Lagos made history today, by becoming the first city in Africa to host the E1 Electric Powerboat Championship. The race started on the Lagos Lagoon by Victoria Island and will run until October 5.This year’s E1 series, which began in early 2024 and has already visited cities like Jeddah, Venice, and Monaco, has now added Lagos to its prestigious lineup. The competition features high-speed electric boats, pushing the boundaries of clean technology on water. Each of the nine teams has both male and female pilots, in order to close gender gap disparities in the sport.The event is star-studded, with teams backed by big names such as Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James, and Didier Drogba. The races so far have been thrilling, with Team Brady currently just ahead of Team Rafa in the standings. Fans from across Nigeria and beyond are excited to witness the fusion of sport, innovation, and sustainability right in the heart of Lagos.
UPDATE: Tragic death of Arise TV anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu following robbery at Abuja residence
Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a news anchor and producer with Arise Television, died on Monday, September 29, 2025, following a desperate jump from her third-storey apartment during an armed robbery attack at Unique Apartments in Katampe, Abuja. Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, attempted to escape a terrifying invasion by approximately 15 armed robbers that stormed her residence around 3 a.m. during a violent robbery incident. In the panic, she jumped from the third floor to avoid the intruders but sustained severe injuries from the fall. According to statements from Arise TV and the Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner, Ajao Adewale, Maduagwu was taken to Maitama District Hospital alongside a security guard injured during the assault. Tragically, she later died at the hospital. The police described the robbery as a “cruel and senseless act” and assured the public of a committed investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Relatives and colleagues have raised concerns about delays in medical treatment at Maitama District Hospital, alleging Maduagwu was initially denied prompt care due to the absence of identification documents, potentially contributing to her death. Arise TV paid tribute to Sommie in a special program titled “A Life Cut Short,” honouring her dedication to journalism and her prior career as a trained lawyer. Former presidential spokesperson and Arise TV co-anchor, Reuben Abati, called for a thorough probe into medical staff conduct and all aspects surrounding the tragic event. Family friend Kaanayo Nwachukwu also described how Sommtie tried to flee as armed robbers moved through the apartment complex, robbing residents.
Nigerian private sector records strongest job growth in nearly two years
The Nigerian private sector recorded its strongest job growth in 23 months, with employment rising by 3.8% month-on-month in September 2025, according to a joint report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA). The growth was driven by expansions in manufacturing, information technology, and financial services. NBS Director of Labour Market Statistics, Mrs. Efe Osagie, said, This increase reflects growing business confidence following government reforms and stimulus efforts. Mr. Tunde Adetunji, NECA spokesperson, noted that employers are hiring cautiously while investing in skill development. He emphasised the need for ongoing government-private sector collaboration to sustain job creation and address challenges like infrastructure and finance. The report follows gradual labour market improvements since early 2024 after prior job losses caused by economic shocks. Experts caution that sustaining growth requires continued policy support and investment in workforce development.
Warning: Woman fatally electrocuted in bath while using plugged-in iPhone
Ann-Marie O’Gorman, 46, a mother of three from Dublin, Ireland, tragically died last year from electrocution after holding her iPhone while it was plugged in and charging in the bath. The inquest held on September 30, 2025, revealed key details about the circumstances of her death and raised safety concerns over the use of electronic devices near water. O’Gorman was found unresponsive in her bathtub by her husband, Joe O’Gorman, after a brief phone call earlier in the evening while he was driving home. Upon discovering her, he observed the charging cable and iPhone partially submerged in the bathwater and immediately disconnected the device. Emergency services were called, but Ann-Marie was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination found electrocution burns on her chest and hands, with toxicology tests clearing any other contributing factors. The official cause of death was ruled as electrocution caused by the charging phone and cable while in the bath. At the inquest, forensic engineer Paul Collins noted that the phone may have slipped into the water, and when Ann-Marie tried to retrieve it, her finger touched a metal shower fitting, completing an electrical circuit. He stated, “If she had not taken her hand out of the bath, she would probably still be alive.” Her husband stressed the need for explicit safety warnings on electronic device packaging regarding use near water, lamenting the common marketing that phones are “water resistant” without emphasizing the dangers of charging devices in wet environments. Paramedics and medical officials confirmed that Ann-Marie, despite underlying conditions like Von Willebrand and Graves’ disease, was otherwise healthy and a regular gym-goer. Her sudden death shines a light on an underappreciated hazard of electrical devices, with similar fatal cases reported worldwide involving charging phones near water. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for greater public awareness and safety regulations regarding the use of electrical devices in bathrooms and other wet areas, especially as there are more adverts aggressively promoting ‘water-resistant phones’. Authorities and manufacturers face pressure to enhance warnings to prevent further accidents.
This 18-year-old UNIPORT student builds app to make any website smarter with AI
An 18-year-old student at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Obinna Chimdi, has created a new app called ChatATP that can add artificial intelligence (AI) features to any website. This app helps websites become more interactive and smarter, allowing them to do more than just show information. Obinna, who studies Mathematics and Computer Science, said he wanted to make AI tools easy to use for everyone. “We want to help websites work smarter and respond better to users,” he explained The app is already being used by a small group of people and has strong potential to grow. The UNIPORT Vice-Chancellor, Owunari Georgewill, praised Obinna’s work. He said, “Our university encourages innovation. AI is changing the world, and having students create solutions like this is something we support.” In Nigeria, AI technology is gaining attention as a way to improve many industries including education and business. Nigerian universities like UNIPORT and ABU, ZARIA are helping by training students to create useful AI tools. The country is building an environment for young talents to use AI to solve local problems.
Chpter co-founders Tesh Mbaabu and Mesongo Sibuti step down, Founder returns as CEO
Kenyan social commerce startup Chpter has announced that its co-founders, Tesh Mbaabu and Mesongo Sibuti, have stepped down from their leadership roles as of mid-September 2025. The company’s original founder, Mark Kiarie, has returned as CEO to lead the next phase of the business. Mbaabu and Sibuti joined Chpter in early 2024 and helped the company grow quickly. During their time, Chpter expanded to 14 African countries, onboarded over 3,500 businesses, and partnered with fintech giant Flutterwave. They also launched Pluto, a new AI-powered WhatsApp app for transactions. In a message to staff and investors, Mbaabu said they believed it was best for Kiarie to return as CEO to provide clear vision and leadership. Both co-founders expressed support for this change and said they plan to start new projects, including a digital banking startup called Cloud9. This shift sheds light on the challenges fast-growing African startups face when balancing rapid expansion with clear leadership.