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Investment, Economic Forum Ends In Bayelsa

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The Bayelsa State Government rounded off its 3 day Investment and Economic Forum by signing a N25 billion SMEs development fund partnership agreement with the Bank of Industry, Mainstreet Bank and the Bank of Agriculture in Yenagoa, the state capital.
MoUs were also signed with Ostertrade for the establishment of ceramic tiles, glass and tomato paste and bean canning industries, Proton Energy for the construction of a 500 megawatts power plant, and Banner Energy for the siting of a gas plant and a mini LNG in the state.
The state government equally signed memoranda of understanding with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and 4 media organisations, comprising Channels Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Silverbird Television.
The Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobolaji Johnson signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Secretary to State Government, Professor Edmund Alison Oguru and Information Commissioner, Deacon Markson Fefegha signed on behalf of the state government.
Speaking at the forum, Governor Seriake Dickson said SMEs remained a critical aspect in implementing the economic diversification policy of the restoration government.
Urging the people of the state to key into the SMEs programme for the creation of wealth and job opportunities, the governor stressed that, the era of dependence on political patronage was no longer sustainable.
Governor Dickson, who also signed and presented some copies of certificates of occupancy to Julius Berger Plc and other individuals, underscored the importance of the land title document in addressing the issue of access to business finance.
While assuring the partners of  judicious use of the funds, he maintained that, government has put in place measures to closely monitor the would-be beneficiaries of the SMEs for effective management of the fund.
In her remarks, the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobolaji Johnson said, Bayelsa has been chosen for what she described as a smart state to increase its level of internet connectivity as 20 per cent of the state is yet to be covered by mobile signal.
She commended the state government’s huge investments in security, noting that ICT is a critical component in the development of any economy, with great potential for job creation.
On media partnership, the state government explained that the deal was aimed at promoting effective dissemination and management of information concerning its activities.
Lead speakers and panelists at the forum included Chief Timi Alaibe, Diezani Alison Madueke, Mr. Uche Orji, Miss Ivana Osagie, Managing Director of Notore Chemical industries, Regional Manager South-south Operations Bank of industry, Mr Balarabe Musa.
Dignitaries that attended the forum include Ministers of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Steve Oru and Minister of state for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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