Nigeria’s National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has finalized an agreement with four companies to initiate fresh sugar production projects that are expected to generate 400,000 tonnes of sugar annually.
The NSDC disclosed this following the official signing ceremony held in Abuja.
It noted that the initiative marks a new milestone in the government’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported sugar and move toward full local production.
Per the agency, the selected companies, Brent Sugar in Oyo, Niger Foods in Niger, Legacy Sugar in Adamawa, and UMZA in Bauchi will each establish facilities with an annual output target of 100,000 tonnes, spread strategically across Nigeria’s key farming zones.
“The geographic spread from Nigeria’s south-west to north-east reflects a deliberate strategy to leverage diverse agricultural conditions and distribute economic benefits across regions.”
“The agreements, signed at NSDC’s Abuja headquarters, represent a significant scaling of Nigeria’s sugar development ambitions. Under the terms, the council will provide customised project development support and cover critical service costs to ensure the ventures achieve commercial viability.”
These new ventures are part of a broader, more assertive approach to revamping Nigeria’s sugar industry. Recently, the NSDC entered into a formal collaboration with a Chinese enterprise, focused on delivering engineering, procurement, and construction services, as well as financing for up to five sugar estates, a plan with an estimated investment value of $1 billion.
“This Chinese partnership underscores Nigeria’s willingness to leverage foreign expertise and capital to rapidly develop domestic capacity,” the statement partly reads.
In his remarks, the Council’s Executive Secretary/CEO, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, mentioned that 2025 has been earmarked as a period of “accelerated development” within the sugar industry.
He emphasized that this effort reflects a heightened commitment to improving food resilience and curbing reliance on imports.
Bakrin pointed out that evolving trends in global commodity trade have made local production significantly more viable than ever, presenting an ideal opportunity to expand domestic capabilities at scale.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has selected Hon. Pam Botmang, a former Works Commissioner from Plateau State, to serve as the state’s representative on the Federal Character Commission board.
Prior to this new role, Hon. Botmang held the position of Director of Communication and Public Relations with the Tinubu Initiative for National Transformation (TINT).
A son of the late Sir Michael Botmang, who once served as the state’s Deputy Governor, Pam Botmang also previously contested as the deputy governorship candidate alongside Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner in the 2023 Plateau State elections, though their ticket was defeated by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
As numerous stakeholders and political allies express their commendations for the appointment, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, who represents Plateau South and is a senior APC figure in the region, has also extended his congratulations.
In his Tuesday message, Lalong remarked, “the appointment of Botmang is well deserved and suitable because of his vast experience in the public and private sectors, where he performed creditably.”
He added that, during Botmang’s time in his administration as Commissioner, “he has proven his capacity to manage human and material resources effectively by carrying out many infrastructural projects that are visible across the state.”
President Donald Trump has rolled out a new trade policy that imposes tariffs on Nigeria and 66 other countries as part of a major shift in U.S. import regulations.
Under the new measure, Nigeria will face a 15% tariff rate, alongside other African nations such as Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Botswana, Namibia, and Uganda, which have also been assigned the same percentage. South Africa, Algeria, and Libya face higher tariffs of 30% each.
The new tariff structure introduces a blanket 10% import duty on all goods entering the United States, with specific countries and product categories facing steeper charges. China has been hit with a 30% tariff, along with additional product-specific duties. Brazil faces a 50% tariff, though certain industries like aircraft and energy may benefit from lower rates. Canada, India, and other countries also face tailored tariffs, with India seeing a 25% rate that could increase by another 25% from August 28.
Critics have warned that the policy could disrupt global trade, increase consumer prices, and trigger retaliatory measures from affected countries, while trade experts caution that disputes could arise at the World Trade Organization.
Abuja, Nigerian youth sensation David Stockbrink has been invited to the Flying Eagles’ U-20 training camp, which is set to begin on August 18 in Abuja. The camp is in preparation for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile in 2025.
The invitation, signed by Mohammed Maikano on behalf of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary-General, calls for Stockbrink to join other prospective players as they begin their pre-tournament preparations.
This news comes as Stockbrink makes a triumphant return to action. In a recent warm-up match between Fortuna Sittard’s senior team and the U-21 side, he scored the opening goal and provided two assists, leading the senior team to a 2-0 victory. The young forward, who has been a standout for the club’s U-19 and U-21 teams since joining in January 2025, is now being considered for a spot on the senior team, which competes in the Dutch Eerste Divisie.
After the match, Stockbrink expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country. “I am so happy to receive this invitation to join the Flying Eagles camp for the World Cup,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to play for Nigeria and will do my best. I’m back in full fitness following my injury setback and will do my best in the colors of Nigeria.” Stockbrink will join his teammates in Abuja when the camp officially opens on August 18.
Wellness today goes beyond old-fashioned ideas, it’s about how you eat, move, sleep, manage stress, and avoid harmful substances. True wellness is a balance of healthy nutrition, lifestyle choices, and mindful habits.
While herbs and traditional concoctions have their place, it’s important to know exactly what you’re taking. In African culture, a large belly was once seen as a sign of wealth and status, but times have changed. Portion control, balanced diets, and intentional eating are now essential for maintaining health and preventing lifestyle diseases.
Sleep remains a cornerstone of wellness, helping the body recover and the mind adjust to daily demands. Traditional practices like the “malt and milk” habit may have nostalgic value, but they cannot match the natural benefits of whole foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Many processed drinks are high in sugar and fat, offering far less than what the body truly needs. Good health requires knowledge, understanding what is beneficial before illness strikes. Keeping wellness traditions alive means adapting them to modern realities, ensuring they genuinely support well-being rather than harm it.
Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has asserted that the recent apprehension of ex-governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is rooted in political interests.
In a statement on X, Atiku argued that the move reflects a broader campaign by the administration under President Bola Tinubu aimed at silencing dissent and diminishing the strength of opposition parties.
He expressed concerns that the current leadership was exploiting the anti-corruption narrative to intimidate opposition figures into defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“It is as though anyone who associates with the opposition is a target for phantom corruption allegations, and as soon as they are coerced into the political agenda of President Bola Tinubu, their ‘sins’ are forgiven.
“That, definitely, is not how to build institutions. That, certainly, is not how to fight the monster of corruption. Indeed, such tendencies provide the stimulant for corruption to thrive,” Atiku said.
Atiku emphasized his past involvement in establishing the EFCC, lamenting what he sees as a deviation from its intended purpose, as the agency is allegedly being manipulated for political gain.
He cautioned that these tactics erode the credibility of national institutions and could foster an environment where corruption flourishes unchecked.
According to him, recent trends indicate that anti-graft bodies are being turned into instruments to corner political opponents, compelling them to switch allegiance to the ruling party, a development he believes signals a dangerous tilt toward authoritarian rule.
He called on citizens, advocacy groups, and the global community to raise their voices against the weaponization of the anti-corruption fight.
“While the genuine fight against corruption is a matter that requires the total support of all Nigerians, the objectification of it as a political agenda should be roundly condemned by all in civil society spaces and friends of Nigeria in the international community.
“We have in recent times witnessed the use of anti-corruption agencies in coercing political leaders into the ruling party. Our assurance to Nigerians is that we would never succumb to these anti-democratic machinations of railroading our people into a one-party dictatorship,” Atiku wrote.
On August 11, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stormed the Abu Shouk displacement camp near el-Fasher in North Darfur, a settlement already devastated by famine, killing at least 40 civilians and injuring 19 others. Residents reported that the attackers raided homes across the camp in a coordinated assault, with local humanitarian groups condemning the violence as horrific and indiscriminate.
Satellite imagery from independent analysts revealed around 40 RSF vehicles positioned in the camp’s northwest sector. Visual evidence showed fighters firing on people attempting to flee and using ethnic slurs. Other satellite data indicated that RSF units had blocked key evacuation routes from el-Fasher to Kutum and Mellit, leaving civilians trapped.
Abu Shouk is among the most severely affected camps in the region, where famine is claiming lives daily. UN officials reported more than 60 malnutrition-related deaths in el-Fasher in a single week, most of them women and children. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan remains critical, with over 12 million people displaced and more than 40,000 killed since the war began.
The Sudanese army claimed to have repelled an RSF assault in el-Fasher, destroying 16 RSF vehicles and capturing 34 more. RSF sources claimed territorial gains and the seizure of military equipment, while Darfur’s governor declared that the city had resisted those seeking to betray it.
Elsewhere, in North Kordofan, RSF operations have forced more than 3,000 families from 66 villages to flee, with reports of livestock theft and property looting. Many of the displaced have moved to Khartoum and White Nile provinces, with recent clashes in the area leaving 18 civilians dead and dozens injured.
The dramatic scene that unfolded aboard an Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos flight last Sunday continues to reverberate across Nigeria’s aviation sector. At the centre is Comfort Emmanson, who allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off, a standard safety protocol, leading to a heated confrontation that escalated into physical assault on a flight attendant and a clash with airport security.
The incident, caught on video and widely circulated online, has led to a lifetime flight ban from Ibom Air and criminal charges that saw Ms Emmanson remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
Now, new developments are emerging: the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is actively gathering firsthand accounts from passengers, and the Minister of Aviation has ordered disciplinary action over the leak of an indecent clip from the altercation.
Recent Happening
Ibom Air said the trouble began “shortly before take-off from Uyo” when the passenger refused to comply with safety procedures requiring her to switch off her phone. According to the airline, “her conduct posed a serious threat to the safety of its crew, passengers, and aircraft.”
Videos from the flight showed her confronting crew members and later resisting security personnel. She was arraigned on Monday and, after failing to provide sureties, remanded in prison custody.
What NCAA Is Saying
The NCAA has opened a fact-finding investigation and is seeking passenger testimonies. Mike Achimugu, the authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said:
“In the interest of justice and fairness, it is necessary to hear both sides of the story.”
He added that while unruly conduct “will not be excused,” the agency is determined to ensure “every other person who was culpable down the line is held accountable.”
Achimugu described the matter as “a test for the system” and stressed:
“At the end of it all, the message remains the same- in aviation, it is safety first, safety second, and safety third.”
What The Minister Of Aviation Is Saying
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that Ms Emmanson was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on criminal charges. While condemning her actions, he also criticised the leaking of a video showing her upper body exposed.
“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is deplorable is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is totally unacceptable to us,” Keyamo said.
The minister has ordered sanctions against the Ibom Air staff involved in the leak and directed airlines to improve training for staff in conflict management. He also emphasised that passengers have proper channels for complaints:
“For genuinely aggrieved passengers, there are clearly laid-down remedies to address grievances… There is no point trying to take the laws into one’s hands that may lead to dire consequences.”
Rights Group Calls For Legal Action Against Ibom Air
A non-governmental organisation, De-Advocates for Justice, has urged Comfort Emmanson, to sue Ibom Air for alleged violations of her fundamental rights to dignity.
In a statement signed by its president, Comrade Israel Joe, the group condemned what it described as “oppression” and “lawless” treatment, arguing that the airline’s handling of the incident was both morally and legally unacceptable.
“The Ibom Air acted very wrongly both in morality and in the eyes of the law. Their actions amounted to killing a mosquito with a sledgehammer,” Joe said.
The group criticised the decision to impose a lifetime flight ban before any court ruling, questioned the use of male security officers during her arrest, and condemned the public release of video footage showing her partially exposed.
“No matter how one tries to defend the suppression done to this lady, there is no justification for dragging her with male security, tearing her clothes, and posting the video online,” the statement read.
De-Advocates for Justice said the situation could have been handled more professionally, such as allowing female officers to make the arrest at the arrival point, without violating her privacy and dignity.
Who Is Comfort Emmanson
Little is publicly known about Comfort Emmanson beyond the events of the past week. Her refusal to comply with a basic safety instruction has now resulted in legal charges, a lifetime ban from Ibom Air, and nationwide attention.
The case has also triggered broader industry conversations on passenger behaviour, staff training, and operational protocols in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The arrest of former Sokoto State governor and current senator, Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked backlash from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, which views the development as an orchestrated attempt to destabilize the opposition’s strength.
In a statement released early Tuesday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sanyinnawal, the PDP alleged that the action was part of a calculated strategy by the APC-led administration to apply pressure on dissenting voices and neutralize political threats to President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
The party dismissed the EFCC’s inquiry as an unproductive venture rooted in outdated allegations that previously yielded no substantial proof.
“Political actors in Sokoto and Abuja are trying to tarnish Tambuwal’s image and force him to back down from his criticism of bad governance.”
The statement praised Tambuwal’s tenure as governor for its commitment to prudent financial management and openness, accusing the EFCC of turning a blind eye to credible allegations against individuals in the ruling party, thereby engaging in biased enforcement.
Urging investigative bodies to operate independently and uphold justice, the PDP appealed to its members to stay composed yet resolute in their pursuit of democratic ideals and responsible leadership.
“Our trust in Tambuwal’s integrity cannot be shaken by politically motivated probes,” the party added.
Tambuwal, who previously held the position of Speaker in the House of Representatives, was detained by the EFCC on Monday over accusations of financial irregularities dating back to his gubernatorial administration.
Rwanda has strongly denied allegations by the United Nations that it was involved in the killing of hundreds of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN’s human rights office had reported that M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwandan forces, carried out attacks on farms in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu, between July 9 and July 21, killing at least 319 people.
In a statement from Kigali’s foreign affairs ministry, the claims were dismissed as “unacceptable” and “false,” accusing the UN of making baseless allegations that could undermine ongoing peace efforts.
This development comes despite a recent declaration of principles signed in Doha by Kinshasa and M23 rebels in July, aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire. Fighting, however, has persisted in affected regions.
Several UN investigations have previously accused Rwanda of providing M23 with personnel, armored vehicles, and logistical assistance, allegations Kigali has consistently rejected. The continuing violence threatens plans for a permanent peace agreement, expected by August 18, which seeks to protect civilians and facilitate the safe return of millions displaced by the conflict.
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