Less than six months after their arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for importing 31.5 kilograms of cocaine from the Marshall Islands into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport in Lagos, 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, have been convicted and fined a total of six million US dollars ($6 million) by a Federal High Court in Lagos. The NDLEA took custody of the Indian crew members and their vessel following the discovery of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine in hatch 3 of the ship by NDLEA operatives at the GDNL terminal, Apapa…
Author: Newsdesk
The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia have signed a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement. Both countries also agreed to commence immediate implementation of the bilateral instrument in accordance with their respective laws and international obligations. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her Ethiopian counterpart, Gideon Timothewos, facilitated the diplomatic milestone, which was consummated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Addis Ababa. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Ethiopia’s Justice Minister, Ms. Hanna Arayaselassie, signed for her country. The signing ceremony was witnessed…
The Federal Government says it is intensifying efforts to eliminate child labour to meet the 2030 global target for its eradication. Mr. Magaji Ademu, a Director in the Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, stated this on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland, at the ongoing 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC). Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the conference, Ademu affirmed Nigeria’s full commitment to ending all forms of child labour. He noted that key policy frameworks had been developed with international support. Ademu explained that Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan had…
A U.S.-based venture studio, Calpe Labs, has unveiled a N600 billion enterprise development scheme aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and access to capital for 50 grassroots micro-businesses in Imo. The Managing Director of Calpe Labs, Mr. Mambu Sherman, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Owerri. It was reported that the beneficiaries were selected under the Imo State Government’s One Kindred One Business Initiative (OKOBI), a program designed to leverage family and community-owned businesses to address unemployment and stimulate local economic growth. The selected businesses operate in agribusiness and agro-processing, micro-manufacturing, artisanal and skilled services, as well as…
The Federal Government has postponed the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), initially scheduled to hold in Abuja from June 28 to June 30. The announcement was made in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate. He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders and partners involved in preparing for the conference. Pate stated that a new date would be communicated in due course after further engagements with relevant stakeholders and development partners. “The Federal Government deeply regrets any inconvenience this postponement may…
The Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD), in partnership with development organizations, has inaugurated a cassava processing facility in Kwali Area Council to boost rural women’s productivity and economic opportunities. The facility, established for members of the Akpu Women Cassava Processing Association, was developed through collaboration with UN Women Nigeria, TY Danjuma Foundation, ATRED Foundation, and the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat. Speaking at the inauguration on Wednesday, MBNCWD Director-General, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the project as a practical intervention addressing challenges faced by rural women processors who spend long hours on labor-intensive cassava processing. She stated that the…
The Federal Government has inaugurated the distribution of 80,640 bags of NPK fertilizer to 20,160 smallholder farmers across the North-Central zone. The program is part of the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) under the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF). Sen. Aliyu Sabi, Minister of State for Agriculture, inaugurated the distribution on Wednesday in Minna, emphasizing the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security upon taking office in 2023. “Farming is the path to prosperity. The President promised that Nigeria would produce what it eats and eat what it produces. “NADF…
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Brig.-Gen. Godwin Ogoh, has emphasized the importance of sustained public education on breast and cervical cancer to promote early detection and reduce cancer-related deaths. Ogoh made this statement on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the hospital by Mrs. Hussaina Yakubu, founder of Hassy’s Haven Foundation, in Kaduna. He described cancer treatment as expensive and emotionally draining, noting that many cases could be effectively managed if detected early. According to him, regular self-examination is one of the most effective preventive measures against breast cancer. The CMD urged…
Food industry stakeholders have called on Nigeria to accelerate the local production of food ingredients, warning that the country is losing significant economic value through unnecessary imports. The stakeholders spoke at the 12th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit organized by the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) in Lagos on Wednesday. The summit’s theme was “Harnessing Food Research Innovation for Industrialization and Economic Sustainability.” The Managing Director of Spectra Industries Ltd., Mr. Duro Kuteyi, stated that local manufacturers have the capacity to replace many imported food ingredients. Kuteyi cited the company’s production of…
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, for his visionary leadership and infrastructural transformation in the FCT. Its Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, made the commendation in Abuja on Wednesday during the inauguration of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, Dape District Section. Lubasch stated that the 4-kilometre road, constructed by Julius Berger, is more than just a road. “It is a critical link connecting communities, creating opportunities, improving mobility, enhancing security, and supporting economic development within Nigeria’s capital. “The completion of…