Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Elders from the Niger South Senatorial District, under the auspices of Niger-South Senior Stakeholders’ Forum (NSSF), have called for the completion of the Baro port and the exploration of hydrocarbon potential in the Bida Basin, along with other federal government infrastructure projects in the zone.

The elders claimed that completing these projects would unlock economic opportunities, boost trade competitiveness, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, thereby addressing unemployment and stimulating regional development.

At an expanded meeting where the forum engaged with experts and political officeholders from the zone, the lawmaker representing Bida-Katcha-Gbako Federal Constituency, Saidu Musa Abdul, identified a lack of political will from past administrations, an inadequate funding framework, and insufficient cooperation among critical stakeholders as factors impeding the revitalization of Baro port.

Abdul, who is the chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of Baro Port, expressed disappointment that six years after its inauguration, the port remained non-operational.

Abdul said, ‘We are still where we are; nothing is happening at the level of the port. The access roads have not been provided. The rail corridor is not working. The capital region has not been done.

‘For a journey that is not supposed to last more than 30 minutes, we spent close to four hours.’

The lawmaker said his committee has devised ways to bring all critical stakeholders and sectors related to the Baro port together to work in harmony, ensuring its full operationalization.

‘Our major challenge was that in the past, people were not working together. But as we are progressing as a committee, even before we do our final report, we already have the buy-in of critical stakeholders. We are working with the Ministry of Blue Economy, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Transport, the National Inland Waterways (NIWA), and the National Hydrographic Agency.

‘So we were moving at the same pace with all critical stakeholders. This is what you didn’t get in the past. NIWA and, by implication, the Ministry of Transport were then busy doing the procurement and installation of equipment without carrying along all the critical stakeholders.

‘But what we have today is different. We have virtually everybody under the same umbrella today. And we are sure this is what will propel Baro port into reality.

‘On the issue of capital, we are putting all things together. We are coming up with a funding framework that will not be too burdensome for the government.

The lawmaker described the meeting with members of the NSSF as a welcome development, which provided a platform for him to engage with constituents and elders, and receive valuable guidance, information, and advice.

In his presentation, a consultant on Baro Inland Port, Prof. Mustafa Zubairu, noted that the port has, at present had a capital asset of N66 billion and is capable of creating 800,000 jobs and 300,000 smart homes.

He highlighted business opportunities at Baro port, including ferry services, barge operations for bulk commodities and containers, aggregation centers for agricultural produce and solid minerals, commodity processing facilities, tank farms, modular refineries for PMS and biodiesel, and boat courses.

NIWA Area Manager (Niger-Kwara), Akapo Adeboye, noted that Baro port should be viewed as a business opportunity, and encouraged indigenes of the area to start investing in the various opportunities available, even before full operationalization.

He identified areas such as the sand business, which he said would help harness the water resources and generate income for investors.

Earlier in their remarks, the Chairman of NSSF, Alhaji Ibrahim Liman, and the Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, stated that the organization was formed to protect and advance the developmental and political interests of the Niger-South Senatorial District, highlighting the challenges faced by the zone.

They noted that the meeting was convened to synergize with professionals on the issues surrounding Baro Inland Port and Bida Hydrocarbon exploration, to ensure they become a reality soon.

On the Bida Inland Oil Basin, the Forum acknowledged the various investments made by the Niger State Government, especially the current government, but fears that all this will come to nothing if the state does not fully secure the interest and commitment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), its frontier service division, and the federal government.

This, according to the forum, is because all matters relating to oil exploration and development are exclusive to the Federal government.

Ademola Lookman made his first start of the season for Atalanta as the Italians came from behind to beat Club Brugge in the Champions League.

The England-born Nigeria winger was left out of the Italians’ squad for the first three Serie A games of the season after handing in a transfer request at the start of August.

Lookman was reported to have been a target for Inter Milan but a move failed to materialise.

He looked sharp on his return to the first-team fold and had an early shot blocked, but it was Belgium’s Club Brugge who took the lead against the run of play when Christos Tzolis curled in a fine effort just before half time.

Atalanta dominated the second half and substitute Davide Zappacosta went close with a low drive that flew just wide of the target.

They got the equaliser their dominance deserved when Nordin Jackers was adjudged to have brought down Mario Pasalic inside the box, and Lazar Samardzic stepped up to convert the penalty.

That prompted an open end to the game as both sides had chances to snatch a winner, but it was Atalanta who got it as Pasalic headed home with three minutes left.

The result secured Atalanta their first win in this season’s Champions League while it was Club Brugge’s first loss after thrashing Monaco 4-1 in their opener.

Five operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were knocked down by motorists while performing their duties on various roads across the country.

The Corps Marshal of FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, who announced this on Monday, September 30, directed immediate prosecution of the culprits to serve as a deterrent against future occurrences.

According to the Corps Marshal, the incidents occurred across five sector commands: Ekiti Sector Command on September 6, Ogun Sector Command on September 8, Taraba Sector Command on September 15, Jos By-Pass Unit Command on September 19, and Obollo Afor Unit Command on September 24.

‘Their deaths are not mere statistics, they represent human lives of dedicated fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and breadwinners, cut short in the line of duty while safeguarding Nigerian roads,’ Mohammed said in a statement issued through the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide.

The Corps Marshal noted with great concern the increasing hazards faced by FRSC operatives, whom he said beyond being exposed to speeding vehicles, now contend with kidnapping, violent attacks, and targeted assaults.

He stressed that the FRSC would no longer tolerate acts of recklessness that endanger its staff, warning that offenders would be made to face the full weight of the law.

The Corps Marshal urged personnel across formations nationwide to exercise more level of alertness and ensure their safety is highly prioritised, noting that they need to be safe and alive to save others.

Mohammed also directed stronger engagements with relevant authorities on the protection of its personnel and installations, emphasizing that the measure was not intended for aggression but as a ‘safeguard to deter assaults and ensure that officers can perform their duties without fear of attack.’

While commiserating with the families of the deceased officers and saluting their courage and sacrifice, the Corps Marshal urged Nigerians to ‘honour their memory by respecting traffic laws, showing regard for FRSC operatives on duty, and supporting the Corps in its mandate to end avoidable deaths on the nation’s highways.’

He warned that disregard for traffic laws and the safety of FRSC personnel would attract serious sanctions and legal consequences going forward.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Tuesday sustained the shutdown of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The association commenced the industrial actions on Monday because Dangote Refinery laid off over 800 workers for unionizing.

Recall that PENGASSAN President Comrade Festus Osifo on Sunday confirmed on Channels TV that the association had cut gas supply to Dangote Refinery and Fertilizer plant.

The Nation monitored the situation on Monday to discover that the protesting PENGASSAN unionists remained at the entrances of the NNPCL, NUPRC, and NMDPRA despite a court order that barred the association from cutting gas supply to the refinery.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Tuesday said mass road networks across the FCT will give credibility to Nigeria’s quest to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.

The projects, Wike said, were anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike said this at the official flagged off of the construction of Arterial Road S1 with a three-span bridge from Ring Road II to the FCT Fire Service station in Kaura District, Abuja.

The minister said the crucial road will not only open up the Kaura District for development but will also enhance the operational capacity of the Fire Service Station within the area.

The Minister said; ‘It will help the fire service station in case of emergencies. By the time this road is constructed with a three-span bridge, of course, anywhere there is any fire incident and they are called upon, they will respond immediately. Again, this is also to contribute to their efficiency in their job delivery’.

Wike expressed confidence that the contractor, Infiouest Construction Company, which is currently undertaking the Abuja/Kaduna/Zaria Road, will deliver a good quality job and appealed to the company to also give opportunity to the youths to participate in the road construction.

He said: ‘I understand that Nigeria is bidding to host the Commonwealth Games, and it will be difficult for us to achieve that if we don’t have a good network of roads. When the Committee comes and they see that the basic infrastructure is being provided, that gives us the leverage to be given the hosting rights of the Commonwealth Games.

‘So, all these linkages, all these networks of roads are also geared to showcase to the world that we have a city that can host the Commonwealth Games’.

Stressing that the construction and rehabilitation of key roads in each of the six Area Councils was designed to extend development beyond the city centre, Wike reiterated that Abuja city will compete with some of the developed cities of the world by the end of President Tinubu’s first tenure.

‘As I have said before, it is the hope of the Renewed Hope Agenda that before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, Abuja will be a different place. Abuja will be competing with some other cities of the world’, the Minister stated.

Minister of State, FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and vision in the provision of infrastructure that directly improves the lives of the people and thanked the FCT Minister for his consistent drive to transform Abuja into a modern, functional, and inclusive city.

Providing an overview of the road project, the Acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Yunana Dauda, said access roads being developed under the project included part of Arterial Road S1 to connect to the Ring Road II in collector Road CS2, as well as a minor access road that formed part of the Kaura District Development.

He said the scope of work includes the construction of 2.4km of asphalt-paved roads with the three-span bridge, surface water drainage, as well as erosion control measures, among other engineering services, adding that the road project, during its construction, will provide direct and indirect job opportunities.

There will be no anniversary parade to mark the 65th Independence celebration tomorrow in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Government said yesterday.

However, other programmes already slated for the anniversary will take place, according to a statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Senator George Akume.

The Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, explained that the decision does not diminish the significance of the milestone celebration.

The director stressed that other programmes lined up for the anniversary will proceed as planned.

He said: ‘The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary, and the government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm.’

Imohiosen said the government regretted any inconvenience caused by the cancellation and assured that activities marking the anniversary would reflect the spirit of national pride.

The director added that the Federal Government was appreciative of the understanding, support, and cooperation of Nigerians, the diplomatic community, and guests.

He urged Nigerians to always support the reform initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as essential to the collective goal of building a greater Nigeria.

Civil society organisation, Save the Republic, has expressed concern over reports that more than 800 Nigerian engineers and workers were dismissed by Dangote Refinery for attempting to join a trade union.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the group yesterday, Rights Lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said the matter raises serious questions about labour rights, fair employment, and Nigeria’s regulatory environment.

The group noted that Nigerian Constitution and the Trade Unions Act recognise the right of workers to freely associate and join unions, and any attempt to restrict such rights is inconsistent with the law.

‘The right to organise is a constitutional guarantee under Section 40 of 1999 Constitution, as amended,’ Adeyanju said. ‘It is important Nigerian workers are able to exercise this right without fear of dismissal or intimidation.’

Save the Republic also noted the broader implications of the refinery’s reported actions, noting the Dangote Group has benefited from government interventions and licences. Adeyanju stressed given the scale of public support, transparency and fairness in employment practice were essential.

He said Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws discourage any practice that could entrench monopoly or undermine rights of stakeholders, including employees.

‘This is a matter of public accountability,’ he noted. ‘When a project of this scale receives state support, Nigerians have a right to demand fair treatment and full transparency in employment practice.’

It appealed for calm and dialogue, urging parties to dialogue, stressing rights of workers must be respected while ensuring the refinery thrives.

‘The way forward is dialogue. Nobody wants to kill Dangote Refinery. We want it to work, but we also want the rights of workers respected,’ he said.

Coach Finidi George has acknowledged that Rivers United must perform better than they did against Aigles du Congo of DR Congo if they are to progress to the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

Rivers United advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after securing a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory over Aigles du Congo in Port Harcourt on Sunday and will face Black Bulls of Mozambique next month.

Finidi expressed satisfaction with the hard-fought win, noting that his side dug deep to progress despite missed opportunities.

‘We are quite happy with the victory. It was not an easy one but any day, anytime, I will take the 1-0 win because we are now through to the next round,’ Finidi said after the game. ‘In the first half, we had a chance that should have been converted to calm the nerves, but it didn’t happen. We saw lapses and mistakes because the players were a little nervous. We spoke at halftime and the response was better, though we still couldn’t take our chances. Towards the end, our opponents tried to shock us, but we managed the game well.

‘It was not our usual style because we have a lot of new players. They will improve with time. I am happy we qualified, and the players know they must give everything to overcome our next opponents.’

Also Speaking on the game, team captain Temple Emekayi also reflected on the tactical approach of the Congolese side, noting that Rivers United had to adapt as the game progressed.

‘The opponents came with a clear game plan. They wanted to sit back and catch us on the counter. They kept to this until the goal came. In the second half, they threw everything forward knowing it was their last chance. With the pressure, we had to drop deep and defend our lead,’ Emekayi explained.

With the win, Rivers United will now shift focus to their second-round clash against Black Bulls of Mozambique, a fixture Finidi insists will require total commitment from his squad as they continue their quest for a group stage spot.

The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Chief Emeka Obegolu said in the past 20 years of the chamber’s existence it has facilitated billions of naira in trade deals, investment, partnerships and provided visibility for SMEs by enabling them to access new markets.

Obegolu disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 20th Abuja International Trade Fair with the theme: Sustainability, Consumption, Incentives and Taxation, stating that, this is not just the opening of another fair, it is the celebration of a historic milestone, 20 years of consistent commitment to trade, investment, innovation, and economic diplomacy in Nigeria and Africa.

He said: ‘The Abuja International Trade Fair has grown from a modest local exhibition into Nigeria’s most influential multi-sectoral trade platform, one of Africa’s most recognised trade events.

‘Over the past two decades, the Fair has hosted over 2,500 exhibitors from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It has attracted more than 1.5 million visitors across multiple sectors, facilitated billions of naira in trade deals, investments, and partnerships.

‘It has provided visibility for SMEs, enabling them to access new markets, strengthened collaborations with over 40 diplomatic missions, trade agencies, and international business associations.

‘These achievements underscore the pivotal role of the AITF as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic growth and Africa’s integration into the global economy.’

He explained that the theme of this edition: ‘Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives, and Taxation,’ reflects the country’s collective resolve to address pressing economic and environmental challenges. As Nigeria’s economy expands, our priority must be to ensure that growth is sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven.

This Fair will serve as a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and development partners to examine how consumption patterns, incentives, and taxation can be strategically aligned to promote responsible production, attract investment, and encourage environmental stewardship.

The National President Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Jamil Ibrahim applauded ACCI for sustaining this platform and reaffirming NACCIMA’s shared commitment to positioning Nigeria as a $1 trillion sustainable economy by 2030.

Nigeria he said has made progress with the Business Facilitation Act the BFA 2023 which is for the ease of doing business as much more is needed to strengthen competitiveness and full alignment with AfCFTA.

Which he added as unlocking a continental market of 1.4 billion people deep reforms under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement to improve Nigeria’s low ranking on cross-border trade indicators and ensuring all policies reflect a Nigeria-first agenda.

Support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received a boost in Edo State, following inauguration of the Grassroots Mobilisation for 2027 tagged: ‘PBAT 4+4 Grassroots Mobilisation’.

The group said Tinubu’s economic reforms had shown promising results, with notable gains in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, foreign reserves, and infrastructural development.

Edo State Coordinator of the group, Abel Emokpae, who spoke after the inauguration in Benin City, said President Tinubu had earned citizens’ support by delivering dividends of democracy.

He noted that the Tinubu administration had shown that it had capacity to turn around economic downturn and make it profitable.

He said the group aimed to secure massive support for President Tinubu across all stratums, including the local government councils in Edo State.

Emokpae challenged Nigerians to rally behind the present administration, emphasising that continuity was crucial for sustaining progress.

He said: ‘This can lay a foundation for a brighter future for the youth, knowing that President Tinubu is not the father that forgets serious children’s ambitions. The leaders of this group will soon visit some states to encourage more grassroots mobilisation, preparatory to 2027 election and by special grace of God, volunteers across the state will be captured.’