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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Qatar have strengthened their partnership in combating illicit drug trafficking with the symbolic exchange of instruments of ratification between both countries.

The exchange was conducted yesterday in Abuja by the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, and the Ambassador of Qatar to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 3, 2024, in Doha, between President Bola Tinubu and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

The agreement focused on cooperation in combating illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors.

Marwa, in his remarks, commended the existing partnership between both nations, describing it as a joint commitment to tackling a major global threat to public health and security.

He assured that the NDLEA would continue to collaborate closely with its Qatari counterpart to protect the people and countries from the threat of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

According to him, the agency in the past four years has intercepted over 1,000 kg of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, and other illicit substances destined for Qatar.

Marwa also lauded the government of Qatar for its peace-building efforts and humanitarian interventions across the world through the Qatar Foundation.

He appealed to the foundation to support Nigeria in the provision of rehabilitation facilities for the treatment of persons struggling with drug addiction.

Responding, Amb. Al-Hajri pledged to convey Marwa’s request to the Qatar Foundation.

He commended the growing cooperation between the two nations and noted that the partnership had led to an increase in travels and exchanges between Nigeria and Qatar.

He reaffirmed Qatar’s readiness to continue working with Nigeria in areas that promote security, stability, and mutual prosperity.

Bioclinix Medical Diagnostics Centre has congratulated its Advisor on Molecular Diagnostics, Dr. Elekofehinti Olusola, for being named among the top two percent of researchers globally, a recognition that highlights his outstanding contributions to science, innovation, and biomedical research.

Olusola, an Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure is widely respected for his pioneering work in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and biomedical drug design and development.

His research has advanced global understanding in the fields of computational biology, drug discovery, and molecular diagnostics.

The recognition, compiled from global citation metrics, places Dr. Olusola among a distinguished group of scholars whose research has had significant impact worldwide.

Speaking on the milestone, Dr. Isaac Olatunde, CEO of Bioclinix Medical Diagnostics Centre, described the recognition as both an inspiration and a validation of Bioclinix’s commitment to excellence in diagnostics.

‘We are proud to have Dr. Olusola as part of the Bioclinix team. His expertise in bioinformatics and molecular diagnostics is invaluable to our vision of advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria. This global recognition shows that our advisor is not just shaping science locally, but contributing meaningfully to the global body of knowledge.’

Dr. Olusola’s role at Bioclinix as Advisor on Molecular Diagnostics is to guide the Centre in developing cutting-edge diagnostic services, build research collaborations, and mentor the next generation of scientists.

With this recognition, Bioclinix believes that Nigeria’s diagnostic and biomedical research sector can continue to compete on the global stage, drawing strength from local expertise with international impact.

The Gateway International Airport at Iperu Remo in Ogun State yesterday began scheduled commercial flights

Governor Dapo Abiodun, who inaugurated the ValueJet Airlines flight to Abuja on its Bombardier CRJ jet, lauded the vision of his predecessors in facilitating the construction of the fastest-built airport terminal in the country.

Abiodun described the choice of the location of the airport as strategic and essential in driving the economic development of the Gateway State.

The governor lauded the efforts of the team that delivered the facility, saying such a project would boost the socio-economic development of the state.

He praised aviation authorities, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for ensuring the regulatory requirements were complied with.Abiodun also hailed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, and his team, as well as other aviation regulatory bodies, for ensuring that the best was put together to accomplish the objective.

The governor applauded the efforts of the ValueJet Airlines boss and other members of the project implementation committee for their hard work in completing the project.

He said: ‘Our vision for Ogun State, which we have encapsulated, is to provide a focused and cohesive governance, while creating an enabling environment for public-private sector partnership, which we believe is fundamental to the economic growth of the state and the individual prosperity of every citizen of Ogun State.

‘In short, that vision clearly aims to bring more people to live, work, and play in Ogun State. So, in helping us to actualise that vision, we were advised on how we must ensure that our multi-modal transportation connects road, rail, air, and water.

‘This location had been chosen by my predecessors. But, they again confirmed, because they wanted to be passionate about the location of the airport. They again confirmed and validated the fact that this is indeed the location for an airport in the state.

‘Being almost at the centre point of the state, we came back here and noticed that the land had been encroached on and become a dump site. It was a forest. Today, the journey that started in 2021, and that evolved into the first plane that landed here after the construction of our runway, sometime in February 2023, two years afterwards. It has made us one of the fastest-constructed airports.’

Also, the Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, hailed the Ogun State government for the project.

He noted that the airport would add value to the aviation ecosystem.

Najomo said: ‘He started this thing in 2021. Now, this is the fastest one we have seen in the creation of airports. As a regulator, we made sure that everything was done according to regulations. As such, we did not leave any stone unturned.

‘If other states want to do the same, they must make sure they take value from what Ogun State has done. It is one thing to start a project, but it is another to see it through and ensure that regulations are followed.’

Also, the Federal Government has given Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport approval to start scheduled flight operations or commercial flights, effective October 4.

This followed the expiration of the initial approval for a non-scheduled flight approval for the airport by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in December 2024 and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The NCAA, in the letter dated October 3, 2025, addressed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, confirmed the new approval for scheduled flights. The approval will be for an initial period of six months.

According to the letter signed by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Godwin Balang, the validation inspection was conducted on the airport from June 16 to 19.

‘The outcome revealed that the basic operational requirements for scheduled flight operations to Ado-Ekiti Airport have been significantly complied with and the instrument flight check validation report conducted by NAMA indicates satisfactory compliance with regulatory requirements.

‘In view of the above and in line with the provisions of Nig CARs Part 12 Vol. 1, 2023, I have been directed to convey the Authority’s Interim Operational Permit subject to the limitations of VFR or daylight (sunrise to sunset) operations.

‘Furthermore, Your Excellency is respectfully invited to note that this interim Operational Permit is to enable Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to implement outstanding gaps and commence the certification process, which will allow for issuance of Aerodrome Operational Permit with a year’s validity in accordance with the Nig.CARS Part 12 Vol. 1.’

Also, the Ekiti State government has reached an advanced stage of installing the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to position the airport for night and all-weather operations.

Governor Oyebanji has hailed the development as a major boost to the economic development of the state.

He noted that the commencement of commercial operations at the airport would boost agribusiness, tourism development, commercial activities, and medical tourism.

These activities, the governor said, would further position the state as a destination of choice for people looking for where to live, work, invest, and relax.

Oyebanji thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the enabling environment for socioeconomic development at the national and subnational levels. He also thanked his immediate predecessor in office, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who laid the foundation of the airport project in 2019.

The governor also thanked the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), for his remarkable contributions to the airport project as well as members of the Airport Committee.

Nigerian smallholder farmers collectively earned over $40 million from agricultural sales through Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) co-financed Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).

IFAD Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, spoke yesterday in Abuja at the workshop of the 12th Joint Federal Government and IFAD Supervision Mission for the programme.

She said the $334 million initiative, funded by IFAD and Nigeria, has transformed smallholder agriculture, especially in rice and cassava value chains.

Ekoue described the programme as a reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening food systems, enhancing productivity, and improving livelihoods of rural farmers.

Highlighting its impact, she noted that participating rice farmers record yields of five to six metric tonnes per hectare a remarkable improvement, from the national average of two to 2.5 tonnes.

Through the Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF), the VCDP’s flagship public-private-producer partnership platform, farmers have generated over $40 million in sales through 878 agreements with off-takers, benefiting more than 16,000 rice farmers.

‘These showcase what can be achieved through collaboration between governments, farmers, communities, private sector, and IFAD,’ he said.

‘We are delighted that the VCDP complements President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy, and African Union’s Kampala Declaration on agricultural transformation.’

Sir: Three years after seizing power, Burkina Faso’s strongman, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, continues to project himself as the torchbearer of a new African revolution – a reincarnation of the late Thomas Sankara. Yet, his recent performance, marking his third anniversary in power, revealed more theatre than substance. It was less a presidential address and more a self-congratulatory monologue filled with sweeping claims, imagined enemies, and revolutionary soundbites detached from the harsh realities on the ground.

Facing a carefully selected group of journalists – those unlikely to ask uncomfortable questions – Traoré transformed what should have been a serious state briefing into a one-man show. His tone was confident, even prophetic, yet far removed from the desperation of a nation caught in the grip of terrorism, poverty, and displacement.

Traoré opened with drama: when he came to power, he claimed, the Burkinabe army had ‘barely a hundred weapons and 100,000 cartridges.’ Such exaggerations might thrill loyalists but stretch credibility. Even local hunters would scoff at such arithmetic. Yet, the captain reassured his listeners that 15,000 men are now recruited annually and that Burkina Faso will soon ‘make its own weapons.’

How, and with what resources? There were no details – no factories, no engineers, no budget. It was a familiar populist pattern: imagination over implementation, rhetoric over realism.

Perhaps the highlight – or low point – of the press conference came with the grand economic announcement: a tomato processing plant. While jihadists overrun villages and thousands of civilians flee daily, the government’s big victory was the promise of locally made tomato paste.

Agricultural processing is undoubtedly essential. But in a nation where more than half of the territory is under terrorist control, the symbolism felt jarring. The message seemed to be: Burkina may not be safe, but at least it will have sauce.

When policies fail, populists find scapegoats. In Traoré’s narrative, the Ivory Coast has now become the enemy. He accused Abidjan of serving as ‘the rear base of Burkina’s enemies’ and even suggested that President Alassane Ouattara had signed a ‘non-aggression pact’ with jihadists.

Such allegations are not just far-fetched – they are dangerous. They strain regional diplomacy, alienate neighbours, and distract from the government’s inability to secure its own borders. Ironically, when a journalist cited a poll showing that 66% of Ivorians viewed Burkina Faso’s leadership favourably, Traoré shrugged: ‘Really? I don’t follow that. I don’t watch those media outlets anymore.’

This was revealing. In a state where the media is censored and dissent suppressed, even positive news struggles to reach the leader’s ears. Traoré appears trapped within his own echo chamber – and Burkina Faso with him.

Three years on, the outcomes are damning. Burkina Faso remains the most terrorised country in the world. Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and much of the countryside is beyond state control. Schools are closed, health centres are abandoned, and basic livelihoods are destroyed.

Despite fiery anti-Western speeches and his warm embrace of Moscow, little has changed on the ground. Russian mercenaries and propaganda can amplify slogans, but they cannot rebuild schools, protect farmers, or restart an economy in free fall.

And now, with Burkina Faso – alongside Niger and Mali – having withdrawn from ECOWAS, the country faces deepening isolation. What Traoré brands as ‘sovereign independence’ increasingly looks like self-imposed solitude. Without regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, or trade partnerships, Burkina Faso risks turning into a garrison state – fortified in rhetoric but hollow in results.

In just three hours of speaking, Captain Traoré managed to: turn the Ivory Coast into the supposed headquarters of Sahel’s villains; declare tomato paste the new pillar of national resilience; and redefine politics as the art of deception.

But beyond the theatre, Burkina Faso continues to bleed. The ordinary people – farmers, students, traders, and families – pay the real price for this illusion of revolution.

Traoré may parade as the new Sankara, but three years on, his ‘revolution’ looks more like a parody than a legacy. The real revolution Burkina Faso needs today is not one of slogans or posturing, but of results – restoring security, rebuilding trust, and reviving governance.

Until then, Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s revolution remains exactly what it appears to be: a show more than a solution.

Arsenal have held internal discussions about expanding the capacity of Emirates Stadium.

The talks are still at an early stage with no favoured plan on how to move forward decided yet, but the possibility of home matches being played at Wembley Stadium if work was to take place has been discussed.

The Gunners played Champions League matches at the old Wembley Stadium in both the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.

Rivals Tottenham played Champions League matches at the current Wembley in 2016-17, before playing all of their ‘home’ fixtures at Wembley in 2017-18 and most of 2018-19 while their new stadium was completed.

Next year will mark 20 years since the Gunners moved to the Emirates from Highbury.

It is understood talks have involved the possibility of changing the seating plan in order to add thousands of seats as the Gunners look to keep pace with the largest stadiums in the country.

With a capacity of 60,704, Arsenal have the fifth-largest stadium among English football clubs.

Manchester United’s Old Trafford is the biggest ground with a capacity of 74,879, while Tottenham’s home is second (62,850), West Ham (62,500) third and Liverpool (61,276) fourth.

Heartland FC has distanced itself from its former General Manager, Promise Uchenna Nwachukwu, declaring that he no longer has any link or authority to represent the club in any capacity.

In a statement signed by the club’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, Heartland clarified that Nwachukwu ceased to be part of the club’s management since July 2024. The club noted that recent developments necessitated the disclaimer to prevent the public and football stakeholders from being misled.

‘Mr. Nwachukwu is not authorized to represent Heartland FC in any official or unofficial matters, nor is he permitted to act, speak, or transact on behalf of the club,’ the Owerri-based side said in a statement.

Heartland further warned that any individual, organization, or football body – including the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF), or FIFA – that deals with Nwachukwu under the impression that he represents the club does so at their own risk.

The club emphasized that it will not be held liable for any agreements, representations, or commitments made by the former official.

Amuneke assured that the club remains focused on repositioning Heartland FC for greater professionalism, transparency, and integrity.

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have discovered their opponents for the final qualifying phase of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, following yesterday’s draw held at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.

The four-time African champions will compete in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, one of the four host cities for the global qualifiers scheduled to take place from March 11 to 17, 2026.

D’Tigress have been drawn in a tough group alongside France, Germany, Korea, Colombia, and the Philippines, as they look to secure a place at the Berlin 2026 World Cup. The qualifiers will serve as the final gateway to the world’s biggest women’s basketball tournament, where 16 nations will battle for glory.

The draw was conducted by Germany’s Marie Guelich and former French captain Endy Miyem, under the supervision of FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis and representatives from participating federations.

Aside from Lyon-Villeurbanne, other host cities for the qualifiers include Wuhan (China), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul (Trkiye).

D’Tigress will be hoping to continue their dominance on the African continent and translate it into another impressive global outing as they aim to secure qualification for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin 2026.

The Full Draw:

Wuhan, China: Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czechia, China

Lyon-Villeurbanne, France: Colombia, Philippines, Germany, Korea, France, Nigeria

San Juan, Puerto Rico: New Zealand, Puerto Rico, USA, Senegal, Italy, Spain

Istanbul, Trkiye: Hungary, Trkiye, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan

The Managing Director of FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, says the bank is committed to bridging financing gaps and leveraging digital solutions to tackle business challenges across key sectors of the economy.

Alebiosu stated this at a breakfast session during the 31st Nigeria Economic Summit, themed ‘Expanding Access to Finance and Driving Growth Across Middle Market and Emerging Corporate Segments,’ held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that a prosperous nation is built on the backbone of its real sector, adding that access to finance remains fundamental to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

‘That is why we have placed this subject at the heart of our discussion – to catalyse sustainable growth and inclusion where it matters most,’ he said.

According to him, FirstBank empowers Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and emerging corporates through tailored products and services designed to stimulate growth across their value chains and support Nigeria’s economic evolution.

He stressed that collaboration among policymakers, industry players, and technology partners was vital to achieving lasting impact.

‘By forging partnerships across policy, industry, and technology, we can create an enabling environment that unlocks new opportunities for businesses to thrive. That is the driving purpose of today’s session,’ Alebiosu said.

He highlighted that with a legacy spanning 131 years, FirstBank remains a trusted partner to SMEs and large corporates, offering comprehensive banking solutions that enhance innovation, resilience, and diversification in the economy.

Also speaking, the Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North Division, Mrs. Aishatu Bubaram, said the middle market and emerging corporates are central to Nigeria’s future prosperity.

She described these enterprises as vibrant drivers of job creation, innovation, and diversification across key sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, digital services, and light manufacturing.

Bubaram noted that despite their potential, these businesses face persistent challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate advisory support, and fragile operational ecosystems.

‘FirstBank recognises that addressing these barriers is not just a banking imperative; it is a national imperative,’ she said.

According to her, the bank has continued to support enterprise growth and resilience over its 131-year history, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to financial solutions, deploying technology to unlock opportunities, and forging partnerships that empower businesses.

‘This session is not merely about banking; it is about reimagining how finance can accelerate inclusion, how policy can create enabling environments, and how collective action can turn Nigeria’s vast entrepreneurial energy into shared prosperity,’ Bubaram added.

The House of Representatives yesterday swore in three new members – Omosede Igbinedion (Edo State), Felix Bagudu (Kaduna), and Murktar Rabiu (Jigawa).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the presence of the new members during plenary.

The three All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers were ushered into the Green Chambers by the Clerk of the House, under the Speaker’s watch.

NAN also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Igbinedion the winner of the bye-election recently conducted in Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State.

Igbinedion polled a total of 77,053 votes to win the election to fill the seat which became vacant in September 2024 following the election of Dennis Idahosa as Edo Stat deputy governor.

Also, Bagudu, who replaced the late Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, Ekene Adams from Chikun-Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, polled a total of 34,580 votes to occupy the seat.

The third member, Rabiu, from Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, polled 38,449 votes to emerge the winner of the by-election.