Crunch Times News

By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel 

The Minister of Football Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa has congratulated Nigeria's U-17 women's national team, the Flamingos, on winning the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.

Nneka Ikem Anibeze, SA Media & Publicity to the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy in a statement said, Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the final on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria's lead in the 47th minute. Japan's Fuki Ito pulled one back in the 80th minute, but Nigeria held on to win.

In her congratulatory message, Minister Musawa described the victory as a proud moment for Nigeria, a landmark for African women's football, and a triumph of resilience, talent and belief.

"This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world," she said.

The Flamingos made history as the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, and the first African country to claim titles in both the men's and women's U-17 categories. 

They also became the first team in the competition's history to lose their opening match and go on to win the title, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Poland in the group stage before winning six consecutive games.

The Minister specially commended Umejiaku, who won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, and Bashiru for their decisive goals in the final, while applauding the entire squad for their teamwork and discipline.

She said the Flamingos' victory reflects the creativity, courage and excellence that Nigerian youth bring to the world, and reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to celebrating, protecting and promoting the stories of young Nigerians who inspire the nation.

"Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you," Minister Musawa said.

By Blessing Okola 

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) has stepped up efforts to establish a continent-wide framework for the fashion and textile industry, with Nigeria leading the initiative and Rwanda moving towards becoming the second African country to formalise participation.

The initiative, known as the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter, marked its first anniversary on November 5, with the organisation announcing progress towards securing wider government support, industrial partnerships and recognition by the African Union.

Speaking at the anniversary celebration held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, during the opening of CANEX WKND 2026, CAFA President, Aare Prof. Lai Labode, said the Charter was designed to address structural challenges limiting the growth of Africa's fashion industry.

Nigeria became the first country in the world to sign the Charter on November 5, 2025, through the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.

Labode said Africa's fashion industry had enormous economic potential but continued to struggle with inadequate financing, limited manufacturing capacity, lack of recognised professional certification and weak industrial infrastructure.

He estimated that Africa's fashion economy was worth about $60 billion, despite having the potential to reach $500 billion, adding that the continent remained heavily dependent on imported finished textiles and garments.

According to him, 37 of Africa's 54 countries produce cotton, yet the continent exports about $15.5 billion in textiles while importing approximately $23.1 billion in textiles, clothing and footwear.

He argued that the Charter would provide governments with a policy framework to strengthen local production, establish industry standards, protect intellectual property and ensure that more economic value from African fashion remained on the continent.

"The world has never doubted Africa's talent. It has simply never had to pay Africa for it. The Charter exists to change who gets paid," he said.

On continental expansion, Labode disclosed that CAFA's Rwanda chapter was already operating in Kigali, with the country making progress towards becoming the second nation globally and the first in East Africa to formalise participation.

He added that discussions were ongoing with Liberia, while engagements with Ghana were expected during CANEX WKND 2026, where representatives from between five and 10 African countries were expected to explore participation.

The organisation is also pursuing a pathway to secure African Union recognition of the Charter through Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As part of efforts to strengthen the industry's manufacturing capacity, CAFA is engaging partners in Austria and Turkey on plans to establish a central textile factory that would serve African countries.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, who attended the anniversary and performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, said the initiative would help transform African fashion from a cultural expression into a structured economic sector capable of generating employment.

She noted that although African designers had gained international recognition, the industry lacked common standards and institutional structures to support large-scale production.

Musawa said the Federal Government signed the Charter because of its potential to strengthen the creative economy and create opportunities for designers, manufacturers and other industry professionals.

She expressed optimism about the employment opportunities the initiative would generate, stressing that its success would depend on translating the agreement into practical action.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is scheduled to host the inaugural African Global Fashion Games in 2028.

The competition will bring participating countries together to compete in seven fashion-related disciplines covering design, craftsmanship, textile performance and innovation.

The Games are expected to be held every three years, alternating between Africa and other parts of the world, with participating countries contributing to a collective World Cloth.

Labode said the ultimate measure of the Charter's success would be increased country participation, stronger local textile manufacturing and greater retention of economic value within Africa.

The CAFA exhibition stand at CANEX WKND 2026, holding from November 5 to 8 in Lagos, is providing ambassadors, government delegations and industry stakeholders with access to the Charter and information on how their countries can participate.

By Blessing Bature 

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) is set to unveil an ambitious roadmap aimed at growing Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion, as part of efforts to position the continent as a major player in the global fashion industry.

In a statement issued to newsmen by Nneka Ikem Anibeze Ph.D SA Media the Art and culture minister said the roadmap will be presented at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026 in Lagos, where CAFA will mark its first anniversary on November 5 with the unveiling of a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.

The event will take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, from November 5 to 8.

CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the organisation was working with African governments to harmonise policies on sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property to ensure that the continent derives greater economic value from its creative resources.

He explained that the initiative seeks to move African fashion beyond creativity and informal production towards a structured industry capable of generating wealth, creating employment and strengthening intra-African trade.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed the document on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa said the Afroliganza initiative was designed to establish a structured and values-driven fashion economy anchored on African heritage and institutions, with the capacity to compete globally.

She stressed that increased investment in the sector could create millions of jobs, particularly for women and young people.

Registered in Rwanda, with its headquarters in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy in Nigeria, CAFA is also collaborating with Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure African Union adoption of the Charter.

Rwanda is equally making progress towards becoming the second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Highlighting its achievements in the first year, the organisation said 50 nations participated in the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta, while it also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Türkiye's ASRIAD.

As part of its strategy, CAFA is promoting the local processing of African raw materials into finished garments and apparel to strengthen domestic manufacturing and retain more economic value within the continent.

Its programmes include the 'Own What We Create' initiative, which focuses on intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark are designed to promote quality standards, authenticity and recognition of African fashion products.

The organisation is also establishing African Global Fashion Houses across international markets to expand the visibility and commercial reach of African designers and fashion brands.

Another major initiative is the African Global Fashion Games, scheduled to debut in Nigeria in 2028. The biennial-style event, which will hold every three years, will bring designers together under their respective national colours, alternating between African and international host countries.

Beyond fashion competitions, the Games will provide platforms for investment meetings, business deals and policy discussions.

One of its proposed attractions, the Instant Craft event, will require competing countries to work with identical materials within a fixed period, placing emphasis on creativity, technical skills and craftsmanship.

CAFA has invited fashion designers, artisans, creatives, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to visit its stand during CANEX WKND 2026 to explore the roadmap and identify opportunities for collaboration in design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships.

By Blessing Bature 

Liberty Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Women’s Ministry has celebrated two years of impact, empowerment and remarkable achievements, reaffirming its commitment to spiritual growth, women's development and service to humanity.

The celebration, held under the theme, “Ebenezer: Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Us,” brought together women from the church and its various branches and outreaches to reflect on the ministry's journey, celebrate its accomplishments and renew their commitment to strengthening families, empowering women and contributing to community development.

Among the participating outreaches were Transforming Grace, Living Spring, Triumphant Assembly, and Abundant Grace, Lugbe, among others.

Speaking at the event, the Women’s Ministry Leader, Sister Lydia Anenge, described the celebration as an opportunity to appreciate God for His faithfulness and reflect on the progress made under the ministry’s two-year leadership.

She said the ministry had recorded significant achievements, including the introduction of a uniform for Adventist women, as well as initiatives aimed at encouraging women to become economically independent and contribute meaningfully to their families and society.

According to her, the ministry has consistently encouraged women not to remain dependent or sit back waiting for their husbands to provide everything, but to discover their potential, develop entrepreneurial skills and engage in productive ventures.

Anenge said the past two years had been remarkable, adding that the ministry had achieved several milestones through commitment, unity and the support of the church.

She expressed gratitude to God and everyone who contributed to the successes recorded, describing the journey as an awesome and fulfilling experience.

Also speaking, Sister Rita Chimereze applauded the leadership of Liberty Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church for creating an enabling environment for women to serve, grow and contribute to the development of the church.

She expressed appreciation for the opportunity given to the outgoing leadership to serve, noting that the experience had been rewarding and impactful.

Chimereze encouraged women to remain active, proactive and committed to personal development, stressing the importance of engaging in businesses and other productive activities to improve their economic well-being.

She urged women not to limit themselves but to identify opportunities, develop their capacities and support their spouses in building financially stable homes.

She also expressed hope that the next leadership of the Women’s Ministry would build on the achievements recorded and accomplish even greater things.

In his remarks, the Pastor of Liberty Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Kayode Arigbede, reaffirmed the church’s commitment to empowering women by providing platforms for them to explore their abilities, develop their potential and achieve meaningful progress.

He noted that women were capable of achieving great things when given the necessary encouragement and opportunities, adding that the church had continued to recognise the importance of creating such platforms.

According to him, programmes such as the Women’s Day celebration provide opportunities for women to connect, encourage one another, share experiences and discover new ways of contributing to the growth of the church and society.

Arigbede commended the Women’s Ministry for its commitment and outstanding contributions over the past two years, describing its achievements as worthy of appreciation.

He urged the women not to relent in their efforts but to remain committed to the good works they had started, while encouraging them to make productive use of every opportunity available to them.

The pastor further described the theme, “Ebenezer: Thus Far, the Lord Has Helped Us,” as appropriate, noting that the achievements and milestones recorded by the ministry were reasons to appreciate God's faithfulness.

The celebration featured a gathering of women from the church’s various outreaches, reflecting unity, fellowship and a shared commitment to the growth and empowerment of women.

The event also provided an opportunity to appreciate the outgoing leadership, celebrate progress and inspire women to embrace greater responsibilities in their families, the church and society, he said.

By Blessing Bature 

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), triggering an emergency public health response, including contact tracing, surveillance and strengthened infection prevention measures.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the case.

According to the minister, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.

Pate said the patient had been placed in isolation and was receiving medical care.

He disclosed that contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far. Public health teams are working to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the infection, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities are collaborating to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.

The minister said surveillance had been intensified, while the affected hospital was receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

He called on public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert, urging health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention protocols and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.

Explaining the risk of transmission, Pate said Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as contact with contaminated materials.

He stressed that a person infected with Ebola cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.

The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease.

He listed symptoms to watch for as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among people who may have been exposed to the infection.

Pate advised anyone who suspects possible exposure to report immediately to public health authorities, even if they feel well. Those who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and contact health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

He also urged people contacted during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with public health instructions.

The minister cautioned against spreading rumours or stigmatising affected individuals, emphasising the need for Nigerians to rely on verified information from official health authorities.

Reassuring the public, Pate recalled that Nigeria successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014, noting that the country had experience and public health systems to respond to the current case.

However, he stressed that preventing further spread would require collective action, early detection, prompt reporting and cooperation with health officials.

The Federal Government, FCT authorities and their partners, he said, were working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public, while investigations into the case continued.

The government, through the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC, pledged to provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Members of the public can contact the NCDC's toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information or to report a suspected case.

By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel 

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has unveiled the D30 Platform as a single-window intelligence hub for Nigeria's creative and tourism economy, developed in partnership with Cavista Holdings.

Nneka Ikem Anibeze, SA Media & Publicity to the Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy in a statement said following the launch, investors, businesses and state governments will be able to locate creative clusters, tourism assets, infrastructure gaps and viable opportunities from a single source.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, thanked Cavista Holdings for its partnership in delivering the technology. She said the platform addresses a long-standing constraint in the sector, the absence of reliable, comprehensive data to measure the true scale of opportunities.

According to the Minister, an investor considering a film production facility should be able to see where creative clusters are located and what supporting infrastructure exists.

"D30 is not intended to be another government database that simply accumulates information. Its purpose is to support decisions that help businesses expand, guide investors and enable government to deploy resources more effectively," she said.

"A state seeking to develop a tourism destination should understand its connectivity and investment needs. A creative entrepreneur should have market intelligence to expand beyond familiar markets."

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, described the unveiling as an important milestone in the Ministry's efforts to unlock the immense economic potential of Nigeria's art, culture, tourism and creative industries.

"For government, it represents an opportunity to strengthen evidence-based planning and policymaking. For investors, it provides greater visibility into emerging opportunities, industry clusters and areas requiring investment. For businesses and entrepreneurs, it offers information that can support expansion, competitiveness and better commercial decisions," he said.

In his remarks, Executive Director and Vice President, Government and External Affairs at Cavista Holdings, Olumide Olayomi, reaffirmed the company's commitment to strengthening Nigeria's tourism and creative economy through credible data and evidence-based planning.

He said D30 will enable government and private sector players to spot viable investment opportunities, close infrastructure gaps and drive growth across the value chain.

"Nigeria's rich cultural heritage, diverse tourism destinations and vibrant creative community offer enormous potential for jobs and wealth creation, but the sector cannot scale without reliable intelligence to track opportunities, assess needs and measure progress," Olayomi said.

He added that Cavista fully aligns with the Ministry's target of generating $100 billion and creating 3 million jobs by 2030, stressing that sustained public-private collaboration is critical to achieving it.

The Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, represented by his Technical Assistant, Moses Waniko, pledged the Bureau's collaboration with the Ministry to strengthen data collection, harmonise methodologies and ensure compliance with national and international statistical standards.

He stated that the success of the platform will depend on the quality, consistency, reliability and comparability of its data, reaffirming NBS's commitment to producing reliable official statistics to support government, private-sector operators, development partners and researchers.

Special Adviser to the President on Partnerships and Innovation, Imran Garba Duba, thanked all contributors to the successful launch of D30, particularly the Cavista team for their selfless service to the country.

He described the launch as just the beginning, saying:

“D30 will open doors for Nigeria in ways we cannot fathom. Nigeria has so much to show and so much data and we need to work together."

The D30 Platform is a national data and investment intelligence platform developed by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy with technology partner Cavista Technologies.

The Ministry is targeting 3 million jobs and $100 billion GDP contribution from the creative and tourism economy by 2030 under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. D30 will provide the intelligence foundation to achieve that.

By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel 

The Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy mourns the passing of Nigeria's legendary actor and cultural icon, Sir Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, MFR, who died on Wednesday, 16th September 2026, at the age of 84.

 Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Ph.D SA Media & Publicity to the Minister, Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy in a statement said reacting to the sad news, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., described his death as a monumental loss to the nation and the entire creative industry.

 “Olu Jacobs was not just an actor, he was a national institution. He was one of the most important pillars of Nigeria's entertainment industry and one of Africa's greatest actors. For over five decades, his voice, his presence and his craft gave life to our stories and gave dignity to our industry”.

“Through the Lufodo Academy which has trained hundreds of actors, directors and filmmakers who are now leading Nollywood, and the countless lives he touched, his legacy will continue to live on stage, on screen and in the hearts of millions of Nigerians. Nigeria has lost a Lion, but his light will never fade.”, Musawa stated.

On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the entire creative community, the Ministry also extends heartfelt condolences to Dame Joke Silva, his children, and other family members.