The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says that the Commission’s processes will be fully automated by the end of the first quarter of this year. Ogbuku announced this during the Mandatory Continuous Procurement Capacity Development Training Programme, organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, at the PTDF Centre for Skills Development in Port Harcourt. He stated: “We will soon automate our procurement processes to ensure compliance, transparency, and better service delivery. We have recently reformed our corporate governance structure and internal processes.” According to the Managing Director, the NDDC had commenced implementation…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has held strategic discussions with Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, in Ankara as part of preparations for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s forthcoming state visit to the country. The meeting, which marked Tuggar’s first official visit to Türkiye, focused on strengthening bilateral ties between both nations across political, economic, security and multilateral fronts. The talks underscored the growing importance of Nigeria–Türkiye relations and the shared commitment of both governments to expanding cooperation. During the engagement, Fidan commended Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa, particularly its efforts in promoting peace, stability…
By Oumarou Sanou Sovereignty is not declared. It is exercised. And in today’s Niger, the uranium convoy rumbling toward Russia tells a story far removed from the revolutionary rhetoric echoing through Niamey. The now-infamous “Madmax Uranium Express,” carrying 1,000 tons of Nigerien uranium to Russia, has been presented as proof of emancipation from Western domination. To its proponents, it symbolises a clean break from France and a reclaiming of national dignity. In reality, it exposes a far more uncomfortable truth: Niger has not escaped dependency—it has merely changed its custodian. Russia is not “doing business” in Niger in any classical…
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has declared that he has no preferred successor and has not anointed any candidate ahead of the end of his tenure in May 2027. Zulum made the declaration on Sunday evening while addressing stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a meeting held at the Government House in Maiduguri. The Governor said his administration remains focused on improving security and delivering development to the people of Borno, rather than engaging in succession politics. Addressing party leaders, elected officials and members, Zulum called for fairness, transparency and justice in the forthcoming APC congresses,…
Nigeria and Italy have expressed renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on addressing irregular migration, insecurity, counter-terrorism, and expanding economic cooperation. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in Abuja on Monday, 26 January, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Roberto Mengoni. Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Italy as one of Nigeria’s key strategic partners in Europe, noting that although diplomatic relations between both countries span more than six decades, there is yet to be a formal Nigeria-Italy Bi-National Commission, calling for the establishment of such a framework…
As Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly continues its review of the Electoral Act 2022, questions are emerging about the true purpose of the proposed amendments and whose interests they are designed to protect. The process, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, has drawn increasing attention from civil society groups and political stakeholders concerned about the future of Nigeria’s democratic system. The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION) has called for a transparent and inclusive review process that prioritises the aspirations of ordinary citizens rather than political elites. The group argues that…
Ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State visit to Türkiye, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Monday, 26 January, 2026, paid an official visit to Ankara where he held high-level talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The meeting, Tuggar’s first official visit to Türkiye, focused on strengthening political, economic, security, and multilateral cooperation. Minister Fidan commended Nigeria’s constructive role in promoting regional stability, peace, and prosperity in West Africa, noting Nigeria’s leadership within regional and continental frameworks. Tuggar placed strong emphasis on expanding bilateral trade and…
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has formally unveiled Rayyan Microfinance Bank, a non-interest financial institution headquartered in Maiduguri, as part of efforts to strengthen economic recovery and promote financial inclusion in the state. The unveiling ceremony took place on Sunday, 25 January, 2026, at the Forshams Event Centre in Maiduguri, drawing stakeholders from the financial sector, academia, regulatory bodies, and religious institutions. Rayyan Microfinance Bank operates as an ethical-compliant digital bank, offering non-interest financing alongside a variety of banking products tailored to individuals, cooperatives, and small businesses. The institution is designed to serve people who are often excluded from…
Leaders and people of Ogoniland have petitioned President Bola Tinubu over alleged attempts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to undermine the ongoing Federal Government–Ogoni dialogue process aimed at resolving the decades-long Ogoni crisis. The petition was submitted under the auspices of the Conscience of Ogoni People (COOP), formerly known as the Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates, a group of concerned Ogoni stakeholders advocating peace, justice, and sustainable development in Ogoniland. In a statement issued on Monday, 26 January, 2026, and signed by COOP’s Leader and Spokesman, Chief Gani Topba, the group expressed strong support for the…
By Maxime Houinato As Africa stands at a crossroads in the fight against violence targeting women and girls, the continent’s traditional leaders hold a uniquely powerful key to unlocking lasting change. Their influence—rooted in culture, authority and community trust—positions them not just as custodians of heritage, but as essential partners in redefining norms, protecting rights and leading a continental shift toward safety, dignity and equality for every woman and girl. In the coming week, traditional leaders from across Africa will meet in Lagos to explore how culture can advance dignity, safety, and equality. Their convening could not be timelier. Violence…