
News
In Austria, Enugu, Vienna Govts move to Strengthen bilateral cooperation
…As Gov Mbah meets with President of Austrian Parliament
The Governments of Enugu State, Nigeria, and Vienna, Austria, have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefits of their peoples and nations.
This was made known in Vienna during a meeting between a delegation of the Enugu State Government led by Governor Peter Mbah, and the Executive Councillor, City of Vienna Peter Hanke.
Speaking at the meeting, which had in attendance senior officials of the State of Vienna, including Oliver Stribl, Managing Director of Vienna Holdings, which is comprised of over 150 businesses owned by the State of Vienna, Gov Mbah said the meeting was sequel to an earlier meeting with the Federal Republic of Austria in May, resulting in the signing of an agreement for the establishment of a K-9 Training Unit in Enugu to boost security in the state.
“We have also noted the achievements of the State of Vienna in the areas of economic growth, quality of life advancements, and social development.
“In Enugu, we have unveiled a humongous vision to our people to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn. We also promised to position Enugu State as the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism, and living.
“We have recorded major initiatives and progress, especially in the areas of security, education, water production and supply, ICT, digitisation and digitilisation of government services, just to name a few. However, these advancements, while creditable, have only served to make us double down on our commitment to achieve our stated mission and vision.

“We have also always recognised the importance of collaboration in the journey towards our development goals, and given the admirable achievements of the State of Vienna in these areas, including waste management, we are interested in establishing, deepening and formalising a wide-ranging collaboration with Vienna,” Mbah stated.
Speaking, Peter Hanke, who is in charge of Finance, Business, Labour, International Affairs and Public Utilities in Vienna, expressed his excitement at engaging further with the Enugu State Government to fashion out specific areas and modalities for collaboration going forward.
He highlighted the State of Vienna’s experiences in recovering from the ashes of WWII and the extensive support the state provided to cities and regions in Eastern Europe following the fall of the Iron Curtain of communism in Europe, stressing that there would be numerous possible areas of mutual benefits for the States of Enugu and Vienna.
Hanke said that he had always seen Enugu as one of the most business-friendly in Nigeria, adding that Oliver Stribl of Wien Holdings would relate closely with the Enugu State Government to work out the modalities and detailed steps for a collaboration between Enugu and Vienna, which would culminate in a far-reaching formal collaboration agreement with detailed action steps and timelines.
Meanwhile, Governor Mbah also met with the President of the national parliament of Austria, Mag. Wolfgang Sobotka, among others.
News
Yilwatda hails Tinubu’s intervention funds as a promise kept
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that the intervention programmes of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have continued to demonstrate that the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering tangible economic benefits to millions of Nigerians through strategic investments in entrepreneurship, small businesses, and youth empowerment.
According to Professor Yilwatda, the Presidential Intervention Funds represent yet another example of the Tinubu administration fulfilling its campaign promises by providing the critical financial support needed to stimulate enterprise, create jobs, and deepen economic inclusion across the country.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the National Chairman noted that for decades, access to affordable financing remained one of the biggest obstacles confronting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), despite their enormous contribution to national economic growth and employment generation.
The current administration, he said, has deliberately moved to address this challenge through targeted intervention programmes that are unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of Nigerians.
“The Tinubu administration understands that sustainable economic growth begins with empowering the productive sector. By supporting small businesses and young entrepreneurs, government is laying the foundation for long-term prosperity and shared economic progress,” he stated.
Professor Yilwatda highlighted the ₦75 billion Presidential Intervention Fund for MSMEs as a landmark initiative designed to provide accessible financing for small businesses across various sectors of the economy.

He said the programme is enabling entrepreneurs to expand their operations, increase productivity, and create employment opportunities.
He further pointed to the ₦11 billion support package through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), describing it as a strategic investment in strengthening the capacity and competitiveness of Nigerian small and medium enterprises.
The APC National Chairman also commended the ₦30 billion Youth Entrepreneurship Fund through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), noting that the initiative reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the resources required to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses and become drivers of national development.
Professor Yilwatda emphasized that these interventions are already making meaningful differences in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Across the country, young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, traders, tailors, manufacturers, and other small business owners are accessing capital to expand their businesses, employ more people, and contribute to the economic development of their communities.
He explained that the impact extends beyond individual beneficiaries, creating a multiplier effect through increased productivity, higher household incomes, stronger local economies, and expanded opportunities for wealth creation.
“The APC remains committed to building an economy that works for all Nigerians. These intervention funds are not mere policy announcements; they are practical investments in the dreams and aspirations of millions of our people.
“The evidence is clear. Businesses are receiving support, young people are being empowered, jobs are being created, and economic inclusion is expanding. This is governance that delivers results, and it is another demonstration that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is keeping his promises to the Nigerian people,” Professor Yilwatda said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the APC and the Tinubu administration to implementing policies that promote entrepreneurship, stimulate investment, strengthen local industries, and build a resilient economy capable of delivering sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians.
News
Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji set for arraignment as ICPC files six criminal charges over alleged certificate forgery
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal charge against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, , over alleged certificate forgery and related offences.
The charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are contained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, with the Federal Government listed as the complainant and Nnaji as the sole defendant.
According to the charge sheet, the ICPC accused the former minister of receiving N29.58 million in salaries and allowances while serving in office, alleging that he ought to have known the funds were proceeds of an unlawful act arising from corruption and fraud. The commission said the action contravenes provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Nnaji used his office to confer corrupt advantage on himself and knowingly presented false information to the Federal Government by submitting forged > (NYSC) and (UNN) certificates during his ministerial appointment in 2023.
In separate counts, the ICPC accused him of producing and using as genuine a forged NYSC Certificate of National Service and a forged UNN degree certificate, offences punishable under the Penal Code.
The filing of the charges follows Nnaji’s arrest last Wednesday after arriving in Abuja from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.

The prosecution stems from an investigation published by Premium Times, which alleged that Nnaji forged his university degree and NYSC certificates submitted to President and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation.
The newspaper reported that the confirmed Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but neither graduated nor was issued a degree certificate, while the NYSC also reportedly disowned the discharge certificate attributed to him.
Nnaji resigned as minister shortly after the allegations became public. He has since defected from the APC to PDP , where he emerged as the governorship candidate of a faction of the party for the 2027 Enugu governorship election.
He is expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in the coming days.
News
At last, Tinubu directs ICPC to investigate ‘Fictitious Council’
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of a “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) and all related matters.
According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga,Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the President directed that the investigation be concluded and a comprehensive report submitted to him within 30 days.
The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of Government.
One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.

The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme.
The President further directed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.
All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.
President Tinubu stated that the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.
The President directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.
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