National News
At 4th ASIF Meeting, President Tinubu Demands Collective Action To Develop Africa

At 4th ASIF Meeting, President Tinubu Demands Collective Action To Develop Africa
** Urges relevant institutions to utilise continent’s sovereign wealth funds with sound financial discipline
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for collective action and regional cooperation among African countries in actualising transformative development on the continent.
Specifically, he said shrewd utilisation of sovereign wealth funds is crucial in ongoing efforts to close the infrastructure gap, build climate change resilience and create job opportunities for the growing youth population on the continent.

The President gave the charge on Monday in Abuja when he declared open the 4th Annual Meeting of the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF), hosted by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
President Tinubu who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that the forum’s meeting with the theme, “Leveraging African Sovereign Wealth Funds to Mobilise Global Capital for Transformative Development in Africa,” was holding at a time the world is witnessing rapid transformation and is under pressure to think outside the box.
For Africa, the Nigerian leader said it is time to position the continent to seize the opportunities rooted in the wave of global change, just as he asked African nations to take a cue from evolving sovereign wealth funds across the world, which have moved beyond serving as mere fiscal buffers to become architects of national transformation.
“Our future lies not in working in silos but in pursuing regional cooperation and collective ambition. Our sovereign wealth funds must become the anchors for pan-African investment platforms that de-risk projects, standardise processes, and deliver sustainable outcomes at scale. This is not just a strategy. This is a necessity,” he declared.

Acknowledging that Africa is currently facing a development dilemma, as it contends with limited fiscal space amid growing expectations and demands for long-term capital to fuel inclusive and sustainable growth, President Tinubu, however, identified creativity as a solution to the puzzle.
He said, “There can be no greater inspiration to reimagine how we invest, whether in setting up critical infrastructure, strengthening our climate resilience, promoting food security through agricultural innovation, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, or embracing the digital economy to create jobs and expand opportunity.
“None of these is possible without catalytic institutions that combine strategic foresight with sound financial discipline. This is why the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority stands not only as a steward of our sovereign capital but as a vehicle for the delivery of strategic infrastructure.
“It is a catalyst in our national quest to redeem renewable energy, healthcare, agriculture, and much more. It is also a hub for pioneering innovative capital mobilisation solutions tailored to the realities of our continent.”

The President noted that ASIF has the pan-African apparatus to harness the collective strength of the continent’s sovereign investment institutions, just as he maintained that the time to act was now.
“We must act and act now to close the infrastructure gap, build resilience to climate change, and create jobs for our expanding youth population. This is precisely why platforms like the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum are not just relevant but essential.
“ASIF offers a pan-African mechanism to harness the collective strength of our sovereign investment institutions. It gives us the power to share knowledge, co-invest across borders, and speak with a unified voice in the global financial ecosystem. Through this kind of collaboration, we will attract the scale of capital required to unlock Africa’s latent potential,” he stated.
President Tinubu applauded the formal launch of the ASIF Investment Platform, saying it is a strategic initiative that deepens collaboration among Africa’s sovereign wealth funds.
The platform, according to him, is not just an innovative tool but also a bold move that pools the continent’s capital, expertise, and networks to mobilise financing for high-impact, cross-border projects, as well as “a step forward in advancing inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.”
He expressed delight that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA, as a founding member of ASIF) has taken an active role in advancing the vision, even as he commended its leadership for “mobilising like-minded African funds and international partners to design long-term, impactful investment solutions”.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, listed priorities for stakeholders at the forum to include capital mobilisation at scale, regional and intercontinental collaboration, human capital and policy alignment, noting that they are critical for transformative development across the continent.
He expressed hope that the ASIF meeting would birth significant transactions that can mobilise the required resources, drive economic transformation across Africa, forge impactful partnerships and build a sustainable future.
In his remarks, President of AfreximBank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, emphasised the need for stakeholders to keep African sovereign wealth funds on the continent by investing in domestic markets.
He noted that the forum can help reshape Africa’s development financing in a manner that gives the continent greater opportunity to determine its development trajectory.
The AfreximBank boss dismissed insinuations that Africa does not have bankable projects, noting that the potential across the region is huge and the challenge lies with stakeholders, especially managers of sovereign wealth funds in the continent, to rethink strategies for investment, prioritising domestic investments.
On his part, Chairman of African Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF), Mr Obaid Amrane, said while Africa is open for business, the forum is committed to facilitating the participation of sovereign investors in Africa’s transformation.
He said in just three years, ASIF has made significant strides in enhancing Africa’s global positioning, closing the infrastructure funding gaps across the continent and promoting greater collaboration among governments and sovereign investors in transformative projects that impact lives across the length and breadth of the region.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, explained the focus of the meeting, noting that private capital plays a critical role in driving investments in infrastructure development on the continent.
He outlined the priority areas of the meeting and noted that the forum will catalyse investments across Africa and beyond, impacting lives through projects across diverse fields.
For his part, Pan-African activist, Prof. PLO Lumumba, called on leaders across Africa to leverage huge resources domiciled on the continent to invest in the future of unborn generations by investing more within the continent, noting that sovereign funds should be invested within and not outside Africa.
He said it is an intergenerational duty for political and economic leaders on the continent to cater for generations yet unborn, adding that Africa’s resources are inexhaustible, hence leaders must invest in the future of generations to come.
Also present at the event were Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; President/CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, Mr Samaila Zubairu; CEO & Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair, UN-Energy, Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi; Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji; CEO of Africa50, Mr Alain Ebonisse, and Director General, International Solar Alliance, Mr Ashish Khanna, among others.
At 4th ASIF Meeting, President Tinubu Demands Collective Action To Develop Africa
National News
One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State

One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have attacked Gari Village in Masamagu area of Niger State, killing one person and abducting another in a violent incident that occurred on Wednesday night.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the attack happened at about 9:30 p.m. on July 24, when six unidentified gunmen stormed the community and macheted a 55-year-old man, Umaru Zakiru, to death.
They also abducted one Hussaini Muhammed to an unknown destination, but the victim later escaped from captivity with a gunshot wound.
A tram of security forces responded promptly and evacuated both the deceased and the injured to the General Hospital in Kontagora for autopsy and medical treatment.
A manhunt has been launched to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.
One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State
National News
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians in Diaspora of his administration’s determination to continue to provide the enabling environment and policies that will boost their active participation in the country’s governance.
Tinubu gave the assurance at the opening of the National Diaspora Day celebrations 2025 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This year’s celebration is themed: “Optimizing formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and growth”.
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora with the view to galvanizing your support for this administration and concretizing our democracy, optimizing your potentials and setting a good example for other African countries to emulate.
“Let me also state that we will look into the Challenges NiDCOM has enumerated with a view to ameliorating same so that we can harvest maximally the benefits of migration through the engagements with our Diaspora for national development and growth.”
He added that: “It is a great delight to address our over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of our National Diaspora Day 2025.”
“Only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria,” Tinubu stated.
The President highlighted the contributions of the diaspora, which include increasing remittances, pointing out that in 2024 alone, “Nigerians abroad sent home $20.9 billion through official channels—more than four times the value of the country’s foreign direct investment.
He said: “The Nigerians in the diaspora are also actively investing in our health care, agriculture, education, information, communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas, and other sectors.
“This, I must say, is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest.”
The President stressed how highly the government rates the Nigerians in diaspora, saying “Our renewed hope for foreign policy recognises the diaspora as the fourth pillar for the agenda—namely democracy, demography, development, and diaspora.
In his goodwill message, the minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said:
“When you go to any part of the world, maybe in Asia, Africa, South America, you will see Nigerians excelling. Nigerians breaking barriers. Nigerians breaking ceilings. And Nigerians using ceilings as springboards to greatness.”
The Minister highlighted the economic potential of diaspora remittances—comparing Nigeria’s $21bn in 2024 remittances to $32.91bn in oil earnings and India’s $135.46bn diaspora inflows.
He said: “What does that tell you? It tells you that the power of economic emancipation, a lot of this resides within you, beyond your own imagination,” he said.
The minister also explained that the administration is laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity—even if short-term sacrifices are required.
“You cannot cure a tumor by virtue of a paracetamol. It is important that the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President came into being. And today, we can see the results. We can see the economic stability of this country,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also spoke on the reforms in his ministry which include immigration and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
He therefore called on the diaspora community to trust in the country’s direction under President Tinubu’s leadership.
“Nigeria has never been ready for investment more than now. We are ready for investment.
“I assure you, under the leadership of this President, you will never regret your investment. Nigeria loves you. Nigeria cares about you. And this particular administration cares about you,” he said.
Earlier, in her remark, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said “The theme is apt to appreciate the efforts of both the government and the diaspora community in nation building and also to discuss how to make diaspora engagements better for national development.”
She emphasised the role of Nigerians in diaspora in the country’s development.
Dabiri-Erewa announced a proposed Diaspora Presidential Fellowship Programme. The initiative would allow professionals in the diaspora to take part in six-month sabbaticals in Nigeria, aimed at promoting knowledge transfer and innovation across sectors.
“It will strengthen their role in nation-building and serve as a knowledge-driven giveback to the fatherland,” she added.
Highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, aimed at providing secure housing opportunities for diaspora Nigerians seeking to invest back home.
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
National News
Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma

Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Nasarawa State have arrested six suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang responsible for a series of violent crimes in Yelwa Ediya village, Doma Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as Darda’u Shehu, Yunusa Malami Hashimu, Musa Abubakar, Ibrahim Musa, Mohammed Musa, and Jibrin Lafia, were apprehended during a coordinated raid based on actionable intelligence from a concerned resident.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of a local councillor, Hon. Ari Muhammad, on May 26, 2025. They further disclosed that one of their members, Darda’u Shehu, raped the councillor’s wife, Talatu Ari, during the abduction and stole two mobile phones an Infinix Note 30 valued at ₦250,000 and a Tecno phone valued at ₦20,000.
The gang also confessed to mounting a roadblock along the Doma–Yelwa Road on July 19, where they attacked one Ibrahim Haruna and snatched his Bajaj motorcycle worth ₦970,000.
Recovered from the suspects were ₦100,000 in cash and one Bajaj motorcycle believed to have been taken from one of their victims.
The suspects also named their gang leaders as Bammi Alhaji Amme (alias Zomo) and one Lawali (surname unknown), who are currently on the run.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.
End
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