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UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom Government has hosted a multi-stakeholder meeting in Abuja to discuss how its Serious & Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme is making significant strides in deterring vulnerable young people from joining Organised Crime Groups in Nigeria.
Launched as a three-year pilot in December 2021, the programme is designed to disrupt Nigerian Organised Crime Groups by redirecting at-risk youth towards positive alternatives in Bayelsa, Edo, Zamfara and Lagos states.
In select local governments of these states, the SOC Prevent Programme has established robust structures and delivered various interventions, including Back-to-School Initiatives, Digital Skills Acquisition, Dance and Drama Workshops and Sports Interventions.
Collaborating closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the programme has trained 83 officers in the Prevent methodology, reinforcing the commitment to institutionalise this approach in tackling SOC, and to date, approximately 1,500 beneficiaries across the four states have been diverted from potential involvement in organised crime.
Speaking at the meeting, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever said: “Serious & Organised Crime is a priority for both Nigeria and the UK, and can take many forms. Ranging from online focussed activities like cybercrime to the physical movement of illicit commodities and people in the form of trafficking.
“Our results in Nigeria have proven that the Prevent methodology works, and it has been successful in diverting young people from choosing a life of crime. I believe that the valuable discussions that took place today will smoothen the way for Prevent to be fully institutionalised in Nigeria.”
The meeting included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Police Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), INTERPOL, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), Ministry of Police Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and others.
The Prevent programme is an approach to tackling SOC. Others are Pursue, Protect and Prepare. Prevent methodology looks to prevent or deter people from engaging in SOC by raising awareness of the consequences of SOC and developing techniques to deter people from continuing in criminality.
UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
News
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
By: Michael Mike
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is facing possible committal to prison following contempt proceedings initiated over an alleged failure to comply with a Federal High Court order relating to the abduction and disappearance of Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie.
The action was instituted by legal counsel to Mr. Anozie’s wife, Mr. Vincent Adodo, who accused the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the IGP of willfully disobeying a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 24, 2025.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025 between Mrs. Nnenna Anozie v. Inspector General of Police, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the IGP to produce for prosecution operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) alleged to have abducted Mr. Anozie from his Lekki residence in Lagos on June 15, 2017.
The court also directed the police authorities to forward the investigation report and legal advice on the matter to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for appropriate action.
The court further awarded ₦2 million in damages against the IGP for failing to respond to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Mrs. Anozie seeking details of investigations into her husband’s disappearance.
The SARS operatives listed in the judgment include officers attached to the former SARS unit in Akwuzu, Anambra State, who were accused of involvement in the alleged abduction.
According to court documents, despite being served with the judgment in October 2025, the IGP has neither complied with the orders of the court nor paid the damages awarded. This development prompted Mrs. Anozie’s legal team to initiate contempt proceedings by serving the IGP with Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order) and Form 49 (Notice of Committal to Correctional Centre).
The applicant is now seeking an order of court committing the IGP to Kuje Correctional Centre until he complies fully with the judgment.
The motion for contempt has been scheduled for hearing on February 9, 2025, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official response to the contempt proceedings.
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
News
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
Urges African entrepreneurs to close ranks to fully harness continent’s huge potentials
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has lauded the transformative impact of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the global entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that has raised over $1.5 billion dollars and created over 30,000 direct jobs in 20 years.
He, however, urged African entrepreneurs to close ranks in order to fully harness the continent’s huge potentials, leveraging MIT’s resource mobilization network and job creation opportunities.
The Vice President made the remarks on Wednesday when he received a delegation from Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025-2026 led by MIT’s Executive Director for the Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, Dina Sherif, on a courtesy visit at the presidential villa.

Senator Shettima called for unity of purpose among African professionals and entrepreneurs, saying “Africa is the new frontier and future belongs to the continent but its people must unite to transform potentials into tangible results that impact lives and livelihoods.
“Africa is blessed with enormous human and material resources but its people must fuse into one to benefit from the tremendous opportunities that abound across the continent,” he added.

He disclosed that Nigeria President Bola Tinubu is daring to leverage available opportunities to transform the entire economy, noting that “President Tinubu is not afraid of taking bold decisions that will reposition Nigeria’s economy and better the lives of the livelihoods of the people.”
Earlier in her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sherif, said the delegation was at the Presidential Villa to brief the Vice President on the activities of MIT’s Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, assuring that the Centre is dedicated to “fueling the engine of entrepreneurship across the world”.
She noted that the team was in Nigeria in view of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship programme, which, according to her, has helped to entrench the spirit of entrepreneurship across the continent.

Sherif underscored the significance of collaboration among African startups, noting that Nigeria is a leading country, as evidenced in the progress recorded by startups across the continent.
She further assured of improved support for African-based startups from the centre through its various initiatives.

Also present at the meeting with the Vice President were the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, and some fellows of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025 – 2026 Session across Africa.
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
News
Nigeria’s ADSW 2026 Participation, A Boost to Climate Action- Onuigbo
Nigeria’s ADSW 2026 Participation, A Boost to Climate Action- Onuigbo
By: Michael Mike
A leading Nigerian climate change advocate and former National Assembly member, Rt. Hon Sam Onuigbo has described Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) as a critical step towards advancing the country’s climate action agenda, strengthening international partnerships, and accelerating sustainable development.
Onuigbo, who spoke on phone to our correspondent from Abu Dhabi where he is currently attending the meeting, said the global event is of great significance, noting that the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, one of the world’s foremost sustainability platforms, provides Nigeria with a rare opportunity to align its national priorities with global climate solutions while attracting much-needed investment into green sectors of the economy.
According to the former lawmaker who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act of 2021, ADSW 2026 is not just another international conference for Nigeria but a strategic space where climate ambition meets real investment, innovation, and action.
He said: “Nigeria’s presence signals our readiness to transition to a greener economy while addressing energy poverty, unemployment, and climate vulnerability.
“Nigeria’s participation is boosted by the physical presence and address by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu both in 2025 and 2026. It is heartwarming that the President in his speech mentioned Nigeria’s readiness to partner with the rest of the world and even extended open invitation to them.
“Not only that, the President signalled Nigeria’s firm commitment to a green and inclusive transition, declaring that the country is aligning climate action with energy access, economic goal and social development.
“I want to commend Mr. President for announcing that Nigeria will co-host investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February as part of efforts to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into the country.”
Onuigbo, who currently represents the South-East geopolitical zone on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), disclosed that Nigeria’s attendance will strengthen its influence in global climate and sustainability discussions.
He said: “As Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, Nigeria’s development choices have far-reaching implications for the continent. Participation at ADSW allows our country to clearly present its climate challenges ranging from flooding and desertification to energy access gaps while contributing African perspectives to global policy conversations.”
He emphasised the investment potential tied to the event. “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week attracts global financiers, development partners, and technology providers focused on renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, water security, and green infrastructure.
“Nigeria’s engagement creates direct pathways for funding solar and wind energy projects, waste-to-energy initiatives, andsustainable transport systems. At a time when Nigeria is pushing for energy transition that leaves no one behind, ADSW provides access to investors who are actively seeking bankable green projects in emerging markets and this can translate into jobs, improved power supply, and sustainable economic growths”
Giving more insight into what Nigeria stands to benefit, Onuigbo disclosed that Nigerian policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and youth delegates attending ADSW are expected to gain exposure to global best practices in clean technology, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, and sustainable urban development.
“These insights are vital for strengthening local institutions and improving policy implementation back home,” he said.
He further noted that Nigeria’s participation reinforces its commitment to meeting international climate obligations, including its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adding that active engagement at ADSWenhances Nigeria’s credibility and improves access to climate finance and technical support.
The Abia State- born advocate also stressed the importance of showcasing Nigerian innovation on a global stage.
“Nigeria has a growing community of climate-focused startups and innovators. ADSW gives them visibility, partnerships, and the chance to scale their solutions beyond our borders,” he said.
Onuigbo described Nigeria’s participation in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 as a message of hope and responsibility stressing “It tells the world that Nigeria is serious about sustainability and tells our young people that climate action is central to our future. This is a step in the right direction for a resilient and inclusive Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s ADSW 2026 Participation, A Boost to Climate Action- Onuigbo
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