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A bill seeking to impose a 10-year passport ban on Nigerians convicted and deported from foreign countries over various forms of crimes on Tuesday scaled second reading at the Senate.

It was sponsored by Senator Bello Sani Abubakar (APC, Niger North).

Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, while presented the lead debate on the general principles of the bill on behalf of the sponsor, said it seeks to provide for measures towards preserving the image of Nigerians while abroad and the Federal Republic of Nigeria globally.

‘The implication of the proposed amendment is that where a Nigerian commits any of the foregoing offences in a foreign country and is convicted for the crime, the international passport of the convict would be withdrawn for ten years. This measure serves as a veritable deterrent to the commission of crime in a foreign country.

‘Countries like China, Turkey, Canada, France, Egypt, Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, among others, which are destinations of interest to our citizens, apply stringent visa rules to Nigerians.

‘A major reason for the visa restriction is the significant commission of crimes and conviction of Nigerians in those countries,’ he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senators, in their contributions, supported the bill, which was referred to the relevant committee for further legislative action.

Bauchi State is taking bold steps toward economic renewal and diversification as it hosts its maiden Investment and Economic Summit today.

The two-day summit, themed ‘Rebuilding a Resilient Economy: Optimizing Investment and Partnerships,’ is expected to be declared open by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON, Kauran Daular Usmaniyya and Executive Governor of Bauchi State, the summit coincides with the commissioning of the new International Conference Centre (ICC), Bauchi, on Wednesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 9, 2025 – a symbolic milestone reflecting the state’s growing readiness to attract local and global investment.

The present administration has identified 10 priority areas as the key pillars of Bauchi’s economic transformation agenda, aimed at creating jobs, strengthening infrastructure, and positioning the state as a hub of sustainable development in northern Nigeria.

Agriculture and agribusiness

With 4.2 million hectares of arable land, fertile plains, and a favourable climate, Bauchi State is a natural choice for large-scale farming, irrigation, and value-chain investment in rice, sesame, groundnut, maize, and livestock production.

Commerce, trade and industry

Strategically located and blessed with abundant raw materials, Bauchi is fast becoming a centre for light manufacturing, agro-processing, and small- and medium-scale enterprises, linking producers to national and regional markets.

Culture, heritage and tourism

Known as the Pearl of Tourism, Bauchi offers unmatched cultural and natural attractions, including Yankari Game Reserve, Sumu Wildlife Park, Wikki Warm Spring, and Babban Gwani’s architectural heritage, providing enormous potential for hospitality and ecotourism investment.

Solid minerals and natural resources

The state is richly endowed with more than 20 commercially viable minerals, including limestone, gypsum, kaolin, gold, coal, and iron ore, as well as confirmed oil and gas reserves in the Kolmani Basin, offering opportunities for exploration and value addition.

Energy and renewable power

To drive industrial growth and rural electrification, the government is encouraging investment in solar, hydro, and biomass energy projects, with emphasis on off-grid solutions and sustainable power generation.

Infrastructure and urban development

Bauchi’s urban renewal programme prioritises roads, transport corridors, housing, water supply, and municipal services to support modern city living and improve connectivity across the state.

Information and communication technology (ICT)

Digital transformation is a core focus, with plans for broadband expansion, technology incubation hubs, and e-commerce platforms to empower youth, innovators, and digital entrepreneurs.

Education, skills and vocational development

The state is strengthening its human capital base through investments in technical and vocational training centres, teacher development, and modern learning infrastructure.

Health and social services

Bauchi is committed to improving healthcare delivery through public-private partnerships in hospital construction, diagnostic services, medical supply chains, and community health initiatives.

Logistics, transport and value chain connectivity

Enhancing road and rail networks, cold storage systems, and industrial parks remains central to Bauchi’s strategy for facilitating trade and reducing post-harvest losses.

The unveiling of these 10 sectors demonstrates the administration’s pragmatic approach to rebuilding a resilient, self-sustaining economy built on innovation, inclusion, and partnership.

Through targeted policies, infrastructure expansion, and private-sector collaboration, Bauchi State is charting a clear path toward prosperity and turning its natural endowments into real opportunities for investors and citizens alike.

With these and other laudable development projects underway, the Governor Bala Mohammed-led administration is driving inclusive growth and building a sustainable future for all.

The abandonment of the 417 grazing reserves that are scattered across Nigeria clearly indicates the extreme neglect to which the livestock sub-sector has been subjected. It also explains the sharp decline in livestock production, which has continued to have negative effects on agriculture in particular and the national economy as a whole.

Available statistics have shown that the 417 grazing reserves, approximate to more than four million hectares of land that cut across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory, when properly catered for, should be adequate for the rearing of livestock in the country. The classification of such vast and long stretch of land as grazing reserves in 1942 and the subsequent enactment of the Grazing Reserves Law by the Northern Regional Government in 1965 were a testimony to the commitment of the past leaders to livestock development.

It is, therefore, unfortunate that at present, when the need for grazing reserves has become even more compelling, considering the remarkable quantitative growth of livestock, such vital facilities have been so abandoned. Even with some of the issues that have constituted a challenge for the government in the preservation of grazing reserves, the level of the neglect remains unacceptable.

Admittedly, the noticeable conversion of a lot of portions to farmlands as well as erection of structures, coupled with the fact that far greater number of them have remained ungazetted, are truly problems that have made utilisation of the grazing reserves absolutely difficult, if not impossible. The lingering insecurity in many northern states is, perhaps, the biggest factor that inhibits pastoralism, thereby militating against livestock development in Nigeria.

It is, for example, a matter of utmost concern that out of the 417 of the reserves, only 142, that is a little over one quarter of them, have been gazetted; a reality that has posed huge legal and operational constraints in the management and utilisation of the facilities. If this is added to the various threats to security like kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling and farmers-herders clashes, a whole picture of unsecured environment where livestock rearing is an impossibility will readily emerge.

But all these are challenges that must have to be surmounted in order to raise the level of livestock production and, by extension, guarantee the food security of the country. The proper step should be taken towards the resuscitation of the grazing reserves, which are critical national assets that should be safeguarded.

In this regard, the new Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, in collaboration with the state and local governments, should carry out an auditing of all the grazing reserves in the country with a view to ascertaining their present condition. This will enable them to know the extent of encroachment, level of deterioration and possibly establish the need for a redesign of some of them in line with the present realities.

Daily Trust welcomes the move by the ministry to start a pilot programme, such as the one in the outskirt of Abuja, aimed at resuscitating some of the abandoned grazing reserves. This should be taken with all seriousness. State governments must also take similar measures in their grazing reserves.

Similarly, governments must reclaim all the grazing reserves that have been encroached by individuals and institutions and revert them to their original status.

We believe this, and subsequent measures would go a long way towards addressing the security concerns in many of our states.

Federal and state governments must collaborate to ensure the success of the programme.

The current farmers-herders clashes can be effectively addressed only if the governments adopt a common approach that will make the enforcement of measures as well as monitoring and evaluation relatively easy.

Although the immediate past federal government under late Muhammadu Buhari mooted the idea of ranching which has now been substituted with the Fulaku Initiative, the failure of the two programmes justifies the strong agitation for the resuscitation of the grazing reserves. The reversal of the ugly situation in the livestock sub-sector will be possible only if the grazing reserves are quickly resuscitated and upgraded.

We agree with the view expressed by the President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, in an interview with this newspaper that the ‘government has to strike a balance between crop production and livestock’. The livestock sub-sector which, according to experts, contributes five to seven per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product and 20 per cent of the country’s overall agricultural output, is no less important than any other sub-sector and should be supported to grow further.

The Federal Government has announced plans to professionalise Human Resource (HR) management within the civil service, making certification in HR a prerequisite for career progression into directorate-level positions.

This was disclosed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, during a sensitisation workshop held in Abuja.

She unveiled The HR Initiative, a reform programme designed to reposition HR practice across government ministries, departments and agencies.

Walson-Jack described HR as the ‘nervous system of any effective organisation’ and said the reform was anchored on global best practices to improve efficiency, accountability and professionalism within the public sector.

She further emphasised that the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) is the only statutory body authorised to certify HR professionals in the country. ‘Only CIPM has the mandate to professionalise HR in Nigeria,’ she stated, reaffirming the Institute’s central role in driving the reforms.

President and Chairman of the CIPM Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, hailed the initiative as ‘a defining moment for Nigeria’s public sector.’

He assured that the Institute, with decades of experience in advancing HR standards, was fully prepared to guide the civil service through the transition.

The HR Initiative includes the introduction of a national HR competency framework, accreditation in partnership with CIPM and international bodies, curriculum review for Management Development Institutes, and a transition plan requiring officers currently in HR roles to commence certification within 12 months. By January 2026, preference in HR postings will be given to certified or actively certifying officers.

The reform aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25), which seeks to institutionalise HR as a specialised professional function rather than a generalist administrative role.

With this step, CIPM’s position as the statutory regulator of HR practice in Nigeria has been further consolidated, as the government moves to build a globally benchmarked and citizen-focused civil service.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has tackled President Bola Tinubu for accepting the resignation of former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji.

In a statement, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, described the president’s action as weak and disappointing.

He said a government that upholds integrity cannot afford to treat criminal conduct like a personal matter.

‘The ADC believes that the decision of President Tinubu to merely accept the offending former minister’s resignation instead of taking a tougher stance gives the unfortunate impression that the President is sympathetic to such behaviour.’

‘We are equally appalled that the Minister was allowed to quietly resign after publicly admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions. This sends the wrong message to Nigerians, especially the youth, that dishonesty carries no consequence in public life.

‘It is imperative to reiterate that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officially disowned the certificates Mr. Nnaji presented for his ministerial appointment, while court filings by the Minister himself confirmed that UNN never awarded him any degree certificate.

‘In this regard, by simply accepting his resignation, President Tinubu has shown that for whatever reason, his administration is willing to let corrupt officials off the hook easily and he is not willing to set example for those who serve under him that dishonesty has serious consequences.

‘As mentioned in our initial statement on this subject, Nigerians are aware that this is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern that has defined the APC government since its inception.

‘From one certificate scandal to another, Nigerians have watched the APC turn dishonesty into an identity, offering sanctuary to people with questionable integrity and forged. Indeed, if the President cannot act firmly in a case that was this clear, how can Nigerians trust his government to fight corruption in any other form?

‘As a party, we therefore call on relevant law enforcement agencies to pursue an independent investigation into the matter, noting that resignation does not erase criminal liability. Forgery is not a private offence, it is a crime. If found guilty, Mr. Nnaji should be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Anything less will amount to a cover-up.’

The Kwara State government has unveiled its first film, Ajuwaya Series, that mirrors the devastating consequences of kidnapping and other crimes in the society.

The movie, a N290 million project, had 85 per cent of its production executed in the state-of-the-art Sugar Factory Film Studios.

At a media briefing for the unveiling of the project in Ilorin on Tuesday, Managing Director of the Studios, Gbenga Titiloye, said the movie stands the chance of attracting direct foreign investment.

According to him, ‘This is the only functional film studio in Africa’.

He thanked the Governor’s foresight and his resolve to create a platform that nurtures artistry, innovation, and economic vitality.

‘Today, we gather to celebrate a milestone that marks not just the completion of a facility, but the dawn of a new era in Nigerian cinema and cultural expression, the successful completion of the Ajuwaya project.

‘This moment stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, perseverance, and collaborative effort converge for the common good.

‘What the Governor has achieved here is foreign direct investment because this is the only functional film studio in Africa, and 85 percent of this movie was done in this studio.

‘His Excellency’s willingness to champion a film studio in Nigeria demonstrates not only a bold strategic mind but also a deep faith in our people and their talent. It is through that foresight and resolve that we have arrived at this moment: a state-backed endeavour that nurtures artistry, innovation, and economic vitality’.

Titiloye also appreciated Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her generous donation to the Sugar Factory Studios, adding that her gesture reflects the spirit of national renewal and investment in the creative economy.

‘This grant (from the First Lady) is more than funding; it is a signal, a beacon, and a pledge that Nigeria will not only tell its stories but export them with pride and excellence,’ he said.

Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bola Olukoju, explained that the studio is a creative initiative designed to drive job creation and reposition Kwara as a national hub for film production.

She said a total of 1,211 people were involved in the production, with 712 of them now residing in the state.

According to her, the film was supported by a N350 million grant from the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Mrs. Olukoju described the production as a major breakthrough for the creative economy in Kwara.

She noted that the project provided opportunities for a wide range of artisans and professionals, including carpenters, tailors, caterers, drivers, and make-up artists.

‘Forty-five percent of people in Nollywood are from Kwara State, and that’s what we built upon. This film has opened up a whole new creative ecosystem where local talents are now being celebrated,’ she said.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Princess Adebukola Babalola, called on youths to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Sugar Factory Studios.

She emphasized that the project was conceived to open up a new channel for job creation, talent development, and positive storytelling about Nigeria.

General Manager and Producer of the film, Mrs. Grace Babasola, described the project as a national treasure designed to inspire creativity and promote unity through storytelling.

She said with Ajuwaya, Kwara has not only made a film but also delivered a statement that reaffirms the power of culture and creativity as instruments for peace, unity, and progress.

Babasola said the success of Ajuwaya demonstrates how film can serve as a medium for both social change and economic empowerment.

Daily Trust reports that Ajuwaya: The Series, featured some of Nollywood’s finest stars such as Femi Adebayo, Desmond Elliot, Keppy Ekpeyong, Segun Arinze, Tina Mba and Monalisa Chinda, among others

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has tasked Nigeria and other African countries to strengthen their credit rating processes through improved data systems and better coordination among government agencies.

UNDP Chief Economist, Head, Strategy, Analysis and Research Regional for Africa, Dr. Raymond Gilpin, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a dialogue with key institutions to discuss economic narratives and how to attract affordable capital for development.

He decried that most African countries do not fully understand the process and the sort of data to present to improve their credit ratings which was due to lack of synergy among government agencies.

Dr. Gilpin explained that credit rating agencies assess countries in three main phases – starting with economic and governance data analysis, followed by a qualitative review by experts, and concluding with the government’s feedback before final publication.

‘Many African countries are used to working with institutions like the IMF and World Bank. But credit rating missions are different, they require more specific data, including institutional, regulatory, and governance indicators,’ he said.

‘Governments must understand the process, prepare the right data, and ensure that all ministries, departments, and agencies speak with one voice when telling the country’s economic story.’

Gilpin said the UNDP and its partners are providing technical and financial assistance to help countries, including Nigeria, prepare adequately for credit rating evaluations.

The dialogue was part of Dr. Gilpin’s high-level mission to Nigeria aimed at identifying practical strategies to mobilize domestic and international capital, especially from pension and venture sectors, to finance the country’s development and infrastructure needs.

The Chairman, National Eye Health Committee, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof Afekhide Ernest Omoti, has said 80 percent of blindness in Nigeria are preventable and treatable.

He stressed the need for individuals, communities, and governments to prioritize vision care as a vital part of overall health and national development.

The Consultant Ophthalmologist disclosed this as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 World Sight Day with theme, ‘Love Your Eyes’, ‘Love Your Eyes at work’, ‘Love Your Eyes Kids’, ‘Love Your Eyes – Protect the Future,’.

‘Findings revealed that 1.3 million Nigerians are estimated to be blind with over 80% of these cases being preventable or treatable,’ he said.

According to him, ‘millions of Nigerians suffer from visual impairment, and many are at risk due to preventable causes.’

‘As we celebrate today, let us remember that vision is not just about sight; it is also about connection, opportunity, and the ability to navigate the world,’ he added.

Omoti called on the public to take proactive steps toward protecting their vision, saying every Nigerian deserves access to affordable and quality eye care.

‘Estimates in 2020 suggest that 24 million people in Nigeria were living with some form of vision loss. An estimated 4.25 million adults aged 40 and above have moderate to severe visual impairment, 1.3 million Nigerians are estimated to be blind with over 80 percent of these cases being preventable or treatable,’ he stated.

He, however, listed Cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, tropical diseases, and diabetic retinopathy among others as diseases that continue to rob both young and old of their sight.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that over 33 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity, stressing that the issue demands urgent legislative action.

Akpabio, in his welcome remarks at the resumed plenary of the Senate on Tuesday in Abuja, also sympathised with Nigerians across the flood-ravaged states of Bayelsa, Sokoto, Zamfara and others.

Daily Trust reports that Senators and members of the House of Representatives resumed plenary on Tuesday after their annual recess, which started on July 23, 2025.

Akpabio lamented that banners of terrorism and banditry still threaten the country, saying the citizens do not look up to the leadership for lamentations but action on the challenges confronting them.

‘To every home afflicted by these disasters, insecurity, hunger and hardship, we extend to them the hand of fellowship and the prayer of comfort. We promise them that we shall not flinch from the duty of relief and redress for our people.

‘Let us also heed the cry from the farms and markets. Over 33 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity – a crisis demanding urgent legislative attention to agriculture, rural roads, irrigation, and mechanization. Hunger cannot be defeated with words; it requires policy, budget and will,’ Akpabio said.

‘The cost of living weighs upon the family table like an iron chain. The flickering of our national grid leaves cities in darkness and commerce in paralysis. These trials summon us to service of uncommon urgency – and to partnership with the executive arm, that together we rewrite the story of our nation.

‘We must legislate with boldness. We must press forward with reforms to steady our economy, draw investment, broaden the tax base, and nurture growth. We must strike hard at the enemies of ignorance and disease by strengthening education and healthcare. We must give the youths of Nigeria not only hope but opportunity,’ he added.

Akpabio said the lawmakers must revisit the 1999 Constitution to make the country’s federal system stronger, strengthen governance, and make democracy more inclusive.

The Senate President said, ‘Our relations with the executive shall remain frank and firm – neither obsequious nor obstructive. Where policies raise our people, we shall lend our strength; where they imperil them, we shall speak on their behalf.

‘We must continue to uphold the independence of this Senate, the dignity of this chamber, and the majesty of the Constitution which governs us all. To the citizens of Nigeria, we say this: we hear you. We know your expectations.

‘You ask not for excuses but for results; not for noise but for substance. This Senate will remain open, accountable, and responsive. We will not shrink from scrutiny – indeed, we welcome it, for accountability is the lifeblood of democracy.’

Akpabio also commiserated with the families of the 12 forest guards slain in Oke-Ode, Kwara State, victims of boat tragedies in the country and stressed the urgent need for coordination between the federal and sub-national governments to mitigate these devastations before they become annual calamities.

To boost regional trade and commerce, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collaborated with sister agencies to dismantle multiple checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan route.

The joint operation, aimed at streamlining the border corridor, is expected to reduce transit times, lower costs, and enhance the overall efficiency of trade facilitation.

Daily Trust reports that the organized private sector from countries in the sub-region, had raised several complaints about the existence of multiple checkpoints, which they said were hindering the smooth movement of goods and services, particularly on the side of Nigeria.

The NCS, in conjunction with other agencies, had assured stakeholders that the removal of these checkpoints will not compromise national security or revenue collection.

Addressing stakeholders at the Seme/Kraken border on Monday, the Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Wale Adenuga, disclosed that the move is to promote and facilitate regional trade.

Adenuga disclosed that the session with stakeholders is aimed at reinforcing national security and promoting seamless legitimate trade along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

Comptroller Adenuga while declaring the meeting open said the meeting was to make the Seme transit corridor effective and secure following the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

The stakeholders, including the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Sejiro Olalekan James;

Onibereko of Ibereko, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya; Col. S.B.Yahaya, Defence Atrachee to Nigeria Embassy in Port Novo who represented the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic; police, intelligence, military and paramilitary heads; members of the border communities and traders all agreed to work together.