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FG To Partner Switzerland On Diversification Of Economy – Akpabio

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FG To Partner Switzerland On Diversification Of Economy – Akpabio

FG to partner Switzerland on diversification of economy – Akpabio. The president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, says Nigeria is ready to partner with Switzerland to ignite innovation, diversify the economy, and create opportunities for generations to come.

He said this on Monday when he received the chairman and members of the Swiss European Free Trade Association (EFTA), who were at the National Assembly on a courtesy visit.

Mr Akpabio said that Nigeria, as the largest economy in Africa and a proud member of the African Continental Free Trade Area, was ready to engage with EFTA in ways that would transcend mere trade.

“We envision partnerships that will ignite innovation, diversify our economy, and create opportunities for generations to come.
“Switzerland, and indeed the European Free Trade Association, has long been a beacon of ingenuity and perseverance.

“Your work in advancing free trade and fostering economic cooperation has set a standard for what nations can achieve when they focus not on their divisions but on their commonalities.

“Our two nations, Nigeria and Switzerland, have already shared moments of profound partnership.

“One such moment was the historic agreement in 2017, when Switzerland returned $321 million in recovered funds to Nigeria.”

Mr Akpabio said that the gesture not only strengthened the bonds of trust between the two countries but also set a global example of accountability and mutual respect.

“It was proof that when nations act with integrity and in the spirit of justice, the world becomes a better place.
“Now, we have before us the opportunity to write the next chapter of our shared history.

“Nigeria, as the largest economy in Africa and a proud member of the African Continental Free Trade Area, stands ready to engage with EFTA in ways that will transcend mere trade.

“Nigeria’s economy is on a transformative journey under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu with bold reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the naira exchange rate.

“These measures are laying the foundation for sustainable growth, with projections indicating a promising GDP growth rate of 4.17 per cent in 2025,” he said.

Earlier, Thomas Aeschi, the leader of the delegation and a member of the House of Representatives of Switzerland, said that it was a privilege to be in Nigeria.
“A country of immense potential and an indispensable partner for Switzerland in Western Africa.”

Akpabio

Akpabio

 

Mr Aeschi said that EFTA is an intergovernmental organisation that brings together four member states: Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

“It is dedicated to promoting free trade and fostering economic cooperation with countries outside the European Union.”

He said that the delegation was at the national assembly to explore ways to deepen “our economic partnership with Nigeria and to identify new areas of collaboration.

“As I said, the potential of this country is huge, just looking at its population size. I am convinced that parliamentary diplomacy can help to strengthen ties and relaunch processes for our governments.

“While EFTA, the European Free Trade Association, does not yet have a formal trade negotiation process with Nigeria in place, we are here to lay the groundwork for future possibilities,” he said.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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