Big Gist Africa

*FCMB admits  opening accounts for EMIS following a $5m facility  A leaked memo from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has revealed how the AFREXIM Bank actively participated in defrauding Em-international System Nig. LTD (EMIS) of five million Dollars. The leaked memo, dated April 28, 2017, also fingered FCMB and COM-DEV and seven others as suspects in the alleged criminal conspiracy. The memo, signed by the then  EFCC Head, Bank Fraud Section, Lagos, Bawa Usman Katungo, said that AFREXIM and FCMB  were active participants in the fraud. "AFREXIM Bank participated actively to defraud an investor of a member country (Nigeria) EMIS the sum of $5million. "Investigation revealed that FCMB & AFREXIM Bank, with intend to defraud RMIS, refused, neglected or did not exercise due diligence and refused to adhere to the condition precedent to disbursement of funds as stipulated in the tripartite agreement in the discharge of its obligation of ...

*70 NYA South East LGA Coordinators inaugurated  The  General Manger,   Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) Enugu State, Hon Monday  Diamond  Ani has described the National Youth Alliance (NYA) as a pacesetter and leading light in promoting patriotism and good governance in Nigeria and Africa at large. This was contained in a statement signed by the SA Media and Publicity to the NYA President, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbs, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday March 26, 2026. According to the statement, he expressed this, when he served as guest speaker of the NYA Leadership Symposium and Official  Inauguration of 95 Local Government Area Coordinators in South East on Wednesday March 25 2026  "There are so many youth organizations in Nigeria. There are so many youth organizations in Enugu State  and in the entire Africa, but I think  the National Youth Alliance is one of them tha...

*Lauds first Editor of Daily Times for ending external rule in Nigeria, mentoring journalists, politicians, teachers  A Nigerian politician, nationalist and pioneering journalist, Chief Ernest Ikoli, has been described as a crusader of truth and a symbol of the struggle against oppression and discrimination in Nigeria. ‘"Chief Ernest Ikoli was a reformer, politician and a great journalist.  He campaigned for the birth of the Second Republic and departed, saying his work was done with the attainment of the country's political independence". The former assistant editor of Lagos Weekly Record, first editor of the Daily Times of Nigeria and publisher of African Messenger was also praised for helping to create the Marcus Garvey Universal Negro Improvement Association, People’s Union, Nigeria Youth Movement and the Action Group. ‘"Chief Ernest Ikoli saw all Africans as one. There was no Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or Ijaw. There was only one Nigeria, one Africa and one...

For years, cassava farmers across Oyo State worked tirelessly on their fields, yet their harvests barely reflected their effort. With yields averaging just 10 to 12 tons per hectare—and in some cases as low as 7 tons—many farmers remained trapped in a cycle of low productivity and modest incomes. Today, that story is changing.Through a targeted training programme on Good Agromonic Practices (GAP) and mechanisation, farmers are now achieving harvests of 20-25 t/ha, effectively doubling their yields. Behind this transformation is a structured initiative led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with other partners, designed to equip farmers with practical knowledge, modern tools, and market access. Mr. Samuel Ogunleye, AATF’s Cassava Mechanisation Project Coordinator, explains that the training goes beyond theory. It is about “equipping farmers with the best practices for cultivating cassava and introducing mechanisation services that make ...

*Alleges plot to relocate Nigeria’s capital by President  Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of pursuing a hidden agenda to relocate Nigeria’s federal capital from Abuja to Lagos, while allegedly sidelining other regions of the country. In a strongly worded statement, Frank described what he called a pattern of “suspicious and calculated actions” by the administration, claiming that major government decisions, investments, and agreements were increasingly tilted toward Lagos.  According to him, “it is now clear” that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office. Frank alleged that federal appointments and development initiatives under Tinubu have been largely one-sided, warning that such a trend undermines national unity.  He insisted that Nigeri...

*Urges PENGASSAN, NUPENG, others to remain vigilant  Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led  federal government over its handling of the OPL 245 dispute, describing recent claims of a “final resolution” as misleading. In a statement released on Sunday, the Atiku Media Office said a fresh legal move by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited shows the matter is still far from settled, contrary to earlier assurances by government officials. The statement pointed to a pre-action notice issued by Malabu through its counsel, Chief R.O. Atabo (SAN), which it said challenges the narrative of closure being promoted by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi. According to the statement, the dispute remains active in court, with cases still pending before the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court.  It also raised concerns that Malabu, described as a key stakeholder in the oil block, was not involved in any negotiation l...