馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Iraqi president nominates Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister-designate
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Iraq's newly elected president, Nizar Amede, has nominated businessman Ali al-Zaidi as the country's prime minister-designate. This nomination followed an endorsement from the Coordination Framework, the main Shia alliance in Iraq. The presidency stated that President Amede tasked Ali al-Zaidi, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government. The Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia factions, initially supported Nouri al-Maliki for the position but changed its stance after an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump. Trump had threatened to withdraw US support if Maliki, who has close ties to Iran, returned to power. The Coordination Framework praised Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for withdrawing their candidacies. Zaidi, a businessman, banker, and television channel owner, is considered a compromise figure and is not widely known in political circles, having never held a government post. In Iraq, a nomination by the largest Shiite bloc typically leads to a presidential appointment, but Trump's threats complicated the process, leading to extensive discussions to select a new candidate.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG announced plans to train over 100,000 young Nigerians in technology-related skills through the RCCG Young Adult and Youth Tech Fellowship. This initiative will be officially launched during the Mega Music Festival 2.0, scheduled for Friday at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. Sola Olukoya, Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Youth Affairs, stated that the fellowship will offer a four-month practical training program in areas such as data analysis, product development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software development, and digital innovation. The program, organized in partnership with Reach4Christ, aims to equip young people for the digital economy and global opportunities, contributing to national development. The Mega Music Festival, themed "A New Season," will feature worship, prayers, thanksgiving, and prophetic declarations for Nigeria, with performances by gospel ministers like Nathaniel Bassey and Dunsin Oyekan. Senior ministers, including J. F. Odesola and J. T. Kalejaiye, will lead prayer sessions, and the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will offer blessings. Over 5,000 volunteers have been mobilized for the event, and free buses will be provided from designated locations in Lagos and Ogun states.
Must ReadWamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, announced that intra-African trade is projected to reach $250 billion in 2026, up from $220 billion in 2025. Speaking at the 'Invest Lagos 3.0' Conference, Mene commended the Lagos State Government for positioning the city as a leading center for Africa's industrialization and digital innovation. He noted that 50 African countries are currently implementing the AfCFTA agreement, with all protocols concluded. Mene emphasized the need for Africa to deepen trade among its countries due to global economic challenges limiting access to traditional export markets. He highlighted that external shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions exposed Africa's vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and import dependence, stressing that strengthening intra-African trade will build resilience. Key barriers to trade growth identified include high trade finance costs, inadequate transport infrastructure, logistics bottlenecks, and restrictions on the movement of people. Mene cited that transporting goods between Lagos and Abidjan can take up to 17 days due to checkpoints. He advocated for wider adoption of visa-free policies and visa-on-arrival arrangements for African business travelers, commending countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda for easing travel restrictions. Mene described Lagos as Africa's leading fintech hub, projecting the continent's digital economy to reach $712 billion by 2035. He
Must ReadAccess Holdings Plc announced a profit before tax of N1.007 trillion, demonstrating the strength of its diversified platform and expanding earnings. Total assets reached N51.56 trillion, with customer deposits increasing. At its fourth Annual General Meeting, Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede stated that the company's 2025 performance reflected a deliberate strategy to strengthen long-term fundamentals while maintaining strong financial results. He noted that the group made a prudent decision to accelerate the recognition of legacy exposures and exit regulatory forbearance positions, leading to elevated impairment charges, which prioritized balance sheet strength and long-term resilience over short-term earnings. The AGM highlighted the group's evolution beyond traditional banking into a diversified financial services ecosystem, with growing contributions from investment management, insurance, and technology-driven platforms, including Access ARM Pensions, Access Insurance Brokers, Oxygen X Finance, and Hydrogen Payments. The board addressed shareholder concerns regarding dividend payments, clarifying that the non-payment was due to regulatory alignment and compliance within the banking subsidiary, assuring shareholders of a resumption once conditions are met. The company also reported progress in governance and leadership continuity, with Innocent Ike appointed Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Ibironke Adeyemi as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Access