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As part of this year’s Green Diplomacy Week, the European Union and the German Embassy in Abuja launched the German-Nigerian Flare4Value project, a landmark initiative aimed at tackling gas flaring in Nigeria while unlocking new economic opportunities through gas optimisation and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation.

Declaring the event open on Thursday in Abuja, Kristina Fuerst, Head of the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office, said the initiative ‘marks a significant milestone in the German-Nigerian partnership and our joint commitment to transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities.’

She added that ‘gas flaring reduction is not only a climate priority but a gateway to energy access, industrial growth, and sustainable development for Nigeria.’

Reiterating the significance of emission reduction, Johannes Lehne, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Germany in Nigeria, said, ‘The strategic significance of gas flaring reduction represents both an environmental imperative and an economic opportunity.’ He added that, ‘By capturing and utilising flare gas, we not only cut emissions but also create value for power generation and industry.’

Speaking further, he emphasised that Flare4Value ‘reflects the strength of the German-Nigerian partnership and the EU’s wider commitment to supporting Nigeria’s leadership in climate action.’

Dr Vitalis Obi mni, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, noted that the Flare4Value initiative underscores Nigeria’s shared commitment to reducing emissions and unlocking the full potential of its gas resources. He emphasised that, through partnerships such as this, Nigeria can transform flare gas into an engine for cleaner energy, industrial growth, and sustainable development.

The project is implemented under H2-diplo, a GIZ programme commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and financed by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). H2-diplo supports Germany’s international energy and climate diplomacy, partnering with countries to advance the use of green hydrogen in diversifying and decarbonising their economies.

Nigeria is one of the world’s top seven gas-flaring countries, losing billions in potential revenue each year while contributing significantly to GHG emissions. In 2022 alone, the country flared around 275 billion standard cubic feet of gas, emitting over 16 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This not only exacerbates climate change but also contravenes Nigeria’s Climate Change Act (2021), which mandates strict carbon budgeting and emissions reduction.

The German-Nigerian Flare4Value initiative is designed to address this challenge head-on. It focuses on reducing flare-gas emissions, improving gas utilisation, and aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas sector with its Energy Transition Plan. A key innovation of the project is its exploration of flare gas-to-hydrogen pathways, turning waste into clean energy carriers while creating space for industrial growth.

Representing the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Godfrey Ogbemudia, Programme Manager for Energy, Circular Economy and Climate Change, said, ‘Reducing what goes into the atmosphere today is a responsibility we all share. It’s encouraging to see Nigeria’s flare-reduction efforts already yielding results; this project takes those gains even further.’

Ogbemudia added that the initiative ‘isn’t only about environmental protection; it’s about creating new business opportunities through gas commercialisation and cleaner energy solutions that benefit people and the planet.’

Through structured dialogue, technical collaboration, and private-sector engagement, the project provides a high-level bilateral platform for Germany and Nigeria to deepen cooperation on climate action. With its launch under the EU Green Diplomacy Week, it showcases the EU’s commitment to forging strong partnerships in multilateral decarbonisation efforts. Nigerian partners include the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria (GACN), the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

The project was formally introduced at a virtual kick-off meeting on 29 September, followed by Thursday’s high-level event in Abuja. A study tour to Germany is planned for October, bringing Nigerian public and private-sector actors together with German stakeholders. The initiative will culminate in a multistakeholder conference in Abuja on 4 December 2025, where a discussion paper on flare-gas reduction will be launched alongside a B2B exchange platform for Nigerian and German businesses.

By linking flare-gas reduction with hydrogen development, the Flare4Value project bridges climate action and economic opportunity. It supports Germany’s and the EU’s broader energy diplomacy while advancing Nigeria’s national priorities, reducing emissions through targeted gas recovery, creating new industrial and economic value, and strengthening Nigeria’s energy transition for a more resilient and diversified economy.

A business reporter with Daily Trust Newspaper, Faruk Shuaibu, was among the journalists honoured at the West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) 2025.

Shuaibu, who emerged as a winner, was nominated among 26 finalists for the award ceremony with an entry ‘Why Nigerians Ditched the eNaira’ under the Digital Public Infrastructure/Digital Public Goods Reporting category.

The category highlights how governments in Africa are using digital infrastructures to better the lives of their citizens.

Catherine Gicheru, a grand jury for WAMECA, said the story was selected as ‘the team at the Daily Trust exposed how Nigeria’s bold experiment with digital currency stumbled. Through sharp reporting and human stories, they revealed the disparate between innovation and reality, showing how poor communication, technical failures, and lost confidence turned a national milestone into a cautionary tale.’

‘It is more than a technology story. It is a story about trust, about governance, and inclusion. This story reminded us that true digital transformation isn’t about apps or platforms. It’s about people. Congratulations to the Daily Trust team, and especially the journalists who were involved in this story because of their work, they made the winners of the Digital Public Infrastructure category.’

In a statement earlier, MFWA said it received 793 entries this year and were submitted by journalists from over 600 media outlets across 15 West African countries.

It said Nigeria emerged as the country with the highest number of submissions (335 entries), comprising 42% of the total.

Ghana followed with 101 entries, while Burkina Faso submitted 92 entries. 21 entries were received from Mali, while Niger recorded 4 entries. The remaining 10 countries in the subregion recorded a total of 230 entries.

‘This overwhelming response marks a strong return for West Africa’s biggest and most prestigious journalism event after a break in 2024. The call for entries, which opened on April 15, invited submissions of journalistic works published between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Entries were received across nine award categories, including Human Rights Reporting, Environmental Reporting, Investigative Journalism, Women Empowerment Reporting, and Digital Public Infrastructure/Digital Public Goods Reporting. Others include Anti-Corruption, Extractive sector, Telecoms and ICT, and Illicit Financial Flows.’

The Ajadi Rescue Movement, a fast-growing socio-political and humanitarian initiative founded by Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has launched its Gombe State Chapter in a colourful ceremony that brought together political figures, community leaders, and youth groups from across the state.

The inauguration, held in the Gombe State capital on Saturday, was a vibrant display of culture, unity, and purpose.

The Fasaha Cultural Troupe opened the event with a lively Hausa traditional performance, symbolising the movement’s deep respect for Nigeria’s diverse heritage and its commitment to inclusivity.

The programme began at 11:00 a.m. with prayers from both Islamic and Christian clerics – Imam Adamu Usman Manzo and Reverend Nuhu Nadabo – reinforcing the organisation’s message of religious harmony and peace. Attendees also rendered the national anthem and the Ajadi Anthem, led by the Zonal Coordinator of Gombe South, Mr. Amatiga N. Yila.

In his welcome address, the Zonal Coordinator of Gombe Central, Mr. Mahmud Usman, praised Ambassador Ajadi’s ‘visionary leadership and unwavering dedication’ to social justice, youth empowerment, and national rebirth. He also acknowledged Northern Coordinator Comrade Shuaibu Ibrahim for his ‘unrelenting grassroots mobilisation’ across the region.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Shuaibu Ibrahim described the Ajadi Rescue Movement as a people-oriented platform devoted to empowering the underprivileged.

‘Ajadi Rescue Movement is not a political family business – it is a national service platform,’ he declared. ‘Ambassador Ajadi’s mission is not driven by politics, ethnicity, or religion, but by a genuine desire to rescue humanity from poverty, ignorance, and neglect.’

He urged the people of Gombe to identify with the vision of the movement, assuring them that its positive impact will soon be felt nationwide.

The highlight of the event was the formal unveiling of the Gombe State Chapter, led by State Coordinator Comrade Abubakar Kalagar Muhammad. He lauded Ambassador Ajadi as ‘a God-sent reformer whose compassion and patriotism have birthed a movement of hope across Nigeria.’

‘Leadership is not about power but purpose – the purpose of serving others,’ Kalagar stated, while unveiling the newly appointed state executives and local government coordinators.

Goodwill messages followed from dignitaries, including CSP Muhammed Baba Ali and Prince Zaidu, who represented His Highness, the Hakimin Shengete. Both commended the movement’s leadership and prayed for Ambassador Ajadi’s continued strength and success.

During an interactive session, participants discussed the movement’s goals, structure, and long-term sustainability.

Their concerns were addressed by Hon. Ibrahim and Comrade Kalagar, who reaffirmed the movement’s transparency and commitment to grassroots empowerment.

In her closing remarks, Gombe State Women Leader Hajiya Mairo Adamu, alongside Youth Leader Engr. Aeron Maidoma and Secretary General, expressed appreciation to all attendees. They pledged to take the ‘message of hope, unity, and empowerment’ to every corner of Gombe State.

The event ended with closing prayers from Reverend Nadabo and Imam Manzo Adamu, followed by a group photograph led by Hon. Ibrahim. Participants dispersed joyfully at about 1:45 p.m.

The inauguration of the Gombe Chapter marks another milestone in the expansion of the Ajadi Rescue Movement across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Since its inception, the movement – under the leadership of Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi – has inspired Nigerians with its vision of social inclusion, youth development, and national renewal.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has rewarded a pilgrim, Zainab Idris, with One Million Naira (N1,000,000) for returning missing $5000 to the rightful owner, a Tajikistan citizen.

Idris, a pilgrim from Plateau State, found the money in Saudi Arabia during the recently concluded 2025 Hajj exercise, searched for the owner and returned it to him.

Presenting the N1m to Zainab Idris at the Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, the Governor, through the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Dayyabu Dauda, said they invited her to show appreciation for her good conduct and character during the pilgrimage, and to support her business with a token.

The governor also awarded one Malam Ayuku with a new phone for returning lost iPhone in Saudi Arabia during pilgrimage.

According to the secretary, ‘We are proud of these pilgrims because they have proved to the world that they are of good character. Before we traveled to the Holy land, the governor in his message asked pilgrims to be good and ambassadors and they justified that. We are proud of them indeed.

‘Governor Mutfwang has advised that we should always be good people wherever we find ourselves. He also called on other citizens of the state and the country at large to emulate them,’ he added.

Responding, Idris appreciated the reward extended to her by the Governor, describing him as a father. She added that the money would go along way in supporting her business.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) scheduled to begin on Monday, October 13, in Washington, D.C.

The announcement of was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Cardoso, who serves as Nigeria’s Alternate Governor at the Bretton Woods institutions, is representing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who is currently indisposed.

The delegation will also include the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, alongside other senior government officials and representatives of key financial institutions.

According to the World Bank, the Annual Meetings will feature the Development Committee Plenary on October 16 and the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meeting on October 17.

The week-long sessions will also include regional briefings, press conferences, and high-level fora on global economic trends, international development, and financial stability.

The meetings, which bring together finance ministers, central bank governors, and development partners from around the world, provide a platform for policy discussions on global growth, debt sustainability, inflation management, and fiscal reforms.

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed all its branches across Nigeria to commence a two-week warning strike from Monday.

President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced this at an ongoing press briefing at the headquarters of the union located in University of Abuja.

Piwuna said the decision to begin total warning strike became imperative after the government failed to do the needful regarding its demands.

‘Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025.’

‘Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025.

‘The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,’ Piwuna said.

Last week when he appeared on Channels Television, Piwuna had called on the Federal Government to expedite the resolution of lingering issues affecting university lecturers.

He had commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for facilitating the release of ?50 billion as part of the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) owed to its members.

‘I commend Dr. Alausa for fighting within government circles to ensure that the money comes out,’ Piwuna said. ‘We’ve seen his personal effort to get that done.’

He clarified, however, that the ?50 billion payment only addressed a small portion of ASUU’s claims.

‘The full amount owed in earned academic allowances stands at about ?103 billion. We had agreed with the government under Dr. Ngige to forfeit 50%, provided the remaining 50% would be paid and mainstreamed into our salaries. But even that payment was delayed until recently,’ he explained.

Piwuna further disclosed that the government deducted 20% from ASUU’s ?50 billion share to settle other campus unions, such as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) – a decision ASUU accepted in good faith.

‘We did not argue over it. We’ve continued to make sacrifices,’ he said. ‘Dr. Alausa himself has acknowledged and appreciated us for that sacrifice.’

The ASUU president stressed that while the union recognized efforts made by the current administration, Nigerians must understand that ASUU, too, has made significant concessions in the national interest.

‘When people say President Tinubu or Dr. Alausa has done something, yes, we’re not disputing that. But we too have made great sacrifices,’ he added.

According to Piwuna, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) held an emergency meeting last week to deliberate on a letter from Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, CFR, who chairs the Federal Government’s team handling the union’s unresolved issues.

‘The letter from Alhaji Yayale Ahmed was considered by our union as a delay tactic by the government,’ Piwuna said. ‘They had asked for two weeks about two weeks ago, and in the new letter, they are asking for another three weeks to get back to us. NEC considered that as an attempt at delaying the resolution of this crisis.’

He emphasized that all of ASUU’s branches were represented at the NEC meeting, with over 70 chartered chapters in attendance.

‘We all met and looked at the state of our struggle, where we are, and what next steps to take,’ he stated.

Piwuna lamented that despite several meetings and promises, the Federal Government had yet to address key issues, including unpaid salary arrears, earned academic allowances, and the withheld salaries from the union’s 2022 industrial action.

‘We’re still being owed 12 months of the 25-35% salary increase awarded by this current government. We also have three and a half months of salary that was withheld from the 2022 action. We think that that action by government to withhold our salary is punitive,’ he said.

On the contentious ‘no work, no pay’ policy, Piwuna noted that the industrial court’s ruling on the matter was inconclusive.

‘The court said it was okay if government paid us our salaries, and it was also okay if they decided not to pay. Basically, it was left to the government’s discretion,’ he explained.

The ASUU president warned that the union’s patience is wearing thin, cautioning that unless genuine progress is made, ASUU would have no choice but to proceed with its planned warning strike.

A lady caused stir at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday after fainting when she was involved in a flight after missing her flight.

The two sisters, both adults, reportedly booked to travel via a NG Eagle flight but they missed the flight after arriving the airport late.

This, however, led to a fight between the two sisters who reportedly scattered their bags and created a scene before the airport security intervened.

It was learnt that the two sisters were dragged to the interrogation office where they continued their scuffle and in the process, one of them fainted.

Spokesperson of the NCAA, Mr. Michael Achinmugu, confirmed the development in a post on his X handle.

However, he did not give further details on the sisters and the destination they were traveling to.

He said, ‘Calls were made for an ambulance to take her to the hospital, but her sister said that the problem is more spiritual than medical and, therefore, did not need a hospital.

‘She is presently receiving attention at the FAAN clinic. Hopefully, she makes a recovery. This is not how things should be.’

Daily Trust reports that passengers travelling on a domestic flight are expected to arrive at the airport one hour before departure to complete the pre-departure formalities while for the international passengers, they are to arrive two hours before the flight.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has eulogized his Son, Seyi, at 40, saying he has made the family proud and will continue to make Nigeria proud.

In a birthday message he personally signed, the president said from an early age, Seyi has shown determination and desire to lead.

He said having watched him turn ideas into institutions and challenges into opportunities, he has also shown that true success is not measured by wealth or power but by the impact we make and the lives we touch.

Part of the statement said, ‘As you turn forty, I thank Almighty God for your life and the man you have become. You have walked your path with focus, courage, and humility, and you have done so with a heart that seeks to build, serve, and uplift others.

‘From an early age, you have shown determination and a desire to create and lead. I have watched you turn ideas into institutions and challenges into opportunities. In business and in service, you have shown that true success is not measured by wealth or power but by the impact we make and the lives we touch.

‘Forty is a special age. It bridges youthful drive and the more profound wisdom that life brings. You have carried your name with honour and have remained faithful to the values of discipline, integrity, and hard work.

‘ Our entire family is proud of you. We are proud of the family you are building with Layal, your devotion as a husband and father, and your commitment to making a difference in your generation.

‘As you celebrate this milestone, remember that your strength lies in what you achieve and how you inspire others to believe in themselves. May God bless you with wisdom, good health, and peace.

‘Happy 40th Birthday, my son. You have made us proud, and I know you will continue to make Nigeria proud.’