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Some Veteran Actors Make Filmmaking Difficult – Kwaku Manu

Actor and filmmaker, Kwaku Manu, has raised concerns about the attitudes of some veteran actors, saying their reluctance to embrace changes in the movie industry can make productions difficult.

Speaking on Akoma FM on September 6, 2026, Kwaku Manu said some veteran actors initially rejected roles in YouTube movies because they did not consider the platform suitable for their work.

He said some would ask where a movie would be shown and turn down the opportunity after learning that it was intended for YouTube.

‘In the movie industry, we have old actors who are worrisome. At first, when you call some actors for YouTube films, they will tell you they won’t do it,’ he said.

According to him, some experienced actors also find it difficult to adapt when directors ask them to perform scenes differently from the styles they have used over the years.

‘There are some veteran actors too who, when you want to direct them to do the job in a certain way, they would want to take you back to their old style,’ he stated.

Kwaku Manu also stressed the importance of actors understanding their scripts before arriving on set, saying this helps them know exactly what is expected of them.

Despite his concerns, he acknowledged the important role veteran actors continue to play in Ghana’s movie industry.

‘They even have more experience than the young actors, so we still need them,’ he added.

Sweden to remain fully engaged in Cyprus dialogue, new Ambassador says

Sweden will remain fully engaged in support of dialogue and confidence building and will support a ‘mutually acceptable, sustainable and comprehensive solution’ to the Cyprus problem based on international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles, Sweden’s new Ambassador to Cyprus, Henrik Cederin, said on Wednesday.

Presenting his credentials to the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, at the Presidential Palace, Cederin said that the Swedish Embassy in Nicosia would continue to facilitate the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process, which is now in its 18th year, by engaging with Cyprus’ religious leaders committed to working together for ‘human rights, peace and reconciliation.’

He also referred to the upcoming centenary of the Swedish Archaeological Expedition to Cyprus, noting that the excavations that began in 1927.

‘The Swedish Cyprus Expedition (1927-1931) established a solid basis for our good relations already 100 years ago and it continues to serve as a platform for the further strengthening of the links between our two countries and peoples,’ he said.

Cederin said Sweden and Cyprus, as EU member states, shared a responsibility to ‘further reinforce the workings of the Union as well to strengthen its standing in the world’, adding that their joint commitments and mutual solidarity provided a solid foundation for bilateral ties and cooperation. He also congratulated Cyprus on its recently concluded Presidency of the Council of the EU.

He said there was potential for further exchanges between Swedish and Cypriot companies as well as people-to-people contacts, with cooperation capable of being expanded in areas including sustainable development and green growth, water management, gender equality and education.

Cederin also referred to the 28,000 Swedes who have served with the United Nations in Cyprus since 1964 and to the roughly 150,000 Swedish tourists who visit the island each year.

Considerable potential in bilateral relations says the President

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Receiving Cederin’s credentials, President Christodoulides said Cyprus and Sweden shared a relationship based on ‘long-standing friendship, mutual respect and a common commitment to European principles and values’, noting that diplomatic relations were established in 1960.

‘Yet, as strong as these foundations are, I believe that our partnership holds considerable untapped potential’, he said.

He called for greater political dialogue and high-level contacts, as well as a fresh impetus to economic relations.

‘Our growing trade and investment ties provide a firm foundation, and the notable rise in Cypriot exports to Sweden in recent years is an encouraging indication of the great opportunities that lie ahead,’ he said.

The President also identified sustainable development, green growth and water management as areas in which Sweden’s experience could be particularly valuable to Cyprus.

Tourism was described by President Christodoulides as one of the ‘most cherished links’ between the two peoples. He recalled Sweden’s support for the revival of tourism in Cyprus following the Turkish invasion of 1974, noting that more than 153,000 Swedish visitors travelled to Cyprus in 2025.

Referring to the Swedish Cyprus Expedition of 1927-1931, the President said the approaching centenary in 2027 offered a unique opportunity to celebrate the shared heritage and further strengthen cultural ties.

He also expressed Cyprus’ appreciation for Sweden’s contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus, noting that approximately 28,000 Swedish military and police personnel served in UNFICYP between 1964 and 1993.

Turning to the Cyprus problem, Christodoulides reiterated that it remained ‘our foremost national priority’, with the objective being the resumption of meaningful negotiations leading to a ‘comprehensive and viable settlement’ in line with international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles and values.

‘In pursuing this objective, we greatly value Sweden’s steadfast support for the UN-led process and its consistent commitment to dialogue, reconciliation and confidence-building. Sweden’s contribution has extended beyond words to practical initiatives that seek to bring the two communities closer together,” he said. He referred particularly to the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the auspices of the Swedish Embassy in Nicosia.

The President expressed confidence that Cederin’s tenure would provide an opportunity to deepen relations and open new avenues of cooperation between Cyprus and Sweden, and asked him to convey his ‘warmest greetings’ and a message of ‘sincere friendship and solidarity’ to King Carl XVI Gustaf and the Swedish people.

Firm Reaches 67,512 Borrowers In First Year

The National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC) has unlocked ?46.95 billion in credit for businesses and individuals across Nigeria within its first year of operations.

The company disclosed that it provided ?21.59 billion in guarantee cover, which enabled participating financial institutions to extend approximately ?46.95 billion in loans to 67,512 end-borrowers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The figures, recorded as of August 2026, were announced at the NCGC Stakeholders’ Forum 2026 in Lagos, held under the theme, ‘Credit Guarantees as a Catalyst for Inclusive Economic Growth.’

According to the NCGC, its intervention has also impacted an estimated 661,291 direct and indirect jobs, while 33.5 per cent of beneficiaries-more than 22,600 people-were first-time borrowers entering the formal credit market.

The company said the results demonstrate the potential of credit guarantees to improve access to finance by enabling lenders to share risks associated with lending to businesses and underserved borrowers.

NCGC said it has partnered with 19 Participating Financial Institutions comprising 13 commercial banks, three microfinance banks and three development finance institutions.

It also disclosed that 11,374 female-owned businesses had benefited from NCGC-backed lending as of August.

Speaking at the forum, NCGC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bonaventure E. Okhaimo, said the first-year performance showed that changing the risk equation could significantly expand access to capital.

‘When we change the risk equation, we can change who gets access to capital,’ Okhaimo said.

He noted that while the ?46.95 billion in credit unlocked was significant, the number of people reached and first-time borrowers entering the formal credit system represented an equally important achievement.

Okhaimo explained that NCGC was established not to replace the financial system but to make it more effective for businesses and individuals historically excluded from formal credit.

Under its model, NCGC provides partial guarantees to participating financial institutions, absorbing an agreed portion of qualifying credit losses while lenders retain exposure and remain responsible for credit assessment, monitoring and recovery.

The company said the approach is designed to encourage lending to viable businesses where conventional collateral requirements and perceptions of risk might otherwise limit access to finance.

NCGC said its first-year performance comes against the backdrop of persistent financing challenges facing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which remain important to economic activity and job creation in Nigeria.

The company said its next phase would focus particularly on women-owned and women-led businesses through GuaranteeHer, its gender-responsive credit guarantee product.

GuaranteeHer aims to mobilise more than ?100 billion in financing for over 20,000 women-owned businesses within five years, with an ambition to support 150,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Okhaimo said the initiative was designed to give women entrepreneurs better access to capital rather than charity.

With an initial capital base of ?100 billion, NCGC said it had deployed only a portion of its capital as guarantee cover, leaving room to expand its interventions and mobilise additional private-sector financing into productive economic activities.

NCGC commenced operations on July 1, 2025, as a Federal Government-backed credit guarantee institution established to expand access to finance for eligible businesses, MSMEs and consumers through partial credit guarantees, co-guarantees and technical assistance.

SEBSA and Addovation form strategic partnership to support IFS customers globally

On 3 September 2026, SEBSA and Addovation announced a strategic partnership that brings together senior IFS specialists from both organisations to drive long-term IFS customer success across the globe. The strategic partnership forms one of the largest consortiums of its kind in the industry.

This strategic partnership builds on an existing track record of successful project deliveries together, which has already demonstrated the operational compatibility between the two organisations. Addovation brings a strong presence and deep market understanding across the Nordic region, while SEBSA brings established global IFS expertise.

‘Scale alone is not enough. What matters is having experienced specialists who understand complex customer environments and can deliver consistently,’ says SEBSA Ltd., CEO Muthuraja Nanayakkara. ‘Both SEBSA and Addovation bring decades of IFS expertise in our own right, and together, we combine that experience with a strong European business understanding and the capacity to support customers across markets.’

‘AI is changing the conversation around ERP. Companies are asking not only how they modernise their systems, but how they build a foundation that allows them to continuously adopt new technology and turn it into business value,’ says Addovation Interim CEO Mikael Johansson. ‘By joining forces with SEBSA, we are significantly strengthening the expertise and delivery capacity we can bring to that challenge.’

SEBSA and Addovation, together, continue to deliver long-term customer success and global delivery, with a strong European footprint. The two companies combine decades of deep IFS expertise and global delivery capabilities to deliver enterprise-grade solutions at scale to the global IFS market.

SEBSA is a leading provider of IFS solutions to enterprises worldwide. Renowned for delivering Simple, Fast, and Accurate solutions, SEBSA’s services encompass IFS consulting, implementations, upgrades, 24×7 support, AI Lab and SEBSA Academy which is available for the entire IFS eco system. SEBSA and its international team of 100+ experts embrace the spirit of going #beyondtheextramile, extending their efforts not only towards ensuring customer satisfaction but also towards fostering professional and personal development. This commitment has proven instrumental in enabling SEBSA’s clients to attain an outstanding 100% success rate in IFS solutions, while elevating SEBSA as a trusted and competent service provider within the IFS community.

Addovation is a Nordic-born, long-term ERP and technology partner with more than 200 experts across 10 offices in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Sri Lanka. The company helps businesses digitise, simplify, and improve their operations through business solutions, expertise, and cloud services. With deep expertise in IFS, NetSuite, and Oracle Fusion, Addovation supports customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their business systems-from strategy and implementation to integration, hosting, support, and continuous optimisation. Built on experience, innovation, and close collaboration, Addovation forms long-term, trust-based partnerships that help customers get more value from their technology – every day.

3 Vigilantes Killed In Kaduna

Gunmen have killed three members of Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS) along the Zaria-Pambegua axis in Kubau Local Government Area.

KADVIS spokesperson, Yunusa Shehu Ibrahim, said in a statement that the incident happened on Monday when the personnel were on routine security checks.

He said the deceased attempted to stop a red Volkswagen Golf saloon car, but the driver refused to stop, prompting the personnel to pursue the vehicle in an official patrol van to ascertain the occupants’ identity.

He said the armed men subsequently opened fire on the personnel, killing the three personnel.

Ibrahim identified the deceased vigilantes as Dallami Dantani, Abdullahi Hamisu and Zakariyya Musa.

He added that the attackers later turned back towards the KADVS office, where they opened fire and fatally wounded Hamisu and Musa before fleeing towards Zaria.

He also said hours after the attack, armed men abducted the younger brother of the Kaduna State House of Assembly member representing Kubau Constituency, Shehu Pambegua, at his residence in Pambegua, in the same LGA.

He said the incident occurred at about 10pm on Monday when the suspected bandits, who reportedly arrived in a Sharon vehicle, invaded the lawmaker’s residence and whisked away his younger brother, identified as Sunusi.

The Kaduna State Commander of KADVS, Ali Audu, expressed condolences to the families of the three personnel and described their deaths as a painful loss to the service and Kaduna State.

He commended the deceased for their courage and dedication to duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.

The commander assured that security personnel have heightened surveillance across Pambegua and surrounding areas, while efforts are ongoing to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

He also urged personnel to remain vigilant and work closely with other security agencies to protect lives and property across the state.

’Dependable political ally’ – Tinubu celebrates Abdulmumin Jibrin at 50

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Abdulmumin Jibrin, the member representing the Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency in the house of representatives, on his 50th birthday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu described Jibrin as a dependable political ally and commended his intellectual rigour, entrepreneurial drive and commitment to public service.

The president praised Jibrin’s pursuit of knowledge, noting that his academic background at the University of Abuja, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, SBS Swiss Business School in Switzerland, Bayero University, Kano, and other institutions has shaped his approach to leadership and public service.

Jibrin holds two PhDs in international relations and economics, as well as an MBA from Bayero University. He also attended executive education programmes at Harvard Business School, Oxford and London Business Schools, and INSEAD in France.

Tinubu also acknowledged Jibrin’s record in public service, including his leadership of the house committees on finance, appropriations, land transport, foreign affairs, and housing and habitat.

According to the president, the lawmaker has contributed to debates and policies on public finance, fiscal policy, infrastructure and housing.

Jibrin also served as executive director at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

‘Abdulmumin Jibrin represents a generation of Nigerians whose pursuit of knowledge, enterprise, and public service has been driven by a desire to make a difference,’ the president said

His journey from scholarship and business into national politics reflects intellectual curiosity, resilience, and a deep commitment to Nigeria.

‘At 50, he has much to celebrate, but I am confident that his most consequential contributions to our nation are still ahead.’

The president wished Jibrin renewed strength, good health, wisdom and fulfilment as he marked the milestone.

He also urged him to continue using his experience and knowledge to mentor younger Nigerians, strengthen democratic institutions and contribute to the development of Kano state and Nigeria.

Jibrin rejoined the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2025 after he was expelled from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP).

Saliya Kumara to coach DS

D.S. Senanayake College has signed up former Sri Lanka Sevens and Fifteens player, Vidyartha, Trinity and Kandy SC captain Saliya Kumara as Head Coach of its 1st XV Rugby Team for 2027.

Kumara brings coaching experience to the school, having established himself as one of Sri Lanka’s highly respected coaches in the country.

Saliya is a qualified Rugby Coach and World Rugby Educator and currently serves as Head Coach of Havelocks SC.

At school level, his most outstanding achievement came with Isipathana College, where he guided the Green Machine to an unbeaten League and Knockout Championship double in 2022. He followed this with the 7s Championship in 2023 and the Knockout Championship in 2024.

Saliya has also coached Trinity College, St. Anthony’s College and the Sri Lanka Women’s National Sevens team, while previously serving Navy SC as its Head Coach as well.

His appointment is expected to bring fresh direction, discipline and championship experience to D.S. Senanayake College rugby. (SJ)

Navy moves ahead with frigate plan

The Royal Thai Navy is moving ahead with its frigate procurement project after the permanent secretary for defence approved the selection result, stressing that the project must deliver benefits to Thailand beyond simply acquiring a new warship.

Rear Adm Parach Rattanachaiyapan, a navy spokesman, said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed off on the selection summary submitted by the Defence Ministry and navy on Sept 4. The permanent secretary for defence approved the result on Monday, marking a major step forward in the project.

The frigate programme is intended to boost the navy’s operational capabilities and its ability to safeguard the country’s maritime interests over the long term.

The navy said the selection process took into account operational capabilities, mission requirements, value over the vessel’s lifetime and the broader benefits to Thailand, including technology transfers, personnel development, knowledge creation and opportunities to lift the domestic defence industry.

The project must ensure taxpayers’ money generates lasting benefits by helping develop personnel, domestic industries and the country’s capacity for greater self-reliance, the navy said.

It stressed that despite approval of the selection result, the process remains within the statutory period for appeals by participating bidders. This is to protect bidders’ rights and so that the procurement is conducted fairly and transparently.

The navy will hold a press conference on Sept 18, after the appeal period expires, to officially announce the winning bidder and explain the selection criteria, reasons for the decision, key elements of the winning proposal and expected benefits for the navy and the country.

“The frigate is being built with taxpayers’ money. Our goal is not simply to obtain the best ship for the navy. This investment must also generate benefits for the country,” Rear Adm Parach said. “The navy gets a ship, the country must gain capabilities, Thai people must gain knowledge, and Thai industries must have opportunities to grow alongside it.”

Cabinet orders re-tender for Sugathadasa running track project after sole qualified bid comes in 70% over Budget

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the re-tendering of a project to resurface the artificial running tracks at the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority, after the only qualified bidder in the original procurement process quoted a price 70% above the project’s estimated cost.

The project, which covers the resurfacing of the complex’s 400-metre, 200-metre and 80-metre artificial running tracks, was originally approved by Cabinet decisions dated 21 October 2025 and 3 March 2026, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,062.543 million.

Following those approvals, bids were invited through the international competitive procurement method to select a contractor for the project. ‘Three bids were submitted in response. However, when the bids were evaluated, only one bidder was found to be qualified and that bid came in at a value 70% higher than the project’s original cost estimate,’ Minister Vijitha Herath said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

Given the scale of the gap between the estimate and the sole qualifying bid, he said the High Level Procurement Committee recommended that the tender be re-invited rather than awarded at the inflated price.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister.

Visa moves to bigger office at SM prime facility in Pasay

SM Prime Holdings Inc. on Wednesday said it signed an expansion lease with Visa Inc. to double its office footprint at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay as it grows its Philippine operations.

Visa is relocating from approximately 4,000 square meters at Five E-com Center to a 9,000-square-meter facility at Four E-com Center, where it has established its Visa Philippines Solution Center.

The new facility integrates administrative, financial and technology functions under a 24/7 operating model, while providing room to scale operations and enhance the employee experience.

‘Today’s workplace plays a far more strategic role in organizational performance. Large companies are increasingly looking for spaces that can bring more of their operations together while giving them the flexibility to grow over time,’ Alexis Ortiga, vice president and business unit head for SM Offices, said.

Visa’s expansion also reflects sustained demand from multinational companies for high-quality office space that can support larger and increasingly integrated operations in the Philippines.

‘Expanding to Four E-com Center was a natural decision as we continue to grow our business and support our people,’ Chari Dela Cruz, vice president, global managed services and Visa Philippines solution center site lead, said.

‘The E-com campus offers a strategic, well-connected location with the accessibility and amenities that make it an ideal environment for our growing team.’

Four E-com Center is a LEED Gold-certified premium office development. It has three crystalline towers with an all-glass façade.

Designed by global architecture firm Arquitectonica, it also features a fifth-level open-air sky garden that provides employees and guests with a refreshing outdoor amenity.

Four E-com Center is part of the E-com campus directly connected to SM Mall of Asia through an all-weather bridgeway and is just a few steps from Lanson Place, a premium hotel and serviced residence with meeting and event facilities.

Awards

Meanwhile, the SM Group of Companies announced that it received 15 Philippine Quill Awards for its communications programs spanning community engagement, customer service, financial education, investor relations and digital communications.

The awards went to holding firm SM Investments Corp. and also to other businesses across the group, including SM Foundation Inc., SM Supermalls under Shopping Center Management Corp. BDO Unibank, Inc., China Banking Corp. and Signature Series by SM Residences under Signatures Development Corp.

‘Good communication helps people understand what our businesses do and why it matters to them,’ Frederic C. DyBuncio, president and CEO of SMIC, said.

‘These awards reflect the work across the group to communicate clearly with the customers, investors, partners and communities we serve.’

SM Foundation received four awards, including three excellence awards, including its campaign on utilizing social good as a force for transformation, which bagged the high award community relations and corporate social responsibility.

The foundation’s spreading social good stories online: transforming lives through heartfelt storytelling also received an excellence award for social media.

‘Communication is an important part of strengthening the impact of development programs,’ Debbie Sy, executive director of SM Foundation, said.

‘It helps communities understand the opportunities available to them, gives people a voice, and brings partners closer to our mission. That is what spreading social good means to us, using communication to help social good initiatives reach and engage more people.’

Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines, the Philippine Quill Awards recognize communication programs and practices across organizations in the country. This year’s winners were selected from more than 800 entries evaluated against IABC standards.