Category: Business Day

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner has ruled himself out of the race to finish the 2025 season as the ATP World No. 1, admitting that overtaking Carlos Alcaraz is no longer within his control.

The 24-year-old Italian tennis star, who held the top spot for 65 weeks before being dethroned by Alcaraz after the US Open final loss in September, said his focus has shifted to preparing for next year.

‘It’s impossible to finish the year at No. 1,’ Sinner told reporters ahead of his Paris Masters opener. ‘Honestly, I’m not thinking about that right now. It’s going to be a goal for next year.’

Despite trailing Alcaraz by fewer than 1,000 points, Sinner believes the odds are stacked against him. The Italian could reclaim top spot by winning in Paris Masters, and Alcaraz fails to reach the semi-finals, but he would still need to defend 1,500 points at the ATP Finals in Turin, where he triumphed last year.

‘This year it’s not in my hands,’ Sinner admitted.

Sinner arrives in Paris Masters in strong form after winning the Vienna Open, though the packed schedule has taken a physical toll. He retired with cramps at the Shanghai Masters earlier this month and later battled thigh discomfort in Vienna.

‘It was not the same issue at all in Vienna,’ Sinner explained. ‘The final was very physical. It can happen, but I feel good now, a bit tired, of course, after five matches in a row, but I’m recovering better each day.’

The Italian begins his Paris Masters campaign against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs, knowing that while the year-end No. 1 may be out of reach, momentum heading into 2026 remains crucial.

The House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security has disclosed that it received threats from terrorist groups to bomb the National Assembly complex.

Garba Muhammad, chairman of the committee, made the revelation on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate for the National Assembly.

Muhammad said the Parliament had faced rising security challenges in recent months, including theft, vandalism, and unauthorised entry by individuals posing as visitors or using fake identity cards.

He warned that the threats, if not addressed urgently, could disrupt legislative activities and undermine national stability.

‘The National Assembly is going through a lot of security challenges; we have experienced car thefts, motorcycle thefts, vandalism, fake identity cards, and unwanted visitors accessing the National Assembly without documentation,’ Muhammad said.

‘We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex and threats from protesters to lock up the Assembly. Legislators are also exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access into their offices without formal appointments’, he added.

He expressed concern that the ongoing security lapses could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s democratic process if not urgently addressed.

‘It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, they will truncate legislative activities in the National Assembly. And if activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all. That will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of our nation,’ he cautioned.

The proposed bill (HB 1632) seeks to establish the Legislative Security Directorate to professionalise and coordinate all security operations within the National Assembly complex. It will also set qualifications and conditions of service for the Sergeant-at-Arms and other personnel under the Directorate. According to Muhammad, the Directorate would adopt global best practices in parliamentary security management to ensure a balance between accessibility and safety.

‘Effective security management needs a total approach that requires various elements to be integrated together to secure our environment for legislative procedures to function effectively and maximally,’ he explained.

‘This bill is very important because it seeks to address all the challenges I mentioned and adopt world best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture’, he added.

While acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining public accessibility to the legislature without compromising safety, the lawmaker stressed the need for robust yet inclusive security reforms. ‘The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised. Parliament has to remain accessible to the public to uphold democratic values, but this makes it difficult to implement stringent security measures without affecting others’ interests,’ he said.

He urged State Houses of Assembly across the country to adopt similar measures to strengthen internal security in their legislative chambers.

‘I also want to admonish our State Houses of Assembly to imbibe the same,’ Muhammad added, wishing participants a ‘peaceful and fruitful hearing that will ultimately bring a turnaround in National Assembly security architecture.’

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has announced the completion of a life-cycle social protection framework, a comprehensive system designed to provide continuous welfare support from pregnancy through old age, with 5,740 elderly persons set to benefit across the state.

Namadi made this known on Tuesday at the Dutse Local Government Secretariat during the launch of the Cash-Out Phase of the Jigawa State Old Age Social Protection Scheme.

He described the initiative as a milestone in his administration’s drive to build an inclusive and compassionate society, saying it reflects the completion of Jigawa’s life-cycle approach to social protection interventions.

‘This programme represents the completion of our life-cycle approach to social protection interventions in Jigawa State, considering the already ongoing initiatives targeting pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children under five,’ the governor said.

According to him, the framework ensures that no segment of society is left behind, providing programmes that promote dignity, equity, and access to essential services, particularly for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

‘Across the entire life-cycle, we now have programmes that provide continuous support from pregnancy, childhood, adolescence, youth, and now, old age,’ he said. ‘Moreover, these interventions are implemented in an inclusive manner, in addition to our flagship monthly social security scheme for persons with disabilities. This aligns with the Jigawa State Social Protection Policy and Law, both of which emphasise equity, dignity, and access to essential services for vulnerable groups.’

The newly launched Old Age Support Scheme offers monthly cash transfers, free healthcare services, and long-term social care for elderly citizens across the state. Each of the 287 political wards will have 20 beneficiaries, making a total of 5,740 elderly persons in the first phase.

Under the arrangement, the Jigawa State Rehabilitation Board will oversee the cash transfer component, while healthcare services will be managed by the Jigawa State Contributory Health Insurance Management Agency (JICHMA). The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development will coordinate long-term care, including home visits, counselling, and psychosocial support to promote healthy and active ageing. Namadi noted that the intervention builds on existing welfare programmes, including the Maternal Cash Transfer Scheme, which was recently expanded from ?5,000 to ?7,000 monthly and from 20 to 30 beneficiaries per ward. He also announced the relaunch of the Monthly Social Security Scheme for Persons with Disabilities, following an amendment to its enabling law. The update increases the number of beneficiaries per local government from 150 to 200 and raises the monthly payment from ?7,000 to ?10,000. Enrollment of new beneficiaries is ongoing to meet the new target of 5,200 people across the state.

‘All these interventions are directly aligned with our 12-Point Agenda, particularly the pillar on Social Welfare and Inclusive Development, which focuses on improving the lives of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities,’ the governor said.

He further disclosed that the government has completed data collection on orphans and orphanages in preparation for a new Orphans Welfare Programme aimed at supporting children in vulnerable conditions.

Namadi urged community leaders and families to show greater care and respect for the elderly, describing them as ‘the pillars upon which our society was built.’

‘Together, we will continue to make Jigawa a model for inclusive, people-centred governance in Nigeria,’ he added.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dissociated itself from the reported restriction of students at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, to one course in the forthcoming 2025/2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The examination body clarified that it had no hand in the school’s internal course placement policies and urged the public to disregard any claims linking it to the development.

The council in a statement signed by Moyosola Adeshina, Ag. Head of public affairs at WAEC, Yaba-Lagos on Tuesday, October 28, said it is not responsible for such directives.

‘WAEC wishes to categorically distance itself from this unfounded assumption and the information making the rounds on the said subject. WAEC hereby affirms that the council did not issue any such directive(s) nor restrict the choice of students to offer any particular subject(s) for WASSCE (SC) 2026 as alleged.

‘We wish to point out to all stakeholders and the general public that the development and regulation of curricula in Nigeria is within the purview of the Federal Government of Nigeria. WAEC, as an examination body, only comes in to implement Government policies via assessment,’ the statement read in part.

The statement emphasised that as a law-abiding organisation, WAEC operates strictly within the established legal and operational frameworks of its host country.

‘The introduction or modification of any curriculum in Nigeria is a function of the Federal Government. We emphasise that changes in the curriculum are not implemented arbitrarily by the Council, but by following due process as mandated by the federal government.

‘Schools, stakeholders, and the general public are hereby advised to disregard the misleading reports and rely solely on official communications from the council for accurate information regarding examination guidelines for WASSCE (SC) 2026,’ the council stated.

WAEC further assured its stakeholders that the council remains dedicated to professionalism and excellence in the service of the Nigerian child.

‘The council guarantees that all candidates participating in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026 will be afforded a fair opportunity for assessment, ensuring that no candidate is disenfranchised,’ WAEC noted.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have assured Nigerians of their readiness for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship Election, promising a credible, peaceful, and secure process.

Speaking at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja on Tuesday, Joash Ojo Amupitan, chairman INEC, said the Commission was fully prepared for the exercise and committed to upholding the integrity of the ballot.

‘It is an honour to co-chair this assembly today, my maiden edition, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,’ Amupitan said.

‘For INEC, this represents a new chapter, and I wish to reiterate my personal commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people.’

The INEC boss disclosed that following a week-long readiness assessment across Anambra State, the Commission was confident of its preparedness.

‘We recently conducted a mock accreditation exercise in 12 selected polling units in six local government areas using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Although we encountered some network challenges, efforts are being made to ensure a seamless election on 8th November,’ he stated.

According to him, INEC will deploy 24,000 personnel for the exercise, with elections holding in 5,718 of the 5,720 polling units, as two have no registered voters. Results, he said, will be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government area centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.

Amupitan also announced an extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised. ‘Following a report that only 63.9% of registered voters had collected their PVCs, the Commission met yesterday and decided to extend the ongoing collection exercise in Anambra State from Wednesday, 29th October to Sunday, 2nd November 2025,’ he said.

‘Our mandate is to conduct credible elections, and we are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised.’

The INEC Chairman further commended the security agencies for their role in ensuring election safety and logistics coordination, noting that synergy among all stakeholders was crucial. ‘The security agencies have played a crucial role in securing the environment, without which the conduct of elections would be impossible in certain locations,’ he said.

‘To ensure every logistical, security, and operational detail for the successful election in Anambra is covered, a high-level ICCES meeting was held in the state itself. Representatives of the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military collectively assured readiness with heavy deployments and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election,’ Amupitan added.

On logistics, he revealed that INEC had concluded arrangements with major transport unions for material and personnel movement. ‘We have hired 200 buses and 83 boats through the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN) to ensure seamless transportation,’ he stated.

Amupitan also issued a stern warning against vote buying, saying, ‘Any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election must be resisted and curtailed. We must join hands to combat the menace of vote buying. The Commission is pleased with our collaboration with law enforcement agencies, especially the anti-graft agencies, to stop vote buyers from contaminating our electoral process.’

He urged all stakeholders to remain united, adding, ‘Together, let us combat vote buying, uphold the values of democracy and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections. The path ahead may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.’

Representing Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the ONSA, assured that robust security measures were already in place to secure the electoral process.

‘The Office of the National Security Adviser remains fully committed to fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on the strategic mobilization of security forces during the electoral period,’ Abdullahi said.

‘This commitment is essential to ensuring the highest level of safety and security.’

He explained that security agencies had put in place ‘enhanced surveillance, deployment of sufficient personnel, and improved intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.’

According to him, the ONSA was also engaging political party leaders and stakeholders to discourage violence and promote peace.

‘We are proactively engaging with political party leaders and local stakeholders to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in our elections. All participating political parties and their candidates must advocate for peace and encourage their supporters to conduct themselves in a manner that honours the integrity of our electoral system,’ he said. Abdullahi stressed that ‘any form of violence during the elections will be met with a strong, uncompromising response,’ adding that the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead agency for election security, along with other security agencies, stands prepared and resolute to maintain order during and after the polls.

‘We call upon all citizens to collaborate and commit to a peaceful electoral process that reflects our shared values and aspirations,’ he concluded.

The ICCES meeting brought together heads of security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies, alongside INEC officials, to fine-tune preparations for the Anambra election – which will serve as a major test of Nigeria’s electoral and security coordination under the new INEC leadership.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Oyo State Police Command have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration for improved security across the State, especially as the state anticipates a vibrant festive season and increased tourist activity.

This renewed partnership followed a courtesy visit by Wasiu Olatunbosun, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism to Femi Haruna, Oyo State Commissioner of Police.

During the meeting, discussions centred on the critical role of security in creating a conducive environment for social and economic development, particularly within Oyo State’s fast-growing entertainment and tourism sectors.

Olatunbosun expressed appreciation for the Police Command’s ‘steadfast dedication to maintaining peace and stability,’ noting that these efforts are instrumental in positioning Oyo State as a leading destination for tourism and investment. He added that upcoming events including the Ember Month celebrations and other major programmes planned for the new year are expected to attract large numbers of visitors, boosting hospitality businesses and driving significant economic activity through sightseeing and cultural experiences.

Responding, Haruna assured the Commissioner of the Command’s unwavering readiness to ensure safety and order throughout the State. He emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration between law enforcement and cultural institutions, pledging to enhance collaboration with the Ministry to maintain robust security during the busy festive period.

The joint initiative aims not only to reinforce safety but also to harness the full potential of Oyo State’s culture and tourism sector as a driver of economic growth and community development.

The high level meeting was attended by senior officials, including Femi Haruna, (Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command), Wasiu Olatunbosun (Commissioner for Culture and Tourism), Joke Agboola (Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism); Belumi Agboola (General Manager, Council of Arts and Culture), DCPs Abiodun Onuoha, James Ekanem, ACP Martins Bamigboye, and other members of the Culture and Tourism management team.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have announced record revenue of pound 837 million for the 2024/25 season, driven by their historic UEFA Champions League triumph and strong commercial growth, marking the highest financial performance in the club’s history.

The Qatar-owned club described 2024/25 as a historic season on both sporting and economic fronts, after clinching their maiden Champions League title with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final, alongside a domestic double. According to PSG’s financial report released on Tuesday, commercial revenue reached pound 367 million, boosted by six new sponsorship deals, while matchday income climbed to pound 175 million, a record for the French champions. Total turnover rose from pound 806 million in the previous campaign. ‘This performance shows the maturity of the project since the arrival of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and confirms the strength of the club’s economic model, now among the most successful in the world,’ the club stated.

When QSI took over in 2011, PSG’s turnover stood at just pound 99 million. The latest figures cement the club’s position among football’s financial elite, trailing only Real Madrid and Manchester City in Europe’s revenue rankings.

In May, Forbes valued PSG at $4.6 billion, ranking them as the seventh most valuable football club globally, behind Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Barcelona.

PSG’s record-breaking financial year underscores both their growing global brand appeal and the sporting success that has long been the club’s ultimate ambition under Qatari ownership.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company Nigeria has relaunched its iconic ‘Share a Coke’ campaign as a way to inspire diversity and unity amongst different ethnicities across the country.

At the recent launch of the campaign in Lagos, Yusuf Murtala, senior director and head of Marketing at Coca-Cola Nigeria, said that the company is reintroducing a campaign with a global heritage and modern Nigerian pulse.

He said the relaunch of the ‘Share a Coke’ campaign is centred around uniting Nigerians and building a global heritage.

‘By combining personalisation, digital interactivity, and community storytelling, we’re creating experiences that people want to share, not just products they want to buy,’ Murtala said.

Originally launched globally more than a decade ago, ‘Share A Coke’ became a defining marketing movement by replacing the iconic Coca-Cola logo with popular first names of different ethnicities on bottles and cans.

In Africa’s most populous nation, the campaign has enjoyed enormous success, strengthening emotional ties to the brand and inspiring a culture of connection among young people. Its return in 2025 marks a renewed commitment by the beverage company to celebrate individuality while fostering a sense of togetherness across communities.

Mariam Kaham, general manager of Coca-Cola Nigeria, described the campaign as a return of the most loved campaign for Gen Z – young people between the ages of 20 – 27.

She added, ‘This campaign is more than just names on bottles. It’s about creating real connections. When you hand someone a Coke with their name on it, you’re giving them something deeply personal: their identity, their moment, and their story – and that’s what makes ‘Share A Coke’ so special.’

Kaham noted that the relaunch is reviving a moment of friendship and togetherness – core themes of the Coca-Cola bottling company.

‘Share A Coke is about joy, connection, and community. We want every bottle shared to represent a story, a smile, and a moment that brings people closer together.’

On her part, Valerie Odubogun, director of Frontline Marketing at Coca-Cola Nigeria, emphasised the importance of authentic engagement in every aspect of the campaign.

‘Our goal is to ensure that Share A Coke resonates at every touchpoint, from retail shelves to social spaces,’ she said. ‘It’s about sparking conversations, creating smiles, and celebrating the joy that comes from sharing a Coke with someone you care about.’

According to Odubogun, the campaign will continue to spotlight everyday stories of friendship, love, and celebration. It will remind Nigerians that a simple act of sharing can create moments that last.

The campaign will roll out nationwide with personalised bottle drops, interactive pop-up stations in major cities across the country.

The event featured an engaging digital activation where attendees scanned QR codes on specially marked bottles to generate personalised ‘Share A Coke Memory’ digital keepsakes.

A 183 million passwords have been leaked online after cybercriminals shared stolen data from millions of web users, including Gmail accounts, on hacker forums and messaging platforms.

This is a discovery by analysts from cybersecurity firm Synthient, who uncovered 3.5 terabytes of stolen login information being circulated on dark web marketplaces, Telegram channels, and social media sites.

Troy Hunt, founder of the cybersecurity tracking site HaveIBeenPwned.com, said the leaked email addresses and passwords are genuine. Hunt’s team collaborated with Synthient to verify the scale of the breach.

‘This event is not a single data breach but rather an aggregation of millions of stolen credentials from infostealer malware. It underscores the importance of avoiding shared credentials and maintaining strong visibility over both personal and business email security,’ said Michael Tigges, a senior security operations analyst at Huntress.

‘Prevention is the best defence,’ Tigges said. ‘Strong, unique passwords and awareness of download sources go a long way in keeping your data safe.’

The data, described as ‘stealer logs,’ was harvested using malicious software known as infostealers, which secretly record email addresses and passwords stored in browsers, and security experts warn Gmail users and others to check if their credentials have been compromised

Users can find out whether their passwords or email addresses were exposed using the HaveIBeenPwned website, which allows people to check against known data breaches safely. By entering a password into the site’s tool (without needing to provide an email), users can see if it has appeared in any leaks, including this latest trove.

The site also offers a separate checker for email addresses to see if they’ve been part of major breaches.

Cybersecurity experts advise users to change their passwords immediately, starting with their primary email accounts, as access to these can unlock other sensitive accounts like banking or social media. They also recommend enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added protection.

Experts warn against storing passwords in web browsers, since malware can easily extract them. Instead, users are encouraged to use dedicated password managers, which can securely store credentials and alert users if their information appears in future breaches.

Keeping antivirus software updated and downloading only from trusted sources can reduce the risk of infection by infostealer malware. The leak serves as a stark reminder of the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the importance of maintaining digital hygiene to protect personal and business information online.

The Lagos Area Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has deployed a task force to map out strategic operational measures aimed at tackling the buildup of water weeds, popularly known as water hyacinth, around the Ikorodu axis.

According to NIWA, the move is part of proactive efforts to prevent the menace from disrupting boat transportation and other waterway activities in the littoral communities. The NIWA team, supported by heavy-duty equipment including swamp devils, harvesters, and other relevant machinery, has commenced preliminary clearing operations around Ebute Ikorodu and Ikpakodo ferry terminal.

The exercise is intended to ensure that the waterways remain navigable and free from obstructions caused by the invasive aquatic weed. Sarat Braimah, Lagos area manager of NIWA, explained that the deployment of the task force is a preventive measure designed to guarantee the smooth movement of goods and passengers through the Ikorodu waterways, a zone that often experiences recurring infestations of water hyacinth. ‘We have carefully studied the pattern and spread of the water hyacinth phenomenon and have chosen to act swiftly to mitigate its impact before it causes disruption to boat and ferry operations,’ Braimah stated.

‘Beyond transportation, we are also mindful of the effects on local fishing activities. The earlier we address the problem, the better. My boss, the managing director of NIWA, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, has awarded the contract to tackle the menace of water hyacinth across the country to ensure the smooth passage of movement of goods and passengers. , I will personally be on the ground throughout the week to monitor the progress of the operation by the contractors,’ she added.