Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

In every economy, there are leaders who do more than rise through the ranks. They change the rules of possibility for everyone else. Kiprono Kittony, Chair of the Nairobi Securities Exchange, belongs firmly in that camp. His career arcs across entrepreneurship, institution building and capital-market stewardship, and together these strands form a single proposition for a continent on the cusp of scale. If Africa is to convert youthful energy into productive prosperity, it needs people who build platforms, not only companies. Kittony’s story is the blueprint.

His beginnings did not promise the vantage point he enjoys today, yet the habits formed early remain visible. Discipline. Curiosity. A bias for action that always travels with a respect for process. He studied the language of business and the logic of the law, then added executive training that sharpened his strategic lens. That toolkit mattered because he chose paths where judgement is tested by ambiguity rather than routine. Media. Insurance. Credit information. Market infrastructure. Each domain rewards speed, yet punishes haste. The leaders who thrive there learn to pair entrepreneurial verve with governance that endures.

That balance became a hallmark as he helped to grow one of Kenya’s most influential media groups and then moved across sectors to chair and serve on boards where safety, trust and prudence are non-negotiable. It is fashionable to celebrate founders for daring. The harder craft is stewardship. Rules, controls and disclosure do not make headlines, but they build confidence, and confidence is the oxygen of investment. Kittony’s boardroom record shows a leader willing to do the quiet work that allows others to move faster without fear.

His national impact became unmistakable when he took on the task of revitalising the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bureaucracies can drift. Missions blur. An institution meant to speak for enterprise can lose the voice of the entrepreneur. Rebuilding a chamber is not about slogans. It is about systems, credibility and coalitions. Under his watch the private sector’s engagement with policymakers regained substance. Small and medium-sized firms found a channel that did more than issue press releases. It listened, convened and translated commercial reality into policy clarity. When a chamber works, an economy gains a thermostat rather than a thermometer. It helps the country set the temperature for growth and competitiveness instead of merely recording it.

Chairing a stock exchange calls for the same instinct at a higher altitude. The exchange is a mirror and a magnet. It reflects the health of corporate governance and macroeconomic management, and it attracts or repels capital on that basis. To steward an exchange is therefore to treat confidence as an asset that must be earned daily. In a period marked by global shocks, currency swings and accelerating digital change, Kittony has projected a steady message to issuers, investors and regulators. Markets reward transparency. Liquidity follows trust. Strategy is continuity plus course correction. When that philosophy takes root, listings deepen, retail participation grows in a responsible manner and institutional investors can extend their horizon.

There is a larger continental context to his work. Africa’s growth story is no longer a set of isolated narratives. It is an integration task. The African Continental Free Trade Area promises scale, yet scale only compounds value if capital can find credible vehicles across borders. That requires exchanges that speak a common language of standards, clearing and settlement systems that reduce friction, and regulators who prize innovation without surrendering prudence. Leaders like Kittony, with feet in both enterprise and market infrastructure, understand that development finance and private capital are not adversaries. They are two hands pulling in the same direction when the rules invite them to do so.

What makes his journey compelling for Nigerian readers is its relevance to our own national priorities. Nigeria’s ambition to mobilise domestic savings, deepen the pipeline of high-quality listings, and finance the long road from import dependence to globally competitive production will stand or fall on institutional strength. The playbook is not mysterious. Build capacity in the ecosystem. Reward disclosure. Cut settlement friction. Back small and medium enterprises with tools that actually lower their cost of capital rather than speeches that raise their blood pressure. Encourage cross-listings that knit regional value chains together. Champion investor education so first-time savers become long-term investors. These are the levers that turn markets into engines. They are also the levers Kittony has consistently pulled in his different roles.

There is a personal lesson here for professionals who aspire to larger impact. Start where you are and fix what is missing. Not every gap requires a new company. Sometimes the most catalytic thing you can do is repair an institution, modernise a process or set a standard everyone else can trust. Titles are temporary. Institutions endure. If your signature is systems that still work after you have left the room, you are already playing the long game that nation building demands.

Young founders may recognise another thread. The temptation is to sprint for attention. The requirement is to design for durability. Governance is not an obstacle to growth. It is growth’s insurance policy. Kittony’s trajectory shows that the transition from founder to chair is not a loss of edge. It is the gain of a wider lens. The questions change from how to make this quarter to how to make this market. They shift from whether a product delights to whether an ecosystem composes. The leaders who make that leap become multipliers. They do not merely scale revenue. They scale possibility for thousands they will never meet.

Africa stands at a hinge moment. Demographics are destiny only if institutions are delivery vehicles. Capital is patient only when rules are predictable. Talent is transformative only when opportunity is visible and fairly priced. The continent needs exchange chairs who can speak fluently to policymakers, technologists, global investors and the first-time entrepreneur. It needs bridge-builders who treat reputation as currency and execution as proof. In this regard Kiprono Kittony’s example is not just admirable. It is instructional.

The call to action is straightforward. For business leaders, invest in the competencies that travel across industries. Finance, law, technology and the ethics of governance will serve you in every room that matters. For boards, make transparency a competitive advantage rather than a compliance afterthought. For policymakers, see markets as partners in development and design regulation that protects the public while unlocking private ingenuity. For ambitious graduates, volunteer for responsibility where outcomes are measurable and the learning curve is steep. Careers compound when your work compounds for others.

Greatness, in the end, is not a role. It is a discipline. It looks like showing up when the headlines fade, setting standards when shortcuts tempt and choosing reforms that outlive you. Kiprono Kittony has built that discipline into the institutions he touches. That is why his story resonates beyond Kenya and beyond the moment. It reminds us that progress is not an accident. It is the product of consistent leadership that builds confidence, lowers friction and widens the circle of opportunity. If more of us adopt that posture, Africa’s markets will not only reflect our potential. They will finance it.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has stressed the need for a measured and strategic rollout of the 15 percent petroleum import tax to ensure sustainable economic impact.

The Director-General, LCCI, Chinyere Almona, gave the advice in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Almona noted the recent decision by the Federal Government to impose a 15 percent import tax on petrol and diesel, a move aimed at curbing import dependence and promoting local refining capacity.

She said while the policy direction aligned with the nation’s long-term objective of achieving energy self-sufficiency and naira strengthening, a strategic rollout was imperative.

Almona noted that Nigeria was already experiencing cost-of-living pressures, supply-chain, and inflation challenges and that the business community would be sensitive to further cost shocks.

‘The chamber recognises that discouraging fuel importation is a necessary step towards achieving domestic energy security, stimulating investment in local refineries, and deepening the downstream petroleum value chain.

‘However, LCCI expresses concern about the current adequacy of local refining capacity to meet national demand.

‘A premature restriction on imports, without sufficient domestic production, could lead to supply shortages, higher pump prices, and inflationary pressures across critical sectors,’ she said.

Almona called on the Federal Government to prioritise the full operationalisation and optimisation of local refineries, both public and private, including modular refineries and the recently revitalised major refining facilities.

She stated that a comprehensive framework for crude oil supply to these refineries in Naira rather than foreign exchange would significantly enhance cost efficiency, stabilise production, and strengthen the local value chain.

She said the chamber’s interest lied in a diversified downstream sector where multiple refineries, modular plants, and logistics firms thrive.

She urged government to resolve outstanding labour union issues and create an enabling environment that fostered industrial harmony and private sector confidence.

According to her, ensuring clarity, consistency, and transparency in the implementation of the new tax regime will be crucial in preventing market distortions and sustaining investor trust.

‘While the reform is justified from an industrial policy standpoint, its success depends on practical implementation, robust safeguards, and parallel reforms to alleviate cost burdens on businesses and consumers.

‘With local capacity not yet established, this tax will increase the cost of fuels as long as imports continue.

‘Government needs to address the inhibiting factors against local production and refining before imposing this levy to discourage imports and support local production,’ she said.

Almona recommended that the implementation of the tax policy be postponed.

She advised that during the transition period government demonstrate its commitment through action by empowering local refiners through an efficient crude-for-Naira supply chain that ensured sufficient crude.

‘With this, refiners can boost their refining capacity with a stable supply of crude and adequately meet domestic demand at competitive rates.

‘At this point, the imposition of an import tax will directly discourage importation and boost demand for the locally refined products,’ she said.

Africa’s startup ecosystem recorded one of its strongest months in 2025, with ventures across the continent raising $442 million in October, driven largely by a surge in equity deals, Africa: The Big Deal latest report revealed.

The performance marks the second-best funding month of the year, behind July, underscoring renewed investor confidence and momentum in the region’s innovation space.

The data shows that 76 percent of the total amount ($334 million) came from equity funding, making October the best month for equity investments so far in 2025. The strong showing adds to a broader rebound, with total startup funding across Africa reaching $2.65 billion between January and October, up 56 percent year-on-year.

Mobility and fintech dominate

October’s funding boom was led by a few large-ticket deals. E-mobility leader Spiro raised $100 million, the largest-ever investment in an African e-mobility startup. The deal positions Spiro as a key player in the continent’s clean transport transition.

Fintech heavyweight Moniepoint followed closely, adding another $90 million to its latest round, reinforcing investor confidence in Africa’s fast-growing digital finance ecosystem. Other notable equity raises included Tagaddod, Ctrack, and Mawingu, each securing $20 million or more to scale operations across energy, logistics, and connectivity sectors.

Debt financing also remained part of the mix, with MNT-Halan issuing a $71 million bond and valU raising about $23 million. Together, these deals highlight a maturing funding landscape where both equity and debt capital are increasingly used for growth and expansion.

A total of 53 startups raised at least $100,000 in October, well above the monthly average for most of the year. This increase reflects growing investor appetite and a broader recovery in deal flow across markets.

Over the past 12 months (November 2024-October 2025), startups on the continent have raised $3.2 billion, a 50 percent increase year-on-year, including $1.9 billion in equity, up 38 percent from the previous year. The number of ventures securing at least $1 million in funding also rose by eight percent reaching 207 startups.

This trend signals a resilient and evolving startup ecosystem, supported by stronger business models, improved regulatory frameworks, and an expanding pool of early- and growth-stage investors.

On January 29, 2014, Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent out a tweet that read, ‘The slaughtering of Christian worshippers is strongly condemnable.

It calls into question the competence of Jonathan to protect Nigerians. Tinubu was then a leading opposition figure and leader of the newly formed party, APC, while Dr Goodluck Jonathan was president and a member of the PDP and Barack Obama was in the White House.

Eleven years after – on November 1, 2025 – President Donald Trump sent out a post on Truth Social, his social media platform, that reads, ‘If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.’ I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT MUST MOVE FAST.”

This is not the first time President Trump has talked about the killing of Christians in Nigeria. In fact, the issue has been a major concern to many US leaders, including Senator Ted Cruz and other Republicans, for many years now. On April 30, 2018, during the visit of then-President Muhammadu Buhari to the White House, both the Nigerian leader and President Trump addressed a press conference in which the US president complained about the same mass killings of Christians in Nigeria and pledged to offer assistance to the Buhari administration to fight the terrorists. Buhari responded by thanking Trump for the invitation and the assistance in fighting terrorism. It is important to note that President Trump did not use the word ‘genocide’ in his Saturday post to describe the killings of Christians in Nigeria. The word has become too controversial and subject to many interpretations and denials since Senator Cruz used it last week to describe what’s going on in our country. By avoiding the controversial word, President Trump wants to stay focused on his main agenda: the atrocities of terrorists and the fate of Christians in Nigeria. He has the right to choose where he stands.

Right from the bombing of St Theresa Catholic Church in Madella, Niger State, on December 25, 2011, in which 44 people were murdered in cold blood; the attack on another church in Suleja on July 10, 2011, by Boko Haram terrorists; and the attack on St Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022, killing over 40 worshippers and injuring more than 100, the Christian community has lost thousands of members.

But it was Bola Tinubu, as opposition leader in 2014, that first drew the world’s attention to the fact that there were mass killings of Christians in the country. He is therefore morally bound to accept to work with the US government to expedite the elimination of the terrorists. As an opposition leader, Tinubu did everything to undermine the Jonathan presidency, including mobilising nationwide protests against the removal of fuel subsidy in January of that year.

His accusation of Dr Jonathan of incompetence in protecting Christians was part of the plans to intimidate and weaken him in order to defeat him in the general elections of the following year. Indeed, Jonathan lost the presidency and was succeeded by Buhari of the APC. But for all of the eight years of the Buhari administration, the killings continued, and Tinubu did not utter a word of condemnation for the mass slaughter of Christians in the Middle Belt. President Tinubu has been in office for over two years now; the killings have not abated. Would the President therefore accept that he, too, has been too incompetent to protect Christians or Nigerians as a whole?

Let me be clear: both Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered by terrorists in Nigeria for varied and many reasons. In some areas, the terrorists are focusing on the farming communities in the central parts of the country, which are mostly inhabited by Christians whose main occupation is farming. Here, the killers, mostly foreign nationals, invade the communities in the dead of the night and attack the people, mostly Christians, to dispossess them of their land and take over the areas. In other parts of the country, like the Northwest and Northeast, the terrorists attack both Christians and Muslims to rob, kill and abduct for ransom. I have written no fewer than three essays on the killings in the Middle Belt, wondering why it’s been so difficult for the government to check these murderers and why none of them has ever been arrested and put on trial. Many writers and commentators have also drawn the connection between the attacks on our farming communities and the rising food inflation. This is therefore an opportune moment to grab the bull by the horns.

President Trump is not the only world leader who has shown concern about the Nigerian crisis. The late Pope Francis is hereby remembered for the many statements he issued condemning terrorist attacks in Nigeria and praying for our nation. I am therefore in support of President Trump’s offer to assist us in wiping away the terrorists. I believe that the US has better intelligence, weapons and manpower to assist us, just as they assisted Israel to deal with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen and Iran. We should be humble enough to accept the offer.

Many Nigerians admire President Tinubu for being a great political strategist. He is credited with being instrumental in creating APC from the union of several parties and political groups with which an incumbent president was dislodged from office. But in this matter, Tinubu is in a kind of dilemma. He can’t deny that a large number of Christians (and Muslims, actually) have been killed in his country. He can’t even deny that the Nigerian government, including his, has been quite negligent, tacky and weak in dealing with these attackers in the last several years. But if the USA sends troops to invade the country to wipe out the terrorist camps, as President Trump threatens, Tinubu may suffer severe political backlash in some parts of the country, and nobody knows how far this may impact the outcomes of the elections of 2027.

Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude is currently trading at $78.62 per barrel, outperforming major global benchmarks, as Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) hover around $64.53 and $60.10 per barrel, respectively.

Bonny Light crude ended the previous trading session at $66 per barrel, slightly higher than the day before. However, as of the time of writing, it has surged to $78.62 per barrel, well above its earlier monthly peak of $75 recorded in October 2025.

The rebound followed upbeat remarks by US President Donald Trump about renewed trade negotiations with his Chinese counterpart, which helped ease market concerns over global economic growth.

Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 0.6% to close at $60.50 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 0.8% to settle at $65. Although both benchmarks posted modest gains, they remain well below the price of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude.

Recent data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed a sharper-than-expected drop in US crude, gasoline, and distillate inventories, signalling stronger consumption and tightening supplies. Crude stocks fell by nearly 7 million barrels last week, well above analysts’ forecasts, prompting a reassessment of market expectations for a surplus.

Despite ongoing discussions within the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) over a potential output increase of about 137,000 barrels per day in December, market sentiment remains largely bullish. Traders attribute the resilience in crude prices to a sharp decline in global inventories and steady demand from Asian refiners, which continue to support premium grades such as Nigeria’s Bonny Light.

OPEC+ is reportedly considering another modest output increase of about 137,000 barrels per day in December, according to sources familiar with the group’s discussions.

In Nigeria, crude oil production fell to 1.39 million barrels per day (bpd) in September 2025, down from 1.43 million bpd in August, following a three-day strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which disrupted operations at key production and export facilities.

Total output for the month stood at 1.58 million bpd, comprising 1.39 million bpd of crude and 191,373 bpd of condensates. The federal government has reiterated its commitment to seeking an upward revision of Nigeria’s OPEC+ production quota, currently capped at 1.5 million bpd, as it targets a broader national production goal of 2.06 million bpd.

With Bonny Light now trading well above global benchmarks, the development offers a short-term boost to Nigeria’s oil earnings. However, sustaining this momentum will depend on stable output levels, improved infrastructure, and consistent policy support to attract investment into the upstream sector.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday departed Abuja for Brazil to represent Nigeria at the 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, tagged COP30, scheduled to hold in the South American country.

Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, said the summit convened by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with other partners, will be held from November 6 to 7 in the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.

Vice President Shettima is billed to join other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the event themed, ‘Climate Action and Implementation,’ with a strong focus on adaptation, forests, biodiversity, and climate justice.

On the first day of engagements in Belem, Shettima will attend the general plenary of leaders where he is expected to present Nigeria’s climate action address.

He will also take part in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, and participate in a roundtable chaired by President Lula on Climate and Nature before attending an Amazonian Cocktail for Heads of Delegation, hosted by the President of Brazil.

On the second day of the summit, Vice President Shettima will participate in two roundtables chaired by President Lula on energy transition as well as the review of the Paris Agreement, with a focus on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Financing.

Shettima will hold bilateral meetings focused on establishing and managing Nigeria’s participation in the carbon markets, enabling the nation to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to help meet climate goals, on the sidelines of the summit.

At the conclusion of his COP30 engagements, the Nigerian Vice President will proceed to the city of Brasilia for a reciprocal visit to his Brazilian counterpart, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who had embarked on a historic 3-day visit to Nigeria earlier in June.

During Vice President Alckmin’s visit to Nigeria, a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) across critical sectors, including defence cooperation, agricultural technology transfer, energy collaboration, and cultural exchange programmes, were signed by officials of both countries.

In the city of Brasilia, Shettima, accompanied by top Nigerian government officials, will engage with his Brazilian counterpart to further deepen Nigeria’s South-South diplomatic ties.

The statement said ‘the Vice President is expected back in Nigeria at the end of his engagements in Brazil.’

Public activism works best when it targets clear problems and pushes for practical fixes. The pardon-list reversal showed this. People asked simple questions-who was consulted, what rules were used, and how victims were protected-and kept asking until the process changed. That same approach can change many other parts of public life if we focus our energy and stay consistent.

Start with pardons and justice. Citizens can demand written guidelines for clemency, public summaries of reasons, victim-impact statements in the file, and proof that prosecutors and security agencies were consulted. Activists can track every future pardon decision: Was it based on remorse, rehabilitation, or a miscarriage of justice? Were victims heard? Was public safety considered? By checking and reporting these facts, activists make mercy fair and trusted, not random or political.

‘Courts and prisons are other spaces for adequate pressure. Activists can ask courts to publish timetables for cases, reduce delay through e-filing, and share monthly stats on adjournments and judgements delivered.’

Debt and borrowing are another big area. Activism can push the government to publish a simple debt dashboard: how much we owe, to whom, interest type, maturity dates, and which projects the loans fund. Before any new loan, activists can ask for a ‘borrowing with purpose’ note that explains the project, costs, timelines, and expected results. After the money is spent, they can demand an independent audit and a short public report card: what was delivered, what changed, and what’s still pending. When borrowing is visible and linked to real projects, waste goes down and results go up.

Public procurement is a daily battlefield where activism can save real money. Citizens can press for an open contracting portal that posts tenders, bids, contract amounts, delivery dates, change orders, and payment milestones in real time. They can compare prices across ministries to spot padded costs and publish short ‘price alerts’. They can also push for strong whistleblower protections with clear penalties for retaliation and a small fund to support people who report fraud. When documents are public and retaliation is punished, corruption becomes harder to commit.

Budget implementation is where promises meet reality. Activists can help create a citizens’ version of the budget in plain language and then track quarterly releases and results. Communities can geo-tag projects, upload photos, and write short updates: ‘borehole drilled’, ‘roof not fixed’, and ‘contractor absent for two months’. Local radio can host weekly ‘budget hour’ call-ins where project managers answer simple questions. Lawmakers can be pressed to hold fact-based hearings with these community updates on the table. One rule keeps efforts honest: trust photos, receipts, and site visits more than speeches.

Policing and security can also benefit from citizen action without harming operations. Activists can call for the routine publication of case-flow data: arrests, charges filed, convictions, and case duration. They can support victim services-hotlines, legal aid, trauma counselling-so justice is not only about punishing offenders but also about helping people rebuild. They can ask for clear use-of-force rules, body-camera pilots where feasible, and public summaries when serious incidents occur. Respect for victims and support for honest officers both grow when facts are shared and rules are clear.

Drug abuse and trafficking demand steady, practical activism. Citizens can campaign for more treatment centres, school prevention programmes, and evidence-based drug courts that treat addiction as a health issue while keeping traffickers accountable. They can track outcomes-how many people completed treatment, how many relapsed, how many got jobs-and push to fund what works. At the same time, they can support anti-drug agencies by highlighting major seizures and convictions, ensuring public praise matches the risks officers take.

Courts and prisons are other spaces for adequate pressure. Activists can ask courts to publish timetables for cases, reduce delay through e-filing, and share monthly stats on adjournments and judgements delivered. In prisons, they can advocate for non-custodial sentences for minor offences, skills programmes, and fair opportunities for parole. When rehabilitation is real and measured, society is safer, and fewer people return to crime.

Elections and civic information need year-round, not seasonal, attention. Activists can run simple voter education drives, help people check their registration status, and organise debates where candidates answer the same set of clear questions about debt, jobs, schools, and security. After elections, they can monitor campaign promises with a public tracker, so leaders are held to the plans they made.

Data access holds all this together. Freedom of Information requests should be routine, not rare. Activists can share FOI templates, teach others how to file FOI requests, and publish responses. When agencies refuse, they can escalate through appeals and public pressure. Short, shareable summaries-one page, three charts, two photos-help the wider public care and act.

Coalitions make activism durable. Victims’ groups bring stories that move people. Lawyers get the law. Journalists bring sunlight. Faith and traditional leaders bring moral voice. Youth groups bring energy and tech skills. When these groups plan together, set ground rules, and keep records, they avoid burnout and stay focused on results, not noise.

There are guardrails to keep activism effective. Stay with facts. Protect due process. Avoid calls for blanket punishment or blanket mercy. Publish corrections when you make mistakes. Celebrate real progress so people see that pressure works. Train new volunteers so knowledge spreads and efforts do not collapse when leaders get tired.

If citizens do these things again and again, on pardons, debt, contracts, budgets, policing, drugs, courts, prisons, and elections, change adds up. The pardon-list reversal showed that steady, informed, respectful pressure can reshape decisions and improve systems. The same discipline can build better habits in every part of government. Outrage may open the door, but oversight keeps it open. Our job is to turn that into a habit: ask for the document, check the site, share the finding, and repeat. That is how public activism moves from one victory to a better country.

Dick Cheney, the former United States vice president who helped shape America’s response to the September 11 attacks and led the push for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has died aged 84.

His family said he died on November 3 from complications of pneumonia and heart disease, surrounded by his wife Lynne and daughters Liz and Mary.

A dominant figure in American politics for decades, Cheney served as vice president under George W Bush from 2001 to 2009, secretary of defence under George H. W. Bush, and White House chief of staff to Gerald Ford in the 1970s.

Cheney was a key architect of the ‘war on terror’ and one of Washington’s most influential hawks, advocating the invasion of Iraq on claims that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed weapons of mass destruction and had ties to al-Qaeda – claims later disproved.

Before re-entering government, Cheney led energy services giant Halliburton. In his later years, he broke with the Republican mainstream, endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and calling Donald Trump ‘a threat to the republic.’

His family described him as ‘a great and good man’ who ‘served our nation for decades’ and ‘lived a life of courage, honour, and love.’

The Naija Culture and Food Fiesta 2025 would this year, return bigger and bolder with flavour, rhythm, and pure Naija energy.

Set to take place at Muri Okunola, this year’s festival is more than just a food event; it’s a celebration of Nigerian heritage, community spirit, and creativity. From our favourite street snacks to the most iconic traditional dishes, the Fiesta promises to bring together the best of Nigeria on one vibrant stage.

Guests can expect an immersive experience through the Village Food Market, where local produce will be in abundance. There will also be food vendors with dishes from Jollof rice, small chops, shawarma and many more.

‘But it’s not just about eating, it’s about experiencing. Families can enjoy The Children’s Play Area, designed for games, and bonding moments with their loved ones. Music lovers will vibe to live performances that cut across Afrobeats.

‘We also understand the need to give back to the community. Hence, our Food Charity initiative which plays a significant role in our mission to ensure that the impact of the Fiesta extends beyond attendees. Through this initiative, we distribute free food packages to underserved communities and people in service, reaffirming our belief that food should not only be enjoyed but also shared,’ a statement by Prodigyy Group, the organisers reads.

Its charity event for 2025 was held in celebration of World Food Day, amplifying its commitment to promoting food access, unity, and kindness across communities.

‘The Naija Culture and Food Fiesta 2025 is all about celebrating who we are, our food, our culture, and our people. Whether you are coming with family, friends, or a big appetite, this is your chance to eat, dance, and connect in true Naija style,’ Prodigyy Group noted.

Scheduled to hold on Saturday, 8th November 2025 at 2pm at Muri Okunola Park, the event would celebrate the true taste of Nigeria.

Prodigyy Group is a creative production company leading in event production, concert staging, LED screen technology, and lighting design. The team is made up of designers, technicians, and storytellers who bring ideas to life through memorable experiences.

Beyond events, Prodigyy Group focuses on culture, community, and creativity. Their passion for storytelling and local impact led to the creation of the Naija Culture and Food Fiesta, a festival that celebrates Nigeria’s food, culture, and people.

Sikirat Shehu, Kwara State Correspondent of BusinessDay Newspaper, has been re-elected as the Financial Secretary of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.

Her return came as part of a smooth transition of leadership in which Biola Azeez, the State Correspondent of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, emerged as the new Chairman of the Chapel.

Azeez’s emergence by affirmation, marked the end of the tenure of Abdulhakeem Garba-led Executive Committee, ushering in a new leadership phase for the elite body of journalists covering the State.

Also elected by affirmation were Ibrahim Alege of TVC as Vice Chairman; Sikirat Shehu of BusinessDay as Financial Secretary and Afusat Agunbiade of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Treasurer.

In the only contested positions, Mosunmola Ayobami of Western Post defeated Okufemi Akobi of AIT by 27 votes to 4, while Oluseyi DaSilva of Arise TV triumphed over Taiye Joseph of Daily Graphics in another closely contested race.

The new leadership is expected to build on the achievements of the outgoing Executive, particularly in promoting professional excellence, strengthening ethical journalism, and fostering collaboration between the media and public institutions in Kwara State.

In his acceptance speech, Biola Azeez commended the immediate past Executives for the standards they set, pledging that his Administration would further enhance professionalism and the welfare of members.

He also promised to strengthen relationships with government institutions and other newsmakers in the state to enable journalists perform more effectively as watchdogs of society.