By FIDELUS ZWANSON From a Ministry to a Mirror of the Nigerian State THE history of Nigeria’s finance ministers is, in many respects, the history of Nigeria itself. It is a story of political independence, military intervention, civil war, oil wealth, economic crisis, austerity, structural adjustment, democratic transition, debt relief and repeated attempts to build […]
By AMANAM IKPE Akwa Ibom’s Fourth Food Distribution Phase & the Test of Last-Mile Relief WHEN the Akwa Ibom State Government announced the commencement of the fourth phase of its ARISE Free Food Distribution Programme in July 2026, the exercise represented more than another round of welfare intervention. It was also a test of how […]
By IKE UZOR-NZUBECHI STAKEHOLDERS in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states have called for stronger policies to tackle examination malpractice and shut down so-called miracle centres. They identified parents, teachers, private school operators, examination officials and the wider education system as major factors sustaining the practice. The stakeholders also expressed different views on the […]
By UBONGABASI LINUS Akwa Ibom’s ₦31bn Empowerment Gamble: Who Gets the Money, What Will It Produce? THE Akwa Ibom State Government’s decision to approve ₦31 billion for an economic empowerment programme represents one of the administration’s most ambitious attempts to expand household incomes and stimulate enterprise development. The programme is intended to cover the state’s 31 […]
By FIDELUS ZWANSON Safety Oversight Takes Centre Stage THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned that any further reduction in its statutory funding could weaken the country’s aviation safety oversight and affect its ability to effectively regulate the industry. Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, raised the concern during a public hearing organised […]
By JOANNA ILUSANMI Salary Review Targets Troop Welfare PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved a new salary structure for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, raising military pay by between 30 and 80 per cent across different ranks. The new package takes effect from 1st September and is expected to benefit about 250,000 military personnel nationwide. […]
By ANITA KNIGHT US Introduces Permanent Visa Bond Programme THE United States has begun enforcing a new visa bond programme requiring selected business and tourist visa applicants from Nigeria and several other African countries to deposit between $10,000 and $20,000 as financial security before travelling. The policy, which took effect on 3 August 2026, transforms […]
By IFEOMA IZUCHUKWU Gowon Revisits One of Nigeria’s Most Contested Historical Decisions MORE than five decades after the Nigerian Civil War ended, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has reopened one of the country’s most emotionally charged historical debates by defending the Federal Government’s post-war compensation and currency policies. In his newly released memoir, […]
By PAULINA NZERUBE Delta Expands Humanitarian Response to Citizens Returning from South Africa DELTA State has introduced a broad humanitarian and reintegration programme for citizens displaced by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, combining financial assistance, healthcare, counselling and social welfare into a coordinated recovery package. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori announced the measures during a reception for […]
By PAULINA NZERUBE State Sets Stage for Major Investment Drive THE Delta State Government has announced plans for the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, describing the event as a strategic initiative aimed at attracting local and international investors to the state. Scheduled to hold from 3 to 5 August in Asaba, the summit […]