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How Nat’l Park Service dislodged 4000 illegal Miners

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Dr Ibrahim Goni The National Park Service (NPS) has shared a vivid account of how the Service dislodged 4000 illegal miners and shut down extensive mining pits in Taraba and Adamawa states. This followed a sting operation between the Service and Nigerian Army, leading to the closure of two illegal mining sites in Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Conservator-General of NPS, Dr Ibrahim Goni stated this when members of the Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) paid a courtesy visit to the service’s headquarters in Abuja. Goni praised the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity and protecting vulnerable areas, saying that illegal mining operations disrupt conservation. He warned that removing illegal miners from protected areas could generate resistance, highlighting the need for government interventions that provide alternative livelihoods for affected communities. The CG raised co...
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NPS Raises Concern Over Persistent Forest Loss, Wildlife Crime

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The National Park Service (NPS) has raised concern over persistent forest destruction as Nigeria loses over 300 hectares of forest reserve daily. Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni stated this when members of the Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) paid a courtesy visit to the service’s headquarters in Abuja. Goni identified illegal logging and hunting as the longstanding threats to forest conservation, warning that continued forest loss could accelerate desertification and worsen environmental degradation. He informed that the expansion of the national park system was partly intended to restore degraded vegetation and strengthen the country’s response to climate change. Currently, Nigeria has 17 national parks, 13 of which are operational, compared with seven before the establishment of 10 additional parks during the administration of the late President, Muhammadu Buhari. Goni explained that...
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NITDA Pushes For Inclusive Digital Infrastructure To Accelerate Economic Growth

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa (4th L) in a group photograph with other participants during the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32) in Abuja. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is pushing for inclusive digital infrastructure, affordable connectivity and sustained investment in emerging technologies to accelerate economic growth, ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the digital economy. Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa stated this at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32), organised by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, with the theme: “Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age.” He highlighted the importance of expanding telecommunications infrastructure, particularly to underserved and rural communities, saying that Africa’s telecommunications history demonstrates how innovation can overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers...
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NSDC Says Reforms Created Pathways For Sugar Self-sufficiency

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has disclosed that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu created pathways for sugar self-sufficiency, given that the priority was to translate economic stability into growth and improved livelihoods. This is even as the agency stated that sugar production was closely linked to the beverage industry, describing the relationship as an integrated value chain extending from sugarcane farms to bottled drinks. Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin revealed this at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit while speaking on policy coordination for the non-alcoholic drinks sector. The National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0 targets self-sufficiency, with projected annual foreign exchange savings of US$1 billion  and 110,000 direct jobs, making local sugar production more attractive to investors. Bakrin noted that the jobs would largely benefit rural communities, while sugar estates could support ...
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GIFSEP Rejects Ban On Solar Import, Recommends Five-year Phased Transition

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has rejected an outright ban on importation of solar energy, adding that it could increase solar equipment prices by adding N80,000 to the hardware costs of a household installation requiring four 400-watt solar panels. Executive Director of GIFSEP, Dr Michael Terungwa disclosed this in Abuja, at a Solar Policy Roundtable, where stakeholders brainstormed on strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s solar industry while protecting consumers and expanding electricity access. In its policy brief titled: "Localisation of Solar Panels and Accessories Production in Nigeria, GIFSEP recommended a three-to-five-year phased transition to domestic manufacturing, with regulated imports maintained until local producers could adequately meet national demand. He estimated Nigeria’s operational solar module assembly capacity at about 350 megawatts, adding that domestic manufacturers still de...
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Taxation: NESG Opposes Cash Collection, Adopts E-payment To Block Revenue Leakage

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has opposed cash collection of taxes, while adopting e-payment to block revenue leakages and make funds accessible for infrastructure and other life-changing projects. Rather, the group informed the governments to provide safe channels for reporting suspected unauthorised collection without risk of reprisal, and strengthen accountability for collection and remittance. This was captured in a report titled: “NESG Tax Perception Survey Report 2026”, which examined how Nigerian households, firms, and tax officials understood, perceived, and experienced the tax system during the early implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. It was packaged by NESG in collaboration with Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF) and Uk International Development, covering nine themes. They are Knowledge and Awareness; Trust, Legitimacy and Fairness; Fiscal Exchange and the Social Contract; Compliance Behaviour and Willingness; Social ...
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MSMEs: BPE Begins Review To Eliminate Barriers Against Procurement

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commenced a review to eliminate existing barriers hindering the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) participation in public procurement. This followed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of community-based procurement and affirmative procurement initiatives, even as the review is expected to create a more inclusive, accessible and enabling procurement environment for small businesses across the country. Director-General of BPE, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, who stated this yesterday in Abuja, while unveiling the MSMEs Public Procurement Training Programme and Digital Learning Portal, noted that it would address challenges preventing MSMEs from participating effectively in public procurement opportunities. The initiative represented another milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening procurement capacity and expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses. Adedokun note...
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