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FCCPC, NANTA Sign Pact to Protect Travellers, Travel Operators

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), on Thursday in Abuja, signed a landmark agreement to protect travellers and travel trade operators from unfair operational trade practices.

The agreement, the first ever by FCCPC and any trade group in Nigeria, will last for two years, with an open window for renewal subject to certain satisfactory metrics.

Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, who corroborated the earlier opening remarks of Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, the Executive Commissioner Operations, that NANTA has always been proactive in the affairs of the Nigerian Travel Industry, described the initiative as bold and innovative.

Bello signed the partnership agreement with NANTA in the full glare of all operative management staff of FCCPC, and revealed that he had always followed with keen interest the activities of NANTA, particularly its consistent advocacy to protect the Nigerian travelling public and the discomfort with unfair play and lack of equity in travel trade practices in Nigeria.

“I am excited to meet with NANTA members today. You have always set the pace, and when I came in, I was briefed about your relationship with FCCPC. Today, we are happy to sign into agreement this noble effort that captures all our passion and expectations to protect our people (consumers) from unfair trade practices, including the operators, “the FCCPC boss explained

Speaking on the unhealthy situation in the national trade economy, Mr Bello bemoaned the unbridled spate of high prices of goods and services in the country, wondering if Nigerians truly love each other, noting that price hikes of consumer goods in various markets does not tally with empirical findings by FCCPC of cost of goods and as such negates the laws on fair and equitable trade practices.

“Further on NANTA, he said we are glad to work with this set of Nigerians to make our country better and respected in the commity of nations.

NANTA President, Mr Yinka Folami, honoured by the presence of the Association’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Agoha, led the Immediate Past President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, Financial Secretary, Yinka Ladipo, Abuja Zonal Vice President, Mrs Uloma Kemabonta, Internal Auditor, Ugochukwu Johnson, Chief Administrative Officer, Diagi Stanley, and Legal Representative, from Pinheiro LP, Francis Agunbiade to the agreement signing ceremony. He informed that NANTA as trade body can not stand by and watch the entire Nigerian travel trade sector eroded by obnoxious trade practices.

He further lamented the gradual exctintion of Nigerian currency, the Naira, as a legitimate trade instrument in view of the demands for dollar by trade providers in Nigeria without rigid enforcement by concerned authorities.

“I honestly wonder if we love our country, our Naira, and our people as everything we do has to be influenced by foreign denominations and it is like our currency, the Naira, is no longer sovereign” NANTA President mourned.

He commended FCCPC for being consistent in the pursuance of the protection of the rights of consumers and in diffusing the negative climate of trade exploitation that hurt the Nigerian economy and the people .

“We intentionally came with our Chairman Board of Trustees, Alhaji Aminu Agoha to sigh this historic agreement because we believe with this modest intervention, we have achieved fifty per cent of our delivery as an association to our members and in particular the travelling public. We thank Mr Tunji Bello and his professional team for believing in NANTA and willing to work with us to clean up our sector. Today will forever remain historic and memorable to us in NANTA, and we assure FCCPC that our partnership on this path will be taken seriously, “NANTA President added.

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First Lady’s Cars Distribution to APC Women Amid Oyo Kidnapping Crisis, Outrage or Applause?

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By Shakirat Akintola

As the agonizing wait for dozens of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State stretches into another grueling week, a storm of public outrage has erupted over a high-profile political gesture from the nation’s capital.

The source of the friction? A fleet of newly donated vehicles.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked intense debate across Nigeria following the launch of the “Tinubu Torchbearers,” a mobilization group under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). To kick off the initiative, the First Lady donated vehicles to APC women leaders across five opposition-controlled states: Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Osun, and Oyo.
While the presentation was met with cheers inside the political halls, the feedback online and on the streets of Oyo has been starkly different, raising a fundamental, painful question: Can there be celebration without rescue?

The Political Machinery in Motion

During the presentation, Senator Tinubu was explicit about the nature and intent of the donation. She clarified that the vehicles were personal donations and instructed that they be registered directly in the names of the respective state women leaders. She didn’t stop there, urging APC governors across the country to follow suit and empower the women leaders in their own domains.

Defending the move as a core part of political engagement, the First Lady noted, “We are politicians, and people should see what the value is.”

But for many Nigerians watching the event unfold against the backdrop of a worsening security situation, the “value” being demonstrated felt incredibly detached from the immediate reality on the ground.

“A Question of Timing”

In Oyo State, where families are still frozen in trauma over the unresolved mass kidnapping of students and educators, the arrival of political campaign vehicles has rubbed salt into an open wound. Local commentators and citizens quickly took to social media and radio programs to challenge the priorities of the ruling class.

“We are talking about missing children, terrified parents, and schools that aren’t safe,” noted one Ibadan-based community advocate during an morning broadcast on Arise News. “And the immediate response we see from Abuja is the distribution of cars to mobilize voters for the next election? It feels like the campaign never stops, even when our hearts are breaking.”
The dialogue surrounding the incident highlights a deep, systemic disconnect. On one hand, the political class views internal party mobilization and the strengthening of its structures as standard, ongoing operations. On the other hand, a traumatized public views it as a tone-deaf display of luxury and politicking during a moment of profound national grief.

The Growing Divide

As the opposition-controlled states digest this move, the debate in Oyo remains the most volatile. Critics argue that the logistics, funding, and energy poured into launching the Tinubu Torchbearers could have been better utilized in supporting local security infrastructure or visible community solidarity.

For now, the vehicles are set to hit the roads, registered to partisan leaders. But as long as the classrooms in Oyo remain empty and the abducted victims remain in the bush, every political convoy that passes through these states will likely face the same haunting question from the people: Where is the rescue?

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Glo Introduces “More Data More Value” Offer to Boost Customers’ Experience

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Determine to enrich the digital experience of its subscribers, Globacom has introduced a new data offer, tagged “More Data More Value only on Glo”. The new offer gives customers as much as 10 percent more data across its bundles as the Nigerian telecom landscape shifts toward a data-led economy.

Globacom explained in a statement that “The new offer is designed to ensure that every Naira spent by a Nigerian consumer yields the highest possible digital return”, thus reinforcing the company’s long-standing reputation for affordability and empowerment.

“More Data More Value” offers a variety of weekly and monthly options planned to balance daytime and night-time usage. The weekly plan includes ₦1,000 option which provides 3.7GB of total data, consisting of 1.7GB main data and 2GB night data, while that of ₦2,000 offers 9GB in total, divided into 6.5GB main data and 2.5GB night data.

The monthly plan also comes with different options including that of ₦1,500 which delivers a total of 5.2GB (2.2GB main data paired with 3GB night data); the ₦2,000 option offering 6.25GB data, a combination of 3.25GB main data and 3GB night data and16.5GB, comprising 14.5GB main data and 2GB night data which goes for N5,000. There is also the ₦10,000 and N15,000 options, with N10,000 providing 42GB total, 38GB main data and 4GB night data, while ₦15,000 offers 64GB in total, consisting of 62GB main data and 2GB night data.

Glo’s enhanced bundles provide the necessary incentive for students, remote workers, and entrepreneurs to browse longer, whether for TikTok trends, Instagram aesthetics, YouTube streaming, or high-stakes gaming and stream without fear, ensuring their professional and social lives remain uninterrupted.

These improved bundles from Globacom give entrepreneurs, remote workers, and students the incentive they need to browse longer, whether for high-stakes gaming, YouTube streaming, Instagram aesthetics, or TikTok trends, and stream on end, while ensuring seamlessness in their social and professional lives.

Beyond individual users, the “More Data More Value” offer also extend its benefits to families and SMEs. With the reliance of small businesses and households on mobile hotspots for their daily operations, Glo has optimized its offerings to serve as the preferred network for high-volume usage.

The offer also serves as a driver of digital transformation through the Glo Café app. Customers are encouraged to utilize the app for seamless bundle subscriptions, as it allows them to manage their “more than 10% extra” data with ease, thus ensuring rewarding user experience.

“More Data More Value” offer underscores Glo’s commitment to providing the best value-for-money which gives Nigerians the benefit of not compromising on their digital lifestyle

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Otti to Build 35,000-Capacity FIFA-Standard Stadium in Aba

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Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to construct a FIFA-standard stadium in Aba with a seating capacity of approximately 35,000, in what is being described as one of the most significant sports infrastructure projects in the State’s development agenda.

The proposed stadium is designed to meet international football standards, making it suitable for hosting top-tier domestic league matches, continental competitions, and other global sporting events.

The facility is expected to feature modern pitch technology, upgraded spectator stands, advanced lighting systems for night games, VIP lounges, media centres, locker rooms, and safety and security installations that align with FIFA requirements.

The project is also expected to include auxiliary facilities such as training pitches, parking spaces, and support buildings that will enhance its overall functionality as a multi-use sports complex.

According to the governor’s vision, the stadium is not just a sports project but part of a broader economic revitalisation plan for Aba.

The city, already known as a major commercial hub in South-eastern Nigeria, is expected to benefit significantly from increased sporting activities, which will drive business for hotels, transport operators, food vendors, and local entrepreneurs.

The initiative is also positioned to strengthen grassroots football development and provide a modern home ground for local teams, especially Enyimba FC, one of Nigeria’s most successful football clubs.

The project is expected to be executed through a structured development approach that may involve partnerships aimed at ensuring timely delivery and high construction standards.

When completed, the stadium is projected to elevate Abia State’s profile in national and African football circles while creating new opportunities for youth engagement, talent development, and sports tourism.

Overall, the Aba stadium plan reflects a strategic push by the state government to combine sports, infrastructure, and economic development into a single long-term growth vision for Abia State.

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