Category: Daily Trust

Sterling Bank’s financing across five key sectors rose by 39 per cent to N331.7 billion in 2025, with agriculture recording one of the strongest increases, the bank has disclosed.

The sectors are covered under the bank’s HEART strategy, which focuses on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation.

Dele Faseemo, Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking at Sterling Bank, disclosed this at a press conference ahead of the ninth edition of Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA), scheduled for September 15 and 16, 2026, in Abuja.

The summit, themed ‘Building the Next Superpower: Africa’s Food Power Play,’ will bring together policymakers, investors, financial institutions, development partners and agribusiness leaders to discuss ways to strengthen Africa’s food systems.

Faseemo said agriculture remains a key part of the bank’s strategy, noting that Sterling is committed to supporting farmers, processors, off-takers and other businesses across the agricultural value chain.

Dr. Olushola Obikanye, Group Head, Agric Finance and Solid Minerals at Sterling Bank, said Africa’s agricultural sector presents a major economic opportunity.

He noted that Africa holds about 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land but still spends billions of dollars annually importing food that could be produced locally.

‘Food is jobs. Food is trade. Food is foreign exchange, industrial policy, climate resilience, and increasingly, geopolitical power,’ Obikanye said.

Stakeholders at the event identified inadequate financing, poor access to quality inputs, limited mechanisation, storage and logistics challenges, weak market access and high post-harvest losses as major obstacles to agricultural development.

Christian Mulamula, Principal Country Officer for Nigeria at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), said agricultural transformation must go beyond increasing production. He stressed the need for an ecosystem that provides farmers and agribusinesses with access to finance, technology, infrastructure, inputs and markets.

ASA 2026 is expected to feature high-level plenary sessions, deal-making meetings, innovation showcases and cross-border trade discussions aimed at converting agricultural opportunities into investments, businesses and jobs.

The summit is supported by several development finance institutions, government agencies, technology providers and private-sector organisations, including IFC, GIZ, Mastercard and Sterling One Foundation.

Stakeholders and investors can register for the summit through www.agricsummit.org.

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it described as an encouraging shift towards more professional, accountable and human rights-compliant intelligence operations.

In a statement in Abuja, HURIWA welcomed ‘the reported review of old DSS watchlists, including restrictions dating back decades, noting that outdated intelligence records should not continue to unjustifiably affect the liberty, dignity and freedom of movement of citizens.’

Its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA cited the resolution of the longstanding watchlist issue involving International Press Centre Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, as an example of the importance of periodically reviewing security classifications.

The association also commended the reported compensation of persons affected by wrongful detention, mistaken identity or operational errors.

‘HURIWA maintains that acknowledging mistakes, providing redress and learning from operational failures can strengthen public confidence in security institutions.

‘It equally welcomes reported reviews leading to the release of persons whose continued detention was no longer justified by available investigations.

‘The association stresses that intelligence gathering must never become a substitute for due process,’ noted the NGO.

‘While recognising the DSS’s critical role in combating terrorism, kidnapping, violent extremism, espionage and other threats, HURIWA maintains that security enforcement must remain anchored on legality, necessity, proportionality and respect for fundamental rights,’ the group added

HURIWA urged the DSS leadership to institutionalize reforms to strengthen dedicated mechanisms to monitor rights compliance, investigate complaints and recommend corrective action.

It recommended human rights impact assessments, periodic detention reviews, redress and compensation, and stronger civil society engagement: as measures to help the DSS achieve better results.

HURIWA also recommended mandatory continuous rights training for operatives, citizen complaint channels, responsible media engagement, and preventive, rights-based intelligence as measures that would help improve intelligence sharing and crime prevention to reduce unnecessary arrests and confrontation.

‘We therefore commend Mr. Ajayi for the reform direction and urge him to consolidate the gains by making accountability, proportionality, due process, professional conduct and access to remedy permanent features of DSS operations,’ declared HURIWA.

Lionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.

The 39-year-old forward who won the World Cup in 2022 and dragged his nation to the final in the United States only to lose to Spain, said the decision had been painful.

‘It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,’ Messi wrote on Instagram.

‘I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,’ he added.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory four years ago by winning the final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, but his side lost 1-0 to a superior Spain side in the 2026 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had said he had ‘serious doubts’ about continuing to play football of any sort for ‘much longer’.

‘I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer,’ he said then.

Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

A Lagos Federal High Court, on Monday, stopped the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and others from shutting down Dangote Petroleum Refinery, under an alleged pretext of performing over-sight functions.

Justice Akintayo Aluko made the restraining order today, while granting a motion ex-parte number FHC/L/CS/1174/26, filed and moved by lawyers to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery led by the dou of Olawale Akoni and Abimbola Akeredolu

The company had through its lawyers prayed the court for an order restraining the defendant, whether by itself, officers, servants, agents, partners, representatives, privies, or any person acting under its authority or direction, from enforcing, implementing, giving full effect to, or taking any steps or further steps pursuant to the directive contained in its letter dated 24th August 2026, by which it purported to suspend all loading and truck-out of products from the plaintiff’s refinery pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, which has been filed contemporaneously with the present application’.

It also sought an order of interim injunction restraining the defendant and all of its servants, privies, or agents from entering upon, sealing, shutting down, restricting access to, obstructing, suspending, disrupting, inspecting, supervising, sanctioning, or otherwise interfering with the 1st applicant’s refinery, petrochemical, terminal, storage, blending, loading, truck-out, and related facilities and operations situated in the Lekki Free Zone, in purported exercise of the directive contained in the defendant’s letter of 24th August 2026, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice that has been filed contemporaneously with the present application.

Akeredolu told the court the motion exparte for the orders sought for contained grounds for the orders, a 42-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Wale Aroge, a written address and some documentary exhibits marked as exhibits A1-A6.

Justice Aluko considered the application, counsel’s submissions and all the processes filed.

The court held that: ‘From the depositions in the affidavit and the exhibits placed before the court, the contention of the plaintiff is that the defendant has no regulatory powers or oversight functions capable of affecting operations within the free zones, including the Dangote Industrial Free Zone.

‘I have also seen the letter issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation, dated March 2, 2026, which clearly stated that the defendant is not entitled to exercise regulatory powers or oversight functions over operations within the free zones. I have equally considered the defendant’s letter dated August 24, 2026, by which it purported to exercise such powers.

‘The important question, therefore, is whether the defendant can or should be allowed to exercise such regulatory authority pending the determination of the substantive issues before the court.

‘The depositions contained in paragraphs 17 to 32 of the affidavit in support disclose serious issues for determination in this case.

‘On the issue of urgency, paragraphs 33 to 39 of the main affidavit establish the need for the intervention of the court. What the plaintiff has asked this court to do is to preserve the res pending the determination of the motion on notice.

‘The law is settled on the conditions which an applicant must satisfy to be entitled to an order of interim injunction. Those conditions have been considered and stated in this ruling, and I find that they have been satisfied in the present case.

‘The plaintiff has also undertaken to indemnify the defendant in damages should it subsequently be found that this order ought not to have been granted.

‘Accordingly, I find merit in the application, and the same is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs sought. The plaintiff shall file a formal undertaking as to damages. This order, together with the notice of the court, shall be served on the defendant.’

The Kano State Police Command has deployed 250 newly trained officers to border local government areas of the state to strengthen security and improve rapid response to distress calls.

The officers were deployed on Tuesday after completing a one-month intensive combat and weapon-handling training organised by the command at the No. 9 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Hotoro, and No. 52 PMF, Challawa, Kano.

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony at the No. 9 PMF Parade Ground, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the deployment was part of the command’s operational strategy to strengthen security along the state’s borders and frontline communities.

He charged the officers to be vigilant, professional and firm but fair, stressing that the power of firearms must always be exercised within the limits of the law and with respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of citizens.

Bakori said the trainees received instruction not only in combat drills, rifle stripping and assembling and tactical manoeuvres, but also in human rights, use of force and firearms, police-public relations, intelligence-led policing, IED recognition and response and community-based policing.

He said the training was conducted in line with the strategic policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises capacity building, professionalism and operational readiness of personnel.

The commissioner said the continuous in-house refresher training would be sustained to ensure that police officers remained adequately equipped to perform their duties effectively and safely.

Earlier, the Commanding Officer, No. 9 PMF, Hotoro, ACP Afeez Oyekan, said the officers were rigorously trained in modern weapon handling, marksmanship, combat tactics, tactical manoeuvres and crowd-control techniques.

Oyekan urged the graduating officers to use their weapons responsibly, respect human rights and adopt intelligence-led and community-friendly approaches in dealing with members of the public.

The Commanding Officer of No. 52 PMF, Challawa, also commended the officers for their endurance and discipline during the training, assuring that the command would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving operational effectiveness.

Bakori appreciated the instructors, training team and officers of the Department of Operations for their roles in the programme, while also acknowledging the support of the Kano State Government and residents to security efforts in the state.

The commissioner thereafter declared the training closed and directed the 250 officers to proceed immediately to their new assignments, saying their deployment would enhance border security, police visibility and the command’s response to security threats across Kano.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on behalf of the Debt Management Office (DMO), will offer N700 billion worth of Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) at its first auction for September 2026.

The auction, scheduled for September 3, will cover three maturities: 91-day, 182-day and 364-day bills. The offer is part of the final auctions under the third-quarter (Q3) 2026 NTB programme.

According to the Invitation to Tender, Money Market Dealers are required to submit their bids through the CBN S4 Web Interface between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2.

The N700 billion offer is divided into N100 billion for the 91-day bill, N100 billion for the 182-day bill and N500 billion for the 364-day bill.

The CBN said bids must be submitted in multiples of N1,000, with a minimum bid of N50.001 million. Dealers can submit multiple bids for themselves, non-Money Market Dealers and members of the public.

The apex bank also reserves the right to reject bids or adjust the amount offered depending on prevailing market conditions.

The auction results are expected to be released on September 2, while allotment letters will be issued on September 3. Successful bidders are expected to make payment to the CBN by 11:00 a.m. on the same day.

Under the Q3 2026 NTB programme, the DMO and CBN planned to issue N5.8 trillion in Treasury Bills between July and September. This comprises N900 billion in 91-day bills, N900 billion in 182-day bills and N4 trillion in 364-day bills.

The 364-day bills account for about 69 per cent of the planned issuance, making them the largest component of the programme.

Treasury Bills worth N2.644 trillion are expected to mature during the quarter. After repayments, the programme could result in about N3.16 trillion in net new borrowing.

The CBN had initially scheduled several N700 billion auctions during the quarter, although the August 5 auction was cancelled following liquidity withdrawals from previous OMO sales.

Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, founder of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has donated ?10 million to the 2026 PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship (PYCF).

Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR)-publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, and organisers of the fellowship and National Spokespersons Awards-praised the gesture in an appreciation letter dated August 29, 2026.

Managing Director of IMPR, Yushau A. Shuaib, described the financial aid by Prof. Gwarzo as an extraordinary contribution that reaffirms his enduring dedication to education, mentorship and youth empowerment.

‘We deeply value this partnership and look forward to strengthening our collaboration in a manner that reflects transparency, mutual respect, and shared commitment to developing the next generation of communication professionals,’ Shuaib said.

The letter, which was conveyed by the General Manager of IMPR, Mr. Saad Yushau, indicated that the donation will help sustain this year’s edition of the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship across its centres in Abuja, Kano, and Ilorin.

In his response, Gwarzo said his philanthropic work in education and youth development is driven by a commitment to nurturing a new generation of competent and responsible leaders through mentorship, learning and practical skills acquisition.

Noting investment in young people is one of the ways to build a better society, the scholar stressed that funding is impactful when beneficiaries acquire knowledge and get opportunities needed to become self-reliant and contribute to national development.

‘My passion has always been to support initiatives that prepare young people for the responsibilities of tomorrow,’ he said. ‘When we provide quality education, relevant skills, mentorship and opportunities to realise their potential, we are investing in the future leadership of our society.’

Gwarzo had earlier offered a property in Lugbe, Abuja, for use as the PRNigeria Academy and Studio, in furtherance of his benefaction towards youth development, journalism and professional communication training.

Reiterating its gratitude, IMPR has proposed that the property be formalised as a renewable lease donation rather than an outright transfer in line with the organisation’s governance and sustainability framework.

The media firm also proposed that Gwarzo’s support for the fellowship and academy be formally acknowledged under the Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo (AAG) Foundation in recognition of his philanthropic contributions.

Gwarzo’s latest intervention adds to his long-standing support for youth-oriented and capacity-building initiatives, including the Campus Journalism Awards, Arewa Stars Awards, internship schemes and special publications.

Launched in 2024, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship is a youth development programme that equips emerging journalists and communication practitioners with practical skills, mentorship and professional exposure.

Justice Ngozi Nwabulu of an Abuja High Court on Monday remanded two friends in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for alleged culpable homicide.

The police charged Acha Michael and Abigal Vincent, both residents of Apo, Abuja with conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide.

Justice Nwabulu ordered that Michael should be taken to the Nigerian Medium Security Custodian Centre in Kuje while Vincent should be remanded in the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Suleja, Niger.

The trial judge adjourned the matter until Sept. 24 for trial.

Earlier, the prosecution Counsel, Ridwan Mohammed, told the court that the the first defendant, Michael conspired with the second defendant between April 24 and April 29 to kidnap a 21-year-old Emmanuel Chukwuemeka.

He told the court that Chukwuemeka, now deceased, was taken to the Apo Hill for special prayer.

Mohammed alleged that Chukwuemeka was murdered there, while the first defendant made a call to the deceased’s mother asking for N5 million ransom.

The prosecution counsel told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97, 221 and 274 of the Penal Code Law and punishable by death.

They defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defendants were represented by Ms Kate Nwaigbo. (NAN)

Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.43 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, up from 4.23 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025.

The Federal Ministry of Finance, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, said the latest growth figure also represented an improvement over the 3.89 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2026.

According to the ministry, the performance raised Nigeria’s real GDP growth for the first half of 2026 to 4.16 per cent, compared with 3.68 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025.

It said the figures indicated that the economy was experiencing sustained growth, with expansion becoming increasingly broad-based across different sectors.

The ministry said 27 economic subsectors recorded real growth of more than three per cent in the second quarter, compared with 23 subsectors in Q2 2025.

‘The strong Q2 2026 outturn lifted real GDP growth for the first half of 2026 to 4.16 per cent, up from 3.68 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025, a clear signal of sustained strengthening across the economy,’ it said.

It said the productive sectors were among the major contributors to the growth, with manufacturing expanding by 3.24 per cent in Q2 2026, more than double the 1.60 per cent recorded in Q2 2025.

Agriculture also recorded stronger growth, expanding by 4.39 per cent compared with 2.82 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025.

Services, which the ministry described as the largest driver of growth, grew by 4.60 per cent, up from 3.94 per cent in Q2 2025.

The ministry attributed part of the improvement in the economy’s dollar value to the relative stability and appreciation of the naira during the period under review.

It said the naira appreciated by more than 12 per cent between the first half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, contributing to an estimated 17 per cent expansion of the economy in U.S. dollar terms over the period.

According to the ministry, sustaining the trend alongside the government’s social programmes could strengthen dollar incomes, improve purchasing power and reduce poverty.

‘Given this momentum, Nigeria is well positioned to consolidate its standing among Africa’s largest economies and to advance toward the Government’s target of a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030,’ the ministry said.

It added that the International Monetary Fund had ranked Nigeria among the top 10 contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026, projecting the country to account for approximately 1.5 per cent of global growth during the year.

The ministry said continued macroeconomic stability, sustained growth in productive sectors and improved investor confidence could further accelerate the country’s economic expansion.

It projected that the combination of these factors could position Nigeria to become Africa’s largest economy by 2028.

The ministry, however, stressed the need for policy consistency and continued implementation of reforms to sustain the growth trajectory.

‘These results underscore the importance of sustaining our reforms and ensuring policy consistency as their benefits begin to reach households across the country,’ it said.

‘The Government remains focused on accelerating inclusive growth and translating these macroeconomic gains into shared prosperity for every Nigerian family.’

The Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has denied that any Muslim organisation is operating under the umbrella of Hisbah in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

This follows a statement issued by the state government alleging the commencement of activities by the group, a development that has generated controversy within and outside the state.

Speaking to Daily Trust on Tuesday, the Secretary of JNI in Plateau State, Dr Salim Musa Umar, said no Islamic organisation in the state had announced plans to establish Hisbah in Jos North.

He said the controversy originated from social media platform where some individuals allegedly used artificial intelligence-generated images to create the impression that a Hisbah organisation had been established in the LG.

‘I want to assure the people that no Islamic organisation in Plateau has come out to say it wants to establish Hisbah. There is nothing like that. It has never been discussed and it is not part of what is being considered,’ Umar said.

‘The matter started on social media when some people appeared in uniforms created with the help of artificial intelligence, claiming that they had established Hisbah in Jos North. The information gained reaction and people began sharing it widely.

According to him, an organisation such as Hisbah cannot be legally established without enabling legislation passed by the State House of Assembly.

‘Hisbah cannot be established without a law from the State House of Assembly, and the government has not done that. Therefore, people cannot simply come out and claim that they have established Hisbah,’ he said.

He urged the Plateau State Government to conduct thorough investigations whenever issues involving religion emerged particularly when such issues have the potential to generate tension among communities.

The JNI Secretary also appealed to social media users to refrain from creating or circulating content capable of causing misunderstanding and disrupting peaceful coexistence in the state.

Our correspondent reports that the controversy over the alleged establishment of Hisbah in Jos North has continued to generate debate among residents, both on social media platforms and community members.