The University of Lagos (UNILAG) says it set to record a major milestone in its electric vehicle initiative by cutting down more than 120 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by the end of 2025.
The Head, Communication Unit, UNILAG, Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, said this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
She said the initiative was launched by the university in partnership with Ogata Global Resources and Chart Eco Global Services in January.
“In the first half of the year, the initiative, operating with an initial fleet of 10 buses, covered more than 102,000 kilometres, achieving a reduction of 16.78 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
“Building on this progress, the fleet has been expanded with an additional 20 electric vehicles, bringing the total to 30 with projected mileage coverage of 700km.
“This expansion positions UNILAG to
achieve a projected 124 metric tons reduction by year’s end,” she said.
According to her, the savings is equivalent to planting and nurturing approximately 5,600 trees within a single year.
“This milestone reflects the university’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of climate action, clean energy, and sustainable cities.
“The emissions data were calculated and verified by Chart Eco Global Services, a sustainability organisation that measures and manages emissions for various organisations in Nigeria.
“The analysis followed internationally recognised protocols, including the United Kingdom’s UK Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the United State of America Environmental Protection Agency.
“The emissions tracking tool was based on the Green House Gas Protocol for mobile combustion, developed by Clear Standards Inc. in collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI), providing transparency, consistency, and credibility,” she said.
She added that the methodology was further reviewed by experts at the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (TCEBCEM), UNILAG.
She said that Mr Itinulowa Okusami, CEO of Chart Eco Global Services, while speaking on the progress of the initiative, said it was a proof of concept to decarbonise Nigeria’s heavily polluted transport sector.
She said Okusami was delighted at the percentage of carbon emissions the university had been able to prevent from going into the environment.
It was a gathering of intellectuals as expected and a reflection of the importance of economics to everyday life at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building of Rivers State University on Wednesday, 24th September 2025, as Professor Sancho Nwobuisi Chukwu, a professor of Monetary Economics and International Finance, took the podium to deliver his much-anticipated inaugural lecture titled, “Dynamics of Ehianomics Economy, the Losses, and the Nigerian Experience.”
Professor Sancho began by drawing attention to the economic realities faced by Nigerians, realities rooted in conflicts such as civil war, insurgency, political instability, marginalization, and corruption. These conditions, he explained, gave rise to the concept of Ehianomics.
Ehianomics, he noted, is an economic paradigm that interprets survival and adaptability rather than relying solely on conventional indicators such as GDP growth, foreign reserves, or stock market performance. It is an economy shaped by adversity and adaptive resilience.
The term reflects how individuals, households, and communities in Nigeria have unknowingly built shock absorbers that keep them from collapse. They find alternatives to stay on their feet, sourcing new resource flows and devising strategies to withstand repeated disruptions. Farmers, for instance, may shift from imported crops to local sourcing or adopt new crops in response to insecurity.
Communities, he explained, develop survival mechanisms with little or no state support. These include informal trade, cooperative labour, shared community risks, migration (popularly called japa) as an economic response, subsistence enterprises, and indigenous credit systems.
Ehianomics, therefore, offers a bottom-up reinterpretation of economic agency — shaped not by abstract models but by lived experiences, forged in struggle, and expressed in the quiet determination of market women, displaced youth, and informal innovators who refuse to surrender their economic agency.
Prof. Sancho
Drawing on metaphors, Professor Sancho likened the Nigerian economy to a palm tree — once tall and full of potential, signifying a healthy nation with systemic stability and sustained growth. But like the palm tree gradually eaten away by the weaver bird, Nigeria’s economy has been disrupted by colonialism, civil war, oil dependency, military coups, and neoliberal reforms.
Yet, amid the ruins, he emphasized the possibility of regeneration and regrowth. Just as ecosystems heal after disruption, economies too can recover. Nigeria, he said, must reconstruct itself by finding new growth paths, redefining productivity patterns, and reshaping power dynamics. Much of this regeneration is already visible in informal systems of trade and survival.
These losses, however, did not affect all groups equally. Political elites, contractors, security firms, urban elites, diaspora returnees, multinational corporations, NGOs, development professionals, digital entrepreneurs, and tech startups often benefited from turbulence. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens bore the brunt: unemployment deepened, farmers and traders abandoned fields, food shortages, and inflation spread, and future generations were denied quality education, nutrition, and healthcare. Against this backdrop, the professor posed a stark question:
“Who are the winners, and who are the losers?”
As part of his recommendations, Professor Sancho urged Nigeria to secure the foundations of growth through conflict prevention and resolution, move beyond oil by building a resilient economic paradigm, develop stronger social safety nets to protect the vulnerable, and promote inclusive policies that shift the nation from elite capture to shared prosperity.
“Just as the palm withstands storms by bending, shedding, and regrowing, so too must Nigeria evolve from reactive crisis management to proactive, regenerative economic planning,” he said.
“By creating generation, not repetition, Nigeria can convert this history of vulnerability into our future of structural resilience and inclusive prosperity, ensuring that what is passed down is not just survival but a renewed economic legacy anchored in dignity and shared growth.”
He did not mince words about the dangers of corruption, declaring:
“Until we separate looters from working Nigerians, the next generation of youths will think that looting and stealing is a career.”
The lecture underscored that Ehianomics is more than an abstract theory. It is a mirror of Nigeria’s lived experience: a story of an economy shaped by fragile foundations, scarred by missteps, yet still capable of renewal.
Bringing the event to a close, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Zeb Obipi, delivered the closing remark. He commended Professor Sancho for his scholarly contribution and urged the Nigerian government to engage with the lecture’s insights.
“If our leaders take these recommendations seriously, the dynamics of Ehianomics will be such that our people will not be struggling daily for survival,” he said.
His words of encouragement marked a fitting conclusion to a thought-provoking and impactful inaugural lecture.
Before joining the Rivers State University, Prof. Sancho Chukwu had served at the Federal University, Wukari, where he grew through the ranks to the top of his career.
Prof. Sancho Nwobuisi Chukwu is a specialist in monetary economics and international finance. He has, to his credit, several publications in local and foreign journals, and the proposed lecture promises to contextualize Nigeria’s economic challenges and also point the way for recovery and growth that is sustainable.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately commence engagement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Ogoni communities, and other stakeholders, to finalise modalities for the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland after more than three decades of shutdown.
The President gave the order at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the report of the Presidential Committee on the Ogoni Consultations, chaired by former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Don Baridam.
The delegation was led by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
President Tinubu praised the committee for what he described as “dedication and wisdom” in guiding a delicate process, and urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and dialogue as the only path to justice and development.
“I commend the dialogue committee for the wisdom with which they guided this process. More importantly, let’s thank the Ogoni people for embracing dialogue and reconciliation as the surest path to justice and development,” the President said.
Acknowledging the decades of struggle, he added: “We are not as a government taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. The Federal Government truly acknowledges the long suffering of the Ogoni people, and today we declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us.”
President Tinubu mandated the NSA to convene immediate engagements between the Ogoni people, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting oil production.
“We have to start now. Dead assets are not valuable to the community, the country and the people. The further we leave it and the longer we procrastinate, the greater the losses,” Tinubu said.
He also directed the Minister of Environment to work with the NSA to integrate environmental remediation and community programmes into a broader dialogue and implementation process.
“Environmental remediation will renew oil production, and we must ensure efficient functionality as an instrument of action,” he added.
Tinubu urged Ogoni leaders and communities to put aside divisions and move forward in unity.
“I urge Ogoni people across communities and generations to close ranks and put this dark chapter behind us. This reconciliation is not an erasure of history; it is the commitment to write the next chapter together. Government will deploy every resource to support the Ogoni people in its march towards shared prosperity,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a symbolic gesture, President Tinubu conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on nine Ogoni heroes who died in the struggle for environmental justice. They included Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Albert Bade, Chief Samuel Orage, and Chief Theophilus Orage.
He prayed that their memories “continue to inspire unity and purpose among Nigerians.”
Presenting the committee’s report, NSA Ribadu described the process as transformational, aimed at restoring hope and rebuilding trust after years of neglect and conflict.
He said an inter-agency taskforce, including NNPCL, ministries, and the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, would oversee implementation.
“Peace is already being restored, and Nigerians will soon see the benefits, not just in Ogoniland, but across the Niger Delta and beyond,” Ribadu said.
Governor Fubara, in his remarks, hailed the renewed seriousness of the Federal Government.
“Finally, there is every sign that this government is serious about resolving these issues, and I think we need to give them all the necessary opportunity and time to ensure this problem is resolved once and for all,” he said, pledging his full cooperation.
Committee chairman, Professor Don Baridam, said the report reflected the collective will of the Ogoni people, highlighting demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.
He described the document as “a blueprint for the future.”
Prominent activist and former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, told journalists that the meeting signaled a “new dawn” for Ogoni.
“We are leaving here with hope that something practical is being done and that our matters have received a hearing at the highest level,” he said.
Mitee noted that progress had already begun, including targeted employment and plans for a University of Environmental Technology and an industrial park.
Former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment and son of the late Edward Kobani, one of the Ogoni Four, Kenneth Kobani, was emotional.
“What the President has done today has shown that Nigeria can actually be a better place. No matter how long it takes, Ogoni and Nigeria as a whole are on the right path,” he said.
He thanked Tinubu and Ribadu for recognizing the sacrifices of his father and others.
Oil exploration in Ogoniland was suspended in 1993 following widespread protests against environmental degradation, leading to the tragic execution of writer-activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others in 1995 by the then-military regime—a watershed moment in Nigeria’s environmental and human rights history.
Nigeria’s involvement in youth football globally is one that is rich, dramatic, and inspiring. Indeed, the story of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, formerly known as the World Youth Championship, is a mixture of pride, drama, and some would say, unfinished business.
The point is that each new team inherits the dream of going one better, of finally lifting the trophy that has twice slipped away, since making a debut appearance in 1983.
Coach Zubairu
Nigeria’s history in this competition is rich. Bronze in 1985. Two runner-up finishes: in 1989, undone by Jorge Couto’s Portugal, and in 2005 when Lionel Messi tormented Samson Siasia-led Flying Eagles. That tournament, of course, revealed Mikel Obi to the world.
Thus, as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles begin another quest for the World Under-20 trophy, the expectations of football loving Nigerians is that the trophy will be brought home to end the wait.
As the tournament kicks off in Chile on September 27, The Flying Eagles will have to first overcome their contemporaries from Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia in Group F, to signal their intent of going very far in the championship.
However, while football loving Nigerians will ever remain hopeful of a favourable outcome, the indices on ground does not support the optimistic disposition of Nigerians.
The team in training in Chile
During the Confederation of African Football U-20 tournament, Nigeria secured a spot for a 14th appearance at the U-20 World Cup by reaching the last four in that tournament. It wasn’t a spectacularly fantastic outing, as the team managed to pick up the bronze medal after defeating Egypt in a penalty shoot-out
However, the team the team that touched down in Chile a few days ago, seem set for business, as confidence is sky high. The lads seem set to write their names in gold.
The squad, made up of:
Goalkeepers Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United), and Rufa’i Abubakar (Mavlon FC) provide depth at between the posts. Stade de Reims defender Ocheche Amos Onyejefu and Bayelsa United’s Daniel Bameyi add balance in defence.
In midfield, Israel Ayuma of NK Istra and Molde’s Daniel Daga bring European experience, while Manchester City youngster Abdullahi Shitu Ele highlights the firepower up front.
All eyes will be on Daniel Bameyi, the captain of the team and Arieri Kparabo, the 18-year old who plays in Norway.
Bameyi was named in the Best XI at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations following a stellar performance at the continental tournament. The central defender, who is still 19, would be making his second FIFA U-20 World Cup, after leading the Flying Eagles to the quarter-finals at Argentina 2023.
For Kparabo, the scoring sensation who moved to Norwegian top-flight side Lillestrom in February on a four-year deal after impressing for NNL side Beyond Limits Football Academy, where he scored a staggering 22 goals in just 15 matches, including three hat‑tricks, this is the time to prove his worth.
The 18-year-old broke out internationally at the 2024 WAFU U-20 Championship and was a key part of the national team squad at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles touched down in Santiago last week and wasted no time getting to work ahead of the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup
The squad was put through their first full session last Wednesday evening at the Cancha Liga Training Pitch, by Head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, following a recovery workout earlier in the day at the team’s base, Le Meridien Hotel.
The build-up continued with friendlies against hosts Chile in Rancagua on Saturday which ended in a 1-1 draw and Australia on Tuesday which they won 3-1, to round off their pre-World Cup preparations.
The goals came from Tahir Maigana, Achihi Oseer, and Charles Agada, giving coach Aliyu Zubairu cause for optimism ahead of their opening Group F match.
Now, all attention turns to their first match at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup where Nigeria will square it out with Norway on Monday, 29 September, at 9:00pm WAT, at Estadio Fiscal in Talca in their first group match, they then face Saudi Arabia and Colombia in what promises to be a tight group. Zubairu is already sharpening his tactical approach to the tournament.
Aliyu Zubairu was appointed head coach of the Flying Eagles in September 2024 amidst a successful spell at Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, whom he led to the President Federation Cup.
A respected tactician, the soft-spoken coach previously coached Wikki Tourist of Bauchi and Gombe United in both the top-flight NPFL and second-tier Nigerian National League (NNL). Zubairu left the Warriors following the expiration of his contract in June.
Nigeria’s romance with youth football is rich, dramatic, and inspiring, and nowhere is this more evident than at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, formerly known as the World Youth Championship. Since making their debut in 1983, the Flying Eagles have stamped their presence as Africa’s most consistent team in the competition, reaching the finals twice, thrilling the world with breathtaking comebacks, and producing stars who went on to shine on the global stage.
Their breakthrough came in 1985 in the Soviet Union, where Nigeria stunned many by finishing third. That bronze medal set the tone for future generations. Just four years later, in Saudi Arabia in 1989, the Flying Eagles etched their name into football folklore with the famous “Damman Miracle.” Trailing 4–0 against the Soviet Union in the quarter-final, Nigeria mounted one of the greatest comebacks in world football, scoring four times in the last half-hour to level the match before triumphing 5–3 on penalties. The Flying Eagles rode that momentum all the way to the final, where they fell 2–0 to Portugal, yet returned home as heroes.
Nigeria’s consistency has been remarkable. Hosting the tournament in 1999, the Flying Eagles drew packed crowds across the nation and reached the quarter-finals before bowing to Mali. But it was in 2005 in the Netherlands that Nigeria came closest to glory again. With players like John Obi Mikel dazzling in midfield, the Flying Eagles marched to the final, only to meet a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina. The little genius struck twice from the penalty spot to deny Nigeria, who settled for another silver medal.
Since then, the team has remained a formidable force. Quarter-final finishes in 2007, 2011, 2019, and 2023 underscore their consistency, even if the elusive trophy remains out of reach. Along the way, the U-20 platform has served as a launchpad for stars such as Mikel Obi, Taye Taiwo, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Osimhen, who have gone on to carry the nation’s footballing hopes at senior level.
In all, Nigeria has qualified for the tournament 13 times, a record unmatched by any African country. They remain the continent’s most successful side at this level in terms of appearances and finals reached, even if the golden crown continues to slip away.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Wednesday inaugurated an Ad hoc committee to oversight the implementation of the Naira-for-Crude Oil policy of the Federal Government.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tajudeen said that the inauguration marked a critical step towards ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in one of the most critical policy initiatives in the energy sector.
He said that the committee had been entrusted with the important task of investigating the implementation, effectiveness, and inter-agency coordination of the Naira-for-Crude Oil policy.
The speaker said that the house expected nothing less than a thorough, impartial, and well-documented process that will contribute to the overall stability of the economy from the committee.
“The task before this ad-hoc committee requires diligence, courage, and a clear sense of purpose.
“I urge members of the committee to carry out their work with integrity, objectivity, and dedication, bearing in mind that their deliberations and recommendations will shape the course of this policy and influence the well-being of millions of Nigerians.
“In doing so, they will strengthen our legislative processes and contribute to the progress of the nation.
“The house has confidence in their competence and in the success of this initiative. Your partnership is crucial in ensuring that the objectives of this exercise are fully realized,” he said.
Tajudeen explained that the Naira-for-Crude Oil policy carried significant implications for Nigeria’s foreign exchange stability, revenue generation, and long-term energy security.
The speaker said that the 10th House of Representatives remained dedicated to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said that the house is particular on tackling the economic challenges that continue to weigh heavily on Nigerians.
Tajudeen advised the committee that stakeholder engagement would be central to the new assignment, as meaningful results cannot be achieved in isolation.
He said that the involvement of government agencies, industry operators, civil society, and other key actors will give the committee a broad and balanced perspective.
According to him, such ollaboration will help shape recommendations that are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with the national interest, while also strengthening public confidence in the work of the legislature.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Boniface Emerengwa (PDP-Rivers) lauded the leadership of the house for entrusting the committee with the critical assignment.
He said that Nigeria is blessed with abundant crude oil reserves, yet the benefits had not always translated into maximum value for our people.
Emerengwa said that the volatility of foreign exchange markets, over-dependence on the dollar, and the persistent challenges facing the economy made it imperative to explore innovative ways to strengthen the currency, reduce external vulnerabilities, and secure long-term benefits for Nigerians.
“The task before this committee is therefore both urgent and significant; our mandate include but not limited to critically examine the feasibility, sustainability, and potential impact of the Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy.
“Engage with stakeholders across government, the Oil and Gas industry, financial institutions, and international partners and Identify possible risks, challenges, and opportunities inherent in this policy shift.
“Make clear evidence-based recommendations that will guide the house in ensuring that this policy, if adopted, will serve the best interest of our economy and people as envisaged by the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
“We are committed to discharging this mandate with utmost diligence, transparency, and inclusiveness. We shall consult widely, deliberate deeply, and place national interest above every other consideration.
“We are aware that bold reforms often come with skepticism but history teaches us that nations that thrive are those that dare to innovate, adapt, and take ownership of their economic destiny.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I assure this House and the Nigerian people that we shall justify the confidence reposed in us,” he said.
The chairman solicited for the support of the house, the cooperation of stakeholders, and the guidance of divine providence for the mission.
In its bid to ensure higher standard of education in Rivers State and promote the welfare of her members, the Old Boys Association of County Grammar School, Ikwerre-Etche, Rivers State, is set to hold its second quarterly Congress in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to a press statement signed by the National President of the association, Venerable Bekwele Wabara(Rtd), this second quarterly Congress, which holds on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Fomida Event Centre in Port Harcourt, would have a roundtable discussion on educational development in Rivers State and Nigeria. The central discussion would, however, revolve around the role of the Old Boys Association in uplifting the infrastructural and academic profile of the revered institution.
Furthermore, the quarterly Congress would afford the Old Boys the opportunity to appraise the various measures highlighted during the very successful national convention of the association held last year, and deliberate on the report of the election planning Committee, amongst other important issues.
The press statement, which was also jointly signed by the Chairman of the National Conngress Organising Committee, Dr. Edwin Ojirika and Professor Opuda Ekine, Chairman of the 1978 Set, hosts of the Congress, urged all Old Boys of the institution to turn out enmasse for the Congress, which commences by 1pm on Sunday.
It would be recalled that County Grammar School, Ikwerre-Etche, established in 1957, has produced high-quality manpower in every sector of endeavour who has contributed to the development of the State and nation.
The Old Boys Association, which hosted its very first national convention last year, has continued to contribute immensely to the infrastructural development of the school.
The United States of America Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), in partnership with the Nigerian government, have trained 2,400 community volunteers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sokoto, Ebonyi, and Ondo State.
Dr Muhammad Saleh, U.S. CDC Senior Emergency Management Specialist, made this known in an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja
Saleh said the training was part of a broader health security initiative aimed at improving Nigeria’s ability to detect, investigate, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
He said that the volunteers were also required to raise awareness on safe hygiene practices, and link patients with health facilities for rapid treatment.
He said that the initiative leverages community trust to improve outbreak surveillance and prevention.
According to him, because they were trusted members of their communities, people are more willing to listen to them.
“They can spot unusual cases quickly and raise the alarm. That early detection saves lives,” he said.
Saleh said that the volunteers go door-to-door teaching people proper hand-washing; discouraging open defecation; and warning against unsafe self-medication from roadside chemists.
He said they also plaid a crucial role in dispelling myths and misinformation about cholera and other infectious diseases.
He said: “trust is everything; when a volunteer tells a neighbour that vomiting and passing stool could be cholera, people listen.
“They know this person, they see them daily; so, the message is credible,”.
He said that the volunteers were part of a broader strategy to strengthen health system resilience.
Saleh said that Nigeria adopted new tools such as disease hotspot mapping and fully operational Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) in all the 36 states and the federal capital territory.
He acknowledged challenges such as limited resources, attrition of trained personnel, and the persistence of misinformation but said the collaborative approach between government, partners, and communities was already yielding results.
“Everybody has a role to play, communities, families, partners, and government.
“The more we sustain these collaborative efforts at the grassroots level, the more resilient Nigeria becomes against cholera and other infectious diseases,” he said.
Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by contaminated food or water containg the ‘Vibrio cholerae bacterium” , leading to rapid dehydration and potentially death within hours if untreated.
Experts say symptoms, which can take 12 hours to five days to appear, include profuse watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps.
Treatment focuses on rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids and may involve antibiotics, while prevention relies on access to clean water, sanitation, and good hygiene.
Air Peace has attributed its approval to operate scheduled flights from Nigeria into both London Gatwick and Heathrow Airports to backing of the UK Government.
The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Onyema said the achievement was remarkable because it had taken seven years for any Nigerian airline to secure such access.
He underscored the airline’s resilience and the support it has enjoyed from the United Kingdom.
He applauded the British Deputy High Commissioner for Lagos, Jonny Baxter, describing him as “a diplomat par excellence”.
Onyema said Baxter’s unwavering commitment and fairness ensured that Air Peace received everything necessary to begin its operations into the United Kingdom.
“Jonny Baxter embodies the principle of live and let live. He gave us every support needed to commence our UK operations.
“It was due to his efforts and open-mindedness of the UK authorities that we can proudly say today that Air Peace’s problem is no longer the UK. The UK loves Air Peace, and Air Peace loves the UK in return,” Onyema stated.
Onyema noted that the invitation from the UK government for Air Peace to commence London Heathrow flights and Heathrow Airport’s plan to host a welcome party for the airline, came as a pleasant surprise.
According to him, the UK government even requested that we forward names of those attending so they could make the necessary arrangements.
“This shows the extent to which they have welcomed us, and we are profoundly grateful to the UK government, the Civil Aviation Authorities, and the people of the UK for the remarkable hospitality they have extended to Air Peace.”
On the reason for the commencement of Abuja to Gatwick and Heathrow, Onyema, said it was to ease traveling from Northern Nigeria to London and urged Abuja travellers to patronise Air Peace to London Heathrow.
He also called on government officials to demonstrate patriotism by flying Air Peace and other Nigerian carriers operating internationally
“Our airlines offer competitive fares and seamless service. Supporting them means strengthening Nigeria’s economy and projecting our national pride,” he concluded.
The U.S. President, Donald Trump says he ended ” seven unendable wars” in seven months.
Trump touted his success in ending intractable conflicts, trade wars while delivering his statement to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday at UN headquarters in New York.
Yet the UN offered little help, he said, asking: “What is the purpose of the United Nations?” It seems to write very strongly worded letters but “empty words don’t solve war”.
While some, he noted, suggested he should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump said, “The real prize will be to save millions of lives.”
On Iran, the “world’s number one sponsor of terror”, he said with that country’s enrichment capabilities “completely demolished”, his administration had also brokered an end to the 12-day war.
On Ukraine, he “always thought that would be the easiest” war to end because of his relationship with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin. Instead, he said, the conflict has dragged on for three years, “killing five to seven thousand young people a week”.
He accused North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries of hypocrisy: “They are buying oil and gas from Russia when they are fighting Russia,” he said.
His proposed solution was tariffs: “If Russia does not end the war, the United States would impose very strict tariffs which would end the war very quickly, but the Europeans have to adopt them as well”.
He urged immediate action on Gaza, release of all the hostage, and warned that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian State would amount to “a reward to Hamas for its horrible atrocities”.
He, however, criticized the UN on multiple fronts.
“Many years ago, I bid to rebuild the United Nations for $500 million, but they decided to go into another direction which produced a much more inferior complex.”
Instead, he said, “They spent between two and four billion dollars and did not even get the marble floors I promised them”.
On migration, he said that in 2024, the UN spent “$372 million in cash to support 624,000 migrants to journey into the United States to infiltrate our Southern border”.
He also added: “The UN is supposed to stop invasion not promote them”.
Trump also attacked climate policy and renewable energy. “Windmills are pathetic,” he said, calling the carbon footprint “a hoax”.
He argued, “If you don’t get away from the green energy scam your country is going to fail”.
Citing Germany’s struggles, he warned that “energy and open immigration is destroying Europe”.
Pointing to China’s emissions, he said: “China now produces more CO2 than all the other developed nations in the world.”
The Women In Mining In Nigeria (WIMIN) said the recent revocation of mineral licences by the Federal Government will sanitise the sector and unlock the potential of Nigeria’s lithium.
The National President, Mrs Janet Adeyemi on Wednesday in Abuja said the move was critical in checking the `all comers syndrome rush` in the mining sector especially with the global demand for lithium.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, recently approved the revocation of 1,263 mineral licences over default in payment of annual fees.
The minister said that the licences would be deleted from the portal of the Electronic Mining Cadastral system of the Mining Cadastre Office which would create more opportunities for serious investors.
Adeyemi said that if Nigeria must leverage on the global demand for Lithium as one of the critical minerals needed for energy transition to develop its economy, it must sanitise mining operations in the country.
According to her, mining is technologically timed and Nigeria must take advantage of this season by ensuring that only serious and responsible operators control our concessions.
She described every dormant or defaulting licence as a missed opportunity for the nation.
“Minerals such as lithium, once seen as waste, are now in high global demand.
“Globally, critical minerals are reshaping supply chains and even foreign diplomacy. Nations are competing fiercely to secure relevance in this new era and Nigeria must not be left behind.
“By enforcing compliance, we attract credible indigenous and foreign investors, strengthen our reputation as a mining jurisdiction and ensure that Nigeria has a seat at the table in global critical mineral supply chains,” she said.
She said the revocation of the licences was not a punitive measure but corrective as well as strategic, to ensure only serious and responsible operators control Nigeria`s concessions for its sustainable development.
The WIMIN leader emphasised that Nigeria’s mineral resources were national assets that must be managed with discipline, accountability and foresight.
According to her, mining licences are not privileges to be hoarded but legal instruments tied to clear obligations, royalties, community development and environmental responsibility.
“Defaulters who ignore these obligations undermine our economy, our communities and our global reputation. They cannot be allowed to hold Nigeria back,” she said.
She commended the minister for taking bold steps toward repositioning the solid minerals sector through impactful reforms, citing the 15 years conviction of Ansaru`s commander for illegal mining as a deterrent to others.
She, however said, for the mining sector to contribute significantly to Nigeria`s sustainable development, its governance must be free of corruption and regulators need to uphold transparency and accountability in their operations.
