Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigeria and Mali have discussed security challenges in the Sahel and West Africa, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and regional cooperation.

The discussions took place during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.

Nigeria’s delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while Mali’s delegation was led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop.

In a statement by the minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze, the meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to hold political consultations and exchange views on security developments in Mali, the Sahel and the wider West African region.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding ties with Mali and said Nigeria had a strong interest in a stable, peaceful and prosperous Sahel.

She noted that the security challenges confronting the region required sustained cooperation among neighbouring countries.

The minister identified terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, human trafficking, proliferation of small arms and illicit financial flows as cross-border challenges requiring stronger regional mechanisms.

She also stressed the importance of African ownership in addressing the continent’s peace and security challenges and encouraged continued dialogue among Mali, West African countries and regional institutions.

The discussions also covered Mali’s evolving relationship with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the political dynamics of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), African Union peace and security mechanisms, as well as bilateral trade, economic and energy cooperation.

Other areas discussed included regional integration, mobility and people-to-people contacts.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to maintain constructive bilateral consultations with Mali and expressed interest in continued multilateral cooperation, including mutual support for diplomatic candidatures.

The meeting came against the backdrop of efforts by Nigeria to strengthen regional dialogue, peace, security and integration.

In July 2026, Nigeria and Mali agreed to revitalise their Joint Commission, with security, trade, energy, irregular migration, human trafficking and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) identified as priority areas for cooperation.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has intensified efforts for a tougher capital and operational requirements for online forex brokers and contracts-for-differences (CFD) operators as part of efforts to strengthen regulation of Nigeria’s retail trading market.

The proposed rules, which include a minimum paid-up capital of N3 billion for market-making forex brokers and N2 billion for straight-through-processing (STP) and electronic communication network (ECN) brokers, will be examined at a dedicated forum during the Lagos Finance Summit.

The summit, scheduled for October 14 to 16 at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, is expected to bring together forex brokers, introducing brokers, CBN-licensed banks, technology providers, legal practitioners and traders to deliberate on the proposed regulatory framework.

In a statement, the Head of Marketing and Promotion of the Lagos Finance Summit, Musa Kabul, said the proposals are designed to strengthen oversight of the retail forex and CFD market through higher capital requirements, stricter operational standards and enhanced protection of customers’ funds.

Technology and platform providers serving the market would also be required to maintain a proposed minimum capital of N5 billion.

Kabul said the Regulation Forum would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to scrutinise the proposals, raise concerns and contribute to the development of an effective regulatory framework.

‘The Regulation Forum will provide a platform for market participants to examine the proposed rules, raise their concerns and make recommendations that can contribute to the development of an effective regulatory framework,’ he said.

The draft rules, published by the SEC on September 1 following the enactment of the Investments and Securities Act 2025, have yet to take effect and remain subject to stakeholder consultations and consideration by the Commission.

Another major provision of the proposed framework is the mandatory segregation of client funds, requiring brokers to keep customers’ money in separate accounts with banks licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The SEC is also proposing greater oversight of offshore trading platforms targeting Nigerian residents, a move that could extend its regulatory reach beyond operators based in the country.

Under the proposed transitional arrangements, existing operators would have three months to apply for registration and six months to comply with the new requirements after the rules become effective.

Kabul said the proposed capital thresholds could have significant implications for existing operators and prospective entrants into Nigeria’s retail forex and CFD market.

The consultation process is expected to shape the final provisions on capital requirements, registration, customer-fund protection and the regulation of offshore platforms serving Nigerian traders.

Actress Omowunmi Dada has revealed why she walked away from a relationship after her partner, who initially presented himself as a Christian, began observing Islamic practices.

The actress made the disclosure during an interview with VJ Adams.

Dada said she met the man as a Christian, but was taken aback when he announced he was observing the Ramadan fast.

When she asked why, he told her it was to make his mother happy.

According to the actress, that moment made it clear they could not continue together, as she wants to marry a practising Christian and raise her children in the Christian faith.

She noted that, though the man pleaded with her to stay and even offered to attend church with her, his condition that their future children would also visit the mosque and learn about Islam did not sit well with her.

She said, ‘I dated someone who, when I met him, was a Christian, and then sometime later Ramadan started, and he said he was fasting. I said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘Because that is what will make his mom happy.’ He said being a Muslim is what will make his mom happy. Right then, I knew I couldn’t be with him.

‘I have nothing against Muslims; I have Muslim friends who are amazing people, by the way. But for the kind of family that I want to raise, I would love to raise my children the Christian way. I want to be able to hold hands with my husband in one faith, in unity as a family.’

France legend Zinedine Zidane has admitted to feeling ‘immense emotion’ as he prepared to take charge of Les Bleus for the first time in their UEFA Nations League clash with Turkey.

‘I feel even more emotional than I did ahead of my first game as a player. Today I feel immense emotion at being able to be here in charge of France,’ Zidane said ahead of Friday’s Group A1 game at the home of Kocaelispor in northern Turkey.

The 54-year-old star of the France team that won the World Cup in 1998 was appointed in July to succeed his former international colleague Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years at the helm.

Zidane was a superstar as a player and remains an icon in his home country, two decades after hanging up his boots. He has since enjoyed success as coach of Real Madrid and there is huge anticipation in France at his appointment.

‘That is entirely logical,’ Zidane acknowledged. ‘But the protagonists are the players. I will stick to my job and try to put something in place with the players to get them winning games. That’s what interests me.’

Zidane also revealed that captain Kylian Mbappe was back training normally again after struggling with illness earlier in the week.

After the clash with Turkey, Zidane and France face Belgium in Brussels next Monday before a home double-header against Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France at the start of next month.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot believes having the spotlight on Zidane could benefit the players.

‘We know how important he has been for French football. His aura means he takes up a lot of space and people expect a lot from him,’ said the AC Milan man.

‘He is trying to stay out of the spotlight to allow the players to fully express themselves, and so that people talk as little as possible about him.

‘That is obviously difficult but it’s maybe a good thing because talking more about the coach than about certain players could allow them to be left a bit more in peace.’

The Southeast Classic Chess Championship has commenced in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

The event which commenced at New Eastern Comfort Hotels, Umuahia, Abia State, would bring together chess players and enthusiasts from across the Southeast region for a four-day competition.

The championship, hosted is hosted in a serene environment suited for high-level intellectual competition, attracted key stakeholders in the chess community and sports administration.

Among those present were the Southeast Zonal Chess Association Representative, Dr. Donald Onyekwere; Chess Patron and brother to the Governor, Chief Obioma Otti, who made a generous donation towards the development of chess; Chairman, Abia Chess Association, Hon. Lukeman Ukara; Board Member, Kelechi Agomuo; and member, Dicken Smart Udeagu.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, highlighted the renewed visibility of Abia in the sporting community under the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti.

Recalling the recent Southeast Zonal Elimination Games in Imo State, he said Abia’s delegation was welcomed with the remark, ‘See Abia arriving in her full glory,’ reflecting the growing recognition of the state’s renewed commitment to sports development.

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jane Igwe, encouraged participants to explore Aba and patronise its renowned indigenous products, noting the importance of showcasing Aba’s products to the international market. She also urged athletes to embrace sportsmanship and celebrate the opportunity to compete regardless of the outcome.

The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadinma Annaba, described the championship as a platform for identifying and nurturing emerging chess talents, expressing optimism that the next chess Grandmaster could emerge from this competition.

He further noted that the event provides a stepping stone for athletes aspiring to national and international competition.

Okezie Ihejirika, Chess Coach, in a bite of thanks appreciated the organisers, dignitaries, officials and participants for their contributions to the successful commencement of the championship.

The championship, our correspondent reports, reinforces Governor Otti’s administration’s commitment to broadening sports development and creating platforms for young Abians and athletes across the region to compete, develop and excel.

?The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the ongoing infrastructural revolution across the territory serves as the strongest political campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

?Wike stated that delivering impactful, life-changing projects to residents remains the ultimate strategy to secure the trust and votes of the electorate.

?Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Kuje, the minister noted that governance is essentially about making the people happy.

He stressed that the enthusiasm displayed by residents in communities benefitting from new road networks reflects genuine popular support for the Tinubu administration.

?Wike said; ‘When I first came to inspect this side of the road, I saw how densely populated it was and the state of the infrastructure.

‘The contractor is doing very well, taking advantage of the dry season. For us, we will continue to support them to meet up with the project timeline’.

?He highlighted that the joy on the faces of community members proves that the current administration is addressing the real needs of the grassroots.

?’You can imagine the enthusiasm and the happiness on the faces of the people. That is why I say the whole essence of governance is to make people happy. When the people are happy, those who govern them are also happy. Instead of people throwing stones because roads are bad, you can see them coming out in their numbers to celebrate,’ he added.

?Addressing questions on how the visible excitement among FCT residents would translate politically in 2027, the minister asserted that good governance naturally converts to electoral success.

?’This is governance, and this is what people are expecting. This will translate into actual votes. Without this, you can’t get any votes, but with this, voters will not hesitate to cast their votes for Mr. President, Senator Philip Aduda, and the two House of Representatives members,’ Wike stated.

?Dismissing future opposition allegations of electoral malpractice, Wike humorously remarked that executing projects that touch the lives of the masses is the only genuine form of political strategy.

?’It is very obvious. Nobody will come tomorrow to say, ‘Oh, in FCT, it was rigged.’ The ‘rigging’ is the projects we are executing, doing the work and making the people happy. That is how we have secured their support,’ he said.

?On the readiness of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for upcoming campaign activities, Wike assured that the party’s political machinery in the nation’s capital is fully prepared.

?He revealed plans to lead the presidential campaign structure within the territory before extending efforts to his home state.

?’For us, regarding Mr. President, we are putting all our machinery in place to fully kick-start. Very soon, I will inaugurate the campaign team for Mr. President in the FCT, which I will lead personally. After that, I will return to my state to continue. As far as our party, the APC, is concerned, everything is ready,’ Wike affirmed.

Senator Ayo Akinyelure has highlighted the facilitation of more than 750 Federal Government employment opportunities for graduates from Ondo Central, alongside skills acquisition and empowerment initiatives for women, youths and other constituents, as part of his record of representation.

Akinyelure, who represented Ondo Central in the 7th and 9th Senate, said the employment opportunities cut across Federal Government ministries, departments, agencies, parastatals and other institutions with beneficiaries drawn from the six local governments.

He cited the distribution of deep freezers, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing and weaving machines, grinding machines, generators and hair dryers, as well as vehicles, as part of his constituency interventions.

The former lawmaker, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Ondo Central, said the interventions were aimed at creating employment opportunities, developing skills and supporting constituents to improve their livelihoods.

Akinyelure said he was presenting the record for public scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general election, urging other candidates to also present their records, programmes and plans for Ondo Central.

Actor Hafiz Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, has opened up about his working relationship with actor and producer, Femi Adebayo.

Speaking in an interview with African A-List, Oyetoro described Adebayo as fantastic, hardworking and honest, noting that he is passionate about his craft.

He revealed that he began working with Adebayo when his fee was N30,000, adding that the producer now pays him in millions and offers him more jobs.

‘Femi Adebayo is a fantastic, very hardworking, honest young man. I’ve been working with him for a while; he used to pay me N30,000, and he gives me jobs and pays me millions. He’s a workaholic, and he knows what he’s doing,’ he said.

The comic actor also said he enjoys a cordial relationship with Adebayo’s peers, including Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta and others.

‘You see Femi categories: Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta, and co; they are very good, and my relationship with them is very good too,’ he added.

Saka had previously praised actress Funke Akindele, describing her as humble and professional on set.

He defended her strict nature on set, saying that managing multimillion-naira projects requires discipline and zero tolerance for laziness.

The leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday paid condolence visits to the Emir of Minna, Umar Bahago, and the families of the 37 artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Corps last week.

Atiku also met behind closed doors with former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, at his Hilltop residence in Minna.

NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the Corps Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, who led the team, assured the bereaved families that no one found culpable would go unpunished.

The team, according to him, also promised the public that the NSCDC is fully cooperating with the Independent panel constituted by the Federal Government to probe the deaths.

Highlighting the cultural and spiritual significance of the third and seventh-day prayers for the departed, Audi explained that the visit was also to join the Muslim faithful in offering prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for the bereaved families.

Emir Bahago, who responded on behalf of the traditional institution and the families, expressed appreciation to the team for cooperating with the presidential committee and for visiting and identifying with the community in its moment of grief.

Former Vice-President Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress(ADC) candidate for the January 16 presidential election, donated N20 million to the bereaved families.

Atiku, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the deaths as a tragedy requiring truth, justice and accountability.

He said the account given by one of the survivors about the conditions at the NSCDC detention facility was disturbing.

‘It was a gory tale listening to one of the survivors. He told us that more than 68 of them were crammed into one small detention facility and that conditions became so desperate that they had to drink one another’s urine just to stay hydrated,’ he said.

The tragedy, according to him, raises questions about the treatment of people in state custody.

He said: ‘No Nigerian should ever be subjected to such indignity in the custody of his own government. These were human beings in the care of the state. Whatever accusations may have been made against them, they were entitled to their lives, their dignity and the protection of the law.’

The former Vice-President linked the incident to wider economic pressures, including poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living, arguing that government policies should be assessed by their effects on ordinary Nigerians.

‘Thirty-seven young Nigerians entered the custody of the state alive and did not return alive to their families. That tragedy demands truth, justice and accountability.

‘Economic reform must ultimately be measured by what it does to the lives of ordinary people. If life becomes progressively more difficult for families, workers and young people, then government has a responsibility to reconsider the choices producing those outcomes,’ he said.

The ADC candidate also restated his proposal for a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, saying it would support domestic refining and reduce petrol prices for consumers.

Atiku said his proposal differed from the previous subsidy regime on imported fuel.

‘My promise to make life affordable again is not a political slogan. It is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people.

‘We will support what Nigeria produces. We will support fuel refined in Nigeria, create Nigerian jobs and insist that every naira of government support delivers a measurable benefit to the consumer,’ he said.

He added that government should create conditions that enable young Nigerians to pursue legitimate livelihoods rather than turn to hazardous activities because of economic hardship.

‘The purpose of government is not merely to announce reforms. The purpose of government is to make life better for the people,’ he said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has welcomed the $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ima Gas Project, describing it as a landmark development that affirms the growing viability of Nigeria’s upstream gas sector.

The project, located offshore in OMLs 112 and 117 and developed by AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies, will produce about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at peak.

NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Andy Odeh disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the output will supply critical feedgas to Nigeria LNG Limited in support of its Train 7 expansion, which will increase capacity at the Bonny Island plant from 22 million tons per annum to 30 Mtpa.

The FID was enabled by the Presidential Directives of 2024, which provided fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, streamlined contracting and lowered development costs.

Ima is the fourth major gas project to reach FID under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after Iseni, Ubeta and HI. Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari described it as ‘a decisive vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and in the bold reforms’ that have created competitive terms and a predictable investment environment.

NNPC Ltd. also commended the collaboration between AMNI, TotalEnergies and the Nigerian financial sector, saying the model of indigenous operator, international partner and domestic capital is a template for future developments.

NNPC Ltd. reaffirmed its commitment to work with government, regulators and industry partners to sustain investment momentum and deploy Nigeria’s gas resources for industrialisation, job creation and long-term prosperity.