Nabanko Newspaper

11/01/2026

High stakes in Morocco showdown as Nigerian billionaire puts $500,000 on the line.

Nigerian billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu has pledged significant cash bonuses to motivate the Super Eagles ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against host nation Morocco. Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, announced a $500,000 reward for a victory, with an additional $50,000 promised for every goal scored in the match.

The pledge was disclosed in a message posted on X following Nigeria’s 2–0 victory over Algeria in Marrakech, a win that secured the Super Eagles a place in the last four of the tournament.

Rabiu further revealed that he would reward the team with $1 million if Nigeria goes on to win the AFCON title, alongside a bonus of $100,000 for each goal scored in the final.

Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, will take on Morocco on Wednesday, January 14, as the tournament enters its semi-final stage.

09/01/2026

GRA HOLDS ANNUAL PRESS CONFERENCE.

MODOU SARR

The Gambia Revenue Authority on Wednesday afternoon held it's annual press conference. The convergence which was convened at the Revenue House in Banjul was attended by board members and top echelon of the institution.

Yankuba Darboe Commissioner General has told newsmen that despite external economic challenges in 2025, they were able to meet the target of 23 billion dalasi in the past year. The authority, he said has collected over 25 billion dalasi which represents a nominal growth of 21 percent when compared to last year.

CG Darboe made a rundown of some of the achievements registered which includes the successful implementation of tax administration reform and improved compliance strategies, increase outreach and education program, electronic invoicing for VAT, implementation of ITAS and most importantly the achievement of the annual revenue target among others.

According to Commissioner General Darboe, sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, trade and petroleum contributed most significantly to the national revenue. The positive performance in telecommunications was driven by increase usage of digital services, banking and financial services was also driven by increase financial inclusion with the increase of fintechs.

On revenue mobilization and balancing act, CG Darboe outlined the balance revenue mobilization by protecting businesses and citizens through the introduction of digital platforms meant for compliance burden on taxpayers.

Revenue authorities all over the world have embraced the use of technology to enhance revenue collection and to make paying taxes easy for the taxpayers and with this, GRA have decided not to be left behind .

On regional cooperation, the GRA boss highlights the importance of bilateral customs administrations of Senegal and Guinea Bissau meant to enhance regional trade. The authority also plays active roles in sub regional bodies like ECOWAS, West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) and World Customs Organization. We also leveraged on international cooperation to understudy and benchmark other revenue administrations and send some of our staff for attachment.

On staff integrity, CG Darboe said, GRA has instituted strict measures to ensure integrity, professionalism and accountability among it's staff including staff service rules, code of conduct, regular training programs, performance evaluation and a whistleblower policy that encourages reporting unethical behaviors.

Finally GRA boss pleads to those businesses still operating outside the tax net, to formalize their operations and comply with tax regulations. The authority, he said is willing to support their transition with guidance and resources that ease the process of becoming tax compliant.

CG Darboe concluded with a new year message wishing all Gambians and those living in the country a happy new year and many more. Special new year greetings to all taxpayers and the business community for a year of hope and partnership. Let us head in to the new year with a shared commitment to building a stronger, more equitable tax system that serves the interest of all citizens while fostering national development..

07/01/2026

Gambia Revenue Authority is currently holding an end of year press conference at the Revenue House in Banjul. Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe told newsmen that despite some of the economic challenges in 2025, they were able to meet their target of 23 billion dalasi by collecting over 25.3 billion dalasi in the past year. He said trade and petrolatum form part of the much broader collection of taxes. He also outlined some of the new inventions and technologies applied by GRA , namely the digital scanner at the ports and the introduction of the ITAS are among the procedures that makes the tax collection easier, accessible and convenient.

07/01/2026

The list of the 32 Cuban bodyguards killed during Americans attack on Caracas, Venezuela to remove President Nicholas Maduro from power

03/01/2026

The US president says Maduro and his wife have been "flown out of the country", as Venezuela declares a national emergency.

03/01/2026

I love this quote by Chinua Achebe..

“A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to redeem them from starving. They all have food in their own houses. When we gather in the moonlight at the village ground, it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so. Therefore, let us continue with the team spirit and enjoy the power of togetherness. Let’s smile not because we don’t have problems, but because we are stronger than the problems.”

Alone I can smile, but together we can laugh.

Alone I can enjoy, but together we can celebrate.

Alone I can talk, but together we can speak.

Alone is a voice, while together is a force.

Let’s promote things that unite us rather than things that cause disunity.

Let’s build ourselves as friends and brothers, because a tree cannot make a forest.

God bless you as you help a friend at the point of need.

Unity is great strength.

Everyone is important according to their own unique purpose.

Never look down on anybody unless you are admiring their shoes.

Compliments of the season. 🎄✨

01/01/2026

Wishing all the followers of Nabanko Newspaper a very happy and prosperous new year

23/12/2025

President Adama Barrow Launches The Gambia’s First National Land Policy

Major move for The Gambia as His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, launches the country's first-ever National Land Policy (2026 to 2035) to guide land-sector governance.

This reform policy aims to recognise all legitimate land ownership, promote responsible land use, address land conflicts, gender equity in land ownership, and empower youths through capacity-building.

The National Land Policy is a game-changer for The Gambia, and its impact will be felt across all communities through secure land rights, improved transparency, and measurable accountability in land management, economic growth, and youth empowerment.

Delivering his statement, President Barrow said the formulation of this policy has been a central pillar of the government’s reform agenda as reflected in its political manifestos and the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023 to 2027) - YIRIWA.

06/12/2025

POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN ALLEGED MURDER OF A WOMAN IN BRIKAMA MISIRA

The Police have, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged murder of Fatou Sambou, a 40-year-old resident of Kembujeh Madina, who was on December 2, found lying on her groundnut farm behind the Brikama Power Station with injuries to her head and hand.

Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene and evacuated the victim to Brikama District Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her remains were later transferred to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) for post-mortem examination.

Robust Police efforts, combined with timely support and cooperation from critical stakeholder institutions, enabled investigators to track and trace the victim’s stolen mobile phone, which provided a decisive lead in identifying the suspect.

This led to the arrest of Sulayman Saidykhan, a 26-year-old native of Bakary Sambouya, an ex-soldier with a previous criminal conviction. He was found in possession of the deceased’s mobile phone.

The suspect has been cautioned, charged, and detained, while investigations remain active to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Gambia Police Force acknowledges the support of all stakeholders whose cooperation contributed to the swift arrest of the suspect and reassures the public of a thorough, impartial, and professional investigation to ensure justice is served.

03/12/2025

PRESIDENT TINUBU NOMINATES GENERAL CHRISTOPHER MUSA AS THE NEW MINISTER OF DEFENCE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President,
Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga indicates that in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.

General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.

In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.

In the letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

01/12/2025

The Gambia Police Force is investigating two separate incidents in the Lower River Region and the West Coast Region.

In Soma, 17-year-old painter Abdoukadri Barry was reportedly electrocuted while working on a storey building and was confirmed dead at the Soma District Hospital.

In Mandinaba, police are investigating an alleged murder involving Mustapha Jallow of Kafuta, who reportedly stabbed Bakary Bah during a fight. The victim later died at a health facility. The suspect and the alleged weapon are in custody, with CSI and CID officers on the scene.

The public is urged to remain calm and cooperate as investigations continue.

27/11/2025