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Navy: Hydrography, Bedrock of Maritime Safety, Economic Devt, Ocean Governance

Navy: Hydrography, Bedrock of Maritime Safety, Economic Devt, Ocean Governance

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has said that hydrography is the bedrock of maritime safety, economic development, environmental sustainability, and ocean governance.

The Navy also restated its commitment to leveraging hydrography for maritime safety, regional cooperation, sustainable ocean governance, and indeed regional diplomacy.

The Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Ayodeji Olugbode, stated this while addressing a press conference on World Hydrography Day Celebration/West Africa Hydrographic Summit, yesterday in Abuja.

He also revealed that the West Africa Hydrographic Summit, scheduled to hold in Abuja between 19th and 21st June, will bring together ECOWAS navies to discuss challenges and opportunities in maritime governance.

He said, “Last year, we celebrated the role of hydrography in maritime safety. This year, we took a bold step by addressing regional gaps and aligning global frameworks, as well as regional frameworks, like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, titled ‘Life Below Water.”

He stressed that the sea, which accounts for 71 percent of the earth’s surface, is a critical factor for the sustenance of mankind.

Regretting that only 23 percent of the ocean floor has been mapped to modern standards, the hydrographer of the federation said, “We think this is a time for us to take a lead in driving Africa, and indeed West Africa, towards complying with that responsibility from a national perspective.”

He added, “In recognising the ocean as vital for food security, economic growth, and the overall health of the environment, the goal aims to address the challenges facing the marine ecosystem, including pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.

“The activities and highlights of the West African Hydrographic Summit and the 2025 Hydrographic Day celebration feature a packed package and agenda. On 19 June 2025, the event will open with an exhibition and industry presentation, as well as showcasing the proposed amendments for the West African Regional Office and Training Centre for the International Hydrographic Organization, which is going to be hosted by Nigeria.”

He added that the Navy will also showcase cutting-edge maritime and hydrographic technologies, including unmanned vehicles and some AI technologies, which the Service has emplaced in the agency in the last year.

Stating that the ocean is the lifeblood of the undiscovered territory of mankind, Olugbode said, “it is not left to hydrographer or marine scientists alone. It is a global responsibility for everyone who seeks to live on this planet.”

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Linus Aleke in Abuja The Nigerian Navy has said that hydrography is the bedrock of maritime safety, economic development, environmental sustainability, and ocean governance. The Navy also restated its commitment

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Retired Generals Call for Review of Existing Laws Governing Military Operations in Nigeria

Retired Generals Call for Review of Existing Laws Governing Military Operations in Nigeria

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Retired Generals have called for a comprehensive review of the extant legal instruments governing military operations in the country.

The generals also stressed that some provisions of the laws are obsolete and require urgent review to bring military operations in Nigeria up to speed with global best practices.

Speaking at the Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs’ two-day capacity-building exercise for media practitioners in Nigeria in Abuja, the Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Major General Garba Wahab (rtd), said that laws governing military operations were long overdue for review.

General Wahab, who responded to questions after presenting a paper titled “Crisis Communication and Ethical Reporting by Journalists,” said the military itself has called for a review of the extant laws because many things have happened, and these laws have become obsolete.

He stressed that the review of laws is the job of legislators, and nobody needs to remind them about it.

Noting that the rules stipulate that all extant laws should be reviewed at regular intervals, General Wahab queried, “Do we review ours?”

He also said that it is not the military that defines the term national security but the government, comprising the executive, legislature and judiciary.

“For example, if the military is deployed in a situation like the one in Los Angeles, where 500 Marines were deployed, thorough planning, training, and debriefing would be essential. This process would include reviewing the operation and identifying areas for improvement,” he said.

The problem, the Director General noted, is that nobody wants to take proactive steps until something goes wrong and affects those responsible; only then do people start scrambling to address the issue.

The former Director of Nigerian Army Legal Services, Retired Major General Yusuf Ibrahim Shalangwa, also called for a review of Section 218 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, considering the hierarchical nature of the military.

General Shalangwa expressed concern over the phrasing of the subsection (3), which provides that “the President may, by directions in writing and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, delegate to any member of the armed forces of the federation his powers relating to the operational use of the Armed Forces of the Federation.”

Stating that the above provision raises concerns due to the military’s hierarchical structure, General Shalangwa said, “One looks at a scenario where the President, based on that provision of the Constitution, decides to nominate or direct a very junior officer to be in charge of a particular operation. When you have the Service Chiefs, who are more senior, but the President nominates a junior person, going by that provision, and tasks him with that responsibility. So, the concern is that that provision requires review, especially by the National Assembly, possibly for it to be abrogated or deleted, so that the President should give his directive through the Service Chiefs, through the Chief of Defence Staff, to the Service Chiefs.”

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Linus Aleke in Abuja Retired Generals have called for a comprehensive review of the extant legal instruments governing military operations in the country. The generals also stressed that some provisions

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Gov Eno’s Defection to APC a Good Step

Gov Eno’s Defection to APC a Good Step

By Aniete Usen

It may be heartbreaking for many Akwa Ibom people to contemplate the prospect of joining and voting for any other political party except the PDP. The PDP is in the DNA of Akwa Ibom voters. One of the reasons is that all the gigantic and nationally acclaimed development strides of the State since the return of democratic rule in 1999 have been accomplished by the hands of PDP governments. The sentiments of the people for the PDP is therefore very understandable. PDP has done the State proud.

Whenever politicians in Akwa Ibom boast that PDP is a religion in the State, the meaning is that Akwa Ibom people are committed and devoted to the PDP as they are to their churches. As a matter of fact, some Akwa Ibom people are more committed to PDP than to their churches.

The implication is that just as it is difficult to move Akwa Ibom people en masse from their churches to another church, so it is to change Akwa Ibom minds from their abiding love and loyalty to the PDP. It is organic.

But that’s just one side of the story. The other side of the story is in two parts. First, the love of Akwa Ibom people for their Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who is just two years old in office is exceptional, unprecedented and perhaps extreme. There is an outpouring of love for this Governor across party lines and a groundswell of goodwill for him across the length and breath of the State. It is second to none in the 38 years history of this oil-and-gas rich State on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

This is not just because of his down-to-earth and grassrooted style of leadership, but more so because of his deep sense of fairness in allocating State resources and doing justice to every section of the State, devoid of discrimination. Everywhere he went in the two years as governor, he was doing good. He connected deeply with the high and the low in the land, and secured a place squarely in the hearts of the overwhelming majority of the people.

Second, Governor Eno is championing so many multi-billion dollar legacy projects, most of them inherited from previous Administrations, which is showcasing him more as a veritable statesman than a Nigerian politician.

Some of those major projects which include the Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overall, MRO, the first in West Africa, and the Ibom Deep Seaport, are loaded with impactful economic consequences that go beyond Akwa Ibom and Nigeria, to the West African sub-Region and the Gulf of Guinea economic zone.

These are real strategic investments for the country in a strategic State on the shores of Atlantic Oceans, that is manned by a serious-minded Governor who has commanded the respect of leaders across the political divide and which the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, cannot ignore.

So just like the PDP, the love for Governor Eno in Akwa Ibom State and beyond is organic, extensive and catholic. There is nothing anybody can do about that, except, perhaps envy his style and track record of accomplishment.

He has in a very short span of two years won the hearts of the people, for his empathy, compassion and identification with the plight of the less privileged. His trait as a humble and humane leader is not because he is a pastor and has some godly influence over him. It is because that’s who he is: a good and caring man, a sincere servant of his people, a great leader, firm and fair in his dealings. For that, he is adored, even by his political opponents, if any, these days.

But there is a twist in the tale. Governor Eno, the pride of PDP has joined the APC, the ruling party at the centre, to align forces with the federal government, and strengthen his hands in the face of the legacy projects he is driving. It is even more compelling for him to join the APC now because the ill health of the PDP is open s secret.

What then shall separate Akwa Ibom from the love of the PDP? Shall Umo Eno? Wither the love of Akwa Ibom people now? This is the political crossroad and a dilemma that Akwa Ibom people have found themselves in at this point in time. It is the talk of the town, in beer parlours, market squares, University campuses and even churches. Where goes the love of Akwa Ibom people in times like this? To the PDP or to Governor Umo Eno or to both?

To be sure, Governor Umo Eno himself is not different from most Akwa Ibom people. He is a passionate lover of PDP. He speaks with deep affection and respect about the party and former Governor Udom Emmanuel, who afforded this affable, rural pastor the opportunity to become a governor in the midst of redoubtable political stalwarts. But there is a spanner in the works or as the Americans would say it “a wrench”. There is a problem.

Right now, the PDP that Akwa Ibom people love so much is virtually in comatose at the National level; afflicted on every side and almost crushed; perplexed and almost driven to dispair; hunted down and almost abandoned.

Everyday you turn on the TV, there is news of the PDP heavyweights, governors, Senators and other National Assembly members, trooping out from the PDP to the APC. It was the legendary Chinua Achebe who wrote that “whenever you see a toad jumping in the broad daylight, then know that something is after its life”.

It would appear to many observers that something is after the life of the PDP. There are forces, external and internal, centrifugal and centripetal, hunting down and determined to see the total eclipse of the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. If you were a politician and a prospective second term governorship candidate in the shoes of Governor Umo Eno, what would you do?

Many members of the PDP are doing something about it. Some are now scampering and exiting the party in droves in the hope of forming another party. But the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said two weeks ago, it was not in the mood to register new parties.

One of the affected groups gunning for registration as a new party is the National Opposition Coalition Group, that is planning to challenge the APC, the ruling party, in the 2027 elections. The Coalition was seeking to be registered and known as All Democratic Alliance, ADA. But INEC, for now, seemed to have pulled the rug from under their feet.

When a house is totally on fire, the most important action is to prioritize safety and get yourself and family out of the building as quickly as possible. In plain language, as at today, the PDP as a vehicle for contesting the 2027 election is, at best, risky and perhaps broken down.

The uncertainties in the party right now are too many to be ignored. The great PDP that ruled Nigeria from 1999-2015 is today factionalised, fractionalised and saddled with three National Secretaries, namely, Samuel Anyanwu, Udeh Okoye and Setonji Koshoedo, appointed as the Acting National Secretary, three weeks ago in the midst of a seemingly stubborn and intractable party crisis. Which of these three National Secretaries will sign the nomination forms of Governor Eno for a well-deserved second term? Which of the three National Secretaries, if any, will eventually be backed up by the party, legal technicalities and the almighty courts, if the case returns to the court ?

Cases abound in Plateau and Zamfara States in the recent past where landslide election winners later became losers in the courts and were replaced by those who barely garnered a handful of votes in distant second positions. What happened in Zamfara and Plateau is the fig tree that a foresighted leader like Governor Eno must learn from. No politician wants to go through such a catastrophic ordeal of being thrown out of office on technical grounds after winning a hard fought election.

And then there is the issue of Congresses of the parties, which are willy-nilly coming up in August this year, and particularly the implications of the Congresses for the 2027 elections.

Against this kind of backdrop, Governor Eno is wise, proactive and right to lead his ardent supporters to join the APC. This is good thinking.

Before he relocated to the APC a week ago, the Governor took time to explain and justify his decision to his teeming PDP loyalists. Sometimes, he did it with parables and analogies. At other times, he spoke in clear terms to people in his inner circles about the departure to APC.

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, during the Covenant Service in the State House, usually held on the first day of every month and attended by elites in the State, the governor waxed Biblical as he made one of his last ditch attempts to persuade the State to follow him to the APC.

Instead of his standard remarks at the end of the Covenant Service, that usually pointed to the activities and policy direction of the government, the Governor simply mounted the pulpit and gave out four Bible portions to be read at home by the elites. The Bible portions were: Romans 8:31-37, 2 Samuel 15, Psalm 34:19 and Numbers 10:29-32.

Here is what Numbers 10:29-32 says: “One day Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, “We are on our way to the place the LORD promised us, for he said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised wonderful blessings for Israel!” [30] But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.” [31] “Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places in the wilderness where we should camp. Come, be our guide. [32] If you do, we’ll share with you all the blessings the LORD gives us.”

Many have read the Bible portions between the lines and have decided to follow him. As President Tinubu visits Akwa Ibom on Saturday, June 21, 2025, to formally welcome Governor Eno into the APC, there will be no doubt that Akwa Ibom people love and trust the thinking and leadership of their governor.

*Anietie Usen is a multiple award winning journalist and author

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By Aniete Usen It may be heartbreaking for many Akwa Ibom people to contemplate the prospect of joining and voting for any other political party except the PDP. The PDP

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FG, UNICEF Endorse Three Handbooks as Guide on Climate Change, Mitigation of Violence in Schools

FG, UNICEF Endorse Three Handbooks as Guide on Climate Change, Mitigation of Violence in Schools

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF have endorsed three books to enhance the teaching of climate change and the mitigating of violence in schools.

The books are, “Climate Change Education for Schools in Nigeria”, Early Warning: A Guide to Protecting Schools in Nigeria”, and “Managing School Related Violence in Nigeria”.

The permanent secretary of the ministry, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan who spoke yesterday during the unveiling of the books, said they are more than just documents, and represent a commitment to the wellbeing and learning our comes of school children.

Represented by the Director in charge of Education Support Services, Larai Nana Ahmed, the permanent secretary said climate change education will empower school children to become environmentally conscious and responsible citizens.

“The early warning guide will help us to protect our schools and learners from potential threats. And the managing school- related violence will enable us to create safer and more supportive learning environments.

“We are not just distributing documents, we are equipping educators, policy makers, and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change. We are investing in the future of our children and our nation”.

UNICEF Chief of Education in Nigeria, Vanessa Lee in her speech, recalled that in 2021, the Federal Ministry of Education developed the National Policy for Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools together with the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.

Represented by education specialist, Nneka Ogbansiegbe, she said the tool was first deployed in 6,000 schools twice in 2023, but regrettably, the result of the findings shows that only 1 in 5 schools are implementing 70% of the minimum standards for safe schools.

She stated that in 2024, UNICEF expanded the survey to reach 16,023 schools in 18 states which include Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Benue, Lagos and Oyo states.

The result of the findings show that only 1 in 4 schools are implementing at least 70% of the minimum standards.

According to her: “Another key finding showed that more than half of the schools assessed scored below average on disaster management, managing violence in schools, on the way to schools, and at home.

“As part of UNICEF’s support to children in Nigeria, in 2024, supported 5 states to conduct an assessment to identify the various hazards that affect schools and develop measures to prevent and mitigate the effects of the various hazards” she added.

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Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF have endorsed three books to

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Food Sufficiency: Kwara Distributes Farm Inputs to 3,000 Farmers 

Food Sufficiency: Kwara Distributes Farm Inputs to 3,000 Farmers 

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

Kwara State Government has commenced the distribution of  farm inputs to 3,000 farmers so as to boost food sufficiency and promote livestock development in the state.

The government said that the event was held in Apata Alaje and Banni communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state in collaboration with Arzikin Noma and an international partner, IDH.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Apata village in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said: “The project is focusing on cultivating sorghum and soyabean to boost grain production for animal feed,” adding this will also check the perennial conflicts between farmers and herders in the state.

She commended the development partners for coming on board, and described the partnership as timely and purposeful.

“The current partnership with Arzikin /Idh/Olam is very timely because it is focused on cultivation of grains for human and animal, but majorly for animal feed production,” she said.  

According to her, “As we are all aware, food is the main reason for clashes between farmers and herders and if we can grow more grains that will be used for animal feed to achieve the modernisation and commercialization of Livestock farming, then we are on our way to ending farmers/herders clashes in Nigeria. 

“This partnership will also help us to achieve a broader agenda of this administration- which is creation of industries and value addition centres, to ensure that goods produced in Kwara are processed or improved upon and do not leave the state as unprocessed goods.”

Thomas said the items for distribution will cover 18,000 bags of fertilizer, 6,000 litres each of three different chemicals, 75MT of sorghum seed, and 100MT of soya seed.

Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Aliyu Kora Sabi, said the choice of the Apata Alaje community for the project is a welcome development, expressing hope that this will promote peace between the farmers and herders in that locality.

He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to achieve the desired results.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategy, Alhaji Atiku Abdulsalam, in his remarks, said the flag-off of the distribution of inputs serves as a symbol of progress and innovation on the agricultural renaissance of the state, commending the governor’s vision and investment in the agric and livestock development.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Arzikin Noma Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adesola  Adeoluwa, said the project was aimed at ensuring that farmers have access to agro-chemical, quality seedlings, training and other necessary support.

He said the farmers will not have problems with sales, promising that off-takers like Olam, are on ground to buy from them after the harvest.

Speaking on behalf of IDH, Dr. Daniel Abah said the programme was to transform the agricultural value chain so that smallholder farmers can benefit and do well in creating more jobs.

He said IDH is a foundation that focuses on making agricultural supply chains more sustainable, assuring the farmers that the current partnership will be sustainable and beneficial to all parties involved.

Mrs Asmau Muhammad and Iliasu Saka among other beneficiaries, who spoke at the event, appreciated the government for the gesture and promised to make judicious use of the items.

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Hammed Shittu in Ilorin  Kwara State Government has commenced the distribution of  farm inputs to 3,000 farmers so as to boost food sufficiency and promote livestock development in the state.

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Obasanjo, Soyinka, Babalakin, Others Eulogise Olunloyo as Burial Rites Begin

Obasanjo, Soyinka, Babalakin, Others Eulogise Olunloyo as Burial Rites Begin

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday, in Ibadan, led other prominent Nigerians including Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; a legal luminary, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) and Prof. Toyin Falola, to pay tributes to former governor of old Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.

Olunloyo died on April 6 at the age of 89 years.

Others at the event include the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, represented by the Ashipa of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indegiens (CCII), Mr. Niyi Ajewole; Senator Kola Balogun; former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Femi Bamiro, and former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Chief Bisi Ilaka, among others.

Obasanjo, while speaking as the Chairman at a symposium organised by the Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD), to kick-start the final burial rites of Olunloyo, described the former governor as a scholar, genius and a man of books while alive, stating that his exceptional intelligence was beyond the ordinary.

He said: “With Omololu, anything he touched, he did with ease almost too easily. He studied engineering and ended up excelling as a mathematician. It all came naturally to him like play.

“You cannot talk about Omololu without mentioning a part of his life that some referred to as political rascality or seeming unseriousness. I used to enjoy that part of him. Because every time we met and we met many times, he always appeared unserious at first. But what would eventually come out of him was deep, profound, and very serious. Every time we were together, I learned something new about him.

“Of course, our paths crossed more deeply in 1965 when I came here, and we served in the same government of the old Western Region under my senior, General Adebayo. Our cabinet was evenly split — 12 members with six from Awolowo’s side and six from Akintola.

“The head of government was neutral, and I believe I was neutral too. But there was one man in that group whose allegiance you could not pin down to either Awolowo or Akintola. That man was Omololu Olunloyo. I think, in truth, he was on both sides.

“Whether he was discussing policy, joking or just in casual conversation, Omololu was different. He was a very, very serious man wrapped in layers of brilliance, wit and intellect that only few could truly understand.”

In his remarks through zoom, Prof. Wole Soyinka described Olunloyo as a mathematical genius while alive, whose legacy will never be forgotten, noting that his impacts in academics and politics cannot be overemphasized.

On his part, the Global President, Government College, Ibadan (GCI) Old Boys Association where Olunloyo was an alumnus, Dr. Wale Babalakin, said the former governor was a genius among geniuses, adding that the school is proud of him as one of its alumni.

“There is no other schools in Nigeria that has produced geniuses such as Olunloyo like the GCI which makes it the best secondary school in the country,” he said.

A professor at the University of Texas, United States of America, Toyin Falola, while speaking on ‘Ibadan; Mythologies and History,’ said the ancient city is known for its witty slogans among the indigenes, adding that the former governor was a master of such especially in the area of politics.

Other speakers at the event included the Editor, Saturday Tribune, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju; Prof. Biyi Afonja; Prof. Olusoji Ofi; Dr. Tolu Owoaje and Mr. Dapo Ogunwusi. 

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Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday, in Ibadan, led other prominent Nigerians including Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; a legal luminary, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) and

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NGX Explores Areas of Collaboration with Shanghai Stock Exchange

NGX Explores Areas of Collaboration with Shanghai Stock Exchange

* Says China needs Africa to emerge 21st century economic powerhouse 

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja 

The Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Dr. Umaru Kwairanga,has stated that the Group is exploring areas of collaboration with the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) that would be mutually beneficial.

Kwairanga, who spokeduring a boardinteractionbetween both exchanges in Shanghai, China, stated that China had overcome many challenges and is now recognised as an economic powerhouse, a manufacturing giant and a key driver of the world’s economy.

According to him, that success is mirrored in the Shanghai Stock Exchange which in a little over three decades of its re-establishment became one of the world’s leading exchanges with a market capitalisation in excess of $6 trillion.

The NGX Chairman observed that Nigeria and China share many similarities, adding that just like China, Nigeria has a diverse and hardworking population that is the largest in Africa.

He said: “Nigeria’s economy is driven by small and medium scale enterprises but there is a large public sector with government-owned enterprises controlling significant portions of the economy.

“In terms of exchanges, Nigeria has several but the first and foremost is the Nigerian Exchange Group which was founded more than sixty years ago and presently has over four hundred listed securities and a market capitalisation of about 325 billion Chinese yuan. 

“This is small compared to the capitalization of some companies I see quoted on your board, but we are determined to multiply those numbers with the assistance of your exchange and China’s entrepreneurial citizens.

“So we are here to congratulate you on your success as a nation and an Exchange but, more importantly, to learn from your experiences as a vibrant, innovative, technology driven exchange in a bustling economy.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange was established more than sixty years ago, but it was just over three years ago that we transformed from a mutual organisation limited by guarantee to a for Profit Public Company owned by and run for the benefit of thousands of shareholders.”

“That transformation has come with various challenges in such areas as governance and regulation, technology, market expansion and product development and cost optimisation and profitability.

“We know that the Shanghai Stock Exchange has most probably tackled and surmounted similar challenges and so we look forward to learning from your experience and partnering with you to move forward very quickly.

“In a highly competitive, fast evolving borderless world, we think that engagements and collaborations will determine the survival and growth of exchanges such as ours and that there are many areas for cooperation between the SSE and the NGX.

“So, we are here to share, collaborate, learn and to partner with you and look forward to tremendous benefits from both sides at the end of this visit.”

Also speaking at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, Kwairanga declared that China has the human and financial resources, the infrastructure, and the right strategy to be the economic powerhouse of the 21st century. 

However, he explained that to sustain that position, the country needs Africa which has the human and natural resources that position it as another potential future power.

“That is why a forum such as this is important. Events like this offer opportunities to learn from your success as a nation. But beyond that, it allows us to discuss areas of mutual cooperation that will hasten Africa’s development and sustain Chinese leadership.

“Let me also say that I am very impressed by the calibre of participants at this expo. Given their positions, I have no doubt that the discussions we have over the next few days will lead to tangible agreements and actionable decisions whose practical impact we will see in our companies, communities and countries within a very short time,” he said.

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* Says China needs Africa to emerge 21st century economic powerhouse  Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja  The Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Dr. Umaru Kwairanga,has stated that the Group is exploring

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FG to Sign Over 30 MoUs as 2nd Nigeria-Brazil Dialogue Kicks off Monday

FG to Sign Over 30 MoUs as 2nd Nigeria-Brazil Dialogue Kicks off Monday

.Defence, energy, agric, innovation, others top new investment drive

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government is ready to sign over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), as Nigeria prepares to host the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) scheduled to begin on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Agriculture, energy, defence, the creative economy and innovation are among the key sectors driving this new investment initiative.
The three-day event will provide the platform for the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to tap into new investment flows, facilitate technical cooperation, and open pathways for enhanced strategic engagements for businesses.
This was made public on Wednesday by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, during a press conference at the State House, Abuja on the planned visit of the Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, to Nigeria.
According to him, the visit of the Brazilian delegation is a landmark event in Nigeria’s international diplomacy and a strategic platform for deepening bilateral relations between the two influential regional powers.
Hadejia said the session is particularly significant as it aligns seamlessly with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises economic revitalisation, global partnerships, and the repositioning of Nigeria on the world stage.
“During the visit of the Brazilian delegation, we will engage in comprehensive discussions aimed at expanding collaboration across key sectors such as trade and investment, agriculture, energy, defence, innovation, and cultural exchange. These areas are critical to the sustainable development aspirations of both nations,” the Deputy Chief of Staff noted.
Also speaking, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the bilateral dialogue, first established in 2013, has gained significant traction following President Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil in late 2024.
She revealed that a Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum will take place on June 25, bringing together government officials, private sector leaders, and over 400 million combined consumers.
A major highlight of the forum will be the introduction of sector-specific engagement platforms, including a Digital Trade Room.
“Brazil’s expertise in digital inclusion and Nigeria’s dynamic fintech ecosystem offer powerful synergies for scalable innovation,” the Minister added.
In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said Nigeria and Brazil have held discussions to enhance agricultural productivity in Nigeria and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in key areas such as research and development in animal genetics, soya beans production and related areas endorsed under the SDM.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will leverage the SDM platform to expedite the implementation of the Green Imperative Programme (GIP) – a 4.5-billion-dollar investment programme designed to establish agricultural project delivery offices across the 774 LGAs in Nigeria.
On her part, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, said the ministry will leverage the shared cultural heritage between both countries to transform the Afro-Atlantic cooperation and impact the creative and tourism industry in Nigeria.
She expressed optimism that the signing of MoUs by both countries in the sector would open new vistas for economic and cultural transformation and for the growth of businesses in the creative and tourism industries in Nigeria.
Also, Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representative of the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Janet Olisa, said the meeting will advance economic diplomacy between the two nations, with a strong emphasis on trade, agriculture, digital innovation, and private sector collaboration.
She said: “We are focusing on our areas of strength to bring out the best in us. We have close to 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) under negotiation across agriculture, defence, health, creative economy, and more.
“Some of these will be signed next week, while others will be concluded during the President’s state visit to Brazil. We’re ensuring every ministry brings its best”.
On her part, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), Marion Moon, noted that planning has extended beyond the national level to involve states and the private sector.
“Efforts have been made towards the success of this meeting, not just at the national but also at the subnational level. We plan to host Brazilian investors and take them to states like Kebbi, Plateau, Lagos, Edo, Nasarawa and the FCT.”
The SDM being coordinated by the Office of the Vice President is designed not just as a diplomatic event but as a strategic platform to secure real investment outcomes and deepen South-South cooperation.

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.Defence, energy, agric, innovation, others top new investment drive Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government is ready to sign over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), as Nigeria prepares to