The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has made significant strides in its fight against crime, with multiple arrests and recoveries of firearms, hard drugs, and stolen property across the state. Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia. Among the key arrests was that of a 13-year-old pupil of St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket LGA, who was found in possession of a locally made pistol and had allegedly threatened fellow students. The firearm was traced to his father’s bedroom, leading to the arrest of the…
Author: National Update
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja THE Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a World Bank supported Project, is soon to embark on renovation of over 150 secondary schools as part of its intervention across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state. Dr Abdulhakeem Bello, Kogi Project Coordinator of AGILE who disclosed while on a collaborative visit to state House of Assembly at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja. He said that the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration and seeking legislative interventions that would promote and sustain adolescent girls’ education in the state. “I am here to interface with…
***Calls for regulatory framework to enforce adherence to Value Chain By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja. Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the State Government put in place formidable regulatory mechanisms to protect economic trees in the state and strengthen the cashew nuts value chain through strict enforcement. The House made the the call in a resolution following the adoption of a Motion by Hon. Oluwaseyi Bello (APC-Kabba-Bunu) Calling on the State Ministry of Agriculture to check activities of exploitative foreign business men through regulation. The House frowned at a situation where foreign exporters break the Cashew Value Chain, bypassing…
The Senate has named Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora. Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during plenary on Tuesday, alongside other committee appointments. Following her appointment, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan pledged to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians abroad while ensuring that the country maximizes the benefits of their technological expertise and financial contributions. She expressed concern that Nigeria has not fully capitalized on the knowledge and innovations of its diaspora community, despite their immense contributions. “No country has received as much foreign inflow as Nigeria in the last decade.…
The Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) is making waves in the global cocoa industry with a renewed commitment to securing fairer prices and better livelihoods for African cocoa farmers. A recent high-level meeting between CIGCI Executive Secretary, Mr. Alex Arnaud Assanvo, and Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has further solidified this mission, drawing praise from stakeholders across the continent. The Cocoa Farmers Association Alliance of Africa (COFAAA) has hailed the initiative as a transformative push toward economic justice for millions of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the industry. “Beyond policy dialogues, this collaboration represents a crucial fight for…
***Public-Private Partnership to Transform Cultural, Tourism, Creative Sectors The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTIC), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) designed to bridge the infrastructure gap in Nigeria’s tourism and creative industries. The initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, was presented at Monday’s FEC meeting and is positioned to drive economic diversification, job creation, and cultural preservation. Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the minister, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement indicated that the CTIC will operate under a…
***Minister Wale Edun Hails Local Innovation in Sustainable Transport The Federal Government has commended NEV Electric, an indigenous electric vehicle (EV) company under Brilliant Model Technology, for its groundbreaking efforts in developing affordable and eco-friendly transportation solutions in Nigeria. During a test ride of NEV Electric’s buses, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, lauded the company’s contributions to sustainable mass transit, emphasizing that its innovations align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a cleaner and more efficient transportation system. Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted…
***Did Nigeria Unknowingly Admit Guilt at the ICC? The long-standing legal battle over the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project has taken a dramatic turn as former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari gave conflicting testimonies before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court of Arbitration in Paris. Their contrasting accounts have raised serious questions about Nigeria’s defense strategy in the case, potentially jeopardizing the country’s chances of avoiding a hefty $2.3 billion compensation claim by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company. Testifying on January 22, 2025, Obasanjo outrightly dismissed the legitimacy of the 2003 contract, arguing that it was illegally signed…
***Party Reaffirms Support for Governor Ododo’s Leadership The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adavi Local Government Area has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo while expanding its grassroots structure with the establishment of a mini-secretariat at Inorere, Ogaminana Central Ward. The groundbreaking ceremony, held over the weekend, was led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Honourable Ismaila Isah, who emphasized that the secretariat will serve as a modern hub for party administration, mobilization, and engagement at the ward level. Honourable Isah stated that the initiative aligns with Governor Ododo’s vision of strengthening grassroots governance,…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly considering suspending its 2023 Adamawa State gubernatorial candidate, Senator Aishatu Binani, over her recent meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at her residence in Abuja. According to reliable sources within the ruling party, the APC hierarchy is concerned about the political implications of the meeting, which some party insiders perceive as an act of disloyalty. While official reasons for the potential suspension remain unclear, it is believed that Binani’s engagement with Atiku, a leading figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may have influenced the party’s stance. There has been no…