Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA in Lagos, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to positioning Onigbongbo as the gateway of tourism and hospitality in Lagos.

Speaking at the Tourism and Hospitality Symposium, the Chairman highlighted Onigbongbo’s unique role as the first point of contact for many visitors arriving in Lagos, with its thriving hospitality sector along Allen, Opebi, Toyin, Kudirat Abiola, and Ikeja GRA.

He emphasised that tourism is not just leisure but a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, aligning with his administration’s F.I.N.E Agenda – Foster economic growth, Invest in people, Nurture enterprise, and Ensure wellbeing.

Adebanjo announced the upcoming Onigbongbo Spark Fest 2025, a landmark yuletide festival designed to light up our cityscape, attract visitors, and transform Onigbongbo into a yuletide destination to rival Victoria Island and Lekki.

He also unveiled plans for a digital hospitality directory powered by QR codes, which will be placed at airports and strategic locations across Lagos, offering visitors access to local hotels, restaurants, and nightlife operators with a 10% discount incentive.

The Chairman assured tourism and hospitality stakeholders of the government’s readiness to collaborate with the private sector in driving visibility, investment, and growth, stating: ‘Together, we will make tourism the heartbeat of development in Onigbongbo LCDA.’

Kwara United’s Head coach Tunde Sanni has lamented his side’s ouster from the 2025 CAF Confederation Cup following their 1-0 loss to Asante Koto of Ghana on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Stadium Arena in Abeokuta.

Kwara United entered the return leg optimistic of overturning their 4-3 first leg defeat at the Accra Sports Stadium penultimate weekend but failed to capitalise on several scoring chances in front of their home fans.

Sunday’s loss , therefore, sent out the Afonja Warriors on a 5-3 aggregate.

Speaking after the loss to the Porcupine Warriors, Sanni showed his displeasure and disappointment over his player’s lackadaisical approach as they lost several scoring opportunities.

‘I’m highly disappointed,’ Sanni said in an interview aired on Brila Fm. ‘Look at the number of chances we created, we scored three goals in Accra but we were unable to convert our chances here at home (Abeokuta).’

Incidentally, the loss to Asante Kotoko means that Kwara United cannot aim to their best showing in previous CAF Confederation Cup appearance having crashed out of the same competition in the Group Stage in 2007.In their last appearance in the same competition in the 2022/23 season , they were eliminated in the Second Round .

‘At times like this, I don’t know if the players were carried away,’ Sanni further lamented.

‘ We tried to score at all costs but were unable and look at the goal we conceded, it’s so painful.’

Aside Kwara United, Nigeria’s other representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, Abia Warriors also crashed out of the competition on Sunday following their 2-1 aggregate loss to the Djoliba Athletic Club of Bamako, Mali.

If all Enugu State is getting from the country’s national grid now is a paltry 70MW, then there is nothing wrong in describing the state government’s proposed target of 1,000MW as ambitious. This is 300MW over and above the 700MW that the government had in mind as at last year.

But that was then. The dream is even bigger today, with the state government eyeing about 1,000MW generation capacity.

What is more? The proposed 1,000MW is expected to be powered with coal, a mineral resource that the state has not only in abundance, but also of a high quality.

Governor Peter Mbah disclosed the new plan as guest of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) ‘Meet The Governor Series,’ where he presented a business case for investing in Enugu State. The event held in Lagos on September 25.

‘Our target is to see how we can use our coal to generate at least 1,000 megawatts of power. We do have technology today that makes coal utilisation less adverse to the environment. Essentially, that is the direction for us’, the governor said at the forum.

Enugu State may not be the first state in the country to take advantage of the further liberalisation of the power sector by the immediate past Muhammadu Buhari administration, and consolidated with the Bola Tinubu government’s Electricity Amendment Bill.

But the state, particularly under the Mbah administration, has shown so much enthusiasm in the power sector.

One critical factor that the state government wants to leverage on is its abundant coal deposits. This is significant in two ways: one, it speaks to the diversification of the source of power supply in the country, a thing many power consumers have always craved for.

Second, it puts into use a nearly-forgotten mineral resource that the south eastern part of the country was renowned for: coal. And the governor has rightly noted that they would no longer treat the resource as a ‘stranded asset’ without adequate compensation.

We are happy to note Gov. Mba’s efforts to get his state off the national grid which has become antiquated and inadequate to cope with the demands of a power-starved country like ours.

It was this passion that drove the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) to come up with its own template on power tariffs, a thing which led to brickbats between the agency and, by extension, the state government, on one hand, and the generating and distribution companies, on the other.

The two entities disagreed with the EERC tariff template on the basis that the agency could not determine the price of power it does not generate.

This would sound a reasonable argument but it does not wholly explain the situation. Not a few Nigerians see exploitation, incompetence, corruption and bad faith in the modus operandi of the present players in the power sector, all of which Nigerian consumers are fated to pay for.

So, it would not be a bad idea for people who want genuine transformation in the power sector and are indeed desirous of determining the tariff, to go into actual power generation.

This is part of the beauty in the Mbah 1,000MW proposal.

Enugu State government should press on with the proposal. Indeed, power generation should be a major component to consider by any investor who truly wants to be in charge in the power sector.

We have said it several times; and it bears restating that Nigeria cannot go far with its ambitious programmes if things are left entirely in the hands of the present players in the sector. If 13 years after the so-called liberalisation of the sector we are where we are, we need no expert to tell us to change tactics.

We can understand Gov. Mbah’s plight: he has ambitious programmes to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in eight years. Here, power supply is key.

The governor needs all the support and encouragement. Others should emulate him.

The Flying Eagles were unlucky to lose 1-0 to Norway in their opening match of the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals on Monday despite dominating play and creating a hatful of chances, particularly in the second period.

Norway went ahead after they were awarded a contested penalty in the 9th minute, but the Flying Eagles fought hard to redeem things, only to be denied penalty awards on two occasions in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi’s left-footed shot inside the box drifted just wide in the 47th minute, with the goalkeeper completely beaten, and in the 63rd minute, Tahir Maigana’s left-footed shot inside the box was stopped by the base of the upright.

The two-time silver medallists launched onslaught after onslaught against the Europeans, but Norway had too many players behind the ball in the box and foiled dozens of attempts.

In the 71st minute, the crowd rose to cheer the equalizer, but midfielder Nasiru Salihu’s rising shot from the right rose a little too high, beating the goalkeeper and the crossbar.

Seven minutes from time, the tireless Tahir Maigana cocked the trigger from afar, only to see his effort miss the target narrowly.

The Flying Eagles will take on Saudi Arabia in their second match of the competition on Thursday.

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has described the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) as a dependable partner in advancing reforms that will reposition Nigeria’s commercial and insolvency law practice.

This was stated at the opening of BRIPAN’s 2025 Annual International Insolvency Conference.

The two-day conference, held on September 25 and 26 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, had as its theme: ‘Deepening Insolvency Tools for Resolving Commercial and Financial Challenges of Businesses.’

In his goodwill message, Osigwe said the association had consistently contributed to shaping business recovery processes and enhancing the legal framework for insolvency.

‘BRIPAN has remained a dependable ally to the Nigerian Bar Association in strengthening the practice of commercial law and in developing pragmatic solutions to the challenges of insolvency.

‘This conference presents another opportunity to deepen knowledge, sharpen skills, and reimagine insolvency practice in ways that promote economic growth and protect businesses. Our hope is that the deliberations here will lead to concrete reforms that safeguard jobs and build investor confidence in Nigeria.’

BRIPAN President, Chimezie Ihekweazu, SAN, said the association had stepped up its training programmes and regulatory engagements to expand capacity in the field.

He informed over 1,100 members had been trained within the past year, and draft Insolvency Practice Directions had been concluded for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal High Court.

Ihekweazu said: ‘Our mission is clear, to build a modern insolvency framework that not only resolves financial distress but also gives viable businesses a second chance at survival.

‘We have worked tirelessly on capacity development and regulatory reforms, including draft practice directions for our superior courts. These are deliberate steps to ensure that insolvency practice in Nigeria is not only globally competitive but also tailored to the realities of our economy.

‘The goal is to create a system where business rescue is possible, where creditors are treated fairly, and where entrepreneurship can thrive without the fear of arbitrary collapse.’

Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Albert Folorunsho, stressed that the event went beyond academic debate, describing it as a practical commitment to shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy through insolvency reforms.

‘This gathering is not just an academic exercise or a ritual conference. It is about building a framework where insolvency is not seen as the end of a business, but as a process of preservation, continuity, and recovery.

‘It is about protecting jobs, securing investments, and giving our economy the resilience it needs to compete globally. Every session and every conversation at this conference must translate into tangible reforms that will strengthen the Nigerian insolvency landscape.’

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Arise Television anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who was killed during an armed robbery at her Katampe residence in Abuja on Monday, September 29, 2025.

In a condolence message signed by its Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, the NUJ described Maduagwu as a brilliant and dedicated journalist whose professionalism and poise left a lasting impression on colleagues and viewers.

The Council extended condolences to her family, friends, and Arise Television, stressing that her untimely death highlights Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

It also urged the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough forensic investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.

In honour of her memory, the NUJ urged members of the media community to reflect on the values Somtochukwu upheld: integrity, excellence, and service to society, while offering prayers and support to her grieving family.

‘Though her life was brief, her impact was profound. May her legacy continue to inspire courage and truth in journalism.’

The NUJ FCT Council prayed for strength and comfort for her loved ones, and called on journalists across the country to remain united, vigilant, and supportive of one another during this period of collective mourning.

Actress Regina Daniels caused a stir on social media on Monday with a video of herself and her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, using the restroom.

The viral video captured the look on Ned’s face as he seemingly showed his displeasure before going on to pee.

Regina, who’s a mother of two, was seen quickly blocking the camera’s view as her husband appeared to be using the restroom.

According to the timestamp on the video, the incident occurred around 5:30 am.

The playful moment has since generated a flurry of comments from fans, with many praising Regina for her swift and protective gesture, while others found humor in the early morning recording.

While some praised the actress for her protective gesture and sense of humor, others criticised the video as being inappropriate and disrespectful.

One social media user commented: ‘He saw the video recording and still brought it out. I didn’t even see anything, so everyone should rest. If he had a problem with it, he would have asked her to delete it.’

Another critic wrote:’So disrespectful.’

A third user added: ‘It’s shameful! To showcase a serving senator this way is completely unacceptable.’

HP Inc. has raised concerns over evolving cyberattack techniques that are making it increasingly difficult for traditional security tools to detect threats.

The company’s latest threat insights report highlights how cybercriminals are refining long-standing methods such as phishing and ‘living-off-the-land’ (LOTL) attacks.

LOTL attacks involve the use of legitimate system tools to carry out malicious activity, making them difficult to distinguish from normal operations.

According to HP Threat Researchers, attackers are now chaining multiple, often less common, binaries in single campaigns, complicating efforts to flag suspicious behavior.

The report, based on data from millions of endpoints running HP Wolf Security, identified several recent campaigns. One involved a fake Adobe Reader invoice that contained a reverse shell script hidden in a small SVG image. The file, disguised as a legitimate Adobe Acrobat Reader document with a fake loading bar, was geofenced to German-speaking regions to evade automated detection.

Another campaign hid malware inside pixel image files. In this case, attackers embedded an XWorm payload within Microsoft Compiled HTML Help files disguised as project documents. The infection chain used PowerShell and CMD scripts to extract the payload and erase traces of the attack.

Researchers also observed the continued spread of Lumma Stealer, one of the most active malware families in the second quarter of 2025. Despite a law enforcement crackdown in May, attackers used IMG archive attachments and LOTL techniques to distribute the malware through multiple channels.

‘Attackers aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they are refining their techniques,’ said Alex Holland, Principal Threat Researcher at HP Security Lab. ‘We’re seeing more chaining of living-off-the-land tools and the use of less obvious file types, such as images, to evade detection.’

Dr. Ian Pratt, Global Head of Security for Personal Systems at HP Inc., added that the challenge for organizations lies in balancing security and usability. ‘Living-off-the-land techniques are notoriously difficult for security teams because it’s hard to tell legitimate activity from an attack. Even the best detection will miss some threats, so defense-in-depth with containment and isolation is essential to trap attacks before they can cause harm,’ he said.

HP’s findings underscore how cybercriminals continue to adapt, using creativity and technical precision to stay ahead of security defenses.

Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has congratulated Sir Victor Akpoguma, Principal Partner of the law firm V.E. Akpoguma and Co., on what he described as his well-deserved conferment of the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In his statement, Dafinone noted Akpoguma’s elevation is a recognition of his over three decades of meritorious service to the legal profession and society at large.

‘Sir Victor has demonstrated uncommon brilliance, integrity, and resilience in the practice of law since establishing V.E. Akpoguma and Co. in 1999. His elevation as SAN is not only a personal triumph but also a source of pride to the Urhobo Nation and Delta State,’ the Senator remarked.

Describing him as an illustrious son of Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Senator Dafinone emphasized that Akpoguma’s professional journey reflects the virtues of hard work, excellence, and commitment to justice. He added that Akpoguma’s recognition brings honour not only to his family and community but also to the entire Urhobo Nation.

‘On behalf of the good people of Delta Central, I congratulate Sir Victor Akpoguma SAN on this outstanding achievement. May this milestone inspire the next generation of legal practitioners to strive for excellence, and may God grant him continued wisdom, strength, and success in his service to the nation and humanity,’ Dafinone stated.

A civil society group, Frontier Waves, has faulted remarks by Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South at the Senate over his call for President Bola Tinubu to issue an executive order in resolving the dispute between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume had said the president could act decisively, even ‘like a dictator,’ to end the crisis that reportedly arose after the alleged disengagement of over 800 refinery workers.

‘The best thing is for the president to sign an executive order calling them off. He has the right to dissolve them. In this case, I don’t mind if he acts like a dictator because some situations require very drastic measures,’ Ndume had said.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Frontier Waves expressed concern over the senator’s position, saying it did not reflect the role of a lawmaker in a democracy.

The statement, jointly signed by the group’s President, Oluwa Vincent, and Secretary, Ramsey Nede, noted that rather than recommending strong-arm measures, the senator should have encouraged dialogue to resolve the dispute between the refinery management and the union.

The group stressed that trade unions such as PENGASSAN and NUPENG are recognized under Nigerian law and have historically played important roles in protecting workers’ rights in the oil and gas sector.

According to Frontier Waves, ‘When two parties have issues, the best way is to look for ways to resolve their differences amicably. Calling for dictatorial action against unions undermines the democratic values Nigerians uphold.’

The group further urged President Tinubu to promote dialogue and reconciliation in the matter, adding that respect for union rights is central to sustaining Nigeria’s democratic system.