• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 1, 2025
• 22 views
• 3 minutes Read

THISDAY’s Omolabake Fasogbon, 14 Others Selected for West Africa DPI Fellowship

THISDAY’s Omolabake Fasogbon, 14 Others Selected for West Africa DPI Fellowship

Omolabake Fasogbon, a journalist with THISDAY newspaper, has been selected for 2025/2026  Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) Journalism Fellowship by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). 

Fasogbon was selected alongside 14 other journalists across the country, emerging from a rigorous multi-stage competitive process. 

The DPI Journalism Fellowship is a flagship initiative jointly implemented by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with support from Co-Develop.

The Fellowship aims to amplify public awareness, participation, and uptake of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods and Services (DPGs) through media narratives and public discourses.

Through this opportunity, selected journalists will receive hands-on training, editorial mentorship, and access to a continental information hub that curates resources and data on DPIs and DPGs. 

Fasogbon and 14 others emerged as the finalists from close to 200 applicants and 45 shortlisted candidates.

In a statement announcing the fellows, MFWA disclosed that the 15 Fellows were drawn from a mix of print, broadcast, and online media outlets from Nigeria; and are made up of a fairly balanced gender representation of eight males and seven females.

It noted that the fellows will join an expanding network of alumni across West Africa who are using journalism to illuminate the opportunities and challenges in the region’s digital evolution.

“The fellowship is expected to run for six months beginning from October 31, where fellows are obliged to churn out at least six original and well-researched stories,” the statement reads. 

The stories will focus on driving awareness and public discourses around inclusive digital identification, digital payments, data exchanges, interoperability, safeguards and related issues in the design, implementation and uptake of DPI and DPGs in Nigeria and beyond. 

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Honour in recognition of their contribution to improving awareness, uptake, transparency and accountability around DPI governance, and related issues.

Those selected alongside Fasogbon include: Adeyemi Adepetun (The Guardian);  Abubakar Muhammad Usman (WikkiTimes, Kano);  Yakubu Mohammed (Premium Times); Rasheedat Oladotun Iliyas (Harmony FM, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Kwara State);  Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim Daily Episode, Kano State); Obidah Habila Albert (HumAngle Media, Abuja);  Abdulsemiu Monsuroh (TheCable); Juliet Buna (Crest 91.1FM, Ibadan);  and Juliet Umeh (Vanguard Newspapers).

Others are Kola Muhammed (Legit.ng, Lagos), Timileyin Precious Akinmoyeje (Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Lagos), Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal (Bond FM, Lagos), Anibe Idajili (TechCityNG, Niger State) and Frank Eleanya (TechCabal, Lagos State).

“The DPI Journalism Fellowship represents a strategic investment in fostering informed and independent media narratives that shape public discourses around inclusive design, implementation and uptake of DPI developments in the areas of policy, governance and utility. We are grateful to Co-Develop for the partnership and the support in making this initiative possible,” remarked Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah. 

​  

Omolabake Fasogbon, a journalist with THISDAY newspaper, has been selected for 2025/2026  Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) Journalism Fellowship by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).  Fasogbon was selected alongside 14 other journalists

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 1, 2025
• 19 views
• 5 minutes Read

Art Collector, Shyllon Urges Govt to Invest More in Education

Art Collector, Shyllon Urges Govt to Invest More in Education

James Sowole in Abeokuta

A renowned artist, collector and philanthropist, Dr. Yemisi Shyllon, has challenged governments at all levels to do more on education in order to solve many of the problems confronting the country.

Shyllon made the call at the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue of the late Tai Solarin, which he donated to the Ijagun Campus of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED) in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The unveiled statue was one of the two donated by Shyllon to Nigerian universities as legacy projects in honour of who they were named.

The second statue is what was described as a larger-than-life bronze monument of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and would be unveiled on December 5, 2025 during a three-in-one event at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.

Also in the field of art, the ‘Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Exhibition Hall’ will be unveiled at the Nigerian Unity Museum of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Jericho.

According to Shyllon, the likes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did much to promote education in their time, which he said is why he was doing something to immortalise him. 

He said, “On December 5, I am unveiling a bronze sculpture like this for the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He built Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State in 1962 and became the Chancellor in 1967. I observed that people have graduated from the university and they never left a legacy for him. 

“That is why I am doing this. The Holy Book said that we should embrace charity as it is written in I Corinthians 13 verse 13 in the Bible and Holy Quran Chapter 18 verse 46. If you read them, you will see why you should show love and leave a legacy for others.      

On Tai Solarin, Shyllon said the late educationist was one man he cherished so much and whose life influenced many.

He said, “When I was with my paternal grandmother, one man that I valued so much was the late Tai Solarin. 

“When I was just 12 years of age, I read Tai Solarin article ‘May Your Road Be Rough’ that was about 1965. I read that article and said woah, how can somebody curse that anybody’s road should be rough? That was the intuition that made me read that article and that influenced my life. In fact, when I was with my paternal grandmother, she used to talk a lot about the late Tai Solarin. She used to talk about one man that comes to Lagos to pick dead bodies that would have been abandoned on Lagos streets and pick them to go and bury. And of course, as time went on, I got to know more and more about him.

The philanthropist said that those donations he was making were based on his principle about life, which he said started a long time ago.

Shyllon said that he has done similar projects for the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Pan Atlantic University, where he said he established the biggest art museum in Nigeria.

He said, “My purpose in life is very different and my purpose in life is to give and not to receive and that is what Winston Churchill meant when he said, ‘you live when you get but when you give you give life’. I believe in giving.

“One of the ways I give is to give a lasting legacy about my life. There are people who are in this world who are very rich but they never left a lasting legacy, once they are dead, they are forgotten. But my intention is that I don’t want to be forgotten about my contributions to life. 

“I don’t want to believe that life is vanity. Life is full of many things you can do that can make sure that life is not vanity.

“I have helped many people to get PhDs through my foundation. I have helped many artists to become somebody great in the world and I will continue to do more. I try to leave lasting legacy wherever I go.

“It is not in universities alone that I leave legacies, go to Freedom Park in Lagos, I donated 18 sculptural works like this to the public park to encourage tourism in Nigeria. If you go there you will see them there. I have donated them since 2010. 

“It is not only in universities. In Abeokuta, through Prof. Funke Ifeda, I donated 20 feet High Sodeke. It is not in universities, we are everywhere.”

Shyllon said the “younger generation needs to learn more beyond ordinary sculpture or what I am donating. I am currently writing a book, which I have finished but just editing. It is titled ‘Lifetime Reflection for Building Lasting Wealth’. The purpose is that I want generations yet unborn to read that book and get inspiration on how they can make success in their lives without embezzling and without dipping their hands in anybody’s wealth.

In his comment, Chairman of TASUED Governing Council, Professor Rahman Bello, thanked Shyllon for the statue donation, noting that the donor had been a great philanthropist that has affected many lives.

Also speaking, the 5th Vice Chancellor of the university Professor Oluwole Banjo, commended Shyllon for his gesture, saying he was noted for philanthropism.

​  

James Sowole in Abeokuta A renowned artist, collector and philanthropist, Dr. Yemisi Shyllon, has challenged governments at all levels to do more on education in order to solve many of the problems confronting the country.

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 1, 2025
• 21 views
• 4 minutes Read

Access Holdings Grows Profit Before Tax by 10.4% to N616bn in Q3 2025

Access Holdings Grows Profit Before Tax by 10.4% to N616bn in Q3 2025

Kayode Tokede  

 Access Holdings Plc, yesterday announced a N616 billion profit before tax for the third quarter (Q3) ended September 30, 2025, which was a 10.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase over the N558 billion declared in the third quarter (Q3) ended September 30, 2024.

The group from the profit & loss figures recorded improved performance for Q3 2025, with gross earnings rising by 14.1 per cent YoY to N3.9trillion from N3.4 trillion as at Q3 2024.

The Company Secretary, Access Holdings, Sunday Ekwochi, in a statement stated that, “This performance was driven by sustained growth in both interest and fees and commission, reflecting the strength of the Group’s diversified earnings base and improved performance from core operations across its banking and non-banking businesses.

“Maintaining the same momentum, gross earnings rose by 56.2per cent quarter-on-quarter from N2.5 trillion as at Half Year (H1) 2025. Interest income rose by 21.1 per cent year-on-year to N2.9 trillion in Q3 2025, compared to N2.4 trillion in Q3 2024.

“Net interest income also increased by 48.9per cent to N1.3 trillion from N845 billion in the same period. This performance was driven by loan book expansion, reflecting our disciplined risk management approach and a strategic focus towards higher-yielding, quality assets to strengthen portfolio returns. 

“On a quarter-on-quarter basis, interest income and net interest income grew by 42.1per cent and 27.8per cent, respectively, from N2.0 trillion and N984 billion in H1 2025. 

“There was 44.3per cent growth in net fee and commission to N476 billion in Q3 2025 from N330 billion in Q3 2024, reflecting higher transaction volumes and increased customer activity across digital and payment channels across both periods.  On a quarter-on-quarter basis, net fee and commission income also increased by 100.8per cent from N237billion in H1 2025. 

“While total non-interest income declined marginally by 8.1 per cent to N872 billion in Q3 2025 from N984 trillion in Q3 2024, the Group’s growth momentum from core operations continues to support overall earnings trajectory.”

He noted that operating income rose 18.8 per cent to N2.13 trillion in Q3 2025 from N1.8trillion in Q3 2024, while impairment on loans increased by 141.5 per cent to N350 billion as of Q3 2025 from N145 billion in Q3 2024.

“Operating expenses increased marginally by 6.7 per cent in Q3 2025 to N1.2 trillion from N1.1trillion in Q3 2024. The cost-to-income ratio (CIR) improved to 54.6 per cent in Q3 2025 from 60.8per cent as at Q3 2024, as revenue growth outpaced operating expenses. We expect cost-to-income ratio to stay moderated from ongoing efficiency initiatives, cost optimisation measures, and stronger revenue across the Group.”

“Compared to H1 2025 performance, profitability demonstrated resilience, as profit before tax (PBT) increased by 91.9 per cent from N321billion in H1 2025 YTD to N616 billion in Q3 2025. Profit after tax (PAT) also showed improvement in the period with a 107.9 per cent increase to N447 billion in Q3 2025 from N215 billion as at H1 2025 YTD.

“The Group’s balance sheet increased with total assets growing by 25.8per cent to N52.0 trillion in Q3 2025 from N41.5 trillion in FY 2024. The growth in balance sheet was supported by customer deposits, which grew by 47 per cent to N33.1 trillion in Q3 2025 from N22.5 trillion in FY 2024. Loans and advances increased by 19.7 per cent   to N15.6trillion in Q3 2025 from N13.0 trillion in Q3 2024. The Group is positioned to unlock revenue synergies, enhance cross-border collaboration, and drive sustainable earnings growth.

“The Group’s strong performance was largely driven by its non-Nigerian subsidiaries, which together contributed over 50 per cent of consolidated results.

“These subsidiaries continued to deliver strong growth across key metrics, reflecting the benefits of diversification and deepening franchise strength across our African markets. In comparison, the Nigerian operations experienced underperformance during the period, attributable to changing macroeconomic conditions, inflationary pressures, and continued regulatory adjustments. Despite these headwinds, the Group’s diversified structure continued to provide stability and resilience.”

Looking ahead, He added that, “We will continue to strengthen our franchise across all our markets and businesses, deepen operational resilience, and create sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

“We appreciate the continued trust and support of our shareholders, customers, and employees. Together, we are shaping a resilient and inclusive franchise that is anchored in prudent portfolio management, guided by innovation, and committed to sustainable growth.” 

​  

Kayode Tokede    Access Holdings Plc, yesterday announced a N616 billion profit before tax for the third quarter (Q3) ended September 30, 2025, which was a 10.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY)

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 1, 2025
• 21 views
• 3 minutes Read

Katsina to Bar Children Without Birth Certificates from Accessing Healthcare

Katsina to Bar Children Without Birth Certificates from Accessing Healthcare

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced his administration’s plans to ban children without birth certificates from accessing healthcare and education in the state.

He said the state government will soon make birth certificates a mandatory requirement for accessing the essential government services.

Radda, who announced this during the formal launch of an e-birth registration exercise at the Continental Event Centre in Katsina yesterday, said the ban will soon be enforced in the state.

He said birth registration certificates will serve as one of the basic requirements for children and adults seeking healthcare, school admissions and employment in the state.

“Very soon, we are going to make the birth registration certificate a necessary requirement for children seeking school admission, healthcare and even employment,” Radda said while addressing the gathering in Hausa language.

He said the decision will enable parents and guardians in the state to avail their children for birth registration for accurate data of the state’s population.

He explained that birth registration is the first legal recognition of a child’s identity and the foundation for accessing education, healthcare, social protection, and civic participation.

Radda lamented that millions of Nigerian children have grown up without the fundamental recognition. “This is not just a systemic failure but a moral deficit we must correct,” the governor.

He reiterated that under his administration, birth registration has become a viable platform and key pillar of child protection and inclusive governance.

The governor directed that the ward and village across the 34 local government areas of the Katsina State will serve as permanent birth registration centres.

“This strategic decision embeds the registration process at the very heart of our communities, ensuring accessibility, cultural acceptance, and long-term sustainability,” he said.

He called on traditional and religious leaders, as well as parents, to support the ongoing birth registration exercise in the state in order to achieve the desired results. 

In his remarks, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Rahama Farah, said the launch of the e-birth registration has given every child in the state the opportunity to be counted, recognised and given identity from birth.

He said, “We are pleased that a vital opportunity is now being provided to all children in Katsina State to have access to a birth registration system which is sustainable and community based. 

“This is a fulfilment of one of the fundamental rights in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which Nigeria had ratified and now is domesticated into law in many states across Nigeria including Katsina State.”

​  

Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced his administration’s plans to ban children without birth certificates from accessing healthcare and education in the state. He said the

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 1, 2025
• 22 views
• 3 minutes Read

Peter Obi: Investment in Healthcare Sector Can Raise Life Expectancy in Nigeria

Peter Obi: Investment in Healthcare Sector Can Raise Life Expectancy in Nigeria

.Donates N20m to nursing college, mission hospital 

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka 

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that investment in the healthcare sector can help raise life expectancy in Nigeria.

Obi, who was at College of Nursing Sciences, Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday, to make a donation to the college, said Nigeria presently was among the countries with the lowest life expectancy.

He however said that investing in the training of doctors and nurses and also equipping hospitals can help Nigerians live longer, bearing in mind that a country is only productive when its health sector is functioning well.

Obi who presented a cheque of N15 million to the college also addressed the students, encouraging them to take their profession seriously.

He said, “By 2030, we will have a shortage of healthcare workers in Nigeria. Many healthcare workers are leaving Nigeria, but with support, we can train enough nurses and doctors to help Nigeria.

“Life expectancy today in Nigeria is about 55 years, it is among the lowest in the world, but I believe that with investments in healthcare sector, we can raise life expectancy in Nigeria.

“That is why I have been supporting the healthcare sector in Nigeria in my own little way by donating to hospitals and nursing colleges. We are here to support the Bishop (Ephraim Ikeakor) in our own little way, because we know how he started this college and what he has done to bring it to what it is today.

“You as nurses have a job to do, to better the healthcare sector. Don’t just accept that the country is messed up, but do your own part to make it better because everyone has to do their own part.

“I’m here because I consider you very important and I have to do this as my own way to support healthcare in Nigeria. Health is number one measurement of any society. The first measurement of life of any society is life expectancy, and some of us are aware that Nigeria has the least life expectancy in the world.”

Reacting to this, the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese and Proprietor of the College, Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor, praised Obi for continuously coming back to donate to the college despite his contribution to its establishment when he was governor.

He said Obi’s consistency reflects his sincerity and passion for uplifting the community.

He said, “Obi’s style of politics is different. I have never seen a place where someone contested election and even after election he is still making donations as if it is campaign period. This is a man Nigeria will treasure for a long time.”

The Students’ Union Leader, Onyedikachi Otubaluonye, who spoke on behalf of the students, described the former Anambra governor as a blessing to the school and the wider community.

Obi also visited St. Felix Catholic Hospital, Nnewi, where he donated N5 million, while also reiterating his call for investment in the healthcare sector. 

The former governor commended the commitment of the medical team.

Manager of the hospital, Rev. Fr. Peter Ugochukwu, who recalled how Obi visited 2023, thanked him for coming back again. He said the hospital wants to expand as they have already acquired a permanent site to build a multi-specialty hospital and establish a School of Nursing and Midwifery.

​  

.Donates N20m to nursing college, mission hospital  David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka  Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that investment in the

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 1, 2025
• 17 views
• 2 minutes Read

Oyedele: Capital Gain Tax Will Not Erode Nigeria’s Competitiveness 

Oyedele: Capital Gain Tax Will Not Erode Nigeria’s Competitiveness 

James Emejo in Abuja

The Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that the proposed introduction of a 30 per cent tax rate on capital gains from the disposal of shares would not deter foreign investors or  erode the country’s competitiveness.

Addressing investor concerns, he explained that many developed countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa, apply CGT and still remained attractive investment destinations.

He said, “Competitiveness depends on overall returns and risk factors — not the absence of CGT.”

Oyedele also clarified that Nigeria was not tripling CGT for foreign investors, stressing that both local and foreign investors benefit from exemptions based on thresholds and reinvestment. 

He said, “Tax applies only where those thresholds are exceeded without reinvestment. Labelling this as a punitive tax on foreign investors is misleading.”

He pointed out that investors in Nigeria’s capital market have earned over 100 per cent average returns in dollar terms since May 2023, through capital gains, dividends, and currency appreciation.

He added that the ongoing tax reform aims to promote fairness, progressivity, and broaden participation in the capital market. 

He said, “This is an opportunity to attract more investments, especially by retail investors, away from gambling and virtual asset trading.”

In his presentation on impact of CGT on the capital market, he said CGT on Shares lower business risk, increase harmonisation and progressivity.

He said the policy objectives were to reduce burden of tax on business entry or startup especially input VAT on assets. 

This, he said, would also lower cost and enhance operating cash flows particularly lower CIT rate, and no minimum tax on capital.

He said the policy will harmonise with income tax to make CGT progressive similar to the practice in many countries 

This, he further noted, would curb arbitrage loophole by local investors and BEPS by foreign investors.

According to him, the current regime has flat CGT rate of 10 per cent while gains are isolated and taxed, adding that capital losses are not relieved for tax purposes.

He explained that in the new regime, businesses are taxed based on payer’s income band and rate like US, UK, Australia, SA, Ghana, Brazil, among others, as well as taxed on a net of gains and losses.

He said small companies pay zero per cent and individuals  with less than N150 million proceed and  N10 million gains exempted. 

​  

James Emejo in Abuja The Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that the proposed introduction of a 30 per cent tax rate on capital