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Angola Shows Interest in Improve Trading with Nigeria

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Angola Shows Interest in Improve Trading with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Angola has expressed interest in improving trading with Nigeria, assuring that it would continue to push for improvement of bilateral relations.

Amb. José Bamóquina Zau, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Angola to Nigeria, Benin, and Niger, said this at the 48th independence anniversary ceremony of the country on Friday night in Abuja.

He said the 48 years of independence of Angola represented the sacrifices made by Angolan people and the government’s determination to implement the main objective of the country.

Zau added that Angola and Nigeria are brother countries and giant crude oil producers in Africa and have been in a relationship that started since Angola’s liberation struggle began until its independence.

He said: “Angola and Nigeria faced challenges and their respective leaders remain committed to resolving most essential problems and strengthening bilateral cooperation are core plans of Presidents Joao Lourenco and Bola Tinubu.

“Since 2008, Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission has awaited a roundtable with the officials of the two countries to work on socioeconomic, political, defense and internal security issues.

“The commission also awaits to consolidate the bilateral legal instruments needed, in view of the dynamic that is to be created between the two brotherly countries.

“The Angola-Nigeria economic balance still does not reflect the strategic dimension of the two giants.

“The African Free Trade Zone is coming, so it is in everyone’s interest to prioritise trade cooperation and reverse the current situation in the short and medium term.”

The envoy while acknowledging the partnership between Angola and Nigeria within the framework of Technical and Methodological Coordination of African Petroleum Producing Organization (APPO), which extended to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), noted that the Gulf of Guinea Commission as one of the outcomes of the sub-regional organisation’s coordinated actions aimed at gaining momentum, amidst the current challenges in the area.

He said: “In this regard, the leaderships of the two countries have always taken the lead in fulfilling principles defended by the founding fathers of the OAU.

“It is where we highlight the intangibility of the borders of our colonial heritage, freedom for oppressed people, and freedom of religion, and above all raising the great challenge of lifting millions of Africans out of poverty.

“The UN organisation is another forum where leaders of the two countries expressed desire for an increasingly fair world with re-founding of multilateral institutions on a global scale.@

The Ambassador said that the Angola/Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in Luanda to ensure the needs of the business community in both countries are properly understood and supported.

The envoy stated that the embassy on Oct. 19 hosted its maiden Diplomatic Business Forum that brought together political and business stalwarts from Angola and Nigeria.

He noted that at the forum, were captains of industry such as the oil and gas sector, banking, agribusiness, aeronautics, and mining, among other areas of interest to both countries.

He revealed that it was the mutually coordinated actions of both countries that resulted in the establishment of the Angola-Nigeria Business Council (ANBC).

He described the event as a preparation for the proposed “Road Show Angola,” an exhibition fair designed to boost business opportunities in Angola.

He revealed that: “As part of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, structural reforms have been made in various sectors: Legislative, Migration, Banking and agriculture.

“We can highlight here the ease of the mobility of Nigerian business people and not only to Angola with the granting of entry visas at a very short time, contrary to the previous period.

“This is always in the context of human mobility on a global scale, a total of 98 countries in the world were exempted from entry visas to Angola with immediate effect.”

He however observed that: “This process of removing some barriers to movement of people is carried out gradually with the inclusion of more countries whenever technical and material conditions are created for such purpose.”

Angola Shows Interest in Improve Trading with Nigeria

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NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support

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NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched new WhatsApp and live chat support channels to improve customer service and ease access to National Identification Number (NIN) enquiries for Nigerians and legal residents.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission said the initiative forms part of its ongoing digital transformation and service reform agenda under the leadership of Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

According to NIMC, the newly introduced platforms are designed to provide faster, more convenient and real-time support services to the public, while reducing the need for physical visits to its offices.

The Commission stated that users can now access support through the live chat feature on its official website, NIMC Official Website, as well as through its official WhatsApp support line at +234 701 566 6971.

NIMC noted that the move aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to improve efficiency in public service delivery through technology-driven solutions.

The Commission explained that the platforms would offer prompt responses to enquiries, real-time guidance, and verified information relating to NIN services and identity management matters.

It added that the reforms being championed by Coker-Odusote are aimed at expanding access to identity services, strengthening public confidence, and enhancing operational efficiency across the Commission’s activities.

NIMC also urged Nigerians and legal residents to utilise only its official communication channels and remain vigilant against misinformation and fraudulent activities.

NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support

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Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander

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Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander

By: Zagazola Makama

The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, says troops operating within the sector have neutralised more than 250 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters during sustained offensive and defensive operations across Yobe and parts of southern Borno.

Martins disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Damaturu, where he highlighted major operational achievements recorded within the sector’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

He said the achievements were made through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic operations aimed at degrading the operational capability of terrorists and restoring security across critical locations.

According to him, troops carried out deep penetration and clearance operations into previously inaccessible terrorist enclaves within the Timbuktu Triangle, including Buk, Chileria, Kafa, Abbagajiri and Maisani.

He stated that over 50 terrorists were neutralised during offensive operations conducted within the Timbuktu Triangle, Bulabulin Forest and other identified hideouts.

Martins further disclosed that troops also foiled coordinated attacks on military formations at Kukareta, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir, Gonori, Buni Gari and Katarko, among other locations.

He said the failed attacks resulted in more than 200 terrorist casualties.

“In the course of these operations, troops recovered over 150 assorted weapons and large quantities of ammunition from the terrorists,” he said.

The commander listed some of the recovered items to include AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, hand grenades, mortar bombs, motorcycles, communication gadgets and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials.

He added that troops also discovered and destroyed terrorist life-support structures, detention facilities, IED fabrication sites and Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in Chileria, Buk and other identified locations.

Martins said intelligence-driven operations had equally disrupted terrorist logistics networks, leading to the arrest of more than 30 suspected logistics suppliers, couriers and collaborators.

According to him, troops intercepted drugs, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and medical supplies suspected to be destined for insurgent groups.

The commander attributed the successes to sustained offensive pressure, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between troops and local communities.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Sector 2 troops to sustaining operations aimed at eliminating remaining terrorist threats within the North-East theatre.

Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander

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Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War

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Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War

By: Zagazola Makama

The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, says the Nigerian military has significantly enhanced operational mobility and surveillance capacity in the North-East through the repair of battle-damaged equipment and deployment of modern combat enablers.

Martins stated this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Damaturu while outlining operational and non-kinetic achievements recorded by the sector.

He said the sector successfully overhauled and repaired 30 battle-damaged and burnt armoured and tactical vehicles previously considered beyond economic repair.

According to him, the refurbishment programme has improved operational lift capability and increased firepower available to troops operating across the sector.

The commander said the initiative was part of efforts to sustain combat operations without waiting for prolonged procurement processes for new platforms.

He explained that the sector also procured critical operational equipment within available resources to improve troop effectiveness and communication.

The items, he said, included Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), surveillance cameras, tactical drones, Starlink communication systems, radios, repeaters, floodlights and inverters.

Martins noted that the equipment had enhanced surveillance capability, troop coordination and operational response within difficult terrains across the Area of Responsibility.

He added that troops also sustained Counter-IED and shoulder-clearance operations along major highways, particularly the Maiduguri-Damboa and Biu-Damboa routes, to improve troop mobility and reduce ambushes and roadside bomb attacks.

On non-kinetic operations, the commander said the sector intensified stakeholder engagements with community leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups and religious leaders to strengthen civil-military relations and improve intelligence sharing.

He said troops also provided armed escorts for commuters and humanitarian organisations along vulnerable corridors, including the Maiduguri-Damboa, Damaturu-Maiduguri and Biu-Damboa roads.

According to him, Sector 2 conducted regular farm patrols to protect farmers during cultivation activities and supported reconciliation efforts between farmers and herders in flashpoint communities.

Martins said the sector further collaborated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on humanitarian support, sensitisation campaigns and training on international humanitarian law.

He also commended vigilantes and Hybrid Forces for their contributions to intelligence gathering and deep insertion operations within difficult terrains.

The commander assured that troops would continue to sustain offensive operations and strengthen collaboration with communities to consolidate gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.

Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War

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