
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a national framework and dedicated infrastructure to preserve Nigeria's indigenous Adire textile craft, emphasizing its importance as a strategic national priority. Speaking at the annual Ecobank Adire exhibition in Lagos, themed 'Threads Across Borders,' Obasanjo highlighted the need for a permanent visual and operational anchor to showcase this cultural asset globally. He stressed that the preservation efforts must transcend localized initiatives, addressing historical fragmentation that hindered past attempts to institutionalize the trade. Obasanjo noted the challenges posed by cheap foreign counterfeits and the thinning of traditional family-run production lines due to younger generations pursuing formal education. He underlined the immense economic and international value of the fabric industry, suggesting it could anchor a thriving cultural tourism sector. Obasanjo challenged stakeholders and Ecobank to lead this initiative, with Ecobank Nigeria's Managing Director and Regional Executive, Jubril Lawal, confirming the bank's commitment. Obasanjo then nominated himself as the grand patron and insisted on the immediate allocation of a dedicated physical property, 'The Adire House,' to serve as the administrative and creative headquarters for the craft's preservation.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadNigeria's domestic gas market experienced a 30% rise in sales between January 2022 and January 2025, driven by reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and recent executive orders by President Bola Tinubu, according to a legal analysis by Tope Adebayo LP. The Lagos-based law firm stated that these reforms have enhanced regulatory clarity, fiscal attractiveness, and investor confidence in the gas value chain, despite ongoing infrastructure gaps and implementation challenges. Nigeria, possessing over 206 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, has historically struggled to convert these resources into domestic energy due to underinvestment, weak infrastructure, and gas flaring. Domestic gas sales increased from 49.3bscf in January 2022 to 64.2bscf in January 2025. The PIA is described as a comprehensive reform that established a stronger foundation for domestic gas development through regulatory clarity, pricing liberalization, infrastructure support, and investment incentives. Structural reforms, including the creation of separate regulatory authorities, have improved oversight. The Domestic Gas Delivery Obligation framework, with its penalties for non-compliance, aims to boost supply to strategic sectors like power generation. Improvements in gas utilization and supply performance, along with reductions in gas flaring and the expansion of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, were also noted. The PIA introduced open-access provisions for infrastructure,

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended the Federal Government's investment in road infrastructure, stating that President Bola Tinubu's four legacy highway projects are strategic economic corridors aimed at transforming agriculture, trade, and industrial development across Nigeria. Umahi announced the construction of what he described as the "longest flyover in Africa" near the Dangote Refinery axis of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This flyover is designed to manage anticipated traffic congestion from industrial activities around the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the refinery. The minister made these remarks during the Renewed Hope Media Tour at the ongoing 1.3-kilometer Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which connects Ebonyi to Ugep in Cross River State. He noted that the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is completed and ready for commissioning. The Ndi-Egbe Bridge project is approximately 45 percent complete and is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Ebonyi and Cross River states upon its completion in December 2026. Umahi acknowledged temporary setbacks at the bridge site due to funding delays and technical challenges from water currents, but assured that the President has directed payment to contractors. He emphasized that these road projects, which include the Lagos-Calabar project 750km, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway 1,068km, and the Calabar-Abuja Trans-Sahara Superhighway, are economic inves
Must ReadThe Christian Association of Nigeria CAN observed a nationwide Black Sunday to honor victims of insecurity across the country, describing the situation as a national tragedy. CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated the observance was to mourn those affected by violence, terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry. The association emphasized that the nation is bleeding and the church cannot remain silent. The observance coincided with Democracy Day, with CAN noting that security is central to Nigeria's democratic success. The organization expressed solidarity with affected families and urged all levels of government to take urgent measures to secure lives and property, highlighting that citizen protection is a sacred responsibility. CAN also called on churches and faith-based organizations to strengthen security measures and encouraged Nigerians to remain united in pursuit of peace and justice. In Borno State, Christians held a procession in Maiduguri, calling for an end to insecurity and abductions. Joshua Akeredolu, Secretary of the state CAN chapter, said the day was for prayer against insecurity and for leaders to find solutions. He lamented the kidnapping and killing of Christian faithful, including pastors, in the state. Apostle Joseph Okoroafor, Deputy Territorial Chairman of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Umuahia Area, also stressed the need for Christians to pray for Nigeria and its leaders amid disheartening events.