Category Nigeria News

The largest rare earth and critical minerals plant in Africa, which has the potential to produce over 10,000 jobs and jobs nationwide, has been fully supported by the Federal Government’s $400 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plan.

Dele Alake, the minister of solid mineral development, praised Hasetins Commodities Limited, the project’s funders, for their involvement in President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s value-adding campaign and for confirming that mineral processing is the best way to remove the unemployed from the streets.

Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, made this statement on Sunday. &nbsp,

As the company’s plans for the upcoming groundbreaking of the additional facility gain more weight, according to him, Hasetins hopes to increase its current installed capacity by 12 000 metric tons to 12 000 metric tons.

Read more about Tinubu’s order to defend the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

Alake said the establishment of the plant would promote skills transfer and increase the contributions of the solid minerals sector to the economy. It is a significant milestone in efforts to boost investor confidence in the mining sector.

Alake praised Hasetins for its strategic foresight and patriotic investment in a $400 million rare earth metals plant while addressing the company’s Managing Director/CEO Prince Jidayi Ijudigal and his team during a courtesy visit.

“I’m pleased that this groundbreaking initiative has come to an end with our ongoing engagements.” The largest rare earth and critical metals plant in Africa, right here in Nigeria, is now being built with your assistance. &nbsp,

I commend your commitment to this crucial sector on behalf of the president, the ministry, and the Nigerian people. Your patriotic fervor confirms that our policies are working out well and producing tangible outcomes, Dr. Alake continued.

Prince Jidayi expressed his deep gratitude for the Minister’s leadership and reforms, which, according to him, have significantly boosted investor confidence and streamlined access to the mining sector.

We’ve seen changes to the licensing process and the introduction of mining marshals to stop illegal mining. Our decision to invest a lot in this project has been directly influenced by these efforts. We are also establishing regional separation plants, strengthening local communities, and, he said, “besides this flagship plant, we are also setting up regional separation plants.”

According to Prince Jidayi, the company’s business model allows artisanal miners to earn money right away by pre-separating metals locally. Additionally, the initiative includes community engagement, protective equipment, and training.

Peter Butt, Hasetins’ director of corporate affairs, also gave a speech in praise of Dr. Alake’s revitalization of the mining industry’s purpose and structure. He emphasized that the Minister’s strong emphasis on local value added supported the company’s choice to pursue a sustainable, community-driven development.

Rare earth metals and Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are two of the key metals produced by Hasetins Commodities Ltd., a company that is dedicated to producing critical metals for high-tech applications and defense systems. &nbsp,

In Abuja is currently the site of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS)’s 67th Ordinary Session.

The group’s 67th Ordinary Session comes one more month after the group’s previous one, which approved the withdrawal of Mali, Burkinabe, and Niger from the regional bloc, in December 2024.

Watch it below in real time:

In the Benue State Okpokwu Local Government Area, gunmen kidnap some of its citizens.

At around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, the abductors allegedly attacked a commercial bus along the Eke axis of the road, robbed the passengers, and led them to a bush before fleeing.

Read more about Benue Killings: Security Operatives Announce Arrest Of Suspects here.

The attackers reportedly ambushed the passengers, according to eyewitnesses.

Austin Agada, a state resident who was just passing by the scene, immediately called security forces and mobilized them to the area and set up rescue operations.

He also reached out to the local youth and vigilance organizations in the three villages around Eke to request surveillance and comb the nearby bushes in search of the abducted victims.

To ensure a coordinated response to the crisis, an official from the bus company was also given details about the vehicle and the military personnel leading the rescue operation.

Following the release of a disturbing video that prompted questions about Goodluck Ihemnacho’s resignation as the administrator of the Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State, Controversy has followed his reported resignation.

In the letter of resignation addressed to Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator, resigned. Ihemnacho was quoted as appreciating the opportunity to serve.

The letter read in part, “I humbly write to your noble office to inform you that I resign as the administrator of Ahoada East LGA. My sincere thanks go to the government of Rivers State and the good people of Ahoada East for recognizing my merits from April 11 to July 2025.”

Read more about Rivers Council Administrator’s resignation amid allegations of coercion and political intrigue.

Given that July 20th is still a month away, this raises some questions.

However, a video of a man being brutally beaten by a group of unidentified people went viral online on Saturday evening.

He was repeatedly struck with canes while he was filmed in the video being filmed yelling at him to “sign that thing” and “put your signature” while he was clearly distressed and in pain.

He appeared to be holding a pen while he was spotted with two documents, which are thought to be resignation letters.

Mr. Alabi Umegbewe, the council secretary, was also dragged into the room and assaulted, later identified as the second man.

Officially, there is no dispute about the video’s authenticity, and sources said the attack may not be connected to the upcoming local government elections.

The absence of the two mobile police officers that are attached to the council administrator has also caused concerns.

Further questions about possible complicity or dereliction of duty were raised by a source who claimed both officers were “eating” at the time of the incident.

No official statement regarding the incident was made by the police or the Rivers State government at the time of filing this report.

Ihemnacho’s mobile phone has been off since Saturday, so he could not be reached for comment.

The killing of some of the state’s indigenous people by a suspected mob in the Plateau State’s Mangu Local Government Area has been condemned by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.

When the victims were apprehended by the mob in the Mangun district, they were said to be leaving Zaria in Kaduna State for a wedding in Plateau State’s Quan Pan Local Government Area.

During the attack, several other people suffered various injuries, with the travelers instantly dead.

Governor Sani called on security forces to immediately detain and prosecute those responsible for the attack in a statement while expressing shock and sadness over such a barbaric act.

He vowed that the Kaduna State Government would not leave any stone unturned until the criminals were detained and tried in court.

We must put an end to non-state actors’ nefarious activities, the governor remarked. In any location in the nation, there is no justification for anyone to attack a Nigerian citizen. This mania must end. It’s enough, enough is enough.

Also read: Mob kills eight wedding-bound travelers in Plateau.

Governor Sani urged Caleb Mutfwang to use the unfortunate incident to make a bold statement by directing security agencies’ operations until the murderers are brought to justice using the unfortunate incident.

To send a clear message that impunity will no longer be tolerated, the governor made a promise to personally monitor the progress made in the investigations and field operations aimed at the criminals.

He urged the people of Kaduna State to remain calm, saying that all efforts would be made to bring justice to the victims.

Sani also offered comfort to the victims’ families as they grieved the loss of their loved ones.

He continued, “We have made remarkable progress in Kaduna State’s peacebuilding and transformation.” A toxic environment can be transformed into an “oasis of peace” with political will, commitment, and sincerity of purpose, as demonstrated by the Kaduna Peace Model.