Author: Joy Gyakyor
The Federal Government on Thursday unveiled a national strategy to exploit the $7.7tn (£6.1tn) global halal economy, aiming to unlock $12bn in value and transform Nigeria into a halal-friendly tourism destination. Vice-President Kashim Shettima stated this when he represented President Bola Tinubu to launch the Nigeria National Halal Economy Strategy at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Vice President described it as a bold move to diversify exports, attract investment and create jobs, projecting a $1.5bn addition to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027. “This document is a declaration of our promise to meet global standards with Nigerian capacity and to…
The Federal Government has inaugurated construction of the Bela Dam and a pilot drip irrigation scheme for sweet potato (kaukau) farming in Bichi, Kano State, as part of efforts to tackle flooding, enhance water security, and drive agricultural growth. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Professor Joseph Otsev at the foundation-laying ceremony in Bela community on Tuesday, described the £multi-million multipurpose dam – with a 775,000 cubic metre capacity – as a “major milestone” in sustainable water management. The project aims to curb perennial floods while supporting irrigation, drinking water, fisheries, and livestock in the area. Minister Utsev said it…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Monday inspected major road projects as Abuja marked its 50th anniversary, pledging completions to coincide with President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office. The Minister toured sites managed by Chinese firm Geoengineering Construction (CGC), including the N16 arterial road in Katampe district, the outer southern expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road I to II, and a 3km access road to the Wasa informal sector hub. The Wasa road, designed to relocate traders from the Apo mechanics village, is due by August 2026, while OSEX and N16 should be ready by May.…
The World Bank on Tuesday rated Nigeria as a global benchmark for “steady, credible reform leadership”. Anna Bjerde, the bank’s managing director of operations, made the comments during a meeting on with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Information & Strategy to the President Bayo Onanuga, the World Bank senior official was accompanied by other bank officials. Bjerde hailed Nigeria’s reform drive over the past two years, praising the government’s resolve to press ahead despite headwinds. “This consistency and the clear evidence of positive…
The United States has dispatched a small team of ground troops to Nigeria, marking the first official confirmation of boots on the ground following Christmas Day airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump. Gen Dagvin RM Anderson, head of the US military’s Africa Command (Africom), announced the move on Tuesday, framing it as enhanced collaboration to counter a mounting terrorist threat in west Africa. “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson told journalists as reported by The Jerusalem Post. Minister of Defence Christopher…
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared that Nigeria is poised to work with African neighbours, international allies, and private investors to deliver secure, affordable, and cleaner energy. Speaking through Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the ninth Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja, President Tinubu described energy as “the invisible force holding the modern world together” and the “quiet architecture of balance among nations”. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications Stanley Nkwocha in a statement said that President emphasised the role of energy in fostering peace, prosperity, and global stability. The summit drew heads of delegations, senior officials…
National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended President Bola Tinubu’s frequent overseas trips, claiming they have secured more than $50bn (£39bn) in foreign direct investment commitments. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda said the engagements—spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas—had strengthened global partnerships and delivered “tangible benefits” for the nation’s economy, including inflows into energy, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, technology and infrastructure. In a statement issued by his Media Adviser Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda highlighted deals with countries including the US, UK, France, Germany, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brazil. He said recent successes included a…
The Federal Government has launched an accreditation exercise to select five new permanent secretaries, following approval by President Bola Tinubu. Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), announced this on Tuesday sayk g that the process targets vacancies for candidates from Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kano and Ogun states. It aims to uphold the constitutional principle of federal character in public service appointments. A statement from Eno Olotu, the OHCSF’s Director of Press, quoted the Head of Service Didi Walson-Jack as describing the accreditation as “the foundational step in a critical national assignment that will determine…
President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing the afrobeat pioneer as a “fearless voice of the people” and a revolutionary artist whose music challenged injustice and transformed the global soundscape. The praise came on Sunday as Kuti became the first African recipient of the Grammy lifetime achievement award, bestowed posthumously by the US Recording Academy. “Fela was more than a musician. He was a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound,” the President said in a statement he personally signed…
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo on Friday commissioned the newly reconstructed Port Harcourt Airport Road following his invitation by Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. The Minister also officially flagged off the construction of the Bypass to the Airport and Toll Gate Project. Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister Tunde Moshood in a statement said, Minister Keyamo graced the occasion as Special Guest of Honour, joining the government and people of Rivers State to celebrate milestones in infrastructural advancement and support for aviation development. The Minister commended Governor Fubara’s commitment to addressing the needs…