The chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, contributory Pension scheme, (NUPCPS) Lagos State Council, Comrade Michael Omisande has appealed to the Director General, Lagos State Pension Commission, (LASPEC), Babalola Obilana, to be proactive on the issue of Pension increases for CPS Pensioners in Lagos State.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Lagos State, Comrade Agnes Sessie, has vowed to take up the battle for the implementation of Pension increases for Retirees under the contributory Pension scheme (CPS) in the State.

While speaking at Oshodi Open Congress Day, Comrade Sessi said the CPS Pensioners deserve to get the pension increases like their federal counterparts, adding that a political solution would also be adopted.

She said the Labour Movement would use the election year to renegotiate for another minimum wage for Lagos State Workers and also canvass for pension increase implementation for CPS Pensioners.

Comrade Sessie commended the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu in the running of affairs of the State.

The open congress day is in commemoration of the birth of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, contributory Pension scheme, NUPCPS, in Nigeria on 27 February, 2017.

The theme of this year’s celebration is Freedom of Association, a fundamental human right in Nigeria.

The world Cup ticket which Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to secure on the field of play have been delivered in FIFA’s boardroom in Zurich, Switzerland.

This followed a decisive verdict in the eligibility dispute between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the World football governing body overturned the playoff result and awarded qualification to the Super Eagles for the 2026 World Cup.

The ruling was handed down by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee following a formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA).At the heart of the matter was the Best Losers Playoff match in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

 DR Congo had originally secured a 2–1 victory over Nigeria, seemingly clinching the final qualification slot.

However, Nigeria challenged the outcome, alleging that a DR Congo player — identified in proceedings as Player X — was ineligible to feature in the decisive encounter due to an incomplete nationality switch process.

After reviewing official match documentation, player registration records, and correspondence between FECOFA and FIFA’s Players’ Status Department, the Disciplinary Committee established that the player had previously represented another national association at youth level.

Under FIFA regulations governing player eligibility, any footballer seeking to change national association must formally apply for the switch, receive written approval from FIFA, and obtain official confirmation before participating in any senior “A” international match.

The Committee found that although Player X had initiated the process, formal approval had not been granted before the playoff fixture.

 Crucially, no provisional clearance had been issued to permit temporary participation.

Citing Article 9 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes and Article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Committee ruled that DR Congo fielded an ineligible player in an official competitive match.

In line with the regulations, the match has been declared forfeited.

The result has been officially recorded as DR Congo 0–3 Nigeria.

Consequently, Nigeria has been proclaimed winner of the Best Losers Playoff Round and awarded qualification to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The decision marks a major boost for Nigerian football and underscores FIFA’s strict stance on eligibility compliance, particularly in high-stakes fixtures that determine World Cup participation.

While DR Congo has been disqualified from the playoff pathway, the federation retains the right to appeal the ruling before the FIFA Appeals Committee.

In its closing observations, the Committee stressed that strict adherence to nationality switch procedures is vital to maintaining fairness and integrity in international football, warning that administrative processes still in progress do not justify participation without formal approval.

The Executive Director  and the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini, has raised an alarm over the promotion and glamorization of tobacco, narcotics and use of ritual practices on home videos, decrying the damage the practice has done on moral values of viewers and their psyche.

Dr Hussein made this observation while playing host to the students of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Acting Academy at the Board’s Lagos office on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Addressing critical industry concerns, the NFVCB boss underscored the importance of clear disclaimers in fiction films and ongoing efforts to control some of these unethical practices on the screen.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering a regulatory environment that balances creative freedom with cultural sensitivity.

The visit, led by the Academy Director, Ms. Akaoma Onyeonoru, formed part of an industry excursion designed to expose the next generation of Nollywood actors to the mechanics of film regulation, governance, and ethical compliance.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Husseini described the engagement as timely, stressing that the future of Nollywood depends not only on creative excellence but also on regulatory discipline and cultural responsibility.

He reiterated that no film should be distributed or exhibited in Nigeria without proper classification, stressing that the Board is set to intensify enforcement, particularly on digital platforms.

He disclosed that the NFVCB is working towards removing unclassified Nigerian films on digital platforms inline with the mandate of the Board and its Memorandum of Understanding with the platforms.

Filmmakers were therefore urged to comply with classification requirements as it is done in even developed societies, noting that steps have been taken in the present dispensation, to ensure that  registration and approvals are speedily granted when submissions meet regulatory standards.

 He emphasised that the entire process can now be completed online, eliminating the need for physical visits.

Dr. Husseini also revealed that the Board is reintroducing online classification mechanisms and deploying the Magpie verification system to enhance transparency, tracking, and compliance within the industry.

He stated that at no time did the Board ban money rituals in movies. Rather what the Board expects is that movies with such themes must be followed with appropriate disclaimer and corresponding consequences for the depiction.

He clarified that while festival films not intended for public distribution may not require classification, any film released to the general public must undergo the statutory process.

Documentary films as he noted, must maintain factual accuracy and may require classification depending on their distribution scope.

On emerging trends, Dr. Husseini stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) in film production must be transparently disclosed, with appropriate indemnities executed before distribution.

Beyond regulation, the Executive Director outlined plans to deepen industry development through stakeholder workshops, monetisation training, and legal compliance sessions.

He further revealed that the Board is exploring lower-cost licensing options for smaller cinema operators, while ensuring safeguards to prevent abuse.

He also reiterated his vision to establish a film and video library dedicated to preserving Nigeria’s film and video heritage for future generations.

During the visit, students toured the NFVCB archives and preview facilities, where classification exercises are conducted.

The Board’s Head of Media Literacy, Mrs. Chioma Obasi, briefed them on nationwide school outreach programmes aimed at educating young audiences on film ratings and the distinction between fiction and reality.

The session concluded with an interactive engagement during which students posed questions on licensing, censorship processes, and career pathways within the regulatory ecosystem.

Dr. Husseini expressed his desire to be remembered for fostering a regulatory environment that balances creative freedom with cultural sensitivity, while strengthening institutional capacity and staff welfare.

The visit ended on a celebratory note, with the students expressing appreciation for the Board’s hospitality.

Tokens of appreciation were exchanged between the Acting Academy and the NFVCB leadership.