NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Nigerian diplomatic turf appears to be in a state of uncertainty following the delay in the appointment of substantive heads of Nigerian foreign missions in the positions of ambassadors and high commissioners with possible implications. While it is not clear from the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the reasons for the delay since the heads of missions were recalled in September last year, some retired Nigerian ambassadors and experts in international relations have reacted to this development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the time of filing this report, had not officially reacted to our request as to why the government is delaying the release of the ambassadorial list and subsequent deployment of the envoys to Nigeria’s various missions. However, a source within the Ministry told our correspondent on Sunday that the matter rests absolutely with the Presidency. Speaking to newsmen yesterday, a former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign A...

●●●Says, Religion Cannot Divide Us President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Monday evening had Iftar(breaking of fast) with his Muslim colleagues, in Abuja. In his remarks at the occasion which was also attended by some Senators who are of the Christian faith, Akpabio declared that "religion cannot divide us," stressing that it was not a mere coincidence that the Christian Lenten and Muslim Ramadan periods came up again same time. He said it was to show that even though Muslims and Christians have different religions, they both have only one God, the Supreme God. Akpabio remarked: "I want to congratulate all of us for breaking fast today and thank Almighty Allah for keeping us alive to see this day and pray that He will continue to protect us and continue to look after our health, look after our families through this Ramadan period and also use this opportunity to congratulate you on the Easter celebration. "It is not a coincidence that God is mergi...

Tomorrow, Southeast ÀPC convenes a zonal meeting at Owerri. This is a follow-up to the first of its kind Colloquium held in Nnewi penultimate weekend and hosted by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, CON. In light of the above, it is imperative to look at a recap of the key messages that came on the front burner at both the Colloquium and the Mega Rally events.  Inspired by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah's entry into the ruling APC, the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, had personally led a coterie of political leaders from across the country to Anambra State to discuss the issues surrounding the perceived feelings of marginalization in the region. This is the first time this conversation was brought to this sort of arena where political leaders from the other zones sat together to discuss southeast return and inclusiveness in mainstream national politics. A remarkable indication of President Ahmed Tinubu's body language in extending a hand of fellowship and c...

Former presidential aide, Dr. Usman Bugaje, in this interview, speaks on the Tinubu Presidency and his misgivings about what is happening. He did not hold hostages. He insists he criticises Tinubu because when his fellow northerner, President Muhammadu Buhari, was doing the wrong things, he spoke against it. Bugaje can be controversial, yet you can not fault his clear-headed presentation and analysis of issues. He once said “there are no oil-producing states but the Nigerian state”, and that the “over 70% landmass of the North is what earned Nigeria the nautical miles into the sea which Nigeria enjoys and which gives the country the off-shore drilling rights,”. In this interview, he clarified his comments with precise lucidity. He spoke about the Oronsaye report, NASS and budget padding, corruption and why he does not believe there is any light at the end of the tunnel, especially, given the way President Bola Tinubu is conducting the affairs of government. You will find D...

Billionaire founder and CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, has been announced as the new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for The Walt Disney Company. Known globally for its significant impact on the media and entertainment industry, Disney has welcomed Musk into a pivotal role that aims to further its diversity and inclusion efforts. Elon Musk, whose ventures span across various industries including aerospace with SpaceX and automotive with Tesla, shared his enthusiasm about the new role through his X social media platform on Monday. In a statement that highlights his forward-looking approach to his new position, Musk said, “Excited to join @Disney as their Chief DEI Officer. Can’t wait to work with Bob Iger & Kathleen Kennedy to make their content MORE woke! Even the linguini.” Known for its vast portfolio that includes theme parks, movie studios, and a plethora of media networks, Walt Disney Company, under the leadership of Bob Iger and with key figures like Kath...

Pope Francis has used his traditional Easter message to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas to end the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The 87-year-old pontiff led Easter Mass at the Vatican in front of thousands, despite concerns over his health. Referring to conflicts around the world, the Pope pleaded not to “yield to the logic of weapons and rearming“. “Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts,“ he said. Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered in St Peter‘s Square to hear the Pope. As fresh truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas were due to begin, Pope Francis said: “I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on 7 October and for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip.” Referring to the impact of the war on civilians, beginning with children, he said: “How m...

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and his Abia State counterpart, Alex Otti, have urged the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, to conduct an audit of uncompleted projects funded by the Federal Government through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure their completion where necessary. This was contained in a statement released by Eunice Akro, the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Niger Delta Development in Abuja. During Momoh’s visit to Uzodimma, he highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to advance infrastructural development, economic empowerment, and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta Region. He lauded the minister’s initiatives but emphasized the necessity of auditing incomplete projects and reassigning the Amnesty Officer within the Ministry. Uzodimma said: “This is to create an enabling environment for infrastructural development, economic empowerment of youths and women, as well a...

As part of it’s efforts to uproot criminal elements masquerading as agitators in the Southeast region, troops of Operation UDO KA raided and cleared the notorious Oluchi Ogu camp also known as B44 camp of Eastern Security Network of the Indigenous People Of Biafra—IPOB in Imo State. According to a statement by the military headquarters, during the clearance operations, gallant officers came in contact with the ragtag criminals but they were overpowered by the superior fire power of the troops. The terrorists were forced to flee into the nearby bushes with various degrees of injuries and gunshot wounds.   The army said some innocent civilians abducted were gruesomely murdered and buried in shallow graves in the camp of the insurgents without any form of dignity. It further noted that as part of the Nigerian Army Civil Military Cooperation Relations, forensic analysis of some of the exhumed corpses will be done for a proper burial. Part of the statement reads, “The Joint ...

A frontline stalwart of the Labour Party in Anambra state, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has felicatetated with Anambrians on this year's celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a period known as Easter in Christiandom. In a press release made available by his media office and signed by him, Mr Ozigbo said that the Easter period calls for a time for reflection on life and what it has in stock for the Christians especially and Ndi Anambra in general.  He said "It is with joy that I send you my sincere greetings and blessings as we celebrate this year’s Easter, a day that commemorates the resurrection, from the dead, of our Lord Jesus Christ." "It is a day we celebrate the most important gift of God which He bestowed on us through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This symbolizes our Father’s ultimate sacrifice for us by sending his one and only begotten son, to die for the atonement of our sins." "This day marks our Sa...

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed joy that President Bola Tinubu’s promise to transform Abuja is turning out successful. Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday, after inspecting six ongoing projects across the territory. The project sites included the Southern Parkway, from Christian Centre to Ring Road I, being handled by Setraco and Vice President’s Resident being handled by Julius Berger. Other projects visited were B6 and B12, Independence Avenue, also handled by Julius Berger, Wuye Engineering Infrastructure, being handled by Arab Contractors and N-20 Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Jahi District, being handled by Gilmor. The minister also inspected the Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I, being handled by CGC. “So, for us we are happy with what we have seen, and we thanked God that the “Renewed Hope” agenda is working. “Nigerians can see that the President has done well and the pro...