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PBA: Ginebra brings in Jordan Murphy as Brownlee remains out

Barangay Ginebra won’t be having Justin Brownlee back when the PBA Governors’ Cup resumes in the second week of October.

Coach Tim Cone confirmed that the Gin Kings have tapped Jordan Murphy as a replacement for Riley Grigsby, who played the first six games before the conference went on a long break.

‘Yes, he is our new import. He arrived this morning,’ Cone said in a text reply to Inquirer.

Long-time utility staff member Junjun Atienza posted a selfie with the new reinforcement on his social media page.

The 29-year-old played for the University of Minnesota in the US NCAA Division I from 2015 to 2019 before being left undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft.

He played for the Iowa Wolves, Austin Wolves, Greensboro Swarm and Mexico City Capitanes in the NBA G-League while having pro stints in Israel and Puerto Rico.

Ginebra is going with Murphy instead of Brownlee, who did not see action this conference, as well as Gilas Pilipinas’ campaigns in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games due to multiple injuries.

Cone did not address Brownlee’s status when he confirmed Murphy’s signing.

Ginebra went with the change in its bid to improve a 2-4 win-loss record in Group B of the eliminations.

Grigsby averaged 26.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Gin Kings.

Nigeria won’t realise full potential without gender inclusion – Senate Leader

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Thursday said no country, including Nigeria, can meaningfully realise its full potential when a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.

The Senate Leader noted that women’s participation in public governance and leadership should be viewed as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength, rather than an act of favour.

Bamidele spoke at the presentation of the book, ‘The Female Diplomat: Navigating Power, Ambition and Identity’, held at Nigeria House, New York, United States, according to his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries and diplomats, including the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms Amina Mohammed; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Kayode Are; and the President/CEO of Montefiore Einstein.

Bamidele, who chaired the book presentation, said Nigeria’s democracy could only be strengthened when citizens were adequately represented in institutions established to serve them.

The Leader told the session that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, had recognised that the country’s development must draw on the abilities and contributions of all its citizens, including women and young people.

According to him, the President has consistently affirmed that women and young people must not be relegated to the background in the political, economic and national life of the country, but should be given front seats.

Bamidele stressed, however, that having women occupy positions in public institutions was not enough, arguing that they must have genuine opportunities to participate in decision-making, exercise responsibility and contribute to public policy.

Senator Bamidele explained, ‘Gender inclusion is not an act of favour. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength.

*No nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.’

Bamidele added that Nigeria’s foreign relations would be enriched when the country was represented by capable professionals whose knowledge, judgment and experience reflected the breadth of its national talent.

He pointed out that the National Assembly had a vital role to play through legislation, representation and oversight, particularly by helping to create an environment where competence was recognised, and opportunities were broadened.

Bamidele said the responsibility extended beyond government to political institutions, the diplomatic service, private sector, academic institutions and civil society.

‘Progress will require deliberate policies, supportive institutions and a collective willingness to recognise talent wherever it is found,’ he further stated.

Sibol banks on world experience in Pokemon Unite Asiad bid

The country’s national esports team, Sibol, will look to apply its recent international experience into the 20th Asian Games when its Pokemon Unite team opens its campaign Friday at the Aichi Sky Expo in Japan.

The Philippine squad is composed of Kim Rey Salazar, Michael Vaughn Ocio, Ducke Leoncio, Lawrence Gatmaitan, Robert Mempin and Lance David, with Albert Camp serving as head coach.

The same core competed as Team Nemesis at the Pokemon Unite World Championship in San Francisco last month, where it finished joint ninth to 16th.

‘Sa performance namin last month sa World Championship, kami ata ang pinaghahandaan nilang lahat. Pero hindi ako overconfident. Ayaw ko i-underestimate ang kalaban,’ said Camp.

The team will begin their campaign against Kazakhstan at 11:50 a.m. on September 25 before taking on Chinese Taipei at 9 a.m. and Malaysia at 2:40 p.m. on September 26.

Camp said the Filipinos are familiar with two of their group-stage opponents after repeatedly facing Chinese Taipei and Malaysia in international competition.

‘Maganda para sa amin ang bracket namin. Nakalaban na namin ang Chinese Taipei at Malaysia multiple times over the past four years,’ said Camp.

Despite that familiarity, Camp stressed the need for the squad to adjust quickly in a game where momentum can shift rapidly.

‘Sa Pokemon Unite game, mabilis mabaliktad ang laro. So ang expectation namin ay maging handa din sa mga ipapakitang surprise strategy ng kalaban. For us to achieve this, kailangan namin maging in-sync with proper communication and right state of mind during the games para makuha ang gold.’ said Camp.

The Philippines is seeking its first esports medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Games after its Naraka: Bladepoint squad bowed out in the group stage in the opening day of the esports events.

Newly paved road in Butuan torn up after cracks found

A newly paved road leading to one of Butuan City’s popular mountain destinations is being dismantled after cracks were discovered, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ordering the contractor to remove and replace the affected sections.

Photos circulating online show heavy equipment tearing portions of the newly finished pavement going to Mt. Mayapay View Deck in Barangay Nong-nong.

The issue gained attention after a social media post called on local authorities to explain the repair work on the newly completed road project toward the view deck, which has been attracting visitors for its panoramic landscape view.

‘It was only recently completed but is now being torn up,’ a netizen posted in Cebuano. ‘Instead of disrupting access, we hope that improvements will continue to support local tourism and the livelihood of the surrounding community.’

In an online interview with the Inquirer, Connie Calo, DPWH-Caraga information officer, confirmed that the agency’s Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) found alleged defects during its inspection of the project.

Calo said the inspection identified issues not only on the surface of the cemented road but also on portions near the Mt. Mayapay View Deck, one of the most visited areas.

The affected section is part of the access road leading to Altar Falls in Barangay Nong-nong, Butuan City, which the contractor completed on April 26.

According to DPWH-Caraga, the inspection revealed ‘criss-cross cracks’ on the completed Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP), causing the section to fail the agency’s required quality standards.

‘The (repair) activity incurs no additional cost to the government; it is at the contractor’s expense as part of their corrective measures,’ Calo said.

The contractor, identified as HappyAll3 Builders/ME3 Construction, initially told the DPWH that the cracks may have been caused by the high heat index experienced in Butuan City since last month.

The Inquirer tried but failed to get comments directly from the contractor on Thursday.

Complete payment to the contractor for the P95.6 million road project will be processed after the repair work is done.

Finland model shows how geospatial data could unlock Tanzania’s innovation

Tanzania could unlock new business opportunities and improve public services by making geospatial data more accessible and enabling startups to test digital products before investing heavily, experts have said.

The remarks were made on Thursday, September 24, 2026, when Finnish Geospatial Research Institute network coordinator Frank Nyamahowa presented on Geospatial Technology Support for SMEs and Public Administration under the ‘Unlocking Growth in Africa’ programme.

He was speaking to Tanzanian government officials on a study tour under the Digital for Tanzania (D4T) Twinning Project. Mr Nyamahowa said location intelligence could help businesses identify markets, improve logistics and develop services, while governments could use it to plan infrastructure and distribute public services more equitably.

‘Location intelligence is the science of where objects, activities, events and phenomena are happening in a specific place, and then integrating other types of data with it,’ he said.

He said combining maps with population projections, transport information and other datasets could help authorities determine where to locate hospitals, clinics and elderly-care facilities without disadvantaging people who lack private transport.

Mr Nyamahowa said Finland’s Location Innovation Hub helps smaller businesses access expertise, testing facilities, computing resources and networks rather than directly handing them grants.

He said startups could test digital platforms using their own or synthetic data, while computing infrastructure such as the LUMI AI Factory could help them develop and validate solutions.

‘If they fail quickly, they learn quickly. They grow quickly,’ he said, describing the value of experimentation facilities that protect data and intellectual property.

Dr Robertson Rockestinen, another expert involved in the discussions, said Tanzania could benefit from adapting elements of Finland’s approach.

‘Making reliable location data accessible and usable could support home-grown services across property, agriculture, forestry, transport, energy and urban planning,’ he said.

Mr Nyamahowa said Finland’s experience showed that opening public data could create opportunities beyond licensing revenue. He cited the National Land Survey’s decision to make geospatial data freely available, saying businesses had used it to develop services for property assessment and energy planning.

‘What would it be if Tanzania had this kind of infrastructure, if the entire country was digitally mapped and made available for anyone to use?’ he asked.

He cautioned that African countries should not simply import foreign models without adapting them to local realities.

‘You can’t copy-paste. It doesn’t work,’ he said, calling for stronger links between African innovation hubs.

Tanzania has already taken steps towards developing spatial infrastructure, with the World Bank-backed Digital Tanzania Project planning to expand digital mapping, street naming, signage and the national addressing database from an initial 66 wards to 711 wards across 37 councils.

Mr Nyamahowa said combining open data, research, testing facilities, skills and finance could turn such foundations into practical solutions and viable businesses.

Mojola makes history as NISCN names him first Senior Safety Advocate

The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) has conferred its Senior Safety Advocate (SSA) title on the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, in recognition of his contributions to occupational health, safety and environmental standards.

Mojola becomes the first recipient of the Senior Safety Advocate title, according to the NISCN, which described the honour as recognition of his leadership and contributions to strengthening safety standards in Lagos State and Nigeria.

The National President of NISCN, Engr. John Obajimi, presented the award and formal notification to Mojola.

In its notification, the council cited Mojola’s ‘visionary leadership, outstanding dedication and impactful contributions’ to the advancement of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards.

The council said his leadership of the Lagos State Safety Commission had contributed to proactive safety regulation, promotion of safety culture and institutional development.

The title allows Mojola to use the designation SSA before his name.

The recognition follows several safety initiatives implemented by the commission under Mojola, spanning workplace safety, emergency preparedness, public safety and risk management.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission conducted safety assessments and audits of businesses, schools, religious institutions and hospitality establishments preparing to reopen. It also introduced safety protocols and registration requirements for establishments seeking approval to resume operations.

Under Mojola, the commission adopted the 4Es safety framework-Evaluation, Education, Engagement and Enforcement, to strengthen risk identification, stakeholder education, community engagement and regulatory enforcement across formal and informal sectors.

The commission has also expanded safety interventions in the liquefied petroleum gas sector through training and monitoring of gas retailers, cylinder handlers and plant operators, with emphasis on reducing the risk of explosions and fire incidents.

In schools, safety programmes have focused on awareness, emergency preparedness, fire drills and risk assessments. Similar campaigns have been extended to artisans, market operators, mechanics, transport workers and construction workers.

The commission has also promoted professional safety training for operational personnel, managers and executives, while conducting inspections and risk assessments at construction sites, industrial facilities, event venues and other high-risk establishments.

Where establishments fail to comply with safety requirements, the commission imposes sanctions in line with its regulatory mandate.

Its safety interventions have further covered food establishments and public events, with emphasis on hygiene, emergency preparedness and crowd management.

During festive periods, the commission has worked with emergency and fire authorities on public safety campaigns in major commercial centres. Community-level preparedness has also been strengthened through CPR, first aid and basic emergency-response training.

The NISCN said the conferment of the SSA title reflects Mojola’s role in advancing safety advocacy, regulatory compliance and institutional safety standards.

According to the organisation, the recognition is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, placing further emphasis on the growing focus on occupational health and safety advocacy in the region.

Legarda ‘raring to come back’ to the Philippines, says her spokesperson

Sen. Loren Legarda is ‘raring to come back’ to the Philippines as soon as possible, her spokesperson said Thursday.

In an interview with the Inquirer, lawyer Tony La Viña said there is no definite date for Legarda’s return from France.

The senator is undergoing treatment for a serious lung disease that, the lawyer said, can flare up when she is under stress.

His statement comes amid an ongoing ombudsman investigation involving Legarda and her son, Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste.

Her absence raises questions on whether she will still be able to vote in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

La Viña said he cannot not disclose the specific details of Legarda’s condition, as it constitutes privileged information.

But he said it can possibly be an autoimmune disease that Legarda has been having for a long time.

‘When the treatment is done, that’s when she will return. As far as I know, I don’t know if there’s a specific date,’ La Viña said.

Asked whether Legarda will return to the Philippines if the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman proceeds, La Viña said the senator’s decision will depend on the state of her treatment at that time.

‘But she’s raring to come back. She wants to return, right? As soon as possible,’ the counsel said.

La Viña added that Legarda’s desire to return was ‘not so much for impeachment’ but for her advocacies.

‘No flight’

Legarda has been away since Aug. 2, only a few days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced that she and her son would be subject to a preliminary investigation over P10 billion ‘ghost’ solar power projects.

She has, so far, filed six medical leaves, with her recent extension before the Senate reaching until Oct. 9.

La Viña pushed back against suggestions that Legarda’s continued disappearance was meant to evade the allegations against her.

‘There’s no flight here. So there’s no evasion,’ he said, adding that there was no warrant of arrest against the senator.

‘She’s not running away from anything,’ La Viña said, maintaining that Legarda had no connection to her son’s solar business.

He said Legarda was responding to the allegations against her through her lawyers, who had filed their counter-affidavits before the Ombudsman.

According to La Viña, the complainant had also since submitted a response, but he was not privy to its contents.

He said Legarda and Leviste may submit another response before the matter is subjected to resolution, which he said could take 30 to 60 days.

Case against Legarda not part of intimidation

When asked whether Legarda, as a member of the Senate minority, agreed with Sens. Alan and Pia Cayetano’s view that the cases against some senator-judges could be part of pressure on them, La Viña said Legarda does not see it that way.

‘I asked her about that, and she said that she does not see it that way. She doesn’t see it that way. This is not about the impeachment,’ he maintained.

Instead, the lawyer attributed the controversy involving the mother and son to the Rep. Leviste’s anti-corruption campaign in the House of Representatives.

He said Leviste began encountering problems after raising issues involving contractors and fellow lawmakers.

‘Because he obviously ruffled feathers at the House,’ La Viña noted.

Legarda on impeachment trial

Meanwhile, La Viña said he believes that Legarda is monitoring the impeachment proceedings, particularly the Senate’s decision on the conviction threshold.

He initially said, per his understanding, Legarda can no longer vote because she had not participated in the trial.

However, when told that Sen. Erwin Tulfo had said in a press briefing on Wednesday that senators who were physically present on voting day could still vote, La Viña said he was unsure which interpretation will ultimately apply.

The impeachment court on Wednesday amended the threshold ruling so the two-thirds needed for conviction will be computed based on senators legally and factually capable of participating at the time of voting, rather than a fixed 16 votes.

Shortly after, Tulfo subsequently clarified that the chamber had not lowered the two-thirds requirement.

He said that senators who will return and are physically present on the day of voting will be allowed to vote, regardless of whether or not they are able to physically attend all or some of the trials.

‘So is Loren. When Senator Loren gets better, then she may vote,’ Tulfo pointed out.

La Viña then mentioned that he did not know whether Legarda will return in time for the voting.

He observed that the defense had yet to present its case.

The spokesperson estimated that the proceedings can take another 30 days, potentially bringing the voting to November or December.

‘So hopefully, she can already return at that time,’ La Viña told the Inquirer.

UNIOSUN’s academic programmes hit 128

The Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has grown its academic programmes from 66 at inception to 128 while its student population has increased from 14,680 to 42,780.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye made this known at the school’s 16th convocation ceremony on Thursday on the university’s main campus in Osogbo.

According to him, the number of postgraduate programmes had also increased from 99 to 299, adding that the university had secured 75 international grants which is an indication of the institution’s growing academic and research profile.

Adebooye expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who had contributed to the university’s growth, urging the university community to sustain its commitment to excellence.

He also commended Gov. Ademola Adeleke for his support and contributions to the development of the university, adding that the institution had continued to expand.

Adebooye commended the lecturer of the day and Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, for ‘his positive contributions to the growth and development of universities across the country.’

In his lecture, Prof. Ogundipe called for the urgent harmonisation of Nigeria’s dual regulatory system for university education across the country.

He described the existing system as structurally necessary but operationally dysfunctional while it required better regulation rather than less regulation.

According to him, the regulatory system must place the interests of students and the public at the centre of its operations.

He added that the NUC and professional regulatory bodies had overlapping mandates which must be looked upon thoroughly.

‘Quality assurance must remain non-negotiable but could become counterproductive when multiple regulators imposed inconsistent requirements and duplicated processes, leaving universities and students to bear the consequences.

‘The two systems had co-existed for decades until the rapid expansion of universities from the 1990s exposed structural tensions and increased the cost of regulation,’ he said.

The board chairman further identified some major challenges as conflicts over curriculum ownership, uncoordinated accreditation timelines and costs, as well as gaps between NUC minimum academic standards and professional practice standards.

He noted that some departments had been forced to restructure programmes to meet NUC benchmarks only to face additional requirements from professional regulatory council and such has resulted in repeated restructuring, financial pressure and diversion of academic staff time.

He urged university authorities to move from reactive to proactive engagement with regulators.

‘As Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and members of governing councils, we are not passive recipients of regulatory policy. We have both the opportunity and the duty to lead its transformation.

‘We call on the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVC), in partnership with the Association of Private Universities and the Committee of Pro-Chancellors, to adopt coordinated advocacy for system-wide regulatory reform,’ he added.

Ogundipe proposed a six-point implementation agenda, including the establishment of a national task group comprising the NUC, professional regulators and university representatives to identify overlapping programme requirements.

He called for the development of unified regulatory matrices for affected disciplines and the enforcement of student-protection protocols through early public disclosure of accreditation status and enforceable remediation plans.

Other proposals included institutionalising regulatory intelligence through dedicated quality-assurance structures linked to the Senate, Management and Governing Council; using collective advocacy to make regulatory harmonisation a national higher-education policy priority; and strengthening proactive institutional planning.

Ogundipe, however, said accreditation preparation should become part of routine university operations rather than a crisis-management exercise.

He praised the graduating students and described UNIOSUN as evidence that a state-owned university could secure rigorous accreditations and produce graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

Alex Eala earns $502,000 EMV at NYFW; Heart Evangelista among top voices

Filipino tennis player Alex Eala generated half a million dollars in earned media value (EMV) during her debut at the New York Fashion Week, while fashion week regular Heart Evangelista remained as one of the event’s top key voices.

According to influencer marketing platform Lefty, Eala raked in $502,000 in EMV with her attendance to the Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2027 show last Sept. 11.

Eala joined the list of athletes who made a mark at the fashion week and created value for the brands they represented.

Meanwhile, the same report from the platform showed Evangelista as one of the top voices at the New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027. The Filipino actress-fashion influencer ranked second in the list with $5.7 million EMV, following Thai celebrity Love Pattranite who emerged in the first spot with $6.7 million EMV.

Stanbic joins push for stronger performance of state-owned enterprises

Stanbic Bank Tanzania has reaffirmed its support for Tanzania’s development agenda by sponsoring the 2026 Chairpersons and CEOs Forum, which brings together more than 700 leaders from state-owned enterprises (SOEs), government institutions and the private sector.

The forum, organised by the Office of the Treasury Registrar, will be held in Arusha from September 27 to 30 under the theme: ‘High-Performing SOEs for a Competitive, Inclusive and Resilient Economy: Advancing Dira 2050.’

It will bring together government leaders, SOE executives, regulators, development partners, investors, academics and private-sector representatives to discuss ways of strengthening the contribution of public enterprises to the economy. Stanbic is among the institutions sponsoring the forum, with the bank saying its participation is part of efforts to strengthen partnerships with government institutions and SOEs.

The discussions come as the government continues to push for greater accountability, efficiency and financial sustainability among public institutions.

According to the Office of the Treasury Registrar, dividends and statutory contributions from SOEs and companies in which the government holds minority shares increased by 30 per cent to Sh1.33 trillion by June 29, 2026, the highest level recorded.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Ester Manase said well-performing and financially sustainable SOEs were important to the country’s long-term development plans.

‘State-owned enterprises remain at the centre of Tanzania’s development ambitions and play a critical role in delivering the country’s long-term economic vision,’ she said.

She said the bank would continue supporting public institutions through financing, transaction banking, capital raising and advisory services.

‘We see ourselves not simply as a banking provider, but as a partner in Tanzania’s development journey,’ Ms Manase said.

She said the forum provided an opportunity for government, SOE and private-sector leaders to strengthen partnerships, identify investment opportunities and agree on practical measures to support the implementation of Dira 2050.

During the forum, Stanbic will participate in discussions on SOE financial sustainability, investment, digital government and strategic infrastructure projects.

The bank said it would also share its experience on financing sustainable growth and strengthening collaboration between public institutions and the private sector.

The forum comes as Tanzania seeks to increase the contribution of SOEs and government minority-owned companies to economic growth and the implementation of the country’s long-term development priorities.

Dira 2050 sets out Tanzania’s long-term development ambitions, including strengthening economic competitiveness, improving productivity and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.