News
USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry
USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry
By: Michael Mike
The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday announced its latest strategic partnership with Ascend Studios, a creative-industry organisation providing capacity building, mentorship, social, educational, and economic empowerment to women and youth to propel Nigeria’s creative sector.
This partnership, according to a statement issued by US Embassy in Nigeria, will catalyze additional funding to strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning Nollywood industry with additional partners including Paramount Nigeria, Venture Garden Group, and renowned music executive Ralph Simon.
According to the statement, the strategic partnership labeled the Africa Creative Blueprint, will strengthen Nigerian youth with the skills and resources needed to compete in the creative industry and also elevate Nigerian creatives to the international stage.
USAID Nigeria Mission Director Melissa Jones in her remarks, said: “The U.S. government is eager to enhance Nigeria’s capacity as a leading player in the creative economy and encourage global partnerships. This partnership will create a stream of high-quality, commercially viable content that can compete on the world stage.”
The statement recognized that while Nigeria’s film industry has achieved global recognition, it faces structural challenges that hinder its full economic and creative potential. Key areas for improvement include expanding film distribution channels, enhancing production quality through advanced equipment, developing stronger screenwriting and story development practices, and reinforcing intellectual property protections. Addressing these gaps would enable the creative sector to capture a broader audience and support more sustainable revenue streams for filmmakers.
The statement said: “To address these challenges, USAID teamed up with the Nigerian and American private sectors to launch the Africa Creative Blueprint. At the core of the collective $3.5 million investment, the Africa Creative Blueprint will provide intensive training skills in TV production to 3,500 Nigerian youth and develop a skilled TV workforce of at least 200 youth to create a high-quality, music-infused 13-episode TV drama. The TV drama will be a powerful medium to convey social messages, promote positive change, and foster inclusive growth and equitable opportunity in Nigeria.”
It revealed that the training will take place across six Nigerian cities—Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Benin, and Asaba—ensuring wide-reaching access to this unique development opportunity.
It said the Africa Creative Blueprint is now accepting applications for the training programme and cast/crew member employment. The programme will select from directors, writers, producers, production coordinators/managers, editors, production designers, cinematographers, costumiers, assistant directors, actors/actresses, composers, sound designers, lawyers, accountants, and production finance professionals (including sales agents).
“We are honored to be selected as the recipient of USAID funding,” said Inya Lawal, CEO of Ascend Studios. “This collaboration represents a milestone for the Nigerian creative sector and opens opportunities for us to elevate African stories on a global platform. Through this initiative, we are building the infrastructure needed to develop world-class creative talent capable of transforming the industry.”
USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry
News
NDLEA Gains Global Recognition at UK Maritime Security Conference — Marwa
NDLEA Gains Global Recognition at UK Maritime Security Conference — Marwa
By: Michael Mike
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, has commended the agency’s growing global relevance in counter-narcotics operations following its participation in a high-level maritime security conference in the United Kingdom.
Marwa praised the involvement of NDLEA Maritime Intelligence Officers in the North Sea and Channel Maritime Information Group meeting held in Southampton, alongside operational exchanges in Felixstowe and Portsmouth.

He described Nigeria’s invitation as the only African country represented at the conference as a strong endorsement of the agency’s professionalism, operational capacity, and strategic importance in global anti-drug efforts.
According to Marwa, NDLEA officers’ participation in both conference sessions and joint exercises with the UK Border Force marks a significant milestone in strengthening international collaboration against transnational organised crime.
He noted that exposure to advanced interdiction techniques, intelligence-sharing frameworks, and real-time maritime operations would boost the agency’s capability to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across Nigeria’s waterways and maritime corridors.
Marwa emphasised that such international engagements are essential in building a modern, intelligence-driven enforcement agency capable of responding to evolving drug trafficking patterns. He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to deepening partnerships with global counterparts to protect Nigeria and contribute to international drug control efforts.
Reacting to a report presented by the leader of the delegation, Aminu Jega, Marwa expressed appreciation to UK authorities, particularly the Home Office International Operations, for their cooperation and support.
Jega, who led the NDLEA delegation to the conference held between March 4 and 12, 2026, said the visit aimed to strengthen operational cooperation, intelligence sharing, and maritime security collaboration between Nigeria and relevant UK agencies.
He added that the conference brought together maritime security stakeholders from across Europe and the UK to address emerging threats, enhance intelligence sharing, and develop collaborative operational strategies.
According to him, the NDLEA team also showcased the agency’s operational achievements during the event, attracting strong interest, constructive engagement, and commendation from participating international partners.
NDLEA Gains Global Recognition at UK Maritime Security Conference — Marwa
News
NHRC Demands End to Killings, Urges FG to Prosecute Perpetrators
NHRC Demands End to Killings, Urges FG to Prosecute Perpetrators
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to halt the wave of violent killings across the country, particularly the recent attacks in Jos.
Reacting to the incident, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, strongly condemned the killings, describing them as senseless and deeply disturbing.
He noted that the violence in Plateau State reflects a troubling pattern of attacks seen in other parts of the country, including Benue State, Kaduna State, and Zamfara State, where innocent citizens have continued to lose their lives.
“We strongly condemn these senseless killings and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,” Ojukwu said, stressing that the right to life must be protected at all times.
The NHRC boss insisted that beyond condemnation, there must be immediate and concrete steps to end the violence and ensure accountability.
“Enough is enough. The government must act now to stop these atrocities and bring perpetrators to justice. The silence is deafening, and the lack of accountability is emboldening these attackers,” he stated.
Ojukwu further urged security agencies to intensify efforts in safeguarding lives and property by deploying more personnel to affected communities to prevent further bloodshed.
He also called for thorough investigations into the attacks and the swift prosecution of those responsible, emphasizing that justice must not only be done but seen to be done as a deterrent.
The senior advocate highlighted the need to support victims and survivors, calling for adequate compensation, medical care, and protection for vulnerable populations affected by the violence.
While commending the efforts of the Plateau State Government so far, he maintained that more must be done to address the crisis.
Ojukwu also stressed the importance of tackling the root causes of recurring violence, including poverty, inequality, and hate speech, warning that failure to do so could lead to further instability.
“The NHRC will not relent in advocating for the protection of human rights in Nigeria. We demand justice for the victims and their families. The right to life is non-negotiable,” he said.
NHRC Demands End to Killings, Urges FG to Prosecute Perpetrators
Military
Military airstrikes eliminate scores of ISWAP terrorists in Borno operations
Military airstrikes eliminate scores of ISWAP terrorists in Borno operations
By: Zagazola Makama
Precision air interdiction missions conducted by the Nigerian Air Force component of Operation HADIN KAI have eliminated scores of ISWAP terrorists in separate coordinated strikes at Kangarwa and Ali Jilamari areas of the Northern Tumbuns in Borno State.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the operations were executed on April 1, following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The source said the first strike was carried out at about 12:05 p.m. on ISWAP enclaves in Kangarwa, a known terrorist stronghold, after ISR conducted on March 27 confirmed mass movement of fighters within the location.
According to him, airborne surveillance identified multiple terrorists operating around and inside structures within the enclave before precision munitions were delivered in successive attack passes.
He said the targeted structures were completely destroyed, with scores terrorists neutralised in the strike, while others scampered for safety in different direction.
In a separate operation at about 4:45 p.m. the same day, the air component conducted another interdiction mission at Ali Jilamari, described as a newly established terrorist hideout in the Northern Tumbuns.
The source said the mission followed credible human intelligence and ISR confirmation, which revealed active terrorist logistics hubs and structures within the area.
He added that the air platforms engaged the targets with precision strikes, destroying identified structures and logistics hubs while eliminating additional terrorists.
The source described the operations as part of sustained air offensives aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and denying them freedom of movement in the Lake Chad Basin.
Military airstrikes eliminate scores of ISWAP terrorists in Borno operations
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