Author: 9jalive

Nigeria’s regional trade dominance is hampered by infrastructure and policy issues. The 2025 West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) highlighted the need for digital identity, youth potential, and private sector partnerships to boost intra-ECOWAS trade and integration. One of the major obstacles to intra-regional trade is the difficulty individuals and small businesses face in verifying their identity across borders, leading to transactional friction, limited access to formal financial services, and lack of trust in cross-border operations. Many believe that a unified, interoperable digital identity infrastructure will serve as the foundation upon which seamless trade, payment interoperability, and cross-border services can be…

Former Fenerbahce defensive midfielder, Serkan Reçber has insisted that his old club can’t win the Turkish top-flight domestic league with Jose Mourinho still remaining as their manager. Reçber said this while speaking recently on the Sports Digitale YouTube channel. Recall that Galatasaray won the Turkish Super Lig last season ahead of Fenerbahçe, who finished in second position. “Fenerbahçe needs to organize its off-court activities more than its on-court activities,” Reçber said (via habersarikirmizi). “They are becoming Euro League champions, yet they are targeting Galatasaray. “They should stop this. I don’t think Fenerbahçe will win the championship against Galatasaray under Jose…

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu never asked him to lie, arrest, or harass any journalist because of unconstructive criticism and reportage. Idris stated this while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) led by its General Secretary, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, and Deputy President, Mr. Sebastian Abu, in Abuja on Wednesday. According to him, in spite of negative criticism and alleged defamation of character by some journalists and members of the public, the President had never given him a marching order to arrest or harass anyone. “There are times…

Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, has explained why he started Kylian Mbappe and Gonzalo Garcia together against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday night. Recall that Alonso opted to start Mbappe and Garcia to lead his attack line against the French Ligue 1 champions. Explaining his decision, Alonso insisted that he wanted to create danger in the attack against PSG. “Starting Gonzalo and Mbappé together? Yes, we need to create danger in attack,” Alonso said (via Madrid Zone). “But we also need to commit in defense, to play as a unit on and off the…

The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has reported a significant surge—287.76%—in the enrollment figures for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes. According to NABTEB Registrar, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, the number of candidates who registered for technical college entrance examinations rose from 7,546 in 2024 to 29,260 in 2025. He credited the sharp increase to the proactive policies introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, who is championing a transformative approach to TVET in Nigeria’s education system. Dr. Mohammed made this announcement in Benin City during the formal release of the 2025 National…

Ahead of the Supreme Court judgment of the appeal filed by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Asue Ighodalo of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State slated for Thursday, July 10, 2025, a political analyst, Mr Denis Aiyevbekpen has asked the apex court judges to review the judgement of the lower courts. DAILY POST reports that in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City on Wednesday, Denis Aiyevbekpen opined that election petitions carry the weight of more than just law. Aiyevbekpen said the petition also carried the burden of history, legitimacy, and public confidence in…

US president, Donald Trump, will be in attendance for the 2025 Club World Cup final on Sunday in New Jersey. The United States is hosting the expanded version of the tournament. Chelsea is set to play either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid in the final. Trump has had a greater presence in sport during his second term. He attended the Super Bowl this year, becoming the first incumbent president to do so. Trump has confirmed that Washington DC will host the 2027 NFL Draft. Trump has also graced several UFC events, including last month’s showcase in New Jersey. The Republican…

Nigerian Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that he and others had a meeting with the United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, over recent visa requirements between both countries. Tunji-Ojo disclosed this in a statement on his X account on Monday. The meeting comes after the US Embassy in Nigeria tightened its visa requirements for Nigerians, which indicates that most non-immigrant visas (such as tourist and business visas) will now be single-entry and valid for just three months. In his comment after the meeting, Tunji-Ojo said, “I held a constructive meeting with the US Ambassador Richard…

Former presidential spokesman, Reno Omokri, on Wednesday disclosed that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, lied about Nigeria’s debt profile. Omokri said Obi’s lies regarding Nigeria’s debt are scaring foreign investors away from the country. He disclosed this while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Omokri also disclosed that some foreign investors based in Nigeria are willing to leave the country due to Obi’s lies. According to Omokri: “That is not true. He doesn’t rile me up. I rile him up. “The reason why I came here is because I’m a patriot. Peter Obi lied. You know, foreign direct…

The Nigeria Air Force, NAF, has announced that they will intensify surveillance and reconnaissance flights over the South-South region airspace. The Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Mobility Command of NAF, Yenagoa, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Anake, disclosed this when he called on Governor Bassey Otu in his office in Calabar. He emphasized the Air Force’s commitment to security in the state, assuring that the surveillance and reconnaissance flights will be particularly intensified over sensitive areas of the state. This followed an appeal by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, who represented Governor Otu during the courtesy visit. Odey, who acknowledged…