
The Kukah Centre is conducting a week-long training for 300 personnel of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps. This initiative, part of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria SPRiNG programme implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, focuses on Standard Operating Procedures, human rights protection, and alternative dispute resolution. Participants are drawn from all 34 local government areas of Katsina State. The training addresses the ongoing violence in Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, and the increasing reliance on community-based security outfits. The Katsina State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Fadila Dikko, commended the organisers, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained. Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Lead of the SPRiNG programme, highlighted its focus on improving service delivery in peace, security, and justice institutions, promoting women and youth participation, supporting livelihoods, and addressing farmer-herder conflicts. SPRiNG has also partnered with the Katsina State Government on capacity building for traditional rulers and female traditional leaders, and supported ministries in conflict management. The Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu鈥檃zu, described the training as timely. Project Manager Bamber Terseer stated the project aims to strengthen community security structures and enhance coordination among security actors. Commander-General of the
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadOlayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was honored with the Central Bank of the Year Award at the Central Banking Awards ceremony in London. Cardoso dedicated the award to the Central Bank's board, management, and staff, acknowledging their commitment to institutional reform and economic stability. He emphasized that the award recognized the collective efforts of the bank's professionals. Cardoso noted the global economic challenges faced by central banks and highlighted Nigeria's efforts to address inflation, reform the foreign exchange market, and invest in digital and financial infrastructure. He also mentioned Nigeria's removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and the completion of the banking sector recapitalization as key achievements. The Governor stated that the bank's reform agenda aims to restore confidence, strengthen institutional resilience, and establish a foundation for sustainable economic growth. Cardoso expressed optimism about the progress made and reaffirmed the CBN's commitment to maintaining public confidence and financial stability.

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