The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has urged the Dangote Group to scale up its investments by leveraging the state’s abundant mineral resources.

Speaking at the opening of the 3rd edition of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE), the Governor who was represented by the Director of Trade in the state Ministry of Trade Industry and Investment, Dr.

Ahmed Agbo II, said already there is an existing high-level collaboration with the Dangote Group.

The Governor said Nasarawa State is home to several mineral resources that will interest the Dangote Group.

He commended the company for its job creation stride, adding its $100billion target for vision 2030 will further help, Not only small businesses, but the Nigerian Economy.

The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.

The State is home to the Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL), a backward integration project in the sugar sub sector of the Nigerian economy.

The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments on the African continent.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has said that the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 will support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria

This is coming as participants throng the company’s pavilion at the ongoing 3rd edition of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE).

Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the Trade Fair, Chairman of NASSI, Nasarawa State Chapter, Comrade Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the company’s achievement is a model for small and micro businesses in Nasarawa and Nigeria.

He said NASSI is partnering with the Dangote Group to upscale small businesses in Nigeria in line with the company’s Vision 2030.

He said Dangote’s Vision 2030 is an ambitious target that will positively impact all economic activities on the African continent.

He said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems in line with the Trade Fair’s theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.”

He said through its flagship Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme(ESAP), thousands of youths across Nasarawa State have been trained.

Speaking at the opening of the fair, Regional Director and Senior Adviser to the President of the Dangote Group, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian-American basketball star Ejimofor Anosike of the Hong Kong Bulls for his outstanding performance in the 2026 National Basketball League Championship.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday in Abuja.

Anosike led his team to victory as champions of the league.

He also won the Finals Most Valuable Player award, Best International Player award and Slam Dunk Champion title.

Tinubu said the achievements reflected Anosike’s exceptional talent, discipline and resilience.

He noted that the player’s success on the international stage had brought pride and honour to Nigeria.

The president added that the feat would inspire young athletes across Nigeria and the African continent.

“Anosike’s accomplishments reflect the growing global impact of Nigerians in sports and underscore the importance of continued investment in youth development and sporting excellence.

“I commend him for not allowing his successes on the international stage to overshadow his sense of patriotism, as evidenced by the passion he exhibits as a member of Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers.

“I wish the basketball star continued success in his career and even greater milestones in the years ahead,” Tinubu said.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has assured residents of its commitment to providing the support and enabling environment needed to eliminate malaria in the state.

Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr.

Abdulazees Adeiza, gave the assurance during a media parley organised by Famkris Healthcare Initiative in collaboration with the Kogi Malaria Elimination Programme to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day.

He declared that Kogi was ready to demonstrate the political will required to support efforts aimed at ending the disease.

The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Maji Enok, said the present administration maintained an open-door policy to ensure the success of malaria elimination programmes across the three senatorial districts.

He commended the media for its role in disseminating information, creating awareness and sensitising citizens on preventive and curative measures against malaria.

Dr Adeiza also disclosed that the state government had met its obligations by paying counterpart funding to donor agencies supporting the malaria elimination project.

In his goodwill message, Director of the Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Stephen Ake, disclosed that the team was currently conducting free testing, treatment and distribution of malaria commodities in all 239 wards across the three senatorial districts.

Dr. Ake appealed for more partners to support the programme financially.

He said the 2026 focus would include training and recruitment of health personnel, as well as expanded awareness campaigns on malaria prevention.

State Team Leader of Famkris Healthcare Initiative on Malaria Elimination, Dr. Salamatu Yahaya, said their operations covered both urban and rural communities.

She urged vulnerable groups and other residents to take advantage of the ongoing malaria service delivery programme.