News

FG Unveils Administration’s Foreign Policy Directions

Published

5 months ago

December 11, 2023

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Monday, inaugurated the administration’s foreign policies.

Tuggar, in his opening remarks at the launching of the President Bola Tinubu 4Ds Foreign Policy Exhibition in Abuja, stated that policy doctrine provides a dynamic and unique concept that is anchored on “Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora”, noting that the exhibition showcases “Nigeria’s history and diplomatic engagements.”

Articulating the 4Ds, the Minister stated that Nigeria, being the largest Democracy on the continent, “the President’s keen interest in democracy, as one of the 4Ds, is underscored by the opportunities that come with it, as well as the challenges that confront it, namely in places where we are now witnessing recourse to the unconstitutional change of government.

“Despite its challenges, democracy must be upheld by the people as the best form of government to champion the will of the people. Mr. President is very clear about the need to further entrench and consolidate democratic gains made since the return of civil rule in Nigeria in 1999. For us as a country, democracy is what we have and what we must cherish. We will continue to encourage this both in Africa and across the world.”

On Development, he noted that there was a need for the removal of major impediments to development in Nigeria and the African continent, adding that “We intend to, among others, leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to facilitate the exchange of goods and services while fast-track trade and investments, through economic cooperation, fair trade, global health initiatives, stable and transparent global governance, building capacity for entrenching sustainable socio-economic development.

“We also intend to engage with the need for the reform of international financial institutions to make them fit for purpose for the benefit of all, ensuring that no one is left behind. We will continue to emphasise that the world is as strong as its weakest link.”

The minister stated that with Nigeria’s Demography, “Our foreign policy and diplomatic engagements will be used to showcase the vibrant young talents and skills that our young population possesses for national development.”

Tuggar further underscored the fact that the Nigerian diaspora community plays a pivotal role in the development of the nation.

He said, “Notably, the remittances of Nigerians living in the diaspora have become a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development. Mr. President acknowledges this and believes firmly that a well-structured diaspora community will continue to be a catalyst for Nigeria’s imaging and a veritable source for direct investment, given their unmatched expertise in different fields of endeavour.”

During the unveiling of the first-of-its-kind MFA atrium, the minister and diplomatic community with over 160 heads of missions and relevant stakeholders were taken on a visual and sensory journey through Nigeria’s history while inspiring hope in Nigeria’s future as articulated in the 4-D doctrine.

News

Labour Party Crisis: Edo Deputy Gov Tackles Akpata

Published

2 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Marvellous Omobayo, has reacted to the allegation of being the sponsor of the crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of Labour Party, LP.

State Youth Leader of the LP, Ken Omusi, alongside some youths of the party had last week Thursday invaded the secretariat of the LP, Benin, declared the state executive sacked and pronounced himself as the acting state chairman of the party.

Reacting to the incident, during a press briefing last Saturday, May 11, 2024, governorship candidate of the LP, Barrister Olumide Akpata, accused the deputy governor of sponsoring the youth leader to cause crisis in the party particularly the invasion of the secretariat.

But reacting to the allegation, the deputy governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Victor Adefemi, and made to INFO DAILY, “disclaimed the spurious allegations of the Labour Party governorship candidate.”

According to the statement, the deputy governor has no place for violence and hatred in his style of politics, urging the LP , governorship candidate to go and verify.

“During the run up to the Labour Party Primaries earlier this year, he showed exemplary leadership by refusing to be part of all the violent intrigues and ‘monetary melodramas’ that led to the emergence of Olumide Akpata as LP’s governorship candidate,” the statement added.

Adefemi, while unequivocally stating that the allegations are “unfounded and baseless,” urged Akpata to “show decorum when making public statements.”

“Barrister Olumide Akpata is hereby urged to excuse the Deputy Governor from Labour Party’s crises. Omobayo has no place for violence and hatred in his style of politics, the Labour Party’s candidate should go and verify this,” the statement added.

News

PHOTOS: NECO Releases 2024 Internal Exam Timetable

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

The 2024 National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal Examinations timetable has been released, the release marked the commencement of a crucial period for secondary school students across Nigeria.

With the release of the schedule, candidates and educators alike are gearing up for the rigorous assessments ahead.

This is disclosed in a Monday post on its X platform, @Neconigeria.

The indigenous examination body disclosed that the exam begins Wednesday, June 19, 2024, and ends Friday, July 26, 2024.

Here are the photos of the NECO 2024 timetable below:

News

VIDEO: Lady Laments As Lagos Issues Demolition Notice Two Months After Property Purchase

Published

5 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

A viral video circulating on social media shows a woman lamenting the demolition notice served on her property in Lagos State allegedly just two months after moving in.

In the video that surfaced online on Monday, the yet-to-be-identified woman cried as she recounted the ordeal. A picture of a demolition notice dated May 7, 2024, was also attached to the video.

She said, “We bought that property in February, and we’ve only been there for two months. All the hard work, all the sleepless nights, everything… If you’re in Lagos, you’ll know how much property in Eti Osa costs.

“Each time my son sees me crying, he will always ask me why I am crying. How do I explain this to our son? What do I tell my children? I’m trying so hard to be strong, but this is very painful.

“I don’t wish for anybody to work so hard and face something like this. I don’t.”

The video, which was shared on X.com on Monday by Spotlight Abby, tweeting with the handle #Spotlight_Abby, has garnered reactions from netizens, with some sympathising with the couple and others criticising the decision to invest in Lagos real estate citing recent incidents of demolitions.

It also raised concerns about the need for thorough due diligence before investing in real estate in the state.

One Nneka Busy Body tweeting as #Nnekabusybody wrote, “While this is sad I’m a bit confused. With the uncertain investment landscape of Lagos and everything we see and read about, you still went and bought property in Lagos in 2024? How? Why?”

Another user tweeting anonymously as #ideniyor wrote, “She and her husband deserve it. They bought a land without lawyers and due diligence. Cry me a river. The seller landed a fast one on them.”

This is not the first time property demolitions in Lagos have sparked controversy.

PUNCH reported last week that residents of Mende Estate Villa in the Maryland area of Lagos State decried the demolition of their multimillion-naira houses in the area by the state government while seeking compensation for a new shelter.

Speaking on the incident, the state commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the government issued the residents of Mende Villa Estate two demolition notices in 2021 and 2023.

On Wednesday, Wahab, in a post on X.com, also hinted that illegal builders whose houses are demolished may soon be asked to pay for the demolition.

Watch video courtesy The PUNCH

𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞
A viral video circulating on social media shows a woman lamenting the demolition notice served on her… pic.twitter.com/ILHxPGgCJV
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) May 13, 2024