British beverage maker Twining Ovaltine is pumping a fresh £24 million into its Lagos manufacturing facility in an efforts to strengthen the bilateral trade between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

This is disclosed in a statement a statement issued by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade.It said that the investment will create over 100 direct jobs and boosting the company’s exports across West Africa.

Peter Kyle, the UK’s business and trade secretary, said that with bilateral trade now at an all-time high of £8.1 billion a year, the UK and Nigeria are showing how countries grow faster when they grow together.

He emphasised that as the two economies continue to enhance cooperation and trade relations, the investment plans will provide jobs for both countries while transforming lives.

“With Nigerian firms creating jobs across the UK and British businesses expanding into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, our partnership is strengthening both economies and delivering real benefits for people in both countries,” Kyle said.

Meanwhile, located on Wempco road, Ogba, Lagos, Ovaltine has been available and popular in Nigeria since the 1930s via imports.The manufacturing facility marks the commencement of direct, local manufacturing of the brand by Twinings.

Opposition party -The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has beaten it’s chest saying, “There is no one, including the President, who will not agree that our country was safer in 2015 than it is today.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the opposition party referenced the recent multiple bombings in Maiduguri, resulting in at least 23 deaths and injuring more than 100 people, alleging that “it was another incontrovertible piece of evidence of the inability of the APC-led federal government to curb the growing insecurity in the country.”

This bombing is an unfortunate addition to the numerous acts of grave insecurity that have occurred under the watch of President Bola Tinubu, who was the loudest campaign voice for the APC, promising to end insecurity immediately if his party is elected. Sadly, 11 years later, insecurity has not only increased significantly in the Northeastern part of Nigeria; it has spread almost uncontrollably to many other parts of the country that were hitherto very safe and peaceful.

Despite this glaring failure, the APC-led Presidency has devoted more time, energy, and resources to the task of political genocide against the opposition, instead of deploying the same to combat the growing insecurity that has become the lived reality and new normal of Nigerians.

In the statement signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary, the party sympathise with the families who have been affected by bombing and calls on the federal government to move beyond rhetoric in security matters and engage strategic stakeholders, especially community leaders, as part of a whole-of-society approach to combating insecurity.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, for a landmark state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The visit, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and the first hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria-UK relations. President Tinubu will be hosted at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19.

During the stay, Their Majesties will invite the presidential couple to view a special Royal Collection exhibition featuring items related to Nigeria. Private discussions between King Charles and President Tinubu will follow, alongside meetings with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.

The day will culminate in a State Banquet hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian guests.President Tinubu will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, paving the way for expanded high-level engagement.

The discussions are expected to result in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

A key highlight includes President Tinubu witnessing the signing of a major £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance (UKEF), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The deal will support the refurbishment of Nigeria’s critical maritime infrastructure at the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and Tin Can Island Port Complex.

The President will serve as guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, celebrating modern arts and culture, and attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as the diaspora community.

The presidential entourage includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit, which aims to deepen bilateral ties in immigration, trade, investment, security, and cultural exchange while reinforcing the enduring historical bond between the two nations.