfully,’ he added.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on May 11 on allegations of graft, corruption, bribery and an alleged assassination plot against one-time ally President Ferdinand Marcos.

But Escudero clarified that the new rule will apply only to the current impeachment court and will not bind future impeachment proceedings.

‘It shall not constitute a binding precedent in any future impeachment proceedings. This is a ruling not an amendment of the rules,’ he said.

Escudero also said that if the computation of the two-thirds requirement results in a fraction, it will be rounded up to the next higher whole number, even if the fraction is less than .5.

‘This shall ensure that no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of the Senate as determined by the court in this new controlling ruling,’ the presiding officer said.

Only Escudero voted against adopting the new rule.

Sen. Mark Villar, despite being part of the minority bloc, voted in favor of the appeal, while the rest of the minority senators did not participate in the voting.

If convicted, Duterte would be removed from office and permanently barred from holding any public office.

Several senators have failed to participate in the trial, including Sens. Jinggoy Estrada, Rodante Marcoleta and Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa.

Estrada and Marcoleta are currently detained amid separate plunder charges, while dela Rosa has been in hiding amid an arrest order from the International Criminal Court.

Sen. Loren Legarda, meanwhile, has been absent from the impeachment court since early August, citing medical leave.

The current active senator-judges in the trial are:

Majority bloc

Senate president Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian

Senate president pro tempore Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III

Majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri

Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero

Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan

Sen. JV Ejercito

Sen. Raffy Tulfo

Sen. Erwin Tulfo

Sen. Joel Villanueva

Sen. Bam Aquino

Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson

Sen. Lito Lapid

Minority bloc

Minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano

Sen. Pia Cayetano

Sen. Mark Villar

Sen. Camille Villar

Sen. Bong Go

Sen. Robin Padilla

Sen. Imee Marcos

Bangkok tackles cable clutter ahead of IMF-World Bank meetings

Bangkok is stepping up efforts to tackle its long-standing problem of tangled overhead power and communications cables ahead of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings next month.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is working with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, telecoms agencies and other partners to organise cables and gradually move them underground in key areas, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Wednesday.

The efforts are aimed at improving orderliness, safety and appearances in Bangkok ahead of the meetings, which are expected to draw thousands of senior finance executives, central bankers and government officials from around the world.

Mr Chadchart said tangled communications cables had been a chronic problem in Bangkok for decades and could not be solved by any single agency because they involved several authorities and service providers.

An integrated approach was needed, including planning to move power and communications cables underground, organising existing cables and removing those no longer in use, he said.

He divided the work into three approaches. The first involves moving power cables underground, removing electricity poles and relocating communications cables underground at the same time. This is considered the most effective, but requires considerable time and funding, so it will be carried out in areas that are ready and suitable.

The second involves placing communications cables in underground conduits where it is not yet possible to move all power cables underground. Existing underground conduit infrastructure will be used to organise large numbers of communications cables and reduce the number of cables strung from electricity poles.

The third approach, which can be carried out more quickly, involves organising communications cables on electricity poles by identifying and removing unused cables and reorganising those that remain in use.

Mr Chadchart said all three approaches would be used in other areas of the capital. He stressed that cooperation among all relevant agencies would be essential, as resolving the cable problem requires a coordinated and systematic effort.

The areas being prioritised for cable organisation and underground installation ahead of the IMF-World Bank meetings include Wireless (Withayu) Road, Rama IV Road, parts of Sathon Road and Lumpini Park.

Mr Chadchart said City Hall is also developing a system to prevent the problem of cable clutter from recurring. Agencies and service providers wishing to install new cables on power poles will have to follow the proper procedures and obtain the required permits or face legal action.

The 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group will take place from Oct 12 to 18 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. About 15,000 delegates and visitors are expected to attend the event, which Bangkok last hosted in 1992.

Julius Berger, subsidiaries display broad range of construction solutions at Big 5 Expo

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and its subsidiaries are showcasing a broad range of construction, engineering, manufacturing and facility management solutions at the Big 5 Construct Nigeria Expo in Lagos.

The expo, which brings together leading construction and engineering companies from Nigeria and other parts of Africa, Europe, Kuwait, Asia and the Middle East, provides a platform for manufacturers, developers, contractors, consultants, suppliers and technology providers to explore business opportunities and exchange ideas on the future of the construction industry.

At the centre of the Julius Berger Group’s participation is its pavilion, where visitors can explore the diverse capabilities of the Group and its subsidiaries, highlighting its evolution beyond traditional construction into an integrated provider of engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing and support services.

According to a statement made available by the company, one of the key exhibitors is ABUMET Nigeria Limited, the Group’s specialist aluminium and glass solutions company. The company is displaying a range of products, including its latest Glass Bridge and Balustrade Star, a unique ABUMET Grid2shell product, as well as aluminium windows, curtain walls, façade systems and bespoke architectural solutions for commercial, residential and industrial projects.

Visitors to the ABUMET stand are also engaging with the company’s experts on its fabrication processes and sustainable building technologies.

PrimeTech Design and Engineering Nigeria Limited is another major participant at the pavilion, showcasing its expertise in architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering, infrastructure planning and design.

Its exhibition highlights modern engineering concepts, sustainable development solutions and master-planning capabilities applied across sectors including infrastructure, oil and gas and other areas of the economy.

Julius Berger Precast Services is also displaying a range of engineered concrete products, including paving stones, blocks, pipes, drains and other precast solutions. The company is highlighting the role of quality precast products in improving construction efficiency, shortening project timelines and enhancing the durability of infrastructure.

The Julius Berger Excellence Centre and the Group’s Facility Management operations are equally represented at the expo, offering visitors insights into property maintenance, facility management and technical support services aimed at improving the lifespan and performance of clients’ assets.

The company added that the international participation at Big 5 Construct Nigeria is further underscoring the growing importance of technology, innovation and sustainable solutions in the construction sector, with exhibitors presenting advanced equipment, smart building technologies, sustainable materials and digital solutions designed to improve productivity and project delivery.

Representatives of the participating Julius Berger subsidiaries described the expo as an important platform for networking, exchanging ideas and developing new business relationships. The event is also providing an opportunity for the Group to reconnect with existing partners while introducing prospective clients to the range of expertise available across its businesses.

President Ilham Aliyev signs order pardoning sentenced persons

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an Order ‘On the pardon of a number of sentenced persons.’

Guided by the principles of humanism, the decision was made following consideration of pardon applications addressed to the President by a number of sentenced individuals, their family members, and the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Order took into account the personality, health status, and family situation of the convicts, as well as the nature and degree of public danger of the offenses committed, the length of the sentences already served, and their conduct while serving their sentences.

Under the terms of the Order, 19 individuals sentenced to imprisonment and one individual sentenced to restriction of freedom have been released from the unserved portions of their sentences.

Delta insulates 13-month salary from political caprices, backs policy with law

Delta State government has taken a decisive legislative step to shield the payment of the recently approved 13-month salary to civil servants from the discretion of any governor, present or future.

An executive bill formalising the policy as a permanent statutory entitlement, which has scaled through the State House of Assembly, is awaiting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s assent as he resumes duty from leave.

Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this in Asaba, describing the bill as one of the most consequential welfare reforms of the current administration.

‘Once the bill is passed into law, workers in the state will continue to enjoy the benefit beyond the tenure of the present administration,’ he said.

The commissioner was emphatic that the payment would not be a watered-down or symbolic gesture.

‘Now, civil servants will be paid a 13-month salary, and let me emphasise that this 13-month salary is not just on the basic. It is the same thing that you earn in December, that is what you earn as the 13-month; workers will effectively receive a second full December-equivalent paycheck,’ Aniagwu added.

‘We want to use this opportunity to appreciate our brothers and sisters in the House of Assembly, who gave it expeditious action and considered that bill immediately without wasting time. Today, the bill has been passed and is awaiting the governor’s assent,’ he said.

On sustainability of the payment, Aniagwu cited a rise in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue from ?75 billion annually in 2023 to ?204 billion today, a trajectory he said would only strengthen as more investment, including new entrants at the Koko Free Trade Zone, begins to contribute towards the tax revenue of the state.

CARIBBEAN-SECURITY-Caribbean countries to impose sanctions on Haitian gangs

Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have agreed to impose a range of sanctions on the notorious Haitian gang, Viv Ansamn, and 23 other similar narco-terrorist groups operating in several countries of the Americas.

The two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are members of the United States- led Shield of the Americas and announced their position following a meeting President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

‘We declare our intention to impose, as applicable and in accordance with our respective international and domestic legal obligations, asset freezes; immigration and visa restrictions for members, associates, and supporters of the organizations; and criminal liability for individuals knowingly providing material support, including logistical support, to the organizations, among other measures,’ the participating states said in a ‘Joint Statement on Defending Hemispheric Sovereignty’ .

The Haitian criminal group Viv Ansamn is a coalition of gangs, led by former police officer Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier, and has been blamed for the widespread political instability in the French-speaking CARICOM country, ahead of the first presidential and legislative elections on December 13 this year.

The Shield of Americas member countries have also announced a collective action to confront the scourge of narco-terrorism targeting the Venezuelan gangs- Tren de Aragua and Cartel de Los Soles.

Guyana has in the past expressed concern that Tren de Aragua members had been crossing from Venezuela into Guyana’s Essequibo Region.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in an address to the UNGA on Tuesday evening said transnational organised crime continues to pose a serious threat to the security and development of small island states.

‘Small states face serious challenges from sophisticated criminal networks that move people, that move weapons, that move narcotics, and illicit finance across national borders.

‘For Trinidad and Tobago, this is not an abstract threat. These networks directly endanger our citizens, they endanger our institutions, and they endanger our development,’ she added.

Brazil’s largest criminal organisation, Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), regarded as that Brazil’s largest criminal organization, and the decades-old major drug group, Comando Vermelho (CV), are also on the list of 24 blacklisted groups.

In their statement, the Shield of the Americas members said they intend to defend their economies by enhancing economic cooperation; exploring investment screening mechanisms; safeguarding critical minerals supply chains through diversified and reliable sourcing; and promoting trusted supplier regulations for digital infrastructure, applied on a non-discriminatory basis.

‘We recognize that durable security requires economic development, stable jobs, and tangible opportunities for the people, and that economic sovereignty is successfully defended when capital entering our nations is transparent and verifiable.’

They said they will also defend democratic governance against armed narco-terrorist networks including coordinating on sanctions, designations, and financial actions against terrorists and criminals; expansion of civilian law enforcement; and supplying humanitarian and messaging assistance to defend popular will.

In addition they said they will ‘defend and promote mutual respect for national sovereignty and each nation’s self-determination through multilateral fora to coordinate and advance shared objectives and proposals, such as catalyzing international enforcement actions against transnational organized criminal groups or pursuing needed reforms to multilateral organizations.

‘In furtherance of these three pillars, participating states intend to strengthen cooperation through enhanced intelligence sharing; facilitate access, where appropriate, to security technologies and capabilities; promote training and professional development of human resources; and expand the exchange of best practices.

‘Participating states also intend to deepen cooperation on investment and economic matters and to strengthen consultation on and coordination of common positions on issues of shared interest in regional and multilateral for a,’ according to the joint statement.

They said to facilitate these aims, they intend to co-sign a formal request to the President of the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council requesting a meeting of consultation to decide on the establishment of an Organ of Consultation under Articles 6 and 13 of the Inter-American Treaty on Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty).

‘Once the formal meeting of the Organ of Consultation is convoked, we intend to participate at the ministerial level to consider adopting a resolution promoting and facilitating collective action against narco-terrorist organizations under the Rio Treaty.

‘States that participate in the Shield that are not currently parties to the Rio Treaty declare their support for this initiative and express their determination to contribute to it in accordance with and to the extent possible under their respective international and domestic legal obligations, including by participating in the Organ of Consultation to the extent permitted under its Rules of Procedure.’

CBK fines record 33 banks for loan rate breaches

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) fined a record 33 commercial banks for defying the regulator’s calls to cut their loan rates in line with the reduced benchmark rate, denying borrowers cheaper credit.

The penalties followed on-site inspections of all 38 commercial banks, after which the CBK cracked the whip to force lenders to match their lending rates to the reduced Central Bank Rate (CBR).

The CBK did not disclose the identity of the banks in breach of the Banking Act provisions or the fines slapped on the 33 lenders, which represent 86.8 percent of the industry.

The apex bank said it took unspecified administrative actions on two other banks, while only three were fully compliant with the risk-based credit pricing model (RBCPM).

Between August 2024 and August 2025, the CBK cut the benchmark rate or CBR seven times by 3.5 percentage points to 9.5 percent from a 22-year high of 13 percent that lasted for about seven months.

Only six lenders — Citibank N.A Kenya, Absa Bank Kenya, Credit Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, Stanbic Bank Kenya and Victoria Commercial Bank — cut their overall lending rates to match or exceed the benchmark.

The banking regulator last year repeatedly put pressure on banks to lower borrowing costs and match cuts in the benchmark rate while threatening daily fines.

‘CBK conducted target inspections in 2025 on the implementation of the RBCPM rolled out in 2019 by all commercial banks. Following the inspections, penalties were levied on 33 banks, and administrative actions were taken on two banks,’ the CBK said in its latest annual banking supervision report.

‘Three banks were fully compliant with the RBCPM.’

The penalties on credit pricing breaches raised the number of commercial banks in violation of the Banking Act and CBK Prudential Guidelines in the year ended December 31, 2025 to 35, compared to 11 previously.

CBK Governor Kamau Thugge accused banks of failing to cut loan rates even after the CBR was trimmed from 13 percent in August 2024 to 10.75 percent in February 2026.

This triggered on-site inspections of banks up to June 2025 by the CBK to review the movement of lending rates.

Banks faced fines of Sh20 million or three times the monetary gain made from ‘overcharging’ borrowers, with the regulator leaning on the punitive penalty.

The banks also risked additional daily penalties of up to Sh100,000 for every case or implication for each loan account, with the executives liable for a Sh1 million

The banking sector regulator hinged its actions on Section 55 of the CBK Act.

‘The (Monetary Policy) Committee observed that the CBR had been lowered substantially since August 2024, yet lending rates have only declined marginally,’ Dr Thugge said in February last year.

The apex bank said it took unspecified administrative actions on two other banks, while only three were fully compliant with the risk-based credit pricing model (RBCPM).

Between August 2024 and August 2025, the CBK cut the benchmark rate or CBR seven times by 3.5 percentage points to 9.5 percent from a 22-year high of 13 percent that lasted for about seven months.

Only six lenders — Citibank N.A Kenya, Absa Bank Kenya, Credit Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, Stanbic Bank Kenya and Victoria Commercial Bank — cut their overall lending rates to match or exceed the benchmark.

The banking regulator last year repeatedly put pressure on banks to lower borrowing costs and match cuts in the benchmark rate while threatening daily fines.

‘CBK conducted target inspections in 2025 on the implementation of the RBCPM rolled out in 2019 by all commercial banks. Following the inspections, penalties were levied on 33 banks, and administrative actions were taken on two banks,’ the CBK said in its latest annual banking supervision report.

‘Three banks were fully compliant with the RBCPM.’

The penalties on credit pricing breaches raised the number of commercial banks in violation of the Banking Act and CBK Prudential Guidelines in the year ended December 31, 2025 to 35, compared to 11 previously.

CBK Governor Kamau Thugge accused banks of failing to cut loan rates even after the CBR was trimmed from 13 percent in August 2024 to 10.75 percent in February 2026.

This triggered on-site inspections of banks up to June 2025 by the CBK to review the movement of lending rates.

Banks faced fines of Sh20 million or three times the monetary gain made from ‘overcharging’ borrowers, with the regulator leaning on the punitive penalty.

The banks also risked additional daily penalties of up to Sh100,000 for every case or implication for each loan account, with the executives liable for a Sh1 million

The banking sector regulator hinged its actions on Section 55 of the CBK Act.

‘The (Monetary Policy) Committee observed that the CBR had been lowered substantially since August 2024, yet lending rates have only declined marginally,’ Dr Thugge said in February last year.

WHO, KSrelief sign $5.3m cholera response deal in Lake Chad Basin

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) have signed a $5.3 million agreement to strengthen cholera preparedness and response in Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi announced the agreement in a statement posted on X on Monday. It was signed on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.

The initiative aims to protect more than six million people by improving surveillance, early outbreak detection, emergency response and coordination among health authorities across the five countries.

It will also expand access to life-saving treatment, particularly during outbreaks.

‘Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can cause severe dehydration and death if untreated, but timely treatment and effective public-health measures can significantly reduce fatalities,’ he said.

Janabi said the partnership would help vulnerable communities detect outbreaks earlier, coordinate cross-border responses and strengthen public-health systems.

He thanked KSrelief for its continued support and said WHO would work with the organisation to advance regional health cooperation and sustainable outbreak preparedness.

The agreement comes as Lake Chad Basin countries intensify efforts to prevent, detect and respond to cholera and other public-health emergencies.

The programme will focus on surveillance, coordination among national and local authorities and access to appropriate treatment during outbreaks.

Sergio Perez targets Cadillac’s next step at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Cadillac heads into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix hoping to build on the progress made at the previous race weekend, with Sergio Perez expecting the team to make further improvements to its car.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the race in Baku, Perez expressed confidence that Cadillac can produce a stronger result this weekend. He believes the team can make further adjustments to the car and improve its performance on the Baku City Circuit.

The Mexican driver also reflected on Cadillac’s weekend at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Although the race itself did not deliver the result the team had hoped for, Perez viewed the weekend as an important step in the car’s development.

The long straights at Monza were not well suited to Cadillac’s car, limiting the team’s expectations for the race. However, the weekend gave the engineers an opportunity to work on the car’s balance and make progress in areas that could prove useful in Baku.

Perez therefore considers the Monza weekend part of the team’s development process and believes the lessons learned there can help Cadillac achieve a better result in Azerbaijan.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held at the Baku City Circuit from September 24 to 26. The weekend will feature two practice sessions on Thursday, followed by final practice and qualifying on Friday, while the 51-lap Grand Prix will take place on Saturday at 15:00 local time.