In a bold move to strengthen regional economic integration and inclusive development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has committed an additional $500 million to the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF), a concessional finance mechanism managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The fresh injection, signed into agreement by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and outgoing AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in Abidjan, extends the Fund’s operations until 2040. Originally established in 1976, the Nigeria Trust Fund supports transformative projects in low-income African countries. With this new commitment, Nigeria is not only reaffirming its…
Author: National Update
In a clear show of regional influence, Nigeria was instrumental in Dr. Sidi Ould Tah’s election as AfDB President, marking a renewed drive by the Tinubu administration to lead Africa’s economic agenda. Finance Minister Wale Edun met with Dr. Tah in Abidjan, conveying President Tinubu’s congratulations and reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to deeper ties with the AfDB. Dr. Tah’s election, described by observers as a product of rare continent-wide consensus, is widely seen as a victory not just for Mauritania, his home country, but for African unity. Behind the scenes, Nigerian diplomacy was instrumental in aligning shareholder votes across regions, reinforcing…
In an inspiring move that has captured national attention, the Ugwumba Leadership Center has rewarded a young officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Prince Orji Ugochukwu, with a N1 million cash gift for demonstrating uncommon integrity and patriotism in the line of duty. Ugochukwu, who recently arrested alleged kidnap kingpin and suspected ritualist Levi Onyeka Obu, known in social circles as Ezeani, Ichie Billion, or “E Dey Play E Dey Show”, reportedly rejected a ₦10 million bribe offered by the suspect in a desperate attempt to evade justice. Speaking on behalf of the Center, its President, Uche Nwosu hailed the…
***Calls for Urgent Reform, As NILDS Turns a New Chapter As Nigeria celebrates 26 years of democratic rule, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has cautioned that democracy may lose its legitimacy if it fails to embrace inclusion, evidence-based policymaking, and a citizen-centered approach. Speaking at a media briefing on his six years stewardship, Prof. Sulaiman warned that Nigeria’s democratic credentials remain deeply flawed unless urgent reforms are made to expand civic participation and strengthen legislative capacity. “We cannot continue to celebrate democracy when key segments of our society — women, young people, persons with disabilities — remain structurally…
By Paul Mumeh For former Governor of Enugu State and founder of the formidable Ebeano political dynasty, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, silence is indeed golden at 65. Senator Nnamani is not your typical Nigerian politician prone to double-speak or cloaked rhetoric. He speaks with boldness, candour, and unflinching conviction—true to both himself and others. He neither equivocates nor masks his positions on pressing national or local issues. A distinguished foetal surgeon of international repute, Nnamani carved a niche for himself in the United States, where he specialized in the delicate field of medicine for unborn children. A proud alumnus of the…
Former Attorney General and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Yakubu A. H. Ruba, has praised the performance of Governor Mallam Umar A. Namadi, FCA, as the administration marks its second year in office, declaring that Jigawa State is firmly on course for sustainable development and prosperity. In a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Special Assistant on Media Affairs Aliyu Sa’id Ibrahim, he described the Governor’s leadership over the past 24 months as visionary, bold, and focused, noting that significant progress has been made despite initial challenges. “I join the good people of Jigawa and well-wishers across the nation in…
In the dead of night, while most residents of Kpege-Mokwa slept soundly, disaster struck. A torrential downpour beginning at 3:00 a.m. on Thursday triggered devastating floods that swept through the quiet community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, leaving at least 97 people dead and dozens more feared missing. The floodwaters tore through homes, destroying buildings, farmland, and roads. Families were caught off guard as water surged into their homes, leaving little time to escape. Entire households were swept away in seconds. Search and rescue operations led by Nigerian Red Cross volunteers are still ongoing, as emergency responders…
Over 1,000 pupils in Babura LGA received educational support during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration, led by SA on Basic Education, Comrade Ali Mati Ali, and attended by the Governor’s Wife, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi. Held under the theme of empowering the next generation through education and inspiration, the event featured the distribution of learning materials, school uniforms, and a lively spelling bee competition that encouraged excellence and built confidence among pupils from across the LGA. In her address, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi praised the energy and promise of the young participants, describing children as “the pride of society and…
In a bold declaration of culture, unity, and renewal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially invited the world to Nigeria for Motherland 2025, a landmark cultural and economic festival set to hold from December 15 to 21 in Lagos and Abuja. Announcing the event during his second anniversary address, President Tinubu said Motherland 2025 would not only celebrate Nigeria’s heritage and creativity but also reposition the country as a premier destination for tourism, investment, and global partnership. “We are preparing to welcome the world to Nigeria,” the President said. “Motherland 2025 will showcase our vibrant people, dynamic industries, and the…
***Houses washed away, families trapped, state asks for urgent help A powerful flood has killed at least 30 people and left over 100 others missing after heavy rain hit Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State on Wednesday night. The flood, which followed hours of nonstop rain, destroyed more than 200 houses and swept away farms, roads, and entire families. Many people are still searching for their loved ones. According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the flood is the worst disaster in the state in recent years. “The flood came suddenly at night. People were sleeping. Some…