National News
Nigeria Creative Sector Takes Centre Stage with UK partnership
Nigeria Creative Sector Takes Centre Stage with UK partnership
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom has expressed firm commitment to partnering with Nigeria in expanding the creative economy.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, made this known during Nigeria’s Creative Economy Week, themed Building Futures through Creativity. He described the sector as a vital engine for growth and job creation.
Montgomery emphasized that the creative economy is a “real priority for the UK government,” noting that it currently supports 2.4 million jobs in the UK alone. He said the UK is eager to support similar growth in Nigeria, particularly among the youth.
“The creative economy is one of eight sectors that are prioritized in the agreement between the UK and Nigeria called the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership,” he said.

Montgomery praised the vibrancy of Nigeria’s creative sector including Nollywood, Afrobeats, and fashion, noting its global impact and potential for further growth.
He said: “You’ve got a young, capable, innovative, dynamic population,” he said.
“You have already begun to take over parts of the world with some of your creative industries.”
Describing the partnership as mutually beneficial, Montgomery said the UK brings expertise and finance, while Nigeria brings innovation and cultural richness.
“We believe that the UK and Nigeria have a real opportunity for mutual benefit, for a partnership which will benefit both sides,” he noted.
He also acknowledged the Nigerian diaspora in the UK as a powerful bridge between both nations, bringing cultural understanding and collaboration.
Montgomery commended the British Council’s longstanding role in cultural diplomacy and youth development.
“I want to pay tribute to the longer-term work of the British Council,” he said, calling for applause in appreciation of the Council’s efforts.
As Creative Economy Week unfolds, Montgomery expressed hope that the event would spark new ideas and partnerships.
“Let’s hope some more partnerships come out of the week for the years ahead,” he said, marking the start of what many see as a new chapter in UK-Nigeria relations rooted in shared culture and innovation.
British Council Country Director, Donna McGowan emphasized the importance of celebrating creativity and its impact on the wider economy, employability, inclusive growth, and international connections.
She states, “It’s really about celebrating the importance of creativity to Nigeria and the impact that this has on the wider economy, employability, inclusive growth and international connections.”
McGowan further highlighted the huge potential for cooperation between the UK and Nigeria in the creative sector, particularly with a focus on policies, enabling frameworks, and skills development.
She notes, “So much more can be achieved given the huge youth population in Nigeria so there is so, so much potential and so much potential for cooperation between the UK and Nigeria.”
She also pointed to the theme of the Creative Economy Week, “Building Futures through Creativity,” and expressed her excitement about the various events and activities planned.
“So we think there’s lots to celebrate, there’s lots to be very positive about. And this is all under our theme of building futures through creativity, which we feel is very topical for this moment in time,” she stated.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad narrated that shared creativity forges strong bonds between nations.
“The most enduring bond between nations are often forged in the fires of shared creativity. They are composed in the rhythm of a song, stitched into the fabric of our fashion, framed in the lens of a film, and brought on the stages of our theatres.”
He noted Nigeria’s creative sector as a source of national pride and global recognition, stating how Nollywood, Afrobeats, fashion, and literature have become symbols of Nigeria’s identity and influence, projecting the country’s image to the world.
He said: “Nigeria’s creative sector is our new national pride, our undeniable global passport.”
Muhammad stressed the importance of partnerships, particularly with the UK, to develop a thriving creative economy. He said: “Together we are not just a combination, we are a collaboration. A fusion that has the potential to set a new global standard for what a creative economy can achieve.”
Nigeria Creative Sector Takes Centre Stage with UK partnership
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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