99 Years in Nigeria - The El-Khalils and the Seven-Up Legacy
-SPECIAL FEATURE-
In the
annals of Nigerian enterprise, few family names resonate with the same enduring
legacy as the El-Khalils.
Their journey, spanning nearly a century, is not merely a tale of business success but a narrative of migration, resilience, and generational stewardship.
Lebanese Judge Grants Gaddafi’s Son $11 Million Bail
In a
dramatic turn of events that has reignited decades-old tensions between Lebanon
and Libya, a Lebanese judge has ordered the release of Hannibal Gaddafi, son of
the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, on an $11 million bail.
The decision, handed down on October 17, 2025, marks a significant development in a case that has lingered in the Lebanese judicial system for nearly a decade.
Nigeria’s Federal Government Moves to Institutionalize Sign Language in Basic Education
In a
landmark policy shift aimed at fostering inclusive education across Nigeria,
the Federal Government has announced the integration of sign language into the
national basic school curriculum.
This initiative, unveiled during the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Abuja, marks a significant stride toward eliminating communication barriers for children with hearing impairments and promoting equity in learning environments.
Nigeria Launches Africa’s First Private Aeronautics University
In a
landmark development for aviation education on the continent, Nigeria has
officially unveiled Africa’s first privately owned university dedicated
exclusively to aeronautics and management.
The institution, named Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), was inaugurated on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Abuja, marking a transformative moment for the region’s aerospace ambitions.
FCTA Demolishes 11 Duplexes in Abuja’s Dutse District Over Safety Violations
In a
decisive move to enforce urban planning regulations and uphold public safety,
the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday, October 16,
2025, carried out the demolition of 11 duplexes in the Dutse District of Abuja.
The structures, which were reportedly erected under high-tension power lines and in close proximity to a stream channel, were deemed illegal and hazardous by the Department of Development Control.
Lagos Unveils €410 Million ‘Omi Eko Project’ to Transform Water Transport
In a
landmark move to revolutionize urban mobility and ease the burden of road
congestion, the Lagos State Government has officially launched the €410 million
“Omi Eko Project,” a bold initiative aimed at transforming the city’s inland
waterways into a world-class transportation network.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the Five Cowries Terminal in Ikoyi on October 17, 2025, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presiding over the event alongside dignitaries from the European Union, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Kaduna State Unveils Major Multi-Metallic Mineral Discovery and Launches Jema’a Resource Project
In a landmark development for Nigeria’s mining sector, the Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the Kaduna Mining Development Company (KMDC), has announced the discovery of a vast multi-metallic mineral deposit in Gidan Waya, located in the Jemaa Local Government Area of the state.
Rivers State Government Revokes N134bn Secretariat Contract Awarded Under Emergency Rule
In a decisive move aimed at restoring procedural integrity and transparency in public procurement, the Rivers State Executive Council under Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially revoked a massive N134 billion contract previously awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
-SEB EDITORIAL-
A Billionaire’s Bold Bet on Babies:
South Korea’s Fertility Crisis Meets Corporate Incentive
In a
striking move that blends corporate benevolence with national urgency, Lee
Joong-keun, the billionaire founder and chairman of South Korea’s Booyoung
Group, has launched a radical initiative to combat the country’s plummeting
birth rate.
The Seoul-based construction giant is offering a staggering 100 million Korean won, approximately $75,000, to each employee who has a child. This incentive, unprecedented in scale and scope, is part of a broader effort to reverse demographic trends that threaten South Korea’s economic and social stability.
National Orientation Agency Issues New Guidelines on National Anthem Recitation
In a move
aimed at standardizing the ceremonial use of Nigeria’s national anthem, the
National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a formal directive mandating that
only the first stanza of the anthem be sung at official events.
This announcement, made public on Thursday, October 16, 2025, is part of a broader effort to instill uniformity, solemnity, and respect in the rendition of national symbols during public functions.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
Booyoung Group’s Bold Baby Bonus
Initiative
In a
striking move to combat South Korea’s plummeting birth rate, Lee Joong-keun,
the billionaire founder and chairman of Booyoung Group, a major South Korean
construction company, has launched a groundbreaking incentive program offering
employees a $75,000 bonus for each child they have.
This initiative, which equates to 100 million Korean won per newborn, is part of a broader corporate effort to address the nation’s demographic crisis, which threatens to halve its workforce within the next 50 years.
-SEB Editorial-
A New Anthem Protocol - NOA’s
Directive on National Symbolism
In a move
aimed at standardizing the ceremonial use of Nigeria’s national anthem, the
National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a fresh directive that reshapes
how the anthem is to be rendered at official events.
The guideline, released in mid-October 2025, mandates that only the first stanza of the national anthem should be sung during public functions and government engagements.
In a landmark move aimed at deepening regional financial collaboration, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Angola have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance capacity in central banking operations.
Unusual Cough and Fever Stir Panic in Lagos
In recent
days, Lagos State has been gripped by growing concern over a wave of unusual
respiratory symptoms, particularly persistent cough and fever, that has stirred
public anxiety and prompted health experts to issue cautionary advice.
The phenomenon, which coincides with an unexpected spell of harmattan-like weather, has led to a noticeable uptick in cases of sore throat, chest congestion, and flu-like symptoms across various communities.
Passing Out of Katsina State Community Watch Corps Batch III: A Full Report
On October 15, 2025, the Katsina State Government marked a significant milestone in its grassroots security initiative with the formal passing-out ceremony of Batch III of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.
SOLUDO MEGA MOVEMENT ENDORSES GOV. SOLUDO FOR SECOND TENURE IN ANAMBRA: A FULL REPORT
In a
significant political development in Anambra State, the Soludo Mega Movement
(SMM), a prominent socio-political support group, has officially endorsed
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for a second term in office.
This endorsement marks a pivotal moment in the build-up to the 2025 gubernatorial elections in the state, signaling growing grassroots support for the incumbent governor.
Full Report: APC Stakeholders Meeting in Kebbi
The All
Progressives Congress (APC) convened a high-level stakeholders meeting in
Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, in mid-October 2025.
This strategic gathering brought together no fewer than twenty governors elected under the APC platform, under the auspices of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
The meeting was chaired by Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the PGF, and was hosted by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.
Report on the Dunukofia LGA Rally for Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo
The Dunukofia Local Government Area (LGA) rally in support of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, marked a significant political event in the build-up to the 2025 Anambra governorship election.
Report on the Dunukofia LGA Rally for Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo
The
Dunukofia Local Government Area (LGA) rally held in support of the Governor of
Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, marked a significant
political event in the build-up to the 2025 gubernatorial elections.
The rally, which took place at the Dunukofia Council Secretariat in Ukpo, was organized under the auspices of a grassroots political support group known as “Dunukofia-4-Soludo Pilot.” This group was inaugurated with the express purpose of mobilizing support and ensuring a comprehensive victory for Governor Soludo in the forthcoming election.
REPORT ON THE FLAG-OFF OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF COLLECTOR ROAD CO1 IN INSTITUTION AND RESEARCH DISTRICT
On
October 17, 2025, a significant milestone in the infrastructural development of
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was marked with the ceremonial flag-off of
the construction of Collector Road CO1 in the Institution and Research
District.
This event, held with great fanfare and attended by dignitaries from the legal, political, and academic communities, underscored the government's commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering development in strategic areas of the capital.
Report on the Screening of the Chairman Nominee of INEC by the Nigerian Senate
On
October 16, 2025, the Nigerian Senate conducted a formal screening of Joash
Amupitan SAN, the nominee for the position of Chairman of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The event, which was broadcast live on national television, drew significant public attention due to the critical role INEC plays in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
DECLARATION RALLY OF GOVERNOR PETER MBAH INTO APC: A PIVOTAL POLITICAL SHIFT IN ENUGU STATE
On
October 14, 2025, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State formally declared his
defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives
Congress (APC), marking a significant realignment in the political landscape of
the South-East region of Nigeria.
The declaration rally, held at the Government House in Enugu, was not merely a personal transition but a sweeping political movement that saw the entire executive arm of the state governmentin, cluding all commissioners, elected chairpersons of the 17 local government areas, and councillors, join the governor in embracing the APC platform.
MEDIA CHAT WITH GOV. PETER MBAH OF ENUGU STATE: A PIVOTAL POLITICAL SHIFT
In a landmark media engagement held in Enugu on October 14, 2025, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State addressed the public in a televised chat that marked a significant turning point in the state's political trajectory.
Launch of Delta State Security Trust Fund and Fundraising: A New Dawn for Regional Safety
On
October 15, 2025, the Delta State Government officially inaugurated the Delta
State Security Trust Fund in a landmark event held at the Government House in
Asaba.
This initiative marks a bold and strategic move aimed at fortifying the state's security architecture, enhancing the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies, and fostering peace across communities.
Bayelsa State Government Partners Innoson Vehicles to Establish CNG Plant
In a
significant stride toward sustainable development and industrialization, the
Bayelsa State Government has entered into a strategic partnership with Innoson
Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Limited to establish a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
vehicle assembly plant in the state.
This landmark agreement was unveiled during a high-profile visit by Innoson’s founder and CEO, Innocent Chukwuma, to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa.
