Category: Business Day

Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have foiled oil theft valued at over ?112 million and arrested about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists, and other criminals across the country in September, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said the military’s sustained nationwide operations have continued to yield significant results in the fight against insecurity and economic sabotage.

DHQ revealed that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered and disrupted illegal refining activities valued at ?112,175,220 in the Niger Delta region.

The seizures included 49,321 litres of stolen crude oil, 6,970 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), 1,900 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene, and 1,475 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

It added that 41 illegal refining sites were destroyed during the operations.

‘These results reflect the troops’ commitment to ending the criminal exploitation of national resources.

‘For the month of September, about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals were arrested, 39 of them surrendered, while 180 civilians were rescued’, DHQ said. The military also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during the operations, including 63 weapons, 4,475 rounds of ammunition, and 294 assorted items such as grenades, improvised explosive device materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, and vehicles.

According to the DHQ, several automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated firearms, and large quantities of live cartridges were also seized from criminal hideouts and terror enclaves across multiple theatres of operation.

In the North-East, the statement said troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified counterterrorism operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

DHQ noted that the joint ground and air operations , carried out in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Monguno, Damboa, Biu, and Kukawa local government areas of Borno; Madagali, Hong, and Mubi South in Adamawa; and Gujba in Yobe, led to the elimination of several terrorists and the destruction of their camps and logistics bases.

‘Their efforts also supported the safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities across the region,’ it added.

The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the ongoing counterinsurgency and anti-crime campaigns across all operational theatres, including Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North-Central and Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta.

It also assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain resolute in restoring peace and safeguarding the nation’s resources from criminal elements.

The Nigeria Police Force has said it is yet to be officially served with the order of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, which reportedly directed the police to suspend enforcement of the vehicle tinted-glass permit.

Benjamin Hundeyin, force Public Relations Officer, CSP, made the clarification on Saturday while reacting to widespread reports that the court had restrained the police from arresting or prosecuting motorists over tinted windows.

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Warri granted an interim order in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025: John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector-General of Police and Nigeria Police Force, directing the police to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive case.

The order effectively halted any form of enforcement or prosecution related to tinted-glass permits until the court delivers a final judgment on the matter.

However, Hundeyin, in a statement released via his official social media handle, said the police had not yet received formal service of the court order. He also faulted selective reporting of the ruling, saying Nigerians deserved full context rather than a partial interpretation of the court’s directives.

‘While we have not been officially served the court order you’re making reference to, let me, in the meantime, show point number eight (of the same order) since you left that part out and focused only on point number six. Nigerians deserve a complete picture, not a skewed one,’ the post stated.

The response came after Inibehe Effiong,

human rights lawyer, shared a portion of the ruling online, highlighting the court’s directive that the police should stop arresting or prosecuting motorists over tinted-glass permits.

The controversy follows last year’s decision by the police to resume the issuance of tinted-glass permits under the Police Specialized Services Automation Project (POSSAP) in April 2023, after the scheme was suspended in 2022 due to public complaints about extortion and abuse.

The ongoing legal challenge, filed by John Aikpokpo-Martins, questions the legality of the police’s enforcement actions and seeks judicial interpretation on whether the permit scheme aligns with the constitutional rights of motorists.

As of Saturday, the police maintained that they would await official service of the court order before taking any further steps or issuing a directive to commands nationwide.

Lagos came alive on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary, as the continent’s biggest boxing spectacle – ‘Chaos in the Ring’ – lit up the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in grand style.

The historic Independence Day boxing night, organised by Balmoral Group Promotions in partnership with Amir Khan’s AK Promotions, delivered world-class action and positioned Nigeria as a rising hub for elite boxing.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led a star-studded list of dignitaries that included Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission; Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; and Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the NSC, among others.

In the main event, American cruiserweight Brandon Glanton delivered a stunning sixth-round knockout of 2012 Olympian Marcus Browne, sealing victory in one of the night’s most gripping contests.

There was also a homecoming moment for Nigerian-born British boxer and former Commonwealth champion Dan Azeez, who thrilled fans with a fourth-round TKO win over Sulaimon Adeosun in his first-ever fight on Nigerian soil.

Speaking after the event, Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral Group Promotions, hailed the success and hinted at even bigger plans – including the staging of a major heavyweight title fight in Lagos.

‘Nigeria is the home of heavyweights. I know they say Queensbury is the home of heavyweights, but really, Nigeria is the true home,’ said an elated Adamu.

‘Think about it – we’ve got Moses Itauma, David Adeleye, Lawrence Okolie. Anthony Joshua is Nigerian, and Deontay Wilder has Nigerian roots. The list goes on. You’ve just seen what Taiwo Agbaje has achieved. It shows we have another champion ready to rise, and we are going to make it happen.’

Adamu challenged Nigerian-bred heavyweights to headline a historic fight on home soil and confirmed that Balmoral’s next show will hold on December 19, with the fight card to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Stakeholders hailed ‘Chaos in the Ring’ as a defining moment for Nigerian sport, showcasing the country’s expanding reputation beyond football.

Bukola Olopade, DG of the NSC, said the event reflected Nigeria’s excellence on the global stage:

‘This symbolises the excellence that Nigeria is known for. We had attendance from different continents, and tonight proves we are more than a football nation. This year alone, we have hosted international events in athletics, karate, arm wrestling, and more, and it has been magnificent.’

The night drew an illustrious audience, including Minister of State for Finance Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Lagos State Sports Commission DG Lekan Fatodun, SSA to the President on Grassroots Sports Chief Adeboyega Adeyinka Anthony, veteran journalist Chief Dele Momodu, and Nigerian football legend Victor Ikpeba.

Adding further glamour, music superstars Naira Marley, D’banj, and other top artistes lit up the arena with electrifying performances, making the Independence Day spectacle a seamless fusion of world-class boxing and entertainment.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that from November 3rd, settlement of fixed income securities will migrate to the CBN. By December 1st, the Bank itself will run the trading platform. It is noted that secondary fixed income market platform is currently operated by FMDQ Group with the CBN as the largest shareholder (about 15% stake) seating at the leadership of it’s board over the last decade.

No doubt, the Central bank wanting more control of Government bonds are legitimate as they are the mainstay of monetary policy. They shape interest rates, liquidity, and confidence as the CBN want complete visibility of who is buying, who is selling, and where the money is flowing to. In my considered view this objective can be seamlessly achieved by a simple interoperability between FMDQ and CBN’s platforms. For market transparency and stakeholders’ confidence, it is advised that the investing public deserve more information on the shortcomings of the FMDQ fixed income trading and settlement system (if any) and provide clearer details on need for the planned takeover of the operation of fixed income market in Nigeria.

Again, a regulator that also becomes an operator can be likened to case of being the referee and player in a football setting. It is a known fact that investors prize independence and clarity. Once the CBN starts looking like an exchange and a settlement house, confidence will definitely take a hit. Moreover, the timing of this policy is also concerning because migrating an entire market in a matter of weeks is operationally risky at any rate. One system bug, one failed reconciliation, the market could freeze, liquidity could vanish and yields could spike leading to an avoidable confidence crisis.

Further, Government bonds are capital market instruments hence, they are under the purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation because they are listed and supervised by the SEC. Allowing the CBN operate both the trading and the post-trade functions in our financial system undermines the statutory authority of the capital market regulator. We look to see SEC’s response in the weeks ahead. Whilst the CBN is interested in control, and policy leverage, the market is propelled by trust, predictability, and rules that everyone respects. If participants feel the rules can change by fiat, they will demand a risk premium. That means higher yields for the government and more expensive borrowing for everyone else. In fact, if this process is not reversed or managed seamlessly, it has the potential of scaring away portfolio investors from the Nigerian market with profound implication on investor confidence with downside implications on key macroeconomic indicators.

Nigeria spent the last decade building an independent and vibrant market infrastructure. Thus, this latest move by the CBN risks dragging us back to the illiquidity, shallow and undiversified reality that characterized the system in pre-2014 era when the fixed income market was fully operated by the CBN. The ideal path is cooperation by strengthening oversight of FMDQ (stricter governance) and interoperability between FMDQ and the CBN platforms. Investors (local and foreign) yearn for financial markets that they can trust, that they can predict, that everyone respects the rules, and not a controlled /ordered market.

Technology is transforming the customer experience by reinventing every interaction or touchpoint between your brand and customers. Prospective customers might hear about your company from a friend, visit your website, or see social media posts.

In other words, it’s no longer enough for companies to have only offline interactions with their customers. Today’s customers have access to brands through various digital channels, which means they can easily compare one brand with another. These changes in customer behaviour have forced companies to find new ways to encourage customer loyalty.

What is a brand touchpoint?

A brand touchpoint is a way for brands to connect with customers. It could be a product you’re trying to sell, an advertisement, a TV commercial, or even a tweet. The goal of any touchpoint is to make it easy for people to learn about your product or service and potentially become customers.

Brand touchpoints are also valuable because they provide insight into your customer base and how people engage with your brand. By understanding your customer’s experience at each touchpoint, you can determine where to focus your marketing efforts to build trust and increase sales.

What is brand identity?

A brand identity is a collection of visual and verbal symbols you can use to build and maintain trust in your business. It can include logos, colours, fonts, slogans, and more. It impacts how consumers perceive you as a company. Setting a consistent brand identity across all touchpoints, online and offline, is essential.

Another essential part of creating a solid brand identity is ensuring that every touch point offers something unique and valuable for customers. If you use multiple channels to sell products or services, it’s crucial to prioritise the ones where customers spend the most time and money.

What is a customer journey map?

A customer journey map represents a customer journey from the first point of interaction with your brand to conversion. It shows all the brand touchpoints that lead to a conversion and helps you guide your marketing efforts.

A customer journey map can include critical events such as first contact, landing page visit, checkout process, and post-purchase actions. Another benefit of mapping customer journeys is that it helps you understand where visitors bounce between pages and how to optimise your website for conversions.

Finally, customer journey mapping helps you understand who your customers are, where they come from, and what they need to make a purchase. It allows you to provide them with the right content at the right time while ensuring they have a positive experience throughout their whole journey. By doing so, you will be able to drive more conversions and increase your revenue.

Brand touchpoints and the customer experience

The goal of every business is to create a memorable and authentic customer experience. It means tailoring everything from the design of your website to the way you interact with customers when at your store. It helps you develop strong emotional connections and improve customer relationships.

Brand touchpoints must all be consistent and convey the same message to customers. They are vital because they influence how customers engage with your business and impact their satisfaction with your brand.

For example, suppose a company’s phone call center is slow or unreliable. In that case, it could result in bad customer experiences and low satisfaction scores, and a company can lose some of its customers. Therefore, brand touchpoints are an essential part of any organization’s strategy.

How brand touchpoints impact customer loyalty

Brand touchpoints, whether an email or a social media post, can be subtle or to the point, but they impact loyalty in one way: they can increase or decrease trust. Customers who see an ad for your product or service might get a warm, fuzzy feeling of desire. However, if they afterward read a negative review about your product or service, it can discourage them from making a purchase.

Businesses need to keep in touch with customers and provide them with engaging experiences. According to one source, 88 percent of consumers say that an experience a company offers is equally crucial as the company’s products or services, while 69 percent of customers also expect a connected customer experience when they engage with a company.

By regularly engaging with your customers through various brand touchpoints, you can build a loyal following that will continue to support you long after their first purchase of your product or service.

Four tips for defining your brand’s touchpoint strategy

The first step to creating a successful touchpoint strategy is to define your brand’s identity. You can do this by developing an overarching theme that all of your brand touchpoints and marketing campaigns can align to. It is also essential to determine which of your existing products and services will be the focal point of your new brand vision.

Once you have defined your brand’s identity and vision, it is time to define your brand touchpoints. The touchpoint strategy aims to create pathways for customers to interact with your brand in the most natural and meaningful ways possible.

There are several essential things to keep in mind when designing your brand’s touchpoint strategy:

Make sure customer touchpoints are easy to find and easy to understand

Keep them consistent so that customers can recognise your brand identity

Make sure they look nice and feel welcoming

Personalise touchpoints for each customer, if possible, as 82% of customers have a more positive view of a brand after engaging with personalized content.

Last line

Brand touchpoints help build customer loyalty by providing a consistent brand experience throughout the customer journey. A positive brand experience will motivate your customers to purchase from your company again.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, was filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, challenging the legality of the six-month suspension imposed on the senator for alleged misconduct. The plaintiffs argued that the suspension denied the people of Kogi Central adequate representation in the Senate and sought her immediate reinstatement.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi, the legal right to challenge the Senate’s decision and consequently dismissed the case for lack of merit.

The Pan-African Business Forum (PABF) has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to suspend its ongoing investigation into Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan KC, warning that the process risks damaging the court’s credibility and fairness.

In a petition delivered in The Hague to Ambassador Päivi Kaukoranta, President of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, PABF Chairman said the organisation had ‘profound concerns’ about the impartiality of the inquiry. Khan, who became ICC prosecutor in 2021, has been on leave since late last year following sexual misconduct allegations. His deputies are currently leading the Office of the Prosecutor while the external investigation continues.

The forum alleged that the process lacks transparency, citing whistle-blower claims that members of the ICC Bureau – which oversees parts of the court’s administration – may have been compromised. It accused a Ugandan diplomat of ‘intense lobbying for succession,’ including inappropriate contact with the complainant at the centre of the allegations. According to PABF, recordings in its possession suggest the diplomat had already taken a stance against Khan before the inquiry began. ‘These developments risk undermining not only the integrity of the Court but also wider confidence in multilateral institutions at a time of global instability,’ the group said.

PABF called for the suspension of the investigation to allow independent verification of its claims. It demanded that the inquiry determine whether the complainants or any individuals linked to the case had direct or indirect contact with ICC Bureau members, and whether the Court’s leadership had been influenced by lobbying. The petition also flagged issues of ‘improper disclosure, disparaging commentary, sanctions and intimidation,’ which it said required urgent attention.

While reaffirming its support for the ICC’s mission, the PABF warned that the Court’s credibility ‘is now under strain’ and urged decisive steps to ‘restore confidence and safeguard the Court’s integrity.’

At least two persons have been confirmed dead while others sustained various degrees of injuries following a fatal road crashed when a truck had head collision with another car in the Maiduguri Metropolis, the Borno State capital on Friday evening, eyewitness sources said.

The incident occurred at about 7:45pm at the Commissioner of Police junction traffic light in Maiduguri on Friday night.

According to eyewitnesses accounts, the accident involved a truck and Mazda car alongside with a tricycle (Keke Napep), claiming the lives of two persons instantly and unspecified numbers were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Shettima Dogo, an eyewitness said, ‘I have always wanted to write on the issue of these heavy truck drivers, especially the government owned truck drivers.

‘The recent killings by heavy trucks are getting out of hand, the public have been so patient about it. Especially at the Police Commissioner traffic light junction, they don’t wait for the red light whenever it comes on.

‘The traffic officials, BOTMA and other policemen at the junction are busy collecting money from Keke Napep riders and drivers of saloon cars who followed the heavy trucks in violating the traffic rules and leaving the heavy duty trucks to go free.

‘I believe this accident this evening will bring a lot of changes otherwise one day people will protest and things may get out of hand,’ Dogo warned.

Abba Saleh, another resident also added: ‘I witnessed a terrible accident in Damboa road junction yesterday and wondered how a fatal accident will happen in a busy junction that has a traffic light. The level of our impatience and traffic offence in this town is unbecoming.’

The residents has urged Governor Babagana Zulum to checkmate the notorious activities of police and BOTMA personnel in the area to forestall future occurrences.

Efforts to obtain official comments from Kenneth Daso, the State Police Public Relations Officer, proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.

Nigeria is hard already. And let’s be sincere, the ever-rising cost of data is making it even harder. We live in a time when the Internet has become even more popular than it ever was, and we must always stay informed about global happenings.

According to the Global Broadband Pricing League Table 2024 compiled by Cable.co.uk, Nigeria ranked 51st globally for Africa with an average monthly broadband cost of $21.89.

Despite this, we can run out of data as a result of too many data-draining apps running at once.

You load 5GB today, and before you know it, everything is gone. But the good news is that there are simple hacks to stretch your data and make it last longer.

You don’t need to stop enjoying your phone; you just need to use it smarter. Here are five hacks that can help you save data.

Turn Off Auto-Play for Videos

Social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and even Twitter automatically play videos as you scroll through them. This eats up data quickly without you realising it. Go to the settings of each app and switch off auto-play or set it to ‘Wi-Fi only.’

That way, videos won’t load unless you choose to watch them. This small change can save hundreds of megabytes every day, especially if you spend a lot of time online. You control what you watch, not the app.

Use Data Saver Mode

Both Android and iPhone have built-in data saver options. When enabled, this setting automatically reduces data usage by blocking heavy background processes and lowering the image or video quality.

For example, Google Chrome has a ‘Lite Mode’ that compresses web pages before loading. It may sound small, but every MB saved counts. Activate data saver mode whenever you are browsing or streaming on mobile data.

Download Instead of Streaming

Streaming music, movies, or even lectures eats data quickly. A smart hack is to download when you have Wi-Fi, then watch or listen offline later. Most platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix, allow offline downloads.

The same applies to documents, e-books, or podcasts. Additionally, it prevents the repeated streaming of the same content, as you now have it downloaded and saved on your phone.

Monitor Your Data Usage Regularly

One reason people run out of data quickly is that they don’t track where it goes. Both Android and iPhone have features that show which apps consume the most data. Check weekly and identify the culprits.

You may be surprised that a single app, such as Instagram or YouTube, is consuming half your data bundle. Once you know, you can set limits, reduce usage, or switch to Wi-Fi for heavy browsing.

Disable Background App Data

Many apps run in the background even when you’re not using them. They check for updates, send notifications, or sync data. This drains your data silently. On Android or iPhone, go to ‘Data Usage’ or ‘Background App Refresh’ in settings and switch it off for non-essential apps. Leave it on only for apps you truly need, like email or WhatsApp.

Major roads in Jos and Bukuru were closed to traffic Saturday morning as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Plateau State for the burial of Nana Lydia Yilwada, mother of Nentawe Yilwada, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Joyce Lohya Ramnap, commissioner of Information and Communication in Plateau State, had earlier announced traffic diversions starting from 7 am on October 4, to ensure smooth movement of the presidential entourage and maintain public safety during the high-profile visit.

Affected routes included the Mararaban Jama’a-Bukuru expressway, Dadin-Kowa through Old Airport to Plateau Hospital roundabout, and Hillstation roundabout to COCIN Headquarters/Central Bank road. Commuters were advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays.

A heavy security presence was observed across the Jos metropolis, with personnel from various security agencies stationed at strategic points to control movement and prevent any disruptions during the presidential visit.

The burial event, attended by top political and traditional leaders, drew significant attention as residents lined nearby streets to catch a glimpse of the president and other dignitaries.

Ramnap appealed for public understanding, stating the measures were temporary and aimed at preserving public peace and security during the solemn occasion.

The presidency had earlier said President Bola Tinubu will, in continuation of his tour of states, on Saturday, visit Jos, Plateau State, where he will meet a cross-section of religious leaders.

Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the President, while in the Plateau State capital, will also attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Nantewe Yilwatda.

The President’s meeting with Church Leaders across the North is expected to take place at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, COCIN, in Jos.

Onanuga said that President Tinubu will return to Lagos on the same day after the visit.