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The Sundiata Post Model: Building the African Newsroom in the Age of Zero-Click

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The Sundiata Post Model: Building the African Newsroom in the Age of Zero-Click

By Max Amuchie

•Being a lecture presented by Dr Max Nwabueze Amuchie,CEO & Theorist, Sundiata Post Media Ltd; Lead Researcher, Sundiata Post Intelligence Unit (SPIU), Abuja at the 10th Annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday, 7th October 2026.

Good morning, colleagues.

Let me begin with a simple proposition:

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The history of modern journalism is, in part, a history of disruption.

Print was disrupted by online publishing.

Online publishing was disrupted by social media.

And now digital and social media publishing are being disrupted by artificial intelligence.

Each disruption has changed not only how news is produced and consumed, but also how news organisations operate, make money, build audiences, establish authority and preserve relevance.

But there is something different about the disruption we are experiencing now.

The question is no longer simply:

How do we survive the next technological disruption?

The more fundamental question is:

What should the African newsroom become in the 21st century and beyond?

1. FROM PRINT TO ONLINE

The first major disruption of the modern news business was the transition from print to online.

The newspaper had been built around a physical product.

There was a production cycle.

There was a printing process.

There was distribution.

There were newsstands, vendors, circulation territories and identifiable audiences.

Then the internet changed the machinery.

News could be published immediately.

Distribution became potentially global.

The physical newspaper was no longer the only vehicle through which journalism could reach an audience.

The economics changed.

Audience behaviour changed.

Advertising changed.

Competition changed.

And the newsroom had to change.

But something important survived the transition.

Journalism survived.

The technology carrying journalism changed.

The institution, however, remained necessary.

That distinction is important.

Because it tells us something about every subsequent disruption.

The technology is the machinery.

The institution is the organism.

2. FROM ONLINE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Then came another disruption.

Social media changed not only how people communicated, but how they discovered news.

The publisher’s website was no longer necessarily the first point of contact.

The audience could encounter a story through Facebook, X, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube or another network.

Distribution became increasingly dependent on algorithms, platforms and social networks.

The newsroom still produced the journalism.

But it increasingly did not control the route through which the journalism reached the audience.

This created a fundamental shift.

The publisher was no longer simply competing for readers.

The publisher was competing for attention.

And increasingly, competing for attention meant competing inside environments controlled by somebody else.

This was a profound change.

But even then, the basic digital proposition remained relatively simple:

Publish → attract audience → generate traffic → monetise attention.

For many digital publishers, the page view became a proxy for value.

Traffic became a currency.

Clicks became a currency.

Audience size became a currency.

And for a while, that logic appeared sustainable.

Then AI arrived.

3. THE ZERO-CLICK ENVIRONMENT: WHAT THE SQUIRRELPR RANKED REPORT TELLS US

Let me define the problem simply. A reader can encounter a headline without clicking. A reader can receive a summary without clicking.

This is where recent evidence from Nigeria becomes particularly instructive.

The old digital logic was approximately:

Content → Click → Page View → Audience → Advertising/Revenue.

The emerging environment increasingly looks like:

Content → Discovery → Extraction/Summary → Influence.

And somewhere between discovery and influence, the publisher’s website may disappear from the transaction.

This is not a minor technical adjustment.

It raises a much bigger institutional question.

If people can consume our journalism without visiting our websites, what exactly are we building?

The SquirrelPR RANKED Report for 2025 released in April this year recorded a sharp decline in audience traffic across Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem.

The decline was reported at 26.2 per cent — from more than one billion visits to approximately 769 million visits.

That number should make every publisher pause.

But I do not think we should read it simply as a story about declining traffic.

I think it is a signal of a changing information economy.

And the report points us toward three important developments.

First: The Zero-Click Shift

The decline in traffic has to be understood within a broader transformation in how people discover and consume news.

Artificial intelligence tools, search summaries and social algorithms are increasingly changing the route between the audience and the publisher.

People can encounter a headline without visiting the website.

They can receive the essential facts without clicking through.

They can consume a summary without reading the original article.

They can ask an AI system a question and receive an answer without ever arriving at the publisher’s digital property.

They can encounter information through social feeds, search results, messaging networks and AI-mediated interfaces.

In other words, the content may still be consumed even when the publisher does not receive the click.

This is the essence of the zero-click shift.

So the important question is not simply:

Why are people clicking less?

The deeper question is:

What are people doing instead?

They are discovering information elsewhere.

They are receiving summaries.

They are encountering information through social feeds.

They are using search differently.

And they are increasingly interacting with AI systems.

The relationship between content consumption and website visitation is therefore weakening.

Second: Relevance Is Being Redefined

This leads to a second and very important insight from the conversation around the RANKED Report.

As industry analysts, including Keni Akintoye of KT Communication, observed during the report’s rollout, content influence has not necessarily disappeared.

It has evolved.

That distinction is critical.

A decline in website traffic does not automatically mean a corresponding decline in influence.

A story can shape a conversation without generating a page view.

An idea can travel without generating a click.

A fact can circulate without the reader ever visiting the original publisher.

Influence and traffic are no longer necessarily the same thing.

A publisher’s influence may remain significant even when raw website traffic declines.

A journalist can influence public understanding even when the publisher’s analytics dashboard does not fully capture that influence.

The problem, therefore, is not simply that traffic is falling.

The deeper problem is that the old measurement of relevance is becoming less complete.

For years, we treated the click as evidence that the audience had arrived.

But in the emerging information environment, the audience may encounter, consume, discuss and even act upon our journalism without ever arriving at our websites.

That means traffic and influence can no longer be treated as synonymous.

Third: The Pivot to Trust

And this brings us to the third implication.

If the click becomes less reliable as the primary measure of value, what becomes more important?

Trust.

The RANKED conversation points toward a shift from click-centred metrics to deeper forms of institutional value: credibility, brand authority and direct audience trust.

This is particularly important in an AI-mediated information environment.

When information can be generated, summarised, reproduced and redistributed at extraordinary speed, the scarce asset is no longer simply the ability to produce more content.

There is already an abundance of content.

The scarce assets are:

Credibility.

Authority.

Original knowledge.

Institutional memory.

Trust.

And this is where the implications of the RANKED Report become larger than a traffic report.

The 26.2 per cent decline is not simply a warning about page views.

It is an invitation to rethink the business and institutional architecture of the newsroom.

If audiences can consume our journalism without clicking on us, then we have to build something that remains valuable beyond the click.

We have to ask:

What makes a newsroom valuable when the audience may consume its knowledge without visiting it?

That is the question that takes us from the Zero-Click News Environment to the Sundiata Post Model.

And that is why I believe the future newsroom cannot be built entirely around traffic.

It must be built around trust, knowledge, intellectual capital and institutional endurance.

4. WHEN THE CLICK STOPS BEING THE CURRENCY

For years, the digital newsroom was encouraged to ask:

How many people visited?

How many pages did they view?

How many clicks did we generate?

How many impressions did we get?

How much time did they spend?

Those metrics remain useful.

But they are no longer sufficient.

Because the audience may now consume the substance of journalism without entering the publisher’s digital property.

This creates what I would call a value problem.

If the click is no longer guaranteed, then the newsroom cannot build its entire institutional future around the click.

It must build assets that remain valuable even when the click disappears.

And those assets include:

Trust.

Authority.

Knowledge.

Intellectual capital.

Institutional memory.

Original research.

Proprietary frameworks.

Archives.

Relationships.

Reputation.

The question therefore changes from:

How do we get people to click on us?

to:

What makes our institution valuable even when they do not?

That is a very different question.

And it is the question from which the Sundiata Post Model emerges.

5. WHAT SHOULD THE AFRICAN NEWSROOM BECOME?

So I return to the central question:

What should the African newsroom become in the 21st century and beyond?

My answer is:

The newsroom must evolve from being primarily a content-production organisation into a knowledge-producing institution.

This does not mean abandoning journalism.

Quite the opposite.

It means understanding journalism more deeply.

The newsroom will continue to report.

It will continue to publish.

It will continue to distribute.

But it must also research.

It must analyse.

It must develop knowledge.

It must preserve knowledge.

It must create intellectual capital.

And it must build institutional assets that become more valuable over time.

This is the proposition behind The Sundiata Post Model.

It is defined as an institutional model for media-based knowledge production in which an independent newsroom systematically integrates journalism, original research, conceptual innovation, and scholarly dissemination to produce original analytical constructs that contribute to public understanding, academic inquiry, and policy discourse within the global knowledge ecosystem.

6. FROM NEWSROOM TO KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTION

At the end of 2025 after more than three decades in the media industry I began asking:

What else can a newsroom produce?

Beyond stories.

Beyond headlines.

Beyond traffic.

What else?

That question led to the current direction of Sundiata Post made possible by the creation of The Sunday Stew column and the Sundiata Post Intelligence Unit — SPIU.

SPIU is the research and knowledge-production arm of the institution.

It is where journalism can move into deeper research, analysis, framework development and knowledge production.

From both the column and SPIU our conceptual work has emerged.

The Insecurity Triad.

The Trinity of Sovereignty Decay.

The Decoupling Sovereignty Index.

These are not simply articles.

They are attempts to develop intellectual tools for understanding the conditions that journalism reports.

And it is important to understand how this distinction matters.

A newsroom can report insecurity.

A knowledge institution can also ask:

What are the recurring structures behind insecurity?

A newsroom can report institutional failure.

A knowledge institution can ask:

What is the architecture of that failure?

A newsroom can report sovereignty problems.

A knowledge institution can attempt to construct a framework for analysing how sovereignty decouples from the state.

That is the transition I am describing.

7. THE DUAL ENGINE

At the centre of the model is what I call the Dual Engine.

The first is the:

MEDIA OPERATIONS ENGINE

Report → Publish → Distribute

This is the traditional core of the newsroom.

We observe events.

We report them.

We publish them.

We distribute them.

But alongside it must exist a second engine:

KNOWLEDGE OPERATIONS ENGINE

Research → Analyse → Develop → Preserve

This is where the newsroom begins to behave differently.

It does not simply ask:

What happened?

It also asks:

Why does it keep happening?

What structure produces it?

What pattern can we identify?

Can we develop a framework to understand it?

Can that framework be tested, challenged and improved?

Can the resulting knowledge become institutional property?

That is the difference between a newsroom that continuously produces content and an institution that continuously accumulates knowledge.

8. KNOWLEDGE AS INSTITUTIONAL CAPITAL

The long-term newsroom must own something deeper than the content it produces today.

It must own:

knowledge,

intellectual capital,

institutional memory,

original frameworks,

archives,

relationships,

credibility,

and systems.

This is especially important in the zero-click environment.

Because when the audience consumes information without necessarily visiting the original publisher, the enduring institutional advantage cannot simply be the page view.

It has to be what the institution has built behind the page view.

The article may be consumed elsewhere.

The idea may travel elsewhere.

The summary may appear elsewhere.

But the institution that generated the knowledge can continue to accumulate value.

That is why Knowledge Stewardship is one of the pillars of the Sundiata Post Model.

9. THE SEVEN PILLARS OF LONG-TERM ENDURANCE

The Sundiata Post Model rests on seven mutually reinforcing pillars.

They should not be understood simply as departments.

They are conditions of institutional endurance.

1. Financial Sustainability

Financial sustainability is more than monetising today’s traffic.

It is about building multiple durable sources of institutional value.

The question is not simply:

How do we make money from today’s audience?

It is:

How do we build an economic foundation that allows the institution to continue creating value tomorrow?

2. Human Capital and Leadership

Institutions are built by people.

But long-term institutions need more than talented individuals.

They need judgement, leadership, character, culture, and succession.

And they need systems for transferring knowledge from one generation to another.

3. Knowledge Stewardship

Information becomes institutional knowledge when it is organised, interpreted, preserved and made usable.

This includes research, frameworks,  intellectual property, archives, institutional learning.

A newsroom that forgets what it has learned repeatedly starts from zero.

A newsroom that preserves what it has learned accumulates.

4. Governance

The institution must become larger than the individual who currently leads it.

Governance creates accountability.

It clarifies decision-making.

It provides structure.

And it makes continuity possible.

5. Innovation and Adaptation

Every technology will change.

Every distribution system will change.

Every business model will change.

The institution must therefore learn to adapt without losing its purpose.

6. Trust and Reputation

In an environment increasingly saturated by content — and increasingly mediated by AI — trust becomes even more valuable.

These things matter: Consistency, transparency, integrity.

Trust is not a slogan.

It is accumulated institutional capital.

7. Mission Continuity

The final pillar is Mission Continuity. It is the principle that binds the other six together.

Institutions that endure understand the difference between purpose and method. Methods must evolve.

Technology can change.

Platforms can change.

Business models can change.

Leadership can change.

But the institution needs a continuing sense of purpose.

The Seven Pillars are not seven independent organisational functions. They form an integrated institutional system.

Financial sustainability provides economic oxygen.

Human capital provides capability and direction.

Knowledge stewardship provides memory and intellectual accumulation.

Governance provides structure and accountability.

Innovation provides adaptability.

Trust provides credibility.

Mission continuity provides purpose.

Their interaction constitutes what the Sundiata Post Model calls the Logic of the Long Term and together, they answer a critical question:

What allows a newsroom not merely to survive disruption, but to remain an institution through disruption?

10. MY DESK IS ENOUGH

There is also a personal dimension to this model.

One of the ideas that has emerged from my own experience is:

My Desk Is Enough.

It does not mean that a desk is all an institution needs.

It means that meaningful intellectual work can begin from one.

A journalist does not have to wait for a large building.

A researcher does not have to wait for a large institution.

An idea does not require a large budget before it can be developed.

The desk can be the beginning.

But the desk cannot be the end.

What begins at the desk must become institutional.

That leads to what I call the Four Enoughs.

My Desk Is Enough.

That is where the work begins.

My Institution Is Enough.

That is where individual effort becomes organised capability.

My Archive Is Enough.

That is where knowledge becomes memory rather than disappearing with its creator.

And:

My World Is Enough.

That is where geography ceases to become a ceiling on intellectual reach.

The African newsroom should not assume that global relevance requires physical relocation.

We can build from here.

We can think from here.

We can research from here.

We can produce knowledge from here.

And we can send that knowledge into the world.

11. WHY THIS MATTERS PARTICULARLY FOR AFRICA

This question has particular significance for African media.

Our newsrooms operate in difficult environments.

Revenue is constrained.

Technology changes rapidly.

Infrastructure remains uneven.

Political and economic pressures can be intense.

Human capital can be lost.

Institutional memory can be weak.

And many organisations are constantly operating in survival mode.

But survival cannot be the final ambition.

Africa needs news organisations that can do more than react to events.

We need institutions capable of producing knowledge about our own societies.

We need African frameworks for understanding African conditions.

We need African research institutions that can emerge from unexpected places.

And yes, sometimes that place may be a newsroom.

This is why I do not see the transformation of the newsroom into a knowledge institution as a luxury.

I see it as part of the long-term institutional challenge facing African journalism.

12. WHAT THE SUNDIATA POST MODEL IS — AND IS NOT

Let me be clear about what the Sundiata Post Model is not.

It is not an argument that every newsroom must become Sundiata Post.

It is not a prescription that every publisher must create an intelligence unit.

It is not a rejection of conventional journalism.

And it is not a suggestion that traffic no longer matters.

Traffic matters.

Revenue matters.

Technology matters.

Audience matters.

But they cannot be the whole institutional equation.

The model is a proposition that the newsroom must think beyond the immediate production cycle.

Report today.

Research tomorrow.

Develop knowledge over time.

Preserve it for the institution.

And allow that accumulated knowledge to become part of the institution’s long-term value.

That is the larger proposition.

13. THE AFRICAN NEWSROOM OF THE FUTURE

So what will the successful African newsroom of the future look like?

I do not think we can answer that simply by listing technologies.

It will use artificial intelligence.

It will use data.

It will use automation.

It will operate across multiple platforms.

It will understand algorithms.

It will develop new revenue models.

But none of those things, by themselves, makes an institution.

The newsroom of the future must be mission-proof, not merely technology-proof.

It must be capable of surviving changes in technology without losing its reason for existence.

It must be capable of changing its business model without abandoning its values.

It must be capable of losing a platform without losing its audience relationship.

It must be capable of losing a distribution channel without losing its intellectual identity.

And it must be capable of surviving the founder.

That is what institutional maturity means.

CONCLUSION

Colleagues,

The future African newsroom cannot be defined simply by the technology it uses, the number of stories it publishes or the volume of traffic it attracts.

The zero-click environment is forcing us to ask a more fundamental question:

What are we building that remains valuable when the click disappears?

My answer is: an institution.

An institution that reports, researches, thinks, remembers and develops knowledge.

An institution that converts journalism into knowledge, knowledge into intellectual capital, and intellectual capital into enduring public value.

That is the proposition of The Sundiata Post Model:

Building the African Newsroom for the Long Term in the Age of Zero-Click.

Thank you.

•Being a lecture presented by Dr Max Nwabueze Amuchie,CEO & Theorist, Sundiata Post Media Ltd; Lead Researcher, Sundiata Post Intelligence Unit (SPIU), Abuja at the 10th Annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday, 7th October 2026.

Defence Minister urges investment in local technology to boost Nigeria’s security

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Defence Minister urges investment in local technology to boost Nigeria’s security

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), has stressed the need for increased investment in indigenous defence technology, local manufacturing, artificial intelligence and strategic partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s national security and reduce dependence on foreign sources for critical defence capabilities.

He made the call at the maiden edition of the Defence Futures Summit 2026, themed “Sovereign Digital Backbone and Defence Innovation”, held on October 14, 2026, at the Armed Forces Event and Multipurpose Centre in Asokoro, Abuja.

In a statement, Enderline Chukwu, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the ministry, said Musa described the initiative as a landmark platform for advancing defence innovation, strengthening technological sovereignty and transforming Nigeria’s defence architecture. He urged Nigerians to continue making deliberate sacrifices to unite the country and improve its technological capabilities.

Musa said that although information and communication technology, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies were still developing within Nigeria’s defence ecosystem, the country possessed the intellectual capacity, human resources and innovative potential to compete in the evolving global defence environment.

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He said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to ensure that Nigeria does not merely adopt emerging defence technologies but actively contributes to shaping the future of defence capabilities. He added that it reflected the administration’s commitment to strengthening national security, innovation and self-reliance.

The minister said “the summit was conceived as one of the initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s security architecture and positioning the country to anticipate emerging threats rather than merely react to changes in the character of modern warfare”.

He explained, “Nigeria’s strategy must therefore extend beyond conventional military hardware to encompass the knowledge system and technological infrastructure required to support modern military operations.”

He reiterated that Nigeria could not afford to remain perpetually dependent on external sources for critical defence technologies, calling for sustained investment in human capacity development, local innovators, defence industries and research institutions.

Musa said collaboration with the private sector was essential to building a resilient defence industrial base capable of translating Nigerian ingenuity into operational capabilities for the armed forces.

He expressed confidence that Nigeria possessed the talent, ambition and professional know-how required to drive defence innovation in line with international standards.

He pledged the ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen indigenous capacity, encourage technological innovation and advance efforts towards a more resilient and self-reliant defence sector.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the founder and convener of the Defence Futures Summit, retired Colonel Felix Alaita, said the summit underscored the need for a comprehensive Defence Renewal Architecture linking the nation’s security priorities with industrial development, research institutions, private-sector expertise and the creative potential of young Nigerians.

“The initiative is designed to improve operational readiness, strengthen institutional accountability and promote the responsible adoption of technology in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges” he added.

Alaita further stated that the Defence Renewal Architecture was anchored on four pillars: enhancing operational readiness and security response; strengthening the indigenous defence industry; investing in human capital and youth development; and strengthening social understanding and the creative economy.

He called for stronger collaboration among the government, industry, academia and international partners to promote indigenous technology in manufacturing, energy, battery development and aircraft production, leveraging the expertise of the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Alaita also stressed the need for youth empowerment, skills development, job creation and knowledge-sharing. He urged participants to propose practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges and ensure that discussions translated into concrete actions and measurable outcomes.

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Dangote Group, Botswana exchange commend NGX group for boosting cross-border collaboration

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Dangote Group, Botswana exchange commend NGX group for boosting cross-border collaboration

Dangote Industries Limited and the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) have commended Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) for bringing African exchanges together to expand cross-border investment opportunities through the ongoing roadshow for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE offer.

The commendation came on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at an investor engagement in Gaborone, following an earlier engagement in Nairobi, Kenya.

The roadshow forms part of NGX Group’s wider initiative to deepen collaboration among African exchanges and widen access to investment opportunities across the continent.

Dangote Group, BSE Commend NGX

Murat Erden, Group Chief Financial Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, commended NGX Group for bringing African stock exchanges together to advance the initiative.

He praised the leadership of Group Chairman Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Temi Popoola, noting that the effort began with an engagement convened by NGX Group in Lagos in April 2026.

  • Erden highlighted the role of digital innovation in broadening access to the offer, citing the addition of WhatsApp to NGX Invest.
  • He also acknowledged the partnership between NGX Group and participating exchanges in reaching investors across their respective markets.

Aobakwe Aupa Monyatsi, Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Stock Exchange, welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the value of partnerships among African exchanges and the opportunity to widen participation by encouraging additional markets to join the initiative.

  • NGX Group Chairman Kwairanga said: “Our vision is to build stronger connections among African capital markets, making it easier for businesses to access capital and for investors to participate in opportunities across the continent. The collaboration around the Dangote Refinery offer demonstrates what African exchanges can achieve when we work together towards a shared objective.”

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Temi Popoola also emphasised the importance of translating continental ambition into practical partnerships.

  • He said: “When we began this engagement, our objective was continental: to bring African exchanges together and explore how we can create stronger connections between African capital markets.”

NGX Expands Cross-Border Investment Access

At an earlier engagement in Nairobi, Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, commended Kwairanga and Popoola for their efforts to strengthen collaboration among African capital-market institutions.

  • He highlighted how stronger ties between exchanges could enable companies to raise capital across multiple markets rather than being limited to their home markets.
  • Citing the planned refinery in Mokowe-Lamu, Kenya, as an example, Dangote pointed to the potential for businesses operating across Africa to list in more than one market.
  • NGX Invest, NGX Group’s electronic public-offering platform, supports subscriptions through more than 180 distribution channels, including stockbrokers, banks and fintech companies.
  • The addition of WhatsApp as an access channel further expands the ways investors can access the offer.

The roadshow continues with engagements at the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) and the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), extending the initiative’s reach and creating further opportunities for African exchanges to collaborate on cross-border investment.

What you should know

Aliko Dangote had earlier commended the leadership of NGX Group for transforming Nigeria’s capital market.

  • He spoke at the Facts Behind the Offer presentation and Opening Gong Ceremony for the Initial Public Offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, held on Monday, September 14, at the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos.
  • Reflecting on his tenure as President of the Exchange, Dangote recalled inviting stakeholders to support efforts to position it as a world-class institution.

He credited NGX Group Chairman Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga and Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Temi Popoola with advancing that vision.

CAF raises annual funding for African football federations to $700,000, marking 250% growth since 2021

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CAF raises annual funding for African football federations to $700,000, marking 250% growth since 2021

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increased its annual financial support to its 54 member associations, raising the maximum subvention available to each federation to $700,000 as the continental football body expands its investment in football development and institutional capacity.

The latest adjustment represents a 33% increase from the previous allocation of $525,000 and continues CAF’s gradual increase in financial support to national football governing bodies under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe.

Since 2021, CAF’s annual funding allocation per member association has increased from $200,000 to $700,000, representing a 250% growth in financial support over four years.

The increase forms part of CAF’s broader objective of strengthening football administration, improving governance structures and creating a more financially sustainable football ecosystem across its 54 member countries.

CAF’s funding commitment expands

Under the revised funding structure, each CAF member association will now receive up to $700,000 annually.

Based on the 54 member associations covered under CAF’s framework, the maximum annual allocation to national football bodies could reach approximately $37.8 million.

This represents a significant increase from the previous structure, where each association received up to $525,000 annually.

The difference of $175,000 per federation translates to an additional potential annual allocation of about $9.45 million across all member associations.

The increased funding provides CAF with a larger financial footprint in supporting football development programmes across the continent.

CAF’s funding growth trajectory

CAF’s latest adjustment follows a consistent increase in its financial support framework.

  • In 2021, each member association received $200,000 annually.
  • The allocation was subsequently increased to $400,000 before rising to $525,000 and now reaching $700,000.
  • This means CAF has added $500,000 to the annual funding available to each federation within four years.

The growth represents one of the most significant expansions of direct financial support from CAF to national football bodies in recent years.

What this means for African football

The increase goes beyond a simple rise in annual funding, as it gives national football associations a larger and more predictable financial base for long-term planning.

  • For many football federations across Africa, limited funding has historically affected the ability to consistently invest in grassroots development, coaching structures, competitions, infrastructure and administrative systems.
  • The additional resources could allow associations to strengthen youth academies, improve women’s football programmes, expand technical training and create better operational structures.

A more stable funding model could also reduce dependence on irregular sources of income, including government support and short-term sponsorship arrangements, allowing football bodies to focus on strategic development rather than immediate financial pressures.

Wider economic impact of increased football investment

The increase in CAF funding could have wider implications for Africa’s sports economy.

A stronger football ecosystem creates opportunities beyond players and competitions, supporting employment across coaching, refereeing, sports administration, facility management, media, marketing and other related industries.

Improved youth development structures could also strengthen Africa’s talent pipeline, potentially increasing future commercial opportunities through player transfers, sponsorships and broadcasting revenues.

As football continues to grow as a commercial industry, stronger national associations become important in unlocking the economic value of the sport.

More funding for regional football structures

Beyond national associations, CAF has also increased funding for its zonal unions.

  • The allocation for CAF zonal unions will rise from $750,000 to $900,000 annually, representing a 20% increase.
  • CAF also increased support to the African Clubs Association (ACA) from $400,000 to $500,000.
  • The adjustments extend CAF’s financial support across different levels of African football administration, from national federations to regional and club structures.

Supporting governance and football development

CAF said the additional resources are intended to support football development structures, youth and women’s football programmes, administrative improvements and governance initiatives.

The funding is also expected to support key football stakeholders, including players, coaches, referees and administrators.

By increasing direct financial support, CAF is attempting to build stronger football institutions capable of operating more sustainably and competing at a higher level internationally.

The fierce fintech race for financial loyalty in South Africa goes beyond payments

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The fierce fintech race for financial loyalty in South Africa goes beyond payments

South Africa’s fintechs are competing to own the platforms through which consumers receive, move and spend money. The prize is an enduring place in consumers’ financial lives.

Digital banks, mobile operators, and remittance companies are converging on the same opportunity: making everyday transactions so convenient that customers keep returning, creating opportunities to earn revenue, collect transaction data, and sell additional services.

The next fintech battle will be won not by whoever opens the most accounts, but by whoever becomes indispensable to the daily movement of money. That requires more than an app or cheap transfers. It means developing services that customers use repeatedly to receive, hold, and spend money.

The opportunity is substantial. South Africa’s card payments alone reached R2.7 trillion ($149.4 billion) in 2024, while cash still accounted for 56% of consumer transactions by volume, according to the South African Reserve Bank’s study. For fintechs, the prize is capturing more of this everyday spending and turning it into repeat usage and sustainable revenue.

The infrastructure behind the relationship

Bank Zero illustrates how this contest is changing. The app-only lender recorded its first break-even month in August 2026, five years after opening to the public. Its next phase of growth depends partly on alliance banking, which enables fintechs, retailers, and digital platforms to offer financial services on Bank Zero’s infrastructure.

The model separates the banking rails from the customer-facing brand. Partners provide customers and distribution, while Bank Zero supplies the technology that underpins their financial products.

Bank Zero has 275,000 direct customers, while its partnerships are bringing an additional 500,000 customers to its platform, though some overlap between the two groups makes its total customer reach unclear. Its partnership with Mukuru, a remittance-led digital financial services provider, demonstrates how the model can extend a bank’s reach without requiring it to acquire every customer directly.

But scale does not automatically translate into customer loyalty. Bank Zero can provide the infrastructure, yet partners may retain control of the customer experience. That makes partnership growth valuable while raising a strategic question about who ultimately owns the relationship.

Turning subscribers into fintech users

MTN MoMo, a mobile money and digital financial services platform, is pursuing the same ambition from a telecommunications base. Serigne Dioum, MTN Group Fintech chief executive officer (CEO), wants to convert the group’s 317 million telecom subscribers into active users of its financial services ecosystem. In September 2026, MoMo had more than 70 million monthly active users across 14 markets.

The gap between those numbers shows the difference between having distribution and building financial habits. MTN must persuade subscribers to use MoMo beyond occasional transfers, particularly in South Africa, where established banking services coexist with persistent cash usage.

Its ambitions extend to merchant payments, savings, lending and cross-border transfers. The strategic goal is to make digital wallets useful enough that customers can keep money in them and transact without repeatedly cashing out.

MTN MoMo is seeking to turn its vast telecom subscriber base into active users of its digital financial services, expanding beyond transfers into everyday payments. Image source: MTN.

FNB Connect, a bank-owned mobile virtual network operator, offers another route into everyday financial behaviour. By combining mobile connectivity with banking services and rewards, it uses an existing banking relationship to connect customers with services they need throughout the day. In its latest financial year, FNB Connect and associated services recorded R28.6 billion ($1.7 billion) in customer value and sales, up 18%.

The convergence is significant because competition is no longer confined to banks and fintechs. Mobile operators can use telecommunications distribution, while banks can extend their reach through connectivity, rewards and other services. Both are seeking more frequent customer engagement.

Mukuru’s move beyond remittances

Mukuru’s expansion beyond cross-border transfers shows why the money’s journey after arrival matters. The company built its business helping migrants send money home. Its remittance-driven neobank strategy seeks to extend that relationship by enabling customers to hold funds, make payments and access additional financial services.

In South Africa, Bank Zero provides the infrastructure behind Mukuru’s account and card offering. About 500,000 Mukuru customers are being migrated onto Bank Zero’s platform, illustrating how a remittance business can expand into banking without building its own bank from scratch.

Mukuru aims to turn periodic remittances into an ongoing financial relationship, while Bank Zero can scale by partnering with an established customer base. Both are betting that making money more useful after it arrives creates more opportunities to serve customers.

The challenge is converting that proposition into repeated use. If customers still withdraw their funds immediately or use competing services for everyday purchases, the opportunity to build a broader relationship remains limited.

The economics of owning payments

Payments carry technology, compliance, and customer service costs, while free transfers do not necessarily generate sustainable profits. Providers need additional revenue streams without weakening the value proposition that attracts customers.

A wallet becomes more useful when customers can pay at shops, settle bills and transfer money across providers easily and affordably. That requires reliable infrastructure, broad merchant acceptance, and interoperability, rather than simply a large number of registered users.

Rushana Pillay, a Master of Management graduate in Digital Business from Wits Business School, identifies the barriers to everyday digital payments in her 2025 research paper, Factors that impact the adoption of real-time electronic payments in South Africa. Her findings highlight high transaction costs, fragmented industry collaboration and limited payment interoperability as obstacles to adoption. For fintechs, winning everyday spending means making digital payments affordable, seamless and widely accepted enough to compete with cash.

Established banks have an advantage in customer trust and payment networks, while newer entrants must offer compelling reasons for customers to change their financial habits. Partnerships can accelerate growth, but reliance on another institution’s infrastructure can limit control over the customer relationship.

The key question for investors and operators is whether customer growth translates into frequent transactions and sustainable revenue. Account numbers measure scale, but habitual use and merchant acceptance reveal whether a platform has become part of consumers’ everyday financial lives.

The businesses that turn distribution into profitable, recurring payments will be better positioned to retain customers, grow revenue and justify further investment.

True scale demands moving beyond surface-level integrations to robust execution. We’ve filtered the noise out of Moonshot 2026, optimising the conference strictly for high-calibre connections between startup founders, global financial operators, enterprise leaders and individuals rewiring Africa’s technical frameworks. Get 20% off Early Bird tickets for a limited time.

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Solbi And Lee Kyu Han Announce Marriage

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Solbi And Lee Kyu Han Announce Marriage

Artist Solbi and actor Lee Kyu Han are getting married!

On October 15, a media outlet reported that Solbi and Lee Kyu Han are preparing for a wedding next year.

In response to the report, Solbi’s agency Jian Castle announced, “Solbi and Lee Kyu Han have promised to become husband and wife based on their trust and love for each other.”

They added, “The two recently met with both families to share their intentions for marriage, and they plan to hold their wedding ceremony sometime in April 2027.” The wedding will be held privately with only family members, relatives, and close acquaintances in attendance.

The agency stated, “We would appreciate it if you could send your warm blessings and support to the two as they stand at the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Solbi and Lee Kyu Han will continue to show their growth as precious partners, supporters, and pillars of strength for each other’s respective journeys.”

Solbi debuted in 2006 as a member of the mixed-gender group Typhoon. She has been active as a solo artist and has also been working as an artist under her real name Kwon Ji An since 2010.

Lee Kyu Han debuted in 1998 in the MBC drama “Love & Success” and has been recognized for his acting skills through various projects including “My Lovely Sam Soon,” “Graceful Family,” and “The Judge from Hell.”

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Watch Lee Kyu Han in “Longing for You”:

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Stock market today: BSE Sensex off to choppy start, Nifty50 slips below 22,700

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Stock market today: BSE Sensex off to choppy start, Nifty50 slips below 22,700

Sensex declines 251.89 points to settle at 72,781.89; Nifty down 99.25 points to 22,622.70

Stock Market Today: Sensex falls 208 points; Nifty dips below 22,640

The BSE Sensex dropped 208.30 points, or 0.29%, to 72,825.48 at 2:48 pm. The NSE Nifty 50 declined 90.80 points, or 0.40%, to 22,631.15 at 2:49 pm.

Stock market: Sensex falls 270 points; Nifty50 drops below 22,620

The BSE Sensex declined 269.75 points, or 0.37%, to 72,764.03 at 2:16 pm on Wednesday. The NSE Nifty 50 fell 105.15 points, or 0.46%, to 22,616.80 at 2:17 pm.

The NSE Nifty 50 edged up 7.15 points, or 0.03%, to 22,729.10 at 10:50 am

Sensex rebounds rises 77 points

The BSE Sensex gained 76.53 points, or 0.10%, to 73,110.31 at 10:49 am on Wednesday.

Markets gainers and laggards

From the 30 Sensex firms, Tata Consultancy Services, HCLTech, Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank, UltraTech Cement, Tech Mahindra, Maruti and HDFC Bank were among the major gainers. Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Larsen & Toubro, Power Grid and Eternal were among the major laggards.

Stock Market Today: BSE Sensex slips 61 points; Nifty50 slips below 22,700

The BSE Sensex fell 61.47 points, or 0.08%, to 72,972.31 at 9:30 am. The NSE Nifty 50 declined 40.05 points, or 0.18%, to 22,681.90.

Opening bell: Nifty slips below 22,702

The Nifty 50 fell 19.75 points, or 0.09%, to 22,702.20 at 9:23 am.

Opening bell: Sensex falls 98 points

The BSE Sensex slipped 98.02 points, or 0.13%, to 72,935.76 at 9:18 am on Wednesday. The index had closed at 73,033.78 in the previous session and opened at 73,049.76.

Indian shares set for muted start

Indian shares are set for a muted opening on Wednesday after rallying in the previous session, as rising oil prices and sustained foreign fund outflows weighed on investor sentiment amid the ongoing corporate earnings season.

GIFT Nifty futures stood at 22,764 at 7:50 am IST, signalling a muted start for the Nifty 50, which closed at 22,721.95 on Tuesday.

The Nifty and Sensex gained around 1.6% each on Tuesday, led by information technology stocks after HCLTech reported quarterly earnings that beat market expectations.

Gold prices hold firm ahead of US inflation data

Gold prices were little changed on Wednesday as investors braced for US consumer price index data due later in the day to gauge the Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy stance.

Spot gold held steady at $4,159.45 per ounce by 0251 GMT. U.S. gold futures for December delivery edged 0.1% higher to $4,182.60.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday as traders weighed the risk of supply disruptions from escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia against expectations of increased Russian diesel exports easing market tightness.

Brent crude futures rose 89 cents, or 0.8%, to $106.58 a barrel by 0030 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 80 cents, or 0.9%, to $94.94. Brent had fallen 0.9% on Tuesday, while WTI gained 0.4%.

Japan’s Nikkei rebounds 0.6% as chip stocks rise

Japan’s Nikkei share average rebounded on Wednesday after falling sharply in the previous session, supported by gains in chip-related stocks. The Nikkei rose 0.61% to 68,193.13 by the midday break, recovering from Tuesday’s 1.8% decline.

Stock market: BSE Sensex ends 1,100 points higher, NSE Nifty50 rises 1% to close above 22,700

Indian equity benchmarks staged a strong rally on Tuesday, with BSE Sensex surging 1,109.10 points, or 1.54%, to close at 73,033.78, while Nifty 50 climbed 1.60% to end at 22,721. The sharp gains boosted investor wealth, adding more than Rs 3.89 lakh crore to the combined market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies. The total market value of listed firms rose to Rs 469 lakh crore.

Stock Market Today Live Updates: Indian benchmark indices opened on a muted note on Wednesday as rising oil prices and sustained foreign fund outflows weigh on sentiment, following a strong rally in the previous session.

Investors are tracking corporate earnings, global market cues and US inflation data, while gold prices remain steady and crude oil advances amid concerns over supply disruptions.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Comelec names common poster areas for Batanes special polls

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Comelec names common poster areas for Batanes special polls
information hub The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the list of designated common poster areas for campaign materials for the special election in the lone congressional district of Batanes.
Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the list of designated common poster areas for campaign materials for the special election in the lone congressional district of Batanes.

The Comelec said campaign materials may be posted only during the campaign period, which runs from October 28 to November 26, 2026. The election will be held on November 28, 2026, following the death of former lawmaker Ciriaco Gato Jr. on September 21.

READ: Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. dies at 66

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“Ang mga itinakdang common poster areas para sa Batanes special election ay mga pampublikong lugar, ang mga aspirante/kandidato ay kinakailangang magtayo ng istraktura sa common poster areas na ito, sa sarili nilang gastos, para paglagyan ng kanilang campaign material,” the Comelec said.

(The designated common poster areas for the Batanes special election are public places, and the aspirants/candidates need to establish their own spaces in these common poster areas using their own money.)

The poll body also advised the aspirants or candidates to use biodegradable and environmental-friendly materials in their campaign paraphernalias.

Here is the list of the common poster areas in the following municipalities:

Basco

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  • Brgy. Chanarian (in front of basketball court)
  • Brgy. Kaychanarianan (in front of barangay center and basketball court; around Rizal Park and old tennis court)
  • Brgy. Kayhuvokan (in front of barangay center along Contra Costa Road)
  • Brgy. Kayvaluganan (in front of barangay center and basketball court)
  • San Antonio (in front of barangay center)
  • San Joaquin (in front of barangay center)

Itbayat

  • Brgys. Sta. Rosa, Raele, San Rafael, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Maria (all barangay centers, waiting sheds, and municipal plazas)

Ivana

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  • Brgy. Radiwan (in front of barangay hall and plaza along Diversion Road)
  • Brgy. Salagao (in front of barangay hall, park, and waiting shed)
  • Brgy. San Vicente (beside barangay hall)
  • Brgy. Tuhel (beside barangay hall and waiting shed along National Road)

Mahatao

  • Brgys. Hanib, Kaumbakan, Panatayan, Uvoy (all barangay halls, centers, waiting sheds, and Barangay Uvoy Park)
  • Sabtang
  • Brgys. Sinakan, Chavayan, Malakdang, Nakanmuan, Savidug, Sumnanga (in front of all barangay halls, health centers, waiting sheds, and Barangay Malakdang Park)

Uyugan

  • Brgy. Itbud (in front of barangay hall along National Road)
  • Brgy. Imnajbu (barangay plaza along National Road)
  • Brgys. Kayvaluganan and Kayugunan (Uyugan Municipal Plaza)

The Comelec has also scheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy for the congressional race on October 14, 2026 to October 16, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

READ: Comelec flags fake post claiming BSKE set for Dec. 14

The Comelec has so far conducted two special elections this year for district representative posts.

The first one was held for the second legislative district of Antipolo City last March 14 after the passing of former lawmaker Romeo Acop. His son, Philip Conrad, won the race.

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The latest special elections were held last August 29 for the lone district of Dasmariñas City, Cavite where former Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga filled the seat vacated by his son Kiko. Kiko was expelled by the House of Representatives last June 2 over his “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior. /jpv

Teodoro to Sara Duterte: ‘China alone is troublemaker’

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Teodoro to Sara Duterte: ‘China alone is troublemaker’
current affairs DND seeks NBI probe into fake Teodoro letter on Ayungin Shoal
‘BASIC DECENCY, PLEASE’: Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. points to the handwritten note suddenly handed to him as he was talking at a security forum in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. The note reiterated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea issue. —Photo from the Department of National Defense

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. disputed on Wednesday Vice President Sara Duterte’s remark that the Philippines was turning into Southeast Asia’s “troublemaker,” saying the description fits China for its aggression against Filipino troops at sea.

“China alone is the troublemaker here,” Teodoro told reporters in Filipino in an online interview.

“Obviously, nobody can say the Philippines is causing trouble because, first of all, we are a smaller country. We are only fighting for our country’s future,’’ he added, referring to Filipino soldiers who had been harassed by Chinese Coast Guard personnel while defending the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.

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Duterte made the remark on Monday in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that alleged remittances by Chinese entities to a company linked to her husband were “a threat at the highest level,” if proved to be true. The allegations surfaced in Duterte’s impeachment trial in the Senate.

READ: Sara Duterte: Impeachment cases already failing; all evidence fabricated

The vice president also cited the discovery of a drug shipment bound for the Philippines from Laos and Thailand before saying the country was becoming “a troublemaker of Southeast Asia.”

‘Prove sincerity’

Teodoro also said that China must demonstrate sincerity, abandon baseless maritime claims and stop its “predatory activities” before direct military communications with the Philippines could resume.

He spelled out the conditions, rejecting the Chinese Embassy’s accusations that the suspension increased the risk of confrontation.

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The defense chief said the decision was made nearly three years ago and that diplomatic avenues remained open.

“Firstly, they must prove sincerity,” he said.

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Asked what specific actions Beijing should take, Teodoro said China must retreat from assertions of sovereignty and jurisdiction over areas where it had no rights under international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. /cb /atm

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F1 return: Youth and Sports Ministry to table cost-benefit evaluation to Cabinet next month

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F1 return: Youth and Sports Ministry to table cost-benefit evaluation to Cabinet next month
public interest news Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari during Ministers’ Question Time at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur on October 15, 2026. — Bernama pic

Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari during Ministers’ Question Time at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur on October 15, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

First Published: Thursday, 15 Oct 2026 12:39 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — The Sports and Youth Ministry is set to present its assessment on whether or not Malaysia should resume hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix to the Cabinet next month, its minister Mohd Taufiq Johari told Parliament this morning.

The ministry was mandated to lead an inter-ministerial F1 assessment committee formed to evaluate the projected costs and return on investment for the country, the minister revealed, following revived interest to resume hosting the grand prix after the overwhelming turnout at the race in Sepang.

“Recently the Ministry of Youth and Sports was mandated to join an F1 assessment committee involving all ministries as well as the Chief Secretary to the Government,” Taufiq said during Question Time.

“So, we want to evaluate the projected costs and the expected return on investment (ROI) for the country, ensuring that hosting the event is not managed solely under the Ministry of Youth and Sports through the Sepang International Circuit.”

The announcement comes on the heels of Sepang International Circuit’s (SIC) successful hosting of the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this month, marking F1’s first return to Malaysia in nine years.

The event saw record-breaking ticket sales, reigniting public debate and political interest in bringing back a permanent spot on the F1 calendar.

Malaysia hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 until 2017, when the government pulled out due to rising hosting fees and declining ticket returns. Industry reports estimate the cost of hosting exceeds RM300 million annually.

FIA officials have signaled that the door remains open for Sepang, provided a viable five-year business plan is presented.

Addressing concerns about hosting fees, Taufiq stressed that any decision must have “shared benefits” across multiple sectors, including tourism, retail, and hospitality.

“That is why an assessment of our readiness and related factors is currently underway. By November, we will produce a report to be presented to the Cabinet, and ultimately, the Cabinet will decide whether or not we will bring Formula 1 back to our country,” he said.

2027: Tinubu to skip some APC campaign rallies, cites governance demands

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2027: Tinubu to skip some APC campaign rallies, cites governance demands

President Bola Tinubu said he may not attend every campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general election, citing governance demands and the need to meet Nigeria’s financial obligations.

Mr Tinubu made this known on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Addressing party leaders and members, the president said his responsibilities as head of state would require him to remain focused on governance. At the same time, campaign officials coordinate activities across states and local government areas.

“Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause,” he said.

He added that he would continue to address Nigerians directly but would not necessarily accompany the campaign team to every engagement.

“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you; we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” Mr Tinubu said.

breaking news today PT WHATSAPP CHANNEL

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He said the government also needed to attract investors willing to make long-term commitments to Nigeria, suggesting his administration would keep economic and financial responsibilities a priority during the campaign.

The president said he agreed with party members who advised him not to let campaign activities distract him from governing the country.

“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance, I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” he said.

breaking news today Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).
Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).

Tinubu pledges loyalty to APC manifesto

Despite indicating that he might be absent from some campaign engagements, Mr Tinubu pledged to remain committed to the APC’s manifesto and objectives as he seeks re-election in 2027.

“To me, I am your errand man. Even for the president, I raise my hand for full commitment that we abide by my promises and the manifestos, the objective, the intention of our party. That’s all I give you,” he said.

He also praised the party for conducting its congresses and electing leaders at ward, local government, state and national levels, despite predictions that the process could trigger an internal crisis.

Mr Tinubu recalled that the party’s 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held on 19 December 2025, ratified the congress programme.

“We conducted it. They said there would be implosion. We passed through it. We did not fail. You did not let us down,” he said.

The president described the campaign council as a vehicle for taking the administration’s record and agenda to Nigerians across the country.

breaking news today Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)

“This council will carry our vision, our record and our agenda to every Nigerian, and it will carry them to every ward of this country. We arrive at this moment strong, united and renewed,” he said.

He warned, however, that the party’s work would not be complete until it secured votes in the next election.

“But no one gets credit for an incomplete assignment. So, until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your wards, until you deliver the votes, before we can say thank you,” he said.

Shettima questions opposition unity

Vice President Kashim Shettima used the occasion to question the ability of opposition politicians seeking to unseat Mr Tinubu to manage Nigeria’s diverse interests, arguing that some had struggled to maintain unity within their own parties.

“Meanwhile, those offering to rescue Nigeria cannot keep their own political households intact,” he said.

Mr Shettima asked how politicians who could not reconcile disagreements among party leaders would manage the competing interests of a country with more than 200 million people.

breaking news today Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)
Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)

“So I ask, if reconciling a few party leaders defeats you, how will you reconcile the interests of over 200 million citizens?” he said.

He described the 2027 election as an opportunity for Nigerians to assess the competence, character and policy positions of those seeking the presidency.

The vice president also urged members of the campaign council to engage communities, listen to grievances and present the administration’s case through sustained grassroots mobilisation.

“Every committee of the Presidential Campaign Council must earn its place through hard work, every community must hear our case, and every grievance must receive a patient hearing,” he said.

Defending the administration’s economic reforms, Mr Shettima said Mr Tinubu inherited an economy under severe fiscal pressure and made difficult decisions previous administrations avoided.

“President Bola Tinubu inherited immense expectations on an economy approaching fiscal catastrophe. He confronted the subsidy burden and the currency distortion that rewarded access above enterprise,” he said.

He argued that the administration had prioritised long-term economic stability over immediate political popularity.

breaking news today Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima and Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima and Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)

Akpabio cautions APC governors

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also addressed the political calculations surrounding the 2027 elections, warning APC governors against abandoning their states in pursuit of other political offices.

“For my brothers who are governors, I want you to know that you must not abandon your people,” he said.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, urged the governors to complete their constitutionally permitted eight-year tenure before pursuing other positions.

breaking news today From left. Speaker house of the Representatives Rt. Abbas Tajudeen; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).
From left. Speaker house of the Representatives Rt. Abbas Tajudeen; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).

“I did eight years as a governor. And the constitution says you should do eight years. There’s no need for you to start eyeing another position that is not available,” he said.

He said his experience in politics had taught him the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the electorate.

“I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win. And why I always win is because I stand with people. Go and mend your clothes when they are not torn,” he said.

APC chairman urges campaign team to acknowledge challenges

In his welcome address, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda urged the campaign council to acknowledge the challenges facing the federal government, explain the administration’s record, and make the case for Mr Tinubu’s re-election.

“We have made so much progress but must acknowledge where we have challenges while explaining the objectives, progress and continuing work of the administration,” he said.

Mr Yilwatda said the campaign should combine an account of the government’s achievements with an honest assessment of its shortcomings and a credible vision for the future.

breaking news today L-R: APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, help at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja yesterday
L-R: APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, help at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja

He said the council must explain what the administration completed, what remains in progress, and what it intends to achieve if returned to office.

“Our responsibility is to explain clearly what has been completed, what is progressing and what remains to be done,” he said.

He added that the party needed to show how its policies and investments would improve the daily lives of Nigerians.

The APC chairman said the party would seek another mandate for Mr Tinubu, arguing that the administration’s reform agenda and development priorities deserved the chance to deliver more results.

The inauguration marked the formal launch of the APC’s presidential campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general election, with party leaders urging members to defend the administration’s record, strengthen grassroots mobilisation and secure support across the country.

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Loke: CAAM audit identified minor issues prior to fatal Sarawak chopper crash, but found no direct link

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Loke: CAAM audit identified minor issues prior to fatal Sarawak chopper crash, but found no direct link
information hub Transport Minister Anthony Loke during Ministers’ Question Time at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur on October 15, 2026. — Bernama pic

Transport Minister Anthony Loke during Ministers’ Question Time at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur on October 15, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

First Published: Thursday, 15 Oct 2026 12:29 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Malaysia’s aviation regulator found organisational deficiencies at Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn. Bhd. during a routine audit days before a fatal helicopter crash in Sarawak, though officials emphasised that the findings were not directly linked to the accident.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke, addressing Parliament today, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) recorded three audit findings and three observations during a surveillance audit from September 1 to September 4, including issues of manpower planning calculations, maintenance handover records, and emergency response documentation.

The audit was a routine yearly assessment for CAAM to consider Layang-Layang Aerospace’s application to renew the company’s Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approval, the minister explained.

“The scope of the surveillance audit encompassed aspects of maintenance organisation compliance, manpower management, maintenance control, management of aircraft equipment and components, as well as the Safety Management System (SMS),” Loke said during Question Time.

“The audit findings on Layang-Layang’s maintenance organisation recorded three audit findings and three observations,” he added.

“All audit findings had been closed except for one finding related to manpower calculation maintenance, which was still awaiting final verification by CAAM as of the date of the accident. The finding was organisational in nature and not directly related to the technical condition of aircraft 9M-LLF or the aircraft systems involved in the accident.”

The Bolkow BO105 helicopter crashed on September 8 at Long Lelang STOLport in Sarawak, killing the pilot and four health ministry personnel on board.

Preliminary findings by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BSKU) confirmed that the pilot was fully licensed and medically fit, while the aircraft held valid registration and airworthiness certificates at departure.

BSKU is scheduled to present an initial public report to the Cabinet on October 16, with a final report expected within a year, Loke said.

Following the crash, CAAM carried out verification inspections between September 9 and September 12 on other BO105 helicopters and aircraft sharing the same Rolls-Royce RR250 engine model.

Operations were permitted to resume after compliance levels were verified to be satisfactory.

US cuts deadline for refugees to challenge status termination to 10 days

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US cuts deadline for refugees to challenge status termination to 10 days

The United States federal government has actually minimized the duration enabled refugees to challenge the termination of their legal status from 30 days to 10 days, raising issues over the possibility of increased deportations.

The brand-new policy, presented by President Donald Trump’s administration, efficient right away as part of wider efforts to tighten up migration controls and evaluation refugee admissions.

According to reports, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated the procedure is planned to resolve possible dangers including people confessed into the nation as refugees in spite of supposedly stopping working to satisfy eligibility requirements.

The policy especially targets issues surrounding refugees confessed throughout previous President Joe Biden’s administration, which migration authorities declare knowledgeable weak points in screening and confirmation treatments.

A minimum of 185,000 refugees confessed throughout Biden’s presidency who have pending permit applications are currently going through federal government evaluations.

Authorities have actually not revealed how lots of people might eventually be impacted, migration supporters caution that the reduced due date might leave thousands susceptible to losing their legal defense.

Refugee Groups Oppose 10-Day Deadline

Refugee resettlement organisations have actually criticised the policy, arguing that the 10-day due date supplies inadequate time for afflicted people to acquire legal representation and collect supporting files.

  • Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, stated numerous refugees had actually currently gone through substantial background checks and interviews before getting approval to go into the United States.
  • She argued that needing them to protect their status within 10 days might make it challenging to get legal help, equate files or obtain records from nations they left.
  • Refugee help organisation HIAS cautioned that the policy might expose susceptible people to deportation to nations where they deal with persecution or violence.

USCIS representative Zach Kahler protected the choice, mentioning that the administration was enhancing refugee screening treatments to make sure security is approved just to qualified candidates.

Trump Administration Restricts Refugee Admissions

The most recent advancement follows a series of migration constraints presented given that Trump’s go back to the White House in January 2025.

In September 2026, the administration revealed strategies to restrict refugee admissions to 17,500 for the 2027 , with a lot of locations anticipated to be designated to white South Africans.

  • This represents a considerable departure from the Biden administration’s yearly refugee admissions target of 125,000.
  • The administration had actually previously suspended refugee admissions before resuming the program with considerably narrower eligibility top priorities.
  • Under United States migration guidelines, refugees are normally evaluated and authorized outside the nation before arrival, unlike asylum candidates who obtain defense at the border or from within the United States.
  • Refugees can consequently make an application for irreversible residency through the permit procedure.

Previously in May, USCIS revealed that specific foreign nationals briefly living in the nation, consisting of Nigerians, would usually be needed to go back to their home nations to obtain Green Cards, based on exceptions.

APC campaign council tasks governors, lawmakers with grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election

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APC campaign council tasks governors, lawmakers with grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has actually charged its guvs, legislators, council chairmen and celebration executives to take President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election project to the grassroots, stating the celebration’s control of the 3 tiers of federal government offers it a benefit that should be transformed into votes.

Hope Uzodimma, Imo State guv and Secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), provided the charge on Wednesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the council for the 2027 election, where the celebration’s management acknowledged that its substantial political structure would not by itself ensure success.

Mr Uzodimma stated the celebration needs to utilize its control of the federal, state and city governments to develop a collaborated project reaching wards and ballot systems throughout the nation.

Mr Uzodimma stated the event, that included APC guvs, members of the National Assembly, celebration executives and city government chairmen, represented the celebration’s political structure throughout the federation.

“Every project is, at heart, regional,” Mr Uzodimma stated, including that guvs would lead projects in their states, council chairmen would take the message to city governments and wards, while lawmakers and celebration executives would overcome their constituencies and ballot systems.

He stated the celebration managed the federal government, bulks in both chambers of the National Assembly, 31 of the 36 states and about 685 of the 774 city government councils.

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“This is the greatest position any celebration has actually inhabited in the Fourth Republic,”he stated.

Mr Uzodimma cautioned that the APC’s supremacy might develop complacency if the celebration presumed its structures instantly equated into citizen assistance.

“A celebration that manages every tier of federal government can quickly grow comfy and start to error the size of its structure for the depth of its assistance, “he stated.

“As crucial as structures are, it is people who vote, and every one of them needs to be convinced.”

He advised celebration members to project quietly and within the law, stating the conduct of the governing celebration would affect the tone of the 2027 election.

The guv likewise asked Mr Tinubu to stay concentrated on governance instead of enable the project to sidetrack him from executing his policies.

“Please, Your Excellency, leave the heavy lifting of this project to us,” he informed the president.

Mr Uzodimma stated the APC would safeguard the administration’s financial reforms, consisting of the elimination of gas aid and reforms to the tax system, while highlighting what he referred to as enhancements in financial signs and federal government programs.

He pointed out the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, customer credit plan, Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer and facilities jobs as locations the project would provide to citizens.

Mr Uzodimma stated the APC had no reason not to win the election, however worried that its members need to initially reconcile their distinctions and provide a joined project.

“The primaries lag us,” he stated. “Whatever disagreements they might have left, the success of any among us can not be developed on the failure of another.”

He stated the election would likewise act as a referendum on the efficiency of APC guvs, legislators and city government chairmen since citizens would evaluate the celebration throughout all levels of federal government.

“Mr President will be on the tally on 16 January 2027, however if we are truthful with ourselves, so will we,” he stated.

The guv ultimately moved for a vote of self-confidence in Mr Tinubu’s management and dedicated the council to the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for a 2nd term.

The project council secretary stated the celebration’s argument for a 2nd term would be based upon the claim that Mr Tinubu’s very first term had actually laid the structure for financial healing which deserting the reforms midway would total up to beginning the procedure once again.

The Speaker of your house of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who is likewise a member of the project council, likewise framed the 2027 election as an option in between continuing Tinubu’s reforms and reversing them.

He stated the council’s duty was not simply to arrange rallies however to describe why “connection under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu serves Nigeria much better than turnaround.”

Mr Tajudeen stated the APC project need to acknowledge the financial troubles dealt with by Nigerians while providing proof of what he referred to as enhancements in the economy.

He stated the Nigerian economy grew by 4.2 percent in the very first half of 2026, while external reserves increased above $54 billion in September and the bank account surplus reached $12 billion.

He likewise stated non-oil exports surpassed $6 billion in 2025, which he referred to as the greatest figure in the nation’s history.

“Stability needs to reach every family. Earnings should enhance civil services. Reform should develop genuine chances. Development needs to produce tasks,” the speaker stated.

He stated your home had actually supported the Tinubu administration through legislation on trainee loans, the base pay, tax reforms, the Electoral Act 2026 and other steps.

According to him, your home got 2,747 costs and passed 363 in 3 years, while more than 70 of the costs had actually gotten governmental assent.

Mr Tajudeen informed project council members to serve as “ambassadors of fact, prompting them to prevent insults and react to opposition criticism with proof.

READ ALSO: Atiku faults Tinubu’s broadened project council, usage of Presidential Villa

“An ambassador does not develop proof. An ambassador masters it,” he stated.

“An ambassador does not insult the general public. An ambassador appreciates its intelligence.”

He stated the project would be taken “constituency by constituency, ward by ward, street by street, door to door.”

Speaking, Ibrahim Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, challenged members of the council to move their attention from conferences in Abuja to grassroots mobilisation.

Mr Masari stated the project ought to concentrate on ballot systems, wards, city governments and neighborhoods instead of “opening and painting workplaces” or holding unneeded conferences.

“Stop speaking with yourselves and begin talking with individuals,” he stated.

He stated the efficiency of members of the project council would be examined based upon real outcomes at the grassroots, instead of the variety of guarantees they made.

He likewise advised celebration members to prevent hate speech, chatter and individual complaints, and to work for the success of all APC prospects.

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11th Senate Race: Akpabio courts Tinubu, warns Uzodimma over ambition

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11th Senate Race: Akpabio courts Tinubu, warns Uzodimma over ambition

Senate President Godswill Akpabio openly asked President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday to support his bid for re-election as leader of the 11th Senate in 2027.

He also appealed to the president to discourage Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State from aspiring to replace him as Senate president.

Mr Akpabio made the dramatic request at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the State House, Abuja.

“Mr President, you already know that we (the National Assembly) are with you. Please, take the advice of Governor Soludo seriously. He (Soludo) said if the cloth is not torn, why try to amend it? If you try to amend it, you are going to tear the cloth,” Mr Akpabio said to Mr Tinubu, in an apparent request for political support in the race for the leadership of the 11th Senate.

“If the National Assembly is so much with you, why not encourage them to come back and support you in your second term?”

Continuing, Mr Akpabio sent a veiled warning to Mr Uzodimma, cautioning him to concentrate on his current responsibilities as governor.

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politics From left. Speaker house of the Representatives Rt. Abbas Tajudeen; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).
From left. Speaker house of the Representatives Rt. Abbas Tajudeen; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).

“And for my brothers who are governors, I want you to know: you must not abandon your people. I did eight years as a governor. The constitution says you should do eight years. There is no need for you to start eyeing another position that is not available,” said Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State.

“I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win,” he added.

Although Mr Akpabio did not mention Mr Uzodimma by name, his warning against governors eyeing other political offices was clearly targeted at the Imo governor, who is the APC senatorial candidate for Imo West District for the 2027 elections.

PREMIUM TIMES understands that Mr Uzodimma has perfected plans to resign as governor before his tenure expires and switch to the Senate if he wins the general election.

Mr Uzodimma’s second term as governor will end in January 2028, while the 11th Senate is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027.

‘I’ll be on the ballot as senatorial candidate’ – Uzodimma

Mr Uzodimma, the secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, told the gathering that the president’s re-election bid was inseparable from the electoral fortunes of other APC candidates, including himself.

“Mr President, you will be on the ballot on 16 January 2027. But if we are honest with ourselves, so will we,” he said.

politics Hope Uzodimma with other governors at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, help at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja
Hope Uzodimma with other governors at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, held at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja

“I will be on the ballot as a senatorial candidate. So, all of us. The challenge of re-electing Mr President is the challenge of re-electing every member of APC.”

The governor urged party members to resolve internal disagreements and work together to secure victory.

“We must jettison every misgiving we have against each other. We must reconcile our differences. We must rally as one family behind the party and all the candidates,” he said.

He added that the APC had an advantage ahead of the elections because of the “acceptance” of the party by Nigerians and Mr Tinubu’s “record” in office.

“Mr President has made our task easier by giving us a record we can defend with pride,” Mr Uzodimma said.

Senate presidency contest

The Senate presidency is decided by senators, not directly by the president or state governors. The outcome depends on the Senate’s composition after the elections and contenders’ ability to secure their colleagues’ support. However, the president’s support often plays a key role in who emerges as Senate president.

Mr Akpabio’s call for continuity signals his preference to preserve the current legislative arrangement, with him as Senate president.

Mr Uzodimma’s senatorial ambition, meanwhile, introduces another influential political figure into the contest for positions in the next Senate.

I won’t go everywhere with you, Tinubu tells campaign council

President Tinubu, while inaugurating the campaign council, said the council would coordinate campaign activities across states and local government areas, while he would concentrate on running the government.

“The responsibility of this office does not pause,” the president declared.

“I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas.

politics President Bola Tinubu during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council
President Bola Tinubu during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council

“So you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay.”

The APC Presidential Campaign Council, led by Director-General Abdulaziz Yari, is set to kick off its presidential campaign in Kaduna on 24 October.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, governors, top politicians, and APC youth and women groups, among other dignitaries, attended the event.

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2027: Tinubu to skip some APC campaign rallies, cites governance demands

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2027: Tinubu to skip some APC campaign rallies, cites governance demands

President Bola Tinubu said he may not attend every campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general election, citing governance demands and the need to meet Nigeria’s financial obligations.

Mr Tinubu made this known on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Addressing party leaders and members, the president said his responsibilities as head of state would require him to remain focused on governance. At the same time, campaign officials coordinate activities across states and local government areas.

“Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause,” he said.

He added that he would continue to address Nigerians directly but would not necessarily accompany the campaign team to every engagement.

“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you; we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” Mr Tinubu said.

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He said the government also needed to attract investors willing to make long-term commitments to Nigeria, suggesting his administration would keep economic and financial responsibilities a priority during the campaign.

The president said he agreed with party members who advised him not to let campaign activities distract him from governing the country.

“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance, I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” he said.

politics Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).
Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).

Tinubu pledges loyalty to APC manifesto

Despite indicating that he might be absent from some campaign engagements, Mr Tinubu pledged to remain committed to the APC’s manifesto and objectives as he seeks re-election in 2027.

“To me, I am your errand man. Even for the president, I raise my hand for full commitment that we abide by my promises and the manifestos, the objective, the intention of our party. That’s all I give you,” he said.

He also praised the party for conducting its congresses and electing leaders at ward, local government, state and national levels, despite predictions that the process could trigger an internal crisis.

Mr Tinubu recalled that the party’s 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held on 19 December 2025, ratified the congress programme.

“We conducted it. They said there would be implosion. We passed through it. We did not fail. You did not let us down,” he said.

The president described the campaign council as a vehicle for taking the administration’s record and agenda to Nigerians across the country.

politics Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)

“This council will carry our vision, our record and our agenda to every Nigerian, and it will carry them to every ward of this country. We arrive at this moment strong, united and renewed,” he said.

He warned, however, that the party’s work would not be complete until it secured votes in the next election.

“But no one gets credit for an incomplete assignment. So, until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your wards, until you deliver the votes, before we can say thank you,” he said.

Shettima questions opposition unity

Vice President Kashim Shettima used the occasion to question the ability of opposition politicians seeking to unseat Mr Tinubu to manage Nigeria’s diverse interests, arguing that some had struggled to maintain unity within their own parties.

“Meanwhile, those offering to rescue Nigeria cannot keep their own political households intact,” he said.

Mr Shettima asked how politicians who could not reconcile disagreements among party leaders would manage the competing interests of a country with more than 200 million people.

politics Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)
Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)

“So I ask, if reconciling a few party leaders defeats you, how will you reconcile the interests of over 200 million citizens?” he said.

He described the 2027 election as an opportunity for Nigerians to assess the competence, character and policy positions of those seeking the presidency.

The vice president also urged members of the campaign council to engage communities, listen to grievances and present the administration’s case through sustained grassroots mobilisation.

“Every committee of the Presidential Campaign Council must earn its place through hard work, every community must hear our case, and every grievance must receive a patient hearing,” he said.

Defending the administration’s economic reforms, Mr Shettima said Mr Tinubu inherited an economy under severe fiscal pressure and made difficult decisions previous administrations avoided.

“President Bola Tinubu inherited immense expectations on an economy approaching fiscal catastrophe. He confronted the subsidy burden and the currency distortion that rewarded access above enterprise,” he said.

He argued that the administration had prioritised long-term economic stability over immediate political popularity.

politics Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima and Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima and Vice President Kashim Shettima during the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday(14/10/2026)

Akpabio cautions APC governors

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also addressed the political calculations surrounding the 2027 elections, warning APC governors against abandoning their states in pursuit of other political offices.

“For my brothers who are governors, I want you to know that you must not abandon your people,” he said.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, urged the governors to complete their constitutionally permitted eight-year tenure before pursuing other positions.

politics From left. Speaker house of the Representatives Rt. Abbas Tajudeen; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).
From left. Speaker house of the Representatives Rt. Abbas Tajudeen; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday (14/10/2026).

“I did eight years as a governor. And the constitution says you should do eight years. There’s no need for you to start eyeing another position that is not available,” he said.

He said his experience in politics had taught him the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the electorate.

“I have been in this business for over 25 years, and I always win. And why I always win is because I stand with people. Go and mend your clothes when they are not torn,” he said.

APC chairman urges campaign team to acknowledge challenges

In his welcome address, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda urged the campaign council to acknowledge the challenges facing the federal government, explain the administration’s record, and make the case for Mr Tinubu’s re-election.

“We have made so much progress but must acknowledge where we have challenges while explaining the objectives, progress and continuing work of the administration,” he said.

Mr Yilwatda said the campaign should combine an account of the government’s achievements with an honest assessment of its shortcomings and a credible vision for the future.

politics L-R: APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, help at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja yesterday
L-R: APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, help at the State House, Conference Centre, Abuja

He said the council must explain what the administration completed, what remains in progress, and what it intends to achieve if returned to office.

“Our responsibility is to explain clearly what has been completed, what is progressing and what remains to be done,” he said.

He added that the party needed to show how its policies and investments would improve the daily lives of Nigerians.

The APC chairman said the party would seek another mandate for Mr Tinubu, arguing that the administration’s reform agenda and development priorities deserved the chance to deliver more results.

The inauguration marked the formal launch of the APC’s presidential campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general election, with party leaders urging members to defend the administration’s record, strengthen grassroots mobilisation and secure support across the country.

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China alone is the troublemaker in the region – Teodoro

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China alone is the troublemaker in the region – Teodoro
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.(INQUIRER file picture/ GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

China alone is the nuisance in the area– Teodoro

MANILA, Philippines– Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday declined Vice President Sara Duterte’s remark that the Philippines was ending up being a”mischief-maker of Southeast Asia,”stating China was the one triggering difficulty in the area.

” Kaya ang mischief-maker dito ay ang China lang,” Teodoro stated in a Zoom interview with press reporters. (China alone is the nuisance here.)

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Duterte made the remark on Monday, Oct. 12, while questioning the representation of China-linked service transactions as a nationwide security risk.

Talking to press reporters throughout the Office of the Vice President’s anniversary event in Mandaluyong City, Duterte likewise pointed out a drug delivery bound for the Philippines from Laos and Thailand.

Inquired about her declaration, Teodoro indicated the Philippines’ defense of its maritime rights, questioning how Filipino soldiers compromising to secure those rights might be called nuisances.

He stated the nation’s rights at sea were connected to its future and sustainability.

“Obviously, no one can state na ang Pilipinas ay ang nanggugulo dahil unang-una tayo ay mas maliit na bansa, ipinaglalaban lang natin ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” he stated.

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(Obviously, no one can state the Philippines is triggering problem since, firstly, we are a smaller sized nation. We are just defending our nation’s future.)

Teodoro likewise mentioned other nations’ objections to Beijing’s conduct, stating China consistently dismissed criticism of its actions as intriguing.

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Asked whether Chinese rhetoric and affect operations might intensify ahead of the 2028 elections, he stated the scenario was currently weakening.

“Wala pang eleksyon eh. Lumalala na eh,” he stated. (There are no elections yet, and it is currently worsening.)

READ: AFP backs Teodoro transfer to ditch China military hotline

Teodoro alerted that even slowing efforts to reinforce Philippine defenses might harm the nation’s capability to withstand Chinese aggressiveness and growth. A policy turnaround, he included, would be “destructive and devastating” to its future.

On business transactions raised in the exact same concern, Teodoro stated Filipinos are not forbidden from working with China.

Whether a public authorities was enabled to engage in specific deals was a different matter for the correct investigative authorities to figure out, he stated.

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He included that negotiations with China ought to be carefully analyzed for authenticity and propriety when they included authorities with a voice in matters impacting the nation’s territorial stability./ gsg

For detailed protection, extensive analysis, visit our unique page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay notified with posts, videos, and specialist viewpoints.

Castro: Marcos’ use of ‘Ante Kler’ nickname an ‘endorsement’

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Castro: Marcos’ use of ‘Ante Kler’ nickname an ‘endorsement’
Palace press officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a press instruction with the Malacañang Press Corps on Oct. 14, 2026.( Screenshot from RTVM )

MANILA, Philippines– Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Wednesday stated she was thrilled when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. resolved her as” Ante Kler “for the very first time considering that her visit in July 2025.

Her label, after all, goes beyond political colors.

Whether Marcos followers, Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS), or Kakampinks who backed previous Vice President Leni Robredo’s 2022 governmental quote, netizens, particularly those who view her routine press rundowns or YouTube vlog, have actually grown familiar with calling her Ante Kler.

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“It warms the heart since the president himself has stated the name, Ante Kler. That is a recommendation,” Castro stated throughout a press rundown in Malacañang.

READ: Marcos: Sara Duterte’s defamation of character declares ‘phony news’

Asked if it was a recommendation for a possible quote for optional workplace in the 2028 elections, Castro coyly rejected it.

“It is simply support for the name Ante Kler. Do not fret, I have actually currently registered it,” she stated.

Castro calls her fans and fans “Ka-Clear” as she clarifies the Marcos administration’s position on different concerns.

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Her bashers, on the other hand, call her “Anti Clear.”

“What can we get out of them? They will never ever comprehend my piece, my declaration, even if it is clear enough for them to comprehend,” Castro stated in an interview in August 2025.

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Her remarks came in the middle of current attention surrounding her function as Palace press officer and de facto representative for the administration and Marcos.

READ: PCO’s Gomez on keeping Claire Castro: ‘She’s doing a great task!’

Throughout an interview in Singapore on Oct. 11, Marcos clarified that his earlier usage of the word “buwaon,” or “phony,” was not directed at Vice President Sara Duterte.

Rather, it was his response to claims by his critics that the administration was relocating to change the Constitution to cancel the 2028 elections and extend his governmental term.

“I simply got this report, and I asked her, ‘Is it real that this report came out?” Marcos stated.

“She believed what I stated was for a news release. Ridiculous you, Ante Kler,” he included.

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Castro informed Marcos, “Sorry, sir,” triggering laughter from press reporters and federal government authorities present./ mcm

NFL legend Terry Bradshaw says he realizes his TV career is ‘coming to an end’

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NFL legend Terry Bradshaw says he realizes his TV career is ‘coming to an end’

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw told NBC News on Tuesday his television career is winding down.

“I realize my time on television as a sports broadcaster is coming to an end,” Bradshaw, 78, said on “NBC News Daily” as he was discussing his new memoir, “Looking for Terry.”

Bradshaw was asked about his busy schedule when he made the remark; in addition to his writing, he has a horse ranch, a bourbon line and several grandchildren.

“I just love life. Billy Graham said, and I never forgot this quote, he said, ‘The day you retire is the day you start dying,’” Bradshaw said.

He added, “I’m a workaholic; I love to work,” before he said he knew he was nearing the end of his broadcasting career.

movies Terry Bradshaw seated in front of a blue backdrop.
Terry Bradshaw in Miami in 2020. Anthony Behar / Sipa via AP

Bradshaw began his career as an analyst in 1984, the year he retired. He was a color commentator for CBS until he joined its pregame show in 1990.

In 1994, Bradshaw joined Fox, and he has appeared on its Sunday pregame show ever since. He and Howie Long are the only two members of the show who have been on the “Fox NFL Sunday” desk since its inception.

Bradshaw, a Louisiana native, spent all of his storied playing career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterbacking the legendary franchise from 1970 through 1983. He played in only one game his final season, retiring because of elbow troubles.

Bradshaw led the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins from 1974 to 1979, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to win three (as well as four) Super Bowls. He was named Super Bowl MVP twice and also won a regular-season MVP award in 1978.

Bradshaw was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, and no Pittsburgh player has worn his iconic No. 12 since he retired.

In addition to his broadcasting career, Bradshaw has spent part of his post-playing days as an actor. He appeared in television shows such as the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” and the fantasy football comedy “The League,” and he even participated in “The Masked Singer.”

In 2006, Bradshaw played the father of Matthew McConaughey’s character in the romantic comedy “Failure to Launch,” appearing nude in one scene.

In his memoir, Bradshaw also discusses some of the personal issues he has faced in retirement, including battling cancer and depression.

“I couldn’t understand why I had this horrible sinking feeling, and I was so miserable,” Bradshaw said of dealing with depression.

He added that it was difficult as a former NFL player to open up about his mental health issues, saying a good friend of his even once made fun of him for discussing his depression in the past.

“It was a hard thing for me to decide to do, because I didn’t want it to be taken lightly, and I didn’t want to be laughed at,” Bradshaw said.

He added: “A lot of men think if they dealt with depression that people are going to see it as a weakness. It’s a disease. It’s a disconnect.”

Worker held for sexually assaulting minor at temple, CCTV captures incident

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Worker held for sexually assaulting minor at temple, CCTV captures incident

streaming Man held for sexually assaulting minor at temple near Pune, CCTV footage emerges

A daily-wage worker was arrested for the sexual assault of a minor girl at a temple

PUNE: Nigdi police on Monday arrested a daily-wage worker for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl at a temple while she was visiting with her parents on Sunday.CCTV footage from the temple reportedly shows the accused entering the premises and allegedly assaulting the child, helping police identify and arrest him.Senior inspector Mahesh Bansode said police registered a case soon after receiving information about the incident. “We arrested the accused with the help of CCTV footage,” Bansode said.

CCTV footage helps police identify accused

According to the police, the girl had gone to the temple with her parents when the alleged assault took place. The CCTV footage captured the worker entering the temple and purportedly showed the assault, providing investigators with a lead in the case.Police arrested the accused on Monday. His identity has not been disclosed.

Worker booked under BNS, POCSO Act

The accused has been booked under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with assault or criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty.He has also been booked under Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, relating to sexual assault and sexual harassment of a child, respectively.

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