Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has called for urgent measures to mitigate the impact of recent flooding in parts of Niger State, warning that recurring disasters in Shiroro and other riverine communities require a permanent solution.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the forum sympathised with the government and people of Niger State, particularly victims in Minna, Chanchaga, Bosso and Shiroro Local Government Areas.

It commiserated with families who lost loved ones, homes, farms, businesses and livelihoods, and expressed concern about the hardship faced by displaced residents.

The senators acknowledged the responses of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in assessing and documenting the disaster.

However, they said the recurring flooding in Shiroro and other riverine communities demanded immediate short-term interventions as well as a long-term strategy.

The forum urged the Federal and Niger State governments, working with local authorities, to urgently distribute relief materials to verified victims and provide temporary shelters with basic healthcare and sanitation facilities.

It also called for the deployment of emergency evacuation and early-warning teams to flood-prone communities ahead of the rainy season’s peak.

The senators urged residents to heed safety advisories and avoid construction in waterways and drainage channels.

On the long-term response, the forum called for the development of a Shiroro Flood Management Master Plan to provide a coordinated, permanent solution to the recurring crisis.

It said the plan should include a scientifically determined flood-buffer operating strategy for the Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba dams, as well as a permanent flood forecasting and early-warning system supported by trained local volunteers downstream.

The forum also proposed a comprehensive floodplain resettlement programme involving planned settlements, compensation and livelihood support for affected residents.

It further demanded an independent technical review of dam operations, reservoir capacity and spillway performance, taking into account changing climate realities, to determine how future water releases should be managed.

The senators said the 2025 Mokwa flooding tragedy and a 2025 vulnerability study indicating that 32 per cent of Shiroro Local Government Area is highly prone to flooding were reminders of the cost of inaction.

They said road and drainage repairs were necessary but should form part of a broader water-resource and environmental management strategy addressing deforestation, poor drainage and unregulated development along riverbanks.

The forum pledged to advocate for appropriate budgetary provisions and legislative support to strengthen flood prevention and reduce avoidable disasters.

It urged federal and state agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents to work together to protect lives and build resilience to future flooding.

In today’s interconnected world, every online bank transfer, e-commerce purchase, hospital record, government portal login and video conference relies on an unseen yet indispensable foundation: cloud infrastructure. While billions of people interact with digital services every day, few stop to consider the complex technological ecosystem that powers these experiences.

Quietly operating behind the scenes, cloud infrastructure has become the backbone of the modern digital economy, supporting everything from smartphones and social media platforms to artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology (fintech) and critical national security systems. As countries race to build resilient digital economies, cloud infrastructure is no longer viewed merely as a technological necessity; it has become a strategic national asset.

At its core, cloud infrastructure comprises interconnected data centres, servers, storage systems, networking equipment, software and virtualisation technologies that deliver computing services over the internet. Rather than relying on individual computers or on-premises servers, organisations can securely access computing resources remotely, enabling greater flexibility, scalability and efficiency.

This transformation has fundamentally changed how governments and businesses operate. Organisations can now scale computing resources on demand, reduce infrastructure costs, improve operational efficiency and deploy digital services faster than ever before. Whether streaming a movie, attending an online class, booking a flight or processing millions of financial transactions, cloud infrastructure ensures these services remain secure, reliable and accessible around the clock. And beyond convenience, it has become a cornerstone of economic competitiveness.

Countries with robust cloud ecosystems attract technology investments, stimulate innovation, create high-skilled jobs and strengthen their digital economies. Cloud services facilitate digital trade, enable seamless cross-border business operations and provide the computing power required for emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). They also enhance business continuity by distributing data across multiple locations, reducing the risks posed by hardware failures, cyberattacks and natural disasters while ensuring that essential services remain operational.

Nigeria’s expanding digital economy has heightened the urgency of developing resilient cloud infrastructure. With millions of citizens relying on digital banking, e-commerce, online education, healthcare technologies and e-government services, the country requires secure, reliable and scalable digital systems capable of supporting future growth.

Recognising this imperative, policymakers have intensified efforts to strengthen local cloud capacity, improve data governance, encourage investment in data centres and establish standards that inspire confidence among businesses and international investors. These initiatives are expected to stimulate indigenous innovation, create employment opportunities, enhance public service delivery and position Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading digital economies.

For decades, nations measured sovereignty through the strength of their borders, military capabilities and economic resilience. Today, however, a new frontier has emerged: digital sovereignty. In an era where government services, financial transactions, AI, and national security increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, a country’s ability to control, secure and govern its own data has become a defining measure of national development.

It was against this backdrop that government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, academics and technology experts gathered to witness what many described as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. At the centre of the event was the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which formally commenced the implementation phase of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative (NSCI).

Through the unveiling of a comprehensive regulatory framework, the agency signalled Nigeria’s determination to reshape its digital landscape. More than the signing of regulatory documents, the event represented a bold declaration of intent to build a trusted digital ecosystem capable of supporting innovation, safeguarding national interests and attracting global investment.

The highlight was the signing of three foundational regulatory instruments by NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. These included the National Cloud Computing Guideline, the National Cloud Technical Guideline and the National Digital Infrastructure Assurance Framework (NDIAF). Alongside the National Cloud Investment Strategy, the instruments establish the policy, governance and technical architecture required to guide cloud adoption, strengthen digital infrastructure assurance and stimulate long-term investment in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The milestone marked the culmination of years of consultation involving government institutions, indigenous cloud providers, international hyperscale cloud companies, data centre operators and development partners. It also builds upon the Federal Government’s Cloud First Policy, ensuring that Nigeria develops cloud infrastructure that aligns with global best practices while protecting national interests.

Beyond policy formulation, NITDA plans to establish the Sovereign Cloud Governance Committee to provide strategic oversight of the initiative. Before October 2026, the agency also intends to operationalise a national digital regulatory platform that will streamline the registration, assessment, certification and compliance processes for cloud service providers and digital infrastructure operators.

The certification programme is expected to become one of the most significant confidence-building mechanisms within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. By certifying cloud providers, data centre operators, managed service providers, AI infrastructure providers and sovereign compute operators, the framework seeks to assure government institutions, financial organisations and businesses that certified providers meet nationally approved standards for security, resilience and operational excellence.

Ultimately, the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s digital evolution-one in which sovereignty extends beyond physical borders into cyberspace, where data is recognised as a strategic national asset and trusted digital infrastructure serves as a catalyst for innovation, economic growth and regional leadership.

If effectively implemented through sustained collaboration among government, regulators, industry and development partners, the initiative could become one of the defining milestones in Nigeria’s journey towards a resilient, secure and globally competitive digital future. In an increasingly digital world, the nations that control and protect their digital infrastructure will be best positioned to shape the future. Nigeria has now taken a decisive step in that direction.

…Gyem, co-author of ‘Building a Safer Digital Economy in Nigeria,’ writes from Abuja.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted contraband and illicit goods with a combined duty paid value (DPV) of N365.16 million, including 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles, 3,300 cartridges of explosives and illicit drugs.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Seme Border, Badagry, Lagos State.

Kaila said the seizures were made through intelligence-driven operations and sustained surveillance across the command’s area of responsibility.

He said officers intercepted a truck falsely declared to be carrying food items, only to discover 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.

According to him, some of the noodles had deteriorated and were already decomposing, while intelligence indicated that the products were allegedly intended to be repackaged, relabelled and introduced into the Nigerian market.

‘Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications,’ he said.

The comptroller said the seizure demonstrated that border control was not only about protecting the economy but also safeguarding public health.

He added that the command separately intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, smuggled through illegal routes.

Kaila said the smuggling of the rice not only denied the government legitimate revenue but also undermined its agricultural policies, discouraged local rice production and threatened the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.

On illicit drugs and harmful substances, the Customs boss said the command intercepted 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.

He said the seizures had helped disrupt criminal supply chains and prevented potentially harmful substances from reaching communities.

‘Through these interceptions, the Seme Area Command has disrupted criminal supply chains and prevented these dangerous products from reaching our communities,’ Kaila said.

He said the command also intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the border corridor.

According to him, the explosives posed a serious threat to national security because they could be used to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Kaila said the explosive materials, along with one suspect, had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.

The command also seized one used speedboat, one used water bike, a 2017 model Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 model Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 model Nissan Versa.

Kaila said the combined duty-paid value of the items displayed was N365,163,709.

He warned smugglers that the Seme border would no longer provide a safe passage for economic saboteurs.

‘To those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal: Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the command recorded a significant improvement in revenue generation, collecting N19.84 billion between January and July 2026.

Kaila said the figure represented an increase of N3.899 billion, or 24.45 per cent, over the N15.94 billion generated during the whole of 2025.

The command generated N15,941,258,676.01 in 2025, while its revenue collection between January and July 2026 stood at N19,840,280,788.50.

The comptroller said the development showed that effective enforcement and trade facilitation could work together to improve revenue generation.

He said the command remained committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant traders while denying smugglers opportunities to undermine the economy.

Kaila further disclosed that the illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products seized would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for investigation and necessary action.

He said the command would continue to support the Federal Government’s economic reforms, promote legitimate regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ensure that smugglers had no safe haven within its area of responsibility.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is set to mobilise its senior officers and policing experts to develop a comprehensive security roadmap for the 2027 general election.

The initiative is meant to form the centrepiece of the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026), scheduled to hold from September 21 to 23 in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The three-day conference, being organised by the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with Lenders Consult International, will bring together officers of the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, policing experts and other critical stakeholders to review emerging electoral security threats and fashion practical strategies for peaceful and credible elections.

The conference, with the theme: ‘Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,’ will focus on intelligence-led policing, police-community partnerships, digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), among other contemporary approaches to policing.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said deliberations at the conference would provide an opportunity for senior police officers to engage in strategic discussions on strengthening the capacity of the police to manage security before, during and after elections.

It said the outcome of the conference would include actionable strategies for protecting voters, electoral officials, candidates, election materials and members of the public during the 2027 elections.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, September 21.

The move comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum, with security agencies expected to play a critical role in maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process.

Election security has remained a major concern in Nigeria, particularly because of the risks posed by political violence, vote-buying, intimidation, misinformation, attacks on electoral infrastructure and other forms of electoral malpractice.

The police, as the lead agency responsible for maintaining internal security during elections, are expected to provide security for voters, candidates, electoral personnel and materials while ensuring that citizens are able to exercise their franchise without intimidation.

The CARSPO 2026 deliberations are expected to provide a platform for senior police officers to assess lessons from previous elections and incorporate emerging technologies and intelligence-gathering methods into the Force’s operational planning for 2027.

The NPF said it remained committed to strengthening strategic leadership, professionalism and operational preparedness to ensure a peaceful, safe and secure environment for the 2027 general election.

The conference is expected to conclude with a strategic framework that will guide police preparations and operations for election security ahead of the 2027 polls.

Factional National Chairman of Accord, Prof. Chris Imumolen, has urged the people of Osun State not to ‘waste their votes’ on Governor Ademola Adeleke, insisting that the governor will not win Saturday’s governorship election.

In a statement signed by Israel Jagunmolu, a chieftain of the party, Imumolen said Adeleke’s political future was headed for defeat-either at the polls or through the ongoing legal battle over Accord’s leadership.

Prof. Imumolen expressed confidence that Adeleke would lose the election, stressing that he does not believe the governor has the capacity to prevail. He added that even if Adeleke manages to win at the ballot, the Accord leadership case before the Federal High Court in Abuja could still undermine his position.

‘The case involving the Adeleke-aligned Accord faction is progressing well, and we expect a favourable judgment very soon,’ he said.

Imumolen maintained that Adeleke cannot escape the consequences of the Accord leadership tussle simply by winning an election. ‘Adeleke will lose at the polls. And if, against all expectations, he wins, the Accord leadership case will ultimately defeat him in court,’ he declared.

He expressed confidence that the judicial process would vindicate his faction and establish the party’s legitimate leadership structure.

‘Adeleke’s challenge is not only at the ballot box. The Accord leadership case remains a major legal battle, and I am confident that victory in that case will have decisive political consequences for him,’ Imumolen added.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma; Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Hon. James Faleke, have arrived in Osun State ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally in Osogbo.

The high-profile gathering is part of the APC’s final mobilisation efforts for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The arrival of the party’s senior leaders and governors is expected to energise the APC campaign as the party intensifies its grassroots mobilisation across the state.

The mega rally, scheduled for the final day of the official campaign period, is expected to draw APC leaders, party supporters, campaign coordinators and members from across the 30 local government areas of Osun State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Thursday, August 13, as the deadline for campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election, following the adjustment of the poll date from August 8 to August 15.

The APC leadership is using the final stretch of the campaign to consolidate support for Oyebamiji, who emerged as the party’s candidate after its governorship primary in Osogbo.

It was gathered that the visiting governors and other APC leaders had also begun engagements with party members and supporters, including indigenes of their respective states residing in Osun, as part of efforts to mobilise additional support for the party’s candidate.

The mobilisation is expected to complement the APC’s existing grassroots structures across the state as the party seeks to translate its campaign activities into votes for Oyebamiji on Saturday.

Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has been campaigning on the APC platform and repeatedly urged voters to support his bid to return the state to development.

The mega rally is expected to serve as the APC’s major show of strength before the campaign window closes at midnight on Thursday.

With the election only days away, the APC is seeking to consolidate its support base, reach undecided voters and strengthen its mobilisation machinery ahead of Saturday’s poll.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate closure of the Secretariat of the dissolved ad hoc committee on Sales of Federal Government Houses (SFGH) in the territory.

The directive, announced on Wednesday, is part of the minister’s latest administrative measures to streamline the handling of transactions involving Federal Government Houses in the FCT and to eliminate confusion over the agency responsible for such matters.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike also approved the creation of a dedicated division within the Department of Land Administration to take over issues relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses previously handled by the defunct committee.

The ad hoc committee was constituted to undertake assignments relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT.

Following the completion of its mandate, however, its Secretariat was retained temporarily to attend to outstanding issues arising from the committee’s activities.

The minister has now directed that the Secretariat be formally closed, bringing its operations to an end.

With the development, members of the public seeking information or assistance concerning the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT have been directed to approach the Department of Land Administration.

The FCT Administration also warned members of the public to be wary of individuals who may attempt to exploit the transition by posing as officials, staff or members of the dissolved committee or its former Secretariat.

According to the statement, neither the Ad-hoc Committee nor its Secretariat exists any longer, and anyone claiming to represent either body is acting fraudulently.

The latest directive is expected to provide a clearer institutional framework for the management of Federal Government houses in the FCT while reducing the possibility of multiple points of contact and fraudulent dealings with prospective applicants and other members of the public.

Olayinka urged the public to deal only with the appropriate department of the FCT Administration on all matters relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses.

‘The general public is hereby enjoined to henceforth approach the Department of Land Administration on all issues relating to the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT,’ the statement said.

The directive, Olayinka said, takes immediate effect.

The body of the late Archbishop of the Benin Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has arrived in Benin City ahead of his interment tomorrow.

Akubeze died last month in his sleep while on vacation in the United States (U.S.).

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, led top government officials to receive the remains on arrival.

The body was received by Bishop Donatus Ogun, Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, alongside Fr. Augustine Ehigie, Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, and members of the Papal Knights and Knights of St Mulumba.

Catholic faithful at the airport were seen in tears as the body was moved to a hearse and taken to St Philomena Mortuary.

Archbishop Akubeze was born on August 25, 1956, in Kaduna. He was ordained a priest on October 3, 1987, and consecrated a bishop on February 25, 2006. He will be buried at the Bishops’ vault in the Holy Cross Cathedral, where late Catholic bishops of the archdiocese are interred.

The European Business Chamber Nigeria (EuroCham) has warned that Nigeria’s estimated $14 billion annual technical skills gap could undermine the country’s ability to fully benefit from growing European investment.

EuroCham, in a new advocacy position paper titled: ‘Bridging Nigeria’s technical workforce gap: A public-private roadmap for harmonising industrial skills and accelerating European investment impact,’ called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and international businesses to develop certified, industry-ready technical workers.

The Chamber said the shortage of skilled personnel was becoming increasingly critical as economic relations between Nigeria and the European Union continue to expand.

According to the paper, the skills deficit is estimated at 68 per cent in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and 63 per cent in agriculture, while the power sector is operating with only about half of the skilled workforce it requires.

EuroCham said the EU-Nigeria economic relationship currently supports more than pound 35 billion in annual trade and approximately pound 26 billion in European foreign direct investment, with the investment supporting over 130,000 direct jobs.

It added that the EU accounts for about 31 per cent of Nigeria’s total foreign trade, making it the country’s largest trading partner and single largest source of foreign direct investment.

The Chamber, however, said the pace of investment was outstripping the domestic supply of certified technicians required to implement and sustain industrial projects.

It proposed a five-point roadmap, including aligning Nigeria’s technical certification system with international industrial standards and providing tax offsets and duty waivers for companies investing in training infrastructure.

Other recommendations include digitising and expediting expatriate quota processing to facilitate structured technology transfer, introducing industry-led dual-education apprenticeship programmes with polytechnics, and establishing a unified national registry to monitor technical skills development and local-content compliance.

The Chamber said the proposals would complement ongoing government efforts in technical and vocational education, including the expansion of technical education in 2025, which enrolled about 250,000 students.

It also cited the ongoing amendment of the Polytechnics Act and the planned 2026 TETFund investment in modernising engineering school equipment as existing reforms that could support the proposed framework.

EuroCham Nigeria General Manager, Chigozie Okwara, said the chamber was ready to work with the government to expand Nigeria’s technical workforce.

He said: ‘Nigeria’s partnership with European investors has never been stronger, and this paper reflects our commitment to matching that momentum with a workforce that can deliver on it.

‘Government has already taken real steps, expanding technical education and modernising polytechnics, and we see this framework as a way to accelerate that work, not compete with it.

‘EuroCham is ready to invest alongside government to make sure Nigeria’s technical talent grows as fast as the capital coming into the country.’

The Chamber called on the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Education, to establish a Joint TVET Steering Committee within the current quarter.

It said the proposed roadmap would be implemented in three phases through mid-2027, beginning with institutional arrangements, followed by policy integration and pilot apprenticeship programmes.

Former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola will be the guest speaker at the next edition of the highly acclaimed ‘God in My Life’ lecture series, organised by the Torchbearers Society of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC), Ikeja.

The series, which has become one of the flagship programmes of the Society, provides a unique platform for distinguished Nigerians to reflect on the role of God in their personal journeys, leadership experiences, and public service.

Over the years, it has hosted an impressive array of eminent personalities, including former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, diplomat and corporate statesman late Dr Christopher Kolade, and retired Justice of the Supreme Court Justice George Oguntade, among others.

In a joint statement by the President of the Torchbearers Society, Bro. Adeoye Ojuoko, and the Vice President/Programme Coordinator, Bro. Olajide Afolabi, the Society announced that the event will hold on August 23, at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, beginning from 4:00 p.m.

According to the statement, the choice of Mr. Fashola was informed by his exemplary record of public service, his distinguished professional career, and the strategic leadership roles he has played in the development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

As Governor of Lagos State and later as Minister of Works and Housing, he earned national recognition for his commitment to institutional reforms, infrastructure development, and public sector governance.

The Society explained that, although Mr. Fashola is a devout Muslim, the ‘God in My Life’ lecture series is deliberately designed as an inclusive platform that celebrates the universal experience of God’s providence and guidance, irrespective of religious affiliation.

‘Our objective is not to promote religious differences, but to deepen our appreciation of God’s work in the lives of individuals. We believe that every person, regardless of faith tradition, has experiences of God’s grace, guidance and providence that can inspire others and enrich our collective understanding,’ the statement said.

The Society also noted that Mr. Fashola’s family life reflects a spirit of mutual respect and interfaith harmony.

‘His wife is a Christian, and we believe his reflections on faith, family, leadership and public service will offer valuable lessons to everyone present. It is this richness of experience that makes him a compelling guest for this edition of the programme.’

The Dean of the Cathedral, The Venerable Ariire Kolawole, will host the event, while the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), The Rt. Rev. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji, will serve as the Chief Host.

Reflecting on previous editions of the lecture series, the organisers recalled the profound impact the programme has had on participants over the years.

‘Every edition has been an opportunity to learn, reflect, and deepen our understanding of God’s faithfulness through the lives of remarkable individuals. We are therefore delighted that Mr. Babatunde Fashola has graciously accepted our invitation.’

The statement concluded by reaffirming the Society’s conviction that the ‘God in My Life’ lecture series remains a unique forum for inspiration, spiritual reflection, and meaningful dialogue.

‘It is our firm belief that the God factor is present in every human journey. Even those who profess no religious faith often acknowledge, consciously or otherwise, moments of providence, purpose and grace. This lecture series provides an opportunity to learn, unlearn, reflect and fellowship together as we celebrate God’s abiding hand in human affairs. We look forward to another memorable and enriching edition.’