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An urban development expert, Mr Michael Ale, has urged the Ekiti State Government to establish a permanent flood-management system to tackle recurring flooding in Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the state.

Ale, the Coordinator of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), said the recurring flooding should no longer be treated as a seasonal emergency requiring temporary responses, but as a development challenge requiring sustained planning and institutional action.

He urged the state government to seek technical and financial support from the Federal Government, World Bank and other development partners to develop a comprehensive flood-management programme for the state.

This, he said, should include regular dredging and desilting of rivers and drainage channels, enforcement of building regulations, protection of waterways and adequate maintenance of drainage infrastructure.

Ale said the recurrence of flooding around areas such as the Elemi and Ureje corridors showed the need for authorities to move beyond emergency response and address the factors behind the repeated incidents.

He also called for stricter enforcement of development plans, warning against construction on waterways, drainage setbacks and other flood-prone areas.

The development expert advocated an effective early-warning system that would enable residents and relevant government agencies to receive timely information and take preventive measures before heavy rainfall leads to flooding.

Ale also identified poor waste disposal and blocked drainage channels as factors that could worsen flooding, urging local authorities to strengthen environmental sanitation and enforcement.

He further proposed regular monitoring and evaluation of flood-control projects to ensure that public funds spent on drainage, dredging and other infrastructure produce measurable results.

The GDI coordinator suggested enacting a statutory flood-resilience and urban-planning law, as well as possibly establishing an Ekiti Flood Management Agency to coordinate prevention, preparedness, and response.

He said the state could also publish periodic compliance reports on flood-risk management, arguing that stronger institutions would ensure continuity of policies and programmes irrespective of changes in political leadership.

Ale said the recent flooding in Ado-Ekiti should therefore serve as an opportunity for the government to develop a long-term strategy to reduce risks to lives, property and infrastructure, rather than relying mainly on emergency interventions after disasters occur.

Ale commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the recent flooding, describing the deaths as painful reminders of the human cost of the recurring disaster.

He also expressed sympathy to residents whose homes, properties and businesses were affected by the flooding, urging the government and relevant agencies to provide necessary support to affected communities while efforts are made to prevent a recurrence.

The development expert said the loss of life should strengthen the resolve of all stakeholders to address the underlying causes of flooding and put measures in place to protect residents, particularly those living in flood-prone communities.

Piggyvest has awarded N9 million to three Nigerian businesses through its Business Grant initiative.

The beneficiaries, EsteBare Limited, Backel Food Services Limited and Pemnia Wellness, received N3 million each to support their businesses.

The grant was presented during the Piggyvest Open House last weekend at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

The event, themed ‘The future of wealth is here,’ brought together over 4,000 Nigerians from the finance, technology and business sectors.

The yearly Open House provides an opportunity for Piggyvest users to interact with the company’s team, ask questions and learn about its products and plans.

This year’s event also marked Piggyvest’s 10th anniversary, with the company unveiling a new generation of its products and experiences, including the new Piggyvest and PocketApp.

The new offerings cover savings, investments, spending, salaries and business banking, reflecting the company’s expansion beyond savings to provide users with more connected ways to manage their finances.

The ceremony featured discussions on the changing nature of wealth creation in Nigeria, including how remote work, freelancing, online platforms, multiple income streams and access to foreign capital are changing the way Nigerians earn and build businesses.

The discussions also examined issues affecting the Nigerian economy, including inflation and the naira, as well as what new ways of earning could mean for Nigerians over the next five to 10 years.

Piggyvest said the Business Grant was introduced to support the growing number of Nigerians building businesses alongside or instead of traditional salaried employment.

The company also announced a new partnership with Mikano aimed at helping Nigerians save towards vehicle ownership.

According to Piggyvest, the partnership will provide users with a pathway to turn their savings into a tangible financial milestone by helping them save towards owning cars.

Open House started as a town hall where Piggyvest users could put questions directly to the company’s team, hear about upcoming developments and learn practical ways to manage their money.

In 2025, the company took the event to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Lagos. The 2026 edition expanded the audience to include partners, fintech and banking professionals and other industry stakeholders.

The latest edition also provided an opportunity for Piggyvest to reflect on its first 10 years and outline its direction for the next decade.

King Mohammed VI has appointed lawyer and former Marrakesh Mayor Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco’s first female Prime Minister following the September 2026 elections, the royal palace said in a statement.

According to the statement, On Tuesday, 29 September 2026, the King received El Mansouri at the Royal Palace in Rabat to formally name her as the new head of government.

The decision followed the 23 September parliamentary elections, where her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), secured a plurality with 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. Standing at the helm of PAM as the national coordinator of its collective leadership, El Mansouri succeeded outgoing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

In her new role, El Mansouri is charged with directing executive governance, steering national economic strategy, and shaping social policy during a pivotal transitional phase for the North African nation.

Born on January 3, 1976, El Mansouri is a lawyer who was housing minister in the outgoing government and Marrakech mayor.She will lead talks to form a coalition government and submit a list of cabinet members for the king’s approval.

Her nomination to a key leadership position is not unprecedented; it aligns with a long-standing royal policy aimed at encouraging women to assume high-level responsibilities.

Moroccan women have previously held significant positions-most notably Zoubida Naciri, the first female advisor to His Majesty the King.

Zineb El Adaoui heads the Court of Auditors, one of the Kingdom’s most important constitutional institutions.

Amina Benkhadra leads the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), demonstrating the presence of qualified women in strategic sectors.

Successive Moroccan governments have appointed prominent women to ministerial posts and high-level public service roles.

This trend reflects the Royal Family’s ongoing commitment to fostering women’s participation in public life and decision-making processes.

The criteria for nomination and advancement to positions of responsibility are competence, merit, and the ability to deliver results-not gender.

El Mansouri’s nomination is a natural continuation of an institutional process that has recently enabled a significant number of Moroccan women to attain influential leadership roles.

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish special Energy Zones across some of commercial and industrial centres, targeting 24-hour power in high-demand locations.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Adeola Labzy, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The, decision, was taken at a strategic closed-door meeting the minister held with the leadership of selected electricity distribution companies in furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians

The energy zones are to be located in the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port-Harcourt.

‘The engagement reinforces the minister’s commitment made upon assuming office to ensure a disciplined and sequenced approach to the sector’s challenges.

‘It also advances the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which places reliable energy at the centre of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.

According to the minister, the constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end.

Tegbe said that the proposed energy zones are meant to close that gap, unlock commercial and industrial demand, and strengthen DisCo revenue and collections.

He also expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to build up infrastructure in high-demand areas to ensure supply keeps pace with estimated demand in our growing economy.

In attendance were leadership of Abuja Electric Distribution Company (AEDC), Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Sahara Energy Group.

Actress and filmmaker Mary Njoku has criticised Christians who invoke scriptures to evade accountability for their words and actions.

Njoku, in a post shared on Instagram, faulted the common use of the biblical phrase, ‘touch not my anointed,’ arguing that it should not be used to shield individuals from legitimate criticism.

She said the scripture was often cited in situations involving false accusations or deliberate attacks but should not be invoked when a person is facing backlash over their own public statements or actions.

According to her, using the Bible to suppress legitimate concerns or discourage people from speaking the truth could have negative consequences.

Njoku also stressed that religious leaders and other public figures are human and, therefore, capable of making mistakes.

She urged Christians to take responsibility for their words and actions, apologise when necessary and show grace to others.

Her comments have sparked discussions about accountability, criticism and the interpretation of biblical scriptures in dealing with public figures.

‘When someone gives an accurate account of what you said or did publicly, and it’s causing you harm. Brethren, the problem isn’t the storyteller.

‘The problem is what you said or did. Take responsibility for it. Own your words. Own your actions. Reflect on them, apologise if necessary, explain yourself if there is context, and move on.

‘Touch not my anointed applies when someone falsely accuses you, lies against you, or deliberately tries to harm you.

‘It doesn’t apply when you bring the consequences upon yourself through your own words or actions. Weaponising scripture against the truth can backfire.

‘Nobody is perfect. After all, men of God are still human. They aren’t above making mistakes or being held accountable. They deserve grace and understanding, just like everyone else.

‘So cut yourself some slack, take responsibility when necessary, and allow others the same grace you would want for yourself’, she wrote.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has generated N10.34 million from passenger baggage declarations within the first few days of implementing its Simplified Declaration for Passenger Baggage system.

The Command also recorded an average passenger baggage clearance turnaround time of less than five minutes following the deployment of the digital system.

The initiative, according to the Command, is aimed at simplifying baggage declaration and assessment, reducing clearance time and improving transparency for passengers and cross-border traders using the Seme border corridor.

Under the new system, passengers can initiate baggage declarations through their mobile devices or complete the process at designated digital kiosks at the Command.

The system uses standardised and pre-programmed assessment tables to calculate applicable duties on declared personal goods and automatically generates receipts after payment.

The Command said the deployment would reduce manual processes and discretionary assessment while providing passengers with a transparent and predictable process for clearing dutiable goods.

The N10,340,260.02 generated from passenger baggage declarations is to be paid into the Federation Account through the automated process, the Command said.

It added that the digital system was being implemented alongside strengthened enforcement measures to ensure that trade facilitation did not compromise border security or compliance with customs laws.

Through enhanced risk management and intelligence-led controls, the Command said it continued to identify and intercept attempts to conceal commercial quantities of restricted or prohibited goods as passenger baggage.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to deploying technology and innovative processes to promote trade facilitation, transparency, accountability and compliance at the border.

Kaila urged passengers, cross-border traders and other members of the trading community to use the simplified declaration system and comply with applicable customs requirements.

He assured that legitimate travel and commerce would continue to receive necessary facilitation while the Command maintains effective controls against smuggling and other forms of cross-border illicit trade.

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, have called for closer cooperation between security agencies and the media to ensure peaceful and credible elections.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, gave the assurance in Abuja on Wednesday at an election security workshop organized by the NUJ with the theme; ‘Responsible Security Reporting in the Age of Citizen Journalism: Protecting Nigeria’s Stability Ahead of the 2027 Elections’.

He pledged that the Force would protect lives and property, maintain public order and safeguard citizens’ democratic rights throughout the electoral process.

Represented by the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, AIG Akaninyene Ezima Disu said the Force was already aligning its operational framework for the pre-election, voting and post-election periods.

He also pledged greater transparency and accessibility in police engagement with journalists, saying effective communication between security agencies and the media was vital to building public confidence.

Disu said the police welcomed legitimate scrutiny of their operations, urging journalists to investigate allegations of misconduct and human rights violations while maintaining professional and evidence-based reporting.

He warned, however, that election security could not be achieved by security agencies alone, calling for stronger collaboration with journalists, social media influencers and citizen reporters.

According to him, the increasing use of artificial intelligence to produce convincing fake audio, photographs and videos posed a new challenge to election security and could trigger panic or violence.

He urged journalists and the public to exercise caution when dealing with election results and security alerts, stressing that political claims and social media posts should not be mistaken for official information.

‘A party’s claim is not automatically an official result. A social media post is not automatically a verified security alert,’ he said.

The IGP also urged citizens to consider the potential consequences of what they share online, saying digital platforms could either contribute to peace or fuel tension during the elections.

In a related development, NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, urged journalists covering security and electoral matters to uphold professional standards in the face of the rapid growth of citizen journalism.

Speaking on ‘Responsible Security Reporting in the Age of Citizen Journalism: Protecting Nigeria’s Stability Ahead of the 2027 Elections,’ Ike said the speed and volume of information on digital platforms had increased the risks associated with security reporting.

She urged journalists to protect confidential sources, victims and vulnerable witnesses, while avoiding publication of sensitive details that could compromise security operations or endanger lives.

Ike also called on security agencies to engage transparently with journalists and respect press freedom, while urging media organisations to strengthen fact-checking systems and provide continuous training for reporters.

She said journalists should balance the public’s right to know with the responsibility to avoid harm, stressing that responsible reporting could help protect communities and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

Ike urged security correspondents and other journalists to approach the 2027 elections with ‘rigor, humility and a commitment to the public interest.’

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday rallied creative industry professionals from Northern Nigeria behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying the President deserves the region’s support in the interest of fairness and national unity.

Shettima spoke in Abuja when he received a delegation of Northern Performing Artists under the aegis of Triple-R For Renewed Hope at the All Progressives Congress campaign office, according to a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha.

The Vice President told the delegation that the North stood to benefit significantly from the administration’s initiatives in the creative economy, assuring artists, filmmakers and musicians in the region of continued Federal Government support.

He said the President deserved the collective support of the North, arguing that the administration was pursuing policies aimed at empowering local talent, preserving culture and expanding economic opportunities through the creative arts.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima urged Northern stakeholders to reciprocate what he described as the administration’s commitment to the region by supporting Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 general elections.

He also appealed to the artists to remain steadfast with the administration, saying the impact of ongoing economic and social reforms would become increasingly evident across sectors in the months and years ahead.

The Vice President assured the delegation that the Federal Government would continue to introduce targeted interventions for artists, filmmakers and musicians, particularly those operating in Northern Nigeria.

Also speaking, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said the campaign for Tinubu’s re-election would be anchored on what he described as the administration’s record and achievements.

The Presidency had earlier confirmed Yari’s role as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 elections.

Yari urged support groups and party members to focus on the administration’s performance in making the case for another term.

He also asked creative industry professionals to disregard opposition claims that the North had been marginalised in appointments and projects, contending that the region had been fairly treated by the Tinubu administration.

Former Katsina State Governor and Deputy Director-General, Parliamentary Mobilisation, of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Aminu Bello Masari, thanked the creative professionals for pledging support for Tinubu and other APC candidates.

Masari said policies of the administration were positively affecting the creative sector and urged practitioners to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve their businesses and livelihoods.

Former Kano State Governor and APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, also thanked the group for its support, urging its members to campaign on the themes of justice, fairness and inclusion.

Ganduje described Triple-R For Renewed Hope as one of the APC’s organic support groups and called for greater investment in infrastructure and training to strengthen the entertainment industry in Northern Nigeria.

President of Triple-R For Renewed Hope, Alhaji Dauda Kahutu Rarara, pledged the group’s support for Tinubu’s re-election and for APC candidates across the North.

Rarara said Northern creative professionals were building a united platform for the 2027 elections, maintaining that their support was based on what they considered the performance of the administration.

National chairman of the group, Alhaji Lawan Ahmad, and its Secretary, Alhaji Ahmad Bifa, also pledged to work for the success of Tinubu and APC candidates.

They, however, appealed for greater Federal Government intervention in reorganising the creative industry in Northern Nigeria, particularly through improved infrastructure and measures to enhance the welfare of practitioners.

Thousands of residents have been displaced in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, and several other communities following flooding caused by torrential rainfall.

The Nation gathered that the downpour, which lasted for several days, resulted in severe flooding across several communities, in line with earlier forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

In Osogbo, affected areas include Capital, Baruwa, Oke-Ayepe, Sasa, Ijetu, Famson Street and Gbodofon, among others.

Several communities outside the state capital were also affected, including Osunjela, Mukoro in Ilesa, Ijaregbe in Ijesa-Obokun and Kuti-Iwo.

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The flooding submerged homes, shops and business premises, forcing residents to flee to safer locations.

The residence of Nigerian Tribune correspondent, Dr Adeolu Adeyemo, in the Capital area was among those affected, forcing him and his family members to evacuate.

Adeyemo said he left home for work on Tuesday morning but returned to find his residence in Zone 10 completely submerged.

He said about 200 residents had been displaced in the area.

‘People had to run for their lives, leaving behind all their valuables,’ Adeyemo said.

Chairman of the Zone 10 Oke-Arungbo Community, Dr Bisi Oluwadamilare, said the community had not witnessed flooding of such magnitude since 2019.

He added that neighbouring Zones 11 and 12 were also severely affected, appealing to emergency response agencies to urgently intervene and provide relief to residents who suffered losses.

Another resident, Mrs Adesola Kayode, said the flooding had left several families homeless.

She called on the government to urgently dredge local rivers and waterways as part of measures to prevent a recurrence.

The situation was similarly severe at Baruwa Estate in the Ogo-Oluwa area, where residents were displaced after the nearby Osun River overflowed its banks following the heavy rainfall.

However, the Osun State Government, through the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, attributed the flooding to the activities of residents.

He said ‘We moved around and observed that, in specific cases, this flooding is often self-inflicted, like indiscriminate dumping of refuse across waterways.

‘We charged the town planning office to do their work, we identified some structures at the riverbank like shops and kiosks, and even houses, that affected the free flow of water including line drainages that are blocked in the presence of the house owners, they are blocked, so all these contributed to the flooding.’

Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) has won the Grand Prix, the highest honour at the 2026 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards, held at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, Greece.

Staff members broke into celebration as the trophies arrived at Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, the main base of IMPR, the publisher of PRNigeria and Spokespersons Digest.

The company earned the global prize for its campaign, ‘AI for Crisis Communication: From Study to Strategy,’ which the jury described as representing the highest standards of public relations practice in 2026.

IPRA President Esther Cobbah said the Grand Prix capped IMPR’s outstanding performance at this year’s ceremony, where the firm also won two Golden World Awards in the AI in Crisis Management and Publication categories.

The prix was received by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was honoured with a special award for his contributions to transparent communication, stakeholder engagement and international best practices in public relations.

In his acceptance message, IMPR’s Chief Executive Officer, Yushau Shuaib, described the Grand Prix as a historic achievement for the company and a landmark moment for Nigeria’s public relations industry.

‘After 10 years of participation and multiple wins at the IPRA Golden World Awards, IMPR has, for the first time, been honoured with the Grand Prix-the highest distinction in public relations-in Athens, the historic city where the Code of Athens was adopted in 1965,’ he remarked.

Shuaib said the successful campaign demonstrates how research-driven public relations can inform institutional reforms and address national challenges. ‘This global recognition is a testament to the trust, collaboration and professionalism of our clients, partners and stakeholders across Nigeria.’

The media expert thanked the Federal Ministry of Information, Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Customs Service, media partners, security agencies, and the research team whose input supported the work.

IPRA Secretary-General Philip Sheppard called the winning campaign a pioneering initiative at the intersection of artificial intelligence and public relations, noting that the 2026 Grand Prix was awarded to IMPR for its contribution to the emerging application of AI in strategic communication.

Sheppard announced that the Global Contribution Award, recognising campaigns aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, went to V+O Greece | SEC Newgate for Mastercard’s ReStart employment initiative.

PR professionals from more than 50 countries attended the event. From Nigeria were IMPR Board Chairman Professor Sule Yau Sule; NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar; and Emirate Radio’s Managing Director and Emir of Ilorin’s spokesperson, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, among others.

In 2020, IMPR was named the world’s most creative PR agency in the Global Creativity Index published by PRovoke Media. The 2026 prize in Greece began as a project by Mr. Shuaib after he withdrew from the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

The research, in collaboration with the CCC and NITDA, examined the threats of AI-driven misinformation, deepfakes, and digital information disorder, with findings translated into a strategic communication framework to strengthen Nigeria’s crisis-response capabilities.

The recommendations informed the inaugural National Symposium on Digital Innovations in Crisis Communication (in November 2025), which convened security agencies, government institutions, media organisations, civil society groups and technology experts.

The symposium laid the foundation for the proposed Crisis Communication Hub (CCHub), a 24-hour, AI-enabled platform designed for social listening, deepfake detection, misinformation monitoring and coordinated crisis communication.