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‘Humanity first: that has been the core of my life, what keeps me up at night: how can we transform lives across Africa? How do we leave a legacy that uplifts people and creates opportunity for everyone?’

These were the words of Tony Elumelu, spoken through his wife, as she received, on his behalf, Rabbi Arthur Schneier’s 2025 Appeal of Conscience award in New York City. Honoured along with Tony Elumelu at the event, which was held on September 29, 2025, was the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

The Appeal of Conscience was launched in 1965 by Rabbi Arthur Schneier as an innovative platform for a vibrant international coalition of interfaith business, religious, and foreign policy leaders to uphold the principle ‘live and let live’ and address issues pertaining to human rights, religious freedom, and mutual understanding in former Communist countries. Within the year, he engaged the early leadership of those who had a passion for world peace and civil and human rights.

Over the next half a century, the Foundation’s efforts expanded throughout the globe. Today in a world rampant with bias, hatred and division, the work of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation is more vital than ever, as the leadership is bound by a shared destiny to heal our wounded world.

Tony should have been physically present at the 2025 ceremony. It is such a prestigious award instituted by the rabbi, recognised as a Holocaust survivor by former President Bill Clinton in 2001. The award has grown to recognise and honour world business and political leaders who promote truth, religious tolerance and economic inclusion.

But he was not. He could not. Despite the potential business networking opportunities the event and award ceremony could have afforded, Elumelu decided to stay away to continue to mourn six personnel of United Capital who were choked to death by the smoke emitted from the fire incident at Afriland Towers, in Lagos Island.

His absence would be the second time in as many weeks that Tony decided to stay away from pivotal global events. During the United Nations General Assembly, he had barely touched down in New York when news of the fire incident at one of the subsidiaries of his Heirs Holdings broke, and he immediately flew back to Nigeria to honour his departed colleagues.

During an emotion-laden speech delivered on his behalf by his wife, Awele, Tony, who didn’t mince words about his humble beginnings, paid tribute to the employees who lost their lives in the fire incident at Afriland Towers, a demonstration of how deeply he was affected by the departure of those employees.

Before calling for a minute’s silence in honour of his departed colleagues, Elumelu paid tribute to

‘It is an honour to receive this award, one that deeply resonates with my personal values, and it is a privilege to be associated with the legacy represented by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Rabbi Arthur Schneier. It is with a heavy heart, weighed by recent and profound loss, that I accept this award. Just a few days ago, we lost six beloved colleagues in a tragic incident. They were family, friends, mothers, sons, and daughters, hard-working individuals who were dedicated to building a better Africa. Their absence leaves a void that cannot be filled. Across our group, we are grieving this deep loss. And so tonight, before all else, I wish to honour their memories with a moment of silence,’ Elumelu told the august gathering, betraying the strong emotions that lie beneath the energy that has been driving the growth of his mammoth enterprises spanning banking, real estate, oil and gas, hospitality, power, manufacturing, and others.

It also lends credence to rumours in the Nigerian financial circles of his plans to go beyond the conventional to compensate the families of the departed employees of United Capital in such a way as would assuage the pains of their tragic loss.

Elumelu spoke strongly about humanity as the core of capitalism, acknowledging that he was not born with a silver spoon.

‘Humanity first: that has been the core of my life, what keeps me up at night: how can we transform lives across Africa? How do we leave a legacy that uplifts people and creates opportunity for everyone? I was not born with a silver spoon, I was not educated abroad, and I inherited nothing. I was blessed with determination but also luck,’ Elumelu told the gathering.

He went ahead to recognise the tradition of philanthropy and said he was conscious of the need to give back to society while building his business empire.

‘The American tradition of philanthropy, the tradition we see so clearly in this room today, has always inspired me. The great names that built America in the Gilded Age, the new generation that has endowed universities, research and culture. I was conscious right from the beginning that we needed to give back. I was determined to contribute in a manner that would catalytically transform our continent, Africa. I am not one to blame others,’ he said.

He drew a corollary between what he does as a business and philanthropy, saying, ‘When we create value in the financial services industry, we drive inclusion, offering the underrepresented a stake in the economy. And through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a personal commitment we made in 2010, we have identified, trained, mentored, and provided over USD 100 million in seed funding to over 24,000 young African entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries.’

By empowering a generation with economic opportunities and the means to shape their own destinies, Elumelu said he, his businesses, and his Tony Elumelu Foundation are combating the despair that fuels economic instability, migration, and insecurity in Africa.

But there’s more to be done. Thus, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation award not only strengthens my resolve to do more, to deepen our impact, but it is also a call out for collaboration with those who share similar values.

In his speech, Rabbi Arthur Schneier described Tony as a beacon of ethical entrepreneurship and a visionary leader.

‘Tony Elumelu stands as a beacon of ethical entrepreneurship and visionary leadership. Business can be a powerful force for peace, stability, and human dignity. His commitment to uplifting others is a living example of conscience in action,’ the highly respected rabbi said.

The Chairman and CEO of Bank of America, who also chaired the Appeal of Conscience Gala, Brian Moynihan, also praised Tony Elumelu for moral leadership and global responsibility.

‘The Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF) has chosen to honour Tony Elumelu and Cardinal Dolan because they personify the moral leadership and global responsibility that ACF stands for. Brian Moynihan emphasised that Tony Elumelu’s efforts in faith, community, and economic empowerment serve as a reminder that progress and conscience are inextricably linked.

Nigeria and Argentina are set to renew their rivalry when they clash in a highly anticipated Round of 16 encounter at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday.

Both nations boast a rich history of memorable contests across global tournaments, from the FIFA World Cup to the U20 World Cup and the Olympic Games, but memories of Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Argentina in the Round of 16 at the last edition, hosted by the South Americans two years ago, remain fresh.

Goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki sealed that famous win, defying predictions and propelling the Flying Eagles into the quarter-finals, where they eventually bowed out to the Republic of Korea after extra time.

Two decades earlier, the Flying Eagles came close to glory, losing 1-2 to Argentina in the 2005 U20 World Cup Final in the Netherlands, both Argentine goals scored from the spot by Lionel Messi, while Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi netted Nigeria’s consolation.

Argentina remain the tournament’s most successful team with six titles, while Nigeria have finished as runners-up twice (1989 and 2005) and third once (1985). However, the seven-time African champions will head into Wednesday’s clash at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago with no sense of inferiority.

Coach Aliyu Zubair’s men have shown strong self-belief, discipline, and resilience throughout the group stage, collecting four points against Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

The Flying Eagles impressed in their draw against the Colombians, striking the bar three times before captain Daniel Bameyi calmly converted a late penalty to secure a vital point.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has disclosed that Nigeria’s non-interest capital market has grown significantly, reaching a valuation of over N1.6trillion. The SEC said this milestone signals growing investor confidence and deepening participation in ethical finance.

Emomotimi Agama, Director General, SEC, noted this during a joint press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF), holding in Lagos on November 4 and 5, 2025.

‘The non-interest capital market has attained a valuation of N1.6trillion. The overwhelming subscription to our Sukuk issuances demonstrates strong investor confidence and an expanding demand for ethical financial instruments,’ Agama said.

He explained that the enactment of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 provides a strengthened legal foundation for non-interest financial products, empowering the SEC to register non-interest collective investment schemes and broaden the range of instruments available to investors.

‘The new Act is a game-changer,’ he noted. ‘It modernises our regulatory framework, enhances transparency, and gives investors the confidence needed to engage more deeply with ethical finance.’

Agama stated that the AICIF will feature high-level discussions on unlocking capital for Africa’s infrastructure, green and ethical investments, agricultural financing, and the role of fintech in transforming Islamic finance.

The conference, jointly organised by the SEC, the Metropolitan Law Firm, and Metropolitan Skills Limited, is themed ‘Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook.’ It aims to promote ethical financing as a viable tool for building a resilient and inclusive African economy.

Agama described the upcoming conference as ‘strategically positioned’ to coincide with the conclusion of the Revised Nigerian Capital Market Masterplan (2021-2025), adding that it would serve as a platform for charting the next phase of sustainable financial development across the continent.

‘This year’s theme is a call to action; it’s about harnessing ethical finance as a tool to build a more prosperous and equitable Africa,’ he said.

According to him, the Nigerian non-interest market has shown remarkable momentum, with Sukuk dominating the sector.

He revealed that the last Sukuk issuance was oversubscribed by over 700 percent, underscoring the growing investor appetite for non-interest products and confidence in the regulatory framework.

The sessions, he said, are designed to produce practical solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing development challenges.

‘This is not just another conference. It is a problem-solving platform that will deliver actionable strategies to drive new investment flows and inform future regulatory policy,’ he emphasised.

The SEC boss added that the conference will bring together regulators, senior financial executives, scholars, and representatives of development finance institutions to collaborate on innovative policy frameworks.

According to him, promoting financial inclusion will be a key focus area, ensuring that ethical finance becomes a driver of prosperity for individuals and businesses alike.

‘The insights generated will help shape the next phase of our capital market’s growth, ensuring it remains a strong engine for Nigeria’s economic development,’ he said.

Agama underscored that the AICIF aligns with the government’s broader agenda of promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and transparency in the financial system.

He described ethical finance as a critical component of Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation plan, capable of funding infrastructure, empowering communities, and stimulating small and medium-scale enterprises.

‘The 7th AICIF is a premier forum dedicated to advancing non-interest and ethical finance across Africa. It represents a shared commitment to building a financial ecosystem that is prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable,’ he said.

He urged stakeholders and the media to actively participate in the Lagos conference, describing it as ‘a defining moment for Nigeria’s financial sector and a blueprint for Africa’s economic rebirth.’

Also speaking, Ummahani Amin, Managing Partner, Metropolitan Law Firm and Chairman, AICIF 2025 Planning Committee, said that AICIF has grown into one of the most important gatherings for policymakers, regulators, investors, scholars, and innovators who share a common goal to advance ethical, inclusive, and sustainable finance in Africa.

She said, ‘This year, we are especially proud of our strategic partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria’s highest regulator in the capital market. This collaboration underscores our shared vision to strengthen the Islamic finance ecosystem, deepen investor confidence, and support innovation that aligns with integrity and shared prosperity.

‘This year’s conference comes at a critical time – as Africa continues to explore innovative, ethical, and sustainable pathways to finance development.’

She said Islamic finance has proven to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the global financial system, and AICIF provides a unique platform to bring together policymakers, regulators, scholars, investors, and practitioners to shape that future here on the continent.

Beyond the conference sessions, Amin said the partners will also be celebrating excellence and innovation through its Awards Night, as well as unveiling the winners of the AICIF Pitch Competition, a platform designed to spotlight young entrepreneurs and innovative ideas that can shape the future of Islamic finance in Africa.

Shadrach Akindele, Professor and Vice Chancellor of Redeemer’s University (RUN), Ede, has stated that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has selected the institution as one of the eight private universities in Nigeria approved to train TETFund-sponsored candidates for postgraduate degrees.

Akindele disclosed on Monday during a press briefing to mark the university’s 17th convocation ceremony and its 20th Anniversary celebration.

ýDescribing the recognition as a major milestone, the Vice Chancellor noted that Redeemer’s University said that the selection was a testament to the university’s commitment to academic quality, innovation, and global competitiveness.

ýHe said, ‘In recognition of the quality of postgraduate training in our university, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) of the Federal Government of Nigeria has selected Redeemer’s University as one of the eight private universities in Nigeria for training of TETFUND-sponsored candidates for postgraduate degrees.

‘This is a very remarkable feat, especially considering that there are 168 private universities in Nigeria at the moment.’

ýAkindele also unveiled the university’s academic achievements for the year, revealing that a total of 1,341 students would be graduating across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

ýAccording to him, 185 students bagged First Class Honours; the highest in the university’s history, while 662 earned Second Class Upper Division, 410 obtained Second Class Lower, 79 finished with Third Class and 5 graduated with Pass.

At the postgraduate level, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that 338 students are graduating, comprising 109 Postgraduate Diploma, 65 Master of Arts, 120 Master of Science, 25 Master of Business Administration, and 19 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.

ýAkindele announced that Thursday, October 9, 2025, has been set aside for the award of first degrees and prizes, while Friday, October 10, 2025, will be for the award of higher degrees and diplomas, as well as the conferment of honorary degrees on three deserving Nigerians for their outstanding contributions to society.

Abisola Olusanya, commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, Lagos, has said that addressing the country’s food security challenges requires bold investments, innovative strategies and strategic partnerships.

Olusanya made this known during a press briefing to outline activities by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to mark this year’s World Food Day, themed ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.’

The commissioner said World Food Day serves as a rallying call for governments, development partners, farmers, and communities to embrace sustainable food systems and promote food security.

She said the theme emphasised the urgent need for partnerships across governments, the private sector, development organisations, and communities to transform agrifood systems, promote healthy diets, and safeguard the environment.

Quoting the United Nations, she defined food security as the means that all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

According to her, poor nutrition weakens the immune system, fuels diseases, and lowers productivity, thereby stifling economic growth.

She noted that the challenge of food security is unique to Lagos, the country’s commercial centre, owing to the high population. ‘Despite being the smallest State in terms of land mass, Lagos is home to over twenty-two million people and therefore the most densely populated State.’

‘Feeding our population, therefore, requires innovative strategies, bold investments, and strong partnerships.’

Speaking on what Lagos is doing to drive food security, Olusanya said the state launched a 5-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap in 2021, which targets 40 percent food self-sufficiency by 2025.

She said since the launch of the initiative, the agric ministry has rolls out transformative programmes to enhance food production, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen market linkages and empower farmers and youths.

‘Lagos State has continued to invest in transformative programmes aimed at building a sustainable and resilient food system,’ she said.

She listed the implementation of the Food Systems Transformation Agenda, the Produce for Lagos Programme, Lagos rice mill, and Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme as some landmark projects to address food insecurity.

Others are the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme, Lagos Agric Scholars Programme, Cattle Feedlot Project, Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, Eko Last Mile Meat Shops and Butchers Academy, Lagos Agrithon, Ounje Eko Farmer Subsidy Programme and the Eko Flavour – Junior/Senior.

The Lagos Agric Scholar quiz will take place tomorrow, a Road Walk show will take place on Wednesday and the grand finale will take place on Thursday, 16th October, 2025, at Ikeja Police College parade ground as activities line up to mark the 2025 World Food Day.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have called on the Nigerian government to stop treating healthcare as a mere expenditure, and instead recognise it as a critical investment that drives economic productivity and human capital development.

Speaking at breakout session on ‘The Health Productivity Link: Building a Resilient Workforce’, at the Nigeria Economic Summit (NES), on monday, in Abuja, health and private sector leaders stressed that shifting the perception of healthcare from a cost to an investment would unlock greater economic potential, especially through collaboration with the private sector. They noted that the $1trn economy target is threatened if healthcare is not prooritised.

Tinuola Akinbolagbe, CEO of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), stressed that health should be seen as a strategic investment, not a financial burden.

‘We must stop treating health as a cost. Health is an investment that drives productivity. The private sector has a vital role to play, whether in financing or innovation,’ she said.

She referenced the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), which raised approximately ?39 billion during the pandemic, describing it as the largest pool of funding mobilised for health in the country’s history.

‘We are now considering the most effective ways to invest that money. Technology should be a key driver, and we need to bring together all stakeholders across sectors.’

She added that National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) should drive investment, highlighting that the global insurance industry is one of the largest sectors and could be a major avenue for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria’s health system.

Brian Deaver, CEO of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), urged the government to invest more in local manufacturing. He recalled that Afreximbank has announced a $1 billion fund for local manufacturers, yet only $75 million has been accessed so far.

He said the fund represents a huge opportunity for Nigeria.

Deaver, also underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making in health, stating that investing in data is essential to improve health outcomes and guide strategic planning.

In his remarks, Kelechi Ohiri, director-general of the NHIA, revealed that while progress is being made in expanding health insurance coverage, challenges remain.

‘We’ve added four million Nigerians to the insurance scheme in the last two years, which is the fastest increase so far. But it’s still a long journey when compared to a population of over 200 million,’ he said.

He cited the informal sector as a major hurdle due to its fragmented nature, making it difficult to bring workers under the health insurance umbrella.

Khalilu Muhammad, senior officer for Health Systems Strengthening Delivery at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, called for more government efficiency in catalysing private sector participation.

‘In a country of over 200 million people, it’s impossible to stimulate economic growth without addressing the foundational issues in healthcare,’ Muhammad said.

Stakeholders stressed thay without public financing, Nigeria cannot build foundation for human capital.

Three scientists – Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi – have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discoveries that explain how the immune system avoids attacking the body it is meant to protect.

The prize, announced on Monday by Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, recognises their decades-long work in uncovering how the immune system maintains a delicate balance between defending against disease and preventing self-destruction.

Their research, which identified a crucial mechanism known as peripheral immune tolerance, revealed how certain immune cells act as internal peacekeepers. These cells, called regulatory T cells, prevent the body’s defence system from turning on itself – a process that, when it fails, can lead to autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.

‘Their discoveries have been decisive for our understanding of how the immune system functions and why we do not all develop serious autoimmune diseases,’ said Olle Kämpe, chair of the Nobel Committee, as he announced the award.

The trio will share the prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1.17 million), and each will receive a gold medal from the King of Sweden in December.

The story of this discovery began three decades ago. In 1995, Sakaguchi, a Japanese immunologist now 74 years old and a distinguished professor at Osaka University, challenged the prevailing wisdom of the time. Back then, most scientists believed that immune tolerance – the body’s ability to distinguish between its own cells and harmful invaders – was established only through a process in the thymus gland known as central tolerance. During this process, potentially dangerous immune cells were thought to be eliminated before they could cause harm.

Portraits of (L-R) Mary E Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi are displayed during a press conference announcing them as winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine [AFP]

But Sakaguchi suspected that the immune system was more complex than that. Through his experiments, he identified a previously unknown class of immune cells that acted as the body’s regulatory force, suppressing harmful immune responses and protecting the body from itself. These cells, later known as regulatory T cells, became a cornerstone of modern immunology.

A few years later, in 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell – both American researchers – made a discovery that provided the missing link. Working with a particular strain of mice that were unusually prone to autoimmune diseases, they traced the problem to a mutation in a single gene, which they named Foxp3. The faulty gene disrupted the mice’s immune regulation, causing their immune systems to attack their own tissues. Brunkow and Ramsdell later demonstrated that similar mutations in humans lead to a rare but devastating autoimmune disorder known as IPEX syndrome.

Two years later, Sakaguchi built on their findings and showed that the Foxp3 gene is essential for the development of regulatory T cells – the same cells he had first discovered in 1995. His work connected the dots, proving that Foxp3 effectively acts as a genetic switch that allows these ‘security guard’ cells to form and function properly.

The result was a complete shift in scientific understanding. What had once been seen as a simple defence system was revealed to be a finely tuned network of checks and balances, capable of attacking invading microbes while sparing the body’s own cells.

‘Their discoveries have laid the foundation for a new field of research and spurred the development of new treatments, for example for cancer and autoimmune diseases,’ the Nobel Committee said in a statement. The findings not only deepened understanding of the immune system but also opened doors to new medical therapies. By learning how to manipulate regulatory T cells, scientists hope to treat autoimmune disorders, improve the success of organ transplants, and even enhance cancer immunotherapy. Several of these treatment approaches are now undergoing clinical trials.

Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Committee, said he personally delivered the news to Sakaguchi, who was at his laboratory when the call came through. ‘He sounded incredibly grateful and expressed that it was a fantastic honour. He was quite taken by the news,’ Perlmann said. He added that he had left messages for Brunkow and Ramsdell, who were unavailable at the time.

Brunkow, 64, holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and currently serves as Senior Programme Manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle. Ramsdell, also 64, earned his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and works as a scientific adviser at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco. Sakaguchi received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Kyoto University and continues his research at Osaka University’s Immunology Frontier Research Centre.

The medicine prize traditionally opens the Nobel season, which continues in the coming days with awards in physics, chemistry, literature, peace, and economics. For Brunkow, Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi, their shared Nobel honour crowns years of patient inquiry into one of biology’s most intricate mysteries, how the human body manages to defend itself so fiercely, yet avoid destroying its own fragile harmony.

Political parties under the umbrella of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) are demanding immediate legal reforms to strip the Executive Arm of Government of its power to appoint the chairman, secretary, and national commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While warning that the nation’s democracy is under threat as long as the electoral umpire remains in the grip of the Presidency, they stressed that the change is essential to safeguard the Commission’s independence and restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

They made this demand on Monday in Abuja during a consultative meeting between the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review and leaders of political parties. The session, chaired by Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker, brought together lawmakers, party leaders, and civil society representatives to deliberate on key amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of IPAC, the umbrella body of registered political parties, said Nigeria’s democracy could only thrive when INEC operates free from the Executive Arm’s interference.

He proposed the establishment of an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC) to oversee the appointment of top electoral officials.

‘To promote the independence of the commission, the power to appoint the chairman of INEC, its secretary, and national commissioners should be taken away from the Executive.

‘We propose an Independent Appointment Committee composed of representatives from all registered political parties, civil society organisations, the National Judicial Council, and the National Assembly. This will ensure transparency and inclusivity in the appointment process’, he said.

Dantalle further outlined IPAC’s wider reform agenda, which includes granting financial autonomy to Local Governments, scrapping State Independent Electoral Commissions, restoring funding for political parties, establishing an electoral offences tribunal, and creating special legislative seats for women.

According to him, these measures are crucial to ensuring credible elections and strengthening democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, described the Constitutional review as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. He said the House Committee is committed to making the process inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the aspirations of all Nigerians.

‘If Constitutional amendments are to be legitimate, they must have the buy-in of political parties. This process must not serve the interests of the few but strengthen institutions, empower citizens, and renew confidence in our democracy,’ Kalu noted.

Kalu also reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to ensuring greater representation of women in governance, fiscal independence for local governments, and an electoral system that reduces post-election disputes.

But, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, commended the initiative of the House Committee and stressed that credible elections and justice are the bedrock of peace and stability in any democracy.

‘When elections fail, trust dies. When justice delays, faith decays. We must strengthen INEC, shield our courts from corruption, and restore the people’s confidence in their institutions. True federalism begins at the grassroots, and local governments must be freed to function effectively’, Akpabio said.

He also expressed strong support for women’s inclusion in governance, recalling his previous efforts to sponsor a bill for special seats for women in the National Assembly.

Also speaking at the event, Amina Bryhm, President National Women Leaders’ Forum of Political Parties in Nigeria, described the proposed Special Seats Bill for Women as a ‘bold step toward correcting historic imbalances.’

‘The special seats bill represents a call to action. Together, we can turn our focus into action and our aspirations into reality,’ she said.

Global food prices dipped in September as declines in sugar and dairy offset record-high meat prices, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The FAO food price index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally traded food commodities, averaged 128.8 points in September, slightly lower than August level of 129.7 points.

The September value represents a 3.4 percent increase from a year ago. However, it was nearly 20 percent down from a record level in March 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Sugar prices, which had climbed to a two-year peak in July before stabilising in August, was curbed in September by a 4.1 percent drop.

It averaged 99.4 points in the period, its lowest since March 2021.

‘The drop was driven by higher-than-expected sugar production in Brazil and favourable harvest prospects in India and Thailand, following ample monsoon rains and expanded plantings,’ the report said.

The fall in sugar prices reflected an improving supply outlook, with higher than expected production in Brazil and favourable harvest prospects in India and Thailand.

According to the FAO, dairy price index slipped 2.6 percent month on month to 148.3 points, driven in turn by a sharp decline in butter prices amid increased production prospects in Oceania.

It reported that milk powder quotations decreased mainly due to softer demand from key importers and firmer export competition.

Cereal benchmark saw a 0.6 percent decline from August, averaging 105 points, with wheat prices dropping for a third straight month due to large harvests and subdued international demand.

‘International wheat prices decreased for the third consecutive month amid subdued international demand and confirmation of large harvests in key producing countries,’ FAO noted.

Maize prices also decreased, partly pressured by a temporary suspension of export taxes in Argentina.

The report notes that rice index also demonstrated a monthly fall as reduced orders by buyers in the Philippines and Africa weighed.

Similarly, vegetable oil prices fell by 0.7 percent in the period to 167.9 points as lower palm and soybean oil quotations offset increases for sunflower and rapeseed oil.

In contrast, FAO’s meat price indicator rose by 0.7 percent month on month, to a new record high of 127.8 points as beef and sheep meat quotations rose.

‘Bovine meat prices climbed to an all-time high, supported by strong demand in the United States of America, where limited domestic supplies and favourable price differential continued to encourage imports.’

Beef prices also reached a new peak, supported by strong demand in the United States. amid limited domestic supply.

In a separate report, the FAO increased its forecast for global cereal production in 2025 to 2.971 billion metric tons from a former projection of 2.961 billion tons.

The latest outlook was up by 3.8 percent from 2024 output, marking the largest annual increase since 2013.

The upward revision was attributed to higher production prospects for wheat, maize and rice.

In a significant push for Nigeria’s food security, the AVPA deal room has connected impact-focused entrepreneurs across the country’s food systems with potential investors for funding opportunities.

The deal room event, which took place recently in Lagos, is organised by AVPA West Africa, a pan-African network of social investors in partnership with the GIZ’s Private Adaptation Investment Bootcamp (PrivABoo), unlocked catalytic capital for climate smart investing in Nigeria and West Africa’s agricultural landscape.

The deal room also fostered meaningful engagement between investors and agribusiness entrepreneurs to obtain feedback on how its framework can be better structured to help agriculture deliver value to the Nigerian economy.

Tochukwu Ezeukwu, regional director at AVPA WA, said capital mobilisation is a crucial pillar of the AVPA mission, noting that the organisation regularly collaborates with discerning partners such as GIZ PrivaBoo to present qualifying deals with high-impact potential to investors for investment consideration.

‘Of the three businesses presented to five investors, two have received the green light for early investor talks with three of the investors in the room. The expectation is that over the next year, one of them will reach funding,’ he said.

Three companies – Kitovu, Energy Assured and Green Sahara pitched to various investors in the deal room. Kitovu is an agritech company that helps smallholder farmers build and deploy climate smart post-harvest infrastructures. Energy Assured is a business that provides solar-powered pumps to farmers for irrigation.

Green Sahara is an organisation that promotes sustainable farming practices among farmers and is involved in the production of clean cooking stoves and restoring degraded lands.

Grace Nwigwe, technical advisor, GIZ PrivABoo, said that climate change is a growing concern globally, noting that it is integral to the work her organisation does.

‘Our goal with the Private Adaptation Bootcamp PrvABoo was to strengthen private sector actors and to mobilise private sector finance for private sector actors in the space,’ she said.

‘We are grateful to the AVPA for creating a platform for exactly that. Participating businesses have had the opportunity to showcase their adaptation products and services to investors who are providing the needed inputs,’ she noted.

‘We believe that this kind of collaboration in the private sector is key to building resilience to climate impacts across society,’ she added.

Speaking also, Chinedu Allinson, head, membership and partnerships, AVPA WA, said, ‘We believe partnerships are the cornerstone of mobilising capital for impact.’

‘Our collaboration with GIZ on PrviABoo demonstrates how aligning missions can create pathways for private sector actors to access the finance they need, while giving investors a pipeline of solutions with real potential to build climate resilience.’