Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has expressed support for the reform agenda of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (FMHAPR), aimed at tackling multidimensional poverty, addressing humanitarian challenges, and improving social protection delivery across Nigeria. The commitment was made during a meeting between the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, and an AfDB delegation that visited the Ministry in Abuja. Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Doro called on the Bank to support the Ministry’s efforts to address the growing challenges of…

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly host the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference (ECC), a major continental gathering aimed at redefining the role of communication in Africa’s development agenda. The agreement followed an earlier invitation extended by NAMPA to APRA to co-host the conference, which is scheduled to hold from July 14 to 17, 2026, at The Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia’s renowned coastal resort city. The conference, themed “Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress,”…

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening people-centred social protection programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable Nigerians. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, gave the assurance during the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE CT) Beneficiary and Stakeholder Engagement held at the Ahiajoku Convention Centre in Owerri, Imo State. The engagement brought together beneficiaries, government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, community representatives, and other stakeholders to assess the impact of the HoPE CT Programme across the…

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to strengthening international partnerships, trade relations, and border security through sustained engagement with the diplomatic community and global customs administrations. Speaking during a high-level diplomatic cocktail reception hosted by the NCS at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, Adeniyi said the Service remains dedicated to fostering stronger bilateral and multilateral cooperation aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and economic growth. The event brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of diplomatic missions, senior government…

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to strengthening its public image through effective media engagement, urging State Coordinators to embrace modern communication strategies to showcase the organisation’s achievements and deepen stakeholder confidence. Speaking at a strategic media training workshop for NYSC top management and State Coordinators in Abuja, Nafiu described the Scheme as one of Nigeria’s most enduring nation-building institutions and stressed the need for greater visibility of its programmes and contributions to national development. The workshop, themed…

Nigeria has congratulated Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim on his election as Chairman of the United Nations Budget and Administration Committee, describing the development as a strong endorsement of the country’s growing influence and active participation in multilateral affairs. The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said Ibrahim’s emergence reflects the confidence reposed in Nigeria by the international community to contribute meaningfully to the effective management and administration of the United Nations. According to the minister, the…

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to urgently rescue all abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State and other innocent children still being held captive across the country, while ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice. Speaking on the occasion of the 2026 International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, Ojukwu condemned the recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, describing the incidents as grave violations of children’s rights and a direct attack…