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The federal government has renewed its calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance tourism as a key driver of sustainable national growth and development.

The government said tourism, if properly harnessed, has the potential to serve as a catalyst for economic growth, attract local and foreign investors, and stimulate entrepreneurship across communities.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti during the official launch of the Visit Ekiti Project, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, noted that tourism development plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage and legacies, projecting Nigeria’s image on the global map, and promoting national pride.

He also underscored the importance of youth empowerment within the tourism value chain, noting that young Nigerians must be placed at the centre of the process to unleash their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The minister reaffirmed the readiness of the federal government to collaborate with the visit Ekiti project to ensure that its core objectives translate into opportunities for the people, particularly the youth.

He described the project as a visionary platform to showcase the Ekiti natural endowments, festivals, and cultural heritage to the world.

Olawande added that the ministry would collaborate with the Visit Ekiti Project on programmes such as cultural exchange opportunities, training in hospitality and tour management, support for youth-led startups in eco-tourism, among other areas.

In his remarks, the Lead Creative Director of Visit Ekiti Project, Mr. Ayo Ogunro, said the initiative was primarily designed to project the state’s tourism potential to both local and international audiences.

He noted that the project would serve as a platform to reintroduce Ekiti state to the world as a destination of choice for culture, heritage, and leisure.

He described Visit Ekiti as a strategic blueprint for economic transformation, saying it would not only attract investors but also harness Ekiti’s abundant natural resources and unique cultural assets for growth.

He said that the project has the capacity to create jobs, empower communities, and inspire entrepreneurship, particularly among the youth who are expected to play a central role in its execution.

Ogunro, therefore, called on investors, partners, and residents to support the initiative, stressing that the dream of positioning Ekiti as a leading tourism hub in Nigeria could only be achieved through collective commitment and shared responsibility.

A shareholder-rights battle has erupted over the 2023 acquisition of Pan African Towers (PAT), with former Chief Executive Officer, Azeez Amida, suing private equity giants, Development Partners International (DPI), Verod Capital, and their limited partners at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

At the heart of the suit, FHC/L/MISC/608/2025, is Amida’s claim that the investors reneged on a binding agreement to allocate him a five per cent equity stake under a management buy-out arrangement that facilitated the takeover of PAT.

Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending applications-including an interlocutory injunction motion aimed at blocking potential sale or transfer of DPI and Verod’s stake in PAT until the matter is resolved.

Amida’s legal team, led by Prof. ‘Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), alerted the court to a ‘deliberate plan’ by the defendants to offload equity in PAT Holding Limited, the vehicle through which the acquisition was structured.

The defendants, including DPI, Verod Capital Management Limited, Verod Capital Growth Fund III LP, African Development Partners III LP, and PAT Holding Limited, were absent and unrepresented in court.

While the plaintiff is seeking orders to safeguard his alleged stake, the defendants filed an objection challenging competence of the suit.

The judge declined to preemptively freeze the shareholding structure, stressing such relief will be determined when the motion is argued.

The matter has been adjourned to January 15, 2026, for the court to consolidate and hear the pending applications.

Amida, who became chief executive of PAT in 2022 amid financial distress, spearheaded a turnaround that saw revenue climb from N10 billion to N15 billion and EBITDA rise from N4 billion to N6.5 billion.

The company’s liabilities were also reduced, and key telco contracts renewed.

With the company’s original shareholders seeking an exit, Amida proposed a local management buy-out to keep the company Nigerian-owned.

He introduced DPI and Verod as funding partners, and the trio successfully closed a full acquisition of PAT.

According to Amida, a term sheet-now before the court clearly documented his entitlement to a 5% equity stake as part of the MBO.

He claimed that despite multiple post-closing meetings, the allocation was never finalised, and in November 2024 he was ousted as CEO.

By then, PAT’s financial performance had reportedly quadrupled under his leadership. Amida insists the investors are unjustly withholding the equity promised to him, effectively breaching both shareholder and contractual rights.

Further hearing has been adjourned till January 5, 2026

The management of disqualified Big Brother Naija housemate, Faith, has expressed disappointment over his sudden exit from the show, describing the development as distressing.

In a statement, the team commended Faith’s dedication and hard work while in the house, insisting that he was unfairly punished without prior warning or a strike.

Faith was disqualified on Thursday evening after a violent altercation with fellow housemate, Sultana.

Assuring fans of his well-being, the team said Faith will rise above the setback while appreciating supporters for their loyalty and encouragement.

The statement reads, ‘To our ever Supportive Faithfuls, as we all know, Faith has been disqualified from the Big Brother Naija house. This decision has left us deeply distraught, especially as it came without any prior public warning or even a strike, as is customary with other housemates to at least caution them. All his work and efforts were gone without a warning.

‘Through it all, we choose to walk with grace, comforted by the strength of you – FAITHFULS. You are the ones who looked beyond Faith’s flaws and embraced the amazing human he is. You followed his journey, admired his discipline, and celebrated his resilience.

‘As for Faith, we would like to assure you that he is now with us and we will protect him at all costs. Seeing the world turn blind to everything positive you have done and only condemn you is not something easy to handle. Faith is a happy child, and we will ensure he rises from this. Does he need self-evaluation? Yes, he does, like every flawed human.

‘For 9 weeks, Faith worked hard and gave us a show, stood firm when he was shut down, and backed his words with actions. He has worked so hard to be where he is at 25, and this is only the beginning of greatness for him.

‘Thank you, FAITHFULS. Together we stand. Chaos or no chaos, we always win’.

Nigeria’s Under 17 Girls, the Flamingos have rounded off their preparation for FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup with a 14-0 victory over Lestar FA yesterday at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.

Queen Joseph scored four goals while Shakirat Moshood and Praise Agba weighed in three goals each while Tabitha Terlumu notched two goals as the Flamingos went goals crazy.

The team will leave for Morocco on Wednesday to conclude their build up to the World Cup where they will slug it out with Canada, France and Samoa in Group D.

Nigeria is still seeking the first final appearance in the cadet competition and the current crop of the Golden Eaglets under the tutelage of Bankole Olowookere has played nine friendly games winning all.

The Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) recently convened the 4th Nigerian Electronic Media Content Exhibition and Awards (NEMCEA), bringing together industry leaders and policymakers to tackle the challenges and opportunities in the nation’s burgeoning creative sector.

The two-day event, which was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, focused on the critical theme of ‘Sustainable Content Creation in a Fragmented Media Space.’

NEMCEA, an annual initiative launched in 2022 by EMCOAN-the umbrella body for CEOs of media production companies-serves as Nigeria’s premier content marketplace.

The 2025 edition featured a robust Content Market/Exhibition, an insightful Conference/Master Class, and an industry awards ceremony.

EMCOAN President, Adeniji Omirin, welcomed guests to the 2025 edition, while underscoring NEMCEA’s role as a marketplace of ideas, a hub for collaboration, and a celebration of excellence.

He highlighted the reality of today’s media landscape, where audiences are dispersed across numerous platforms, yet the demand for high-quality local content remains consistently strong. Omirin stressed that the industry’s collective task is to find innovative ways to create, distribute, and monetize content sustainably.

Reflecting EMCOAN’s forward-thinking approach, the event included an AI Master Class. Omirin explained that this addition was essential to ensure the Nigerian industry keeps pace with global digital transformation while also fostering a crucial discussion around the ethical standards that must guide the use of artificial intelligence in content creation.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Malagi, represented by Voice of Nigeria DG Jibrin Baba Ndache, commended the organizers for their commitment to professional standards and cultural preservation.

He acknowledged the significant challenges facing the media sector-including funding, intellectual property protection, and digital transition-but reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to creating an enabling environment for content creators and shaping Nigeria’s positive global narrative.

NEMCEA’s Project Director, Alayande Stephen, reinforced the timely relevance of the event’s theme, noting that while fragmentation presents challenges, it offers a monumental opportunity for those who can adapt, innovate, and create content that truly connects.

Alayande also emphasized that NEMCEA is the definitive platform for showcasing this spirit of resilience and innovation.A highlight of the conference was the address by former Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

He provided compelling statistics illustrating the rapid shift in audience consumption-from the decline of linear TV to the explosion of online video, which now commands about 32% of total advertising spend. Mohammed stressed that content released solely on traditional terrestrial platforms is missing a significant portion of its potential audience.

Nigerian-born boxing sensation Moses Itauma has hinted of plans to revive grassroots boxing, as part of efforts to contribute his own quota to the development of the sport in the country.

He spoke at a press conference, saying the forthcoming Bet9ja’s flagship boxing event in Lagos, would see the fans getting a closer glimpse of charisma and vision of youthful pugilists.

Itauma, a Goodwill Ambassador to Bet9ja, whose visit coincided with the Nigeria 65th Independence Day celebration, arrived to a hero’s welcome in company of his managers and Bet9ja officials.

The visit which signposts a strong partnership with Bet9ja is expected to breathe new life into grassroots boxing in Nigeria, including the renovation and reopening of some Boxing Facilities backed by the Bet9ja Foundation in line with vision and objectives of the foundation.

The project promises aspiring Nigerian boxers access to modern facilities, mentorship, and pathways to the global stage.

An elated Itauma, who said it was a pleasant homecoming for him since his last visit in 2010, shared exciting moments touching base in his fatherland.

‘At the airport yesterday (Tuesday), a security guard asked if my belts were really mine. When I told her yes, and that my father is Nigerian, she said she was proud of me – even without knowing half of my full story. That moment reminded me of how powerful it is to be here, to feel this connection.’

The 20-year-old boxing sensation added: ‘Alongside Bet9ja Foundation, we will unveil a series of programs in the coming days. One of the immediate steps is to connect with grassroots talents at the boxing facilities which we plan to renovate and reopen.

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‘This is more than just infrastructure – it’s about creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation.’

Interestingly, Bet9ja hopes to maximise Itauma’s visit optimally according to Omene Osuya, Senior Marketing Manager of Bet9ja, who holds the view and very strongly too that ‘Moses represents the future of boxing. His dominance in the ring, matched with his charisma outside of it, makes him a generational athlete. His presence here is not just about Independence celebrations; it signals the dawn of a new era for Nigerian boxing.’

Born in 2005 to a Nigerian father and Slovakian mother, Moses Itauma has risen with meteoric speed through the heavyweight ranks.

The Akwa Ibom-born athlete, who has had 11 Kos in 13 fights and currently holds the WBO Intercontinental title, the WBA International and Commonwealth titles, believes the world is yet to get the best of him.

Actor Yul Edochie has expressed concerns over the growing number of children who cannot speak their native languages, describing the trend as a ‘failure that must be corrected.’

Edochie made the remarks in a post on his official Facebook page, where he particularly addressed Igbo parents, lamenting that many children of Igbo heritage today are unable to communicate fluently in the language, blaming it on neglect by their families.

‘Many of us who are Igbos, our children cannot speak Igbo. It’s a failure on our part that must be corrected moving forward,’ he wrote

His remarks have sparked fresh debate on social media, with some agreeing on the need to preserve indigenous languages, while others pointed to the dominance of English in schools and society as a major challenge.

The actor had also urged Igbos to embrace Omenaani (traditional customs) and described ancestors as guardian angels, stressing the importance of returning to cultural roots.

Nigeria will select its next space representative through an expanded democratic astronaut selection process, launched yesterday by the Space Exploration Research Agency (SERA).

The initiative promotes community-selected space representation for Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand, with citizens voting for their representatives through a blockchain-powered platform.

The program transforms space access from an exclusive institutional selection to one that involves public participation. Unlike traditional astronaut programs requiring military backgrounds or advanced degrees, SERA’s Mission Control platform on Telegram enables anyone from partner nations to apply and compete for community support.

‘After the success of SERA’s inaugural space flight in 2022, were scaling democratic space access to five nations simultaneously, plus a global seat,’ said Joshua Skurla, SERA co-founder. Nigeria’s seat means someone from any background can represent their nation in space based on community choice.

The approach builds on SERA’s demonstrated success in sending Victor Hespanha, selected from the SERA community, to become South America’s first civilian astronaut on Blue Origin’s New Shepard. That mission validated both the selection process and global appetite for community participation in space exploration. For Nigeria, this represents a historic opportunity to build on the country’s recent achievements in space.

Director, Media and Corporate Communications at National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Felix Ale, in a statement, explained that while Nigeria has pursued space exploration through its NASRDA and witnessed Chief Owolabi Salis’s self-funded Blue Origin flight, SERA offers the first community-selected civilian astronaut pathway. This partnership aligns with our vision of expanding Nigeria’s space presence beyond satellites to human spaceflight,’ Director General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, said. SERA’s democratic approach ensures Nigerian representation reflects our diverse population’s aspirations.

Dr. Anne Agi, President of Learnspace Foundation, which facilitated the partnership between SERA and NASRDA, emphasized the broader mission. ‘We’re building bridges between communities, institutions, and industry to ensure Nigeria’s journey to human spaceflight is not only historic but inclusive and connected to the global movement for shared exploration.’

The selection process operates through SERA Mission Control, a Telegram mini-app built on TON Blockchain for transparent voting. Candidates complete challenges to earn SpaceDust points and compete for their nation’s guaranteed seat. The blockchain infrastructure prevents manipulation while enabling global participation through the accessible Telegram platform.

‘We’re opening space to people who never imagined it possible,’ said Sam Hutchison, SERA co-founder. A teacher in Abuja or a content creator in Lagos can now compete for Nigeria’s space seat through community engagement, not just academic credentials.’

Six seats are reserved for the upcoming Blue Origin mission-five allocated to partner nations, with a sixth open to citizens from any country. The programme includes a Science Platform where communities can submit and vote on experiments, creating decentralized research opportunities.

SERA addresses the representation gap in space exploration. While around 800 people have traveled to space since 1961, none from Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Thailand, or most developing nations have flown as community-selected civilian astronauts despite representing billions of global citizens.

‘SERA Mission Control represents space exploration reimagined for social media users,’ said Max Crown, CEO of TON Foundation. By launching on TON within Telegram, SERA transforms space travel from a distant concept into an interactive, community-driven experience.’

The platform represents one of the most ambitious consumer applications built on TON Blockchain, showcasing practical Web3 applications beyond financial uses. Transparent voting addresses fairness concerns while gamified engagement drives sustained participation.

Applications open immediately through the SERA Mission Control Telegram app, with voting and selection timelines to be announced. Selected astronauts will undergo standard Blue Origin safety training before their spaceflight missions.

A former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has been laid to rest in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Arase was buried in a private ceremony attended by family members and close associates, following a funeral mass held at St. Paul Catholic Church.

Delivering the homily, Reverend Father Andrew Obiyan urged the congregation to live in ways that prepare them for eternal life, stressing that ‘people want to go everywhere on earth but refuse to go to the House of God.’

He also expressed concern over the reluctance of some individuals to contribute to the work of God, describing it as a reflection of misplaced priorities.

According to him, ‘Our own life is in heaven. We must never be distracted. We now see old age creeping into our lives daily, powerfully. It crept in to remind us of immortality. We study so hard to receive so many titles. At death, those titles mean nothing to God. The only title that means so much is a grace of battle.

‘We have the assurance that Arase will reap the fruit of baptism in the presence of the eternal King.

‘Sometimes we go everywhere, but we don’t want to go to the House of God except when we want to please people. We do not want to come to the House of God.

‘Late Arase feared and loved God. Policing is a profession with risk. We see a soaring crime rate, yet many police officers are exemplary, hardworking.

‘We give glory to God for Arase’s getting to the peak of his career. The Lord does not take from you what he cannot give.’

Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, said the late Arase was of great service to the Nation.

‘Moments like this are for us to know that one day we will lie down like this. We should be humble to serve our state and country to the best of our ability. All about him is great and a good testament. From his professionalism and service to the country, his relationship with the rest of society marked his humility and spread love everywhere he went.’

Dignitaries at the event were Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa; Oba Ewuare II, represented by Chief Oseni Elamah and Chief Uso Osaretin, the Usoh of Benin Kingdom; former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, FRSC Zone 5 Commander, Stella Orakwe, Secretary to the Police Service Commission, Onyeabuchi Nnamani, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Senator Neda Imasuen, amongst others.

The set-man of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has lauded the Federal Government’s Student Loan Scheme as a step towards bolstering education.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Nigeria’s 65th Independence, Achudume described the initiative as a ‘right step’ that holds promise for widening access to tertiary education.

‘This move by Federal Government is poised to make a difference in supporting learners,’ he said.

Achudume underscored the necessity of shielding such a programme from political manoeuvring, noting empowerment efforts often fall short due to politicisation.

‘When government support meant for beneficiaries like market women doesn’t reach them because of political games, it undermines progress,’ he cautioned.

In his assessment of Nigeria’s developmental landscape, Apostle Achudume pointed to contrasts between the nation’s global diaspora achievements and domestic hurdles.

‘Nigerians abroad are cutting-edge contributors in healthcare, tech, and academia, showcasing their capability. Domestically, however, we grapple with infrastructural deficits and leadership gaps hindering performance.’

The cleric decried hardship affecting Nigerians and criticised vote-buying during polls involving petty hand-outs.

‘Nigerians deserve leaders who grasp their daily struggles – we need grassroots leadership feeling the pulse of the common man,’ Apostle Achudume emphasized.

Advocating for conducive frameworks, he stressed that Nigeria requires ecosystems nurturing business growth and intellectual pursuits.

‘Nigeria at 65 has traversed a path – there’s potential for far greater strides with right stewardship,’ Achudume noted.