Author: starconnect
Admin I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – As Nigeria continues to diversify its economy beyond oil, agriculture and non-oil exports are emerging as powerful drivers of growth, job creation, food security, and foreign exchange earnings. To advance this conversation, FirstBank will host the 5th edition of its Agric and Export Expo on 16 and 17 September 2026 under the theme: “From Farm to Global Markets: Building Nigeria’s Export Value Chain.” The two-day event will bring together policymakers, regulators, agribusiness leaders, exporters, investors, and development partners to discuss practical solutions for strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and expanding…
By SCM International Desk I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 SANAA, Yemen — Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility on Tuesday for a wide-ranging assault on energy and military infrastructure deep inside southern Saudi Arabia, launching a barrage of ballistic missiles and armed drones aimed at state-owned Saudi Aramco facilities and regional bases. In an official statement released by Ansar Allah, the official name of the Houthi movement, military spokesman Yahya Saree declared that the overnight strikes were mounted in direct retaliation for a sharp uptick in military pressure from a Saudi-led coalition. According to the rebel group, Saudi…
Admin I Tuesday, Sept. 08, 2026 ABUJA – Nigeria and Russia will clash for the second time in 16 months when both teams face off in an international friendly inside the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, 6th October 2026, as confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports. Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in another friendly inside Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on 6th June 2025 – few days after the Super Eagles retained the Afro-Caribbean Unity Cup Football Tournament trophy in London. An own goal by defender Semi Ajayi in the first half put the hosts…
Admin I Tuesday, Sept. 08, 2026 MAKURDI — Tension flared in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Tuesday following an attack on the convoy of Peter Obi by suspected politically sponsored thugs. The incident occurred along the critical Airport-Boko Road, near the Nigerian Air Force Base, shortly after Obi’s arrival in the North-Central state. Eyewitness accounts and video footage shared by Obi’s official documentarian, Esther Umoh, show heavily armed hoodlums setting up blockades along the route. The attackers aggressively chanted that Obi “must not step into Benue State” before harassing the entourage. The violent confrontation disrupted vehicular…
Admin I Tuesday, August 08, 2026 AWKA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT),Chapter, has described the contributions of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Anambra State,Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, to the health sector as highly impactful. The Abuja NMA made the commendation through its Chairman, Dr. George Ebong, when the executive of the chapter paid a courtesy visit to the COOUTH CMD. The visit provided an opportunity for what could aptly be described as a warm reunion, as the delegation celebrated Dr. Umeakuewulu’s appointment and…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026 PORT HARCOURT — The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing legal education and human capacity development across universities in the Niger Delta region. Speaking at the 2026 Moot and Mock Trial Competition held at the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Rivers State, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, assured stakeholders that the Commission would maintain its strategic support for practical legal training. Ebie emphasized that practical courtroom simulations play an essential role in shaping confidence,…
Admin I Monday, Sept 07, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE (“DPRP” or the “Enterprise”) today held the signing ceremony in connection with its proposed Initial Public Offering (the “IPO”), marking an important milestone in opening ownership of Africa’s largest refinery to retail and institutional investors. Subject to the receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals, the IPO will comprise an offer for subscription of up to 4.1 billion ordinary shares at an offer price of ₦525.00 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 Offer Shares and multiples of 10 Offer Shares thereafter.…
Admin I Monday, Sept 07, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria: Union Bank of Nigeria has been recognised for its leadership in gender inclusion, emerging as Most Outstanding Bank in Gender Inclusion at the Women in Marketing and Communications Conference and Awards (WIMCA) 2026, held on Saturday, 29 August 2026, at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. This award was in affirmation of the Bank’s commitment to advancing gender diversity through an inclusive workplace and financial ecosystem that empowers women, female entrepreneurs, and professionals with tailored products, capacity building, mentorship, networking, and broader economic opportunities. Themed “Grow, Give, Glow: Building Resilience for Distinction,”…
By Titus Eleweke, Editor, South East I Monday, Sept 07.26 AWKA, Anambra – An Anambra State-born human rights lawyer and Lead Counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq., KSC, Dunu-Ezeugosinachi, has commended the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, for setting a new standard of episcopal leadership in the Diocese. According to him, the Bishop’s remarkable strides since assuming office are not merely statistics to be recited, but visible footprints of vision, courage, discipline and purposeful stewardship. In him, he said, the injunction of Scripture that “by their…
By SCM International Desk I Monday, Sept.07, 2026 TEHRAN — Iran and Oman are in the final stages of negotiations to establish a temporary safe shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian officials announced on Monday. The proposed agreement aims to relieve months of severe maritime paralysis in the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoint. Speaking at a news conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that consultations between the two coastal nations are nearly complete. Once finalized, the joint memorandum of understanding will be formally submitted to the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) in…