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Baku turns geopolitical balancing into economic and diplomatic advantage

In Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian town closer to the EU border than to the battles on its eastern front, diplomacy during the week focused on an unusually pragmatic agenda of electricity equipment, industrial parks, and deals that could endure a war. Azerbaijan was trying out how much of an economic collaboration it could have with Kyiv while not breaking ties with Moscow. Parviz Shahbazov, Azerbaijan’s energy minister, met Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister and energy minister, Denys Shmyhal, on November 5 for the 14th session of their intergovernmental economic commission. It was the commission’s first meeting on Ukrainian soil since Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022. They signed a meeting protocol and adopted a 2026-27 action plan covering 14 areas, from energy and transport to technology and tourism. In the course of the meeting, both countries signed the meeting protocol and formulated the 2026-2027 action plan, which included 14 sectors, such as energy, transport, technology, and tourism.

Economic numbers

Despite the country facing daily missile attacks, there have been notable signs of stability within the business relationship. Trade between the two nations grew by 10.5 per cent compared to the same period last year in the first eight months of 2026, whereas trade between Azerbaijan and Ukraine climbed by 17 per cent. Cumulative investment reached $513.5 million, with 290 firms with Ukrainian investments operating in Azerbaijan. According to Shahbazov, bilateral trade exceeded $500 million on an annual basis, but that figure must not be confused with the cumulative investment amount.

These are practical numbers rather than any sign of an economic breakthrough. The infrastructure for production and transportation is still vulnerable to attack from Russia, and insurance companies, banks and investors are forced to calculate risks which do not normally arise in cross-border business. Nevertheless, sustaining trade through a protracted conflict allows both nations to achieve one thing which summit agreements alone cannot deliver – a vested interest in keeping things working.

The political groundwork had been laid in earlier months of the year. In April, Volodymyr Zelensky visited Azerbaijan, holding talks with President Ilham Aliyev in Gabala, where six bilateral agreements were signed, among them one related to defence industry cooperation. The presidents have stressed the importance of territorial integrity for each other. The Uzhhorod summit moves the presidents’ relations toward institutional and corporate cooperation.

Reconstruction starts before the war ends

For Ukraine, perhaps, the next priority is ensuring the operation of its existing infrastructure, for a good reason, which is not to create another distant energy corridor. Azerbaijan says it has delivered more than 10 aid packages for energy purposes, with equipment intended to fix Ukraine’s destroyed infrastructure. Azerbaijan’s humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts since the beginning of the invasion amounted to about $52 million. Azerbaijan also helped restore social facilities in Irpin and implemented rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian children.

According to an assessment conducted in February by the World Bank, the Ukrainian government, the European Commission, and the United Nations, Ukraine’s needs for reconstruction and recovery amounted to nearly $588 billion over ten years, of which $91 billion was allocated to the energy sector alone. Damage to energy facilities had increased by approximately 21 percent compared to the previous estimate. Azerbaijan cannot guarantee a recovery program at this level of costs, yet, it can participate in efforts in areas where it has expertise, equipment, or financial partners.

That is why the talks ranged from renewables and energy storage to heat pumps, energy efficiency, food processing and construction materials. The Ukrainian delegation went to a wind-turbine production factory and ATEF at Khust industrial park. Shmyhal offered Azerbaijani firms the opportunity to take part in the reconstruction process despite the risks. The question is how to turn such visits into profitable and feasible projects with the appropriate procurement procedure, security measures, and return on investment.

Baku authorities have suggested that the Alat Free Economic Zone, with its industrial parks, would be an appropriate location for joint manufacturing to be sold to third markets. Such projects could diversify the Ukrainian industry from vulnerable plants within the country’s borders, while the Azerbaijani partners would get access to Ukraine’s engineering and industrial potential in order to establish businesses beyond the oil and gas sector. However, no specific locations for the plants, investments, or orders have yet been announced by either side to make this suggestion a reality.

Baku seems eager for its green corridor initiative

The ministerial statement also noted the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor, meant for transmitting electric energy from Azerbaijan into Europe. The confirmed members of this project are Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary. Ukraine is not part of these four members that have signed the agreement. This is a significant point, since referring to a regional program does not guarantee that the Ukrainian connection has been finalised. However, it is truly commendable to see Baku so eager to establish non-oil and green energy initiatives, fully committed to the ideas expressed during COP29.

We made a hefty amount of analysis and articles on the project itself; the numbers have been changing from time to time, but now Baku confidently says a feasibility study supports the roughly 4-gigawatt corridor, with a final investment decision targeted for 2029 and phased commissioning envisaged from 2032. These long-term targets cannot be compared with the current need for transformers, network rehabilitation, and flexible generation in Ukraine. It can be argued that there exists some complementarity in these two countries’ situations, although it is less extensive than the above discussion may imply.

Baku’s strategic balancing act

Azerbaijan has supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and supplied humanitarian aid, but it has also kept economic and diplomatic channels open to Russia and declined to join Western sanctions against Moscow. In July, after what Baku described as a Russian drone attack on a SOCAR filling station in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region, Azerbaijan summoned Russia’s ambassador. Earlier strikes had also damaged Azerbaijani energy assets in Ukraine. Both sides try hard not to create an impression of dispute. Relations with Russia soured considerably following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airways plane over Russian territory in December 2024. It is Russia’s displeasure with Azerbaijan’s position on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, despite claims by the Kremlin that it should not affect bilateral relations. President Ilham Aliyev believes that the matter has been settled. This past month, during the Russian Energy Week event in Moscow, SOCAR announced its desire to resume purchasing gas from Gazprom and to exchange gas with it.

This is more the approach of a nation that makes its living through selling energy to any country that may require it. For instance, Azerbaijan provides gas to 12 European nations, ten of which are members of the European Union. Statistically speaking, gas sales to the EU have increased by 65% since the invasion.

Baku’s position has traditionally been defined by the protection of its economic interests and the maintenance of balance in its foreign policy. This approach has enabled Azerbaijan to make independent decisions without becoming aligned with any political bloc, while preserving its diplomatic autonomy and maintaining relations with different sides without favouring one over another. Against this backdrop, it would be inaccurate to portray Baku as being fully aligned either with Kyiv’s position or with Moscow’s perspective in the current developments. Rather, this reflects the most pragmatic diplomatic course available to an independent state seeking to safeguard its national interests and preserve its strategic autonomy amid competing geopolitical pressures.

Aba South sets up livestock farm to create jobs, increase IGR

In an effort to reduce dependence on federal allocation, the Aba South Local Government Area (LGA), one of the biggest LGAs in AbIa State has established a livestock farm, in Nnentu community, to create jobs and increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The farm, which sits on 21-plots of land will have poultry and piggery farms, as well as a training centre to train the locals on mechanised farming.

Obialor Anyanwu, Mayor Aba South LGA, made this known in an interview with journalists at the council’s secretariat to mark his two years in office.

Anyanwu said that his administration is concerned that a day will come when the local government, as a tier of government will need to rely on itself to perform and function, hence the need to set up genuine revenue generation ventures..

The mayor, who was full of praise for Uche Wogu , his predecessor, said that he inherited a good foundation and added that in as much as government is a continuum, what he saw on the ground helped him kick-start, as he did not struggle so much and did not start from scratch because he had a good foundation.

He explained that the move will not just stop at the establishment of farms, but will go further to create a training centre at the farm, where people of the locality will be trained and tutored in animal farming to make them self-reliant and successful.

‘We don’t believe in all these 10 kg of rice empowerment. What we want in Aba South is giving our people that level of empowerment that will make them self-sustaining and employ others. So, we’ll teach the techniques needed to succeed in the business,’ he said.

Anyanwu said that presently, the three buildings in the poultry section are up, two are already roofed, and the staff quarters are at the lintel stage, because it’s a proper farm and people must reside there.

‘Possibly by the end of the year, everything will take off. So, we’re envisaging such a future. We, this tier of government, must stand for ourselves, and it has pushed us into doing commercial poultry and commercial pig farming.

‘Our poultry sits on14 plots of land, while the piggery sits in seven plots of land. Our vision, especially at the piggery farm, is to generate funds for the LGA, we can equally be teaching people and transferring the knowledge to the locals.

‘It’ll definitely create some employment for some people, and then we are envisaging more growth. Some of the staff in our agric department will be engaged.’

Reading his two-year scorecard on health, Anyanwu said that the Council has 22 Glycoster World Primary Health Centres fully erected and functionalised.

‘It’s a project done in partnership with the state. So, it’s a counterpart fund project. When we say ‘functionalised’, we mean equipped and commissioned for use. We have done some free medical tests and treatments as well.’

He said that the LGA is supporting the back-to-school free educational programme of Governor Alex Otti, with provisions of 4,000 school bags to primary schools across Aba South.

According to him, ‘Our target was 10,000, but after enumeration at the schools, we discovered it was more than 10,000, so we now decided to do it in phases.’

He equally explained that there is also a joint project between the LGA and the state government in primary schools.

He added, ‘We focus on primary schools. In Etche Road, you have an ongoing smart school project there.’ It’s a joint project with the State’

Still on education, Anyanwu said that Aba South LGA, has invested in human capital development, as over 130 persons have been offered digital training by the council.

‘We divided them into Cohorts 1, 2 and 3. Cohort 1 graduated 50 graduands, Cohort 2 had 30, while Cohort 3 had 50 as well from this Aba South LGA,’ he said.

He thanked security agencies and their heads in Aba South LGA for showing serious dedication, commitment and high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties, stressing that Aba South has remained peaceful.

He described the relationship between Aba South LGA and the state government as cordial and thanked the governor for his inputs in the area of road infrastructure in Aba South LGA, stressing that the recent roads awarded when completed will place Aba South far ahead of many other LGAs within Nigeria.

‘The decay of abandonment is much. He commended the government for ongoing work at Obohia Road that has the drainage size to pick flood water from different parts of Aba to the Aba river.

‘Umuebeke Road will be awarded at any time. It’s not for grading, but to be properly tarred. With the award of Uratta and Old Express Roads, a whole lot of areas will be recovered, and Aba South will surely take back its real position.

‘The Old Express Uratta Road has a spur at Amaukwu Road, so this will help address some concerns around areas in Aba South. By the time those areas are addressed, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) can surely penetrate into those areas.

Group empowers, distributes pound 300,000 worth items 206 Lagos youths

It was not just another empowerment ceremony. It was the end of a two-year journey.

SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria on Saturday distributed working tools and equipment worth pound 300,000 to 206 young people in Lagos under its Empowering Lagos Youths (ELY) project – a project designed to move young people away from poverty, give them decent jobs, and help them start their own businesses.

From solar panel installation kits to HP laptops, Canon EOS cameras, hair styling equipment, tailoring machines and IT tools, each item was personalised. No generic package. Each participant got what matched the trade he or she trained for.

Speaking at the event, Eghosa Erhumwunse, the Country Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, said the project, which started in January 2025 and ends in December 2026, was deliberately built to do more than hand out tools.

‘Like you can tell from the name, it’s all about Empowering Lagos Youths, ELY. The idea is to accelerate the empowerment of young people to move them away from poverty and provide them with opportunity for decent job and also empower them to start up their own business,’ he said.

‘It is very important considering the economic situation and how much young people are always on the receiving end. We as an organisation work with young people to ensure we help them, support them to achieve their aspiration so that they can become responsible individuals and be able to build their own family in the long run.’

Erhumwunse said the 206 youths went through rigorous training before the distribution. ‘These young people you have seen today, they’ve been tested and they are trusted. They have gone through a lot of training, vocational training skills. They’ve gone through entrepreneurship. They have gone through a whole lot of rigorous process including mental health and psychosocial support, because we often forget that young people face challenges.

‘The training we’ve given to them is not enough for them to deal with situations they will face while even doing their own business or working as the case may be,’ he added.

The project was funded by SOS Children’s Villages’ sister organisation in Germany, Children’s Villages Worldwide (CVW), with local partners, trainers, hairdressers and artisans forming an ecosystem for sustainability. ‘We believe in local partnership. We have trainers, hairdressers and all other artisans. So we’re able to work with them. It’s an ecosystem because it’s still the same environment these young people will find themselves. So why don’t we begin to enable the ecosystem so they can interact for the sustainability of whatever trade they decide to go into afterwards,’ Erose explained.

The target was 200 participants. SOS exceeded it. ‘We targeted 200 participants. We tried to avoid using the word beneficiaries. They are participants. In some instances, we got more than we needed. A few of them left, but at least we achieved more than what we targeted. Today we achieved more than 200, slightly more than 200. About 206 or thereabouts. So it’s a success for us.’

On the items, he said: ‘You have some who are into installation of solar panel. You have IT gurus. You can see the computers there. You have those who want to go into hair styling. You have those who want to go into tailoring. It’s personalised, not generic. Every individual decides what you want to do based on the outcome of your training.’

The project covered the entire Lagos State, with an open and transparent selection process. ‘We advertised it. Young people applied. Those of you who understand what we do in SOS, you know we are very strict with our selection criteria. We put it out there for vulnerable young people, people who are hard to reach, to be able to have this opportunity. I believe that’s the right thing to do,’ Erose said.

Speaking on the cost of the project, he said that the entire project for two years is about pound 300,000.

Lagos State Government, he said, is a partner but not financial in this case, but in development agenda. ‘We work with them. We came to their development agenda. And we are part and parcel of what Lagos State is doing.’

He disclosed that SOS, which operates in 136 countries, will continue to run projects, he assured. ‘These are project-based. And we’ve been running a lot of projects. We’ll continue to run projects as far as it impacts children and young people. That’s why we’re here.’

Asked how SOS will ensure the tools are not sold, Erhumwunse was honest. ‘We have a mechanism in place. We cannot guarantee 100%. I mean, we are human. But we have a mechanism in place. And those who will follow through with them, who will support them, they’re also there. Post-empowerment support is there.’

Celia Dalyop, a photographer, received a Canon EOS camera and an HP laptop.

‘I didn’t pay anything for it, I didn’t pay a dime for it. I’m very, very grateful for this,’ she said.

She got to know about the programme through a friend in Abuja who works in SOS Abuja branch. ‘I was assigned to a training centre for three months and then I did another three months internship with a professional photographer. I intend to use it to build my skill, build myself, build my brand, build my business, to just capture moments and make money from it.’ She is already active on social media, and said she is working towards getting a space on the Island for her studio.

Ashogbon Goodness Tibiebi, a data analyst, could not hide her joy.

‘I feel so happy. I don’t know how to express it, but I’m just happy for the milestone and everything, the journey so far,’ she said.

She got the link through a relative and signed up. She trained for six months, having had no prior experience in data analysis.

‘Before now, I had a little knowledge of data analysis, but I was very confused at first. If you walk up to me, I’m not really confident enough. But at this point, now, after this training, I’m bold enough. Data analysis doesn’t just stop here. It’s something I keep on learning. So I can beat my chest, that whatever comes my way now, I don’t have to start panicking.’

Goodness, a student of Accounting at Miva Open University, plans to build herself, help others, and eventually teach data analysis in schools and privately, like an academy.

CAF Super Cup: USM Alger, Sundowns battle for continental dominance

Algerian giants USM Alger and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will go head-to-head in Sunday’s TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup final in search of continental dominance at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.

Both teams are looking to produce another monumental continental upset to bag their second CAF glory following their triumph in the CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League.

USM Alger earned their place in today’s Super Cup after an extraordinary run in the 2025-26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The Algerian giants started their campaign from the 2nd Preliminary Round beating Ivoirian side AF Amadou Dialo 3-1 on aggregate to reach the group stage, where they finished on top of Group A that had Morocco’s Olympic Safi, Mali’s Djoliba and Cote d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro.

USMA made perfect use of the away-goals rule, beating DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union (2-2 on aggregate) in the quarterfinals, then Olympic Safi once again (1-1 on aggregate) in the semifinals to book their spot in the final with Egyptian titans Zamalek.

The drama packed final saw USM Alger winning the first leg 1-0 in Algiers with a last gasp winner. Zamalek neutralized the aggregate score early in the return leg at Cairo International Stadium but could not find a winner to set the game to be decided by a tense penalty shootout.

Displaying nerves of steel in front of a packed stadium, USM Alger triumphed 8-7 on penalties to win their second CAF Confederation Cup crown and book their ticket to the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup.

On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns earned their place in today’s final through a stellar championship run in the 2025-26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

The South African side also started their campaign from the 2nd Preliminary Round, delivering an early warning to the rest of the continent by dismantling Nigerian champion Remo Stars 7-1 on aggregate to secure their group stage spot.

Sundowns progressed from Group C alongside Sudan’s Al Hilal, finishing ahead of Algerian side MC Alger, and DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo, and built on a commanding 3-0 home advantage over Mali’s Stade Malien in the quarterfinals.

Despite facing an early scare in Bamako by trailing 2-0 at halftime, Sundowns held firm to advance 3-2 on aggregate.

The semifinals saw the South African side produce clinical displays against Esperance de Tunis, recording 1-0 victories both away in Tunis and back home in Pretoria to march into the final.

The grand finale pitted Mamelodi Sundowns against Moroccan powerhouses AS FAR. Aubrey Modiba scored the only goal in a tense 1-0 first leg win in Pretoria, before a decisive first-half injury-time strike from Teboho Mokoena ensured the return leg to end in a 1-1 draw that earned ‘The Brazilians’ their second CAF Champions League crown, and to book their ticket to the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup.

USM Alger’s history in CAF Super Cup

USM Alger appears in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup for the second time, boasting a perfect record in this competition.

Their previous appearance dates to 2023 following their maiden CAF Confederation Cup triumph, when they shocked then CAF Champions League winners and historic champions Al Ahly beating them 1-0 in the match that was held in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

USM journey to today’s 2026 CAF Super Cup

USM Alger earned their place in today’s final through an extraordinary run in the 2025-26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The drama packed final saw USM Alger winning the first leg 1-0 in Algiers with a last gasp winner. Zamalek neutralized the aggregate score early in the return leg at Cairo International Stadium but couldn’t find a winner to set the game to be decided by a tense penalty shootout.

Coached by Lamine N’Diaye, the veteran Senegalese manager took charge of USMA in February 2026.

N’Diaye’s guided USMA to a historic double last season, winning both the Algerian Cup and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

He signed a new two-year contract extension last June to remain at the helm of the Algiers based club. N’Diaye also guided DR Congo’s TP Mazembe to the CAF Champions League title in 2010, two CAF Super Cup titles (2010, 2011) and to the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup final.

Sundowns’ history in CAF Super Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns appeared in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup for the second time, boasting a perfect record in the competition.

Sundowns’ previous appearance dates to 2017 following their maiden Champions League triumph, where a lone goal was enough to defeat TP Mazembe. Now playing in front of their home fans at Loftus Versfeld, the South Africa side aim to preserve that flawless record.

Sundowns enter the match deep into their domestic season. After claiming the MTN8 crown last month, they top the South African Premiership standings after 10 matches, with 26 points, one more than rivals Orlando Pirates who have a game in hand.

Nigeria pushes new pathway for sustainable grassroots sports development

Nigeria sports administrators with direct backing from the presidency are poised to create a new pathway for sustainable grassroots sports development across the country.

The pathway will be anchored on the forthcoming National Grassroots Sports Summit 2026, scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2026, in Abuja.

The summit is expected to mark a decisive shift from rhetoric to measurable action in Nigeria’s sports development.

It is expected that the summit will help

stakeholders seize the opportunity to develop a more sustainable framework that moves Nigerian sports away from bureaucratic constraints towards a more inclusive and results-oriented system.

Adeyinka Adegboye, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, stated that the era of discovering talents by accident must end.

‘We want to move from promises to practical, measurable action,’ Adegboye stated, at a recent press conference held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

He emphasised that the summit is a deliberate effort to build a coordinated national approach to talent discovery. ‘Talent is everywhere in Nigeria. Opportunity is not. Our responsibility is to close that gap.’

According to him, the summit will bring together the 30 sports organisations that make up the main organising committee, value partners, and key stakeholders to move the sector from isolated efforts to a coordinated national approach.

He stated that the summit will focus on replacing accidental talent discovery with a deliberate system, adding that the calibre of participants expected would contribute meaningful ideas to shaping a comprehensive policy direction for grassroots sports.

Philip Shaibu, director-general, National Institute for Sports (NIS), stated that President Tinubu has demonstrated the political will required to reposition Nigeria’s sports sector.

He noted that the establishment of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC) was driven by the need to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with ministerial administration and introduce a more efficient, private-sector-driven approach.

‘One of the major problems affecting sports development in Nigeria is bureaucracy. We believed that moving to a commission would help bridge that gap and create a new approach to managing sports,’ he stated.

Shaibu, however, charged Nigerians to shift public scrutiny beyond the President, governors, and local government chairmen to appointed officials responsible for implementing government policies.

He stated that part of the NSC’s mandate was to decentralise sports development and create opportunities for Nigerians across the country.

He added that grassroots development remained central to the President’s vision of maximising Nigeria’s population and sporting potential. ‘The President wants to develop sports and has consistently charged us to take sports to the grassroots.’

Coronation Insurance to Conclude Minority Shareholder Buyout Process Following Resolution of Legal Proceedings

Lagos, Nigeria Coronation Insurance Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to the proposed acquisition of shares held by its minority shareholders by its core shareholders through a Scheme of Arrangement, following the resolution of legal proceedings that previously delayed the transactionLagos, Nigeria Coronation Insurance Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to the proposed acquisition of shares held by its minority shareholders by its core shareholders through a Scheme of Arrangement, following the resolution of legal proceedings that previously delayed the transaction

Enugu pensioners recount past ordeals as Mbah pays 26-year gratuity arrears

…Pensioners hail governor as promise keeper

Enugu State pensioners under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have hailed Governor Peter Mbah for keeping his campaign promise to clear legacy arrears, describing their decades of disappointment after serving their fatherland as a harrowing experience.

The pensioners spoke as retirees started receiving their gratuities dating back to the year 2000, with some also extending to the military era, saying the development had restored life to their bodies.

The Chairman, Enugu State chapter of NUP, Ikechukwu Ekere, confirmed the development at the weekend, describing it as ‘an emotional moment for pensioners, many of whom had long given up hope of receiving their gratuities in their lifetime.’

‘Yes, I can confirm to you that our members have started receiving the alerts. Governor Mbah is a promise keeper; he has done it again and we can’t thank him enough,’ he said.

In the same vein, the Caretaker Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Local Government Staff Pensions Board Branch, Kenneth Ugwueze, told journalists that the development had restored hope and joy in many homes, saying that Mbah had, once again, proven himself as a leader who could be trusted.

‘You know what it means for a governor to pay debts incurred by many governors before him? It takes a large quantity of milk of human kindness. We are happy to see a day like this in our lifetime. We will continue to pray for him.

‘We are also grateful and happy with the new dimensions brought in by our governor in pension administration, especially in the local government system.

‘Before now, local government workers and primary school teachers who retired had to wait for two years before receiving their pensions. But since the conclusion of the verification exercise in July 2024, no pensioner in the local government system has been denied pension. We have been receiving our pensions as and when due.

‘Now that our people have started receiving alerts for their gratuity, it is a thing of joy,’ he said.

Some beneficiaries of the ongoing payments also expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the development as a rekindling of hope after years and devades of waiting. They said previous governments had not paid them even in the days of excess crude revenues.

Luke Obi Ezea, who retired in 2014, said he had since resigned himself to fate and put everything in the hands of God.

‘I put in 35 years in service. Already, I had put everything in the hands of God because previous governors had made promises, but to no avail. They were just empty promises at the end of their eight years. But Peter Mbah is an action governor and keeps his word,’ he stated.

Sunday Nwadi, a 2015 retiree, described Mbah as a godly and listening governor who does not play politics with the welfare of his people.

‘I am enjoying today because, apart from this gratuity, he is not owing monthly pensions. He is up to date. He is not like the others, who would owe us pensions for many months. Nothing will happen to Mbah. He is returning for a second term.’

Susanna Emehelu, whose husband retired in 2013, said the man had been sick for a long time, and they had been hoping against hope that the gratuity would come to help ameliorate their challenges.

‘When I broke the good news to him, he was so happy and asked me to rush to the office to confirm. Now, he is so happy that he would eat the fruits of his labour in his lifetime. May God bless our governor,’ she stated.

Paul Ozoeze, a 2010 retiree, said the gratuity payment had restored life to his body, noting that it had been nearly 20 years of suffering for him.

Meanwhile, the Accountant-General of Enugu State, Tony Okenwa, recalled that Mbah had always insisted during discussions leading up to the verification and payment of backlogs that no senior citizen should go to bed hungry.

‘These are old debts. Some of them date back even to the military era. But the governor has said that no retiree will stay without receiving his or her pension and gratuity, and he is very passionate about it.

‘Whenever I went to him, he would ask: ‘Do you mean that people retire and then don’t go home with their gratuity?’

‘He could not understand how somebody would work for many years, retire and still not receive what he had earned,’ Okenwa said.

He said the State Executive Council, after several layers of verification, approved N32bn, with the governor releasing an initial N10bn, assuring that the releases would continue until the entire liabilities were cleared.

Cardoso defends market-driven Naira as foreign reserves hit $55bn

The naira strengthened by 6.26% against the United States dollar over the past year, reflecting an improvement in its exchange rate between November 2025 and November 2026. The currency appreciated to N1,346.79 per dollar on 6 November 2026, from N1,436.74 recorded on the corresponding date in 2025, representing a gain of N89.95 against the greenback.

The latest exchange rate indicates that the naira has recovered some ground against the dollar over the 12 months, potentially easing foreign exchange costs for businesses and consumers dependent on imported goods and services.

The appreciation comes amid efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria to stabilise the foreign exchange market, improve dollar availability and strengthen confidence in the domestic currency. A stronger naira could reduce the cost of importing raw materials, machinery, pharmaceuticals and other products priced in foreign currencies, potentially easing pressure on businesses and consumers. However, the extent to which the exchange rate improvement translates into lower prices will depend on how quickly importers adjust their prices and whether the currency maintains its gains.

For manufacturers and other businesses with significant foreign currency obligations, the appreciation could reduce the naira cost of servicing dollar-denominated liabilities.

Olayemi Cardoso, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, said in July 2026 that the naira must remain market-driven and competitive rather than being artificially supported. Cardoso said in Abuja that the apex bank remained committed to a transparent, liquid foreign exchange market driven by willing buyers and willing sellers.

He said: ‘Our view is one of continuing on the path that we have embarked on, and that is to ensure that we have a transparent market, that is liquid, and one that has willing buyer, willing seller. At the present level, the country does need a competitive currency. The naira’s value has to be determined by economic fundamentals, including stronger oil and non-oil exports, increased foreign direct investment, improved domestic productivity and lower import dependence.

‘We are very comfortable at the central bank that we have a fully functional market, a market that is open, that is transparent, a market that sometimes you find that on a daily basis, the amount of turnover is in excess of $1 billion and a market that is responding to the positive things that we are doing as a central bank.’

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $55.133bn on 5 November 2026, providing a buffer for the country’s external obligations and efforts to stabilise the naira. The reserves position reflects the stock of foreign assets available to support foreign exchange interventions and meet external payment commitments. The level of reserves will remain important to investors as they assess Nigeria’s external liquidity position, currency stability and capacity to withstand foreign exchange pressures.

Trump admits deportation crackdown went too far, signals deal for migrants

… considers legal status for long-term workers

The Republican Party of Donald Trump, president of the United States (US), recently suffered a historic midterm defeat, losing control of both chambers of Congress and several statewide contests in traditionally Republican strongholds.

The setback has forced the US president to confront an uncomfortable consequence of his hardline immigration agenda, a crackdown that won support for securing the border may also have alienated voters concerned about the removal of long-term immigrant workers.

In a significant admission, Trump has conceded that his deportation policy may have been ‘too tough’ and signalled willingness to negotiate with Democrats on legal status for some undocumented workers.

In an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes on November 8, Trump acknowledged that deporting immigrants with established jobs had created political difficulties for his administration, despite what he described as success in removing criminals and securing the border.

‘I think it both helped and hurt,’ he said, assessing the political impact of his immigration policy. ‘I think I got an A+ for closing up the border. I get very high marks for getting the bad ones out. But I got hurt because we also took people that had good jobs.’

The admission exposes the tension between aggressive immigration enforcement and an economy that depends on migrant labour. While border security remains a central political objective, removing workers who sustain businesses in hospitality, landscaping and other service industries carries economic and social consequences that extend beyond immigration enforcement.

Trump acknowledged that Americans were divided over the deportation of undocumented workers who had established themselves economically and, in some cases, paid taxes.

‘There is a large part of the country that thinks that they should be put out. And there’s a large part of the country that thinks that they should be allowed to stay if they’re good people working in a landscaping company, or working in a hotel, or doing something, right? And in some cases, paying taxes,’ he said. Deportation crackdown confronts labour market realities

The clearest indication of a possible change in approach came when Trump was asked whether his deportation policy had gone too far.

‘Too tough,’ he replied, before adding: ‘I think it might be too tough, yeah.’

The concession is significant for an administration that made mass deportation a central campaign promise. It suggests growing recognition that removing undocumented workers indiscriminately can disrupt businesses that depend on their labour, particularly in sectors where recruitment and replacement can be difficult.

Trump illustrated the problem with hotel workers, describing how the removal of cleaners, maids and waitresses who had worked in the country for years could affect businesses and communities.

‘When you go into a hotel and you have a woman that’s worked there as, you know, as a maid, as a cleaner, as a this, as a that, as a waitress, a lotta good things, great jobs, and all of a sudden, they’re being taken outta the country, it’s tough. It’s a tough thing,’ he said.

For employers, the removal of experienced workers can mean additional recruitment and training costs, staffing shortages and operational disruption. These pressures are particularly relevant to labour-intensive businesses that rely on a consistent workforce to maintain services.

However, Trump provided no figures on the number of businesses affected or the economic cost of deportations. His comments nevertheless acknowledge a fundamental contradiction: an immigration policy designed to remove unauthorised workers can also weaken the labour supply of businesses that rely on them. Trump considers legal status for long-term workers

More importantly, Trump suggested that undocumented immigrants who have lived and worked in the United States for 10 to 15 years could be considered for a negotiated arrangement allowing them to remain.

He maintained that criminals should be deported but distinguished them from workers with established employment histories.

‘Get the killers out. Get all the rough ones out. Get the drug dealers out. But let the people that are here, and in some cases here for ten and 15 years, work a deal for them,’ he said.

The proposal could mark a move towards a more selective enforcement framework that considers employment and length of residence alongside immigration status. However, the president did not specify the legal mechanism, eligibility requirements or whether such an arrangement would lead to temporary work authorisation or permanent residency.

Trump also identified immigration as an area for potential cooperation with Democrats, saying: ‘I’d love to do something on immigration.’

He described a compromise as achievable, claiming that Democratic politicians had already approached him.

‘I think that’s something that’s actually doable,’ he said.

The comments suggest that the administration could consider a legislative compromise for some long-term undocumented residents. But an expression of willingness to negotiate is not a policy announcement, and there is no indication yet of an agreed framework. Trump considers legal status for long-term workers

He maintained that criminals should be deported but distinguished them from workers with established employment histories.

‘Get the killers out. Get all the rough ones out. Get the drug dealers out. But let the people that are here, and in some cases here for ten and 15 years, work a deal for them,’ he said.

Trump also identified immigration as an area for potential cooperation with Democrats, saying: ‘I’d love to do something on immigration.’

He described a compromise as achievable, claiming that Democratic politicians had already approached him.

‘I think that’s something that’s actually doable,’ he said.

Trump’s comments come as Republicans face the consequences of a major electoral setback. The president acknowledged that his immigration crackdown had both attracted and lost support, particularly where enforcement extended to workers who had otherwise established productive lives in the country.

However, a possible shift towards compromise faces resistance within his political base. Trump acknowledged that some hardline supporters favour removing every undocumented immigrant, irrespective of employment or length of residence.

The uncertainty was reinforced by a personnel change following the interview. CBS reported that Susie Wiles, chief of staff, was replaced by Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff, whom it described as the architect of Trump’s mass deportation policy.

The appointment raises questions about whether the president’s willingness to negotiate will translate into a meaningful change in enforcement priorities.

Ultimately, the debate goes beyond the politics of border security. Governments must enforce immigration laws while recognising the economic contribution of migrant workers and the labour requirements of businesses.

What remains for Trump is to translate that recognition into a clear framework that distinguishes security threats from long-term workers, provides certainty for employers and establishes fair criteria for those seeking to remain.

Whether the president pursues such a compromise or maintains his administration’s hardline approach will determine whether his remarks represent a genuine policy rethink or simply an adjustment prompted by electoral defeat.

CMFC takes Africa’s minerals financing push to London as demand rises

Africa’s critical minerals wealth is attracting renewed attention from global investors, but weak financing structures and perceived investment risks continue to constrain the continent’s ability to turn deposits into commercially viable mining projects.

Critical Minerals Financing Corporation (CMFC) is seeking to bridge that gap, taking investment opportunities across Nigeria and East Africa to Resourcing Tomorrow 2026 in London, where governments, mining executives and financiers will discuss ways to accelerate mineral development.

The corporation, which is the gold sponsor of the December 1-3 summit, plans to showcase projects and financing structures designed to make African mineral assets more accessible to international lenders and institutional investors.

The pitch comes as competition for critical minerals intensifies globally, raising the economic stakes for African countries seeking to move beyond raw mineral exports into investment, processing and industrial development.

Lamon Rutten, chairman of CMFC, said the continent’s challenge was not a shortage of mineral resources or global demand, but the absence of financial and institutional structures capable of translating mineral deposits into bankable investments.

‘The world is short of the minerals it has committed to build its future on, and a material share of what is left sits in Africa. What has been missing is not geology or demand. It is the institutional layer that converts a deposit into something an international lender can underwrite,’ Rutten said.

‘CMFC exists to build that layer, and London is where we intend to say so to the governments and investors who can act on it,’ he added.

Israel Ovirih, president and co-chief executive of CMFC, said investors’ concerns about African mining projects could be addressed through stronger verification processes, staged capital deployment and clearly defined financing conditions.

‘Africa is not high risk. The absence of process is. Where we have applied verification, staged capital and conditions precedent, our transactions have behaved exactly as an institutional investor would expect them to,’ Ovirih said.

The corporation said it would use the summit to present opportunities across Nigeria and the East African corridor, alongside its investment banking framework for mobilising international capital into mining projects.

For Nigeria, the financing push comes as policymakers seek to formalise the solid minerals industry, attract private investment and reduce dependence on hydrocarbons as a source of foreign exchange and government revenue.

The country’s ability to attract financing into mining projects could determine how quickly its mineral resources translate into industrial activity, export earnings and employment.

CMFC will also participate in the fourth annual Government Roundtable on November 30 at Canada House in London, an invitation-only meeting organised in partnership with the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom.

The meeting is expected to bring together about 120 ministers, ambassadors, senior government officials, mining executives and investors from more than 60 countries to discuss mineral supply chains, investment mobilisation, project development and responsible mining.

Nigeria, South Africa and the United States are among the countries expected to be represented, placing CMFC alongside governments whose policies and investment decisions could influence the direction of mining capital.

At the summit, Ikenna Oguike, CMFC’s chief operating officer, will participate in a December 3 panel examining alternative financing models, including streaming and royalty arrangements, blended finance and export credit agency support.

A separate session on mining investment opportunities in Nigeria will examine the investment case for the country’s solid minerals industry and the role of private capital in formalising and industrialising the sector.

CMFC will exhibit at Stand H07 alongside the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, providing investors access to Nigeria’s policy framework and financing opportunities being structured within the sector.

The broader challenge for African mineral producers remains converting rising global demand into sustainable investment, domestic processing and economic value, rather than allowing the continent’s resource wealth to remain largely untapped.