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Nigerian Muslims, others should be protected against Islamophobia – UN chief
Nigerian Muslims, others should be protected against Islamophobia – UN chief
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has called on governments, institutions and communities across the world to intensify efforts to combat Islamophobia and protect Muslims from discrimination, hostility and violence.
Guterres warned that growing prejudice against Muslims threatens social cohesion, human rights and peaceful coexistence, stressing that intolerance against any group undermines the foundations of inclusive societies.
He made the appeal in a message marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed annually on March 15.
According to the UN chief, the world’s nearly two billion Muslims come from diverse cultures, languages and traditions, reflecting the richness and diversity of humanity.
He noted that Muslim communities contribute significantly to global development through education, commerce, science, culture and public service in many countries.
However, Guterres said many Muslims still face institutional discrimination, socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies and unwarranted surveillance and profiling.
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“These worrying trends are fuelled by anti-Muslim rhetoric and outright hate, which can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship,” he said.
The UN chief warned that unchecked hate speech, misinformation and stereotypes could deepen divisions and threaten peaceful coexistence among different faiths and cultures.
He urged governments worldwide to take concrete steps to address religious discrimination, protect freedom of belief, and combat hate speech in line with international human rights law.
According to him, national laws and policies must guarantee equal rights and protection for everyone regardless of religion, belief, ethnicity or background.
Guterres also called on technology companies and online platforms to strengthen their response to digital hate campaigns targeting religious communities.
He said social media companies must act responsibly by removing harmful content and preventing harassment based on religion or belief.
“All people must speak out against bigotry, xenophobia and discrimination wherever they find it,” he said, warning that silence in the face of hate allows prejudice to spread and undermines collective efforts to build tolerant societies.
The UN chief further recalled that in May 2025 he appointed Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.
According to him, the envoy’s role is to strengthen global cooperation and coordinate international efforts aimed at addressing anti-Muslim discrimination and promoting religious tolerance worldwide.
Guterres said the UN has also launched several initiatives, including the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, to tackle online incitement, misinformation and hostility directed at religious communities.
“On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let us recommit to equality, human rights and dignity for every person, regardless of faith,” he said.
“Let us eradicate the scourge of Islamophobia from every country and community.”
Nigerian Muslims, others should be protected against Islamophobia – UN chief
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Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation
Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The nomination, contained in a State House press release issued on Thursday, has been formally transmitted to the National Assembly in line with constitutional provisions requiring legislative screening and approval of ministerial appointments.
Mr Tegbe’s nomination follows the resignation of the former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down from office to pursue elective political ambitions.
According to the Presidency, the nominee is a seasoned fiscal and economic reform expert with more than 35 years of experience across both public and private sectors. He previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led major initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional restructuring, and governance.
The statement also highlighted Tegbe’s advisory roles to key government institutions and private sector organisations, particularly in the areas of regulatory frameworks, strategic reforms, and investment structuring.
Currently, Tegbe serves as Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he oversees efforts to deepen development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. His role includes coordinating engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development objectives aligned with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
In the power sector, Tegbe is said to have participated in several reform-driven engagements involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), focusing on regulatory and institutional improvements.
The Presidency expressed confidence that, if confirmed, Tegbe would strengthen ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector, improve grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu also urged the minister-designate to deploy his extensive expertise toward delivering measurable improvements in electricity supply and overall sector performance for Nigerians.
Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation
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Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package
Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to deploy the full instruments of federal authority against individuals and groups responsible for the recurring violence in Plateau State, warning that those identified as instigators or sponsors of unrest will face decisive government action.
The President made the declaration on Tuesday evening during a high-level meeting with Plateau State leaders and stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he also approved a ₦2 billion humanitarian relief package for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.
The meeting, which lasted several hours and ended around 8 p.m., brought together Governor Caleb Mutfwang, all living former governors of Plateau State, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political stakeholders, including the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu told the delegation that his administration would no longer tolerate cycles of violence, urging leaders in the state to take responsibility in identifying those fueling conflict.
“No protocols, no obstacles; we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” the President said.
He stressed that tolerance, unity, and accountability among leaders were essential to ending decades of recurring communal clashes in the state.
Tinubu also issued a strong directive to state authorities to identify individuals allegedly responsible for instigating violence, warning that they would face firm government action.
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“If you identify and you know the names of troublemakers, agents provocateurs who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know. We will use the instrument of office to deal with them,” he warned.
The President added that anyone found to be recruiting or inciting violence would face the full weight of federal power.
He further called for fairness, justice, and ethnic inclusiveness in governance, insisting that peace-building efforts must be rooted in equity and mutual respect among communities.
At the meeting, the Federal Government approved ₦2 billion in humanitarian assistance for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, where over 27 people were reportedly killed in a violent assault on returning worshippers.
The funds, according to officials, will be used to support displaced families, rebuild damaged property, and provide emergency relief to affected communities through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
The approval follows Tinubu’s earlier promise during his visit to Jos on April 2, shortly after the incident.
Tinubu reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a necessary reform to address Plateau’s persistent security challenges.
He urged federal lawmakers present at the meeting to work toward constitutional backing for decentralized policing, arguing that local security structures would improve response times and enforcement.
The President also directed the newly constituted Plateau peace committee—made up of all living former governors of the state—to review existing white papers on past conflict resolutions and present consolidated recommendations.
He encouraged flexibility in restructuring previous peace frameworks, stressing that ineffective committees should be dissolved or merged for better results.
“Forget those committees you mentioned to me; if it’s not working, it’s not working. Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution,” he said.
The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, urged the Federal Government to strengthen security deployments in the state, noting that existing forces were overstretched and required better equipment and manpower.
He also reiterated the need for the promised installation of thousands of AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Plateau State to enhance monitoring and early warning systems.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the meeting as historic, noting that it was the first time all living former governors of Plateau State were gathered together in a unified peace initiative.
He pledged full cooperation with the Federal Government’s peace efforts and emphasized the need to rebuild trust across ethnic and religious divides.
Former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase also highlighted drug abuse as a growing driver of insecurity in the state, calling for stronger enforcement measures.
Tinubu concluded the meeting by urging stakeholders to prioritize unity, warning that continued violence would only deepen poverty and instability in the region.
He also proposed expanded inclusion of non-indigenous communities in governance structures as part of broader reconciliation efforts.
The President reaffirmed that his administration is committed to ending violence in Plateau State and across Nigeria, stressing that peace and stability remain central to national development.
Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package
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Tinubu Appoints Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs
Tinubu Appoints Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who reportedly stepped down to pursue political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The appointment places Ojukwu in charge of Nigeria’s external relations, diplomatic engagements, and international partnerships at a time the administration is intensifying efforts to reposition the country’s global image and strengthen economic diplomacy.
Until her latest appointment, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, where she was involved in Nigeria’s diplomatic outreach and regional engagement programmes.
Her elevation to the substantive ministerial role is seen as a continuation of her work within the foreign affairs ministry and a move to ensure continuity in Nigeria’s diplomatic policy direction.
In a related development, President Tinubu also nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, pending confirmation by the Senate.
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Enikanolaiye, who hails from Kogi State, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations. He is a career diplomat with over 30 years of experience in Nigeria’s foreign service.
His extensive diplomatic background includes serving as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as postings in several Nigerian missions abroad, including Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.
The Presidency said the appointments are part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture, improve coordination in international engagements, and expand economic and strategic partnerships across key global regions.
President Tinubu congratulated both appointees and urged them to prioritise national interest, enhance economic diplomacy, support regional stability, and ensure the protection of Nigerians in the diaspora.
He further emphasised the need for a more proactive foreign policy approach that aligns with Nigeria’s economic growth agenda and global competitiveness objectives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains central to Nigeria’s international relations, overseeing bilateral and multilateral engagements, consular services, and diplomatic missions worldwide.
Political analysts say the reshuffle signals a renewed focus by the Tinubu administration on strengthening diplomatic leadership and expanding Nigeria’s influence in global affairs.
Tinubu Appoints Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs
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