NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania elected as AfDB President
Economy/Business , Foreign

Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania elected as AfDB President

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By Ese Williams

Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the new President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Tah was elected on Thursday by the Bank’s Board of Directors at the bank’s annual meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board comprises Finance and Economy ministers, Governors of Central Banks across Africa and the 81 regional and non-regional members of the bank.

The keenly contested election saw Amadou Hott of Senegal scoring 3.5 per cent of the total votes cast, Samuel Maimbo of Zambia 20.26 per cent and Tah 76.18 per cent.

The new president will take over from Dr Akinwumi Adesina, a Nigerian economist, who led the AfDB for 10 years following his election in 2015.

Niale Kaba, the Minister of Planning and Development for Cote d’ Ivoire and Chairman of the Board of Governors of AfDB, announced the results.

NAN reports that the president-elect is required to score about 50.1 per cent of regional and non-regional votes cast.

Tah has more than 35 years of experience both in African and International Finance.

He was president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa for 19 years and transformed the bank’s balance sheet.

The president-elect also secured an AAA rating for the bank positioning it as one of the top on the continent.

He was also Mauritania’s former Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.

As senior personnel of multilateral institution, he mobilised huge resources for Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Flood: NEMA preaches preparedness, mitigation strategies in Niger
General News

Flood: NEMA preaches preparedness, mitigation strategies in Niger

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By Rita Iliya

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger, had engaged stakeholders on preparedness and mitigation strategies towards alleviating the impact of anticipated floods in the state.

 

Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on National disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2025 in Minna on Thursday.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the engagement is: “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”.

 

Umar, represented by Dr Ishaya Chonoko, Zonal Director in Charge of North West Zone of NEMA, said that the engagement was to strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness, and response to flood disasters across the country.

 

She said NEMA had received insights into rainfall patterns and flood scenarios for 2025 from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

 

“NEMA will deploy teams to all states to engage with flood-prone communities, taking early warning messages to the grassroots.

 

“This will be done with the support of state Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and community volunteers,” she said.

 

The director-general called on partners such as the traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups and the media, to support the initiative, saying disaster management was everyone’s business.

 

According to her, all hands must be on deck to take the right early warning to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in various communities.

 

“There is a need to step up our games on what we can do differently from the past and come up with solutions and prepare for quick response.” she added.

 

Also speaking, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, Overseeing Director-General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the meeting would proffer solutions to flooding, preparedness, and response from expected flooding to save lives and property and minimise flooding.

 

Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Yumu, Commissioner, Ministry for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the campaign would help reduce impacts of annually recurring floods in the state.

 

NAN reports that in attendance were Mr Hussaini Isah, Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Akapo Adeboye, traditional leaders and stakeholders from the police, army amongst others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

LASIEC pledges inclusive, credible LG polls
Politics

LASIEC pledges inclusive, credible LG polls

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By Adeyemi Adeleye

 

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has pledged to conduct an inclusive, hitch-free local government election that all would be proud of.

 

LASIEC’s Chairman, Justice Omobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, made the promise on Tuesday at a forum organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in Lagos.

 

The event was held ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12 in Lagos State.

 

The theme of the event was ‘Enhancing Credible and Inclusive Local Government Elections in Lagos State’.

 

“Democracy thrives when it is inclusive, participatory and truly reflects the diversity of society.

“At LASIEC, we firmly believe no one should be left behind—and no one will be,” Okikiolu-Ighile stated.

 

She stressed that the right to vote and be voted for is a constitutional and fundamental human right.

 

“LASIEC is the body responsible for conducting local government elections in Lagos and is fully committed to inclusivity,” she said.

 

She emphasised that all eligible citizens must have the opportunity to participate, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socio-economic background.

 

According to her, trust and public confidence are essential to achieving free, fair and credible elections.

 

She added that such trust could only be built through active involvement of stakeholders like CCD and others.

 

“It’s about removing barriers and ensuring everyone is included in the democratic process,” she reiterated.

 

Okikiolu-Ighile said LASIEC was fully prepared for the July 12 elections, expecting voters to turn out in large numbers.

 

“The commission is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a transparent, inclusive and conclusive election process,” she noted.

 

She revealed LASIEC distributed application forms free to women, youths and persons with disabilities (PwDs) to encourage participation.

Okikiolu-Ighile reaffirmed LASIEC’s commitment to delivering election that is free, fair, credible and conclusive.

“We will maintain strong collaboration with stakeholders and create equal access across the political field,” she assured.

 

She added LASIEC would uphold public confidence by ensuring transparency throughout the electoral process.

 

She urged stakeholders to help educate and sensitise members on their voting rights and participation.

The LASIEC chair also assured residents of maximum security for all voters and candidates during the polls.

She confirmed that assistive materials — such as magnifying glasses and braille — would be provided at all voting centres.

CCD Programme Officer, Mrs Christiana Njoku, highlighted the importance of credible, inclusive electioneering processes.

Njoku praised LASIEC’s efforts in supporting inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities.

She, however, called on LASIEC to intensify efforts by providing braille, interpreters and other assistive tools.

She stressed the need for a conducive environment to enable all PwD clusters to vote on July 12. (NAN)

 

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Committee submits audit report on Accelerated Gas Development Projects
General News

Committee submits audit report on Accelerated Gas Development Projects

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By Taiye Agbaje

The Legal Audit Committee on Associated Gas Development Projects and Arbitration Matters has handed its final report to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

The committee, chaired by Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, was tasked with auditing agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) linked to Nigeria’s accelerated gas development efforts.

Shasore, the senior partner at African Law Practice (ALP) NG & Co, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the project was inaugurated in November 2024 and the committee was mandated to align existing contracts with the Nigerian Gas Master Plan and to assess the extent of commercial risk Nigeria had been exposed to in past dealings.

Speaking during the presentation at the Ministry of Justice in Abuja, Shasore said that the report offered a comprehensive review of critical gas agreements and arbitration cases.

He emphasised the need for structured risk assessment in contracts involving international stakeholders, pointing to past lapses that had left Nigeria vulnerable in commercial disputes.

He said among the report’s key recommendations was the creation of a legal risk matrix to preempt disputes and enhance Nigeria’s bargaining power in high-stakes deals.

According to him, the project also calls for institutional reforms in contract management and dispute resolution, particularly in sectors involving substantial foreign investment.

“The committee’s work covered not only concluded arbitration cases but also examined how previous missteps had translated into significant financial liabilities for the country.

“By identifying legal and procedural gaps, the report aims to protect national interests in future arbitrations and gas development negotiations,” Shasore said,

Fagbemi, while receiving the report, commended the committee’s effort, describing it as a bold step towards reinforcing Nigeria’s legal and economic resilience in the global gas sector.

“This report provides a blueprint for strengthening our contractual frameworks and will guide future engagements,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee, made up of legal and commercial experts, worked intensively for over six months to produce what it was described as a “forward-looking document”.

NAN reports that on Nov. 11,2024, Fagbemi inaugurated the committee to audit agreements Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on AGDPs.

The move is part of efforts at preventing a repeat of the nation’s most unpleasant experience in the P&ID case which originated from one of such AGDPs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

FG to invest in 7,000 towers to expand network coverage
Science & Tech

FG to invest in 7,000 towers to expand network coverage

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By Jessica Dogo

 

The Federal Government says  it plans to invest in 7,000 towers to expand network coverage to underserved communities, with a focus to bridge digital divide and promote inclusive development in the country.

 

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he unveiled a pilot project in Ibwa 2 community, situated at Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 

Tijani hinted that President Bola Tinubu had directed that the ministry should invest 7,000 in giving Nigerians access to network.

 

He noted that there were about 20 million rural dwellers who do not have access to benefit from such facilities.

 

“Nigeria has decided to invest 7,000 of these equipment in healthcare.

 

“There are about 20 million people who cannot benefit from what we that live in the city or those who are nearer to the city are currently enjoying.

 

“Out of that 20 million people over 80 per cent of them are from the northern part of Nigeria.

 

“This is why Mr President has demanded that we must put money into ensuring that this opportunity is not only available to those in the urban area but every part of the north must be covered with this equipment.

 

“So that we can give this opportunity to our people regardless of where they find themselves.”

 

He said that the project, in collaboration with Globacom Nigeria and Huawei Technologies Nigeria, would provide different digital services to over 12,000 residents of the community, and those within its environs.

 

He explained that the 7,000 digital hospitals and schools would provide services for 80 per cent of the 20 million unserved who were from northern states.

 

The minister in test running the digital facilities had online conversations with a medical doctor in Abuja and a teacher in Lagos.

 

He assured that the 7,000 projects would be delivered by the end of the year.

 

According to him, 125 smart phones had been provided to the community through the village Head to be used for services provided by the facility with free WiFi.

 

Earlier, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Terrens Wu expressed delight over the collaboration, saying that it would lead to rural transformation and economic empowerment of rural dwellers.

 

Mr Wu was optimistic that the project  would deepen financial inclusion and boost economic activities.

 

He also expressed the commitment of Huawei to rural and urban transformation in Nigeria.

 

“Huawei has the technology to shape the ways rural areas are carried along in the plan for digital transformation and literacy in the country,” he said.

 

The Manager Globacom Nigeria Northern Region, Mr Kassim Kaka emphasised the company’s commitment to ventures that would improve digital literacy and deepen inclusion in the country.

 

The Village Head of Ibwa 2 Community, Abubakar Bamaiyi, appreciated the government for the projects, saying in the past, government officials would visit the community and make promises, but nothing would follow.

 

“In the past government officials would come and make promises but they end up doing nothing. But this time around you people came and within this short period you have delivered.

 

“Our children can even learn from their beds. And we can access medical care through this digital hospital.

 

“The project has revived the peoples confidence in the present administration, and the villagers will take advantage of the projects to improve their living standards and businesses,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Yakubu Uba

2nd anniversary: Tinubu performance in FCT unprecedented – Wike
General News

2nd anniversary: Tinubu performance in FCT unprecedented – Wike

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the performance of President Bola Tinubu in the FCT in the last two years is unprecedented.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Thursday, after he inspected some ongoing projects in preparation for inauguration to celebrate Tinubu’s second anniversary.

The minister said he was very happy with the achievements recorded by Tinubu, particularly as it concerns the FCT saying “it has never happened before”.

He said that Tinubu has done tremendously well, adding that his performance was evident in every part of the country.

Wike said that following the visible performance, Nigerians were already advocating that Tinubu should be given another opportunity to serve.

“Tinubu’s achievements in FCT are unprecedented, and in the next two and four years, you’ll see what is going to happen in this country.

“Yesterday I said the simple truth, all of us who are critics have said before that Abuja was not working but have now confessed that Abuja is now working.

“Who has made it to work? It is Mr President,” he said.

The minister said he would concentrate and focus on the assignment given to him by Tinubu to transform Abuja to a befitting capital city that Nigerians would be proud of.

Speaking on the projects’ inspection, Wike said that the move was to ensure that the contractors deliver the projects as promised.

He said he was particularly impressed with the delivery of the Apo to Wassa Junction Road, (the left-wing service lane of the Outer Southern Expressway). Which he said was 100 per cent completed.

He said that the Apo – Wassa road would also be fitted with streetlights to improve security in the area, adding that the contractor CGC has already submitted a proposal to that effect.

“We also went to N20 Interchange to connect Wole Soyinka Way with the Murtala Mohammed Expressway, popularly known as Kubwa Expressway which would be completed and inaugurated.

“We equally inspected the access road from the Obafemi Awolowo Way to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in Dakibiyu District, which is also expected to be completed and inaugurated.

“Frankly speaking, like I have always said, the residents of Abuja deserve the best and the contractors are doing their best I can assure you that.

“For me, I cannot give nothing less,” he said.

The minister said that Tinubu had insisted that Nigeria deserved the best “and we will do everything we can to make sure we give them the best.

“You can see the infrastructure in terms of roads. It is unimaginable and we will continue to do that.”

He, however, called on residents of the FCT to also perform their obligation and support the administration for the interest of Abuja and the entire Nigerians. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

ECOWAS Court, ICC, ICJ, PCA pledge to enhance global jurisprudence
Foreign

ECOWAS Court, ICC, ICJ, PCA pledge to enhance global jurisprudence

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By Mark Longyen

The ECOWAS Court of Justice, International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Court, (ICC), and Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), have pledged to deepen their cooperation to enhance global jurisprudence.

They made the pledge during a working visit by a high-level ECOWAS Court delegation, led by its President, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, to the institutions’ headquarters at The Hague, Netherlands.

The four international judicial institutions all agreed to establish inter-institutional partnerships, initiate staff exchange and training programmes and research.

“These steps are expected to contribute to the continued growth and modernisation of the ECOWAS Court’s judicial operations.

“The mission aimed to deepen inter-institutional cooperation and enhance the Court’s exposure to international judicial practices,” a statement by the court’s spokesman, Felicien Hounkanrin, said.

He said that the visit included strategic engagements with the three major international legal institutions.

“Discussions focused on jurisdictional frameworks, prosecutorial processes, legal research tools, and opportunities for collaboration in areas such as training, legal staff exchange, and library development.

“At the ICC, the delegation was received by Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou, Second Vice-President of the Court.

“A key highlight included a lecture by Mamadou Racine Ly, Advisor to the Prosecutor and Legal Officer, Dr Ania Salinas Cerda, on admissibility criteria and prosecutorial mechanisms,” Hounkanrin said.

He also said that the PCA hosted the delegation at the Peace Palace, where its Secretary-General, Dr Marcin Czepelak, welcomed the delegation.

The Community Court’s spokesman said that legal officers of the PCA delivered a session on the institution’s history, mandate, and current caseload, emphasising its unique role in inter-state and investor-state dispute resolution.

“At the ICJ, the ECOWAS judges held a judicial dialogue with the President of the Court, Judge Yuji Iwasawa, and other sitting judges, exploring both courts’ complementary roles in the international legal order,” he added.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Teachers’ enrolment in NTI rising – Director
Education

Teachers’ enrolment in NTI rising – Director

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By Moses Kolo

Prof. Sadiya Sani-Daura, Director/Chief Executive of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, says the recent innovations at the institute accounted for the rising enrollment of teachers.

Sani-Daura said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the institute’s headquarters in Kaduna.

She recalled that before her assumption of office in November 2024, the institute’s moribund server of about 40 years had collapsed.

“When I came in, our exams processing server was grounded and because of that, for about three semesters, results had not been released and this caused agitations by beneficiaries some of who took us to court.

“The server was about 40 years old, so naturally it has seen better days so it failed but thank God we have now replaced it with a cloud-based server.

“We revived it and migrated the data in it so that we have now retrieved the information in it and it is now being processed and settled all the grievances as well as court cases now history.

“The earlier problem led to the declining of our students enrollment but now it is rising as we have also released a bag log of certificates.

“Hopefully, we are making a comeback in a very strategic way and assuming our position, playing the critical role expected from us as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.

Sani-Daura said the feat helped to end delays in the issuance of certificates to qualified teachers in the country.

She said upon her assumption, the institute had among other achievements, installed solar systems at the Directorate and Liaison Office in Abuja as the first phase of its solar installation.

“In NTI, with the critical need for constant power supply, we needed a backup because of the challenge of energy.

“Also is the realigning roles and responsibilities through the restructuring of the institute’s organogram which had to be a little bit modified so that it is all set transparency and accountability.

“We equally inaugurated a standing committee for quality service delivery, among others.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

NAHCON takes over Masha’er tent facilities from service providers
General News

NAHCON takes over Masha’er tent facilities from service providers

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By Deji Abdulwahab

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially taken over the management of the improved Masha’er tent facilities from service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhabiyya.

NAHCON disclosed this in a statement by its Public Affairs Officer, Malam Muhammad Musa, in Makkah on Thursday.

Musa said that NAHCON took charge of the tent facilities management in collaboration with all state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions.

He said that the landmark development aimed at enhancing the comfort and experience of Nigerian pilgrims.

Musa said the handover, marked by mutual satisfaction and optimism, signified a new chapter in the provision of standardised, high-quality services for Nigerian pilgrims.

“Among the notable upgrades are the installation of modern cooling systems, additional large shading umbrellas above the traditional tents,” he said.

He said that for the first time, provision of seven extra tents were reserved as backups to cater to any unforeseen needs during the Hajj exercise.

According to him, this proactive initiative of reserving additional tents is unprecedented and demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring a seamless Hajj experience for Nigerians.

“The agreement, described as a win-win for both parties, promises to deliver a unique and more comfortable Hajj experience for the Nigerian pilgrims in this 2025 operation,” Musa said.

The NAHCON spokesman said that the official signing ceremony was witnessed by all state executives, who expressed full satisfaction with the new arrangement.

Meanwhile, Mr Alidu Shutti, Makkah Deputy Coordinator, who represented the Chairman of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, emphasised the tangible improvements,says there was a clear difference from the previous years.

Also present was the Saudi Liaison Officer, Ustaz Abubakar Lamin, who expressed his delight with the upgraded facilities prepared for the 2025 Hajj season.

The event was well attended by heads of committees, their secretaries and the ICT team, all of whom expressed satisfaction with the developments.

The ceremony marked a major milestone in NAHCON’s ongoing mission to elevate the Hajj experience for all the Nigerian pilgrims.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

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