Bayelsa Deepens Angola Partnership, Moves to Activate MoU with Namibe Province

By: Michael Mike

Bayelsa State has stepped up efforts to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with Angola, as it moves to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Namibe Province during the renewed Nigeria–Angola Bilateral Commission.

The partnership, which began with an exploratory visit to the Angolan coastal province of Namibe, has now entered an implementation phase, with both sides expressing commitment to translating agreements into tangible economic outcomes.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Duoye Diri, while receiving a delegation from Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço led by the Minister of State and Chief of the Civil House of the President of the Republic of Angola, Dionísio Manuel da Fonseca at Bayelsa House in Abuja on Wednesday, said the relationship between Bayelsa and Namibe was built on shared economic characteristics and strategic interests. The delegation included senior Angolan government officials and investment representatives.

He explained that the first visit to Namibe was exploratory, aimed at identifying areas of mutual interest. Namibe, like Bayelsa, is a coastal region with strong potential in aquaculture, fisheries, marine services and other blue economy sectors.

“Namibe is a coastal province like Bayelsa. We have a lot in common in terms of marine resources, fisheries and natural endowments. That informed our decision to foster closer cooperation,” the governor said.

The second engagement coincided with the Nigeria–Angola Bilateral Commission meeting — the first in over two decades, the last having been held in 2005. The high-level meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, federal government officials and representatives of subnational governments, including Nasarawa State.

It was during that session that Bayelsa State formally signed an MoU with Namibe Province, focusing broadly on economic development in sectors where both sides have comparative advantages. Nasarawa State also signed a separate agreement with another Angolan province.

The governor noted that although Nigeria and Angola have signed nearly 30 agreements over the years, many were not fully implemented. He described the renewed bilateral engagement as a deliberate effort to reverse that trend.

“What makes this engagement different is the emphasis on implementation. Many agreements were signed in the past but were not executed. This visit is a continuation of that renewed commitment to ensure that what we have signed does not remain on paper,” he stated.

Diri, while commending the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, Jose Bamoquina Zau, who was part of the visiting team for working diligently to sustain relations between both countries, acknowledged the role of Nigeria’s leadership in facilitating the revival of the bilateral commission.

The governor also disclosed that a planned reciprocal visit by the Governor of Namibe Province had been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, including the sudden loss of his deputy governor last year. He, however, expressed optimism that the visit would take place soon.

“We look forward to hosting the Namibe governor in Bayelsa so that we can further consolidate this partnership. Stronger ties between our states and provinces will ultimately strengthen relations between Nigeria and Angola,” he said.

Observers say the Bayelsa–Namibe cooperation reflects a growing trend of subnational diplomacy aimed at boosting intra-African trade, attracting investment and unlocking the economic potential of the continent’s coastal and resource-rich regions.

With both sides signaling readiness to move beyond ceremonial agreements, the partnership is expected to focus on practical collaboration in fisheries development, aquaculture expansion, marine infrastructure and broader economic exchange — positioning Bayelsa and Namibe as strategic gateways for enhanced South–South cooperation.

Bayelsa Deepens Angola Partnership, Moves to Activate MoU with Namibe Province

NAPTIP Uncovers Cybercrime-Trafficking Ring in Southeast Asia, Rescues 23 Nigerian Youths

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has exposed an emerging human trafficking route funneling Nigerian youths to Southeast Asia for forced involvement in cybercrime, rescuing and repatriating 23 victims from Thailand.

The victims, mostly young and tech-savvy Nigerians, were allegedly deceived with promises of scholarships and high-paying jobs abroad before being trafficked to countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Instead of legitimate employment, they were reportedly compelled to participate in sophisticated online fraud schemes targeting victims across several continents.

Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, described the development as a troubling shift in trafficking patterns, warning that criminal networks are now deliberately targeting educated and skilled youths.

“This is a disturbing evolution in the trafficking landscape,” Bello said. “The perpetrators are no longer focusing only on vulnerable, unskilled individuals. They now recruit intelligent young people with computer and IT skills, especially those with clean health backgrounds, under the guise of scholarships and professional opportunities.”

According to the agency, upon arrival in their destination countries, the victims were trained in cyber-enabled crimes such as romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and fake investment schemes. Some were enrolled in language programmes, particularly in Chinese, and later deployed as translators or customer service agents to engage and deceive foreign targets.

The rescued youths reportedly revealed that they were housed in tightly controlled facilities and monitored by armed guards. They were assigned daily fraud targets and subjected to threats, intimidation and physical abuse if they failed to comply.

In some instances, victims alleged that those who resisted were tortured, while others claimed there were threats of organ harvesting, particularly against younger recruits perceived to be in good health.

NAPTIP said the rescue operation was carried out in collaboration with civil society organisation Eden (Myanmar), with significant support from the British Government and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, which facilitated emergency travel documentation for the victims.

The agency noted that the latest operation aligns with its renewed crackdown on organised trafficking networks. Bello reiterated NAPTIP’s commitment to dismantling the syndicates behind the scheme and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“We are strengthening our international partnerships and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to ensure these criminal networks are identified, disrupted and prosecuted,” she said.

Authorities said the 23 rescued Nigerians have arrived safely in the country and are currently undergoing profiling, counselling and rehabilitation as investigations continue.

The agency also urged parents, guardians and young professionals to be wary of overseas job offers that appear too good to be true, particularly those requiring travel to unfamiliar destinations without verifiable documentation.

The revelation underscores growing concerns about the convergence of human trafficking and transnational cybercrime, as criminal groups increasingly exploit digital skills to expand their illicit operations across borders.

NAPTIP Uncovers Cybercrime-Trafficking Ring in Southeast Asia, Rescues 23 Nigerian Youths

Buni commends Balarabe for his humanitarian contributions in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, has commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sologuru Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Abdullahi Balarabe DJ Nguru, for his extraordinary humanitarian contribution to the reconstruction and modernization of Rugar Balarabe in the Nguru local government area of Yobe State.

Governor Buni made the commendation in a letter of appreciation personally written by him to Balarabe DJ, saying, “Your selfless decision to transform the site of the burnt Fulani settlement into a state-of-the-art community is a landmark achievement in private philanthropy.”

According to Buni, the comprehensive nature of the facilities provided, including modern two-bedroom residences, a functional clinic, a community mosque, solar-powered boreholes, and full solar electrification for both houses and streets, is truly commendable.

“By donating these essential amenities entirely free of charge, you have not only restored the dignity of the displaced families but have also significantly advanced our administration’s rural revitalization agenda,” Buni said.

“Your forward-thinking approach to sustainable infrastructure sets a high standard for civic leadership in Yobe State, and I thank you for your unwavering patriotism and commitment to the welfare of our citizens.

He revealed that it is my hope that your generous spirit serves as an inspiration to others.

Buni commends Balarabe for his humanitarian contributions in Yobe