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Jubilation as Shinkafi Volunteer Forces Kill Bandit Commander, Danbokolo in Zamfara

Jubilation as Shinkafi Volunteer Forces Kill Bandit Commander, Danbokolo in Zamfara

︎ Turji in disarray, as DSS Maintains Studied Silence, role unclear

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Details have emerged on how notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo died at the weekend in Zamfara State after an earlier gun battle with Shinkafi Volunteer Forces in the State.

Danbokolo’s death is being wildly celebrated in Zamfara State and many parts of the Northwest States as many locales know him as the leader of Bello and the most dreaded bandit in the zone, even more dangerous than his cousin, Bello Turji, whom they describe as a mere spokesperson.

Security sources said Danbokolo and more than 173 bandits were killed after the blistering surprise attack by the volunteer forces.

The sources could, however, neither confirm nor deny the role of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the recent onslaughts which has greatly decimated the bandits, stating that the secret police has rather maintained shealth mode in these operations, “covert assault”

According to the sources, Danbokolo, who sustained serious gun injuries during the attack, died over the weekend and was buried on Saturday. His death and that of several fighters loyal to him were reportedly being celebrated, particularly by residents of Kurya District in Shinkafi LGA, whom he had terrorised for months.

Said one villager, “We are in serious celebrations mood. It is hard to believe that Danbokolo, a man whose name used to strike fear in our hearts, is no more. I can authoritatively tell you that Danbokolo is the man behind the mask. He is the overall Commander. Turji merely communicates, while dreaded Danbokolo is the executioner of all the evil.

“Not only Danbokolo was killed, at least, 173 bandits, loyal to him have been killed and buried within the week and several of them have fled the community. We see them running away after every raid on their hideouts,” he said.

Another resident confirmed that “known loyalists of Turji are now in a state of fear and confusion, and that some are now seeking to surrender as they see the end in sight.”

He said, “This is the first time we believe that these bandits will soon be gone for good. Bello Turji has no hiding place. Knowing that his days are numbered, he and some of his foot soldiers have begun to desperately beg for amnesty. “

These strikes by the courageous volunteer forces on Turji’s main stronghold are the first since the onset of organized banditry in the region. It has devastated the bandits including the death of Danbokolo, who residents believe is the Commander of terror. While DSS has remained silent, these volunteers, however, keep referencing support from the Agency.

The source also retaliated that locals in the area have been massively jubilating following the killings, with most farmers expressing the hope that they won’t have to pay taxes to bandits in this farming season.

They thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinibu for this intervention.

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▪︎ Turji in disarray, as DSS Maintains Studied Silence, role unclear Linus Aleke in Abuja Details have emerged on how notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo died at the weekend

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Enugu Govt Foresees Surpassing N600 Billion IGR Target for 2025

Enugu Govt Foresees Surpassing N600 Billion IGR Target for 2025

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has predicted that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) may surpass the N600 billion target set for 2025.
Mbah also expressed optimism that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will overcome its present challenges and become competitive again.

The governor spoke during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on the side-lines of the Guild’s Biennial Convention held in the state at the weekend.

He disclosed that Enugu State recorded N144 billion IGR in 2024.

According to Mbah, the state does not have to rely on third-party funding to finance its many on-going infrastructure projects.
He explained that his administration had expanded the tax net, which led to the significant increase in IGR.

Mbah stated, “Before we came in, the highest we did as a state was about N25 billion in terms of our IGR annually.

“This year, our IGR projection is about N600 billion and we are likely going to achieve, if not exceed that figure. At some point, there was the misconception that we increased the tax rate, but that was not true.

“What we simply did was to expand the tax base. We brought in those who were not captured and who were not in the tax net, into the net.

“We also ensured that our processes were automated by eliminating collections through manual or cash and ensure that payments are done on electronic or digital platforms directly into the government accounts.

“So, just largely stopping the leakages and expanding the tax net, we are able to grow our tax base by over 200 fold, from N25 billion to about N571 billion that we are expecting this year.”

He stressed that the ongoing infrastructure projects and programmes across the state were beyond bricks and mortar, saying that his administration is also focused on building the capacity of civil servants who would manage the system.

He stated, “We have a programme, for instance, that ensures that all our civil servants have access to digital training and making sure that our processes are instituted. In fact, all the MDAs, over 111 of them in Enugu, are included in our e-governance platform.”

Mbah said, “Some of the things we are doing are those soft things whose impact may not be felt today, but in the future. We are building the Enugu of tomorrow and we need to build the institutions.

“What we have done since we came in is that we have migrated from manual ways of running government to e-governance. So, as a government, we are quite nimble and agile. In terms of cost, we are also not very big and we are also able get things done fast.”

He disclosed, “We came up with three transformational objectives when we assumed office. We actually set out a blueprint of what we are going to do in Enugu.

“One was to grow the economy of Enugu exponentially, by growing it from the $4.4 billion, when we took over, to $30 billion in eight years.

“If you calculate it, that will translate to 27 per cent compound annual growth rate in eight years, which is a seven-fold growth rate. I think that is quite ambitious. But that was a promise we made to the people of Enugu State and we are going to accomplish that by industrialising the state and bringing in the private sector.

“The second thing we said to our people in Enugu was that we are going to eradicate poverty and achieve a zero poverty headcount rate. We know clearly what it means to get to a zero poverty headcount rate.

“That means that we are going to invest hugely in social services, education, health-care, employment generation and enhancing capacity for our youths so that they can become employers.

“We also said we are going to make Enugu State the premier destination for investment, business and tourism. So, most of the ongoing projects you see all over the state today, none is done in isolation or informed by knee-jerk reactions. They were all carefully designed to connect the dots.”

When asked if with the gale of defection from PDP he was not considering leaving the opposition party, Mbah said, “Our constitution does not have provision for someone to run as an independent candidate. So, our platform is the PDP and we are still here.

“As you are aware, we have our challenges and we are dealing with it and, hopefully, we shall resolve it. Our objective is not to be distracted because if you lose steam you may not be able to deliver on the promises you made.

“I believe at the end of the day, the people will have to decide whether they want to renew our mandate or kick us out. So, that decision will be made by them.”

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Gideon Arinze in Enugu Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has predicted that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) may surpass the N600 billion target set for 2025.Mbah also expressed

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Dangote Refinery: N720bn CNG Drive Will Save Nigeria N1.7tn in Fuel Distribution Costs

Dangote Refinery: N720bn CNG Drive Will Save Nigeria N1.7tn in Fuel Distribution Costs

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

Dangote Petroleum Refinery yesterday disclosed that it has invested over N720 billion to implement its initiative of deploying 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks for the nationwide distribution of petroleum products, saying it is expected to save Nigerians over N1.7 trillion annually.

This step, the company said in a statement, will see the privately-owned refinery absorb over N1.07 trillion annually in fuel distribution costs. The initiative is also poised to significantly benefit over 42 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by reducing energy costs and enhancing profitability, the mega refinery said.

The initiative, which eliminates transportation costs for fuel marketers and large-scale consumers, is expected to help reduce pump prices and inflation.
From August 15, Dangote will begin the direct delivery of petrol and diesel to filling stations, industrial facilities, and other high-volume consumers, the company said earlier.

According to the statement from the refinery, it aims to meet Nigeria’s daily consumption of 65 million litres of refined petroleum products. This includes 45 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, 15 million litres of diesel, and 5 million litres of aviation fuel.

With the average logistics cost estimated at N45 per litre, the refinery said it will cover N1.07 trillion annually in free distribution expenses.

The Dangote Group said it is investing N720 billion in the acquisition of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks as well as the establishment of nationwide CNG ‘mother and daughter’ stations, among other infrastructure to implement the free distribution initiative.

The programme, according to the company, forms part of Dangote’s broader commitment to eliminating logistics bottlenecks, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting Nigeria’s economic development.

The company noted that lower fuel distribution costs will help reduce production costs, ease inflationary pressures, and stimulate economic growth.
“The initiative is also expected to resuscitate dormant filling stations, fostering job creation in the process.

Over 15,000 direct jobs are projected to be created across the logistics chain, including drivers, station managers, and attendants at the CNG stations, the management of the$20 billion refinery said.

The refinery also emphasised that this programme would help curb cross-border smuggling of petroleum products and support a more efficient and environmentally friendly distribution system.

Meanwhile, the presidency, according to the statement, described the initiative as a pivotal moment in the federal government’s push to mainstream gas-powered transportation.

Commercial Coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Tosin Coker, praised the move as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas-fuelled future.

“Dangote Group’s acquisition of 4,000 CNG trucks is not only impressive in scale but also highly strategic. It signals to the market that CNG is no longer a distant prospect but a current, practical solution to high energy costs, emissions, and supply chain challenges. PCNGI regards this as a milestone achievement in our efforts to accelerate gas-powered transport adoption,” Coker was quoted as saying.

It also quoted the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) as also commending the development, calling it a timely resolution to longstanding challenges in the downstream sector.

IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, stated that the new model would significantly reduce logistical burdens for independent marketers by delivering more affordable fuel directly to filling stations.

“Our pipelines have been non-functional for years, yet nothing has been done to revive the infrastructure linking the country’s 21 depots. We’ve had to rely on expensive transport from coastal depots,” Ukadike said. “Dangote’s intervention lifts a huge burden off the shoulders of independent marketers,” he added.
Development Economist and Policy Analyst, Professor Ken Ife, the statement stressed, said the initiative would drive down the price of petrol and yield widespread benefits for Nigerians.

Besides, the Chief Executive of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, was quoted as  dismissing concerns about the refinery becoming a monopoly, arguing that inefficiencies in the sector have been systemic and long-standing. He added that the scheme would help curb the parasitic role traditionally played by middlemen.

“What Dangote is doing achieves two key objectives: delivering products across the entire country at a uniform price by eliminating bridging costs, and significantly reducing logistics expenses through the use of CNG-powered trucks to reach every corner of the nation.

“In economic terms, middlemen—who typically do not invest—are often viewed as parasitic, extracting margins simply for distributing goods. Dangote is bypassing this layer by directly handling distribution and, notably, providing credit facilities to the retail end of the business,” he said.

Energy expert and co-founder of Dairy Hills, Kelvin Emmanuel, said Dangote’s decision to absorb logistics costs marked a turning point that could finally allow Nigerians to enjoy the benefits of local refining.

Also, energy analyst, Ibukun Phillips, described the move as “revolutionary”, suggesting it could reshape Nigeria’s energy sector by improving affordability and access, particularly in rural communities.

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Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos Dangote Petroleum Refinery yesterday disclosed that it has invested over N720 billion to implement its initiative of deploying 4,000 Compressed Natural

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NHIA Sanctions 49 Healthcare Facilities, 47 HMOs over Irregularities

NHIA Sanctions 49 Healthcare Facilities, 47 HMOs over Irregularities

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

In continuation of its renewed focus on improving quality of service to enrolled Nigerian patients, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) sanctioned 49 erring healthcare facilities (HCFs) and 47 health maintenance organisations in 2024 in accordance with its operational guidelines.

The agency said that it was able to resolve 2929 complaints sanctions including issuance of warnings, refunds, suspensions and delisting.
A statement signed by Acting Director Media and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ononokpono,  said sanctions imposed on the healthcare facilities followed investigations into complaints received from patients enrolled into the state and national health insurance schemes.

Among the complaints  were: unavailability of medicines, denial of services, out-of-pocket payment for covered services and non-provision of payment narrations.

” For the HMOs, the issues related to delays or denials of referral authorization codes, delays in settlement of agreed reconciled payments, refusal to monitor quality assurance in facilities etc.

“These are some of the highlights of the 2024 Annual Complaints Report produced by the Enforcement Department of the NHIA under Acting Director, Enforcement, Dr Abdulhamid Habib Abdullahi,” it said .

Ononokpono said the report was issued in compliance with the NHIA Act 17 of 2022 which requires NHIA to establish mechanisms for receiving and resolving complaints by members of the Schemes and Health Care Facilities.

“In all, a total of 3507 complaints were handled during the period, out of which 2929 complaints (84 percent), majority of which were against HCFs, were resolved. A breakdown of the distribution of complaints reveals that 2273 were reported against HCFs, 1232 were against HMOs. Only two reports were recorded against enrollees by providers,” he said..

Ononokpono said that based on the outcome of investigations, various sanctions were imposed on erring healthcare providers where indicated.
“Eighty-four formal warnings were issued to HCFs, while 54 enrollees received refunds of N4,375,500 from 39 HCFs. Four HCFs were suspended and six others were delisted. Also 35 HMOs got warning letters and directives to institute corrective actions while 12 HMOs were directed to refund a total of N748,200 to 15 enrollees,” Ononokpono added.

According to the report, in 2024, all complaints were fully investigated and responded to within the standard response time of 10 to 25 days.  The average complaint resolution time for complaints that required investigation was 15 days. The complaints resolution rate (within timeline) was 84 per cent.
Where issues could not be resolved within the timelines an explanation was provided to complainants while the resolution process continued.
The complaints received in 2024 were submitted through the following routes: in-person, written letters, email, telephone, the NHIA call center and other channels.

The NHIA Complaint and Grievance Management Protocol establishes clear policies and procedures for complaints management and provides that complaints must be responded to in a timely manner. It also provides escalation procedures for complex or serious complaints.

Speaking on the development, NHIA Director General, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, described the NHIA’s complaints management process as organic to the agency’s efforts to enhance accountability, rebuild trust and improve quality of care.

“This will ultimately drive higher enrolment by encouraging providers to offer current enrollees an enhanced quality of service.

“Enrollees deserve the best care and we will continue to do our best to ensure they get it. The sanctions are meant to send a clear message that the NHIA will not tolerate substandard service for enrollees,” he said.

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Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja In continuation of its renewed focus on improving quality of service to enrolled Nigerian patients, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) sanctioned 49 erring healthcare facilities

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Report: Amid Search for $2tn, Nigeria Emerges Top in Africa’s Energy Transition Efforts

Report: Amid Search for $2tn, Nigeria Emerges Top in Africa’s Energy Transition Efforts

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As Nigeria continues to search for avenues to raise $2 trillion for its carbon reduction efforts between now and 2060, the country has emerged as Africa’s top performer in energy transition for 2025.

According to the latest global rankings released on June 18 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), with a score of 54.8 points, Nigeria ranked 61st worldwide, but showed the strongest improvement among African nations.

The report, developed in partnership with consulting firm Accenture, is based on the Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2025 and measures energy system performance across 118 countries, using 43 indicators grouped into three key areas.

The areas include: Security, sustainability, and equity, along with five readiness factors for energy transition including regulation, financing, innovation, infrastructure, and human capital.

For WEF, the countries were selected based on the availability of consistent data across a minimum set of indicators, with each nation receiving a score from 0 to 100 for every indicator, along with two sub-scores.

Nigeria climbed 48 places since the 2024 index, driven by targeted regulatory reforms, growing investment in clean energy, and localised transition strategies, the report added.

Outside Nigeria, Tunisia followed closely in second place among African countries, ranking 62nd globally. Namibia was third (64th globally), followed by Mauritius (69th), Morocco (70th), Egypt (74th), South Africa (79th), Kenya (88th), Algeria (89th), and Côte d’Ivoire, rounding out the African top 10 at 90th place.
WEF stated that the report provided additional insight into Africa’s broader energy transition efforts, with progress on the continent fueled by stronger political commitment and increased financial flows.

However, the organisation stated significant differences between countries due to underinvestment, low energy access rates, and institutional weaknesses in several nations.

Generally, Sub-Saharan Africa haspd an average score of 48.8 points, while the Middle East and North Africa region posted an average of 52.1 points.
But at the global level, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark maintained their lead in the energy transition rankings. Their top positions reflect long-standing political commitment, strong infrastructure, and diversified low-carbon energy systems.

Also, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Latvia, and the Netherlands performed well, thanks to their focus on equity, clean energy investments, and expanded renewable capacity. Germany and Portugal completed the global top 10.

The report showed that worldwide progress toward secure, fair, and sustainable energy was picking up speed after years of stagnation. In 2025, 65  per cent of countries in the index improved their overall scores, with 28  per cent advancing across all three key areas: security, sustainability, and equity.

It said that while advanced economies face challenges like grid congestion, high energy prices, and supply bottlenecks, emerging regions such as parts of Europe and Asia are making faster gains, with their progress fueled by targeted reforms, better infrastructure, and greater investment in clean energy.

Nigeria’s energy transition programme, which formally launched in 2022, represents the country’s most ambitious effort to balance climate commitments with pressing energy access needs.

Known as the Energy Transition Plan (ETP), the programme aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2060, while simultaneously lifting millions of Nigerians out of energy poverty and supporting inclusive economic growth.

At the heart of the plan is a major financial commitment. Nigeria estimates that it will require about $1.9 trillion between now and 2060 to fully implement the programme. This translates to an average of $27.7 billion annually, with roughly $10 billion expected from public sources and the remaining $17.7 billion from private sector investment.

The transition plan focuses on several key pillars. One of the largest components is the shift to renewable energy, especially solar. With Nigeria’s abundant sunlight and vast underserved areas, solar power is seen as the most viable path to rapid electrification.

Estimates show that universal solar deployment alone will require over $400 billion in investments. Alongside this, around $135 billion is projected for grid expansion and modernization, enabling the integration of both renewable and traditional power sources into a more reliable national network.

Another central focus is clean cooking. Currently, millions of Nigerian households rely on firewood, charcoal, or kerosene, fuels that are harmful to both human health and the environment. The transition plan sets out to reverse this by expanding access to cleaner alternatives like LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and modern biomass stoves.

Achieving this goal is expected to cost around $30 billion, with benefits that stretch far beyond climate goals, especially for the health and safety of women and children.

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Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja As Nigeria continues to search for avenues to raise $2 trillion for its carbon reduction efforts between now and 2060, the country has emerged as Africa’s

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Citing Need to Preserve Investor Confidence, FG Directs FRCN to Cap Annual Dues Payable by Private Entities at N25m

Citing Need to Preserve Investor Confidence, FG Directs FRCN to Cap Annual Dues Payable by Private Entities at N25m

James Emejo in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos

Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, yesterday directed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) to apply an interim cap on annual dues payable by private sector Public Interest Entities (PIEs) at N25 million.

The move will also aligned the dues with the cap already in place for publicly listed entities under the the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) (Amendment) Act 2023.

In a statement, the minister stated that the directive will  create a stable environment for compliance for affected companies in the short term.
This, she said, further reflected the ministry’s commitment to prioritising transparency, investor confidence, and regulatory equity while allowing the Ministry of Justice to appropriately determine the longer-term path for seeking legislative amendments on behalf of the federal government, if required.

In arriving at the directive, Oduwole explained that  on March 2025, the ministry had convened a high-level stakeholder engagement in response to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) (Amendment) Act 2023.

The initiative was prompted by growing concerns regarding the provisions and implementation of annual dues for Public Interest Entities (PIEs).
She noted tha as early as December 2024, leading stakeholders-including the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)-had expressed reservations through direct consultations and public advocacy over the section of the legislation.

According to the minister, a key issue raised was the reclassification of large private companies as PIEs, which imposed a disproportionate financial burden.
Under the amended Act, such companies are required to remit annual dues ranging from 0.02 per cent to 0.05 per cent of turnover, with no upper limit-compared to a fixed N25 million levy for publicly quoted companies, regardless of their size or market capitalisation.

However, the minister pointed out that while the FRCN continues to play a central role in setting and enforcing accounting and financial reporting standards, stakeholders observed that these provisions could lead to unintended unsustainable increased compliance costs, and ultimately negatively affect investor confidence.

She said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained firmly committed to adopting a listening posture and pro-business approach, as articulated in its policy thrust in implementing the 8-Point Agenda.

Nonetheless, Oduwole said, “In response, on March 26, 2025, the ministry held a formal public stakeholder consultation to assess the policy implications and ensure alignment with principles of fairness, transparency, and economic competitiveness.

“The consultation resulted in two key actions: a temporary administrative pause on implementation; and the establishment of a Technical Working Group to provide deeper analysis.

“In line with this commitment, the Technical Working Group coordinated by the Ministry, comprising NECA, MAN, ALTON, NACCIMA, PFPTRC, CAC, and SEC, along with a robust team from the FRCN, met six times over a three-week period for stakeholder consultations.

“These engagements culminated in a report assessing the implications of Section 33D of the FRC (Amendment) Act 2023 submitted to the Honourable Minister on April 17, 2025”.

Continuing, she said, “The Honorable Minister of industry trade and investment provided a detailed briefing to Mr. President on the critical concerns raised by organised private sector stakeholders prior to the implementation of the administrative pause and made recommendations based on the submitted report and affirms that the administrative pause will be maintained in the mid- to long-term, pending a broader legislative review.”

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James Emejo in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, yesterday directed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) to apply an interim

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Presidency: Tinubu’s State Visit to Saint Lucia Will Boost Relations with Caribbean Country

Presidency: Tinubu’s State Visit to Saint Lucia Will Boost Relations with Caribbean Country

*Says it’s in tandem with Nigeria’s foreign policy framework of democracy, development, diaspora, and demography

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The presidency on Sunday rose in defence of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia, saying the week-long visit will boost relations between Nigeria and the Caribbean.

It also emphasised that the visit was in line with the country’s four D’s foreign policy framework of democracy, development, diaspora, and demography.
The presidency, in a statement signed by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga,
declared that in an era of global uncertainty, deepening cooperation among the Global South, particularly between continental Africa and the Caribbean, had become imperative.

It explained that Nigeria and citizens of the Caribbean had strong people-to-people links, adding, “President Tinubu’s visit aligns with Nigeria’s Four D’s foreign policy framework: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.”

The statement said, “The visit supports the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, which identifies the African diaspora as a key development partner.”
The presidency, in the release stated, “In the wake of some Nigerians’ misguided, mischievous, and uninformed comments regarding President Bola Tinubu’s historic state visit to Saint Lucia, it is necessary to clarify the purpose of the visit.

“First, from the perspective of the government of Saint Lucia, the visit by the Nigerian leader paves the way for the rekindling of our ancestral bonds, igniting a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic possibilities between our nations.

“Like many Caribbean nations, Saint Lucia has a significant population of African ancestry. In the mid-19th century, a wave of immigrants from present-day Nigeria arrived in Saint Lucia, bringing with them cultural and religious practices that persist to this day.”

Onanuga stated, “Citizens of Saint Lucia are excited that President Tinubu has chosen to visit the island. They long to strengthen their bonds with African nations with which they share ancestral links.

“Saint Lucia is the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the gateway to the 15 CARICOM member states. The CARICOM states have a combined GDP of over $130 billion, a significant figure in South-South trade discourse.

“In an era of global uncertainty, deepening cooperation between the Global South, particularly between continental Africa and the Caribbean, has become imperative.

‘Nigeria and the citizens of the Caribbean have strong people-to-people links.”

The statement disclosed, “Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian-born jurist who died on February 10, 1989, served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979. He first came to Nigeria in 1957, recruited as a legal draftsman by the Western Regional Government of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He became the acting Director of Public Prosecutions in 1958. In 1960, he was appointed Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Western Regional Ministry of Justice. In 1964, he was appointed a judge in the Lagos High Court. In 1969, the defunct South Eastern State appointed him the chief judge.
“He later became the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1975, succeeding Sir Teslim Olawale Elias.

“Sir Darnley was born in Castries, the capital of this Island state, in January 1920. He held multiple honours: QC, CBE, GCON, and SAN.
“Another Lucian, Neville Skeete, an architect, contributed to the design of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate headquarters.

“Additionally, Sir Darnley Alexander’s son, Michael, served as a medical doctor on the frontline in the Nigerian Army during the tragic civil war.”
The presidency also stated, “Nigeria actively fosters cultural exchange through collaboration in education, culture, and heritage preservation. Our cultural exports, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature, are already making a significant impact on Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean, enriching our shared cultural landscape.

“The Gros Islet Street Party is arguably one of Saint Lucia’s most famous cultural events. It has been held every Friday for over 50 years.
“On the Friday before President Tinubu’s arrival, Afrobeats and Nigerian music dominated the airwaves, a testament to Nigeria’s growing soft power and cultural footprint.”

Onanuga explained, “Democracy as a Shared Value: Saint Lucia is a stable parliamentary democracy, making it a natural ally for Nigeria, which has enjoyed 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

“During the live coverage of President Tinubu’s arrival and welcoming ceremonies at the Hewanorra International Airport on the National Television Network (NTN), a local commentator described President Tinubu as a ‘fighter for democracy’, citing his well-known pro-democracy record.

“Demography as a Strategic Asset: Nigeria is projected to become the third most populous country in the world by 2050. President Tinubu has consistently emphasised that Nigeria’s youthful population is a driver of economic transformation via education, industrialisation, and innovation.

“President Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College underscores our commitment to strengthening educational partnerships. The presence of Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC) officials in the delegation further demonstrates our dedication to fostering knowledge exchange and growth. TAC provides technical assistance to African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. This assistance is delivered through the deployment of Nigerian professionals to recipient countries to address specific needs.”

On engagement with the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, the statement said, “Prime Minister of Saint Lucia will host a reception at the official residence, where members of the Nigerian community will meet with President Tinubu and his delegation. This event is a unique opportunity for the Nigerian community to interact with their president and discuss matters of mutual interest, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.”

Describing the visit as, “A Rare and Historic State Visit,” the statement said, “Since gaining independence in 1979, Saint Lucia has hosted fewer than 10 official state visits. The last visit by an African Head of State was by President Nelson Mandela in July 1998, during the 19th CARICOM Heads of Government Summit. Therefore, President Tinubu’s 2025 visit, 27 years later, is a historic diplomatic milestone.”

The statement said Tinubu will address a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s bi-cameral Parliament at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Conference Hall, named after former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

It said, “Clinton visited Saint Lucia in January 2003 and gave a keynote address at this same venue, which was later renamed in his honour.”

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*Says it’s in tandem with Nigeria’s foreign policy framework of democracy, development, diaspora, and demography Deji Elumoye in Abuja The presidency on Sunday rose in defence of President Bola Tinubu’s

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FG Grants Kogi Govt 15 Mining Licences to Tap Mineral Resources

FG Grants Kogi Govt 15 Mining Licences to Tap Mineral Resources

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

In line with its determination  to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on federal allocation, the federal government has granted  Kogi State Government a total of 15 mining licences in order to exploit its rich solid mineral resources.

Governor Usman  Ododo disclosed the development in Lokoja at the weekend  while speaking at the international conference, exhibition, and 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Material Engineering (NI3ME), an arm of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
Ododo, represented by his deputy, Joel Oyinbo, explained that the strategic move was geared towards boosting the state’s economy and rapid development.
In addition to the licences, the governor explained the state had made substantial investments in education, human capital development, and creation of the Kogi State Solid Minerals Company.

He emphasised with delight that Kogi was at the centre of Nigeria’s solid minerals map, stating that if fully harnessed, it can transform not only its local economy but the nation at large.

The governor said, “One of the key steps we have taken is procuring modern mining machinery for the Kogi State Mineral Processing Company. This initiative is designed to facilitate the processing of various minerals extracted from our state, thereby adding value to these resources and contributing to industrialisation.
“By equipping the company, we are enhancing the efficiency of our mining operations and ensuring that we are aligned with global best practices in the mining industry.

“In addition to modernising our processing facilities, the state government has also acquired fifteen (15) mining licenses for strategic mineral deposits within Kogi State. These licenses cover some of the most valuable and untapped resources, including limestone, coal, tin, iron ore, and bauxite.

“With these licenses, we are laying a strong foundation for sustainable mining operations that will create jobs, generate revenue, and contribute to the socio-economic development of our state.”

Ododo said, “Under my leadership, the executive arm of the Kogi State government is working with the state Assembly to enact laws to prohibit illegal mining, strengthen artisanal and small-scale mining, address environmental degradation, and ensure sustainable mining practices in the state. This effort of the state government includes targeting 25,000 youths for training and engagement in the mineral and mining sector.”

National Chairman of NI3ME, Professor Abdulrahman Salawu, in his address, bemoaned the overdependence on oil to the detriment of other economic potential, calling for an urgent reversal of the trend.

Salawu said, “By developing the metals and solid minerals sectors, we can boost employment, improve living standards,  and create opportunities in other critical industries such as agriculture, manufacturing,  and tourism.
“Therefore, this conference aims to chart a sustainable path towards achieving these noble objectives.”

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Alake, and National President, NSE, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, were represented at the conference by Director-General of Nigerian Geological Agency, Professor Olusegun Ige, and Professor Oluwatoyin Ashiru, respectively.

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Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja In line with its determination  to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on federal allocation, the federal government has granted  Kogi State Government a total of

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• June 30, 2025
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FG Declares Emergency on Suleja-Minna Road, Terminates Contract

FG Declares Emergency on Suleja-Minna Road, Terminates Contract

FG Declares Emergency on Suleja-Minna Road, Terminates ContractEmmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the weekend declared an emergency on the ongoing work on the dualisation of the Suleja-Minna road, terminating the existing contract for lack of performance.

Umahi stated that President Bola Tinubu was concerned with the deplorable state of the road and directed that urgent action should be taken to fix the road to restore the confidence of the road users.

He maintained that the contractor, Messrs. Salini Nigeria Ltd., was responsible for the failure in the delivery of the project on time and within specification. He added that the termination of the job due to non-performance was irrevocable.

However, Umahi, who also inspected Section I of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano federal road being constructed on continuously reinforced concrete pavement, said he was elated by the progress and quality of work being done by the contractor handling  the project, Infiouest International Limited.

He was accompanied  by the junior minister in the ministry, Bello Goronyo;  the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwebonyi and spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 presidential campaign, Segun Sowunmi, and directors of key departments of the Federal Ministry of Works.

Umahi stated that the ongoing work vindicated the Federal Ministry of Works’ decision to sever the contract with Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd due to cost differentials.

He praised the commitment of the President  Bola Tinubu in ensuring speedy and quality delivery of the project, a statement by Umahi’s spokesman, Uchenna Orji, said.

 “Let me say that I am very grateful to Mr. President for the support in the reconstruction of this project. When we terminated this project because of the cost differences between the Ministry of Works and  Julius Berger, it became a very  big challenging task for me.

“ But without the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it would have been very difficult to redeem my integrity. Today, I can say that my integrity and that of the Ministry of Works have been redeemed by the quality of work that Infiouest is doing,” he added.

Recounting the additional work approved  by the President within the route of the project and the quality  of work being done by the contractor, he said:  ” In section I, which is 38 kilometres plus  section II, which is 40 by 2, 80 kilometres, we have completed over 11 kilometres with reinforced concrete pavement.
“You needed to see this road before now. We are pulverising. We are putting a stone base, about 80-inch stone base. We are putting cement to mix it and compact it. We are putting in Y-20 reinforcement.

“We have it in bridges and then at 20-cm intervals, and then we are putting a 16-millimetre reinforced concrete with wires, and then we are completing 200-millimetre reinforced concrete grade 40. And so we have completed 11 kilometers,” he added.

Following  the high price submitted by Julius Berger Plc for the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road awarded  by the past administration, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had terminated the contract with Julius Berger Plc and approved  the award of contract for the completion of the outstanding sections of the road.

Umahi stated that there had been concerns over the deplorable state of the inherited project, which was a source of nightmare to road users before the intervention of the President. According to him, today, tremendous milestones have been attained in the completion of the road.

The Deputy Majority Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, said: “It is on record that you are the only Minister of Works that has always done constant supervision of projects, all geared towards ensuring value for money and quality jobs.”

 In his remarks after being taken round the project, Sowunmi said he was impressed by  the quality and speed of the project execution, which he confirmed was of the same quality with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway projects.

He thanked the President for the job he is doing in the area of road infrastructure development and appealed to critics to  have a change of heart.

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FG Declares Emergency on Suleja-Minna Road, Terminates ContractEmmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the weekend declared an emergency on the ongoing work on the dualisation