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Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, declared that Nigeria is moving in the right direction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms beginning to yield positive results.

He also appealed to Nigerians to endure the pains of the reforms for just a little while longer ‘in the interest of our children and future generations.’

Akpabio made the appeal in a statement personally signed by him to commemorate the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

The statement reads, ‘My dear resilient and wonderful people of this great nation, I wish to heartily congratulate you for witnessing Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration. At 65, we are matured and should be working for the unity of the nation and prosperity of our people.

‘We salute your resilience, patience and endurance in the last two years. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding.

‘In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘All hands are on deck for a greater Nigeria’, I urge you to continue to bear the temporary discomfort of the ongoing reforms. We are not unaware of the pains occasioned by the reforms, but I want to assure you, very soon, this will be a thing of the past because the benefits of the reforms are beginning to manifest positively.

‘Let me also congratulate our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of our dear country, Members of the National Assembly for the steadfastness in their legislative engagements, the judiciary and the Nigerian people at home and in diaspora on this auspicious occasion.

‘I must tell you that Nigeria is not finished. Do not buy into the mischievous narrative that Nigeria is irredeemable. We are on the right pedestal and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is reshaping the country; we are growing and making progress.

‘If we all join hands together to support the reforms, Nigeria will become better and surely get to the promised land.’

Media personality Teju Oyelakin, popularly known as Teju Babyface, has cautioned men against confessing infidelity to their spouses, warning that such disclosures could have catastrophic consequences.

In a video message, Teju argued that confessions are often driven by guilt rather than genuine honesty, adding that they may end up damaging relationships instead of mending them.

He said those who admit to cheating usually do so to ease their conscience or to trigger a reaction that could lead to the end of the relationship.

‘But the reality is, the truth is you are not being honest, no, you are being manipulative. If honesty were your greatest strength, then you would at least be honest with yourself as to why you want to confess. The reason you want to confess is not because you are honest,’ he said.

Teju Babyface added that confessing to a spouse about cheating serves no real benefit to them but rather serves the confessor’s interests.

‘The reason is that the weight of guilt, guilty conscience, is killing you, and you are looking to share it with somebody. You are looking for somebody else to bear the burden with you or you’re trying consciously or subconsciously to sabotage your relationship and you are hoping that by telling them, by telling your wife or your husband, your spouse, your partner, your significant other, you are hoping they will do exactly what most people do, that they will go up in flames and torpedo and grenade and scatter the relationship. That’s what you’re hoping for. In other words, there is no benefit to your spouse when you confess. All the benefits are yours’, he said.

TejuBabyface also distinguished between confession to God and confession to a human partner, stating that the biblical principle of confession and forgiveness applies to one’s relationship with God, not necessarily with human partners.

‘People will even quote the Bible to support the idea of confession. They will say that if we confess and repent, then our sins are forgiven. Excuse me, that is to God and from God, not to man. It is confession to God, not to man. Do not do it’, he said.

He encouraged individuals to consider the motivations behind their desire to confess and the potential consequences of their actions.

‘The first question you must ask yourself is this: what exactly are you trying to achieve with your confession? This is confessing that you want to go and do it. What is the objective? Ask yourself that question because people who confess manage to convince themselves that they are trying to come clean, that they are being honest’, he added.

England captain Harry Kane continued his incredible goalscoring run with two goals as Bayern Munich crushed Pafos in the Champions League.

Kane, 32, has now scored 102 goals in 105 games for the German giants following his £86.4m move from Tottenham in August 2023.

He has 17 goals in nine club matches in 2025-26, including 11 in his past five appearances, as well as one goal for England in their 5-0 thrashing of Serbia this month.

The Cypriot side were playing their first ever home game in the main phase of the Champions League but it only took the German champions 15 minutes to take the lead when Kane finished well with a first-time shot after being set up by Michael Olise.

Raphael Guerreiro doubled Bayern’s advantage five minutes later following good work from Nicolas Jackson, with the Senegal striker then grabbing his first goal for Bayern since his loan move from Chelsea after another Olise assist.

Kane made it 4-0 after only 34 minutes with a left-footed strike from six yards, although the hosts got a goal back just before half-time through Mislav Orsic’s excellent curled 20-yard effort.

But Bayern restored their four-goal advantage midway through the second half when Olise fired into the roof of the net from a tight angle to seal the convincing victory.

Bayern, two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, have now won all nine of their matches this season, scoring 35 goals in the process and have two victories from two in the Champions League.

The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, has unveiled plans for the Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit and Awards (NTLSA) 2025, scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, in Abuja.

According to NITT, the summit, with the theme ‘Building Sustainable Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Nigeria: Current Trends and Future Insights,’ will serve as a high-level platform for policymakers, regulators, operators, academics, investors, and industry leaders to shape the sector’s future.

The institute said the event will feature keynote addresses, strategic panel sessions, technical presentations, and networking opportunities, bringing together stakeholders from the road, rail, maritime, aviation, pipeline, logistics, and allied sectors.

It explained that the summit is expected to generate innovative solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure and mobility challenges while also exploring opportunities for collaboration, investment, and growth.

A major highlight of the programme will be the Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Awards, aimed at celebrating individuals, organisations, and institutions that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and impact in advancing the sector.

Speaking ahead of the event, Director of the Transport Technology Centre, Dr Joshua Odeleye, who represented NITT Director-General/Chief Executive, Dr Bayero Salih Farah, said the summit was designed to stimulate dialogue and action toward sustainable transport growth.

‘By bringing stakeholders under one roof, we aim to promote efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across the entire ecosystem,’ Odeleye stated.

He added that winners of the Leadership Awards will be selected through a nationwide nomination and voting process conducted across multiple media platforms, including national newspapers.

Nigerian Afro-Soul artist Ureny (real name Omoluyi Irene Joseph) has officially launched his music career with the release of his debut single ‘Melody’ under NeverStop Records International.

Born on December 30, 2006, in Rivers State and originally from Edo State, Ureny discovered his love for music at just seven years old.

Now, in 2025, he makes his professional entry into the industry, bringing a sound defined by authentic storytelling, raw emotion, and the essence of human connection.

Blessed with a smooth, expressive voice and a talent for storytelling, Ureny channels his introverted nature into music that resonates deeply. His artistry transcends entertainment, capturing the lived experiences of many across Africa through poignant and heartfelt songwriting.

Melody is a piece of my soul’, Ureny shares. ‘It’s about expressing emotions that words alone can’t carry. That’s what I want my music to be; a voice for feelings we all share”.

With ‘Melody’ Ureny offers a compelling introduction to his Afro soul style which is rich, introspective and timeless. Backed by NeverStop Records, he’s currently preparing for the release of his debut EP ”An Intention” a project that promises to showcase his range, depth and unique artistic voice.

As 2025 unfolds, Ureny is poised to become a powerful new voice in Nigerian music and one to watch on the Afro-Soul landscape.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the establishment of the Ecological Funding and Management Commission, with Blessing Agbomhere appointed as chairman.

According to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, the commission will provide a legal and institutional framework for sustainable environmental management in Edo State.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring transparent and accountable resource mobilization while aligning state actions with national and international environmental commitments. It will also promote ecological sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and environmental justice.

Other appointees include Felix Ibhade as Executive Director (Projects), Ivie Uwaifo as Executive Director (Administration), and Khadijat Yusuf as Executive Director (Finance).

‘The names of the above-nominated individuals will be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

‘This decisive step reflects the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the environment for present and future generations while positioning Edo State as a leader in climate action and sustainable development.’

The Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has okayed the sum of N140billion 2025 budgetary provision for the commission.

The lawmakers charged it to utilise the allocation judiciously when approved by the Senate.

The Committee, chaired by Senator Titus Zam, gave the approval when the Managing Director of the NCDC, Tsenyil Yiltsen, appeared before it to defend the proposal.

Zam said: ‘After a careful look at the issues contained in the budget and the eloquent presentation by the Managing Director and his team, the committee has approved the budget of N140 billion as presented by the Commission.’

Committee however urged the commission to ensure judicious utilisation of the N140billion when finally approved by the Senate, particularly the N100billion, earmarked for capital expenditure.

It also urged governments of the benefiting six states in the zone and the FCT to provide office accommodations for branches of the commission in their respective states.

Yiltsen, had in his presentation, said the N140billion was the envelope given to the Commission for the 2025 fiscal year by the federal government.

He said out of the amount, N100billion for capital expenditure across the six states in the North Central zone and the Federal Capital Territory while the remaining N40billion is for recurrent expenditure covering overhead and personnel cost.

He explained that the N100billion is tied to numerous projects across the six states.

He said: ‘We have eight thematic areas in terms of infrastructure deployment which are security, agriculture, mining, environmental degradation, education, health, road construction, etc.’

He assured the committee that the commission under his leadership would ensure even execution of projects across the all the states in the zone and the FCT.

‘We will go out for proper needs assessment in all the states and will be fair in the distribution of these projects in all the six states and FCT,’he said.

He added that the bulk of the N40billion earmarked for recurrent expenditure, will be used to pay salaries of proposed 200 staff to be recruited after approval by the office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has described the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) as a dependable partner in advancing reforms that will reposition Nigeria’s commercial and insolvency law practice.

This was stated at the opening of BRIPAN’s 2025 Annual International Insolvency Conference.

The two-day conference, held on September 25 and 26 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, had as its theme: ‘Deepening Insolvency Tools for Resolving Commercial and Financial Challenges of Businesses.’

In his goodwill message, Osigwe said the association had consistently contributed to shaping business recovery processes and enhancing the legal framework for insolvency.

‘BRIPAN has remained a dependable ally to the Nigerian Bar Association in strengthening the practice of commercial law and in developing pragmatic solutions to the challenges of insolvency.

‘This conference presents another opportunity to deepen knowledge, sharpen skills, and reimagine insolvency practice in ways that promote economic growth and protect businesses. Our hope is that the deliberations here will lead to concrete reforms that safeguard jobs and build investor confidence in Nigeria.’

BRIPAN President, Chimezie Ihekweazu, SAN, said the association had stepped up its training programmes and regulatory engagements to expand capacity in the field.

He informed over 1,100 members had been trained within the past year, and draft Insolvency Practice Directions had been concluded for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal High Court.

Ihekweazu said: ‘Our mission is clear, to build a modern insolvency framework that not only resolves financial distress but also gives viable businesses a second chance at survival.

‘We have worked tirelessly on capacity development and regulatory reforms, including draft practice directions for our superior courts. These are deliberate steps to ensure that insolvency practice in Nigeria is not only globally competitive but also tailored to the realities of our economy.

‘The goal is to create a system where business rescue is possible, where creditors are treated fairly, and where entrepreneurship can thrive without the fear of arbitrary collapse.’

Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Albert Folorunsho, stressed that the event went beyond academic debate, describing it as a practical commitment to shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy through insolvency reforms.

‘This gathering is not just an academic exercise or a ritual conference. It is about building a framework where insolvency is not seen as the end of a business, but as a process of preservation, continuity, and recovery.

‘It is about protecting jobs, securing investments, and giving our economy the resilience it needs to compete globally. Every session and every conversation at this conference must translate into tangible reforms that will strengthen the Nigerian insolvency landscape.’

The Lagos State government has arrested five persons over illegal dredging and land reclamation on the Lekki shoreline.

It also sealed multiple sites in a sweeping enforcement executed by a joint ministerial task force.

The task force comprising the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, and the Lands Bureau, targeted ongoing infractions along the Lagos Lagoon.

Leading the exercise, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush Alebiosu, announced the sealing of a property at 13A, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, over illegal reclamation and unapproved extension of its fence. He described the defiance of the owners, who allegedly ignored previous government warnings, as an act of ‘legendary audacity.’

‘This property has been sealed several times since last year, yet the owners continue construction and social activities. Today, we have returned with other ministries to enforce the law,’ Alebiosu said.

He said the culprits would be prosecuted, adding that they risk forfeiting the illegally reclaimed land.

Commissioner for Physical Planning, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, said while the owner originally presented plans for 1,200 square metres, the reclaimed area had expanded to over 8,000 square metres.

Before pouring jeremiads on Nigeria at 65, behold the parallels between Emperor Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (reigned: 605-562 BC) and US President Donald Trump, as America approaches its 250th year in 2026!

Much more than a warrior-king, Nebuchadnezzar was a renowned builder. His neo-Babylonian Empire, of course, provided a surfeit of forced labour.

Trump is a real estate magnate. But with Trump accused as a shark that often shirks payment for work done, duped labour is answer to Nebuchadnezzar’s forced labour.

Nebuchadnezzar drove Jews into exile, among hated Gentiles, in his prized Babylon city, with his 586 BC razing of Jerusalem; and his capture and torture of rebellious Judah King Zedekiah.

In a settler country with neither Jew nor Gentile, Trump is creating fake Gentiles of US illegal immigrants, and dumping them in fake Babylon: in Africa, South America and Asia, where as the ancient Jews in Babylon, they might not even know anyone!

But it’s in preening hubris that the Trump-Nebuchadnezzar parallel is eeriest.

At the zenith of his self-worship – even with a prophetic caution, by Daniel the Jew to humble himself – Nebuchadnezzar crowed: ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built, as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’

Compare and contrast that with Trump’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) September 25 conceit, and you’ll spot the tragic similarity between the two.

Using his native New York and UN base as Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon city, Trump bluffed and blustered, abused and traduced, cursed and smeared everyone in sight.

The United Nations was useless for alleged escalator and TelePrompTer sabotage; and for not aiding him to stop ‘seven wars’ – a brazen lie by the way – even though America picks up the biggest chunk of the UN tab, which is true.

Global science is wrong on climate change, only because a loud Trump – even with combative ignorance – declared it’s ‘the greatest con ever perpetrated on the world.’

Europe earned Trump’s ire, for not herding own ‘illegal immigrants’ into human pens like hens; and, like the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), cart them off to wherever the wannabe emperor damn well pleases!

For shunning that icy savagery, Trump foreswore Europe would go to hell! Besides, having numbed uppity America with his cocktail of bare-faced lies, and pushing his deep vices as high virtues, he pitches such vile claptrap to the globe. What hubris!

Prof. Wole Soyinka just christened Trump ‘Idi Amin of America’: after that odious 20th century military brute, that made Uganda – and Africa – a global laughing stock. By his UNGA huff-and-puff, Trump further branded himself some neo-Nebuchadnezzar.

But it’s all thanks to American democracy, just shy of its 250th year: returning the Idi Amin favour, and delivering America’s own 21st century global laughing stock!

Dolly Parton, that great American country music megastar, with a sweet but haunting voice, once sang ‘It’s my time to cry .’ in one of her fetching numbers.

Africa and the third world, often savagely caricatured by a condescending America and the rest of the West are, in Trump, grabbing their chance to laugh – or even gloat! Indeed, Trump’s bubbly bumbling would have been so sweet, were it not so tragic!

Nigeria is 65. America, 249 years. But its doubtful if a Trump, with his clear flaws, can gain the Nigerian presidency, even with Nigeria’s many challenges!

Which is why, the world leaders at UNGA, condemned to enduring Trump’s tirade – at least the historic-minded among them – would not but wonder if this was not after all a 21st century Nebuchadnezzar eating grass, after burst hubris!

To be sure, core historians claim that was a Jewish biblical fable – for in truth, no hard core historical account recorded Nebuchadnezzar as eating grass. But it’s a powerful metaphor: pride goes before a fall. That might just be America’s fate under Trump. He radically disrupts the world. Yet, his thinking – and whining – are baby-like!

Still, an ambivalence gifts Trump apologists – quite a number! – some cold comfort.

Nebuchadnezzar was the divine rod from Jehovah himself – thus goes the biblical account – to punish the decadence of Judah.

Trump too, might just be the divine rod to conk the Democratic Party, often blamed for the moral decay of America. The grand irony, though: no single person epitomizes that decay more than Trump!

Still, never mind: Trump as divine rod is why America’s White Evangelicals support him – aside the snouting elephant of White racism in the room! Some priggish Nigerians also buy into that ‘divine’ apologia.

Just as well Trump merrily emits raw American wrongs, buried under more than two centuries of – hypocritical (?) – breeding. But it would appear crunch time!

Still, America is famous for self-correcting, after major crises. Might there then be redemption, after profane Divine Rod Trump is long gone? Maybe!

But a chilly video making the rounds, tracking a 250-year empire rise-and-bust cycle, suggests otherwise.

On 4 July 2026, America will be 250 years. Rome: 244 years from republic to empire. Ottoman: 250 years from its rise to its peak. Britain: 251 years from empire to a bust.

What’s more? America suffers socio-economic dissonance that bodes ill. Its rich 0.1%, claims the video, corral more wealth than the rest 90%. Trust in institutions has fallen 54% from 1970. By 2026, it would plunge below 20% – the Soviet Union sank at 19%. America’s political polarization is almost at par with its civil war period. By its 250th year – 2016 – that fissure would reach nadir not plumbed by any modern democracy.

Incidentally, Trump, the unfazed face of this rot, is here bang at the crunch: levying war against Congress and getting away with it, convicted on 34-point felony yet elected president, and whines regularly to divide, not unite, his country.

Now, if he goes to UNGA to play Nebuchadnezzar, after wreaking the system at home, it’s signal to the rest of the world that America’s global awe is dated.

That has started in earnest: Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, at those same UNGA portals, already told Trump to buzz off pushing political outlawry in Brazil, with his daft support for the jailed Jair Bolsonaro who, after defeat, staged a Trump-like siege on Parliament to stay in power. Unlike Trump, however, he just got tossed into the can.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, right there in New York, told American soldiers to, on Palestine, disobey outlawry orders from their commander-in-chief!

Even the French, philosopher-Kings of America’s ‘liberty and fraternity’ credo: their president had to abandon his car, and trek to own embassy, because insecure Trump must project raw power, and seal up the entire New York!

For these diplomatic incivilities, Trump has the mandate of his people. They voted him. So, if they drown, they drown in concert.

The saving grace is America might not remain a global bully much longer, though it can continue ruling or misruling itself in its vast insular territory.

So, how does Nigeria at 65 take advantage of this winking global opportunity? Use natural and human resources to build Nigeria for formidable global trade – and peace.

That – and not stale jeremiads at 65 – should drive Nigerian thinking.