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Enugu Forest Guard Holds Stakeholder Town Halls, Recruitment Briefings Sept 2

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From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Enugu State Forest Guard (ESFG) has announced a three-day statewide stakeholder town halls from Tuesday to Thursday, aimed at strengthening community partnership in forest protection and unveiling a new transparent recruitment framework under the E3 initiative (Eligibility, Evidence, and Ethics).

The town halls will be held at the headquarters of each senatorial district, namely Nsukka (for Enugu North), Agbani (for Enugu East), and Awgu (for Enugu West).

Speaking ahead of the events, the Commander of Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo Olasoji (DCP Rtd), said the town hall sessions will deepen trust between the Forest Guard and local communities, ensure fair recruitment, and provide a platform to coordinate support from local governments, traditional rulers, and security agencies.

“Our goal is simple: build trust, align with our communities, and deliver disciplined, lawful operations. We will listen first, agree on practical support with each LGA, and ensure recruitment is fair, community-validated, and non-politicised,” Dr. Olasoji stated.

The initiative is part of Governor Peter Mbah’s broader effort to secure Enugu communities, protect farmers, and eliminate criminal activities along forest corridors.

Since assuming office, Governor Mbah has prioritized security and public safety as a foundation for economic growth, community development, and agricultural productivity.

The stakeholder engagements will bring together traditional rulers, town unions, hunters, farmers, vigilante formations, market leaders, community-based organizations, youth and women groups, and security agencies (Police, DSS, NSCDC) to map out practical strategies for securing forests and farmlands.

According to the Forest Guard Commander, each town hall session will focus on:

Clarifying the Forest Guard’s lawful role and complaint channels.

Strengthening community intelligence to prevent illegal logging, kidnapping, and wildlife crimes.

Coordinating LGA support, including office space, radios, and logistics for patrols.

Deconfliction with sister agencies to avoid operational clashes.

E3 Recruitment Briefings to ensure fairness, gender inclusion, and transparency.

He explained that recruitment will be open to Enugu residents aged 20–45, with a minimum of First School Leaving Certificate, proof of residency in their LGA/ward, good physical fitness, clean record, and endorsements from community leaders.

The Forest Guard Commander urged Ndi Enugu, particularly farmers, hunters, youths, women, town unions, market and community leaders, to turn out in large numbers and actively participate in the sessions.

“This is your chance to help shape how our forests and farmlands are secured. The Forest Guard belongs to the people, and it will succeed only with your involvement,” he added.

The town halls will be held daily from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, followed by a closed-door security coordination meeting with agency heads and a media briefing from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

In June, Governor Mbah breathed new life into the Enugu State Forest Guard with a sweeping overhaul. He appointed Col. Dan Didiugwu (Rtd.) as Chairman and Dr. Olasoji Akinbayo, PhD, the immediate past Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) at the Enugu State Police Command, as Commander. Under their leadership, the Forest Guard has been revitalized, operatives retrained, operations reorganized, and the forests being actively combed to restore security and confidence in the rural communities.

NEWS

OPay Partners CBN to Advance Youth Financial Literacy at Global Money Week 2026

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L-R: Nelson Amuwa, Head, Consumer Education and Evaluation Division, CBN; Akano Joy Ruth, State Manager Apps & Card, OPay; Eric Alana, Area Manager Apps & Card, OPay; Dr. Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, Director, Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion, CBN; Paul Iwunwa, Senior Marketing Manager, OPay; Ani Amarachukwu Favour, Business Development Manager, OPay; and Chidozie Chijioke, Head, Complaints Management Division 2, CBN, at the Global Money Week 2026 held in Abuja.

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OPay, a leading fintech company in Nigeria, partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Global Money Week 2026 Financial Literacy Fair and Exhibition held on Tuesday, 28th April 2026 at CBN’s headquarters in Abuja. The event, themed “Smart Money Talks,” brought together students from secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory, including Doveland International School, Living Fountain International School, Government Day Secondary School, Wuse, and Government Science School, Maitama, among others, to promote financial awareness and responsible money management among young Nigerians.

Global Money Week is a worldwide awareness initiative designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make sound financial decisions.

The initiative ensures long-term economic stability by preparing the next generation for an increasingly digital and interconnected financial ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, Director of Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion, CBN, highlighted financial literacy as a cornerstone of national development. She noted that in today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, financial literacy is no longer optional but essential for individuals, families, and the broader economy.

Also reinforcing this message, Nelson Amuwa, Head of Consumer Education and Evaluation Division, CBN, stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to equip young people with the confidence to make informed financial decisions. He emphasised that encouraging open conversations about money is key to building a secure financial future.

Commenting on OPay’s participation, Chukwudinma Okafor, Chief Compliance Officer, OPay, said:

“Our partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria on Global Money Week reaffirms our strong alignment with regulatory priorities around consumer protection, financial literacy, and responsible financial services usage. At OPay, compliance goes beyond regulation; it is about building trust and ensuring that individuals, especially young people, are equipped with the right knowledge to engage safely and confidently in the financial system. Initiatives like this play a vital role in advancing financial inclusion and supporting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s digital economy.”

Paul Iwunwa, Senior Marketing Manager, OPay, also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion through early education initiatives. He noted that OPay sees financial literacy as the foundation of true financial inclusion and by engaging students at this critical stage, OPay is not only helping to shape better money habits but also contributing to a more financially responsible and economically resilient future for Nigeria.

The Financial Literacy Fair and Exhibition featured engaging sessions that provided students with hands-on experience in money management and savings. Participants also had the opportunity to engage directly with OPay’s interactive booth, gaining exposure to innovative financial products tailored to support their financial journey.

OPay’s participation at the fair reinforces its commitment to supporting initiatives that advance financial inclusion, deepen consumer education, and promote responsible usage of digital financial services.

About OPay


OPay was established in 2018 as a leading fintech company in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customer’s funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

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NEWS

Rainstorm Kills Two, Renders Hundreds Homeless in Niger Community

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From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Nearly a year after a devastating flood displaced residents of Mokwa in Niger State, the community has been struck again by disaster as a violent rainstorm destroyed homes and property between Sunday night and Monday morning.

The storm, which was accompanied by heavy rainfall, reportedly claimed the lives of two persons, while a woman and her five children sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the incident left hundreds of residents’ homeless, many of whom were yet to recover from the impact of last year’s flood.

 Several trees were uprooted, while vehicles and other valuables were damaged in the storm.

Residents attributed the severity of the disaster to widespread deforestation and unchecked land degradation in the area.

The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, describing the situation as “colossal” and calling for urgent intervention from the Niger State Government and relevant agencies.

Also confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Dr. Abdullahi Hussaini, said officials of the agency had been deployed to the affected community for on-the-spot assessment.

“Our men have been on ground since yesterday carrying out assessments,” Hussaini said, adding that while there were reports of two fatalities, the agency would only confirm the figure after a comprehensive evaluation.

He further disclosed that the Director-General of the agency and other top officials departed Minna early Tuesday to join field operatives in Mokwa as part of ongoing response efforts.

The latest incident has heightened concerns over environmental management and disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities across the state.

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Foreign News

Sudan Accuses Ethiopia, UAE of Orchestrating Drone Attacks on Airport

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Sudan has accused neighbouring Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of orchestrating drone strikes on its main airport, describing the assault as “Direct aggression”.

The international airport, located in the capital, was hit on Monday, along with military installations in the Greater Khartoum area.

Recent drone strikes have shattered a period of relative calm in Khartoum, which came after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was pushed out by the Sudanese military last year.

Ethiopia has said accusations that it was involved in the airport attack are “Baseless”.

The UAE has not yet commented, but has previously denied involvement in the Sudanese conflict.

Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for “Consultations” over the attack, Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem said.

No-one was wounded in the attack, Sudan’s information minister told the Reuters news agency.

Sudan’s army said it had “conclusive evidence” that the drones were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia.

Sudanese military officials first accused the RSF of air attacks launched from inside Ethiopian territory in March.

They said they had tracked a drone, identified as Emirati property, entering Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia and eventually shot it down.

A Sudanese army spokesman alleged that they have now connected another drone, launched from the same airport, to Monday’s attack.

The UAE has in the past forcefully rejected claims that it provides military support to the RSF.

The latest attacks came a week after the first direct international commercial flight in three years landed at the airport.

The authorities were forced to announce a 72-hour suspension of operations at the airport following the attacks.

The airport has been a major battleground in the war between the regular army and the RSF, which began in 2023.

In February, Reuters reported that Ethiopia was hosting a camp to train RSF fighters and had upgraded the nearby Asosa airport for drone operations.

It said the move was backed by Ethiopia’s close ally, the United Arab Emirates.

On Monday, witnesses confirmed that they heard blasts and saw smoke rising from an area near the airport.

The attack is reported to have also caused minor damage to an administrative building.

The information ministry said the airport would return to operations after routine safety procedures.

Sudan’s foreign minister alleged that the drones had taken off from Ethiopia, despite Ethiopia being a “brotherly state” to Sudan. He said the UAE and Ethiopia had chosen the “wrong path” and would regret it.

Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Sudan and Ethiopia “share a historic and enduring bond of friendship” and had “refrained from publicising the grave violations of Ethiopia’s territorial integrity and national security committed by some belligerents in the Sudanese civil war”.

The ministry called for dialogue between the warring parties in Sudan.

Since the war in Sudan started, more than 150,000 people have died. Twelve million have fled their homes in what the UN has called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

The three-year civil war has also led to a famine and claims of a genocide in the western Darfur region.

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