News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As part of efforts to position Nigeria as a regional aerospace and aviation services hub, President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the proposal of world aircraft-maker, Airbus to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in the country.  This was even as Tinubu emphasised the urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of supporting security operations, logistics, and national development priorities, in furtherance of his administration's effort to end the intractable security challenges.  The President spoke on Thursday, during a meeting with a delegation from Airbus, led by Head of Regional Business Growth Africa and the Middle East, Thierry Cloutet, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. He informed the delegation that his administration was determined to scale up the cordial relationship between both parties, leveraging the company's comparative advantage in military aircraft and aerospace developmen...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has appreciated the United States over the successful counterterrorism operation that led to the killing of ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki.  He said that overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism. The statement reads: "Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.  "Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin. "Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unw...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Abu-Bilal al-Minuki The Defence Headquarters has provided further insight into the elimination of a senior ISIS leader and one of the world’s most active terrorists, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.  News Rider reports that Nigerian troops in collaboration with United States forces on Friday, May 15, 2026, conducted a meticulously planned and highly coordinated counterterrorism operation resulting in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.  The precision operation was the result of a recently formed U.S—Nigeria partnership and intelligence sharing efforts across different regions of the world. Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba attributed the successful operation to coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world. He said: "Together, we have disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region. Our efforts represent a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat te...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has validated an agreement with construction companies for speedy dualisation of Legacy road projects in line with the Renewed Hope Administration’s intervention in critical sectors of the economy.  This led to the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Works and Messrs Hitech Africa Limited, and Infiouest International Limited in Abuja.  The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi described the event as another milestone in the transformation of Nigeria’s infrastructure sector. He stated that many people initially doubted and criticised the projects, but they have seen the reality, adding that the projects are investments that will stimulate economic growth, improve connectivity, and enhance national development and integration. The four legacy projects are Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway....

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Major Gen Adeyinka Famadewa rtd President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa (Rtd) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security.  This was in recognition of his exceptional record of service, strategic expertise, and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s national security architecture. The appointment emanated from a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.  It underscored the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country. Major General Famadewa (Rtd) is a highly decorated retired General with over three decades of distinguished military and intelligence service spanning national secur...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed the outcomes of the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.  This was even as he described the meeting as a clear signal that Nigeria and France are moving from dialogue to delivery. While trade between both countries reached $4.7 billion in 2025, Nigeria remained the top destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa. Tinubu said that the relationship carries real economic weight and must be translated into more jobs, industries, infrastructure, and shared prosperity. The meeting, which was also attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier, saw leading Nigerian and French businesses provide updates on key projects and commit to further expanding collaboration between both countries. President Tinubu commended the current Chairman of the France-Nigeria B...