Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Edo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Agun Gbenga, has slumped and died.

Gbenga slumped at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin City, where he was to receive an award.

Witnesses at the event said he slumped a few minutes after delivering his goodwill message at the event organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).

He was rushed to the Military Base Hospital, Benin, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

A senior official of the NSCDC, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development.

‘Our oga was in the office this morning. It was at the office that he dressed up to attend the event.

‘He didn’t show any sign of ill-health. He slumped and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.’

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress United Kingdom (APC UK) and the APC Diaspora Chairmen Council (APC CDC), Hon. Tunde Doherty, has called on Nigerians to uphold the legacies of the nation’s founding fathers and sustain the spirit of resilience that has defined the country since independence.

In a statement he personally signed to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Doherty described the milestone as more than a historical landmark, stressing that it symbolises the unity, diversity, and hope of the Nigerian people.

‘Sixty-five years of Nigeria’s independence is not merely a historical milestone; it is a testament to our resilience, our unity in diversity, and our unwavering hope for a better tomorrow,’ he said.

Doherty further assured that the diaspora chapter of the ruling party under his leadership remains committed to promoting inclusive governance, encouraging civic engagement, and strengthening strategic collaboration between Nigeria and its citizens abroad.

‘The diaspora remains a vital force in shaping Nigeria’s future.

‘We must continue to build bridges across borders, advocate for transparency, and empower our communities to contribute meaningfully to national development,’ he said.

Doherty called on all Nigerians to reflect on the values of freedom, justice, and progress, and to recommit themselves to the collective pursuit of a prosperous and united nation.

Council workers in Osun State have announced they will return to work on Monday, October 6, 2025, ending a strike that began in February following a protracted dispute over the control of local government secretariats.

The strike was triggered after elected chairmen from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) both laid claim to the councils following a Court of Appeal verdict, prompting the Federal Government to withhold allocations to the LGAs.

However, the offices of the Minister of Finance, Attorney-General of the Federation, Accountant General, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) later recognised the APC reinstated chairmen and directed them to open accounts for all 30 LGAs, leading to the release of funds.

Speaking in Osogbo on Thursday, the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers of Osun State, led by Comrade Adedayo Adekunle, declared readiness to resume duties, describing the seven-month strike action declared by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) as needless.

Adekunle lamented that the prolonged industrial action had led to the death of some of their colleagues, stressing that resumption was necessary to restore normalcy to council operations across the state.

He said, ‘This is the best time for autonomy, but some disgruntled elements under the disguise of comrades are working against it. The excuse of insecurity given for strike action is not tenable; we are landlords of the council Secretariat. The ongoing legal actions should not make us abscond from our duty posts and yet receive a salary from the state government. The strike action is unwarranted.’

Adekunle hinted that workers who failed to resume duty risk degradation and job loss as the reinstated chairmen of APC may conduct staff auditing after their resumption on Monday to ascertain the actual workers before paying them salary forthwith.

He urged the reinstated chairmen to prioritise the welfare of council workers, warning that the union will continue to fight for the rights of its members at any time and time of resumption.

Meanwhile, NULGE, through its State Publicity Secretary, David Owoeye, in a statement, kicked against the planned resumption of workers, saying, ‘We have not ordered any worker to resume duty; our safety is paramount.’

Media personality and relationship expert Blessing CEO has advised reality star Phyna to pursue legal action following the tragic death of her sister in a truck accident allegedly involving the Dangote Group.

Blessing urged Phyna to hire a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to strengthen her case, stressing that seeking justice through legal channels would be more effective than relying solely on social media campaigns.

Phyna has been vocal online about her sister’s death, drawing sympathy from fans and the public. However, Blessing CEO maintained that only the courts can ensure accountability and secure proper compensation for the loss.

‘Phyna, I keep seeing you all over my timeline. By now, I expected you to have gotten a SAN. You need to put yourself together so people can take you seriously. This case is already looking like a joke. There are better ways you can go about this issue. You don’t use gra-gra to get compensation. This is the time to get a good lawyer for you’, she said in part.

Fintech startup, Cardri, has launched its intra-Africa payment solution.

As intra-African trade suffers from delays, high fees, and complexity of navigating 42 currencies, Cardri’s platform promises a seamless solution – allowing users to fund their wallets in local currency (naira) and make instant cross-border payments to African countries.

Beyond Africa, the app supports global payouts to 92 countries, instant domicilliary funding and even Alipay and Chinese account funding – opening up frontiers for businesses and individuals seeking to operate internationally.

But the most revolutionary feature is Cardri’s AI-powered risk management tool to help users hedge against currency fluctuations, inflation shocks and others. While still in development, this tool is critical for small businesses and importers navigating unpredictable market conditions.

According to founders, the goal is to make Cardri Africa’s Financial Super App, combining payments, reach and smart risk management in a single ecosystem.

With African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) gaining momentum, this could bridge the financial divide holding back intra-African commerce to create a frictionless economy where money moves easily as ideas and businesses are able to protect themselves from market volatilities all from a single app for the first time

Israel’s continued participation in international football has to be dealt with first and foremost by European governing body UEFA, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has said.

UEFA was expected to hold an emergency vote this week on whether to suspend Israel from European competition over the war in Gaza.

However, British media reported that the continental body has decided to hold off on a proposed vote following the announcement of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in the region.

Israel are third in Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.

However, Montagliani, President of the North and Central America and Caribbean soccer federation CONCACAF, said it was down to UEFA to rule on Israel’s participation.

‘First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason. They have to deal with that,’ Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference.

‘And I respect not only their process but whatever decision they make.’

Montagliani will attend the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich today where the issue of Israel’s participation is not on the agenda nor is the proposal from South American federation CONMEBOL to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.

Next year’s World Cup from June 11-July 18 will be the biggest ever having already been expanded to 48 teams from 32.

Montagliani insisted that no games would be moved from planned venues despite Trump saying last month that he would consider relocating matches from cities he did not deem safe.

‘If I have to react every time a politician makes a statement, whether it’s a president or senator or congressman . then I wouldn’t be doing my job, because I’d be focusing on what these guys say,’ the Canadian added.

‘So the reality is, we’re focused on the 16 venues and making sure that they’re ready to go .’

However, Montagliani said the kick-off times in certain venues could be changed after the experience of the Club World Cup hosted in the U.S. earlier this year, where some matches took place in extreme heat and humidity.

‘It’s always an issue in our region, because summers are hot . even in Canada they’re hot, not just the U.S., and so it’s important to learn those things,’ he added.

The full match schedule will be announced after the World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington D.C.

Montagliani said there were daily discussions with global broadcasters and time differences would be taken into account.

Super Falcons forward Gift Monday has expressed her emotions after missing out on Nigeria’s campaign for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite putting up a historic performance in the United States.

Speaking after her record-breaking display in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the striker described playing for the Super Falcons as ‘a very big honour’ and reaffirmed her desire to return to the national team setup.

‘I am always more than happy to represent the green white green. I’m doing what I can to get my feet together and hopefully get called up. I am so, so glad to give Nigeria this precious gift,’ she said.

While her current exploits have grabbed global attention, Monday revealed her biggest motivation remains wearing the Nigerian jersey again. Having missed out on the recent WAFCON 24 campaign in Morocco ,she believes her form could soon open the door for another Super Falcons call-up ahead of the WAFCON qualifiers second round double header against Benin Republic next month

23-year-old Monday’s last involvement with the Super Falcons was in October 2024, when the Super Falcons faced Algeria in a two-legged friendly.

Team Brady leads by just a single point over Team Rafa at the top of the Championship standings as the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF heads to Lagos this weekend for its historic African debut, setting up a thrilling penultimate round in the battle to crown the 2025 ‘Champions of the Water’.

The E1 Lagos GP presented by FirstBank takes place from 4 to 5 October, with only 21 points covering the top four teams and everything to play for ahead of the season finale in Miami.

Team Brady sits atop the standings with 135 points, closely pursued by Team Rafa on 134, Team Aoki on 125, and Team Blue Rising on 114, making the rivalry at the top fiercer than ever.

Following dramatic showdowns in Monaco and a high-speed crash between Team Rafa and Team Brazil that cut qualifying short, the Championship fight has reached boiling point.

African football legend Didier Drogba, co-owner of Team Drogba Global Africa along with Gabrielle Lemaire, is expected to attend the race weekend – adding star power to a pivotal moment in both the championship and E1’s global expansion.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Lagos Lagoon, the event showcases the thrills of electric racing to West Africa while highlighting the region’s blue economy potential.

The Championship’s revolutionary E1 RaceBirds – all-electric powerboats that fly above the water at racing speeds – will provide spectacular racing action for the thousands of expected spectators.

The race will further help position Lagos as a growing hub for international sporting events while demonstrating the city’s commitment to green innovation for regional waterways.

Rodi Basso, founder and Chief Executive Officer of E1, said: ‘Bringing E1 to Africa represents a pivotal moment in our mission to grow electric racing globally. Having Didier Drogba and Gabrielle Lemaire – who perfectly embody E1’s values – at the heart of this journey makes it even more meaningful.’

Continental Civil, a leading Nigerian engineering and construction company, and Qshelter, a premium real estate services firm, have announced the groundbreaking of Lagos 2004 Estate, a transformative residential development poised to redefine urban living in Lagos. Inspired by the iconic 1004 Estate in Victoria Island, this modern replica project combines innovative design, strategic accessibility, and flexible financing to deliver sustainable, community-oriented housing.

Strategically positioned along Monastery Road near Novare Mall, Lagos 2004 Estate offers residents exceptional connectivity with just a 23-minute drive to Victoria Island via the Coastal Road. This prime location combines suburban tranquility with urban accessibility, making it an ideal choice for discerning homebuyers both locally and in the Diaspora.

Recognising the financing challenges facing prospective homeowners, Lagos 2004 Estate offers innovative payment solutions designed to make quality housing accessible:

Flexible Payment Plans: 50% initial deposit with the remaining balance due upon delivery

Long-term Mortgages: 20-year financing options with competitive single-digit interest rates

Government-backed Programmes: Access to 6% rates through the National Housing Fund and 9.75% through the MREIF programme

Customised Solutions: Tailored payment structures to meet individual financial circumstances

Drawing inspiration from Lagos’s iconic 1004 Estate, this development combines prestige with contemporary design principles. Lagos 2004 Estate will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, comprehensive security systems, and community-focused amenities that foster neighbourly connections while maintaining modern lifestyle standards.

‘Lagos 2004 Estate represents more than a housing development; it’s our commitment to building sustainable, thriving communities that honour the prestige of the original 1004 Estate while addressing the evolving needs of today’s urban residents,’ said Dare Makinde, Chief Commercial Officer of Qshelter.

Makinde further emphasised Qshelter’s comprehensive approach: ‘Our role extends far beyond traditional sales and marketing. We’re committed to ensuring a seamless homeownership journey through affordable financing solutions and exceptional customer service that supports buyers from initial inquiry through move-in and beyond.’

This partnership brings together two industry leaders with demonstrated track records:

About Continental Civil – Continental Civil stands as Nigeria’s foremost construction company, currently serving as lead developer for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates initiative. The company’s portfolio includes:

2,800 housing units under construction in Karsana, Abuja

1,000 housing units in Janguza, Kano (60% complete)

Partnership with Nigerian Army Properties Limited on a 120-hectare development in Asokoro Extension, Abuja, delivering nearly 2,000 residential units and service plots for the Army officers, men and general public

About Qshelter -Qshelter operates as Nigeria’s leading digital real estate platform, connecting homebuyers with verified properties and affordable financing options. The company specialises in serving both domestic and Diaspora Nigerian markets through transparent, professional service delivery.

Lagos 2004 Estate represents a new paradigm in Nigerian residential development – one that prioritises community building, financial accessibility, and sustainable urban planning. This model development aims to establish benchmarks for future residential projects across Nigeria.

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Mortgage Bank said it has secured over N27 billion in housing loans for 3,427 Nigerians through the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme, describing the milestone as a major step toward bridging the country’s wide housing finance gap.

The bank further disclosed that in addition to the NHF window, more than 6,000 Nigerians have accessed mortgages through the Pension Commission’s Retirement Savings Account (RSA) window in just two years since the initiative was introduced, underscoring its growing role in unlocking affordable homeownership.

The disclosures were made at the commissioning of the bank’s newly built head office complex in Gwarinpa, Abuja. The event marked a new phase in the bank’s expansion drive and was attended by stakeholders in housing finance, top government officials, and representatives of the banking and construction industries.

Chairman of the bank’s Board and Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, commended the leadership of the FHA Mortgage Bank for what he described as ‘resilience, dedication and a practical commitment to delivering housing finance solutions to Nigerians.’

Ojo said the commissioning of the new headquarters is not just an infrastructural upgrade but also a signal of the bank’s readiness to compete nationally. He revealed that one of his top priorities for the institution is to secure a national commercial banking licence to broaden access to housing finance for millions of Nigerians still outside the formal mortgage system.

‘We are determined to see this bank evolve into a truly national player in mortgage and housing finance. That is why we are pursuing the commercial banking licence as a legacy project – to give more Nigerians the opportunity to access affordable housing finance,’ he said.

The Managing Director of FHA Mortgage Bank, Dr Hayatudeen Awwal, described the N27 billion loan approvals as a ‘milestone achievement’ in the bank’s mission to deliver affordable housing finance to ordinary Nigerians. He noted that the approvals are already changing lives by enabling thousands of contributors to the NHF to become homeowners across the country.

‘Through the NHF window, we secured approvals worth N27 billion on behalf of 3,427 eligible Nigerians to own homes nationwide. In addition, through the PENCOM RSA window, we facilitated access to mortgages for well over 6,000 Nigerians within just 24 months of its commencement,’ Awwal stated.

He stressed that the achievement demonstrates the bank’s growing capacity to serve the country’s massive housing needs, particularly among middle-income earners, civil servants, and young professionals, who he said form the backbone of Nigeria’s housing demand but often face the steepest barriers in accessing long-term mortgage finance.

Awwal said the bank’s progress reflects its close collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and other stakeholders in the housing finance ecosystem.

He added that the FHA Mortgage Bank has also been instrumental in delivering residential units in states such as Delta, Kano, Kaduna, Ogun and others, through partnerships with the Family Homes Funds and private developers.

The bank chief revealed that work is already underway to transform the FHA Mortgage Bank into a full-fledged national commercial bank, which would allow it to offer a wider range of products and services to a broader spectrum of Nigerians. According to him, discussions with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the licensing process have commenced.

As part of its growth strategy, Awwal said the bank plans to open at least 20 new branches across the country within the next two years, increase its loan portfolio to N100 billion, and grow its active customer base to over 100,000 families.

He added that the new head office complex in Abuja represents more than a physical expansion; it reflects the bank’s ambition to become a key driver of Nigeria’s housing finance market and a credible partner to federal and state governments, as well as private developers.

Stakeholders at the commissioning event noted that the bank’s recent achievements highlight the importance of robust institutional frameworks for affordable housing delivery.

They observed that Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated at over 20 million units, can only be addressed through sustained efforts to widen access to affordable mortgage products, reduce financing costs, and expand the reach of housing finance to underserved communities.