Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Lens for Good Initiative, aims to empower Nigerian creatives and enhance the nation’s cultural heritage through a strategic partnership.

The agreement, formalised in Abuja, outlines a commitment to work together in reinforcing national identity through positive storytelling, stimulating economic growth within the creative sector, and promoting skill development through training, mentorship, and resource-sharing initiatives.

Through this partnership, Nigerian creatives will gain access to digital resources, mentorship, and learning materials, as well as training and workshops in photography, filmmaking, digital storytelling, and content creation.

The initiative will also facilitate collaborations on flagship film and production projects showcasing Nigeria’s culture and creativity.

In her remarks, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, stated that the partnership with Lens for Good Initiative is a key step in propagating economic diversification.

She said, “This partnership is a key step in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic diversification. It will nurture the next generation of talent within Nigeria’s creative space, and the stories emerging from this partnership will not only celebrate Nigeria’s cultural identity but also help reshape global perceptions of Nigeria and strengthen our soft power.

“We are committed to empowering Nigerian creatives and providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”

The Lens for Good initiative will provide Nigerian creatives with resources, training, and mentorship to promote authentic Nigerian narratives and showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage globally.

The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for Nigerian creatives, promote cultural tourism, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

The Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at incorporating leasing into the public procurement framework of Nigeria.

This initiative seeks to enhance transparency, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility within government operations.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority’s Head of Media and Corporate Communication of ELRA, Adebola Brookslyn.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of ELRA, Donald Wokoma, described the partnership as “a new era in Nigeria’s public procurement framework, one that promotes transparency, efficiency, and fiscal prudence.”

“Through the MoU, ELRA and BPP will jointly: Develop clear policy guidelines and standard documents for lease-based procurement; Build the capacity of procurement officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs); Integrate ELRA’s registration system into the procurement workflow for improved accountability; and Pilot leasing projects in key sectors such as health, education, transport, agriculture, and ICT.”

Wokoma, while expressing appreciation to the Director-General of BPP and his team for their foresight and cooperation, reaffirmed ELRA’s commitment to ensuring that every lease transaction under the partnership delivers measurable value to national development.

He further explained that, “The collaboration will reduce fiscal pressure on government budgets, enhance service delivery, and improve asset management, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s drive toward economic diversification and sustainable growth.”

Also speaking, the Director General of BPP, R. Adebowale Adedokun, commended ELRA for initiating the collaboration and reaffirmed BPP’s commitment to developing a procurement system that reflects global best practices.

“This MoU is timely and strategic,” Dr Adebowale stated. “Leasing provides a viable alternative financing mechanism that supports service delivery while safeguarding public resources. By working together with ELRA, we are ensuring that leasing transactions in the public sector are not only transparent but also deliver real value for money.”

He further stressed that the partnership would strengthen institutional capacity within MDAs and enhance accountability in public expenditure management, particularly in the area of compliance.

“Those who will go into the leasing sector must show clearly that they are registered with ELRA. BPP will ensure compliance, without which a Certificate of No Objection will not be issued by the Bureau”, he added.

Under the Equipment Leasing Act, 2015, the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) is empowered to regulate and register all leasing transactions in Nigeria, ensuring credibility, accountability, and investor confidence.

Similarly, the Public Procurement Act mandates BPP to guarantee value for money and competitiveness in government transactions.

The partnership harmonises these mandates, creating a unified process for all lease-related procurements to be duly registered.

The partnership harmonises these mandates, creating a unified and transparent process for all lease-related procurements to be duly registered, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward efficient and sustainable public procurement.

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has officially inaugurated the Aviation Monitoring Committee for the upcoming 2026 Hajj exercise.

The move is to facilitate a successful and efficient Hajj operation in Nigeria

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

In his remarks, Professor Usman charged the newly inaugurated committee to serve as diligent gatekeepers, entrusted with the critical mandate of ensuring transparent and impartial monitoring of all aviation-related matters.

He emphasised that the committee is a functional and not a decorative body, reflecting the Commission’s zero tolerance for failure and its unwavering commitment to the welfare of pilgrims.

“For the Nigerian Government, under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, facilitating this spiritual journey for its citizens is not just a statutory duty; it is a sacred trust. We are committed to ensuring that every Nigerian pilgrim performs their Ibadah in comfort and safety,” Professor Usman stated.

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) emphasised that, despite the Commission’s consistent advancements in airlift logistics over the years, the aviation aspect remains the most critical and prominent element of Hajj operations.

“This Committee is not a decorative body; it represents our commitment to pilgrim welfare. You are the gatekeepers, entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the aviation matters of our pilgrims,” he reiterated.

Delivering the welcome address, the Commissioner of Operations and Licensing, Anofi Elegushi, expressed his gratitude to the Chairman for the confidence bestowed upon the committee.

Elegushi affirmed the team’s complete commitment to fulfilling its mandate.

“Our mission is straightforward and solemn to guarantee safe, secure, and dignified air transport for pilgrims. We will not compromise the safety of Nigerian pilgrims,” he promised.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference include:

•Reviewing, participating in, and evaluating all documents submitted by applicant airlines and cargo carriers for the 2026 Hajj.

•Inspecting and assessing the readiness of designated airports for Hajj operations.

•Making observations and recommendations on airport preparedness.

•Monitoring inbound and outbound flights at all departure centres to ensure compliance with airlift agreements and industry standards.

•Monitoring the quality of in-flight services in line with industry standards.

•Ensuring compliance with the Commission’s luggage policy by carriers and pilgrims.

•Recommending appropriate actions or penalties against defaulting carriers or State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.

•Liaising with the Central Security Committee and the Task Force on the Abscondment of Pilgrims to provide support when required.

•Undertaking any other actions necessary for the success of Hajj airlift operations and making related recommendations.

Professor Usman urged the committee members to carry out their duties with the highest levels of integrity, patriotism, and professionalism, reminding them that the eyes of millions of Nigerian Muslims are upon them.

He expressed his complete confidence in their collective expertise and urged them to approach their assignment as a solemn responsibility in service to both their faith and the nation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured stakeholders and development partners of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to promoting girl-child education across Nigeria.

VP Shettima said among other government interventions in girl-child education, the school feeding programme remains essential.

Speaking during a meeting with the delegation of a nongovernmental organisation; PLAN International, led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Idiong, VP Shettima invited a teenager, Joy Ogah, to take over the seat of the Vice President for a day and address the nation.

He noted that studies have shown that well-nourished children are well-formed.

“We will continue the engagement with PLAN International and see where the force and strength of government can be brought to bear on your solid advice on girl-child education,”the Vice President told the PLAN delegation.

The Vice President also told the delegation that “in President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” stressing that the administration is passionate and deeply committed to advancing girl-child education.

Great Leader

The Vice President described Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as a symbol of how a properly empowered and supported girl-child can blossom into a great leader.

He recalled that when the First Lady served in the Nigerian Senate, she contributed actively to debates, especially those relating to girl-child education.

“I want to assure you, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that this government is gender-friendly. We believe in inclusivity. We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation,” he stated.

VP Shettima assured PLAN International that the administration’s doors are open for continuous engagement, adding that “the ladies on my team are the best people to engage.”

One Day VP

After his remarks, the Vice President invited Joy Ogah to take over his seat for a day, an opportunity she gladly accepted.

Speaking from the Vice President’s seat, Ogah expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent millions of Nigerian girls.

She noted that across Nigeria, 10.5 million children are out of school, with over 60 percent of them being girls.

Ogah emphasised that Nigerian girls can become leaders if the necessary interventions are implemented by relevant authorities and stakeholders.

She called on the government, policymakers, development partners, and citizens to act strategically in advancing girl-child education.

 “We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said.

Ogah urged relevant authorities to enforce laws that protect the rights of every girl-child and highlighted the need to provide free sanitary products in schools, as well as ensure access to water, sanitation, and nutrition for the Nigerian child.

“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she said.

She said: “I may be the Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, our classrooms, our conversations, and our budgets.”

Miss Ogah stressed that every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mrs Idiong noted that girls around the world face crises, and Nigeria is no exception.

Representing PLAN International, she explained that the organization has provided interventions for over 11 million Nigerian children in areas such as education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

“We have been working across Nigeria to improve the lives of children,” she said.

She recalled that in 2024, PLAN visited the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, where a girl took over the Speaker’s seat for a day and called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary pads and diapers.