News – Page 119 – Democracy Radio

Customs Reforms Key to Africa’s Global Trade Competitiveness – CGC Adeniyi

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has declared that reforms in customs administration are no longer optional but essential for Africa to unlock its economic potential and strengthen the competitiveness of exporters on the global stage. He stated this while delivering a keynote at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers. Adeniyi according to a statement on Tuesday night stressed that efficiency, transparency, and innovation must drive customs operations across the continent to realise the objectives of […]

September 10, 2025

NAICOM highlights NIIRA 2025 as a landmark reform to boost growth, transparency, and consumer protection in Nigeria’s insurance industry.

Economy

NAICOM, NESG Unite to Drive Insurance Reform under NIIRA 2025

By Oluwakemi Kindness The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has spotlighted the newly enacted Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 as a game changer for the nation’s financial services sector. NAICOM also described it as the foundation for growth, transparency, and consumer protection. Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Ayo-Omosehin, made this known on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) on a courtesy visit to NAICOM headquarters. He said the long-overdue collaboration between both institutions would […]

September 10, 2025

Agriculture

FG, ActionAid Push for Gender-Inclusive Agriculture Policy in North Central

By: Aremu Toyeebaht The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, has launched consultations in the North Central zone to review the National Gender Policy in Agriculture and its Strategic Plan of Action (2025–2030). The forum, held Tuesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society groups, women farmers’ associations, youth networks, and development partners, with support from AGRA, GIZ, and Care International. Speaking at the event, Director of Special Duties […]

September 10, 2025

General

NOA Calls for Compassionate Dialogue as Nigeria Marks World Suicide Prevention Day

By: Aremu Toyeebaht The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to break the silence and stigma around mental health and suicide, stressing that suicide is preventable if society embraces compassion and open dialogue. Speaking in Dutse on Wednesday to commemorate the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), the Jigawa State Director of NOA, Mr. Ahmad Tijjani, said the day serves as a global reminder of the urgent need to address suicidal behaviours and strengthen mental health support. “Every year, […]

September 10, 2025

Mental health advocates say ending the silence and stigma around suicide is key to saving lives, as Nigeria joins the world in marking Suicide Prevention Day.

Features

Breaking the Silence on Suicide Could Help Save Lives

By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul Behind every suicide is a story, one often hidden behind forced smiles, unspoken struggles, and a silence too heavy to bear. As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, mental health advocates are emphasizing one powerful truth: breaking that silence could save lives. Every 43 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone dies by suicide. That staggering statistic is more than just a number—it represents real people, real families, and real battles […]

September 10, 2025

Bayelsa APC officially endorses President Bola Tinubu for 2027 during the 12th Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting in Yenagoa, though some prominent figures were absent.

Politics

2027: Bayelsa APC Pledges Full Support for Tinubu’s Second Term

By: Aremu Toyeebaht The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general election. The endorsement was announced on Tuesday at the party’s 12th Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting in Yenagoa. The meeting saw the participation of members of the APC National Working Committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Chief Emma Eneukwu, representing National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. However, the absence of two prominent party figures—Minister of […]

September 10, 2025

Education

NELFUND: Over 20,900 North-West Students Receive Interest-Free Loans

By: Aremu Toyeebaht The Federal Government has disbursed N2.086 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to benefit students of higher institutions across the North-West, officials said on Tuesday. Alhaji Mukhtar Lawal-Tsagem, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Katsina State Directorate, revealed the figures in Katsina during a one-day sensitisation programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. He said the funds were extended to approximately 20,919 students in the region. Highlighting other achievements of […]

September 10, 2025

General

Osun Monarch’s U.S. Sentence Causes Rift Among Ipetumodu Kingmakers

By: Aremu Toyeebaht Tension flared on Tuesday during a meeting of princes in Ipetumodu, Osun State, over a proposal to declare the Apetumodu stool vacant following the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede in the United States. Oba Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu, was recently sentenced to more than four years in prison for COVID-19 loan fraud. He was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay over $4.4 million in restitution. https://democracyradio.ng/us-court-jails-nigerian-monarch-over-4-2m-covid-19-loan-fraud/ The palace meeting, presided over by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief […]

September 10, 2025

NUPENG and Dangote Refinery officials at a meeting, signing an MoU to formalise workers’ union rights and suspend strike action.

Business

NUPENG Suspends Strike as Dangote Refinery Agrees to Workers’ Union Rights

By: Aremu Toyeebaht The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called off its threatened strike following an agreement with Dangote Refinery management to formally recognise workers’ rights to unionise. Following the Federal Government brokered peace between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, https://democracyradio.ng/fg-brokers-peace-between-nupeng-dangote-as-union-suspends-strike/ both parties have finally decided to come to an agreement The resolution emerged from a closed-door meeting convened by the Department of State […]

September 10, 2025