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Senate Bars NNPC, Others From Spending Money

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The management of Rivers Transport Company (RTC) is to introduce new routes to ease transport difficulties in the remote areas of the state,including riverine communities.
The Board chairman of the Company, Chief Ibe Eresia-Eke, disclosed this when the National Executive Committee of Egi People’s Assembly (EPA) led by its President-General, Apostle Magus Elemele, paid a courtesy visit to his office in Port Harcourt, recently
Eresia-Eke said when the plan materialized, Egi community would not be left, say that apart from relieving the people from transport difficulties it would also serve as source of job creations for teeming youths of Rivers.
“Towards this end, it is expected that Rivers people will support and encourage the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as he gradually unfolds welfare package for the people”.
Speaking on Egi People’s Assembly, the chairman said it was formed to address the issue of backwardness and development of Egi ethnic group, therefore those elected to pilot its affairs should remain focused.
He said for “ you to remain relevant, you should remain focused, articulate, straightforward, and cohesive strategically identifying those issues that destroyed fast organisations in Egiland and tactically avoid them.
When you have done this, “as a preliminary ground work in your service to the people, be assured that the elders and elites of the clan would be ready to offer their supports.”
Eresia-Eke who is also a trustee of the organisation, pointed out that the clan is encumbered with numerous challenges which could only be solved through sincerity of purposes and effective administration.
He advised them not to be daunted by critics and opposition as that would provide the leeway to success but stressed the need to be accountable to the people, and avoid selfish ventures.
Earlier, Apostle Magnus Elemele had said, the visit was to congratulated Chief Eresia-Eke on his new appointment and also to give a brief on the activities of the national executives which was elected a few months ago.
Elemele said the major challenge when the Exco came on board was insecurity and the unpatriotic activities of those who erroneously “believed that without them the clan will not move forward”.
He outlined some achievements recorded so far to include reconciliation process among some aggrieved groups, the release of signed MOU of 2012 gas eruption with TOTAL, and provison. relief materials to displaced people of Egi.
In another development, a foremost educationist, Elder Isaac Izeogu has urged the leadership of Egi People’s Assembly not to betray the trust placed on them by the generality of Egi people..
Izeogu, a retired school principal, who spoke to the National Executive Council of Egi People’s Assembly led by Apostle Magnus Elemele who visited him in his residence in PortHarcourt, said “the dream, and principles behind the formation of the organisation by the founding fathers must be upheld”.
“Don’t allow this noble project to die in your hands, because without coming together, abandoning personal interest, and reasoning together for the progress and development of our clan, generations to come will not be happy with you”.
He commended the efforts and sacrifice being put in place to restore the lost glory of Egi clan, wishing them God’s guidance and protection saying “I will always attend all your programmes and your activities when informed.
Earlier, Apostle Elemele had told him that the visit was to tap from his wealth of knowledge, and to seek his advice on numerous problems confronting the clan, saying a forum is in the pipeline where all the boards of trustees in which he is a member would be invited to a formal meeting with the executives.

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FG Begins South-West Tour To Promote New Cooperative Bank

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The Federal Government has launched the South-West zonal engagement and ministerial advocacy tour on the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria share capital mobilisation, sensitisation and cooperative sector digitalisation.
 Reports say the initiative was launched through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
According to reports, the advocacy tour, organised by the ministry’s Federal Department of Cooperatives, began on Monday in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security and Supervising Minister of Cooperative Affairs, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, said the initiative was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Abdullahi described the exercise as a strategic effort to reposition the cooperative sector as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, financial inclusion, enterprise development, food security and national prosperity.
“Today represents a defining moment in our collective determination to reposition the cooperative sector as a major driver of inclusive economic growth, financial inclusion, enterprise development, food security and national prosperity,” he said.
The minister noted  the modern cooperative movement in Nigeria originated in the South-West following the 1934 Strickland Report, which led to the enactment of the Cooperative Societies Ordinance of 1935.
According to him, the decision to commence the sensitisation and share capital mobilisation tour in the region is symbolic, as it marks a return to the roots of cooperative development in the country.
Abdullahi said the advocacy tour was a direct outcome of resolutions reached at the 8th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Cooperative Affairs held in Abuja in March 2026.
He said the council approved the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme, a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen the cooperative sector and align it with the administration’s goal of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
“The reform programme focuses on seven strategic pillars, including governance reforms, cooperative financing and the establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria, digitalisation, capacity building, value chain development, inclusion of youths, women and persons with disabilities, and strategic partnerships,” he said.
He said the establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria and the digitalisation of the cooperative sector were the two major transformational initiatives under the programme.
“The Cooperative Bank of Nigeria is aimed at rebuilding a strong cooperative financial system capable of supporting cooperators, farmers, artisans, traders, SMEs, youths, women and persons with disabilities with accessible and affordable financial services,” he said.
Abdullahi emphasised that the proposed bank would be government-enabled but not government-funded.
“Government is not establishing the bank as an owner, nor will it rely on Treasury Single Account funds.
“The role of government through the FMAFS is to provide policy support, stakeholder coordination, regulatory facilitation and an enabling environment under the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme,” he said.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to cooperative sector transformation.
She described cooperatives as critical tools for promoting inclusive growth, grassroots productivity, food security, financial inclusion and community wealth creation.
Ambrose-Medebem said Lagos State would continue to support reforms and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (2025–2030).
“Together, let us build a cooperative ecosystem that is modern, transparent, digitally enabled, financially inclusive and globally competitive.
“Let us build cooperatives that not only mobilise savings, but also mobilise prosperity,” she said.
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Customs Impound N2.35bn Cocaine, 15 Trailers of Rice

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has impound Cocaine Substance valued at ?2.35 billion alongside 15 trailer-loads of foreign rice and a wide range of contraband across the South-West.
This was disclosed to Newsmen during a press briefing in Lagos by Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu,
Aliyu revealed that the seizures were made over an eight-week period, underscoring intensified enforcement efforts.
According to him, operatives foiled 473 smuggling attempts within the period, leading to the confiscation of 8,794 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 22 used vehicles, 328 bales of used clothing, and 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He said other seized items include a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and various food products such as poultry, vegetable oil, spaghetti, and sugar.
Aliyu clarified that the rice displayed at the briefing represented cumulative interceptions made at different locations and times across the zone.
“All the rice you see here are accumulative of seizures carried out at different places, at different times, and through different interdictions,”
Beyond the economic implications, the Comptroller emphasized the social cost of drug trafficking, warning that narcotics continue to destroy families and fuel criminal activities.
“It may surprise you to know that many homes are broken due to drugs.
” Our mandate is to cut off the supply chain, and that is exactly what we are doing,”.
Similarly Customs operatives at the Gbaji outpost intercepted a 71 year-old suspect along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor with 6.35kg of cocaine concealed in a Toyota Highlander.
The drugs, comprising both powdered and crystalline forms, were valued at ?2.35 billion.
Under a special enforcement drive, codenamed “Operation Hawk,” the unit also seized 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as “Ghanaian loud,” weighing 1,540kg.
 The substances, along with three suspects, have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
In a related operation, officers intercepted four cylinders of mercury hidden in a vehicle along the same corridor. Aliyu described the substance as hazardous and subject to international regulation.
Overall, the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures stands at approximately ?5.5 billion, reflecting the scale of enforcement activities.
 Additionally, the unit recovered ?97.7 million through Demand Notices issued on under-declared consignments.
Aliyu reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to deploying modern technology—including geospatial intelligence, drone surveillance, and real-time tracking—to strengthen border security and clamp down on smuggling networks.
CHINEDU WOSU
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Dangote,  Nicolai Tangen To Partner In strategic sectors

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Chief Executive Officer of Norges Bank Investment Management, Nicolai Tangen ( manager of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund) has expressed interest in partnering with Dangote Group to expand investments across Africa, particularly in strategic sectors such as power, energy, renewable energy, agriculture, fertiliser and cement.
This was made known during a meeting of Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote  with Nicolai Tangen, the manager of Norwegian investment institution (with assets estimated at about $1.9 trillion) .
Also present at the meeting were Svein Tore Holsether, Chief Executive Officer of Yara International, and Terje Pilskog, Chief Executive Officer of Scatec, a global renewable energy company.
The engagement reflects growing international investor confidence in Africa’s industrial and infrastructure potential, as well as the increasing role of indigenous conglomerates such as Dangote Group in driving large-scale economic transformation across the continent.
Industry observers say the proposed collaboration could create significant opportunities for investments in critical sectors linked to energy transition, food security, industrialisation and infrastructure development.
The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, regarded as one of the world’s leading institutional investors, has in recent years increased its focus on emerging markets, with Africa seen as a major frontier for long-term investment and value creation.
Analysts believe a partnership between Norges Bank Investment Management and Dangote Group could unlock substantial capital flows into infrastructure and industrial projects across Africa, helping to accelerate economic growth and regional integration.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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