The National Center for Palms and Dates in Riyadh launched its early harvest campaign on Saturday, June 20, marking the arrival of Saudi Arabia’s first fresh date crop of the season. Highlighting the seasonal calendar for early and mid-season dates, this new initiative is set to supercharge the agricultural sector. Arab News reports that the campaign will drive local marketing, unlock higher economic value, and fuel national economic growth. Driven by a booming demand for local dates, the initiative seamlessly links markets with premium early-season varieties. By integrating agricultural tourism,…
Category: International
Dismissed as a ‘Fairy Tale’: MSC Taking a Stake in Hapag-Lloyd
Dismissed as a ‘Fairy Tale’: MSC Taking a Stake in Hapag-Lloyd↗ Shipping giants MSC, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd have swiftly shot down rumours regarding a potential equity deal. Contrary to initial reports suggesting that MSC was looking to acquire a stake in the German carrier Hapag-Lloyd, all parties have dismissed the claims as “pure speculation.” According to a report by Investing.com, both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd declined to comment deeply on the market rumours, while MSC issued a direct denial of the market talk. MSC firmly denied reports that its owner was…
ADVANCING NIGERIA’S DIGITAL FUTURE: AMBASSADOR DAMBAZAU VISITS HUAWEI EBC EXHIBITION CENTRE IN CHINA
Beijing, China – June 16, 2026 As part of his continued strategic engagements to advance Nigeria’s technological transformation agenda and deepen economic diplomacy in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, His Excellency, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd.), Nigeria’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, today visited the Huawei EBC Exhibition Centre alongside the company’s top management team. The visit provided the Ambassador with the opportunity to experience Huawei’s state-of-the-art digital facilities and innovative solutions in smart governance, digital power, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other…
‘Some Spent 15 Years There’: Nigeria Challenges South Africa Over Migrant Removals
By Prosper Okoye Nigeria has questioned South Africa’s argument that economic pressures and labour market constraints justify the removal of foreign nationals, as officials and migration stakeholders raised concerns over the treatment of Nigerians returning from the country. Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of Nigeria’s Technical Working Group on Migration and Development on Tuesday, Osita Osemene, Executive Director of the Patriotic Citizens Initiative (PCI), said the experiences of many returnees suggested that factors beyond economic concerns were driving the removals. “I don’t believe that because looking at their…
Soaked in Shirts and Towels: NDLEA Foils Brazil Cocaine Plot, Busts Multi-State Drug Network, Arrests PWDs
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted a major smuggling attempt, arresting 41-year-old Brazil-based businessman Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu. The suspect was intercepted with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine, chemically infused into shirts and towels, as part of the agency’s relentless nationwide crackdown on illicit substances. According to a Sunday, June 14 statement by NDLEA Spokesman Femi Babafemi, Abugu’s run ended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Operatives nabbed the suspect on Thursday, June 11, 2026, just as he disembarked from an Ethiopian Airlines…
Saudi Authorities Suspend 21 Umrah Agencies Over Performance, Rules Breaches
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended 21 service providers for failing to meet performance and regulatory standards during the recent season. According to an Arab News report on Saturday, June 13, evaluations of the firms revealed a decline in service quality alongside direct regulatory violations. ”The rulings were a reflection of the ministry’s commitment to providing high-quality services to pilgrims, it said. ” Of the companies suspended, 15 failed to achieve the necessary evaluation standards and six were found to have committed regulatory violations requiring corrective action,…
NIPR, NTDA Move to Spotlight Nigeria’s Tourism
With the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) just around the corner, host nation representative NIPR is teaming up with the NTDA. Together, they are set to spotlight Nigeria’s vibrant tourism potential on the global stage during this premier event. The commitment was sealed in Abuja on Thursday, June 11, when NTDA Director-General Dr. Ola Awakan led his team on a courtesy visit to NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr. Highlighting tourism as a potent force for global influence, the NIPR President emphasized that the forum…
Child Nutrition Fund Delivers Lifeline to Vulnerable Children in Bauchi
By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar Caregivers in Bauchi State whose children are battling Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) have expressed relief and renewed hope following intensified efforts by the Bauchi State Government, in partnership with UNICEF Nigeria’s Bauchi Field Office, to combat childhood malnutrition. Through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) initiative, thousands of vulnerable children across the state are now receiving life-saving treatment, helping to reverse the devastating effects of malnutrition among children under the age of five. The intervention is being implemented through a strategic financing arrangement under the Child Nutrition…
Full Text: President Bola Tinubu’s 27th Democracy Day Speech
Fellow Nigerians. Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it. In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections.I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties…
Nigeria Slams Cartels With $6M Fine, Convicts 11 Sailors as Marwa Issues Stern Warning
In another major victory for Nigeria’s anti-narcotics campaign, a Federal High Court in Lagos has on Thursday, June 11, convicted 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, over a 31.5-kilogram cocaine shipment. The swift conviction comes barely six months after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted the illicit cargo at the Apapa Seaport. The vessel and its crew, who smuggled the drugs into Nigeria from the Marshall Islands, were slapped with a staggering $6 million fine. NDLEA Spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the development…