Author: Africa News Nation

By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja Stakeholders in West Africa have called for the establishment of an Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deepen citizens’ participation, strengthen civil society engagement and advance regional integration. The proposal was made on Monday in Abuja at a two-day regional dialogue and experience-sharing workshop themed “ECOWAS of the People: Strengthening Citizens’ Participation and Regional Integration through ECOSOCC Engagement in West Africa.” The workshop brought together civil society organisations, regional institutions and other stakeholders to examine lessons from existing ECOSOCC models under the African Union and the…

•••Faleye Urges MSMEs to Prioritise Workers’ Safety, Welfare Amid Digital Transformation By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has called for a deliberate integration of digital transformation with social protection as African businesses increasingly adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive growth and competitiveness. The Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, made the call on Monday at the official launch of the ESBC–InnoPower LLC (USA) Free MSMEs AI Master Training Programme held at the United Nations House, Abuja. The programme, spearheaded by the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC) in partnership with InnoPower LLC…

… Ask ex-president to disassociate himself from alleged use of his name in party dispute By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday in Abuja appealed to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to speak to Nigerians and publicly clarify his position over the alleged use of his name in the party’s ongoing internal leadership dispute. The PDP State Chairmen’s Forum, led by its Chairman, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, and Secretary, Hon. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, made the appeal at a press briefing at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. The chairmen urged Jonathan to address Nigerians…

By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has launched a new initiative to equip selected master artisans and trainers with internationally recognised qualifications aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s technical workforce and enhancing its global competitiveness. The initiative commenced with an intensive eight-week Train-the-Trainer programme designed to produce certified trainers and assessors capable of driving technical and vocational skills development across the country. Speaking at a press briefing at the ITF headquarters in Abuja on Monday, which was covered by Standard Times Nigeria Newspaper, the ITF Director-General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said…

••Says projects were National Assembly constituency interventions, funded by FG appropriations By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has dismissed a report alleging that it paid ₦1.28 billion between May and June 2025 for solar streetlight projects outside its statutory mandate, describing the claim as misleading. TCN, in a statement signed by its Management on Saturday, clarified that the solar streetlight projects referenced in the publication by Emmanuel Oluwole Uti of FIJ were National Assembly constituency projects captured in the Federal Government’s approved appropriation budget. According to the transmission company, the projects were nominated by members of…

•••Agency arrests notorious drug dealer in Rivers, seizes 26,000 bottles of codeine, 331.84kg of cannabis By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine concealed in a local mortar and the false bottom of a backpack destined for China and Italy through a logistics company in Lagos. The seizures were made on Thursday, July 30, 2026, by operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI), who recovered 250 grammes of cocaine factory-fitted into the base of a local mortar packed in a carton for shipment to China. Another 500 grammes…

By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) have launched a $100 million Nigerian Content Equity Fund (NCEF) to provide long-term equity financing to indigenous oil and gas companies and accelerate local content development. The Investment Committee of the Fund was inaugurated in Lagos on Friday by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, marking a major step towards the implementation of the new financing window under the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund). Under the scheme, the $100 million Fund has an obligor limit of $5 million,…

By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial aspirant for Kogi Central, Prince Murtala Omolori, and Adavi /Okehi House of Representatives, Hon. Aisha Ibrahim Adoke (AIA ) has vowed to pursue every lawful and democratic avenue to reclaim what both described as the People’s mandate following the disputed party primary held on May 21, 2026. Omolori, in a statement issued on Sunday to ADC supporters across Kogi Central Senatorial District, commended members of the party for their resilience, loyalty and commitment to strengthening the party’s grassroots structures across the constituency. He said his decision to contest the 2027…

By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has received international recognition after its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Customs Cares, won the Commonwealth Environment and CSR Gold Award in Glasgow, Scotland. The award, presented on Friday, July 31, 2026, recognises organisations implementing measurable, sustainable and community-driven interventions that contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Nigeria Customs Service emerged winner for its innovative Hub-and-Spoke Community Activation Model, which has delivered interventions in education, healthcare, food security, clean water and environmental sustainability across the country. Receiving the award on behalf of the…

… Says ₦9.36bn Travel, Feeding Allocation for Tinubu, Shettima Could Fund 62 Schools, 208 Boreholes, 5 PHCs By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government and state governments to shift public spending away from prestige projects and excessive administrative expenditure towards investments that directly improve the lives of Nigerians. The organisation’s call followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent appeal to state governors to discontinue the construction of unnecessary flyovers in locations without significant traffic congestion and instead prioritise projects with greater benefits to citizens. ActionAid Nigeria said the President’s remarks should trigger a broader national conversation…