Category: Auto Guid

Closed industrial automation systems are quietly eroding competitiveness, costing mid-sized organizations an average of 7.5per cent of their revenue through downtime, inefficiencies, and compliance retrofits every year, according to a new report released yesterday.

The new global research which was unveiled by Schneider Electric, the leader in energy technology, was titled: ‘Open vs. Closed: The $11.28 million Question for Industrial Leaders.’

The research, conducted by Global Analysts firm Omdia, highlights how these costs stem from operational inefficiencies, downtime, compliance retrofits, and delayed production, issues often masked by the perceived reliability of legacy automation systems.

For large enterprises, losses average $45.18 million, while smaller manufacturers face even steeper proportional impacts, losing up to 25 per cent of annual revenue.

Traditional, hardware-defined automation systems, built for static environments, struggle to meet today’s dynamic industrial demands. Their rigidity turns routine updates into costly technical projects, while proprietary architectures limit data access, reducing visibility and responsiveness.

At the core of the challenge is hardware complexity. Most companies operate across 2 to 10+ distinct platforms, each with unique maintenance needs. This fragmentation drives vendor dependency; 30% of issues require specialized support, and this strains workforce efficiency due to niche technical expertise required at a time when companies are facing workforce and skills shortages. Siloed systems also hinder predictive maintenance and fast issue resolution, leading to costly downtime and lost productivity. These inefficiencies scale across operations, limiting agility.

The research underscores an urgent need for transformation. Open, software-defined automation offers a scalable, future-ready solution that modernizes legacy systems, accelerates ROI, and strengthens industrial competitiveness and resilience.

By decoupling software from hardware, manufacturers gain the flexibility to integrate multi-vendor systems, adapt quickly to market shifts, produce small batches efficiently, and close engineering skill gaps. Real-time data becomes actionable, driving smarter decisions, boosting productivity, and reducing costs at scale.

Schneider Electric customers are already realizing these benefits. Many begin with pilot projects or asset-level trials, then expand to full-plant or multi-site deployments, unlocking full data ownership, improved quality control, and greater cost transparency, while protecting existing investments.

Executive Vice President, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric, Gwenaëlle Avice Huet, said the research is an echo of the feedback from customers.

‘This research echoes what our customers tell us every day: industrial systems must adapt as fast as their markets. It’s particularly encouraging that smaller enterprises, the backbone of our economy, stand to gain the most in annual savings that can be reinvested in innovation and growth. Open, software-defined automation is a proven solution that empowers industrial players of all sizes build resilience, drive innovation, and thrive amid rapidly shifting consumer demands, regulatory pressure and market volatility,’ Huet said.

The report noted that key cost areas break down into four critical parts, annually. These are $6.1million in Operational Agility and Resilience losses. Inflexible hardware systems hinder responsiveness to market shifts, as 77.4per cent require physical modifications for functionality updates, while multiple vendor platforms create integration complexity. Modification costs range from $25K-$50K per hour, rising to $250K/hour for $1B+ companies.

Another cost element is $2.28million in Optimization and Efficiency costs. Maintenance burdens, downtime, and talent gaps as hardware complexity drives operational inefficiencies. Companies manage 2-10 different industrial systems on average; 29per cent deploy 10+ hardware platforms, each with unique management requirements.

There is also the $1.2million in Preventable Quality Failure and Costly Data maintenance. Proprietary systems create data silos and limit integration. Only 28per cent of companies access real-time insights; half report that 20-39per cent of critical data isn’t available in real time.

Finally, there is $1.7million in Sustainability and Compliance Costs. Regulatory changes demand costly hardware retrofits, driving up compliance expenses.

Principal analyst, Omdia, Anna Ahrens, added: ‘In response to mounting pressures, industrial leaders are deploying tactical solutions to sustain their core priorities of growth, competitiveness, and trust. In a world where product lifecycles shrink, supply chains fracture, and talent gaps widen, agility and flexibility aren’t optional. They are survival. Every quarter a business delays addressing the cost of closed automation ecosystems is another $1million+ in lost value: the money that could be reinvested in growth and innovation.’

It also showed that rigid infrastructure slows response, adding that 77per cent of systems need physical updates; fragmented platforms increase complexity and delay action.

Open, software-defined automation offers a way forward by decoupling software from hardware; it enables faster decisions, real-time insights, and competitive resilience.

A resolution urging the Federal Government to review the firearm laws to allow responsible citizens to own guns was yesterday passed by the Senate.

The Red Chamber’s decision was triggered by the escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states.

The resolution followed consideration and adoption of a motion titled: ‘Urgent need to address escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States.’

In his lead debate, Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), who sponsored the motion, highlighted recent attacks on schools, worship centres, and rural communities.

He noted the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where two worshippers were killed and 38 others abducted.

The worshippers were released on Sunday.

In their contributions, senators urged immediate action to curb the rising wave of banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes.

They warned that mass school abductions and persistent raids have forced closures of schools, including 47 unity schools, disrupting the education of thousands of children.

The lawmakers commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for cancelling foreign trips to coordinate security responses, which led to the release of 38 abductees in Kwara and the 24 Kebbi schoolgirls.

The Senate also called on communities in the affected states and across Nigeria to remain vigilant, united and supportive of security agencies while resisting internal collaborators who undermine national safety.

According to the senators, the firearm laws should reflect current security challenges, similar to over 175 countries where responsible citizens are permitted to legally own guns.

Expressing concern over the worsening insecurity across the land, they urged the executive to act decisively against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, who continue to unleash terror on communities.

The lawmakers insisted that internal sabotage within security agencies must be investigated without delay.

Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) raised the alarm over alleged security failures, citing Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris’ revelation that troops were withdrawn from a community shortly before 24 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.

‘What Nigerians want to know is – who ordered the withdrawal?’ Abaribe queried.

‘If I were the President, I would summon the commander immediately. Someone must account for that decision.’

Adams Oshiomhole, who hailed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the armed forces, warned that Nigeria must adopt fresh strategies.

He also demanded the disclosure of the identity of the officer who authorised the withdrawal of troops from the attacked Kebbi school.

Oshiomhole said: ‘Nigerians are entitled to know who issued that order. The President is doing his best, but we must do things differently.’

Henry Seriake Dickson lamented the killing of Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba by terrorists, describing it as evidence of internal compromise within security operations.

‘It is not ordinary to lose a Brigadier-General. Our country is losing prestige, and public trust in military operations is declining.’

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, urged swift reforms of Nigeria security architecture, warning that time was running out.

‘Yes, we are relieved that 38 abducted victims from Kwara have been rescued, but we are not celebrating – the kidnappers are still roaming free,’ Bamidele said.

He added that the Senate must also review and reposition its Committee on Security and Intelligence for greater effectiveness.

Bamidele rejected suggestions that the National Assembly should shut down to signal seriousness, saying such an action would amount to abandoning responsibility.

‘This is no time for theatrics. Lives are at stake,’ the Senate leader said.

Barau drums up support for Tinubu

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau commended the President’s decisive and sustained efforts toward curbing insecurity. He urged states, corporate bodies and citizens to actively support the ongoing fight.

Barau argued that the security challenges are not the responsibility of the Federal Government alone and require collective action to achieve lasting results.

He said: ‘Mr. President is doing extremely well. All his efforts should be complemented by all Nigerians – state governments, private organisations, even ordinary citizens.

‘This is an issue for every Nigerian to admit and confront. With the trend and effort the President is putting in, we shall surmount this problem.’

He particularly called on state governments to invest in surveillance infrastructure, intelligence channels and operational logistics to support federal security agencies.

According to him, insecurity can be defeated faster if every state builds systems to monitor forests and communities within their jurisdiction.

Barau said: ‘State governments should help with necessary hardware and surveillance. If each state creates facilities to monitor activities in forests and local areas, the military can respond more effectively.

‘When this is replicated nationwide, the results will come quickly.’

Describing Tinubu as ‘a leader working daily to secure the country,’ Barau referenced the President’s decision to shelve his trip to South Africa for the G20 Summit to focus on national security – an action he said contributed to the recent rescue of abducted victims in Kebbi State.

‘The President is serious about ending insecurity. He inherited this problem, but he is committed, and with collective support, this challenge will be addressed in a short time,’ he added.

On the Senate’s resolutions regarding national security, Barau said the leadership of the Senate would meet with the President to convey the urgency of the decisions taken.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu would give full attention to the recommendations.

Barau also weighed in on renewed calls for state police, stating that the priority should be funding, training and equipping security personnel rather than the label attached to the structure.

‘It is not about the nomenclature. Even the federal police need better training and funding – which the President has begun addressing. What matters is capacity, not just naming.’ he said.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $500 million loan to the Federal Government to finance the second phase of its economic governance and energy transition support programme (EGET-SP).

EGET-SP is an initiative aimed at accelerating the transformation of the country’s electricity infrastructure and improving access to cleaner sources of energy.

On August 24, 2022, the Federal Government launched Nigeria’s energy transition plan as a major pathway in achieving universal energy access by 2030 and a carbon-neutral economy by 2060.

The government said the plan was designed to tackle energy poverty and the climate change crisis, as well as deliver sustainable development goal seven (SDG7) by 2030 and net zero by 2060.

AfDB, on August 1, approved a loan of $500 million to Nigeria to finance the first phase of the energy transition programme.

In a statement yesterday, AfDB said the scheme’s policy-based operation is for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

‘The second phase of the programme aims to stimulate inclusive growth by accelerating structural reforms in the energy sector, while supporting progressive reforms of fiscal policy to boost non-oil revenues and expand fiscal space,’ the bank said.

According to the lender, the programme will place emphasis on three core areas.

‘First, the programme will deepen fiscal policy reforms by strengthening public financial management systems and enhancing the transparency and efficiency of public spending,’ AfDB said.

‘Second, it will accelerate the reform of the power engineering sector to reduce energy poverty, expand access to energy, improve sector governance, and attract private investment.

‘Third, it will support implementation of the energy transition plan through measures that promote climate change adaptation and mitigation, including the introduction of energy-efficiency standards for electrical appliances.’

According to the financial institution, Nigeria’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) will also be updated for the 2026 to 2030 period.

‘The programme’s direct beneficiaries are the Federal Ministry of Power, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Office of the Auditor General, the Debt Management Office, the National Climate Change Council of Nigeria (NCCC), the Federal Ministry of the Environment, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and other bodies responsible for social and economic policies,’ the statement reads.

‘Benefits will also accrue to private businesses in the form of improved investment climate and opportunities in the energy sector at the level of individual states of the Federation, and from the creation of an environment more conducive to public-private partnerships.

‘As of 31 October 2025, the active portfolio of the African Development Bank Group in Nigeria comprised 52 projects with a total commitment of $5.1 billion.’

Commenting on the development, Director-General of the office of the AfDB in Nigeria, Abdul Kamara, said the new phase will reinforce and build on the achievements of the first phase.

Group Chief Executive of SEAL Group, Tonya Lawani, has won the Global Industry Award at Global Entrepreneurs Award Gala, part of Global Entrepreneurship Festival in Ghana.

The award recognises her leadership in hospitality and advertising, her contributions to modernising merchandising and branding services and her efforts to promote inclusive entrepreneurship.

‘Receiving the award is a profound honour,’ Tonya said, adding the recognition affirms the work her organisations have been doing to strengthen supply chains and build technical capacity.

‘I accept this on behalf of our teams at SEAL Group and in solidarity with the women entrepreneurs whose ingenuity is transforming African industries,’ she said.

Tonya got the award in recognition of her contributions to entrepreneurship, leadership, global impact, and dedication to innovation.

SEAL Group, which includes Virgin Vie Angel, ABC Inflatables Nigeria, The Virgin Hospitality Company, Expose Et Al, and The Quick Print Shop, has provided quality services to Eko Hotels, Dangote Group, GlaxoSmithKline, MTN, UBA Group, Multichoice, Transcorp, Reckitt Benckiser, Cadbury, Samsung, Nestlé, and others.

Global Entrepreneurship Festival was a three-day, forum organised during Global Entrepreneurship Week and under patronage of the President of Ghana, John Mahama.

The festival brought together global leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to foster innovation and expedite progress in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This year’s event included an innovation expo, business pitch sessions, a leadership forum, International Women’s Congress and the Global Entrepreneurs Award Gala, which honoured outstanding contributors to entrepreneurship worldwide, and conferences.

At one of the conference sessions, James (Jim) W. Keyes, the former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster and Award-winning Author of Education is Freedom, stated that what makes him fearless as a Leader is the understanding that change is inevitable.

He believes that change presents opportunities and emphasises the importance of confidence, which stems from thorough preparation and education.

Some of the notable people who spoke at the conference include Stedman Graham, Chairman/CEO S. Graham and Associates, Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Chairperson, African Union Commission, Dr Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Chairperson of the United Africa Group of Namibia, Henry Kaestner, Co-Founder, Faith Driven Investor and Founder, Sovereigns Capital, Dr Aaron Farrugia, Member of Parliament and former Minister of Malta, Amar Deep Singh Hari, Chairman, IPMC, and a host of other seasoned public figures and business leaders.

Barely 17 days to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Osun State, a political movement of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has begged the APC leadership to make the ex-Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), as a consensus candidate of the party for 2026 governorship election.

The movement, under the auspices of The Earliest Ileri-Oluwa Caucus, led by Amb. AbdulYekeen Abilagbo (Rtd.), made the plea yesterday at a solidarity rally for Oyebamiji in front of Oluwo’s palace, Iwo town.

He highlighted the achievements of Oyebamiji as the managing director of Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL), who he noted improved the fortune of the company, growing it from N300million to N3billion, stopping half salary as finance commissioner, among other contributions to develop the state.

Abilagbo said: ‘Oyebamiji has something to offer the state. Osun has been unlucky for the past three years. There is no governance, nothing to show for the boost in revenue coming to the state. We must rescue the state from the current government and Oyebamiji is the best man to take Osun State to an enviable future.

‘He is a tested and a thoroughbred technocrat, particular in financial management. He was an accountant and showed capacity to deliver in whatsoever responsibility placed in his hand.’

Secretary of the movement, Dr. Kamal Okunola, affirmed the stance of Oyetola’s group, saying: ‘Oyebamiji should be the consensus candidate of the party because of his competence.

‘He is from Osun West Senatorial District, which has been marginalised for a very long time in the progressives fold. In our party, Baba Akande and Oyetola from Osun Central were in government for eight years and in the East, Aregbesola was in government for eight years. Only the West that is yet to produce governor.

‘ PDP and ADC have concluded to pick their governorship candidate from the West. So, APC’s case should not be different and if they consider our district, they should make Oyebamiji the consensus candidate of the party.’

The University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos Branch has emphasised the importance of strengthening town-gown partnerships, stressing that funding of tertiary education cannot be entirely left in the hands of the government.

Speaking at a press briefing to herald the association’s dinner tagged: ‘Dinner with Corporate World,’ slated for Sunday, November 30, 2025,in Lagos, Chairman of the association Comrade Adedeji Owoeye, noted that it was imperative to mobilise critical stakeholders to address infrastructure deficit on campus.

According to him, the collaboration was conceived at the last edition of the Annual Shofoluwe Lecture in the university during which its alumni and other well-meaning Nigerians were urged to support the university.

He said: ‘To identify and address real needs, we engaged with all faculties and departments to submit detailed accounts of their most pressing infrastructure and academic requirements. We gained a clear understanding of the support needed and how to mobilise the necessary resources from external stakeholders.’

Owoeye said the event is geared towards building new partnerships, celebrating their contributions, and reinforcing the collective commitment to education. The association has, at different times, organised and funded various initiatives, including providing glasses for students and staff, donation to different faculties, introducing programmes for upskilling of students,among others.

The chairman noted that part of the line up for the event is recognition for outstanding partners, who have impacted the association and the university.

Dignitaries expected include, Minister for Youth, Ayodele Olawande, Deputy Speaker of Lagos State, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Central Internal Audit, Dr Ayoola Oyeyemi, Chairman Platform Capital,Dr Akintoye Akindele, Chairman NAHCO Dr Seinde Fadein, among others.

World Diabetes Day may have come and gone, but for residents of Bolorunduro, Owena, Fagbo, Kajola, and surrounding villages in Ondo East Local Government of Ondo State, the memory lingers like a warm glow. On that day, quality healthcare-often an unreachable luxury-arrived at their doorstep through a free medical outreach organised by the youth-led Medical Aid and Advocacy for the Vulnerables Foundation (MAAVF).

Founded three years ago by Dr. Modesire Akinbogun, then just 18, and her co-founder Mofeoluwa Akinbogun, now a medical student at the University of Wisconsin, MAAVF has quickly grown from a small idea into a force for good. With more than ten medical outreaches and over 3,000 beneficiaries so far, the organisation remains steadfast in its mission to expand healthcare access to underserved Nigerian communities.

Rural healthcare in Ondo faces stark challenges: few facilities, scarce health workers, and unaffordable treatment. Fully aware of these realities, Dr. Modesire and her team left Akure on World Diabetes Day for Bolorunduro, a 35-minute journey. Days earlier, radio jingles had invited villagers, who responded enthusiastically, trooping to the Civic Centre for what many described as a rare opportunity.

Partnering with medical students from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the team screened all participants, dispensed medications, offered consultations, and arranged referrals for critical cases. ‘We are here to commemorate World Diabetes Day with a free outreach focusing on early detection,’ Dr. Modesire explained. ‘This isn’t just a one-day programme. Patients with dangerously high blood sugar will receive continuous care, including medications and tests for at least six months.’

Funding for the outreach comes largely from donors, particularly her parents, Prof. Tolulope and Dr. Olubukola Akinbogun, as well as supportive partners and community elders. Past outreaches revealed startling realities: many participants had dangerously high blood sugar without knowing it, while others could not afford treatment. One patient supported last year died before follow-up, a loss that shaped this year’s strategy. ‘This programme is intentional-carefully planned and driven by passion and purpose,’ she said.

The outreach extended beyond medical care. Secondary school students were invited as ‘change agents’, receiving health education on diabetes, encouraged to share knowledge with their families, and given motivational talks on career aspirations. ‘Many students here drop out, believing education has no future. We want to challenge that mindset,’ Dr. Modesire said. An essay competition with cash prizes-N150,000 for first place, N100,000 for second, and N75,000 for third-was also announced to raise diabetes awareness. This year, MAAVF aims to reach up to 500 people. Bolorunduro was chosen for its central location, surrounded by multiple villages, ensuring broad access. Follow-up programmes in schools and communities are planned to sustain the momentum.

For Prof. Tolulope Akinbogun, the initiative reflects both charity and cultural grounding. ‘We are here to give back. Ignorance is a big disease, and many die for lack of knowledge. Detecting diabetes early should be seen as an opportunity, not a death sentence,’ he said. The Executive Chairman of Ondo East LGA, Fola Joshua Ogunduyilemi, described the programme as ‘laudable and humanitarian,’ promising government support for patients needing follow-up care. Prof. Sunday Robert Ogunduyile, former Vice Chancellor of OAUSTECH, commended the turnout and urged communities to embrace such initiatives while calling on government to address the ongoing healthcare workforce crisis exacerbated by the ‘japa’ phenomenon.

Ondo Redemption Front has challenged the government to be prudent in the management of resources of the people.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of the group, Dr. Ayodeji Ologun; Co-chairman, Kayode Mogbojuri and Secretary, Adedotun Ajulo, said the people deserve more than empty promises.

It said the people deserve real transparency, accountability, and prudent stewardship.

‘We have come as the voice of the people to speak the truth without fear or favour.

‘Our duty is to call attention to misuse of our resources, draw the curtain back on administrative inconsistencies, and ensure the people of Ondo State are not left in the dark while those entrusted with power trade in shadows.

This month, we have decided to throw more light on handling of our common wealth.

‘What we see is not prudent governance, but a troubling mixture of opacity, inconsistent planning, impulsive financial decisions, and deliberate misuse of power.

As we close 2025, the people deserve more than empty promises.

‘What they deserve, and what they must demand, is real transparency, accountability, and prudent stewardship of public resources.

‘But what we see instead is mounting fiscal inconsistency, legalistic sophistry, and a growing climate of impunity”.

‘At the end of 2024, the administration forwarded to the legislature a 2025 appropriation bill totalling ?655.23 billion, heralded as a Budget of Recovery.

‘Within it, capital expenditure accounted for approximately 62 per cent, and recurrent expenditure accounted for about 38 per cent.

‘But the story quickly unravelled. The legislature, under pressure and hawkishly optimistic about inflows, revised and passed a 2025 budget of ?698.66 billion.

‘That revision, itself, lacked clarity: what precisely spurred the ?43.4 billion increase? And how much of that extra would go into transformative projects versus inflated recurrent spending?

‘Barely a year later, the same budget was suddenly slashed by over ?200 billion, and repackaged as a revised and restructured version amounting to approximately ?489.9 billion.

This administration insisted that it was not a supplementary budget, but a recalibration born out of unrealised donor inflows and economic constraints.

‘But ask any concerned citizen: when you slash the budget that dramatically, especially after legal passage, what you are doing is admitting the earlier plan was unrealistic or reckless.

‘And yet, by November 2025, barely a week ago, a fresh supplementary request now estimated at ?531 billion has been mooted.

‘How does a state go from a ?698-plus billion budget, to a revised ?489.9 billion budget, only to demand another ?531 billion in the same fiscal year? The arithmetic doesn’t add up.’

The group also called full disclosure of 2025 budget performance, line-by-line, project-by-project, with timelines and cost-to-date; publication of all contracts awarded since January 2025, with details on contractors, amounts, scope of work, and timelines; and an independent forensic audit of Ondo State finances, with civil society participation, to reclaim fiscal credibility and public trust.

It also asked for a moratorium on any new supplementary requests or restructured budgets until audit findings are made public and past obligations verified and legislative reform that ensures greater transparency, oversight, and depoliticisation of appropriation and contract approval processes.

‘The people of Ondo State did not hand over a mandate for cosmetic parks or fiscal juggling. They handed over a mandate for good governance, purposeful budgeting, and meaningful development.

‘If the current administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa cannot meet that mandate, then it has betrayed the people’s trust and must be held accountable. If the legislature cannot exercise genuine oversight, then it must be reformed.

‘For Ondo State to be redeemed in spirit, in infrastructure, and in opportunity, there can be no more cover-ups. There can be no more budgetary acrobatics. The people demand truth. They demand service. They demand accountability,’ it said.

New International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Kirsty Coventry fought back tears as she urged nations to come together in the 2026 Winter Games, as the torch relay set off from ancient Olympia in Greece.

Addressing guests during the torch ceremony at the Olympia archaeological museum, as the first woman to head the Olympic movement, a tearful Coventry stressed the power of sport to unite.

‘I wasn’t supposed to get emotional, but this place is very special,’ the 42-year-old Zimbabwean, who is also the first African to lead the IOC, added to applause. ‘In a divided world that we live in today, the Games hold a truly symbolic place. It is our duty, our responsibility, to ensure that the athletes from around the world can come together peacefully,’ she said.

The former swimmer and Africa’s most successful Olympic athlete with seven medals from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, Coventry repeatedly veered from her prepared speech to stress her emotional connection to the Games.

‘The Olympic Games will always continue to exist, to break down walls that are put in our way,’ said Coventry, who was elected 10th IOC chief in March.

‘The flame we light today, carries not just the hopes of the athletes, but the dreams of all of those who believe in the power of sport,’ she added.

She later told reporters that the Olympics bring out ‘the best of humanity’.

‘We have to really fight very hard to ensure that the Olympic movement and the field of play remains neutral for all athletes to be able to compete, and for them to live out their childhood dreams,’ she said.

The torch was carried initially by Greek rower Petros Gaidatzis, a bronze medallist in Paris 2024, and then jointly with Italian cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo, a two-time Olympic champion, as the relay began the countdown to the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, which will open on February 6.

The pair ran from the museum to the grove in Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Games, where the heart of modern Olympics founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin is kept, and handed over the torch to Italian luge great Armin Zoeggeler, another double Olympic champion.

The flame ceremony was flanked by sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, the patron god of the ancient Olympics – and also rain.

The ceremony to light the Olympic flame is usually held among the ruins of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, near the stadium where the Olympics were born in 776 BC.

But a rainy weather forecast – which proved mistaken – raised concerns that the sun’s rays would not be able to sufficiently heat up the parabolic mirror used by actresses dressed as ancient priestesses to light the flame.

That forced organisers to head indoors for Wednesday’s ceremony where they used a flame lit on Monday, during an outdoor rehearsal under the sun.

In addition to the venue change, organisers also had to switch the first runner after their original choice – Greek-American alpine ski racer AJ Ginnis – was injured during training last week.

Following a December 4 handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympics were revived in 1896, the flame will head to Rome for a 63-day, 12,000-kilometre (7,500-mile) course through Italy’s major cities and the archaeological site of Pompeii.

Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for Milano-Cortina, said the relay will respect the ‘classical heritage’ of Greece and Italy by passing through sites such as Rome’s imperial monuments, Pompeii and parts of Magna Graecia.

Organisers were forced to head indoors for the Olympic flame ceremony due to a rainy weather forecast

The Games themselves will take place at various venues spanning a vast area from Milan to the Dolomite mountains in Italy’s north-east.

Ice sports will be held in Milan while Bormio and Cortina will host alpine skiing.

Across the Dolomites, the biathlon will be in Anterselva and Nordic skiing in Val di Fiemme, with Livigno in the Italian Alps hosting snowboarding and freestyle skiing.

The Paralympic Winter Games will be held from March 6-15.

More than 90 percent of Italy’s ski slopes use artificial snowmaking systems, according to an April report by Legambiente, and organisers of the Milan-Cortina Games are stockpiling artificial snow, just in case.

A December 2024 study published in the International Journal of Climatology indicated snow cover in the Italian Alps had decreased by half in the past 100 years.

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Zamfara State Chapter, has commended Governor Dauda Lawal for the timely commencement of allowance payments to fresh Zamfara Clinical Veterinary Students.

This was revealed by Dr Kaka’u Dalla Dalla, Publicity Secretary, NVMA Zamfara State Chapter, in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement said, ‘This thoughtful intervention demonstrates the Governor’s unwavering commitment to educational development, human capacity building, and the advancement of the veterinary profession in the state.’

The doctors said by supporting our young clinical trainees, the administration has not only eased their academic journey but also reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening veterinary public health and animal welfare in Zamfara.

‘The NVMA Zamfara State Chapter expresses profound appreciation for this gesture and assures the Government of its continued partnership in promoting quality animal health services, food safety, and improved livelihoods for the people of Zamfara State.

‘We encourage the beneficiaries to remain dedicated, disciplined, and focused as they prepare to serve the state and the nation.’

Zamfara schools to remain open as gov’t adopts new security measures

The Zamfara State Government says it is not considering closing schools despite rising insecurity and a wave of student abductions across parts of the country.

Instead, the state government has introduced new security measures to protect learning centres and ensure pupils continue classes without fear of attacks.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, disclosed this while addressing journalists at an event organised by the Federated Association of Zamfara State Students in Gusau, the state capital.

Madawaki’s assurance comes amid the recent abduction of 25 students of Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, and the attack on Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State that saw about 315 students and staff abducted.

These attacks have led some northern states to announce mass school closures, but Zamfara says it will not follow suit. Instead, authorities are strengthening security in and around schools to deter bandit attacks.

‘We have already done what we are supposed to do, and when you talk about security, you do not disclose your actions to the media. But we have taken steps to safeguard the interests of our students. The security of the schools and children is well taken care of.

‘We are in contact with all the security agencies, and they are giving us the necessary support to ensure our schools operate without hindrance. We believe nothing will happen, and our education will continue to flourish until the end of the academic term,’ Madawaki said.

Madawaki explained that states embarking on mass closures largely operate boarding schools, whereas Zamfara currently runs mainly day schools due to insecurity.

‘As of now, most of the states that have closed their schools operate boarding systems where students stay in hostels. Bandits often strike at night when people are asleep. Here, we are yet to resume our boarding system. Our schools run during the day,’ he said.

He noted that schools in areas with persistent insecurity remain closed until conditions improve.

‘Where we feel there is insecurity, the schools have already been closed. Where there is relative peace, we have allowed students to continue since the term is almost ending. If there is a need to extend holidays, we shall do so,’ he said.

The commissioner added that some higher institutions, including the state university, polytechnic and college of education, are already on holiday.

‘They are due to resume in December, but because they keep boarding students, we will extend their holidays until January to assess the situation before they return.’