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2027: Idris urges Niger APC leaders to back Tinubu’s reforms, consolidate gains

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Thursday urged leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and help consolidate gains in the economy, security, infrastructure, education and human capital development.

Idris made the call in Abuja after receiving the Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State, who paid him a solidarity visit.

‘All of us must join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that he can consolidate the gains that we have already achieved and put Nigeria on a sound economic footing.’

The Minister said President Tinubu inherited a difficult economic and security situation when he assumed office in May 2023, noting that the country’s economic foundation was under severe pressure, while insecurity had significantly affected Nigerians’ lives and livelihoods.

‘It is very easy to forget where we were coming from, but today that situation has changed significantly. We now have the fiscal headroom to undertake the developmental projects that Nigerians are seeing across the country.’

Idris said the removal of the fuel subsidy had created additional resources for the Federal Government and subnational governments to invest in agriculture, roads, healthcare, education and youth development.

He noted that the administration’s reforms were also helping to restore investor confidence, pointing to the return of investors and improved capacity for foreign businesses operating in Nigeria to repatriate their earnings.

The Minister highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, noting that federal road construction was ongoing across the states of the federation.

On security, Idris acknowledged that challenges remained but said the country was witnessing gradual progress towards restoring normalcy.

‘Are we yet there? No. Do we still have challenges? Yes. But are we seeing a progressive journey towards restoring normalcy in this country? Yes.’

He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the programme had enabled more than one million young Nigerians to access tertiary education by easing the financial burden of tuition and upkeep.

According to the Minister, the Federal Government is also expanding opportunities in agriculture, the non-oil sector and solid minerals, while regional development commissions are being used to bring development closer to communities and enable them to address their specific needs.

Idris urged APC leaders to maintain unity and resolve internal disagreements through dialogue, stressing that the party must remain focused on strengthening the administration and sustaining its development agenda.

He said the progress recorded since 2023 laid a foundation for greater achievements, urging Nigerians to support the continuation and consolidation of the reforms.

‘Any attempt to take us back to those times of uncertainty must be rejected by all Nigerians.’

Responding, the Chairman of the APC 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State and Head of the delegation, Hon. Hashimu Izom, said the delegation came to congratulate the Minister, to appreciate President Tinubu for his appointment, and to commend the Minister for representing Niger State at the Federal level.

He also praised the Minister for promoting unity in the state and for supporting projects and initiatives that benefit Niger State. ‘We are proud of you, not because you are Mohammed Idris Malagi, but because you are a bona fide Nigerite who stands everywhere to defend Mr. President and represents Niger State even at the national level,’ Izom said.

GPRTU Suspends 30% Proposed Fare Increment

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has suspended its proposed 30 percent increase in transport fares following discussions with the Ministry of Transport.

National Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, said the decision follows an agreement between the transport unions and government to conduct a survey into the cost of operating commercial vehicles.

Mr. Amoah said the GPRTU had submitted a proposal to the Transport Ministry for a 30 percent fare increase, citing rising fuel prices, the cost of spare parts, lubricants and taxes.

He said the union agreed to suspend the proposed increase after government committed to reviewing the factors contributing to rising transport operating costs.

‘We all agreed that the GRTCC together with the GPRTU and the Transport Ministry will form a committee to do this survey,’ Mr. Amoah said.

According to him, the committee will assess whether the prices of spare parts and other inputs have actually declined and examine broader market conditions.

Mr. Amoah said the committee is expected to present its findings before the parties return to the negotiating table to determine whether a fare increase is necessary.

‘After presenting their report, we will again come back to the negotiation table to do another review to see if there is the need for us to go ahead and do that,’ he said.

Current Fares To Remain

Mr. Amoah said transport operators are expected to maintain existing fares until a new agreement is reached.

He said the union expects the review to be completed before the next fuel pricing window, which is expected between this week and next week.

‘We have given them a job to do and I believe that the next price window is just around the corner. Between this week and next week, I believe all this survey will be done for them to submit their report,’ he said.

Mr. Amoah also acknowledged concerns over government’s decision to reduce the price of diesel by GHS2 per litre, while petrol users have not received a similar reduction.

He said the transport unions raised the issue during their meeting with government.

According to him, government explained that the reduction was targeted at diesel because a larger number of commercial vehicles use diesel and its price remains relatively high.

Mr. Amoah said the unions would continue to engage government on the matter, but for now, commercial transport operators are expected to maintain current fares until the review is completed and a decision is reached on any possible adjustment.

Alcantara, Sornlaksup win doubles title at ITF M15 event in Thailand

FRANCIS CASEY ‘NIÑO’ ALCANTARA added another international doubles title to his belt after teaming up with Thailand’s Pawit Sornlaksup to win the recent International Tennis Federation (ITF) M15 Nonthaburi doubles championship.

Alcantara and Sornlaksup beat India’s Maan Kesharwani and Manish Sureshkumar, 7-6(4), 5-7, 10-8, in a close final at the ALM x IMPACT Tennis and Sports Center in Nonthaburi.

The Nonthaburi title was another strong international result for Alcantara, who entered the tournament fresh from his Gentry Open doubles victory in Bulacan with Filipino-American Christopher Papa.

After taking the opening set in a tiebreak, the Filipino-Thai pair faced a deciding super tiebreak after the Indian pair won the second set.

Alcantara and Sornlaksup surged to an 8-3 lead in the decider before holding off a late comeback to close out the championship, 10-8.

The veteran doubles specialist, formerly ranked No. 162 in the world in men’s doubles, continues to build momentum on the international circuit.

Alcantara is also the first Filipino junior doubles Grand Slam champion, having won the 2009 Australian Open boys’ doubles title.

Alcantara will reunite with Papa for back-to-back Association of Tennis Professionals Challenger events in Vietnam over the next two weeks.

Alcantara is competing out of Cagayan de Oro since he was 12 years old and is supported by long-time tennis patron Romeo Chan, a support that helped him balance his secondary education at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan while competing in junior grand slams around the world.

In 2009, he captured the Australian Open Junior title and climbed as high as No. 14 in the world junior rankings, laying the foundation for a successful pro career.

Alcantara has since been a stalwart representative of the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, French Open, Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon.

He holds a world doubles ranking of No. 162 and is No. 1 in the Philippine Tennis Association in men’s doubles rankings.

Kano’s drug crackdown secures convictions, raises stakes for illicit suppliers

Kano State’s use of a multi-agency, ad hoc approach to confronting illicit drug consumption and trafficking is beginning to produce tangible results, with the conviction of two men accused of supplying intoxicating substances to vulnerable children offering fresh evidence that enforcement can disrupt some of the networks fuelling substance abuse in the state.

The latest convictions, however, also expose the depth of the challenge facing Kano, where substance abuse is increasingly intertwined with street vulnerability, child exploitation, unemployment and weak social protection systems.

Information provided by Mercy Musa, executive director, Frontier for Peace Advocacy and Governance Initiative, and Abba Anwar, former media aide to former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, indicates that the significance of the Kano State Multi-Agencies Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking lies not only in its arrests but in its attempt to combine enforcement with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.

The task force recently secured the conviction of Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, popularly known as Mani, over the supply of rubber solution and other intoxicating substances to vulnerable underage children in Kano.

The two men were sentenced by Muhammad Alhaji Sani, magistrate at Magistrate Court Number 44, Gwammaja, Kano, after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy, membership of an unlawful society and administering intoxicating substances under Sections 97, 97A and 249 of the Penal Code.

Kano State’s use of a multi-agency, ad hoc approach to confronting illicit drug consumption and trafficking is beginning to produce tangible results, with the conviction of two men accused of supplying intoxicating substances to vulnerable children offering fresh evidence that enforcement can disrupt some of the networks fuelling substance abuse in the state.

The latest convictions, however, also expose the depth of the challenge facing Kano, where substance abuse is increasingly intertwined with street vulnerability, child exploitation, unemployment and weak social protection systems.

Information provided by Mercy Musa, executive director, Frontier for Peace Advocacy and Governance Initiative, and Abba Anwar, former media aide to former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, indicates that the significance of the Kano State Multi-Agencies Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking lies not only in its arrests but in its attempt to combine enforcement with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.

The task force recently secured the conviction of Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, popularly known as Mani, over the supply of rubber solution and other intoxicating substances to vulnerable underage children in Kano.

The two men were sentenced by Muhammad Alhaji Sani, magistrate at Magistrate Court Number 44, Gwammaja, Kano, after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy, membership of an unlawful society and administering intoxicating substances under Sections 97, 97A and 249 of the Penal Code.

This multi-dimensional approach is significant because simply arresting drug suppliers without rehabilitating users risks leaving the demand side of the market intact.

Similarly, removing children from the streets without providing sustainable alternatives could result in their return to the same environments.

The emerging strategy in Kano consequently presents a departure from an enforcement-only model. It attempts to create a chain running from identification and rescue to treatment, rehabilitation, skills development and eventual reintegration.

Anwar, who has followed governance and social policy developments in Kano, also points to the importance of sustained political and institutional commitment if the taskforce is to move from periodic interventions to a durable response to substance abuse.

The challenge is particularly significant because illicit drug consumption is not confined to one neighbourhood, social class or category of young people. The networks supplying intoxicating substances can adapt quickly when enforcement pressure is concentrated in specific locations.

This makes intelligence gathering, community participation and cooperation between agencies critical to sustaining the gains made by the taskforce.

The Race Course operation demonstrates how such intelligence can expose relationships between street-based activities and substance suppliers. But dismantling those relationships requires continuous investigation rather than isolated arrests.

The task force’s multi-agency structure could provide an advantage because drug abuse cuts across several areas of public policy, including policing, public health, child protection, education, employment and social welfare.

Yet the same structure could become ineffective if agencies operate independently or if interventions are driven mainly by short-term enforcement campaigns.

Rajnath Singh highlights India’s economic transformation and Sri Lanka ties

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has pledged that India would stand firmly with Sri Lanka whenever the island nation faces a crisis, as he began his maiden visit to the country with an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Colombo on Tuesday.

Singh, who is on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, said the two countries shared close cultural and civilisational ties that provided a strong foundation for the continued development of bilateral relations.

Addressing the gathering, the Indian Defence Minister outlined the transformation of the Indian economy over the past decade, saying India had emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies and now contributed more than 16% to global growth.

He said India’s economy, valued at around $ 2 trillion in 2014, had doubled to approximately $ 4 trillion over the past decade. Despite global economic challenges, the economy grew 7.8% in the first quarter of India’s 2026-27 financial year.

Singh also highlighted India’s improved macroeconomic stability, saying average inflation over the past 12 years had been around 4.7%, compared with 10-11% during the preceding period.

The value of India’s goods and services exports has increased from Rs. 45 trillion in 2014 to Rs. 79 trillion in FY2025-26, he said, pointing to the expansion of manufacturing and export capacity.

He highlighted the rapid growth of the electronics sector, with electronic goods production increasing from Rs. 1.9 trillion to more than Rs. 11 trillion. Electronics exports have risen by around 700%, from approximately Rs. 380 billion to more than Rs. 3 trillion, he said.

India has also become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer, with manufacturing units increasing from two in 2014 to more than 300 today. Mobile phone production has expanded from Rs. 180 billion to Rs. 5.5 trillion, while mobile exports have increased nearly 163-fold to Rs. 2.6 trillion, according to Singh.

Automobile exports have also risen from around Rs. 500 billion to Rs. 1.2 trillion annually.

Singh said India had concluded trade agreements with 38 countries over the past 12 years, including FTAs with eight major economies, compared with four such agreements before 2014.

Referring to the recently concluded India-European Union FTA as the ‘Mother of All Deals,’ he said the agreement would open access to the large European market and reflected India’s growing economic and diplomatic capabilities.

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with strengthening India’s global standing, saying that the international community today listens when India speaks on global issues.

Singh also praised the Indian diaspora for serving as a bridge between the peoples of India and Sri Lanka.

On defence, the Raksha Mantri said India’s defence exports had increased from just Rs. 6 billion 12 years ago to an all-time high of around Rs.390 billion. The defence budget has meanwhile risen from approximately Rs. 2 trillion in FY2013-14 to Rs.7.25 trillion in FY2025-26.

He said the expansion reflected India’s growing capabilities and its efforts to build a stronger and more self-reliant, or Aatmanirbhar, defence sector.

India’s emergence as the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem was another area highlighted by Singh, who said the rapid increase in unicorns since 2014 demonstrated the innovative capacity and entrepreneurial confidence of the country’s youth.

He also pointed to reforms in taxation, particularly the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which established a ‘One Nation, One Tax’ regime, as well as measures aimed at reducing the tax burden on individual taxpayers.

Singh said India’s economic expansion had also translated into wider social welfare, with approximately 250 million people lifted out of poverty.

He highlighted the expansion of social security coverage, saying the number of people covered had increased from around 250 million in 2014 to approximately 950 million.

The Indian Defence Minister also cited the expansion of digital public infrastructure, including broadband connectivity and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), as examples of technology-driven economic transformation.

He said India’s infrastructure had expanded rapidly, including highways, airports and other transport networks, while Indian Railways was progressing towards 100% electrification.

Singh also highlighted the role of the JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) network and Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism in delivering welfare benefits directly to citizens. Around Rs.51 trillion has been transferred to people’s bank accounts through DBT, he said.

Decriminalisation Of Suicide Should Lead To Prevention

The decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to approve an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide is a welcome development. Indeed, it is one step that is long overdue. For decades, Nigerians in distress have been caught between two cruel realities: one, the pain that drives them to contemplate ending their own lives; and two, an archaic, colonial-era law that treats what is, at best, a cry for help as a crime.

By voting to shift the approach from punishment to care, protection and support, the Federal Government has acknowledged what health professionals, families and mental health advocates have been saying for years about attempted suicide: it is a public health issue, not a criminal one.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, was right to frame it this way while briefing State House journalists after the FEC meeting. The current provisions in the Criminal Code Act and Penal Code do more harm than good, even if that is not their intention. This is because they discourage people from seeking help, push the problem underground, and conflict directly with the National Mental Health Act 2021, which already mandates supportive care for those at risk of self-harm. You cannot treat and jail the same person at the same time.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) figures cited by the minister, indicating that suicide accounts for more than 7,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, with an estimated 300,000 suicide attempts each year, make the urgency clear.

Behind every statistic is an individual, a family, a community and a peculiar story, usually involving unbearable pressure. To continue treating these individuals as criminals only adds stigma to suffering.

Since the amendment will first have to go to the National Assembly, our lawmakers in the Senate and the House of Representatives must move quickly to amend the law. However, passing the law is only half the work because, if we are really serious about saving lives, we must now build the systems that prevent people from reaching that point of despair in the first place.

We need to start by preventing the triggers rather than simply responding to the act. This is because most suicide attempts do not happen in a vacuum. They are preceded by stories of joblessness, crushing debt, academic pressure, domestic violence, illness, grief and the pervasive hopelessness that comes with economic hardship. Decriminalisation removes one barrier, but prevention must address the root causes.

We also need to make counselling accessible and professional so that vulnerable people can get the care, protection and support they need. Nigeria has far too few psychiatrists and clinical psychologists for a population of over 220 million. The new amendment should be followed by budgetary commitments to train more mental health professionals and deploy them beyond tertiary hospitals to all states of the federation.

Faith institutions, non-governmental organisations and community leaders need to be engaged to lead sensitisation efforts. As is well known, in Nigeria, people often turn first to their pastor, imam, traditional ruler or community association when trouble comes. That makes religious and community structures the frontline of prevention. Mosques, churches, NGOs and community-based organisations must be brought into a national sensitisation campaign. Sermons and Friday khutbahs can address mental health without stigma, teaching that seeking help is not a sign of weak faith. Traditional rulers and youth leaders can hold conversations at the grassroots that normalise talking about depression, grief and financial stress.

The goal should be to create safe spaces for people. NGOs already doing grassroots work should be funded and partnered with government to extend their reach.

For their part, families must learn to listen, especially since the burden begins and ends at home. Many Nigerians suffer in silence because they fear being called ‘weak’ or ‘a burden’ to their families. We must change that culture. Parents should create room for children to speak openly about school pressure, failure or relationships. Spouses must check in on each other. Friends must learn to ask the right questions sincerely. Opening up should not be seen as complaining. It must be considered the survival strategy that it is.

Government and civil society can support this through public education, radio dramas, social media campaigns and school curricula that teach emotional literacy. When people know how to express what they are going through and know they will be met with empathy instead of judgment, fewer may consider suicide their only option.

We must also guard against implementation gaps. A law on paper that is not backed by funding, training and public awareness will change nothing. The ministries of health and justice, the National Assembly and the task force that worked on this amendment must now create a clear and transparent implementation plan with achievable timelines.

Decriminalising attempted suicide does not mean we are endorsing it. That must be made clear in our messages. It only means we are choosing humanity over punishment. And that message needs to be matched with action.

Prevent the triggers. Provide counselling. Mobilise faith leaders, NGOs and communities. Encourage families to talk. If we do all these, this amendment will not just be a legal change; it will be a social and cultural turning point as well.

JAN, Cummins equip 360 girls with leadership, AI skills

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), in partnership with Cummins, has equipped 360 girls from 11 states and the FCT with leadership, AI , and future-ready skills at the 2026 edition of its flagship LEAD Camp.

Themed ‘Her Voice. Her Vision. Her Future,’ the two-day camp trained participants on leadership, personal branding, health and wellbeing, vision planning, and AI through sessions led by accomplished women across technology, business, and development.

The program underscores growing investment in preparing the next generation of female leaders for a digital economy.

The organisers said the camp was designed to build confidence and competencies that will enable the girls to thrive academically, professionally, and as change agents in their communities.

Speaking on the impact of LEAD Camp, Tobiloba Olaosun, head of marketing and communications, JAN, said his organisation for over 20 years have empowered young Nigerian girls through interactive bootcamps that help them envision and pursue a future of possibility

‘This year’s LEAD Camp, made possible with the support of Cummins, continues that legacy,’ Olaosun said.

A significant highlight was featuring LEAD Camp alumna Laure Tijani, who shared her remarkable journey of overcoming barriers to education to earn life-changing academic opportunities.

Encouraging participants to believe in themselves regardless of their circumstances, Laure reminded the girls that resilience, determination, and a willingness to seize opportunities can transform lives.

Her return as a speaker reflects LEAD Camp’s lasting impact, demonstrating how yesterday’s participant can become today’s mentor and role model.

Reflecting on her experience at LEAD Camp 2026, Owolafe Esther, a participant from Ondo State, said: ‘I’ve learnt that I need to start building the skills I want to have now, not later. LEAD Camp made me believe that whatever I set my mind to do, I can achieve it.’

Similarly, Mabel Danjuma, a participant from Kaduna State, said the LEAD training reminded her that her voice and future matters.

‘After the vision board session, I left with a clearer picture of the future I want and the confidence to make it a reality.’

Another highlight of the camp was the inauguration of participants into 10 Million African Girls (10MAG), an initiative by Junior Achievement Africa that connects the girls to a wider network of counterparts across Africa and ensures that their leadership journey continues beyond the camp through mentorship, collaboration, and available opportunities.

Speaking on her experience coordinating the program, Mariam Suleiman said executing LEAD Camp for the first time was both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

‘It showed me that the real work of transforming lives happens long before the program begins, through planning, collaboration, and a shared

commitment to creating meaningful experiences for every girl.’

‘More importantly, it reinforced the very message we hope every participant leaves with: that they are capable of achieving anything they set their hearts and minds to.’

Oladipupo Olabode, customer support manager, Cummins, said the organisation is committed to building stronger communities by expanding access to education, skills development, and opportunities that help individuals thrive.

He stated that through Cummins corporate responsibility programs, the organisation has invested in initiatives that equip young people with the confidence, capabilities, and support they need to reach their full potential.

‘We are proud to support initiatives like LEAD Camp that unlock potential, inspire future leaders, and empower young women to create positive change in their communities.’

‘From alumnae like Orode Uduaghan, senior special assistant to the Delta State Governor on SME Development; Nkechi Eze, founder of Aso Ebi Bella, and Laure Tijani, an ALU scholarship recipient, to the girls shaping their own journeys today,we are proud to see the emergence of more confident and capable leading ladies.’

He added that the expectation is to create a ripple efect beyond the 360 girls participating in the program.

LEAD Camp is one of Junior Achievement Nigeria’s flagship leadership development programs for girls, designed to inspire confidence, strengthen leadership capacity, and equip participants with the knowledge, networks, and skills needed to become changemakers.

PISA gains prove reforms work, but basic education gaps remain-solon

The Philippines’ improved performance in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) proves that education reforms can deliver results, but the country must now confront the deeper challenge of ensuring that every learner builds a strong foundation before reaching higher education, a House leader said.

House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and TINGOG Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre welcomed the country’s progress, citing the improvement of Filipino learners’ scores compared with 2022, with gains of 17 points in science, 16 points in mathematics, and 20 points in reading. The Philippines also improved its standing among participating countries across the three assessed learning areas.

‘These gains show that progress is possible when reforms are sustained, institutions work together, and our teachers, schools, families, and communities receive the support they need,’ Acidre said.

However, Acidre cautioned that improved international rankings should not be viewed as the final measure of success. Instead, he said the results should strengthen efforts to address long-standing learning gaps, particularly those formed during the early years of education.

‘The child who struggles to read and understand today may become the college student who finds it difficult to keep up tomorrow. A learner who does not develop a strong foundation in mathematics and science will carry that disadvantage not only into higher education but eventually into work and daily life,’ Acidre said.

‘That is why education reform cannot begin only at the college gates,’ he added.

The lawmaker emphasized that improving basic education outcomes is essential to preparing Filipino learners for higher education, employment, and lifelong learning.

‘If we want Filipino students to enter college prepared, confident, and capable of succeeding, we must ensure that they receive the right support from the very beginning of their education,’ Acidre said.

He noted that this learner-centered approach has guided the work of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which examines education as a continuous system connecting early childhood education, basic education, higher education, technical-vocational training, workforce development, and national economic growth.

According to Acidre, EDCOM II’s consultations and research have helped develop a more integrated reform agenda by recognizing that each stage of education directly influences the next.

‘The latest results should inspire confidence, but they should also remind us that much work remains. Progress must be protected, expanded, and transformed into lasting improvements that Filipino learners can experience inside every classroom,’ he said.

For Acidre, the ultimate measure of education reform is not only how the Philippines performs in global assessments but also how these improvements translate into the daily realities of learners.

Secure and supportive learning ecosystem

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara emphasized that learner determination must be matched by a secure and supportive learning ecosystem.

‘Our learners have proven that they have the grit, curiosity, and drive to improve, as shown by our gains across all PISA domains. However, our children must also feel safe… While we take note that physical bullying reports are down compared to 2018, the PISA findings reinforce that cyberbullying is a serious challenge that requires a firm, direct response. Our guidelines establish clear due process, but online cruelty will not be tolerated. Safe digital spaces are non-negotiable for basic education,’ Angara emphasized.

Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 6, series of 2026, expand school authority over off-campus online conduct if it creates a hostile environment, violates a learner’s rights, or disrupts school operations.

Severe cyberbullying, such as sharing degrading videos, circulating explicit content, or threatening learners and staff on social media, are classified as high-level offenses that trigger formal investigations and disciplinary actions ranging from suspension to non-readmission to full exclusion-dropping the learner from the school list into alternative education-along with potential legal liability.

DepEd is embedding digital citizenship, socio-emotional learning, and strengthened values education directly into the basic education curriculum, backed by several co-curricular activities.

In observance of Safer Internet Day, DepEd, in partnership with the Stairway Foundation Inc. (SFI), conducted classroom-based discussions on online risks and cyberbullying, reaching around 4.9 million participating learners.

Through its Kaagapay Program, DepEd empowers parents and parent substitutes to recognize online threats and discuss these sensitive topics with their children. Furthermore, schools are encouraging participation in sports, youth formation programs, such as sports clubs, learner government, school clubs, scouting, journalism, and the arts to channel their energies into more productive and meaningful pursuits.

Meanwhile, in line with efforts to protect schools from online threats, DepEd recently convened a high-level inter-agency meeting to establish a threat assessment and verification mechanism.

Joining forces with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the initiative bridges the gap between school safety protocols and law enforcement digital forensics.

The proposed end-to-end operational framework standardizes every step of an incident, from initial threat reporting and evidence preservation to technical verification, protective action, and formal case closure.

Under the inter-agency protocol, cybercrime and law enforcement agencies will lead digital investigations, while schools maintain the authority to execute immediate, proportionate safety measures and learning continuity plans.

DEFY INT launches with Wasaam Ismail as CEO

Defy has announced the launch of DEFY INT, its new through-the-line (TTL) agency, with Wasaam Ismail appointed as Chief Executive Officer.

DEFY INT is built for brands that need their thinking to work cohesively across every touchpoint. With digital at its core, the agency brings together creative conceptualisation, integrated campaigns, audio-visual and film production, live brand experiences, and data-led execution, sharpened by AI where it adds genuine value.

The agency is defined by five pillars embedded in its very name: Interactive, Intelligent, Integrated, Intentional and Defyint. It is Interactive in the work it creates across creative, digital, AV and live experiences; Intelligent with its use of data, analytics, targeting and AI; Integrated with a creative powerhouse’s thinking and its full range of services brought together under one team and story; Intentional in the clients it chooses to partner with and the commitment it gives each of them; and Defyint (defiant) in its belief that challenging the status quo can create a better way forward.

Ismail brings extensive experience across advertising, marketing and corporate communications to the role. He spent nine years at Loops Integrated, joining as General Manager before transitioning to the role of CEO for more than half of his tenure. During his time there, he played a significant role in mentoring the first, and to date only, Sri Lankan team to win the Young Spikes competition in the Digital category.

Over half of Ismail’s career has been in advertising, with experience at agencies including Phoenix Ogilvy and Z Messenger. He has also worked with Hutchison Telecommunications and served as General Manager – Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at LAUGFS Holdings. Throughout his career, he has worked across finance, FMCG, retail, telecom, energy, fashion and hospitality. His work has earned recognition at the Effie Awards, SLIM Digis and Dragons of Asia.

He has served on the board of the Accredited Advertising Agencies Association (4A’s) and is currently an Executive Committee Member of the Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL). He has also been a jury member for the Effie Awards, deputy jury head for SLIM Digis, and a judge for the local Young Spikes Asia competition. Ismail also spent nine years as a lecturer for CIM at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, contributing to the development of future marketing talent. He holds an MBA (Aus), a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM UK), and is a recipient of the Sri Lanka Prize for Marketing Planning from CIM (UK).

‘DEFY INT is about bringing disciplines together without allowing the thinking to fragment along the way. We want to create work that is strategically sound, creatively strong, measurable and genuinely connected across every touchpoint. Just as importantly, we want to be intentional about the brands we partner with and the promises we make to them,’ said Ismail.

‘Wasaam brings a level of experience and leadership that is incredibly valuable to DEFY at this stage of our journey. I have tremendous faith in his ability to lead DEFY INT and, more importantly, to bring the kind of senior thinking, perspective and accountability that clients increasingly need from their agency partners. Having someone of his calibre personally involved in the business means our clients benefit from that experience both at a strategic level and in the decisions and work we make for them every day,’ said DEFY Group CEO and DEFY Chief Creative Officer Dilshara Jayamanna.

With DEFY INT, the group is positioning itself as an integrated partner for brands seeking craft, intelligence, honesty and attention in the same agency relationship.

Exec: Security Bank aiming to rejoin PSE index in 3 years

Mid-sized lender Security Bank Corp. on Thursday said it is targeting to return to the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) at least in the next three years.

Victor Lee Meng Teck, the company’s president and CEO, said the bank will have to grow its returns consistently over the three-year period.

Lee, who was hired early this year, said the bank’s main goal is to fortify its financials, which will help its share price rise.

‘Today, admittedly, our price to book is probably running at about 0.3 times. Some of the lowest amounts of our peer banks,’ he said.

‘So for us, it’s imperative for us to deliver those double-digit returns moving into next year. And if we are able to do that, I think investor confidence will come back. At a price to book of 0.3 times plus, it’s about confidence more than it is about performance.’

Security Bank’s share price was being traded at P64.35 apiece. It has a market capitalization of P48.37 billion.

One of the criteria for inclusion in the PSEi is that companies should be at the top of market capitalization or volume-weighted average price multiplied by total shares.

The last time the lender was part of the PSEi was back in 2022.

‘And if our price to book just doubles from 0.3 to 0.6, then we are seeing our share price double. And that will give us a good chance to get back in. Because I think the last time when we were in the PSE index, we were probably opening at P120 pesos per share,’ Lee said.

He said the lender’s loan mix may not materially change this year, with retail consisting of 30 percent, while 70 percent goes to wholesale.

‘It’s still going to be a material piece of our upward growth. I’m a true believer in the flow. And what I mean by the flow is that we follow where the markets, where growth really lies.’

The bank has financed some P500 billion over the last few years.

‘There’s so much renewables, whether it’s solar, wind, and we want to be part of that flow. And when you are part of that flow, you’re not swimming upstream,’ Lee said.