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Nigeria @66: Obi Raises Concern Over Severe Hardship, Unemployment

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Mr Peter Obi As Nigeria commemorated its 66th Independence Anniversary, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has raised concern over the number of Nigerians facing severe hardship, unemployment, poverty as well as children without access to education. This was even as he identified insecurity, out-of-school children, food insecurity, drug abuse and poor health outcomes as some of the challenges that continued to affect lives, livelihoods and economic activities. In his Independence Day anniversary address to Nigerians on Thursday in Abuja, Obi who is also the Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said that public resources must be deployed strictly for the benefit of Nigerians. He disclosed that Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources should translate into improved living standards, security, productivity and shared prosperity for citizens, adding that the country’s greatest challenge is not lack of resources ...
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CITES Agreement: Customs Flies Rescued Gorilla To Congo

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has flown a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Republic of Congo. The exercise was conducted through the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), marking the Custom’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation, covering interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and the safe return of a trafficked animal to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo. Recall that Bili was rescued in August 2023 by officers of the Service during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation, Calabar, for rehabilitation. After a DNA test confirmed that Bili is from the Republic of Congo, offi...
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AfCFTA Advances Negotiations On Tariff, Products

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has advanced negotiations on tariff and products, with the ECOWAS Commission proceeding with the transmission of the agreed Category B and C lists to the AfCFTA authorities.‎‎ National Coordinator of Nigeria AfCTA Coordination office, Mrs Patience Okala stated this while providing an update on the AfCFTA category-band B and C classification led by the ECOWAS Commission, during the Stakeholders Engagement on Nigeria’s Trade and Investment Negotiation Architecture in Abuja. Following the October 30, 2020 ECOWAS memorandum, the ECOWAS Commission was mandated to finalise the draft ECOWAS Common Schedule of Tariff Concessions, incorporating the 73 tariff lines agreed by the Ministerial Committee on Tariff Concessions comprising Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria and the ECOWAS Commission.‎‎ Category A covers 90 per cent of tariff lines, while Category B covers sensitive products and Category C covers products on the ...
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NITDA Unveils Cybersecurity Rules For Safer Digital Space

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja NITDA DG, Inuwa Kashifu The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled a series of cybersecurity rules for a safer digital space, as technology increasingly powers everyday life, commerce, and public governance across Nigeria. This followed the beginning of annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month scheduled for October with the theme: “Together for a Safer Cyberspace.” The month-long campaign serves as a national call to action, highlighting that digital safety is no longer solely the responsibility of IT professionals, government agencies, or security experts. But NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hadiza Umar said on Thursday in Abuja, that securing Nigeria’s digital landscape requires an active and shared commitment from every citizen, business, and institution participating in the online ecosystem. Umar noted that building a resilient cyberspace depends heavily on individual vigilance and proactive p...
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Reforms: Nigeria's Economy Grows By 4% As Non-oil Exports Hit $6bn

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu There is an indication that Nigeria's economic outlook improved significantly in 2026, recording over four percent growth rate, even as oil and non-oil sectors contributed to the renewed period of stable growth. Specifically, the country recorded its highest revenue from non-oil exports since its existence, exceeding $6 billion in 2025, even as foreign exchange market and reserves stabilised.  President Bola Tinubu provided the statistics while addressing Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday in Abuja, with the theme: "From Reforms to Prosperity." He said: "Three and a half years later, the evidence that Nigeria's economic outlook has improved is undeniable. Our economy has grown by over 4 per cent this year. Both oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to the renewed period of stable growth. "Oil theft is down. Inflation has fallen substantially from its peak. Our foreign reserves...
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Tijani Identifies Infrastructure, Capital As Priorities For Digital Economy

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Bosun Tijani The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani has identified infrastructure, policy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and capital as strategic essentialities for the digital economy. This was even as he stated that the government is committed to accelerating broadband deployment, attracting investment and expanding meaningful connectivity, particularly in underserved communities and local government areas. He stated this at the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum on “Unlocking Infrastructure Investment through Data Transparency and Partnership”, organised in collaboration with the NCC, Swedfund and OOKLA in Abuja. Tijani who was represented by the Director of National Frequency Management Council, Mr Adetunji Adeyemo informed that the government cannot achieve the scale of infrastructure development required alone, saying that public-private partnerships, innovative financing and a predictable in...
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Côte d’Ivoire Aligns With AfDB On $24m Climate Resilience Projects

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Government of Côte d’Ivoire has aligned with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to unveil additional $24 million funding through the Integrated Programme for Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC-BN). Disclosed during a programme monitoring mission to assess progress and prepare for the next phase of investment, the project was specifically targeted at addressing climate shocks in Côte d’Ivoire. The additional funding comprises a loan of US $6.87 million from the AfDB, a loan of US $12.6 million and a grant of US $1.9 million from the Climate Investment Funds' Forest Investment Programme, as well as a counterpart contribution of US $2.7 million from the Ivorian government. While additional funding will help Côte d’Ivoire and its partners to accelerate the restoration of forest cover in the former ‘cocoa belt’, it is expected to strengthen the resilience of rural communities and contribute to national eff...
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