By Fatima Ndagi A bold new chapter in Nigeria’s economic diversification is unfolding, as Davidorlah Farms reveals a $300 million U.S. investment to build a next-generation biofuel refinery in Ogun State—positioning agriculture as the engine of Nigeria’s renewable future. Announcing the deal in Abuja, Oluwasegun Alabi, Managing Director and CEO of Davidorlah Farms, described the project as a strategic leap that will transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape while answering global calls for cleaner energy. “This is more than an investment—it’s a national turning point,” Alabi said. “By converting what we grow into clean fuel, Nigeria can rewrite its economic story—shifting from…
Author: National Update
A fierce showdown is unfolding in the National Assembly as the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) vehemently opposes a bill seeking to repeal the National Assembly Service Pension Board Act, 2023. The proposed repeal would return legislative staff to the controversial Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)—a move PASAN slams as “deceptive, retrogressive, and cruel.” The 2023 law, praised for restoring financial dignity to retired staff, is now under threat, triggering outrage and warnings of renewed hardship. “This bill is not a reform—it’s a betrayal,” PASAN declared at a public hearing, listing 14 reasons why the repeal would violate the Constitution,…
In a gesture that has left a lasting impression on delegates and observers alike, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, extended a warm and generous welcome to NIPR delegates from six northern states attending the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Annual General Meeting and Council elections in Uyo. The CP hosted a special dinner in honour of delegates from Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe, Adamawa, and Yobe States — a gathering that brought together top public communication figures and state officials. Among the dignitaries were the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Usman Shehu Usman;…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s controversial move to present Rivers State’s 2025 budget directly to the National Assembly, labeling it an unconstitutional and authoritarian assault on Nigeria’s democracy. In a statement on Thursday HURIWA accused the President of circumventing the Rivers State House of Assembly and unlawfully exercising legislative powers under an emergency rule that lacks legal validation. The group described this as “a dangerous slide toward dictatorship” and warned it threatens the country’s federal structure. HURIWA also criticized the Supreme Court and National Assembly leadership for their perceived role in facilitating…
By Veronica Dariya World Changers Media International Foundation, an NGO, on Wednesday in Abuja, trained over 25 media officers and content creators on production of impactful educational story telling documentaries, for humankind and communities. Dr Janice Marie Collins, CEO of the foundation, while facilitating the workshop, tagged: “Mastering the Art of Documentary; Storytelling for impact and income,” urged participants to create narratives with lasting positive difference. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, was organised in collaboration with the African International Documentary and Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), for filmmakers and producers. Collins, who is also the Director, Institute…
The Managing Director of Jigawa Savings and Loans Nigeria Limited, Mr. Babandi Isah, is at the centre of a growing corruption scandal following a formal investigation and court charges filed by the Jigawa State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (JSPCACC). Mr. Isah faces serious allegations ranging from abuse of office to the misappropriation of public funds. According to the Commission, he is accused of awarding contracts without due process, including an unexecuted deal for official vehicles. The case also includes allegations of unauthorized sales and devaluation of properties belonging to the bank, notably in Shuwarin and along Maiduguri/Kiyawa Road. Perhaps…
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has issued a strong call for deeper collaboration and technological investment among African nations to confront the continent’s mounting security threats. Speaking at the 4th African Air Forces Forum in Lagos—an event that drew top military leaders and aerospace experts from over 30 countries—Badaru warned that Africa’s security landscape is being reshaped by complex, cross-border threats like terrorism, transnational crime, and maritime insecurity. “These threats transcend borders and defy conventional responses,” the Minister said. “To defeat them, we need more than national efforts—we need a united front, anchored in advanced air power, innovation,…
By Ben Adaji, Jalingo The pioneer Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State and former Nigerian Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Alhaji Hassan Ardo, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Taraba has exposed the alleged failure of Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration. Speaking to journalists via telephone on Thursday, Ambassador Ardo described the visit—conducted on May 21 and represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—as a clear indication that the state government has underperformed in the last two years. “It is quite unfortunate that while presidential visits to other states are typically marked by the…
By Emmanuel Onwubiko Insecurity in Nigeria has evolved into a hydra-headed monster—terrorism, insurgency, banditry, herdsmen violence, piracy, armed robbery, secessionist agitations, and inter-communal clashes continue to stretch the limits of our security forces and national cohesion. These multidimensional threats, aggravated by economic desperation and institutional decay, have created one of the most volatile security environments in sub-Saharan Africa. While the Nigerian state continues to invest heavily in kinetic approaches—military operations, intelligence frameworks, hardware acquisition—an equally potent, albeit underutilized, force exists in the realm of media and communication. More specifically, within the often-overlooked substructure of that force lies the unique and…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially inaugurated the board of the reconstituted Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), appointing Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday at the President’s office in the State House, Abuja, just before he proceeded to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa. The newly constituted 11-member board reflects a deliberate balance of industry expertise and regional representation, drawing members from across the six geopolitical zones. Among the board members…