Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to upgrade facilities at the state’s airport ahead of the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network, AfSNET, Investment Conference scheduled for November 2026.

The governor’s request is part of preparations for the international investment conference, which will bring government officials, investors and other stakeholders to Calabar.

Otu wants the airport facilities improved to ensure more efficient flight operations and a better experience for passengers arriving for the event.

Cross River has been announced as the host of the 2026 AfSNET conference, with Calabar expected to welcome delegates from Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

The governor’s call places emphasis on the airport as an important gateway for the state as it prepares to host the high-profile gathering.

Improved passenger handling and airport facilities are expected to support the smooth arrival and departure of delegates while strengthening Calabar’s readiness to host international visitors.

The AfSNET conference is expected to provide Cross River with an opportunity to showcase its investment potential and attract fresh business opportunities to the state.

Otu has previously highlighted the significance of the conference to the state’s ambition to position itself as a destination for investment and international engagement.

FC Barcelona opened their 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Feyenoord on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, extending their perfect start to the season.

Barcelona captain Raphinha was the star of the night, scoring twice as Hansi Flick’s side produced an impressive attacking display.

The Brazilian opened the scoring in the third minute after cutting inside before finishing with his left foot. Karim Adeyemi then doubled Barcelona’s advantage in the 22nd minute with a curling effort.

Raphinha struck again in the 57th minute, converting a defence-splitting pass from Pedri to put Barcelona firmly in control.

Lamine Yamal added a fourth in the 77th minute with a direct free-kick, further underlining Barcelona’s dominance.

Feyenoord pulled one back through Sem Steijn in the 82nd minute, but the visitors’ brief hope of a comeback was quickly extinguished.

New signing Gabriel Jesus completed the rout three minutes later, scoring with a backward header shortly after coming off the bench. It was his first goal for Barcelona.

The victory continues Barcelona’s outstanding beginning to the campaign. The Catalan giants have won all four of their La Liga matches and now have a victory from their opening Champions League fixture.

Raphinha’s brace also underlined his importance to Flick’s attack, with the Brazilian operating centrally and proving a constant threat to the Feyenoord defence.

Barcelona will now turn their attention back to domestic action before returning to Champions League duty, with their emphatic opening victory giving them an early boost in their European campaign.

A new Nigerian mobility platform, HABRide, is set to enter Lagos’ competitive e-hailing market in November 2026, promising a fresh approach to one of the industry’s biggest challenges: delivering affordable fares for passengers without compromising drivers’ earnings.

The launch comes at a time when Lagos commuters are facing rising transport costs, while drivers continue to grapple with increasing expenses linked to fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance and inflation. HABRide says its business model has been designed specifically around Nigeria’s urban transport realities rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all pricing structure.

The company’s promoter, Otunba Hakeem Alobo-Bakare, said the platform aims to correct long-standing concerns over fare transparency and inaccurate route metering, which can leave drivers absorbing the cost of unexpected detours while passengers struggle with inflexible pricing.

According to Alobo-Bakare, HABRide’s pricing mechanism is intended to respond more accurately to real journey conditions, creating what the company describes as a fairer balance between passengers and drivers.

“Our goal is to build a platform where affordability and profitability can coexist. Drivers deserve sustainable earnings, and passengers deserve transparent, accurate fares,” Alobo-Bakare said.

Beyond pricing, HABRide is positioning itself as a technology-driven mobility ecosystem with multiple booking options designed to improve accessibility across different user groups.

In addition to the conventional mobile application, passengers will be able to book rides through WhatsApp using an automated chatbot that identifies their location and dispatches the nearest available driver. The company says this feature is particularly useful for users who prefer messaging platforms over downloading additional applications.

For elderly passengers and users requiring urgent transportation, HABRide is introducing a one-tap emergency booking feature. Rather than entering pickup and destination details manually, the system will use GPS to detect the passenger’s location and immediately connect them with the nearest driver.

Safety forms another cornerstone of the platform’s offering. HABRide plans to implement mandatory Know Your Customer verification for all drivers, alongside real-time ride tracking and an integrated emergency response system.

The proposed panic feature will allow users to activate audio and video recording during emergencies while simultaneously notifying emergency services and pre-selected family members or trusted contacts.

Recognising Nigeria’s uneven internet connectivity, the company is also developing low-data and offline booking capabilities, allowing passengers in areas with weak network coverage to continue accessing transportation services.

Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms that focus primarily on passenger vehicles, HABRide intends to operate across multiple transport categories. The platform will accommodate private cars, dispatch motorcycles and pickup vans, enabling it to serve passenger transport, courier deliveries and logistics within a single digital ecosystem.

For drivers, the company says the platform is being designed as an income-generation ecosystem rather than simply a ride-dispatch application.

HABRide plans to introduce empowerment initiatives, employment partnerships and hire-purchase opportunities that could improve drivers’ access to electric vehicles. The initiative aligns with growing conversations around reducing the transport sector’s dependence on volatile fuel prices and lowering long-term operating costs.

Another feature expected at launch is a digital wallet that allows passengers to pre-fund transport expenses and automate fare payments.

The company says the wallet will also enable Nigerians living abroad to remotely fund transportation for relatives at home, including elderly family members who may require regular mobility support.

Despite its ambitious proposition, HABRide faces the realities of one of Africa’s most competitive mobility markets. Success in ride-hailing depends heavily on achieving a strong balance between driver availability and passenger demand, making driver acquisition, service reliability and customer retention critical to the platform’s commercial success.

Industry analysts say the November launch will provide an early indication of whether a locally developed mobility platform can gain meaningful market share by solving the economic pressures affecting both commuters and drivers.

For Lagos, Nigeria’s largest technology and transportation hub, HABRide’s arrival could intensify competition around pricing, safety, innovation and driver welfare, potentially reshaping the next phase of the city’s rapidly evolving e-hailing industry.