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Women of the Lagos Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Lagos gathered at St. Paul’s Church, Breadfruit, for their annual Praise Day, a celebration of thanksgiving, evangelism, and service to the less privileged.

Speaking on the significance of the event, the wife of the Vicar of St. Paul’s Church and leader of the Archdeaconry women, Mrs. Fadeke Oyediran, described Praise Day as a moment to appreciate God’s faithfulness.

‘Praise Day is an annual event we hold to thank God for what He has done and what He is still doing in our lives and in our churches. We would never take Him for granted,’ she said.

She explained that beyond worship, the women also highlight their charitable works, which include caring for orphans, the homeless and vulnerable women.

She cited the story of a blind girl, orphaned at a young age, whom the women have supported since childhood and who is now a 22-year-old student of Queen’s College, Lagos.

‘We are her parents. We also support a homeless woman and others in need within our community. That has been our work,’ Oyediran said.

Encouraging members not to relent despite economic challenges, she added, ‘As things are in Nigeria, some of us are still struggling, but we continue to help people. That is what God has asked us to do-win souls, invest in people’s lives, and do more for Him.’

Chairperson of this year’s celebration, Chief (Mrs.) Funke Arthur-Worrey, praised the women for their resilience and devotion.

‘With today’s economic challenges, you still find time and resources to care for the blind, the impaired, the homeless, and many others. I pray you will never be tired of doing good, and that the Lord will continue to bless you and your families,’ she said.

Lady Abike Ogundeyi, a member of St. Paul’s Church and co-chairperson of the event, emphasised the spiritual importance of thanksgiving.

‘When we praise God, we show gratitude for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will yet do. Praise brings joy, peace of mind, and draws us closer to Him. Even as a nation, things can change when we cultivate the habit of thanksgiving,’ she noted.

The Praise Day featured prayers, hymns, thanksgiving, and renewed commitments to evangelism and community service, with participants from the five churches under the Lagos Archdeaconry in attendance.

Ven. Dr. Julius Oyediran, Vicar and Archdeacon of Lagos, commended the women for their steadfastness. He said Praise Day was a time to reflect on God’s mercy, which has continued to sustain Nigeria despite national challenges.

As the governorship primary of the Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) draws close, one of the campaign groups in the state has decried what it described as the escalating wave of violence, intimidation, and politically motivated persecution being unleashed on members and supporters of the Engr. Kayode Ojo Campaign Organization in Ekiti State.

According to a statement released by the secretariat of the group, and signed by Kayode Oluyemo, it expressed deep concern over the arrest and detention of its members.

According to the group, on May 30, 2025, during one of its meetings at the residence of Mr. Moses Dabi, Oke Ago, Igede Ekiti, one of its members, Mr. Adebayo Itakorode, was falsely charged with kidnapping, detained for one day, and later remanded by the court. Although released on bail, the case has been repeatedly adjourned without resolution.

It also alleged that on July 12, 2025, at Otun in Moba Local Government hoodlums attacked the venue of its meeting, where its members were physically assaulted while others were also arrested during the attack.

He said several others were also arrested at different times, saying, ‘All these incidents have been duly reported to the police, yet no action has been taken.’

In addition, the group said that several campaign offices and properties linked to the group were attacked.

‘These developments constitute a direct assault on democratic rights and a grave violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution,’ the group said.

The group therefore demand the immediate release of all unlawfully detained persons, aside from ‘An independent investigation into these arrests, attacks, and the alleged collusion between government officials, security agencies, and judicial officers.’

In a bid to recognise and celebrate the achievements of African entrepreneurs, the Africa Trade Award is set to take place in November, alongside the launch of the book ‘Africa Disruptors’.

The prestigious award aimed to honour 23 exceptional individuals from six African countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya – who have made significant contributions to their respective industries and communities.

Speaking at a press conference, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeanumba Media Ltd, publishers of The Lagos Times newspaper and Ikeanumba Africa magazine, Mr. Ayobama Ikeanumba, explained that the nominees were selected through a rigorous research and findings process, representing various sectors, including business, technology, and innovation.

These entrepreneurs have demonstrated remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

One such entrepreneur is Alhaji Aliko Dangote, whose impact on Nigeria’s fuel supply has been transformative.

Before the Dangote refineries came on board, Nigerians spent weeks, even months, waiting in fuel stations. Today, thanks to Dangote’s game-changing intervention, fuel shortages are no longer a major issue, although price remains a concern.

The Africa Trade Award seeks to shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes, encouraging them to continue pushing boundaries and inspiring others to do the same. By sharing their stories, successes, and challenges, the award aims to foster a sense of community and promote entrepreneurship across the continent.

Also commenting, Amb. Cornel Udofia, CEO of Cornel Media, noted that, ‘When you’re doing things, you may not know that people are watching and feeling you,’ adding that the Africa Trade Award is a testament to the power of intentional action and its impact on communities and societies.

Through this award and the ‘Africa Disruptors’ book, the organisers hope to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with hard work, innovation, and dedication, anything is possible. By highlighting the achievements of Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurs, the award aims to drive economic growth, promote sustainable practices, and empower communities across the continent.

Another first day of another tenth month

Of yet another long year

The sun rose, wearily

From a sober corner of the sky

The rain this season

Is full and furiously free

The pampered lawns are glad

The battered roofs are sour

In other lands far, yet not-so-far

The sky rains red

From the cannibal carnival of ‘smart bombs’

By those who claim they own the world

In this long-suffering country we call our own

Awash with pledges, submerged in prayers

For sixty years and five we have asked many questions

Waiting for their vital answers

The rich still too rich

The poor too poor

Our schools still un-schooled

Our hospitals are horse-spittles

Our country, nonetheless

With blessings so abundant

Waiting, still waiting, for

The Promise which succeeds the Pain

The second edition of the Africa for Peace Sports Festival is set to launch on November 15, 2025, bringing a celebration of sports, unity, and peace to Delta State.

Held in honor of the International Day for Tolerance, this year’s festival features a dynamic lineup of competitions aimed at promoting community engagement, talent discovery, and peaceful coexistence.

Participants will compete in events such as gym contests, Scrabble, snooker, table tennis, and mini football, while chess and fussball will be featured as exhibition games.

A total prize pool of N10 million, along with other incentive awards, will be up for grabs, making this edition the most exciting yet.

Thousands of women from various local government areas and communities around Warri, Delta State, converged on Urhobo College, Warri, to receive packs of food items from Glo Foundation in its ‘Giving Back Together’ initiative.

The event was in continuation of the special intervention programme by Globacom to support the most vulnerable segment of society with essential food items to cushion the effects of the economic situation.

At the programme, women, including the aged and widows from far and near communities such as Warri North, Warri South, Aladja, Ughelli South, Udu, and Uvwie local government areas, gathered immediately after the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise to benefit from the scheme.

Speaking at the event, Globacom’s head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs Jumobi Mofe-Damijo, stated that having successfully held similar food donation programmes in some other states, it was the turn of women in Delta to also be part of the programme.

She explained that the food drive had become a quick, go-to route for the company to reach out to the largely female population, who constitute the bulk of the disadvantaged in every society.

‘Our Food Drive is not just for anyone. It is targeted at the most vulnerable segment of the Nigerian society, that is women and children. When we help them, we are helping the society at large,’ she enthused.

Each food pack distributed had 5 kilograms of rice, 5 kilograms of Gaari, semovita, spaghetti, vegetable oil, sachets of tomato paste, sardines, seasoning cubes, noodles, and other essential items that the women would find useful at home.

The beneficiaries sang and danced in gratitude to Globacom for the initiative. Princess Omo-Udoyo, from Ughelli North, felt so joyful being a beneficiary. ‘I have not seen this before. I thank God and the Glo Foundation for this gift’, she said.

For Mrs Esther Okoro who hails from Otu Jeremi, Ughelli South, it was just prayers that she kept offering when asked about the package she received. Said she: ‘God will lift the company and people who have done this. He will lift them higher and higher. They will never lack anything. For doing this for us today, I say may God protect them. You will always go higher.’

The Globacom Food Drive initiative is also planned to berth in other key cities across the country in the months ahead where more women will also benefit.

A former deputy governor of Osun State, who is also the immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Iyiola Omisore, has hinted in joining the 2026 governorship race in Osun State.

He is expected to vie on the platform of the APC.

He disclosed this yesterday through his official handle on X (formerly Twitter).

The former deputy governor said he would make a formal declaration on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the APC secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State.

According to him, the event will be held under the theme: ‘Fix the Broken, Restore Our Dreams.’

‘I believe strongly that together, we can restore hope, strengthen governance, and deliver a brighter future for every son and daughter of Osun. This is not just my mission, it is a collective one.

‘I humbly invite you to join me as we take this bold step towards the Osun Rescue Mission 2026.

‘My beloved people of Osun State, after deep reflection and wide consultations, I have decided to formally declare my intention to contest for the Governor of Osun State in 2026 under our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),’ the statement read.

One person lost his life while four sustained varying degrees of injury in a fatal auto crash in Ihiala, Anambra state.

The crash which occurred on Saturday along Ihiala-Owerri Road involved six vehicles.

According to an eyewitness, the trailer was on top speed when the driver suddenly lost control over brake failure, colliding with the other five vehicles.

Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bridget Asekhauno said the injured were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

‘The incident involved six vehicles, resulting in one fatality (1 male) and four injuries (4 males). A total of eight individuals (all males).

‘The vehicles involved in the crash included: Mack trailer, a Lexus 350 SUV with registration number YAB-131-DA, an Iveco truck with registration number ABC-693-XD, a Mitsubishi L300 truck with registration number JJJ-488-SQ, a Toyota Camry with registration number MKA-331-AA, an Inveco tipper with registration number HAL-604-ZX.

‘Tragically, one of the victims, the driver of the Lexus, was pronounced dead and has been deposited in the hospital’s morgue,’ she added.

Asekhauno sympathised with the deceased family and wished the injured quick recovery.

She emphasised the importance of defensive driving techniques and adherence to traffic regulations.

Her words, ‘We urge all drivers to exercise caution, drive within the designated speed limit, and maintain maximum concentration while driving.

‘The FRSC rescue team from RS5.34 Ihiala responded promptly, evacuating the injured victims to the hospital. They are also working to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow.

‘The FRSC Anambra State Command appeals to motorists to be cautious and patient while driving, especially on highways.

‘We also encourage witnesses to report crashes promptly to our Command centers or through our toll-free number 122 for any road emergencies.’

The First Lady of Nigeria and wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, empowered 500 women in Edo State with N50,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The empowerment programme, conducted in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, took place in Benin City.

Speaking during the presentation of the cash grants to beneficiaries, Senator Tinubu said the initiative was designed to strengthen existing businesses and enhance the economic resilience of Nigerian women.

Represented by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpeholo Anani, Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

‘This is not a loan; it is a grant – a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.

‘The Tony Elumelu Foundation generously donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative to fund the empowerment of 18,500 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

‘Each state, including the FCT, will have 500 women beneficiaries, each receiving N50,000 to support and expand their small businesses’.

On her part, Anani thanked the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its commitment to women’s economic advancement.

‘May this act of generosity inspire many more across our nation,’ she said.

She also extended her appreciation to the governor, Monday Okpeholo, and Senator Tinubu for their unwavering support in executing RHI programmes in the state.

One of the Beneficiaries, Otaru Patience, said the grant would help boost her business.

Another beneficiary, Adesuwa Obasogie, called for the money to be increased in the face of the current economic reality of the country.

Those present included Chairperson, National Council of Women Society Edo State Chapter, Taiwo Inumidune, Special Adviser, Sustainable Development Goals SDG, Mrs Barbara Omozele Agbebaku, and Director, Control and Immunisation, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Eseigbe Eromon.

Dr Adesoji Tayo has been elected as the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).

The former Vice President took over from Engr Ishaku Tikon who paddled the canoe of the federation for eighth years.

The Oyo State Table Tennis Association chairman was declared winner after his close opponent Khamisu Ahmed of Gombe State stepped down to be named the Vice President.