Category: The Nation – Nigeria

A tragic incident has occurred in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, where a man identified as Ebere Smoke from Isikwuato in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area was found drowned in Nwaorie River in the Council area after two weeks he was declared missing.

The deceased body was found on Thursday morning floating in the river two weeks after a search organised by the family and friends.

While the cause of his drowning remains unclear, sources at his residence near Nwaorie River, revealed he had been experiencing marital difficulties.

According to his friends, who were part of the search team, Ebere popularly called Smoke, left home without informing anyone of his destination, leaving behind his vehicle key, ATM card, and driver’s license with his children.

‘Ebere is dead, we found him floating in Miri Nwaorie this morning (Thursday)after two weeks he was declared missing,’ his friends said.

‘He left the house without telling anybody where he was going; he left only his car keys, driver’s license, and his ATM card with his children.’

Close associates revealed that the deceased though has been facing marital challenges; his daughter bought him a bus which he has been driving. We are surprised that he could take his life by drowning.’

Following traditional rituals performed near the river, Ebere’s body was taken to his hometown in Isikwuato, Isiala Mbano, for burial, averting concerns he might be interred by the riverbank.’

British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, Adaeze Adinnu has proposed a set date for Black History celebration in Islington Borough.

She made the call during a recent visit to Mayor Jason Jackson at the historic Islington Town Hall, London.

The occasion marked the presentation of a bespoke portrait painting created by Adaeze in honour of the Mayor – a work that has been widely acclaimed as one of the finest ever showcased within the Town Hall’s walls.

Mayor Jackson received the artist with warmth and admiration, praising the portrait’s emotional depth and cultural resonance.

The artwork has since been selected to join the official portrait collection of past mayors of Islington Borough, solidifying its place in the borough’s civic and artistic heritage.

Adaeze Adinnu becomes the first UK based Nigerian female artist to have her painting of a Mayor of Islington permanently on display at the Islington town hall.

During the meeting with the Mayor, Adaeze presented a proposal for the Borough to designate October 9th as a dedicated day to celebrate Black History in Islington, using art as a bridge for unity, inclusion, and cross-cultural dialogue.

The initiative, which aligns with the UK-wide Black History Month commemorations, aims to establish an annual art-focused event that brings together local and international creatives – showcasing diverse forms of artistic expression such as painting, sculpture, fashion, performance, and storytelling.

‘Art has the power to unite communities, inspire understanding, and honour every person who contributes to the British story,’ said Adaeze Adinnu.

‘This celebration isn’t just about people of colour – it’s for everyone who has shaped and continues to shape our cultural fabric. I believe Islington can lead by example, using art to remind us that diversity is our shared strength.’

Mayor Jackson expressed strong support for the proposal, confirming plans to discuss it with the Borough’s cultural leadership.

‘What Adaeze is proposing is tangible and transformative,’ said Mayor Jason Jackson. ‘Islington has always been proud of its diversity and creative spirit. This initiative adds a powerful new dimension to how we celebrate that.’

Adinnu and the Mayor also discussed future opportunities for collaboration, including youth art workshops, creative residencies and mental well-being programmes that integrate art as a form of social expression.

The Mayor, known for his progressive community-building agenda, acknowledged the importance of such initiatives in strengthening the borough’s sense of identity.

‘It’s not every day you receive a portrait of such calibre,’ the Mayor remarked. ‘This meeting reflects the power of art to shape civic memory and community connection.’

Adaeze Adinnu is a British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, Founder and CEO of Fabloz Artistry and a member of the British Art Network (BAN).

A graduate of the University of Northampton, Adinnu’s art combines realism, symbolism, and emotional depth to explore identity, resilience, femininity, and social transformation.

Her works have been showcased in prestigious exhibitions across the UK, US, and Nigeria, including The Holy Art Gallery (London), Mitochondria Gallery (Houston), Redwood Art Group (Dallas), and Rele Gallery (Lagos).

She has also received awards and recognition from UNESCO and the Commonwealth London, where her paintings were displayed.

Through Fabloz Artistry, Adinnu continues to empower emerging talents – especially women in the creative industry – and advocate for art as a force for social dialogue, cultural empowerment, and collective healing.

The proposed event would feature local and international artists, showcasing creative expressions – from painting and sculpture to performance and traditional attire – as a way of shaping and promoting the borough’s cultural landscape.

Mayor Jackson welcomed the proposal, promising to advance it through the council’s cultural programmes.

‘Art has the power to bring people together,’ Adinnu said. ‘My vision is to see Islington become a home for creative expression – a community where diversity, heritage, and shared stories are honoured through art.’

The Mayor praised Adinnu’s contribution and commitment to community engagement, further expressing interest in future collaborations, including youth art workshops and creative dialogues within the borough.

Adinnu’s visit underscores her growing global influence as an artist whose works and initiatives inspire social transformation. Her portrait for Mayor Jackson joins a lineage of her high-profile works.

Through her artistry, Adaeze continues to champion inclusion, creativity, and cultural pride – reminding the world that art is not just seen, but felt – and through it, communities find their voice.

The delegations of Nigeria and Benin Republic are scheduled to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Saturday afternoon, ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 10 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday to put themselves firmly in contention for the lone automatic ticket from Group C, while table-topping Benin Republic scored late against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali to pick up the maximum points and maintain their three-point lead on their West African neighbours.

Three-time African champions Nigeria fly from the South African city of Polokwane to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet Airline airplane, just as the Cheetahs’ delegation will arrive about the same time at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport.

The pioneer Osun State Commandant of Amotekun, Chief Amitolu Shittu, has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to hand over fleeing Commandant of the outfit, Isaac Omoyele to Inspector General of the Police over killings of Akinlalu town by his corps.

The Nation reports that Amotekun operatives invaded the Akinlalu market square, killing three members of the same family and another resident, while several others sustained gunshot injuries. Omoyele later claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt – a claim the police dismissed.

Subsequently, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the IGP arrested 25 Amotekun corps on Wednesday night. It sealed their operational-amoury base at Oke-Fia, Osogbo, including the outfit’s Ife Central Office.

Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, Amitolu condemned the killings of innocent residents in Osun State by Amotekun corps, noting that ‘Since I left office, the outfit has been personalised by its new leadership which makes Amotekun to derail from the reason for its creation.’

Speaking about the recruitment of 1,000 corps, he said ‘The present leadership engaged the services of ex -convicts, thugs and cultists. I want to charge Governor Adeleke, if he cannot disband the corps, he should investigate and profile them to know who was recruited.

‘Presently, what we are facing is criminal masquerading, Isaac Omoyele, personalizing Amotekun for pecuniary gains. We seized vehicles from some robbers when I was serving but today, Omoyele has disposed of the properties recovered from robbers.

‘Adeleke should investigate the activities of Amotekun, as the corps is now involved in a personal security guard and they collect money which is never remitted into the coffers of the government. The outfit was never meant to man personal property.

‘Since I left office in January 2023, Amotekun has been personalised by Omoyele for his own venture.

‘Criminals have found their ways into Amotekun, majority of those that are ex-convicts, cultists and those with criminal records are recruited into the outfit. Governor must look for ways to flush them out.’

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (NC APC) Forum has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing him as the right choice to deliver credible and transparent elections.

In a statement on Saturday by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 elections, the Forum also commended the National Council of State for approving Amupitan’s appointment.

‘The North-Central APC Forum welcomed with a sense of pride, the appointment of one of the region’s illustrious sons, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

‘This development is further attestation of the calibre of human resources in the North-Central, which are readily available to be deployed in various critical and sensitive roles for the development of the nation.

‘We commend President Bola Tinubu for appointing Professor Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and also thank the National Council of State for approving the appointment,’ the Forum stated.

Zazzaga noted that Amupitan’s track record as an accomplished legal scholar and practitioner, university administrator and illustrious academia shows that he has the capacity for the job, especially as he is coming on board at a time Nigerians are getting set for crucial elections.

‘Having followed Professor Amupitan’s career over the years and taking special note of his distinguished role at the University of Jos, where, as a Professor of Law, he has lectured and mentored generations of lawyers and academics for over three decades, we can assure President Tinubu and Nigerians that Professor Amupitan will deliver credible, free and fair elections all through his tenure as INEC chairman.

‘We are certain that Professor Amupitan is the right choice, a round peg in a round hole and we call on all Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the electoral system, to give him all the necessary support to succeed in this crucial national assignment.’

Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, has called for greater regulatory precision and long-term policy stability across African markets to sustain the continent’s growing telecommunications sector and support the expansion of African multinationals.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja during a plenary session titled ‘Titans on the Move: Africa’s Multinationals,’ Ndukwe said that the success of Africa’s telecoms industry depends heavily on stable and predictable regulatory frameworks that encourage long-term investment.

‘Telecoms companies make investments that run into billions of dollars. Without consistent regulatory environments, it becomes extremely difficult to plan and sustain such levels of capital deployment,’ he said.

He described telecommunications as Africa’s ‘invisible infrastructure,’ explaining that the sector underpins trade, financial inclusion, innovation, and connectivity across the continent. According to him, the telecoms industry is not only driving communication but also enabling other sectors to thrive in an increasingly digital global economy.

Ndukwe, a former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted that MTN has grown into one of the world’s leading mobile operators, with MTN Nigeria ranking among the top 20 globally by subscriber base.

‘These rankings demonstrate that Africa is not just a consumer of global innovations; it can also create companies that compete at the highest levels. Expansion across African markets has proven that multinationals from this continent can shape the global conversation,’ he said.

Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ndukwe said the crisis exposed how indispensable the telecoms sector has become to modern economies. ‘It showed us that without robust telecoms networks, national economies would have been paralysed. This is why continued investment in telecoms infrastructure must be prioritised if Africa is serious about integration and growth,’ he added.

According to him, telecommunications plays a much broader role than connecting people-it opens access to financial services, education, and new opportunities for millions of Africans excluded from formal systems. He cited the rise of mobile money as a homegrown innovation that is bridging gaps in financial inclusion.

‘Telecoms does more than connect people. It creates access for millions who are excluded from formal banking and education systems. The rise of mobile money shows how African innovations are uniquely solving African problems,’ Ndukwe stated.

Other panellists at the session echoed similar sentiments. CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, spoke about how fintech companies are integrating fragmented payment systems to facilitate cross-border trade, while Girish Sharma, Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, said that sustainability for multinationals depends on building trust and long-term partnerships with local communities.

The session concluded that African multinationals – from telecoms and fintech to consumer goods – are redefining economic integration across the continent. For Ndukwe, the message was clear: Africa’s economic future rests on the strength of its ‘invisible infrastructure’ – telecommunications – and the continent’s ability to create a stable policy environment that supports continued investment and innovation.

Meanwhile, the telco has announced an ambitious plan to expand high-speed broadband coverage to eight million homes by 2028 as part of its transition from a traditional telecom operator to a technology company (TechCo).

Chief Broadband Officer, Egerton Idehen, disclosed this during the Nigeria Digital Transformation virtual session with MIP Fellows at the weekend.

Idehen likened broadband to ‘the electricity of the digital age’ urging media practitioners to amplify the call for more people to connect to fibre or other broadband networks.

He said fewer than 2% of Nigerian homes currently have fixed broadband access, a gap MTN seeks to close through its Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) initiative, which already spans 16 states.

The Broadband Chief explained that the company’s rollout combines fiber with 4G/5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to ensure nationwide reach, especially in areas where fiber deployment is not cost-effective.

‘We won’t bring a Rolls Royce where there’s no road,’ Idehen said, noting that fiber serves dense urban centers while wireless broadband will reach semi-urban and rural communities.

He emphasised that MTN’s broadband expansion aligns with the Federal Government’s National Broadband Plan and Digital Economy Policy, adding that every kilometer of fiber laid strengthens Nigeria’s economic resilience and competitiveness.

However, Idehen lamented persistent obstacles such as vandalism, right-of-way (RoW) bottlenecks, and community resistance, which he said cause about 30-35 fiber cuts daily and significantly raise maintenance costs.

‘Vandalism doesn’t just disrupt MTN’s service; it disrupts lives, businesses, and the economy. Protecting this infrastructure should be a shared national responsibility,’ he added.

Idehen also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve affordability, customer experience, and partnerships with local contractors, state governments, and estate developers to integrate fiber into new housing projects. He noted that MTN is exploring bundled broadband packages with streaming services to enrich customer experience.

While acknowledging the country’s broadband penetration of around 50%, Idehen expressed optimism that the national target of 70% by 2027 is achievable through collaboration between government, operators, and communities.

‘Every home we connect represents a new opportunity for learning, growth, and connection. We’re not just building networks, we’re building Nigeria’s digital future,’ he stressed.

The family of St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, has reaffirmed that the renowned prophet singlehandedly founded the Cherubim and Seraphim (C and S) Church worldwide, dismissing claims that he co-founded it with anyone.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Akure, Elder George Tunolase, who spoke on behalf of the family, said the late Orimolade-Tunolase established and registered the C and S Church in 1925 as its sole founder.

‘There is misinformation that the Cherubim and Seraphim organisation worldwide was jointly founded by St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase and another person. That information is incorrect. The founder and sole founder remains St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase,’ Elder Tunolase stated.

He recalled that ownership disputes over the church had once been subjected to legal proceedings, which were resolved in favour of the late prophet.

‘There is a Supreme Court judgment on the matter of who owns the church. The apex court held that the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim organisation worldwide is St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase. We still have a copy of the judgment with us,’ he added.

Tunolase also explained that the late prophet hailed from a royal lineage, being a descendant of the Owa-Ale royal family of Ikare-Akoko through his father.

He clarified that contrary to public belief, it was Orimolade’s father-not his mother – who was from the Owa-Ale royal family.

‘It’s not correct that the mother of late St. Moses Orimolade-Tunolase was from the Owa-Ale royal family of Ikare. His father was a prince of Owa-Ale of Ikare, which means the Tunolase family is part of the Owa-Ale royal lineage.

‘The mother of St. Moses was from the Eleho family in Shakume Quarters, Ikare-Akoko,’ he said.

He, however, noted that the unity of the C and S Church worldwide remains unshaken, adding that members and branches across the globe recently marked the church’s centenary in one accord.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for the support of Nigerian governors to ensure the successful completion of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

Kalu made the appeal when he led members of the House Committee on Constitution Review on a courtesy visit to Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah.

He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) for their continued support and engagement in the constitutional review process, describing their collaboration as crucial to achieving meaningful reform.

The Deputy Speaker also commended the Conference of Speakers for their active participation and urged them to help expedite the process once the document reaches their respective states.

Kalu revealed that the committee is nearing completion of the process leading to parliamentary voting on the constitutional alteration bills.

‘We are appealing to you because we need you,’ he said, emphasizing that the success of the exercise depends on cooperation among all tiers of government.

‘Please, help us thank your brother governors for supporting the initiative of the Constitution review. The Governors Forum has, in one way or another, shown us support. From the chairman to any other person in the Forum. Please express our gratitude when you meet with them. One or two more engagements, and we will be done with this. Please, appreciate them.

‘Also, please, let them know that without them, we cannot make this Constitution. It is not possible because the Houses of Assembly will need to go through this document. We will not coerce the Houses of Assembly. But we know you can liaise with them to help get this document back to us as quickly as possible.

‘If the governors are not in support, we will be running in circles. But with progressively minded governors like you, I am sure you will speak to your colleagues to keep backing us up, for them to know that we need them, and for them to partner with us.

‘The Conference of Speakers has shown interest, and the chairman participated in one way or the other. He has been giving us support, but we should not end our relationship by only engaging with them. We need you, who are the major stakeholders, to help us push this through’.

Kalu said Nigerians want a more functional Constitution that will empower the local governments to deliver services, streamline electoral justice, strengthen fiscal federalism, guarantee women’s full participation in governance, and enhance accountability at all levels.

Receiving the federal lawmakers, Gov Peter Mbah lauded the Deputy Speaker for simplifying the process and making it participatory through the zonal public hearings.

‘Let me once again welcome you to this historic city. Thank you so much for honouring us with your presence. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, once again, for choosing Enugu as a venue for this retreat.

‘I want to commend your leadership and diligence over the period of the public hearing. You have come out to demonstrate such commitment in this process, and I think for the first time, we are now taking it even to the granular, getting to the details, looking at the clauses, line by line. This is what this retreat is all about. So, I want to thank you and commend you. Welcome to Enugu State’, he said.

A new technology designed to bring empirical precision to sports predictions is on the horizon. According to the Founder of City Rebels Predictions (CRSPredictions), Osifeso Olamiji, the innovation aims to transform sports forecasting from guesswork into a science-driven process powered by data, logic, and analytics.

In a statement, Olamiji said the goal is to help fans understand the science behind sports outcomes rather than depend on luck.

‘I wanted to build something that changes how people think about sports. Behind every match lies data – patterns, probability, and logic. That’s what CRSPredictions helps people see,’ he said.

Unlike conventional prediction platforms, CRSPredictions focuses on responsible engagement, positioning itself as an educational and analytical tool rather than a gambling hub. This distinction, Olamiji noted, has earned the platform credibility among young stakeholders seeking more than mere speculation.

Beyond sports analysis, he said the platform also aims to serve as a knowledge hub for young Africans. Through mentorship programmes, training, and data literacy workshops, CRSPredictions seeks to show how analytical thinking in sports can be applied to real-world problem-solving.

‘If you can analyse a football match properly, you can analyse a business decision. It’s all logic, patience, and structure,’ he explained.

Looking ahead, Olamiji revealed plans to launch a mobile app, integrate machine learning tools, and forge partnerships with African sports data firms to further enhance the platform’s capabilities.

‘Africa has the passion. Now, we need to match that passion with precision. That’s the future we’re building. I just want to prove that if you stay consistent, your idea can grow. CRSPredictions is still young, but we’re building something Africa will be proud of,’ he added.

Launched in July 2022, CRSPredictions, according to the founder, uses structured data to interpret player and team performance. The platform, he explained, offers deep-dive analyses, player trends, and predictive models designed to make sports debates more informed. ‘We’re not guessing. We predict based on information. We want users to see the logic and the data behind every result.’

With a background in Computer and Mathematical Sciences, combined with early lessons from street trading, Olamiji drew inspiration to merge logic with passion through CRSPredictions. By 2024, while serving as an Admin Officer in a Petroleum and Engineering company, he was managing both roles, an experience he said strengthened his organisational mindset.

‘Working in a structured environment helped me understand systems and organisation. It gave me the discipline to build CRSPredictions sustainably, not as a hustle, but as a real business,’ he explained.

Olamiji, who cut his entrepreneurial teeth in Mandilas Market, Lagos, trading in automobiles and fashion, also admonished the youths.

‘You learn that business isn’t about comfort; it’s about creativity and consistency. Every setback taught me to adapt and innovate,’ he said, adding that the years he spent on Mandilas Street laid the foundation for his business discipline.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are taking proactive measures against the vandalisation of telecom infrastructures across the country.

The measure which is a well-coordinated mechanism to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructures, (CNAI) is already yielding results as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, announced that the cartel behind vandalisation of telecom infrastructures has been successfully dismantled.

Dr Maida however regretted that in spite of the efforts to ensure protection of CNII in the country, threats and attacks still continued with over 20,000 fibre cuts, and 4000 cases of thefts of equipment between January and October last year.

The EVC said the NCC is collaborating with the NSCDC and the judiciary to ensure speedy prosecution of those involved in fibre cuts and infrastructural thefts.

He noted that within the period over 20,000 cases of denials of access to infrastructure locations by all manners of groups and associations were also recorded. He called for community participation in the protection of Critical National Infrastructures by all stakeholders.

The NCC boss spoke at the Business Round Table on Improving investment in broadband connectivity and safeguarding critical national infrastructure, organised by the Commission at Mbora, Abuja.

While the NCC boss said an additional one billion dollars investments have been attracted to the telecom sector from Mobile Network Operators, MNOs, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr Wale Edun said 20 states of the Federation have accessed the 750 million dollars FG/World Bank Fund for enabling business environment facility in the country.

Edun who spoke through the Director of Finance in the Ministry, Malam Ali Mohammed said the Fund which came under a Special Programme for infrastructures development in states would address challenges of critical infrastructure deficits, especially digital assets and infrastructures.

The event had the theme: ‘Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity’. It attracted major stakeholders including the Office the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the Nigeria Governors Forum, (NGF), World Bank, Mobile Network Operators, MNOs and Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, (ALTON) among others.

Edun said the present administration is committed to development of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNII) and their protection for the recalibration of the economy and improvement of Gross Domestic Product.

He maintained that the contributions of the ICT/Digital Economy Sector to the GDP would not only be sustained, but witnessed more investments due to ongoing reforms of the economy.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, (NGF) and Kwara state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, said about 19 states have waived Right of Way (RoW) levy of 145 naira per linear meter of fibre optic cables, while his Katsina State colleague, Dr Umar Radda said his state has inaugurated a Community Level Committee to ensure that critical national assets and infrastructures are protected in all the over 360 wards.

Dr Radda said his administration has invested heavily on digital economy and innovations infrastructures in the state with the appointment of a vibrant ICT expert for seamless implementation of policy that would create wealth and jobs for the youths.

Speaking further on the Round table, Dr Maida said following the hike in tariff earlier in the year, the industry has witnessed significant turnaround to attract investment and yield returns to investors.

While he said broadband penetration peaked at 48.8 percent as at August this year, over 140 million people now have internet access.

The EVC who called for zero RoW charges from the Nigeria Governors Forum, said the collaboration of states are significant to growth and development of the industry, stressing that the slow pace of getting approvals for RoW in states also remained unhelpful to the sector.

He said with over 40,000 km fibre optic infrastructures already in place, Nigeria has more than enough capability, but regretted that evacuation of the capability was the main challenge as only 10 percent of what we have is being utilised.

Dr Maida said, ‘Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria is pursuing the ambitious targets of the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025).

‘This plan sets a clear path to achieve 70% broadband penetration by the end of 2025 and to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across the country.

‘At the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), we have translated this vision into deliberate and strategic action. We are driving broadband expansion, strengthening regulation, and safeguarding the industry-even in the face of a challenging operating environment.’