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North West, North-East to get €300m EU projects
North West, North-East to get €300m EU projects
The European Union has pledged the sum of 300 million euros for new projects in the North-West and North-East of Nigeria.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made this known at the 2025 annual Europe Day celebration in Abuja.
Mr Mignot said that the EU and Nigeria shared a dream of a better, rule-based, more prosperous, sustainable, equal world, reflecting the realities and needs of the 21st century.
According to him, for this dream to come true, both must work together and as both have a major role to play in Africa and the world.
He stated. “Since my arrival last September, I see a concrete progress daily in our partnership through the roll-out of our EU Global Gateway strategy to offer more opportunities to the people, specially, the women and the youth, through the 300 million euros of new projects that we are launching this year in the North-West and the North-East. I also see our common willingness to enhance our relations, particularly in trade and investment for which we are proud to be your number one partner. In this fast-changing world, the EU is for Nigeria a stable and reliable partner and so is Nigeria for us.’’
Speaking further on partnership, the envoy said that the bloc was building the same partnership with its sister organisation ECOWAS.
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He added that the bloc was seeking the same alliance with Africa as a whole, adding that foreign ministers from the bloc would meet in Brussels to prepare for the EU-AU summit.
“The summit will be held later this year and to also celebrate our 25th years of partnership, which is second to none in all areas,’’ Mr Mignot said.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, lauded the EU for the additional support of 300 million euros dedicated for new projects in the two regions.
He said that the partnership and values that Nigeria and the EU shared helped in addressing restiveness due to some of the empowerment initiatives they created for Nigerian youths.
Mr Bagudu said. “Today is not just the affirmation of values that transcends borders, peace, solidarity, mutual respect and partnership for sustainable development. These are values which the EU has championed and which Nigeria, the largest economy and democracy, both shares. Over 60 years, the relationship between EU and Nigeria has flourished in depth and breadth from trade, investment to governance reforms, public health, education, digital economy and climate action.
“The EU intervention in the Niger Delta and the North-East in supporting peace building initiatives and the restoration of livelihood and youth empowerment programmes has helped to reduce restiveness and in educational challenges. In recent years, EU continue to be a strategic partner in our nation’s developmental priorities, including our national development plan 2021-2025 and the new Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.’’
North West, North-East to get €300m EU projects
(NAN)
News
Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road
Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road
The Oyo State Police Command has successfully rescued four passengers abducted along the Igbeti–Kishi Road in the early hours of March 5, 2026, following a swift and coordinated security operation. The incident occurred when armed hoodlums emerged from nearby bushland and blocked a commercial bus, forcefully taking four passengers into the surrounding forests.
Upon receiving reports of the abduction, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officers in Igbeti and Kishi, alongside tactical units and security stakeholders, to deploy all operational resources for a rescue mission.
A joint security team comprising Oyo Police operatives, members of the Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst, and other local security agencies conducted intensive bush combing operations in the forests surrounding the area. The sustained operation forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee, allowing the authorities to rescue all four passengers unharmed. The victims have since been reunited with their families.
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The police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, commended the professionalism and bravery of the combined security forces, highlighting that collaboration among security agencies is vital to ensuring safety across the state. The command also appreciated the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde for promptly mobilizing resources and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for strategic guidance in the ongoing fight against crime.
Investigations and intelligence-led operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice. Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to support security efforts.
The incident underscores the continued commitment of the Oyo State Police and security agencies to protect travellers on vulnerable highways, particularly areas with increased reports of highway abductions and criminal activity. Patrols and security presence along the Igbeti–Kishi corridor and other vulnerable routes have been intensified to prevent future attacks.
Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road
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BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)
BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the posting of 65 Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners to diplomatic missions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign policy and international engagement.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the list comprises 31 non-career diplomats and 34 career ambassadors whose appointments were earlier confirmed by the Senate.
The newly posted envoys include prominent politicians, retired military officers and seasoned diplomats tasked with representing Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and strategic interests abroad.
Among the notable postings, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, has been posted to Qatar, while former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has been deployed to Mexico City, while former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has been assigned to Spain.
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Businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim will serve as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
According to the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already begun securing diplomatic approval, known as agrément, from host countries. The United Kingdom has granted agrément for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, while France has approved the posting of Ayo Oke.
President Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately begin the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners, after which they will proceed to their respective missions once final approvals are secured.
The appointments are part of the administration’s broader effort to reinvigorate Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, attract foreign investment, strengthen bilateral relations and expand trade and security cooperation globally.
Non-Career Ambassadors / High Commissioners
| S/N | Name | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senator Grace Bent | Lome, Togo |
| 2 | Senator Ita Enang | South Africa |
| 3 | Victor Ikpeazu | Spain |
| 4 | Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu | Tel-Aviv, Israel |
| 5 | Mahmud Yakubu | Qatar |
| 6 | Paul Oga Adikwu | Vatican City |
| 7 | Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas | Philippines |
| 8 | Reno Omokri | Mexico |
| 9 | Abasi Braimah | Hungary |
| 10 | Angela Adebayo | Portugal |
| 11 | Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa | Japan |
| 12 | Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi | Greece |
| 13 | Chioma Priscilla Ohakim | Poland |
| 14 | Aminu Dalhatu | United Kingdom |
| 15 | Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau | China |
| 16 | Tasiu Musa Maigari | Gambia |
| 17 | Olufemi Pedro | Australia |
| 18 | Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu | Argentina |
| 19 | Lateef Kayode Are | United States |
| 20 | Joseph Sola Iji | Russia |
| 21 | Jimoh Ibrahim | United Nations |
| 22 | Femi Fani-Kayode | Germany |
| 23 | Isaak Folorunso Adewole | Canada |
| 24 | Fatima Florence Ajimobi | Austria |
| 25 | Lola Akande | Sweden |
| 26 | Ayo Oke | France |
| 27 | Yakubu N. Gambo | Saudi Arabia |
| 28 | Nora Ladi Daduut | South Korea |
| 29 | Joe Okocha (SAN) | Ireland |
| 30 | Kulu Haruna Abubakar | Tunisia |
| 31 | Jerry Samuel Manwe | Trinidad and Tobago |
Career Ambassadors / High Commissioners
| S/N | Name | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka | Cote d’Ivoire |
| 2 | Besto Maimuna Ibrahim | Niger |
| 3 | Monica Okwuchukwu Enebechi | Sao Tome & Principe |
| 4 | Mohammed Mahmud Lele | Algeria |
| 5 | Endoni Syndoph Paebi | Burkina Faso |
| 6 | Ahmed Mohammed Monguno | Egypt |
| 7 | Jane Adams Michael | Jamaica |
| 8 | Alexandra Clark-Omeru | Zambia |
| 9 | Chima Geoffrey Lioma David | Mali |
| 10 | Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah | Equatorial Guinea |
| 11 | Wasa Segun Ige | Lebanon |
| 12 | Ruben Abimbola Samuel | Italy |
| 13 | Ogechukwu Kingsley Onaga | Mozambique |
| 14 | Magaji Umar | DR Congo |
| 15 | Muhammad Saidu Dahiru | India |
| 16 | Abdussalam Habu Zayyad | Senegal |
| 17 | Shehu Ilu Barde | Ghana |
| 18 | Aminu Nasir | Ethiopia |
| 19 | Abubakar Musa Musa | Chad |
| 20 | Haidara Mohammed Idris | Netherlands |
| 21 | Bako Adamu Umar | Morocco |
| 22 | Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed | Malaysia |
| 23 | Romata Mohammed Omobolanle | Tanzania |
| 24 | Shaga John Shamah | Botswana |
| 25 | Hamza Mohammed Salau | Iran |
| 26 | Ibrahim Danlami | Kenya |
| 27 | Ibrahim Adeola Mopelola | Benin |
| 28 | Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel | Belgium |
| 29 | Wahab Adekola Akande | Switzerland |
| 30 | Esther Arewa Adedokun | Namibia |
| 31 | Gergadi Joseph John | Gabon |
| 32 | Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata | Sierra Leone |
| 33 | Danladi Yakubu Nyaku | Sudan |
| 34 | Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru | Thailand |
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News
US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump
US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump
The United States Justice Department has released additional FBI documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including interview records from a woman who alleged that U.S. President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her after being introduced to him by Epstein.
The newly disclosed documents were made public on Thursday as part of the ongoing release of records related to the Epstein investigation. According to the Justice Department, the materials were not included in earlier congressionally mandated disclosures because they had been incorrectly labelled as “duplicative” records during the document review process.
The files include summaries of several 2019 interviews conducted by the FBI with the woman, who claimed she was between 13 and 15 years old when she was sexually assaulted by Epstein in the 1980s.
According to the interview summaries, the woman told investigators that Epstein once took her to either New York or New Jersey and introduced her to Trump in what she described as a tall building.
She alleged that during the encounter, Trump attempted to force her to perform oral sex, but she resisted and bit him, causing the alleged assault attempt to stop.
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The woman further told investigators that Epstein had abused her repeatedly over several years and had sometimes arranged encounters with other men.
During the interviews, she also said that she and people close to her had received threatening phone calls over the years warning her to remain silent, which she suspected were connected to Epstein.
Despite the allegations, the FBI did not bring charges related to the claims, and records indicate that investigators eventually stopped communicating with the woman later in 2019.
Justice Department officials have cautioned that the allegations contained in the newly released documents are uncorroborated and noted that some materials submitted during the Epstein investigation included “untrue and sensationalist claims” involving President Trump.
President Trump has repeatedly denied any misconduct linked to Epstein or the allegations contained in the documents.
The release of the additional files has sparked renewed political scrutiny in Washington, with Democrats questioning how the administration handled the disclosure of the Epstein records.
Lawmakers argue that key materials may have been withheld or mishandled during the earlier releases.
In response, a House committee has voted to summon Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files and explain why some documents were not initially disclosed.
The Justice Department maintains that the omission resulted from administrative errors in the massive document review process, which involves millions of pages of records tied to the Epstein investigation.
The disclosures are part of a broader transparency effort following congressional legislation requiring the government to release large volumes of records connected to Epstein, whose high-profile criminal case exposed an extensive network of abuse involving underage victims.
US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump
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