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Nigeria’s membership of the World Energy Council (WEC) and the appointments of Abdulrazaq Isa and the Chief Executive Officer, Bala Wunti, both as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer respectively will attract investments to the country.

This was the submission of the Association of Energy Correspondents Abuja FCT (AECAF) in a congratulatory letter to both appointees yesterday. The group also commended President Bola Tinubu, for the foresight and leadership that ensured Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council.

AECAF Chairman, John Ofikhenua, who described the country’s return to WEC as ‘timely and significant’, noted that the membership of the WEC and the appointments, also offers Nigeria an opportunity to attract investment and deepen international partnerships, including promoting technological innovation and ensure that the realities and priorities of Nigeria and Africa are adequately represented in global energy decision.

The association said the membership restores the country’s place within one of the world’s most influential energy networks and provides an important platform for Nigeria to contribute meaningfully to global discussions on energy security, affordability, sustainability and equitable transition.

The group stressed that the development further demonstrates the administration’s commitment to repositioning the country as a leading voice in the global energy community andcreating an enabling environment for investment and sustainable growth.

Congratulating Isa and Wunti, the Association said: ‘On behalf of the Association of Energy Correspondents, Abuja, we warmly congratulate Mr Abdulrazaq Isa, and Mr Bala Wunti on your respective appointments as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council Nigeria. We also congratulate the distinguished members of the inaugural Board, whose collective experience across the energy industry, regulatory institutions, finance, academia and professional associations provides a strong foundation for the Council’s work in Nigeria.

‘Mr Isa’s pioneering contributions to indigenous refining and industrial development have strengthened local participation in Nigeria’s energy sector. ‘His appointment as Chairman reflects the confidence placed in his leadership, entrepreneurial vision and commitment to advancing the country’s energy aspirations.

‘We equally applaud the appointment of Mr Wunti as Chief Executive Officer. His more than three decades of service in the energy industry, coupled with his expertise in strategy, policy formulation, revenue optimisation and sectoral reform, make him exceptionally suited for this important national responsibility. ‘We are confident that his integrity, experience and strategic leadership will take the Council and Nigeria’s wider energy sector to lofty heights.’

The letter reads in part: ‘As journalists committed to deepening discourse and transparency in the sector, we recognise the critical role WEC Nigeria a s the world focuses on energy transition and navigates emerging geopolitical issues.

‘As journalists dedicated to reporting and analysing developments across the energy value chain, we look forward to a productive relationship with the World Energy Council Nigeria. We remain committed to supporting informed public dialogue and promoting greater understanding of the policies, investments and innovations required to secure Nigeria’s energy future,’ AECAF said.

Nollywood was thrown into mourning on Sunday following the death of veteran actor, filmmaker and screenwriter, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

Hassan, 66, died after a battle with stage-four cancer, bringing to an end a career that spanned more than four decades and established him as one of the most recognisable faces of Yoruba cinema. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Hassan, and veteran actor Jide Kosoko.

The actor was buried on Monday, August 24, in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, according to Islamic rites. Family members, colleagues, friends, fans and residents gathered at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground to pay their final respects to the actor, whose career contributed to Yoruba-language cinema.

The outpouring of tributes that followed his death reflected the breadth of his influence, with colleagues describing him variously as a friend, mentor, brother, cultural ambassador and one of the industry’s enduring figures of his time.

Among the most emotional tributes came from his longtime friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, who described Hassan as more than a friend.

Recalling their nearly four-decade relationship, Quadri said their disagreements never diminished their bond, noting that the pair often surprised colleagues who expected them to remain estranged after a misunderstanding.

He also recalled his final visit to Hassan in hospital.

According to Quadri, Hassan, despite his condition, tried to reassure him when he saw him crying, telling him: ‘Yinka, don’t cry. Nothing bad will happen to me.’

Quadri said he remained grateful for the life his friend lived and the memories they shared, adding that Hassan’s death had left a void that could not be filled.

Veteran actor Dele Odule, who described Hassan as a friend and brother of nearly 40 years, also mourned the loss.

Odule recalled Hassan as a ‘genuinely down to earth free spirited man’ whose loyalty and generosity extended beyond tribal and religious boundaries.

He also highlighted Hassan’s contribution to Yoruba theatre and cinema, describing him as an ‘action man’ and a legend who carried the craft with pride.

For veteran actor Adebayo Salami, the death marked the end of an era.

‘The action has ended, the actor is no more,’ Salami wrote, adding, ‘Erin wo!!!’ as he prayed for Allah to accept Hassan’s return.

Actor Muyiwa Ademola reflected on Hassan’s longevity and relevance, recalling the impact of his performances in films including ‘Legal Wife’ and ‘Owo Blow.’ He described Ogogo as one of the biggest names to emerge from the Nigerian movie industry and said his career made pursuing acting more attractive to younger generations.

Veteran actress Joke Silva, while admitting that she did not know Hassan closely, said she knew his work and regarded that as its own kind of knowing.

Silva praised the seriousness and thoughtfulness he brought to his performances, saying his body of work would continue to speak after his death.

Odunlade Adekola, in a brief tribute, described Hassan simply as ‘a great star’ and ‘great legend.’

President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, aka Mr Latin, described Hassan’s death as the end of an era.

He said the late actor lived a remarkable life, touched countless hearts and left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s entertainment industry and culture.

Hassan’s influence was also acknowledged by major players in the film business.

Film distribution company Cinemax described him as a legend whose career spanned more than four decades, pointing to his performances in ‘Owo Blow,’ ‘Aníkúlápó,’ ‘Seven Doors’ and ‘Gingerrr.’

The company noted that his ability to remain relevant across generations demonstrated the depth of his craft and contribution to Nigerian storytelling.

FilmOne similarly honoured Hassan for his decades of work across Yoruba cinema and Nollywood, describing him as a veteran actor, filmmaker and icon whose stories and performances touched generations.

Beyond the tributes from colleagues, Hassan’s death has also drawn recognition from Ogun and Lagos states. The Ogun State Government described his death as a monumental loss to the state, the creative industry and the nation, while acknowledging his role in promoting Yoruba culture and Nigerian storytelling.

In the same vein, the Lagos State government noted that Ogogo’s passing is deeply painful and a great loss to Nigeria’s creative industry. The state described Ogogo as a gifted actor who used his talent to entertain and tell stories that reflected the society.

Born in Ilaro, Hassan became one of the defining figures of Yoruba-language cinema, building a reputation through his commanding screen presence, distinctive voice and portrayal of culturally rooted characters. His career moved across theatre, film and television, with his work spanning generations of Nigerian audiences.

For an industry accustomed to losing its veterans, the death of Ogogo has nonetheless struck a particularly deep chord. From the actors who shared the stage and screen with him to younger performers who grew up watching his films, the tributes have underscored the scale of his contribution.

As his colleagues continue to mourn, Hassan leaves behind not only a catalogue of memorable performances but also a generation of actors and filmmakers influenced by his presence.

Nigeria Cricket Federation has announced a 14-player squad for the upcoming ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 1 Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Tanzania from August 30 to September 5.

Christabel Chukwuonye will captain the side, officially known as the Junior Female YellowGreens, with Shola Adenkule named as vice-captain. The final selection follows an extended preparation process involving regional training camps and a final evaluation phase in Benin, where players underwent technical assessment and competitive match testing.

The roster combines players with previous high-level experience, including Omosigho Eguakun, Peace Usen, Anointed Akhigbe, Deborah Bassey, and Jessica Bieni, alongside emerging talents Inyene Ubong, Beauty Oguai, Favour Effiong, Chisom Okpe, Jennifer Godwin, Praise Onaghise, and Glory Idiahi.

Nigeria will compete in a seven-nation tournament against Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi for a spot at the global event. The country previously qualified for the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025, with several players from that team subsequently advancing to the senior national side.

The team has relocated to Lagos to complete its final training camp, focusing on tactical preparation, match fitness, and team strategy prior to departing for Tanzania.

Former President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Sani Mohammed Zaria, and National Patron Moses Andishu have called on Nigerian sports journalists to reclaim their role as independent watchdogs and agenda-setters to drive national development.

Speaking at the SWAN 2026 Triennial Delegates Congress in Kaduna, Zaria-who led the association from 1996 to 2002-warned members against sacrificing professional credibility for access, favors, or material benefits.

‘We must not merely report the game; we must help change the game. We must not merely follow the agenda; we must set the agenda,’ Zaria charged delegates.

Zaria urged sports writers to proactively scrutinize appointments, public budgets, policy decisions, facility upkeep, and athlete welfare rather than reacting only when failures occur.

To formalize this shift, he proposed a seven-point agenda centred on investigative reporting, sports governance monitoring, grassroots advocacy, and ethical standards. He also advocated transforming SWAN into a media think tank that produces periodic ‘State of Nigerian Sports’ reports and hosts accountability forums for sports administrators.

Echoing Zaria’s call, SWAN National Patron Moses Andishu delivered a keynote address on ‘Harnessing the Power of Sports and the Media for National Development, Youth Empowerment, and Global Competitiveness.’

Andishu questioned whether current reporting adequately holds officials accountable for systemic issues, citing dilapidated infrastructure and declining attention to domestic leagues. He urged journalists to reject factionalism, combat misinformation, and champion opportunities for young athletes.

Host chairman Shehu Abdullahi of the Kaduna State SWAN chapter stressed unity ahead of the association’s leadership transition, reminding delegates that ‘leadership comes and goes, but the association remains.’

He called for peaceful elections alongside continuous digital and data journalism training for members.

Ifelodun Plank Dealers Association, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, has hailed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State in the election held on August 15, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly called AMBO, over the completion and delivery of the newly-reconstructed culverts in the area.

The dealers expressed appreciation to Oyebamiji for fulfilling the electoral promise he made, despite the outcome of the poll.

Speaking on behalf of the dealers, the Chairman and Secretary of Ifelodun Plank Dealers Association, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, Pa Joseph Olabode and Mr. Olatunde, said the reconstruction would prevent their businesses from loss.

They said the damaged retaining walls and drainage had caused flooding, which had in turn damaged structures at the market.

‘We members of Ifelodun Plank Dealers Association wish to sincerely thank and appreciate our very own, APC governorship candidate in the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji aka AMBO for keeping to his promise.

”He has assisted us to erect the walls of drainage to prevent our shopping complex from total collapse. For those that did not know how this was before: it had damaged our complex but we thank Asiwaju Oyebamiji for coming to our aid at the critical time we needed assistance.

‘We are grateful to Oyebamiji because when the rains came and our shops were threatened by flood and erosion, he remembered us. We specifically requested for this when he came to visit us during the campaigns. He promised to build it, and today, he has built it. Even after the whole thing that happened in the election, he still fulfilled his promise without delay. This is a promise made, promise kept. This is what defines a man of integrity and honour. We are solidly behind him no matter what.

‘This act (Oyebamiji’s prompt response) will indeed save our businesses, our goods and our means of livelihood. With this intervention, water can flow easily on the waterway without any hindrance and flood has been prevented permanently. We are very grateful to him.

‘With this intervention, Oyebamiji has shown us that true leadership is about service to the people, not just about position. The drainage walls and culverts he built for us have given us peace of mind and protected our complex from destruction.

‘We want him to know that we will always remain faithful to him and we pray that Allah bless his career and reward him abundantly for this good deed. May God continue to lift him higher in all his endeavours’, the plank dealers added.

The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has launched a series of 13 regional masterclasses for film and television practitioners across Nigeria to mark eight years of investment in the country’s creative industry.

The masterclasses, held in partnership with film festivals, guilds and other industry organisations, are designed to give practitioners practical knowledge on current developments and opportunities in the industry.

The first session, the International Sales and Distribution Executive (ISDE) Masterclass, held on August 24 in partnership with the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), examined the business of taking films from production to audiences under the theme ‘From Script to Market: The Future of Cinema in Africa.’ It featured Kene Mkparu, President/CEO of KOMWORLD Cinemas and Studio KOM Film Production and Distribution; Funmi Onuma, cinema expert; and Ijeoma Onah, founder of NIFS, with discussions covering international sales, distribution and the commercial considerations in taking African films to wider markets.

MTF Academy Director Akaoma Onyeonoru said understanding the business side of filmmaking was as important as the creative process. ‘It is one thing to make a movie and another thing for that movie to travel for the world to see,’ she said, adding that effective distribution was critical to ensuring African films reach audiences beyond their immediate markets.

The second session, the Africa Microdrama Summit, held on Wednesday under the theme ‘The Future of Africa Storytelling: Powering Africa’s Mobile-First Entertainment Economy,’ focused on the growth of short-form scripted content and changing audience consumption habits. Panellists included Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice Nigeria; Ifeoma Oma Areh, founder of the Digital Creator Africa Academy (DCAA) for Microdrama; Brenda Fashugba, co-founder of Women in the Arts; Samira Hamidi, country manager, Digital Virgo; and Elija Afi, co-founder of DCAA.

Babatunde said shorter attention spans were shaping how audiences engage with content. ‘People are becoming increasingly impatient and their attention spans are shorter, so content that is bingeable tends to do well. Nigerians want to know what is happening from the moment they start watching, so the story has to pull you in quickly and keep you engaged,’ she said, adding that microdrama could find a place on established platforms such as Africa Magic, where viable productions could create additional programming opportunities.

The masterclass series will continue in Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Delta, Rivers, Abuja and Kano states. Partners include the Wole Soyinka Cultural Centre, Abeokuta; Ibadan International Film Festival; Pan-Atlantic University International Students’ Film Festival; Twin City International Film Festival; Rivers International Film Festival; and Kano Indigenous Languages Film Festival.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG) has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the deployment of 37 electric buses in Abuja under the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Programme.

It described the initiative as a response to the transportation challenges confronting civil servants.

The deployment is significant and timely to BAT-IG, as it follows a transportation intervention proposal submitted by the Convener of BAT-IG, Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi, calling on President Tinubu to provide affordable transportation for workers across Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Atoyebi highlighted the growing pressure of transportation costs on civil servants’ incomes, following encounters with workers at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), a military hospital and other federal institutions in Abuja on August 12.

BAT-IG had advocated the deployment of CNG buses in MDAs, expansion of vehicle conversion centres and broader government intervention to reduce the transportation burden on workers.

While the government’s latest intervention is through electric buses, rather than the CNG buses proposed by BAT-IG, the group welcomes the decision to directly address the transportation challenges of civil servants.

The buses represent the first phase of a planned 100-electric-bus fleet, with the programme expected to expand beyond Abuja to other federal secretariats across the country.

BAT-IG commends President Tinubu for listening and attending to concerns on the welfare of workers and for continuing to pursue practical solutions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The group remains committed to identifying genuine challenges affecting Nigerians and pushing people-oriented projects and policies that can translate government programmes into tangible benefits for citizens.

As of today, BAT-IG has proposed more than 70 people-oriented interventions and development proposals across communities, streets, wards, local government areas and states, including proposals submitted within the past two days.

For BAT-IG, this is the essence of ideological support for President Tinubu: not merely defending government policies, but identifying gaps, presenting workable solutions and supporting the administration to deliver projects that directly improve the lives of Nigerians.

The group will continue to document, advocate and mobilise support for such interventions, while presenting the positive impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Technical Team to track the performance of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and rank their websites.

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms(BPSR), in collaboration with GovTec Africa, rank the websites in line with global best practices and standards.

BPSR Director -General Dasuki Arabi explained yesterday that the partnership is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and productivity in governance and creating more access to government services for the people.

Arabi said that over 80 per cent of MDAs are now digitally connected and their services made available on websites.

He said the MDAs now have Freedom of Information (FOI) Portals open for the public to access information and services as well as engage with government officials online without travelling long distances.

He explained that the ongoing digital reforms are being deepened within the MDAs, not for competition or exposure, but for accountability, transparency and improved performance.

He added that in a short while, Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be deployed to provide some services.

Arabi said: ‘The IMTT is saddled with the responsibility of assessing, monitoring, and improving the digital presence, service delivery, and citizen engagement of Federal Government MDAs through their official websites and online platforms.

‘The percentage of ministries that have websites was less than 30 per cent. Today, over 80 per cent of MDAs have functional websites, and we’re hoping that in the next one or two years, all of us will be there. So everybody’s going to score 100 per cent.’

Chris Nse Udowoh, popularly known as CeeCruz, is carving out a career in Nigeria’s growing digital media and entertainment space through content creation, digital marketing and online entertainment projects.

Udowoh began his journey in digital media through content creation, producing short-form videos for online audiences. As his interests expanded, he ventured into other areas of the digital industry, including digital marketing and projects connected to entertainment.

His career has developed alongside the rapid expansion of social media in Nigeria, where platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and other digital channels have created new opportunities for young creatives to build audiences and pursue careers in entertainment.

Over the years, CeeCruz has experimented with different forms of digital content while broadening his involvement in the entertainment industry. His work has included projects focused on content development, media and online promotion.

For Udowoh, the digital space has provided an opportunity to combine creativity with interests in entertainment and business. His continued activities in content creation and digital entertainment reflect the changing pathways through which young Nigerians are building careers in the industry.

CeeCruz’s journey also highlights the growing influence of digital platforms on Nigeria’s entertainment landscape, where social media has become an increasingly important tool for creators seeking to reach audiences, promote their work and establish themselves in the industry.