
Former Minister of Environment, Lawrencia Mallam, expressed deep concern over the collapse of Nigeria's textile industry, calling it a "national shame" and a major contributor to unemployment and insecurity. Speaking at the launch of "Do the Needful: Chronicling the Life and Times of Comrade Dele Ariyo," a memoir honoring late textile union pioneer Lawrence Ariyo, Mallam highlighted the shutdown of textile mills, particularly in Kaduna State. She stated that the industry is "dead," with once-active companies and cotton production no longer existing. Mallam identified poor infrastructure, especially erratic electricity supply, as the primary obstacle to industrial growth, asserting that stable power is crucial for revival. She also criticized Nigeria's reliance on imported fabrics, noting the country's loss of its status as a leading African textile producer. Mallam believes that reviving the sector would directly address unemployment and insecurity by creating jobs. Prof Olufemi Lawal, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Lagos State University, described the memoir as a vital historical account of the industry's decline and its past economic contributions. Olusegun Ariyo, the author and son of Lawrence Ariyo, presented the book as both a tribute and a call for government action to restore the sector and create employment.
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Nigeria's Super Falcons defeated Tanzania 2-1 in an international friendly, concluding their preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored the opening goal in the first half, but Tanzania equalized before halftime. Esther Okoronkwo secured the 2-1 victory with a late goal. This friendly allowed Head Coach Justin Madugu to evaluate his squad and refine tactics. The win is expected to boost the Super Falcons' confidence as they aim for their 11th WAFCON title. Nigeria will now focus on the group stage of the 2026 WAFCON.

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, has stated she would resign if credible evidence emerged that the election which led to her presidency was rigged. Speaking on TVC News, Badejo-Okusanya addressed allegations from some contestants and lawyers that the 2026 NBA presidential election was manipulated in her favor. She maintained that the electronic voting process underwent unprecedented scrutiny and showed no signs of manipulation, noting that she consistently led throughout the election with a widening gap. Badejo-Okusanya dismissed suggestions of vote dumping or sudden spikes in votes, asserting the election was transparent and closely monitored. She also rejected comparisons to former President Umaru Musa Yar鈥橝dua, reiterating her commitment to resigning if the process that produced her was found to be compromised. Furthermore, she denied claims of backing from the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, and dismissed suggestions that her family ties to the Federal Government would compromise the NBA's independence, emphasizing her loyalty to the Bar members. Badejo-Okusanya aims for her tenure to make the NBA more professionally relevant to its members and to uphold the rule of law. Her comments come amidst ongoing controversy over the July 2026 NBA national election, where she became the first woman elected president with 12,317 votes. The first runner-up, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, and another presidential candidate, Olumuyi
Must ReadThe Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa ORO has expressed alarm over the continued seizure of Nigerian onion trucks in Ghana, urging the Nigerian Federal Government to intervene to prevent a regional trade crisis. ORO President Isa Aliyu stated that several trucks loaded with onions have been stranded at Kotoku Market in Ghana since July 21, after Ghanaian onion traders reportedly prevented them from offloading produce. Aliyu, who is also the National President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria NOPPMAN, highlighted that this situation is causing significant losses for Nigerian farmers, exporters, and transporters. He warned that the prolonged detention of the perishable goods could undermine Nigeria鈥檚 cross-border trade and violate ECOWAS trade protocols. Despite interventions from the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, and the ECOWAS Trade Directorate, the trucks remain unreleased. Aliyu emphasized that Ghanaian traders enjoy unrestricted access to Nigerian markets, purchasing over 50 trucks of onions from Nigeria without discrimination, while Nigeria exports about 16 trucks weekly to Ghana. He asserted that the blockade violates the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which ensure the free movement of goods among member states. Aliyu appealed to the Federal Government for diplomatic engagement with Ghana to protect Nigerian bu