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FG Organizes Cooperatives for 250 Artisanal Miners to Curb Illegal Mining

In a bid to combat illegal mining and formalize the sector, the Federal Government has successfully registered 250 cooperatives for small and artisanal miners. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, was announced by Minister Dele Alake at a briefing for the upcoming 9th Nigeria Mining Week.
As of October 2024, the initiative has led to the establishment of 250 new cooperatives under the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Department, marking a significant step toward formalizing the mining industry. Additionally, the government reports the creation of 150 buying centers, promoting regulated trading and encouraging miners to transition to legal activities.
Alake emphasized the government’s goal to shift the mining sector from raw extraction to value addition, processing, and local beneficiation, with the aim of boosting Nigeria’s economy. The country’s abundant mineral wealth, with over 44 untapped types, is viewed as a key area for economic transformation.
The Minister also highlighted major ongoing projects in the mining sector, including lithium and rare earth processing plants in Kwara and Kebbi states, a tantalite processing facility in the FCT, and a new gold refinery in Gwarinpa. These projects, along with the establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Company, are expected to boost Nigeria’s mining capabilities.
Nigeria Mining Week, which runs from November 18–20, will focus on issues like environmental reforms, financing innovations, and the global positioning of Nigerian minerals. The event aligns with the government’s strategy to make the mining sector a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic growth.
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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