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President Bola Tinubu has commended Governor Otti for the quality of work executed so far, as well as his commitment to infrastructural renewal across Abia State.

President Tinubu, made the commendation Friday, while inaugurating the remodelled Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, by Governor Alex Otti-led Administration.

The iconic structure, originally built decades ago, has long served as the epicentre of official state functions and civic engagements in Abia State.

Governor Otti, upon assumption of office, ordered its complete facelift to restore its grandeur and reposition it as a befitting venue for governance, cultural events and socio-political gatherings.

President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, described the remodelling as a ‘miracle of transformation’ and noted that the edifice is a befitting honour to Michael Okpara, the late Premier of the Eastern Region.

‘I lived and worked here in Umuahia. The water project, I was part and parcel of it, as a young engineer. And I know how that route was, all the way from the tower going to Umuahia.

‘But today, I saw a miracle taking place. And I thought that was a miracle. But when I crossed the tower, I saw a more miraculous infrastructure.

‘I’m told that we are going to be seeing wonders. Some are federal projects constructed by the Governor, others are state projects. But projects, whether they are federal or state, the important thing is to touch the lives of the people of our state’, Umahi said.

The Minister, who conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of Abia State, explained that the President was unavoidably absent, due to the passing of the mother of the APC National Chairman, whose burial is scheduled for tomorrow.

He, however, assured that the President would personally visit the State later in December and emphasised the President’s recognition of the South-East in national politics.

‘And let me bring greetings of our dear leader, our father, our President. President for all.

‘The President that has recognised the Southeast people. The President that has reintegrated us in the affairs of the nation. The President who has love for the people of Southeast and other regions.

‘Mr. President asked me to let you know that he will be with you later this year, sometime in December. He would have been here himself, but unfortunately, our National Chairman lost his mother, and she is being buried tomorrow.

And it’s right that the President is there, that’s why he has asked me to stand in for him and to commission the numerous projects’, the Minister disclosed.

He urged the people to emulate the late Michael Okpara’s style in politics, adding that the late Okpara reintegrated the people of the South East to the government at the Centre.

‘I was with the President, and he said something that touched me so much. He has respect for His Excellency the late Michael Okpara.

‘He said to me, Dave, ask your people to play the kind of politics that His Excellency the late Michael Okpara played. He played to the centre. He integrated the people of Southeast to the centre. That’s what he told me.

‘And I’m happy that he’s been honoured by the reason of this edifice being renovated in his name’, Umahi said.

Earlier, while handing over the facility for inauguration, Governor Alex Otti recalled the poor state of the auditorium before its reconstruction, noting that the facility was in a dilapidated state before his administration commenced its reconstruction in 2023.

‘This is the Michael Okpara Auditorium, which was left in a dilapidated state. Towards the end of 2023, we started working on it.

‘I am glad that today it is a standing edifice worthy of beholding, and by the time we take a step inside, Your Excellency, you will be happy with the quality of work that is done’, Otti stated.

Major roads in Jos and Bukuru were closed to traffic Saturday morning as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Plateau State for the burial of Nana Lydia Yilwada, mother of Nentawe Yilwada, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Joyce Lohya Ramnap, commissioner of Information and Communication in Plateau State, had earlier announced traffic diversions starting from 7 am on October 4, to ensure smooth movement of the presidential entourage and maintain public safety during the high-profile visit.

Affected routes included the Mararaban Jama’a-Bukuru expressway, Dadin-Kowa through Old Airport to Plateau Hospital roundabout, and Hillstation roundabout to COCIN Headquarters/Central Bank road. Commuters were advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays.

A heavy security presence was observed across the Jos metropolis, with personnel from various security agencies stationed at strategic points to control movement and prevent any disruptions during the presidential visit.

The burial event, attended by top political and traditional leaders, drew significant attention as residents lined nearby streets to catch a glimpse of the president and other dignitaries.

Ramnap appealed for public understanding, stating the measures were temporary and aimed at preserving public peace and security during the solemn occasion.

The presidency had earlier said President Bola Tinubu will, in continuation of his tour of states, on Saturday, visit Jos, Plateau State, where he will meet a cross-section of religious leaders.

Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the President, while in the Plateau State capital, will also attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Nantewe Yilwatda.

The President’s meeting with Church Leaders across the North is expected to take place at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, COCIN, in Jos.

Onanuga said that President Tinubu will return to Lagos on the same day after the visit.

Technology is transforming the customer experience by reinventing every interaction or touchpoint between your brand and customers. Prospective customers might hear about your company from a friend, visit your website, or see social media posts.

In other words, it’s no longer enough for companies to have only offline interactions with their customers. Today’s customers have access to brands through various digital channels, which means they can easily compare one brand with another. These changes in customer behaviour have forced companies to find new ways to encourage customer loyalty.

What is a brand touchpoint?

A brand touchpoint is a way for brands to connect with customers. It could be a product you’re trying to sell, an advertisement, a TV commercial, or even a tweet. The goal of any touchpoint is to make it easy for people to learn about your product or service and potentially become customers.

Brand touchpoints are also valuable because they provide insight into your customer base and how people engage with your brand. By understanding your customer’s experience at each touchpoint, you can determine where to focus your marketing efforts to build trust and increase sales.

What is brand identity?

A brand identity is a collection of visual and verbal symbols you can use to build and maintain trust in your business. It can include logos, colours, fonts, slogans, and more. It impacts how consumers perceive you as a company. Setting a consistent brand identity across all touchpoints, online and offline, is essential.

Another essential part of creating a solid brand identity is ensuring that every touch point offers something unique and valuable for customers. If you use multiple channels to sell products or services, it’s crucial to prioritise the ones where customers spend the most time and money.

What is a customer journey map?

A customer journey map represents a customer journey from the first point of interaction with your brand to conversion. It shows all the brand touchpoints that lead to a conversion and helps you guide your marketing efforts.

A customer journey map can include critical events such as first contact, landing page visit, checkout process, and post-purchase actions. Another benefit of mapping customer journeys is that it helps you understand where visitors bounce between pages and how to optimise your website for conversions.

Finally, customer journey mapping helps you understand who your customers are, where they come from, and what they need to make a purchase. It allows you to provide them with the right content at the right time while ensuring they have a positive experience throughout their whole journey. By doing so, you will be able to drive more conversions and increase your revenue.

Brand touchpoints and the customer experience

The goal of every business is to create a memorable and authentic customer experience. It means tailoring everything from the design of your website to the way you interact with customers when at your store. It helps you develop strong emotional connections and improve customer relationships.

Brand touchpoints must all be consistent and convey the same message to customers. They are vital because they influence how customers engage with your business and impact their satisfaction with your brand.

For example, suppose a company’s phone call center is slow or unreliable. In that case, it could result in bad customer experiences and low satisfaction scores, and a company can lose some of its customers. Therefore, brand touchpoints are an essential part of any organization’s strategy.

How brand touchpoints impact customer loyalty

Brand touchpoints, whether an email or a social media post, can be subtle or to the point, but they impact loyalty in one way: they can increase or decrease trust. Customers who see an ad for your product or service might get a warm, fuzzy feeling of desire. However, if they afterward read a negative review about your product or service, it can discourage them from making a purchase.

Businesses need to keep in touch with customers and provide them with engaging experiences. According to one source, 88 percent of consumers say that an experience a company offers is equally crucial as the company’s products or services, while 69 percent of customers also expect a connected customer experience when they engage with a company.

By regularly engaging with your customers through various brand touchpoints, you can build a loyal following that will continue to support you long after their first purchase of your product or service.

Four tips for defining your brand’s touchpoint strategy

The first step to creating a successful touchpoint strategy is to define your brand’s identity. You can do this by developing an overarching theme that all of your brand touchpoints and marketing campaigns can align to. It is also essential to determine which of your existing products and services will be the focal point of your new brand vision.

Once you have defined your brand’s identity and vision, it is time to define your brand touchpoints. The touchpoint strategy aims to create pathways for customers to interact with your brand in the most natural and meaningful ways possible.

There are several essential things to keep in mind when designing your brand’s touchpoint strategy:

Make sure customer touchpoints are easy to find and easy to understand

Keep them consistent so that customers can recognise your brand identity

Make sure they look nice and feel welcoming

Personalise touchpoints for each customer, if possible, as 82% of customers have a more positive view of a brand after engaging with personalized content.

Last line

Brand touchpoints help build customer loyalty by providing a consistent brand experience throughout the customer journey. A positive brand experience will motivate your customers to purchase from your company again.

Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, the hip-hop mogul facing decades of abuse allegations, received a 50-month prison sentence Friday for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, igniting rage on social media. Users on X blasted the term as equivalent to about four years after crediting pretrial detention, as woefully lenient compared to the graphic evidence of coerced ‘freak-offs,’ assaults, and a criminal enterprise detailed in his federal trial.

On X, reactions erupted with widespread anger over the perceived leniency, especially given the volume. Users highlighted a ‘two-tier justice system’ favouring elites.

One post read: ‘FOUR YEARS. That’s it. . If it were you or me, they’d bury us under the prison.’ @davidson_f14299 Another fumed:

‘Diddy only getting 50 months. is an example of how the justice system is absolutely (rigged). There was PROOF,’ @youcouldbmywife

Critics compared it to harsher penalties for minor drug offences:

‘Diddy getting only 4 years. yet let somebody smoke a.plant and they’re getting life,’ @ponytailyuh. Some expressed rage for victims: ‘I’m so livid and I’m angry for Cassie,’ @xmugenyoruichix. A law student @zalophusw lamented: ‘Diddy getting only 4 years. is disgusting. . The justice system has failed the victims again.’

Combs has already served about 13 months in pretrial detention, leaving roughly 37 months to complete.

The sentencing follows a two-month trial that ended in July with Combs convicted on the lesser prostitution charges but acquitted on more serious racketeering and sex-trafficking counts. Prosecutors had sought at least 11 years, citing evidence of a criminal enterprise involving coerced sexual acts known as ‘freak-offs.’ Defence attorneys recommended 14 months, arguing Combs’ actions stemmed from addiction and lacked intent for trafficking.

Before the ruling, Combs apologised in court, calling his behaviour ‘sickening’ and stating he had lost himself to excess.

The case traces back decades but gained momentum in November 2023 when Combs’ ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of years of physical abuse, sexual assault, and forced participation in drug-fueled orgies.

The suit settled within a day, but it prompted federal scrutiny. Combs faced at least 10 civil suits alleging rape, drug-facilitated assault, and abuse, including claims from a minor.

Raids on his Los Angeles and Miami homes in March 2024 uncovered guns, drugs, and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, tied to the alleged events.

Authorities arrested Combs in September 2024 at a New Jersey airport, charging him with leading a racketeering conspiracy that coerced women and others into sex acts, using threats, violence, and drugs. Witnesses, including Ventura, testified about beatings and marathon ‘freak-offs’ lasting days, with Combs allegedly filming and distributing videos. Video evidence from 2016 showed Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway. Despite this, the jury cleared him of the top charges, sparing a potential life sentence.

Combs’ team plans to appeal, calling the sentence excessive for a first-time offender. He will report to a federal facility, possibly in New York or Florida, pending designation.

Nigeria’s independence story has always been stitched into what we wear. Each October, the celebrations are not only marked by flags and speeches but by the fabrics, colours and styles that speak of identity and pride. Fashion has become a living archive of how Nigerians see themselves – regal, resilient, and endlessly creative.

At 65, the runway of Independence Day tells its own story: leaders draped in stately agbadas, women redefining elegance with Oleku and vintage bags, and today’s generation turning Ankara, gèlè and even portraits of national heroes into bold, contemporary statements. This is Nigeria, dressing herself in history and hope.

The Classic Era: 1960s to 2000s

Independence ushered in a wave of national pride, and fashion mirrored that energy. Leaders such as Shettima Ali Monguno in his dignified Babban Riga, K. O. Mbadiwe in his flamboyant Agbada, and Nnamdi Azikiwe in his immaculate white Etibo became visual symbols of cultural pride. Women equally made their mark, turning heads in Oleku – a Yoruba two-piece style – often paired with vintage handbags that remain timeless classics. This was an era when Independence Day was as much about political power as it was about sartorial presence.

The Y2K era: 2000s to 2020

The new millennium brought a bold, futuristic spin to Nigerian fashion. Metallic fabrics, edgy cuts and the infusion of Western influences redefined Independence Day looks. Men embraced palazzo trousers and Afro hair, reviving retro trends with fresh confidence, while women styled their gèlè with intricate English-inspired patterns. Celebrities such as Bisola Ayeola further blurred the lines between tradition and modernity, wearing Ankara in contemporary, Western silhouettes that travelled seamlessly from Lagos to London.

The modern era: 2020 to Date

Today’s Independence Day fashion is unapologetically creative. It is less about strict tradition and more about reimagining heritage for a new generation. Actress Toyin Abraham has redefined vintage looks, celebrating the 1960s aesthetic in modern campaigns. Elsewhere, individuals have transformed fashion into storytelling: one striking example featured a woman wearing fabric printed with the faces of Nigeria’s independence heroes. And in 2025, Amadou Elizabeth Aminata (Jadrolita) gave the 65th anniversary a contemporary edge, showing how Independence Day fashion has become both cultural tribute and artistic statement.

Matthew Alaofin, Senior Advisor at Dell Technologies, USA has disclosed the importance of investment in Autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in shaping the future of healthcare and cybersecurity.

Alaofin who disclosed this at the IOCS 2025 themed: Applications of IoT, Ophthalmologist and Cybersecurity in Digital tech.

According to him ‘There is a lot of investment going on in level three and level four artificial intelligence. This is where the industry is headed. Level four is a more advanced AI agent where a lot of companies particular in the US are already putting investment. This is going to help in efficiency and achieving results faster. Companies are beginning to invest in these technologies and setting the groundwork.’

‘IoT systems have sensors which now pass data to the AI component that analyses the data and then comes up with whatever result. The synergy between both is beautiful and has a lot of benefit for industries specifically for Ophthalmology and cybersecurity. We have seen that in cybersecurity but need to see more in Ophthalmology because the potentials are there and investments are huge.’

He noted that a lot of it is not yet in production but still in pilot stages while companies are already putting billions of dollars to secure the technology.

The expert said AI is moving from passive applications that require human input to autonomous agents which can act independently.

‘Many users leverage the AI only for the chat bot, asking questions and getting answers. It is moving from single to multi agents AI systems which is where the industry is going.

He explained that the level 4 AI will play important role in healthcare delivery, combining human effort to get faster diagnosis,

Alaofin also stated that both Al and IoT are increasingly being implemented together into systems to enhance device functionality and efficiency, with both collaboration constituting the concept of AloT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) where both AI and IoT are used collectively to combine their strengths for more intelligent and autonomous systems.

‘The synergy between Al and loT offers a multitude of benefits by combining real-time sensor data and intelligent data analysis. This collaboration enhances automation, facilitates predictive insights and fosters adaptability resulting in optimized operations, improved resource efficiency, and enhanced user experiences across various industries or domains,’ he added.

The Senior Advisor citing sources disclosed that IOT Edge spending in Healthcare has been forecasted to grow at a CAGR of +10 percent and Al Services at a CAGR of +15 percent.

Meanwhile, he acknowledged that a lot of these investments in AI and IOT are coming mostly in the Cybersecurity sector, calling for more investments in the healthcare system.

‘Agentic Al will deliver transformative value to healthcare systems by introducing autonomous, adaptive, and goal-oriented intelligence across both clinical and operational domains,’ he added.

According to him, industries are getting ready for the application of IOT in Ophthalmology. Citing that, ‘ in 2024, Companies in the US ranked IOT as the fourth highest investment priority among other technologies’

He said that there must be adequate investment in technology infrastructure to make it work, adding that it will not work without good equipment in place.

The European Union (EU) has issued a strong warning to Nigeria, cautioning that the nation’s democracy could slide into crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections unless urgent and comprehensive electoral reforms are implemented without delay.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Barry Andrews, Chief of Mission, said Nigeria’s progress on electoral reforms has been ‘modest at best and dangerously close to stagnation.’

He noted that the window for meaningful change was closing fast and that political will was essential to prevent the country from repeating the mistakes of 2023.

‘Our evaluation indicates that progress in implementing the recommendations has been modest thus far, and it is in danger of falling to critically low levels.

‘Avoiding this outcome will require political will from legislators and urgent, coordinated actions by relevant institutions’, Andrews stated.

According to the EU Follow-Up Mission, of the 23 priority reforms proposed after Nigeria’s controversial 2023 general elections, only one has been fully implemented.

‘Two others are partially adopted, eight remain ongoing, nine untouched, and three too early to assess’, it added.

Andrews warned that this slow pace of reform could derail preparations for 2027, leading to renewed disputes, mistrust, and chaos.

The EU highlighted six areas that demand immediate action, including open and merit-based appointments within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), simultaneous electronic and manual publication of election results, the adoption of the Reserved Seats Bill to boost women’s representation in politics, and the establishment of an Independent Electoral Offences Commission to tackle vote-buying, violence, and intimidation.

It also stressed the need for legal clarity through the passage of the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment and constitutional reforms, as well as stronger protections for media freedom and journalists’ safety.

‘INEC cannot operate on shifting ground. It needs a clear, stable legal framework well in advance of elections. Timing is everything’, emphasised.

The Follow-Up Mission expressed concern about contradictions between manual and electronic collation of results, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that both must be applied.

The fear that this dual system core opens loopholes for manipulation, threatening transparency.

The mission noted that vote-buying, violence, and intimidation continue to thrive with little or no accountability, warning that the few prosecutions recorded so far are insufficient to deter criminal behaviour.

It also called for greater protection of media practitioners, insisting that ‘a free press is non-negotiable in any democracy. Journalists must be shielded, not silenced.’

Responding to questions about foreign interference, Andrews dismissed claims that the EU was imposing its views on Nigeria.

‘This is about democracy for Nigerians, not outsiders. Civil society has made these same demands. Nigeria itself has observed elections in Ireland. This is reciprocity, not intrusion’, he said.

In his closing remarks, Gautier Mignot,

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS reaffirmed the bloc’s support for Nigeria’s democratic journey but stressed that reform implementation lies squarely in the hands of Nigerian leaders.

‘We are fully backing Nigeria through our democratic governance support programme. But these are recommendations that Nigeria must own. The credibility of your democracy depends on it’, Mignot said.

He further clarified that diplomatic visits to off-cycle elections should not be mistaken for full EU election observation missions, which involve larger delegations and more comprehensive assessments.

The EU Follow-Up Mission is expected to remain in Nigeria for a week before submitting its progress report and updated recommendations.

However, its message was unmistakable: without decisive reforms, the 2027 general elections could be marred by the same disputes, mistrust, and legal battles that undermined the credibility of the 2023 polls.

‘Nigeria is too important to the region. If reforms stall, public trust will collapse, and democracy will pay the price’, Andrews noted.

The role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has shifted beyond overseeing IT systems to shaping enterprise-wide strategy. CIOs are now tasked with driving transformation, aligning technology with business goals, and creating measurable value across organisations.

This requires not only technical know-how but also sharp business insight and leadership capabilities. ‘CIOs really need to be conversant across just about everything the company does,’ says Mike Loukides, vice president of emerging technology at O’Reilly. ‘That kind of breadth doesn’t come easily and it’s not a specialised, single-skill job.’ According to industry leaders, the most in-demand CIOs combine vision, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver results.

Here are seven critical skills that every organisation looks for in a CIO, highlighted by Industry leaders.

1. Visionary leadership and innovative results

Visionary leadership is key for CIOs, according to Peter Silas, CEO of Enable Healthcare. He explains that effective CIOs employ technology to deliver results such as improved patient care, reduced delays, and prevention of illness through data-driven insights.

‘At Enable, we facilitate an open teamwork environment in which all individuals across departments are invited to share their ideas with IT,’ Silas says. He adds that leadership involves creating an innovation culture where collaboration drives organisational progress.

2. The business insights of a COO

Technology skills alone are not enough, warns Ha Hoang, CIO at Commvault. CIOs must also act as ‘strategic storytellers’ who can link technological investments with measurable business outcomes.

Hoang says CIOs need to engage with other functions such as operations and sales to understand the organisation’s full scope. ‘This includes staying up to date on the latest business trends and engaging regularly with fellow CIOs, CISOs, and others in your field,’ he explains.

He compares the role to that of a COO, requiring a full understanding of the value chain in order to lead teams and support business evolution.

3. Strategic thinking and transformative instincts

Justice Erolin, CTO at BairesDev, argues that strategic thinking is what separates a good CIO from a great one. The ability to anticipate business needs, align technology with goals, and focus on long-term outcomes is essential, he says.

‘You shouldn’t try to be the smartest person in the room,’ Erolin advises. ‘Instead, try to build the smartest room.’ He notes that curiosity, openness, and collaboration are crucial for guiding digital transformation and delivering value.

4. Internal fortitude

CIOs face pressures comparable to those of other top executives, says Troy Gibson, fractional CIO at Centric Consulting. They carry responsibility for strategy, operations, and finances, while also being accountable for system failures and project delays.

‘Without fortitude, you’ll crack under that pressure,’ Gibson warns. He stresses that resilience is developed through experience, mentorship, and willingness to take on difficult projects.

According to Gibson, fortitude grows through consistent decision-making, transparency, and accountability. ‘Over time, those around you will come to see your constancy as a stabilising force for the entire organisation,’ he says.

5. The business acumen of a CFO

Business acumen connects IT to the bottom line, explains Nic Adams, CEO of Orcus. It allows CIOs to communicate in business terms rather than technical jargon, and to prioritise IT investments that deliver return on investment.

‘Acumen transforms the CIO office from a cost centre into a strategic value creator,’ Adams states. He adds that CIOs can strengthen this skill by engaging with business leaders, translating risks into business terms, and showing how IT contributes to revenue and efficiency.

6. Outcome orchestration talent

Dalibor Siroky, general manager of Plutora at Planview, defines outcome orchestration as the ability to convert strategy into measurable value. ‘Boards buy results, not roadmaps,’ he says.

Siroky advises starting with two or three business outcomes, appointing accountable leaders, and running a process that removes obstacles quickly. ‘Outcome orchestration combines strategy, funding, delivery, and adoption into a single system,’ he explains.

7. Solid communication skills

CIOs must also be effective communicators, says Rohit Garewal, CEO of Object Edge. The role involves explaining complex technical concepts in plain language, outlining the business value of emerging technologies, and addressing concerns about disruption.

‘An effective CIO must be someone who can bridge these gaps and serve as a liaison between parties,’ Garewal says. He adds that communication should build consensus without being political, with a clear view of how technology can support enterprise goals.

Situated in the bustling heart of Festac Town, Lagos, is a new, expansive music, photography, and content creation studio, ‘Akwaamaka Studio’.

Stanley Obodoagwu, the visionary CEO of Akwaamaka Music, the edifice on Tuesday, September 30. The grand opening drew a distinguished crowd of Nollywood celebrities, industry professionals, and media.

The launch event was a vibrant affair, attended by notable figures, including veteran actors Chinedu Ikedieze, Uche Elendu, and Grace Ama. Guests enjoyed a festive atmosphere complete with exquisite refreshments as they celebrated the landmark occasion.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the new venture, Obodoagwu highlighted a gap in the local industry.

‘I have visited various studios across Lagos and observed a noticeable lack of internationally competitive standards,’ he stated. ‘My decision to launch Akwaamaka Studio stems from a commitment to elevate the industry. We are creating a multipurpose hub designed to meet the holistic needs of the entertainment sector-serving filmmakers, music producers, recording artists, content creators, and individuals seeking world-class facilities. This is the best studio in Nigeria. I can bet that.’

The studio is poised to become a central creative engine for the entertainment community. The event also featured a captivating performance by one of Akwaamaka Music’s rising stars, Spenta (real name Kingsley Ifeanyi Adaoje), who entertained the audience with tracks from his latest EP, Roll My Dice.

Veteran actor Chinedu Ikedieze praised the initiative, stating, ‘What High Chief Obodoagwu has done with Akwaamaka Studio is commendable. It’s a huge step toward professionalising our industry’s infrastructure and providing a standard that our talent truly deserves. They have virtually everything here, you can shoot an entire movie in one location. The quality, the design, the nature-themed sets. it’s out of this world. Akwaamaka brought nature to life, and for filmmakers, this is going to cut costs significantly.’

Supporting this sentiment, actress Uche Elendu added, ‘This new studio is exactly what Festac and the wider Lagos creative community needed. It is a one-stop-shop for high-quality production, and I believe it will be instrumental in fostering the next wave of creative talent.’

Akwaamaka Studio is now fully operational, offering cutting-edge technology and a professional environment to service the diverse needs of the film, music, and digital content industries.

Akwaamaka Music is a record label and entertainment company founded by High Chief Stanley Obodoagwu, dedicated to discovering, developing, and promoting exceptional talent across Africa.

With the launch of Akwaamaka Studio, the company expands its commitment to providing world-class infrastructure for the entire creative community.

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary, the nation’s sporting journey stands as one of resilience, triumph, and moments of global recognition. Sports in Nigeria is deeply interwoven with its nationhood, often serving as a unifying force that lifts spirits and projects the country’s image on the world stage.

Although Nigerians had participated in competitive sports before Independence in 1960, the past six-and-a-half decades have produced defining moments that placed the green-and-white flag at the heart of global sporting celebrations.

In athletics, Nigeria’s men’s 4x400m relay team wrote history at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, initially winning silver before being upgraded to gold after the disqualification of the American team. Four years earlier, Chioma Ajunwa had blazed the trail in Atlanta, becoming the first Nigerian and black African woman to win Olympic gold in a field event.

More recently, hurdler Tobi Amusan etched her name into history at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She not only clinched gold in the women’s 100m hurdles but also smashed the world record with a time of 12.06 seconds, a feat that reverberated across global athletics.

Nigerian football has also been a rich source of national pride. The Super Eagles’ three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumphs remain iconic, while the 1996 Olympic football team, dubbed the ‘Dream Team,’ stunned the world by winning gold in Atlanta, becoming the first non-European nation to achieve the feat in 68 years. At the club level, Enyimba International of Aba made history in 2003 and 2004 by winning back-to-back CAF Champions League titles, a first for Nigeria.

Basketball has equally seen remarkable strides, with D’Tigress, Nigeria’s women’s team, establishing dominance in Africa and earning global recognition through their World Cup appearances.

From Olympic tracks to football pitches and basketball courts, Nigerian athletes have consistently showcased resilience and excellence despite structural challenges that often impede sporting development compared to African peers like Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.

Nigeria made history in 1985 when the Golden Eaglets defeated Germany 2-0 to win the inaugural FIFA Under-17 World Cup in China. That landmark victory was the first time a team outside Europe and South America had lifted a major global football trophy, cementing Nigeria’s place as a rising force in world sport.

Earlier, in 1980, the Green Eagles hosted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and clinched their first-ever title at the National Stadium in Lagos. Under coach Otto Gloria, with stars like Segun Odegbami and Christian Chukwu, Nigeria swept past Algeria 3-0 in the final, igniting unprecedented national celebration.

Boxing also delivered moments of pride. In 2008, Samuel Peter defeated Russian-American Oleg Maskaev in the sixth round to claim the WBC heavyweight title. Decades earlier, Nigerian-born Richard Ihetu, famously known as Dick Tiger, carved his name in history by winning the WBA middleweight title in 1962 against Gene Fullmer and later the light heavyweight crown in 1966 after dethroning Puerto Rico’s José Torres. Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey, Nigeria’s first world champion, had paved the way in 1957 when he became the world featherweight king.

These achievements built on earlier pioneering feats such as Emmanuel Ifeajuna’s gold medal in the high jump at the 1954 Commonwealth Games, the first for an African athlete. Together, these trailblazers laid the foundation for Nigeria’s sporting identity.

Sports’ decline

Former Nigerian international Friday Ekpo has reminisced about the glory days of Nigerian football in the 1980s and 1990s, while sports analyst and SuperSport Nigeria General Manager, Felix Awogu, has pointed to economic and governance issues as key reasons for the country’s sporting decline.

In a chat with BusinessDay, Ekpo reflected on Nigeria’s football journey, noting both progress and setbacks.

‘I mean, it has not been easy when it comes to sport. We started building up gradually before I was even born – when they were playing without boots, barefoot and all the rest. Gradually, we changed from one era to another,’ Ekpo said.

‘In terms of sport and football, there has been gradual progress and development. But in between, we’ve had our ups and downs. We need to go back to see where we went wrong and what we need to do to come back stronger. In every other sport, it has been like that. But in football, which I know a little more about, it has been up and down.’

Despite the challenges, Ekpo is confident that Nigerian football is beginning to show signs of revival.

‘We are picking up now. When it comes to Nigerian football, especially the Nigerian Premier League, I have seen great improvement in the last 10 to 12 years. I know that, in due course, we will get back there again,’ he added with optimism.

For Awogu, however, the struggles in Nigerian sports cannot be divorced from the country’s wider economic and political realities.

‘The truth is that other countries are also progressing, just as we are. It depends on which one is progressing at a faster rate. If you look back in the short term, we have been declining. We won the Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996. Since then, we’ve not won any,’ Awogu observed.

He stressed the need to address deeper systemic challenges:

‘Well, you cannot take away sports from the larger society. Are we doing the right thing at the national level? That’s the big question we need to ask. What is the quality of leadership we have in government generally? You cannot separate that from what we see in football and other sports.’

Awogu also acknowledged that while some football has struggled, other sports have shown resilience despite limited support.

‘We cannot condemn everything in totality. Some sports have really lifted themselves. Take cricket, for example. They’ve been doing fantastic even without government funding. So, we can’t throw that away.’

From the 1960s through the 1990s, football and athletics were Nigeria’s strongest pillars, with football in particular emerging as a unifying force. But in the last two decades, administrative shortcomings, underfunding, and poor grassroots structures have weakened the country’s dominance on the continental and global stage.

Yet hope remains. Nigerian athletes continue to produce flashes of brilliance, while sports enthusiasts and experts believe that with stronger investment, visionary leadership, and strategic planning, the country can reclaim its status as Africa’s sporting giant.

At 65, Nigerian sports still symbolise the nation’s enduring spirit, one that has celebrated triumphs, endured setbacks, and continues to inspire future generations.