Vbay Online

It's one thing to have services but another thing to make them active or well known so people can use them.  Even when the system works or services are delivered, if people don't trust them or know about them those services might as well not exist.  The tragic accident that affected boxing champion Anthony Joshua and his companions, who sadly lost their lives, has drawn attention to highway problems in the country which we hope will NOW start getting solved. It reminds us of a recent training of officials from the National Emergency Management Agency - NEMA. A discussion on frequent fires engulfing buildings in the country and how easily people  ignore the existence of fire extinguishers got us suggesting we test NEMA's emergency lines to see if someone would pick. We tried and they worked!  The question then is how many people are aware of these important numbers to call in an emergency in order to save lives and property? It's important the government closes the ga...

Over the past couple of days, Nigeria has been buzzing with exciting developments in the creative economy and tourism sectors. In a remarkable achievement, Lagos Fashion Week (which ended on Nov. 2) won the prestigious 2025 EarthShot Prize in Brazil on Nov. 5, for its initiative to build a waste-free world. Founded by Omoyemi Akerele in 2011, the event is Africa's largest fashion week. The 8th edition of Guarantee Trust Bank's Fashion Weekend (Nov. 8-9) also concluded, celebrating Nigerian and African creativity.  On the #music scene, 4 Nigerians were nominated in the highly coveted Grammy Awards for the Afrobeats category, over the weekend. While for movies, the African International Film Festival and Abuja International Film Festival held in Lagos (Nov. 2-8) and Abuja (Nov. 6-10) respectively, spotlighting African and global storytelling, music and fashion as catalysts for creative growth. The Minister of Creative Economy proposed to the Federal Executive Council to promote ...

#DenjaAbdullahi is a Nigerian poet, writer, and literary figure who uses poetry as his main medium to entertain and educate. His 56th birthday on August 30 (organized in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Authors at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village in Abuja), celebrated the dynamic art of fusing #poetry and #theater . This innovative approach highlights the power of spoken word in bringing poetry to life and pays homage to Nigeria's rich oral tradition. As he points out, "We were largely oral in Nigeria before writing. Traditionally, our poetry is an oral tradition recited often with drums and musical instruments. Spoken word is modern but has its roots in the past. The poetic form can be used to teach any subject on earth. From the classical times, every subject, from the humanities to the sciences, started with poetry as a means of knowledge sharing." He acknowledged the media's role in promoting literary works - his first work was published long ag...

🎥 Last week in Abuja, Institut Francais aired the documentary, #Freemen , about the centuries-old Igbo apprenticeship system known as ‘Igba Boi’. As part of their cultural exchange programme, the centre showcases films, music, art exhibitions, language programmes and other cultural activities. It provided much insight into the apprenticeship system and the experiences of Igbo traders. The Igbo apprenticeship system is regarded as one of the most powerful, community-driven models of entrepreneurship in Africa. Rooted in shared prosperity, it transforms young apprentices into business owners through on-the-job training and eventual capital support. Some business lessons it teaches include the power of collaboration, negotiation, continuous learning and improvement, and finding a niche when there are gaps. This informal yet structured system is said to have become the cornerstone of Igbo economic success, particularly after the Nigerian Civil War. As Ill Bliss (Nigerian rapper) narrate...

Breaking news! 😁 We are happy to announce that Nigeria has adopted its first menstrual health policy nationwide. This happened in Abuja on August 15, 2025. This new policy is all about breaking the stigma around menstruation, making sanitary products more affordable and accessible, and helping girls stay in school — even during their periods. It was officially approved by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and it’s a major win for gender equality and health. The policy tackles issues like shame, lack of information, and poor access to safe menstrual products — all of which can lead to girls missing school, dropping out early, or facing intimate partner violence, child marriage and early pregnancy. In short, it’s a game-changer and the vision is bold: by 2030, no girl in Nigeria should have to choose between her education and managing her period. More here https://von.gov.ng/nigeria-adopts-first-menstrual-health-policy-nationwide/ Thanks for stopping by. Don't f...

In Nigeria, there's this disturbing trend where individuals caught committing crimes or misconduct are publicly humiliated through exposure of their nudity. The recent incident involving the Ibom Air cabin crew and passenger, Comfort Emmanson, is an example. The circulation of footage showing her bare chest was unnecessary and dehumanizing. Such actions not only violate the individual's rights but also perpetuate a culture of shame and violence. ⚖️Legal Implications: The Cybercrime Act in Nigeria , specifically Section 24 , prohibits the dissemination of obscene or indecent content . Sharing such footage can result in severe consequences, including imprisonment or fines. 📢The Broader Impact: Weaponizing nudity as a form of punishment perpetuates gender-based violence. It sends a dangerous message that a person's body can be used as a tool for public shaming. It's important to recognize the harm caused by this practice and work towards creating a culture that val...

From July 16–17, 2025, the National Summit on The Future of Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy held at Transcorp Hilton and Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja. Led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the summit brought together diverse Nigerian voices - elder statesmen, youth, civil society, diaspora, academia, religious leaders, market leaders, and more - to tackle this very question. 🎯 The consensus was clear: the 1999 Constitution, seen as a military imposition without the people's input, is responsible for many of Nigeria's systemic failures, including a weakened federal system, growing inequality, insecurity, and a decline in national pride. 🎯 The call to action? A new, inclusive, people-driven Constitution that reflects our aspirations for justice, equity, unity, accountability, and sustainable development. 🎊 Key resolutions aim to establish true federalism with greater autonomy for states and local government areas. The Summit pushed for signifi...