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As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence from British colonial rule, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to deliver a national address on Wednesday, October 1, at 7 a.m.

The broadcast by Tinubu is expected to offer a moment of reflection on the nation’s journey and its pressing challenges.

The broadcast, to be aired across all television, radio stations, and electronic media via the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, comes as the Federal Government declares the day a public holiday, underscoring a commitment to unity despite economic hardships and security concerns.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the address, urging media outlets to join the nationwide network.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will broadcast to the nation on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7 a.m., in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary,’ Onanuga stated, emphasizing the event’s role in fostering national pride.

The announcement arrives amid a scaled-back celebration. The Federal Government has canceled the traditional Independence Day military parade scheduled for the Eagle Square in Abuja, citing unspecified reasons but affirming that the decision ‘is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary.’

A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, signed by Director of Information Segun Imohiosen, added, ‘The government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm. Accordingly, all other programmes slated for the Independence Anniversary will remain in effect.’

This year’s theme, ‘Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,’ was unveiled earlier last week by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

It calls for collective action to support President Tinubu’s reform agenda, including economic stabilization and infrastructure development.

Celebrations kicked off on September 26 with Juma’at prayers and inter-denominational church services, followed by a world press conference on September 29.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a separate statement, felicitated with Nigerians, urging them to ‘continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960’ and to keep faith in the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of Tinubu’s administration.

Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960, marked the end of over a century of British rule, birthing a federation rich in diversity but plagued by ethnic tensions, military coups, and a devastating civil war from 1967 to 1970.

At 65, the country grapples with soaring inflation, naira depreciation, and insecurity in the north, where banditry and insurgency have displaced millions.

Tinubu’s address is anticipated to touch on these issues, building on last year’s speech where he pleaded for ‘patience’ amid reforms like fuel subsidy removal, which spiked living costs but, he argued, laid groundwork for sustainable growth.

It is when it is dark, too dark to see that the essence of leadership is revealed. Titles, wealth, and distance fall away, leaving only the test of empathy, courage and action.

On 16 September, when fire engulfed Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, one of the prized assets of Tony Elumelu’s vast business empire, the tragedy stripped leadership to its core.

Elumelu, billionaire investor and philanthropist, had to cut short his trip abroad, returned to Nigeria to stand with his people in the face of grief.

His first act was a message that was a hybrid of sorrow and strength. It was no corporate speak, but a voice weighed down with pain, directed at the families, friends and colleagues of those who perished.

He admitted that words were inadequate to capture the scale of the loss, not for the families who loved them, not for the friends who cherished them, and not for colleagues who shared daily spaces and goals. He recalled that he was on his way to New York for the United Nations General Assembly when he heard the news and had to immediately cut short his journey as a mark of respect.

In his message, he urged colleagues to rally around the bereaved, to comfort the wounded and to honour the departed. He called for a minute of silence across his group of companies, praying that such a calamity would never happen again.

Even in mourning, Elumelu acknowledged those who had stood in the gap. These were the emergency responders, the first aid workers and the ordinary citizens, who displayed extraordinary courage. His words underlined a truth he has long professed: that business must serve humanity.

The fire at Afriland Towers claimed about 10 lives and destroyed property worth hundreds of millions of naira. For Elumelu, Chairman of both UBA Plc and Heirs Holdings, it was not just a corporate test, but a deeply personal moment of leadership. He demonstrated that leadership is not about distance or detachment, but about standing firm in the storm. His reaction echoed the examples of crisis leadership recorded in global history.

When Alan Mulally took over at Ford in 2006 during its darkest financial moment, his first act was not ruthless cost cutting but building trust through transparency and unity, proving that resilience begins with people.

When Satya Nadella assumed leadership at Microsoft in 2014, he shifted the culture from internal rivalry to empathy and collaboration, reminding staff that innovation must ultimately serve humanity.

More recently, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Arne Sorenson, then CEO of Marriott International, delivered an emotional message to his employees. He announced painful lay-offs while forfeiting his own salary, a gesture that communicated solidarity with staff who were enduring deep uncertainty.

Likewise, Elumelu chose empathy as his response, proving that in moments of crisis, compassion becomes the most powerful currency of trust.

In each of these cases, and now with Elumelu, the same management principle emerges: stakeholder-centric leadership, where employees, customers and communities matter as much as shareholders. It is this approach that defines resilience and sets enduring leaders apart.

The Afriland Towers itself, a seven-storey building housing UBA Plc, United Capital, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other important establishments, became the site of chaos that afternoon. At about 1:20pm, fire was traced to the inverter room in the basement. It generated dense smoke and intense heat that spread rapidly through the building. The situation forced staff to leap through windows to escape and the ensuing panic made communication almost impossible.

Afriland Properties, the company that manages the building, clarified that the Towers is equipped with safety features, including alarms, emergency staircases, smoke extractors, fire reels, and extinguishers. Fire protocols were triggered immediately and first responders arrived within 20 minutes. However, some occupants reported that they did not hear the alarms in the panic, which made evacuation a herculean task. The company emphasised that the building satisfied regulatory requirements and is regularly certified safe by authorities, but acknowledged that the rapid spread of smoke hindered the use of escape routes.

Afriland Properties was established as a separate entity after spinning off from UBA Group, with Heirs Holdings as a major investor. Over the years, both UBA and Afriland had ingrained safety drills and regular audits as part of their culture.

Yet, no amount of preparation could erase the pain of this tragedy.

In its response, Afriland Properties has pledged that the Towers will undergo a full structural, safety and regulatory review before anyone is asked to return. Staff welfare, it stressed, remains paramount. Medical evaluations, counselling support, and structured assistance will be provided during this grieving period. Longer-term support mechanisms are also under review to ensure that employees and families are cared for.

The fire at Afriland Towers was a calamity that tested both systems and souls. It exposed the fragility of life and the importance of preparedness.

Above all, it revealed a form of leadership that rises above profit and position. Elumelu’s actions showed that in the darkest moments, true leadership is not about hierarchy, but about humanity.

United States prosecutors have demanded that hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs be locked away for at least 11 years, insisting that the fallen star’s decades-long abuse left victims ‘broken and beaten.’

The call came in a late-night filing on Monday, just days before his October 3 sentencing in New York. Prosecutors urged Judge Arun Subramanian to show ‘no leniency,’ rejecting Combs’ plea for a 14-month term.

Combs, 55, was convicted in July on two prostitution-related charges under the Mann Act but acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking counts that could have carried a life sentence.

‘The defendant’s conduct spanned 15 years, crossed borders, and involved dozens of participants,’ prosecutors wrote, citing testimony from ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman referred to as Jane.

They are also pressing for a $500,000 fine, arguing that his wealth enabled his crimes.

Diddy, who claims to have sobered up in prison after 25 years of substance abuse, begged for mercy last week, with his 84-year-old mother pleading in her own letter that she wants to spend ‘the last few years of my life’ with her son.

His lawyers argue he has already paid the price with a ruined career and more than a year in one of America’s toughest jails, but prosecutors insist only a heavy sentence ‘can deter future abusers, no matter their wealth or fame.’

The Bad Boy Records founder will learn his fate on Friday.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has officially opened an investigation into the killing of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who was murdered during an armed robbery at her Katampe residence in Abuja on Monday.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, described the crime as a ‘cruel and senseless act’ and assured the public that no stone would be left unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

A statement issued Tuesday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that intelligence and operational assets have been deployed to track down the killers.

‘The Commissioner of Police has ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,’ the statement read. ‘He further directed the deployment of intelligence and operational assets to identify, track, and apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime.’

The police urged Abuja residents to support the probe by providing timely and useful information, stressing that community vigilance was key to forestalling similar tragedies.

This renewed investigation follows a disturbing trend of journalists and media workers falling victim to violent crimes in the FCT.

A Kaduna man, Solomon Ilemona Emmanuel, who presented himself as SANTI XII on Facebook for the purpose of internet fraud has been jailed and ordered to forfeit over N6.2 million to the Federal Government following his conviction for fraud.

According to EFCC, Ilemona who as a ‘picker’ in the internet fraud ecosystem, receives illicit money through a Chinese vendor and transmits to members of his syndicate was convicted by Justice M.J Zubairu of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna on Monday, September 29, 2025.

He was prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a one-count charge, bordering on impersonation and of internet fraud.

His charge reads: ‘That you Solomon Ilemona Emmanuel (a.k.a SANTI XII) sometime in June, 2025 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently presented yourself as one SANTI XII on Facebook (a social media platform) to unsuspecting victims and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017.’

He pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, M.J.Argungu to urge the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Justice Zubairu, thereafter convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment or to pay N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited a Tecno Camon Pro mobile phone and had earlier restituted the sum of N6,057,488.13 (Six Million Fifty Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty Eight Naira, Thirteen Kobo) to his victims.

Emmanuel was among those arrested in Kafanchan axis of Kaduna State by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities. He turned out to be a picker who receives illicit money through a Chinese vendor and transmits to members of the syndicate.

Veteran Fuji musician, Dr. Adewale Ayuba, has dismissed reports alleging that he divorced his wife, Azuka Ego, over a paternity dispute.

The speculation began after a YouTube channel, Nigerian News, claimed Ayuba had secretly conducted a DNA test that exposed his wife’s alleged infidelity, leading to divorce.

In a statement issued by Bonsue Fuji Entertainment and shared on his Instagram page, Ayuba described the story as ‘baseless and malicious,’ stressing that his marriage remains intact.

‘We want to state this clearly to everyone who supports Dr. Adewale Ayuba, that there is absolutely no truth-not a single iota-in this cooked-up story,’ the statement read.

‘For the record, they have been happily married for over thirty years. This is nothing more than a cheap, despicable attempt to embarrass Dr. Ayuba’s family, malign his character, and bring his united family to public ridicule. We are currently consulting with our lawyers to pursue all available legal remedies against the irresponsible individual.’

Ayuba further emphasized that the paternity of his children has never been in question, warning that he would not allow his integrity to be attacked without consequences.