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Defence Minister Musa Explains Why Tackling Sambisa Forest Is No Easy Task

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Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has explained the difficulty of securing Sambisa Forest, saying its vast size makes the military operation there far more complex than many people assume.

Musa said the forest should not be viewed as a small, easily contained area, stressing that its scale presents a major challenge to security forces operating against insurgents.

“Sambisa Forest is as big as Belgium as a country, so when people talk about these things, they make it look as if it is one small football field and we are refusing to do anything,” he said.

His remarks come amid continued military efforts to contain insurgent activity in parts of northeastern Nigeria, where Sambisa Forest has historically served as a stronghold for Boko Haram and other armed groups.

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The forest has been the focus of several military operations over the years, with Nigerian forces carrying out ground and aerial operations against insurgents operating in the area.

Musa’s comments were aimed at putting the security challenge into perspective, arguing that the scale of the terrain makes the fight considerably more demanding than public discussions sometimes suggest.

The comparison with Belgium has circulated widely following his remarks, although estimates of the size of Sambisa Forest vary considerably depending on the boundaries and definition used. The comparison should therefore be understood as Musa’s description of the scale of the area rather than a settled geographical measurement.

The defence minister’s broader argument was that the complexity of the terrain and the continued presence of armed groups require sustained military efforts rather than an expectation of an immediate resolution.

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Africa Magic Mourns Late Olu Jacobs at 84, Revives His Stirring Message to Young Nollywood Hopefuls

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Africa Magic

Africa Magic honours late Olu Jacobs at 84 and shares his final advice to young Nollywood talents after the actor’s death and a 2013 AMVCA tribute (more…)

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Dolberg Hails Arokodare’s Goal-Scoring Instinct

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Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg has praised Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare’s goal-scoring instinct, describing his teammate as a specialist in positioning and a “monster in front of goal.”

Arokodare has made an impressive start to life at the Amsterdam club since joining on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring five goals in eight appearances across competitions. The 25-year-old’s loan deal runs until the summer of 2027 and includes an option for Ajax to make the move permanent.

Dolberg, who is competing with Arokodare for a starting place, said he had been paying attention to the Nigerian’s movement inside the penalty area and believes there are aspects of his game that he can adopt.

“I enjoy participating in the game, but the coach wants me to be more aggressive in front of goal. And I understand that. In that regard, I can learn something from Tolu, even though he is a competitor,” Dolberg said.

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The Danish striker went further in his assessment of Arokodare, highlighting the Nigerian’s ability to find the right positions and finish chances.

“He is a specialist in choosing his position and is a monster in front of goal. I talk to him a lot about that. I need to start scoring more,” Dolberg added.
Arokodare’s form has made him one of Ajax’s most productive attackers early in the 2026/27 campaign. His five goals have come in eight appearances, with two assists also recorded during the opening weeks of his spell in Amsterdam.

The Nigerian has also made an impact in European competition, scoring twice in Ajax’s 5-3 victory over Sion in the Conference League qualifying play-off. He subsequently scored in the club’s 4-0 league victory over Telstar.

His performances have also attracted praise from former Ajax midfielder Marciano Vink, who described the forward as a player with considerable footballing quality after watching his early performances for the club.

Arokodare joined Ajax during the summer from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan, with the Dutch club holding an option to sign him permanently. Ajax’s official profile lists him as a Nigerian attacker and confirms his loan arrangement with Wolves.
For Dolberg, however, Arokodare’s influence extends beyond the competition for playing time. The Dane’s comments suggest that the Nigerian’s movement and efficiency inside the box are qualities he believes can help him improve his own scoring output.

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The praise comes as Arokodare continues to establish himself at Ajax, with his early goalscoring form giving the Super Eagles another attacking option ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

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NDCCITMA rejects trademark allegations ahead of Niger Delta Summit

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The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.

In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.

According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.

The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.

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“Economic Summit” is a generic expression

NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.

The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.

It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.

Court grants interim injunction

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Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.

The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.

According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.

The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.

Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim

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NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.

The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.

It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.

Summit opens September 15

Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.

The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.

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