News

U.S-Nigerian Delegations Launch New Commercial Partnership Framework

Published

2 weeks ago

June 25, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

Senior officials from the governments of the United States and Nigeria, along with key business leaders from both countries, gathered in Abuja to mark the official launch of working group sessions under a new commercial and investment initiative. The gathering signals a renewed push to strengthen economic ties and foster cross-border collaboration in sectors critical to both nations.

The effort, operating under the United States–Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP), stems from a five-year Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024 by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Nigeria’s former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. Designed to boost cooperation in trade and investment, the CIP seeks to create long-term economic benefits on both sides of the Atlantic.

The event featured remarks from Ambassador Richard Mills, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria; Julie LeBlanc of the U.S. Department of Commerce; Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s trade ministry. Together, they emphasised the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation to drive mutual prosperity.

Ambassador Mills noted that the initiative ranks among the top priorities during his tenure, and said its launch “demonstrates our commitment to building a stronger, more dynamic economic relationship with Nigeria.”

Discussions centered around three core areas: agriculture, digital innovation, and infrastructure. Working groups made up of private-sector representatives from both countries have begun mapping out action plans, identifying regulatory obstacles, and selecting leadership for ongoing engagement.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa, Thomas Bruns, highlighted the strategic intent behind the partnership.

He said, “By aligning on key sectors, we’re not just exchanging ideas, we’re setting the stage for practical, lasting outcomes that support job growth and innovation.”

The two nations agreed to review progress twice a year and to continue exploring new areas for collaboration. The next formal CIP meeting is scheduled for the fall of 2025.

News

Malnutrition Cost Nigeria $1.5bn Yearly- Rep Okafor

Published

34 minutes ago

July 9, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as Nigeria rank 2nd globally

By Gloria Ikibah

Chairman House Committee on Food and Nutrition, Rep. Chike Okafor, has said that malnutrition in the Nigeria cost the nation about 1.5 billion dollars annually.

Re. Okafor who stated this at the ongoing National summit on nutrition and food security on Wednesday in Abuja, said the summit was organised to profer solutions to halt the growing concerns about the effect of malnutrition and lack of adequate food on Nigerians.

He added that beyond the health effects of malnutrition and lack of food which include Stunting, low birth weight, Anaemia in children, adolescent girls and women, there is a considerable cost economically.

According to him, the cost of inaction on these parameters on the Nigeria’s economy is aggregated to about 12.2% of the Country’s Gross National Income, about $56b, based on data from Nutrition International and the World Bank.

He said: “Food insecurity has been aggravated by post-harvest loss, estimated at $2b by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), yearly, this colossal loss alone is more than the Nutrition budget of the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Education and Women Affairs put together.

“This continued loss is not only unacceptable, but unsustainable given the austere times in which we currently live. On the above premise my committee is working with those in the 36 states of the federation to do things differently.

“First of all, we are undertaking strategic capacity building sessions to have a better understanding of the root and dynamics of current nutrition and food security challenges in Nigeria. A wise man once said that once you are not informed, you are deformed.

“We are hoping that the capacity building sessions are institutionalized in partnership with the National Institute of Democratic and Legislative Studies, with support from our ever helpful development partners.

“This will put us in a better pedestal to provide strategic oversight to all nutrition and food related interventions and implementing partners, including but not limited to the UN family, the World Bank, International and National NGOs, and of course the government at Federal, State and Local Government levels. By so doing, we will not only have more money for nutrition, but also more nutrition for the available money”.

In her remarks, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Anwukah said Nigeria currently ranks second on the global scale of malnutrition and the first on the African continent.

Anwukah who spoke on the topic: “Strengthening Nutrition Co-ordination in Nigeria through the N-774 Initiative”, explained that Nigeria signed up on the N-774 initiative as a way of addressing malnutrition right from the grassroot level, adding that the initiative has been endorsed by the National Council on Food security and the Nigerian Governors Forum.

News

Ghanaian Photographer Buried in Camera-Designed Casket as Tribute to His Passion

Published

3 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Ghanaian photographer has captured worldwide attention after being buried in a casket designed in the shape of a camera — a symbolic tribute to his lifelong dedication to photography.

The unique burial was revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user @eddie_wrt, who shared a video of the poignant ceremony.

In the footage, pallbearers are seen carrying the camera-shaped coffin to the gravesite, honoring the late photographer in a deeply personal and creative way.

The video quickly went viral, sparking emotional reactions online as users praised the powerful tribute and shared messages of admiration.

See some reactions below:

@Wee3ny3: “Don’t try to die now wait make this generation finish before you do.”

@AmanorJulious: “Diogo Jota make lucky say he no be Ghanaian like no be small football boot.”

@evils_only: “Eiiiiii Ghana oooooooh nooooooo. Who even brought this style.”

News

Deadline for Hajj 2026 registration extended by 48hrs

Published

3 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The deadline for Hajj 2026 registration has been extended by two 48hours.

According to Spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Haromy Muhammad Umar Butt, the registration will now continue by Friday through designated banks and the Ministry’s online portal.

He said this decision was made in response to requests from intending pilgrims to keep the registration process open until Friday. He said so far, 313,000 individuals have completed their registration for next year’s Hajj. The expenses and other terms and conditions for Hajj 2026 will be issued separately in accordance with the official Hajj policy.