Nigeria, Kazakhstan to Sign MOU in Agriculture, Trade, IT Collaboration

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Kazakhstan are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cement bilateral relations aimed at building cooperation in agriculture, trade and information technologies.

The plan is presently been consummated at a business conference in Abuja on Sunday, facilitated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, which brought into the country 30-member Kazakhstan’s
delegation from its public and private sectors to explore several areas of cooperation.

Speaking at the conference, the minister of the Federal Ministry of Communications, innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the ministry had already developed a strategic blueprint with six pillars, adding that each of these pillars is a potential area of collaboration and partnership with the Kazakhstan team.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Faruk Yabo, said: “In particular, pillar number one speaks about knowledge, capacity building and talents. I’m aware that Kazakhstan is quite advanced in terms of its knowledge base in ICT. So this is a big area that we can partner.

“We already have the world’s largest capacity-building initiative that we are running, which is the three million technical talents by 2027. This is intended to train Nigerians in technical talent so that at least 1.5 million of them will be able to work in Europe and the remaining ones could be here.”

He also said the two countries were looking to cooperate in artificial intelligence, adding that Nigeria had just finished drafting its artificial intelligence strategy.

He also called for cooperation in the development of digital infrastructure.

On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who highlighted the giant strides made so far in the agriculture sector by the current administration, said Nigeria could collaborate with Kazakhstan in many areas of the sector.

Kyari said: “We’re meeting with them on Tuesday at 2 o’clock, and we will talk more and elaborately on some of the opportunities that exist between Nigeria and Kazakhstan in terms of the agricultural space.

“We are not asking only for them to come and invest. We are also asking for us to partner with them. What is it that they need? We have products that we have in abundance here.”

The Kazakhstan head of delegation, Alibek Kuantyrov, on his part, said this is the first official delegation from Kazakhstan to Nigeria, adding that the huge population of youths in the two countries provided an opportunity for cooperation.

“Our main trajectory is economic development, and we are the largest economy in Central Asia. So the same as Nigeria, Nigeria is a leader in the African continent.

“We see Nigeria as a very important partner and also the channel to go through the whole continent, and I think we can work together in terms of the transit of goods, trade and also making pure mutual investment in the field of minerals.

“We’re also an ICT and AI nation and also a FinTech nation, the sectors that are being developed in Nigeria and now we have managed and come to a conclusion that we can also open some FinTech and banking companies in the Nigerian markets.

“We can also exchange our ICT products and make an exchange of students because we have a target in our country to prepare at least 1 million IT specialists.”

The Ooni of Ife, who conveyed the meeting, said President Bola Tinubu should be credited for being proactive and making the business conference a reality, adding that it was a follow-up from the meeting between the presidents of the two countries in Abu Dhabi in January.

“They are very bullish. They are serious. They mean business. They’re here with their largest contingent, and they want to see how to explore so many things, and it will really help Nigerian youth in terms of employment. Look at another beautiful thing that came up today as a country. They’re changing their visa policy for them to accommodate Nigerians that are so talented in the area of tech, artificial intelligence, in area of writing codes.”

Nigeria, Kazakhstan to Sign MOU in Agriculture, Trade, IT Collaboration

A HERO ’S FAREWELL: LIEUTENANT GENERAL JEREMIAH USENI LAID TO REST WITH MILITARY HONOURS IN LANGTANG

By: Aliyu Danja

In a poignant ceremony that united government officials, family members, and military personnel, the remains of the late Lieutenant General Jeremiah Timbut Useni were interred with full military honours in his hometown of Langtang Plateau State. The funeral, held on 22 February 2025, paid tribute to a man whose life was marked by dedicated service to Nigeria both as a military leader and a senator.

The ceremony began with a solemn church service at the Cocin Church Headquarters in Langtang, where His Excellency Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, extolled the virtues of the late general. “Lt Gen Useni was not just a soldier; he was a national icon who dedicated his life to the service of our country and humanity,” Governor Mutfwang stated, highlighting Useni’s legacy of development, progress, and stability in Plateau State. He further drew parallels to other esteemed figures from the state, such as General Bali, General Dogonyaro and General John Shagaya, emphasizing their collective contributions to Nigeria’s unity and development.

In his address, the governor reflected on Useni’s later years, during which he prioritized reconciliation and forgiveness among the people of Plateau. “There is no unity without forgiveness and reconciliation,” Governor Mutfwang urged the congregation, encouraging them to embody the spirit of compassion that Useni exemplified during his lifetime. A prayer for the departed general concluded the service, with the governor assuring attendees that the impact of Useni’s work would remain etched in the hearts of the people.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General OO Oluyede mni NAM, delivered a stirring funeral oration, emphasizing Useni’s noble character and dedication to service. Represented by Major General EF Oyinlola, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, the COAS remarked, “General Useni was a loving father, a caring husband, and a cherished grandfather. His commitment to both military service and public office was unwavering.” Major General Oyinlola recounted Lt Gen Useni’s impactful tenure as the military administrator of former Bendel State, where he implemented initiatives that advanced infrastructure, education, and social development.

The COAS further noted Useni’s vision as a leader; he recalled his implementation of local government self-help projects, which empowered communities to take an active role in governance and facilitated the completion of numerous developmental projects. His advocacy for food production programs revitalized abandoned agricultural projects, significantly boosting food security and economic stability in the region.

Lieutenant General Useni served as a senator from 2015 to 2019, a role in which he continued to champion the cause of national development. His tenure as Minister of Transportation and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was marked by transformative policies that modernized Nigeria’s transport and aviation sectors, fostering economic growth and enhancing national connectivity. His exceptional leadership in urban development improved public infrastructure, city planning, and service delivery in the FCT.

The ceremony concluded with the reading of the funeral oration, sounding of thr last post, a 21-gun salute, and the playing of reveille, signifying deep respect for the late general and his contributions to the nation. The vibrant display of military precision and honour was a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to service.

The funeral of Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni not only commemorated a distinguished military career but also emphasized the profound impact he had on the lives of many within Plateau State and beyond. As the community mourns his loss, the legacy of his commitment to progress and reconciliation will undoubtedly inspire future generations.

A HERO ’S FAREWELL: LIEUTENANT GENERAL JEREMIAH USENI LAID TO REST WITH MILITARY HONOURS IN LANGTANG

Thai Lady Arrested with Boxes of Illicit Drug at Lagos Airport

By: Michael Mike

Attempt by a 24-year-old Thai lady, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, to smuggle 43 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 46.6 kilogrammes into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos has been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

She was arrested after the illicit consignment was discovered in her boxes.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the suspect who confessed to being a hired drug trafficker was arrested last Thursday during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha, Qatar at the arrival hall, Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.

She was said to have stated that the drug cartel, which recruited her promised to pay her $3,000 upon successful delivery of the illicit drug consignment in Nigeria.

Babafemi said another bid by a drug trafficking syndicate to ship 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud with a total weight of 42.2 kilogrammes concealed in walls of crated cartons to London, UK, through the export shed of the Lagos airport was also frustrated by NDLEA officers last Friday with three suspects: a freight agent and two dispatch riders, initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the mastermind of the shipment, Samuel Bitris, was swiftly traced to his Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos home where he was arrested.

At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, NDLEA officers last Thursday intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of tamol, a brand of tramadol 225mg in a 40 feet container during a joint examination of the shipment with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.

In Nasarawa state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday arrested two suspects: Bello Adamu, 40, and Pius Azuka, 42 at Kokona/Keffi with 517 kilogrammes of skunk, while two other suspects: Usman Ruwa, 43, and Yunusa Haruna, 45, were nabbed in a Toyota Corolla car conveying 62.7 kilogrammes of skunk along Sabon Asibiti road Kontagora, Niger state last Thursday.

He said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of MMIA, PHPC, Niger, and Nasarawa commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

Thai Lady Arrested with Boxes of Illicit Drug at Lagos Airport