Image: Barter trade

Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State has reopened its centuries-old barter market, a unique trade hub in West Africa, as part of activities marking the council’s 34th anniversary.

The celebration, held at the council headquarters, brought together residents, traditional leaders, and political figures who hailed the return of peace to the area.

They described it as the foundation for Akpabuyo’s renewed economic prospects.

Former Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Deputy Governorship candidate, Dr. Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe, said the reopening of the barter market was a landmark development, crediting Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu for restoring stability in the community.

Since His Excellency came into power, he put all measures in place to ensure calm and peace.

Today, people can sleep in their houses with their eyes closed, and that is why you see this turnout from far and near,” she said.

Dr. Ambrose-Amawhe highlighted Akpabuyo’s natural maritime position, bordered by rivers, Bakassi, and the Atlantic Ocean.

He emphasised that the government investment in dredging, deep-sea port projects, and marine preservation will reinforce its role in trade and agriculture.

“With the pace of growth, Akpabuyo will contribute even more to the economic advancement of Cross River State and Nigeria. More jobs will mean more stability for our people,” she added.

Council Chairman, Hon. Effiom Bassey Effiong, said hosting the first official anniversary of Akpabuyo’s creation was a privilege, noting that the event was made possible by improved security.

“The place is calm and safe. We have Marine Police, the Navy, the Army, the Airforce, and our local vigilantes. Investors from China and other countries are already showing interest; some have even acquired land to build a university and industries,” he said.

Hon. Effiong also revealed plans to remodel the barter market into a world-class commercial hub to attract more investors and cross-border traders from Cameroon and beyond.

The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)’s enforcement agencies across Africa arrested 1,209 major cybercriminals and recovered USD 97.4 million.

INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, gave the statistics during the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

He explained that the operation, code-named Serengeti 2.0 and coordinated by INTERPOL between June and August 2025, targeted high-impact cybercrimes including ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and online investment scams. “

The report said that Nigeria was one of 18 African countries, alongside the United Kingdom, that took part in the operation.

The wider African operation dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures, ranging from command-and-control servers to fraudulent domains.

In Angola authorities shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centres operated by 60 Chinese nationals who were unlawfully validating blockchain transactions to generate digital currency.

The crackdown also led to the seizure of 45 unauthorised power stations and mining equipment valued at over USD 37 million.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced that the fee for a 32-page passport with five-year validity will rise to N100,000, while a 64-page passport with ten-year validity will cost N200,00.

The new rates take effect from September 1, 2025.

NIS, in a a statement posted on its X handle yesterday, by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said that the adjustment is aimed at sustaining the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport while ensuring efficient service delivery

The revised charges apply only to passport applications processed within Nigeria.

Before now, the 32-page Passport with five-year validity cost N50,000 after it was increased from N35,000.

Also, the 64-page passport with a 10-year, was N100,000 after being initially increased from N70, 000.

However, passport application fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged.

Applicants abroad will continue to pay $150 for a 32-page, five-year passport and $230 for a 64-page, ten-year passport.