Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Ewutuntun District, has officially installed Special Apostle Prophet Gabriel Aiyenugba as its new District Chairman, following the demise of the former leader.

Speaking at the installation ceremony, the new chairman described the role as both an honor and a great responsibility.

‘I feel challenged because this is not just a position, it is a kingdom burden. My vision is to strengthen unity, deepen our identity as a church, and move the C and S forward in holiness, prayer, and evangelism,’ he said.

He emphasized the need to overcome divisions within the church and called on members, especially the youth, to embrace their identity with pride.

‘C and S has a great heritage, and we must unite to show the world that we are a strong Christian family. If we stand together, no other church can match our strength,’ he added.

Senior District Secretary, Barista Olabode Akinsanya, noted that the installation signified continuity and divine order.

‘This is not just ceremonial but a reaffirmation of God’s grace in raising leaders for His work.

Prophet Aiyenugba’s humility, dedication, and years of service make him the right vessel for this assignment,’ he said.

Chairman of the Installation Committee, Special Apostle Pastor, Micheal Obamo, described the installation as both a ‘sacred continuity and a prophetic renewal.’

In the end, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which United States president Donald Trump desperately coveted, eluded him. It instead went to a Venezuelan opposition politician, Maria Corina Machado, despite last ditch efforts by the US president to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and orchestrate a realistic path to lasting peace. Mr Trump’s 20-point peace plan incorporated significant elements of the France-Saudi peace plan, and bore Turkish, Qatari, and Egyptian imprints. Altogether, stripped of all diplomatese, the ceasefire deal clearly indicates a number of consequences regarding the Middle East, and especially Palestine. Put simply, the plan implies that Hamas lost the war it triggered in October 2023, Iran is demystified, Hezbollah is significantly degraded, Yemen is virtually isolated and rendered impotent, Syria has been inoculated against terror, and Arab States can breathe a little easier because the Iranian Axis of Resistance will be of less concern to them in the short term.

The ceasefire deal will be consummated over three phases. It starts with the release of all Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian detainees, which is expected to take place in the next 72 hours starting from yesterday; withdrawal of Israeli troops in phases from Gaza and the demilitarisation of Hamas; and the rebuilding of Gaza over the next three to five years. In the medium term, which may be more challenging, other key points of the Trump plan will be revealed. There are as yet no clear indications those other terms will be met, including the more vaguely stated two-state solution. But next week, Mr Trump will take a victory lap in Israel where he will address the Israeli parliament, though the deal owes so much to Gulf States leaders, especially Qatar and Egypt, and also Turkey as well as Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

There are three angles to the ceasefire deal, which is already being celebrated almost like a peace deal because of its impact in ameliorating suffering in Gaza and removing Israel as the cynosure of global attention. President Trump, despite his theatrics and narcissistic politics, placed himself at the centre of the resolution of the Gaza war, and must feel immensely disappointed to have been passed over in the award of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. His idiosyncrasies facilitated the deal. He begins a deal by blustering, progresses to taking hostile actions, and then offers a deal which at that point becomes almost irresistible. He talked tough on Gaza by proposing to turn the territory into a resort, asked some Arab states to encourage Gaza emigration, and then joined Israel to bomb Iran, Hamas’ main backers. Secondly, he kept up an unusual and in the long run beneficial relationship, political and business, with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States as a whole. He asked no moral questions and made no ethical demand of them, and entered into both private and public business deals with those countries, precisely the kind of powerful leader they wish to have on their side.

Thirdly, he sustained incredibly close and powerful diplomatic and personal relations with Israel both in his first term, and in the opening months of his second term, including breaking the anathema of relocating American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He also went more than one step better in backing Israel unconditionally in its war in Gaza, at least publicly, while privately bringing enormous pressure to bear on the Israeli prime minister. It made it possible for him to compel Mr Netanyahu to apologise to Qatar for the attempt on Hamas leaders’ lives in Doha early September. And it also made it possible to leverage on his enormous popularity in Israel to compel Mr Netanyahu to agree to the ceasefire deal over and above the objections and reservations of Israeli political coalition leaders.

The second angle, entirely constituted by Mr Netanyahu himself, is even more profound than the Trump angle. He may be a corrupt and controversial politician, and may be mercurial to boot, but he has the right instincts of a leader. At a time when most of Israel believed it was brinkmanship to engage in some of the wider and ramifying actions he took in the past two years on the international stage, the prime minister doubled down on his decisions, stuck to his guns, gingerly held on to his Knesset coalition, and broke so many diplomatic tables that no one thought possible. It took nerves to launch a blitzkrieg on Iran, decimate Hezbollah, while at the same time fighting a vicious campaign next door, in Gaza and Syria, and long range strikes against Yemen. The extraordinary and unprecedented military successes that greeted his efforts earned Israel global respect, even if the world, minus America, deplored and loathed Mr Netanyahu’s gung-ho policies. He showed what it is to be a leader, that it cares less about public relations, that it is about courage, intuition, and tactical brilliance. Yes, Israel fought a similar war in 1967 during the Six-Day War, but in its recent campaigns it made the world glimpse technology’s lethal effect on modern warfare. Indeed, it took a Trump and Netanyahu leadership nexus to unfurl the frightening and apocalyptic possibilities which determined leaders are capable of conjuring.

The third angle, constituted by Qatar, Turkiye and Egypt, is no less crucial for the resolution of the Gaza conflict, and they will continue to play a huge role in pacifying the region in the years ahead. Without their efforts, it is doubtful whether the ceasefire could have been reached at the time it happened. Hamas, it has become clear, miscalculated in instigating the war in Octobers 2023. They knew they stood no chance of defeating Israel militarily, but they counted on Hezbollah to pressure Israel from the North, Iran to give back-up should it be needed, and the rest of the world to give it public relations advantage because of the untold humanitarian catastrophe expected to be unleashed. They didn’t count on Mr Trump’s return to the White House, probably misjudged the resolve of Mr Netanyahu and his vulnerable Knesset coalition, and had romantic ideas of what influence the outraged world could muster. Worse, they never believed Israel could dismantle the Axis of Resistance so rapidly and so effortlessly, nor budge over the humanitarian disaster the invasion would trigger. Having embedded their command posts, armouries and tactical units beneath and within public buildings such as schools and hospitals and international organisations buildings, Hamas hoped to achieve some form of stalemate. All the calculations, however, unravelled quickly.

Now, as a result of that attack on October 7, 2023, the power dynamics of the Middle East has been reconfigured. Lebanon stands the chance of reclaiming its sovereignty from Hezbollah’s stranglehold; Iran is weakened and a shadow of itself, particularly of its boastful self; Syrian militias toppled the Assad dynasty because Iranian support was no longer available; nearly the entire Hamas leadership has been wiped out making it possible for the Palestinian Authority operating form the West Bank to lay claims to Gaza; Gaza lies in absolute ruins and will be administered by external forces in the foreseeable future; and Israel has emerged much stronger than before the war, with Mr Netanyahu’s political and leadership reputation considerably bolstered.

However, the world must watch out for the unseen consequences of the war. Mr Trump may be widely acknowledged for his diplomatic skills today, but the essential core of those skills, if world history and end times prophecy are anything to go by, are much brittler than imagined. Fascists, of whom Mr Trump is arguably numbered, often achieve great successes and triumphs in the short run; but in the long run, they collapse under the weight of their eccentricities and contradictions. The US president is today acclaimed in the US, Israel, and Middle East, but his achievements have been secured mostly by bullying tactics, domestic and international, and by taking advantage of the follies and foibles of incompetent or timid regional leaders. He will come to grief sooner or later, possibly damaging America’s reputation irreparably. For Israel, the ceasefire and the hostages release may buoy the reputation of Mr Netanyahu, but as a student of history, he will recall that the spectacular success of the 1970 Yom Kippur War was insufficient to save the leadership of Gold Meir who was blamed for the country’s lack of preparedness and initial military setbacks that caused massive casualties. She accepted blame and resigned in 1974.

For Hamas, having retarded the Palestinian cause by its terrible miscalculations, not to say damage Gaza’s infrastructure and caused nearly 70,000 dead, it may be the end of the road. Neither they nor the less influential Islamic Jihad, will play any significant role in Gaza for a long time. Even if they try to play some political role in the future, they are unlikely to meet with as much success as they had after they took control of the strip in June 2007. Nor will they have the kind of financial assistance from the Gulf States as they had previously received. A ceasefire may have taken effect, but the long-term goal of a two-state solution may remain far-fetched. They toyed with it after Camp David Accords of 1978 and the Oslo I and II Accords of 1993 and 1995, but a final peace treaty was torpedoed by Palestinian leaders. It is not certain that such a zero-sum game is not still the regnant philosophy in the disputed region. Indeed, the last has not been heard of the war, the last one being the fifth in the series of Israel-Hamas wars.

In its ongoing drive to enhance sustainable power solutions across Lagos, Welbeck Electricity Limited has commissioned a N20 million solar-powered streetlight project at the National Stadium underbridge, Surulere.

The installation, comprising 20 solar lighting units, reflective vest for officers and traffic booth for Nigeria Police force and LASTMA was carried out under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to improve night-time visibility and enhance safety for commuters and pedestrians.

The unveiling ceremony also coincided with updates on Welbeck’s Oregun Independent Power Plant (IPP) – a 4.4 megawatt (MW) gas-powered facility expected to deliver 24-hour reliable electricity to commercial and industrial clients across Lagos.

According to Afolabi Aiyela, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Welbeck Electricity, the firm is focused on expanding its footprint across industrial clusters in Lagos and Nigeria through a blend of natural gas and renewable energy technologies.

‘We came with a solution to provide solar streetlights that are renewable and require less maintenance,’ Aiyela said. ‘Now people can walk here even at midnight without fear. This is our way of giving back to the community.’

Aiyela added that Welbeck plans to ensure 20% of its total power generation comes from renewable sources within the next five years. He also credited the Lagos State Government for creating an enabling business environment that encourages private investment and CSR participation.

‘Without supportive laws and policies, we couldn’t do projects like this. This is a small start – but we’ll do more,’ he said.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Desmond Elliot, representing Surulere Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, commended the project, describing it as a major step toward improving security and livability under Lagos bridges.

‘Before now, this under-bridge was dark and unsafe. But thanks to Welbeck Electricity, the area is now well lit, and residents can move freely even late at night,’ Elliot stated. ‘This is what community partnership means – not just waiting for the government alone.’

He urged residents to protect and maintain public facilities like the solar lights, stressing that community ownership is key to sustainability.

‘When people see others trying to destroy public infrastructure, they must speak up or alert the police. Maintenance culture begins with us,’ he added.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources praised Welbeck’s initiative, describing it as aligned with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s clean energy vision, which targets the installation of 40,000 solar-powered street lights across the state.

‘Projects like this reflect the administration’s priorities – safety, sustainability, and service delivery,’ the Commissioner said. ‘Renewable energy will continue to power critical areas like bridges and intersections, reducing carbon emissions and improving visibility at night.’

The Commissioner further disclosed that Lagos is expanding solar adoption to schools, general hospitals, and public institutions to enhance energy reliability.

Other dignitaries present included Prince Dosunmu, representing Suleiman Bamidele, Olayiwola Abdul Rahmon, and community leaders from Surulere alongside representatives of the Nigerian Police Force, LASTMA, and Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who all commended the company for its commitment to public service and safety.

The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa has reiterated the administration’s commitment to job creation using the vehicle of arts.

She spoke in Lagos, at the weekend at the unveiling of the Ananse Centre, a 1,200-square-meter facility located at 10A Nike Art Gallery Road, Lekki Ikate.

The centre’s wider goal is to enable more than 5,000 emerging fashion and design-focused creatives and create access to 50,000 jobs, with seventy percent of participants being young women.

The minister, who endorsed the centre after signing a five-year memorandum of understanding with Ananse to scale the model nationwide, said ‘The launch of the Ananse Center for Design Lagos aligns with our commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative economy. By investing in skills, facilities and global visibility for our designers, we are creating jobs, supporting women and youth, and ensuring Nigerian creativity is recognised on the world stage. Our collaboration with Ananse will help scale this model across the country and secure lasting impact for the sector.’

Speaking during the panel session, the minister noted that one of the biggest challenges confronting designers on e-commerce is unfulfilled orders, poor access to data, and the issue of how to sustain supply chains.

‘To scale that, creatives need to be empowered with supply chains that can scale, so they can get the material they need to fulfill their orders.’

While noting that the centre will help to bridge the noticeable gaps, she was however quick to advise the SMEs to utilise the opportunities such a hub offers to be able to fully harness their potentials.

Participants of the training program will benefit from 22 courses across five modules: Business Skills, Business Development, E-commerce, Marketing, and Product Development, delivered both physically at the Center’s fashion hub and virtually through interactive live sessions.

‘The Ananse Center for Design Lagos is more than a space, it is a catalyst for change. By combining training, infrastructure and global market access, we are giving thousands of young creatives, especially women, the chance to turn their talent into sustainable livelihoods. This launch marks an important step in building a future where African design thrives locally and globally,’ said Samuel Mensah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ananse.

‘Our partnership with Ananse and the unveiling of the Center for Design Lagos reflects the Mastercard Foundation’s strategic commitment to the creative sector as a catalyst for youth opportunity. By bringing together training, infrastructure, and access to markets, the Centre creates pathways for young people, especially young women, to thrive, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic growth,’ said Rosy Fynn, Country Director, Nigeria Program, Mastercard Foundation.

The new Centre will feature training rooms for mentorship and masterclasses, content studios to amplify brands, photography and Computer-Aided Design labs for product development, and specialised studios for leather, clothing, shoes, and bags.

A private showroom will provide space to showcase designs, while co-working spaces will foster collaboration and peer learning.

Though anchored in Lagos, the centre will welcome participants from across the continent and has made affordability and accessibility central to its model, ensuring that vulnerable groups, including displaced people, can participate and benefit.

Designers, artisans, and other creative entrepreneurs can access the Centre’s full range of services – from training programmes and mentorship to machinery rentals, product sampling, studio spaces, and business support. For more information and to register, visit ananse.com/fashionhub.

The project is further supported by international partners, including DHL, Ecobank and the African Union, ensuring that Nigerian design is connected to global audiences. Our strategic partners, Botho Emerging Markets Group, support the initiative with research, strategy, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

In a decisive move to strengthen consumer protection and rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s financial system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other financial institutions to refund customers for failed Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions within 48 hours.

The directive is contained in a draft guideline titled ‘Exposure of the Draft Guidelines on the Operations of Automated Teller Machines in Nigeria,’ released yesterday by the apex bank.

The document, signed by Musa I. Jimoh, Director of the Payments System Policy Department, was circulated to banks, payment service providers, card schemes and independent ATM deployers, seeking stakeholder feedback by October 31, 2025.

According to the CBN, failed ‘on-us’ transactions-those conducted on a customer’s own bank ATM-must be reversed instantly. However, where technical challenges make instant reversal impossible, banks are required to process refunds manually within 24 hours.

For ‘not-on-us’ transactions-those involving ATMs operated by other banks-refunds must be processed within 48 hours.

‘Customers must not be made to suffer for failed transactions caused by system errors or network failures,’ the circular stated.

The CBN directed all banks and ATM operators to deploy technology capable of automatically reversing failed or partial transactions, removing the need for customers to file complaints.

Financial institutions holding customer funds from failed ATM withdrawals are to reconcile and refund such balances immediately.

The apex bank explained that the move follows increasing complaints from customers over delayed refunds and poor service delivery across the banking industry.

It said the reforms were part of broader efforts to modernise the nation’s payment infrastructure and align Nigeria’s financial system with global standards.

Beyond refund timelines, the new draft guidelines propose sweeping reforms to ATM operations across the country.

Under the new framework, banks and card issuers are required to deploy at least one ATM for every 5,000 active cards.

Institutions are to achieve 30 percent compliance by 2026, 60 percent by 2027, and full compliance by 2028.

Any future ATM deployment, relocation, or decommissioning must first receive CBN approval.

For customer safety and improved accessibility, ATMs must be installed in enclosed or well-lit areas, equipped with anti-skimming devices, CCTV cameras, and compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).

Machines are also required to display functional helpdesk contacts, maintain audit logs and ensure that at least two per cent of all deployed ATMs feature tactile symbols for visually impaired users.

Additionally, ATMs must: Dispense cash before returning cards; Allow free Personal Identification Number (PIN) changes; Issue receipts for all transactions except balance inquiries; Clearly display all transaction fees; Dispense only clean banknotes; and Maintain backup power to minimize downtime.

The CBN also set strict standards for ATM uptime, stipulating that downtime must not exceed 72 consecutive hours. Operators are required to publicly disclose the causes of service disruption and the estimated restoration period if the downtime extends beyond this limit.

To ensure compliance, the apex bank said it will conduct regular audits, on-site inspections, and require monthly reports from all ATM operators detailing the number and location of deployed machines.

Institutions found to be non-compliant will face appropriate sanctions.

The central bank said the reforms were necessary, given the rising cases of failed transactions, cyber fraud, and deteriorating service quality in the financial system.

‘The goal is to build a payments system that works seamlessly for everyone-urban and rural users alike,’ the CBN stated.

Nigeria’s electronic payments landscape has expanded rapidly, with over 200 million cardholders and an increasing shift toward digital banking.

However, persistent network failures, inadequate infrastructure, and delayed refunds have continued to erode public trust.

The latest draft guidelines-coming just eight months after the review of ATM fees-are expected to streamline operations, enhance consumer experience, improve security, and ensure greater accountability from banks and payment service providers.

Stakeholders have until October 31, 2025, to submit their feedback before the final guidelines take effect, likely before the end of the year.

Nigeria’s total public debt stock has climbed to N152.39 trillion as of June 30, 2025, according to the latest figures released by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The new figure marks an increase of N3.01 trillion or 2.01 per cent from the N149.39 trillion recorded at the end of March 2025. In dollar terms, the debt profile rose from $97.24 billion to $99.66 billion, representing a 2.49 per cent increase within the three-month period.

Nigeria’s external debt stock increased to $46.98 billion (N71.85 trillion) in June 2025, compared to $45.98 billion (N70.63 trillion) in March.

According to the report, the World Bank remains Nigeria’s largest external creditor, with $18.04 billion in outstanding loans – mostly from the International Development Association (IDA). This accounts for about 38 per cent of the country’s total external obligations.

Overall, multilateral lenders accounted for $23.19 billion, representing 49.4 per cent of the external portfolio. Other multilateral partners include the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Bilateral loans totalled $6.20 billion, led by the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank) with $4.91 billion, while smaller exposures were owed to France, Japan, India, and Germany.

Commercial borrowings, mostly through Eurobonds, amounted to $17.32 billion, accounting for 36.9 per cent of Nigeria’s total external debt. The country also owed $268.9 million under syndicated facilities and commercial bank loans.

On the domestic front, total debt rose to N80.55 trillion in June, up from N78.76 trillion in March – an increase of N1.79 trillion or 2.27 per cent.

The report stated that N680,424,712,094.99 of FGN bonds issued to restructure States’ commercial debts is excluded from that amount. Also included under FGN Bonds was a securitized component of Ways and Means financing amounting to N22,719,000,000,000.00. A portion of FGN Bonds issued in foreign currency (converted to naira) accounted for N1,402,905,358,752.50; this figure corresponds to a domestic US Dollar bond of USD 917.405 million, which the DMO notes was converted using a rate of N1,529.2105 per dollar.

Treasury Bills were the second largest instrument, amounting to N12,764,078,815,000.00, which is 16.67 percent of the domestic debt stock.

Other instruments recorded in the DMO report include FGN Sukuk (N1,292,557,000,000.00, or 1.69 percent), FGN Savings Bonds (N91,533,172,000.00, or 0.12 percent), and FGN Green Bond (N62,355,000,000.00, or 0.08 percent).

Promissory Notes (Pnotes), which are non-interest bearing, were reported at N1,731,358,298,643.85, forming 2.26 percent of total domestic debt. Of this amount, the naira-denominated portion was N431,216,797,437.00, while the foreign currency denominated portion (converted to naira) was N1,300,141,501,206.86. The foreign currency portion is composed of USD and GBP elements, converted at the rates of N1,529.2105 per dollar and N2,093.9479 per pound.

Specifically, the DMO noted that the FGN Naira Bonds figures include part of the N7.3 trillion Ways and Means restructured in the first half (H1) of 2025, and that the FGN US Dollar Bond of USD 917,405,000 issued on September 6, 2024 and outstanding as at June 2025 was converted to naira using the Central Bank of Nigeria official exchange rate of 1 USD = N1,529.2105 as at June 30, 2025.

The DMO stated that Promissory Notes which are non-interest bearing instruments and that the foreign-denominated Promissory Notes outstanding (USD 850,069,492 and £98,526 as at June 2025) were converted to naira using the CBN official exchange rates of 1 USD = N1,529.2105 and 1 GBP = N2,093.9479 as at June 30, 2025.

According to the DMO, the Federal Government accounted for N141.08 trillion, representing 92.6 per cent of the total public debt stock. This figure includes N64.49 trillion in external obligations and N76.59 trillion in domestic liabilities.

Subnational governments – comprising the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – owed a combined N11.32 trillion, or 7.4 per cent of the total debt. Of this amount, $4.81 billion (N7.36 trillion) was external, while N3.96 trillion was domestic.

Big Brother Naija season 10 winner, Imisioluwa Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to God and her supporters, saying she is still coming to terms with the magnitude of her win, a week after the life-changing victory.

The 23-year-old reality TV star described the experience as surreal and credited her triumph to the unwavering support of her fans and the Big Brother platform.

Imisi also thanked MultiChoice, DStv Nigeria, and GOtv Nigeria for providing the platform that propelled her into the public eye.

‘Exactly one week ago today, y’all changed my life for good forever. I am grateful to God and to all of you. I am struggling to understand what has truly hit me, most of you can see that in some of the clips that made it to the internet from the Winner’s party last night.

‘It is my prayer that we will all win together in life, because this journey is forever. To @MultiChoice @DStvNg and @GOtvNg, thank you for the opportunity. I will forever be grateful. Sincerely Yours, Imisioluwa, S10 Winner’, she wrote on X.

The victory came with a grand prize package worth N150 million, including N80 million in cash, a brand-new Innoson SUV and endorsement opportunities.

Imisi’s journey in the Big Brother house was marked by her humor, authenticity, and emotional depth, capturing viewers’ hearts with her relatability and resilience.

As one of the youngest winners in the show’s history, Imisi has received massive public support, with fans celebrating her humility and originality.

Her victory has been described as a story of perseverance and grace.

Reality TV star and entrepreneur Tacha has revealed why she chose to host her Guinness World Record attempt for the most makeovers done in 24 hours in Nigeria instead of the United Kingdom.

The event, part of her Tacha Beauty Festival, aims to highlight Nigeria’s creative potential and put the country’s beauty industry on the global map.

Tacha, in an interview with Egungun, explained that she initially planned to hold the event in London, with sponsorship from NYX, but decided to prioritise showcasing Nigerian talent and creativity.

‘The plan was London. We already had plans, we had a brand that wanted to sponsor us NYX.

‘But I said, London is not that country that will give me the vibe I want. Then I thought, see my people, they are here.

‘It always makes sense to carry your country along, I’m putting the Nigerian beauty industry on a freaking global map’ she said.

The influencer has been planning the feat for two years and is determined to succeed.

She began the 24-hour record attempt on Saturday night, targeting 150 makeovers.

By Sunday morning, she had already completed 115 makeovers in 12 hours, surpassing the previous record of 113 makeovers in 24 hours.

Tacha dedicated her effort to her late mother, citing her drive and passion for success as a personal motivation.

Despite minor setbacks, including power disruptions, Tacha maintained a fast-paced routine, completing each makeover in minutes.

The event is a celebration of beauty, culture, and resilience, and a testament to Nigerian creativity.

Singer-songwriter Johnny Drille has explained what makes a hit song, admitting that no artist can truly predict when a track will blow up.

Speaking on a recent podcast, the Mavin Records artist reflected on his creative process with Don Jazzy, revealing that even their popular hit wasn’t originally intended to top the charts.

‘I don’t think when we were making it, we thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be a huge song,” he said. ‘I don’t think anybody ever knows what a hit song is going to be until it just goes out and does its thing.’

Johnny Drille also found humor in artists who confidently label their upcoming releases as ‘hit tracks.’

‘Sometimes I laugh when I see people say, ‘I’m about to release my next hit track,’ and I’m like, bro, you don’t know what’s going to hit. A lot of the time, people who release the biggest songs didn’t even know it would be a hit,’ he remarked.

The singer further explained that even with strong production, investment, and marketing, success in music is never certain.

‘You can make fantastic music, be hopeful, tick all the boxes, and still, it just doesn’t pop. I think it’s a combination of good luck, timing, and the audience liking what they like. They just do what they want with the song,’ he said.

He concluded by advising artists to focus on what they can control – the music itself.

‘For the artist, there’s not really much you can do beyond creating beautiful music,’ he added.

Immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has identified multiple litigations, conflicting court orders, electoral violence, and vote buying as some of the biggest challenges undermining the smooth conduct and management of elections in Nigeria.

In the foreword of a new book titled ‘Election Management in Nigeria: 2015 to 2025,’ which chronicles his two-term tenure as INEC Chairman, Yakubu also highlighted technical glitches, equipment failures, and network connectivity issues as recurring obstacles to election administration.

The 220-page publication, divided into 11 chapters, was released on Yakubu’s final day in office as INEC Chairman.

Despite these challenges, Yakubu noted that the Commission recorded remarkable achievements between 2015 and 2025, many of which, he said, should be sustained to build public trust and improve the integrity of future elections.

‘The decade between 2015 and 2025 has been one of the most momentous in the history of election management in Nigeria. There have been several milestones, many challenges, and useful lessons in the conduct and administration of elections during this period,’ he said.

According to Yakubu, the book provides the most comprehensive account of the Commission’s reforms, innovations, and lessons under his leadership.

He stated that during his tenure, INEC implemented key reforms across various areas – including the legal framework, voter education, election security, deployment of technology, and stakeholder engagement – all aimed at improving transparency and strengthening public confidence in the electoral system.

The publication documents major milestones achieved during the period, such as the introduction of Simultaneous Accreditation and Voting (CAVs); the development and deployment of the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) and the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS); and the expansion of polling units from 119,974 to 176,846 – breaking a 25-year jinx.

Other significant reforms include enhanced inclusivity measures for persons with disabilities (PwDs), internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, and youth; the establishment of the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) Portal; and several digital platforms for the submission and monitoring of candidate lists, party agents, election observers, and media accreditation.

Yakubu also cited the development of the Election Management Support Centre (EMSC) for early warning and real-time monitoring of election activities, as well as INEC’s expanded role in providing electoral assistance to sister electoral bodies across West Africa, as part of the Commission’s enduring legacy during the decade under review.

He said, ‘Despite these achievements, the 2015-2025 decade was not without its challenges. Issues such as multiple litigations in which the Commission is joined, conflicting orders from courts of concurrent jurisdiction, electoral violence as seen in the various attacks on the Commission’s facilities and personnel, vote trading, and the challenge of logistics that led to the postponement of elections since 2011, continue to pose challenges to the smooth conduct of elections and the management of the electoral process.

‘Additionally, technical challenges with equipment and connectivity failures have sometimes hindered the smooth conduct of elections.

‘In response to these challenges, the Commission implemented various reforms, including voter education programs, capacity building for electoral officials, and collaboration with security agencies to ensure the safety of voters and electoral officials, in addition to several policies guiding the development, acquisition, and deployment of electoral technology and the management of the electoral process.

‘As the Commission looks to the future, the conduct of elections and the management of elections will continue to evolve and present fresh challenges. Such challenges will necessarily either require the consolidation of old or the formulation of new reforms.

‘Lessons from the conduct of elections and the management of the process will necessitate that new lessons be learnt, requiring the tweaking of old, or the introduction of new electoral technologies.

‘The Commission must fully embrace both successes and failures, intensify confidence and trust-building measures, expand the drive towards inclusivity, and continuously be ahead in addressing potential threats to the conduct of elections and the management of the electoral process. Only in and through these can it ensure the conduct of free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections and the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.’