General News
Exportation of Raw Minerals Accountable for Terrorism, Banditry and Corruption in Nigeria, Africa–Okonjo Iweala
–Tasks Nigeria to produce electric vehicle batteries
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director–General of the World Trade Organisation, and former Nigeria minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, strongly advised Nigeria and other African countries to process critical minerals before their export.
She gave the advise while speaking at the Fireplace Dialogue on Building Africa’s Resilience in a Changing Global Economic Order, at the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala insisted that the country should take advantage of the critical minerals in the country to produce Electric Vehicle batteries and similar goods to be a major player in the current global green energy revolution.
She blamed the extraction and exportation of critical minerals in their raw forms for much of the terrorism, banditry and corruption in the country and other parts of Africa.
In her words: “One high potential sector is critical minerals where the green transition is driving demand for lithium, bauxite, cobalt, and other elements necessary to manufacture EV batteries and other low carbon goods.
“Africa holds an estimated 30 percent of the world’s non-mineral reserves, and estimates for Latin America are similar.
“For Africa, in particular, instead of the extract and export model that has been the source of so much volatility, economic underperformance, and let me be blunt-corruption, conflict, and banditry, the goal should be higher value, higher productivity growth, driven by the development of sub-regional value chains and integration into potential supply networks.
“Quite frankly, the time to seize this opportunity is now, as geopolitics exerts some demand pressure for critical mineral supply chain diversification, if we miss this opportunity, I’m afraid we would have missed a lot.
“Fortunately, Africa’s leaders seem to be moving in the right direction, with Morocco using its phosphate resources to produce electric vehicle components for international markets, particularly Chinese automakers in Zambia, DRC, Mozambique, and Angola, and here also in Nigeria, moves are put to see how to add value to critical minerals.
“But these efforts need more systematization and harmonization, including a look at sub-regional approaches, so that countries are not picked up one by one in suboptimal bilateral agreements. The continent can seize green comparative advantages by harnessing abundant renewable energy potential to power minerals processing.
She highlighted diversification of global trading partners, as opposed to the current situation where exports and imports are tilted to a few countries and narrowing opportunities. In her words:
“A second way to make the trading system more robust and resilient is by ensuring more countries and regions become substantial sources of global supply and demand.
“This is linked to the reglobalization I mentioned earlier, with more companies and countries looking to supply diversification, whether to reduce exposure to geopolitical or other risks.
“Places outside established production networks, especially places in Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia, have an opportunity to attract value chain investment.”
Leadership should be about the people and the leadership that would bring about a developed and economically robust Nigeria must be one that has the interest of the nation at heart, listens to the people and is accountable to the people, she added.
The former minister said, “Nigeria needs to continue the work on overall macroeconomic reforms with a careful approach to fiscal issues, contracting of debt, and debt management.
“Above all, Nigeria needs to focus on creating jobs and economic opportunities for a young and hungry population. Nigerians have to feel the dividends of reform in the real economy.
“ ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, instead of negative feedback loops of uncertainty, fragmentation, and slower growth, we have an opportunity to build positive feedback loops of reformed rules, greater certainty, and improved economic prospects for people and businesses everywhere.”
In his address, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, called for the elimination of all trade barriers within the African region.
His words, “Understanding the rules-based international system is being stressed and tested. For Africa and other emerging markets, the question is no longer whether the global order is changing, but how we turn that change from a source of vulnerability into a source of growth and shared prosperity. And we heard some of the answers to that earlier today.
“Let me highlight, however, three major shifts that I expect will shape Africa’s opportunities in this changing global environment. First, trade is fragmenting. Geo-economic considerations are causing countries to look inward and to reorganize trade and critical supply chains around trusted partners and neighboring markets through nearshoring and friend-shoring.
“For Africa, this change is both a warning and an opportunity. With intra-African trade still accounting for only about 16 percent of our total trade, we must build stronger regional value chains, produce more of what we consume, and trade more with one another. The African continental free trade area provides the platform and opportunity to turn this global shift to an African advantage.
“But we must go beyond the agreements and remove the practical barriers to trade by improving transport networks, harmonizing customs standards, and making cross-border payments faster and more affordable. Second, capital has become selective and impatient. The era of abundant liquidity, chasing returns regardless of risk, is over.”
He continued, “Investors now have more choices and less tolerance for uncertainty. Capital increasingly flows to a fullness that offers credibility, transparency, quality, consistency, and strong institutions. For Africa, this means that our development ambitions cannot depend solely on attracting foreign capital.
“We must mobilize more of our own resources, including pension and insurance funds, domestic savings and diaspora capital, and channel them towards productive domestic investment. It also means that there is a premium on the quality of Africa’s institutions. Investors must be able to trust our policies, understand our rules, and plan beyond the next political or economic cycle.
“So credibility is not only a central bank concern, it is a national economic asset. Third, artificial intelligence is reshaping economic activity. It is changing how goods are produced, how services are delivered, and the skills required to compete.”
The governor said Africa must move beyond being consumers of technology, as according to him, “We must become creators, developing African solutions to African challenges, and building businesses capable of taking those solutions to the world.
“To achieve this, Africa must invest in the foundations of an AI-enabled economy, including reliable electricity, affordable connectivity, digital infrastructure, and above all, a generation of AI-savvy young Africans ready to build solutions for the continent and to compete globally. Nigeria’s recent experience demonstrates how an emerging market economy can respond to these shifts.
“Patient capital that creates productive capacity. We must mobilize Africa’s pensions, insurance assets, domestic savings, and diaspora wealth. We must also seek foreign investment that creates jobs, transfers technology, develops local supplies, and strengthens African businesses, not investment that simply extracts value and needs.
“We must prepare young Africans for an AI-enabled economy and unlock the full economic participation of women, because Africa cannot fly with one wing. Africa must be an Africa in which young entrepreneurs can build, scale, and compete without having to leave the continent to realize their potential elsewhere.”
General News
Death of 37 Miners in Custody: Ajia Calls for Independent Investigation, Accountability
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Dan Amanan Fune Emirate of Yobe State. Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, Ph.D., has expressed concern over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, describing the incident as a grave tragedy that demands a transparent and credible investigation.
In a statement issued by his Director of Communications, Mallam AbdulRahaman Aliagan, on Monday, Dr. Ajia commiserates with the Federal Government, the Government and people of Niger State and, in particular, the families of the deceased. He stated that the circumstances surrounding the deaths demand urgent and honest answers from the relevant authorities.
The victims were reportedly among scores of suspects arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16.
Dr. Ajia noted that the death of individuals while in state custody raises serious questions regarding compliance with established detention procedures. He stressed that persons arrested for alleged offences are entitled to lawful investigation and due process, and must not be exposed to conditions capable of endangering their lives or wellbeing.
He further observed that the incident underscores the need for security agencies to uphold rigorous standards in the management of detention facilities, including adequate supervision, appropriate holding conditions, access to basic necessities, and effective safeguards for the welfare of all persons in custody.
The APC chieftain also called for stronger coordination among security and law enforcement agencies, insisting that suspected illegal miners be properly profiled, investigated, and prosecuted strictly through established legal channels. He emphasized that the enforcement of laws against illegal mining must be pursued in a manner that upholds human rights and the dignity of persons in custody, without exception.
Dr. Ajia commended the Federal and Niger State Governments for their prompt intervention, as well as the police and administrative investigations already underway. He noted that the Federal Government has constituted a ten-member independent committee to investigate the arrests, detention, and circumstances surrounding the deaths, and that officers connected with the incident have been suspended pending the outcome of that investigation.
He appealed to residents, particularly the youths of Niger State, to remain calm and allow the investigative process to proceed unhindered, cautioning that public anger over this tragedy must not translate into further loss of life or destruction of property. He urged the relevant authorities to maintain open and regular communication with the affected families and the general public as the investigation progresses.
Dr. Ajia called for an independent, thorough, and transparent determination of the circumstances that led to the deaths, insisting that any individual found culpable be held accountable under the law, irrespective of rank or position.
He affirmed that accountability, respect for human rights, and professionalism in security operations remain essential pillars for strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions. He concluded by praying that Almighty Allah grants the departed eternal rest and grants their families the fortitude to bear this profound loss.
By Nick Ibe
A letter purportedly written by him to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, against the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo has been disowned by Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC. He emphasises that he wrote no such letter.
The purported letter appealed to Achebe over political and financial issues he, Obi, is having with Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state.
But, Obi, in a statement posted on his X account on weekend, dismissed the letter as “entirely false” and malicious. He also disclosed that the signature attached to the purported letter was forged.
Obi appealed to members of the public and the media to treat the letter with the contempt it deserves, adding that it was designed to mislead the public. The resd:
“My attention has been drawn to a fake letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by me to His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, concerning political and financial matters in Anambra State.
“This document is entirely false, malicious, and a fabrication by mischievous elements aimed at misleading the public.
Furthermore, the signature appended to the letter is completely forged,” Obi said.
He added that his attention remained focused on national development and accountability rather than what he described as fabricated publications.
“My focus remains steadfastly on issues of national development, accountability, and building a better future for our people – never on cheap fabrications.”
The rebuttal follows the disagreement between Obi and the Anambra State Government administration over the financial position of the State at the end of Obi’s tenure in 2014.
The fake letter, dated September 19, 2026, and addressed to the Obi of Onitsha was titled, “The Future of Ndigbo is Bleak.”
Furthermore, the purported letter called for transparency over the financial records and liabilities of Anambra State, and urged traditional rulers, political leaders and elders to prevent political disagreements from coming between the people.
The letter also called for the state’s financial records to be examined and for questions surrounding the administrations of Obi and Soludo to be resolved through evidence and transparency.
The letter surfaced days after the Anambra State Government released details of loan facilities it attributed to Obi’s administration and insisted that the state was still carrying repayment obligations from that period.
By Felix Umande
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the Nigeria Police Force to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the police must never be seen as an instrument of any political interest.
The President gave the charge at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State, in an address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
President Tinubu said every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location, must feel protected by the police, noting that neutrality and professionalism are fundamental to public confidence and the credibility of the nation’s democracy.
“The police must be seen not as an instrument of any political interest, but as a national institution serving the Nigerian people and protecting the constitutional order. This is fundamental to public trust and to the credibility of our democracy,” the President said.
Speaking on the theme “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” Tinubu said the 2027 elections would require careful preparation, professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations and close coordination among security and electoral stakeholders.
He assured that the Federal Government would provide the necessary support to enable the Force effectively discharge its responsibilities.
The President explained that securing the electoral process goes beyond protecting ballot papers and polling stations, as it also entails protecting citizens, electoral officials and materials, ensuring peaceful campaigns, preventing violence and intimidation, and guaranteeing that Nigerians can participate in the democratic process without fear.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ongoing police reforms, stressing that meaningful reform requires sustained investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, operational logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
Tinubu urged the Force to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen community engagement, embrace technology and enhance inter-agency cooperation to meet increasingly sophisticated security threats.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for efforts to reposition the Force and respond to emerging security challenges, while acknowledging the sacrifices of officers confronting kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the country, including those who have paid the ultimate price.
The President, however, reminded the Force that security expectations of Nigerians remain high, urging officers to build public confidence through discipline, accountability, professionalism and respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.
He tasked senior officers at the retreat to produce a practical and implementable roadmap that would strengthen election security, improve operational preparedness and deepen public confidence, while looking beyond 2027 towards building a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police force.
Tinubu assured officers and men of the Force that the Federal Government values their sacrifices and remains committed to supporting them.
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