Category: Business Day

After 25 years of creating and producing experiences across music, entertainment, events and culture, Inspiro Productions is entering a new chapter, repositioning simply as Inspiro and expanding into creative economy strategy and development.

The repositioning takes the company beyond traditional event production into strategy, intellectual property, creative infrastructure, talent development, commercialisation and ecosystem building.

The milestone will be celebrated with The Creative Economy Experience, a four-day programme from October 1-4, 2026, at the upgraded Inspiro Creative Hub in Masha, Surulere, Lagos, under the theme: ‘Inspiro @ 25 – The Creative Voyage Continues From Creativity To Economic Value’.

Inspiro’s next chapter is built on a simple proposition: Nigeria does not lack creativity; it needs stronger systems for converting creativity into sustainable economic value.

The African Development Bank’s 2025 Nigeria Country Focus Report valued Nigeria’s creative industry at approximately US$15 billion, with potential to create 2.7 million jobs. A national Creative Economy Mapping Report referenced by NIPSS in 2026 projects potential for a US$100 billion contribution to GDP by 2030 under an ideal scenario.

Inspiro aims to contribute to this opportunity by connecting talent, intellectual property, production, infrastructure, distribution, markets and investment.

Its work will operate across two connected areas: Strategy and Advisory – creative economy strategy, IP development, cultural destinations, investment frameworks and institutional partnerships and Platforms and Execution – creative hubs, festivals, experiences, talent development, content, enterprise programmes and commercialisation platforms.

The upgraded Inspiro Creative Hub in Masha is part of the evolution and a key expression of the new direction, a working creative economy ecosystem where creative ideas, businesses, talent and commercial models can be developed and activated.

The hub supports creative production, rehearsals, content creation, experiences and a weekend creative pop-up market for creative businesses.

Inspiro is also applying its capabilities to initiatives including strategic and logistics support for BenDancer’s current Guinness World Records attempt and its Know Your Numbers health-awareness and medical outreach programme for creatives.

Speaking on the next chapter for the outfit, Ayoola Sadare (Shaddie Bobo), founder and CEO, Inspiro, said: ‘For 25 years, Inspiro has executed culture on the ground. Today, we are taking everything we have learnt from that experience and applying it to the systems around creativity – strategy, intellectual property, infrastructure, partnerships, commercialisation and development.’

According to him, Nigeria does not have a shortage of creativity. ‘We have a shortage of structured systems that convert creativity into long-term wealth. The opportunity is to bridge the full value chain – from talent and intellectual property to production, infrastructure, distribution and monetisation, and ultimately to wealth creation,’ Sadare said.

While celebrating 25 years of inspiring creativity, Sadara urged lovers of the arts and stakeholders in the creative industry to join his team at Inspiro Creative Hub, LSDPC Shop 29, Alhaji Masha Bus Stop, Surulere, Lagos, from October 1-4, 2026, to witness and help usher in its new chapter, which is offering space for more.

ýMAGGI, the culinary brand of Nestlé Nigeria, recently celebrated the role played by Nigerian women in strengthening traditions, family ties and community engagement.

ýThe celebration, aligned with the brand’s 60th anniversary in Nigeria, also leveraged this year’s August Meeting, a deeply rooted initiative that brings women across South-East Nigeria together to discuss issues affecting their families and communities, while celebrating the cultural and social bonds that unite them.

ý’August Meeting is a powerful expression of the role women play in strengthening families, preserving traditions and driving progress in their communities,’ Funmi Osineye, category manager, culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, stated.

ýAccording to Osineye, August Meeting also creates an important space for women to come together, learn from one another and share experiences.

ýShe added that being part of the enduring tradition is especially meaningful for MAGGI, as the brand marks 60 years in Nigeria.

ý’It is an opportunity to celebrate the women who have been part of our journey while creating an experience that brings together culinary inspiration, practical nutrition knowledge and the shared joy of food and community.’

ýOsineye also disclosed that MAGGI expanded its 2026 participation in the annual tradition, reaching 19,670 women through an experience combining food, practical nutrition and celebration.

ýShe disclosed that the brand partnered with 30 women’s associations across five South-East states, and held five market activations to double participation from the previous year to mark its largest August Meeting engagement to date.

ýOsineye stated that as MAGGI marks 60 years in Nigeria, the brand remains focused on staying relevant to new generations while celebrating the people, food and traditions that have shaped its journey.

ý’We really enjoyed the MAGGI experience at our August Meeting. The food was delicious, the gifts were wonderful, and we had such a good time,’ Christianna Nwibo, an executive of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) Nwofe, Ebonyi State stated.

ýThe brand hosted receptions featuring cooking competitions, music, gifts and appearances by Ruby Ojiakor, Blessing Obasi and Blessing Onwukwe.

ýAll three women are from South-East Nigeria and brought their own connection to the culture and significance of August Meeting to celebrations across the region.

ýCulinary sessions introduced fresh and creative approaches to familiar meals, while cooking competitions gave participants the opportunity to showcase their own skills and creativity.

ýPractical nutrition sessions complemented the festivities, focusing on nutritious choices within the realities of household budgets.

ýDiscussions covered balanced and diverse diets, the importance of micronutrients including iron, and simple considerations for planning family meals. Participants also explored the role fortified foods can play as part of a varied diet, including MAGGI products fortified with iron.

More than N60 million will be at stake when 100 artists converge on Enugu for the grand finale of the 19th edition of Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF). This year’s edition, themed ‘Open Letter’, concludes in the final week of October at the International Conference Centre of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu.

Six art professionals have been appointed to the 2026 National Jury Panel. They include: Chike Obeagu as chairman, Adiwu Talatu Onkala, Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, Bella Anne C. Ndubuisi, Dotun Popoola and Frank Omoh Agbiyoa Ugiomoh, while Jerry Buhari, a professor, will curate the exhibition.

Their task is to sift through the works that have survived the selection process in LIMCAF’s regional centres. The 100 artists who emerged from the different parts of the country now face the final selection.

Chike Obeagu, who chairs the panel, is a contemporary artist, scholar, curator and an associate professor at the Federal University of Lafia. He has curated LIMCAF three times.

Adiwu Talatu Onkala, an artist and associate professor of Painting at the University of Maiduguri, has engaged with gender, identity and the social realities of contemporary Nigeria, particularly the experiences of women in the Northeast.

Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, an artist and art historian, is the Steven and Lisa Tananbaum Curator at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. He previously held curatorial positions at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Dartmouth’s Hood Museum.

Bella Anne C. Ndubuisi, a cultural affairs specialist, has worked in culture, community development and international development. She has also been involved with LIMCAF in Taraba.

Dotun Popoola is a contemporary sculptor known for making works from discarded scrap metal.

Frank Omoh Agbiyoa Ugiomoh, an artist, art historian, critic and educator, has more than four decades of experience. African art history and historiography are central to his scholarship.

Buhari, the exhibition’s curator, has been a professor of Fine Art at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, since 1982. His career has included studio practice, teaching and curating exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad.

The prize money is only part of what the festival has built up since Robert Orji, founder of Rocana Nigeria Limited, started the competition for young artists in 2007. Over the years, LIMCAF has spread its selection process across different parts of the country, while some of its past winners have gone on to establish themselves on the Nigerian visual arts scene.

At the top of the pile is the Elder Kalu Young Artist of the Year Prize, formerly the festival’s overall winner’s prize. It was rechristened last year and is now worth the naira equivalent of $2,000. The prize is sponsored by the family of the late Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, a former LIMCAF chairman and visual arts aficionado.

The category prizes cover photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics and digital art, ranging from ?500,000 to ?1 million. The Chinelo Chime Prize for Best in Photography carries ?1 million, while the prizes for painting, sculpture, drawing and ceramics are worth ?500,000 each.

There are also prizes with more specific briefs. The Armstrong Agoreyo Prize is for the best artwork made from waste paper, while the Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Prize recognises an outstanding work by an artist living with a disability.

Individuals, families and organisations have established other prizes. They include the Justice Anthony Aniagolu Prize for Originality and the Dr Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical Proficiency. Regional prizes include the Mfon Usoro Prize for Best Entry from the Uyo Centre and the VinMartins Ilo Prize for Best Entry from Enugu.

The festival’s rewards do not stop at the prize money. One of them is a two-week, all-expenses-paid trip to Dakar, Senegal, for the Dakar Art Biennale, or Dak’Art. There are also residencies and boot camps.

There are special prize categories for female artists, while LIMCAF’s workshops take its activities to primary and secondary school children, with particular attention to those living with disabilities. Abuja and Enugu have hosted some of these workshops in recent years.

Behind the prizes and programmes is a list of supporters that has grown over the years. They include the Alliance Française network in Nigeria, the Institut Français and the French Embassy, as well as Clam Lab, Paris; Rocana Nigeria Limited; the Pan African Circle of Artists; Honeywell Group; FBN Holdings; the Enugu State Council for Art and Culture; the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos; and Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja.

The prizes themselves have attracted endowments and special donations from the Justice Anthony Aniagolu family, Vin Martin Ilo, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Mfon Usoro, the Pius Okigbo family, Art Is Everywhere, the Centre for Contemporary Art, Professor El Anatsui and Engr. Gesi Asamaowei, among others.

Robert Orji started LIMCAF in 2007 as a competition for young artists. Since then, artists from different parts of the country have entered each year, while several past overall and category prize winners have gone on to establish themselves on the Nigerian visual arts scene.

This year’s finalists will meet in Enugu in October, as LIMCAF looks forward to its 20th edition next year.

What most persons know is that when one is bitten by a mad dog, he soon begins to bark and soon die.

Now, Barinade Beke Fakae, a renowned researcher and veterinary parasitologist, says there is a window of hope. Fakae was the vice chancellor of the then University of Science and Technology (UST, now Rivers State University, RSU), and one of Nigeria’s foremost researchers.

Fakae said in the week that rabies sits at the intersection of animal health, human health, and environmental conditions.

He was a keynote speaker at the World Rabies Day 2026 marked in Port Harcourt by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), with the theme: Stronger Together.

A background shows that rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is spread through the saliva of infected animals. Its spread is said to be through animal bites or scratches of an infected animal. Dogs stand out as major carrier worldwide, followed by bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. In rural Africa, dogs are feared for rabies.

Deeper studies indicate that the virus ‘Travels slowly along your nerves from the wound to your brain’

What most Nigerians know is that the victim is barking like mad dog, but researchers say it begins with flu-like signs such as fever, headache, fatigue, and tingling or itching at the bite site.

Advanced stages show neurological signs such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, and hydrophobia (fear of water due to painful throat spasms).

What is known is that once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is nearly 100% fatal, but veterinarians know about prevention and treatment beginning with immediate wound care such as washing the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. They also talk about post-exposure prophylaxis such as seeking emergency medical care immediately to receive a series of rabies vaccines and, if needed, human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) before symptoms start.

Hunt for the expert:

The Rivers State chapter of the NVMA searched for and found the professor of veterinary parasitology, Fakae, to lead in the discourse for 2026.

Gloria Daminabo and Chigoziri Peace Mbor lead the association, while Ibitoye Timothy is the chairman of the 2026 World Rabies Day event. In their letter to Fakae, they said the theme was complemented by their chosen sub- theme, ‘Stronger Together, Saving Lives.’

They said this sub-theme highlights the critical reality that their collective efforts were the most effective tool in the fight against rabies.

‘By unifying our diverse expertise through a ‘One Health’ approach, we can, more effectively, prevent the spread of this disease and, ultimately, save lives within our communities.’

They recognized Fakae’s leadership and extensive experience in the study which they said uniquely qualified him to guide the year’s discussion on the vital importance of professional synergy in achieving public health goals.

Fakae opens the gate of knowledge:

Fakae, who admitted that they were all united by a shared purpose, perfectly encapsulated in this year’s global theme, said these were not just inspiring words; ‘They represent the fundamental blueprint for eradicating one of the oldest and deadliest zoonotic diseases known to humanity.’

Rabies: A preventable tragedy

Declaring rabies as a preventable tragedy, Fakae said rabies remained one of the oldest and most feared zoonotic diseases known to humanity.

‘It remains a stark and unforgiving disease. ‘Once clinical symptoms appear, it is almost 100% fatal. Yet, paradoxically, it is also 100% preventable.’

He said the tragedy of rabies is not a lack of scientific understanding or the absence of a cure-there has been effective animal and human vaccines for over a century. ‘The tragedy lies in the gaps within our healthcare delivery, the silos in which our professions sometimes operate, and the lack of awareness at the community level.

How 21,000 victims die yearly in Africa

He declared: ‘Across Africa, an estimated 21,000 people die annually from rabies-most of them children. In Nigeria, dog-mediated rabies continues to pose a significant threat, especially in underserved communities where access to veterinary care, vaccines, and public health education is limited.

‘Rabies is not just a disease; it is a social and economic burden, a public health emergency, and a community tragedy that disproportionately affects the vulnerable.’

Harping on standing together, Fakae said this leads to the core of year’s message. ‘As the invitation letter rightly highlighted, our collective efforts are the most effective tool in this fight. We cannot achieve a rabies-free society if veterinarians operate independently of human medical doctors, or if public health officials work without engaging the communities they serve.

‘To save lives, we must embrace the ‘One Health’ approach. This strategy recognises that the health of people is inextricably linked to the health of animals and our shared environment.

‘The NVMA’s chosen sub-theme- ‘Stronger Together, Saving Lives’-is a powerful reminder that rabies control is not the responsibility of veterinarians alone. It is a One Health challenge, requiring synergy among: Veterinarians, medical doctors, environmental health officers, public health agencies, community leaders, policymakers, and dog owners and the public.’

He reaffirmed that rabies sits at the intersection of animal health, human health, and environmental conditions; therefore, response must be integrated, collaborative, and sustained. ‘When we work in silos, rabies thrives. When we work together, rabies retreats.

‘When a veterinarian vaccinates a dog in a rural community, they are not just protecting an animal; they are safeguarding the child who plays with that dog.

‘When a doctor treats a bite wound and administers prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), they are saving a life that might otherwise be lost to a preventable tragedy. When we pool our diverse expertise, share surveillance data, and conduct joint public awareness campaigns, we multiply our impact exponentially.’

He said the fight against rabies is not a sprint; ‘It is a relay race that requires seamless handoffs between veterinary services, human health services, and the community. Let this World Rabies Day serve as a renewed commitment to that synergy. Let us tear down professional silos, share our resources, and communicate effectively.’

Saving Lives Through Collective Action:

To truly save lives, he said, we must strengthen collaboration in the following critical areas: Mass Dog Vaccination: The most effective strategy for eliminating rabies is vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population. This requires coordinated campaigns, community mobilisation, and government support.

The next is public awareness and education. He said many rabies deaths occur because victims do not know what to do after a dog bite. He said public education-especially in schools and rural communities- is essential.

On strengthening surveillance and reporting, he said underreporting remains a major challenge. ‘We must improve diagnostic capacity, reporting systems, and inter-agency communication.’

On accessible post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), the expert said no Nigerian should die because they cannot access PEP. ‘We must advocate for availability, affordability, and timely administration.’

On responsible dog ownership, Fakae said rabies control begins at home. ‘Dog owners must vaccinate, restrain, and care for their animals responsibly.’

On policy and legislative support, Fakae said rabies elimination required enabling laws, budgetary allocation, and enforcement of dog vaccination regulations.

The Role of NVMA in Rivers State:

He charged the NVMA Rivers State Chapter which he said had shown commendable leadership by organizing, saying their commitment to public health, community engagement, and professional excellence embodies the spirit of ‘Stronger Together.’

‘Your invitation letter highlights the importance of professional synergy, and indeed, veterinarians are indispensable in the fight against rabies. But your strength is amplified when you collaborate with medical doctors, public health experts, and community stakeholders.’

He called for renewal of commitment and challenged all to renew their commitment to rabies elimination. He listed actions and said, ‘Let us strengthen partnerships across sectors, advocate for government investment, educate our communities, vaccinate our dogs, improve surveillance, support research and innovation, and above all, work together.’

This, he said, is because no single profession, agency, or individual can eliminate rabies alone. ‘But together, we can build a future where rabies is no longer a threat in Rivers State, in Nigeria, or anywhere in the world.’

In his conclusion, the professor made it clear that every life lost to rabies was a life that could have been saved. ‘Let us also remember that every rabies death is a systemic failure. But together, armed with the ‘One Health’ framework, we have the power to rewrite this narrative.

‘Let us pledge to work hand-in-hand to ensure that not a single life in Rivers State, or anywhere in Nigeria, is lost to rabies again. The theme ‘Stronger Together, Saving Lives’ is not just a slogan-it is a mandate. Let us rise to that mandate with unity, purpose, and unwavering commitment.’

Former presidential aide, Okoi Obono-Obla, has hit back at Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over comments on Cross River State, accusing him of misrepresenting the state’s geographical position and making an unsubstantiated claim about its population.

Obono-Obla, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, rejected assertions attributed to Akpabio that Cross River is landlocked, that the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary lies in Akwa Ibom State and that 40 percent of Cross River’s population are people of Akwa Ibom origin.

He argued that the controversy over Cross River’s littoral status should not be confused with the state’s geographical relationship with the sea.

Roots of the dispute

The dispute has its roots in the International Court of Justice’s October 10, 2002 judgment in the Cameroon-Nigeria boundary case, in which the Court ruled that sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula lay with Cameroon and ordered Nigeria to withdraw its administration and security forces from territory falling under Cameroonian sovereignty.

Obono-Obla acknowledged that the subsequent legal consequences stripped Cross River of the benefits associated with littoral status, including its claim to 76 offshore oil wells.

The Supreme Court, in the 2012 case between Cross River and the Federal Government and Akwa Ibom, held that Cross River no longer had the seaward boundary necessary to qualify as a littoral state for offshore oil-well attribution.

But Obono-Obla maintained that the legal position does not erase the state’s geographical history.

‘That is a legal fiction, not geographical reality,’ he said, arguing that Bakassi historically formed the southernmost part of Cross River and extended into the Gulf of Guinea.

Land boundary vs maritime boundary

On the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary, Obono-Obla said Akpabio’s reported comments amounted to a conflation of the land boundary with the maritime boundary.

‘The land boundary is in Cross River State,’ he argued, adding that what the courts determined was that the maritime boundary following the loss of Bakassi no longer gave Cross River the littoral status it previously enjoyed.

The ICJ judgment itself distinguishes between the land boundary running to the Bakassi Peninsula and the subsequent maritime delimitation between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Obono-Obla also addressed the appointment of Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission, describing the appointment as commendable.

However, he questioned the political significance attached to bringing a Cross River senator to an event while, according to him, simultaneously describing the state as landlocked and non-littoral.

He described that as ‘political tokenism’ and said genuine support for Cross River would involve backing its demands over its maritime status, oil-well interests and the resettlement of displaced Bakassi people.

Population claim challenged

The former presidential aide also took issue with the reported claim that 40 per cent of Cross River’s population are Akwa Ibom people.

He said he was unaware of any empirical basis for the figure from the National Population Commission, National Bureau of Statistics or another credible statistical authority.

Obono-Obla described the assertion as divisive and called for greater sensitivity from political leaders.

The wider Cross River-Akwa Ibom dispute over the 76 offshore oil wells has been litigated for years. In its 2012 judgment, the Supreme Court found that Cross River had ceased to be a littoral state following the implementation of the ICJ judgment and that the disputed offshore wells could not be attributed to the state on that basis.

Obono-Obla, however, is now seeking to reopen the broader political and geographical conversation, insisting that the legal loss of littoral benefits should not be presented as evidence that Cross River is geographically without a coastline.

‘Cross River remains a coastal state in geography, history and in the hearts of its people,’ he said, while acknowledging that the law has, for now, removed the benefits attached to littoral status.

He called for ‘statesmanship and sensitivity’ in the handling of the issue.

Interswitch Techconnect 6.0 , one of the Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has stormed Owerri, Imo State capital for the sixth edition of its flagship industry engagement series, highlighting infrastructure for the next phase of digital payments transformation.

The event, which took place at Protea Hotel, Owerri, Imo State, brought together stakeholders across government, financial services, technology and business to explore how adaptive financial infrastructure can support a rapidly changing market, Robinta Aliyu, Interswitch Chief Sales Officer, made the remarks in her opening speech.

Discussions focused on the need for financial and digital infrastructure that can evolve with changing customer expectations, emerging technologies, business models and the wider demands of a digital economy.

With the theme: ‘Built for What’s Next: Designing Adaptive Financial Infrastructure for a Dynamic Market’, Justice R. Okoye, executive chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service, examined the role of connected and adaptive infrastructure in strengthening institutions, improving service delivery and expanding economic participation.

Also Tyoyila Aga, vice president, Business Innovation and Growth, Interswitchconnect 6.0, noted that, ‘as financial infrastructure evolves, we have an opportunity to design that change deliberately, with the resilience to withstand disruption, the flexibility to adapt, the security to earn trust and the inclusiveness to ensure that more people can participate in the economy.’

Saying further that as financial services, businesses and government processes become increasingly digital, infrastructure must evolve from stand alone systems into connected ecosystems capable of supporting new services, channels and customer expectations.

He also highlighted interoperability, cybersecurity, data governance and inclusion as important considerations in building infrastructure that can remain relevant as the market changes.

Chuck Chukuemeka, commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Imo State and others in the panel discussion with the theme: ‘Building a Digital Economy: The Role of Government, Industry and Talent in Shaping the Future,’ explored the interconnected roles of government, industry and human capital in shaping the pace and sustainability of digital transformation.

They further examined the importance of supportive policy, private-sector innovation and the development of digital capabilities in building an ecosystem that can respond to emerging opportunities.

On the fireside chat: ‘Driving Digital Transformation Through Public-Private Partnerships,’ speakers examined how government, financial institutions, technology providers and businesses can work together to build more connected and sustainable digital solutions.

They also considered the role of collaboration in improving access, strengthening service delivery and supporting economic activity beyond major commercial centres.

This is as they highlighted that sustainable digital transformation requires more than technology investment, pointing to the importance of supportive institutional frameworks, collaboration across the ecosystem, skilled people, reliable systems and a clear focus on the needs of businesses and citizens.

The event also featured product showcases, highlighting Interswitch’s portfolio of enterprise payment and digital commerce solutions.

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has promised to raise the national minimum wage and introduce measures to protect Nigerians from the rising cost of living crisis if elected president in 2027.

Atiku said his administration would begin work on raising the wage floor from its first day in office, arguing that the N70,000 national minimum wage had been eroded by rising prices of petrol, food, transportation, rent and other essential commodities.

In a statement on Sunday, issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigerian workers were increasingly unable to sustain their families on their current earnings.

‘From May 2027, my policies will protect the people: support Nigerian production, deliver relief at the pump and provide targeted help to those hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis. A living wage must buy a living. It is not a privilege; it is a basic right. Tinubu has made life painfully expensive. I will make life affordable again,’ Atiku said.

He also restated his proposal for a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians, subject to spending limits, public accounting and independent auditing.

Atiku’s position came amid renewed pressure over the cost of living, with petrol prices reaching between N1,400 and N1,500 per litre in parts of the country.

He said, ‘The payslip has grown, but the fuel it can buy has more than halved. Tinubu has given workers a larger number and left them with a smaller life. That is hardship dressed up as a wage increase.’

The former vice president argued that the increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 had failed to restore workers’ purchasing power because the prices of petrol and other basic necessities had risen substantially.

‘At N1,400 a litre, the entire N70,000 monthly minimum wage buys just 50 litres of petrol. What does the worker take home to feed the children? What pays the rent? What gets that worker back to work on Monday?’ Atiku asked.

He said the impact of high petrol prices extended beyond filling stations, affecting transportation, agriculture, food production and household expenses.

‘Petrol does not stay at the pump. Its price follows the farmer to market, enters the baker’s oven and appears in the fare a parent pays to take a child to school,’ he said.

Atiku challenged President Bola Tinubu to negotiate a substantial wage adjustment that reflects the prevailing cost of living, while also taking measures to reduce the prices of essential goods and services.

‘If he has no intention of raising workers’ pay, he should say so plainly and stop stringing the Nigeria Labour Congress and other labour leaders along. Nigerian workers deserve an answer, not another round of meetings that ends where it began,’ he said.

Atiku said increasing workers’ pay without addressing the underlying drivers of inflation would provide only limited relief, insisting that wage policy must be accompanied by measures to boost domestic production and reduce energy costs.

Air Peace has issued a statement addressing the widespread flight disruptions at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, following social media footage and news reports showing stranded and frustrated passengers voicing concerns over delayed and cancelled flights.

According to the airline, the initial operational hiccups were caused by a widespread scarcity of aviation fuel at the capital’s airport, which affected several carrier operations across the board.

‘The initial delays to our Abuja operations were occasioned by the unavailability of Jet A1 aviation fuel, which affected Air Peace and other airlines operating from the airport,’ the airline’s management stated. ‘Upon the availability of fuel, our affected flights commenced operations accordingly.’

However, while other services resumed after fueling, the airline’s Abuja-Maiduguri route encountered further complications due to strict daylight flight restrictions.

‘Our Abuja-Maiduguri service could not subsequently operate as planned. Although an extension had initially been granted for the flight, by the time the aircraft was ready for boarding, prevailing VFR [Visual Flight Rules] conditions meant that the extension was no longer tenable, as the flight could not operate beyond sunset,’ Air Peace explained.

Addressing criticism regarding customer care during the prolonged wait, the carrier maintained that it took duty-of-care measures to support affected travelers both at the terminal and after the cancellation was declared.

‘Throughout the disruption, passengers were duly informed of the delays and provided with refreshments. Following the cancellation, affected passengers were also provided with hotel accommodation, with arrangements made to operate the flight the following day,’ the statement read.

The airline management expressed regret over the incident while reiterating its commitment to standard safety protocol over operational expediency.

‘We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our esteemed passengers and appreciate their patience and understanding. At Air Peace, the safety and wellbeing of our passengers remain paramount, and we will continue to prioritise these considerations in all our operations.’

With over two decades of studio practice, mastery of his craft and mentoring future artist, Chika Idu has truly paid his dues in the Nigerian visual art landscape.

The Delta State-born contemporary Nigerian artist is among the experimental artists, whose adventures with colours has seen the creation of some incredible pieces of art.

Idu, a gifted hand and multi-media artist, is one painter whose works are sought-after by collectors, galleries and even corporates across Nigeria and the world.

Idu, an experimental artist par excellence, has a very strong figurative and personal style, which is easily recognizable, which also traces his trajectory and stylistic development.

His technique is uniquely Idu as his works bear witness of the.

The technique, which has not been replicated, involves the exhaustive priming of his canvas, while commonplace in his studio are works characterised by heavy texture and hazy rendition technique, which he calls ‘light against visual distortion’.

Yet, Idu uses his art for advocay of sort. A lover of tranquil environment, children and nature, his broad oeuvre embraces themes such as social justice for women and children, safe environment, peace with nature, among others.

‘When you see a work by Chika Idu, you will easily know because it bears his unique signature,’ a follower confessed at an exhibition last year.

With all the above going for the Auchi Polytechnic-trained pianter, Idu is truly worth following. The sheer creative ingenuity he puts in all works is even lure for his followers.

The above is also top among the reasons to see Idu’s latest exhibition, which is ongoing in Lagos.

Titled ‘Pure Water’, the solo exhibition of paintings and powerful portraits, which is being presented by SMO Contemporary Art, opened to the public on September 5, 2026 and runs till November 30, 2026 at ARAMI, 6th and 7th Floor, MHQ Building, 5 Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

On display are some enthralling works from Idu’s creative juices. The exhibition explores ecology, history, migration, innocence and liberty through the faces of African women and children juxta-posed against submerged figures swimming in a pristine underwater world.

The works draw the viewer into an immersive natural world in which swimmers float and move with an apparent sense of intention, evoking a space of wonder and possibility.

The figures drift within a pristine ecosystem removed from the restrictions of the world above.

‘Pure Water’ introduces a critical and ironic reference to Idu’s aspiration for a balanced world, while the term also refers to the plastic ‘pure water’ drinking sachets, used to quench the thirst of millions of Nigerians within heavily populated and polluted city centers. These water sachets clog up the drains and waterways, becoming an environmental hazard, which affects people’s quality of life. In ‘Pure Water’, Idu’s figures and portraits draw attention to the environmental realities faced by urban and coastal communities, and advocates for ‘pure waters’.

His figures swim towards freedom despite all odds. Through the fluidity of their light speckled under-water reverie, Idu creates scenes of youthful innocence, where children have capacity for freedom and adventure, despite life’s uncertain currents and societal pressures.

Again, Idu wears his experimental cap, delving into multimedia at the exhibition with ‘From Shore to Studio’, a short film, showing the artist exploring and documenting coastal life, and working in his studio to create his masterpieces.

But taking a closer look at the works, Idu’s oil and acrylic paintings on canvas and delicate water colors on paper are a choreography of life. His portraits of children and women have a gaze, which defies all odds. Beneath the surface, where currents are built from layered palette-knife strokes, the water has a presence and energy of its own.

In the works, his unique style of impasto painting catches and refracts light in motion.

Idu’s characters, whether on land or in the sea, move with confidence and a sense of adventure.

In the works, Idu also considers the monuments and memorials he encountered on the island of Martinique when he visited the Caribbean, and commemorates those who were forcibly carried across the Atlantic Ocean.

His work references the violence of colonial histories and current global migration issues, and asks what liberty might look like and whether that freedom can be recovered.

Frank A.O Ugiomoh, a professor, and an independent scholar, expressed confidence in Idu and his solo outing observing the different histories, which are active at the same time in Idu’s water metaphor.

‘The bodies of those lost in the slave trade, today’s migrants, and Idu’s women and children are not the same, but each has a place in an ongoing story of movement, displacement, vulnerability, and the search for freedom,’ Ugiomoh, who recently retired from the University of Port Harcourt, said.

Speaking further, the retired professor noted that in the works, memory is not just looking back, but shapes how viewers see the present and imagine the future. ‘Idu’s figures and environments point towards a broader relationship between people and the natural world. Water and beauty coexist with an awareness of the environmental pressures faced within particularly coastal areas’.

On her part, Diana Nwandu, director, Arami, host of the exhibition, said, ‘From the rooftops of Arami, we have clear views of both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Lagoon and waterways curving their way through the city of Lagos’.

‘We are delighted to showcase Chika Idu’s spectacular works within our restaurant. They celebrate nature and align with our values and aspirations for a safe and healthy environment.’

‘SMO has its roots in both art and film so this exhibition allows the viewer to be immersed in the natural world and also see the artist’s creative process,’ commented Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, founder and artistic director, SMO Contemporary Art.

‘It is important that art brings hope and inspiration to our lives, while also reminding us of the plight of humanity, and the need to advocate for the environment.’

The exhibition is still open until November 30, 2026 and ARAMI, the host, and SMO Contemporary Art, the curator, urge the public to vist the new fine dining restaurant at 6th and 7th Floor, MHQ Building, 5 Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, to see and appreciate Idu in his creative beauty, while also enjoying the marriage if fine dining and fine art at the same time.

For Idu, whose works were on display at the inaugural exhibition of ARAMI tagged ‘Celebration’, which was also presented by SMO Contemporary Art, ‘Pure Water’ is a must-see exhibition as the works are products of his inner self, his passion and his creative ingenuity developed and mastered over the years.

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to strengthen and comprehensively review the federal government’s social intervention programmes to cushion the impact of economic hardship on Nigerians.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said interventions targeting youth employment, skills development, cash transfers, school feeding, agriculture and social protection must be properly implemented and monitored to deliver measurable benefits.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye said social intervention should go beyond budgetary allocations to determine whether public funds were actually reducing poverty and improving household purchasing power.

‘Such interventions must have clear targets, transparent beneficiary selection, strong monitoring and measurable performance indicators to minimise leakages, duplication and abuse,’ he said.

Oyintiloye also urged the President to strengthen workers’ allowances and welfare packages, arguing that improved incomes would boost purchasing power and stimulate local businesses.

He commended Tinubu for allocating N462.66 billion to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in the 2026 Appropriation Act, but said the scale of poverty required more effective intervention.

‘Since the intervention programmes are meant to alleviate poverty among the masses, every necessary strategy must be in place to ensure that allocated money has positive impacts on the lives of less privileged Nigerians,’ he said.

Oyintiloye urged Nigerians to remain patient, saying, ‘The hardship Nigerians are presently facing will soon be a thing of the past.’