National News
TAC DG,Buba Yakub , Felicitates President Tinubu at 72, Describes Him as the Emerging Grand Architect of a New Nigeria
TAC DG,Buba Yakub , Felicitates President Tinubu at 72, Describes Him as the Emerging Grand Architect of a New Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been described as the emerging “Grand Architect of a New Nigeria.”
In a birthday message to commemorate the Nigerian leader’s 72nd Birthday Anniversary in Abuja, the Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon.(Dr.) Yusuf Buba Yakub,said,by the many deft moves of President Tinubu on the turf of the nation’s leadership and the results gradually emerging from those actions since he assumed office, it was becoming quite obvious that the President, in no distant time, has made real all predictions in respect to his leadership acumen as the bearer of the torch of a new nation and the emerging “Grand Architect of a New Nigeria.”
Buba Yakub, who used the opportunity of the birthday to call for support and prayers for President Tinubu, said the President and his lieutenants were losing a lot of sleep to make Nigeria a better nation as new indices would show and this was despite Nigeria’s myriads of development challenges.
The message titled: “Felicitations to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR,Our Dear President and Father of the Nation at 72,” read: “I have the honour and rare privilege to join the entire world and the good people of our dear nation,the greatest black nation on Mother Earth,to celebrate the life of our dear President,Father,Leader and the Emerging Grand Architect of a New Nigeria,on the occasion of this your 72nd Birthday Anniversary.
“Sir, in spite of how silent you wished this day to merely fleet by,there is no way we,as well as millions of others out there,who have drunk from the brook of your famed mentorship , political sagacity, managerial acumen, leadership excellence as well your deep knowledge and appreciation of mankind,will merely stay mute without as much as telling the world what you represent in our lives and what your exemplary life has these past years made possible in us.
“Today, Your Excellency, Sir, we celebrate you for being many different things to many of us.Today, Sir, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the many deft moves you have in the last few months made on the leadership turf of our nation and the results gradually emerging from those actions since assuming office,have made it quite obvious that,in no distant time,all predictions made before the last General Elections in respect to your leadership acumen as the bearer of the torch of a new nation and the emerging “Grand Architect of a New Nigeria” will be proven more than real.
“Today’s milestone,Sir, therefore, beckons us all and the entire world to celebrate you for what you have made possible in our nation and to call for more support and prayers for what you are yet to realise.Your Excellency, Mr President, this day is in essence the time to pray for greater grace for you, your dear family and, indeed, for all your close lieutenants,who with you daily lose sleep to address the concerns of a nation undergoing its fair share of development challenges.We cannot afford to stand aloof and let you work alone ; this Birthday Anniversary is a solemn opportunity to cheer you on, Sir, for all that you are doing for our nation at your age.
“All the people of our dear nation and the people of goodwill across the globe have in admirable silence noted how you have in these few months, despite what other parts of the world are going through,started to reposition our dear nation with such positive indicators like positive economic outlook,increased revenue generation as well as the repair of the nation’s refineries,effective distribution of petroleum resources and result-yielding fiscal policies,among others; such that everyone across the globe has gradually come to the realization that Nigeria is up to greater years ahead.
“As the deafening silence of the drums heralding this your new age continues to sound in our hearts and minds, Sir, it is our fervent prayers that God will continue to imbue you with more strength, courage , health, wisdom and other daily needs that you require to effectively pilot the ship of the Nigerian State to the place of our fondest dreams!
“For my humble self and my immediate family, and on behalf of the Management and staff of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,which by your kind and gracious appointment I currently head,I wish you,Your Excellency, our dear President and Father of the nation, a memorable 72nd Birthday Anniversary.
“Happy Birthday, Mr President and Many Happy Returns.
“Surely, as your years are ,so shall your strength be!” The text concludes.
The Nigeria’s President was Governor of Lagos State between 1999-2007. He had earlier served in the Nigerian Senate in the aborted 1993 Class before going on to join other progressives in the 4th Republic Nigerian politics to midwife strong opposition Political Parties,whose activities later culminated in the founding of the ruling APC upon which he was elected President in the 2023 General Elections.
TAC DG,Buba Yakub , Felicitates President Tinubu at 72, Describes Him as the Emerging Grand Architect of a New Nigeria
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
By: Michael Mike
In a decisive step to reverse land degradation, 39 land restoration projects led by grassroots organisations have been awarded USD 395,000 through the inaugural Small Grants Programme of the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI), a flagship initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Drawn from 22 countries, the winning projects were selected for their innovation, impact and sustainability. Over 650 organisations from more than 100 countries applied for the award. The winners were selected following three rounds of review by separate UNCCD staff teams, with varied expertise in land management and restoration.
Awardees will receive between US$5,000 and US$15,000 to fund grassroots efforts that boost local economies, improve food and water security and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
The announcement was livestreamed at an event showcasing the grant winners.
The Small Grants Programme is an important tool for achieving the G20 GLI’s mission of reducing degraded land by 50 percent by 2040.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative,Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, said: “We are aware that these big numbers, cannot be achieved by small initiatives alone. Yet, we feel, it is important that tens of thousands of small actors, engaged in land restoration around the world, be supported, promoted and recognized,”
Special priority was given to organisations accredited to UNCCD and to projects empowering Indigenous Peoples, youth, women and the elderly.
The programme was set up in 2024 to support community-level non-profit organisations worldwide. According to a statement, by directly supporting civil society and grassroot actors, these grants will generate measurable progress across global aided restoration priorities, such as soil fertility enhancement, forest regeneration, sustainable agriculture, agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation.
The statement added that beyond reclaiming land, the projects are enhancing livelihoods, strengthening community climate resilience, and fostering social enterprise and eco-preneurship.
“When we do these small grants program, it is not just about the grant. It’s about the network which we create and the visibility it provides — both for those within it and those outside who can benefit from their knowledge and experience,” Thummarukudy added.
Three of the highest-scoring projects were showcased at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, to highlight their potential for scaling and replication across regions.
The statement also revealed that winners will also be showcased at select high-level events in the future, stating that the G20 GLI is committed to inclusive and continuous engagement, and is exploring future
collaboration opportunities for the applicants not selected in this round.
Stressing that “this is just the beginning, this will be an annual process, the next cohort is about to start,” Dr Thummarukudy invited community organisations doing land restoration to apply to join the network because both “big and small” [efforts] are important.
He noted that the second call for applications will open in 2025 with increased funding and expanded
support for grassroots restoration efforts worldwide.
Innovative community-led restoration initiatives are essential for creating green jobs, especially for youth and women..The awards provide support that can transform restoration into a catalyst for economic opportunity and sustainable environmental management.
Examples of selected 2024 grantees include: Legacy of War Foundation (Rwanda), which will restore six hectares of degraded soil while empowering 90 women as landowners of fully organic cooperative farms. By integrating climate-smart and artisanal farming methods, the project aims to improve soil fertility and agricultural resilience in post-conflict rural communities.
Up2Green Foundation (India) is restoring mangroves and riverbanks in Tamil Nadu, India. The project is reforesting 60 hectares and planting 15,000 fruit trees, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening coastal resilience for flood prevention, and training local communities in sustainable agroforestry practices.
Sustainability and Environmental Studies Endeavor (Nepal) is working to restore
ecological balance along the mythological Nagaraj Trail. By revitalizing degraded farms, wetlands and forests using nature-based solutions, the project promotes nature-inclusive agriculture and convivial conservation approaches.
The G20 Global Land Initiative was launched in 2020 under the Saudi G20 Presidency. Hosted by the UNCCD, its ambition is to reduce degraded land by 50 percent by 2040. By showcasing
land restoration, empowering civil society, engaging the private sector and building capacity, G20 GLI is driving restoration to scale and energizing a restoration economy. The Small Grants Programme is a key component of this vision, empowering civil society to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land management at scale.
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
National News
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
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