Turkish Airlines Increases Lagos-Istanbul Flights to 10 Weekly From December

Turkish Airlines has announced plans to increase its flight frequencies on the Lagos-Istanbul route from seven to 10 weekly services from December 11, 2026, in a move aimed at meeting growing travel demand between Nigeria, Türkiye and other international destinations.

The airline disclosed this in a press release issued in Lagos on October 9, 2026, stating that the expansion would provide passengers with greater flexibility and more convenient connections to destinations across its global network.

According to the airline, the additional flights will strengthen connectivity between Nigeria and Türkiye while improving access to its network of more than 350 destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

The expansion follows the increase in Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul-Abuja services to seven weekly flights from June 2026, further reinforcing the airline’s presence in the Nigerian aviation market.

The additional Lagos flights are expected to serve both business and leisure travellers, offering more options for passengers travelling between Nigeria and Türkiye, as well as those connecting to other international destinations through Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines also highlighted the benefits available to premium passengers connecting through Istanbul, particularly those travelling in Business Class, who can access the airline’s award-winning Business Lounge at Istanbul Airport.

The airline, which describes itself as flying to more countries than any other airline, said the expansion was supported by its growing fleet of more than 560 aircraft and its extensive international route network.

Under the new schedule, the existing Istanbul-Lagos service, flight TK 625, will continue to operate daily, departing Istanbul at 3:20 p.m. and arriving in Lagos at 8:25 p.m.

The return service, flight TK 626, will also continue daily, departing Lagos at 10:10 p.m. and arriving in Istanbul at 6:35 a.m. the following day.

The three additional weekly flights, operating as TK 615 and TK 616, will commence on December 11, 2026, and operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Flight TK 615 will depart Istanbul at 1:30 a.m. and arrive in Lagos at 6:35 a.m., while flight TK 616 will leave Lagos at 8:20 a.m. and arrive in Istanbul at 4:45 p.m.

The increased frequencies are expected to give travellers more scheduling options and improve connections to Turkish Airlines’ extensive international network through Istanbul.

The announcement underscores the airline’s continued efforts to strengthen its operations in Nigeria and enhance travel links between the country and major destinations worldwide.

2027: Attacks on our candidates won’t stop your defeat, Alli campaign tells Makinde, APM

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has condemned the attacks on candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during campaign activities in Ibadan on Wednesday, warning Governor Seyi Makinde and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, that the incidents would not stop the party from campaigning across Oyo State.

Hoodlums attacked the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, and the party’s candidate for the Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo, during separate campaign events at Agbaje Market, Orita-Merin, and Idi-Arere.
Political thugs also attacked Alhaja Tawakalitu Alli, wife of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, during a medical outreach she organised at Ibikunle House, Ayeye, Ibadan, on the same day.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the campaign’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, warned Makinde and Adekanmbi against further attacks on APC candidates, saying such incidents would not deter the party from engaging voters across the state.

The campaign said the APC would continue to take its message to the people, adding that attacks on its candidates would not stop the imminent defeat of Adekanmbi and other APM candidates in the 2027 general elections.

It also said Makinde, as the Chief Security Officer of Oyo State, had a responsibility to protect all candidates and residents irrespective of their political affiliations.

According to the statement, the governor must take concrete steps to prevent violence and ensure the protection of lives and property throughout the electioneering period.

“Attacks on our candidates should stop forthwith. No party has a monopoly of violence,” it said.

The campaign, however, warned that APC candidates would be forced to protect themselves if the attacks continued.

“If these attacks persist, our candidates will have no choice but to defend themselves against these marauding thugs,” the statement said.

SSACO also called for an issue-based campaign, urging political parties and their candidates to focus on presenting their programmes and policies to the electorate rather than resorting to violence.

“The campaign should be issue-based, with every party outlining their programmes for the masses, as Senator Alli is doing,” it said.

The organisation urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State to investigate the attacks, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

It also called on Makinde to “call his APM thugs to order,” insisting that the APC and its candidates would not be intimidated by the attacks.

Alli hails Tinubu, Uzodimma, security agencies over rescue of 20 Oyo NYSC members

Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has commended President Bola Tinubu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and security agencies for the rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Oyo State who were kidnapped in Imo State last week.

Alli, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Publicity of his campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele, described the rescue as a welcome development and a demonstration of the commitment of the Federal Government and security agencies to protecting the lives of Nigerians.

He commended Tinubu and Uzodimma for their leadership, while praising the security agencies for their courage, professionalism and coordinated efforts that led to the successful rescue of the victims, who were travelling to Imo State for the mandatory national service.

The APC candidate urged the security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration to prevent similar incidents, while calling for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice.

He also urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing useful information, stressing that the safety of citizens remained a collective responsibility.

Alli prayed for the speedy recovery of the rescued prospective corps members and their relatives from the trauma of the abduction.

NGX CEO Chiemeka emerges African exchanges association president

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Jude Chiemeka, has been appointed President of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), effective September 30, 2026.

Chiemeka, who also chairs the West African Capital Markets Integration Council, succeeds Pierre Célestin Rwabukumba, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Stock Exchange, as ASEA moves to deepen integration and strengthen collaboration among African capital markets.

The association said the appointment comes at a critical time as it seeks to improve market liquidity, strengthen regional connectivity, accelerate technology adoption and promote cross-border capital flows across the continent.

With more than 30 years of experience in the capital markets, spanning securities trading, asset management and investment banking, Chiemeka has played key roles in regional market initiatives and major transactions.

Reacting to his appointment, Chiemeka described it as a privilege to lead ASEA at a time when market integration and technology-driven innovation are increasingly important to Africa’s economic development.

“It is a privilege to lead the African Securities Exchanges Association at a time when capital market integration and technology-driven innovation are paramount to unlocking Africa’s economic potential,” said Mr. Chiemeka. “Building on the solid foundation laid by my predecessor, Mr. Pierre Célestin Rwabukumba, ASEA will continue to advocate for stronger cross-border investment frameworks, deeper liquidity pools, and sustainable finance initiatives across our member exchanges,” he said.

In his outgoing address, Rwabukumba reflected on his tenure: “Leading ASEA has been an honour, and I am proud of the progress we have made in bringing African exchanges closer together. I extend my warmest congratulations to Jude Chiemeka. His extensive leadership across both the Nigerian market and WACMIC makes him exceptionally qualified to guide ASEA into its next chapter of growth.”

Under Chiemeka’s presidency, ASEA will focus on deepening cross-border market integration by facilitating inter-exchange trading and cross-listing across African jurisdictions.

The association will also prioritise digital innovation through the adoption of financial technology and modern market infrastructure to improve operational efficiency and expand retail investor access.

Other priorities include increasing capital mobility by strengthening links with global institutional investors while encouraging greater local participation, as well as promoting sustainable finance through efforts to standardise environmental, social and governance frameworks and green bond listings across member exchanges.

The appointment is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s role in efforts to integrate African capital markets and create a more connected investment environment across the continent.

Bala Mohammed’s praise for Tinubu exposes Makinde’s presidential bid as ‘smokescreen’-Alli campaign organisation

Bala Mohammed’s praise for Tinubu exposes Makinde’s presidential bid as ‘smokescreen’- Alli campaign organisation

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), following comments by Bauchi State Governor and APM National Leader, Bala Mohammed, praising President Bola Tinubu’s performance.

The campaign organisation said Mohammed’s acknowledgement of Tinubu’s achievements had raised questions about the basis of Makinde’s presidential bid.

Mohammed had publicly acknowledged that Tinubu had “done so well” in several areas, particularly finance, health and security.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Bisi Oladele, said the comments by Mohammed, whom he described as a key figure in Makinde’s political camp, contradicted the rhetoric surrounding the Oyo State governor’s presidential ambition.

“The question Nigerians should now ask is simple: if one of the principal promoters of Makinde’s presidential ambition truthfully admits that President Tinubu is doing well, what exactly is the justification for Makinde asking Nigerians to replace the President?

“The contradiction is glaring. Governor Mohammed deserves commendation for having the courage to acknowledge the truth rather than engaging in opposition for opposition’s sake.

“His remarks merely confirm what millions of Nigerians can increasingly see: President Tinubu’s reforms are producing results, strengthening the fiscal position of states and enabling governments at the subnational level to undertake development projects,” Oladele said.

The campaign organisation argued that Mohammed’s comments could have political implications for Makinde’s 2027 presidential ambition.

“For Governor Makinde, however, the political message could not be clearer. His presidential campaign is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions before the real contest has even begun,” it said.

The organisation further alleged that Makinde’s presidential ambition was being used primarily as a bargaining tool in the unfolding 2027 political realignment.

“We have always maintained that Makinde’s so-called presidential ambition appears less like a serious pathway to Aso Rock and more like a political bargaining chip designed to enhance his negotiating position in the unfolding 2027 political equation,”

Oladele also described Makinde’s candidacy as a possible negotiating strategy, arguing that the governor was seeking to project a level of national support that he claimed was not reflected in the political landscape.

“How does a candidate seriously expect Nigerians to believe he can defeat an incumbent president when prominent leaders within his own political family are publicly applauding that President’s performance?

“Even more instructive is the fact that Governor Mohammed had previously endorsed Makinde and described him as the leader Nigeria needed. His latest acknowledgement of President Tinubu’s performance therefore raises legitimate political questions about the cohesion, conviction and sustainability of the so-called coalition behind Makinde,” the organisation said.

It said Makinde’s political activities, including the establishment of campaign offices and public declarations about his plans to “reset” Nigeria, would ultimately be tested against political structures, numbers, credibility and alliances.

“Makinde may continue to erect billboards, commission campaign offices and make grandiose declarations about ‘resetting’ Nigeria, but politics is ultimately about structures, numbers, credibility and alliances.

“A presidential candidate whose own political allies are validating the achievements of the incumbent has a serious credibility problem,” it added.

The campaign organisation consequently advised Makinde to focus on his administration’s record in Oyo State and prepare for the 2027 transition rather than pursue what it described as an unlikely presidential project.

“The people of Oyo State are more interested in his legacy — the state’s debt profile, the condition of the local economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare and the welfare of workers — than in a presidential adventure whose political foundations are already crumbling.

“Governor Makinde is free to aspire to the highest office in the land. That is his constitutional right. But he should not mistake ambition for viability, publicity for popularity or political bargaining for a genuine national movement,” the statement said.

Teachers’ Day: Alli Pledges Teachers-First Education Reform, Promises Welfare Overhaul Within 100 Days

The Oyo State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has pledged to place teachers at the centre of his administration’s education reform agenda if elected governor in 2027.

Alli made the pledge in a goodwill message to teachers in the state on the occasion of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.

He promised to introduce an enhanced teachers’ welfare package within his first 100 days in office, including improved car and housing loans, special rural hardship allowances and a dedicated teachers’ housing and mortgage scheme that would prioritise hard-to-staff areas.

The APC candidate also pledged to immediately clear backlogs relating to promotions, inter-zonal transfers and secondments through a transparent digital tracking portal designed to eliminate unnecessary delays and administrative bottlenecks.

He said his administration would institute annual State Teachers’ Excellence Awards, with cash prizes, vehicles, laptops and training grants, while adopting an open digital selection process and giving special recognition to teachers serving in rural communities.

Alli further promised to establish a fast-track unit for the payment of retired teachers’ pensions and gratuities, with clear timelines for clearing outstanding arrears.

He also pledged continuous professional development for teachers in digital skills, artificial intelligence tools, inclusive education and subject mastery, with particular attention to those serving in rural areas.

According to him, special incentives would be introduced for rural postings, alongside a structured teacher-mobility system to address the uneven distribution of qualified teachers and retain quality personnel in underserved schools.

Alli also promised specialised recruitment and training for special-needs and early-childhood teachers, describing the two areas as critical to building an inclusive and sustainable education system in the state.

He said his administration would establish a comprehensive school security architecture comprising perimeter fencing, community security partnerships and rapid-response protocols, as well as support and insurance packages for teachers affected by insecurity.

The APC candidate pledged guaranteed and timely release of running grants to all school heads through a digital accountability system, saying teachers should no longer have to spend their personal resources on basic materials needed for effective teaching.

He also promised to accelerate the renovation of classrooms, provision of furniture and development of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, with priority given to rural and overcrowded schools.

On access to technology, Alli pledged to expand Information and Communication Technology facilities through solar-powered laboratories, digital devices and modern teaching tools in more public schools, particularly underserved ones.

Addressing the challenge of out-of-school children, he promised an aggressive reduction of the estimated 674,000 children outside the school system through community mobilisation, incentives and public tracking of progress.

Alli said his administration would also launch an “Oyo Teachers First Compact”, with measurable key performance indicators covering teachers’ welfare, security, professional development and learning outcomes.

He said the compact would be implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other education unions.

According to Alli, teachers remained indispensable to human capital development, stressing that no education reform could succeed if teachers were neglected, demoralised or denied the tools and welfare required to perform their duties.

He said the World Teachers’ Day celebration should therefore go beyond speeches and ceremonies to concrete commitments that would restore dignity, motivation and professional pride among teachers.

“Our teachers deserve more than applause; they deserve a government that respects their sacrifices, protects their lives, rewards excellence and provides the tools required to teach effectively,” Alli said.

He congratulated teachers across Oyo State on the celebration and assured them that an APC administration under his leadership would make their welfare, professional development and working conditions major priorities.

Alli urged teachers to remain committed to their noble profession, assuring them that his proposed administration would work with education stakeholders to rebuild confidence in the state’s education system and deliver measurable improvements in learning outcomes.

LAUTECH Strike: Alli Campaign Organisation condemns Makinde’s neglect of resident doctors, masses

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has faulted the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the prolonged strike by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

The organisation said the over 30-day strike had affected healthcare delivery at the hospital and raised concerns about the welfare and working conditions of medical personnel in the state.

In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, on Sunday, the organisation described the prolonged strike as unacceptable, saying it reflected what it described as poor handling of the welfare and working conditions of medical personnel by the state government.

SSACO also expressed concern over the 21-day warning strike issued by the Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State (AMDO) over unresolved issues relating to welfare, remuneration and conditions of service.

It said the situation was particularly disturbing because medical workers were being compelled to embark on industrial action over issues including the payment of allowances, residency training funds and salary arrears.

The organisation said resident doctors had demanded the payment of outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund and six months of minimum wage arrears, among other welfare-related issues.

SSACO said the prolonged dispute had negatively affected healthcare delivery, as the strike had limited the services provided by the teaching hospital, with serious implications for patients who rely on public healthcare.

It added that some patients had been forced to seek treatment at private hospitals or endure long delays in accessing care at the teaching hospital.

“The SSACO is concerned about Governor Seyi Makinde’s failure to sit with the striking resident doctors and find a lasting solution to their demands. As the strike prolongs, the resident doctors feel maltreated, while the masses bear the brunt of government’s insensitivity.

“Healthcare delivery is a critical service which serious administrations treat with urgency and with the importance it deserves. With this prolonged strike, our resident doctors are feeling maltreated while the masses suffer.

“The medical and dental officers across state hospitals have also served notice of a warning strike. This combination is a signal of government failure in the health sector. It is unacceptable in our dear state.

“Healthcare occupies a priority position in Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s Oyo AHEAD agenda. Health workers and other civil servants will not be denied their entitlements. They will enjoy training and retraining, and they will have facilities to work with,” the statement read in part.

The organisation warned that continued industrial action in the health sector could have serious consequences for patients who depend on public hospitals for specialised and affordable medical treatment.

It challenged the Makinde administration to explain what it described as its continued neglect of medical workers, nonchalant treatment of their complaints and alleged failure to prioritise the welfare of residents of Oyo State.

Oyo 2027: Alli Campaign Raises Alarm Over Fraudsters Soliciting NIN, Bank Details

The Campaign Organisation of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has warned members of the public against individuals allegedly impersonating the candidate and his campaign team to obtain sensitive personal and financial information.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the organisation said the scheme was aimed at deceiving unsuspecting members of the public and compromising their personal and financial information.

The organisation said suspected fraudsters had contacted individuals by telephone, claiming to represent Alli and requesting their National Identification Numbers (NINs), bank account details and other personal information.

It urged the public to disregard such calls and refrain from disclosing personal, banking or identification details without proper verification.

The organisation stressed that neither Alli nor his campaign organisation had authorised anyone to solicit NINs, bank details, passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or other confidential information.

It warned that such information could be exploited for identity theft, financial fraud and other criminal activities, urging anyone who receives suspicious calls or messages to report them promptly to the relevant security agencies.

The organisation also advised the public not to transfer money or respond to requests for financial assistance made through unverified telephone numbers, social media accounts or other unofficial channels purportedly linked to the campaign.

It said it was taking the allegations seriously and would cooperate with relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute anyone involved in impersonation, fraud or other criminal activities using Alli’s name.

The organisation further urged members of the public to remain vigilant, verify claims before responding to unsolicited requests and rely only on officially verified communication channels for information about Alli and his campaign.

It reaffirmed Alli’s commitment to lawful and transparent engagement with the people of Oyo State, stressing that no legitimate political engagement required anyone to surrender confidential banking or identity information to unidentified callers.

NASRE Celebrates President Femi Oyewale, Hails His Service To Journalism

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) has joined family, friends and colleagues across the media industry to celebrate its National President, Mr Femi Oyewale, Publisher of Sahara Weekly, as he marks his birthday.

In a birthday message signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Lateef Temitope Owodunni, NASRE described Oyewale as a passionate journalist, publisher and media administrator whose years of service have contributed to the growth of journalism and the welfare of media practitioners.

The Association said his birthday provides an opportunity not only to celebrate another year of his life, but also to acknowledge his contributions to the media community and his leadership of NASRE.

Under his leadership, NASRE has continued to pursue initiatives aimed at strengthening the Association, promoting unity among members and providing support for journalists and their families, particularly those facing difficult circumstances.

NASRE also acknowledged Oyewale’s role as the Publisher of Sahara Weekly, noting his continued commitment to journalism and publishing as part of his contribution to the media landscape.

“Today, we celebrate not just a birthday, but a life dedicated to journalism, publishing, leadership and service. We wish our National President, Mr Olufemi Oyewale, a happy birthday and many more years of impactful service,” the Association said.

NASRE congratulated its National President and wished him renewed strength, good health, wisdom and greater accomplishments in the new year of his life.

The Association further prayed that the years ahead would bring Mr Oyewale more opportunities to make meaningful contributions to journalism, NASRE and society at large.

2027: PDP candidate, Accord aspirant, 3,000 supporters defect to APC in Oyo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ibadan North-East State Constituency II in the 2027 general elections, Hon. Hammed Taoreed Ademola, and an Accord aspirant for the same constituency, Hon. Adedapo Ojo, on Friday led about 3,000 of their supporters to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.

The defectors formally declared their membership of the APC at an event held at a private facility along Old Ife Road, Ibadan.

Ademola, popularly known as Lucky, said his decision to abandon the PDP ticket followed his assessment of the political situation ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said: “I did my due diligence and I came to realise that any ticket outside the APC is a mere tissue paper which cannot take a candidate anywhere in 2027.

“We are here in our hundreds to formally join the APC, and we promise to do our best in the interest of the progressive party and our dear country, Nigeria.”

Speaking at the event, Ojo described Accord as a distraction and urged voters to support the APC.

He said: “We thought about making Accord a credible alternative in the state, but we later realised that the APC was ahead of other parties by far.

“We wasted our time, energy and resources on an unproductive exercise. We later realised it wasn’t worth it. So, we decided to pitch our tent with the progressive party, and here we are today.”

Receiving the defectors into the APC, the state chairman of the party, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, assured them of equal opportunities.

Adeyemo urged the new members to work assiduously for the victory of all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections, describing the election as another opportunity to rewrite the history of Nigeria.

Also speaking, the APC governorship candidate in the 2027 election, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, promised to ensure fairness to all members of the party and all zones of the state.

Alli said: “It is a thing of joy that reasonable individuals are abandoning their parties to join the APC at a time like this. The hope is getting brighter every day, and it is now important for us to get more prepared because Oyo State deserves the best from May 2027.

“We have been saying it that we would run an all-inclusive government which every indigene and resident of the state shall be proud of.

“Workers and pensioners would get their salaries and allowances regularly, in amounts that would be enough for them to live a decent life.

“The work environment would be conducive for all workers, including civil servants and teachers, while workers in all categories would be given adequate training and retraining to improve their productivity.

“Within our first six months in office, a standard ICT hub would be established in Ibadan, and this would be replicated in Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapa before January 2029.

“We would ensure that no zone is left out in the distribution of infrastructure and basic amenities, while each of the 33 local government councils would have a general hospital that is well staffed and fully equipped to cater to the basic medical needs of our people.”

Also present at the event were the APC deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji; the Oyo South Senatorial candidate, Hon. Aderemi Oseni; and other party members.