General News
APC Dumps Amaechi, Picks Fashola as Buhari’s Running Mate

Babatunde Fashola, Lagos state governor has been reportedly endorsed by the South-West caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the vice-presidential candidate to whoever emerges as the presidential standard-bearer of the party, according to the Nigerian Tribune.
The zone is also strongly working for the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari, former head of state, as the presidential candidate for 2015 election.
According to the newspaper, following its earlier exclusive report that a new power-sharing formula favoured Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers State governor, as Buhari’s running-mate, the South-West caucus of the party reportedly launched a lobby on why the zone, and not the South-South, should be on the expected northern presidential ticket.
The party leadership and elders reportedly bought the argument that South-West would be the battleground in the presidential contest and it was just politically correct that a viable south-westerner should be on the ticket.
Amaechi was said to be aware of the move to dump him and had not been folding his arms.
A national officer of the party told the Nigerian Tribune that making a choice between Amaechi and Fashola was asking the party at large to choose between picking Amaechi and winning just a state with less than two million votes and picking Fashola and sweeping an entire geopolitical zone.
The source noted that while Amaechi was an asset to the party, the arithmetic of the presidential election and the candidates expected to be involved demanded that someone with capacity to win more votes should be picked as the running-mate
The APC national officer conceded that South-South and South-East were for Jonathan, but expected that the likes of Amaechi would not only significantly reduce the president’s votes, but should be able to prevent the usual alleged rigging in the zones that accounted for the high number of votes in the past elections.
When reminded that it might be difficult persuading Amaechi to go empty-handed, after his many sacrifices to the party, the national officer said it would be in Amaechi’s interest to work for the victory of the party in Rivers State, whether he was picked as running mate or not, considering that his failure at the poll would hurt him more in the state.
“We will first appeal to him, but it is in his own interest to win Rivers for us, both in governorship and presidential elections. If (Nyesom) Wike becomes governor and PDP wins Rivers for Jonathan, Amaechi would suffer more personal loss than the party,” the source said.
It was further learnt that the party leadership, both at the national level and South-West, was being pragmatic with the choice of Fashola, with those who would not even readily agree with him now supporting the push for his candidacy.
“Fashola is a game-changer. He complements Buhari. Buhari is old, Fashola is young. Buhari is conservative, Fashola is dynamic. Are you saying South-West would leave its own and support Jonathan and Sambo? Every politics is local. South-West will first consider which party brings it closer to Aso Rock.
“Because we had been considering him all this while, that is why we didn’t go on air, disclaiming the possibility of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Fashola’s wife is a strong Christian. Nigerians want good governance, not religious sentiments. Would you, in good conscience, call Fashola a religious bigot?” the source asked rhetorically.
Nigerian Tribune also reliably gathered that former Attorney General of Lagos State, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, earlier considered for the job, was no longer on the radar of the party leadership.
A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party from the South-West disclosed that it was reasoned that he had been too politically-quiet to be marketed nationally within the time-frame for the election.
The party caucus was said to have reasoned that his involvement in the Buhari ticket might present the Buhari/Pastor Tunde Bakare’s 2011 ticket scenario, which reportedly failed mainly because the VP candidate could not deliver votes in his zone.
Fashola’s involvement, according to the party’s blue-print, was primed to deliver votes across Yorubaland and, at the same time, deny Jonathan the possibility of 25 per cent constitutional requirement.
APC also believed that Buhari/Fashola’s ticket would sweep Ondo and Ekiti states, currently governed by PDP governors, though the party was not that optimistic on the governorship elections.
In Lagos, Fashola would be expected to back the candidate of the party’s caucus which the national officer said was Akinwunmi Ambode.
When asked if Fashola had been officially informed, Nigerian Tribune was told “politics is not played that way.”
Nigerian Tribune was also told that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would not be begged to concede the presidential ticket to Buhari, because it could backfire if he decided to go public with the claim.
General News
SEC Advocates for Advanced Financial Inclusion by 2030

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has noted the need for Nigeria to harness its demographic dividend to advance financial inclusion through investments by 2030 for national survival or face deepening inequality.
Emomotimi Agama, Director General, SEC, said this at the United Capital Asset Management Investment forum held Wednesday in Lagos.
Agama, in his keynote address titled: “Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments: Bridging Nigeria’s Knowledge and Wealth Gap,” said Nigeria must harness its demographic dividend to boost investment.
“Our theme, Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments, is not aspirational; it is foundational to national survival.
“We stand at a pivotal moment. By 2030, Nigeria can either harness its demographic dividend or face deepening inequality. The knowledge-wealth gap is not merely an economic challenge; it is a moral imperative,” Agama said.
He said the term inclusion should be reframed as active financial involvement, where access meets empowerment, and capital becomes a tool for transformation.
Agama said that closing the financial inclusion gender gap could lift 700,000 Nigerians from poverty.
He said, “Nigeria has a great population yet we have a tiny drop of this number of persons involved in the capital market.
That’s one reason for poverty, because we are running from money. We have to do something. Our market capitalisation is an opportunity to do something, we all have.
“We need to change the narrative and move the market forward. We must reach out to make the difference. We are committed to protecting investors and developing the market. Our goal is to do the right thing no matter whose ox is gored. We will work by the principles of fairness and equity to change the market. We will provide a fair ground for everyone to aspire.
He noted that MTN Nigeria’s share offering drew 150,000 new investors – 75 percent women, 85 percent under 40. Agama recommended a four-pillar strategy for bridging the gaps.
He listed the four-pillar strategy as democratisation of financial knowledge, catalyse MSME Investment Channels, blended Finance Vehicles: Partner with Bank of Industry (BOI) to de-risk loans for women-led SMEs.
“We need to educate people about finances. As we drive this market, we do so for a purpose, I enjoin everyone to be the disciple and the apostles. Getting this market to move is a deliberate action,” he added.
General News
OpenAI Unveils New AI Agent for Software Developers

OpenAI has launched Codex, which it regards as its most capable AI coding agent available to ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team subscribers.
Users will have ‘generous access at no additional cost’ for a few weeks, after which OpenAI plans to introduce pricing options and rate-limited access.
Codex, a cloud-based software engineering agent, can write features, answer questions about a codebase, fix bugs, and propose pull requests for review. Several tasks can run simultaneously, and users retain full access to their computers while the agent takes anywhere from one to 30 minutes to complete a task.
The research preview of Codex offers powerful code-writing, debugging, and collaboration features, which mark a major step in OpenAI’s push to automate software development.
“We imagine a future where developers drive the work they want to own and delegate the rest to agents—moving faster and being more productive with AI,” OpenAI said.
Since it is still in research preview, the tool remains in early development. “It currently lacks features like image inputs for front-end work, and the ability to course-correct the agent while it’s working,” the firm said in a blog post.
Additionally, delegating to a remote agent takes longer than interactive editing, which can take some getting used to, it stated. Over time, however, the company said using the service will feel more like asynchronous collaboration with colleagues.
The launch comes as part of a broader rise of AI tools for software engineers that are meant to handle repetitive, boring tasks rather than take over the whole gamut.
OpenAI is reportedly in talks to acquire Windsurf, a maker of AI coding tools, for around $3 billion, which is potentially its largest acquisition to date.
General News
Africa Gears Up For Digital Sovereignty At 13th Edition Of Digital Africa Conference 2025

Africa’s digital destiny will on October 28-29, 2025, take centre stage at the 13th Edition of the Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition (DACE), to be held at Merit House, Abuja, under the theme: “Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Voice in the Global Digital Order.”
At a time when artificial intelligence (AI), smart systems, and data technologies are reshaping societies, economies, and governance structures worldwide, DACE 2025 is sounding a clarion call: ‘Africa must lead, not lag in this transformation.’
Organizers say the aim is to move beyond consumption and dependency, and instead position the continent as a proactive contributor to global digital norms and governance.
“This year’s conference is about shifting from passive adoption to active leadership,” said Dr. Evans Woherem, Chairman, Digital Africa Consult, organisers of the event. “Sovereign Intelligence is more than a concept, it’s a movement to ensure that Africa controls its digital resources, designs its own ethical frameworks, and asserts its voice in shaping global technology norms.”
A Defining Moment for Africa’s Digital Future
Woherem said the conference will serve as a high-level, cross-sectoral platform aimed at positioning Africa as a co-author of global AI governance standards, rather than a mere recipient, assuring that the conversations are expected to align closely with the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, advocating for a united, self-determined digital ecosystem across the continent.
“The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. As the world builds its digital infrastructure, much of the technology consumed in Africa is still imported, foreign-owned, and culturally disconnected. African data is often stored offshore, local languages and cultural contexts remain invisible in AI systems, and African experts are frequently excluded from global decision-making tables.
“This must change. Digital Africa 2025 is about taking control of our data, our narratives, and our technological development. Africa must move from being users of foreign systems to creators of our own,” Woherem added.
Key Objectives of DACE 2025
One of the primary objectives of this year’s event is to advocate for African ownership of digital infrastructure, data policies, and technology standards. Organizers hope to inspire African leaders and institutions to say yes to innovation and regulation built by Africans, for Africans.
Another major focus will be amplifying African voices on the global stage. This involves not only advocating for inclusion in international policy dialogues but also ensuring that African values, cultures, and wisdom shape the design and deployment of AI systems worldwide.
“The conference will also spotlight homegrown innovation. Startups and developers from across the continent will showcase digital solutions addressing local challenges in healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education. These practical examples will reinforce the message that Africa is already generating intelligent, scalable answers to complex problems,” said Nneoma Ofodile, General Manager, Digital Africa.
Empowering young Africans through digital skills, research opportunities, and leadership training is another key goal of the gathering. Organizers are committed to fostering a new generation of African tech leaders who can confidently shape global digital trends from a place of knowledge and ownership.
Regional cooperation will be front and centre, as DACE encourages cross-border collaboration on harmonizing laws, sharing infrastructure, and building integrated digital ecosystems. Sessions will explore how African nations can jointly develop policies and platforms that reflect the continent’s unique needs and aspirations.
While global partnerships will also be on the agenda, the conference aims to deepen Africa’s engagement with international institutions such as UNESCO, the UN, and the OECD, not as passive participants but as co-authors of global standards for ethical and inclusive AI.
Nneoma said that throughout the two-day event, attendees can expect high-level discussions on digital law, tech sovereignty, and innovation policy, alongside practical workshops for developers, educators, and youth. Innovation showcases will highlight the work of African tech hubs, while strategy sessions will promote cross-country digital alignment.
At the close of the event, a concrete roadmap is expected to emerge—outlining actionable steps toward achieving digital sovereignty across the continent. The conference will also aim to strengthen networks among African innovators, regulators, and thinkers, while increasing the visibility of African insights in international technology policy.
Above all, Digital Africa 2025 is about reclaiming agency. “This isn’t just a technology conversation,” Nneoma emphasized. “It’s about power, voice, and independence. Africa must not only catch up; Africa must lead.”
As preparations intensify, DACE 2025 is inviting visionary organizations, sponsors, and partners to join the mission of building a digitally sovereign and inclusive Africa.
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