President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, August 14, embark on a two-nation working visit to Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu’s first engagement will be in Yokohama, Japan, where he will attend the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) from August 20 to 22. Themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, TICAD9 will focus on Africa’s economic transformation, boosting private investment, promoting innovation, and building a resilient, sustainable society anchored on peace, stability, and human security.…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Sokoto State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (SOCHEMA) says it is ready and committed to the full implementation of the formal sector programme under the Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Scheme. Director General of SOCHEMA, Yusuf Abu Abdulkarim, disclosed this after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ministry of Finance, Sokoto. The meeting brought together officials of the Ministry of Finance, leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all their affiliates, as well as SOCHEMA representatives, where final resolutions were reached for the smooth take-off of the programme. Abdulkarim explained that the formal sector programme…
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative national asset, hailing it as a vital step in bridging Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, boosting employment, and restoring confidence in the country’s industrial capacity. Speaking during a tour of the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited plant, the Chairperson of the Lagos State Council of the NLC, Funmi Sessi, led the Council’s Executive members in commending the massive scale and strategic importance of the Dangote Group’s investments. “Today, we have seen the massive Dangote Refinery project, as well as the fertiliser plant. We have also observed…
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in Sokoto State has convened a planning meeting to develop and adapt the State One Health Strategic Plan for 2025–2029. The meeting brought together representatives from non-governmental organizations, environmentalists, medical and animal health practitioners, and other key stakeholders. ALSO READ L-PRES team visits states to tackle livestock challenges The initiative aims to secure political and stakeholder commitment to adopting the One Health approach as a formal multi-sectoral framework for health security in Sokoto State. It also seeks to jointly define the plan’s vision, mission, strategic pillars, thematic objectives, and priority actions. Participants…
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by N30 per litre. The petrol price cut, which takes effect from August 12, 2025, brings the cost down from N850 to N820 per litre. In a statement issued by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring consistent and uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country. ALSO READ Scientist urges AI-driven crop innovation to transform Nigerian agriculture ALSO READ Nigeria to revive grazing reserves, boost livestock production — Minister ALSO…
The House of Representatives is advancing a significant constitutional amendment to make the Court of Appeal the final arbiter in governorship election disputes—effectively removing the Supreme Court from the appeal process in such cases. Current Legal Framework vs. Proposed AmendmentUnder the existing legal structure, election petitions for governorship positions progress through the Election Petition Tribunals, the Court of Appeal, and finally, the Supreme Court as the ultimate authority. In contrast, petitions related to National and State Assembly elections are conclusively settled by the Court of Appeal. The new bill seeks to extend the existing finality provision of Section 246(3) of…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of the board members of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), two key agencies under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. In the new appointments, Idris Olorunnimbe has been named Chairman of the NCC, while Dr. Aminu Maida retains his position as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he assumed in October 2023 and was confirmed by the Senate in November of the same year. Olorunnimbe, who previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board and chaired its…
A collaboration to fast-track digital transformation and job creation in Nigeria’s North Central region, with the launch, by the governments of Niger and Nasarawa States, of NINATECH – the Smart Skills Development Programme. The initiative aims to train 10,000 beneficiaries in advanced technology skills by 2027, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly digital global economy. According to the organisers, NINATECH will provide intensive training in four strategic areas: Cybersecurity – to protect individuals, organisations, and infrastructure from cyber threats. Digital Forensics – applying investigative tools to analyse and present digital evidence. Digital Entrepreneurship – empowering participants to start and…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that it is being used to intimidate opposition politicians, insisting its operations remain impartial and non-partisan. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in a statement on Monday, said the Commission investigates both former and serving governors and ministers, regardless of political affiliation. “If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” Olukoyede said. The EFCC described the ADC’s claims as “self-serving, diversionary and idle,” stressing that every corruption…
Armed bandits have attacked a mosque in Marnona village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing one worshipper and abducting several others. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday during Subh (dawn) prayers, when the assailants stormed the mosque and opened fire on the congregants. Witnesses said the sudden attack caused panic, with worshippers scattering in different directions in a desperate bid to escape. According to local sources, the gunmen shot indiscriminately, killing one person on the spot, injuring others, and whisking away an undisclosed number of worshippers to an unknown location. The spokesperson for the Sokoto…