Smallholder farmers engaged in crop production, fishing and poultry farming have been presented with a new opportunity to access financial support aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and livelihoods.
The initiative, targeted at low-income and struggling farmers, is designed to provide capital support to enhance farming activities and improve output across key agricultural value chains.
According to information made available ,the interested applicants are required to complete an online registration process through the official platform of the organising body.
To qualify for the support, applicants must meet specific requirements, including the submission of a recorded video clearly showing their face and active working environment, such as farms, fish ponds or poultry facilities.
In addition, applicants are expected to provide a valid National Identification Number (NIN) card or NIN slip, as well as the residential address of their working location.
The organisers noted that the requirements are intended to ensure transparency, verify genuine farmers and promote accountability in the disbursement of support.
Farmers seeking further clarification and updates on the programme have also been advised to join an official WhatsApp information group established by the organisers for continuous engagement and guidance.
The initiative is expected to ease financial constraints faced by small-scale farmers and contribute to food security, job creation and sustainable agricultural development in the country.
The Coca-Cola Company has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 International Leadership Trainee Programme, a premium leadership development initiative designed to groom young and talented graduates into future business leaders.
The programme, which will run for a duration of 18 to 24 months beginning in April 2026, offers selected participants the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience, leadership training and international exposure across Coca-Cola operations in up to 29 countries.
According to information made available by the organisers, the International Leadership Trainee Programme combines practical, on-the-job learning with mentorship and support from senior leaders within Coca-Cola HBC, alongside structured formal training.
The initiative targets high-calibre Gen Z individuals, including Nigerians both within the country and in the diaspora, who demonstrate strong leadership potential and a desire to build fast-paced careers in multinational organisations.
During the training period, trainees will be assigned to manage complex and strategic business projects, a process aimed at equipping them with the competencies required for higher leadership responsibilities within the company.
The programme is open to applicants from all countries and falls under the internship and training category. Successful candidates will receive a competitive monthly stipend, leadership training, international exposure and certification upon completion. No IELTS requirement has been specified, and the application deadline has not been announced.
Eligibility requirements include possession of a university degree or the ability to commit full-time while studying, demonstration of prior leadership experience through work, student organisations, non-governmental organisations, sports teams or entrepreneurship, and fluency in English.
Applicants must also show interest in leadership growth within commercial or supply chain functions, have no more than three years of formal work experience after graduation, and be willing to relocate internationally if required. Participation in extracurricular activities, volunteering, and having lived in more than one country are considered added advantages.
Interested and qualified candidates are required to apply online by visiting the official application page, completing the required information and submitting their applications accordingly.
The Coca-Cola Company encouraged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the programme is designed to prepare participants for leadership roles in global business environments.
Further details and updates on the application process can be accessed through the organisation’s official communication channels.
Visit the application page using the button provided below.
The Federal Government has announced the reopening of the registration portal for the 2025 Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), an initiative designed to promote youth empowerment, economic participation and national development.
The programme, according to information made available on the YIEDEP portal on Thursday, offers financial grants ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦500,000, alongside training, mentorship and other empowerment support for eligible Nigerian youths.
YEIDEP is a pro-youth economic intervention aimed at addressing unemployment, alleviating household poverty and reducing youth vulnerability through productive engagement. It is also targeted at enhancing national security by providing alternatives to social vices through economic inclusion.
The initiative seeks to equip young Nigerians with access to business financing and enterprise development services, enabling them to become entrepreneurs, job creators and sustainable income earners.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries will also receive basic economic incentives and capacity-building support to transform viable business ideas into profitable ventures, while contributing to nation-building and economic growth.
A summary of the programme shows that it is hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the training and empowerment category, and is open exclusively to Nigerian youths. The application deadline has not been specified.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 2025 YEIDEP registration, applicants must be Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35, and must possess valid National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Applicants are also expected to show interest in, or be actively engaged in, productive sectors such as agriculture, fashion, information and communication technology (ICT), entertainment, sports, renewable energy and other viable businesses.
In addition, prospective beneficiaries must have or be willing to open an account with any of the programme’s partner banks—Lotus Bank, Keystone Bank or Fidelity Bank—and must be available to participate in the required training and mentorship sessions.
Benefits
Successful applicants under the YEIDEP scheme are entitled to grants ranging between ₦50,000 and ₦500,000, depending on the nature and scale of their business proposals, alongside structured training and empowerment opportunities.
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates are required to visit the YEIDEP official homepage and click on the “Register Now” button located at the top right corner of the portal.
Applicants will be directed to an online registration page where they are to submit personal details including name, address, phone number, state of origin, local government area, BVN and NIN.
Upon successful registration, applicants will receive a membership code displayed on the screen. The code will be used to complete account opening with any of the designated partner banks.
Bank Account Registration
After completing the online registration and obtaining the membership code, applicants are to visit the nearest branch of Lotus, Keystone or Fidelity Bank with the code to open a dedicated bank account for the programme.
The Federal Government encouraged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their economic capacity and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Further details and application procedures are available on the YEIDEP registration portal, while interested individuals are advised to monitor official channels for updates, as no deadline has been announced.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State and intercepted several consignments of illicit substances concealed in containers of local black soap and other items.
The suspect, Mohammed Sani, also known as Gamboli, was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, following intelligence-led operations by NDLEA operatives.
NDLEA had earlier raided the suspect’s residence at Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on Nov. 20, where operatives recovered 471.8 kilogrammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis. However, the suspect escaped arrest during the operation.
Confirming the development in a statement on Sunday, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said the suspect was tracked and apprehended three weeks later at one of his drug joints.
Babafemi said intelligence reports linked the suspect to the supply of illicit drugs to bandits terrorising communities in Shiroro Local Government Area.
“Three weeks after escaping arrest at his home in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in the area, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani (alias Gamboli), has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at his hideout,” Babafemi said.
He explained that NDLEA operatives, acting on processed intelligence, traced the suspect to Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, where he was arrested on Dec. 11.
In a related development, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wear.
According to him, the drugs were found in six different consignments bound for the United States, Canada and Sweden, and were intercepted at two major courier companies in Lagos between Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, 2025.
“No fewer than 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wear, in six consignments going to the U.S., Canada and Sweden, were intercepted and seized by NDLEA operatives,” he said.
Babafemi also disclosed that in Abia State, NDLEA operatives raided a clandestine codeine syrup manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, in Osisioma Local Government Area, on Dec. 11.
He said a total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 1,152.2 kilogrammes, were recovered during the operation.
In Enugu State, Babafemi said operatives arrested one Ossai Emeka, 45, along the Onitsha–Enugu Ezike Road with 7.2 kilogrammes of skunk, while Enoje Agada, 40, was arrested along the Enugu Ezike–Ette Road with 94.6 kilogrammes of the same substance.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives raided a drug joint known as “Beere the California” at Ido, Ibadan, on Dec. 11, leading to the seizure of 3.4 kilogrammes of skunk, 1.6 kilogrammes of Colorado (a synthetic cannabis), and 400 grammes of methamphetamine.
Babafemi said the owner of the drug joint, identified as Idowu the Killer, escaped, while a suspect, Ajibade Faruk, was arrested at the scene.
He added that another operation at Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan, on Dec. 12, resulted in the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, and the seizure of 238.4 kilogrammes of skunk.
Similarly, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested Bashiru Babalola, 43, and Ugunwale Ranti, 50, at the Gbaji checkpoint, Seme Road, Badagry, Lagos, on Dec. 10, with 50,000 pills of tramadol.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers raided a compound in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, where a 55-year-old woman, Veronica Obi, and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi, were arrested with 1,187 kilogrammes of skunk and cannabis seeds.
In Edo State, Babafemi said Ohiomah Igbafe, 44, was arrested at Uroe community in Owan East Local Government Area with 461 kilogrammes of skunk and its seeds.
He further disclosed that in Gombe State, a suspect, Muhammed Sani (alias Sha-Mu-Sha), 50, was arrested at the Tunfure area with 40,000 capsules of tramadol.
According to him, two other suspects, Muhammad Abdullahi (alias Sakalala), 52, and Muhammed Hamza (alias Mamman), 32, were arrested at Ashaka Jalingo with 56 kilogrammes of skunk on Dec. 8.
At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers, on Dec. 13, intercepted a container carrying 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579 kilogrammes during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, in collaboration with TotalEnergies, has announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 NNPC/TotalEnergies International Scholarship Scheme for young Nigerian graduates.
The organisers disclosed that the scholarship is a fully funded programme designed to provide qualified Nigerian students with the opportunity to pursue Master’s degree programmes in top universities in France.
According to a statement issued by TotalEnergies on Tuesday, the scholarship is part of the company’s annual commitment, in partnership with NNPC Limited and other corporate partners, to support academic excellence and human capacity development in Nigeria.
The statement explained that the scholarship scheme targets outstanding Nigerian graduates who aspire to further their education in key fields relevant to the energy sector and national development.
It noted that TotalEnergies, a global energy company engaged in the production and distribution of fuels, natural gas and electricity, operates in more than 130 countries and remains committed to providing affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions while maintaining high safety and environmental standards.
The organisers disclosed that the scholarship will cover full tuition fees, accommodation, flight tickets, visa costs and provide beneficiaries with adequate monthly stipends throughout the duration of their studies.
They added that the scholarship is open exclusively to Nigerian citizens and does not require the submission of an IELTS result as part of the application process.
The scholarship summary indicated that France will serve as the host country, with the programme falling under the category of fully funded Master’s scholarships in Europe.
The deadline for submission of applications has been fixed for Jan. 31, 2026.
On eligibility, the organisers stated that applicants must possess a recognised university degree and must have graduated with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division.
They added that such qualification must not have been obtained earlier than five years before the date of application.
Applicants are also required to have completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The statement further outlined that eligible courses under the scholarship include Management Sciences, Engineering, and Geosciences, particularly in the area of Oil and Gas.
To apply, candidates are expected to submit several documents, including a completed application form, Bachelor’s degree certificate, academic transcripts, NYSC discharge certificate, curriculum vitae or evidence of work experience, and letters of recommendation.
The organisers advised interested applicants to visit the official scholarship application portal, create and verify an account, complete their personal profiles, upload the required documents, and submit their applications before the deadline.
They stressed that only shortlisted candidates would be contacted for further stages of the selection process.
The organisers encouraged Nigerian graduates to take advantage of the opportunity, describing the scholarship as a strategic investment in the future leadership and technical capacity of the country.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has opened applications for its 2026 Internship Programme, offering paid internship opportunities to students and recent graduates from across the world.
A statement released by the organisation indicated that the programme is open to international applicants enrolled in, or who have recently completed, undergraduate, master’s or doctoral degree programmes.
According to UNICEF, the internship is designed to provide participants with practical, professional and high-impact experience within a global organisation committed to improving the lives of children and young people.
The agency said interns would be exposed to world-class work environments while contributing meaningfully to UNICEF’s mandate of promoting children’s welfare, health, education and emergency relief across the globe.
UNICEF noted that it currently operates in about 190 countries and territories, offering interns the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in addressing real-world social and developmental challenges.
“The internship programme allows young professionals to work in line with UNICEF’s core values of care, respect, integrity, trust and accountability,” the statement said.
It added that while the internship provides strong professional development opportunities, participation does not automatically guarantee permanent employment with the organisation.
Programme Benefits
UNICEF disclosed that the 2026 internship programme is fully funded, with successful applicants entitled to:
•A monthly stipend paid by UNICEF or the host office;
•Possible support for visa, travel and related costs, depending on available funding;
•Exposure to global best practices and professional development within the UN system.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the internship, applicants must:
•Be at least 18 years old;
•Be currently enrolled in, or have graduated within the last two years, from an undergraduate, master’s or PhD programme;
•Demonstrate strong academic performance;
•Be proficient in at least one of UNICEF’s working languages — English, French or Spanish;
•Be fluent in the working language of the host office;
•Have no immediate family relationship with UNICEF staff or supervisors;
•Possess relevant work experience, which may be considered an added advantage.
Required Documents
Applicants are required to submit:
•An online application profile;
•A detailed curriculum vitae (CV);
•A cover letter or personal statement.
Application Timeline
UNICEF stated that there is no fixed deadline for the internship programme, as vacancies are advertised throughout the year depending on organisational needs.
Interested candidates are advised to apply online through UNICEF’s official job portal and ensure that all information provided is accurate and verifiable.
UNICEF encouraged eligible young professionals to take advantage of the programme as a pathway to gaining international work exposure and building skills relevant to future careers in development and humanitarian services.
No fewer than 187,765 electricity customers were newly metered across Nigeria between September and October 2025, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed.
This is contained in NERC’s latest Electricity Metering Factsheet, which showed an improvement in the country’s metering performance within the two-month period.
According to the report, 80,943 customers were metered in September, while 106,822 customers received meters in October, indicating an acceleration in meter deployment nationwide.
The commission said the sustained rollout increased the national metering rate from 55.37 per cent in September to 56.07 per cent in October.
During the same period, NERC noted that Nigeria’s active electricity customer base grew from 12,030,315 to 12,071,018, representing an increase of 40,703 customers.
The number of metered customers rose from 6,661,564 at the end of September to 6,768,386 by October, leaving 5,302,632 customers still on estimated billing.
NERC attributed the gradual improvement partly to ongoing interventions, including the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) and other metering initiatives, which began to record visible gains in the last quarter of the year.
A breakdown of performance by distribution companies (DisCos) showed that Ikeja Electric recorded the highest metering rate nationwide at 85.59 per cent, with 1,113,421 of its 1,300,940 active customers metered.
Eko Electricity Distribution Company followed closely with 84.75 per cent, while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company recorded 75.82 per cent.
However, the report revealed that four DisCos — Yola, Jos, Kaduna and Kano — remained below the 35 per cent metering threshold.
Yola Disco ranked lowest with 28.92 per cent, followed by Jos Disco at 29.74 per cent, Kaduna Disco at 33.72 per cent, and Kano Disco at 34.50 per cent.
NERC further noted that Aba Power recorded the most significant improvement during the period under review, installing 18,906 meters and increasing its metering rate from 69.49 per cent in September to 78.20 per cent in October, representing a 3.3 percentage-point rise.
In terms of monthly installations for October, Abuja Disco added 19,118 meters, Ikeja Electric installed 17,046, while Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company followed with 15,739 meters. Other DisCos, including Benin, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Eko, accounted for the remaining installations.
Despite the gains, the commission said over 5.3 million electricity customers across the country were still without meters.
NERC observed that with metering levels now surpassing 56 per cent after years of stagnation between 50 and 55 per cent, sustained efforts through the end of 2025 could move Nigeria closer to the long-standing goal of universal electricity metering.
The commission recently criticised electricity distribution companies for what it described as insufficient commitment to metering customers.
Speaking at the 4th Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja, NERC Vice Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, said there were currently between 600,000 and 700,000 meters available in the country.
Oseni challenged DisCos to improve public awareness and accelerate meter deployment, noting that government investment had already been made to support the process.
Similarly, NERC Commissioner for Corporate Services, Mr Nathan Shatti, urged DisCos to stop acting as if metering customers was a favour.
While reviewing data on Meter Asset Provider (MAP) refunds and installations, Shatti described the performance of some utilities as poor, noting that Abuja and Kano DisCos had achieved only two per cent compliance on customer refunds.
He also rejected technical excuses for delays in installing paid-for meters, insisting that DisCos should not collect customers’ money if their networks were not ready for metering.
Shatti added that failure to install meters and transformers resulted in financial losses for DisCos, stressing that it was in their interest to address metering and infrastructure challenges promptly.
He further disclosed that over 350,000 meters were yet to be migrated to the new Standard Transfer Specification (STS), calling for immediate clean-up of obsolete metering data.
Nigeria’s aviation sector recorded a sharp slowdown in growth in the third quarter of 2025, expanding by only 2.88 per cent year-on-year, as passengers continued to grapple with rising domestic airfares, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.
According to the NBS Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Report for Q3 2025, the nominal year-on-year growth rate of air transport declined steeply from 30.60 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 and 57.21 per cent in the first quarter of the year to 2.88 per cent in the third quarter.
The report, however, showed that despite the weakened growth rate, the sector’s output value increased. Air transport GDP at current basic prices rose from N78.71 billion in the third quarter of 2024 to N80.98 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2025, air transport output expanded from N67.28 billion in Q1 2024 to N105.77 billion, while in the second quarter it grew from N28.59 billion in 2024 to N37.35 billion in 2025.
A quarter-on-quarter analysis highlighted the volatility in the aviation industry. The size of the sector contracted by about 64.7 per cent between Q1 and Q2 2025, falling from N105.77 billion to N37.35 billion, before rebounding sharply in Q3, when output surged by about 116.8 per cent to N80.98 billion.
Nevertheless, because growth comparisons are measured against the corresponding quarters of the previous year, the year-on-year nominal growth rate continued to decline progressively from 57.21 per cent in Q1 to 30.60 per cent in Q2 and further to 2.88 per cent in Q3.
The data also indicated that air transport’s contribution to the overall economy remained marginal. The sector accounted for 0.07 per cent of total GDP in Q3 2025, slightly lower than the 0.08 per cent recorded in Q3 2024. Its share stood at 0.11 per cent in Q1 2025 and dropped to 0.04 per cent in Q2 of the same year.
In contrast, the broader economy continued to record nominal expansion. GDP at current basic prices increased from N96.16 trillion in Q3 2024 to N113.59 trillion in Q3 2025. On a quarterly basis, GDP rose from N79.51 trillion in Q1 2024 to N94.05 trillion in Q1 2025, and from N84.48 trillion in Q2 2024 to N100.73 trillion in Q2 2025.
Real GDP figures for the aviation sector showed a gradual recovery from contraction. Air transport recorded negative real growth throughout 2024, contracting by 9.51 per cent in Q1, 11.18 per cent in Q2 and 9.90 per cent in Q3.
In 2025, the sector returned to positive territory, though growth remained modest. Real growth stood at minus 0.81 per cent in Q1, improved to 6.34 per cent in Q2, and eased to 1.60 per cent in Q3.
Overall, the NBS figures suggest that while the aviation industry recorded strong year-on-year nominal growth at the beginning of 2025, the pace slowed significantly by the third quarter, even as output and contribution to GDP stayed above 2024 levels.
The slowdown coincides with persistent increases in domestic airfares, raising concerns over the sustainability of growth amid high operating costs and weakened passenger demand.
Amid growing public outrage over the sharp rise in ticket prices ahead of the festive season, the Senate recently summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, alongside key stakeholders in the aviation industry for an emergency interface.
The action followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai, who warned that soaring airfare levels posed a threat to national mobility and could severely disrupt end-of-year travel plans for millions of Nigerians.
Lawmakers cited reports indicating that one-way fares on several domestic routes, particularly flights to the South-South and South-East, had risen by as much as 200 per cent, with ticket prices exceeding N300,000, compared to an average of about N120,000 before the Yuletide rush.
A market survey of airline booking platforms also confirmed fare increases of more than 150 per cent compared with pre-holiday prices, intensifying concerns among travellers already burdened by inflation and rising transport costs.
Contributing to the debate on the Senate floor, Abdulfatai said complaints from Nigerians suggested that domestic air travel was rapidly becoming unaffordable, noting that one-way fares from Abuja to Lagos now ranged between N400,000 and N600,000.
He stressed the need for urgent engagement with relevant stakeholders, saying immediate measures must be taken to address the situation before the festive period.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, has opened applications for its 2026 fully funded graduate scholarship programme for Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
The scholarship, open to both international and Saudi students, covers thesis-based Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as project-based Master of Science (MS) degrees in key fields of science, engineering, technology and management.
KFUPM, one of the leading research universities in the Middle East, is globally recognised for its strengths in science, engineering and technology, and plays a strategic role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda.
According to information released by the university, the 2026 scholarship targets innovative and future-driven disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Business Analytics and Petroleum Engineering, among others.
The programme is designed to equip scholars with advanced academic training, hands-on research experience and mentorship under renowned professors, while granting access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research centres.
The university said the scholarship offers comprehensive financial support to enable students focus fully on their academic and research pursuits.
Under the scheme, successful candidates will enjoy full tuition waiver, monthly stipends to cover living expenses, furnished on-campus accommodation, and access to funded research projects.
International students will also receive round-trip airfare to and from Saudi Arabia at the beginning and completion of their studies, while all scholars are entitled to comprehensive medical and dental care.
Other benefits include subsidised meals, free textbooks and study materials, access to world-class libraries and academic resources, as well as opportunities for research assistantships and conference participation, subject to approval.
KFUPM further noted that scholars would study in a safe and secure campus environment, with access to recreational facilities such as sports complexes, green areas and leisure centres.
The graduate programmes are offered across several colleges, including the College of Computing and Mathematics, College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, College of Engineering and Physics, College of Chemicals and Materials, College of Design and Built Environment, KFUPM Business School and the College of General Studies.
Available programmes span aerospace engineering, applied statistics, architecture, business administration, accounting, finance, management, marketing, operations management and management information systems, among others.
To be eligible, applicants must possess a recognised Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, while PhD applicants are required to hold a Master’s degree.
A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent is mandatory.
Applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo tests, except graduates of KFUPM or applicants from countries where English is the official language.
Additional requirements include two letters of recommendation, a one-page statement of purpose outlining academic and research goals, and payment of a non-refundable application processing fee of 100 Saudi Riyals, excluding VAT.
Required documents include academic transcripts, valid passport or national identification, curriculum vitae, passport-size photograph and proof of English proficiency. Submission of GRE or GMAT scores, though optional, is strongly recommended for competitive programmes.
Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out a drone strike on a Turkish vessel transporting sunflower oil in the Black Sea, barely a day after a separate Russian attack caused a fire on another Turkish-owned ship at a Ukrainian port.
Ukraine’s Navy disclosed on Saturday that the Turkish vessel, VIVA, was hit by what it described as a targeted drone attack while en route to Egypt.
“Russia delivered a targeted strike using a drone against the Turkish vessel ‘VIVA’, which was sailing to Egypt with a cargo of sunflower oil,” the navy said in a statement posted on social media.
According to the navy, none of the 11 crew members aboard the ship was injured, and the vessel was able to continue its voyage after the incident.
The navy also released a video footage showing visible damage to the ship, including water on the deck and what appeared to be parts of a drone engine.
Reacting to the development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to global food security.
“It was a strike against food security,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
He argued that attacking civilian ships carrying agricultural products, which he said had no connection to the war, amounted to “a direct challenge by Russia to the whole world.”
Zelensky added that Ukraine would consult with its international partners to determine an appropriate response.
“We will work with our partners to determine how to respond to this. There will be a response,” he said.
Reports indicated that the ship was sailing within Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone, using a designated grain corridor that runs close to Ukraine’s coastline and is meant to ensure safe passage for critical agricultural exports through the Black Sea.
The latest incident marked the second reported attack on a Turkish vessel within two days.
It also came shortly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an end to attacks on ports and energy infrastructure during face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
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