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The New Yam Music Festival (NYMF), is poised to deliver a significant economic boost to local businesses as it attracts a global audience to celebrate Igbo culture and the harvest season.

The festival, scheduled for December 14 and 15 at the Amadeo Event Center in Enugu, which marks the end of the Igbo farming season and showcases vibrant cultural displays, is expected to draw thousands of visitors, including Ndi Igbo from the diaspora and international tourists, creating a ripple effect of opportunities for Enugu’s entrepreneurs.

Organizers announced on Monday that NYMF 2025 will feature a rich lineup of cultural celebrations, including masquerades, indigenous dances, yam feasts, and performances by top Igbo artists blending traditional and contemporary music. With the event’s global appeal, having previously toured countries like Portugal, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Qatar, and China, local businesses in hospitality, tourism, and retail are gearing up for a surge in demand.

Mr. Big Sea, co-founder of the festival and key stakeholder in Heritage and Culture, the parent company of NYMF, in a press statement, said the festival was conceived as more than a cultural celebration.

‘It is a movement that reconnects people to their roots while opening the door for global audiences to experience the richness of African culture,’ he said.

The organisers said the 2025 edition builds on the success of last year’s festival, which drew over 3,000 attendees including government officials, royal fathers, celebrity guests and cultural icons. This year’s event is supported by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), the Enugu State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and it is expected to be bigger, louder and more global, positioning Enugu as a hub for creativity, tourism and international cultural exchange.

In addition to music and cultural performances, NYMF 2025 will spotlight achievements in farming, business, arts and community, and will bring together global brands in tourism, hospitality and lifestyle to provide visitors with a premium cultural experience. The festival aims to bridge generations and geographies, showcasing the enduring importance of heritage, rhythm, and pride in Igbo culture.

Deputy Senate President Barau Ibrahim Jibrin has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done more for the North than any recent administration, adding that the region should rally behind him for re-election in the 2027 presidential race.

He noted that human capital development is one of the key areas that Tinubu had done tremendously well adding that he has demonstrated this through approval for the establishment of several new tertiary institutions of learning in the region.

Jibrin stated this on Monday, while presiding over the presentation of cash grants to over 1000 students drawn his Kano north senatoral district, held at Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

The lawmaker, told the gathering made up of students and members of the university academia, the role played by President Tinubu in the establishment of the new university.

‘We are here today for two reasons, the number one reason, is to celebrate the actualization of the establishment of this new university, and the second reason, is to present cash grants to some of our students from the Kano North, my constituency.

‘While, we are doing this, we must show appreciation to the President, who made it possible by approving it establishment by signing all necessary legislations for the institution to come on stream under his administration.

‘You can recall that this institution which use to be a Federal College of Education, was first converted to a university under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but was reversed back by the immediate past administration.

‘When this happened, when the present administration was inaugurated, and I became the deputy president of the Senate, I took the proposal for the restoration of the institution to a university to him at Aso Rock.

‘When I started talking to him about the content of the proposal, before I concluded, the President said look, you dont need to go forward, I have given approval to the establishment of the university.

‘I also told hin about the need to name the university after the late Yusuf Maitama Sule, a one time minister, who was also the former Nigeria’s permanent representatives at the United Nations, that have serve the nation meritoriously, he also gave his approval’, he further stated.

Barau, noted that since one good turn deserved another, there was the need for the people of Kano, and the entire northern Nigeria that have benefitted tremendously from the good gesture of President Tinubu to reciprocate the gesture in 2027 by voting him again.

Speaking on the scholarship scheme offered through his foundation, the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation, he explained that the 1,000 beneficiaries were drawn from his Kano North Senatorial District. He added that plans are underway to extend the initiative to students from the state’s other two senatorial districts.

Financial institutions must maintain transparency in agent deployment. Principals are required to publish updated lists of all their agents on their official websites. Each branch of a Principal institution must display the list of agents operating within its locality. Furthermore, any institution operating as a Super Agent must have at least 50 active agents spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The CBN also emphasised that all agent banking transactions must be conducted through a dedicated account or wallet with the Principal. Payment terminals such as PoS devices must be linked exclusively to these accounts. Agents operating outside of this arrangement will violate the guidelines. The agent, in such cases, shall be held personally responsible for any misconduct, and such actions may serve as grounds for contract termination and regulatory sanctions.

On the issue of enforcement, the CBN stated that it may take corrective action against any Principal or Super Agent whose agents repeatedly breach regulations. These actions may include blacklisting from participating in agent banking services. In situations deemed appropriate by the regulator, the CBN may also issue direct instructions for remedial measures to be taken by the Principal or the agents concerned.

The guidelines also include provisions for technology standards. The CBN mandates that all technological systems used in agent banking must ensure secure transmission of transaction data and seamless interoperability with the national payments infrastructure. Customers must receive immediate value for transactions, and in the event of a failed transaction, reversals must be processed without delay. All successful transactions should generate receipts or acknowledgements for customer records.

Agent banking platforms must automatically enforce daily transaction limits and reject unauthorised or suspicious transactions. There must be real-time monitoring of transactions, electronic audit trails to support dispute resolution and oversight, and all settlement records must be stored for a minimum of five years or longer, as required by law. The systems must also be equipped with features that prevent agents from exceeding their permitted transaction limits.

The CBN reiterated its commitment to fostering an inclusive, secure, and efficient financial system. It urged all deposit money banks, other financial institutions, and payment service providers to comply strictly with the new guidelines. The apex bank added that it will continue to monitor the agent banking sector and issue further guidance as necessary to ensure alignment with its regulatory objectives.

Nigeria’s vision of becoming a hub for automobile innovation gathered momentum as the University of Lagos (UNILAG) handed over a brand-new Nord Motors, made in Nigeria, car to Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The minister, who is an alumna of the University of Lagos Faculty of Law, on Wednesday, October 1, officially took delivery of her brand-new official vehicle, made in Nigeria by Nord Automobile and assembled right here at the Nord UNILAG assembly plant.

Oduwole, in her speech, said that having a locally assembled vehicle is a testament to supporting the Nigeria-first initiative of President Bola Tinubu.

‘We are committed to supporting Nigerian businesses to scale across the country, the African continent, and beyond,’ she said.

The minister noted that the purchase of the UNILAG-assembled automobile would help boost foreign exchange, create jobs, aid the education of youngsters, and research, besides, it would facilitate the transfer of technology.

She emphasised that one of the milestones the President Tinubu’s administration has been able to record in the last two years is the stabilisation of the economy.

She averred that it was for the purpose of promoting the cause of the Renewed Hope Agenda that she chose to celebrate Independence Day by buying a made-in-Nigeria vehicle for official use.

The minister took a tour of the assembly facility of Nord Automobile at UNILAG, as she visited the Nord UNILAG Assembly Plant, research and development section, manufacturing and assembly line workshop, and showroom where completed projects are displayed in an exquisite floor-to-ceiling glass display.

Bola Oboh, deputy vice-chancellor in charge of academics and research at UNILAG, who represented Folasade Ogunsola, the vice-chancellor, noted that the yearly internship opportunity at Nord Automobile is not limited to students in the engineering field but also accommodates UNILAG students in other fields.

‘This is indeed made possible by the strategic plan of UNILAG to enter into an agreement with Nord Automobile, where, as part of the University’s MoU with the company, UNILAG students gain valuable knowledge and experience through yearly internships at Nord Automobile,’ she explained.

Oboh posited that it was symbolic and prestigious for the university that the minister made her visit on such an auspicious day for such an important and inspiring moment, where she picked her official vehicle assembled not just by Nigerians in Nigeria, but assembled right on the soil of her alma mater, the University of Lagos.

This, the deputy vice-chancellor asserted, will go on to motivate many Nigerians to dream out loud and believe in the limitless possibilities that abound in Nigeria for Nigerians. And the University of Lagos is proud to be a part of it.

The partnership between UNILAG and Nord Motions, established in July 2022, remains the first university-based automobile assembly plant and manufacturing hub in Africa.

This groundbreaking collaboration provides students with hands-on experience in automobile manufacturing, fosters cutting-edge research and development, and extends into emerging technologies such as electric vehicle and drone assembly for commercial and security purposes.

The story of Nord Motion on the Akoka campus illustrates how knowledge, skill, and vision converge to produce enterprises that speak to Nigeria’s limitless potential.

According to the institution, ‘Presently, Nord Motions can assemble five vehicles at its UNILAG Assembly Plant. Having Nigerian-assembled vehicles come out of the University of Lagos further reinforces the institution’s identity as ‘the university of first choice, and the nation’s pride’.

‘This milestone is not only a testament to the nation’s faith in indigenous enterprise but also a glowing endorsement of UNILAG’s pioneering role in bridging academia and industry.’

Peter Obi, Labour Party LP leader and the party’s 2023 Presidential flag bearer, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and other relevant clearing agencies to ensure thorough scrutiny of candidates to prevent the embarrassment of allowing criminals into office.

Obi, writing on his X handle on Monday, recalled how people in the office today are parading forged certificates and fraudulent affidavits they used in 2023.

He berated the screening agencies for letting them scale through both INEC, security and the Senate with forged documents.

Obi stressed that thorough scrutiny has become necessary because the process by which one gets to office is far more fundamental than what they do thereafter.

Going forward, Obi admonished INEC and others to ensure that candidates’ documents and character are thoroughly examined and necessary action taken.

Obi, writing on what he titled ‘The danger of making crime a norm’, noted ‘, Whenever I talk about Nigeria being a crime scene, those who are part of the criminality and their hirelings will quickly start their noise-making, attacking and blackmailing me.

‘ But, how do you tell people that those whose integrity, character and behaviour are supposed to be exemplary and emulated in society have become the very source of the nation’s decay? How do you tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest?

‘Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world. It is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished.

‘In one of my knowledge-seeking visits to Indonesia early this year, after interacting with several ministers responsible for Health, Villages, SMEs, Planning, and Education, as well as the Vice President and President Joko Widodo on development, I met with the Chairman of the General Elections Commission of Indonesia. I asked him about the educational qualifications required to participate in elections from local government to the state legislature, governorship, and up to the presidential level. He openly stated these qualifications to me.

‘My team and I then asked a simple question: What happens if someone contests for public office with a forged certificate or did not attend the school he claimed he attended? He looked at me, surprised, and said, ‘That attracts immediate disqualification and prosecution. It is a criminal offence. He added, ‘If someone can forge a certificate, how can that person be trusted to lead others?’

Obi, however, lamented that although the laws are the same globally, INEC makes no efforts to scrutinise certificates before elections.

‘But in my country, Nigeria, though the laws are the same as in other countries, where forgery is punished by immediate disqualification, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) makes no effort to scrutinise certificates before the elections

‘ They overlook complaints of forgery, and when you challenge after the elections, the court will dismiss the serious criminal issues as ‘pre-election matters’ without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment.

INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election.

‘The other concerning issue from all these is how criminals and dishonest people scale through all the scrutiny layers -security, parliament and government apparatus set to handle such.

‘Even more disturbing, amounting to double tragedy, is that most of these dishonest people swore to an affidavit before a law court attesting to the authenticity of the documents they presented.

‘We are now preparing for the 2027 general elections. INEC have enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims.

‘Our Electoral amendments must include that anyone intending to contest for any public office, whether an incumbent or a new candidate, must submit all academic certificates to the electoral body immediately after party primaries, at least six months before the election.

‘These certificates, alongside details of schools attended, what was studied and years of study, should be made public for verification within 90 days. This process must also apply to appointed officials, Ministers and even aides, because when dishonesty starts from the top, it spreads to every level of governance, just like it’s happening now.

‘We must deal with certificate forgery holistically with the seriousness and level of criminality it deserves. Criminal offences should not be dismissed as a mere procedural matter. We must end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power. True leadership must begin with truth.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to safeguard and respect the multibillion-dollar investment of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, describing the Dangote Refinery as a national asset critical to the country’s economic future.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima hailed Dangote as ‘an institution’ and a pillar of Nigeria’s development, warning that the nation’s treatment of its foremost investor sends a message to the rest of the world.

His remarks come on the heels of last week’s strike by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the alleged sack of about 800 unionised employees at the refinery. The industrial action was suspended following the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Shettima said the $20 billion, 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery-one of the largest in the world-was a vital component of Nigeria’s quest for energy security, job creation, and global competitiveness.

‘Aliko Dangote is not an individual; he’s an institution, and a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament,’ Shettima said.

‘How we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us. If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, in Amazon, or in Google, he probably might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now.

‘But he opted to invest in his country, and we owe it to future generations to jealously protect, promote, preserve, and defend the interests of this great Nigeria.’

The vice president also urged labour unions and the organised private sector to exercise restraint and patriotism in resolving disputes, warning that reckless actions could jeopardise national progress.

‘I wish to call for caution, retrospection, and a deeper sense of patriotism from both labour and the organised private sector in defining and improving the relationship between labour and industry,’ he said.

‘It’s not about holding the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN. Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us.’

American tech entrepreneur and billionaire Brooklyn Earick has withdrawn his £4.5billion takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur after the club’s owners, the Lewis family, made it clear they would not sell under any circumstances.

His proposal reportedly included £3.3billion for the acquisition of the club and an additional £1.2billion earmarked for transfers, player wages, and agents’ fees.

Although Tottenham’s owners, ENIC and the Lewis family, had previously ‘unequivocally rejected’ the initial offer, a stance confirmed in a Stock Exchange statement, further discussions were held last week between Earick and the club’s representatives.

However, after it became clear that a sale was not on the cards under any conditions, Earick formally withdrew his bid.

In a statement filed with the Stock Exchange, Earick said:

‘Further to the announcement made by the Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited on 26 September 2025, I confirm that I do not intend to make a firm offer for the company.’

The statement also noted that Earick and his consortium reserve the right to acquire shares in the company in future, keeping the door open for potential investment opportunities.

Posting on social media, Earick added:

‘It’s been a privilege engaging with Tottenham Hotspur and the Lewis family’s representatives over the past few months. I have great respect for the club, its leadership, and its supporters, and wish them nothing but success.’

Earick’s withdrawal marks the third failed approach for the north London club since the departure of former executive chairman Daniel Levy in September.

Previous bids from Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and Firehawk Holdings Limited, led by Dr. Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng, were also rejected.

Jerry Adams, the executive chairman, Kaduna State Internal Revenue Services (KADIRS) has said that the remarkable increase in tax compliance is the direct result of the leadership style of Governor Uba Sani.

He disclosed this on Monday at the KADIRS headquarters in Kaduna while hosting a delegation from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission on a collaborative visit aimed at strengthening institutional ties and promoting synergy between both agencies.

Adams acknowledged KADIRS’ critical role in monitoring revenue growth in Kaduna.

In his remarks, Sani Rabiu Bako, Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, commended KADIRS as a key revenue-generating institution, highlighting its strong performance.

Bako, who commended KADIRS for its role in advancing the Governor’s agenda, requested the submission of regular monthly allocation reports to strengthen compliance monitoring across MDAs. He also offered condolences over the recent passing of a KADIRS staff member.

Notable attendees included Muhammad Lawal, Executive Director of Revenue Operations; Ishaku Hakimi Mazangona, Director of Area Revenue Office Coordination; unit heads; and representatives from the Kaduna State Fiscal Responsibility Commission.

The naira on Monday recorded a marginal loss against the dollar across foreign exchange (FX) markets, following a decline in weekly inflows.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that after trading, the naira closed at N1,470.26 per dollar, representing a 0.3 percent depreciation from N1,465.67 quoted on Friday at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

At the parallel market, also known as the black market, the local currency weakened by N25, with the dollar quoted at N1,485 on Monday compared to N1,460 at the close of trading on Friday.

Activity levels also moderated slightly at the NFEM window, where total FX inflows stood at $835.60 million, lower than the $1.18 billion recorded in the previous week, according to a report by Coronation Merchant Bank.

By composition, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) contributed the largest share of inflows at $259.11 million (31 percent), followed by exporters at 20.3 percent, foreign direct investments at 19.9 percent, non-bank corporates at 8.9 percent, the CBN at 14.89 percent, and other sources at 12.2 percent.

Despite the decline in inflows, Nigeria’s gross external reserves recorded a slight uptick, rising by 0.36 percent week-on-week, or $150.99 million, to $42.41 billion.

Analysts at Coronation Research said, ‘We expect the naira to maintain its positive trajectory across FX segments this week, underpinned by CBN support and foreign inflows, barring any external domestic or global shocks.’

Last week, the naira strengthened across both the official and parallel markets, supported by sustained CBN interventions and steady foreign inflows. At the NFEM window, the local currency appreciated by 1.02 percent week-on-week to close at N1,465.68 per dollar, while in the parallel market, it advanced by 2.75 percent to N1,455 per dollar.

Consequently, the gap between the two markets narrowed to -N10.68, representing a 0.73 percent premium on the official market rate, from N14.34 a week earlier, as speculative activities eased amid the typical seasonal demand surge associated with the start of a new academic year and the end of the summer holiday period.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has hosted a joint delegation from the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE) as part of an experience-sharing visit aimed at strengthening democratic governance and institutional collaboration between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Welcoming the delegation in Abuja on Monday, Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman said the visit marked a milestone in inter-African cooperation on electoral management, noting that both Nigeria and Ethiopia share many similarities – from diverse populations to federal governance structures.

‘Our two countries are multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and federal in nature. In terms of population, Nigeria and Ethiopia together account for a quarter of Africa’s population,’ he stated.

‘In election management, both NEBE and INEC share similar constitutional responsibilities – from conducting elections to voter education and the regulation of political parties.’

Yakubu explained that the week-long visit would feature nine technical sessions covering strategic election planning, technology deployment in voter registration, inclusivity for displaced persons, stakeholder engagement, and the role of media and civil society in elections.

He added that the Ethiopian delegation would also observe Nigeria’s ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the 2026 Area Council elections, describing it as an opportunity for ‘real-life observation and interaction with officials and stakeholders.’

The INEC chairman also acknowledged the German Agency for International Development (GIZ) for facilitating the engagement, adding that two GIZ officials joined the Ethiopian team.

In his remarks, Tesfaye Neway, deputy chairman of NEBE, commended INEC’s leadership for its openness and innovation in election management, particularly in the use of technology, stakeholder engagement, and civic education.

‘Under your leadership, Nigeria’s INEC has become one of Africa’s most respected electoral institutions,’ he said. ‘We are eager to learn from your innovations and experiences as we continue to modernize our own systems.’

Neway noted that both countries face common challenges such as misinformation, electoral violence, and voter apathy, adding that sustained cooperation and peer learning were vital to deepening democracy across Africa.

Also speaking, Abera Hailemariam, executive director of CECOE, said the visit would help Ethiopian civil society organizations draw lessons from Nigeria’s experience in voter education, election monitoring, and civic participation, especially in multilingual and diverse contexts.

‘We are a young organization established in 2018, and we have drawn a lot of inspiration from African institutions like INEC,’ he said. ‘This visit will guide how we strengthen our engagement, especially in adopting technology and enhancing election observation.’

Hailemariam emphasized CECOE’s interest in understanding how Nigerian civil society groups collaborate with electoral authorities, noting that such partnerships are essential for credible and peaceful elections.

The visit, supported by the United Nations and GIZ, is expected to foster deeper institutional linkages between INEC and NEBE, promoting knowledge exchange, democratic resilience, and regional cooperation in election management across Africa.