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The 2025 Crest Africa Awards have recognized Fredrick Oladipupo, a senior software engineer and tech entrepreneur, with the Tech Innovation for Social Impact Award.

Announcing the award, the organisers noted that it highlights Fredick’s groundbreaking work in creating technology that bridges everyday challenges with practical, people-focused solutions. The organisers noted that Fredrick is the founder of BabySteps, a parenting support app that enables families to track their children’s developmental milestones through personalized guidance, expert insights, and engaging activities.

The statements by organizers of 2025 Crest Africa Awards reads: ‘Already gaining traction in Africa and the United Kingdom, BabySteps is transforming how parents approach child development, fostering healthier parent-child relationships in the process.

‘Complementing this work, he also launched PlatformAdvisor, a research-driven software review and comparison platform. By simplifying the process of selecting digital tools, PlatformAdvisor empowers African entrepreneurs and organizations to adopt the right technologies and drive business growth with confidence.

‘Fredrick’s contributions go beyond product innovation. As a volunteer and mentor with CodeYourFuture (CYF UK), a nonprofit dedicated to training refugees and disadvantaged individuals in software development, he equips aspiring developers with the skills, resilience, and confidence to build meaningful careers in tech. His mentorship underscores a deep commitment to using technology as a force for inclusion and empowerment.

‘For Fredrick, the purpose of technology is clear: ‘Technology is most powerful when it solves everyday problems and makes life better for people,’ he emphasizes. This philosophy fuels both his entrepreneurial ventures and his advocacy for accessible, socially impactful innovation.

‘As he accepts the Crest Africa Award, Fredrick remains focused on expanding BabySteps to reach more families globally, mentoring the next generation of developers, and advancing inclusive solutions that address pressing challenges across Africa and beyond.

‘The recognition of Fredrick Oladipupo at the 2025 Crest Africa Awards is not just a celebration of individual achievement-it is a testament to how innovation, when grounded in empathy and social responsibility, can reshape communities and improve lives across continents.’

The Nasarawa State Government has disbursed N592 million as bursary to 16,756 students studying at various tertiary institutions in the country.

The state Gov. Abdullahi Sule disclosed this during official disbursement of the bursary on Thursday at Akwanga Local Government Area. He said that the gesture was part of his commitment to investing in the future and transforming the education sector.

Sule explained that education is the topmost priority of his administration, saying it was why education had 36 per cent allocation in the 2025 budget of the state.

The governor stressed that his administration had restored international scholarship in the state and is currently sponsoring 155 students studying different courses in various countries of the world.

He further disclosed that the state government is sponsoring nursing students as well as others in different universities across the country to build future manpower for the state. ‘We paid 2025 National Examination Council (NECO) registration fees for more than 24, 000 secondary students in public schools to ease the burden on their parents,’ he added.

Sule further directed the board handling the bursary to commence the process for the disbursement of the allowances for the 2025/2026 academic session. Earlier, Hajia Sa’Adatu Yahaya, the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Scholarship Board, expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture.

The Executive Secretary explained that 25,000 students had applied for the bursary on the portal, but the board shortlisted 17,762 applicants after an online screening exercise.

She further said that the board had decided to conduct physical verification of the beneficiaries after the state government approved the payment for the number of beneficiaries screened through the online process.

‘After the physical verification, the board discovered that 2006 applicants were no longer students and we delisted them from the list of beneficiaries, bringing the number to 16,756. We, therefore, refunded the money meant for these ineligible students to the state government,’ she added.

The board secretary further explained that the candidates benefited from N30,000 to N90,000 as bursary allowances, depending on the course of study. She, therefore, promised that the board under her leadership would continue to maintain transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibility in line with the mandate given to them by the governor.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ovey Abimiku, National President, Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA), appreciated the governor for the gesture and promised that the beneficiaries would use the money to pursue their educational careers.

The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of its Commandant, Gbenga Agun.

Agun reportedly slumped and died on Thursday during an award ceremony organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates in Benin City, the state capital.

The Commandant, who had just been honoured at the event, collapsed moments after delivering his goodwill message. He was immediately rushed to the Military Hospital along Airport Road for urgent medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.

An eyewitness, who preferred not to be named, recounted the shocking incident: ‘The NSCDC Commandant arrived at the ceremony full of life. However, I observed he jerked intermittently in his voice while delivering his speech.

‘After his address, he returned to his seat and began to convulse. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, but sadly, he was pronounced dead on arrival. It was an unfortunate situation. I sympathise with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.’

As of the time of filing this report, the spokesman of the Edo State Command of the NSCDC, Efosa Ogbebor, had yet to issue an official response.

One of Africa’s leading music producers, songwriter, singer and entrepreneur, Temidayo Joseph Babatope, affectionately called Puffy Tee says Afrobeat music is hitting the right notes in Nigeria and the world.

Temidayo Joseph Babatope gave this verdict in his Nigeria @65 Independence Day message tagged ‘WE ARE PROVING OUR WORTH’.

He explained that Nigerian artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other individuals in the entertainment industry are pulling the right strings and are singing from a similar hymm sheet. ‘We are halfway there, the journey to stardom for Afrobeats is still far.

Afrobeats is recognized globally, but only a few big time artists have made it to the top. But that’s not the desired height for Nigeria, the country is filled with talent, once these talents are harnessed properly we will be top 20s, 30s afrobeats artist in the world.

‘We are doing it right, when you look at the top 5 big artists or musicians on the continent we are there but we need to take control of the airwaves, that’s, having the top 20 or more,’ Puffy Tee stated in his Independence Day message.

He lamented that Nigerian artists are doing so much for the industry but financial returns leave much to be desired. ‘In the area of revenue, funds earned from Spotify, iTunes, Apple, etc, entertainment isn’t receiving the due funds.

The payback to artists for releasing songs is not at the right level, we are far behind in Nigeria, it doesn’t equate the hard work, put in by the artists, and the entire production team to release the songs.’

Temidayo Joseph Babatope, the man behind numerous hit songs including Yahooze, further explained that when the entertainment and showbiz world in Nigeria is more rewarding, more talented and gifted young ones will embrace its whole soul.

‘From the early 5Os down to our days, Nigeria – the Royal white and energetic Green has produced world class entertainers and we will continue to produce more as long as the environment and policies are right.’

Puffy Tee, therefore calls on all the three tiers of government in Nigeria to open up the entertainment industry space with well cut out policies programs, up to date infrastructural development and the much needed funding for the industry to thrive and compete favourably with Europe and America the hub of showbiz. ‘The private sector is doing their part, however, a lot more needs to come from them as well as from well meaning individuals with deep and fat pockets.

Tokenism form of support will only do more harm to us who toil night and day to make Nigerians sing and smile,’ Puffy Tee, a judge in the Next Afrobeat Stars Initiative said.

The entertainer and entrepreneur who has spent the last three decades in the industry, stressed that the government should keep a close mark on all digital music platforms and regulate them so that musicians and record label owners are not ripped off.

‘The idea is for it to be more rewarding, and until then we are not there yet. The real money is only flowing in a little circle, it’s not where it should be.’

The Ekiti state-born, music producer had some pleasant words for the initiators of Next Afrobeat Stars (NAS), ‘That is why platforms like NAS are there to do a little part of the work by discovering and grooming talents and sponsors like MTN back it up financially.’

Puffy Tee, also suggested that Nigeria should have multiple national and international annual Afrobeat Festivals, this he believes will enhance the art and culture industry.

‘We need more corporate bodies and individuals to help transform the music industry with events that host the continent and the globe at large.

We should be having afrobeats festivals across the country and on the continent, that brings together artists across Africa.’

‘I pray that we find our path and do not deviate from it, reggae was once a global sensation to the extent that a song was produced entitled ‘Nobody can stop reggae’, but now no one is after reggae again.

Now the story is different, it’s afrobeat and we need to sustain the momentum.’

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 24 passengers were rescued and 4 bodies recovered after a boat mishap on the River Niger in Ibaji Local Government Area, Kogi State.

The agency, however, says 42 people remain missing.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, NEMA stated the incident occurred on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, and involved a boat carrying approximately 80 passengers travelling from Onugwa community to Olushi village in Ibaji. Boat accidents remain a persistent and serious issue in Nigeria, particularly in riverine regions, where water transport is a primary means of movement. Overcrowded vessels, poorly maintained boats, and weak enforcement of safety regulations have claimed numerous lives over the years.

NEMA said: ‘The incident occurred at about 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, when a boat with around 80 passengers capsized en route to Olushi village after departing from Onugwa community in Ibaji LGA.’ Upon receiving the distress report, NEMA Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, activated the Agency’s Abuja Operations Office, which immediately deployed personnel to support local rescue efforts. The operation highlights NEMA’s commitment to timely intervention and effective coordination with both state and community responders.

The Search and Rescue (SAR) operation led to the rescue of 24 passengers, while 14 bodies have been recovered. 42 individuals are still unaccounted for, and rescue operations are ongoing, with local divers supporting the mission. NEMA also stated that multiple agencies are involved in the response, including: The Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, the Local Emergency Management Committee (Ibaji), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Fire Service, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and local divers and community volunteers

NEMA officials, led by Mr Zakari Abubakar, Head of Abuja Operations Office, visited Chief Patrick Arome, traditional ruler of Onugwa, to commiserate with the community.

Earlier reports had suggested 26 fatalities, but NEMA’s updated figure stands at 14 confirmed deaths.

Galatasaray head coach, Okan Buruk, has shed light on why Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was taken off during Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Liverpool in Instabul.

The Super Eagles forward was once again the hero for the Turkish giants as he netted the decisive goal in their narrow 1-0 triumph at RAMS Park. Osimhen, who has quickly become a fan favorite in Istanbul, showed his composure from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, calmly slotting home after Kerem Yilmaz was brought down in the box by Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai. The goal eventually proved enough to hand Galatasaray all three points against Arne Slot’s men.

However, Osimhen’s substitution later in the match raised eyebrows among fans and sparked fears of yet another injury setback for the powerful forward, who has had his fair share of fitness troubles in recent years.

He was replaced by Argentine striker Mauro Icardi with 19 minutes left on the clock. Coach Buruk was quick to allay those fears, explaining that the change was purely precautionary.

According to him, Osimhen was not injured but was only suffering from fatigue.

‘Osimhen was feeling tired and had a cramp in his foot, but we don’t think it’s anything serious,’ Buruk told the club’s official website. ‘There’s no negative information coming in at this time, so we expect him to be fine.’

The 26-year-old forward, whose energy and movement troubled Liverpool’s defense all night, was later named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.

His decisive strike not only lifted Galatasaray’s Champions League hopes but also reaffirmed his status as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe.

For Galatasaray supporters, Buruk’s words will come as a huge relief, ensuring that their star man remains available for the crucial fixtures ahead in both domestic and European competitions.

The Nigerian currency, naira maintained a lean difference on Thursday October 2nd trading between the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market as participants balanced improved dollar inflows against persistent demand pressures. Parallel market: ?1,490 per US$1

The official NFEM rate a volume-weighted figure derived from interbank trading and published by the authorities closed at about ?1,483 to the dollar, a slight shift from the previous session.

Traders noted that the official window remains sensitive to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) liquidity operations and order flows through the electronic matching system.

In the parallel market, the naira traded around ?1,490 to the dollar, leaving a spread of roughly ?7. This narrow gap contrasts with the wider double-digit spreads witnessed during periods of heightened market stress, suggesting partial convergence between the two segments. However, the parallel market continues to serve individuals and businesses unable to access dollars through official channels.

Market Drivers

Analysts linked the relative calm to moderate foreign currency inflows from diaspora remittances and import receipts, combined with CBN interventions that helped curb sharp intraday fluctuations.

Global factors also played a role, with the US dollar holding broadly steady in international markets following recent volatility.

Traders’ Perspective

Dealers observed that demand from importers, students, and travellers remains the major driver of parallel market volumes, while banks and authorised dealers handle most corporate flows through NFEM.

Analysts cautioned that the present convergence remains fragile, requiring sustained inflows, deeper FX liquidity, and consistent policy signals to stabilise the naira more permanently.

Outlook

Short-term forecasts suggest the dollar will likely trade within ?1,480-?1,495 in the official market and ?1,485-?1,500 in the parallel market over the coming days, provided dollar supply remains steady and demand does not surge unexpectedly.

Policymakers’ ability to manage measured interventions and improve liquidity will be central to maintaining exchange rate stability.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given has shared his thoughts on this season’s title race, naming Arsenal as the club best positioned to lift the trophy in May 2026.

Given, who enjoyed a long career in England’s top flight and also represented Manchester City, believes that while Liverpool and City will remain in contention, it is Arsenal who currently boast the most complete squad.

‘This season feels like a genuine three-horse race,’ Given told Ladbrokes.

‘Liverpool are top right now, Arsenal are right on their heels, and Manchester Citydespite being five points off are never a team you can rule out.

I know City are down in seventh at the moment, but with the players at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, they can quickly close the gap.’

Liverpool are currently leading the league table, holding a slender two-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal. Jrgen Klopp’s side have been praised for their intensity and consistency, though they, like Arsenal, have already suffered one or two setbacks this campaign.

Manchester City, meanwhile, find themselves unusually placed outside the top four but still very much in the picture. Given highlighted Arsenal’s growth under Mikel Arteta, stressing the Gunners’ depth, balance, and hunger to finally end their two-decade wait for a league crown.

‘If I sit back and look at every squad in the cold light of day, Arsenal appear to be the strongest right now,’ he continued.

‘They’ve built a group with quality in every position-defensively solid, creative in midfield, and dangerous up front. For me, they’re the team to beat this season.’

However, the former Republic of Ireland international was quick to remind fans that Manchester City’s pedigree cannot be dismissed so early in the campaign.

‘City have won the league in tough circumstances before.

They thrive under pressure and have players who can change games in an instant. While Arsenal and Liverpool are flying high, you can never rule out City.

Come the business end of the season, I expect them to be right in the mix,’ he added.

As things stand, the Premier League race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years.

With Liverpool setting the early pace, Arsenal growing in confidence, and City lurking in the background, football fans could be in for a thrilling battle for the title that may go right down to the wire.

In a dramatic turn during the ongoing Big Brother Naija Season 10, housemate Faith Adewale has been abruptly disqualified from the competition following a physical confrontation with fellow contestant Sultana, marking one of the show’s most contentious evictions to date.

The official announcement came directly from the show’s organizers, stating: ‘For engaging in physical violence with Sultana over a disagreement, Faith has been disqualified from the competition and is to leave the house immediately.’

The incident, which unfolded earlier today inside the iconic house, violated the show’s strict zero-tolerance policy on physical aggression, as outlined in Section 15, Subsection 1 of the rulebook, which mandates immediate removal for such offenses.

Eyewitness accounts from live feeds and fan discussions suggest the clash escalated from a heated verbal disagreement over household chores, culminating in Faith allegedly shoving or dragging a bucket toward Sultana, leading to physical contact.

While exact details remain under wraps pending a full review, the altercation has ignited a firestorm of debate among viewers, with many questioning the fairness of the ruling. Big Brother Naija, a flagship reality TV franchise produced by M-Net and MultiChoice, has long been a cultural phenomenon in Nigeria and across Africa, drawing millions of viewers each season for its mix of drama, alliances, and unfiltered human interactions.

Season 10, themed around high-stakes competitions and interpersonal dynamics, had already narrowed down to a top 10 lineup that included Faith, Sultana, Dede, Imisi, Isabella, Jason Jae, Kaybobo, Kola, Koyin, and Mensan-making Faith’s exit a pivotal blow to the remaining field.

Fan reactions poured in swiftly on social media, reflecting a polarized response. Some praised Sultana’s composure during the incident, with one viewer noting, ‘Sultana needs to be applauded for her level of emotional intelligence. Many ladies will break Faith’s head after the fall and have both of them disqualified. I rate her patience .’

Others decried perceived inconsistencies in enforcement, pointing to prior unreported or lightly punished incidents like Sultana allegedly tampering with another housemate’s belongings and Zita receiving only strikes for a similar assault.

This disqualification echoes past controversies in the show’s history, such as the 2019 eviction of Tuoyo for infidelity allegations and the 2020 strike against Lucy for abusive language-reminders that Big Brother’s rules prioritize a safe environment amid the high-pressure confines of the house.

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/ Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have successfully foiled a terrorist attack and neutralised two suspected terrorists in Taraba.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by Lt. Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Jalingo.

‘Acting on credible intelligence, troops on October 1, 2025 advanced to Tor-Ikyeghgba village where bandits were reported to be converging.

‘On arrival at the general area, the troops made contact with the terrorists along the powerline axis and immediately engaged them with superior firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of two.

‘During the operation, the following items were recovered; one locally fabricated pistol, two dane guns, three rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one Baofeng radio, one motorcycle and other items,’ it stated.

He quoted Brig. Gen. Kingsley Uwa, Commander of the brigade as commending the troops for their swift response, resilience, and professionalism.

Muhammad also quoted the Commander, as urging the troops to maintain the momentum, assuring residents of the state that the brigade remained fully committed to ensuring their safety.

He therefore, called on members of the public to continue to support the ongoing operation ‘Lafiya na kowa’ by providing timely and credible information that would aid in the fight against criminality.