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Actress Habibat Jinad has urged people to let go of grudges and bitterness following the passing of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan.

Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, died last Sunday after battling stage-four cancer.

In a social media post, Jinad said the loss should remind everyone that life is too short for conflict.

‘Everyone is heartbroken right now because we just lost a legend. Please, use the heaviness in your heart as a reminder to forgive everyone who has ever offended you in any way,’ she wrote.

The actress also addressed those involved in cliques and disputes.

‘To those who constantly gang up on others just because they can, use this moment to free yourself from that toxic behaviour.

‘To those who attack others spiritually over the smallest things, stop it now. Let this loss remind you that life is too fragile for bitterness, hatred, and unnecessary battles. We all love Omokulodo,’ she added.

Hassan was buried on Monday in the presence of several Nollywood actors and filmmakers.

The Nigerian Institute for Behavioural Science, Education and Care Professionals (NIsBEC) has begun operations in Lagos with the unveiling of a professional certification and public registry.

The kick-off, on Monday, brought together behavioural specialists, occupational therapists, educators, healthcare providers, parents, government officials and media representatives. A member of the NIsBEC Board of Directors and Trustees, Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, said the institute was established to address gaps in professional development, research, policy engagement and the delivery of evidence-based services in behavioural health, special education and care.

‘Our goal is to empower practitioners, influence policy, and create a platform for research and knowledge exchange that will transform behavioural science, special education and care in Nigeria,’ Nwokolo said.

He said the institute would serve as a hub for professional development and innovation while promoting access, transparency and adherence to best practices among professionals providing behavioural interventions, special education and other care services.

Nwokolo said the quality of services received by people with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, learning difficulties and other special educational needs often depends on the competence and ethical conduct of the professionals and paraprofessionals supporting them.

He noted that such individuals rely on specialists for education, therapy, behavioural interventions and daily support, making it necessary to establish systems that can help families and institutions identify practitioners with appropriate training and professional competence.

According to him, NIsBEC will work to promote competency standards, verify training and qualifications, encourage ethical conduct and maintain a professional registry across the sector.

Also speaking, Mrs. Daisy Jonathan, a member of the NIsBEC Board of Directors and Trustees, said the institute would provide certification pathways across four broad areas – behavioural science, special education, allied health and care.

She explained that the certification framework would cover paraprofessional, professional and advanced professional practice, with emphasis on competence, integrity, respect, informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, collaboration and person-centred care.

‘Those who successfully complete the process will receive their full NIsBEC certification and be entered into the NIsBEC Certificant Registry,’ Jonathan said.

The registry, she added, will be publicly accessible, allowing employers, organisations, families and other stakeholders to verify the certification status of practitioners.

The launch also highlighted NIsBEC’s plans to support behavioural research and advocate policies that strengthen Nigeria’s mental health, education and care systems.

The institute said it would pursue partnerships with schools, hospitals, universities and care organisations to expand its activities across the country.

It also plans to organise workshops, community outreach and awareness campaigns aimed at improving public understanding of behavioural health and special education.

With the commencement of operations, NIsBEC said it would work to maintain a registry of qualified and certified professionals providing special needs services in Nigeria while promoting higher standards in applied behaviour analysis, special education and allied care practice.

A former Chapter President of the African Shipowners Association (ASA), Capt Ladi Olubowale, has said the estimated $700 million in the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) could transform Nigeria’s indigenous shipping fleet if strategically deployed to vessels backed by identifiable cargo and long-term trade contracts.

Olubowale spoke at the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Roundtable yesterday, where he stressed the need to link CVFF-backed vessel acquisition to actual commercial opportunities.

He said a $25 million facility could be sufficient to acquire a sizeable vessel, provided the financing was tied to a specific trade and guaranteed cargo.

According to him, the availability of cargo and a long-term trade contract would enable shipowners to acquire vessels, generate revenue and repay the financing, making the investment commercially viable.

Olubowale said the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had indicated that applicants were expected to provide about $3.7 million to attract financing of up to $25 million.

He, however, said the critical issue should be the trade for which the vessel would be deployed.

He said: ‘NIMASA wants you to bring out $3.7 million in order for you to be able to attract $25 million. They will now look at it in your own case. What trade will you be using that for?’

The shipowner explained that the $25 million facility should not be considered in isolation because different categories of cargo require different types of vessels.

He said Nigeria needed to identify available cargo volumes and match them with the appropriate vessels before deploying the CVFF.

Olubowale cited dry cargo, cement and other commodities as examples of trades requiring specially built vessels, warning against financing vessel acquisition without first establishing the commercial demand for such vessels.

He said a properly structured $25 million facility could enable an operator to acquire a vessel suited to a specific trade, particularly where a one- or two-year contract guarantees cargo.

The proceeds from such operations, he added, could then be used to repay the financing while ensuring the commercial sustainability of the vessel.

Olubowale also called for the CVFF to be deployed as part of a broader national fleet development strategy rather than being treated solely as individual financing for shipowners.

He said the estimated $700 million in the fund could be used to develop a national fleet covering different cargo segments if the resources were strategically allocated and guided by industry professionals.

‘Most of this shipping does not require a big capital. It requires you have a 10 per cent deposit as long as you trade to cover up that money,’ he said.

He argued that linking financing to guaranteed trade would significantly improve the viability of CVFF-backed vessel acquisition and reduce the risks associated with ship financing.

Olubowale further disclosed that several banks had approached his company regarding the CVFF, with some presenting term sheets outlining financing requirements, including equity contributions and other conditions.

According to him, the development represents a departure from previous years when shipowners complained about the prolonged process of accessing the fund.

He said the priority should now be to ensure that the CVFF delivers tangible economic value by expanding Nigeria’s indigenous fleet and enabling Nigerian operators to capture a greater share of the country’s maritime trade.

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has said the political experience, grassroots networks and previous campaign roles of Senator Abdulaziz Yari, James Abiodun Faleke and Okpokwu Ogenyi make them deserving of their appointments to the party’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.

The Forum said Yari’s experience as a former governor, former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and serving senator, alongside his extensive political network across the North, positioned him to lead the council as Director General (DG) and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, was appointed Deputy DG, Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring, while Ogenyi was named Zonal Secretary, Support Group Coordination, North-Central.

In a statement on Wednesday by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum, while congratulating the three appointees, expressed confidence in their capacity to deliver victory for Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 presidential election.

It described President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Yari as campaign DG as a strategic choice, citing his political reach across the North-West, North-East and North-Central.

‘Senator Yari is a politician that is widely accepted across the northern states-North-East, North-West and North-Central. He is a respected leader who is regarded as a rallying point for progressives in the North and other parts of the country,’ the Forum said.

It added that Yari’s political relationships with traditional, religious and community leaders, as well as youths and women, would strengthen the APC’s grassroots mobilisation.

‘Going by his track record, there is no doubt that he has what it takes to deliver victory for President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027,’ it said.

The Forum noted that Yari’s appointment was not unexpected, given his activities in support of Tinubu’s re-election through The Renewed Hope Network (TRN), which he founded to promote the achievements of the administration.

Yari, who represents Zamfara West in the Senate, served as Zamfara governor from 2011 to 2019 and as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum from 2015.

He was also a founding member of the APC and previously served as National Financial Secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

On Faleke, the Forum pointed to his experience in the 2023 presidential campaign, when he served as Secretary of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, while noting that he also served as Tinubu’s agent at the APC presidential primary and has remained involved in the party’s mobilisation activities.

The Forum said these experiences qualified him to coordinate election planning, monitoring and other campaign operations ahead of the 2027 poll.

It similarly cited Ogenyi’s experience within TRN, where he previously served as chairman of its Technical Committee, as evidence of his preparedness for the North-Central support-group coordination role.

The Forum pledged to work with Ogenyi and other campaign officials to mobilise support for Tinubu across the region.

‘We will work with the council, especially the North-Central Coordinator, Okpokwu Ogenyi, to actualise our promise to deliver six million votes for Mr President in the North-Central in the 2027 election,’ it said.

The Forum urged APC stakeholders across the region to give the campaign council the necessary support, reiterating its commitment to Tinubu’s re-election.

WhatsApp has become an important communication platform for Nigerians, used for family communication, business, payments-related discussions, and the exchange of personal information. This makes WhatsApp accounts attractive targets for scammers and criminals seeking sensitive information or account takeovers.

WhatsApp has introduced several security and privacy features designed to give users greater control over their accounts. In February 2026, Meta also partnered with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on a nationwide privacy education campaign encouraging users to make better use of privacy and security tools.

Two-step verification provides an additional layer of protection against account takeover. WhatsApp announced on August 26, 2026, that it was strengthening this feature by upgrading the traditional six-digit PIN to a longer password containing letters, numbers, and special characters.

Users should activate the feature and keep their password private. WhatsApp also advises users never to share their verification codes with anyone. Receiving a verification code you did not request could mean someone is trying to register your number on another device.

Passkeys provide another way to verify that the account owner is trying to access WhatsApp. According to WhatsApp, passkeys can use a fingerprint, Face ID or a phone’s screen-lock code instead of relying on traditional verification codes. WhatsApp said in August 2026 that more than one billion people had set up passkeys.

A person who gains access to a WhatsApp account may try to connect another computer or device to it. The Linked Devices feature allows users to see which devices are connected to their account.

If an unfamiliar device appears, you can log it out. WhatsApp’s Help Centre explains that users can disconnect linked devices directly from their primary phone.

This makes it a useful feature to check regularly, particularly after using WhatsApp Web on a public or shared computer.

Chat Lock allows users to place sensitive conversations in a protected folder that requires the phone’s password or biometric authentication, such as a fingerprint. Notifications can also hide the details of locked conversations.

For Nigerians who keep sensitive business, financial, or personal conversations on WhatsApp, Chat Lock can provide an additional barrier if someone gets physical access to their unlocked phone.

Scammers sometimes use unsolicited calls to reach potential victims. WhatsApp’s Silence Unknown Callers feature prevents calls from unknown numbers from ringing normally, although they remain visible in the call list.

WhatsApp says the feature was designed to help screen out spam, scams and calls from unknown people.

It does not prevent the caller from appearing in the call list, so you can still review legitimate calls from unfamiliar numbers later.

Many people change their WhatsApp settings without reviewing how much personal information they make available to others. Privacy Checkup provides a guided review of important privacy settings.

WhatsApp says the tool takes users through several privacy controls covering areas such as messages, calls and personal information.

Nigerians should use the feature periodically to decide who can see information such as their profile details, online status and other personal information.

Disappearing Messages can automatically remove new messages from a conversation after a selected period.

The feature can be useful when sharing information that does not need to remain permanently in a chat. WhatsApp originally introduced disappearing messages with a seven-day option and has since expanded its disappearing-message options.

However, users should remember that disappearing messages do not guarantee that information cannot be saved. Someone could potentially record or photograph information before it disappears.

View Once allows photos and videos to disappear from a chat after they have been opened. WhatsApp introduced the feature to give users greater control over sensitive media.

WhatsApp has also introduced View Once voice messages, which can be played only once.

This can be useful when sharing sensitive information that does not need to remain in a conversation permanently. Nevertheless, users should avoid sending highly sensitive information to people they do not trust.

When a WhatsApp account receives suspicious messages, users do not have to continue engaging with the sender. WhatsApp provides Block and Report options for dealing with unwanted or suspicious contacts.

WhatsApp says reporting problematic behaviour helps it keep the platform safer, while blocking prevents unwanted contacts from messaging the user.

This is particularly important when a stranger requests passwords, bank information, verification codes or other personal details.

WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption by default for personal messages and calls. This means only the people communicating can access the content, rather than WhatsApp itself.

WhatsApp describes encryption as a foundation of its security system. However, encryption cannot protect a user who voluntarily gives a criminal their verification code, password or other sensitive information.

Actress Bidemi Kosoko has returned to social media after a long absence, using her comeback post to mourn veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

Kosoko announced her return in an Instagram post, saying, ‘Finally, I’m back here after a long time. It has not been funny at all. Being away from social media for this long is like suicide’.

Reflecting on the events during her absence, the actress described the late actor as a veteran, a ‘real gem’ and a talented actor, adding that his death was particularly painful because they had lost a father.

‘A lot has happened. We lost a veteran. We lost a rare gem. We lost a talent. And most importantly, we lost a father. In him and many more are all these qualities. Rest on, Uncle Taiwo Babatunde Hassan (Ogogo)’, she concluded.

Hassan died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66, after battling stage-four cancer.

He was buried the following day in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Family members, friends, colleagues and other sympathisers gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran actor.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the August 21 terrorist attacks on four communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

NSCIA described the killings and abductions as a ‘heinous and barbaric’ assault on innocent Nigerians and the sanctity of worship.

Under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Council also demanded the immediate deployment of all available resources to rescue scores of residents still believed to be in captivity following the attacks.

The NSCIA made the demand in a statement signed and issued on Monday by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, following simultaneous attacks on the Gbeji (Gidan-Zana), Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara communities in Borgu Local Government Area.

According to the Council, about 30 people were killed in the attacks, while several others sustained injuries, some of them life-threatening. More than 60 worshippers were reportedly abducted when terrorists invaded the Central Mosque in Dekara during Jumu’at prayers.

Jimoh described the incident as particularly disturbing, stressing that the attack on worshippers represented an assault on both the lives of innocent Nigerians and their fundamental right to worship without fear.

‘The NSCIA considers the deliberate invasion of a mosque during Jumu’at prayers and the abduction of worshippers a heinous assault not only on innocent Nigerians but also a grievous attack on the sanctity of worship and the fundamental right of citizens to practise their faith without fear,’ he said.

The Council warned against attempts to portray insecurity in the country as a conflict directed exclusively at Christians, arguing that the Borgu attack demonstrated the need for Nigerians to confront terrorism collectively, regardless of religious affiliation.

‘This horrendous savagery against innocent Muslims observing the Jumu’ah prayer also points to the factual error that the insecurity in parts of the country is genocidal against Christians, which would hinder the much-needed collective efforts to tackle the scourge,’ Jimoh said.

The NSCIA questioned how long terrorists would continue to attack communities, kill residents and abduct citizens with what it described as ‘such audacity.’

Jimoh said, ‘For how long will innocent Muslims in particular and Nigerians in general continue to be abducted and slaughtered in their communities while terrorists operate with such audacity?

‘How many more Muslims and communities must be attacked before decisive action is taken? How many more families must lose their loved ones before the nation resolves and acts that enough is enough?’

The Council said the latest attack was particularly alarming because it was reportedly the third major assault on Dekara and neighbouring communities in recent times.

It said previous attacks had forced residents to flee their ancestral homes and seek refuge in other parts of Niger and Kwara states, as well as across Nigeria’s border in the Republic of Benin.

The NSCIA also linked the latest development to the security situation around the Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding forest corridors, which it said had increasingly been exploited by terrorists as operational bases and hostage-holding locations.

The Council recalled the August 5 rescue operation, in which Nigerian security forces reportedly freed 308 abducted persons from the Kainji Lake National Park forest.

According to the NSCIA, the rescued victims included 163 people abducted from Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and 145 persons abducted from communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, including Kasuwan Daji, Konkonso and Pissa.

Jimoh said the successful rescue operation showed what could be achieved when security agencies had adequate resources, intelligence, coordination and political backing.

He, however, expressed concern that the fresh attacks suggested that terrorists could still regroup and return to vulnerable communities.

‘That rescue operation was rightly celebrated as a demonstration of what Nigeria’s security forces can accomplish when adequate resources, intelligence, coordination and political will are brought to bear. But the renewed attacks raise deeply troubling questions about the reversal and sustainability of the gains made,’ he said.

NSCIA urged the Federal Government to move beyond what it described as episodic rescue operations and establish a permanent, intelligence-driven and community-centred security architecture capable of preventing terrorists from repeatedly returning to vulnerable communities.

It called for an immediate and comprehensive review of security arrangements across Niger and Kwara states and adjoining border communities, particularly areas around the Kainji Lake National Park and forest corridors.

The NSCIA also demanded the immediate mobilisation of security resources to locate and rescue every person still held captive following the August 21 attacks.

‘The rescue of these victims must be treated as an urgent national priority,’ Jimoh said.

The Council called for intensified aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, early-warning mechanisms and coordinated ground operations, stressing that forests and difficult terrains used as sanctuaries by terrorists should no longer be regarded as inaccessible.

It further urged the Federal Government to adequately equip and motivate security personnel deployed to vulnerable communities and to provide them with the tactical, operational and logistical resources required to protect civilians.

The NSCIA also called for stronger collaboration among state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders, local communities and security agencies.

It urged authorities to protect residents who provide actionable intelligence and to properly regulate and integrate lawful community vigilante structures into broader early-warning and community-protection mechanisms.

The Council called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, and all relevant security agencies to treat the Borgu attacks as a national emergency requiring immediate, coordinated action.

Jimoh said the Council mourned those killed in the attacks and sympathised with their families, while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He also urged the families of the abducted victims not to lose hope, assuring them of the Council’s solidarity.

‘Nigerians have every right to demand security, justice and accountability from those entrusted with protecting them,’ Jimoh said.

He urged Muslims in Niger State and across the country to remain steadfast in their faith and refuse to be intimidated by terrorists.

‘Let us be resolute and not be subdued by terror,’ he added.

The Oyo State Police Command has busted a transnational organised criminal network allegedly involved in trafficking stolen exotic vehicles across Nigeria’s borders for sale in foreign countries.

The breakthrough followed an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), the command said.

In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said one of the suspects already in custody in connection with an armed robbery case, in which about 10 victims had so far volunteered statements, provided information about the activities of the syndicate.

According to him, the suspect, during interrogation, disclosed his knowledge of a criminal gang specialising in receiving and conveying stolen vehicles to foreign countries.

He said, ‘Following this lead, operatives allowed the suspect to operate his mobile phone under controlled circumstances, during which members of the syndicate forwarded to him pictures of a vehicle they were about to steal and instructed him to make proper arrangements for its reception, preparation and movement across the border for sale in a foreign country.

‘Coincidentally, on 24 August 2026, the Oyo State Police Command received actionable information from the Kwara State Police Command requesting assistance in intercepting a Lexus RX 350 SUV, 2017 model, which had been stolen from a woman at gunpoint at her residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, alongside other valuables.

‘Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, directed the Commander, VCRU, to immediately mount an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along the Ibadan-Ilorin Expressway with a view to intercepting the stolen vehicle and arresting the perpetrators.

‘At about 0400hrs on 25 August 2026, VCRU operatives sighted the stolen Lexus SUV and attempted to stop it for interrogation. The occupants, however, abandoned the vehicle and fled in different directions into the bush in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives gave them a hot chase, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, one of whom sustained a bullet wound to his left foot during the operation.

‘The suspects identified themselves as Adewale Abiola, male, 33 years, and Kabiru Abobarin, male, 36 years, also known as ‘KB.’

‘A search of the recovered vehicle led to the recovery of valuables belonging to the victim, including four HP laptops, one iPhone 15 Pro Max, a bag containing seven wristwatches and some jewellery.

‘During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to having received the vehicle from the syndicate that stole it in Ilorin. They further disclosed that they were conveying the vehicle towards the border, where an ECOWAS document was to be obtained to facilitate its movement across the border for sale in a foreign country.’

The Commissioner of Police in the state commends the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism and effective utilisation of actionable intelligence. He has directed that the investigation be intensified towards identifying and arresting other members of the syndicate, as well as dismantling the wider trans-national criminal network.

The Command appreciates the cooperation and intelligence-sharing between the Oyo and Kwara State Police Commands, noting that sustained inter-state collaboration remains critical to effectively disrupting organised and trans-national criminal activities.

The Oyo State Police Command reiterates its commitment to intelligence-led policing, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and ensuring that criminal networks operating within and across the State are brought to justice.

U.S. President Donald Trump mourned the death of country music icon Dolly Parton, calling it a ‘true loss for millions of people’, and ordered American flags to be lowered nationwide for one week.

Trump announced the directive in a post on Truth Social, which the White House later shared on X.

‘Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people,’ he wrote.

‘There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honour, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one-week period beginning tonight at 6:00 PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you. President DONALD J. TRUMP,’ he added.

The tribute came hours after Parton’s death was confirmed at age 80. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced the news on Instagram.

Parton rose from humble beginnings in a two-room log cabin in Tennessee, where she was born on January 19, 1946, the fourth of 12 children.

She began performing as a child and moved to Nashville after high school in 1964.

She released her debut album ‘Hello, I’m Dolly’ in 1967 and went on to a career spanning more than six decades.

With more than 100 million records sold worldwide, she became known as the ‘Queen of Country’.

Her songbook included more than 3,000 songs. Hits like ‘Jolene’, ‘9 to 5’, and ‘I Will Always Love You’ became global standards. She won 11 Grammy Awards.

Parton also acted in films including ‘9 to 5’, ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’, ‘Steel Magnolias’, and ‘Joyful Noise’.

Beyond entertainment, she built a business empire that included TV specials, food products, and Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park she invested in and renamed in 1986.

She was widely recognised for her philanthropy, especially through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to children to promote literacy.

Parton died peacefully at her Nashville home, according to the family.

Flags will remain at half-staff through next Tuesday at 6:00 PM.

Prospera Finance Limited has appointed corporate strategist Dr. Ijeoma Ude as a Non-Executive Director.

The appointment will strengthen its board as the financial services firm expands its commercial lending, SME support and digital financial management operations.

The company said Ude would bring expertise in corporate strategy, brand positioning, revenue growth and business development to its board as it seeks to deepen its presence in Nigeria’s financial services sector.

Ude has built a career across media, marketing and business development, with experience in organisational growth, market penetration, sales leadership and customer engagement.

In her new role, she is expected to work with the board and executive management on corporate governance, policy formulation, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships.

Her responsibilities will also include supporting efforts to strengthen the company’s corporate identity, improve customer acquisition and position the firm for sustainable growth.

Ude holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chichester.

She also has qualifications in Business Management from the Metropolitan School of Business Management and completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

She also holds a doctorate in Leadership and Organisational Management and professional certifications in conflict management, peace and conflict studies, and human resource management.

The appointment comes as Prospera Finance continues to expand its operations in Nigeria’s lending and financial management sector.