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Nigerian Breweries has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in 2030, backed by over N2.5 billion in renewable energy investments across its operations.

Uzodinma Odenigbo, the company’s corporation affairs director, said the brewer had ‘made significant investments in renewable solutions such as biomass, solar, and energy-efficiency projects’ to reduce its carbon footprint nationwide. He made this statement at a media briefing held on October 10.

According to him, Nigerian Breweries has signed multiple power purchase agreements with renewable firms in recent years to reduce its dependency on non-renewable energy sources.

‘Over the past few years, we have made notable investments in renewable energy as part of our transition toward net-zero operations that many people are unaware of,’ said Odenigbo.

He added that the company’s Brew a Better World sustainability strategy has guided its environmental and social investments, including reforestation and water-replenishment projects.

‘The company has committed considerable resources by contributing to water replenishment projects in water-stressed areas, including support for the Olokomeji reforestation initiative, where over 300,000 trees have been planted in Ogun State through external partnerships,’ Odenigbo said.

He also said the Lagos-based brewer is deepening its investment in community development and local empowerment. The company will continue to support its host communities through capacity-building programs and expansion projects that create employment opportunities.

According to him, Nigerian Breweries has invested more than N200 million in skill-acquisition initiatives and the construction of cassava milling plants in Kaduna and Awo-Omamma. He added that, in partnership with other members of the Beer Sectoral Group and the Federal Road Safety Corps, the company is sustaining its annual advocacy campaign promoting responsible alcohol consumption among commercial drivers, with a target of reaching up to 1,000 drivers by December 2025.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, has announced that Nigeria has been approved as the host of UNESCO’s first Category-2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute.

Idris made the announcement in a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, his special assistant (Media), on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the statement, ‘At its 43rd General Conference of the Communication and Information Commission (CI Session) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) formally approved the designation of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja, Nigeria, as a UNESCO Category-2 Institute, the first of its kind in the world.

‘With this approval, Nigeria is positioned to lead in the fight against misinformation and disinformation, enabling it to drive international research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building in a critical digital field.’

In his address to the UNESCO conference, Idris said the decision is ‘a strong vote of confidence in our nation.’

He emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to this responsibility, noting that the institute will serve as an international observatory and hub to help individuals and communities worldwide navigate the digital age with discernment.

‘The Nigerian government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to fostering a society where responsible free speech supports national progress,’ Idris said. ‘A central pillar of our strategy is the democratization of digital opportunities, with media and information literacy as the key driver.’ According to the minister, this achievement follows a journey that began in October 2022, when Nigeria hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy Conference in Abuja and pledged to establish a UNESCO International Media and Information Literacy Institute in the country.

‘I want to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this achievement, which reflects his commitment to the Nigerian project under the Renewed Hope Agenda. This is a significant achievement for Nigerians and Africa,’ Idris said. He pledged that the government will continue collaborating with UNESCO to meet the institute’s infrastructure needs and strengthen its governance by assembling a multidisciplinary team of experts to fulfill its global mandate.

The formal launch of the Institute is expected in February 2026 in Abuja, with UNESCO officials, member states, and strategic partners in attendance.

Nigerian officials present at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference included the Senate Committee Chairman on Information and National Orientation, Senator Kenneth Eze; the House Committee on Information, National Ethics, and Values, Honourable Olusola Fatoba; the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama; the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Malam Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos; the Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo; the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace; and the Nigerian Ambassador to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo San, among others.

At a two-day conference in Lagos, the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) Nigeria convened experts and industry leaders to explore strategies for breathing life into the country’s long list of moribund assets.

The conference, themed ‘Reviving Moribund Assets: The Role of Turnaround Management in Nigeria’s Economic Recovery Strategy,’ was held in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Nigeria. It featured wide-ranging discussions on why successive governments have failed to sustain turnaround initiatives across sectors.

One of the keynote speakers, Professor Adetunji Ogunyemi, a professor of economic history at Obafemi Awolowo University, traced Nigeria’s industrialisation journey from the 1960s to the 1980s. He argued that the country’s chronic failures with industrial projects, particularly refinery rehabilitation, stem not from technical shortcomings but from deep-seated political inertia.

‘Turnaround maintenance in Nigeria has always been entangled with politics,’ he said. ‘Many political leaders simply lack the will to do what is right. And without political will, nothing meaningful can happen.’

According to him, political interference often overrides sound economic judgment. ‘Imagine a situation where the main financier of a president or governor is the same person sabotaging the success of a public enterprise,’ he added. ‘For such a leader to confront his own backer requires extraordinary courage. When that courage is missing, everything fails.’

He recalled a moment when a Nigerian president ordered an investigation into whether the country’s refineries should be rehabilitated or scrapped. The report concluded that they were too old and too small to remain viable. The Port Harcourt refinery, Nigeria’s first, built between 1958 and 1965, had a capacity of only 60,000 barrels per day, insufficient by today’s standards.

Yet, in a politically motivated reversal, another president refunded buyers who had purchased the refineries, citing fears of job losses. ‘Economics follows politics in Nigeria,’ Ogunyemi remarked, ‘and not the other way around.’

Beyond the failures of national infrastructure, discussions also centred on the structural challenges crippling enterprise growth in Nigeria.

Akinyele Aluko, an MSME consultant and former director at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted three fundamental barriers: manpower deficiencies, strategic weaknesses, and funding constraints.

‘Nigeria’s education-to-employment pipeline remains broken,’ Aluko said. ‘Of the 600,000 graduates produced annually, nearly half are unemployed or underemployed. Only about 12 percent possess the technical skills industries actually demand.’

He added that this mismatch between academic training and industrial needs continues to hamper productivity, innovation, and the competitiveness of Nigerian enterprises.

As the conference concluded, speakers emphasised that Nigeria’s economic revival hinges on more than policy pronouncements; it requires a cultural shift toward accountability, merit, and long-term planning. Reviving moribund assets, they argued, will demand not just engineering expertise or financial investment, but above all, the political will to make hard choices for the greater good.

The federal government, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have formalised a partnership to boost Nigeria’s capacity for local production of health, immunisation, and nutrition commodities.

The initiative, known as Enabling Local Manufacturing of Health, Immunisation and Nutrition Commodities in Nigeria (ELM-N), falls under the EU’s Global Gateway’s Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+) Initiative. It seeks to advance Nigeria’s self-reliance in the production of essential health products, improve supply chain efficiency, and ensure equitable access to safe and affordable medicines and vaccines.

The 24-month project, valued at pound 6.3 million, comprising an EU contribution of pound 5.5 million and an additional pound 800,000 from Spain-aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imports, boost regulatory compliance, and foster innovation across the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, Abubakar Bagudu, minister of Budget and Economic Planning, noted that the agreement underscores the deepening partnership between Nigeria and the EU in building a stronger, more competitive, and pharmaceutical sector. ‘We are glad that we are signing this agreement, and we value the European Union’s partnership with Nigeria through initiatives such as the EU Global Gateway Investment Package.’

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to aligning investments with clear policy priorities, fiscal discipline, and measurable outcomes, Bagudu said, ‘This partnership is expanding opportunities for technology transfer, facility financing, and local manufacturing production, proposing Nigeria’s mission to become a regional hub for health, innovation, research, and development.’

Representing Team Europe, Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, underscored the importance of strategic investment partnerships, which, according to him, ‘is what the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Strategy is about.’

He said, ‘More than anything, we want to support the paradigm shift taking place in Nigeria and West Africa, moving from aid to peer-to-peer collaboration, from standalone projects, however important, to a dynamic investment strategy.

‘Under MAV+, we provide both financial and non-financial support to manufacturers, governments, academic institutions, and all actors contributing to the local manufacturing agenda. We work closely with the government to identify investment opportunities.’ In his remarks, Félix Artieda, Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria,noted that the partnership will not only promote local manufacturing but will also ensure equitable access throughout the ECOWAS region. ‘This event marks an important step in our joint endeavours to advance the full potential of Nigeria’s healthcare value chain and health security,’ he said.

For Mohamed Fall, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the partnership is not just about investment access and healthcare for all people; it is also about unlocking economic development and strengthening the health system.

Fall, represented by UNICEF Representative to Nigeria, Wafaa Abdelate, said, ‘In Nigeria, we have over 2 million zero dose children and a large maternal mortality rate because Nigeria is a very big country, so the numbers are big. This also stresses that it is very urgent and important that this transformation, investment, and partnership results in people having access to affordable, timely, safe, health products or vaccines and also medicine or nutrition products. ‘We are very much committed to supporting efforts under the leadership of the government. Our collaborative efforts can effectively and meaningfully support the vision of the government and aspirations of the people for a more resilient Nigerian,’ he added.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday gave Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a final opportunity to present his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial or risk forfeiting it.

Presiding Judge Justice James Omotosho said it was his duty to ensure the defendant received a fair chance to respond to the charges but noted that the court’s patience was running out.

‘Today was set aside for the defendant to open his defence or be considered to have closed it,’ Omotosho said.

‘However, in the interest of justice, I will allow one more chance. If he fails to act, I will deem the defence closed. I know he is not a lawyer but an economist, so I will grant this final opportunity.’

The judge adjourned the case until November 7, warning that no further delays would be accepted.

The decision followed an application by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, counsel for the prosecution, who asked the court to foreclose Kanu’s defence.

Awomolo argued that the defendant had already used five of the six days allocated for his defence and had repeatedly refused to proceed.

He noted that the court had earlier directed Kanu to enter his defence or lose the right to do so. Yet, at Wednesday’s hearing, the IPOB leader again declined, maintaining that there were no valid charges against him.

The prosecution therefore urged the court to consider his refusal as a waiver and set a date for judgment.

Representing himself, Kanu told the court from the dock that he would not present any defence because, in his view, the charges lacked validity.

Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho cautioned Kanu’s former lawyers now acting as his ‘consultants’to conduct themselves professionally.

The warning followed a complaint by Awomolo that they had been granting media interviews and commenting publicly on the case.

Those affected include P. A. N. Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Dr. Maxwell Opara, and Prince Mandela Umegburu.

Kanu confirmed in court that they attended the proceedings in an advisory capacity.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021, following his rendition from Kenya.

Pulmonary embolism, one of the world’s least recognised but leading causes of maternal deaths, is drawing new attention in Nigeria amid fresh efforts to cut maternal deaths.

Health experts warn that many maternal deaths occur in women wrongly considered low-risk, with pulmonary embolism often missed until it is too late.

‘Behind every maternal death is a name, a face, and a dream cut short,’ said Odofin James Taiye, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. ‘Pulmonary embolism is a silent killer that is too often missed. If we can teach one woman or one doctor to recognise the signs, we will save a life.’

Odofin explained that pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, often formed in the legs, travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow. Pregnancy, he said, increases the risk of clot formation up to fiftyfold compared with non-pregnant women. Other risk factors include surgery, obesity, and prolonged immobility.

He called for awareness campaigns, better antenatal education, and early intervention to reduce maternal deaths. ‘It should never be accepted that while trying to bring life, a woman loses hers,’ he said, urging stronger partnerships between healthcare providers, communities, and policymakers, as well as universal health coverage to improve maternal outcomes.

In response, the Dr Ufadime Seyi-Akinnubi Foundation has been launched to advance awareness and prevention. Inaugurated on October 31 in Victoria Island, Lagos, the foundation honours Dr Ufadime Seyi-Akinnubi, a dentist known for her warmth, generosity, and devotion to community care, who died from pulmonary embolism while pregnant at the age of 42. Ame Lawani-Okwudi, the foundation’s Secretary, said it was born out of ‘purpose, grief and conviction that no woman should die bringing forth life.’ The foundation’s name and vision – Safe Mother, Bright Smiles – unite Seyi-Akinnubi’s twin passions for maternal health and dentistry.

‘She was a dentist who didn’t just fix teeth but restored confidence,’ Lawani-Okwudi said. ‘Now her foundation will restore smiles through saving mothers.’

The foundation will launch two flagship programmes: the Safe Mothers Programme, which will promote awareness of pulmonary embolism, hypertension, and other pregnancy risks through training for health workers, and the Bright Smile Dental Outreach, which will provide free dental care in schools, rural areas, and maternity centres.

A planned Dr Ufadime Excellence Award will also recognise young women in healthcare who demonstrate compassion, integrity, and service – the qualities that defined her.

‘She lived to restore smiles through dentistry,’ Lawani-Okwudi said. ‘Her legacy will now restore smiles through safer motherhood.’

Signature Bank Limited, one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing and most innovative financial institutions, has officially expanded its footprint to the historic city of Kano. The new branch – the Bank’s sixth nationwide and first in North-West Nigeria – marks a major milestone in Signature Bank’s strategic growth plan and reaffirms its commitment to delivering technology-driven, customer-focused financial services across the country.

Speaking at the official launch ceremony, Alhaji Tijjani M. Borodo, Chairman of Signature Bank, expressed confidence that the Bank’s presence will accelerate financial inclusion in Kano and enhance access to innovative financial solutions, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

‘We see our entry into this great state as an investment in the future of Kano and a reaffirmation of our commitment to providing bespoke financial services across Nigeria,’ Borodo stated. ‘We commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, for fostering an investment-friendly environment that allows corporate entities like Signature Bank to thrive. As a son of this soil, I am proud to see Signature Bank extend modern, trusted banking services that empower individuals, entrepreneurs, and families to achieve their goals.’

In his remarks, His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, Executive Governor of Kano State, described the Bank’s entry as a reflection of investor confidence in the state’s economy and a major boost to the administration’s development agenda.

‘The commissioning of Signature Bank’s new Kano branch is more than the opening of a physical structure; it represents a profound vote of confidence in the vitality of our state’s economy and, by extension, that of our nation,’ the Governor said. ‘This development aligns with our administration’s commitment to economic empowerment, job creation, and financial inclusion. We view institutions like Signature Bank as vital partners in advancing sustainable growth and shared prosperity for our people.’

Also speaking at the event, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, commended the partnership between the State Government and Signature Bank, emphasizing its potential to expand financial access and stimulate economic growth.

‘Kano welcomes Signature Bank with open arms,’ the Emir said. ‘This city is open to business and ready for growth. I am optimistic that the Bank’s presence will help build a robust and sustainable financial base for the people of Kano. I congratulate my friend and brother, the Executive Governor, and wish Signature Bank a successful operation in our state.’

Mr. Nixon Iwedi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Signature Bank, described the new branch as a vital bridge connecting world-class, technology-driven banking services to the people of Kano.

‘We will continue to double down on our resolve to serve traders, farmers, small businesses, and professionals – offering secure, reliable, and convenient financial solutions designed for modern living,’ Iwedi stated. ‘Through our neo-phygital strategy, we are ensuring equitable and satisfactory service delivery that blends digital innovation with a personal touch.’

Signature Bank is Nigeria’s premier neo-phygital institution, seamlessly combining advanced technology with human-centered service. The Bank believes that banking is not merely transactional but relational – built on trust, creativity, and progress.

With established operations in Abuja (Head Office), Aba, Umuahia, Port Harcourt, and Asaba, Signature Bank is now extending its footprint to Kano, with upcoming branches scheduled for Onitsha, Uyo, Warri, Owerri, and Enugu. Through these expansions, the Bank continues to deepen access to secure, inclusive financial services while empowering customers to bank with confidence, guided by its core values of Professionalism, Audacity, Creativity, Trust, and Service Excellence.

About Signature Bank Limited

Signature Bank Limited is a next-generation financial institution licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide innovative, inclusive, and customer-focused banking solutions. Since its inception in 2022, the Bank has remained committed to empowering individuals, businesses, and communities through accessible, secure, and human-centered financial services.

Legacy Volleyball Club is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary by hosting the Super 4 Volleyball Tournament, featuring eight top teams from across Lagos this weekend.

The two-day tournament will take place on Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8, at the Volleyball Court within the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

In the men’s category, Legacy Volleyball Club will battle Lekki Volleyball Club, Street Friendly Volleyball Club, and Amuwo Spikers, while the women’s event will see Legacy, Lekki, 1015 Spikers, and Amuwo Spikers compete for a ?500,000 winner-takes-all prize.

The anniversary celebrations will also include a veterans’ match, charity visits to orphanages, and will conclude with a grand gala night on Saturday, November 22. Speaking to journalists, Joy Ezenwa, President of Legacy Volleyball Club, described the milestone as a celebration of unity, resilience, and community spirit.

‘We are celebrating 20 years of Legacy, and it is a huge milestone,’ Ezenwa said. ‘Legacy is more than just a sports group – it’s a family. We’ve faced challenges, but our bond and love for the game have kept us strong.’

She also extended an open invitation to volleyball enthusiasts across Lagos to be part of the festivities.

‘We invite all stakeholders to come and experience volleyball built on friendship and passion as we celebrate our past and look forward to the future,’ she added.

A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has criticised China for cautioning Washington against a proposed military intervention in Nigeria, insisting that Beijing has no authority to dictate America’s foreign policy.

In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, Moore backed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance on what Trump described as protecting Christian communities allegedly facing targeted attacks in Nigeria. Moore said the United States had a ‘moral responsibility’ to defend religious freedom.

He also accused China of hypocrisy, pointing to Beijing’s own human rights record.

‘China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured to by a Communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and throws ethnic minorities in concentration camps,’ he wrote.

Moore’s comments came after reports that China had warned the United States against what it described as unwarranted interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, following Trump’s threat of direct military action.

Beijing reiterated its support for the Nigerian government, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning telling reporters that China stood by Nigeria’s pursuit of a development path suited to its national circumstances.

‘As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to a development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities,’ Ning said.

‘We oppose any country’s interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights. We oppose the wanton threat of sanctions and the use of force.’

The remarks were made in response to questions about Trump’s warning that the U.S. could intervene militarily over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has urged Trump to respect the country’s sovereignty and refrain from deploying U.S. troops to its territory.

Luis Díaz scored twice as Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in their Champions League group stage clash on Tuesday night, maintaining their perfect record this season.

Díaz gave Bayern the lead in the fourth minute before capitalising on PSG’s defensive lapse to double the lead just after the half-hour mark.

However, Díaz’s night took a dramatic turn when he was sent off in first-half stoppage time for a rash tackle on Achraf Hakimi, which forced the Moroccan full-back off in tears and left PSG reeling.

Despite playing the entire second half with ten men, Vincent Kompany’s Bayern held firm. Joao Neves pulled one back for PSG, but the German champions’ defensive discipline and composure saw them through, even as Harry Kane failed to add to his 25-goal tally for club and country this season.

The result extended Bayern’s remarkable start to the campaign, 16 wins from 16 matches across all competitions, including four from four in the Champions League. They have scored 56 goals in that run and are one of only two teams with a maximum 12 points in the 36-team league phase, alongside Arsenal.

For PSG, the greater worry may be the mounting injury crisis. Hakimi’s setback is particularly concerning with Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign on home soil just weeks away. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé, last season’s Ballon d’Or winner, also limped off in the first half with a hamstring issue, cutting short only his second start in two months.

Despite the defeat, PSG remain in good position in the standings and on course for qualification to the knockout rounds midway through the league phase.