Category: News

NEW DELHI, India (Agency Report) — Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the multilateral trading system, stressing the importance of international cooperation to sustainable economic development.

Shettima spoke on Saturday during a meeting with WTO Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Leaders’ Summit.

The Vice-President said no country could achieve sustainable prosperity by isolating itself from the global community, assuring that Nigeria would continue to support the WTO’s efforts to strengthen multilateralism and promote international cooperation.

“I believe the world is greater than one nation. We will continue to support the WTO in championing the cause of multilateralism,” Shettima said.

He stressed that countries were increasingly interconnected and needed one another to achieve sustainable economic development.

“We are essentially one human family and interconnected. You cannot divorce yourself from the global community,” he said.

Shettima highlights role of migration in development

Shettima also highlighted migration as an important driver of development, innovation and economic growth, noting that migrants had historically contributed to the development of countries and major cities around the world.

“Nations are built by immigrants. Even cities are built by people who came from outside, not just by the locals.

“That goes to show that we have so much to gain from global migration,” he said.

The Vice-President cited the Nigerian diaspora as an example of the contribution migrants could make through education, entrepreneurship and professional excellence.

According to him, Nigerians living abroad had continued to distinguish themselves in various fields while contributing positively to their host countries.

He cited a recent Pew Research Centre analysis of 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data on Nigerian-born Black immigrants in the United States.

“Sixty-seven per cent of Nigerian-born Black immigrants aged 25 and above in the United States held at least a bachelor’s degree.

“It is the highest proportion among the major Black immigrant groups examined,” Shettima said.

Shettima commends Okonjo-Iweala

Shettima commended Okonjo-Iweala for her leadership of the WTO and urged her to continue deploying her experience in advancing global development.

“You are doing a very wonderful job at the WTO, but you still have a lot to contribute to humanity,” he told her.

Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman and first African to serve as WTO Director-General. She began her second four-year term in September 2025 following her reappointment to lead the organisation.

Shettima to present Nigeria’s investment opportunities

Meanwhile, Shettima is scheduled to present Nigeria’s partnership and foreign investment opportunities to BRICS leaders on Sunday as part of the country’s engagement at the summit in New Delhi.

The summit is being held under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Shettima is expected to highlight President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its focus on creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians.

He will also outline reforms aimed at expanding infrastructure, strengthening economic resilience and promoting private-sector-led growth.

The Vice-President’s engagement is expected to showcase Nigeria’s investment potential and deepen economic cooperation with BRICS member states.

(NAN)

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), the government agency responsible for rehabilitating and maintaining roads across the state, has released its latest road work schedule for Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The schedule details day and night shifts, as well as drainage maintenance activities, across several Local Government Areas in the state.

The notice is intended to keep residents of the affected areas informed and help them plan their movements as officials of the agency commence work at the various sites scheduled for the day and night shifts.

According to the road maintenance notification issued by the agency at noon on Wednesday, during the day shift, work is ongoing at Folorunsho Street, Shomolu; Omodara Street, Ikeja; Governor’s Road, Agege; Adeyemo Akapo Street, Ojodu; Ademola Ajasa Street, Ikosi-Isheri; and Tawaliyu Bello Aromire Street, Ikeja.

The night shift covers Apapa Road, Lagos Mainland; Sura and environs, Lagos Island; LASU-Iba Road inbound Isheri, Alimosho; Ajayi Road/Ayo Alabi Street, Ojodu; and Enitan/Kusimo Streets, Surulere.

For drainage maintenance, crews are deployed to Kola Peregrino Close, Eti-Osa; Old Ipaja by Sofunde, Orile-Agege; Capitol Road, Agege; and Agunlejika Street, Mushin.

The agency advised residents and motorists in the affected areas to take note of the work schedule and plan their movements accordingly.

Officials noted that the schedule may change due to unforeseen circumstances. The ongoing activities, however, form part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to improve road infrastructure and strengthen drainage systems across the state.

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has reaffirmed its outright ban on the display and pasting of posters across the state, warning political parties, candidates, aspirants, campaign organisations and members of the public against violating the directive.

The agency issued the reminder on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, ahead of the Enugu State Local Government Elections scheduled for September 26 and the 2027 general elections, as political activities and campaigns are expected to intensify across the state.

In a public notice signed by its General Manager, Hon. Francis Aninwike, ENSSAA said the ban was pursuant to the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016, particularly Sections 4(1)(g), 33 and 34(4)(9), which provide the statutory basis for regulating outdoor advertising and the display of posters and other advertising materials.

“The ban on the display and pasting of posters remains in force across Enugu State,” the agency said.

ENSSAA stressed that the restriction applies to all types of posters, not only political or election-related materials.

It said the emphasis on campaign posters was due to the approaching elections, when public and private surfaces are more likely to be defaced by indiscriminate pasting of political materials.

The agency warned political parties, candidates, aspirants, campaign organisations and their supporters that posters bearing their names, photographs, logos, messages, slogans or other campaign materials were covered by the ban.

“No person, political party, candidate, aspirant, campaign organisation or supporter is permitted to paste, affix or display posters on buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, road infrastructure, public facilities or any other public or private surface or space within Enugu State,” ENSSAA said.

The agency said indiscriminate pasting and display of posters defaced public and private property, degraded the environment and undermined the aesthetic appearance of the state’s cities, towns and communities.

ENSSAA also issued a warning to printers and printing establishments against producing or facilitating posters intended for unauthorised display or pasting.

“Where any such poster is traced to a printer, the printer may be subject to investigation and appropriate sanctions where its involvement in the violation is established in accordance with the law,” the notice stated.

The agency further reminded the public that anyone who violates the ban is liable to a fine of up to ₦50 million, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

It warned that persons caught pasting or displaying posters in violation of the directive would face the full force of the law, including financial penalties and other prescribed sanctions.

ENSSAA advised political parties, candidates, aspirants and campaign organisations to use radio, television, print and digital/social media, as well as approved billboards, to reach voters and their target audiences.

The agency urged all stakeholders to cooperate in preserving the cleanliness, environmental quality and aesthetic integrity of Enugu State.

It reiterated that the ban would be enforced equally and without fear or favour, regardless of political affiliation or status.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared a Force Majeure Event on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line following the collapse of a transmission tower, resulting in a blackout for electricity consumers in the affected axis.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, TCN said the transmission line tripped at 10:44 p.m. on Monday, September 7, after which a trial reclosure was attempted at 11:07 p.m. but the line tripped again.

Following the second trip, linesmen from TCN’s Birnin Kebbi Sub-Region conducted a fault-finding patrol along the transmission corridor.

The team on Tuesday discovered that Tower T367 had collapsed.

TCN said preliminary findings indicated that the collapse was caused by heavy winds and rainstorms experienced in the area.

The incident has affected the transmission of bulk electricity through the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi transmission corridor.

“Consequently, and in view of the natural disaster that caused the damage, TCN hereby declares Force Majeure on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line,” the company said.

TCN said it had commenced arrangements to mobilise the necessary personnel, equipment and other resources to the affected location to rehabilitate the collapsed tower and restore the transmission line to service as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the company said it had successfully maintained electricity transmission to Sokoto by enabling the Talata Mafara–Sokoto corridor to receive supply through an alternative transmission path from the Kaduna-Mando axis via the 132kV Zaria–Funtua–Gusau transmission line.

TCN apologised for the inconvenience caused to electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident, assuring the public that efforts were ongoing to restore normal bulk power transmission as soon as possible.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) to account for more than ₦78.8 billion in public funds reportedly diverted, unaccounted for or irregularly spent.

SERAP’s demand was contained in a letter dated Sept. 5, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following findings contained in the 2024 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on Aug. 7, 2026. The audit findings covered transactions spanning different periods between January 2023 and December 2024.

The organisation urged Tinubu to direct the Ministry and NCTO to publish the complete records and audit trail of ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023, including beneficiary details, payment records, verification, authorisations and reconciliation.

It also called for an explanation over the failure to provide REMITA records required to authenticate the payments and establish whether beneficiaries were genuine and eligible.

SERAP further urged the government to account for ₦36.744 billion reportedly paid without prepayment audit, ₦4.616 billion in expenditures without adequate supporting documentation, ₦350.182 million disbursed for the enrolment of unbanked beneficiaries, ₦89.511 million spent on store items and ₦17.422 million advanced to staff for diesel purchases.

The organisation also cited ₦280.42 million paid as mobilisation and advance payments to payment service providers without an Advance Payment Guarantee, as well as ₦393.71 million in unutilised funds reportedly disbursed to nine states for beneficiary enrolment activities.

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General found no evidence that the latter funds, which the NCTO reportedly said had been returned to the Treasury, were credited to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

SERAP urged relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate ₦76.24 billion in questionable and unaccounted-for expenditures at NCTO and ₦2.55 billion at NASSCO, and recover any public funds found to have been improperly spent, diverted, misapplied or lost.

It also called for the publication of a clear recovery schedule showing the amount recovered, date of recovery, responsible institution and Treasury account into which each recovered sum was remitted.

“Every naira identified in the report must be properly accounted for,” SERAP said, adding that anyone found responsible should be sanctioned and prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence is established, regardless of status or position.

The organisation said the Auditor-General’s findings raised concerns over missing payment and procurement records, inadequate beneficiary documentation, payments for goods and services that could not be verified, and failures to conduct required financial checks.

SERAP also highlighted NASSCO transactions questioned in the audit, including ₦2.24 billion reportedly paid through 158 vouchers without prepayment audit, ₦44.55 million for laptops allegedly not delivered or entered in the store ledger, ₦19.76 million for advertisements without evidence of publication and ₦141.01 million paid to two contractors for software without NITDA clearance.

The rights group said Nigerians have a right to know how funds allocated for social protection programmes were disbursed and whether intended beneficiaries received the money.

SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its demands, warning that it could pursue legal action, including proceedings before the ECOWAS Court and the World Bank Accountability Mechanism, if the government fails to respond.

The organisation maintained that transparent accounting and recovery of any misused funds were necessary to protect public confidence in Nigeria’s social protection programmes and ensure that resources meant for vulnerable Nigerians reach their intended beneficiaries.

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Women across Ebonyi State have concluded the 2026 edition of their annual August Meeting in a grand finale organised by the First Lady of the state, Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Mary-Maudline Nwifuru. The event recognises the resilience, strength and contributions of Ebonyi women to their families, communities and the development of the state.

The Grand Finale of the 2026 Ebonyi August Meeting brought together women from across the state in a colourful celebration of unity, culture, enterprise and women’s participation in community and national development.

In a statement titled “When Women Rise, Communities Rise,” the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, described the occasion as a celebration of the strength, resilience and enduring contributions of the Ebonyi woman.

Oketa said the event also provided an opportunity to recognise the role of the First Lady in promoting the welfare, empowerment and development of women and vulnerable persons across the state.

“Today, Ebonyi women come together in their beautiful colours, their strength, their unity and their unmistakable spirit to celebrate the Grand Finale of the 2026 Ebonyi August Meeting,” he said.

“And there is indeed so much to celebrate.

“We celebrate the Ebonyi woman — resilient, hardworking, compassionate, enterprising and strong. The woman who carries the weight of her family, contributes to her community, pursues her dreams and, in spite of life’s challenges, continues to rise.”

Oketa paid tribute to the First Lady, describing her as a compassionate advocate whose initiatives have continued to support women, widows, young girls and vulnerable persons across Ebonyi State.

He said Chief Mrs Nwifuru had continued to remind women that they matter, that their dreams are valid and that their wellbeing remains important.

“From providing homes for indigent persons and widows, to empowering women financially and equipping them with skills for sustainable livelihoods; from standing up for the rights and dignity of young girls and women to supporting initiatives that promote their health and wellbeing, Her Excellency has quietly but powerfully invested in the strength of Ebonyi women,” he said.

According to him, the First Lady has used her position to create opportunities, restore dignity, strengthen families and encourage women to believe in themselves and their potential.

“She does not seek to shine above them; she helps them shine,” Oketa said.

He also pointed to what he described as the growing participation of women in leadership and governance in Ebonyi State.

According to him, the state now has a female Deputy Governor, while women also occupy key positions, including the offices of Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service, as well as several commissioner positions and leadership roles in government agencies and boards.

Women are also serving as Vice Chairmen of Local Government Areas and occupying other strategic positions across the state.

Oketa said the growing representation reflected increasing confidence in the capacity of Ebonyi women to contribute effectively to leadership, governance and public service.

He added that the celebration went beyond the First Lady or the August Meeting itself, describing it as a recognition of the collective strength of women and the importance of women supporting one another.

“It is a celebration of the mothers who raised us, the wives who stand beside us, the daughters who represent our future, the widows who continue to persevere, the entrepreneurs who are building businesses, the professionals who are breaking barriers and every Ebonyi woman whose strength continues to move our state forward,” he said.

Oketa said the 2026 Ebonyi August Meeting Grand Finale was also an opportunity to celebrate women who are making a difference today while inspiring the next generation of girls and women.

“When Ebonyi women shine, Ebonyi shines,” he said.

“Ebonyi women, today is your day. We celebrate the women who are making a difference today, thereby inspiring the girls who will carry the torch tomorrow..”