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Group Chief Executive of SEAL Group, Tonya Lawani, has won the Global Industry Award at Global Entrepreneurs Award Gala, part of Global Entrepreneurship Festival in Ghana.

The award recognises her leadership in hospitality and advertising, her contributions to modernising merchandising and branding services and her efforts to promote inclusive entrepreneurship.

‘Receiving the award is a profound honour,’ Tonya said, adding the recognition affirms the work her organisations have been doing to strengthen supply chains and build technical capacity.

‘I accept this on behalf of our teams at SEAL Group and in solidarity with the women entrepreneurs whose ingenuity is transforming African industries,’ she said.

Tonya got the award in recognition of her contributions to entrepreneurship, leadership, global impact, and dedication to innovation.

SEAL Group, which includes Virgin Vie Angel, ABC Inflatables Nigeria, The Virgin Hospitality Company, Expose Et Al, and The Quick Print Shop, has provided quality services to Eko Hotels, Dangote Group, GlaxoSmithKline, MTN, UBA Group, Multichoice, Transcorp, Reckitt Benckiser, Cadbury, Samsung, Nestlé, and others.

Global Entrepreneurship Festival was a three-day, forum organised during Global Entrepreneurship Week and under patronage of the President of Ghana, John Mahama.

The festival brought together global leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to foster innovation and expedite progress in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This year’s event included an innovation expo, business pitch sessions, a leadership forum, International Women’s Congress and the Global Entrepreneurs Award Gala, which honoured outstanding contributors to entrepreneurship worldwide, and conferences.

At one of the conference sessions, James (Jim) W. Keyes, the former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster and Award-winning Author of Education is Freedom, stated that what makes him fearless as a Leader is the understanding that change is inevitable.

He believes that change presents opportunities and emphasises the importance of confidence, which stems from thorough preparation and education.

Some of the notable people who spoke at the conference include Stedman Graham, Chairman/CEO S. Graham and Associates, Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Chairperson, African Union Commission, Dr Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Chairperson of the United Africa Group of Namibia, Henry Kaestner, Co-Founder, Faith Driven Investor and Founder, Sovereigns Capital, Dr Aaron Farrugia, Member of Parliament and former Minister of Malta, Amar Deep Singh Hari, Chairman, IPMC, and a host of other seasoned public figures and business leaders.

A United States-based environmental health professional, Omotolani Deborah Oyelade, has uncovered alarming levels of soil and groundwater contamination in Owode-Arepo, a fast-growing settlement located along the disputed border between Lagos and Ogun states.

According to her study, the community-largely dependent on untreated groundwater-shows the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of toxic chemicals associated with cancer, endocrine disruption and developmental complications.

The finding represents the first documented case of PFAS contamination in any Nigerian border community, drawing attention to an environmental health crisis that has remained invisible for years.

Oyelade’s assessment warns that the contamination poses significant public health risks to residents, especially given the absence of environmental monitoring and the region’s long-standing governance dispute, which has contributed to regulatory neglect.

According to her, the research seeks to determine what contaminants are present in the soil and groundwater, what are the associated public health risks and how does the governmental jurisdictional conflict contributes to the persistence of contamination.

‘This work fills a significant gap in Nigerian environmental health literature, where PFAS monitoring and regulatory frameworks are underdeveloped. It provides the first comprehensive case study integrating field sampling, laboratory chemical analysis, community interviews, and regulatory framework assessment.

‘Preliminary findings indicate the presence of PFAS compounds and other chemical pollutants in both soil and groundwater used by residents, suggesting chronic exposure risks. The jurisdictional dispute between Lagos and Ogun States is shown to have created a void in coordinated environmental oversight, exacerbating contamination and leaving residents without support,’ she said.

She pointed out that findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened regulatory systems, targeted monitoring, and coordinated governmental intervention to protect vulnerable populations, stressing that research provides evidence that environmental contamination in underserved border communities is a national public health concern and offers a model for broader environmental health reforms in Nigeria.

A coalition of international business groups has unveiled the Global Trade Accelerator (GTA), a new digital platform designed to connect one million women-led enterprises to global markets.

The initiative, launched under the Connecting One Million Women to Trade (C1WT) programme, is positioned as one of the most ambitious efforts to scale women’s participation in cross-border commerce.

Organisers estimate that the platform could unlock up to $900 billion in new trade opportunities across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and diaspora markets, offering integrated tools for onboarding, market access, policy support, financing and global marketplace linkages.

The platform made its debut at the GUBA Trade and Investment Conference in Barbados before a multi-country rollout in Accra, Ghana.

The Barbados launch, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, drew high-level attendees including President Dame Sandra Mason of Barbados; Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell; the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; and senior representatives from Mastercard and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Former Costa Rican Vice President, H.E. Epsy Campbell Barr, described the platform as ‘a collaborative framework to accelerate women-led trade across the Atlantic corridors.’

A follow-up forum in Accra convened delegates from Ghana, the United States, Liberia, Nigeria, Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Hosting the meeting, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) President, Stéphane Abass Miezan, said the initiative reinforces Ghana’s role in intercontinental trade.

‘This initiative positions Ghana as a critical bridge in global commerce. By supporting the rollout of the GTA, we are putting in place structures that enable women to participate competitively and confidently in international markets,’ Miezan said.

The U.S.-based National Black Chamber of Commerce also announced new financing tools to help women-owned businesses prepare for cross-border investment.

C1WT founder, Dr. Ky Dele, said the platform marks a decisive transition from advocacy to infrastructure.

‘From Bridgetown to Accra, we are moving from symbolism to structure. C1WT exists to build an architecture where the grassroots connects with the grasstops, and where women-led enterprises finally have a unified global system that allows them to scale beyond borders,’ she said.

A live demonstration in Accra showcased the GTA’s multilingual onboarding, digital KYC tools, workflow dashboards and global marketplace linking women entrepreneurs across 102 countries. Messages of support also came from Senator Ireti Kingibe and former Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, reinforcing the platform’s potential in boosting women-led trade across continents.

Super Eagles striker, Ademola Lookman, is back to his striking sharpness as he grabbed the curtain raiser in Atalanta’s Champions League 3-0 victory over away to Eintracht Frankfurt last night.

Lookman scored Atalanta’s first foal in the 60th minute as he lashed on to an inviting cross from the right by De Ketelaere to finish with a sizzling volley off the inside of the boot to the far post.

Two minutes later, he was the provider as he rolled the ball across the face of the goal for

Ederson to beat the opposing goalkeeper one-on-one.

While Ketelaere scored the third some three minutes later , Lookman was in the thick of action before being substituted in the 82nd minute.

Yesterday’s win was the first for new coach Raffaele Palladino who suffered a 3-1 loss to Napoli on his debut with the club in the Serie A on Saturday.

Super Eagles striker and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has reportedly donated ?5 million to assist with the medical treatment of popular online food vendor and Twitter personality, Aunty Esther, who is currently battling breast cancer.

According to Soccernet , Osimhen made the donation after encountering a distressing video of the elderly woman, identified as Esther Omolola Mensah, crying in pain on a hospital bed while revealing the extent of the damage the illness had caused. The footage, widely circulated on social media, stirred widespread sympathy and urgent calls for support.

Aunty Esther, known for sourcing and delivering market items for her followers, had grown a loyal community online because of her warm personality and trustworthiness. However, her business ground to a halt in recent months as her health deteriorated. When her condition worsened, concerned social media users rallied around her, mobilising funds and ensuring she received immediate medical attention.

Doctors later confirmed that she required extensive and costly treatment, prompting her supporters to create a verified fundraising account. Thousands of Nigerians have since contributed to the fund.

The biggest support came on Wednesday when Osimhen transferred ?5 million to the account. The gesture sparked an emotional response from the beneficiary, who publicly expressed her gratitude.

‘Thank you uncle, Victor Osimhen. God bless u abundantly,’ X user , Sir Dickson@Wizarab10,posted. .

Osimhen’s act of kindness comes during a difficult period in his own season. The striker missed Galatasaray’s Champions League clash against Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday due to injury, watching from the sidelines as his team fell 1-0 at RAMS Park.

His absence was noticeable, given his impressive tally of six goals in just three Champions League appearances, helping secure victories over Liverpool, Bodo/Glimt and Ajax.

The Nigerian forward is expected to return to full fitness ahead of Galatasaray’s highly anticipated derby against Fenerbahce on December 1st . The Turkish champions currently sit atop the league table with 32 points, one ahead of their fierce rivals.

In view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.

By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.

Although I had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.

The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.

The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests. The agency also has my directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.

My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.

Let me take this moment to commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State. We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.

To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself. I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed.

In addition, our administration will support state governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace.

I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.

States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.

Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers. I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons.

Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony. The Federal Government, in collaboration with the states, will work with you to solve this problem, once and for all.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brig-Gen. Musa Uba.

Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself.

I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity.

There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed’

The Salvation Army Church has resolved to hand over its school, Salvation Army Secondary School -SASSCO-, Akai Ubuim, to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The decision followed an appeal by the school’s Old Students Association during its reunion night, which held last week.

The President of the Alumni Association, Chief Joseph Udoeshiet, lamented the dilapidated condition of the school, which he described as a former pride and a training ground for men and women of calibre.

He urged members of the association to support efforts to revive the institution.

Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army, Lt. Col Sunday Ayanam, expressed appreciation to the old students.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, the Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, who is also an alumnus of the school promised to convey the development to the governor and commended the organizers of the reunion for hosting an the event that reunited old classmates after many years.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to Eno; the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, who is also an alumnus; and other distinguished old students.

The Indian city of Ahmedabad will stage the 2030 multi-sport Commonwealth Games 100 years after the inaugural edition was held in Hamilton, Canada, organisers have confirmed.

The choice of Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad, was ratified by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow following a recommendation from the executive board.

India has its eyes on a bigger prize, having submitted a formal letter of intent last year to the International Olympic Committee to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.

‘We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport,’ said Dr PT Usha, president of the Commonwealth Games Association of India.

‘The 2030 Games will not only celebrate 100 years of the Commonwealth movement but also lay the foundation for the next century. It will bring together athletes, communities and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress.’

Ahmedabad is the key city in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, home to a 130,000-seater arena which is the world’s biggest cricket stadium. The venue is named after the Indian premier.

Modi said he was ‘delighted’ and that India looks ‘forward to welcoming the world’.

The executive board announced in October that Ahmedabad was its preferred choice following a rival bid from Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.

Ahmedabad is the second Indian city to stage the Commonwealth Games, following Delhi in 2010, which was meant to showcase India’s status as an emerging global power.

However, they were marred instead by construction delays, budget overruns and corruption allegations that saw the head of the organising committee jailed.

The future existence of the event was in doubt last year when the movement struggled to find a replacement host for 2026 after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew for cost reasons.

Daniel Andrews, the then premier of Victoria, said two years ago that an initial estimate of Aus $2 billion (US $1.29 billion) needed to hold the Games would more likely be around Aus $7 billion, which he called ‘well and truly too much’.

The Scottish city of Glasgow stepped in and will stage a slimmed-down version of the multi-sport format, meaning that Britain will have hosted two editions in a row, after Birmingham in 2022.

In an age of increasing continental, regional and world championships across numerous sports, there have long been questions about the relevance of the Commonwealth Games, an event restricted to an international association where the vast majority of competing countries were once territories of the British Empire.

But Dr Donald Rukare, president of Commonwealth Sport, said on Wednesday: ‘India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance, and I’m delighted to report strong interest from a range of nations to host the 2034 Games and beyond.

‘We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health.’

Commonwealth Sport added between 15 to 17 sports will feature at the 2030 Games, which follows a programme review.

Athletics and para-athletics, swimming and para-Swimming, table tennis and para table tennis, bowls and para bowls, weightlifting and para powerlifting, artistic gymnastics, netball and boxing have all been included.

The remainder of the programme is set to be finalised, with Ahmedabad able to either propose up to two new or ‘traditional’ sports.

Among those under consideration are T20 cricket, hockey, wrestling, badminton archery, rugby sevens, 3×3 basketball, cycling and diving.

A successful Commonwealth Games would strengthen any bid by India, the world’s most populous nation, to stage an Olympic Games, with the next two Summer editions set for Los Angeles (2028) and the Australian city of Brisbane (2032).

Agwara Local Government Area is a border district located in the northwestern part of Niger State. It serves as a critical frontier zone, sharing boundaries with Kebbi State to the North/Northwest, Borgu local government area to the South and the Republic of Benin to the West.

Agwara lies near the River Niger and Kaduna River, featuring floodplains and a tropical savanna climate. The council headquarters is in Agwara town, with coordinates approximately 10°42’N, 4°35’E.

Minna, the capital of Niger State, is approximately 340 km east of Agwara by road, a journey that can take between eaight and 10 hours, depending on conditions. The road travel follows routes through Bida, Borgu and Kontagora.

The easiest primary access is via the road network linking Minna to Kontagora, and then, proceeding towards the Yauri/Kebbi axis before branching off to Agwara by boarding a ferry to cross the river.

Papiri is a community in Agwara LGA. It is the hosts St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools.

The area is characterized by dense forest. It is a riverine terrain, situated near the banks of the River Niger (specifically the Kainji Lake basin area). Its proximity to the border and vast ungoverned forest spaces has historically made it a strategic corridor.

Agwara before the attack:

Prior to the November 21abduction of over 200 students and 12 teachers from the Papiri schools, Agwara LGA was relatively safer than other parts of Niger State. There was no incident of abduction or banditry in the area before 2024.

However, being a border community with a difficult terrain and limited security presence, it was vulnerable to threats like banditry spilling over from neighboring regions.

Before the incident, security analysts had described Agwara as a ‘vulnerable frontier.’

Intelligence reports indicated that armed groups (often linked to Sahelian extremists and bandits) were using the forest corridors connecting Benin Republic, Borgu, and Agwara as transit routes.

Prior to the school abduction, the convoy of the member of the House of Representatives from Borgu/Agwara Constituency, Jafaru Mohammed Ali, was ambushed by bandits along Borgu.

The attack, which resulted in fatalities, was a major red flag indicating that armed groups had established a strong foothold in the area.

Papiri was once a peaceful agrarian and fishing community, but by late 2024 and particularly this year, it has become a high-risk zone due to the encroachment of armed groups, utilising the porous borders and forest cover for cover.

Based on available records, St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri are young institutions, established in phases between 2008 and 2010.

As at November, the primary school was 17 years it started operations in May 2008 while the secondary school was 15 years, having admitted its first set of students in September 2010.

The schools were built through a collaborative efforts of the Catholic Diocese, the Society of African Missions (SMA), and international sponsors (specifically from Ireland).

They were established to provide education to the Kamberi people and other local communities in Agwara, an area where educational infrastructure was previously very scarce. Before these permanent structures were built, some local children were learning under trees.

The Federal Government has taken a major step towards ending preventable blindness across te country.

It has signed a new national eye-care Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Peek Vision, a global eye-health technology organisation.

The partnership is aimed at transforming how millions of Nigerians with vision impairment are identified, tracked, and connected to care.

The agreement, signed in Abuja on Tuesday, is expected to address longstanding gaps in access to eye care, especially in rural and underserved communities, where many people live with avoidable blindness but are never screened or linked to treatment.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, who endorsed it on behalf of the Federal Government, said the partnership would significantly expand Nigeria’s capacity to reach people at the last mile.

The minister noted that the country has a history of innovative eye-care programmes, recalling the popular JigiBola initiative of the early 1990s in Lagos State, which provided glasses to thousands of residents.

He said the new digital platform introduced through the MoU builds on that legacy by enabling health workers to identify people who need help and connect them directly to services.

Emphasising that misinformation and fear prevent many patients from seeking care early, the Ministry expressed optimism that the partnership will help solve this challenge by improving communication, screening, and referral systems nationwide.

Salako explained that the agreement aligns with the government’s Renewable Health Connect initiative, which focuses on school-based screening, cataract services, and the provision of corrective lenses.

He said the ministry was committed to driving full implementation, adding that the programme would ensure that technology reaches communities that have historically been left behind.

Speaking after the signing of the MoU, the Founder and CEO of Peek Vision, Prof. Andrew Bastawrous, said the initiative was driven by the urgent need to reach millions of Nigerians who live with avoidable vision loss but lack access to treatment.

Most people with vision loss, particularly those in rural areas with low income, don’t know that they can be treated, don’t know where to go to get treatment, if they are aware, and can’t access those services, he said.

The partnership, the CEO said, brings together the ministry and leading international NGOs, including Sightsavers, CBM, and Hands.

Under the arrangement, trained personnel will use smartphones and tablets to deliver accurate vision screening directly in homes, workplaces, and schools.

Bastawrous said this eliminates reliance on health facilities, adding: ‘Because if you find them and they don’t receive treatment, you’ve solved nothing.’

According to him, Peek Vision has developed a data platform that monitors every screened individual, tracks referrals, and identifies reasons why people fail to attend appointments

Bastawrous explained how data-driven insights have solved similar challenges in Kenya, where fears, myths, and cost barriers were identified and addressed through targeted interventions.

The power of data is to point to where the problem is. The power of compassion is to respond, the CEO said.

He confirmed that the Nigerian rollout begins immediately and involves no direct financial commitment from the Federal Government.

Peek Vision will be supported by its international partners, while the ministry retains full ownership of all data generated.

Bastawrous said a new programme, supported by Sightsavers, has begun with the screening of 5,000 people and targeting 1.2 million schoolchildren over the next two years.

The CEO added that the broader impact of improved vision goes beyond health.

‘Something as simple as a pair of magnifying glasses, which many people aren’t aware of, can increase learning potential by 20 to 50 percent. Yet remain inaccessible to people of all ages,’ he said.

Bastawrous noted that cataracts remain the most common cause of blindness but is fully treatable.

The CEO warned that most Nigerians with cataracts today may die without ever receiving care unless the system changes.

To date, he said, technology deployed through Peek Vision and its partners has screened 17 million people globally and connected more than 1.5 million to sight-restoring treatment.

Today marks the beginning of that journey to change that story, Bastawrous added.