The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Lawal Oyenuga, a member of a major Lagos drug syndicate, for attempting to smuggle 400 grammes of cocaine to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, concealed in palm sandals. The arrest led to the capture of a notorious kingpin, Wasiu Gbolahan, known as Teacher, who recruits mules for drug trafficking. Oyenuga was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and his arrest followed the recent capture of a widow attempting a similar smuggling operation. Teacher, who has been linked to previous trafficking attempts, was arrested at his residence in Ikorodu, Lagos. He is a property agent with seven children and four wives.

Nigerian rapper Phyno, born Nelson Azubuike, shared his experience of being encouraged to join a cult to quickly succeed in his music career. He rejected this notion, emphasizing his belief in hard work, determination, and flexibility as the keys to success. Phyno advised young artists against seeking instant fame and to carefully consider record label contracts. He stressed the importance of patience, hard work, and perseverance in the music industry.

Mohbad's mother, in an interview, shared her late son's advice against eating at Naira Marley's house due to safety concerns. She recounted her son's warnings about food and wine offered there, his fasting habits, and her preference to stay with him rather than at hotels. The article also includes reactions from social media users questioning her visits to Naira Marley's house.

The Nigerian Federal Government, through the Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, announced the introduction of mobile courts to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) as part of key reforms within the first 100 days in office. The reforms aim to provide more sustainable support to grassroots women, moving away from non-sustainable interventions like periodic sanitary towel distribution to establishing sanitary pad production ventures. The government also plans to replace gas cylinder distribution with charcoal burners and biogas stoves to ensure long-term sustainability. The minister emphasized the government's commitment to justice for cases of sexual harassment.

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his congratulations to the Most Rev David Onuoha on his election as the National President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN). The CCN is a part of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The president's message, delivered through his spokesman Femi Adesina, highlighted Onuoha's spiritual dedication and his role in promoting ecumenical unity in Nigeria. Buhari also recalled his positive interaction with Onuoha during a state visit to Imo. Additionally, Buhari celebrated the 74th birthday of Prince Arthur Eze, acknowledging his contributions to Nigeria's oil and gas sector, philanthropy, and support for infrastructure development. The president wished both individuals success and prosperity in their future endeavors.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved new appointments and tenure renewals for various Nigerian parastatal agencies. Dauda Biu was appointed as Corp Marshal/CEO of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mojisola Adeyeye was re-appointed as Director-General of NAFDAC, and Lanre Gbajabiamila as Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. Additionally, five executive directors were re-appointed or appointed in the nation's River Basin Development Authorities. The President congratulated the appointees and encouraged them to utilize their experience in their roles.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a warning to Nigerians traveling to the United States, the United Kingdom, and some European countries to be vigilant of thieves targeting their passports and valuables. The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, announced the advisory in Abuja, citing a surge in theft reports. This follows a month after the US and UK issued advisories about potential terror threats in Nigeria's capital, which the Minister had previously dismissed, noting that no country, including the US, is completely safe.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that the prices of soft drinks may increase if the federal government implements a proposed 20 percent excise tax on non-alcoholic beverages. This statement was made during a business discussion in Lagos attended by sectoral heads. The current N10 per litre tax is already considered burdensome by the industry, and the additional tax is expected to exacerbate the situation, potentially leading to a significant decline in sector revenue and job losses. Ekuma Eze, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at the Nigerian Bottling Company, emphasized the severe impact the tax could have, including a projected 25% revenue decline by December 2022 and the risk of job losses across various layers of the workforce.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that the prices of soft drinks may increase if the federal government implements a proposed 20 percent excise tax on non-alcoholic beverages. This statement was made during a business discussion in Lagos attended by sectoral heads. The current N10 per litre tax is already considered burdensome by the industry, and the additional tax is expected to exacerbate the situation, potentially leading to a significant decline in sector revenue and job losses. Ekuma Eze, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at the Nigerian Bottling Company, emphasized the severe impact the tax could have, including a projected 25% revenue decline by December 2022 and the risk of job losses across various layers of the workforce.

The Kaduna State Government has expressed condolences to the families of victims killed in attacks by bandits in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, and Kajuru Local Government Areas. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, issued a statement conveying the government's sympathies and detailing the incidents, including the death tolls in the affected areas. Governor Nasir El-Rufai is reported to be deeply saddened by the events and has extended his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families, as well as prayers for the deceased and a swift recovery for the injured. The government is also in talks with security forces regarding the situation.

Nigeria's Federal Government states that $410 billion is needed to achieve the country's energy transition plan by 2060, aiming to address sector challenges and policy flexibility. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva, represented by Permanent Secretary Gabriel Aduda, announced this at the 7th Meeting of the National Council on Hydrocarbons in Minna. The meeting's theme focused on the roadmap for Nigeria's energy transition, with the goal of ending energy poverty and lifting 100 million people out of poverty. The government is also preparing to introduce advanced technology in gold mining through the Solid Minerals Development Fund.

The Central Bank of Nigeria's Monetary Policy Committee increased the benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 16.5%, the highest since 2001, to combat rising inflation and bolster investor confidence. The decision was announced by CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele on November 22, 2022. Other monetary policy tools such as the asymmetric corridor, Cash Reserve Ratio, and Liquidity Ratio remained unchanged. This rate hike follows three consecutive increases from an initial rate of 11.5% earlier in the year, in response to an inflation rate that reached 21.09% in October 2022.

Nigerian singer Ayo Balogun, known as Wizkid, became the first African and Nigerian to win an American Music Award for his song 'Essence' featuring Tems. The announcement was made via the award organizers' Twitter account. The article also lists other winners in various categories of the American Music Awards.

The Adamawa government has completed 347.6 kilometers of feeder roads across 21 local government areas, as part of Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri’s low volume infrastructure initiative. Commissioner Abdullahi Prambe highlighted the project's role in connecting rural communities to urban centers and boosting economic activities. Additionally, power supply was restored to Michika and Madagali, and newly constructed cottage hospitals were connected to the national grid. The government also invested in repairing boreholes, culverts, and waterways.

The article previews upcoming English Premier League football matches, focusing on the rivalry between Chelsea and Manchester United, which is expected to be a highlight of the weekend. Manchester United is coming off a strong performance against Tottenham, while Chelsea was held to a draw by Brentford. Manchester City is set to play Brighton, looking to bounce back from recent goalless performances and close the gap with league leader Arsenal. Liverpool is facing Nottingham Forest, a team in the relegation zone, in a match that harks back to their last Premier League encounter in 1999.

Col. Hameed Ali, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), announced that over 2,000 officials have been dismissed for various forms of misconduct since he assumed leadership. During the 55th session of the presidential briefing in Abuja, Ali highlighted the service's achievements, including the collection and remittance of N2.143 trillion to the government. He also addressed challenges in meeting the N3.019 trillion target due to delays in collecting telecom tariffs and carbonated drinks tax. Furthermore, Ali revealed that the NCS's automation, which is projected to cost $3.5 billion, could generate $17.6 billion for the country upon completion, reducing human interactions in customs operations.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria's inflation rate rose to 20.77% in September 2022, marking the highest year-on-year increase in 17 years. The rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was attributed to higher prices of food items like bread, cereals, and oils. Despite the annual increase, there was a month-on-month drop in food inflation due to reduced prices of some food items. Core inflation, excluding volatile agricultural produce, also saw a year-on-year increase. Urban and rural inflation rates rose as well, with Kogi, Rivers, and Benue experiencing the highest rates. Analysts from Cowry Assets Management Limited predict a potential slowdown in inflation in October due to supply disruptions from flooding but expect prices to surge again towards the year-end due to the weakening Nigerian naira.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 961 suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) and 56 fatalities across 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this year. Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the Director-General of NCDC, acknowledged underreporting and stated that efforts are being made to strengthen surveillance in affected states. The NCDC has also been working on strategic prevention and control measures to combat meningitis outbreaks. Despite progress in monitoring and vaccine research, CSM remains a significant public health threat globally. Nigeria, being part of Africa's 'Meningitis Belt,' is actively involved in the global plan to eradicate meningitis by 2030, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in November 2020.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo urged African states and stakeholders to collaborate in harnessing seabed resources to enhance the continent's Blue Economy. Speaking at the 4th African Deep Seabed Resources Workshop in Abuja, organized by the ISA, the Nigerian government, AU, and NORAD, Osinbajo highlighted the untapped potential for African countries in deep-sea mineral exploration. He emphasized the need for synergy among African industrial stakeholders, private organizations, and NGOs to strengthen Africa's engagement in international seabed activities. The workshop aims to provoke discussions and provide actionable decisions for sustainable development through seabed mineral exploration. ISA Secretary General Michael Lodge and Nigerian Representative Dr. Maureen Tamuno also spoke on the importance of deep-sea resources for African economic growth, while Anita Krogan from the Norwegian Embassy discussed the increasing demand for minerals due to population growth.

The World Bank has revised its economic growth forecast for Nigeria in 2023 down to 3.2% from 3.3%, citing a global slowdown, the Ukraine crisis, and reduced Chinese imports of African commodities. The bank also lowered its growth projection for Sub-Saharan Africa to 3.3% for 2022, down from 4.1% in 2021. The World Bank's report, included in the October edition of Africa’s Pulse, emphasizes the need for Sub-Saharan governments to restore macroeconomic stability and protect vulnerable populations amid slow growth and high inflation. The report predicts private consumption in Nigeria will recover as inflationary pressures ease and expects a growth boost from a large refinery project. However, the region faces challenges from high inflation, increased hunger due to various factors, and higher debt levels, with governments advised to optimize resources and invest in agriculture for long-term food security.

Ademola Lookman, a Nigerian striker, scored his first goal for Atalanta, leading to a 1-0 victory over Fiorentina in a Serie A match. Lookman, who is 24 years old, expressed his joy and belief in the importance of self-confidence and performance. Despite challenges, Atalanta maintained their energy and now share the lead in the Serie A table with Napoli, both having 20 points. Lookman, who transferred from RB Leipzig to Atalanta in August for nearly €9m, has had a strong start with the team, participating in eight games, scoring two goals, and making three assists in the 2022/23 season. Atalanta is preparing for their next match against Udinese.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the reopening of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), which was shut down in April due to oil theft and vandalism. The TNP is crucial for transporting Bonny Light, one of Nigeria's top crude oil grades, and plays a vital role in domestic power generation and the export of liquified gas. The pipeline's closure by Shell six months ago halted the transport of 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Bala Wunti, the General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NPIMS), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NPCL), announced the reopening and highlighted the importance of the pipeline. Wunti's team visited the Bodo community in Rivers state as part of efforts to reopen the TNP and to strengthen trust with local communities and stakeholders. The commitment to integrity, excellence, and sustainability was emphasized, with support from NNPC leadership and a week-long engagement with the community led by Zakariya Budawara, the General Manager of Joint Venture Operation.