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NESG Hosts Pre-Summit Webinar on Transforming Nigeria’s Mining Industry

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) held a significant pre-30th Nigerian Economic Summit (#NES30) webinar on August 13, focused on “Leveraging the African Mining Vision for Nigeria’s Mining Industry Transformation and Growth.

The event aimed to raise public awareness of the critical challenges hindering the Nigerian mining sector from achieving its full potential.

Despite the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the mining industry since 2005—through modernizing mining policies, laws, regulations, and investing in geoscience data—the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP remains minimal, accounting for less than 1 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (2024).

The sector’s low contributions to employment, revenue, and exports, coupled with significant environmental, social, and economic impacts, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reform.

In his welcome address, Mansur Ahmed, Private Sector Co-Chair of the MMPC Steering Committee, emphasized that the pre-summit webinar is crucial for developing policy options to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s economy.

He acknowledged the vast potential of the mining sector, which remains unrealized due to challenges such as conflicts, terrorism, banditry, and inadequate sectoral reforms.

Ahmed also highlighted the importance of aligning Nigeria’s mining sector with the African Mining Vision (AMV), a policy framework adopted by the African Union in 2009, aimed at ensuring that the continent’s mineral resources contribute significantly to sustainable development.

Professor Peter Akper, in his presentation, stressed the untapped potential of Nigeria’s mineral resources, which could significantly boost GDP, revenue earnings, and foreign exchange if properly harnessed. He noted that while reforms were initiated to reposition the sector, challenges such as security concerns, weak regulatory enforcement, and illegal mining activities have hampered progress.

He called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to implement structural reforms that could potentially increase GDP by 2.35%, create jobs, diversify government revenue streams, and attract foreign investments.

Delivering the keynote address, Officer at the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) of the African Union Commission, Mkhululi Nkosilamandla Ncube, Programmes underscored the AMDC’s commitment to mainstreaming the AMV across African nations.

He pointed out that the AMV is designed to help countries maximize the benefits of mining, facilitating industrialization and broader socioeconomic development. Mr. Ncube highlighted that Nigeria, as one of the founding members of the AMDC and a recent signatory to the AMV, is well-positioned to leverage these opportunities for growth and transformation.

During the panel session, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), presented key findings from NEITI’s Solid Minerals Audit Reports, which identified governance, procedural, and operational shortcomings within the mining sector.

He emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms, drawing parallels with the successful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.

Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, shared insights from the BPE’s experience in reforming key economic sectors such as communications, electric power, petroleum, and transport. He provided a framework for how similar reforms could be applied to the mining sector.

President of the Nigeria Private Sector Alliance, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, and National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke, also contributed to the discussions, highlighting the current operating environment in the mining sector and the increasing challenges posed by regulatory interference at the subnational level.

Director of Iron Ore Mining Ltd, Amina Sijuwade, emphasized the need for a stronger legal and regulatory framework, better sectoral administration, and improved access to geoscience data to attract investment and drive growth in the mining sector.

The NESG remains committed to driving conversations that will lead to the transformation of Nigeria’s mining industry, aligning it with the AMV, and ensuring that the country benefits from its vast mineral wealth.

NEWS

Unique Secondary School Expands Outreach, Honors Ogbodo, Launches Scholarships

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By David Torough, Abuja

Unique Secondary School Makurdi (USSM), a leading private educational institution in Benue State, continues to make significant strides in academic excellence and community impact.

In a bold move to increase accessibility and reward excellence, the school has unveiled a new examination centre in Oju Local Government Area, launched a scholarship scheme for families with multiple children in the school, and honoured a distinguished alumnus, Dr.

Mark Ogbodo, by naming a recreational facility after him.

The newly inaugurated Dr. Mark Ogbodo Park was officially commissioned on July 24, during a colourful ceremony held at the school’s New GRA campus in Makurdi.

The event drew an impressive turnout of students, staff, parents, alumni, and dignitaries.

Chairman of Unique Schools and co-founder of USSM, Engr. Felix Atume led the commissioning, describing it as a tribute to dedication and impact.

Dr. Ogbodo, an author and founder of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, was visibly moved by the honour.

In a social media post after the event, he wrote: “Who am I to deserve this great honour? What impact have I made on USSM? These thoughts flooded my mind as I stood speechless in awe.”

He praised the school leadership, particularly Principal Mr. Samuel Ortsega, and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for the recognition.

Also unveiled at the event was a scholarship programme aimed at easing the financial burden on families with more than one child enrolled at USSM.

The initiative was met with excitement and gratitude from parents in attendance. Furthermore, the newly established Oju exam centre was widely applauded for eliminating the long travel often required for external examinations, especially for students living in remote areas.

Founded on September 1, 1998, by Engr. Atume and Mrs. Juliana Atume, a noted philanthropist, USSM has built a strong reputation for nurturing students through academic rigor and character development.

Originally a day school, it added a boarding facility in 2007 to cater to growing demand. Situated in a serene environment, the school provides a secure and conducive atmosphere for learning.

USSM is part of the larger Unique Schools family, which began with Unique Nursery and Primary School in 1995.

The secondary arm offers a comprehensive curriculum infused with entrepreneurial and vocational training in areas such as catering, fashion, cosmetology, and design—preparing students with practical skills for life beyond the classroom.

The school boasts modern infrastructure, including science laboratories, an ICT centre, a digital library, spacious classrooms, quality boarding facilities, a healthcare unit, and the expansive Engr. Felix Atume Hall. Recreational amenities include courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, a football pitch, and indoor games like chess and scrabble.

In keeping with global trends, USSM has embraced digital innovations such as an online result-checking system and is planning an enhanced presence on social media.

The school runs a three-term calendar and prepares students for key national examinations including BECE, WAEC, and NECO.

Ambitious plans are underway to launch Unique Technical College, which will focus on technical and vocational education.

As the evening of July 24 transitioned into a celebratory dinner in honour of the 2025 graduating class, guests—including PTA members, parents, alumni, and staff—shared heartfelt goodwill messages. The PTA Chairman described the event as “unparalleled in the school’s history.”

Through initiatives like the Oju centre, new scholarships, and the celebration of alumni impact, Unique Secondary School Makurdi continues to set the benchmark for holistic and community-rooted education in Benue State.

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Foreign News

Zelensky Announces New Draft Law on Anti-corruption Bodies after Protests

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has approved the text of a draft law guaranteeing the freedom of two anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine – days after nationwide protests broke out over changes curbing their independence.

Kyiv’s Western partners had also expressed serious concerns over the legislation.

On Thursday, Zelensky seemed to backtrack, saying the new bill was intended to safeguard the independence of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap), and to protect them from Russian influence.

He said the text of the bill was “balanced”, but did not provide any details.

The law passed earlier this week brought Nabu and Sap under the control of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.

At the time Zelensky justified his decision to curtail the bodies’ powers by citing Russian influence. The day before, Ukraine’s security services had carried out searches and arrests targeting alleged Russian spies at the agency.

The passing of the legislation instantly sparked the largest protests since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 in several cities across Ukraine, with many worrying the law would severely undermine the Nabu and Sap’s authority and effectiveness.

Thousands of people gathered in streets and squares across Ukraine, holding placards calling for the legislation to be vetoed.

Several commentators accused Zelensky of democratic backsliding. Their concerns were further exacerbated when Ukraine’s Western partners signalled their displeasure with the bill.

Ukraine has official EU candidate status and a spokesman for European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen previously warned Kyiv that the rule of law and the fight against corruption were “core elements” of membership to the bloc.

On Thursday, the Commission said it “welcomed” the Ukrainian government’s decision to take action against the bill.

“We are working [with the Ukrainian government] to make sure that our concerns… are indeed taken into account,” the spokesman said.

Nabu and Sap were created in 2014-15 as one of the requirements set by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund to move towards a relaxation of visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.

Writing on Facebook, opposition MP Oleksiy Goncharenko noted Zelensky said that “the independence of anti-corruption institutions must be guaranteed.”

“First we take it away, and then we say that it must be guaranteed. So why was all this necessary?”

In his message on social media on Thursday, Zelensky did not acknowledge the protests or the backlash but said it was “important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine.”

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NEWS

Why I Quit Banking for Music – CDQ

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Nigerian rapper CDQ has revealed that he left a stable banking job to pursue his true passion, music.

In an interview, the hip-hop star shared that becoming a banker was a move to honor his late father’s wishes, but it wasn’t where his heart truly belonged.

“I quit my bank job.

I couldn’t tell my mother or any family member then.
I left the house and went to stay with Masterkraft in the studio,” he said.

CDQ admitted that while at the bank, he often found himself scribbling lyrics during work hours instead of focusing on his official duties.

The internal conflict eventually led him to a bold decision, quitting his job to chase a career in music.

According to him, even his close friend and producer, Masterkraft, was shocked when he learned about the decision. Interestingly, Masterkraft used to lend CDQ suits to wear to the bank.

“I told him banking isn’t my passion. I will probably just do it to make ends meet. But music is something that, whether it gives me a return or not, I’m still happy doing it,” CDQ added.

CDQ’s gamble paid off. He shot to fame in 2016 with his hit single “Indomie” featuring Masterkraft and Olamide.

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