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By Vivian Emoni The Federal Government and UN on Saturday expressed their commitment to boost Intra-African trade for strong sustainable economic growth in the country. A statement by Mr Mohammed Manga,Director, Information and Public Relations of Ministry of Finance, disclosed this in Abuja. Manga said that Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Dr Amina Mohammed and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, discussed on preparations for the forthcoming Africa Caucus 2024. He said that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss on how Intra-African trade can efficiently boost the nation’s economic for sustainable growth across the country. According to him, the theme of 2024 African Caucus is tagged, “Facilitating Intra-African Trade: Catalyst...

By Vivian Emoni The Federal Government on Thursday reiterated its commitment to ensure that economic situation stabilise effectively across the country. Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said this at a quarterly Ministerial briefing, in Abuja. Edun, who said Nigeria was still experiencing Inflation, added that the pace of annual growth of inflation was slowing. According to him, we are still experiencing inflation in Nigeria. But I think as you can see from the rate of change on the chart, the pace of annual growth of inflation is slowing. “There was a slight uptick in the month of June, maybe due to the layup festival, seasonal event. “However, the slowing is clearly a first step towards ultimately achieving the goal of redu...

By Vivian Emoni The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has collaborated with Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) to create special certificate for artisans and registered 522,778 artisans on Skill Up Artisan Programme, (SUPA). Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the ITF, said this on Saturday while receiving the CIPMN Registrar General, Mr Henry Mbadiwe, in Abuja. Ogun said that the collaboration was a game changer in the practice of artisan. He said that the collaboration would help to provide the artisans with critical knowledge to organise work and craft required to be successful in life. According to him, the Nigerian artisan by this collaboration and upon passing the requisite examination becomes a certified project manager and a member of CIPMN in a s...

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Friday emphasised the need for constructive action over protest. Shettima stated this during a high-level meeting with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He announced the participation of the Federal Government in the Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg) Project, a global health initiative aimed at combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria. The project, a collaboration with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, is set to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in addressing public health and food system challenges. Shettima acknowledged the hardship being faced by Nigerians due to recent economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies. " This is the time for us to solve our problems, no...

A lawmaker who represented Anambra South District, Ifeanyi Ubah is dead. Ubah, we gathered died in London on Friday. He recently defected to the APC from YPP and then declared interest to contest the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State. The official, who hails from the same community as Mr Ubah, said the senator slumped in London on Friday. He said the Senator later went into a coma. “This morning they confirmed to us that he has died,” he said. The APC chieftain said the deceased had not been healthy, saying his health deteriorated because he had been busy with preparation for his governorship campaign.

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to remember their motherland by being part of the nation's developmental growth. Mrs Tinubu gave this advice in her goodwill message at the 2024 National Diaspora Merit Award organised by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in Abuja She commended NiDCOM for the numerous achievements recorded in the last five years of its establishment, under the leadership of its Director General, Hon.Abike Dabiri-Erewa. She further commended NiDCOM for recognising and appreciating members of the Diaspora community who are more than 20 million in number. 'The Nigerians in the Diaspora are united by a shared patriotism and love for their motherland. The world is our oyster but we must never forget our roots, that...

In a bid to address the outstanding issues of retired civil and public servants gratuities, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has approved the sum of N10 billion for the first phase of payments. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nsa Gill, and made available to newsmen also indicates that Otu, equally approved the constitution of the executives of the state and local government pension unions to be headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Anthony Owan-Enoh. The committee according to the statement, is expected to meet with the SSG on Monday, July 29 in order to fashion out ways for the payments to the retirees. The present administration in the state had inherited backlog of unpaid gratuities dated back to 2014. Otu, in line wit...

Over 500 defectors from the Southern senatorial district of Cross River who hitherto pitched their political tents in various political parties, have moved to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The southern senatorial district comprises of seven local government areas of Akpabuyo, Akamkpa, Bakassi, Biase, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South and Odukpani. Receiving the defectors at the State PDP Secretariat, Mary Slessor Avenue in Calabar, the Chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Venatius Ikem, assured them that none would be victimized as the PDP is poised on offering all a level playing ground. "I want to allay the fear of anyone who feels that you will not be treated well because you left the party before now and just returned back, or because you are joining P...

Ms Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, says her mission to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries that were forming a new alliance was successful. Mohammed said this while briefing State House Correspondents after her meeting with President Bola Tinubu. She said she visited the country to debrief President Bola Tinubu on the visit of her delegation to Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. “We went to Ethiopia on a finance mission. We were able to debrief the president on the proposals that he had made to try to keep the dialogue going for some of the states that we have challenges with. “But at the same time, we also looked for the possibilities to include economic development so that the people don’t suffer at the same time....

President Bola Tinubu Thursday, July 25 2024 said he has no cabal to settle as his his campaign was self-sponsored. The President, made the disclosure when he received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House. He said: “I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God. “One of the most potent elements of defence is a good conscience. It is also a defence against corruption. “What should be uppermost in our minds is the future of our children. We have a lot to teach them on what it takes to be a good citizen and wh...

Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State has solicited the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in streamlining the state's economy to engender economic growth, employment, the development of vital infrastructure and technology, as well as enhance financial inclusion. The governor made the appeal when he paid a courtesy visit on the CBN Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, in Abuja. This is contained in a Statement on Thursday by the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Communications Strategy, Ms Bridget Tikyaa. He said that Benue has vast opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, and other areas which it wanted the CBN to support the government to fully harness for local and international markets. Governor Alia also urged the ap...

The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has called for dialogue and calm ahead of the planned  August 1 protest.. Amb.Emmanuel  Okafor, AANI National President said in statement in Abuja onThursday that the associationfind it crucial to join other well meaning Nigerians in appealing to all stakeholders to seek a peaceful dialogue as an alternative solution. ''We believe that peaceful and constructive engagement between the government and the protest organisers, is essential to addressing the issues raised and ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians. ''In this context, we acknowledge the planned 10-day protest by some Nigerians, primarily youths, who seek a better, more prosperous, and secure country. ''While protests are a vital aspect of democra...

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, is dead. Iwuanyanwu died at 82. Jide, his son, announced the passing of Iwuanyanwu in a statement on Thursday. The son said the late Ohanaeze president-general died on Thursday after a brief illness. He added that the family will announce the burial arrangements after “due consultations”. Iwuanyanwu was born on September 4, 1942. He hailed from Atta in Ikeduru LGA of Imo state. He attended St. Patrick’s School, Rukpoku, in Rivers state from 1948 to 1954 and New Bethel College in Onitsha, Anambra state. He studied civil engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1963 to 1970. He founded several companies, including Sunrise Breweries Limited, Oriental Shipping Lines, and Magil Agricultur...

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is dead. He died Thursday July 25 at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. Popularly known by Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, the traditional Igbo title , he was not only a lover of football but single handedly sponsored the defunct Iwuanyanwu Football Club of Owerri from 1985- 2006. The late business mogul would have turned 82 by September 4 this year. He became President General of the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, April 20, 2023, after the demise in the occupant, Prof. George Obiozor. A national officer of Ohanaeze who wished not to be mentioned confirmed the incident. Another source, a highly placed Igbo leader described the death as devastating, nothing that he died when his s...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday expressed the Commission's ability to conduct the local government elections if given the responsibility. The chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu made the claim when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. He said INEC has the capacity to handle the local government elections but that would only be possible pending when the law is amended to permit it to do so. He pointed out that the Commission had been conducting area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory which has been devoid of the problems associated with the conduct of local government elections. He...

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, warned at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday that the military will not permit anarchy to erupt in Nigeria. He suggested that the organisers of the planned protest aim to emulate the recent violent demonstrations in Kenya, which began as peaceful protests but descended into chaos. General Buba emphasised that while citizens have the right to express their grievances, the military will not tolerate any form of violent assembly or protest, and will take necessary measures to maintain law and order. Furthermore, General Buba revealed that the military has discovered plans by malicious individuals to infiltrate and sabotage the protest, with the intention of turning it violent by targeting unsuspecting citizens and t...

Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State has solicited the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in streamlining the state's economy to engender economic growth, employment, the development of vital infrastructure and technology, as well as enhance financial inclusion. The governor made the appeal when he paid a courtesy visit on the CBN Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, in Abuja. This is contained in a Statement on Thursday by the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Communications Strategy, Ms Bridget Tikyaa. He said that Benue has vast opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, and other areas which it wanted the CBN to support the government to fully harness for local and international markets. Governor Alia also urged the apex ...

The House Committee on Aviation has quizzed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo over the level of decay of infrastructures at the nation’s local and international airports. The Chairman, House Committee, Abdullah Garba, grilled the minister during an interface meeting of the committee with the minister and other officials of the Ministry of Aviation in Abuja. He said that the state of infrastructures at the various local and international airports was worrisome and needed an urgent government intervention. The lawmaker also stated that the safety of personnel and stakeholders at the nation’s airports could not be overemphasized. He added that the major assignment of the committee was to help in identifying the equipment and other items needed to r...

The Nigeria Immigration Service has said it suspended an officer, Michael Akomolafe, over alleged drug trafficking resulting in his arraignment before a Federal High Court in Lagos. The NIS Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja Mr Udo said that the attention of the service was drawn to a publication linking the officer serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, to drug trafficking. He said that the service was in support of the legal proceedings to determine Akomolafe’s culpability in the matter. He stated, “The officer in question has since been subjected to internal processes, and placed under suspension following his alleged involvement in drug trafficking. The NIS awaits the court judgement before maki...

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday congratulated Hajiya Nana Shettima on her birthday. A statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said the President joined family, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate the wife of the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on the special occasion of her birthday. “The President commended Nana for her efforts in promoting the initiatives of government and for being a fount of support for the administration. “The President prays for many more years filled with joy, peace, and happiness for Hajiya Nana and her family,” he said.NAN