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First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been commended for using the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to provide food support to poor and vulnerable people across the country.

The commendation was given by the former First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Hadiza Muhammad Abdullahi, in Bauchi during an interview with Journalists at the formal presentation of food items under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Food Outreach Scheme.

She said the intervention would provide relief to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, while helping to support their families and improve their overall wellbeing.

According to her, the food outreach scheme was designed to complement the federal government’s efforts to address food insecurity and other socio-economic challenges confronting vulnerable Nigerians.

Hadiza expressed appreciation to the First Lady for extending the intervention to 29 states, including Bauchi, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She also commended the two donors who supported the programme, expressing gratitude for their generosity and sustained commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.

The former First Lady further praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment to ensuring that the Renewed Hope Initiative reaches Nigerians facing difficult circumstances.

She described the food outreach as a significant intervention that would provide immediate support to families in need and complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘Our goal at the Renewed Hope Initiative is to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda by supporting Nigerians to strive and achieve their aspirations irrespective of their circumstances or status,’ she said.

Hadiza also described the National Community Food Bank Programme as timely, noting that it would help improve access to nutritious food, combat child malnutrition and promote the healthy growth and development of children.

She commended the Bauchi State Government for its cooperation and commitment to the welfare and development of its people, particularly vulnerable groups.

Hadiza also appreciated the First Lady of Bauchi State, Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed, for her support towards the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Initiative in the state.

She expressed optimism that the intervention would bring meaningful relief to beneficiaries and contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce hunger and food insecurity among vulnerable Nigerians.

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, offered him a beer after their heated exchange at the Nigerian Bar Association conference.

Sowore disclosed this on Tuesday while reflecting on the confrontation with Amaechi, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), during the conference.

According to Sowore, despite their disagreement over governance and the records of political leaders, Amaechi approached him afterwards and offered him a beer.

He said, ‘That’s why I said to him after the event, I called him and said, you should have apologised to me, and he asked me to come over to his house to eat and drink a beer.

‘And I said, no, I don’t want you to poison me, because I know you’re not happy. I don’t think he would do that. No, I mean, I’m just kidding.’

The revelation came as Sowore defended his claim to have leadership experience, despite not having previously held elective public office.

He argued that his experience came from years of activism and commitment to good governance, stressing that leadership is about having a vision, a mission, and the ability to bring people together to achieve results.

‘When people are looking for leaders, they are not looking for an accountant alone; they’re looking for someone who understands a little bit of everything. And who can find everybody who can make things work. That’s what leadership is all about,’ he said.

Sowore also rejected the argument that anyone seeking the presidency must first have experience in governance, saying his activism had provided him with a different form of leadership experience.

‘That is why I’m saying that they owe me a lot for creating the avenue for them to become leaders. Even though they didn’t fight for what made them become leaders, I did,’ he said.

At the NBA conference on Monday, Sowore had challenged the records of politicians who previously held public office, particularly criticising Amaechi’s tenure as Rivers governor and his time as Minister of Transportation.

He also faulted Amaechi’s role in the country’s transportation policy and his position on fuel subsidy.

‘We have a former governor of Rivers State here, Amaechi, who built a rail line that went nowhere. If that rail line was working, subsidy would have been working for Rivers people,’ Sowore said at the conference.

Amaechi, in response, defended his record, citing roads and primary schools constructed during his tenure as governor, as well as the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna railway projects executed while he was Transportation Minister.

He also challenged Rivers lawyers at the conference to take Sowore around the state to see some of the projects he delivered.

The disagreement became heated when Amaechi told Sowore, ‘When politicians are talking, close your mouth.’

However, Sowore said the exchange did not alter his position that his contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development constituted a form of leadership experience.

He also maintained his opposition to the removal of fuel subsidy, saying he had warned against the policy long before it was implemented.

‘As a matter of fact, most of the ideas you are seeing that they are picking now, we started fighting for them. We have clearly articulated them. We told them, remove our subsidy, we’ll ruin the economy,’ he said.

Sowore argued that the economic hardship that followed the removal of the subsidy had vindicated his position, insisting that some politicians who claimed to have greater governing experience had now adopted positions he had advocated for years.

He further criticised Amaechi, saying the former governor was not an ‘Excellency’ because, in his view, he had not done anything excellent for Nigeria.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, have arrested two suspected cattle rustlers at a mining checkpoint along the Tudun Wada-Kiru Road in Kiru Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, identified as 45-year-old Jamilu Sa’adu and 37-year-old Nura Abdullahi, were apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday, at about 3:00 a.m., while allegedly transporting a rustled cow in a Sharon Galaxy vehicle with registration number JJN 606 AE.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the arrest in a statement made available on Wednesday.

According to the statement, NSCDC operatives, while conducting routine duties at the checkpoint, intercepted the vehicle and discovered a cow tied down and concealed in the rear section of the vehicle.

It said two other suspected accomplices, believed to be the principal suspects, fled upon sighting the security operatives and were currently at large.

‘Efforts are underway to apprehend them,’ the statement added.

The NSCDC said the arrested suspects and recovered exhibits, including the cow and two machetes, were in its custody, while a thorough investigation had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged cattle rustling and identify the owner of the animal.

The Command assured the public that the suspects would be charged to court and prosecuted upon completion of the investigation.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and combating criminal activities across Kano State.

The Command urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with credible and timely information to assist in preventing and tackling crime.

IN a world where people scroll before they read, look before they listen, and remember what they see, visual communication has become one of the most powerful tools for shaping perception.

Yet, despite its growing importance, graphic designers remain among the most undervalued professionals in the creative industry.

A common experience for many designers is hearing, ‘It’s just a flyer; can you do it for free?’ What is often overlooked is that behind a seemingly simple design are hours of strategic thinking, research, ideation, refinement, technical execution and years of professional experience.

I understand this reality not merely as an observer, but as a practitioner.

My journey into graphic design has been shaped by a passion for communication, creativity and problem-solving. What began with an interest in colours, layouts and visual presentation evolved into a deeper understanding of how design can communicate ideas, strengthen brands and simplify information.

Today, I see graphic design not merely as the creation of attractive visuals, but as strategic visual communication.

My professional experience extends beyond design. As a First-Class graduate of Public Administration from the University of Lagos, an administrative professional and a business consultant. I have developed a broader understanding of how creativity, communication and organisational effectiveness intersect. These experiences have shaped my approach to design: every visual should have a purpose.

Graphic design is not simply about arranging images and text. It is about translating ideas into effective visual communication. A well-designed logo can influence how a business is perceived. A compelling flyer can attract attention to an event. A cohesive brand identity can build trust, while effective social media design can determine whether someone stops scrolling or moves on.

This is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where businesses, entrepreneurs, churches, NGOs, public institutions and social initiatives increasingly depend on digital platforms to reach their audiences.

Yet, many people recognise the value of the final product without recognising the expertise and process behind it.

Organisations may invest substantially in advertising, branding and marketing while expecting the professionals responsible for communicating those messages visually to work for little or no compensation. This mindset affects not only individual designers but also the sustainability and professional growth of the creative industry. WHEN CREATIVITY is Treated as Freed Labour.

Good design is not a favour. It is a professional service built on skill, experience and intentional problem-solving.

Paying for design is not simply paying for pixels, colours or fonts. It is paying for strategy, creativity, research, communication and the ability to transform an abstract idea into meaningful visual impact.

My own experience across graphic design, administration and business consulting has reinforced this belief. People do not simply need information; they need information that is clear, memorable and effectively presented. Sometimes, the difference between an idea being ignored and an idea being noticed is how effectively it is visualised.

That is why I see the designer as more than someone behind a computer creating graphics. A designer is a visual anchor-someone who gives direction, structure and identity to an idea through visual communication.

As businesses compete for attention in an increasingly crowded digital landscape, visual communication will continue to grow in importance. A strong visual identity can create recognition, credibility and lasting impressions.

We therefore need to change how society perceives graphic designers. Instead of asking only, ‘How much will it cost?’, we should first ask, ‘What value will this design create?’

Designers also have a responsibility. We must continually refine our craft, understand business objectives, communicate our value and position ourselves as professionals-not simply people who know how to use design tools.

My journey has strengthened my belief that creativity is most powerful when it solves a real problem. A design should not exist merely because something needs to look beautiful; it should exist because something needs to be communicated, understood, remembered or acted upon.

Creativity has value. Visual communication has value. Expertise has value.

The Nigerian creative industry is filled with talented professionals capable of transforming ideas into powerful visual experiences. What is needed is a culture that recognizes, respects and fairly rewards that expertise.

Graphic designers are not simply decorating ideas.

We give ideas a visual identity.

Design is not ‘just a flyer’.

Design is communication.

Design is perception.

Design is identity.

Ultimately, design is value. WHEN CREATIVITY is Treated as Freed Labour.

While many people are still making the most of the international summer season and exploring new destinations through guides such as the Kaspersky Safe Travel Insights, businesses are preparing for the return to a more active working rhythm.

Cybercriminals may take advantage of this increased digital activity by disguising malicious files and links as legitimate workplace communications. Kaspersky’s analysis of the past 12-months shows how attackers continue to exploit trusted business tools: specifically, Kaspersky detected 4.7 million attempted attacks involving content mimicking popular workplace services, including Zoom, Outlook, OneDrive and others.

After the international summer period, employees often return to a more active working rhythm: projects resume, teams reconnect, and the number of emails, meetings and shared files increases. This transition creates conditions that cybercriminals can exploit.

A fake video-call invitation may appear among legitimate meetings, a malicious attachment may be disguised as a business document, and a phishing page may imitate a familiar cloud storage or email service. When employees are processing a high volume of routine communications, a fraudulent message may be more difficult to distinguish from a genuine one.

From July 2025 to June 2026, Kaspersky detected 4,781,846 attempted attacks involving content associated with widely used workplace platforms. Zoom was the most frequently abused name, accounting for 2,658,283 attempted attacks.

Outlook ranked second with 1,546,122 detections. Cybercriminals also used content associated with OneDrive, which accounted for 197,030 attempted attacks, Microsoft Excel with 151,948 and Microsoft Teams with 111,402.

The largest threat category detected during the period was Downloader, with 2,733,204 cases. Such programs may download and install additional software on a device, potentially introducing further unwanted or malicious components.

Trojans were the second-largest category, accounting for 989,377 detections. These malicious programs disguise themselves as legitimate files or applications and may steal data, monitor user activity, provide attackers with remote access to a device or install additional malware. Exploits, which may take advantage of vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to compromise a device, followed with 341,165 cases.

Many of the phishing schemes identified by Kaspersky were designed to compromise corporate accounts. Some of the schemes used a more sophisticated device code phishing technique. Instead of asking the victim to enter a password directly on a fake login page, the phishing site displayed a one-time code and instructed the user to copy it.

The code was generated as part of Microsoft’s legitimate Device Authorisation Grant flow, which allows users to authenticate on devices with limited input capabilities. The attackers initiated this authorisation process for their own application and tricked the victim into entering the code on a genuine Microsoft login page.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre, effective August 26, 2026.

In a notice sent to customers on Tuesday, the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations announced new depot prices for gantry and coastal deliveries.

The email, titled ‘PMS Price Change Communication (N1,185 per Litre To N1,200 Per Litre)’, instructed customers to note the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal prices, starting August 26, 2026.

As per the notice’s table, the coastal price increased from N1,562,265 to N1,582,380 per metric tonne, while the gantry price rose from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre.

The refinery also asked customers to return all Authorisation to Collect documents for repricing, stating a new volume contract would be issued to resume immediate loading.

‘You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing, and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate loading resumption. Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us,’ the notice said.

The latest adjustment represents a N15 per litre increase in the gantry price and comes barely days after the refinery raised the price from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre.

The previous price increase was implemented at midnight on August 21, 2026, as reported by industry trackers.

However, the most recent hike occurs amid declining international crude oil prices.

Oilprice.com data from Tuesday indicated that West Texas Intermediate crude was trading at $82.13 per barrel, a decrease of $2.88 or 3.39%. Brent crude was priced at $88.37 per barrel, down $3.80 or 4.12%. Murban crude also dropped to $92.71 per barrel, a decline of $8.73 or 8.61%.

Prospective international students planning to study in the United Kingdom have been advised to follow 11 key steps when applying for a Student visa, from checking the type of visa they need to submitting their biometric information and waiting for a decision.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) gave the guidance in a video shared on its official X account, explaining the application process, required documents, fees, biometric information and what applicants should expect after submitting their applications.

Here are the 11 steps prospective applicants need to follow:

1. Check which visa you need

Before starting the application, prospective students should confirm that they need a Student visa to study in the UK.

UKVI advised applicants to use the visa-checking tool on GOV.UK to determine the right visa.

Applicants should also prepare their documents and other required information before starting the application.

2. Get an unconditional offer and CAS

Applicants must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor before applying for a Student visa.

UKVI said, ‘You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor before you apply.’

After accepting the offer, the education provider will send the applicant a reference number known as a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS.

Applicants seeking to study for a master’s degree or above may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate, depending on their course.

They may also need a tuberculosis certificate, depending on where they are travelling from and how long they have been in a particular country.

Some applicants may also need to provide evidence of their English-language ability.

3. Know when to apply

Applicants applying from outside the UK can apply up to six months before their course starts.

Those applying from inside the UK can apply up to three months before their course begins.

Applicants switching to a Student visa or extending their existing visa must apply before their current visa expires.

UKVI advised applicants to apply early, saying, ‘Apply as early as possible.’

Applicants do not need to book travel before submitting their application or before receiving a decision.

‘You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision has been made on your application,’ UKVI said.

4. Start the online application

Applicants should use the Student visa guide on GOV.UK, which provides information on the application process.

To begin, applicants should click ‘Start now’ and read the questions carefully before providing the required information.

They will need to enter their email address and create a password. This will allow them to return to their application later if necessary.

Applicants will also need to provide information such as their first and family names as shown on their passport or travel document, details of who they are travelling with and information about their family history.

5. Prepare proof of funds

Applicants may need to show that they have enough money to pay for their course and support themselves while in the UK.

UKVI advised applicants to provide additional information about their funds where necessary, especially where there are large deposits or unexpected funds.

Applicants under 18 will also need written consent from their parents or legal guardians.

6. Upload your documents

Applicants will need to upload their documents as part of the application.

UKVI warned that missing or incorrect documents could delay the processing of an application.

Applicants should therefore make sure their documents are complete and that the information provided in the application is accurate.

7. Check the application before submitting

At the end of the application, applicants will need to confirm that they understand and accept the Student visa conditions and have read and accepted the declaration.

UKVI advised applicants to check their personal details carefully before submitting the form.

‘The most common error is entering a name or other personal details incorrectly,’ it said.

Applicants should check their names and other information before paying and submitting the application.

If a mistake is found after payment and submission, UKVI said the applicant would need to cancel the application, apply for a refund and start a new application.

8. Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge

After completing the application, applicants will be directed to Worldpay to make their visa application payment.

Those staying in the UK for more than six months will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their application.

The surcharge provides access to National Health Service treatment without charges, according to UKVI guidance.

9. Provide biometric information

Applicants will need to provide their biometric information, including their photograph and fingerprints, as well as their documents.

UKVI said applicants would either be directed to its suppliers, VFS, to book an appointment or instructed to follow the required steps using the ID Check app.

At the end of the application, applicants will receive a reference number and an email confirming that the application has been completed.

UKVI advised applicants to keep the email for their records.

10. Wait for a decision

After the application has been submitted, UKVI will begin processing it.

Applicants do not need to contact UKVI after submitting their application unless further information is requested.

‘You do not need to contact us once your application is submitted,’ UKVI said, adding that applicants would be contacted within the applicable processing times if further information was required.

Applicants will receive an email when a decision has been made. They should also check their spam or junk folders.

11. Do not travel before your visa starts

Applicants applying from outside the UK must wait until the start date stated on their visa before travelling to the country.

UKVI said, ‘If you are outside the UK, you must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa.’

For more information, UKVI advised prospective students to search for ‘Student visa’ on GOV.UK and check the latest official guidance before submitting an application.

The family of Mary Habila, the 25-year-old nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said she had previously been diagnosed with a hole in her heart.

Habila was buried on Friday, August 21st, in her hometown of Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna.

In a brief biography contained in her burial programme, the family said Habila had lived with the heart condition and remained hopeful despite her health challenges.

‘Mary Habila lived with a heart condition, having been diagnosed with a hole in her heart. Though she faced significant health challenges, she carried herself with courage, faith, and quiet resilience,’ the family said.

According to the family, Habila’s condition later became critical despite medical treatment, prayers, and support from her loved ones.

It said she subsequently died following a cardiac arrest.

‘Though her life was cut short, Mary will always be remembered for her strength in the face of adversity, the love she shared, and the lasting impact she made on everyone blessed to know her,’ the family said.

Habila died on June 27 at Umahi’s residence in Umunaga, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where she was attached to the minister’s medical team.

Her death generated public interest, with calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following her death, Umahi asked the Ebonyi State Police Command to conduct an autopsy on Habila’s remains.

The minister also requested that the remains not be released to the family until the post-mortem examination was completed, saying the procedure was necessary to establish the cause and circumstances of her death.

The family, however, rejected the request, saying it did not want an autopsy conducted on Mary Habila’s remains.

The Ebonyi State Police Command subsequently said it would conduct an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death despite the family’s objection.

A cultural organisation and social enterprise, Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA), has officially flagged off its 2027 Election Integrity Campaign and launched a musical anthem aimed at addressing political incitement and religious hate speech ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The campaign, tagged ‘No Be War,’ was unveiled by the Founder and Executive Director of UVA, Ayodele Ganiu, on Wednesday at a press conference in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Ganiu, who was accompanied by members of the organisation’s management, said national cohesion was increasingly threatened by political incitement and religious hate speech as the country prepares for the elections.

He expressed concern over what he described as inflammatory messages from political actors and some religious leaders, saying such rhetoric could deepen divisions among Nigerians.

‘On one hand, we see political actors inciting violence on the streets, only to slickly retreat into calling their directives ‘harmless political metaphors’ when real harm occurs. On the other hand, we face dangerous pulpit and podium polarization from religious leaders across faiths. Our Islamic and Christian clerics are weaponizing religion to divide us,’ he said.

According to Ganiu, the musical campaign was designed to reclaim the civic narrative and remind Nigerians that political and religious differences should not be allowed to destroy relationships within communities.

He urged Nigerians, particularly voters, not to allow divisive rhetoric to determine their choices or define the country’s future.

Ganiu said the organisation was particularly concerned about messages that seek to mobilise voters along religious lines.

‘Islamic Clerics are mobilising religious bloc dominance by demanding exclusive ‘Muslim-Muslim tickets,’ labelling fellow citizens who are not Muslims, as ‘infidels’ and preaching extreme rhetoric of pre-emptive subjugation by claiming religious authority to forcibly confine non-adherents to their homes and restrict them from public markets,’ he stated.

He also said some Christian clerics were promoting sectarian loyalty over national citizenship.

‘Christian Clerics are replacing civic duty with sectarian loyalty, elevating ‘kingdom identity’ over national citizenship, reducing complex democratic elections into binary headcount formulas and asserting from the pulpit that non-participation or voting against the Church equals ‘voting for Satan,’ he stated.

Ganiu added: ‘Whether framed as spiritual warfare or pre-emptive religious dominance, these toxic rhetorics reduce democratic choices to existential battles and turn neighbours against one another. We refuse to let such division define our future. Through music and narrative storytelling, we are taking back the civic narrative.’

The campaign’s official single, titled Your Choice, was performed by lead vocalist MOOH alongside rap artistes Tijay Webster and Dr Pure.

Ganiu described the track as a mid-tempo Afrobeats-RandB song designed to counter hate speech and draw attention to the shared experiences of Nigerians across religious and political divides.

‘This soulful, mid-tempo Afrobeats-RandB track disarms hate speech and grounds us in everyday reality. It echoes the sharp voice of the market Tomato Seller in our campaign, who cuts through clerical and political theatrics to remind everyone that regardless of faith or political party, we all buy from the same market and face the same economic struggles,’ he said.

He disclosed that the music launch would precede the premiere of a music video and short film scheduled for September.

The production, shot at Itoku Market, the Adire Mall and Olumo Rock, features veteran actors Yemi Solade as The Senator, Tunji Sotimirin as The Alfa and Sam Uche Anyamele as The Pastor. Dr Pure also plays a dual role as The Sheik and lead Hausa rapper.

Ganiu called on the media, radio stations, community DJs and Nigerians to broadcast and share the campaign song to promote its message ahead of the election.

He said the central message of the campaign was simple: ‘Election go pass. Neighbourhood go remain.’

Meanwhile, Solade and Sotimirin threw their weight behind the initiative, stressing the need to promote peace and responsible citizenship ahead of the 2027 elections.

The actors described Nigeria as a country with global relevance and significant potential, expressing optimism that the campaign would contribute positively to peaceful coexistence and national development.

A Nigerian X user, identified as Chef Dan, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to loan him N400,000 from funds recovered from individuals convicted of embezzlement.

Chef Dan made the request in a post on X while tagging the EFCC’s official account.

He wrote, ‘I’m broke and I need money to pay rent by next month, can you guys borrow me 400k from the money EFCC recovered from embezzlers?

‘I will pay back 15k every month for 2 years.’

The X user also asked the anti-graft agency to lend him one of the vehicles seized during its investigations, saying he could use it to start an Uber business.

He wrote, ‘I no go mind if you guys can borrow me car from the cars EFCC seized from people.

‘Camry (muscle sport) will good to Uber.

‘Make I start Uber business and I will be paying 30k weekly.’

Responding to the request, the EFCC clarified that its name does not imply that the agency provides financial services or loans.

The commission replied, ‘Dear Chef Dan, the ‘Financial’ in the name of the EFCC doesn’t mean we render financial services You could approach your bank for loans