Army trolls in Adamawa arrest major drug supplier to terrorists

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested a suspected major drug supplier to Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists operating across parts of Borno and Adamawa.

The suspect, identified as Zubairu Muhammad, 45, was arrested at about 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday by troops of 232 Battalion (Tactical), Uba, Adamawa State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that Muhammad is believed to be one of the major suppliers of cannabis sativa and crystal meth (popularly known as ICE) to terrorists through the Askira-Uba, Chibok, Michika and Damboa corridors.

According to the source, the troops recovered 14 blocks of cannabis sativa valued at over N1 million, and 43 grams of ICE, valued at more than N3 million, from the suspect.

He was also found with two Army camouflage T-shirts, which he allegedly used while delivering illicit substances to terrorists.

The source said preliminary investigation had been concluded, and that the exhibits would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Yola Command, for further action.

Army trolls in Adamawa arrest major drug supplier to terrorists

FCT Designated for Implementation of NESREA / UNEP Innovative Waste Management Pilot Project

By: Michael Mike

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has began the process of reforming the waste management system in the country.

Also, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT has been designated as the pilot state for the implementation of the reforms.

In order to put the necessary frameworks in place to achieve this, the agency hosted two separate two-day consultative workshops with relevant stakeholders.

The first workshop aimed to consolidate report on recommendations for Legislative and Institutional Reforms in the Waste Management Sector in Nigeria, whilst the second workshop looked at the specific measures on the better inclusion of informal structures and workers in the reforms.

The workshops are part of the UNDA-funded Project on Environmentally Sound and Safe Waste Management Frameworks in Africa, being implemented by UNEP in collaboration with other UN agencies across three African countries Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor in his remarks described the project as timely, coming at a time when Nigeria is implementing the circular economy with a view to promoting resource efficiency and the creation of green jobs.

He disclosed that under the project, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT has been designated as the pilot state for the implementation of the reforms, noting the vital role of the waste management sector in safeguarding public health, ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing the quality of life in communities.

He said: “Over the years, waste management has remained one of the key environmental and developmental challenges in Nigeria. Despite efforts to develop policies and plans, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in managing waste, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and lack of public awareness. to address this, NESREA, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme under the Montevideo Programme V for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law, is implementing this pilot project in Abuja.”

Barikor disclosed that the objective of the project was to strengthen the waste management framework with the aim of promoting environmentally sound and safe management of waste in Nigeria, while ensuring better inclusion and protection of informal workers and structures; as well as the integration of waste segregation.

He expressed the belief that the National Waste Marketplace Programme recently unveiled by NESREA, and the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme would further boost effective waste management in line with global best practices.

He noted that: “The Marketplace intends to link waste pickers, collectors, recyclers in an innovative manner that provides benefits and allow stakeholders to interface. It will give room for financial support, insurance support and incentives. Cooperatives will also be on the space. The direction is to move towards entrenching global best practices.”

Representative of UNEP, Aphrodite Smagadi in a goodwill message said the success of the reforms depend to a large extent on meaningful engagement and integration of all stakeholders including governments institutions, the private sector, civil society, as well as the informal sector.

While thanking NESREA for convening the forum, the Director, Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe said despite the challenge posed by waste management, it represents an opportunity to turn waste into wealth, pollution into innovation and environmental risk into green enterprise.

Represented by a Chief Scientific Officer, Uduak Ekpa, Dr. Abiola-Awe added, “Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually comprising a wide range of waste types, including, food waste, plastics, paper, textiles, metals, glass and hazardous materials such as electronic and medical waste. These waste streams pose distinct challenges and require tailored approach for collection, treatment and disposal.”

The workshops had participants drawn from Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government including Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Youth Development Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria, Women Environmental Programme, as well as recyclers.

Participants analyzed best practices from the different parts of the world and made recommendations.

FCT Designated for Implementation of NESREA / UNEP Innovative Waste Management Pilot Project

An Open China for a Shared Future

By: Yu Dunhai
 
Not long ago, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was convened in Beijing. During the session, the document Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development was deliberated and adopted, charting the course for China’s development over the next five years.
 
The plenum called for steadily expanding institutional opening-up, safeguarding the multilateral trading system, promoting broader international economic flows, and advancing reform and development through opening-up, thereby creating broader space for China and the world to share development opportunities.
 
In early November, the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) was successfully held in Shanghai. As the first major economic and diplomatic event following the Fourth Plenary Session, this year’s CIIE not only demonstrated the vast potential of the Chinese market but also served as a platform for global partners, including Nigeria, to connect and collaborate.
 
Nigeria participated in the Expo a Guest Countryof Honor. During the event, the Hon.Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, attended and addressed the opening ceremony.Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a productive meeting with the Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and his delegation. Building on these high-level engagements, Nigeria’s presence was further highlighted at its national pavilion.
 
Showcasing the country’s economic achievements, investment potential, and high-quality products, the Nigeria Pavilion attracted considerable attention from Chinese buyers and investment institutions. Nigerian businesses used this platform to gain direct access to China’s vast market and enhance their brand visibility through exchanges with international exhibitors.Key Nigerian exports—such as agricultural products, processed foods, and creative industry goods—continued to be well-received by Chinese consumers, injecting new vitality into bilateral economic and trade relations.
 
This year, the CIIE upgraded its special exhibition zone for products from the world’s least developed countries, many of which are from Africa. This upgrade enabled enterprises and products from all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China to fully benefit from zero-tariff treatment. More than 80 business associations from over 50 countries and regions participated as groups, underscoring the CIIE’s unique role in supporting global small and medium-sized enterprises. The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, held in tandem with the CIIE, focused for the first time on the themes of“economic resilience” and “sustainable agricultural development” in the Global South, further demonstrating China’s commitment to advancing hand in hand with developing countries.
 
Over the past five years, China’s economy has maintained steady growth amid a complex international environment. By the end of 2025, China’s total economic output is expected to reach around 140 trillion yuan (approximately USD 19.4 trillion), contributing about 30% to global economic growth. China has continued to promote technological innovation and green transformation while further expanding opening up, creating new opportunities for global cooperation.
 
Nigeria, as a major African economy with a young population and vast market potential, has seen its relations with China enter a fast track of development under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. Bilateral trade has grown steadily, surpassing USD 20 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 32.56%. China has remained one of Nigeria’s top trading partners for many years. The two countries have achieved fruitful cooperation in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and the digital economy, while also exploring new opportunities in green transformation and emerging industries.
 
The year 2026 will mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria. China is ready to take this opportunity to deepen the alignment of development strategies with Nigeria, effectively connecting China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda, expand practical cooperation across multiple fields, and support Nigeria’s industrial and agricultural modernization.
 
Today, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. China cannot be separated from the world in achieving development, and the world also needs China for prosperity. No matter how the international landscape evolves, China’s determination to expand high-level opening up will remain unchanged; its resolve to share development opportunities with the world will remain unchanged; and its commitment to promoting open, inclusive, balanced, and win-win economic globalization will remain unchanged.
 
China will continue to advance high-level opening up, work together with Nigeria and other African countries to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, and jointly create a better future defined by openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit.
Yu Dunhai is Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria

An Open China for a Shared Future