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Stronger partnerships seen as key in bridging gap between home prices, Filipino incomes

Enhanced collaboration among government agencies, real estate developers and housing finance institutions is necessary to narrow the gap between residential property prices and the purchasing capacity of Filipino families.

This is according to Rep. JP Padiernos, a member of the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries.

Padiernos is pitching for stronger public-private partnerships in the housing industry as the property sector reportedly confronts a dip in sales and persistent affordability challenges.

The lawmaker said the proposed initiative seeks to identify practical ways to make homeownership more attainable through manageable monthly installments while ensuring that developers can deliver quality housing at commercially sustainable prices.

Padiernos has authored and co-authored at least seven House bills on condominium redevelopment, urban development and socialized housing.

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2020 Census of Population and Housing recorded approximately 28.50 million housing units nationwide, of which 25.19 million were occupied, alongside 26.38 million households.

The approximately 1.18-million difference between households and occupied housing units provides a broad indicator of housing pressure but is not an official estimate of the housing backlog or the number of families capable of purchasing homes.

Padiernos said the challenge is not simply to build more houses, but to ensure that available homes match household incomes, financing capacity, location preferences and actual housing needs.

Earlier, Pag-IBIG Fund reportedly released P69.19 billion in housing loans covering 43,051 units in the first half of 2026, up 15% in loan value and 9% in units financed year-on-year, indicating continued activity in the country’s formal housing-finance market.

Within that total, socialized housing loans for minimum-wage and low-income members reportedly reached P6.70 billion, financing 6,601 units, with increases of 118% and 132%, respectively, from the same period last year.

Pag-IBIG also offers a subsidized 3% annual interest rate for eligible socialized-housing borrowers, alongside promotional rates of 4.5% and 5.75% for qualifying housing loans in other price categories and a maximum housing loan ceiling of P10 million, subject to program conditions.

According to Padiernos, these measures provide a basis for examining how financing assistance can help qualified households purchase homes that would otherwise be beyond their reach.

He added, however, that the property market continues to face a mismatch between housing demand and available supply.

Colliers, a global real estate research firm, reported approximately 79,200 unsold condominium units in Metro Manila at the end of 2025, including nearly 30,000 unsold ready-for-occupancy units, while its second-quarter 2026 report projected residential vacancy to reach 25.6% by year-end.

Colliers also identified economic and affordable condominiums as the primary drivers of residential demand in the first half of 2026, suggesting that affordability, financing access and the alignment of housing products with end-user requirements are increasingly important to market recovery.

Padiernos said unsold inventory does not automatically mean that homes are affordable to families that need them. ‘Prices, down-payment requirements, monthly amortization, location and loan eligibility can prevent potential buyers from purchasing available units, while developers face financing, maintenance and other costs when inventory remains unsold,’ he explained.

He added that the proposed initiative would examine whether targeted financing assistance, more efficient construction methods, improved infrastructure coordination and streamlined government approvals could reduce avoidable costs and expand access to suitable housing without compromising construction quality or buyer protection.

Among the country’s developers, Ayala Land, Inc. generated P41 billion in property development revenues during the first half of 2026, leading peer performance ahead of Megaworld Corporation’s P27.2 billion, SM Prime Holdings’ P20.9 billion, and Robinsons Land Corporation’s P7.1 billion.

Despite the slowdown in reservations, ALI reported an improvement in residential inventory levels, from 18 months in the first quarter to 15 months, and turned over close to 6,000 residential units across 40 projects during the first half. These developments point to the importance of matching housing supply with effective demand, while balancing affordability for prospective buyers with the financial sustainability of property developers.

Opene v NJC and judiciary’s self-cleansing mechanisms

THE judiciary is without doubt the gateway to justice because it occupies a pivotal position in the administration of justice and the preservation of the rule of law. As the institution entrusted with interpreting the law, protecting fundamental rights, and holding public authorities accountable, its legitimacy rests substantially on the integrity, impartiality, and independence of judicial officers. However, the credibility of the judiciary is inevitably undermined where allegations of corruption, abuse of judicial authority, and professional misconduct arise within its ranks. In this regard, the capacity of the judiciary to identify, investigate, and discipline erring judicial officers is indispensable to maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice. The concept of judicial self-cleansing, therefore, assumes considerable importance as an institutional mechanism for preserving judicial integrity and ensuring accountability without compromising judicial independence. In Nigeria, the National Judicial Council (NJC), established under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), occupies a central position in the disciplinary control and regulation of judicial officers. Through its constitutional mandate, the Council is empowered to receive and investigate complaints against judicial officers, recommend appropriate sanctions, and advise the relevant authorities on matters concerning judicial appointments, discipline, and removal.

The NJC thus serves as a principal institutional safeguard against judicial misconduct, providing a structured mechanism through which allegations of corruption and other forms of professional impropriety may be addressed. Its disciplinary functions reflect the fundamental principle that judicial independence must not be misconstrued as immunity from accountability, nor should the sanctity of judicial office become a shield for misconduct.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the NJC as an instrument of judicial self-cleansing raises important legal and institutional questions. These include the adequacy of its disciplinary procedures, the consistency and transparency of its decisions, the deterrent effect of sanctions imposed on erring judicial officers, and the extent to which its interventions have contributed to the eradication of corruption within the judicial system. Equally significant is the need to strike a delicate balance between enforcing discipline and protecting judicial officers from arbitrary or politically motivated interference. A credible disciplinary framework must not only punish proven misconduct but also uphold due process, fairness, and the constitutional independence of the judiciary. This is why the decision of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in the case under review is relevant, as it helps to x-ray the judiciary’s self-cleansing mechanisms in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the National Judicial Council’s deployment of disciplinary powers to combat corruption among judicial officers. It evaluates the constitutional and legal foundations of the Council’s mandate, the nature and effectiveness of its disciplinary interventions, and the challenges that may impede the realisation of its objectives. Ultimately, the decisions establish that a judiciary committed to the rule of law must demonstrate a corresponding commitment to internal accountability. The success of judicial self-cleansing depends not merely on the existence of disciplinary powers, but on their impartial, consistent, transparent, and effective exercise. Only through such a commitment can the NJC strengthen public confidence, reinforce judicial integrity, and help ensure that the institution charged with administering justice remains worthy of the trust reposed in it by the Nigerian people.

THE FACTS OF THE CASE

The facts of this case as stated in Opene v NJC (2026) 16 NWLR (Pt. 2040) 161 are that on 12th April 2003, a National Assembly general election was conducted for the senatorial seat of the Anambra South Senatorial District. One Mr. Nicholas C. Ukachukwu who contested the election was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission. However, on 18th April 2003, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State upturned the victory and declared one Dr. Ugochukwu Uba, who did not contest in the election, as the winner. Consequently, Mr. Ukachukwu filed an election petition against the commission and Dr. Uba at the National Assembly Election Tribunal, Awka, Anambra State. At the conclusion of the hearing of the petition, the tribunal entered judgment in favour of Mr. Ukachukwu and affirmed his victory at the election. Dr. Uba appealed to the Court of Appeal, Enugu against the judgment of the tribunal. The appellant presided over the appeal along with two other Justices of the court. However, during the pendency of the appeal, Mr. Ukachukwu wrote a petition dated 26th February 2004 to the 1st respondent against the appellant. In the petition, he alleged that the appellant received a bribe of the sum of N15,000,000.00 through the appellant’s brother-in-law and an official of the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of the tribunal in favour of Dr. Uba. Upon receipt of the petition, the 1st respondent constituted a panel of Inquiry to investigate the allegations of bribery and corruption against the appellant. In the course of the investigation, the appellant and the petitioner were invited by the panel and appeared before it with their respective counsel. The appellant made his representations to the panel through his counsel. He testified, called witnesses and cross-examined the witnesses of the petitioner. At the conclusion of the investigation, the panel found that the appellant had enriched himself corruptly and had tarnished the image of the judiciary.

The panel recommended to the 1st respondent that the appellant be removed from the judiciary by way of dismissal. The 1st respondent recommended to the 3rd respondent the removal of the appellant as a Justice of the Court of Appeal. The 3rd respondent, acting on the recommendation, dismissed the appellant from the Federal Judicial Service. The appellant commenced an action at the Federal High Court by way of an application for judicial review to challenge his removal. In order to prove that the Federal Judicial Service Commission did not take part in the process leading to his removal, the appellant sought to rely on a letter, exhibit ‘DH1’, informing him of his removal from the Federal Judicial Service by the 3rd respondent, owing to the approval of the recommendation of the 1st respondent. The appellant contended that the evidence disclosed that the commission was not involved in the process leading to his removal from office which occasioned a miscarriage of justice against him. At the conclusion of hearing, the trial court dismissed the suit. Dissatisfied, the appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. Still dissatisfied, the appellant appealed to the Supreme Court which also dismissed the appeal.

THE JUDGMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT

The Powers of Federal Judicial Service Commission:

A communal reading of paragraphs 13(a) and (b), and 21(a) and (b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) shows that in cases of nomination of persons for appointment with respect to the offices specified in paragraph 13(a) thereof, the Federal Judicial Service Commission shall have the power to advise, not recommend, the National Judicial Council in nominating persons for appointment with respect to the offices including a Justice of the Court of Appeal. The Commission shall have power under paragraph 13(b) to recommend to the Council the removal of officers specified in paragraph 13(a) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution.

The Powers of National Judicial Council:

In recommending persons for appointment to federal courts, paragraph 21(a) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) specifically provides that the National Judicial Council shall have the power to recommend to the President from among the list of persons submitted to it by the Federal Judicial Service Commission persons for appointment to the offices of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the President and Judges of the National Industrial Court. Paragraph 21(b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution specifically vests in the National Judicial Council the power to recommend to the President removal from office of the judicial officers specified in paragraph 21(a) as well as to exercise disciplinary control over such officers.

However, unlike paragraph 21(a), there is nothing in paragraph 21(b) that states that the recommendation by the National Judicial Council to the President for the removal from office of judicial officers is contingent upon, or subject to any prior recommendation of the Federal Judicial Service Commission. Equally, there is nothing in the provisions of paragraph 13(b) that vests in the Federal Judicial Service Commission the power to exercise disciplinary control over federal judicial officers in the same manner as the National Judicial Council. If the draftsman intended that the Federal Judicial Service Commission would also play the same role allocated to it in paragraph 13(b) in paragraph 21(b), it would have been clearly stated.

Per TSAMMANI, J.S.C. at pages 209-210, paras. H-B:

‘I have also perused the provisions of 13(a) and (b), and 21(a) and (b) of the 3rd Schedule in Part 1 of the Constitution. Clearly paragraph 13(b) gives vires to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) to recommend to the National Judicial Council (NJC) – 1st respondent herein, the removal from office of any of the judicial officers specified in paragraph 13(a). Paragraph 21(b) of the said Third Schedule gives power to the NJC (1st respondent), to recommend to the President the removal from office of such judicial officers. However, I am unable to see where the Constitution unequivocally states that the exercise of such power by the 1st respondent can only be done subject to the recommendation of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.’

Two charged over separate fraud cases at Equity Bank, Old Mutual

Two people have been charged in separate cases involving alleged insider fraud at Equity Bank and Old Mutual, with one accused of duplicating banking system profiles in a suspected theft plot and the other of stealing Sh89.5 million from the insurer and laundering the money through three companies.

In the Equity Bank case, Ian Maina faced three charges over alleged manipulation of the lender’s banking system known as Finacle. In the Old Mutual case, a former employee Bernard Ngugi was charged with stealing Sh89.5 million from the insurer and laundering the alleged proceeds.

Mr Maina is accused of duplicating Finacle user profiles between May and October 21, 2026, alongside people who have not yet appeared in court.

The charge sheet says he duplicated two banking-system profiles and the alleged offences occurred at an unknown. The counts concern computer access, attempted theft and conspiracy.

Finacle is banking software used to manage bank accounts and transactions; user profiles determine access permissions.

The first count accuses him of unauthorised access to Equity Bank’s computer system, contrary to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. It alleges he duplicated the profiles ‘with intent to commit a further offence, namely theft.’

A second count charges him with attempted theft by servant, while the third count accuses him of conspiring with others to commit a felony.

The charge sheet does not state how much money was allegedly targeted or say that funds were taken from the bank.

Mr Maina denied the charges and was released on cash bail of Sh200,000 or an alternative bond of Sh600,000 pending the trial.

The Old Mutual case alleges theft over a longer period. Mr Ngugi is accused of stealing Sh89.5 million between 2018 and November 10, 2025. The charge sheet says the money went into his possession through his employment.

He also faces money-laundering allegations alongside Donbitz Global Limited, Auris General Merchants Limited and Pedram Global Limited.

Prosecutors allege transactions were arranged to conceal the funds’ source and ownership, despite knowing or having reason to believe they were proceeds of crime.

One count concerns Sh35.2 million allegedly transferred through a Co-operative Bank account belonging to Auris General Merchants. Another cites Sh32.6 million routed through an NCBA Bank Kenya account held by Donbitz. The charges claim Sh21.6million was channelled through a company known as Pedram.

The court trial followed a probe by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Banking Fraud Investigations Unit.

Mr Ngugi denied the charges and was released on a Sh2 million bond or Sh800,000 cash bail. The case was listed for pre-trial directions on November 10, 2026.

’SM Prime aiming to develop tourism attraction in Palawan’

Manila-based conglomerates are trooping to Puerto Princesa City, including shopping mall operator SM Prime Holdings Inc., as the local government is pushing for an integrated development of the Palawan capital.

Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron said the SM Group is pouring its investment into the city, with the company buying almost all of the beachfront properties in the west coast, from Barangay Napsan to Simpocan.

‘I don’t know how many hectares. But they buy mostly the beachfront properties,’ Bayron said.

At the moment, SM Prime does not have any beachfront property in Puerto Princesa. It currently operates SM Puerto Princesa, a 53,000-square meter asset consisting mostly of shopping mall that incorporates sustainable, energy-saving designs suited to Palawan’s tropical climate.

Bayron said the company has already bought the properties some two weeks ago, with the third generation of the Sy family handling the deal.

He said the city is also enticing the Sy Group to invest in Santa Lucia Environmental Estate, which was located at the far end of the property that the SM bought.

‘They (the Sy group) will make it (the property that they bought) like Bali,’ Bayron said, referring to the popular Indonesian tourism destination that attracts more tourists than the entire Philippines combined.

Bayron did not state whether the SM Group will invest in Santa Lucia, which the city government is developing in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

The city is developing Santa Lucia, a P200-billion masterplan. The property is about 500 hectares, which was carved out of the 1,072-hectare property of the Iwahig Penal Colony.

The Iwahig prison will retain the more than half of the property.

The Ayala Group, which operates various resorts in El Nido, also attempted to buy properties in Puerto Princesa twice, but did not continue in both occasions, the mayor said.

The master plan of Santa Lucia development includes nine districts covering hospitality, tourism dwellings, commercial activities, eco-producing, agri-producing, open spaces, environmental protection, and support infrastructure. The plan identifies 245 lots, including 75 big lots,150 dwelling lots and 20 farm lots.

Bayron said the game changer of the development is the convention center to attract more people in the Palawan capital.

For hotel groups, historic developers and hospitality operators, the plan allocates 7.14 hectares to hotel and hospitality development with 10 proposed hotel sites. The concept includes resort hotels, wellness resorts, ecologists, long-stay seats, restaurants, and meetings and functional facilities.

Eco-tourism is also being targeted in the property, which will include forest trails, mangrove, boardwalk, canopy walk, observation tower, planting, picture-based events, and potential ecological growth.

Eala rebounds with lopsided win in Tokyo

Alex Eala made short work of Mika Stojsavljevic of Great Britain, 6-1, 6-2, to roll into the WTA500 Toray Pan Pacific Round of 16 yesterday at the Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo, Japan.

The 21-year-old Pinay power, who returned as world No. 19 from No. 20, needed only 75 minutes to bag the easy first-round win against the way lower-ranked and wildcard British, who slid from No. 308 to No. 411 in the latest WTA rankings released yesterday.

The eighth-seeded Eala will next face WTA No. 38 Talia Gibson of Australia, 6-0, 7-5 winner over compatriot Daria Kasatkina.

‘I think it was super important today to be focused on every single point. Playing against Mika for the first time was a great experience and I’m sure we will meet many, many more times. I think she has a really good level and I’ll see her many more times on tour,’ said Eala.

Eala never lost a serve in the methodical win, serving as a rebound of sorts after upset losses in Singapore, Wuhan and in the Asian Games in Nagoya.

She suffered those losses against unheralded foes in the past month, bowing as the No. 3 seed against No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova of Russia in the WTA500 Singapore Open Round of 16 and taking a Round 1 exit as the No. 13 seed in the WTA1000 Wuhan Open with a loss to No. 217 Han Shi of China.

As the No. 1 seed in the 20th Asian Games, Eala also fell to the No. 85 Xiyu Wang of China to blow a shot at gold without the top guns in the continental tourney led by world No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, reigning champion and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen of China and No. 18 Naomi Osaka of Japan.

Eala’s 7-5, 6-4 loss to world No. 13 and No. 6 seed Diana Shnaider of Russia in the WTA500 Ningbo Open in China last week was her only defeat against a higher-ranked opponent in the last four tournaments.

And she wouldn’t allow another stunner, especially against an adversary outside the Top 400 rankings.

The lefty ace was supposed to play in the Tokyo doubles as well with Filipina-American star Desirae Krawczyk but pulled out in the last minute.

Police Arrest Man Over Alleged Rape Of 11-Year-Old In Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man, identified as Okputu Bright, over the alleged rape of an 11-year-old girl in Yala Local Government Area of the state.

The police said the victim’s father reported the incident at the Okpoma Divisional Police Headquarters on October 24, alleging that it occurred on October 18.

According to the police, the suspect allegedly lured the girl and sexually assaulted her before leaving her at a location within the community.

The command said the child had been referred to a general hospital for medical examination, while the suspect was arrested and detained.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has directed that the investigation be concluded promptly and the case file transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

In a statement issued in Calabar, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, urged members of the public to report suspected sexual offences and avoid circulating information or images that could identify the victim.

The police said the suspect remained presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdictions.

Kaduna And the Meaning of Tinubu’s Second March

History has a way of choosing its own geography. When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose Kaduna to flag off his 2027 re-election campaign on Saturday, October 24, 2026, he chose more than a location. He was sending a historic message.

Kaduna is Nigeria’s political ground zero. From here, the old Northern Region administered the entire North. It was here that alliances were forged. By starting his campaign where the North still feels its pulse, Tinubu told northern Nigeria, ‘I have not forgotten you.’

Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna, the rally venue, was packed with party supporters and sympathisers who had thronged the stadium from as early as 7 am. Some supporters slept overnight at the stadium. President Tinubu’s speech was deliberate, confident, and unusually personal.

‘My good people of Kaduna, it’s good to be back here again. You have listened to many speeches. I’m not going to bore you down. I’m happy to be here with you.’

The President thanked Kaduna people for their support in the 2023 election, but stated that he had come to seek their support again for a second mandate to keep a promise of prosperity, continuity, progress and development.

For three years, Tinubu’s biggest vulnerability has been the economy. On Saturday, he did not dodge it.

He said: ‘I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger. We are trying to eradicate it.’

He declared that his administration had demonstrated its commitment to improving Nigerians’ welfare through economic reforms, regular salary payments, and development initiatives implemented by APC Governors across the federation.

President Tinubu could not have chosen Kaduna without addressing insecurity. Three years ago, Birnin-Gwari was synonymous with fear. Today, the Kaduna-Abuja road is safer, and farming is returning to Giwa and Soba. Tinubu credited the military push and Governor Uba Sani’s non-kinetic approach.

Governor Uba Sani himself highlighted these achievements in security, infrastructure, and more, commending the President for his support and interventions in the state. For Kaduna, that resonance matters more than any statistic from Abuja.

Unlike in 2023, President Tinubu came to Kaduna this time with receipts showing his performance. These include GDP steady growth, falling inflation, naira stability, doubled FAAC allocations to states, rising foreign reserves, infrastructure renewal, NELFUND loans for indigent students, and consumer credit for young people, among others. The message was clear: The first term was surgery; the second term will be recovery, progress and prosperity.

It is a powerful argument, because even his critics admit state governors now have more money than ever. President Tinubu doubled down on the governors’ performance: ‘We pay salaries regularly. Our governors are working. I’m proud of them. They are developing. I salute all our governors today. I can see the development strides they are making in their various states.’

For the North, it’s a debt repaid. President Tinubu got about 62% of his votes from the North in 2023. He made promises to the region. He has kept his promises in terms of road and rail infrastructure, interventions in healthcare, improving security, and governmental appointments,

The Kaduna rally also included key strategic moments worth mentioning.

Both Vice President Kashim Shettima and Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, harped on Tinubu’s strategic support for key Northerners in the previous bid for the presidency.

In 2007, President Tinubu offered former Vice President Atiku Abubakar his ACN platform to run when former President Obasanjo hounded him out of the PDP. The President also backed Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and late Muhammadu Buhari to be president in 2015 and 2019.

According to them, Tinubu supported our sons for 20 years. Now, we should support him again for a second term. VP Shettima maintained that supporting Tinubu’s re-election is a matter of honour, integrity, political loyalty, and appreciation for the President’s contributions to advancing Northern political leaders over the years.

With VP Shettima beside him, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Campaign DG Yari, and even former opponents like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governors Chukwuma Soludo and Ademola Adeleke now on his expanded Campaign Council, President Tinubu projected something the opposition lacks-a broad national coalition.

Why Kaduna Matters for 2027

The APC says it wants 2 million votes from Kaduna State. That is ambitious, but the symbolism is more important than the number. If President Tinubu can hold the North-West, with a Sokoto rally billed for December 5 and Kano for December 17, win the South-West, and split North-Central, the math becomes very difficult for Atiku’s ADC, Makinde’s APM, and Obi/Kwankwaso’s camp to solve.

The opposition is still running from one small party to another. Tinubu is running on a solid pan-Nigerian structure. Last Saturday in Kaduna, President Tinubu did not just flag off a campaign. He framed the 2027 election as a choice between continuity and chaos, between finishing the reforms and abandoning them midway. He is clear about what he thinks should be done: finish the job.

Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Special Duties, is a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors

President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and family members viewed retrospective exhibition ‘My Absheron: Plus’ [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva visited the retrospective exhibition ‘My Absheron: Plus,’ dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Farhad Khalilov, a prominent artist, Chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, and People’s Artist, at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art on October 27.

The exhibition was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, and the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan. It features more than 90 works from the People’s Artist’s personal collection, created between the 1960s and the present day and ranging from monumental paintings to small-format graphic works.

One of the prominent figures in Azerbaijani fine arts, Farhad Khalilov is known for his rich body of work, distinctive artistic style, and individual artistic vision. Working in various genres of easel painting, he combines different approaches, from realism to avant-garde and abstract art. His works stand out for their diverse forms of artistic expression, distinctive color schemes, and the emotional impact of the spaces depicted.

Landscape painting, particularly the Absheron theme, occupies an important place in Khalilov’s work. Drawing on personal observations and impressions, he depicts Absheron’s natural environment, coastal landscapes, villages, changing weather conditions, and distinctive atmosphere through his individual use of color and light.

For Khalilov, Absheron is not merely a subject to depict but a central theme through which he expresses his feelings, thoughts, and worldview. Beyond their visual representation of place, his works also convey emotional depth.

Graphics also occupy a significant place in the People’s Artist’s work. His graphic pieces, created in various formats and using different artistic approaches, demonstrate the breadth of his creative range and his exploration of form and composition. The exhibition traces the evolution of the Absheron theme in his work and the role it has come to play in his distinctive artistic language.

We Did Not Cause Hardship – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for saying that the prevailing hardship in the country was caused by the opposition.

Speaking at the APC presidential campaign flag-off at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Saturday, President Tinubu said his government was working to eradicate the hardship caused by the opposition.

‘You created hunger and poverty,’ the President berated the opposition.

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP denied that the opposition especially the PDP was responsible for the hardship in the country, asking the APC to own up to its responsibility.

The PDP said it considered these statements as ‘attempts to evade responsibility and divert public attention from the pressing challenges facing the country under the APC-led administration.’

The PDP spokesman argued that rather than engaging in political blame games, the APC should explain what it intends to do to make ‘food affordable, support farmers, strengthen local food production, create jobs, improve security, fight corruption, improve electricity supply, reduce transportation costs, and restore the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians, among other pressing concerns.’

‘We firmly reject any attempt to use the PDP’s sixteen years in government as a blanket justification for the shortcomings of the present administration.

‘After more than APC’s 10years in office, Nigerians deserve answers, not excuses. The APC must tell Nigerians what it has achieved, outline the concrete measures it is taking to address the country’s present day challenges, and demonstrate its commitment to improving the welfare of citizens rather than continually dragging the PDP into its own shortcomings.

‘The PDP maintains that the economic challenges confronting Nigeria cannot be resolved by repeatedly blaming previous PDP-led administrations. While historical circumstances may provide context, they cannot serve as a permanent shield against accountability.

‘Every administration must be judged by its policies, decisions, achievements, and, most importantly, the living conditions of the people it governs.’ the statement said.

PDP said Nigerians are demanding practical solutions, affordable food, economic stability, and improved security, not endless political arguments and blame shifting, adding that they remain confident that Nigerians will judge political parties by their records, policies, and commitment to the welfare of the people.

‘We believe that the growing desire among Nigerians for a return to PDP leadership reflects their yearning for better governance, improved living conditions, and a more secure and prosperous country.

‘The PDP is not responsible for the hunger Nigerians are experiencing today. The APC must own its record, address the nation’s challenges, and deliver on its promises to Nigerians. The government in power must answer for its stewardship and present a credible path towards economic recovery, food security, and a better standard of living for all Nigerians.’ PDP said.

Muhoozi strips Elwelu of rank, says over 20 Ex-soldiers arrested

Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces [CDF], says he has demoted Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy CDF, from the rank of Lieutenant General to Private.

“The traitor Peter Elwelu is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private,” Kainerugaba posted on his X handle Tuesday morning.

Gen Kainerugaba also revealed that over 20 former soldiers linked to Lt Gen Peter Elwelu have been arrested and are cooperating with authorities.

“We have arrested over 20 of Elwelu’s former soldiers. They are co-operating well. They all agree he went insane a long time ago. Elwelu should surrender soon in order to save his own life,” he said.

Elwelu, previously sanctioned by the US over the 2016 Kasese killings that left over 100 dead, now faces calls to surrender as Kainerugaba asserts Uganda’s control over its security matters.

“Let all the world know that we intend to remain the masters of our own house,” he tweeted.

Kainerugaba did not give details of the arrested soldiers or charges, but said investigations are ongoing.

By press time, Elwelu had not publicly responded to the demotion and allegations.

The CDF, in an early morning tweeting spree, also commented about the recent killing of a Rwandan national , Sgt Maj Robert Kabera, in Uganda, pointing to possible involvement by Rwanda National Congress [RNC] elements.

“I hear there was a former RDF officer who was killed recently in the country. First of all, my office was never notified about the gentleman. I highly suspect that certain elements of Kayumba’s RNC were responsible. Are they retaliating for Kandiho’s arrest? We shall get to the truth,” he tweeted.

Gen Muhoozi also talked about the weakening shilling, saying the problem is being worsened by the delay in producing Uganda’s first oil.

“On our currency, I’m not worried at all. The problem is delaying to produce and refine our own petroleum. Mzee is always let down by very well-paid technocrats. They must be working for our enemies. Our PLU government will not let him down from 2031 onwards,” he tweeted.