Tag: Nigeria

China: Xi Jinping pledges $50bn for Nigeria, Ghana, other African nations

Aminu Imam
China pledges

China has committed over $50 billion over the next three years in financing to African nations, aiming to bolster infrastructure, agriculture, and trade, marking a significant step in Sino-African relations. The announcement came during the China-Africa Forum in Beijing, the largest summit held since the pandemic, with over 50 African leaders and UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres in attendance. At the Forum’s opening, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared, “China is ready to deepen cooperation with African countries in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, and investment”. Xi’s pledge includes financial support amounting to…

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US shuts direct flights from Lagos, as bi-lateral window closes

Aminu Imam
US on 9ja flights

Nigeria has lost the United States Category One status as the country’s airlines failed to operate directly to the country for two years. The new United States Federal Aviation Administration (USFAA) law says that the failure of any country’s airlines to operate directly to the US for two years or vice-versa would lead to the loss of the Category-One (CAT-1) Status. With this removal, Nigerian airlines, including those planning to commence direct flights from Lagos, cannot operate directly to any city or airport in the US until the country is…

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Nigeria, Niger sign security deal, amidst tensions

Aminu Imam
Nigeria, Niger

Nigeria and the Republuc of Niger have signed a deal to boost their security cooperation, the Nigerian military said yesterday, despite tensions between the neighbours since a coup in Niger a year ago. “Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, to ensure regional stability and security,” a Nigerian military statement said, after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the nations’ Defence Chiefs in Niamey, Niger’s capital, on Wednesday. Ties between the two countries soured after Niger’s junta toppled the immediate-past President, Mohamed Bazoum, and…

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Woman sets self ablaze after divorce, depression

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Set ablaze woman

A 40-year-old woman,(name withheld) set herself on fire after her husband divorced her in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa. DSP Lawan Shiisu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed the incident in a statement in Dutse, on Friday. Shiisu said the woman, who resides in Garin Mallam village, poured petrol to her body and set it on fire. “On Thursday at about 0740hrs, the command, received heartbreaking and pitiful news of an incident from Guri which indicated that a 40-year-old woman at Garin Mallam village poured…

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Two year old boy, father die in Jigawa building collapse

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Buji Local Government Council of Jigawa has confirmed the death of a 30-year-old man and his two-year-old son in a building collapse that occurred in Madabe village. The council’s Information Officer, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu, who confirmed the information in Dutse on Monday, said the 25-year-old mother of the boy survived the incident. Safiyanu said that the surviving mother is responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital. He explained that the incident which led to the collapse of the building occurred on Sunday night during a heavy downpour. Also speaking, Badaruddeen Tijjani, the spokesman…

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Nasarawa Assembly raises alarm over high kidnapping rate in state

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Nasarawa State Map

Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed worry of over the increasing rate of kidnapping in communities across the state. Muhammad Oyanki, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, raised the alarm on the high rate of kidnapping under matter of public interest and was deliberated upon by members during plenary on Monday in Lafia. The Speaker, Danladi Jatau, while reading the assembly’s resolution on the matter, directed local government council chairmen to organise security summits within two weeks in collaboration with traditional rulers and security agencies in order to tackle the…

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NYSC invalidates 101 fake mobilisation, exemption certificates

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has invalidated 101 certificates of persons fraudulently mobilised for the national youth service. Eddy Megwa, the NYSC Director, Information and Public Relations, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. “The 101 persons were illegally mobilised by the University of Calabar for national service during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 NYSC service years. “Out of the figure, 99 were under listed for service, while two others were exempted from service. “Consequently, the management of NYSC hereby restates its…

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16 years old Nigerian wins int’l award for innovative waste solution

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

A 16-year-old Nigerian teenager, Manasseh Aluga, has won an international award for transforming plastic waste into eco-friendly building bricks. The Action For Nature (AFN), a United States-based environmental organisation, announced Aluga from Jos, Plateau, Nigeria as second in its International Young Eco-Hero Award for his groundbreaking Kundu Waste Management Project. In a statement made available on Monday, the AFN’s spokesperson, Kelly Carnes, said Aluga’s project earned recognition as a leading environmental innovator in Nigeria. “We are impressed by Manasseh’s determination to create a cleaner environment, despite facing financial constraints and…

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Defence Chief hails services high level synergy

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has commended the armed forces for the high level of synergy between them. This, he said, had resulted in numerous operational successes in various theatres of operation. Musa gave the commendation while being briefed at the Strategic Operations Centre, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday in Abuja. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet. He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had recorded numerous operational successes against terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers…

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Nigeria’s dismal Olympic performance, opportunity to spur sports revival – Ex Commissioner

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
John Enoh, Nigerian Sports Minister

Charles Akpuenika, a former Ebonyi Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, said that Nigeria’s dismal performance at the Paris Olympics could be a tonic to revive the nation’s sports fortunes. The country’s team to the just-concluded 2024 Olympics failed to win any medal. Akpuenika who said this in an interview on Monday in Abakaliki, added that there were positives to take away from the event. “I support those calling for a state of emergency on Nigeria’s sports but we should stop the blame game but look for solutions to return…

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