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The SharpEdge News Media Agency visited an Internally Displayed Person (IDP) camp in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, on April 18, 2025, where survivors of the Boko Haram/Fulani herdsmen attack in Otobi-Akpa community and surrounding areas were sheltering. Survivors shared their experiences, that the attack started about 5:30pm on the Tuesday 15th April 2025, expressing shock and grief over the unexpected attack and losses incurred. Our correspondent spoke with Mr. Ochulor Benneth Ezennia, who recounted his harrowing experience and miraculous escape. He reported that his businesses were destroyed in the attack. Mr. Ezennia had relocated from Southeast to Northcentral two years ago due to insecurity, where his house was burnt and he was declared wanted by Indigenous People Of ...

InfrastructureConstance AthekameThe Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) says it has invested N500 billion on transmission infrastructure nationwide. Mrs Olufunke Nwankwo, General Manager, Corporate Communication and External Relations (NDPHC) said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday. She quoted the Managing Director of NDPHC), Mrs. Jennifer Adighije as saying this when she led the company’s management team on an inspection tour of the 330/132/33 Kilo Volt (kV) Lafia Transmission Substation. Nwankwo said that the substation was constructed by NDPHC and inaugurated in 2022 adding that the project is a critical component of Nigeria’s power infrastructure. Adighije said that as a government intervention agency, NDPHC has invested approximately N500 billion in developing t...

A British teacher accused of sexually assaulting a child in Turkey should not be extradited because she has depression, a court has heard. Rebecca Richardson, 54, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday as she fights extradition to Turkey over allegations she sexually assaulted a young child while teaching at an international school in Istanbul. The alleged incident happened in early 2019 when the child would have been four or five years old. The court heard Ms Richardson of Cradley in Herefordshire left the UK in 2000 and spent nearly 20 years living abroad. She lived in Turkey between 2013 and 2019, but before that, she had lived in Mexico and Hong Kong, the extradition hearing was told. Doctors who have assessed her told the court she suffers from depressi...

"…as he warns political office holders against early 2027 campaigns…" ……….Nasarawa Assembly hails Gov. Sule for injecting new ideas via workshops on public servants. The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State(SSG) Barr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, PhD, has said that Gov. Abdullahi Sule will leave the State far better than he met it in 2019 after the end of his tenure in 2027. This, Dr. Magaji also said the people of Nasarawa State should expect the best transition moment in 2027 by Gov. Sule considering his developmental strides, accountability and administrative achievements. Dr. Magaji stated this when he led other management team of his office to appear before the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts to assess the SSG's Office 2027 budget impleme...

By Angela Atabo Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday advocated media literacy to combat the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation. Idris said this at the second edition of the Spokespersons Summit, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja on Tuesday. He urged the spokespersons to embrace information and media literacy, a composite concept adopted by UNESCO in 2008, combining the competencies of information literacy and media literacy. “Today, in a world where everyone is a spokesperson, whether a PR practitioner or a chief executive in the public and private spaces, the imperative for media literacy becomes ever more paramount. “This is because it equips individuals with the tools to dec...

By Lucy Ogalue Presco Plc has announced a 128.7 per cent surge in Profit Before Tax (PBT), reaching N113.2 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2024.Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Presco Plc, Mr Reji George, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the company also declared N42 final dividend per share in the year under review.George said the agro-industrial giant also posted a 102.6 per cent increase in revenue, growing from N102.4 billion in 2023 to N207.5 billion in 2024.He said the figures where contained in the company's audited financial statements."Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) rose significantly by 125.2 per cent to N119.1 billion, reflecting strong operational efficiency across the company’s value ...

By Joan Nwagwu The Federal Government has called for stakeholders involvement in the creation of 2.5 million jobs for its teeming unemployed youth, through innovative employment, skills development and entrepreneurship initiative. President Bola Tinubu made the call during the official inauguration of the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) on Tuesday in Abuja, organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Sen Kashim Shettima, said involvement of stakeholders was imperative, as what constituted a job was being redefined and machines are replacing hands and artificial intelligence challenging intellects. According to him, LEEP is a well-considered response to a pressing national need. “As jobs become inc...

Aggrieved pensioners from the defunct NEPA/PHCN under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) have expressed growing frustration over unpaid arrears and alleged illegal deductions, threatening to join the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) nationwide protest scheduled to commence on April 22, 2025. The retirees, who are elderly and financially vulnerable, told our correspondent that they have endured prolonged delays in receiving their entitlements despite assurances from the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). Investigations showed that the pensioners’ grievances include, among others, the delayed implementation of a ₦32,000 pension increment approved by the Federal Government in 2024. It was equally gathered that PTAD had promised to implement the increase but has not done s...

The government of Tunisia has invited Nigeria to participate in the forthcoming International Conference on Financing, Investment and Trade.The conference has been slated for 6-7 May 2025.This is as Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Moshen Antit,expressed his country's interest in establishing cultural and tourism relations with Nigeria.Antit was quoted to have made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, in Abuja on Monday.According to a statement by the media aide to the Minister, Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Amb. Antit invited Nigeria to participate in the International Conference on Financing, Investment, and Trade in Africa (FITA), scheduled for May 6-7, 2025, in Tunisia.He said that the conference is ...

"…as 17 Distinguished Nigerians including Governors of Benue, Plateau, Borno, and FCT Minister to get KOBA Cheetah Gold Awards…" All is now set for the 2025 Annual General Meeting AGM of the Keffi Old Boys Association KOBA. The AGM is set to commence on Thursday, 24th April, 2025 in Government College Keffi and last to Sunday 27th April, 2025. The Secretary General of the association, Prince Sam Israel JP stated this while addressing news men in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital. According to the KOBA Scribe, "Members are expected to arrived the School on Thursday 24th April, 2025 for registration and on Friday, 25th the National Executive Council Members of the Association will pay homage to the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Chindo Yamusa after which Muslim KOBA members will attend J...

Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former gubernatorial aspirant, has criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s plan to purchase an aircraft for security surveillance and tourism, calling it a “misplaced priority” amidst the state’s growing debt burden. In a statement released from his media office on Sunday, Alao said that the proposed aircraft purchase, alongside establishing airstrips in Igbeti and Otu, are both extravagant and unnecessary at this particular time. “It is true that Oyo State faces significant security challenges. However, purchasing a large aircraft is not the solution. The Governor could consider using drones for security surveillance instead. Drones are not only more cost-effective but also provide adva...

By Lucy Ogalue The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and Chinese conglomerate, SINOMACH have agreed to jointly develop a large-scale sugarcane cultivation and processing project in Nigeria. Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, adding that the agreement was expected to attract investments worth up to $1 billion. According to Bakrin, the initiative is one of the early outcomes of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership championed by President Bola Tinubu. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed. According to the MoU, SINOMACH will construct a sugar processing plant and develop a sugarcane plantation with an initial annual processing capacity of 100,000 metric ...

By Lucy Ogalue Dr Stephen Akintayo, a renowned business strategist and convener Business Growth Conference, has described entrepreneurs as solution providers who must continuously evolve to meet challenges within the Nigerian business environment. Akintayo said this at the 2025 Business Growth Conference in Abuja, on Saturday. According to him, while Nigeria remains a difficult terrain for businesses, entrepreneurs must rise to the occasion by innovating and adapting to changing realities. “Entrepreneurship is about solving problems. When petrol became too expensive, smart entrepreneurs shifted to CNG and vehicle conversion. “That is what being an entrepreneur is all about, constantly creating solutions,” he said. He said that while the economic environment was harsh, t...

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) says it plans to produce two million skilled artisans annually through its new Skills-Upgrading and Professional Advancement (SUPA) programme strategy. The Director-General of ITF, Dr Afiz Ogun, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja, following the completion of the latest assessment of training centres collaborating with the Fund. Ogun said that the Fund had abolished the practice of distributing starter-packs to graduands, and would now focus on providing local and international certifications to enhance their employment prospects. “We are no longer handing out starter-packs. Instead, we are aligning our artisans with international standards through certifications, giving them access to both local and global opportunities,” he said. ...

By Joshua Olomu Emeka Rollas, president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has urged Nollywood actors and other industry players to prioritise healthy lifestyle to avoid imminent health breakdown. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rollas made the call at tthe beginning of the 2025 “Annual Walk and Wellness Campaign” of the guild on Saturday in Abuja. According to the AGN boss, the spate of health challenges faced by actors in Nollywood in recent has made the call for healthy living more imperative. He said the nature of the filmmaking job was so demanding and time-consuming that a lot of industry players, especially actors, have no or little time for their health concerns. The AGN helmsman, therefore, advised actors to be intentional with their heath and reco...

Boko Haram improvised Explosive Device , IED, planted along Maiduguri - Demboa Highway exploded and killed 8 people. According to media reports, the IED was planted by Boko Haram terror group on the road. The road which was recently re-opened after years of abandonment passed through the Sambisa forest. Mr. Lawan Maigana, a resident of Maiduguri, confirmed the incident on Saturday. He said the victims of the attack include both civilian and military operative. The explosion occurred while cars in a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri. “The road to my hometown, Damboa Local Government Area in Borno, has been dangerous and one of the riskiest roads in the country for years now. We’ve lost exceptional military staff and r...

By Joshua Olomu Child right advocates, educators and caregivers have called for inclusive opportunities for children living with autism and other special needs to enable them achieve their full potential and contribute to society. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders made the call at a “Meet and Greet’ event on Friday night in Abuja. It was an occasion to celebrate Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-year-old Nigerian autistic artist who recently broke the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the Largest Painting, as the latest world’s largest art canvas by an individual. Tagbo-Okeke had on April 2, unveiled the awe-inspiring canvas titled: “Impossibility is a Myth,” measuring 12,303 square meters, surpassing a previous 9,652 square meter record held by Emad S...

By Victor Okoye Olusegun Runsewe, the President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), has expressed gratitude to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), Scotland for their donation of golf equipment to the NGF. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Runsewe made the remarks on Thursday, during the unveiling of the golf equipment at the Golf and Health Signature in Abuja The NGF President noted that the equipment worth would go a long way in ensuring the growth and development of the sport at the grassroots. He expressed his appreciation to the R & A for the kind donations, promising that the donated items would be put to good use. "As of today, there is no single golfer representing Nigeria in the Masters Open in Augusta. "But I promise you that from what w...

By Vivian Emoni Dr Chinedu Amadi, an expert in economics, says he is committed to promoting and boosting businesses for economic growth. Amadi, is the author of Trade Horizone Magazine, a quarterly publication, which was unveiled on Thursday in Abuja. According to him, the magazine projects trade and investment opportunities in Nigeria and other African countries to the global economy. “We look at everything that affects economic growth in terms of security, we look at conflict resolution, we look at trade itself, we also look at expanding businesses. “The reason behind the magazine is to provide us with a magazine that covers the true story of the African economy in terms of business and trade. “So, what we are doing today is a launch of a unique magazine that comes out...

Dr Chinedu Amadi, an expert in economics, has reaffirmed his commitment to projecting Nigeria’s economy on the global stage.Amadi, also the author of the quarterly Trade Horizon Magazine, made this known during the inauguration ceremony of the publication held on Thursday in Abuja.He described the magazine as a research-based publication dedicated to exploring trade and investment opportunities within Nigeria and across the African continent.“The objective of the magazine is to provide insightful analyses and foster dialogue aimed at driving economic growth and integration in Africa.“By doing so, we aim to position the continent as a formidable player in the global marketplace.”Amadi said that a key focus of the magazine would be the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he ...