Five months later, President Bola Tinubu is yet to appoint new ambassadors after recalling all those representing the country around the world. Recall that President Tinubu on September 2, 2023, ordered the recall of all Nigeria’s ambassadors and envoys with immediate effect. Daily Trust reports that Nigeria has 109 diplomatic missions worldwide comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates. Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has maintained diplomatic ties with many countries. Even though there have been reports of dearth of activities at some of Nigeria’s embassies, high commissions and consulates, experts who spoke to Daily Trust said countries were taken more seriously when they were visible diplomatically. While asking Nigeria’s diplomats to come back in September, presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement, said, “The president is determined to ensure that world-class efficiency and quality will henceforth characterise foreign and domestic service delivery to citizens, residents and prospective visitors.” He said the decision was sequel to a careful study of the present state of affairs at Nigerian consulates and embassies worldwide. A former diplomat, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the long delay in appointing ambassadors could affect the relationship between Nigeria and some countries as some countries might not be open to deal with a lower diplomatic representation in their dealings with a country. He said, “A Charge d Affairs may not be allowed to have meetings with a foreign minister of the host country because his position is just equivalent to that of a director. So, he may have limitations in handling serious issues which require higher authority from his host country.” While speaking with a national daily recently, a Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), recalled that President Tinubu took office with a vow to put international diplomacy at the centre of the country’s development strategy. He said, “There have indeed been positive signs of such increased global engagements, with Nigeria playing key roles in landmark international summits such as the United Nations General Assembly in New York and the most recent COP-28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). “However, 2023 was generally a slow and underwhelming start in terms of a clear and discernible foreign policy agenda. Early blunders such as the outrage and backlash that trailed the rushed recall of Nigerian ambassadors were a preventable embarrassment for a country of Nigeria’s stature. “Furthermore, more than six months after taking office, many of our diplomatic missions have no clear leadership structure in place, while uncertainties also surround our representation in the UN bodies. “This means that no matter the excellent progress the president makes when he embarks on foreign missions, there is little or no structure in place for clear and actionable follow-up. “No country will feel confident to engage with an ambassador whose future is hanging in the balance. There is, therefore, an urgent need to resolve the appointment of new and returning ambassadors as soon as possible, including Nigeria’s representation at UN bodies such as WTO, WIPO and UNESCO.”

  Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, received an official report on the January 16, explosion in the Old Bodija area of Ibadan, which claimed five lives, injured 77 persons and destroyed 58 houses. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Fatai Owoseni, a retired Commissioner of Police, disclosed to newsmen that the report linked three persons to the explosion. He said the three persons would be prosecuted. The report, it was learnt, comprises findings of the medical, security and engineering teams set up by the government. Addressing newsmen shortly after the presentation of the report, Owoseni said, “Three persons of interest have been identified in connection with the cause of the unfortunate incident, and they will face prosecution based on the investigation carried out.” He explained that a Closed Circuit Television in one of the affected houses captured the footage of how the incident happened, stressing that the state government would bring the perpetrators to book. “The character of the explosive is known as ‘Water Gel Type Based Explosive’ and the explosion was triggered by an electric spark. The government will check on the immigration status of all the people of interest since a majority of them are from Mali. The street where the incident happened was Aderinola Street and not Dejo Oyelese Street, as earlier reported. The epicentre of the tragedy is No. 8A and No. 8B. “We have been able to report that the swiftness with which security was deployed to the epicentre had so far successfully made the state fully secure the environment. And with the security that was provided, the state has also been able to prevent untoward happenings, especially opportunistic crimes that hoodlums always take advantage of such situations to carry out. We can recall that an emergency situation centre was put in place by the governor and was located at the premises of the state Housing Corporation, Ibadan. “The EOC has so far collated information, data of things that happened there and some of the data collated include census of the respective houses and the fatalities that were affected, including the extent of losses suffered. “As of 6 pm on Friday, February 3, which was the 18th day of the incident, a total of 335 affected persons registered at the emergency situation centre including 16 companies or business operators, churches, mosques, three schools and the University College Hospital also approached the centre to report on their losses. “The losses reported also include fatality, injuries of various degrees, damages ranging from total collapse and submerging of houses, houses that suffered collateral damage and the ones that suffered minimal damages.” Owoseni noted that the governor, last week, signed an Executive Order, “which has placed obligations on people that deal with explosives or do businesses where they use explosives,” to report within 72 hours. He, however, said, “As of the time the 72 hours lapsed, no one came forward. And the second phase is where we are now, which states that anyone that comes in possession of harmful substances should declare to the office of Special Adviser of Security to the governor within 24 hours.” The Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Structural Engineers, Mbim Okutinyang, who is also the lead coordinator of the team that carried out structural integrity on the affected houses, said his team covered 282 houses and that only four of the houses would have to be demolished due to the degrees of the damage, adding that the seismic report was still being awaited. The Head of the Emergency Operation Centre, Temitope Alonge, said 80 victims in total were managed across various hospitals following the incident but that only five patients were on admission as of the time of the press conference. He explained that four of the patients were being treated after the explosion at the University College Hospital and wee at various levels of recovery, while one patient was being managed for a spinal cord injury at the Redeemers Hospital.

  The Senate on Wednesday expressed worry over insecurity, declaring that the nation’s seat of power was under threat. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had been infiltrated, buttressing his point with references to attacks in places like Kubwa, Bwari, among others. Akpabio spoke before the Senate adjourned its briefing with heads of security agencies to next week over the absence of National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa. The Red Chamber had last week summoned the security chiefs to brief it on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria and effort to address the menace. The invitation came as there was a spike in killings and kidnappings in many part of the country, including the FCT. However, the security meeting earlier scheduled to hold Wednesday was postponed to February 13 after the Senate had admitted those present into the chamber. Those in attendance were Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff; Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of naval staff; and Hassan Abubakar, chief of airstaff; Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), and Yusuf Bichi, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS). Akpabio said the interactive session with heads of security agencies was shifted because some of those invited did not show up. He said the chief of defence staff, director general of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai and defence and police affairs ministers needed to be present to have a holistic review of the situation. Speaking before adjourning the security briefing, the Senate President said “The situation is worrisome in Agatu, in Taraba, Oyo, Plateau, Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi. We also heard about the infiltration (of bandits) into the federal capital territory (FCT) in places like Kubwa and Bwari. “We have heard reports that they have cells where they are congregating. We’ve also heard the efforts of the security chiefs and the security agencies but reports are becoming worrisome and we decided to invite you to brief us on the efforts to tackle this menace. “While we welcome you, we are not passing the buck, we are not blaming you. But you are not complete. We want you to know that we represent the Nigerian people and we will only do their will. The Senate is of the view that the FCT is under threat. “We received apologies from NSA that he is in a bilateral meeting with security chiefs from the UK. We believe that the team is still not complete. “But my opinion is that we would like to have with you, the chief of Defence Staff, NSA, Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, we will also want the minister of Police affairs, and the Minister of State for Police Affairs in addition. “We strongly believe that the Director General of NIA should be in attendance, and the Minister of Finance should also be in attendance,” Akpabio said. Those expected at the Tuesday’s meeting are the Chief of Defense Staff; National Security Adviser; Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff; the Chief of the Air Staff, the Inspector General of Police; the Director General of DSS; NIA DG; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam; and Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim. Also, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo are expected to be in attendance. Akpabio, thereafter, directed the clerk of the senate to inform those invited to be present next week.

  Another protest has broken out on the streets of Suleja in Niger over the rising cost of living. This is coming two days after protesters stormed the streets of Minna, the Niger State capital. Suleja is just a few kilometres away from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to end the hardship because they were suffering. They could be seen displaying placards with inscriptions reading, “Tinubu, Do Something Now!”; “Leadership Is All About Improving Lives”; “Nigerians Are Suffering”; “Stop The Hardship Now”, among others. A group of women had blocked the Minna-Bida Road at the popular Kpakungu roundabout to express their grievances over the rising cost of food items. People travelling to major cities in the South, such as Lagos and Ibadan, among others, were held hostage for hours due to the protest, which started as early as 7 a.m. The women were later joined by men and youths who accused governments of turning deaf ears to their plights. Neither the thick smoke of the teargas and the sound of the gunshots fired by police operatives to disperse them nor the plea by the deputy governor of the state, Yakubu Garba, who went to the scene of the protest, calmed the protesters.

  Thursday 08 February 2024 Forex crisis: EFCC 7,000-man task force goes after dollar racketeers Oyo to prosecute three held over Ibadan explosion Government approval delays Dangote refinery fuel NNPCL differs as marketers fear fuel queues spread 2024 census’ll hold as scheduled, Senate assures Nigerians Court orders FG to fix prices of petrol, diesel, others within 7 days We’ll open reserves to address food costs — FG Financial crisis hits public sector unions, can’t pay salaries, others Catholic Church to FG: Tackle Nigeria’s insecurity issues head-on Naira depreciates to N1,465/$ in parallel market Senate to Edun: Explain in 7 days how over N100bn gas project fund was disbursed Three Soldiers, Two Vigilantes Killed In Nasarawa Attack Baby Factory Busted In Anambra, Five Pregnant Girls Rescued Hardship: Fresh Protest Erupts In Niger After Arrest Of 25 People Period Of Project Abandonment Is Over Under Tinubu, Wike Declares How We Intercepted Importation Of 140 Fake Drugs- NAFDAC DG Senate Adjourns Security Briefing By Service Chiefs Police Inspector, Two Others Killed In Boko Haram Attack On Borno Community Senegal: US, CDD Condemn Presidential Poll Shift Why S/Court Justices Are Yet To Be Inaugurated 48 Days After Senate Clearance Cancer: FG Partners Pharmaceutical Companies On High Medicine Costs 9 Missing Bauchi Travelers Found In Jos Forex Crisis: Nothing For Nigeria As Our Crude Oil Sold In Advance – NGF NNPCL spends N267.98 billion on security as oil operators struggle NNPCL begins production of extra 14,000bpd World Bank spends $15b on 30 projects in Nigeria Reps bill for polls in one day passes second reading SAfER: Oyo empowers 1,407 farmers with N460m Insecurity: FCT under threat –Akpabio Prove you don’t hate Esanland, group urges Oshiomhole Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  There is tension in Nasarawa State following the killing of three soldiers and two vigilantes by a suspected militia group in Umaisha District, Toto Local Government Area of the state. Daily Trust reported that on February 1, 2024, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen murdered three persons and destroyed property worth millions of naira in an attack on the village. Our correspondent learnt that gunmen also lunched an attack recently on Okudu village and killed several persons. Some army personnel had been deployed in Katakpa and Okudu villages to maintain law and order following the persistent communal crisis in the area. The Chairman of Toto LGA, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu-Tashas, who confirmed the soldiers’ killing to our correspondent on Wednesday, said some hoodlums ambushed the military who were on patrol. He said, “They attacked four communities in Katakpa village and as a result of that, the soldiers were drafted to Katakpa village to maintain law and order. While the soldiers were on patrol, they ambushed them and killed three soldiers on Tuesday afternoon.” According to him, the state government had taken over the matter. “As I am talking to you, I am with the ambulance conveying the dead bodies of the soldiers,” he added. He said that the security operatives were already on the ground, patrolling the entire Katakpa village to prevent escalation of the attack. Meanwhile, the Bassa Cultural Development Union (BCDU), has called on Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State to as a matter of urgency to fish out those behind the attack on Katakpa vIllage. This was contained in a statement signed by its chairman, Mr. Emmanuel M. Gbaji and obtained by Daily Trust in Lafia, on Wednesday. He said, “We have firmly resolved to live in peace with them. We are not lying. We are not being deceitful. We are sincere. It is natural to want to seek revenge, but in this case, seeking revenge will only create the atmosphere of chaos that the wicked brains behind the whole crisis want. “We, the Bassa Community of Nasarawa State, have barely recovered from the shock of the attack on Okudu village when we received news of the attack on Katapka vIllage on the 1st of February 2024. The unfortunate event came with the loss of three lives and wanton destruction of property. “We want to call on His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. AA Sule, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to use his good offices to fish out the perpetrators of these criminal attacks so that peace can return to Toto Local Government Area.”