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Angola @ 50: Nigeria-Angola Forge $200m Agricultural Alliance
…as Rosehill Group boss hail ‘Receptive’ Luanda
By Gloria Ikibah
At the golden jubilee celebration of Angola’s independence in Abuja, business magnate CEO/Founder of Rosehill Group, Suleman Yahyah, unveiled a sweeping new investment plan that cements Nigeria’s growing economic partnership with Angola, describing the southern African nation as “the most receptive location for Nigerian businesses.”
Speaking exclusively at the 50th Independence Anniversary celebration of Angola, held under the auspices of the Ambassador of Angola to Nigeria. His Excellency José Bamóquina Zau, Yahyah revealed that Rosehill Group had committed over $200 million to Angola’s agricultural sector, in collaboration with the country’s sovereign wealth fund.
He revealed that the project spans 100,000 hectares of land, nearly one billion square metres — across Huambo, Bié Province, Wila, Mekiko, and potentially Melange. Yahyah added that the venture, was part of broader diversification efforts driven by the Africa Energy Bank, a $5 billion institution promoted by Rosehill and headquartered in Nigeria, with Angola as a founding investor.
“Investments in Angola were by direct invitation of President João Lourenço of Angola. We are now investing over $200 million in Angola’s agriculture in partnership with their sovereign wealth fund.
“We have been the promoters of the Africa Energy Bank… Angola is a major investor, actually a founding investor, for which Nigeria is the headquarters,” Yahyah explained.
Reflecting on the historic ties between both nations, he paid tribute to “the founding fathers of Angola-Nigeria relationships,” including General Mohammed, General Obasanjo, General Ike Nwachukwu, and President António Agostinho Neto.
“We are benefiting from that foundation. As of today, we have three Nigerian banks operating in Angola — Access Bank, UBA, and Standard Chartered Bank”, he said.
The Rosehill boss commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for deepening economic diplomacy, suggesting that regional infrastructure could further transform both economies.
“We hope that the Lagos-Calabar road will be extended to Luanda, because these are two giant economies in the sub-region.
“Nigeria has skilled manpower, human capital, and investable funds, while Angola has significant land, resources, and law and order — very, very good for business”, he noted.
On cultural ties, Yahyah stressed the growing people-to-people connection between the two countries, dismissing language barriers as a major issue.
“Surprisingly, most of the young people in Angola are speaking English,.
“They are enamoured by Nigerian arts, food, clothing, movies, and music. It’s a very receptive country”, he said.
Yahyah’s affection for Angola was palpable as he recalled visible tributes to Nigeria’s legacy across Luanda.
“The biggest road in Angola is Avenue Murtala Mohammed. The biggest market in Angola is Murtala Mohammed. The biggest shopping malls are named after General Obasanjo,” he said with a smile.
“Everywhere you go, they recognise the role Nigeria played.”
“There’s a significant element of law and order in Angola, which is very, very good for business. The government is progressive. I must tell you, Luanda stands out as the most receptive location for Nigerian people”, he added.
As both nations celebrate half a century of Angola’s sovereignty, Yahyah’s remarks underscore a rejuvenated Nigeria-Angola partnership, one driven by shared history, mutual respect, and a shared vision for a prosperous Africa.
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PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.
The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.
The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.
The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.
The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.
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The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.
According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.
Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.
The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.
At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Details shortly…
PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule
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