The Anambra State Government has disbursed N80 million to 80 startups to position the state as a leading technology and innovation hub in Nigeria. This was announced on Friday in Abuja by Chinwe Okoli, CEO of Solution Innovation District (SID) and Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation. Okoli quoted Gov. Soludo, stating that the investment reflects his administration’s commitment to transforming Anambra into Africa’s Silicon Valley and creating opportunities for young people in the digital economy. “Our administration is dedicated to turning Anambra into Africa’s Silicon Valley. This vision is driven by a strategic goal…
Author: Newsdesk
The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), a non-profit organization, launched an urban gardening and tree planting initiative for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nasarawa State on Friday. Dr. Michael David, GIFSEP’s Executive Director, announced this at an event marking World Environment Day 2026 and tree planting in Shabu Development Area, Lafia, Nasarawa State. He explained that the initiative was supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, which also backs GIFSEP’s #Food4PWDs Campaign. “GIFSEP’s #Food4PWDs Campaign aims to strengthen food security, improve livelihoods, and build climate resilience among PWDs, who are among the most vulnerable groups…
The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), a non-governmental organization (NGO), has trained farmers, researchers, policymakers, and extension personnel on agroforestry finance to prepare them for opportunities in the emerging carbon economy. The two-day capacity-building workshop, funded by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), started Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, with participants from Nasarawa, Benue, Cross River, and Kano states. The workshop was organized by SAA under the GIZ-supported Strengthening Institutional Frameworks for Transformative Agricultural Systems in Nigeria (SIFTAS) project. This initiative aims to raise awareness and build technical capacity on carbon credits, carbon markets, and agroforestry-based climate solutions, while promoting…
Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager for West Africa at Mastercard, says Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are driving growth through digital payments, workforce investments, and expansion plans. She made this statement based on findings from the Mastercard SME Confidence Index. The report reveals that 81% of Nigerian SMEs are confident about their prospects over the next 12 months, with 68% expecting revenue growth. Femi-Lawal noted that Nigerian businesses continue to demonstrate resilience and a strong understanding of growth factors. “Nigerian businesses are ambitious—they’re investing in their people, adopting digital payments, and seeking capital to expand,” she said. She also reaffirmed…
Residents of Benin, Edo, expressed excitement on Thursday over the nearly completed Ramat Park Flyover and urged the state to expedite its completion to ease traffic congestion. They made these remarks during Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s inspection tour of the construction site. Okpebholo, addressing journalists, expressed satisfaction with the progress but said the project is expected to be finished in November. He noted that the roads around the flyover are now more beautiful, unlike in the past, and contribute to the area’s improved appearance, which was previously affected by flooding. “We hope President Bola Tinubu will come to commission this project…
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has inaugurated a second Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project Delivery Committee to oversee key infrastructure and rehabilitation projects nationwide. Service Public Relations Officer CSC Jane Osuji announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. Osuji said the inauguration marked a significant step in the Service’s reform agenda, highlighting its commitment to leveraging private sector expertise and investment to improve correctional infrastructure, staff welfare, and inmate rehabilitation. The new Committee will supervise the delivery of strategic PPP projects, including Correctional Farm Centres in Adim, Cross River State, and Itu, Akwa Ibom State. It will also oversee…
Residents in Osun have turned to alternative cooking methods following a sharp increase in the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas. Some residents, who spoke with reporters on Thursday in Osogbo, said they now rely on charcoal and firewood, as they can no longer afford the current price of about ₦2,000 per kilogram. The rising cost of cooking gas has added financial strain to household budgets and negatively affected local businesses. Mrs. Rukayat Abiola, a fast-food vendor at Owode-Ede Market, said the surge in gas prices has significantly increased her operating costs. According to Abiola,…
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly attempting to traffic three girls from Kaduna to Ivory Coast for prostitution. The suspect reportedly lured the girls, aged 18 to 20, from Kaduna with promises of legitimate employment in a Lagos restaurant. However, upon arriving in Ajegunle on May 23, she allegedly revealed her intention to send them to Ivory Coast. One of the victims, who refused to be taken abroad, reported the incident to the police. In response, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, ordered the case to be transferred from Tolu Division, Ajegunle, to the…
Some mobile repair technicians in Dutse, Jigawa, have called for a vocational skills development program to enhance their work and promote growth in the trade. Phone repair is gaining popularity as an alternative livelihood for youths in the area. A cross-section of technicians shared their views in separate interviews with reporters on Thursday in Dutse. Usman Idris, a phone repair technician, said the trade provides him with technical skills, income opportunities, and a platform to train apprentices. He described phone repair as a viable path to self-reliance and economic empowerment. Idris recalled acquiring his skills in Kano before moving to…
The Oyo State House of Assembly has canceled its planned third-anniversary celebrations due to security concerns, especially in the Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso areas. Instead, the legislature reflected on its performance over the past three years as a crucial arm of government. The 10th Assembly was inaugurated on June 14, 2023. During Thursday’s plenary, Speaker Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin explained that the decision was driven by recent security challenges and the need to show solidarity with affected areas and residents. He noted that, ordinarily, the anniversary would have been marked with celebrations and public events. However, members chose to focus on governance,…