NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
General News

EU hails Made-in-Abia leather craftsmanship 

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Leather

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

The European Union (EU) has commended the craftsmanship of Made-in-Abia leather products, reinforcing the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading hub for leather production.

The Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Massimo De Luca, made this known during a one-day working visit to Aba.

De Luca said that the state’s leather industry held a lot of potential and talents for possible investments which should earn it  an international recognition.

He said that the union had ongoing collaborations with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and German Cooperation to enhance the global leather sector.

De Luca also said that these collaborations positioned the Union as a key partner in the global leather industrial development.

He revealed that these partnerships focus on quality standards, standardisation, and improved manufacturing practices,

He further said that UNIDO would  soon launch new projects to strengthen value chains, enhance product quality, and improve environmental manufacturing practices in the leather sector.

“It is an area the union keeps being active through a number of projects which are assigned big supports through UNIDO, the UN agency.

“The agency will soon start working in value chains, quality and improvement in manufacturing and environmental.

“It has always been my dream to visit Abia because I have heard so much about Aba shoes and the leather industry.

“The name Abia deserves all the attention and respect worldwide and this is what we need to fight for, Abia first and Abia products first,”he said.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem, reaffirmed Abia government’s commitment to boost the local  leather industry.

Inem said that the government would focus on assisting  artisan’s to improve their production quality and traders to expand their leather  obusinesses.

“The government is committed to giving traders all necessary support to help them produce better than they are now and to be more meaningfully engaged.

“Our goal is to assess the challenges you face so we can optimise your operations,” he said.

He further assured traders that the government, through the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agency, would draft a comprehensive support mechanism to address their needs.

“We have observed the environment and understand your concerns.

“We will take note of the deficiencies and come back with solutions that will enhance your trade, beyond improving the environment, we want to ensure that you produce better-quality goods,” he said.

Chief Inem also highlighted Gov Alex Otti’s commitment to partnering with the EU to uplift the leather sector in Aba.

He said that the visit by the EU delegation had  demonstrated the government and the union’s keen interest in the growth of the industry in the state.

Inem said that the state government’s intervention would boost Aba’s  leather industry, positioning it for competitiveness in both local and international markets.(NAN)

Edited by Maureen.atuonwu

General News

Lagos Govt. to demolish illegal structures on Banana Island

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Demolition

By Lydia Ngwakwe

The Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin marking illegal buildings on Banana Island for demolition,  by Monday.

Mr Gbolahan Oki, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), made the announcement at a stakeholders meeting on Banana Island, on Thursday.

He said that the buildings were encroaching on prohibited areas, violating building codes and posing safety risks.

Oki said: ” From Monday to Friday, next week, officials will come and mark the buildings; the following week, we will just give you two weeks to get your documents ready.

“After that, I am going to pull everything down.”

The general manager said that the decision followed  illegal constructions on Banana Island, particularly buildings under high-tension power lines and those too close to  shoreline.

He said that the lives of Lagos residents were more important than the value of the property.

Oki said  that LASBCA had taken a similar action in other areas such as Abule Egba, Iya Niba and Iyana Isheri, by removing buildings  under high-tension lines.

The general manager said that buildings under high-tension lines or too close to shoreline violated established planning rules and regulations.

Oki said: “The government’s regulations require buildings to be at least 150 metres from the shoreline, which was generously reduced to 100 metres.

“Even with  the leniency, some developers have failed to comply.”

Dr Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Planning Matters, emphasised that the state government, through the governor, was the sole authority on land matters within the state, as stipulated by the Land Use Act.

He said that the state had a master plan for the area, adding that unauthorised sand filling and land reclamation had disrupted the organised development the state envisioned.

He appealed to  the residents to co-operate with the state government, saying that the government was there to serve them and needed their cooperation to do so effectively.

He said that the government had received complaints about illegal extensions in the area and had set up a committee headed by the Mr Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, to investigate.

Mr Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Lagos State, said that the estate, which was once a source of pride and a premium property location, was losing its status due to negative environmental impacts.

This, he said, was the reason the government intervened to restore order and prevent further degradation.

He also confirmed that the governor directed his Special Adviser on e-GIS and Planning Matters and the Office of Urban Development to conduct an assessment of the situation.

The Chairman, Banana Island Association, Mr Abidemi Sonaike, expressed  willingness  to co-operate with the government and other stakeholders to resolve issues on the estate.

He expressed satisfaction at the government’s initiative in calling the meeting, saying it was a positive first step toward collaboration.

Sonaike called for  joint efforts in finding lasting solutions. (NAN)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Politics

Ugandan lawmakers in Nigeria to understudy constituency project system

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Lawmakers

By EricJames Ochigbo

Members of the Committee on Budget of Ugandan parliament have arrived in Nigeria to understudy the constituency project system.

Speaking at a workshop organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Chairman of the committee, Mr Philip Opolot, said they came to understand the workings of Nigeria’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop had as its theme: ‘Maximising Impact through Effective Utilisation of Constituency Development Fund for Better Quality Representation at Parliament’.

Opolot said that in Uganda, all funds were domiciled with the executive which carried out intervention as deemed necessary.

He said that a discussions on allowing lawmakers to handle CDF were ongoing since they knew the constituencies better; hence, the need for the workshop.

In his remarks, Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, called for vibrant constituency relations between legislators and constituents in order to maximise CDF.

Sulaiman said that the theme of the workshop was not only topical but timely in view of the importance of CDF as a critical ingredient of democracy.

According to him, in modern democracy, citizens expect to have constant interactions with their elected representatives who can help them address their collective needs.

The director-general stated that the process of constant relations with the people, usually known as constituency relations (CR), was always of mutual benefits to both the elected representatives and the constituents.

“On the part of the elected representatives, it helps to generate policy inputs from the constituents, such as their needs, their assessment of the performance of the legislature and the government in general.

“On the other hand, it helps the constituents to present their needs to their representatives.

“Constituency relations, therefore, provides a direct channel for gathering policy inputs, understanding constituents’ needs and receiving feedbacks on their performance as well as that of the legislature and government at large,” he said.

Sulaiman identified constituency development fund (CDF) as a key component of constituency relations, saying it played crucial role in grassroots development by enabling legislators to finance and implement community-driven projects.

“The effective management of these funds ensures transparent, efficient resource allocation that aligns with national development goals,” he said.

Also speaking, the Ugandan Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Philip Odidah, commended the National Assembly leadership for its unwavering commitment to strengthening legislative institutions across the African continent.

Odidah said that the role of parliament in any democracy was indispensable, stressing that as representatives of the people, legislators carried the immense responsibility of enacting laws and providing oversight.

According to him, the parliament also ensures that governance aligns with the deep aspirations of the citizens whom they represent.

“This capacity-building programme is, therefore, a commendable initiative to equip Ugandan parliamentarians with essential tools for effective governance, democratic engagement and best practices in legislative work,” he said.

The director-general urged the parliamentarians to take full advantage of the expertise and insights that would be shared.

This, he said, should be an opportunity for constructive dialogue, experience sharing and strengthening of inter-parliamentary cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Education

Unite against poverty, destitution, Shettima urges northerners

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North

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged northerners to form a single force to fight poverty and destitution irrespective of their political affiliations, religious persuasion, tribal or sectional backgrounds.

Shettima made the call when he hosted a delegation of Southern Kaduna stakeholders on a thank you visit to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the southern Kaduna stakeholders, led by Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, were at the Villa to thank President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, Kaduna State.

The Vice-President declared that the people of the north had no business  fighting one another, saying “what binds us together supercedes whatever divides us.

“Let’s unite and fight the scourge of poverty, destitution and backwardness.”

Shettima said President Tinubu had directed the Minister of Education to capture the new Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, in the 2025 budget to enable the institution start academic activities by September.

Shettima also empahaised the need for northerners to accommodate and tolerate one another for the common good of the region.

“We should learn to accommodate and embrace one another; because for us in the North we are all united by our common heritage of poverty and destitution.

“The North is the poverty capital of the world. Of the 22 million out-of-school children, 20 million are from the North. So, we have no business fighting one another.

“We are essentially the same people. The Nok culture is one of the most celebrated cultures in Africa,” said Shettima.

The Vice-President commended Sani for the ongoing reconstruction of some major artery roads in Southern Kaduna.

Sani assured that Kaduna State government would issue the Certificate of Occupancy of the Southern Kaduna University, Kachia, land within seven days.

On his part, Mr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, said the university would bring new opportunities to youths and women in the state and across the country.

“This university will offer various courses in areas of applied sciences, medicine, pharmacy, nursing and physiotherapy.

“The President has mandated that the first set of students of the university should be admitted during this academic session.

“I have commissioned a team of senior staff at the Federal Ministry of Education as well as the National University Commission to immediately do the verification of the asset that is there,” said the minister. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Banking

CBN scraps free ATM withdrawals, introduces N100 fee

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ATM

By Grace Alegba

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has eliminated the three free monthly withdrawals transaction fees for cudtomers using other banks’ Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) from March 1.

The apex bank disclosed this on Tuesday in a circular posted on its website, addressed to all banks and other financial institutions.

The circular, signed by John Onojah, Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, said the measure was in response to rising costs.

“In response to rising costs and the need to improve efficiency of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the ATM transaction fees prescribed in Section 10.7 of the extant CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, 2020 (the Guide).

“This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service.

“Accordingly, banks and other financial institutions are advised to apply the following fees with effect from March 1, 2025,” he said.

The circular said that withdrawals from a customer’s financial institution attracted no charge, but those from another institution’s ATM in Nigeria would attract charges of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal.

It listed charges of N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 per N20,000 withdrawal on other categories of fees for other financial institutions.

It also noted surcharge categories to be disclosed at the point of withdrawal to the consumer.

“Furthermore, the three free monthly withdrawals allowed for Remote-On-Us (other bank’s customers/Not-On-Us consumers) in Nigeria under Section 10.6.2 of the Guide shall no longer apply,” it said. (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Illustration for migration
Health

FG strategises to stop migration of Nigerian professionals

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Migration

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Federal Government says it has mapped out strategies to drastically reduce migration of professionals and skilled workers from the country.

The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2025 Annual International Conference on Migration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference with the theme, “Migration and Sustainable Development: Problem and Prospects” was organised by Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

“The conference is a wake up call since migration has its own consequences; we must work as a nation to benefit maximally from the positive impact of migration,” he said.

Sununu said that the Ministry of Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) were already partnering with local and international universities, through transactional education, to reduce the migration of professionals out of the country, especially in the healthcare sector.

“Migration can serve as employment opportunities.

“Family separation is one of the consequences of migration, but the major challenge is the migration of our  skilled professionals,” the minister said.

He said that efforts would also be geared towards providing the dividend of democracy to citizens to discourage them from leaving the country.

Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice Chancellor of NOUN, said that irregular migration had necessitated the exploitation of migrants.

He said that the key to addressing the challenges of migration depended on addressing the reasons people leave the country.

Also, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, said that ignorance had made a lot of people migrate in dangerous ways.

“Japa is not a bad thing, but why are some people doing it dangerously?

“At the end of the day, where you are running to is worse than what you are running from.

“Irregular migration is the bad side of migration. Awareness and sensitisation is important to prevent the next person that wants to indulge in irregular migration from doing so.

“The positive side of migration is that seven or eight players that played in the American Super Bowl are Nigerians.” She said.

She added that the government would do everything possible to ensure safe pathways for migration.

Ms Paola Pace, Chief of Mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said the organisation would continue to support Nigeria in the fight against irregular migration.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, said his office would continue to support programmes aimed at discouraging irregular migration.

Echono said that NOUN had proved to be a worthy partner in this direction and that TetFund would always collaborate with the University’s Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies.

Earlier, Prof. Gloria Anetor, Director, Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies, NOUN, said the essence of the conference was to brainstorm on possible solutions to irregular migration.

Anetor said NOUN was already collaborating with a University in Austria, to address migration challenges in Africa and beyond.

Dignitaries in attendance at the conference included former VCs of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe and Prof. Abdallah Adamu as well as the former Executive Secretary of TetFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro. (NAN)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Economy/Business

Nigeria Customs suspends implementation of 4% FOB charge

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Suspension

By Martha Agas

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has suspended implementation of the four per cent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports.

The Spokesman of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, the FOB charge is calculated based on the value of imported goods, including cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the port of loading.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCS on Feb.5 announced that it was implementing a four per cent charge on the FOB value of imports.

Maiwada said that the move was in line with the provision of Section 18 (1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

The announcement has received criticism from experts and stakeholders in the sector, who said the move would worsen the country’s inflation rate.

Dr Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the implementation was abrupt and lacked due consultation with stakeholders, as required by the provisions of the NCSA 2023.

The Spokesman said the suspension was sequel to ongoing consultations by Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, with stakeholders.

He said the revised implementation timeline would be announced following the conclusion of the consultation.

He explained that the suspension period would allow the service to further engage with stakeholders while ensuring proper alignment with the Act’s provisions for the sustainable funding of its modernisation initiatives.

“This suspension will enable comprehensive stakeholder engagement and consultations regarding the Act’s implementation framework.

“The timing of this suspension aligns with the exit of the contract agreement with the service providers, including Webb Fontaine, which were previously funded through the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS).

“This presents an opportunity to review our revenue framework holistically, “ he said.

Maiwada explained that the previous funding arrangement which was repealed by the NCSA 2023, separated the one per cent CISS and the seven per cent cost of collection.

He said it created operational inefficiencies and funding gaps in customs modernisation efforts.

According to him, the new Act addresses the challenges by consolidating no less than four per cent of the Free-on-Board (FOB) value of imports to ensure sustainable funding for critical customs operations and modernisation initiatives.

He said the transition period would allow the service to optimise the management of these frameworks to better serve its stakeholders and the nation’s interests.

He said that NCS was already implementing several digital solutions, including the recently deployed B’Odogwu clearance system, which aims to automate trade operations and align the service with international standards.

He noted that stakeholders were already benefiting from the system, through faster clearance times and improved transparency.

He said the NCS remained committed to implementing the provisions of the Act in a manner that best serves stakeholders while fulfilling its revenue generation and trade facilitation mandate.(NAN)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari
Agriculture

FG unveils research council’s veterinary clinic, fish pond others

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Veterinary

By Felicia Imohimi

The Federal Government has unveiled the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) veterinary clinic, fish pond and stores for improved animal, public health and reduced over reliance on importation of aquatic foods.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security while unveiling the projects in Abuja, described them as significant milestone in the council’s continued efforts to strengthen the nation’s agricultural infrastructure.

Kyari said the council’s efforts played a pivotal role in ensuring food security, enhancing the livelihoods of Nigeria farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural practices across the country.

“The event is a testament to shared vision of a prosperous agricultural sector that is well-equipped, to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

“This facilities inaugurated are not just physical structures but are symbols of collective determination to provide the necessary support and infrastructure which our farmers, researchers and agricultural stakeholders needed to thrive,” he said.

Kyari specifically said that the veterinary clinic was significant as it underscores the nation’s  commitment to improving animal health and ensuring the productivity of the livestock sector.

Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary, ARCN said the projects, which started in December 2023, would not
have been completed in due time without the visionary leadership and unwavering support of the ministry.

Sharubutu said the projects were conceived to better position the council to contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to promote food security and increase visibility of the agricultural research system.

The executive secretary said that the veterinary centre comprising of a pharmacy, registry, examination room, consulting room and a surgery room was equipped with the state-of-the-art equipment for disease surveillance and control.

“The clinic is also supported with ambulatory services to address diseases beyond the confines of the centre, thereby enabling greater reach and access to veterinary services,”he said.

He commended the project management team of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES)  for supporting the council in equipping the veterinary centre.

Sharubutu said the council also establish fish production facility in order to foster a more in-house hands-on and fulfilling learning experience, research findings demonstration and technologies dissemination.

According to him, the facility is a concrete water circulatory system equipped with culture, solid waste removal and biofiltration units, as well as pump tank and ultraviolet light.

He said the projects would strengthen the council’s coordination with international research partners among others.

“The projects have been implemented in furtherance of the mandates of the council to manage, supervise and coordinate agricultural research, training and extension in the national agricultural research institutes and the federal colleges of agriculture in the country,”he said.(NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Metro

FCTA approves N36.5bn for projects in capital city, satellite towns

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Projects

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved N36.5 billion for the execution of several projects in Federal Capital City and satellite towns.

Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the FCT Executive Committee meeting, the first in 2025.

Zulkiflu explained that out of the amount, 19.6 billion would be spent on the construction of multi-event sport centres and N13.9 billion on the construction of two magistrate courts.

He added that N3 billion would also be spent on the procurement and installation of a 33kv power supply and streetlight system.

The coordinator said that the committee approved the award of contract for the construction of a multi-event sport Complex in Abuja, Lot A and B.

He said that Lot A, sited at Area 3 and Area 10, Garki District, was awarded to Earthgain Energy and Environmental Services Ltd at N9.9 billion.

He added that Lot B, sited at Kafe District, behind Life Camp, was awarded to Tegwa-Tegwa Nigeria Ltd, at N9.7 billion.

Zulkiflu said that the projects were expected to be completed within 12 months.

“The committee also approved the construction of two magistrates’ courts in Asokoro and Garki Districts, at the cost of N7.6 billion and N6.3 billion respectively.

“The projects, expected to be delivered within 15 and 18 months respectively, were initiated to improve access to justice and legal services in the FCT,” he said.

The coordinator further said that a total of N3 billion was approved for the construction of a 33kva power supply for communities from Dawaki to Bwari.

He added that the amount would also cover a contract for the provision of a solar street light system on Arab Road and U-Shape Road in the same locations.

He said that the contract, awarded to CGC Nigeria Ltd would be completed in six months.

According to him, the move is to improve the security system of satellite towns. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Economy/Business

Nigeria economy on the rise with investment opportunities- Edun

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Investment

By Nana Musa

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, says the country’s economy is on the rise with great investment opportunities.

Edun said this while receiving a high-level delegation from First Abu Dhabi Bank, led by the Group Head of Investment Banking, Martin Tricaud, in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation visited to discuss investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.

The minister enumerated the country’s economic transformation over the past 18 months.

He listed key reforms like market-driven pricing for foreign exchange and petroleum products, increased trade through the African Continental Free Trade  (AfCFTA), and stronger revenue from both oil and non-oil sectors.

Edun said that those measures had stabilised the economy, improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and strengthened the trade balance.

“The progress we have made in stabilising the economy and driving growth is a testament to our administration’s commitment to economic reforms.

“We are eager to showcase these opportunities to investors and partners like the First Abu Dhabi Bank,” he said.

The Minister said that the government had put in efforts to boost food production and affordability, ensuring long-term economic resilience.

He said that the meeting marked a significant step in the country’s efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen economic ties with key partners.

“This partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank is expected to unlock new opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic development,” he said.

Tricaud commended the minister for the country’s achievement.

He said that the partnership would yield positive result for both Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE). (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

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