By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for the design of a responsive, scalable, and data-driven social protection policy to confront multidimensional poverty in Nigeria, framing the challenge in vivid and deeply human terms. The Vice President made the call in his opening remarks at the 159th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), held virtually on Monday, 3 August, 2026 where the Council went on to approve the refinancing of the $3.3 billion Project Gazelle Pre-Export Finance Facility through a new $4.5 billion facility named Project Gazelle 2, following a presentation by the Minister of Finance…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, has thrown her weight behind Delta State’s plan to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs), describing them as one of the most effective industrial policy tools available to governments with limited fiscal resources and relatively small domestic markets. The former Nigerian finance minister made this known on Monday, 3 August, 2026 while speaking at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” where she also urged the state government to remain fiscally disciplined and channel public funds toward productive investments rather than…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola Federal workers may soon embark on drastic industrial action if the Federal Government fails to resolve the delayed payment of two months’ wage award and the implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance before Tuesday,11 August, the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, has warned. The threat is contained in a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and signed by the National Secretary of the council, Gbenga Olowoyo, on behalf of the National Chairman, Benjamin Yanto, following the minister’s failure to respond…
A defining moment for Alimosho politics took place on Sunday, 2 August, 2026, at the Governor’s residence, as a high-level All Progressives Congress (APC) reconciliation meeting brought together the constituency’s key stakeholders under one roof, and closed a chapter of division that many feared would linger into 2027. The meeting was chaired by the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi. Also present were the state Deputy Governor and APC Governorship Candidate for the state, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; and Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi. Also present were: the Apex Leader for…
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, has empowered 18 rescued Chibok girls with cash grants and vocational starter packs to promote self-reliance and economic independence. As part of the empowerment programme, each of the 18 beneficiaries received an entrepreneurship grant of ₦1 million, along with starter packs, including sewing, tailoring and catering equipment, to help them establish sustainable businesses. In addition, 221 parents of the rescued girls received N200,000 each as welfare support. The support was presented during the graduation ceremony of the girls’ support programme in Yola, Adamawa State. Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim,…
Famous veteran Nigerian musician Daddy Showkey has revealed that he returned to life in the garage after the breakup of the Pretty Busy Boys, saying the experience eventually led him to discover his talent as a solo artiste. Speaking about his journey to success, the galala music exponent said he initially struggled to determine his next step after the group disbanded, even considering a career in the military before finding his path in music. According to him, success is not predetermined for a select few, stressing that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. “God does not choose who will succeed.…
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Sunday, 2 August, 2026 confirmed that a female motorist has died in a lone road crash at Mongoro, inward Ile-Zik, after reportedly losing control of her vehicle and crashing into a roadside building, reports thegazellenews.com. The LASTMA Public Relations Officer, Adebayo Taofiq, who made this disclosure through a statement on Sunday, 2 August, 2026 disclosed that that preliminary investigations had shown the deceased was driving a Toyota Sienna with registration number LND 162 HB at the time of the accident. According to Taofiq, the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle,…
In what is seen as a pivotal step that “signals the beginning of a new era for insurance in the country, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has officially announced the successful completion of the country’s 12-month insurance sector recapitalisation exercise. Undertaken pursuant to Section 15 and other relevant provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 31, 2025, the exercise aligns directly with the administration’s economic agenda aimed at building a $1trillion economy by 2030. Following a rigorous process of review, verification, and validation, NAICOM said in a statement…
In what is seen at part of measures at strengthening cargo handling operations and supporting ongoing efforts to improve port infrastructure of Terminal B at the Rivers Port Complex in Port Harcourt, BUA Group has committed over $65 million to the reconstruction and modernization of the port. It was gathered that the investment, which will be undertaken through BUA Ports and Terminals Nigeria Limited, the concessionaire managing Terminal B, is expected to increase the terminal’s cargo handling capacity, improve operational efficiency and enhance service delivery for port users. The investment was announced during a meeting between the Chairman of BUA…
Following Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala lone strike which gave Nigeria victory over at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Amstel Malta has congratulated the Ikorodu born player for her performance. The victory was a strong response to Nigeria’s disappointing opening defeat to Malawi and reignited the Super Falcons’ bid for a record-extending 11th continental title. Oshoala, an Amstel Malta brand ambassador, scored the game’s only goal in the eighth minute after latching onto a well-worked assist. The Super Falcons then produced a disciplined defensive display to protect their lead, even after defender Oluwatosin Demehin was sent off,…