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Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel, Amb. Nkechi Ufochukwu, has said efforts are underway to deepen the trade agreement between Nigeria and Israel as part of a broader plan to boost bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

Speaking over the weekend in Abuja at a forum, the envoy said strengthening trade ties between both countries remains a top priority of her diplomatic agenda.

“My main point and plan are to strengthen the trade agreement between the two countries, to strengthen the bilateral trade agreement between the two countries,” she said.

Ufochukwu noted that beyond trade, her focus would include promoting Nigeria’s culture, agriculture, and investments, as well as facilitating training in cybersecurity and information technology.

She assured stakeholders of her commitment to delivering on her mandate and working collaboratively with partners to achieve results.

“I will put in my best in what is required of me to do the work which has been given to me; let us keep communication open and get the work done.” she said

Stakeholders at the forum stressed the need for Nigeria to address structural challenges hindering business growth, drawing comparisons with Israel’s innovation-driven economy.

A member of the forum, Pastor Henry Opara, emphasized the need for formal bilateral agreements, noting that existing engagements are largely informal and driven by individual relationships.

“What we have now is more of a person-to-person business relationships, which is not ideal. With proper bilateral agreements, it becomes government-to-government engagement guided by laid-down rules,” he said.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of NIBF, Mrs Florence Osuji, called for renewed official trade agreements between Nigeria and Israel, noting that existing arrangements have lapsed and current trade lacks formal backing.

Ambassador announces agenda to boost Nigeria-Israel trade ties

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila has urged the National Leader of the Nafiu Gombe-led faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC and House of Representatives member, Leke Abejide to continue causing problems in the party.

Gbajabiamila, who spoke during a birthday ceremony organized by the lawmaker, lauded Leke for “doing a great job” for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Chief of Staff urged the lawmaker to ignore APC members inviting him to join the ruling party.

He said, “Don’t come to APC. Stay in ADC and scatter them. We like what you’re doing. Don’t mind former governor Yahaya Bello, who said you should join APC.

“No, no, no, stay in ADC and win your election. Also, bring Bala Gombe, and we’ll support him. Good luck in court”.

DAILY POST reports that ADC has been battling internal crises, splitting the party into two factions.

We like what you’re doing, scatter ADC more – Gbajabiamila to ADC Rep

A delegation from the Ugandan government, is in Nigeria to understudy the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET model, as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment through skills development.

DAILY POST reports that Engr Albert Akovuku, Head of Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, UVTAB led members of the board on a bench marking visit to the management of NABTEB’s headquarters in Benin City, Edo State on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Akovuku said the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, Nigeria and the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, UVTAB would collaborate to ensure a smooth uptake of the models.

He said the agreement would be geared towards addressing unemployment, improving digital education, and an industry-led, competency-based assessment model that would empower the workforce to solve real-world problems

He also added that it would help the two African countries formalise collaboration that would serve as a cornerstone for a sustainable, bilateral Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) framework, and benefit the youths of both countries.

The visit transcended a mere professional exchange but would foster a partnership rooted in excellence and the shared advancement of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Akovuku said.

“Nigeria was chosen for the engagement because its TVET architecture, pioneered and refined by NABTEB serves as a sophisticated blueprint for Uganda reforms.

“We recognise NABTEB’s decades-long contribution to Nigeria’s economic resilience, a journey that precedes and inspires Uganda’s current transformation.

“Our aspirations are anchored in Uganda’s Vision 2040. We seek to move beyond theory, transitioning toward a digital, industry-led, and competency-based assessment model that empowers our workforce to solve real-world problems”, he said.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, said the visit aimed at strengthening collaboration in technical and vocational education across Africa.

Mohammed described the visit as a significant step toward deepening ties between the two bodies and advancing shared goals in skills development.

He stated that the engagement would focus on knowledge exchange and the development of practical solutions to common challenges.

“Key areas of discussion include assessment methodologies, strengthening links between industry and certification through frameworks such as the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework, and the adoption of digital innovations to improve examination integrity and relevance.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would produce a clear roadmap for sustained partnership between Nigeria and Uganda, ultimately enhancing the quality and impact of TVET across the continent.

On his part, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa noted that the visit reflects the growing importance of regional collaboration in strengthening educational systems, particularly in the area of skills development and assessment.

Alausa, represented by Kolawole Osundeyi, Assistant Director of Technology and Science Education added that the partnerships can collectively address the challenge of youth unemployment, bridge skills gaps, and drive sustainable economic growth.

He described the collaboration between UVTAB and NABTEB as both strategic and necessary in an era defined by rapid technological change, evolving labour market demands, and increasing global interdependence.

Ugandan govt delegation visits to understudy Nigeria’s Technical, Vocational Education model

Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District have unanimously endorsed Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

The endorsement was announced on Monday at a well-attended gathering held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, bringing together a broad coalition of party leaders and grassroots representatives from across the district.

The event drew members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), former and serving local government chairmen, past and present lawmakers at both state and national levels, councillors from all wards in the district, as well as women and youth leaders.

In attendance were: all councillors across Ogun East; all ward chairmen; all ward executives; all local government chairmen; all local government executives; all serving members of the National Assembly; all serving members of the State House of Assembly; all past members of the State and National Assembly; and all members of the Elders Advisory Council.

Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, former Ogun East senator, Lekan Mustapha, said the decision was driven by a shared conviction that Governor Abiodun possesses the capacity to represent the district effectively at the Senate.

According to him, party leaders would formally communicate the endorsement to the governor, including a commitment to purchase his nomination forms for the 2027 election.

“We will put a body together to deliver this message to our Governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,” Mustapha said, describing Abiodun as a leader of strong character and sound intellect.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, noted that the governor’s track record in governance and party cohesion made him deserving of the Senate seat.

“This endorsement is historic and unanimous. It reflects the collective belief that Prince Dapo Abiodun is the right person for the position,” he stated.

Also speaking, House of Representatives member, Femi Ogunbanwo, representing Odogbolu, Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu North East Federal Constituency, said the governor’s administration has fostered peace and development across the state, expressing confidence that he would attract more dividends of democracy to Ogun East at the national level.

Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Hon. Afolabi Odulate, commended the governor’s performance and reiterated the district’s collective appeal for him to accept the senatorial bid.

The event witnessed participation from all 103 councillors across the nine local governments in Ogun East, alongside youth leaders and key grassroots mobilisers.

Prominent figures in attendance included former senators Gbenga Kaka and Lekan Mustapha, Ogun East APC Chairman Adedoyin Adeleke, and respected party elders such as Kola Ogunjobi, Bayo Dayo, Durojaye, Pegba Otemolu, James Dina, and Osibote Amoran.

Also present were notable political figures and mobilisers including Femi Nuberu, Yinka Adeleye, Jokotade Kasimawo, Toyin Jekami, Kuburat Arigbabu, Aremu Babatunde, Ojuroye, Tajudeen Adedeko, Adefowora Akeem, Blessed Ogunsola, Ogunnde Razaki, and Sakiru Folorunso.

Members of the House of Representatives from the district — Adesola Elegbeji, Joseph Adegbesan, and Femi Ogunbanwo — also attended in solidarity, underscoring the widespread backing for the governor’s anticipated senatorial bid.

Ogun East APC endorses Dapo Abiodun for Senate ahead of 2027 polls

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has urged deposit money banks to take full advantage of the enabling environment created by the apex bank to unlock up to $1bn in monthly diaspora remittances by the end of 2026.

Cardoso made the call during engagements at the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, where he highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and the growing confidence of investors in the country.

According to him, the CBN’s target of achieving $1bn in monthly remittance inflows remains firmly on track, stressing that banks must play a critical role in ensuring that Nigerians in the diaspora can seamlessly send funds home through formal financial channels.

He noted that improved policies and reforms in the foreign exchange market, alongside efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency, have created a conducive environment for increased inflows.

“The target is achievable, but it requires the active participation of banks in leveraging the opportunities provided by the current reforms,” Cardoso said.

He emphasised that simplifying remittance processes, reducing transaction costs, and improving customer experience for Nigerians abroad would be key to realising the ambitious target.

Cardoso further explained that boosting diaspora remittances would not only strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves but also support macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth.

He pointed out that remittances remain a vital source of foreign exchange for the country, often exceeding foreign direct investment and official development assistance.

The CBN governor also highlighted broader reform efforts by the apex bank, including measures to stabilise the naira, enhance liquidity in the foreign exchange market, and restore investor confidence.

He reiterated that Nigeria’s reform agenda continues to gain global recognition, noting that the country’s progress stood out despite prevailing global economic uncertainties.

Cardoso maintained that the apex bank would continue to pursue data-driven policies aimed at sustaining stability, strengthening institutions, and creating opportunities for economic growth.

He added that collaboration with international partners and financial institutions would further support Nigeria’s efforts to deepen financial inclusion and improve the efficiency of its financial system.

ENDS

CBN Pushes Banks To Unlock $1bn Monthly Diaspora Inflows is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Some disengaged staff of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education have urged the government to reinstate them.

They also urged the state government to review the decision and accord priority to them in the ongoing recruitment exercise.

This is contained in a statement on Monday by Musa Alfa, Chairman, Association of the Bauchi Fingerprint Terminal Operators.

The affected staff worked as Fingerprint Terminal Operators saddled with monitoring teacher attendance in public schools.

Alfa said that the workers served the state for over seven years, who engaged in monitoring teachers attendance and promoting discipline across public schools.

He said that their duties supported effective teaching and learning by ensuring that teachers resumed work promptly and carried out their classroom responsibilities.

The chairman argued that the disengagement was carried out without prior notice or fair hearing, describing it as painful and unjust.

“Our disengagement has thrown over 2,000 households into hardship, many of us rely entirely on this job for our livelihoods,” he said.

Alfa advocated a holistic review of the disengagement, stressing that the affected workers were experienced, trained, and held relevant qualifications.

“The state government should consider their reinstatements or absorb them into the civil service.

“We are law-abiding citizens who believe in peaceful engagement and dialogue. We are hopeful that the government will consider our appeal with compassion and a sense of justice.”

Sacked Bauchi Education Staff Seek Reinstatement is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing to call off the indefinite strike embarked on Monday, over unresolved welfare issues.

Dr Danlami Hayyo, Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, made the appeal during an inspection tour of schools in the territory on Monday.

The NUT, on Friday, directed primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT to begin an indefinite strike on Monday.

The union explained that the decision was due to the continued silence of the FCT on the legitimate demands of teachers amid prevailing harsh economic realities in the country, particularly in the territory.

Hayyo, who appealed to the NUT to suspend the industrial action, described the timing as “psychologically demoralising” for students scheduled to begin the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations on Tuesday.

He expressed concern over reports that the union members were forcibly removing students and teachers from classrooms.

“I don’t think it is constitutionally right for the NUT to come and chase students out of the classrooms. How can you expect your sons and daughters to write exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out today? This could lead to mass failure, and WAEC will not reschedule the examinations for FCT students alone,” he said.

He said that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has renovated over 100 schools and paid 40 per cent of teacher entitlements in 2025.

According to him, the bulk of the union’s current grievances are the responsibilities of the Local Education Authorities and Area Council Chairmen, and not the FCT Administration.

The mandate secretary urged the union leaders to return to the bargaining table to avoid worsening the out-of-school children crisis in the territory.

“I am tired of this strike. If we continue to discourage these children now, they will retaliate when they become the leaders of tomorrow. I appeal to the NUT to set aside these interests and prioritise the future of our students,” he said.

NAN reports that the NUT had appreciated Wike for the implementation of the N70,000 Minimum Wage and payment of the nine months arrears to the primary school teachers in the FCT.

The union, however, decried the non-response to other outstanding demands of the teachers. It noted that the Minister had constituted a committee on July 7, 2025 with a mandate to, within two weeks, harmonise all outstanding entitlements of primary school teachers.

“The committee was also directed to make appropriate recommendations that would lead to a permanent solution to the frequent industrial disputes involving FCT Primary School Teachers. The committee concluded its assignment and submitted its report in August 2025, however, the report is yet to be made public,” it said.

According to the union, some of the outstanding issues included the non-implementation and payment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increment, and non-implementation and payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

FCTA Urges NUT To Call Off Strike is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has announced a temporary withdrawal from

Nigerian music superstar, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed a troubling experience of being drugged by women in his early days as a youngster.

The ‘Calm Down’ crooner stated this in the lyrics of his new song ‘Moviestar’ released over the weekend, featuring French singer Sofiane Pamart.

According to him, he felt exploited from the experience as an upcoming artiste.

He said: “Girls always give me drugs.

“My happiness is zipped in their little purse

“Friends always make me feel robbed….”

Rema adopts a more introspective tone in the hit single, departing from his signature upbeat style to address personal struggles, including the alleged drug encounter that left him feeling vulnerable and exploited.

He reflects on the darker side of early fame, especially how success came with pressure and questionable influences in a chaotic and exploitative environment.

The singer further explained in the lyrics that it was hard for him to quit after he signed a record deal, stressing that the label wanted him to sing and entertain fans without considering his feelings.

NAN reports that Rema, born in 2000 in Benin City, came to limelight in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records.

His rising profile has continued to highlight Afrobeats on global stage, as his hit song ‘Calm Down’ featuring Selena Gomez became the most-streamed Afrobeats track in history, earning him multiple platinum certifications.

The song also broke records as the first African-led track to surpass a billion on Spotify streams, dominating international charts.

‘Calm Down’ became number one hit on the world’s first regional streaming chart and first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA),earning Rema a Guinness World Record.

Among other global showcases, Rema has also made history as the first African artiste to perform at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony, when he thrilled audience at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, France.

I Was Drugged By Women, Says Rema is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Retired police personnel, alongside their families under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), have staged a protest in Abuja over the continued inclusion of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in the contributory pension scheme (CPS).

The demonstrators blocked one of the gates leading to the Presidential Villa on Monday to press home their demands.

They described the scheme as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious”.

The protest was led by Raphael Irowainu, the national coordinator of the group and a retired chief superintendent of police (CSP).

The retirees said their protest was aimed at urging President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill passed by the national assembly on December 4, 2025, and forwarded to the presidency on March 16, 2026. 

They argued that the proposed law would remove police personnel from what they termed a “slavery and untimely death inducing pension scheme”.

Speaking to journalists, Irowainu said the group’s primary objective was to ensure the President signs the bill into law.

“Our major aim here is to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign our bill the bill exiting the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme passed by the National Assembly on 4th December 2025 and transmitted to him on 16th March, 2026, into law, nothing more than that,” Irowainu said.

“The soldiers have been exited, the SSS has been exited, the Air Force has been exited, the Navy has been exited, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has been exited. The police, who are the father of them all, are trapped in this obnoxious Contributory Pension Scheme.” 

They were subsequently received by Akpabio who said the senate would immediately align with the house of representatives, which had passed a bill to exempt the NPF from the CPS. 

A statement issued by Jackson Udom, special assistant on media to the senate president, quoted Akpabio as saying the policy was “not well thought out” and had imposed unnecessary hardship on police personnel who risk their lives to secure the country.

“Take it that you have to disperse from the gate. That problem, as far as the law is concerned, is over,” he said.

The senate president said he is confident that President Bola Tinubu, “being a listening president”, would sign the legislation into law.

He stated that the scheme is “certainly not good for security personnel”.

Akpabio questioned why the police had remained under the CPS while other security agencies, including the military, DSS and NIA, had been exempted.

Retired Police Officers Storm Villa Gate Over Pension Scheme is first published on The Whistler Newspaper