Category Nigeria News

Chuka Udedibia, a former naira and dollar exchange rate acting permanent secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has demanded better funding for Nigerian missions abroad.

He cited the main difficulties that Nigeria’s foreign missions face as being financially and structurally constrained.

Without lasting reforms, he contends, the same issues will persist.

Udedibia stated on Thursday’s Sunrise Daily, Channels Television’s breakfast program, that the challenges facing foreign missions were stemmed from persistent underfunding, volatile exchange rates, and significant dependence on rental properties abroad.

“I would prefer to discuss the causes rather than the symptoms. The current official rate of 1 to $1 was roughly 150 a long time ago. Today, it’s about ₦1, 500, at one point, it was even about ₦1, 800.

Remittances to missions must reflect the shortfall they suffer as a result of the naira’s devaluation of major international currencies, but this is not the case. The issue began there.

You have noticed a cumulative decline in missions remittances and increased debt throughout this time. He continued, “The ministry itself is a victim.”

Read more about Nigerian Embassies’ Conflicts With Unpaid Rent, Salary Arrears, and Other Stories in FG.

Although intervention had previously been taken, the relief, according to the former envoy, was frequently temporary.

Although they have made some special interventions, he said, “Don’t be surprised if we are battling the same issue again in the next six to a year.”

Udedibia also criticised Nigeria’s slow progress making permanent housing arrangements for missions abroad as a major cost-cutting factor.

“We don’t spend a lot of money in missions where we own the chancery and quarters.” However, he claimed that in some places, rent is paid for both officers’ homes and offices, and that’s very expensive.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently acknowledged the financial difficulties of missions abroad, citing allocation issues and currency issues.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Board of Trustees is one of the key national positions held by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent appointments of Ogoni indigenes.

The council described the appointments as reflecting the people’s wishes during a press briefing held in Bori, Khana Local Government Area’s headquarters.

The royal fathers stated in a statement that His Royal Majesty Swano Lumani, the chairman of the council, “We give full support to Mr. Deeyah’s appointment as Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund (HYPREP).” The President has the authority under the Constitution to make such appointments because he is the executive branch’s head.

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They applauded the president for appointing Professor Don Baridam as Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council chairman.

The Federal University of Environmental and Technology in Ogoniland is credited to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a communiqué.

Bariere Thomas and the newly elected councillors were also commended for winning the election as the leader of Khana Local Government Area by the council.

We urge the Chairman and councillors to consider their election as a benefit to the entire Khana population, not a source of animosity, they said.

The traditional rulers warned that the council would impose sanctions on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah, and other Ogoni leaders as a result of constant media attacks.

A member of the House of Representatives, Joshua Obika, has called for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to have a police force as a pilot phase in response to the government’s increasing debate over state police. Obika also cited rising insecurity and stretched infrastructure in Abuja.

Obika claimed that the initial security structure for Abuja had been overbuilt as a result of the influx of visitors from all over the nation looking for safety during a speech on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief program on Thursday.

The National Assembly is the FCT’s legislative body, and Mr. President is Abuja’s governor under the Constitution. Before we can pass the law establishing FCT policing, we don’t need the two-thirds state assembly’s approval. To start this program, I suggest using the FCt as a pilot state.

READ MORE:   Tinubu Orders Security Review In Katsina, Backs State Police

People now believe that Abuja is Nigeria’s safest city, and both good and bad people are also influxing as a result. He claimed that the security architecture in Abuja was “overwhelming.”

The lawmaker, who represents the FCT’s Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency, noted that many rural areas lacked police presence, making them potential hideouts for criminals.

He added that the majority of modern technology was absent.

Obika suggested earmarking a small portion of Abuja’s internally generated revenue when proposing a funding model.

You can only use modern technology to solve these kinds of issues, according to the FCT command, which I don’t believe has any drones in place. Money is necessary for the police.

“The FCT generates about 1.8 trillion internally,” according to the statement. The independent police force of the FCT can use about 2% of the proceeds. He argued that there are many benefits to using modern technology, hiring more men, and increasing vehicle ownership to combat crime.

His request comes as President Bola Tinubu recently stated that some states required security personnel who are knowledgeable about the local environment and culture.

The President stated that the federal government would take into account the state police’s operations and to properly equip recently deployed forest guards when he received a delegation of prominent citizens of Katsina State led by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda at the State House on Tuesday.

Ezekwesiri David Anyaegbu, the country’s diplomat and Vice Chair of the Second Committee, has given over to the elected members of the Second Committee Bureau for the 80th Session with the scheduled 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting meeting to end on September 8, 2025.

The UN Economic and Financial Committee’s (formerly known as the UN Economic and Financial Committee) completed its work for the session with a flurry of activities over the past few weeks, including discussions about revitalizing the committee’s work and combined bureau meetings to appoint a new set of elected representatives.

Anyaegbu presided over the UN General Assembly’s selection of a chair for the remainder of the session in the absence of a substantive Second Committee Chair for the session earlier in June 2025.

UN DISCOVERS CAMPUSDOWN DURING THE CAMEROUN Election.

On June 2nd, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly’s six committees elected members for the 80th Session (UNGA80), including Germany’s Annalena Baerbock, the president of the UN General Assembly. On the day of the 80th Session’s opening day, September 9th, 2025, the Second Committee’s elected bureau will take office.

The 80th Session of the Second Committee is led by Ambassador/Permanent Representative of The Gambia, Lamin B. Diba, while Jenni Mikkola (Finland), Andres Napuri Pita, and Andres Napuri Pita have been appointed as session vice-chairs. Iran’s Javad Momeni serves as the session’s rapporteur.

Anyaegbu was in charge of facilitating UN microeconomic resolutions on investment, debt, trade, development financing, illicit financial flows, and tax reforms while serving as the UN Second Committee’s vice chair.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has been praised by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its prompt response to the recent boat accident in the Niger State’s Borgu Local Government Area.

The Authority’s Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Suleiman Makama, stated in a statement that the team’s swift rescue efforts saved the lives of at least 50 passengers aboard the awry wooden boat.

When the incident occurred, the boat was carrying passengers from a condolence visit to the Dugga community, according to preliminary investigations.

The incident, according to NIWA, underscored how crucial safety awareness is for boat owners and passengers who traverse the country’s waterways.

Also read: Niger Boat Accident: 27 People Dead

50 passengers were saved while search and rescue operations are still ongoing for potential missing persons, according to the statement.

In addition, the Authority made further disclosures as to how aggressively the agency is conducting ongoing inquiries into the boat operator.

While lauding NSEMA’s cooperation, NIWA cautioned boat operators against overloading, arguing that strict safety standards and capacity limits are still essential to preventing accidents on the waterways.

The statement read, “NIWA reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety of all passengers and users of Nigeria’s waterways at all times.”

In the accident, 27 people were confirmed to have died.

The NIWA rescue team arrived at the scene about two hours later, according to eyewitnesses, and the incident occurred on Tuesday.

The wooden boat reportedly had 138 passengers and capsized along Kainji Lake’s Shagunu–Dunga axis. With the aid of life jackets, 46 men, 58 women, and an undisclosed number of children were saved during the NIWA-led rescue operations.

Sadly, there have already been 19 bodies recovered on Tuesday and 8 on Monday.

Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives, refutes claims that President Bola Tinubu enjoys strong support in the north, arguing that he still has a loyal following.

The NNPP leader asserted on Channels Television’s Political Program that it would be “dangerous calculation” to assume the president had no support in the North, stressing that while some people are against him, many still firmly support him.

In the north, Tinubu is not an orphan. In the north, he has residents. He has people, even if they may not be talking as much as they should. So you also have those who want him in, just like you do for people who want him out.

And as events continue to unfold, there will be both opposition and support for him in the coming days. In the north, I don’t believe he is an orphan. According to Jibrin, it would be a risky for someone to believe Tinubu lacks support in the north of the nation.

North Not Short-changed,

The federal lawmaker disputed claims that the North had been “politically” stifled,” noting that the region had a longer history of dominance than the South.

He exhorted the North to “tell itself the truth” and stop deceiving its own representatives.

Nothing Can Prevent Tinubu from winning 2027 elections, says Jibrin.

Jibrin disclosed that discussions about joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are still ongoing in relation to NPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso’s (NNPP) future.

He has always maintained that his doors are open and that our doors are open for discussion as far as [joining APC] is concerned. He asserted that everything is a possibility.

However, he made the point that Kano politics may be stifling the move.

You might encounter a situation where some vested interests, perhaps because of their own interests, a governor’s wishlist, or whatever else, won’t want us to join, he said.

Jibrin argued that it was necessary to allow the South to finish its eight years in power.

He stated, “I actually think the South should finish the last four years.”

Tinubu Is Not To Blame For North’s Uncertainty

The lawmaker, who represents the NNPP’s Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency in Kano State, refrained from suggesting that Tinubu should be held accountable for the region’s worsening insecurity.

It’s false to blame Tinubu for the security problems in the north and in Nigeria. Let’s face it, he argued.

Jibrin said there are groups opposed to Tinubu’s administration in the North, but Jibrin said there are also other groups.

There are people in the north who want him out, in fact. In addition, there will be residents of the southern region who want him ex. However, he continued, “you will have people who want him in.”

Jibrin, a long-time ally of President Tinubu, reiterated his hope for a second term.

I have no idea what will prevent him from winning the 2027 elections. There are no two ways to go about it. I identify as Tinubu. He and I both like each other. It’s been a great relationship, he said, regardless of party affiliation.

His remarks come as political maneuvers are being made ahead of the general election in 2027.

However, the opposition has proposed a coalition with Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Dino Melaye with less than two years left.

In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu secured 8, 794, 726 votes nationwide, defeating Atiku, who polled 6, 984, 520 and Obi with 6, 101, 533. Kano State was largely dominated by Kwankwaso, who came in a distant fourth overall with 1, 496 and 687 votes.