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Stardust Media Services Limited has rewarded outstanding children with cash prizes at the maiden edition of the Abuja Creativity, Innovation, and Nutrition Gathering, aimed at unveiling and nurturing the unique abilities of young Nigerians.

The event, themed ‘Igniting Creativity, Innovation and Nutrition for Young Minds in Nigeria,’ brought together over 1,000 children from schools and families across the Federal Capital Territory and other states.

Speaking at the colourful occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Stardust Media Services, Queen Irene Onwuka, said the programme was designed to provide a platform for children to showcase their technical skills, inventive ideas, and nutritional awareness.

The carnival featured cultural dance performances, innovation exhibitions, traditional food displays, and a creative cultural march-past that celebrated Nigeria’s diversity and young talents.

The event climaxed with an award ceremony recognising exceptional young innovators. Igbabee Terkuma from Philips St. Dominik School, Makurdi, Benue State, emerged the overall winner in the Creativity category, receiving a star prize of ?1,000,000.

Chukuma Miracle of JSS Kuje Central, FCT, won ?500,000 as the first runner-up in the Nutrition category, while Isaac Oluwatobiloba Faloye received ?300,000 for his outstanding performance in the Innovation category.

Queen Onwuka expressed delight over the success of the event, describing it as a milestone in empowering children to think creatively, eat healthily, and dream boldly. She said the initiative was a step toward nurturing future innovators who will drive Nigeria’s growth and cultural vibrancy.

Dignitaries from the public and private sectors attended the occasion, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Niger State SUBEB, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding.

Kiddwaya, son of billionaire Terry Waya and reality star, has opened up about why he avoids dating women who are financially unstable.

In a podcast appearance on Off The Record, he stated that women from lower-income backgrounds often develop a sense of entitlement when exposed to his affluent lifestyle.

The billionaire heir said they may be humble and appreciative, but over time, they start comparing themselves to others and expecting luxury items and experiences.

Kiddwaya noted that this shift in attitude can lead to relationship issues, with entitlement sometimes manifesting as rudeness.

He further opined that bringing someone from a lower financial background into his world can be challenging, and he’s learned to prioritise relationships with individuals who share similar values and energy.

He said: ‘At first, they’re thankful everything feels new and exciting. But after a few months, they start comparing themselves to others.

‘They want the same bags, the same trips, and soon, what was once special becomes expected. The entitlement sets in and sometimes turns into rudeness. That’s been my biggest issue dating someone from a lower class and bringing them into my lifestyle.’

The Senate has passed the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024 and will now be forwarded to the President for his assent.

The Bill introduces strict penalties for those who break the law while tackling wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction.

The Bill, passed by the House of Representatives, has updated existing wildlife laws, increased penalties for wildlife crimes, and provides greater authority to investigators to probe financial transactions and conduct intelligence led operations.

It also empowers judges to expedite wildlife cases and recover offender assets while promoting international collaboration by aligning with global treaties and allowing extradition of offenders.

A statement by the West African Director Wild Africa, Linus Unah, explained the passing of this bill is a huge win for Nigeria and shows, without any doubt, that the government remains committed to stamping out wildlife trafficking and protecting its unique fauna and flora.’

The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, who sponsored the bill Hon. Terseer Ugbor said: ‘This shows without doubt, that Nigeria remains committed to stamping out wildlife trafficking. This also means that with stronger laws, Nigeria’s forests and wildlife will now be protected from exploitation and criminal activities. ‘We are proud to see this bill move forward because protecting wildlife is tantamount to safeguarding our environment and our future.

‘In the last decade, Nigeria emerged as a major hub for the trafficking of ivory and pangolin sales to Asian markets, the West African country was linked to the smuggling of more than 30 tonnes of ivory since 2015 and over half of the pangolin scales trafficked globally between 2016 and 2019. Environmental organizations have praised this latest development, saying that the Bill demonstrates Nigeria’s response to tackle serious and organised wildlife trafficking’.

Tunde Morakinyo, Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI) Executive Director noted that for too long, traffickers have used Nigeria as a transit country for the illegal wildlife trade, bringing endangered wildlife from all over Africa through the porous borders, ports and airports to export them illegally to Europe and Asia.

He said: ‘The Bill aims to halt this shameful trade which is destroying our environment and ruining Nigeria’s global reputation. We salute the Nigerian Senate for taking this bold step which will make Nigeria a global leader with one of the most progressive wildlife laws for the African continent.’

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika, has said Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries are leading Africa’s entertainment growth, with the sector projected to reach $100 billion by 2030.

He said the latest PwC report placing Nigeria ahead of other African nations with an 11.2% growth rate last year reaffirmed the strength and potential of the country’s entertainment and media ecosystem.

Asika, who spoke on Arise News at the weekend, said: ‘I think the PwC numbers are saying $25 billion by 2025, but for us in the sector, we’re trying to get to $100 billion by 2030.

‘We just completed a significant mapping of the sector for the very first time, supported by Big Win Philanthropy, covering ten sectors. Our target is to add two million jobs by 2030, but the data shows we can actually add up to three million.’

He noted that the report underscored how the creative industry continues to lead Nigeria’s economy even in difficult times, noting that technology remains the key driver of scale.

‘Technology enables scale, but can you imagine a digital platform without our content? It’s dead. This sector animates everything – news, music, entertainment, podcasts, art – all come from it. That’s why these PwC numbers and even Spotify’s figures show how powerful the sector has become,’ he said.

Asika disclosed that Spotify paid Nigerian artists N58 billion in 2024, with over 1.2 million Afrobeats playlists hosted on the platform – a sign, he said, that Nigerian content has fully validated itself on the global stage.

‘Our music is no longer in the phase of validation – it’s already validated,’ he added.

He however warned that to sustain the boom, Nigeria must invest in infrastructure, regulation, and local platforms to ensure artists and creators benefit directly.

‘We want to see more domestic digital platforms built. There’s nothing wrong with YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, but we must develop our own ecosystem and capture our own value.

‘The key question is retaining that value domestically. A mix of policy, digital and physical infrastructure investment will take us there,’ he added.

Highlighting Nigeria’s immense creative talent, Asika said soft power through the arts had already proven its worth globally.

‘Nigerians need to be celebrated. Our creativity has penetrated everywhere with very little investment. Government can’t claim to have done much yet – maybe we’re just coming to the party.

‘There’s talent everywhere – in Kafanchan, Onitsha, Enugu, Kaduna, Ibadan – not just in Lagos or Port Harcourt. The question is how to create platforms and give opportunities for exposure and growth,’ he said.

On the forthcoming National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), holding between November 22nd and 29th in Enugu State, he said:

‘Come to Enugu, he said, ‘Governor Peter Mbah has promised it will be the biggest and best ever. We’re expecting all 36 states and the FCT, and Katsina is even bringing 100 horses for the first-ever Durba in the Southeast.

‘People don’t even realise that the Durba is the same as the Ofala or Ojude Oba – moments when the king comes out to greet his people. That’s why our theme this year is Connected Culture.’

Asika expressed excitement about the recently reopened National Arts Theatre in Lagos, describing it as a game-changer for the sector.

‘It’s a world-class venue, and once programmed properly, it’ll transform the landscape. My colleague Tola Akerele already has nine months of programming lined up, and from November 1st, you’ll start seeing what’s coming,’ Asika said.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has begun revalidation to register members ahead of 2026 governorship election.

The Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, who hosted the 12-member revalidation team and state co-ordinators led by Mr John Malumi, the deputy director, Elections Management (Organising Department), enjoined the party chairmen in the local governments and area office in Modakeke to assist the team during the exercise.

He said it was imperative for the party’s stakeholders to join hands with the visiting team for a desired result.

Lawal, represented by the state Secretary of the party, Alhaji Alao Kamoru, told the visiting membership validation team that the party had put everything in place for them, in order to make the programme a success.

Malumi told the APC state Working Committee and the chairmen of the party in the local governments that the exercise was not about registration of new members into the party, but rather to work on the existing members.

Seeking the cooperation of the party chairmen in the local government, he said members of the party must be financial members and that they all had the right to vote and be voted for.

He said: ‘Credible members of the party must pay N200 per month for one year each and they have the right to contest for any position.

‘Some members have left the party; some are dead, while others have just joined. We have a mechanism of authenticating if any member of our party has paid.

‘The ward secretaries, ward organising secretaries and similar officers of the party at the local government level will have crucial roles to play in the party’s membership revalidation.’

He said the exercise, which started on October 20, would end on the 31st, in line with the APC National Headquarters’ outline for the 2026 Osun State governorship primary election.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and his deputy, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, will lead other dignitaries to the annual celebration of Uponna Olosi in Osi-Ekiti on Saturday.

Activities to mark the weeklong event began on Monday with a football competition among quarters in the ancient town. A sum will be won. It is sponsored by the late Chief Dayo Ogboja family and others.

A symposium with the theme: ‘Osi-Ekiti Community Development and Economic Growth’, will hold tomorrow. It will feature Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Oba Steve Adegboyega Alabi, who will declare the talk open, with Prof. Dele Ilesanmi and Prince Sunday Robinson as speakers.

On Friday, the Osi-Ekiti monarch will visit quarters in the town.

Chief host, ACM Oludare Fadogba, who is the president of Osi Progressive Union (OPU), enjoined indigenes to attend the event.

President/CEO, Garbykem Global Resources, Kolawole Ajiboye, is the chairman of the day, while the National President, Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ayodeji Adeyemo, is the co-chairman.

United Kingdom-based Nigerian culture ambassador, Omolara Augustina Seweje, popularly known as Olori Seweje-MC Alaga Extraordinaire, continues to project African traditions and values to global audiences through her media platforms, cultural events, and community mentorship.

A bilingual radio host and professional traditional wedding moderator, Seweje’s work bridges continents, connecting African heritage with the wider world while celebrating the richness of cultural diversity.

For Seweje, culture is not just performance but a calling. ‘My background has always been arts and culture. While in secondary school, I loved acting and dance. I participated in Yoruba, Igbo, and French cultural activities, and that passion keeps driving me even more every day,’ she said.

Her journey as a culture ambassador began when she took up the mantle of Alaga Iduro and Alaga Ijoko, traditional wedding moderator roles deeply rooted in Yoruba custom.

‘A professional Alaga is expected to uphold cultural values. Beyond moderating weddings, I promote culture daily through my dressing, language, and how I express myself,’ she said.

Through her two radio shows, Eto Omoluabi on Jambo Radio, Scotland and Culture Fusion on Heartsong Live Radio, Seweje has carved a space for cultural dialogue in the diaspora.

While Eto Omoluabi focuses on celebrating Yoruba culture and inspiring Nigerians abroad to take pride in their heritage, Culture Fusion explores global cultures, highlighting shared values and distinct traditions.

‘My shows centre on the beauty and uniqueness of every culture. No culture is superior to another because every culture is beautiful in its own way,’ she said.

Her experience as a traditional wedding host has also expanded her understanding of multicultural connections. Among the many weddings she has moderated, Seweje recalls a Scottish-Yoruba wedding in Inverurie, Scotland, and an Ugandan-Scottish bridal unveiling as particularly memorable.

‘I’ve also hosted more than ten Anglophone-Francophone weddings. Every culture I encounter teaches me something new. The diversity I see at these events reinforces my belief that culture is the heartbeat of humanity,’ she said.

Through her work, Seweje has become a bridge between communities. ‘Many people have been encouraged to explore African culture. Interracial marriages are increasing, and more people now understand others’ behaviour through the lens of culture. It has changed mindsets and broken biases,’ she noted

Despite the progress, she admits that promoting cultural diversity in the diaspora is not without challenges. ‘It can be overwhelming. As an ethnic minority, it takes a lot to get the right platforms. But we’ll keep doing what we do until we’re heard,’ she added.

According to her conviction, she said she is rooted in passion and perseverance. ‘There are opportunities for people who are willing to take them. But your passion must be strong enough to keep you going, because it’s not easy. Many people here prefer to focus on work shifts rather than voluntary cultural promotion.’

True to her advocacy, Seweje’s personal style reflects her values. ‘Everywhere you find me, you’ll see me dressed as African. Even in Glasgow, I wear African prints and fabrics. It gives me confidence, and people commend me for it,’ she said proudly.

Looking to the future, Seweje envisions a world where cultural pride is universal. ‘My goal is to stand on global stages and tell people to be proud of their heritage. The world is beautiful because of its diversity. Imagine a world without agbada, asooke, gele, or the Scottish kilt. Diversity is what makes life colourful,’ she said.

Her upcoming project, slated for 2026, will celebrate African arts through music, fashion, and dance, a continuation of her mission to preserve and showcase cultural beauty.

‘I want to be remembered as the woman who broke biases by preaching the beauty in every culture. Someone who used her platforms to promote unity in diversity and preserve cultural pride across generations,’ she said.

Through her voice, her attire, and her platform, Olori Seweje continues to remind the world that culture is not just a marker of identity, it is a legacy of beauty, pride, and belonging.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal has said African leaders are tackling challenges of climate change, by ensuring people are safe, securing the economy and its ecosystem and making sure no state or community is left out.

He said our commitment to a just transition is clear, and rooted in the belief that no one should be left behind in the journey towards a low-carbon and climate resilient future, with Nigeria aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 while ensuring access to modern energy by 2050.

He spoke at the first West African Science Service Centre on Climate change and adapted land use International Conference and Just Energy Transition 13C-JET in Abuja, with the theme: ‘Sustainable Climate Resilience and Just Energy Transition in Africa.’ .

He said: ‘Nigerian Climate Change Act provided the legal ambition, while the Pioneer Green Bond Programme demonstrated how innovative finance can drive sustainable development.

‘We believe we must address climate change. Nigeria is a trusted partner in strengthening climate science capacity. Together we are building a foundation for a resilient, low-carbon future.

‘In Nigeria, we have been able to develop a curriculum for climate change and environment in our schools, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. So we are taking climate change very seriously and this must be done at the heart of our educational curriculum. The world is watching Africa, even though we are not major contributors of global warming, yet our resolve for the part of the solution remains firm and stable. Africa is ever ready to serve as an activist of a new energy paradigm building on equity, innovation and resilience’.

Speaking, the Executive Director of WASCAL, Professor Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde revealed that the aim of the conference is to share knowledge, showcase innovations and catalyse collaborations, stating that WASCAL is specialized in providing comprehensive solutions to the threat poised by Climate change, adding that the organisation performs those services through capacity building as well as Research and Advisory services

Lagos had a storied past of water commerce – Ebute-Ero, Ebute-Elefun, Ije, Oja Oyingbo, Ebute Ejinrin, Badagry, the Lagos Marina, etc – all jetties, linked to markets. Boats berthed at these jetties to discharge and convey buyers and sellers, on weekly market days. More than roads, the vast Lagos waterways powered this traffic.

If the proverbial ‘Oja Oyingbo’ was packed to the brim – as the Juju music legend Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey crooned in one of his great numbers – it was the Lagos Lagoon, more than the roads, that ensured that commercial mobility and opportunity.

Now, ‘Omi Eko’, the waterway shuttle project that the Lagos State government just launched, at the Three Cowries Jetty, near Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, is set for a glorious encore – but with much more value-added.

It’s an innovative project to further integrate water transportation into the government’s THEMES-plus policy framework. It’s also set to modernise the waterways as choice Lagos commuter hub, thus reducing pressure on the over-flogged roads.

Omi Eko, planned over two phases, is well and truly ambitious. It could alter the Lagos transportation – and economy – for good. Omi Eko, with its smart ferries, could also boost water-driven tourism, now the near-monopoly of the well-heeled. That putative expansion is a win-win for the Lagos economy.

The first phase is an infrastructural-support push: the dredging and adequate marking of a marine track, covering 140 kilometres. That track covers 15 priority ferry routes. Under that phase, 25 ferry jetties and terminals will be put in place, with old ones upgraded – all fitted with electric charging points, for the electric ferries soon to be deployed.

Also attached to jetties/terminals are boat maintenance depots. This phase will also build roads connecting the jetties/terminals to the main arteries linking the final commuter communities and destinations.

Obvious and paramount in this first phase is the all-crucial question of safety, in these days of boat mishaps, in some parts of the country. Safety is critical for commuter confidence; and it’s reassuring that the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the implementing agency, is giving safety due attention.

The second phase is the business side: the ‘make-or-mar’ of the dream. It plans to infuse 75 electric ferries, fool-proof and fraud-resistant ticketing, and sound shuttle information management to give a rich travel experience that would keep commuters trooping back for more.

If management makes the difference between failed and thriving ventures, LASWA should develop the capacity to handle the business. Also imbued in the plan is adequate technology transfer to strengthen LASWA’s technical capacity: for prompt maintenance and repairs, as well as forging spare parts.

Aside drawing passenger traffic to some 25, 000 yearly, Omi Eko is projected to cut travel times by some three hours per trip. Funding for the informal boat sector, outside the government-backed ferry services, will also be taken care off. Indeed, building an integrated lagoon economy is logical thinking, as 15 local governments in the state are linked by water. That should provide more jobs for the youth.

Omi Eko came under the EU Gateway Initiative, with the French Development Agency (AFD); and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which provided a ‘subsidised’ pound 360 million, out of a pound 410-million loan. LASWA’s ability to grow a lean-and-mean water transport business is vital. For this upgrade, LASWA should draw inspiration from the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), which already runs the Lagos integrated road and rail services, with the Blue and Red urban rail lines.

So, LASWA should brace itself to make Omi Eko a thriving business, sustainable and profitable to pay off its loan. If that is well done, LASWA should, in no time, sit back as industry regulator, while private sector players, big and small, drive the business.

But there is another aspect that should also be emphasised: marine security. While safety is clear from the infrastructure plan, security is muted. In this era of kidnapping for ransom, security should receive that added attention. As more commuters get drawn to water transport, there is likelihood for opportunistic crimes, targeting the busy commuter channels. Robust marine security should, therefore, form a doughty part of the mix.

With Lagos defined by water – the Lagoon and its mightier cousin, the Atlantic Ocean – not integrating this mass of water into its transport mode is a clear waste. Though Omi Eko is picking up from a storied past, using every resource of the state to boost citizen wellbeing is smart policy thinking.

Nigeria and its Nordic partners have pledged to deepen their collaboration across green energy, digital technology, health, and agriculture.

They also agreed to forge partnerships that promise sustainable impact for years to come.

They made this known at the conclusion of Nordic Nigeria Connect 2025 Business Forum held last week in Lagos under the thematic: ‘Forging Partnerships for Sustainable Impact’.

Organised by the Nordic Embassies in Nigeria and their Trade Offices, the forum, which was the fourth edition, provided a platform for government leaders, innovators, and private sector executives to explore collaboration across four critical sectors: green energy, digital technology, health innovation, and sustainable agriculture.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Egube, Enugu State Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, State Secretary for Trade and Investment for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark H.E. Lina Gandløse Hansen and Deputy Minister for International Trade in Finland H.E. Jarno Syrjälä were part of dignitaries who attended the event.

Other significant Nordic dignitaries present included H.E. Johan Frisell, Deputy Director-General and Director for Africa at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, H.E. Sanna Selin; Ambassador-Designate of Sweden to Nigeria, H.E. Anna Westerholm; Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, H.E. Jens Ole Bach Hansen; and the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, H.E. Svein Baera.