Author: James Obasi

Nigerian-born leadership coach and author, Peter Adeleke, has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the longest leadership lesson after teaching for 28 hours and 45 minutes in Calgary, Canada. Adeleke began the marathon lecture in August, aiming to surpass the previous record of 24 hours, with a target range of 30 to 48 hours. On Monday, he announced via Instagram that Guinness World Records had approved his attempt, officially naming him a title holder. A screenshot of the confirmation email from GWR read in part:“We are thrilled to inform you that your application for the longest leadership lesson has been successful and you are now the Guinness World Records Title Holder!” Confirming the record on its official website, GWR stated:“The longest leadership lesson is 28 hr 45 min and was achieved by Peter Adeleke (Canada), in Calgary, Canada, on 30 August 2025. Peter is an author, speaker and qualified leadership expert. He set out to achieve a record in the field to change the narrative of leadership. He hopes to raise the bar in leadership development and spark conversation around transformational leadership.” Celebrating the achievement, Adeleke wrote on Instagram:“It’s official! … I am humbled and honoured to officially announce that I am now a Guinness World Records Holder for the Longest Leadership Lesson in history. This journey was not by strength, but by grace, resilience, and the unwavering support of an incredible team. To God alone be the glory.” On his website, he explained why he did not reach his initial 48-hour target, saying:“Originally, I had set out to teach for 48 hours, but I completed the feat in 28 hours instead. And I’ve learned that in leadership — and in life — success isn’t always about hitting the exact target you set. It’s about pushing boundaries, discovering your true limits, and creating meaningful impact along the way. Did I break the record? Yes, I did — and it’s now official and confirmed! What mattered most was surpassing the previous record of 24 hours, and I achieved that by delivering a leadership lesson that lasted 28 hours.” This accomplishment adds Adeleke to the growing list of Nigerians holding Guinness World Records. Recently, celebrity chef Hilda Baci set a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice at the Gino World Jollof Festival in Lagos, with a dish weighing 8,780 kilogrammes (19,356 lb 9 oz), making her a two-time GWR title holder. In May 2023, Baci had previously achieved the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, clocking 93 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the 87 hours and 45 minutes set by Indian chef Lata Tondon.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has suspended self-collection gantry sales of petroleum products at its facility, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025. This was contained in a mail correspondence on Friday, signed by the Group Commercial Operations Department of the company. The directive is aimed at encouraging broader adoption of the refinery’s free delivery scheme for retail outlets and halting sales to unregistered marketers, whether they purchase directly from its depot or through intermediaries. Dangote explained that the move is an operational adjustment intended to improve efficiency. The company urged marketers to embrace its Free Delivery Scheme, which provides direct shipments to retail stations, while warning that any payments made after the effective date would not be accepted. The communication to its marketing partners stated in part:“Effective 18th September 2025, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has placed all self-collection gantry sales on hold until further notice. In line with this, all payments related to active PFIs for self-collection are also to be placed on hold. Please note that any payment made after this date will not be honoured.” The company, however, assured that its Free Delivery Scheme remains active for both existing and newly onboarded customers. It added:“We encourage all customers to register for the DPRP Free Delivery Scheme, which remains fully operational and ensures a seamless delivery experience to your station.” Management also apologised for the inconveniences the decision might cause, saying:“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we implement this operational adjustment.” The development comes amid ongoing disputes between the refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN). NUPENG has accused the refinery of resisting the unionisation of its truck drivers despite a government-brokered agreement, while DAPPMAN has criticised the “free delivery scheme,” alleging that marketers are being compelled to rely on Dangote’s fleet at commercial rates. The refinery, however, insists the scheme is designed to stabilise supply and reduce costs, accusing marketers of seeking subsidies and encouraging diversion. The standoff has raised concerns over pricing, labour rights, and competition in the downstream oil sector. The decision is expected to affect independent petroleum marketers and retail owners who are yet to register for the free delivery scheme and have relied on direct self-collection from the refinery’s gantry.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sympathised with families, organisations, and traders who lost loved ones and properties in Tuesday’s fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The inferno, which also spread to parts of the Central Plaza near Mandilas Market, claimed several lives and destroyed goods worth millions of naira. In a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu described the incident as “unfortunate and shocking,” noting that it was a huge loss to the state and affected institutions. He specifically commiserated with the Federal Inland Revenue Service and United Capital PLC, which lost four and six staff members, respectively. “The fire incident at Afriland Towers in Broad Street was worrisome and a significant loss to Lagos State Government, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, United Capital PLC, and other companies and individuals, with property worth millions of naira destroyed. “It is with a heavy heart that I received news of the fire outbreak. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, the management, and staff of all the organisations that lost their loved ones in the ugly incident. I wish the injured persons a speedy recovery,” the governor said. Sanwo-Olu also extended condolences to traders at the Central Plaza, who lost valuable assets in the inferno, pledging that the government would strengthen fire safety measures across the state. He said, “The government will continue to support efforts aimed at preventing and swiftly arresting such ugly incidents in the future.” The governor further commended emergency responders, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the Federal Fire Service, for their rapid intervention which, he said, helped reduce the scale of casualties. On Tuesday, a devastating fire broke out at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The inferno quickly spread to nearby parts of Central Plaza, close to Mandilas Market, causing massive destruction of property and goods worth millions of naira. Authorities confirmed that among the deceased are four staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which occupies the sixth and seventh floors of the building. Others died in hospitals across the state after being rushed from the blaze. President Bola Tinubu has also issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the victims and to the management and staff of FIRS, United Capital, and United Bank for Africa, expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and the injuries sustained. He further commended emergency responders — fire services, medical personnel, first aiders, and members of the public — for their quick action during evacuation efforts. In his remarks, Tinubu urged increased caution, better training, and greater alertness to prevent such emergencies in the future, praying for the souls of those lost and the recovery of those injured.

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him access proper medical care. Azuta-Mbata also appealed to Igbos across the country to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards. Speaking in a short video message, he stressed that Kanu’s continued detention offers no real advantage to the government and called for a political solution to the matter. Kanu, first arrested in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony, was granted bail in 2017 but fled the country. He was rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 in a controversial operation and has since been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Azuta-Mbata said, “I’m calling upon Ndigbo everywhere in Nigeria to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration and get their voter cards without delay. Secondly, I call upon the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu. The government has no meaningful advantage in keeping him further. His welfare and safety are important, and he should be allowed to seek urgent medical treatment.” He added that adopting a political solution would be in the best interest of both the government and the country.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has vowed to sustain its crackdown on mushroom institutions parading as polytechnics. This follows the board’s announcement of a landmark collaboration with MOC-LLC, a United States-based research and training body, to introduce Applied Interdisciplinary Engineering and Technology Research into Nigerian polytechnics. According to the NBTE, the partnership will bring fresh initiatives to transform the sector into a hub of innovation, research, and job creation. During an accreditation visit to Harvarde College of Science, Business and Management Studies in Abeokuta, Ogun State, NBTE’s Director of Polytechnic and Allied Programmes, Dr. Fatimah Kabir Umar, said the agency would not relent in its fight against unaccredited institutions undermining the government’s commitment to quality education. “We have been fighting against mushroom entities calling themselves what they are not… We won’t stop fighting such establishments in the interest of safeguarding what is best for the nation. “Yes, we know that there is no way we won’t have a few bad eggs around, but we shall continue to fight them and ensure that they do not stand in the way of the government’s commitment to delivering qualitative education at all levels,” Umar stated. She encouraged lecturers at the institution to pursue personal development and register with relevant professional bodies. She also commended the school’s management for complementing the Federal Government’s efforts to provide quality tertiary education. The founder and Provost of the college, Dr. Oluwatosin Adebayo, reaffirmed the school’s commitment to continuous investment that would strengthen its operations. He disclosed that NBTE’s visit was for resource inspection and accreditation of about eight programmes, including film and multimedia production, journalism and media studies, accountancy, business administration, networking and cloud computing, software and web development, and institutional accreditation. In Kaduna, NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, highlighted the partnership with MOC-LLC, noting that it focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and open-source technologies. He explained that lecturers had already undergone training nationwide, which will culminate in the first international seminar and conference in Abuja in November. According to Bugaje, the reforms represent “a complete paradigm shift” that will enable polytechnics to move from theory to practical solutions while equipping graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers. The training programme, which began last year, responds directly to the global rise of AI and the increasing adoption of open-source LINUX platforms in both education and industry. Bugaje described the collaboration as “a turning point for polytechnic education in Nigeria,” stressing that technology-driven innovation must drive the country’s industrialisation agenda. “What we are witnessing is a complete paradigm shift. This programme has empowered our lecturers with skills in machine learning, symbolic computation, and applied research techniques that will transform not only classrooms but entire communities. “We are moving from theory to practice, from certificates to solutions,” Bugaje said. NBTE’s Head of Linkages and Research, Dr. Zakari Abdullahi, who coordinated the programme, described it as “a game changer” for polytechnic education. “For the first time, our lecturers now have the capacity to integrate cutting-edge research methods into teaching and learning. This will not only boost innovation in our institutions but will also translate into real-world solutions for national development,” he said. A high-level NBTE delegation, including the Rector of Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Mr. Wisdom Clinton, recently visited MOC-LLC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, to cement institutional ties. According to Abdullahi, the Atlanta team demonstrated strong commitment to supporting Nigerian lecturers through technical deployment, curriculum innovation, and research guidance. The initiative will climax at the first NBTE International Seminar and Conference on Applied Interdisciplinary Engineering and Technology, scheduled for November 25–27, 2025, at the UBEC Digital Centre, Kado, Abuja. More than 46 research groups are expected to present their work at the conference, showcasing how the NBTE-MOC training has transformed teaching, research, and innovation across Nigerian polytechnics. “The Abuja conference will be a landmark event. It will demonstrate the impact of this training on research output, knowledge sharing, and technology adoption in our polytechnics,” Bugaje added. The MOC-LLC team expressed delight with the progress of the partnership so far, describing it as “a model of servant scholarship” designed to ensure that Nigerian lecturers lead Africa’s innovation drive in applied engineering research.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to show greater respect and commitment to the nation’s symbols as the country marks the 2025 National Ordinance Day. In recent years, the agency has intensified campaigns to promote honour for the national flag, anthem, pledge, coat of arms, and other emblems of sovereignty, describing them as vital to Nigeria’s unity and identity. In August, the NOA launched a two-week nationwide enlightenment campaign, starting on August 20, focusing on five thematic areas, including the Nigerian identity project and the national symbols campaign. In a statement on Tuesday, NOA Director General Lanre Issa-Onilu explained that National Ordinance Day, celebrated annually on September 16, commemorates the handover of Nigeria’s national symbols at independence. He described it as a reminder of the values of unity, discipline, and service that bind the nation together. “Respect for our national symbols is respect for Nigeria itself. Each time we hoist the flag correctly, recite the pledge sincerely, or sing the anthem with pride, we affirm our loyalty and commitment to the ideals of our nation,” he said. Issa-Onilu urged citizens to demonstrate patriotism in their interactions with these symbols, noting that giving them proper recognition is both a civic duty and an expression of patriotism. He encouraged schools, communities, organisations, and government institutions to consciously integrate respect for national symbols into daily practices to deepen national identity and strengthen social cohesion. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to continuous sensitisation and collaboration with stakeholders across the country, while pledging to ensure that Nigerians—especially the younger generation—understand the importance of national symbols and uphold their values.

Akure—Detectives in Ondo State have begun investigating the disappearance of a secondary school Vice Principal, Olaloye Olatunde, who went missing after attending a seminar in Akure, the state capital. His personal belongings were later found in the hotel room where he had lodged. Olatunde, Vice Principal of Ipele Community High School in Owo, had travelled to Akure last Sunday to take part in a Child Labour Programme organised by Trace Project Akure in partnership with Charakids Foundation. According to his wife, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye, he contacted her after checking into a hotel in Alagbaka where other participants were also accommodated. “We spoke regularly until Wednesday. By Friday, his phone was no longer reachable. The seminar was supposed to end that day, but I never heard from him again. I was the one who arranged his bag before he travelled, and that same bag was later found in his room, already packed without my knowledge,” she said. His elder brother, Zacheus Olaloye, explained that hotel staff initially claimed all participants had checked out. However, he later found that the bag left behind belonged to his brother, with his clothes and shoes still intact. Zacheus, a retired civil servant, added that attempts to review the hotel’s CCTV footage were unsuccessful. “They eventually showed us a blurry video of a man leaving the premises, but that was not my brother. The image was not clear at all,” he said, while lamenting that neither the seminar organisers nor the hotel had formally contacted the family. The family reported the matter to the Zone 17 police headquarters before it was transferred to the state Anti-Kidnapping Squad. Speaking on the development, the hotel manager, Mr. Kenneth Ekpeyong, said 49 participants initially checked in on August 24, later rising to 58. He added that while some guests left on Friday night after an organised social event, others checked out on Saturday. A hotel staff member, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Adebayo, said one facilitator had instructed that belongings in Room 305 be cleared, claiming the occupant had travelled to sign teachers’ salary vouchers. “We used the master card to open the room, packed the bag, and documented it. Later we were told it belonged to the vice principal. CCTV showed him on Wednesday and again on Thursday morning when he walked out of the hotel and never returned,” she explained. Confirming the development, state police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit had taken over the case. “We call on members of the public to provide any useful information that can assist in unraveling the circumstances of his disappearance,” he stated.

Nutrition experts have advised parents to reduce their reliance on instant noodles as meals for children, warning that the popular food lacks the nutrients needed for proper growth and development.They noted that while noodles provide quick energy, they are deficient in protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for a balanced diet. Increasing dependence on noodles as a convenient option without adding other food groups, they said, is contributing to rising cases of malnutrition and weak immunity among children. The experts stressed the importance of balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, grains, and affordable sources of protein. A former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, explained that although instant noodles may be convenient, they do not meet the nutritional needs of growing children. “Instant noodles are made mainly from cereals, so they provide primarily energy. They do not supply the protein, vitamins, and minerals that children require. If eaten regularly without other foods, they can dominate a child’s diet without providing the full range of nutrients needed for growth,” he said. Afolabi emphasised that children need more than energy, urging parents to combine noodles with protein and vegetables whenever they are served. “Children need not just energy but also protein, vitamins, and minerals. If parents must serve noodles, they should include eggs, vegetables, and other additions to make them more nutritious. A simple rule in nutrition is: the more colours in a meal, the healthier it is,” he added. He warned that over-reliance on noodles exposes children to both short-term and long-term health risks. “When children are fed mainly on instant noodles, it results in a monotonous diet with limited nutrients. In the short term, such children may not grow well and may fall sick more often due to poor immunity. In the long term, malnutrition can cause stunted growth, frequent illness, and reduced physical and mental potential. Adults who were malnourished as children may also be at greater risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer,” Afolabi said. He advised parents to prioritise dietary variety, noting that nutritious alternatives are often available even when some foods become expensive. “The most important thing is variety in meals. If beans are costly, other legumes can provide similar or even better nutrition at lower cost. Local foods that are affordable and nutritious should not be overlooked,” he explained. He also encouraged practical solutions such as backyard farming to support family nutrition. “Families can grow vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, or beans even from small spaces at home. Producing some foods reduces costs and makes it easier to buy protein sources. Combining home-grown foods with affordable local options helps ensure children get balanced diets,” he said. Prof. Beatrice Ogunba, a Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, added that certain foods should be avoided during complementary feeding. She explained that when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient for infants, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend avoiding unhealthy foods such as sweetened beverages, candies, fried snacks, instant noodles, and baked or fried confections. The guidelines also recommend including at least one serving of vegetables (80g) with every meal for children in the target age group. Ogunba warned that poor complementary feeding practices are a major contributor to the high prevalence of malnutrition among children under five years of age in Nigeria.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has announced a ban on all social activities extending beyond 6 p.m. on its campuses. The decision, communicated in a statement signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer, Mr. Inya Egwu, follows the tragic incident of September 12 in which a businessman, Chiebonam Nweze, popularly known as Power-Autos, was stabbed to death. Nweze had attended a bonfire event organized by the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies students’ association when the violence broke out. According to the university, the bonfire was hijacked by miscreants from a nearby community, leading to the fatal attack. “Henceforth, all such activities must be conducted strictly during the day and under the supervision of the University Security Unit. Social events of any kind will no longer be allowed beyond 6 p.m.,” the statement read. The management assured that UNN is committed to maintaining a safe environment for its staff, students, and visitors, adding that measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has projected thunderstorms and rainfall across different parts of the country from Monday through Wednesday. In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency said isolated thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected on Monday morning in Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba states. By afternoon and evening, the northern region is likely to experience more thunderstorms with moderate rain, with flash floods possible in Adamawa, Taraba, and Gombe. For the central region, NiMet predicted cloudy conditions with intervals of sunshine on Monday morning, alongside moderate rainfall in Niger, Kogi, Kwara, the FCT, and Benue. Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected across most parts of the region. In the south, cloudy skies are forecast for Monday morning, with moderate rains in Ekiti, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. The rains are expected to spread across most southern states later in the day. On Tuesday, the northern region will witness cloudy skies with patches of sunshine, while isolated thunderstorms and moderate rains are expected over Borno, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa. By afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are forecast in Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Taraba. Cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are expected in the central region on Tuesday morning, with rainfall in Kogi, Niger, the FCT, Kwara, and Nasarawa. Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected over Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and the FCT. In the southern region, Tuesday morning will bring cloudy skies and moderate rainfall in Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Delta. Light to moderate rainfall is expected across much of the south later in the day. By Wednesday, the northern region will see cloudy skies with sunshine intervals, with slim chances of light rain and thunderstorms in Sokoto and Zamfara. Isolated thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are forecast in the afternoon and evening across Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto. The central region will have cloudy skies with sunshine intervals on Wednesday morning, with light rain in the FCT, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger. Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected in Benue, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger. In the south, cloudy skies are forecast on Wednesday morning, followed by moderate rainfall in the afternoon and evening. NiMet advised motorists to avoid driving in heavy rainfall and urged farmers not to apply fertilisers or pesticides just before rain to prevent nutrient wash-off. Residents were also cautioned to secure loose items, unplug electrical appliances, and stay away from tall trees during storms. Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather updates for better planning, while the public was encouraged to monitor NiMet’s daily reports via its website: www.nimet.gov.ng