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The Chinwe-Bode Akinwande (CBA) Foundation is pleased to announce its upcoming conference themed ‘Empowering Widows in Nigeria: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Vulnerability,’ scheduled to be held on 9 October 2025 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. The pivotal event is aimed at spotlighting the pressing challenges faced by underprivileged widows across the country.

The CBA Foundation is a registered not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to providing a beacon of hope for underprivileged widows and children, protecting and empowering them with the courage to build better lives.

Widows, particularly those from marginalised communities, frequently endure isolation, neglect, and systemic injustice. The CBA Foundation Conference will provide a platform for meaningful conversations that illuminate these realities and explore empowerment strategies such as skill acquisition, microfinance, impact investing, and advocacy.

Speaking about the conference, the founder of the CBA Foundation, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, stated,

‘Widows are often exploited, largely because they are vulnerable. Our mission is to empower them through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, amplifying their voices and strengthening their positions in society. With this conference, we are creating a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences on these issues, proffer solutions to them and drive everyone to commit to implementing the solutions.’

The conference will feature a keynote address by Amina Oyagbola, Founder of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), and a plenary session moderated by Hansatu Adegbite, Executive Director of Women in Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). The event will also include interactive discussions, success stories from impact-driven programmes, and a call to action for attendees to engage in meaningful support for widows across the country.

It will bring together stakeholders from civil society, government, academia, and the private sector to share experiences, successes, and policy recommendations to build more supportive environment for widows.

Since its official launch in 2015, the CBA Foundation has impacted over ten thousand widows with women empowerment/capacity building projects. It has provided support for over seventeen thousand widows with health intervention support, food distribution, business start-up assistance, clothing, and one-on-one counseling. The Foundation has also supported over 100 underprivileged children with tuition fees and skill acquisition training.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has started verifying residents affected by the recent demolition in Oworonshoki.

The process is part of plans to compensate and relocate those who lost their homes.

According to LASBCA, the verification aims to confirm who the real victims are, check ownership documents, and assess the level of damage before any help is given.

The exercise includes reviewing documents, visiting sites, and interviewing affected residents to prevent false claims.

Officials explained that only people who can show legal proof of ownership or tenancy for properly approved buildings will be eligible for compensation.

Those who built on restricted areas like canals or drainage paths will not be considered, as such structures are against state laws.

Community members have welcomed the move, calling it a fair step toward justice.

However, they asked the government to make the process transparent to avoid favoritism or political interference.

LASBCA said the verification will be completed within a set period, after which compensation and relocation will begin.

The agency added that the demolition was part of Lagos State’s flood control and urban renewal efforts, meant to protect lives and key infrastructure in high-risk areas.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed marked his 67th birthday on Monday with a humble message, seeking forgiveness from anyone he may have wronged in the course of his public service.

In a heartfelt post on his official Facebook page, the governor said his birthday was not one for elaborate celebration, but a moment of quiet reflection and gratitude to God for His mercy and guidance.

‘As I mark my 67th birthday, I am filled with profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for His mercy and guidance throughout my journey in leadership and public service,’ he wrote.

The governor, who has been in the political spotlight for decades, said he used the occasion to reflect on his actions and renew his commitment to fairness and equity.

‘I humbly seek forgiveness from anyone I may have wronged, knowingly or unknowingly, and I reaffirm my commitment to continue leading with fairness, equity, and a deep sense of responsibility,’ he added.

Mohammed expressed appreciation for the goodwill messages and prayers from family, friends, and the people of Bauchi State, saying their support continues to strengthen his resolve to serve better.

‘Looking ahead, my resolve remains unshaken: I will leave Bauchi better than I met it. With God’s help, we will continue to expand access to education, healthcare, and critical infrastructure,’ the governor said.

He noted that his administration had already exceeded public expectations in several key areas but promised to build on the current momentum.

Mohammed concluded his message by urging Bauchi residents to stay united and optimistic as the state continues to forge ahead.

Nigeria has officially submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja, marking a bold and historic move to bring the world’s most prestigious motorsport event to West Africa for the first time.

If successful, the Abuja Grand Prix would signal the return of Formula 1 racing to the African continent after more than three decades.

The last time an African country hosted a Grand Prix was in 1993, when the Kyalami Circuit in South Africa welcomed the global racing community.

According to government sources, the proposal is part of Nigeria’s broader plan to diversify its economy through sports, tourism, and international partnerships. The bid enjoys strong support from both the Ministry of Sports Development and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which have promised world-class infrastructure and security for the event.

Sports analysts say the Abuja Grand Prix could become one of Africa’s biggest sporting spectacles, attracting thousands of visitors, boosting hospitality and transport sectors, and creating new opportunities for local businesses.

Motorsport fans across the continent have also expressed excitement over the news, describing it as a major step forward for African representation in global racing.

Formula 1 management is expected to review Nigeria’s bid alongside other countries before making a final announcement in the coming months.

If approved, Abuja could soon join the ranks of iconic Grand Prix cities such as Monaco, Silverstone, and Singapore, putting Nigeria firmly on the global motorsport map.

Nigerian socialite and actress May Edochie has opened up about how she met her estranged husband, Nollywood actor Yul Edochie, revealing that their relationship began long before fame and marriage.

Speaking on a recent lifestyle podcast, May shared that their first encounter happened at a General Certificate Examination (GCE) centre during her early university days.

According to her, she had just moved from Lagos to pursue a degree at Enugu State University, while Yul was studying at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) at the time.

‘Way back in school when I went to the East for my university, I’m a bookworm. It’s always been about books for me. We didn’t meet at a party or any glamorous setting, we met at a GCE centre,’ she said.

U.S. President, Donald Trump has said he will celebrate his 80th birthday with a martial arts cage fight on the White House lawn next year.

According to Trump in a speech in the state of Virginia on Sunday, the event will feature the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and will take place on June 14.

The UFC is the largest professional league for mixed martial arts (MMA), a full-contact combat sport that blends techniques from boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and other martial arts.

Unlike professional wrestling, UFC fights are not choreographed, and it is not uncommon for blood to be drawn or for a fighter to be beaten unconscious.

UFC boss, Dana White, is an ardent Trump fan and a staunch loyalist who campaigned openly for him and has remained a key supporter.

Trump also has long been an admirer of the UFC and has appeared ringside at several events.

When Trump initially floated the idea in June, he linked it to the 250th independence anniversary of U.S. coming up in July.

He however did not explain why his own birthday has now been chosen as the occasion, while speaking before soldiers at Norfolk Naval Base.

In September, the White House released mock-ups previewing the June event to i a classic UFC-style octagon set up on the South Lawn, surrounded by spectator stands and framed by a massive floodlit arch.

White said the UFC would spend about 700,000 dollars to restore the lawn after the event.

The fighters’ weigh-in, traditionally staged as a dramatic face-off, is planned for the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall located about 2 kilometres from the White House.

Built more than a century ago, the memorial will serve as a grand backdrop for the opening salvo of Trump’s birthday brawl.

Tension is mounting in Edo State following the government’s continued silence over the controversial inauguration of Pastor Josephine Ivbaguezejele as Iyaloja (market leader) of the state.

The event, conducted six days ago by the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sparked outrage and ethnic divisions across the state.

A viral video of the ceremony, reportedly held inside the Government House, Benin City, shows Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo and Mrs. Edesiri Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator in the Office of the First Lady, officiating the installation.

The development has drawn protests from market women, who described Josephine as a non-Benin and condemned the act as a direct affront to the authority of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II.

Earlier, during Tinubu-Ojo’s visit to the Benin Palace to introduce Josephine, the Oba had firmly rejected the idea of an ‘Iyaloja-General,’ declaring it alien to Benin culture and tradition.

‘When you mentioned Iyaloja, meaning Iyeki-General as they say, this is a bit alien to us here in Benin,’ the monarch stated, adding that ‘Every Iyeki (market leader) has a special relationship with the palace. Each is autonomous, and there is no general leader.’

The Oba further explained that market women leaders serve both administrative and spiritual functions, including maintaining market shrines and reporting to the spirits on behalf of the palace.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has cautioned against what it termed the ‘desecration of Benin customs and traditions.’

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, Esq., the party described the alleged installation as a grave affront to Benin’s centuries-old institutions.

‘The Oba is the living repository of Benin native law, custom, and tradition; his pronouncements on heritage matters are final and must be treated with the reverence they deserve,’ the statement read.

‘We are particularly alarmed that this affront to our institutions was permitted with the apparent connivance or complacency of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration and officials attached to the Government House. Such flouting of palace protocol cannot be normalised or excused as a mere accident.’

As of press time on Monday, efforts to obtain the state government’s reaction were unsuccessful, as calls to the mobile line of the Commissioner for Information, Paul Ohonbamu, went unanswered.

Nigerian music and entertainment company, Chocolate City Group has inaugurated a one million dollars ‘Founders Fund’, to support creative startups across Nigeria, offering equity investment and operational mentorship.

In a statement on Monday, the group said the funds would target early-stage companies in film, music and creative technology.

The fund, inaugurated during the group’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday in Lagos, was also aimed at addressing the financing challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the growing creative economy.

The fund is being implemented in partnership with Co-Creation Hub (CCHub).

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa said that private sector investment was critical for creative economy development.

‘Nigeria’s creative industries can contribute significantly to economic diversification and youth development but entrepreneurs need partners who understand both the creative and business dimensions.

‘This fund demonstrates the leadership we need from successful Nigerian companies,’ she said.

Chairman of the group, Audu Maikori, said that the fund was designed to address gaps the organisation faced while building Chocolate City.

Maikori said the funds would target companies that combine creative vision with business discipline.

‘The reality on ground is that financial institutions struggle to understand creative businesses.

‘Investors want immediate returns, so young entrepreneurs with genuine potential get stuck.

‘To solve this, we’re providing patient capital from people who’ve built sustainable creative businesses in this market,’ he said.

Also, the Vice-chairman of Chocolate City, Paul Okeugo emphasised that capital alone does not build successful companies.

Okeugo said: ‘We’re offering hands-on mentorship in rights management, contract negotiation, and sustainable business practices.

‘These are the structures that allowed us to remain independent while competing globally.’

The Managing Director of CCHub, Ojoma Ochai, said the partnership became necessary because it combined Chocolate City’s industry knowledge with CCHub’s startup development infrastructure to create comprehensive support for creative entrepreneurs.

‘We understand what creative entrepreneurs need to scale sustainability,’ he said.

The fund, which will open for applications this month, will focus on startups that have demonstrated traction, possess clear business models, and show potential for job creation.

The selection criteria would also prioritise sustainability over rapid scale.

The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has passed over 50 bills into law in just over two years, according to Kenny Okolugbo, Consultant, Communications and Strategy Office of the Senate President.

Okolugbo, who shared the update on his official Facebook page, described the legislative achievements as ‘uncommon,’ noting that the Senate has been active in shaping national policies despite fiscal and operational challenges.

‘The 10th Senate has not only passed more than fifty bills, but it has also ensured critical laws like the Tax Reform Bill, NELFUND Act, and the establishment of five regional development commissions were signed into law,’ Okolugbo said. ‘These measures have directly impacted education, social welfare, and local development across the country.’

He further highlighted the Senate’s commitment to oversight and policy intervention, noting that it had extended capital projects for 2024 and 2025 budgets and convened summits to address national security challenges.

Okolugbo also praised Akpabio’s leadership style, describing him as a ‘man in a hurry to achieve results,’ drawing a parallel with his tenure as Akwa Ibom governor from 2007 to 2015, which he said ‘set the tone for the developmental pace now visible in the Senate.’

According to the aide, town hall engagements are planned across the six geopolitical zones to brief the public, especially youths, on the gains of the 10th Senate and to solicit feedback on issues still affecting Nigerians.

‘The Senate remains focused on delivering results, and under the leadership of President Akpabio, Nigerians are being kept informed of the progress being made,’ he concluded.

Hollywood actor and model Keith Powers, has announced his engagement to fellow American actress and singer, Ryan Destiny.

The Duo, made their engagement known with a joint Instagram post on Sunday, with a series of romantic pictures.

‘Engaged to the love of my life,’ they wrote.

The couple started dating in 2018, and have openly declared their love for each other on countless occasions.

Ryan in an interview with People in February, stated that Keith is her biggest cheerleader.

‘I just love him so much and I just appreciate him every step of the way. He’s such a cheerleader for me, as I am for him. It just means everything,’ she said.

Keith also expressed his admiration and love for his partner, stating that he learns a lot from her.

‘It’s just like we’re so locked in and we just get each other’s jokes and it’s just easy. We just flow honestly. And she teaches me a lot. I don’t know if I teach her stuff, but she teaches me so much. She’s made me a better artist, so it’s been great,’ he said.