The Federal Government has filed terrorism charges against two senior commanders of the extremist group, Ansaru, following their capture by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The suspects, identified as Abu Bara’a and Mahmuda, were arrested in a covert operation after years of surveillance and intelligence gathering. Both men are considered high-value targets within Ansaru’s hierarchy and are believed to have played key roles in planning and directing violent operations across parts of northern Nigeria. According to reliable security sources, the government has pressed multiple charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, including directing acts of terrorism,…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Yusuf noted that Kano accommodates people from all parts of Nigeria, including Rivers State, without discrimination. “This is the spirit of national brotherhood that strengthens our unity.”
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria) has taken a firm stand against the Federal Government’s proposed 5% surcharge on petroleum and diesel products, describing it as “anti-people, economically insensitive, and a recipe for deeper hardship.” In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the group warned that the move—currently being considered by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)—would hit Nigerians at a time they can least afford it. “After the painful removal of fuel subsidy, citizens are already reeling from skyrocketing transport fares, unaffordable food…
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening equity, inclusiveness, and accountability in governance, calling for deeper collaboration with civil society organizations to ensure fairness at all levels of the Nigeria national life. Speaking during an advocacy visit by members of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) to the Commission’s headquarters, the Chairman of FCC described the engagement as timely, noting that civil society remains a crucial partner in the implementation of the federal character principle. He explained that the FCC, established under Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution and the FCC Act of…
Abuja, Sept. 3, 2025 — The Federal Government has validated Nigeria’s Economic Appraisal Report, a major step toward developing the country’s Adaptation Finance Strategy and drafting the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). For years, climate action in Nigeria and globally has focused more on mitigation, often leaving adaptation underexplored. While mitigation remains essential, experts at the Abuja workshop emphasized that adaptation has now become an urgent priority for Nigeria’s climate response. Officials noted that even as the nation grapples with multiple climate-related challenges, there are also opportunities within the crisis that can be harnessed to build a sustainable and resilient future.…
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said that political interference and restrictions from security agencies are frustrating his efforts to end the decade-long banditry crisis in the state. Speaking during a media briefing, Lawal stressed that if given the authority to fully command security operations, he could end the menace within two weeks. “I know where the bandits are, where they go, and where they come from. I monitor them through advanced surveillance technology that I can access even on my phone. But I cannot act because I don’t have the power to command security personnel. If I had…
T2, a telecommunications company, says it has signed a multi-million-dollar partnership with India’s Knot Solutions to modernise its Business and Operations Support Systems. The Chief Executive Officer of T2, Obafemi Banigbe, announced this during the signing ceremony at the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference in Lagos on Wednesday. Banigbe described the partnership as a milestone in T2’s four-phase transformation strategy—stabilisation, modernisation, transformation, and growth—as the company repositions for a comeback in Nigeria’s telecom sector. “This structured approach underscores our commitment to restoring competitiveness, driving customer-focused innovation, and enabling Nigeria’s digital future,” he said. He noted that initiatives…
The opening ceremony of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025 brought together heads of state, policymakers, and representatives of global development organizations. Among the keynote speakers was Dr. Paulin Basinga, Africa Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who delivered a strong endorsement of youth-focused agricultural initiatives across the continent. Dr. Basinga underscored a striking demographic reality: Africa’s youth population is projected to grow by 55% by 2050. Far from viewing this as a challenge, he described it as a monumental opportunity to create well-paying jobs and lift millions out of poverty. He stressed that investing in agri-food…
The United States Government has provided the World Food Programme (WFP) with $32.5 million to support food and nutrition assistance in Nigeria. A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday said the donation will enable WFP to reach 764,205 beneficiaries in the country’s Northeast and Northwest. This includes nutrition top-ups for 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls, and 43,235 children through electronic food vouchers. WFP, the UN’s food-assistance arm, is funded entirely by voluntary contributions and operates in more than 120 countries. The U.S. remains its largest single donor, contributing over $2.9 billion in 2023 alone. The…
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has reaffirmed its commitment to full financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local government areas while calling for reforms in health financing. ALGON Chairman in Jalingo, Taraba State, Aminu Hassan, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Health Financing Policy Dialogue organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and partners. The event, themed “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria”, focused on sustainable models to make healthcare more equitable and accessible. Hassan said implementing the Supreme Court judgment granting LG autonomy would transform grassroots service delivery. “Once…