Category: The Nation – Nigeria

ýýCommunity leaders in Ribadu, the birthplace of National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, have showered encomiums on him and the Federal Government over what they describe as high-impact projects that the community now enjoy.

ýýLeaders of the community, saying that now their development profile is fast changing for good, credit it to the projects that the NSA has been attracting from the federal government.

ýýA prominent leader in the community, Hon Mustapha Ribadu who is currently the Adamawa State organising secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) and at whose birthday event the leaders spoke, said the federal government has awarded the over 60km Yola-Gurin federal highway and the Fufore-Ribadu-Dasin Hausa highway; and has constructed industrial boreholes and an ICT centre.

ýMustapha Ribadu who said he decided to use the auspicious occasion of his own birthday to extend support to 400 youths and women with N10,000 cash donation each as his own expression of goodwill to his people, added that the NSA has addressed insecurity in his homestead and provided support to farmers, youths and women.

ýAlso speaking, a respected traditional ruler and Waziri of Ribadu, Alhaji Yahya Buba expressed great joy in the purposeful leadership of President Bola Tinubu who he said made a great choice of Nuhu Ribadu as the NSA who he described as a champion both at home and outside.

ý’The people of Ribadu never had is so good. We cannot count the numerous interventions we got from President Bola Tinubu courtesy of our respected and patriotic son, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,’ Buba said.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Dasin Hausa, the Jauro Dasin, Alhaji Shitu Ahmadu, hailed the interventions of the NSA across many development sectors in his area.

As evening quiets, attention naturally pivots inward, and this inward turn increases the salience of self-referential mentation that can tip into worry under stress. Fatigue further weakens top-down control, so ambiguous bodily cues and half-formed concerns are more readily tagged as threats – magnifying their intensity precisely when sleep should unfold. Together, the quiet context and reduced cognitive control make intrusive thoughts feel louder, stickier, and harder to dismiss. When those loops of anxiety coincide with elevated physiological arousal, a stable pattern of overthinking at night – can form that undermines sleep initiation and fragments rest.

Cortisol typically declines toward bedtime, but stress and irregular schedules can flatten or shift this curve, keeping presleep arousal higher than it should be. Intensive daily sampling links elevated evening cortisol with longer sleep latency, lower efficiency, and shorter total sleep, demonstrating a direct endocrine pathway to restless nights. Over days, altered cortisol and insufficient sleep reinforce one another, priming nocturnal overthinking to recur. For ongoing psychoeducation and practical ideas that complement evening anxiety work and rumination management, see Liven app – as an add-on to structured routines.

Harvey’s model of insomnia shows that negatively toned cognitive activity – catastrophizing about sleep, scanning for danger cues – heightens autonomic arousal and emotional distress. Once aroused, attention locks onto internal sensations and external cues (like the clock), misinterpreting benign signals and sustaining wakefulness. Safety behaviors such as clock-checking or staying in bed awake condition the bed as a cue for alertness, so thoughts feel particularly ‘attacking’ after dark.

Rumination (repetitive, symptom-focused loops) and worry (future-oriented threat simulation) both raise presleep cognitive arousal and predict poorer sleep. Evidence indicates rumination and unhelpful sleep beliefs mediate the link between insomnia and mood symptoms, keeping threat-focused loops active into the night. In lived experience, rumination fixates on ‘how bad tonight will be,’ while worry scripts worst-case tomorrows – each prolonging wakefulness.

Paradoxical insomnia reflects a gap between subjective and objective sleep, driven by hypervigilance that mislabels light sleep or brief awakenings as prolonged wakefulness. When nocturnal cognitive arousal is high, this misperception strengthens – distorting both time perception and sleep appraisal. The belief ‘I didn’t sleep at all’ then increases next-night anxiety, completing the overthinking-insomnia loop.

Stimulus control: Go to bed only when sleepy, leave bed if awake ~20 minutes, and keep a fixed rise time; this restores the bed-sleep link and weakens learned threat associations. Across delivery formats, stimulus control reliably improves sleep latency and efficiency when done consistently.

Sleep restriction (time-in-bed compression): Temporarily align time in bed with actual sleep, then titrate upward to build sleep drive, reduce clock-time awake, and lower arousal. This method can also yield medium effects on mood by improving sleep continuity and predictability.

Cognitive restructuring: Challenge ‘If I don’t sleep, tomorrow is ruined,’ weigh evidence, and adopt balanced alternatives that lower alarm and reduce selective monitoring.

Attention skills and defusion: Label thoughts (‘a worry, not a fact’), then shift to neutral anchors (breath, ambient sounds) to interrupt spirals without ‘trying to sleep.’

Worry/postponement routines: Do a brief ‘brain dump’ 2-3 hours before bed and assign daytime action slots so problem-solving migrates to when control resources are strongest.

These components jointly reduce negatively toned mentation, dismantle safety behaviors, and re-associate the bed with drowsiness rather than vigilance. Mechanistically, they downshift autonomic arousal, disrupt selective threat monitoring, and correct biased appraisals, so intrusive thoughts lose their intensity and duration.

If sleep-onset struggles, early-morning awakenings with racing thoughts, or persistent misperception last for weeks, structured CBT-I usually outperforms generic sleep hygiene. Given the tight coupling of circadian-sleep disruption with mood and anxiety, review sleep timing, naps, and co-occurring symptoms to tailor an effective plan.

Evening light hygiene: Dim lighting 2-3 hours before bed; bright or blue-enriched light rapidly suppresses melatonin within minutes and can alter cortisol dynamics depending on timing and intensity, making the brain feel ‘day-like’ when it should wind down. Treat screens and overhead LEDs as stimulants after dusk; warm, low-lux light helps the circadian system stay aligned with sleep.

Micro-skills during awakenings: If awake, avoid the three ‘C’s: clock-checking, catastrophizing, and cognitive effort; instead, practice a 4-minute sensory sweep (feel, hear, breathe, release) to lower arousal and keep the bed associated with neutrality. If the mind keeps looping, relocate to a dim, quiet spot for a low-stimulation activity and return only when drowsy to preserve conditioning gains.

Precision with sleep restriction: Expect a short adjustment phase; maintain consistent rise times and small data-driven time-in-bed increases once sleep efficiency improves, which strengthens sleep drive and stabilizes timing. Many benefit from journaling objective cues of sleepiness and drowsiness to guide increments and reduce fear of ‘not sleeping.’

Mindfulness add-on for cognitive arousal: Mindfulness-based insomnia protocols can deliver large reductions in nocturnal cognitive arousal and durable gains in remission, particularly by reducing perseverative thinking and increasing decentering. Even brief nightly practices: observing, labeling, allowing – can weaken the reflex to personalize or battle thoughts, letting them pass without escalating into full rumination.

Night feels hostile not because danger grows, but because biology leans inward as cortisol dynamics and fatigue reduce control while cognitive habits amplify threat and misread benign signals. The practical solution is to change the context: relink bed and sleep, move problem solving to daylight, and train attention away from threat cues, so arousal can settle naturally. With consistent practice, overthinking loses momentum and the night can return to recovery and repair. Keep in mind that consistent application of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) techniques, especially stimulus control and moderate sleep restriction, restores the association between bed and sleep and reduces night-time hyperarousal. Therapy can break the vicious cycle of insomnia, which increases anxiety and further exacerbates insomnia. Also, a short evening ‘worry time’ and a ritual of turning off external stimuli help to bring worries out into the open and reduce the focus on threats at night, allowing arousal to fade and sleep to come more naturally.

Nigerian music star Oluwatobiloba Daniel, popularly known as Kizz Daniel, has officially submitted his latest single, ‘Police,’ for Grammy Awards consideration.

The track features Beninese music legend and Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo alongside Nigerian R and B sensation Johnny Drille, blending their distinct sounds into a soulful fusion of Afrobeats and world music.

Showcasing Kizz Daniel’s signature Afrobeats flair infused with global influences, ‘Police’ celebrates African creativity, rhythm, and cross-border collaboration.

Following the success of his recent hit ‘Pano Tona’ featuring Adekunle Gold, Kizz Daniel is setting his sights higher, hoping ‘Police’ will earn him his first Grammy nomination.

Sharing the news on Instagram, he captioned a photo: ‘For your Grammy consideration with @angeliquekidjo and @johnnydrille. Police.’

Produced by Ghana’s M.O.G Beatz, alongside Nigerian producers BlaiseBeatz and Johnny Drille, the record unites some of West Africa’s finest musical talents to deliver a masterpiece with global appeal.

Fans have flooded social media with excitement, sharing their reactions:

‘Bring it home, King , bring it home. I’ll really scream,’ a fan wrote.

Another commented, ‘This Grammy is ours! Let’s go, Uncle K!’

‘If Vado wins this Grammy, una no go rest for this app. Congratulations, my Music AI,’ added another user.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has said the apex bank is steadily driving President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms through targeted policies and initiatives aimed at stimulating growth and deepening financial inclusion.

Cardoso stated this on Tuesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during a one-day CBN Fair themed ‘Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth, and Accelerated Economic Development.’

He was represented by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali.

According to him, the implementation of key CBN initiatives has begun to yield positive results, including increased foreign investment inflows, improved trade balances, and notable progress in financial inclusion across the country.

Mrs. Ali noted that among the major reforms undertaken, the CBN has unified the exchange rate to minimize arbitrage and reduce volatility in the foreign exchange market, successfully clearing over $7 billion in verified forex backlogs.

She added that the ongoing recapitalization of banks is designed to strengthen the resilience and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s banking sector, positioning it to support the administration’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

She informed that, ‘The CBN has launched a non-resident BVN to connect Nigerians abroad with home banking facilities.

‘The BMatch System has been introduced for forex trading to enhance market integrity and facilitate better price discovery.

‘CBN has unveiled a vision to accelerate digital transformation, broaden financial inclusion, and minimize downtime for faster and safer transactions.

‘A 75% CRR on non-TSA public sector deposits has been introduced to enhance liquidity management and mitigate potential inflationary pressures.’

Uyo Branch Controller of CBN, Mrs. Njideka Nwabukwu, pledged to uphold the CBN’s mandate in supporting the economic aspirations of Akwa Ibom State through effective stakeholder engagement, financial literacy campaigns, and seamless service delivery.

‘One of the key objectives of this fair is to sensitize the public on various initiatives of the CBN while creating a platform to receive valuable feedback that will help us improve our service delivery and policy implementation’, she said.

She encouraged participants to actively engage in the various sessions to take advantage of the information and opportunities presented at the fair.

The Kunle Buraimoh (KB) Foundation, on Thursday, October 2, 2025, carried out its third annual back-to-school outreach as it donated exercise books and other writing materials to pupils and students across Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

A total of 1,374 students benefited from the gesture: 985 from Laaro Grammar School, Okefia; 204 from A.U.D Primary School, Sabo; and 185 from St. James Primary School, Owoope.

The initiative, according to the Foundation, aims to ease the burden on parents while promoting access to basic learning materials for children in public primary and secondary schools.

At Laaro Grammar School, where 985 students benefited, the principal, teachers, and students could not hide their excitement as they received the educational materials. They showered encomiums on the Foundation’s Chairman, Kunle Buraimoh, describing the support as timely and impactful.

Similarly, at St. James and A.U.D. Primary Schools, joy filled the air as the young pupils expressed appreciation through songs and prayers, thanking the Foundation for its continued compassion and dedication to education.

Speaking on behalf of the teaching staff, the headteachers of both primary schools commended the Foundation for its consistency and generosity in supporting the education of indigent pupils. They noted that such interventions contribute immensely to improving the learning environment and boosting pupils’ morale.

Some parents who witnessed the distribution also expressed gratitude to the Foundation, praying for the continued success of Kunle Buraimoh and his team.

Since its inception, the KB Foundation has consistently demonstrated a passion for youth empowerment and educational development through scholarships, donations, and community outreach programmes, making it one of the most consistent philanthropic organisations in Osogbo.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order temporarily freezing a bank account belonging to Mars Aviation Limited in Fidelity Bank Plc over the company’s alleged complicity in fraud associated with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Justice Musa Liman issued the order while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), moved by its lawyer, Geraldine Ofulue.

Ofulue, while moving the motion, claimed that the account was currently being investigated in a case of criminal misappropriation and money laundering.

The lawyer identified the account number as: 5250350283 (C03651082) with the account name – Mars Aviation Limited.

The order issued on September 22 was on the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1299/2025, filed on July 1.

The EFCC stated, in a supporting affidavit, that it received an open source intelligence alleging that some monies had been paid by NNPCL to Mars Aviation Ltd for purported contracts that were phony and granted in default of the provisions of the Procurement Act.

It added that based on the intelligence, the commission launched an investigation and found that huge sums of money had indeed been paid to the account of Mars Aviation Ltd by NNPCL, in various installments.

The EFCC said the interim freezing was necessary to preserve the funds and prevent any transaction on the accounts, pending the conclusion of investigation.

Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Yinka Iyabiyi, at FirstBank, has said the bank will continue to drive initiatives that enhance creative culture in the country.

He spoke at the E1 Lagos GP, which ended on Sunday, noting that the vision of FirstBank as sponsors was to champion a movement celebrating global ideas and innovations that are sustainable and unleash the ‘unstoppable Vybes of Lagos’ onto the global stage.

The E1 series, held in Africa for the first time was a calculated effort by the state as well as the financial backing of several brands, led by FirstBank.

With the success of the all-electric powerboat racing competition in Africa, Ijabiyi noted it was a testimony the brand was not only driving every initiative that prosper the state, but would transform its coastline into global reckoning.

The teams include Aoki Racing Team, Team Alula, championed by LeBron James, Team Blue Rising, Team Brady, owned by Tom Brady, Team Brazil by Claure Group, Team Drogba, owned by Didier Drogba, Team Miami, powered by Magnus, and Team Rafa, owned by Rafael Nadal.

Each team had two pilots sharing driving duties, with regulations requiring a mixed-gender pilot line-up to ensure equal opportunities. While the championship features celebrity-backed owners and has nine competing teams, the core team for racing consists of these two pilots.

The supercharged electric boats are referred to as RaceBirds, which is the name of the one-design electric foiling boat used in UIM E1 World Championship.

Attendees were in various locations overseeing Lagos Lagoon. The fan zone, between Black Diamond Hotel and Oriental Hotel, had several activities.

Other notable viewing venues include Lagos Boat Club, Oriental Hotel, Black Diamond Hotel and an undisclosed location on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive in Ikoyi.

Xiaomi, a global technology leader committed to delivering innovation for everyone, officially launched its latest smartphones, the Xiaomi 15T and the REDMI 15, at an exciting media event in Lagos. The highly anticipated launch marks another major step in Xiaomi’s journey to make cutting-edge technology accessible to Nigerian consumers, offering a powerful flagship device alongside an everyday companion designed to meet the real needs of the Nigerian market.

A Flagship Device for Trailblazers: The Xiaomi 15T

At the heart of the launch was the Xiaomi 15T, Xiaomi’s flagship innovation device. Crafted for users who demand the very best in design, performance, and photography, the Xiaomi 15T embodies Xiaomi’s philosophy of blending top-tier technology with user-centric experiences.

The Xiaomi 15T comes in three elegant colors-Black, Gray, and Rose Gold-and is available in one premium variant: 12GB RAM + 512GB storage. Priced at ?715,800, it sets a new benchmark for flagship smartphones in Nigeria.

Key Features of the Xiaomi 15T:

Leica Summilux Optical Lens – Developed in collaboration with Leica, the camera system delivers professional-grade photography, from vivid portraits to stunning low-light shots. Nigerians who love capturing everyday moments, from weddings to street life, will appreciate the depth and clarity the Xiaomi 15T offers.

MediaTek Dimensity 8400-Ultra Processor – Engineered for speed and efficiency, this processor ensures smooth multitasking, gaming, and streaming. Whether it’s handling heavy work tasks or entertainment, performance is seamless.

6.83′ 120Hz Eye-care Display – With a large, vibrant screen and eye-care technology, the display provides an immersive viewing experience while reducing eye strain, making it ideal for long hours of use.

Massive 5500mAh Battery + 67W HyperCharge – Battery life is a top priority for Nigerian users, and Xiaomi delivers with a long-lasting 5500mAh battery. Paired with 67W fast charging, users can power up quickly and stay connected all day.

Xiaomi HyperOS – Built on Xiaomi’s latest software innovation, HyperOS provides an intuitive and fast user experience, ensuring the device feels smart, fluid, and efficient.

The Xiaomi 15T is designed for professionals, creators, and power users who want a phone that goes beyond expectations. It is not just a device-it’s a lifestyle companion that brings creativity and productivity to the forefront.

Everyday Power for Everyone: The REDMI 15

Complementing the flagship Xiaomi 15T is the REDMI 15, a device crafted for everyday users who value practicality, long-lasting power, and immersive entertainment. The REDMI 15 underscores Xiaomi’s mission to make high-quality technology accessible to everyone.

The device is available in Midnight Black, Titan Gray, and Sandy Purple, giving users a mix of classic and trendy styles. Consumers can choose between two storage variants: 6GB+128GB priced at ?186,400 and 8GB+256GB priced at ?212,900.

Key Features of the REDMI 15:

Massive 7000mAh Battery – One of the largest batteries in its class, the REDMI 15 ensures days of usage on a single charge. This is especially valuable in Nigeria, where power availability can be a challenge.

6.9′ Immersive FHD+ Display – A big screen for big entertainment. From watching movies to online classes, the large display creates a rich, engaging experience.

Snapdragon 685 Processor – A reliable and efficient chipset that powers smooth everyday performance, supporting both work and play without compromise.

33W Fast Charging – Despite its huge battery, the device recharges quickly, giving users more time to enjoy and less time waiting by the socket.

50MP AI Dual Camera System – With a 50MP primary camera and AI enhancements, the REDMI 15 makes it easy for anyone to capture crisp, detailed photos, whether it’s for social media or personal memories.

The REDMI 15 is built for students, families, and everyday consumers who want dependability and value. It proves that powerful features don’t have to come with a flagship price tag.

Strengthening Xiaomi’s Commitment to Nigeria

Speaking at the event, Xiaomi Nigeria’s Country Manager, Xingyu, emphasized the importance of the Nigerian market in Xiaomi’s global strategy:

‘Nigeria is one of the most vibrant smartphone markets in Africa. With the Xiaomi 15T, we are bringing world-class innovation, and with the REDMI 15, we are delivering power and reliability at an affordable price. Together, they represent Xiaomi’s vision to serve every type of user.’

Xiaomi’s distributor partners, Finet and Raya Nigeria, also highlighted their commitment to ensuring wide availability, strong retail presence, and reliable after-sales support for Xiaomi customers nationwide.

A Launch That Bridges Innovation and Accessibility

The Xiaomi 15T and REDMI 15 launch event was not just about unveiling two new devices; it was about showcasing Xiaomi’s dual strategy in Nigeria-offering premium flagship experiences while also meeting the everyday needs of millions of consumers.

With the Xiaomi 15T, users get an unrivaled flagship smartphone packed with Leica camera technology, a powerful processor, and HyperOS-driven experiences. With the REDMI 15, consumers enjoy massive battery life, a large immersive display, and reliable performance at prices that make sense for the Nigerian market.

Availability and Where to Buy?

20250930-115303

The Xiaomi 15T and REDMI 15 are now available in Nigeria through all authorized Xiaomi stores, including Finet, Raya, 3C Hub, Slot, and more.

Italian Fabio Cannavaro will coach Uzbekistan as they prepare for their first World Cup next year, the Central Asian nation’s soccer association said on Monday.

Cannavaro won the World Cup with Italy as a player, captaining his country to the title in 2006, but his record as a coach is more mixed.

His most recent job was with Dinamo Zagreb but that was a short-lived spell of less than four months that ended in April.

‘The Uzbekistan Football Association has signed a contract with Fabio Cannavaro – a renowned specialist, one of the best defenders of his generation,’ the statement said.

The 52-year-old has previously had coaching roles with clubs in China and Saudi Arabia as well as in Italy. He also had a short spell as caretaker manager of China in 2019.

He will succeed Timur Kapadze, who was in charge in June when the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time.

Ekiti State Government has intensified security measures across its boundary communities, to prevent infiltration by bandits and kidnappers.

The development followed the recent attacks in some communities in Kwara State.

The Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Michael Ogungbemi, spoke in a phone chat with our reporter.

He said security operations and surveillance had been reinforced along communities linking Ekiti with Kwara and Kogi states.

Ogungbemi said the council had launched a local security initiative called ‘Operation Eborac’, to combat banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities around boundary communities in the LCDA.

He said ‘Operation Eborac’, comprising local hunters and vigilance groups, carried out 24-hour surveillance, intelligence gathering and patrol duties, to ensure safety of lives and property.

Ogungbemi added that Ajoni LCDA had also extended its security collaboration beyond Ekiti boundaries, partnering with conventional and non-state actors in neighbouring Kogi and Kwara states.

The interstate patrols, he said, covered strategic boundary communities such as Ilemosho, Obbo-Ayegunle, Eruku, Koro, Ogbe and Koyan.

‘With these measures in place, we have fortified our boundaries and territories against criminal incursion.

”Our joint patrols with the military, police, civil defence and local security networks have ensured a strong security presence across vulnerable points,’ he said.

Ogungbemi lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his support in improving security architecture in the area, particularly through establishment of military bases at Oke Ako, Iyemero and Itapaji to forestall possible attacks.

He said troops and security personnel deployed in ”these bases have been equipped with patrol vehicles and motorbikes to enable regular surveillance and efficient monitoring of boundary routes, forests and rural settlement.”

He said: ”This intervention has contributed to the prevailing peace and stability in Ekiti’s boundary communities.”

Assuring residents of safety, the chairman urged farmers, travellers, teachers and other residents in boundary communities such as Iyemero, Odo Owa, Irele and Ipao to go about their activities without fear.

He said there was no cause for alarm, as boundary areas and forest routes had been fortified to prevent infiltration by bandits or kidnappers, adding that Governor Oyebanji remained committed to protecting lives and property.