Category: Business Day

US launches fresh strikes on Iran as ceasefire frays

The United States and Iran traded fresh military strikes over the weekend, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement reached after months of conflict. The latest escalation followed a drone attack on a commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington blamed on Iran.

US Central Command said it responded by striking 10 Iranian military targets, including air defence systems, drone storage facilities, communications infrastructure and military equipment near the strategic waterway. The Pentagon said Tehran had failed to honour the ceasefire after its forces targeted the Panama flagged tanker MT Kiku.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rejected the accusation, insisting the US had attacked Iranian coastal positions first. In retaliation, it claimed to have launched ballistic missiles and drones against US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, including Ali al Salem Air Base and the Fifth Fleet headquarters. The exchange has raised fresh concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the security of one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.

Two boys rescued alive as Venezuela earthquake death toll tops 1,450

Rescuers in Venezuela have pulled two 11- year old boys alive from collapsed buildings days after the country’s most powerful earthquake in more than a century devastated large parts of the nation.

The first boy, identified as Moises, was rescued from beneath concrete rubble to applause from emergency workers, while a second child was later recovered alive and carried to safety on a stretcher. Officials described both rescues as remarkable amid increasingly difficult search operations.

Authorities say at least 1,450 people have died since the twin magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within seconds of each other, flattening hundreds of buildings and leaving tens of thousands missing. Rescue teams continue searching damaged neighbourhoods, saying survivors may still be found where access to food and water has allowed people to remain alive beneath the debris.

Eleven killed after skydiving plane crashes in eastern France

Eleven people have died after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed shortly after take off in the eastern French town of Tomblaine.

The aircraft, operated by a parachuting school, went down minutes after leaving Nancy Essey airfield. The pilot and all 10 passengers were killed, including five instructors and five first time tandem skydivers preparing for their inaugural jump.

French authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said several relatives witnessed the tragedy from the airfield, leaving many traumatised. Local officials described the incident as one of the region’s deadliest civilian aviation accidents in recent years, while psychological support has been offered to grieving families.

Europe heatwave linked to more than 1,300 deaths, WHO warns

The World Health Organization says Europe’s unprecedented early summer heatwave has been linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths as record temperatures continue to sweep across the continent.

Germany recorded a new national high of 41.7 degrees Celsius, while France reported about 1,000 additional deaths since the heatwave began. Health authorities said many victims were elderly people, with deaths at home rising sharply as power grids, hospitals and emergency services came under increasing pressure.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general warned that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, describing extreme heat as a ‘silent killer’. Governments have urged residents to avoid outdoor activity during peak temperatures as schools closed and electricity systems struggled under soaring demand.

Saudi helicopter crash kills 14 Aramco workers

Fourteen people have been killed after a helicopter operated by Saudi state oil company Aramco crashed near the eastern city of Ras Tanura.

Saudi state media said the aircraft came down shortly after 6:00 am local time, killing everyone on board. All the victims were Saudi nationals. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine what caused the crash.

The accident occurred near one of Aramco’s largest oil refining and export facilities, where crude loading operations had only recently resumed following months of disruption linked to the wider Middle East conflict. The Saudi government expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

AFRICA

Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with France

Burkina Faso has formally severed diplomatic relations with France, accusing its former colonial ruler of pursuing policies that undermine the country’s sovereignty and national interests.

The military government led by Ibrahim Traore said France had engaged in ‘neo colonial ambitions’ and supported activities hostile to Burkina Faso. Paris rejected the allegations, describing the decision as unjustified and urging French nationals in the country to exercise heightened caution.

Relations between the two countries have steadily deteriorated since Traore seized power in a 2022 coup, expelled French troops and strengthened ties with Russia and China. The junta said cultural and people to people ties would remain intact despite the diplomatic break.

DR Congo takes Rwanda to international court over conflict

The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, accusing Kigali of violating international law through alleged military operations and support for armed groups operating in eastern Congo.

Congolese authorities say Rwanda has breached several international conventions, including treaties covering genocide prevention, torture, racial discrimination and the protection of women. Kinshasa is asking the court to order Rwanda to halt the alleged violations and pay reparations to victims.

Rwanda has consistently denied accusations that it backs the M23 rebel movement, despite repeated claims by United Nations experts and several Western governments. The case marks another legal effort by Congo to seek international accountability over the long running conflict in its eastern provinces.

Uganda army chief orders shutdown of leading independent media group

Uganda’s largest independent media organisation has been forced off air after army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the closure of several television, radio and newspaper operations.

The Nation Media Group said soldiers surrounded its headquarters in Kampala while NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor newspaper were effectively shut down. The military has not provided an official explanation for the action.

Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, defended the move on social media, saying he did not believe in a free press. Opposition parties and rights groups condemned the shutdown as a serious attack on press freedom in a country where concerns over political repression have grown ahead of future elections.

Congo Ebola cases climb above 1,200 as outbreak worsens

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 1,203 confirmed Ebola infections and 321 deaths as the country’s worst outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain continues to spread.

Government figures released on Friday show infections continue to rise across affected provinces despite intensified surveillance and response measures. Health officials remain concerned about the rapid spread of the virus, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

International health agencies are expanding treatment centres, contact tracing and vaccine research as neighbouring countries strengthen border screening to prevent further cross border transmission.

IMF approves $348 million support package for DR Congo

The International Monetary Fund has approved nearly $350 million in fresh financing for the Democratic Republic of Congo following successful reviews of its economic reform programmes.

The funding includes about $258 million under the Extended Credit Facility and another $90 million through the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. Congolese officials said a significant portion of the money will support climate adaptation, infrastructure development and social programmes.

Doudou Roussel Fwamba Likunde Li Botayi, Finance minister said the remaining funds would strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves and help stabilise the balance of payments as the government continues implementing economic reforms amid security and health challenges.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Abia State command has said that it arrested a total of 429 suspects (355 males and 74 females) between June 2025 to June 2026.

Chigbu Chilee, commander, Abia State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), made this known Friday, at the commemoration of 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day).

Speaking on the theme ‘World drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses’, Chilee said that the Abia State Command of the NDLEA was already aggressive in its sensitisation now that illicit drug dealers have started penetrating secondary schools.

Speaking on the new strategies and the theme, the commander said that the theme underscored the evolving and underwhelming drug landscape.

According to him, the theme acknowledges that while old battlegrounds remain new, synthetic threats, sophisticated traffic networks and digital illicit markets have emerged.

Read also: NDLEA nabs 75-year-old grandma, 2 couples in nationwide drug raids

He said that the current rate of drug peddling demands that NDLEA counter the dealers with proactive technology driven by early innovative responses, as NDLEA has long recognised that old strategies cannot solve new problems.

‘The Abia State command, with the continued support of the National Headquarters and the Abia State government, has heavily modernised our operations and balanced our enforcement capabilities with aggressive social advocacy, through our war against drugs initiative, which remains our primary vehicle for preventive actions,’ he said.

Speaking further on the strategy, he said that the agency divided the drug remand directorates into two, because it knows it can’t win the war by arrest.

‘So, we now have Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (CTR) and Prevention and Sensitisation (PS). So, it’s a balanced approach that’s helping us to reduce both the supply and the demand.

‘Every week, we sensitise three to four schools in Abia State. It is a programme of its own, just to win this war. If we reduce the number of young people getting involved, we’ll definitely win the war.’

He also said that every opportunity to commemorate the UN Day against drug abuse is a vital occasion, where all the collective efforts of the agency against illicit drugs are meant to be evaluated and looked into with definitive direction for the next 12 months.

He said that the Abia State Command of the NDLEA in the last one year (June 26, 2025 to June 26, 2026), recorded massive achievements in the area of arrest and seizure, prosecution and conviction, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation, prevention, sensitisation and intervention.

Speaking on arrest and seizures, the commander said that a total of 429 suspects, with the males numbering 355 and the females numbering 74, were arrested within the period under review.

Within the same period, seizures included cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa, methamphetamine (mkpuru mmiri), tramadol, and other drugs with a total weight of two thousand and seventy-eight kilograms (2,078 kilograms).

‘We’ve made some arrests that are worthy of note, like the one of December 11, 2025, where we busted an illegal production site for cough syrup with codeine in Umuokapara, Arungwa, with a total of 9,915 bottles of illegally manufactured bottles of codeine cough syrup weighing 1.15 tonnes.

Chilee explained that the command currently has in its custody Godwin Obiorah, a septuagenarian, and Godwin Orji, an octogenarian, who were arrested in the case of dealing in illicit drugs.

‘As for the other 75-year-old man, the septuagenarian Godwin Obiorah, he was arrested on June 19, 2026, by officers of the NDLEA based on intelligence in Umuahia with 4.6 kilograms of assorted psychotropic substances, which include Diazepam and Tramadol. He’s here with us, and sooner we’ll prosecute him.

‘As for Godfrey Orji, the octogenarian, he is currently 84 years old. He was arrested on June 18, 2026 by the vigilante group that are in charge of St Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia.

‘They arrested Emmanuel Peters, a 15-year-old, SS2 student, with cannabis sativa, which he distributes to his fellow students. When he was arrested, he pointed fingers at Godfrey Orji as his supplier.

‘They arrested Orji with the student, took them to the police, and the police brought them to the NDLEA. That was how we got Orji. Recall that the young man is a minor and he’s in school.

‘We can’t stop him from his education. What we did on him was intervention with the parents; got to the school and planned a date with the school to often come and sensitise them, because most of them are affected. He will be coming intermittently with his mother for counselling, while Orji is still in detention and awaiting prosecution.’

On prosecution and conviction, Chilee said that within the period under review, the command filed 104 fresh charges at the Federal High Court, Umuahia Division, and recorded 95 convictions and currently has 23 pending criminal cases.

Explaining the reason behind successful conviction, Chilee said, ‘We’ve left reactive operations for proactive operations. We criminalise the dealers, not the users. Before we get you and take you to court, we must have gathered all necessary information to nail the suspect, not just to make unnecessary arrests. When we arrest them with these available pieces of evidence, it’s difficult for anybody to escape.’

Speaking on counselling, treatment and rehabilitation, Chilee said that the NDLEA counselled a total of 166 clients, with 155 male and 11 female.

He also stated that they have discharged 120 clients and currently have about 48 people in admission, which include 44 males and four females.

He added that within the period under review, the NDLEA Abia State command has received several awards for their efforts towards fighting drugs, including a ‘commendation award in rehabilitation, counselling and treatment’, while on an individual level, Ikechukwu Akunne, the Command’s Public Relations Officer got a ‘merit/commendation award in recognition of his outstanding dedication and hard work’.

Chilee said that despite all the challenges that the Abia State government under Governor Alex Otti has been of tremendous help to the command, especially in the area of logistics, as it has provided them with 2 Toyota Hiluxes, a Toyota Sienna and an IVM van and equally inspected their bad vehicles to help them out and put them in good shape.

He also said that Governor Alex Otti has approved land in Umuahia for the construction of the Command’s head office.

Cape Verde have written one of the greatest underdog stories in FIFA World Cup history, becoming the smallest nation by population ever to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.

The Atlantic island nation secured a place in the Round of 32 of the FIFA 2026 World Cup after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston, finishing second in Group H behind Spain and ahead of Uruguay.

With a population estimated between 525,000 and 611,000, Cape Verde became the smallest country by population to reach the World Cup knockout rounds. They are also the first tournament debutants to advance beyond the group stage since Slovakia and Paraguay did so in 2010.

Their reward is a blockbuster last-32 showdown against defending champions Argentina in Miami on July 3.

Emotional scenes as qualification confirmed

The historic achievement sparked emotional celebrations after the final whistle, with Cape Verde’s players gathering around a mobile phone on the pitch to watch the closing moments of Spain’s victory over Uruguay, which confirmed their qualification.

Three draws that changed history

Cape Verde’s remarkable campaign began with a stunning 0-0 draw against former world champions Spain, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha producing a man-of-the-match display. They followed that with an impressive 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay before sealing qualification with another resilient goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.

Despite failing to win a match, Bubista’s side progressed unbeaten with three draws, demonstrating remarkable defensive discipline and resilience throughout the group stage.

‘It’s incredible what they are doing. It wasn’t just one game against Spain; it is three games at the highest level,’ Spain World Cup winner Juan Mata said on ITV.

‘We are small, but we have big hearts’

Vozinha, who spent last season with Portuguese second-tier club Chaves, has been the cornerstone of Cape Verde’s historic run.

‘We are small, but we have big hearts and we are fighters,’ the 40-year-old goalkeeper said.

Head coach Bubista, draped in Cape Verde’s flag after qualification was confirmed, praised his team’s belief and determination.

‘The team was very eager to show this to the whole world,’ Bubista said.

‘We are proud of having arrived at this stage. We have shown that we are a small country, but that we fight for the things that we want to achieve.’

Argentina await in the Round of 32

From a nation made up of 10 islands off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde have emerged as one of the surprise packages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their reward is a daunting meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, but after defying expectations to become the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, few will be willing to write them off.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious awards programmes for strategic communications.

The Bank received an Award of Excellence in Special and Experiential Events category for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria and an Award of Merit in the Social Media category for its Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns, reaffirming Afreximbank’s commitment to delivering impactful communications that advance its mandate of promoting trade, investment and industrialisation across Africa and the Caribbean.

The Award of Excellence for IATF2025 recognises the successful communications and stakeholder engagement programme delivered around the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, Africa’s premier trade and investment event. IATF2025 brought together governments, businesses, investors, buyers, sellers and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond, creating a platform for trade and investment opportunities while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The communications campaign played a pivotal role in driving global awareness, stakeholder participation, media visibility and engagement before, during and after the event, while showcasing the scale, ambition and dynamism of African enterprise and reinforcing a positive narrative about Africa’s capacity to trade, industrialise and compete on the global stage. Over 120,000 delegates attended IATF2025 in person and virtually, with deals worth over US$50 billion recorded.

The Award of Merit for Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns recognises the Bank’s strategic use of digital platforms to engage stakeholders, amplify its developmental impact and elevate conversations around trade, industrialisation, economic integration and investment opportunities across Africa and the Caribbean. Through a combination of compelling storytelling, thought leadership content, executive advocacy, multimedia production and real-time event coverage, Afreximbank’s social media platforms have continued to expand their reach and influence among policymakers, businesses, investors, development partners and the wider public.

Among these platforms is the Afreximbank TV, a digital TV channel that is wholly owned and managed by Afreximbank, whose fifth edition was celebrated with dedicated coverage of IATF2025, providing live coverage of the activities to both pan African and global audiences.

Anne Ezeh, director and Global head, Communications and Events at Afreximbank commented: ‘We are delighted to receive these two awards, which attest to the expertise, creativity and efficiency of Afreximbank’s communications. As a pan African multilateral financial institution, we see storytelling as a powerful tool for advancing our mission, ensuring our initiatives, events, programmes and key announcements not only inform, but also inspire confidence, deepen engagement and amplify Africa’s transformation. These awards reinforce our resolve to continue delivering world-class communications that elevate African voices and projects a bold and authoritative narrative of the continent.’

Ezeh added that through innovative storytelling, digital engagement and integrated campaigns, the Bank will continue to amplify the impact of its programmes and partnerships to project a more authentic narrative of Africa, one defined by opportunity, innovation, resilience and growing influence in the global economy.

For more than five decades, the IABC Gold Quill Awards have recognised excellence in strategic communications globally, celebrating programmes and campaigns that demonstrate measurable impact, innovation, creativity and outstanding execution. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the communications profession, the awards are judged through a rigorous and independent evaluation process conducted by experienced communication leaders from around the world.

Twenty-four Nigerian universities have secured spots in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. This achievement reflects the country’s expanding presence in global higher education, despite persistent funding and infrastructure challenges across the tertiary sector.

The progressive milestone reinforces Nigeria’s growing influence, with the country securing the highest representation of any nation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dominance of federal institutions

The latest rankings place the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s premier institutions, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the top-performing universities.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 federal, three state and four private universities. This distribution underscores the increasing competitiveness of the country’s tertiary education sector across core metrics, including teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Growth of specialised and state universities

The rankings reflect expanding recognition for specialised institutions, with several federal universities of technology and agriculture earning positions. Concurrently, state-owned universities continue to strengthen their global standing through improved academic performance and research output.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa described the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s higher education sector. He noted that it reflects the positive outcomes of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s universities.

Catalysts for national innovation

Alausa emphasised that the growing international recognition of Nigerian institutions underscores the federal government’s commitment to transforming tertiary education. The administration aims to position universities as catalysts for innovation, research, human capital development and sustainable national growth.

Academic analysts state that this global recognition will elevate the international profile of Nigerian universities. The visibility is expected to enhance opportunities for global collaborations, attract international research funding and encourage sustained institutional investment.

Featured institutions in 2026 rankings

The 24 featured Nigerian institutions include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Babcock University, and Delta State University, Abraka.

The remaining institutions completing the contingent are Ekiti State University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Calabar, and University of Port Harcourt.

Top African musicians, filmmakers, music executives, investors, policymakers and creative entrepreneurs have called for stronger collaboration among African countries, more investment in the creative sector and greater cultural exchange to help Africa build a stronger and globally competitive creative industry.

The call was made at the Africa Music Business Conference recently, organised by the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in partnership with the African Union and key Moroccan partners including the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, (AMCI), Royal Air Maroc, BigTime Morocco, Afrobian and Marriott Casablanca.

Hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, the conference brought together musicians, producers, filmmakers, investors, policymakers, entertainment executives, creative entrepreneurs and young talents from across Africa and beyond to discuss the future of Africa’s music and creative industries.

Among those who attended were Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Hossad, Moroccan Afrobian star and AFRIMA Ambassador for Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan, Moroccan rapper Khtek, respected Moroccan producer Bayadis, AFRIMA Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Mike Strano, rapper Young Loun, rapper Real Khalid, artiste manager Tayze, Moroccan singer Inkonnu, Nigerian filmmaker and entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan, Chinese investors interested in Africa’s creative industry, and several other stakeholders. Popular Moroccan DJ Soufiane entertained guests with energetic performances throughout the conference.

The conference hosted by Moroccan On-Air Personality, Latis, featured two panel discussions on how the creative industry can promote African unity and the growing influence of Moroccan artists across North Africa and the rest of the continent. The speakers agreed that Africa’s creative industry can only reach its full potential if artists, investors, governments and creative organisations work together more closely.

The experienced panel speakers encouraged African creatives to build stronger partnerships within the continent before looking outside Africa for opportunities. According to them Africa already has the talent, culture and creativity needed to compete with the rest of the world.

Speaking at the conference, AFRIMA Ambassador for Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan shared how AFRIMA changed his career.

‘I was the first Moroccan and one of the first North African artists to submit my music to AFRIMA. At the time, I never imagined how much that decision would change my life. AFRIMA opened the door for me to connect with the rest of Africa. It introduced my music to new audiences and gave me opportunities to work with people I might never have met,’ he said.

Soultan described AFRIMA as an important bridge between North Africa and the rest of the continent.

‘Today, AFRIMA connects artists from every part of Africa and even the African diaspora. Many artists from West, East and Southern Africa want to enter the North African market but don’t know how to begin. At the same time, many North African artists want to work with musicians from other African countries. AFRIMA makes those connections possible.

‘Every year we receive more entries from North Africa, but we want to see even more. We want more artists, producers and creative entrepreneurs from Morocco and the entire region to work with the rest of Africa. Some of the best collaborations we have seen have involved North African artists working with musicians from other regions. We need many more partnerships like that.’

Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan urged young African creatives to understand that success comes through hard work and strong relationships.

‘Whatever area of the creative industry you choose, always give it your best. But talent alone is not enough. Build relationships because nobody succeeds alone. Where I come from, we say one tree cannot make a forest. Build the right connections, create the right platforms and continue learning from others. Many of the opportunities we enjoy today came through relationships that were built many years ago,’ Afolayan said.

He praised AFRIMA, Africa’s global music award platform, for going beyond giving awards.

‘AFRIMA is doing much more than celebrating talented people. It has become a platform where musicians, filmmakers, investors, entrepreneurs and government officials meet, share ideas and build businesses together. That is exactly what Africa needs if we want to build a strong creative economy.’

Moroccan rap star Khtek also encouraged African musicians to use AFRIMA to build stronger partnerships across the continent, also insisting that Morocco has the potential to become one of Africa’s major creative centres.

‘We have already seen how collaborations between North African artists and musicians from other parts of Africa have created powerful cultural connections. Now we need to do even more. We need more collaborations, more joint projects and more opportunities that will help African artists grow together,’ she said.

‘Imagine artists from every region of Africa coming to Morocco to make music, exchange ideas and build lasting friendships. That is how we remove barriers. That is how we make African music stronger. AFRIMA gives us that opportunity, and we should all take advantage of it.’

AFRIMA Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Mike Strano, said Africa’s music industry is growing rapidly and attracting global attention.

‘The African music industry has never received this level of international recognition. But our biggest opportunity is still within Africa. Imagine what can happen when artists from Lagos, Nairobi, Casablanca, Kigali, Dakar and Johannesburg work together, not just creatively but also commercially. That is the kind of music industry AFRIMA is building,’ he said.

‘This conference shows that Africa’s creative economy is no longer just about potential. Investors are here. Governments are paying attention. Artists are ready to work together. Our next task is to build strong systems that will allow African talents to succeed from within the continent before taking their creativity to the rest of the world.’

In the build-up to the 10th AFRIMA Awards, the Music Business Conference in Casablanca forms part of the series of stakeholder engagement campaigns across Africa and the diaspora running up to the week-long Main Awards programmes. , The Road to 10th AFRIMA campaign had earlier in this year held successful activations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (January 28) and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (March 17).

AFRIMA, the longest-running African music awards platform, was founded in 2014 by the International Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC). The award ceremony is broadcast to millions of people in more than 84 countries across the world.

Every government has two responsibilities. The first is to govern. The second is to help citizens understand what it is doing and why it is doing it. Success in the first does not automatically guarantee success in the second.

Examples abound of governments that implemented difficult reforms but failed to carry the public along. There are also those who communicated difficult realities so effectively that even people who disagreed with specific policies understood the rationale behind them.

The difference was not always the quality of policy. More often than many governments realise or acknowledge, it was the quality of communication. That distinction matters more today than at any other time in recent history.

Public opinion is no longer shaped primarily by official statements or newspaper headlines. It is shaped minute by minute across television, radio, online publications, podcasts, WhatsApp groups, X, Facebook, TikTok and countless other platforms where competing narratives constantly vie for attention. In this environment, communication is not a support function of governance; it is an instrument of governance.

Yet governments frequently misunderstand the role of spokespersons. Many assume that their primary responsibility is to respond to critics, defend decisions, and win arguments. The purpose of strategic communication is not to make governments look good. It is to help citizens understand the government well enough to judge it fairly. That requires five disciplines: credibility, empathy, clarity, consistency and initiative.

Recent public communication from Nigeria’s presidency provides a useful case study-not because this administration is uniquely challenged, but because the communication dilemmas it illustrates confront governments everywhere. The lessons, therefore, extend beyond one administration or spokesperson.

Credibility: The messenger matters

One of the oldest principles of communication is that audiences evaluate both the message and the messenger.

Credibility and trust accumulate over time, and they travel with the messenger. Individuals who once took strong public positions against an administration may later decide to support it. Democracies allow such evolution. But strategic communication must also reckon with how audiences receive that transition. Whether fairly or unfairly, communicators whose previous public positions sharply contrast with their current advocacy often face a higher burden of persuasion.

That burden is not only about political history. It can be just as much about fit. A technically accurate message delivered by someone the audience struggles to relate to may prove less persuasive than the same message delivered by one they connect with more easily. This is not necessarily a judgment on the individual. It is simply how public perception works.

Every government message is filtered through public perceptions of the messenger. The messenger can strengthen the message. The messenger can also become the story. When that happens, attention shifts away from policy and towards personality-a costly trade-off in public communication. Strategic communication, therefore, pays careful attention not only to what is said, but also to who says it, when it is said, and how it is said.

Empathy before explanation

Perhaps the greatest challenge facing any government implementing difficult economic reforms is public frustration.

When citizens experience rising prices, declining purchasing power or prolonged uncertainty, they evaluate government communication through the lens of their own lived experience. People first want to know that their reality is understood.

In a recent television interview, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s Presidency made remarks suggesting that widespread reports of hunger in the country may be exaggerated because members of his own domestic staff appeared to be coping well.

Whether the remarks were intended to reassure, explain or make a different point matters less than how they were received. Communication is judged not by what is intended, but by what is understood. Empathy, therefore, is not a public relations tactic; it is a strategic necessity.

Clarity: Anticipating interpretation

Strategic communicators ask themselves one question before they speak: How will this be understood?

Audiences interpret messages through personal experience, emotion and existing beliefs. The responsibility of strategic communication is not merely to craft the intended message but to anticipate the most likely interpretation.

In that same interview, the remark by the government spokesperson that some ministers have used personal resources to support the running of their ministries may have been intended to demonstrate commitment. Yet some listeners may reasonably conclude that ministries are operating under constraints inconsistent with public expectations. Others may ask questions about institutional funding arrangements.

Effective communication anticipates alternative readings because public interpretation-not private intention-is what ultimately shapes perception. Strategic communication is rarely undermined by one isolated incident. More often, it is weakened incrementally when avoidable controversies eclipse opportunities to explain policy.

Consistency: One Voice, one narrative

Clarity within a single statement is not enough if the government’s public voices are not reinforcing a coherent narrative.

When official spokespersons, political allies and informal advocates communicate with different emphases, different tones or different priorities, audiences often notice the inconsistencies before they appreciate the substance.

Consistency does not require identical language. It requires disciplined alignment around the same underlying reality. This is where credibility and consistency reinforce one another. Strategic communication succeeds not because every communicator speaks in the same way, but because every communicator advances the same strategic objective.

Initiative: Leading the conversation

Governments often communicate reactively. By the time they respond, they are already operating within someone else’s frame.

Strategic communication works differently. It explains difficult decisions before misunderstanding develops. It anticipates public concerns before they become controversial. It tells the story of policy impact before critics define that story themselves.

Every unnecessary communication controversy carries an opportunity cost. Time that should be spent explaining reforms is diverted into clarifying remarks. Political capital that could have strengthened public understanding is instead consumed managing headlines. The cost is rarely measured, but it is real. Narrative leadership is almost always more effective than perpetual rebuttal.

Communication is not propaganda

None of this argues for polished messaging at the expense of honesty. Propaganda seeks unquestioning acceptance. Strategic communication seeks informed understanding. The distinction matters.

Strategic communication also requires the humility to recognise that expertise does not remove the obligation to explain. Governments will almost always understand their policies more deeply than the public does. That is natural. But the burden of explanation rests with those exercising authority, not with citizens trying to make sense of its consequences.

Effective governments acknowledge challenges honestly while explaining why difficult decisions are necessary. They communicate with confidence, but also with humility, recognising that public confidence is built through sustained explanation rather than repeated assertion.

Beyond one administration

Although these observations arise from recent public communication, the principles extend well beyond the present administration.

Every government eventually encounters periods when reforms are unpopular, expectations are high and public patience is limited. Those are precisely the moments when strategic communication becomes most valuable.

Communication cannot compensate for poor governance, and no amount of storytelling can substitute for sound policy. But poor communication can undermine public understanding of even well-intentioned reforms, weaken stakeholder confidence and leave a vacuum that misinformation is often eager to fill.

A final thought

The most effective spokespersons rarely become the centre of attention. Their success lies in keeping the public conversation focused where it belongs: on the decisions being made, the reasons behind them and their impact on citizens.

Governments should devote as much attention to how policies are explained as they do to how they are designed. Policy and communication are not competing priorities. One shapes decisions; the other shapes how those decisions are understood, and that is often the bridge between intention and legitimacy.

Today, leaders do not communicate because they govern; they govern through communication. Strategic communication should never be viewed as an afterthought or a defensive exercise. At its best, it is a public service-one that helps citizens make informed judgements, strengthens democratic accountability and enables governments to lead with greater clarity, credibility and confidence.

Medical experts have warned Nigerians against the prevalent practice of self-medication. They described it as a major threat to liver health and stressed the need for early diagnosis and preventive testing to curb liver-related diseases.

The experts gave the warning during a webinar titled, ‘The Hidden Costs of Self-Medication on Liver Health’ organized by SYNLAB Nigeria as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at promoting health awareness and encouraging preventive healthcare.

Speaking during the webinar, Ganiyat Kikelomo Oyeleke, a consultant Physician, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist explained that the liver performs several vital functions, including detoxification and metabolism, making it particularly vulnerable to damage caused by the inappropriate use of medications.

According to her, socioeconomic challenges, easy access to over-the-counter drugs, and cultural beliefs have contributed to the widespread practice of self-medication among Nigerians.

She noted that the misuse of common medications such as painkillers, antibiotics, and herbal supplements can result in drug-induced liver injury, especially when taken in excessive doses or combined with alcohol and other medications.

Oyeleke also cautioned against the indiscriminate use of herbal remedies, stressing that ‘natural’ does not always mean safe. She added that liver diseases often progress silently and may not present symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.

She advised Nigerians to avoid unnecessary self-medication, limit alcohol consumption, maintain healthy lifestyles, receive hepatitis vaccinations where appropriate, and seek professional medical attention whenever symptoms persist.

Also speaking, Olusola Omoyele, a consultant Chemical Pathologist, highlighted the importance of preventive testing and early diagnosis in protecting liver health. She explained that routine liver function tests and other screening procedures can help detect abnormalities early, thereby improving treatment outcomes.

Omoyele noted that individuals who frequently self-medicate, consume herbal remedies, abuse alcohol, or have underlying health conditions are particularly at risk and should undergo regular screening. She emphasised that normal liver function test results do not necessarily rule out liver disease, underscoring the importance of comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals.

The medical experts advised caution in the use of herbal products and reiterated the need for proper diagnosis before commencing any form of treatment. They also stressed that early

Nigeria has moved a step closer to ending nearly six decades of a centrally controlled policing system following the passage of the State Police constitutional amendment bill by the National Assembly.

The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday, following its earlier passage by the House of Representatives, marking what many have described as one of the country’s most significant security reforms since independence. While the legislation is yet to become law, its passage opens the constitutional pathway for the establishment of state police across the federation.

The move comes amid growing concerns over rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other crimes that many stakeholders argue have exposed the limitations of a single federally controlled police force.

Why the bill matters

The existing policing structure is rooted in Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, which establishes a single Nigeria Police Force under the command of an Inspector-General of Police appointed by the President.

Although governors are constitutionally recognised as the chief security officers of their states, they do not exercise operational control over police commissioners deployed to their states, creating what critics describe as a disconnect between those responsible for security and those with the authority to direct policing operations.

Supporters of the State Police Bill argue that the centralised model has struggled to respond effectively to increasingly localised security threats because officers are often posted to communities where they have limited knowledge of the terrain, language or local dynamics.

The bill seeks to decentralise policing while maintaining national standards and federal oversight.

A dual policing system

Rather than replacing the Nigeria Police Force, the bill creates a dual policing structure.

Under the proposed arrangement, the federal police will continue to handle national security responsibilities such as terrorism, cybercrime, organised crime, protection of federal institutions and policing of the Federal Capital Territory.

State police services, on the other hand, will focus on maintaining law and order within their respective states.

Both institutions will operate simultaneously under nationally prescribed minimum policing standards coordinated by an expanded National Police Council.

Expanded role for the National Police Council

One of the most significant changes proposed by the bill is the strengthening of the National Police Council.

Beyond government officials, the council will include representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the National Human Rights Commission and traditional rulers.

The council will set national policing standards, supervise both federal and state police services, certify states before they establish police services and resolve disputes arising from policing operations.

How commissioners will be appointed

The bill provides that state police commissioners will be appointed by governors but must first receive confirmation from their respective state Houses of Assembly.

More importantly, commissioners are empowered to challenge directives they believe are unlawful by referring such orders directly to the National Police Council, whose decision will be binding.

This provision is intended to provide an institutional check against political interference in policing.

Safeguards against abuse

Perhaps the biggest concern surrounding state police has been the possibility that governors could use the force to intimidate political opponents or suppress dissent.

The bill attempts to address these fears through several safeguards.

It expressly prohibits the arrest or detention of individuals solely for criticising the government or holding opposing political views.

It also establishes an independent mechanism allowing commissioners to reject unlawful directives from governors by referring them to the National Police Council.

To reduce political manipulation, the legislation protects the tenure of both the Inspector-General of Police and state police commissioners by requiring legislative supermajorities before they can be removed from office.

The proposal also creates 37 Police Service Commissions-one federal and one in each state-to oversee recruitment, appointments and disciplinary matters.

Another safeguard requires states to meet nationally prescribed standards before establishing police services, while the use of weapons will remain subject to federal regulation, with states restricted largely to light arms for routine policing.

When can the federal government intervene?

Despite devolving policing powers to the states, the bill preserves federal authority under clearly defined circumstances.

Federal police may intervene if a state’s security situation completely collapses, if a governor formally requests assistance, or if a state’s police service becomes inoperable with the approval of the National Police Council.

The intention is to decentralise policing without weakening national security coordination.

The bill is not yet law

Although the National Assembly has passed the constitutional amendment, several important steps remain before state police become operational.

The amendment must first be approved by at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, as required for constitutional alterations.

It must then receive presidential assent.

Following that, the National Assembly will have to enact a comprehensive State Police Act covering funding arrangements, training standards and operational coordination between federal and state police services.

Individual states will also be required to pass their own laws establishing state police institutions and service commissions before recruitment can begin.

Finally, the National Police Council must certify that each participating state has met the required standards before officers can be deployed.

The road ahead

The passage of the State Police Bill represents one of Nigeria’s most ambitious attempts to reform its security architecture since the return to democratic rule.

Supporters believe decentralising policing will improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable faster responses to local security challenges.

However, analysts caution that the success of the reform will ultimately depend on adequate funding, professional recruitment, effective oversight and strict adherence to the safeguards designed to prevent political abuse.

For now, the constitutional door has been opened. Whether state police become a transformative security solution or another institutional experiment will depend on how faithfully the remaining legal, political and operational processes are implemented.

When the economy turns, most companies retreat. They cut budgets, go quiet, and wait for the storm to pass. It feels like the responsible thing to do. But the brands that come out of a downturn stronger are the ones that did the opposite, and history keeps proving this point.

During the 2008 financial crisis, companies that maintained or grew their marketing spend saw revenue increase by an average of 3.5 times compared to those that cut back, according to McKinsey. A study by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising found that brands which went dark during a recession took an average of two years to recover their market share.

And research by Kantar shows that a brand which loses 1 point of awareness during a downturn needs to spend roughly 7 times more to recover it later. These are not hypothetical numbers. They represent real money, real customers, and real trust that was lost and had to be rebuilt at enormous cost.

The brands that come out of a downturn stronger are the ones that showed up when everyone else went quiet.

So what, exactly, do these brands do? Here is what separates the ones that endure from the ones that merely survive.

They protect the relationship, not just the margin

Strong brands understand that customers have a memory. When times are hard, people notice who shows up for them and who disappears. The brands that stay present, through communication, through value, through honest acknowledgement of what people are going through, build a depth of loyalty that no campaign can buy afterwards. Cuts that protect short-term margins but break long-term trust are not savings. They are debts with interest.

They get clearer, not quieter

Uncertainty makes people crave clarity. Strong brands lean into this. They simplify their message, strip away the noise, and say something true and useful. They do not overcomplicate or over-promise. They speak directly to what their customers need right now, not what the brand wishes they needed. This kind of honesty builds credibility at a time when credibility is everything.

They invest in trust instead of transactions

When budgets are tight, the instinct is to chase conversion. Every pound spent must visibly produce a sale. But strong brands resist this. They know that trust compounds over time, and that the brands which invest in being known, liked, and believed during a downturn are the ones customers choose first when confidence returns. They balance the short-term need to sell with the long-term need to matter.

They make decisions from values, not fear

This is perhaps the most revealing difference. A brand under pressure will show you who it really is. The ones that cut corners, change their pricing without explanation, or go silent on their commitments, people remember. The brands that hold their values even when it costs something send a signal that no advertising can replicate. They say: we are who we said we were, even now. That is a brand people come back to.

They treat change as a signal, not a threat

Every period of uncertainty shifts something in consumer behaviour. Strong brands pay attention. They look at what people value now, what they are anxious about, and what they need that they are not getting. Then they adapt, not by abandoning what they stand for, but by expressing it in ways that meet the moment. They see the shift before their competitors do, and they move with it.

There is no secret formula here. What strong brands do during uncertainty is, at its core, what all good brands should do all the time: show up with honesty, invest in relationships, and stay true to what they believe in. The difference is that uncertainty removes every comfortable excuse not to. The brands that rise are simply the ones that choose to keep going.