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Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says he will testify in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), only if the court directs him to do so.

Wike stated this during a media parley on Friday in Abuja, adding that being named as a witness does not require him to appear in court.

‘You don’t become a witness by reading the newspaper. Nobody has served me any process or subpoena,’ he said.

‘Because I was listed doesn’t mean I’ll start running around. If the court serves or summons me to appear as a witness or give evidence, I will comply.’

Wike declined to comment on calls for a political solution to Kanu’s continued detention.

The minister’s comment followed recent developments in Kanu’s case. On Thursday, Kanu dismissed his legal team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), prompting the lawyers to formally withdraw their representation. He later submitted a list of 23 witnesses he plans to call, classified as ‘ordinary but material’ and ‘vital and compellable’ under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

Those listed as ‘vital and compellable’ include Theophilus Danjuma, former Minister of Defence; Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State; and Wike.

Others are Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State; Dave Umahi, Minister of Works; Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation; Ahmed Rufai, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Yusuf Bichi, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the current DSS Director-General.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021 and faces terrorism charges.

The court has rejected several requests for his release for medical treatment, while calls for his freedom especially from the South-East continue to grow. His lawyers also claim that his health is deteriorating in detention.

The Coca-Cola Company has reported a $393 million impairment charge tied to the sale of Chi Limited. The disclosure appeared in its Q3 2025 financial statements, highlighting the cost of its exit from Nigeria’s juice and dairy market.

In the third quarter of 2025, Coca-Cola announced the sale of Chi Limited, makers of Hollandia and Chivita, to UAC Nigeria Plc. The deal marks the end of Coca-Cola’s six-year direct operation in Nigeria. It also signals a shift in strategy as the company focuses on simplifying its global portfolio.

Coca-Cola first entered Chi Limited in 2016, when it purchased a 40 per cent stake from Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group for about $438 million, according to BusinessDay findings. The agreement included a path to full ownership within three years. That goal was achieved in January 2019, when Coca-Cola acquired the remaining 60 percent for $257 million. In total, the company spent roughly $694.5 million on the acquisition. The sale price to UAC Nigeria Plc has not yet been disclosed. However, Coca-Cola recorded a $393 million net loss on the transaction. This suggests that the sales proceeds were considerably lower than the book value of Chi Limited on Coca-Cola’s balance sheet.

The impairment adds to the company’s broader financial restructuring efforts. Coca-Cola is also preparing to take a $1 billion charge linked to the planned sale of part of its stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA).

Meanwhile, UAC Nigeria Plc is expected to release details of the Chi acquisition in its Q3 2025 report. The company is already mobilising funds for the purchase. It plans to raise N65 billion through commercial papers to partly finance the deal.

Stanbic IBTC Capital is acting as the lead arranger, providing investment banking and advisory services to UAC Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu has approved changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs as part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.

In a statement, Sunday Dare, special adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, said President Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.

He added that Major General W. Shaibu was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff, while Air Marshal S. K. Aneke assumes duties as Chief of Air Staff. Rear Admiral I. Abbas was named the new Chief of Naval Staff.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retains his position.

The President expressed profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership. He charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

All appointments take immediate effect.

Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) PLC, Nigeria’s leading paint manufacturer, has called for safer and sustainable paint manufacturing practices, warning that lead exposure poses significant health and environmental risks.

CAP made this call as it joined the world to observe the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) 2025, themed ‘No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure,’ reaffirming its dedication to producing lead-free paints and promoting sustainable industry standards.

The week-long campaign, running from October 19 to 25, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of lead exposure and accelerate collective action toward its complete elimination.

The paint manufacturing company stated that all brands under CAP, including Dulux, Sandtex, Caplux, and Hempel, have no added lead. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to creating safer living and working environments for Nigerian households, industries, and communities through continuous innovation and adherence to international best practices in paint production.

‘At CAP PLC, we believe safety should be a standard, not a choice. Our commitment to creating safe and sustainable products goes beyond business; it is about people.

‘By supporting International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025, we are renewing our responsibility to ensure that every Nigerian, especially our children, can live, learn, and grow in healthier spaces,’ Bolarin Okunowo, managing director of CAP PLC, stated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no safe level of lead exposure. Even minimal contact can cause irreversible neurological and physiological harm, particularly in children, whose developing brains and bodies are most vulnerable.

The WHO estimates that lead exposure accounts for nearly one million deaths each year, primarily in low- and middle-income countries.

CAP PLC stated that in Nigeria, recurring incidents such as the Zamfara lead contamination crisis have underscored the profound social and economic costs of unchecked lead exposure. ‘Complementing these global findings, research from both the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, revealed that 78 percent of Nigerian painters report chronic symptoms such as cough and skin irritation, yet only 7.5 percent consistently use personal protective equipment (PPE).

‘These realities highlight the urgent need for sustained industry-wide advocacy and professional training,’ the company noted.

Lead poisoning has been linked to cognitive impairment, reduced IQ, behavioural challenges, hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and other chronic health conditions, issues that impact both individual well-being and national productivity.

‘Ending lead exposure is a shared responsibility. It requires action from policymakers, manufacturers, artisans, and families alike.

‘For us at CAP PLC, we are a part of this greater movement, one that is painting a brighter, safer, and more sustainable future for generations to come,’ Okunowo added.

CAP PLC’s environmental strategy aligns with Nigeria’s sustainability vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 11, 12, and 13). THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development

The company has adopted low-VOC and eco-friendly paint technologies that reduce emissions and improve indoor air quality, implemented responsible waste management and recycling systems, and invested in environmentally conscious finishing methods that protect both applicators and end-users.

Beyond compliance, CAP PLC integrates education and empowerment into its operations. Through the CAP Painter’s Academy, they equip artisans with modern skills to deliver superior finishes that extend building longevity while reducing environmental and health risks.

As part of its ongoing safety and awareness efforts, CAP PLC plans to include a sensitisation session on the hazards of lead exposure and practical measures to prevent its use during its Painters Training Academy programme in Ibadan this week.

Through continuous innovation, education, and collaboration, CAP PLC stands at the forefront of efforts to eliminate lead exposure and ensure that the paints that color our nation also protect it.

Tope Omolayo, the Chairman of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has appealed to all sons and daughters of Owo, both at home and in the diaspora, to unite for the peace and progress of the ancient town.

Omolayo, who appealed on Friday at a press briefing in Akure, said, Let us move forward with a renewed spirit of unity, reconciliation, and shared commitment to the growth of our community.’

The Owo council chairman, who also dismissed his reported suspension, insisted that he remains the substantive chairman of the local government.

According to him, the purported suspension was fueled by greed and personal interests rather than public service.

He, however, described the move as a charade orchestrated by disgruntled elements seeking to destabilise the council and tarnish his image, dismissing it as ‘baseless’ and ‘politically motivated.

Omolayo, while calling for reconciliation among political stakeholders and residents of the local government, said development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and unity.

‘Development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of division and strife. Now more than ever, we must unite in purpose and action to secure the future of our land,’ he appealed.

He also expressed gratitude to councillors and other local government officials for their steadfastness and support, urging them to remain focused on delivering quality service to the people. Omolayo equally tendered a heartfelt apology to the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, over a viral voice recording in which he made what he described as ‘deeply regrettable and unruly statements’ against the revered monarch.

The council boss expressed deep remorse for his remarks, describing them as thoughtless and inconsistent with the cultural values of respect and humility that Owo people hold dear.

‘With utmost humility and deep remorse, I tender my unreserved apology to Your Imperial Majesty regarding the recent viral voice notes. I take full responsibility for my words and acknowledge the grave disrespect they conveyed towards your highly revered stool and personality,’ Omolayo stated.

He said the incident had been a sobering moment for him, pledging to henceforth act with greater wisdom, restraint, and reverence for traditional authority.

Omolayo begged the monarch and the royal household for forgiveness, noting that his comments did not represent his true character nor his respect for the Olowo’s stool, which he described as the custodian of Owo’s rich heritage.

‘My actions in that moment were thoughtless and do not reflect the values of our culture, the respect I hold for the traditional institution, nor the esteem with which I regard your person,’ he added.

The council chairman also reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty and total commitment to the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

‘I remain a dedicated servant of our great party and will continue to work tirelessly in line with its ideals and in support of the Governor’s visionary leadership for the betterment of our state and Owo in particular,’ he affirmed.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), not just algorithms, will define the future of digital marketing, according to Olumide Balogun, director, Google West Africa.

Reflecting on the 25th anniversary of Google Ads, Balogun said the world is entering a new era where AI is transforming how people search, discover, and engage with brands online, reshaping the very foundation of advertising.

‘For the better part of a century, advertising was built around interruption. Businesses pushed messages on TV, radio, and in magazines, hoping the right person might see or hear their ad. But about 25 years ago, mainstream search changed everything, shifting from interruption to intent,’ Balogun noted.

He explained that the pivotal shift, was the birth of a more democratic advertising model, one where people, not companies, initiated the conversation.

With Google Ads, businesses could connect with customers at the exact moment of need, turning curiosity into opportunity. This intent-driven approach, he said, has since powered the growth of e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship across Africa.

Balogun described the early years of Google Ads as a period of rapid innovation, driven by the pursuit of relevance and accountability. ‘The introduction of the cost-per-click model created a new level of accountability. Advertisers only paid for real engagement, not just impressions. And by 2005, principles like Quality Score and Ad Rank made relevance, not the highest bid, the key determinant of ad performance,’ he said.

This evolution expanded the digital ecosystem, from enabling publishers to monetise their content through Google AdSense, to embracing video through YouTube and the mobile revolution that brought millions of new users online.

Today, Balogun said, the digital landscape is shifting once again, this time driven by AI and a new kind of human curiosity. ‘People are no longer searching with simple keywords. They are asking nuanced, conversational questions, sometimes through voice, sometimes through images,’ he observed.

He pointed to Google Lens as a prime example, adding that the visual search tool now processes more than 25 billion image-based searches every month, enabling users to ask questions with their camera. Similarly, YouTube has evolved from an entertainment platform into a research and discovery hub, powered by creators whose credibility and insights shape purchase decisions. ‘This is a fundamental behavioural shift. We are moving from text to multi-modal search, visual, conversational, and predictive,’ Balogun added. Balogun explained that as human curiosity becomes more complex, traditional media planning cannot keep up; the sheer volume and variety of consumer intent require predictive systems, and that is where AI becomes indispensable. ‘AI has been at the core of our ad ecosystem for over a decade. But now, it is enabling businesses to set goals, upload creative assets, and let the technology match them to moments of intent, wherever they happen,’ he said.

This predictive, intent-based approach is already mainstream. According to Balogun, over 80 percent of advertisers globally use at least one AI-powered Google Ads product. ‘And the impact is clear. Advertisers adopting AI tools see an average of 27 percent more conversions, while those who deeply integrate AI into their marketing report up to 60 percent higher revenue growth than their peers,’ he said.

Looking ahead, Balogun said the next frontier of digital marketing lies in agentic capabilities, AI systems that can build, optimize, and run ad campaigns with minimal human effort. ‘The promise is simple: less effort for better results. These agents won’t just predict which ad works best; they will help design and optimize it in real time,’ he said.

Still, Balogun dismissed fears that AI will replace advertising altogether. Instead, he believes it will make it more human, helping brands stay visible and relevant in a world of information overload.

‘While agents will help people find things faster, advertising will always be essential for discovery and loyalty. The real power lies in how agents and ads will work together to create a seamless journey from curiosity to conversion,’ he explained.

As AI takes centre stage, Balogun said the mission of Google Ads is connecting people to what matters most, in the moment they need it. ‘The tools will evolve, but the goal stays the same. It is about helping people find helpful answers and helping businesses meet their customers in those exact moments of intent. That is not just the future of digital marketing; that’s the future of connection,’ he noted.

In an industry that’s booming with opportunities, event planners in Nigeria need to stay ahead of the curve.

The Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN) is set to empower event professionals with the latest trends, strategies, and best practices, helping them capitalize on the country’s thriving event industry, valued at over N1 billion.

Ayiri Oladunmoye, president of the APPOEMN who made this known at a recent press briefing on the upcoming 8th annual The Event Industry Conference (TEIC), tagged ‘Fearless: Mastering the Art of Reinvention,’ stressed that the association is committed to building a vibrant, respected and flourishing event industry in Nigeria.

Oladunmoye, who was represented by Babatunde Olawuyi, the association’s vice president noted that the Nigeria’s event industry, is valued at over N1 billion and acclaimed to be massive employer of labour and an immense contributor to the nation’s GDP. Speaking on the expected lineup for the event, which is scheduled to commence on October 30th with the Event Industry Olympics, Olawuyi said key industry stakeholders will be in attendance and association executives.

The main conference and gala night will then take place between 4th through 6th, November respectively, at the Monarch Event Centre on the Lekki Epe Expressway.

Also, Chinwe Attoh, chairperson of TEIC 8.0, highlighted the conference’s ambitious goal, noting that the conference aims to promote creativity and the courage to keep transforming, with the central objective of equipping event professionals with the necessary tools and mindset.

Attoh used the opportunity to appreciate the sponsors, partners, and community members for their support, while calling on all stakeholders to amplify the event. Segun Okunnuga, the association’s event director, gave an overview of the event, which has been curated to engage the entire industry.

He said, ‘The activities include the Industry a sporting Olympics on October 30th at Bay Waters, which is open to the entire event industry.’

‘This will be followed by a community-focused CSR project themed Business Revival, a bootcamp offering support, mentorship, and potential grants to about 300 small businesses at the Iceland Event Center.’ There would also be a nominee party on the evening of November 4th with a ‘Rock and Roll’ costume theme, and then the MasterClass titled ‘Fearless Corporate Vibe,’ he added.

The TEIC chairman noted that the overall theme, ‘Fearless,’ will permeate every aspect of the conference, ensuring that participants leave not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to succeed.

She revealed plans to infuse cultural diversity into the experience, with the dinner night adopting a South Korean style (glow orient), bringing international elements to the Nigerian event.

‘Our ultimate goal is ensuring that every attendee will leave with a tangible skillset, encouraging participants to bring laptops to work on material during the sessions.’

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed two of its junior officers after internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings found them guilty of criminal conspiracy, theft, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.

The affected personnel, Aliyu Usman and Chukwu Nancy Ngozi, were expelled from the Service following the conclusion of separate disciplinary processes on April 14 and September 4, 2025, respectively.

Akinsola Akinlabi, NIS spokesperson, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja, explaining that the disciplinary actions were taken after the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) completed a review of several misconduct cases within the agency.

According to the statement, the Board had recently concluded a review of 31 disciplinary cases involving NIS personnel, acting on recommendations from its Disciplinary and General-Purpose Committee (BDGPC), which met on July 11, 2025.

‘Eight officers were dismissed from the Service for serious misconduct and violation of Service regulations.

‘In addition, five officers were compulsorily retired for offences bordering on misconduct,’ NIS said. He further disclosed that eight officers were demoted by one rank, while five others received written warnings for various acts of misconduct.

Two appeals against dismissal were rejected for lack of merit, while one officer was reinstated after a successful appeal, and two others were completely exonerated.

The Service reiterated that the dismissal of Usman and Ngozi reflected the Service’s zero-tolerance stance toward criminality and unethical behaviour among its ranks.

‘The disciplinary measures underscore the Board’s commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards across all cadres of the Service. ‘The Service will continue to take decisive actions without fear or favour in line with extant rules and regulations’, he said.

The dismissal of Officer Chukwu Nancy Ngozi followed her arrest in July by the Enugu State Police Command for alleged involvement in a high-profile kidnapping case that shocked many Nigerians.

NIS investigations revealed that Ngozi and her sister, Juliet Chukwu, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were accused of masterminding the abduction of their elder brother, Friday Chukwu, along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla.

The sisters, both natives of Amaeze village in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, allegedly conspired with four other accomplices, still at large, to demand a ransom of ?30 million, which was reportedly paid to secure their brother’s release.

The duo were also linked to another kidnapping incident involving Mr Dennis Igwe, General Manager of China Oriental Mining Company, abducted in the same area under similar circumstances.

Confirming the arrests at the time, the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, said security agencies were investigating the full extent of the sisters’ involvement.

‘Yes, we are aware of the incidents, though they did not occur in my local government. The sisters of Mr. Friday Chukwu, who is my friend, have been arrested. They said six people were involved, and four others are still at large,’ Ajah stated.

The NIS, in recent months, has intensified internal oversight measures to strengthen discipline and public trust.

The Service leadership has emphasised that officers found complicit in criminal or unethical acts will face severe sanctions.

NIS assured that the recent dismissals and demotions demonstrate the Service’s commitment to accountability and professionalism in the discharge of its statutory duties.

‘We will continue to uphold integrity as the bedrock of our operations and ensure that every officer represents the values of the Nigeria Immigration Service,’ the statement noted.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has concluded a two-day training for rice farmers in Kogi State on modern rice processing techniques.

According to the ministry, the training was aimed at improving the livelihood of farmers in the state.

Inakwu Joseph, the Principal Agric Officer, FMAFS, Department of Extension Service, Abuja, while speaking during a practical session on Tuesday at ASCO Rice Processing Centre, Ajaokuta, said the training is aimed at ensuring higher quality, high nutritional value, and high market value.

He said, ‘The initiative was part of the federal government’s efforts to improve farmers’ well-being and livelihoods and ensure food security in Kogi and Nigeria at large’. While emphasising that the federal government’s intention for the program was to make youths develop more interest in agriculture, beyond production, to value addition, which brings more money to improve their well-being and livelihoods,

He said, ‘So, it is in the wisdom of President Bola Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture, that we should further carry out value addition and improve food processing’.

‘ The training, which started with the theoretical aspect, later engaged participants practically on the field to practicalise what they had learnt,’ Joseph said.

He advised the beneficiaries to put the knowledge they acquired into practice and cascade the training to other farmers in the state.

Also, Adejoke Subair, Kogi State Coordinator, FMAFS, said the training was to add value to rice production from paddy to finished product for consumption, as she listed some of the training’s benefits to include ‘improved rice quality, meeting international market standards, and enhancing food security for availability, affordability, and sustainability’. She advised the beneficiaries to put their knowledge into practice.

Gabriel Ojima Salifu, the Resource Person for the training, pointed out that the training was essentially targeted at youths and women involved in rice processing to boost the quality of rice processing, which determines the market value of the rice, adding that the training has introduced viable modern rice processing methods to the processors, starting from cleaning of the paddy, soaking, and parboiling using the steaming method.

Salifu equally explained that the training involved modern equipment like industrial boilers and washing troughs, parboiling tanks, and bed dryers, all of which determined the quality of parboiled rice.

‘The training was designed for 20 lead rice processors to cascade the training to other farmers in the state’.

The beneficiaries commended the FG and the Kogi State Government for the training, saying it would greatly improve the quality of their rice processing and market value. Blessing Samuel, a rice farmer, said the training introduced them to effective methods for quality rice production, boosting output and market value.

‘We have been enlightened to know that the previous methods we have been using in our rice processing are not good enough.

‘The training introduced us to effective and very productive methods of rice processing to have quality rice with higher nutritional and market value,’ Samuel said

Pauline Agada praised the initiative, while Mohammed Ibrahim Danjuma called for financial empowerment to cascade the training effectively.