Netanyahu leads Israel election race but falls short of parliamentary majority

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc is leading the opposition as vote counting continues in the country’s parliamentary elections, with neither side securing a majority after approximately 42% of ballots have been counted.

According to local media outlets, as of 5:58 a.m. local time, with 41.9% of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 57 seats, while the opposition bloc was set to secure 47. The United List and the Ra’am faction were reported to have won a combined 16 seats.

Based on the current figures, Netanyahu’s Likud party was leading with 28 seats, while the opposition’s Yashar party had secured 21.

Meanwhile, the Haaretz newspaper reported that Netanyahu held a narrow lead over opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who currently heads the Yashar party.

It is worth noting that Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats. A party or political bloc needs at least 61 seats to secure a majority. As Western media have noted, coalition negotiations will be a crucial stage in determining the country’s next government, regardless of the final election results.

Voter turnout was also notably high, reaching 77.7%-one of the highest levels in Israeli electoral history. Turnout in the previous parliamentary elections, held in 2022, stood at 70.6%.

Azerbaijan’s multiculturalism model draws on centuries of coexistence

Azerbaijan’s long history of coexistence among different ethnic groups and religious communities was at the centre of discussions at the opening of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku on October 27. Held under the theme “Dialogue for a Shared Future,” the forum brought renewed attention to the country’s approach to cultural diversity and its efforts to promote dialogue between different societies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s geographical position between Europe and Asia had made it a cultural bridge between the two continents for centuries. He also stressed that multiculturalism, religious tolerance and ethnic harmony were deeply rooted in the country’s history and remained important to its development today.

According to the president, social harmony has been one of the main reasons behind Azerbaijan’s stable development. He pointed to the country’s shared national identity, known as Azerbaijanism, which brings together the different peoples living in the country.

The head of state also recalled the period of Armenia’s military aggression and occupation, including the Second Garabagh War, saying that people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds had stood together in defence of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Their unity, symbolised by the “Iron Fist,” demonstrated the strength of the country’s social cohesion, he noted.

The development of intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue is one of the main directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, and the country has several concrete achievements to show it. One of them is a term that has entered the political vocabulary – the “Baku Process.” The initiative was first put forward by President Ilham Aliyev at the Conference of Ministers of Culture of European and neighboring countries, held in Baku on December 2-3, 2008, under the theme “Intercultural dialogue as the basis for sustainable development and peace in Europe and its neighboring regions.”

The initiative continued to develop in the following years. In 2009, at a meeting of culture ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Azerbaijan invited representatives of the Council of Europe’s member states to participate. This reciprocal engagement helped establish the Baku Process as a platform connecting countries and institutions from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Speaking at the opening of the 3rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku in May 2015, President Aliyev recalled how the initiative had begun with the participation of Islamic countries in a meeting organised by the Council of Europe and subsequently expanded to include European countries in discussions within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Religious diversity through the centuries

The historical roots of Azerbaijani multiculturalism can be traced to the presence of different religious traditions long before the spread of Islam.

Zoroastrianism occupies an important place in the country’s pre-monotheistic history. One of its central teachings is the struggle between good and evil, in which human beings have a responsibility to help good prevail. Personal conduct and the way people live are considered essential to this struggle, alongside religious observances. Fire holds a central place in Zoroastrian rituals, while the Avesta serves as the religion’s sacred text. The text was associated with the priesthood of the Medes and later the Achaemenid Empire. During the Sasanian period, the Avesta was codified again, and Zoroastrianism became the state religion.

The arrival and spread of Christianity marked another important stage in the region’s religious history. In Caucasian Albania, the spread of Christianity was associated with the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. In the early fourth century, the Albanian king Urnayr declared Christianity the state religion, allowing the Albanian Apostolic Church to expand its influence across the region.

Other religious traditions continued to exist alongside Christianity. Even as Sasanian influence weakened during the early seventh century, followers of Zoroastrianism, paganism and Manichaeism remained in the country. This religious diversity formed part of the early history of Azerbaijan’s multicultural traditions.

From the middle of the seventh century, Islam began to spread across Azerbaijani society during the period of the Arab Caliphate. Its expansion was gradual, with Islam gaining ground particularly in areas where Zoroastrianism and paganism had previously been practised.

Over time, these different religious traditions became part of the historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. Zoroastrian, Christian and Islamic places of worship are preserved across the country, reflecting the different stages of its religious development.

This history is often cited as one of the foundations of the tolerance associated with Azerbaijani society. The coexistence of different beliefs over many centuries helped shape a cultural environment in which religious diversity became an established feature of life.

A diverse ethnic and linguistic landscape

Azerbaijan’s multicultural character is also reflected in its ethnic composition. Alongside ethnic Azerbaijanis, the country is home to communities including Udis, Ingiloys, Khinalug people, Kryz, Budukh, Tats, Talysh, Lezgins, Russians, Jews and others. These communities belong to different linguistic and cultural groups, including Caucasian-speaking, Iranian-speaking and Turkic-speaking peoples. Their traditions, languages and cultural practices form part of the country’s wider heritage.

According to the 2009 census cited in the source material, representatives of small ethnic groups accounted for 8.4 per cent of Azerbaijan’s population.

The preservation of this diversity is an important element of the country’s official multiculturalism policy. Rather than requiring minority communities to give up their identities, the stated approach seeks to protect their cultural values while encouraging their participation in national life.

Education is one of the areas in which this approach is reflected. Since the restoration of independence, schools in Azerbaijan have operated not only in Azerbaijani but also in Russian and Georgian. According to the information, 108 schools offering education in grades one to nine teach in Lezgian. In some areas where ethnic minorities live in concentrated communities, pupils also study their native languages, including Avar, Kurdish, Lezgian, Talysh, Tsakhur, Tat, Udi and Khinalug. Baku is also home to a private Jewish secondary school, opened in 2003, where students study Hebrew, Jewish history and culture. Russian-language sections operate at higher education institutions across the country. The state also provides support for publishing alphabets, educational programmes, textbooks and dictionaries in a range of minority languages, including Russian, Avar, Talysh, Kurdish, Lezgian, Tsakhur, Tat, Udi, Khinalug and Hebrew.

These measures form part of the official effort to maintain linguistic and cultural traditions while allowing minority communities to participate fully in the country’s social and educational life.

All for one, and one for all

The Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism rests on two closely connected elements: state policies designed to protect cultural diversity and traditions of coexistence that have developed over centuries. Supporters of the model argue that protecting different identities does not have to weaken a country’s national unity. On the contrary, cultural diversity can contribute to social stability when communities have equal rights, opportunities and a shared sense of belonging.

In Azerbaijan, this shared identity is often expressed through the concept of Azerbaijanism, which brings together the country’s different ethnic and religious communities under a common national identity. The idea is that belonging to the Azerbaijani nation is not limited to one ethnic or religious group but encompasses all citizens of the country.

This understanding of multiculturalism differs from approaches in some Western European countries, where the concept is often discussed in connection with the integration of immigrant communities. In Azerbaijan, multiculturalism is presented as a way of life shaped by the long-standing presence of different peoples within the same historical and geographical space. The country’s official position is that the protection of cultural identities should go hand in hand with social integration. Policies supporting cultural diversity are intended to prevent communities from becoming isolated while allowing them to preserve their distinctive traditions.

President Aliyev has repeatedly warned against xenophobia, discrimination, racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism, describing them as dangerous tendencies that can lead to serious human tragedies. From this perspective, multiculturalism is not simply a cultural policy but also a means of preventing divisions and maintaining social harmony.

Azerbaijani multiculturalism is not limited to its ethnic or religious forms. The country’s social and economic development at the present stage is taking place against the background of a spiritual rise among the people. It would be wrong to tie Azerbaijan’s success in the economic sphere solely to its rich natural resources. One of the main reasons for that success lies in the people’s spiritual values. Growing stronger under the influence of economic development, these values do not merely accompany it. No economic leap happens in isolation from a spiritual rise, and it is pointless to look for spiritual fullness where there has been no economic leap.

Instagram tests new video format as it looks to compete with YouTube

Instagram has begun testing a new ‘Features’ format that allows users to share horizontal videos lasting up to 90 minutes.

According to Variety, the new format is designed to give content creators the ability to publish longer videos on the platform.

The feature is currently available to a limited number of creators in the United States and Brazil. Instagram has yet to announce when it will be rolled out more widely.

The social media platform has previously attempted to compete with YouTube through IGTV, a standalone video service launched in 2018. However, the project failed to gain widespread popularity and was discontinued in 2021.

Over 136,000 Ukrainians evacuated to UNHCR-supported centres in 2026

More than 136,000 Ukrainians have been evacuated to transit centres supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) this year, a 70% increase compared with 2025, the agency’s Regional Director for Europe has said.

According to UNHCR, the agency warned in a statement issued on October 27 that intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilian facilities were driving further displacement. The attacks have left millions of people without heating and electricity while restricting access to water and other essential supplies.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, UNHCR Regional Director for Europe Philippe Leclerc said increasingly frequent missile and drone attacks were threatening civilians across Ukraine, including in areas far from the front line.

Between early September and mid-October, UNHCR personnel and humanitarian partners experienced 10 security incidents, including explosions near aid workers, offices, warehouses and clearly marked humanitarian vehicles.

‘UNHCR calls on the Russian Federation to stop attacks on civilians and reiterates that humanitarian workers and assets must be protected and must not be targeted,’ Leclerc said.

According to the agency, more than 136,000 evacuees have passed through UNHCR-supported transit centres since January, compared with approximately 80,000 recorded in 2025. Around 40% of those displaced are older people, while others include people with disabilities.

Approximately 10.8 million people inside Ukraine require humanitarian assistance, while around 5.2 million Ukrainian refugees remain in countries across Europe.

Leclerc also warned of growing anti-refugee rhetoric and hostility in some parts of Europe, urging governments to maintain their support for Ukrainians and the communities hosting them.

A recent study found that 67% of adult Ukrainian refugees across nine European countries were employed in 2025, while 84% of refugee children were attending local schools.

Aramoko indigenes, kingmakers seek Ooni’s intervention over Alara stool

INDIGENES of Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti State have appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene in the suspension of the selection process for a new Alara, urging Governor Biodun Oyebanji to allow the kingmakers to conclude the exercise.

The appeal followed a six-month delay in the process, which the Alara-in-Council said had left the traditional stool vacant and disrupted cultural activities in the community.

In a statement by the Asao of Aramoko-Ekiti, High Chief Julius Oladiran Adebayo (head of kingmakers) and the Sajowa of Aramoko-Ekiti, High Chief Kolade Oyebade (secretary), the kingmakers said the community had written to the state government over the matter, but had yet to receive a response.

They urged the Ooni, whom they described as the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, to appeal to the governor to grant the kingmakers’ permission to reconvene and complete the selection process.

According to the kingmakers, the process began in April 2026, in accordance with the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.

They explained that three princes were shortlisted, following an Ifa consultation conducted through Baba Araba Elebuibon, while voting by the 12 kingmakers ended in a tie, with six votes each.

They added that a second round of voting was expected to resolve the deadlock, but was postponed by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, leaving the process suspended.

The kingmakers said the prolonged vacancy had affected the community’s traditional institutions, adding that youths were becoming restive and some festivals and traditional rites could not be held.

They stressed that Aramoko-Ekiti shared historical and cultural ties with Ile-Ife as a town founded by descendants of Oduduwa, as the selection of a new Alara was significant to the preservation of its customs and tradition.

The kingmakers expressed confidence that the Ooni’s intervention would help resolve the matter peacefully and strengthen the cultural relationship between Aramoko-Ekiti and Ile-Ife.

They also expressed confidence in Governor Oyebanji’s respect for the law and traditional institutions, urging the state government to permit the completion of the selection process.

From farm to fortune: The hidden gold in Nigeria’s agro-commodity market

For decades, oil dominated Nigeria’s economy. In 2026, a quiet revolution is happening in warehouses, markets, and farms across the country – agro-commodities are becoming the new oil.

From maize and soybeans in Kwara to sesame seeds in Jigawa and ginger in Kaduna, agro-commodity trading is creating a new generation of millionaires, not just among farmers, but among aggregators, processors, and storage operators.

Kwara as the Next Agro-Hub

Kwara State is strategically positioned between Northern producing states and Southern consuming markets. Towns like Afon, Bode-Saadu, and Share are emerging as aggregation hubs for maize, soybeans, and cashew.

The Kwara State Government’s renewed push for industrial parks and improved road access has made the Ilorin-Afon corridor attractive for investors looking to build mid-size warehouses.

For export crops like sesame, ginger, and hibiscus, the difference is even greater. Export-grade sesame is currently earning 2 to 3 times the price of local-market grade.

The Challenges That Remain

Despite the boom, challenges persist. Access to affordable finance, high cost of transportation, inconsistent quality standards, and lack of real-time market information still limit many small aggregators.

Stakeholders are calling for more support from the Bank of Industry (BOI), the Nigerian Exchange’s Growth Board for raising capital, and private warehouse developers offering lease-to-own models.

What Comes Next

As Nigeria pushes for food security agro-commodities are expected to remain one of the most profitable and resilient sectors.

For entrepreneurs, the message is clear: The future is not just in planting, but in aggregating, storing, grading, and connecting Nigerian farms to both local factories and the global market.

Experts seek effective physical planning among South-West states

Experts in physical planning and urban development have canvassed for stronger cooperation among South-West states to coordinate infrastructure development, tackle urban congestion and flooding, improve housing delivery and attract investments across the region.

They spoke at a two-day Lagos Physical Planning Summit 2.0, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, where stakeholders sought an integrated regional development framework to address urban challenges that transcend state boundaries.

The experts argued that effective physical planning among Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states would improve transportation networks, strengthen economic corridors and promote sustainable urban growth.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, proposed a Lagos-to-South-West Spatial Development and Investment Compact, to foster collaboration among the six states on cross-border infrastructure, environmental resilience, regional economic development and investment opportunities.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Diagnosis to Delivery: Positioning Lagos for Regional Strategic Development and Priority Investment Agenda,’ Bamidele said the future of Lagos and its neighbouring states depended not only on the quality of their development plans, but also on their commitment to finance, coordinate and implement them.

He proposed that the framework should bring together state governments, relevant federal institutions, planning authorities, infrastructure agencies, private-sector organisations and development partners to identify common priorities and develop practical implementation plans.

He said, regional transportation and logistics, industrial development, power infrastructure, housing, environmental management and investment mobilisation require greater cooperation among the states.

He also called for improved land administration, digital innovation, transparent development regulations and effective public-private partnerships, stressing that regional projects must have clear funding arrangements, defined responsibilities and measurable performance targets.

Bamidele said coordinated development could reduce congestion, improve the movement of goods and people, attract investments and create employment opportunities across the South-West.

He added that effective physical planning should translate into accessible housing, shorter commuting times, reduced flood risks and a more productive business environment.

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also advocated stronger regional cooperation, noting that transportation, housing, economic activities and environmental challenges frequently extend beyond administrative boundaries.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the state Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, said the rapid growth of Lagos’s population, expanding economic activities and limited land resources made proper planning essential to sustainable development.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond preparing development plans to ensuring their effective implementation through clear priorities, adequate funding and measurable results.

The governor stressed that decisions on land use, housing, transportation, drainage and infrastructure must be properly coordinated to prevent congestion, flooding and overcrowded settlements.

He also called for stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, consistent enforcement of planning regulations and transparent development approval processes.

Sanwo-Olu identified reliable data, clear implementation timelines and accountable institutions as critical to translating development plans into tangible improvements in residents’ living conditions while providing greater certainty for investors.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said the summit provided an opportunity for policymakers, professionals, investors, developers and academics to develop practical solutions to Lagos’s urban development challenges.

He said master plans and model city plans must guide infrastructure provision, housing, transportation, environmental management and investment decisions rather than remain documents without effective implementation

Olumide also highlighted regional collaboration, improved planning administration and technology as essential tools for modern urban management.

He disclosed that the Electronic Physical Planning Permit Processing System, introduced on April 1, 2026, was designed to enable applicants to process planning permit applications remotely, reduce unnecessary human interference and improve efficiency without compromising planning standards or public safety.

The commissioner called for innovative infrastructure financing, stronger institutional coordination and sustained investment in the capacity of planning officers and allied professionals.

He urged participants to ensure that the summit’s recommendations were practical, measurable and supported by clear responsibilities, timelines and credible funding arrangements.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Tpl. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, commended the state government for its commitment to physical planning and sustainable development through the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.

He expressed confidence that the knowledge shared and recommendations generated at the summit would strengthen partnerships and promote practical solutions for sustainable urban development in Lagos and the wider region.

Betta Edu at 40: A rare gloom of grace, grit and greatness

Birthday tributes are no lengthy religious sermons, but how does one describe in few words a vibrant young in age but exudes the wisdom of a 90-year-old?

A woman whose life is defined by fierce empathy for the downtrodden, unwavering service to humanity, and uncompromising love for country?

At 40, Dr. Betta Edu remains a role model for young people, especially young women, uncertain of life directions.

As Co-Director of Women Mobilisation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), she brings uncommon verve, strategic dexterity, and infectious energy to the task of galvanising Nigerian women behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Her outings so far have been marked by purposeful engagement, formidable grassroots mobilisation, and a refreshing demonstration of political commitment.

At the inauguration of the APC PCC, Edu distinguished herself with dignified conduct, measured eloquence, and inspiring remarks that underscored her readiness for the assignment.

In her, the APC PPC finds not merely a mobiliser but a woman whose passion is palpable, whose purpose is unmistakable, and whose drive is difficult to ignore.

There is something remarkably compelling about Dr. Edu: The fire in her spirit, the grace in her carriage, the conviction in her words, and the tenacity with which she pursues a cause.

At 40, Dr. Edu stands as a striking blend of brain and brawn, elegance and enterprise, intellect and impact.

She does not merely occupy space; she commands attention. She does not simply join the procession; she helps set the pace.

Some people wait for greatness to find them; others, like Edu, announce its arrival through the force of their character and the footprints of their accomplishments.

‘Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.’- Mark Twain .At a young age, Dr Edu’s journey reflects the power of purpose, courage and determination, demonstrating that true leadership is measured not by age, but by the impact one makes and the lives one inspires.

For Edu, this milestone is more than a date on the calendar; it is a celebration of grace, grit, growth, and a life that continues to unfold with remarkable promise.

She is no ordinary woman. She belongs to that rare breed whose lives seem touched by the unmistakable fingerprints of distinction. From her early years, Dr. Edu has displayed the unmistakable signs of a star destined to shine.

In my previous write-up marking her 39th birthday, I described her using the Yoruba expression, ‘Látì kékeré ló ti n ?e b?´b?`,’ which aptly captures the essence of her journey and the early signs of excellence that have continued to define her story.The seeds of greatness often announce themselves long before the harvest.

Her journey is a compelling chronicle of ambition disciplined by hard work, talent sharpened by learning, and opportunity transformed into impact.

Poised, articulate, and purposeful, she has traversed the corridors of medicine, public health, politics, and public service with a rare combination of intellectual depth and grassroots appeal.

Her story is not merely about how far she has travelled but how much she has dared to accomplish along the way.

Nelson Mandela once observed that ‘What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.’

By this measure, Edu’s journey offers a powerful testament to the possibilities that unfold when courage meets competence and ambition finds a worthy purpose.

To many young Nigerians, particularly women, she represents the audacity to dream beyond limitations and the determination to turn those dreams into tangible achievements.

From Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Health, to Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to Commissioner for Health, Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners for Health, National Woman Leader of the APC, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and now Co-Director of Women Mobilisation of the APC PCC, Edu’s public-service trajectory has been marked by demanding assignments and high expectations.

Across these roles, she has projected an abiding commitment to service, organisational leadership, and the advancement of causes she believes in.

Her present assignment places her before one of the most consequential challenges in Nigeria’s political landscape: mobilising women whose electoral strength and grassroots influence remain indispensable to democratic success.

In this arena, Edu brings the instincts of a seasoned organiser, the eloquence of a persuasive communicator, and the energy of a woman determined to make every moment count.

Her current outings reflect a spirited effort to build bridges, deepen engagement, and rally women around the President’s re-election campaign.

Edu first entered the wider public consciousness in 2015 when she emerged as one of the youngest aides appointed by then Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

She subsequently became the youngest commissioner in his cabinet, an early distinction that announced her arrival as a rising force in the state’s political firmament.University of Calabar,

A former student-union leader at the where she studied Medicine, Edu has long demonstrated a gift for public speaking and mobilisation.

Before becoming Commissioner for Health in 2019, she served as Special Adviser and Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, as well as Special Technical Adviser to the Governor on the state’s Privatisation Council.

Her emergence as APC National Woman Leader in 2022 further elevated her political profile. When the position was zoned to the South-South, party stakeholders rallied around her on account of her youth, vibrancy, educational pedigree, advocacy for women, and formidable grassroots appeal.

She won the keenly contested election and served until her nomination as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

Academically accomplished, Edu holds a medical degree from the University of Calabar, postgraduate qualifications in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, and a Doctor of Public Health degree from Texila American University.

Her academic journey reflects a determination to complement political influence with professional knowledge and intellectual substance.

A proud daughter of Adadama in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Edu carries her roots with pride while projecting a broad vision of national service.

Her story speaks to the possibilities of a Nigeria where talent, hard work and determination can open doors to leadership and consequential public engagement.

As she marks her 40th birthday, the celebration goes beyond age. It honours a woman whose journey has been shaped by audacity, whose public life has been driven by ambition and whose political energy continues to find expression in new assignments.

For her admirers, she is a symbol of youthful leadership, humanitarian response, women’s empowerment, and the enduring power of purposeful service.

On this special day, I celebrate my boss, Dr Betta Edu: the medical doctor, the mobiliser, the orator, the trailblazer, and the woman whose story continues to inspire.

May the years ahead bring her renewed wisdom, enduring peace, greater accomplishments, and the grace to fulfil every worthy aspiration.

May the joy she shares, the hope she inspires, and the goodwill she extends to others return to her a hundredfold.

As she pursues her present assignment in the APC PCC, may her efforts yield fruitful outcomes, and her commitment to public service continue to find noble expression.

Happy 40th birthday, Dr Betta Edu, my boss- a rare bloom of grace, a force of conviction, and a woman still writing her story in bold strokes of purpose and possibility.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, ANIPR, FMBI, is a senior journalist, Media and Public Relations Consultant, and Strategic Communications Expert. He writes from Abuja, FCT.

Alleged N19.4bn airport fraud: Prosecution calls for shift in Sirika, others’ trial

The trial of the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika and three others before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could not proceed on Monday as the prosecution sought vacation of the day earlier scheduled for continuation of cross-examination of the third prosecution witness (PW3), Engineer Isaiah Ganiyu Yesufu, by the defence team.

The former minister, who served in the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his younger brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, and two companies, Al-Buraq Limited and Enginos Nigeria Limited, alleged to be owned by the former minister’s brother, before Justice Suleiman Belgore, sitting at Garki, Abuja.

The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and use of position for gratification.

The former minister was accused of using his position to award various contracts to his younger brother to the tune of about N19.4 billion.

He was further accused of conferring unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited by using his position to influence the award of contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,345,586,500.

EFCC further alleged that the former minister used his position to influence the award of contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3,811,497,685, among other allegations.

According to the prosecution, the offences, allegedly committed in Abuja between August, 2022 and May, 2023, contravene provisions of Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, Section 17(b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 as well as Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same Acts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them, by EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government.

At yesterday’s resumed sitting in the case, counsel for the former minister, Joseph Kwahar, holding the brief of Kanu Agabi SAN and counsel for the second defendant, Hafiz Matanmi, informed the court that they received a letter from the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, seeking the vacation of today’s date.

They added that the prosecutor, however, wanted the case to continue today, Tuesday, October 27.

With no objection from the defence team, Justice Belgore then adjourned to today for continuation of cross examination of the PW3, Engineer Yesufu, who is the Director of Certification, Compliance and Monitoring with Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).

Yesufu had, while being crossed-examined by counsel for the former minister, Kanu Agabi SAN, told the court Senator Sirika neither issued nor signed any letters awarding contract for construction of a terminal building at the Katsina Airport.

He further told the court that Sirika did not participate in the Aviation Ministry’s ministerial tenders board proceedings leading to the award of the contracts.

‘I am aware that the first defendant (former minister) is on trial for violation of procurement processes. As far as I know, he did not participate in the ministerial tenders board’s proceedings.

‘He (Sirika) did not issue or sign any of the letters awarding the contracts,’ the PW3 told the court.

The PW3 further told the court that procurements in the Ministry of Aviation were being regulated by the Public Procurement Act, under which the ministry’s permanent secretary was the accounting officer of the ministry.

According to him, the permanent secretary as of the time the contract was awarded, Mr Abel Enitan, had the responsibility of ensuring that the ministry complied with the Public Procurement Act, adding that, ‘the permanent secretary has responsibility for liabilities in the breach of the Act.’

Africa must stop exporting labour, start exporting skills – Adesina

FORMER President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has urged African countries to move beyond supplying labour to ageing economies and invest in skills, technology and enterprise to make their workforce more competitive globally.

Adesina said Africa’s growing population could become a major economic asset if governments equipped young people with the knowledge and capabilities needed to drive productivity, innovation and industrial development.

He made the call at the inaugural Seyi Tinubu Colloquium, held recently in Lagos, where he delivered an address titled: ‘Africa Next: Building the Demographic Asset Class.

‘Africa, therefore, should not aspire merely to supply labour to an ageing world. We should aspire to supply capability to a changing world,’ he said.

He stated that Africa’s demographic advantage would depend not simply on the number of people available to work, but on the quality of education, skills and employment opportunities available to them.

He said governments should strengthen education and vocational training, align learning with labour-market needs and expand opportunities for workers to acquire skills relevant to emerging industries.

Adesina described education as an investment in national productive capacity, warning that unemployment, underemployment and skills mismatches could undermine the continent’s development prospects.

‘Our young people are not the liability. Wasted potential is the liability,’ he said.

He argued that the failure to translate young people’s potential into productive employment often reflected weaknesses in the systems meant to prepare and support them, including inadequate education, healthcare, infrastructure and access to finance.

The former AfDB president also urged African countries to prepare workers for changes driven by artificial intelligence (AI), insisting that the continent must do more than consume technologies developed elsewhere.

‘We must become a creator, an adapter and a shaper of AI,’ he said.

He called for technologies that respond to African languages, businesses, markets and development needs, alongside investments that enable workers to adapt to changing workplace demands.

Adesina further emphasised the need to connect skills with capital, technology and markets, saying young people require access to finance and business support to turn their ideas into enterprises capable of creating jobs.

He cited the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme, which received $178 million in AfDB financing towards its $618 million funding package, as well as the bank’s $100 million commitment to support a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank model.

He said Africa’s ability to develop a competitive workforce would depend on whether its economies could productively deploy the skills young people acquire.

Adesina’s message was that the continent must move beyond providing workers to the global economy and build the capabilities to compete in higher-value activities, create businesses and drive innovation.

He maintained that investing in people would be critical to turning Africa’s demographic growth into economic prosperity.