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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that at least 42 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo following a new outbreak of the Ebola virus.

According to the UN health agency, 64 cases have been recorded since the outbreak was declared in early September, with the Zaire strain of the virus identified as the cause. WHO estimates the current fatality rate at 45.7 percent.

In response, Congolese health authorities have rolled out a vaccination programme in the central province of Kasai, where the resurgence was first reported. The International Coordination Group on Vaccine Supply has also approved the shipment of 45,000 additional doses to support the effort.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed the figures in a post on X, stressing that while the risk of further spread is considered high at the national level, it remains moderate across the wider region.

The agency, however, warned that the outbreak is being fuelled by challenges such as insufficient protective equipment, incomplete contact tracing, late detection of cases, and unsafe burial practices. High population mobility and reliance on traditional healers have also increased the risk of transmission.

Ebola, first identified in 1976 and believed to have originated from bats, is a deadly viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids. It causes severe bleeding, organ failure, and in many cases, death.

The DRC has faced multiple outbreaks of the disease, with the deadliest between 2018 and 2020 claiming nearly 2,300 lives.

The ripple effect of the United States government shutdown has reached Nigeria. On Wednesday, the U.S. Mission in Abuja announced it was suspending updates on its official X account, citing the lapse in appropriations that has grounded several government services back home.

In a notice to Nigerians, the Mission said only urgent safety and security advisories will be posted until ‘full operations resume.’

Despite the blackout on social media, the Mission clarified that passport, visa, and transit services both in the U.S. and in its Embassies and Consulates abroad would continue ‘as the situation permits.’

‘Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume,’ the statement read.

The U.S. shutdown, triggered by a bitter budget impasse in Washington, has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees in limbo and now threatens to disrupt international diplomatic engagements.

For Nigerians planning trips to the U.S., the advice is clear: monitor official notices, but don’t expect daily updates from the Mission’s social handles until the logjam is cleared in Congress.

Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation’s Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule, let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world.

Our founding heroes and heroines-Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and other nationalists-believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.

For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived. While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them. In 65 years since our Independence, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development. Our economy has experienced significant growth since 1960.

Although, it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress. Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. Available data indicate that, as of year 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country. At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions. We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence – in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others.

Our country has experienced both the good and the bad times in its 65 years of nationhood, as is normal for every nation and its people. We fought a bitter and avoidable civil war, experienced military dictatorships, and lived through major political crises. In all these, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage, grit, and uncommon determination. While our system and ties that bind us are sometimes stretched by insidious forces opposed to our values and ways of life, we continue to strive to build a more perfect union where every Nigerian can find better accommodation and find purpose and fulfilment.

Fellow Compatriots, this is the third time I will address you on our independence anniversary since I assumed office as your President on May 29, 2023. In the last 28 months of my administration, like our founding fathers and leaders who came before me, I have committed myself irrevocably to the unfinished nation-building business.

Upon assuming office, our administration inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth. As a new administration, we faced a simple choice: continue business as usual and watch our nation drift, or embark on a courageous, fundamental reform path. We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit.

In resetting our country for sustainable growth, we ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority. At the same time, the masses received little or nothing from our Commonwealth. Our administration has redirected the economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling money to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure, such as roads, power, broadband, and social investment programmes. These initiatives will generally improve Nigerians’ quality of life. As a result of the tough decisions we made, the Federal and State governments, including Local Governments, now have more resources to take care of the people at the lower level of the ladder, to address our development challenges.

Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time. We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools our children will attend and the hospitals that will care for our people. We have to plan for the generations that will come after us. We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today, or the resources to repair our deteriorating roads, build seaports, railroads, and international airports comparable to the best in the world, because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago. Our administration is setting things right.

I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour.

Under our leadership, our economy is recovering fast, and the reforms we started over two years ago are delivering tangible results. The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23%-Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years-and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund. Inflation declined to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.

In the last two years of our administration, we have achieved 12 remarkable economic milestones as a result of the implementation of our sound fiscal and monetary policies:

We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with over N20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411% higher than the amount raised in May 2023.

We have restored Fiscal Health: Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%. We have paid down the infamous ‘Ways and Means’ advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation. Following the removal of the corrupt petroleum subsidy, we have freed up trillions of Naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.

We have a stronger foreign Reserve position than three years ago. Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September-the highest since 2019.

Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent. The ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners.

We are now a Net Exporter: Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home. Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ?7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%. Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas.

Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day from barely one million in May 2023. The increase occurred due to improved security, new investments, and better stakeholder management in the Niger Delta. Furthermore, the country has made notable advancements by refining PMS domestically for the first time in four decades. It has also established itself as the continent’s leading exporter of aviation fuel.

The Naira has stabilised from the turbulence and volatility witnessed in 2023 and 2024. The gap between the official rate and the unofficial market has reduced substantially, following FX reforms and fresh capital and remittance inflows. The multiple exchange rates, which fostered corruption and arbitrage, are now part of history. Additionally, our currency rate against the dollar is no longer determined by fluctuations in crude oil prices.

Under the social investment programme to support poor households and vulnerable Nigerians, N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of the N25,000 each.

Coal mining recovered dramatically from a 22% decline in Q1 to 57.5% growth in Q2, becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors. The solid mineral sector is now pivotal in our economy, encouraging value-added production of minerals extracted from our soil.

The administration is expanding transport infrastructure across the country, covering rail, roads, airports, and seaports. Rail and water transport grew by over 40% and 27%, respectively. The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing well on the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway. The Federal Executive Council recently approved $3 billion to complete the Eastern Rail Project.

The world is taking notice of our efforts. Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising our improved economic fundamentals. Our stock market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, rising from an all-share index of 55,000 points in May 2003 to 142,000 points as of September 26, 2025.

At its last MPC meeting, the Central Bank slashed interest rates for the first time in five years, expressing confidence in our country’s macroeconomic stability.

SECURITY:

We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe. They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in South East and banditry and kidnapping. We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.

YOUTH:

I have a message for our young people. You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country. You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector. Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high. We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions. As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion.

Credicorp, another initiative of our administration, has granted 153,000 Nigerians N30 billion affordable loans for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, digital devices, and more.

YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement.

Under our Renewed Hope Agenda, we promised to build a Nigeria where every young person, regardless of background, has an equitable opportunity to access a better future-thus, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme. The Bank of Industry is driving the programme, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank. This initiative is at the cusp of implementation. Over the last two years, we have collaborated with our partners to launch the programme, supporting our young builders and dreamers in the technology and creative sectors.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE

Fellow Nigerians, I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with some temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government. However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option. Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, we are laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand.

The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities. Let me assure you of our administration’s determination to ensure that the resources we have saved and the stability we have built are channelled into these critical areas. Today, the governors at the state level, and the local government autonomy are yielding more developments.

Therefore, on this 65th Anniversary of Our Independence, my message is hope and a call to action. The federal government will continue to do its part to fix the plumbing in our economy. Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing. In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building. Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes.

Finally, let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation.

With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.

Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amen.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Presidential Villa,

Abuja.

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has unveiled a bold initiative aimed at ending the recurring tragedy of building collapses in the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Badagry and Ese-Ofin, Engr. Olayinka Abdul, General Manager of LSMTL, urged artisans, block moulders, concrete mixers, and steel makers to join forces in a pioneering Certified Structural Integrated Programme (CSIP).

‘This alliance between LSMTL and you, the lifeblood of our construction industry, starts now. Without you, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every building is safe, sound, and secure,’ Abdul said.

The CSIP is structured as a comprehensive five-year assessment programme for standing buildings, combining pre-construction, construction, and post-construction monitoring. Artisans are tasked with producing quality materials, while LSMTL ensures certification through rigorous testing.

Abdul, represented by the Director of Admin and Human Resource, Mr Abayomi Adewunmi, emphasised, ‘Every single material used in construction must be certified fit-for-purpose. Many collapses are preventable-they often trace back to weak blocks, substandard concrete, or improperly sized steel. This ends today.’

She said key elements of the programme include mandatory sub-soil investigations before permits are issued, destructive testing of materials during construction, and advanced non-destructive testing post-construction using tools like the Pundit and Profoscope to assess structural integrity without causing damage.

The General Manager further highlighted the broader impact: ‘If a building fails a test, we can trace the failure to its source. Let us be the source of quality, not the source of failure.’

She also announced plans to create a directory of certified artisans and material producers, ensuring builders and developers have access to guaranteed quality services.

Abdul concluded with a powerful call to action: ‘The choice is simple: we can be part of the problem, or we can be the foundation of the solution. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance for a safer, stronger Lagos.’

Also speaking, the Director of Soil and Geotechnics at LSMTL, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stated that ‘Genuine research has shown that materials which have been properly tested and certified for building construction possess a lifespan of at least 70 years and above.’

He further advised that ‘Builders should adopt mechanical innovations in the process of block moulding, as mechanically engineered moulds are far stronger and more durable than manually produced ones.’

Adebayo also emphasized the importance of conducting soil testing on every parcel of land, even those located in proximity, before the commencement of any construction project.

Additionally, the overall Chairman, Lagos State Bricklayers Association (LSBA), Mr Fashina Yusuf Aro, remarked that ‘We all know Lagos State is largely swampy, with predominantly loose soil, and such terrain requires specific materials to ensure solid foundations and stable buildings.’

He encouraged artisans across the construction value chain to collaborate sincerely with bricklayers, noting that bricklayers often face the greatest scrutiny whenever issues arise in building projects or when a collapse occurs.

He further advised that comprehensive material and soil testing should be conducted by LSMTL before bricklayers commence work on any site.

The discussions at the forum centred on the importance of material quality testing, adherence to engineering standards, and the need for continuous capacity development among construction professionals.

The participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting the Lagos State Government’s vision of a resilient, sustainable, and collapse-free built environment.

English singer, Lola Young has cancelled her upcoming shows and performances after collapsing on a stage during a performance.

The incident which occurred in New York on Saturday, drew the attention of her fans towards her mental and physical health.

Lola, however spoke up after the fall, revealing that she was ok. She then announced on Tuesday, that she will be going away for a while.

While apologising to her fans for the inconvenience, Lola explained that they will be given a full refund for their tickets.

‘I’m going away for a while. It pains me to say I have to cancel everything for the foreseeable future. Thank you for all the love and support. I’m so sorry to let anyone down who has bought a ticket to see me, it hurts me more than you know. Obviously you will be entitled to a full refund. I really hope you’ll give me a second chance once I’ve had some time to work on myself and come back stronger. Love you all, Lola x,’ she wrote.

Lola also thanked her fans for their support, assuring them that she is doing ok.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has freed 36 prisoners from the Nigerian Correctional Service centres in Ilesa and Ile-Ife to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day.

The Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, made the announcement in a statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Governor Adeleke used his constitutional power under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution, following advice from the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

In a proclamation signed on September 24, 2025, he officially forgave the remaining prison terms of the 36 inmates.

The proclamation instructed all authorities to recognise the amnesty as valid and binding under the seal of Osun State.

From the Ilesa Correctional Centre, 29 inmates were released, while 7 were freed from the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre.

Most of those pardoned had been jailed for minor crimes like stealing and conspiracy and had already served much of their sentences.

Governor Adeleke explained that the gesture symbolised compassion, justice, and a fresh start.

‘As a people’s government, we believe in justice but also in mercy. This amnesty is not only about freedom but also about rehabilitation and giving these individuals a second chance to live as responsible members of society,’ he said.

The Governor added that the decision was aimed at encouraging reformation and reintegration of former inmates back into the community.

The Flying Eagles will be aiming for victory against Saudi Arabia on Matchday 2 in the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, after a painful loss to Norway in their first group game on Monday.

Despite dominating the game and creating a number of opportunities, the seven-time African champions were unlucky not to have equalized in the second half of the encounter, and probably taken the three points.

On two occasions, their appeals for penalty awards were turned down by the referee.

Victory against Saudi Arabia will put the two-time World Cup runners-up in a good position to qualify for the championship’s Round of 16, ahead of their clash with Colombia on Sunday.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubair is upbeat his wards have shaken off the defeat against Norway as their attention has shifted towards the confrontation with Saudi Arabia, to ensure the team gets the desired result.

With the availability of all key players, Coach Zubair may stick to his usual 4-3-3 formation with more focus on attack and ball possession.

Israel Ayuma, Daniel Daga and Charles Agada have all been booked and will have to play with caution to avoid missing the last group game against the Colombians.

Manchester City were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against AS Monaco in a pulsating Champions League encounter that had everything, goals, controversy, VAR drama, and missed chances.

Erling Haaland once again proved decisive for City, scoring twice with trademark finishing.

The Norwegian opened the scoring in the 15th minute, controlling a cross from Josko Gvardiol before firing into the roof of the net.

He doubled his tally just before half-time, rising highest to head home Phil Foden’s delivery, giving Pep Guardiola’s men a 2-1 advantage at the interval.

Monaco, however, showed remarkable resilience. Jordan Teze levelled in the 18th minute with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.

But the night’s defining moment came in the dying stages. In the 86th minute, Eric Dier went down under a challenge inside City’s penalty area.

Initially waved away, the incident was later reviewed by VAR. Referee Jesus Manzano overturned his decision and awarded Monaco a spot-kick, which Dier coolly dispatched in the 90th minute to ensure a share of the spoils.

The match was littered with missed opportunities and near misses. Tijjani Reijnders rattled the crossbar, Bernardo Silva saw a goal-line clearance deny him, while Haaland narrowly missed a hat-trick.

On the opposite end, Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a string of vital saves, keeping out Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun.

Tensions ran high throughout, with Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Savinho all booked for dissent and rough challenges, while Monaco’s Krepin Diatta also saw yellow.

For Guardiola, it was a night of frustration as City dominated possession but failed to convert their superiority into victory.

Nollywood actress and politician’s wife, Regina Daniels, has joined in celebrating Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

In a video shared on social media, Daniels lightheartedly noted that Nigeria is now ‘older than her husband,’ billionaire businessman and politician Ned Nwoko.

Reflecting on past Independence Day celebrations, the actress recalled fond childhood memories of parades, green-and-white outfits, and children proudly singing the national anthem.

She expressed hope that the tradition of patriotic celebrations remains alive, stressing the importance of instilling national pride in younger generations.

Attempting to sing the country’s old national anthem during the video, Daniels stumbled on some lines, laughing at her mistakes but still emphasizing her love for the patriotic exercise.

‘Nigeria is 65. that’s a big number that’s a big number it’s older than my husband so yeah But you know, guys, I remember those days when it’s independence. Like you see every kid, the street is flooded. Myself, I’m dressed in green. Everyone doing their march pass, singing national anthems. You know, I hope it’s still the same. Like that practice. Like I hope it’s still the same. The joy to celebrate your country. I just hope it’s still the same. The fact that every school would have to go somewhere to sing their national anthem, it’s just, thinking about it now, it’s ridiculously patriotic. I love it. They don’t even sing our national anthem. Nobody should laugh here. Nigerians we hail thee, our own dear native land. Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Nigerians all are proud to serve our sovereign motherland. Our flag shall be a symbol. That truth and justice reigns. In peace and battle honored. And this. In peace and battle honored. And handle. Shit. The next part is to handle. And hand on to a flag to our children without stain. Guys, fu.ck off. But I’ll still post this video because I don’t have enough time to do another one. But I’ll do another video.’

Anambra governor, Chukwuma Soludo has commended President Bola Tinubu over the reforms of his administration, including removal of subsidies, harmonisation of exchange rates, redesign of fiscal and tax policies as well as other structural reforms.

The Anambra Governor made the commendation on Wednesday while speaking during the march past organised by the state to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary as a sovereign state in Awka.

Speaking at the event, Soludo affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s reforms are a necessary medicine for an economy that has long been distorted and papered over.

The Governor said this while noting that the reforms in the short term, are bound to have some disruptive effects, including pains and hardships.

He said: ‘I commend President Tinubu’s courageous national reforms, including removal of subsidies, harmonisation of exchange rates, redesign of fiscal and tax policies as well as other structural reforms.

‘These reforms, obviously, in the short term, are bound to have some disruptive effects, including some unanticipated pains and hardships.

‘However, they are a necessary medicine for an economy long distorted and papered over.

‘This is the time we must rebuild our nation on a firmer foundation and I urge Nigerians to stand firm, as the road to renewal requires sacrifice.

‘But beyond these current hardships, lies a Nigeria where our currency gets stronger, our economy becomes more productive and our resources serve the many, not just the few.

‘I encourage all Nigerians to support these reforms and demonstrate patriotism by obeying the law and paying taxes. This is the path to a more prosperous future,’ he said.

The governor described Nigeria’s independence as a symbol of hope, freedom and possibility for the Black race.

‘At 65, our national journey has been one of triumph and trials, progress and setbacks, conflicts and reconciliation.

‘Through it all, the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian people has endured,’ he said.

Soludo affirmed that his administration would continue to invest in human capital development, preparing the next generation to innovate, compete and thrive.

The Nigerian Police, Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency, Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade, Nigerian Girl Guides Association, Secondary and Primary school students were part of the National Day parade led by SP. Paul Igwenma, Parade Commander.