The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has said it will send a mission to Nigeria to explore scalable investment structures aimed at
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China has reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China principle, stating that Taiwan is not a sovereign nation but an inseparable part of Chinese territory.
Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Dong Hairong, made this known on Thursday at a Media Salon held in Abuja by the Centre for China Studies and the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research.
Hairong reiterated that recent developments involving Taiwan showed the need for greater international understanding of the Taiwan question and China’s territorial position.
She cited the recent visit of Taiwan regional leader, Lai Ching-te, to Eswatini, as well as a reported engagement between some Nigerian journalists and Taiwanese officials, as examples of what she described as attempts to advance separatist narratives.
“Taiwan has been an inalienable part of Chinese territory since ancient times,”
“Taiwan has never been a country, was never one and will never be,” Dong said..
On his part, Convener of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi, stated that Nigeria should deepen strategic cooperation with China, noting that Beijing had emerged as a major global economic and technological power.
Showunmi said Nigeria stood to gain more from stronger ties with China than from separate engagements with Taiwan.
“In another 100 years, what Nigeria will gain from a firm relationship with China, Taiwan will not be able to provide in 1,000 years,” he said.
Also speaking, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria and Director of the Centre for China-Africa Research, Prof. Ghali Ibrahim, said the One-China principle had gained broad global recognition because Taiwan lacked the legal status of a sovereign state.
“Taiwan is not an independent sovereign entity but rather a territory that is part of China,” he said.
China insists Taiwan not sovereign nation, defends territorial integrity
The Abia State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, has announced the suspension of its industrial action, which began on March 15, 2026.
The suspension of the strike follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abia State Government aimed at resolving the lingering issues.
The Chairman of JUSUN in Abia, Chinedu Ezeh, and the State Secretary, Chibueze Nwachukwu, who confirmed the suspension of the strike, said the decision took immediate effect after the agreement was ratified by the union congress.
The statement said the Memorandum of Understanding substantially addressed the concerns raised by the judiciary workers during the strike.
JUSUN commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his intervention and commitment to prioritising the welfare of judiciary workers in the state.
The union also appreciated the understanding and support of Abia residents and the general public throughout the period of the industrial action, especially in the collective effort towards strengthening and emancipating the judiciary.
It further expressed gratitude to the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, members of the judiciary management, judges, the bench, the Nigerian Bar Association, senior lawyers, and members of JUSUN for their patience and solidarity.
JUSUN, however, expressed hope that all agreements reached in the memorandum of understanding with the Abia State Government would be fully implemented to further strengthen the judiciary and improve justice delivery across the state.
Abia judiciary workers end two-month strike, sign MoU with state government
Seven suspected illegal miners were arrested in Minna, Niger State, during a crackdown led by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mohammed Qasim Danjuma.
The enforcement operation, carried out around 6:30 p.m. behind the Bilkebeb Shango area of Minna, targeted illegal mining activities reportedly taking place within a residential community on Tuesday evening.
Nine motorcycles allegedly used for the illegal operations were also confiscated during the raid.
The suspects and the seized motorcycles were later handed over to the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for further investigation and necessary action.
The commissioner, accompanied by the Ministry’s Director of Administration, AGM Zuma, alongside NSCDC officials, including the Operational Commander, described the illegal mining activities within a residential area as a serious threat to lives and the environment.
According to him, the operation forms part of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s New Niger Agenda aimed at sanitising the mining sector, curbing illegal mining, and strengthening regulation across the state.
He warned that anyone found engaging in illegal mining activities would face the full weight of the law, stressing that the government remains committed to protecting lives, safeguarding natural resources, and boosting internally generated revenue through a properly regulated mining sector.
The commissioner added, “The Ministry will continue to monitor and enforce operations across mining communities as part of efforts to restore order and promote responsible mining practices in the state.
Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that he almost lost his position over the political controversy involving Lagos lawmaker, Desmond Elliot. Gbajabiamila made the disclosure during a constituency stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos while addressing issues surrounding Elliot’s alleged involvement in the leadership crisis that rocked the Lagos State House […]
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NEM Insurance Plc, has posted a strong financial performance for the 2025 financial year, growing its gross premium income to N166.8 billion and proposing a dividend payout of over N7.5 billion
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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief John Okiyi-Kalu (JOK), has officially submitted his nomination form to contest the 2027 governorship election in Abia State.
Okiyi-Kalu submitted the form after successfully undergoing screening by the party’s governorship screening committee, chaired by former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, the former commissioner described the screening as smooth and successful, saying it reflected the standards of a “great party” like the PDP.
He said his ambition was driven by a desire to spread “prosperity people can see and feel” across Abia through industrialisation, improved education, healthcare and workers’ welfare.
“It is an honour for me to contest under a party I trust so much and have belonged to since 1999 without defecting despite trials and temptations,” he said.
Okiyi-Kalu submits PDP nomination form for Abia 2027 governorship election
The Sokoto State Executive Council has approved over N1.46bn for the procurement of official vehicles for the Office of the Governor, including three bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, two Land Cruiser Prado vehicles, and a coaster bus.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday after the council meeting, commissioners for Land and Housing, Youth and Sports, Finance, and Transportation—Barrister Nasiru Dantsoho, Engr. Mustapha Kofar Marke, Engr. Muhammadu Jabbi Shagari, and Hon. Bala Kokani—outlined the decisions reached.
They also announced approval of N438m for the purchase of six buses to strengthen the state’s mass transit system.
In addition, the council approved N733.2m for the renovation of the International Conference Centre and N340.5m for the procurement of two payloaders for the Ministry of Environment.
According to the commissioners, the council further endorsed contracts exceeding N5bn covering the renovation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, procurement of bulletproof vehicles, road rehabilitation, and other infrastructure projects across the state.
Specifically, N1.079bn was approved for the comprehensive renovation of the NYSC orientation camp.
For road infrastructure, the government approved N2.2bn for the rehabilitation of 36 roads across the state, while the Airport Road project received an additional N894.6m allocation.
The council also approved N398.6m for the development of a livestock centre aimed at boosting livestock production and related economic activities.
The commissioners said the approvals reflect the administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure, transportation, environmental sanitation, and public service delivery across Sokoto State.
Sokoto Approves N1.46bn For Governor’s Bulletproof SUVs, Other Vehicles is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
A United States federal court has sentenced a Nigerian-born former nonprofit chief executive, Dr Nkechy Ezeh, to 70 months in prison for orchestrating a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving taxpayer and donor funds meant for vulnerable preschool children.
The sentencing was announced in a press release on Wednesday by the Office of the US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.
The sentencing was delivered by Chief US District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, who also imposed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion and ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution and $390,174 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Ezeh, 61, of Kent County, Michigan, was the founder and former CEO of Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a West Michigan nonprofit that provided early childhood services in underserved communities.
She is also a former Associate Professor of Education and Director of Early Childhood Education Program at Aquinas College.
She was immediately remanded into federal custody after sentencing.
During the proceedings, Judge Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief,” adding that the scheme was “brazen and widespread,” and involved funds intended for some of the region’s most vulnerable children.
US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, said Ezeh diverted money meant for low-income children for personal use.
“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible.
“She stole taxpayer and private-donor dollars meant for low-income children in our community. Instead of helping kids, she spent that money on herself.
“The stolen money could have supported hundreds of West Michigan children and their families. Judge Jarbou’s sentence was perfectly appropriate,” VerHey said.
According to court filings, Ezeh used stolen funds to finance personal expenses, including travel to Hawaii, Europe and Africa, as well as a family wedding.
Prosecutors also said she placed relatives on a “ghost payroll,” enabling them to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars for little or no work.
She was further accused of using intermediaries to transfer stolen funds to family members in Nigeria.
The nonprofit, ELNC, was funded by US federal programmes including Head Start, the Department of Education, and private donors. It provided meals, transport and support services to children in low-income communities.
Following the fraud, ELNC shut down in 2023, leading to the loss of funding for several preschools and the layoff of 35 employees.
A former bookkeeper at the organisation, Sharon Killebrew, who was identified as a co-conspirator, was earlier sentenced to 54 months in prison for her role in the scheme.
US authorities said the case highlights the abuse of federal grants and its impact on vulnerable communities, particularly children in low-income neighbourhoods.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation unit, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler prosecuted the case.
Kabiru Umar, popularly known as Kabiru Sokoto, has appealed against the judgment that convicted him of terrorism-related offences connected to the 2011 bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla.
His lawyer, Don Akaegbu, confirmed the development in a statement, saying the appeal followed a review of the court proceedings and the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 20, 2013.
According to the legal team, an application for extension of time was also filed due to delays in initiating the appeal process.
The lawyers stressed that the charges against their client did not allege that he carried out or planned the church bombing.
“It is important, in the interest of accuracy and fairness, to clarify that: The charges upon which our client was tried and convicted did not allege that he carried out or masterminded the bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla. Rather, the relevant count alleged that he had information about the incident and failed to disclose the same to law enforcement authorities.
“The distinction between direct participation and alleged prior knowledge is significant in law and forms a central issue in the pending appeal.”
The statement added that the appeal raises questions about the evidence used in securing the conviction and how the trial court handled the defence presented by Umar.
The legal team further said the appeal would examine “whether the conviction was supported by admissible and credible evidence and whether the evaluation of the defence by the trial court was consistent with established legal principles.”
The lawyers also argued that criminal responsibility should only be determined through charges and evidence presented before the court.
The statement also revealed that while in custody, Umar earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the National Open University of Nigeria.
“This reflects a continued effort toward self-improvement despite the circumstances. The purport of the appeal is to enable our client establish and prove his innocence in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement added.
Kabiru Sokoto appeals conviction over 2011 Madalla church bombing case