X-RAY NEWS

On behalf of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and my family, I specially felicitate with our leader, father and President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of your birthday.  Sir, your courageous leadership, firm resolve, and bold reform-driven governance continue to serve as a springboard for a renewed Nigeria, strengthening national confidence and optimism in our shared future. Your Excellency, we are particularly grateful for your visionary drive toward Nigeria’s energy transformation, especially your support for solarization initiatives and the transition to sustainable energy: an intervention that has illuminated over 37 health and tertiary institutions, MDAs, and numerous rural and urban communities within the last three years.  It is pertinent to note that this practical commitment in your capacity as the board chairman of the ECN, is steadily laying a solid foundation for resilience, innovation, and sustainable national development...

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing animal welfare and sustainable livestock systems during the International Conference on Animal Welfare and Sustainable Animal Systems held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday, 24th March 2026. Speaking as the keynote speaker, the Minister highlighted the critical role of livestock in supporting livelihoods, ensuring food security, creating employment, and contributing to national GDP.  Addressing academics, industry stakeholders, policymakers, veterinarians, and student representatives, he noted: “From pastoral communities to poultry and aquaculture, livestock farming sustains millions of households. Yet challenges such as climate change, disease outbreaks, inadequate infrastructure, welfare inconsistencies, and growing antimicrobial resistance must be addressed.” The Minister outlined the Ministry’s strategic priorities, including strengthening regulatory frame...

As part of broader reforms to improve food affordability and strengthen value chain efficiency, the Federal Government has announced decisive steps to address the role of middlemen in driving price distortions and artificial scarcity within Nigeria’s livestock sector. Speaking at the maiden edition of the Minister–Livestock Farmers’ Connect held on Tuesday, 24th March 2026, the  Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, identified the dominance of middlemen in the livestock value chain as a major challenge, noting that producers earn less while intermediaries capture disproportionate margins before products reach processors and consumers.  “In many cases, the producer does the hard work, but earns the least, while the middleman takes the highest margin. This ultimately drives up prices and creates artificial scarcity in the market,” the Minister stated. To address this imbalance, the Ministry is encouraging a shift towards end-to-end business models, where producer...

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has expressed deep concern over disturbing reports from Ozoro in Delta State, where women were allegedly subjected to sexual assault and harassment during activities linked to a local festival in Isoko North.  In a Press Statement signed by Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Head, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Women Affairs and made available to the media, it stated that, "These reports, which have been widely described in public discourse as reflecting elements of “rape culture,” are deeply disturbing, unacceptable, and contrary to all norms of human dignity, public safety, and the rule of law. "No cultural or traditional practice can justify or excuse sexual violence in any form. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) provide clear protections: Section 1 prohibits all forms of violence, Section 14 criminalizes harmful traditional practic...

To drive the successful delivery of the forthcoming International Industrialisation initiative scheduled for 2026 in Abuja, the Federal Government has taken a decisive step toward accelerating Nigeria’s industrial transformation with the inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee. Inaugurating the committee, the Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to reposition Nigeria’s economy through industrial development, value addition, and increased export capacity.  He described the initiative as both timely and strategic as the country intensifies efforts to transition from a resource-dependent economy to a fully industrialised nation. “Industrial policy must deliver real results—production is the backbone of national growth, and this committee will ensure we move from plans to measurable impact,” he stated. The Minister stressed the importance of strong synergy across mini...

Maden Healthcare Foundation has strongly condemned the recent reports of sexual violence against women and girls in Ozoro, Delta State, alongside the escalating insecurity and violent attacks in Borno State. The Foundation describes both situations as grave threats to human dignity, public health, and national security. The organization expressed deep outrage over the alleged sexual assaults in Ozoro, noting that such acts represent a blatant violation of the rights, safety, and bodily autonomy of women and girls. At the same time, the Foundation raised serious concern over the continued violence in Borno State, where communities face persistent threats from insurgent attacks, resulting in loss of lives, injuries, and widespread trauma.  “Whether in the form of sexual violence in Ozoro or the ongoing insecurity in Borno, these incidents point to a troubling reality—many Nigerians, especially women and girls, are living without adequate protection. This is unacceptable,” said Dr Ese...

Nigeria’s Minister for Mines prides himself on his recent re-election as Chairman of the newly formed Africa Minerals Strategy Group, established by African Ministers of Minerals and Mining to foster cooperation among African nations in the development of critical minerals.  Minister Alake is a former journalist and close friend of President Tinubu. During Tinubu’s two terms as Governor of Lagos State it was Alake who managed Tinubu’s media as the Governor’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy. It is this African Minerals Strategy Group that is leading the push for the introduction of the Madini Protocol, a blockchain platform which will be the Trojan Horse for Chinese control of the African minerals sector. Since becoming Minister for Sold Minerals Development Alake’s primary focus has been on securing large-scale investments and fostering partnerships for local mineral processing.  This has led to the development of several lithium processing plants in Nigeria, primari...

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development supported by the World Bank, has unveiled its 2026 Workplan, outlining key interventions aimed at improving animal health, strengthening infrastructure, and boosting livestock productivity across Nigeria. Speaking. during the presentation of the 2026 Workplan to the Steering Committee, the Minister hailed L-PRES as a key vehicle for advancing sector-wide reforms and creating economic opportunities. “The L-PRES Project provides a strong platform to actualise our vision of a modern, productive, and resilient livestock sector. Our focus is on practical interventions that will improve productivity, strengthen animal health systems, and create sustainable value across the livestock chain,” he stated. Mukhtar further stressed the importance of deliberate and strategic communication in driving the success of the L-PRES Project, stressing the need to effectively co...

A new leadership chapter has commenced in Nigeria’s industrial administration following a formal handover ceremony held in Abuja, where the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanwem, and the Permanent Secretary, Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, officially exchanged leadership roles. The redeployment, approved by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at strengthening administrative leadership and enhancing service delivery across the two key ministries central to Nigeria’s industrial development. Speaking during the ceremony, the incoming Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Osaruwanwem, expressed gratitude to God and commended Ambassador Rimi for his leadership and professionalism over the years. He described the diplomat as a seasoned public servant with the competence required to steer the steel sector toward gre...

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and Heifer International have begun discussions on deepening collaboration to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector. This followed a courtesy visit by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Heifer International, Surita Sandosham, and her delegation to the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, in Abuja. Welcoming the delegation, the Minister described the visit as timely, noting that Nigeria is entering a new phase in the development of its livestock sector, driven by strategic reforms and strong partnerships. “Our country possesses one of the largest livestock populations in Africa and the largest market for animal products on the continent,” the Minister said, adding that with a population of over 240 million people and growing demand for meat, dairy, poultry, and leather products, the sector presents enormous opportunities for investment and growth. He explained that the creation of the Federal ...