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Details emerge as Tinubu moves to make crucial appointments

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Details emerge as Tinubu – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gearing up to transmit a list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation, marking a significant step in addressing Nigeria’s prolonged diplomatic vacuum.

This move follows the recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023, leaving Nigeria’s 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates globally without substantive leadership.

Sources within the government confirmed that the names of the prospective ambassadors would be sent to the Senate in early December.

However, due to procedural and diplomatic protocols, the nominees are not expected to begin their tour of duty until months later.

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A Diplomatic Reset

Upon assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu initiated a reassessment of Nigeria’s foreign policy, which resulted in the recall of ambassadors by October 31, 2023.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar emphasised the President’s prerogative in such decisions, stating, “Ambassadors serve at the President’s behest, and it is his right to send or recall them.”

The delay in appointing new ambassadors has left Nigeria relying on consuls-general and chargés d’affaires, who lack the authority to represent the country at high-level engagements.

Earlier in 2024, the government deployed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires, but these interim measures have proven insufficient.

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One senior Foreign Service official, speaking anonymously, described the appointments as long overdue.

“Within the first week of December, the names should be out. After Senate screening, it takes three to six months for the envoys to assume their duties, depending on the host countries,” the official disclosed.

Challenges and Priorities

Budget constraints have reportedly hampered the process. Minister Tuggar previously cited financial limitations as a key factor for the delay.

Former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Eche Abu-Ode also linked the delay to budgetary allocations.

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The appointment process, governed by Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution, requires Senate approval.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the list comprises both career diplomats and political appointees.

“The ambassadorial list has two components: career ambassadors and political ambassadors. Both go through thorough processes before final submission to the National Assembly,” he explained.

An African-Centric Approach?

While the identities of the nominees remain under wraps, sources suggest that the initial list may prioritise African countries.

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A senior official hinted, “Maybe not all the countries will be announced at once; it’s likely African countries will come first.”

A high-ranking member of Tinubu’s media team is reportedly among those being considered for appointment.

“The list is imminent and will be announced in about a week,” the source revealed.

Tinubu’s Travels and Broader Context

The announcement coincides with President Tinubu’s state visits to France and South Africa.

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Tinubu is currently in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, with plans to proceed to South Africa.

These visits underscore the President’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s foreign relations amidst the absence of substantive ambassadors.

Once nominees are announced, the host nations must issue agreements, a process that involves extensive background checks.

“Host governments will investigate nominees to ensure they have no inimical intentions,” an official explained, adding that the current strained relationship with countries like Niger could prolong the approval process.

If confirmed, the ambassadorial appointments will fill a critical gap in Nigeria’s diplomatic apparatus, enabling the country to engage more effectively on the global stage.

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With Senate screening and international vetting expected to take several months, observers await the imminent release of the list as a pivotal moment in Tinubu’s administration.

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Pope Francis, 88, is in ‘critical condition’ and suffering kidney failure, Vatican announces

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The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis, 88,  is in critical condition and is suffering kidney failure in hospital. Blood tests show the pontiff is suffering early kidney failure as Francis battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection, officials said in a statement last night.  In an update this morning, the Vatican said in a brief statement that Francis, 88, had a good night and was resting after he was ‘well oriented’ on Sunday and attended Mass. ‘The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting’, it said as the Pope entered his 11th day at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, making this the longest hospitalisation of his papacy. The pope, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted on Valentine’s Day with breathing difficulties.  Officials said on Sunday that the Pope hadn’t had any more respiratory crises since Saturday night but was still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen, reiterating that Francis was still considered to be in critical condition. Some blood tests showed ‘initial, mild, kidney failure,’ but doctors said it was under control. The decreased platelet count, necessary for clotting, that was first detected Saturday was stable.  ‘The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for drug therapies to provide some feedback, dictate that the prognosis remains reserved,’ the doctors concluded. Earlier on Sunday, the Pope from his hospital bed thanked doctors as well as people sending ‘prayers of comfort’ from all over the world.  ‘I am confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment – and rest is also part of the therapy!’ the pontiff wrote in a statement. He shared on Twitter/X on Sunday: ‘I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children.  ‘Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!’ The post Pope Francis, 88, is in ‘critical condition’ and suffering kidney failure, Vatican announces appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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FG raises speed concerns on rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge

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The Federal Government has expressed concern about excessive speed by motorists on the newly rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, expressed the concern in Lagos at a stakeholder engagement on Phase One and Phase Two of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

He spoke on rehabilitation efforts on key bridges in Lagos State, specifically Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Eko Bridge.

The minister urged motorists to avoid excessive speed on the bridge to discourage the government from considering the installation of speed bumps.

Umahi said, “We have to talk to our people. The speed there is terrible. If we put speed bumps in, then it is going to create heavy hold-up on the bridge.”

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The minister said that the government had installed Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras on the bridge and under it, adding that they would soon be inaugurated.

He disclosed that officials would be on standby to monitor the footage and enforce speed regulations.

Umahi also said that the government had extended rehabilitation of the bridge to Falomo, adding that streetlights and additional CCTV cameras had been installed at Falomo.

He disclosed that all activities on that stretch would be monitored remotely from Abuja.

“Let me also announce that we have also done an extension of that bridge rehabilitation, a beautiful sight to behold from that Third Mainland Bridge down to Falomo. We have put up street lights, and we have also put up CCTV cameras.

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“Whatever you are doing on that stretch of Falomo to Third Mainland Bridge and the ramps, we are seeing you; it is on camera, and we are also routing it down to Abuja.

“We will stay in our office and watch, like what we have done on the Second Niger Bridge,’’ Umahi said. (NAN)

The post FG raises speed concerns on rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge appeared first on Vanguard News.


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I'm a feminist but don’t support a woman disrespecting her husband – Funke Akindele

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Nigerian actress and producer Funke Akindele has declared that she is not in support of women disrespecting men even though she is a feminist.

The actress made the declaration during a conversation with the wife of skit maker Kamo State.

In the video, which was shared on social media, the actress admonished women to do what is right. She insists that she does not support women disrespecting their husbands.

She also had some words for men, urging them to treat women “specially” as she told them not to hold the notion that the place of a woman is in the kitchen.

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ALSO READ: Funke Akindele reacts to fan who asked her to have more children

The actress furthermore highlighted the importance of a woman’s economic power in the home, saying that it puts them in a position to support her husband.

She said, “I’m a feminist, but I don’t support a woman disrespecting her husband. Make sure you do what is right.

“I believe that we are not the weaker gender. Men are supposed to treat women, especially with respect. Also, men should not feel that a woman belongs in the kitchen and is talked to anyhow.

“We women are strong and bold. Our economic power is very important, that is why we should make sure we have the power and protect the power so we can support our husbands.”

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Funke Akindele’s comment about feminism and women respecting men comes as some Nigerians are positing that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan disrespected Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the drama that unfolded on the Senate floor last week over the sitting arrangement in the chamber.

ALSO READ: I borrowed clothes to look classy in movies – Funke Akindele recounts humble beginnings

However, it cannot be established whether the actress made the comment in light of the drama at the Senate and the reactions that followed.


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