Troops neutralise terrorists, recover arms in Pulka-Kirawa axis

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two terrorists and recovered weapons and logistics items during a fierce encounter along the Pulka–Kirawa road in Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama on Thursday that the encounter occurred as troops engaged a group of terrorists attempting to cross toward the Dar-Jamal area around the Miyanti axis.

The confrontation, which resulted in a sustained firefight, led to the elimination of two terrorists, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the scene include AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, motorcycles, Baofeng radios, cell phones, hard drugs, medical drips, and mini solar panels, believed to be used by the terrorists for field operations.

The troops have continued to pursue the fleeing insurgents as part of the ongoing offensive operations in the general area.

Troops neutralise terrorists, recover arms in Pulka-Kirawa axis

VP Shettima Inaugurates NCGC Board, Says Firm Will Unlock MSME Financing In Nigeria

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the Board of Directors of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC Ltd), charging members to deepen financial inclusion and stimulate Nigeria’s grassroots economy.

The new institution is designed to serve as a financial backbone for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) struggling with access to affordable credit.

Speaking on Thursday during the inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Shettima said the establishment of NCGC represents the government’s commitment to bridging the financing gap that has long plagued MSMEs across the country.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on May 29, 2025, announced the establishment of the company, just as he also approved the appointment of its board and management team.

The President also appointed former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, as Chairman of the NCGC Board, while Mr. Bonaventure Okhaimo was appointed the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

While inaugurating the board, the Vice President said, “This is our response to a stubborn challenge that has stifled our economic potential for decades—access to finance. These entrepreneurs do not ask for handouts; they ask for the credibility of their ideas to be matched by the confidence of our financial institutions.”

Describing the NCGC as “a critical engine in our pursuit of economic inclusion and sustainable growth,” VP Shettima explained that the company will serve as a vital bridge between entrepreneurs and financial institutions, providing the trust needed for small businesses to secure loans.

He cited instances of farmers, traders, artisans, and tech entrepreneurs across the country who, despite being productive, are often stranded due to a lack of collateral or guarantees.

“NCGC is that bridge. It is the assurance that when a farmer in Ibadan needs a loan to expand her cocoa farm, when a tech start-up in Abuja needs working capital to scale, when a leather artisan in Kano seeks to mechanise his craft, and when a trader in Onitsha needs capital to expand, the system will no longer fail them. It is a promise that productive Nigerians will not be stranded for want of guarantees,” the Vice President said.

To the newly inaugurated board, chaired by former Speaker Dogara, VP Shettima urged its members to combine “prudence with courage, accountability with ambition,” as they translate national policy into impact.

“This is a call to deploy your diverse expertise not only as overseers but as enablers of transformation,” he charged, adding that the new board’s leadership is important in unlocking capital for Nigeria’s most enterprising but underserved sectors.

“On behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GFCR, and the Federal Government of Nigeria, I hereby declare the Board of Directors of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited duly inaugurated,” he stated.

Earlier, the new board’s Chairman, Rt. Hon. Dogara thanked President Tinubu for the bold and courageous leadership he is providing for the country.

“The establishment of NCGC is an attempt to give vent to our democracy to deliver on its promise. As it is said, the promise of democracy is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“You can be alive and may enjoy all the rights, but if you don’t have the means with which to pursue happiness, you are excluded from the promise of democracy. Our democracy must deliver not just political and individual rights but economic opportunities,” he said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director (MD) of the Bank of Industry (BOI) and member of the board, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said that the establishment of the NCGC reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to removing structural barriers that long constrained access to finance for MSMEs, manufacturers, consumers and other segments of the economy.

“This milestone is a result of dedicated hard work by a coalition of partners like BOI, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the World Bank, who have all worked closely together under the direction of the Presidential Committee,” he said.

Other members of the board include Mrs. Tinoula Aigwedo, Executive Director of Strategy and Operations; Dr. Ezekiel Oseni, Executive Director, Risk Management; and Ms. Yeside Kazeem, Independent Non-Executive Director.

Representatives from key financial institutions serving as Non-Executive Board Members of the company include Mr. Aminu Sadiq-Umar (MD, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority), Dr. Olasupo Olusi (MD/CEO, Bank of Industry), Mr. Uzoma Nwagba (MD, Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation), and Mrs. Oluwakemi Owonubi (representative of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated).

VP Shettima Inaugurates NCGC Board, Says Firm Will Unlock MSME Financing In Nigeria

NTAC DG Congratulates President Tinubu on Groundbreaking Technical Cooperation Agreement with Saint Lucia.

By: Michael Mike

The Director-General, Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the successful signing of a Technical Manpower Assistance agreement with the government of Saint Lucia.

This milestone achievement ,he says, is a direct outcome of President Tinubu’s vision to expand Nigeria’s Technical Diplomacy across the larger Caribbean region through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

On July 2, 2025,the NTAC DG and the Acting Permanent Secretary of Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, Janelle Modeste-Stephen, signed the agreement in Castries, Saint Lucia’s capital.

This partnership paves the way for Nigerian professionals, including Teachers, Medical Experts, Agriculturists and other Experts/Professionals as may be required, to serve in Saint Lucia for two years, promoting South-South cooperation and reconnecting with the African diaspora.

Key Highlights of the Agreement:

• Deployment of Nigerian Experts: Nigerian professionals will serve in Saint Lucia for two years, contributing their skills and expertise to the host country’s development.
• Alignment with President Tinubu’s Vision: The agreement aligns with President Tinubu’s directives and focus on strengthening regional and bilateral partnerships.
• Funding and Logistics: The Nigerian government will cover allowances and logistics for the deployed volunteers, while Saint Lucia will provide accommodation and local support.

Quote from Director-General Yusuf Buba Yakub:

“This landmark agreement is a testament to President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to South-South cooperation and Nigeria’s role as a leader in Technical Diplomacy. We look forward to our Volunteers making a lasting impact in Saint Lucia and strengthening the bonds between our nations.”

Buba commended President Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to enhancing South-South cooperation, emphasizing that the agreement demonstrates Nigeria’s dedication to sharing its expertise and resources with partner nations, fostering mutual growth and development.

NTAC DG Congratulates President Tinubu on Groundbreaking Technical Cooperation Agreement with Saint Lucia