Day: October 3, 2026

ARCN Targets Greater Impact as Dabban Advances Agricultural Research Commercialisation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) is intensifying efforts to translate agricultural research into practical technologies, improved crop varieties and commercially viable opportunities to boost productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods.   The initiative, under the leadership of the Council’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Dabban, is aimed at strengthening the link between agricultural research institutions, farmers, extension services, communities and private-sector investors.   A new ARCN Country Snapshot on Research Commercialisation in Nigeria, presented by Dabban at the Scaling Innovation for the CAADP Kampala Agenda session in Dakar, Senegal,…

NITDA, Kyari Push Digital Solutions to Bridge Nigeria’s Agricultural Extension Gap

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have called for increased investment in digital agricultural extension services to improve farmers’ access to timely information, boost productivity and strengthen food security in Nigeria. The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, made the call at the Africa Agribusiness Extension Summit (AAES) 2026, organised by Extension Africa in partnership with NITDA in Abuja on Friday, October 2. Represented by the Director of e-Government, Engr. Salisu Kaka, Inuwa said Nigeria could no longer depend solely…

Nigeria Calls for Trade-Centred Pan-African Diplomacy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has called on African countries to place trade and economic cooperation at the heart of Pan-African diplomacy, stressing that continental partnerships would be more sustainable when anchored on shared economic interests.   The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Friday, October 2, 2026, while speaking at a ministerial roundtable on “Trade and Economic Cooperation at the Centre of Pan-African Diplomacy” at the inaugural Africa-Alamein Business Forum (Go63) in New Alamein City, Egypt.   Enikanolaiye said Africa could no longer afford to treat…

INEC Chairman Urges Nigerians to Obtain PVC, Says It Is Key to Holding Leaders Accountable

Uthman Baba-Naseer Minna

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, has urged all Nigerians of voting age to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the card as a critical instrument for participation in the electoral process and accountability in governance. Amupitan said possessing a PVC enables citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote and participate meaningfully in choosing their leaders, stressed that citizens cannot effectively hold elected officials accountable without participating in the electoral process.   The INEC Chairman spoke as Special Guest of Honour…

NUJ FCT Urges Ethical Journalism, Fact-Checking Ahead of 2027 Elections

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has called on journalists and media organisations to uphold professional ethics, accuracy and responsible journalism as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.   The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Council’s October 2026 Congress held in Abuja, where members deliberated on issues affecting journalists, the Union, the media industry and the nation.   The communiqué, signed by Princess Joy Idam, Gift Chapi Odekina and Funke Ishola, urged journalists to exercise caution in the gathering,…

NAF Graduates Pioneer DSA UAV Operators, Boosts Joint Intelligence Capability

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated the pioneer Defence Space Agency (DSA) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flying Course 1/2026, marking a significant step towards strengthening joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in Nigeria’s security operations.   The graduation ceremony, held at the 401 Flying Training School (401 FTS), Kaduna, underscored the growing collaboration between the NAF and DSA in developing indigenous expertise in unmanned aviation and enhancing operational effectiveness through technology-driven capacity development.   Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of Training, NAF, Air Vice Marshal…

CAS Joins NAF Personnel for Lunch, Strengthens Camaraderie at Headquarters

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on Friday, 2 October 2026, joined officers, airmen and airwomen for lunch at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Abuja, in an engagement aimed at strengthening camaraderie and promoting personnel welfare. The informal interaction saw the CAS sit among personnel, share a meal and engage them in relaxed conversations, temporarily setting aside the usual formalities associated with military command. The lunch is part of a daily welfare initiative introduced by the CAS, under which lunch is…

NAF Qualifies New Captain for Citation Sovereign 680 Operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has strengthened its executive airlift capability with the qualification of Group Captain SB Isijola as an aircraft captain on the Citation Sovereign 680. Isijola, who serve as the Group Operations Officer of 307 Executive Airlift Group (307 EAG), successfully completed his captaincy training after logging more than 230 flying hours on the aircraft platform. The qualification marks another milestone in the NAF’s ongoing efforts to develop highly skilled personnel and maintain the professional standards required for safe, efficient and effective air operations. The achievement was…

NAF Marks Nigeria’s 66th Independence with Family Celebration in Lagos

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a family-centred celebration at the ATO Field, NAF Base Ikeja, Lagos, bringing together children and families of personnel in an atmosphere of patriotism, unity and camaraderie.   The celebration featured a range of recreational and cultural activities, including games, music and cultural displays, providing an opportunity for personnel and their families to celebrate the nation’s independence together.   The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented at the event by the Air Officer…

FCT Police Arrest Suspect for Raping, Impregnating 12-Year-Old Girl

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Zayyanu Halilu, for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl and impregnating her.   The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on October 2, 2026, saying operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested the suspect during a routine patrol around Airport Bridge Taxi Park in Abuja.   According to Adeh, the officers became suspicious after observing a navy blue Volkswagen vehicle with registration number KMC567LQ parked with its windows fully wound up…