In a recent address at the UN Security Council Arria Formula Meeting , U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke about the urgent need for global action to empower women and girls in the face of increasing threats. The meeting, hosted by Switzerland, aimed to explore the synergies between the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield noted the importance of reaffirming the principles outlined in CEDAW and Resolution 1325 during the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. She…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has allocated N100 billion worth of fertilisers to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This intervention was formalized during a handover ceremony where CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, transferred 2.15 million bags of fertilisers to Minister Abubakar Kyari at the FMAFS headquarters in Abuja. Governor Cardoso, addressed the critical role of food costs in overall inflation rates, particularly given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on food and non-alcoholic beverages for household expenditures. He outlined CBN’s shift towards leveraging conventional monetary policy tools to execute its mandate effectively. This includes strengthening partnerships with ministries and agencies,…
Amidst growing discontentment and dissatisfaction with the current Senate leadership, Northern senators are rallying for a shift in power dynamics within the Nigerian Senate. With grievances ranging from alleged neglect of the Northern region to concerns about national security and budgetary allocations, senators from the North are advocating for the appointment of a Northern Senate President to champion their interests. The call for a Northern Senate Presidency comes amidst mounting criticism of the current leadership under Senator Akpabio, who stands accused of failing to adequately address the needs and concerns of the Northern region. Senators have voiced their frustration with…
According to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) she says Nigeria’s agricultural export sector faces setback as the nation relinquishes its leading position in global markets . Speaking at the launch of seven trade support programmes in Abuja, Okonjo-Iweala highlighted Nigeria’s failure to meet sanitary and phytosanitary measures required for exportation, leading to rejections of key commodities such as cowpeas and sesame in international markets. Despite abundant arable land and increased investments in agriculture, Nigeria has transitioned into a net importer of farm produce, jeopardizing efforts towards food sustainability. The nation now spends…
At a recent meeting with the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, Mele Kyari, Managing Director of NNPC Limited, stated the urgent need for concerted action against the rampant crude oil theft plaguing the Niger Delta region. Kyari spoke about the severity of the situation, labeling crude oil theft as “the most humongous and virulent economic crime in Nigeria.” He stressed on the need for the EFCC to prioritize efforts to curb this illicit activity due to its detrimental impact on the nation’s economy. During the meeting, Kyari revealed alarming statistics regarding the…
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwoa at the federal high Court in Abuja, struck out a suit brought forth by a Coalition of Northern Groups, which aimed to compel the exit of Igbo people from the southeastern region of Nigeria. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/538/2021, was initiated by a group of elders and politicians from the North, including Nastura Shariff, Balarabe Rufa’i, Abdul-Aziz Sulaiman, and Aminu Adam. The case, which sought to expedite the southeastern region’s departure from Nigeria before the conclusion of the constitution amendment process, faced setback as the plaintiffs consistently failed to appear in court or provide legal…
The United States is designating sixteen entities and individuals in a transnational network that spans the Horn of Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Cyprus, for facilitating financing and money laundering for the al-Shabaab terrorist organization. The threat posed by al-Shabaab is not limited to Somalia. Al-Shabaab’s revenues are disbursed to other al-Qa’ida-linked groups worldwide and help fund al-Qa’ida’s global ambitions to commit acts of terrorism and undermine good governance. Today’s action reflects the United States’ counterterrorism priorities in Somalia and supports the dynamic relationship we have established with the Somali government to counter the terrorist threats endangering the…
The Nigerian Senate has taken decisive action against Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, suspending him for three months amidst allegations of budget padding. The suspension, orchestrated under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, follows a tumultuous session in the red chamber. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a member of the Appropriation Committee, initially proposed a motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months, citing accusations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace within the National Assembly and beyond. However, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong from Cross River South Senatorial District, and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Oyo North, advocated for amendments,…
To tackle the pressing issue of food security amidst soaring food prices and inflation, the Nigerian government has inked a monumental €995 million deal with the Brazilian Government and the German Deutsch Bank Group. The agreement, spearheaded by Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, aims to establish mechanization hubs across all 774 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. Speaking from Minna, Niger State, Minister Kyari stated the important role of the Green Imperative Programme in revolutionizing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. The program’s core objective is to boost agricultural productivity by deploying cutting-edge technology and machinery,…
The Benue State Government is gearing up to establish a power plant aimed at catalyzing socio-economic development across its communities. Raymond Asemakaha, the managing director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), disclosed this initiative on Monday, noting the significant impact it could have on the state’s economic landscape. Recent legislative developments have paved the way for state governments to own and manage their electricity companies, a move that aligns with Benue’s vision for energy independence. During a meeting with a delegation from Remedy Earth at the BIPC corporate headquarters in Makurdi, Asemakaha urged the electricity company to consider…
The Biden-Harris Administration has unveiled its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, earmarking a significant $42.8 billion for foreign assistance programs. In her statement regarding the budget release, Administrator Samantha Power stated the urgent need of addressing escalating global crises, including conflicts and climate-related disasters. With the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance increasing dramatically, the allocated funds are vital in enabling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to respond effectively to crises, promote stability, and uphold human dignity globally. Key priorities outlined in the proposed budget include humanitarian assistance, food security initiatives, economic resilience programs, and strategic investments…
The Lekki Free Zone has successfully attracted a substantial $300 million investment earmarked for the construction of a state-of-the-art steel-manufacturing plant. Sealing the deal with an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC) and FINCON Capital Partners have ignited a promising new chapter in the region’s economic evolution. This arrangement, which is being led by Managing Directors Zhang Bin of LFZDC and Bayo Adelore of FINCON Capital Partners, represents the growing trust that Lagos State’s business ecosystem is receiving. The initiative was praised by Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment,…