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The Alternative Bank, in partnership with the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, has donated plastic waste bins to Wuse Market, Abuja, as part of its efforts to address Nigeria’s solid waste problem.

Mohammed Abdull, Divisional Head (North) The Alternative Bank, presented the waste bins to the management of Wuse Market after a sensitization walk from Yoruba Mosque in Wuse 11 to Wuse Market. Abdull said the donation is part of the bank’s Walk4ZeroPlastic campaign, an initiative aimed at reducing plastic pollution through awareness and community participation. He explained that the donation marked the end of the Walk4ZeroPlastic march, which mobilized over 300 volunteers and recovered several tonnes of plastic waste from the environment.

He said the bins, placed across Wuse Market, are intended to support waste collection efforts by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and promote better waste management practices among traders and visitors. Abdull stressed the role of community involvement in addressing environmental issues. ‘This initiative is about more than just cleanup,’ he said. ‘It’s about building habits that will have a lasting impact.’ The campaign promotes responsible waste management, encouraging behavior change based on the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Volunteers held awareness sessions with marketgoers on proper waste disposal, reinforcing responsible consumption. ‘Our commitment goes beyond a one-time effort,’ Abdull added. ‘Our staff continue to engage traders daily to keep education and sustainability at the forefront.’ The campaign highlights the need to address plastic pollution at its source. ‘Markets are major points of plastic use and disposal,’ a campaign spokesperson said. ‘Plastic never truly degrades-it accumulates in water, food, and even in our bodies as microplastics, which pose health risks.’ Plans are underway to launch waste-to-value programs to empower traders to exchange collected plastic waste for money. The Alternative Bank will also introduce banking products to help traders manage and grow their earnings.

Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, called for united efforts to tackle Nigeria’s plastic waste problem, noting that the country generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, with plastics accounting for more than 15%. Lawal, represented by Dangowa Orume, Assistant Director of Solid Waste Management, said, ‘Unmanaged plastic waste threatens public health, the economy, and the environment.’ ‘Campaigns like Walk4ZeroPlastic support national policies such as the Plastic Waste Management Policy, Solid Waste Management Policy, and the Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap,’ he added. The minister emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing waste management solutions. ‘The time to act is now,’ he said. ‘Together, we must reduce plastic waste and build a cleaner, sustainable future.’

Abubakar Dangana, Market Secretary of the Wuse Market Association, thanked The Alternative Bank for the donation, noting its potential to improve sanitation and encourage better waste disposal within the market.

The Walk4ZeroPlastic campaign continues to promote environmental responsibility through education, advocacy, and collaboration, showing that collective action can make a difference in addressing Nigeria’s solid waste challenges.

The city is buzzing with anticipation as Lagos Talks 91.3 FM announces ‘Conversations on Boards,’ a groundbreaking event set to bring some of Nigeria’s most influential personalities together for a series of high-stakes board game duels. The event, slated for October 2nd at the Muson Centre, is an effort aimed at showcasing a different side of prominent public figures as they engage in fierce but friendly competition.

The star-studded lineup promises an electrifying atmosphere, with each game offering a unique clash of strategy and wit.

One of the most anticipated matchups is the checkers contest between two prominent political figures, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a visionary known for his architectural and political ambitions and Mobolaji Ogunlende, the determined Commissioner for Youth and Social Development. This duel goes beyond simple moves on a board; it’s a symbolic clash of political vision versus grassroots energy, a strategic contest for every square.

In a match that merges the worlds of football and media, former Super Eagles midfielder and sports icon Mutiu Adepoju, ‘the Headmaster,’ will go head-to-head with legendary sports broadcaster Charles Anazodo in a game of Whot cards. This is a battle where on-field genius meets on-air expertise, promising a test of nerve and quick thinking as these two legends vie for victory.

Laughter will be the main event in the Ludo showdown featuring two comedic giants, Acapella and Seyi Law. This match is set to be a spectacle of witty banter, hilarious jabs, and pure entertainment, proving that even in competition, the best of Nigerian comedy shines through.

‘Conversations on Boards’ is an innovative platform designed to provide a fresh perspective on these celebrated Nigerians. It’s a chance for the public to witness these leaders and icons in a relaxed, competitive environment, sparking meaningful dialogue and celebrating the art of conversation.

The General Manager, Deji Awokoya posits that ‘Lagos Talks 91.3fm has been at the forefront of innovation in talk station. In spite of the reality that many Nigerians are suffering from news fatigue, it is important that we present the news to the Nigerian people in a manner that is attractive to them.’

Chris Ubosi, Group Managing Director of Megalectrics Limited is excited that Lagos Talks is once again charting the course in innovative citizens engagement. He says, ‘we understand that Nigerians need to be informed about events happening in the country though often times, you hear a lot of complaints on our airwaves.

At Lagos Talks, we are committed to rebuilding the interest of the average Nigerian in governance by creating platforms such as this that allow for interaction between the people and the leaders.

It is also important to us that we remind the people that in spite of our political differences, we need to be friends to move the nation forward and our politicians do understand this. That is why we have Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, two people with different ideologies play a game together.

The event is free but to secure a spot at this exclusive event, interested attendees are required to register by sending their name, age, location, profession, and phone number to [email protected].

The event, which begins at 2 pm, is a must-attend for anyone eager to see their favorite public figures in a thrilling and unexpected light.

This event is put together in celebration of Lagos Talks 91.3fm’s 9th anniversary and commemoration of Nigeria’s independence.

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, attention is shifting toward the next phase of freedom – one defined not just by political sovereignty but by economic and industrial self-reliance. In the transport sector, NEV Electric Ltd is emerging as a key player shaping that vision, using local manufacturing and clean energy to solve Nigeria’s mass transit challenges.

For decades, Nigeria’s public transport system has relied heavily on imported vehicles and fossil fuels, exposing citizens to fuel price shocks and rising costs. NEV Electric is changing that narrative through an integrated model that combines local assembly, increasing local content manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure deployment.

The company currently builds its electric buses with 30% local content, incorporating Nigerian components, materials, and labor, with a clear roadmap to reach 70% local content as domestic supply chains expand. This strategy ensures more value remains within the economy, fueling industrial growth, job creation, and technology transfer.

‘True independence means being able to design, build, and power what we need with our own hands,’ says Mosope Olaosebikan, Founder of NEV Electric. ‘We’re not just assembling buses; we’re building Nigeria’s transport future – powered by clean energy, local innovation, and sustainable systems.’

So far, NEV Electric has assembled over 120 electric buses in-country, with plans to scale up to 300 units in its next production phase. The company is also deploying 160kW high-capacity fast chargers across Abuja and Lagos – the largest in Nigeria – to support fleet operations and reduce range anxiety for operators.

To make electric mobility affordable, NEV Electric has introduced a Pay-As-You-Drive financing model that enables transport operators and state agencies to adopt EVs without heavy upfront capital. The plan bundles access to the bus, charging, maintenance, and battery into one predictable payment, ensuring smooth fleet transition and easier adoption.

Beyond vehicles, NEV Electric is investing in training programs for Nigerian engineers and technicians in EV assembly, maintenance, and conversion – empowering a new generation of green-skilled workers.

Aligned with Nigeria’s industrialization goals, NEV Electric is positioning the country as a regional hub for electric mobility. The company’s vision extends beyond Nigeria, with plans underway to export its electric buses and technology solutions to other African markets, contributing to the continent’s clean mobility transition.

By integrating local manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and innovative financing, NEV Electric is delivering a homegrown solution to Nigeria’s urban transport needs – one that reduces emissions, lowers operating costs, and builds local capacity.

As the country looks toward a more sustainable future, NEV Electric represents the promise of a new kind of independence – powered by Nigerians, built in Nigeria, and soon exported to Africa.

‘Every bus we build is a statement of what’s possible,’ Olaosebikan says. ‘We’re proving that Nigeria can lead Africa’s clean mobility revolution – not by importing the future, but by building it.’

Peace has finally returned to the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) after a protracted leadership crisis that lasted for years.

Iniobong Ekong, commissioner for trade and investment, brokered the truce during a meeting with the warring factions in Uyo, the state capital

At the meeting, which lasted for more than four hours, Ekong stressed that a strong and vibrant NASSI was key to the success of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda on entrepreneurship and small business growth.

He expressed the hope that the peace would be sustained to enable the association to benefit from the credit facilities intended to boost small businesses in the state.

Speaking also, Solomon Vongfa, the National President of NASSI, commended the commissioner for being a ‘peacemaker’ whose maturity and commitment restored harmony to the association.

Meanwhile, tree planting has been described as a sustainable solution to the environmental challenges confronting the state. Kufreabasi Edidem, deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, stated this during an open forum on environmental issues organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Uyo.

Edidem, who also chairs the House Committee on NDDC and Regional Development, said tree planting was a simple but powerful practice that every citizen can embrace to restore ecological balance.

‘We will continue to align with the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to make laws that promote a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment,’ he said.

‘Everyone can cause a change from their little corner for a better environment.’

He commended Chiedu Evie, Chairman of NDDC, for inaugurating new projects across the region since assuming office, and applauded the commission’s effort in bringing together diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, academia, civil society, communities, and schools, to reawaken the culture of tree planting..

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to establish an endowment fund for the creative sector following the completion of the National Theatre, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.

Speaking at the official reopening of the iconic facility in Lagos, the President said he would personally contribute to the proposed fund, which is aimed at supporting long-term growth and sustainability in Nigeria’s creative industry. Tinubu also urged citizens to shift their mindset, emphasising the importance of telling positive stories about Nigeria and fostering belief in the country’s potential.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, speaking at the event, revealed that the Bankers’ Committee invested N68 billion in the restoration and modernisation of the National Theatre complex.

Shabana Mahmood, the United Kingdom’s (UK) Home Secretary, has confirmed that the path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will soon be doubled to a ten-year qualifying period and subject to new ‘contribution-based’ requirements.

In her inaugural conference speech as home secretary, the Labour MP confirmed the significant policy shift, arguing that the public’s loss of faith in the immigration system was creating an environment where Britain could no longer afford to be ‘open, tolerant and generous’. End of automatic settlement

Mahmood further outlined plans to introduce a series of new, stringent ‘good citizen’ tests which migrants must pass to earn permanent residency.

‘We will soon increase the time in which someone must have lived in this country to earn indefinite leave to remain from five years to ten,’ she said.

‘And as part of that consultation, I will be proposing a series of new tests.’

These new conditions will reportedly include:

Being at work and making National Insurance contributions.

Not claiming a penny in benefits.

Attaining a high standard of English.

Having no criminal record. Demonstrating that they have truly given back to their community, such as through volunteering. Mahmood stated that those who fail to meet these new conditions should not be automatically granted ILR. The new system will allow high contributors to qualify for settlement in less than ten years, but others could face a longer wait or be barred from ILR entirely.

‘Time spent in this country alone is not enough,’ she asserted. ‘Just like my parents, you must earn the right to live in this country for good.’

The announcement was immediately followed by confusion over whether the stricter rules would apply to migrants who have recently arrived in the UK.

While sources initially indicate that the policy would not apply retrospectively to those already in the country, reports later suggested the government is wrestling with how to prevent a large cohort of recent arrivals from securing automatic ILR under current rules.

Mahmod is considering an emergency retrospective law, changes that could affect around one million migrants, including Nigerians who entered the UK after 2021 under the post-Brexit immigration system.

Insiders suggested the government was prepared to defend the expected legal challenges

However, it has been confirmed that the new ‘good citizen’ tests themselves would be too complex to impose on those already here.

Instead, ministers will seek a separate, faster mechanism to prevent migrants who arrived after 2021 from securing settlement after five years, though this mechanism is expected to be less demanding than the planned new ILR system.

‘Across this country, people feel like things are spinning out of control,’ she said, pointing to the arrivals of small boats and widespread illegal working as key drivers of this distrust.

The proposed changes are subject to a public consultation, following which the government is expected to make its final legislative decisions.