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Tag: Cotonou

  • Policewoman Juliet Ukah set for All‑Nigerian PFL Africa Showdown with Jane Osigwe: “Let’s do this!”

    Policewoman Juliet Ukah set for All‑Nigerian PFL Africa Showdown with Jane Osigwe: “Let’s do this!”

    Police corporal and unbeaten strawweight Juliet “Golden Bones” Ukah will share the cage with fellow Nigerian Jane “The Slayer” Osigwe in a women’s 115‑pound showcase when PFL Africa returns to the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa on April 10 for the Season 2 opener.

    Their bout sits on a card headlined by bantamweight champion Nkosi “King” Ndebele against Italy’s Michele Clemente, with heavyweight contender Justin Clarke facing Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane in the co-main event.

    Ukah enters the week at 8‑0 as a professional and 2‑0 under the PFL Africa banner, with wins over South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr and Egypt’s Maryam Gaber already on her record. She outpointed Niedermayr over three rounds in Cape Town in July 2025, then closed the year by stopping Gaber via first‑round TKO at the Africa Finals in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Now 26, she is one of the most visible figures in the women’s game on the continent and was the first African‑born female fighter to sign with the PFL.

    The path that brought her here was improvised rather than planned. In 2022, Ukah agreed at short notice to replace another athlete on a card in Cameroon after being approached by Henry George, who would go on to lead the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation. She admits she barely knew the rules at the time and briefly considered walking away from the opportunity, but she won that debut and has not lost since, adding victories in EFC, Imbgim FC and other African shows before PFL came calling.

    Outside the cage, she serves as a corporal in the Nigeria Police Force since 2018, a career inspired by Chioma Ajunwa, the police officer who delivered Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medal in the long jump at Atlanta 1996. The police also have an MMA program, “It’s so special, because yesterday we celebrated Police Day, so it’s a very special day for me. It’s like combining the force and the sport, so it’s a very special thing for me.

    Speaking ahead of Pretoria, Ukah said the timing and platform add extra motivation. “I want to say it’s going to be a great, massive explosion, because it’s going to be something good that women in MMA in Africa are looking up to. It’s something we’re going to grow, and not just in Africa – we’re going to take over the continent and the world very soon,” She said.

    “I would say, for example, I’m like a pioneer, an ambassador for all women in martial arts in Africa and Nigeria. It could be pressure, as you say, but for me it’s not pressure. It’s something that reminds me I need to work hard every day to keep that standard going and to find a way to keep myself going, no matter what comes up.”

    Osigwe, 20, arrives at 5‑3 with an interim title from African Knockout (AKO), the promotion launched by former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. She claimed the AKO women’s bantamweight interim belt by outpointing Morocco’s Sanaa Mandar last August in Abuja and brings a record built on pressure, forward movement and a high rate of TKO and KO finishes. Pretoria marks her PFL debut and a shift down to strawweight, where she will look to test Ukah’s composure with volume and pace.

    Ukah has shown a patient, kick‑heavy approach, working behind leg kicks and counters while using strong takedown defence to keep fights standing over three rounds. Osigwe prefers to close distance, step into the pocket and throw in bunches, using aggression to force reactions and openings.

    On facing a fellow Nigerian, Ukah added, “It’s a great pleasure, not just having only me on the card but having other Nigerians too. It’s an honour because I started it, so starting it, it’s a joy for me to train others and also have others coming up. In case the opportunity comes and I go global, then I know that back home we have other Nigerians who are also competing at this level.”

    Ukah says she has not spent much time talking about Osigwe’s game publicly. “I don’t know much about my opponent,” she said. “I expect my fans to watch and believe I have come to give them an even better fighter than before.”

    Her message for Osigwe was short and in line with the way she handles her work. “I don’t have much to say for my opponent, just make sure you are preparing well.”

    Ukah finished by explaining how she hopes to become an inspiration for fans and women across all of Nigeria and Africa, “For the fans, I believe it’s not just going to be about me. There are going to be other girls flying the flag of Nigeria, both in the police and also as civilians. I believe it’s going to be a good thing.”

  • West African Development Bank (BOAD) announces acquisition of an equity interest by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in its capital

    West African Development Bank (BOAD) announces acquisition of an equity interest by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in its capital

    …The two institutions are breaking new ground for their long-standing cooperation, which to date has been marked by the provision by BADEA of resources on preferential terms, and by the co-financing of several infrastructure projects in WAEMU countries

    The West African Development Bank (BOAD) is pleased to announce that the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has joined its capital.

    Following a favorable opinion issued by the Bank’s Board of Directors, at its 139th meeting held on 20th December 2023 in Cotonou, the WAMU Council of Ministers met on 21st December 2023 and approved the participation of BADEA in BOAD’s capital. This opens up the second phase of the Bank’s capital increase process, the first phase of which was completed in December 2022 for an amount of XOF554.38 billion. 

    As a reminder, the BOAD capital increase process, referred to as “Peninsula” project, is structured into two phases: a first phase involving the issue of shares reserved for the Bank’s current shareholders, and a second phase involving the issue of shares open to new shareholders, whose accession is subject to approval by the Council of Ministers, as provided for by BOAD’s Articles of Association. The participation of BADEA in the Bank’s capital as a class B shareholder (non-regional shareholder) is part of this second phase, and involves an amount of US$30 million, or XOF18.47 billion. This stake is equivalent to 1.20% of BOAD’s subscribed share capital, giving this first-rate institution a seat on its Board of Directors.

    Established on 28th November 1973 and operational since March 1975, BADEA, with head office in Khartoum (Sudan), is a financial organization whose aim is to be a “world bank for Africans”, comprising 18 member countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Libya, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. It is rated Aa2 with a positive outlook by Moody’s.

    The two institutions are breaking new ground for their long-standing cooperation, which to date has been marked by the provision by BADEA of resources on preferential terms, and by the co-financing of several infrastructure projects in WAEMU countries, as well as the granting of subsidies to BOAD to support structuring projects.

    For President Serge Ekué, “BADEA’s participation as a new shareholder follows 10 years after the Kingdom of Morocco joined BOAD’s capital in 2013. This was the result of a series of discussions over the past two years. It is the translation of excellent relationships between both of our institutions, but also the result of a perfect common understanding between the President of BADEA, my dear friend and brother, Mr. Sidi Ould Tah, to whom I wish to pay a heartfelt tribute. My warmest congratulations to our respective technical teams”.

  • Feature: Tinubu can champion the United Socialist State of West Africa

    Feature: Tinubu can champion the United Socialist State of West Africa

    by Ayo Akinfe

    Were I in Bola Tinubu’s shoes, my ultimate foreign policy objective would be to create a United Socialist State of West Africa that could rival China, India, the US and the EU on the world stage

    [1] When you only account for just 4% of world trade and only 1% of global manufacturing, despite accounting for 18% of the population, you have a serious crisis on your hands. Africa as a continent needs to do something drastic to address this imbalance

    [2] No matter how much we debate the matter, Nigeria simply has to step up to the plate. As the world’s largest black nation, it is up to us to come up with remedies. I would have loved it if Bola Tinubu had used his Independence Day speech to unveil a series of foreign policy initiatives

    [3] Maybe to kick things off he could have launched a West African Customs Service that will check goods coming into West Africa’s main ports like Dakar, Abidjan, Tema, Lome, Cotonou and Apapa. Tag all containers that arrive at our ports so we know which ones are destined for the Nigerian market

    [4] As things stand, over 70% of the goods that come into West Africa are ultimately destined for Nigeria. As the biggest worry is Cotonou, I think Nigeria and Benin Republic should reach a deal giving the Nigerian Customs Service full control of the port. Without Nigeria, that port has no function and the Benin economy will eventually collapse

    [5] Over the long term, we simply need to merge our nation-states. Too many of the countries across West Africa are too small and weak to survive in the global cut-throat economy. Africa currently has 55 nation-states when she does not need more than say a dozen

    [6] The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) then needs to reach an immediate agreement with the likes of China, India, Pakistan and Thailand that have made West Africa their dumping ground. Maybe we should insist that all their shipments go to one port, so we can monitor them from there

    [7] Personally, I would dredge say Calabar and make it the dedicated Asian port. All Asian goods coming into the West African region should go there and from Calabar be distributed to their destined markets

    [8] ECOWAS only has a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $675bn compared with India’s $2.5trn. We should demand trade concessions until we grow the Ecowas economy to at least $1trn. For instance, we should ask for the introduction of World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade laws that compel any country exporting goods in excess of $1m into any region to open a manufacturing facility there

    [9] ECOWAS should also demand a one-off Industrial Investment Plan that involves the investment of $10bn in infrastructure across West Africa to create jobs and increase output

    [10] All automobile manufacturers should be banned from shipping finished cars into the ECOWAS market. If they want to sell their cars there, then they should open local assembly plants. If they want our money, they must be prepared to get their hands dirty

  • Dangote Cement clarifies Cement Price Misinformation

    Dangote Cement clarifies Cement Price Misinformation

    …..says Nigeria’s price is in line with or lower than prices across the West African coast.

    Management of Dangote Cement Plc has clarified that the price of a bag of cement from its factories across Nigeria (as at 28th August 2023) is N4,010 in Okpella and N4,640 in Ibese, Objana, and Gboko. Including transportation costs and the location of delivery, prices could range between N5,000 to N5,300 per bag. This clarification was made in view of recent misinformation that the Company sells cement in Nigeria at significantly higher prices relative to other countries, particularly the Republic of Benin, and other neighbouring countries.

    Dangote Cement’s Group Managing Director, Mr Arvind Pathak, advised that it is important to distinguish Dangote Cement’s ex-factory prices from prices at which retailers sell cement in the market.

    Our check in Cotonou, the commercial capital of the Republic of Benin indicated that cement sells between CFA 3,495 and CFA 4,500, which at the current exchange rate of CFA 1: NGN 1.43 is between N4,997 to N 6,435 per bag.

    Pathak said that Dangote Cement is focused on delivering quality cement at the best price possible, despite the current inflationary environment. “We continue to innovate new ways to deliver quality products to millions of our customers across Africa, while providing top-notch customer services.  At Dangote Cement, we are committed to building an inclusive and sustainable business for all stakeholders across the value chain”.

  • NAMA, ASECNA sign MoU on Improved Airspace Coordination

    NAMA, ASECNA sign MoU on Improved Airspace Coordination

    In a bid to address challenges arising from the flow of air traffic between Flight Information Regions (FIRs), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has signed Letters of Agreement with the Agency for Aerial Navigation and Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). The agreement, which was signed in Lagos at the end of a five-day coordination meeting with ASECNA officials from Lome and Cotonou sought to enhance air traffic coordination between the Lagos Area Control Centre (ACC) and Lome Area Control Centre as well as between Lagos ACC and Cotonou Approach Unit.

     Specified in the Letters of Agreement were procedures for separation of aircraft between the two ACCs in terms of radio frequencies, the point at which aircraft are transferred and altitudes for transfer of aircraft across the common boundaries. Also in the agreement were modalities for the coordination of air traffic along the newly created routes (UL255 and UN247) within Lome airspace terminating at POLTO.

     The ASECNA officials were assured that issues with coordination and data interchange equipment like Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) and Air Traffic Services Message Handling Services (AMHS) would soon be surmounted with the ongoing deployment of the new VISAT 10.02 network.

    The concept of Free Route Airspace (FRA) already in operation within Kano Flight Information Region (Nigeria) as well as its derivatives like increased airspace capacity; shorter travel time; reduced carbon emission, reduced operational costs to the operators and reduced workload for controllers and pilots was presented to the visitors for possible adoption and implementation.

    The visiting ASECNA team also inspected navigational facilities at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, like the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) Site, control tower, mobile control tower at CENTREX, CAT III equipment as well as the newly installed Surface Movement Radar.

    Meanwhile, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Tayib Odunowo has expressed confidence that regional collaborations and synergy between adjacent FIRs were critical to the safety of the African sky. Odunowo who was represented at the signing of the Letters of Agreement with ASECNA by the General Manager, Air Traffic Control Operations, Mr. John Tayo said such collaborations would guarantee seamlessness of air traffic management as well as interoperability of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems among states on the African continent.  

  • Lekki Port receives first transshipment Vessel with the arrival of CMA CGM RIMBAUD

    Lekki Port receives first transshipment Vessel with the arrival of CMA CGM RIMBAUD

    The management of Lekki Deep Sea Port has announced the arrival of the CMA CGM RIMBAUD the first transshipment vessel to call at the container terminal of Lekki Deep Sea Port.

    The vessel, which arrived at approximately 1.00pm on Thursday, June 29, 2023, contains cargo from two of the largest container shipping lines in the world, CMA CGM and Maersk. The service originated from the Far East passing through Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Nansha, Tanjung Pelpas, Singapore to Kribi, Cameroun, before finally arriving at Lekki Port this afternoon.


    The vessel is carrying 411 TEUs of transshipment cargo and has a nominal container handling capacity of 6,900 TEUs.

    Speaking on the milestone, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, expressed his appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Ports Authority for the support in ensuring the start of transshipment activities at Lekki Port.

    Also the Chief Operating Officer, Laurence Smith noted that all regulatory agencies operating at the port particularly the Nigerian Customs Service worked together with Lekki Port and the container terminal operator, Lekki Freeport Terminal to ensure a hitch free arrival of the vessel and processing of cargo.

    Lekki Port with its state of the art Ship to Shore cranes and sophisticated scanners is now poised to position Nigeria as the preeminent transshipment hub of West Africa.

    The transshipped cargo will be departing for Cotonou its final destination on 6th July 2023.

  • 200 Nigerian passengers stranded as Lufthansa diverts flight to Cotonou, Malabo

    200 Nigerian passengers stranded as Lufthansa diverts flight to Cotonou, Malabo

    Lufthansa Flight LH566 from Frankfurt that was destined to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos as a direct flight was on Friday diverted to Cotonou, Togo and later to Malabo, Capital of Equatorial Guinea by the pilot who lied to the passengers that the Lagos airport was closed.

    The flight with over 200 passengers and about only 15 passengers destined to Malabo was scheduled to arrive Lagos by 5:45 pm on March 3, 2023 before flying to Equatorial Guinea capital, but later arrived Lagos at 2:00 am on March 4, 2023.

    Findings investigations revealed that the Lagos airport was not closed at any time on March 3, and there was no indication that any other airline coming to Lagos diverted the flight to any other airport whether within Nigeria or outside the country.


    While enquiring from General Manager, Public Affairs, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, whether the Lagos airport was closed at any time on March 3, 2023 and she responded, “There was never a day/time that MMA was closed. I will let you know if there will be any closure in the coming days.”


    Anytime any airport is closed, the information is circulated to the world through Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which is managed by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), NOTAM desk also confirmed that the airport was not closed at any time on March 3, 2023.


    Eyewitness account narrated passengers’ experience in the Lufthansa Flight LH568. “They left Frankfurt yesterday (March 2, 2023) by 12 noon to Lagos and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea. This flight was supposed to be at Lagos by 5.45 pm. On getting to Lagos, the pilot told the passengers they couldn’t land because the Lagos airport was closed.


    “He took them to Contonou airport and landed, waiting for Lagos airport to open, according to the pilot. They were there for almost three hours, and during this time, relatives waiting for the flight were panicking. Then individuals were now calling relatives asking what was happening in the Lagos airport.

    “It was then passengers knew that Lagos airport was not closed.  They now demanded that the pilot should take them to Lagos.  After much argument, the pilot told them he was taking them to Malabo, to drop the 15 passengers before coming back to Lagos to drop off over 200 passengers.

    “This was what the pilot did. They now landed at 2: 00 am. When the passengers said they wouldn’t come down on arrival at Lagos without the airline making a proper arrangement for them, the pilot threatened them and said he would call the police to evacuate the passengers.”

    Because of the diversion of the flight, the return flight from Lagos to Frankfurt was delayed and so Lufthansa management issued a notice to the Frankfurt- bound passengers from Lagos. The circular dated March 3, 2023, stated,

    “Dear Lufthansa guest, Unfortunately, your flight LH569/3 March from Lagos to Frankfurt is delayed due to operational reasons. The incoming aircraft has been diverted and to land in Cotonou (Benin) and then to Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) before reaching Lagos destination.

    “Lufthansa would like to sincerely apologise for this delay and any inconvenience it may have caused your journey.  We have now planned an arrival of the aircraft in Lagos around 01:15 (it arrived 2:00 am) and we will do our best to manage a quick turnaround.”

    Many industry stakeholders were shocked about the pilot’s claim that the airport was closed. It prompted some stakeholders to suggest that the airport might have been closed without proper notification but conceded that if it were so it would not be only Lufthansa that would be affected.

    Airlines that arrive between 4:00 to 7:00 to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport every day include Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways and others.

    But further investigation carried out revealed that Flightradar24 Live Flight Tracker showed that the Lufthansa flight made circled flight around Lagos/Benin Republic airspace before it landed in Cotonou.

    In a conversation with the Head of Business Development, Zenith Travels and the spokesman of Aviation Round Table (ART), Olu Ohunayo, who monitored the incident.

    He said, “For me personally, I want to think that the pilot must have taken a safety precaution, according to the SOP (standard operating procedure) of Lufthansa. Because an airline cannot take off from Frankfurt and deliberately go and land in Cotonou, putting an extra cost on the airline and adding extra working hours to the crew and inconveniencing its passengers.”