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Ministerial screening: Bianca Ojukwu narrates harrowing experience as Ambassador to Spain
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, nominated by President Bola Tinubu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, narrated her experiences as Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain during her Senate screening.
She revealed the challenges she faced, including living in a hotel for a year due to the poor condition of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concern that the embassy’s dilapidated state did not reflect Nigeria’s image abroad.
She began an extensive refurbishment project aimed at restoring both the embassy and the ambassador’s residence.
Bianca said, “I would like to say that my past records speak for me. As an ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, I spent an entire year in one hotel room because when I got to Spain, the mission building was in such an appalling condition.”
She recounted that the building’s ruin was particularly embarrassing given its location.
She recounted that the building’s ruin was particularly embarrassing given its location.
“The embassy was located very close to the upscale estate of Galagao, where people would pass by on their way to various events and matches.
“It was disheartening that this decadent structure represented Nigeria in such a prestigious area,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that she took immediate steps to address the issues, organising significant repairs and preservation efforts to overhaul not only the mission building but also the ambassador’s residence and other Nigerian-owned properties in Spain.
“The Nigerian embassy in Madrid that you see today is the product of my time in that country,” she said, noting that her focus was to restore Nigeria’s image to one that “truly deserves a designation of outstanding.”
She also highlighted the ongoing challenges Nigerian embassies face worldwide due to limited funding, which often constrains ambassadors in performing much-needed maintenance.
She added, “In most missions, because of no more funding, most ambassadors are constrained when it comes to carrying out refurbishments.
This shortage of funds, she said, ”prevents embassies from showcasing Nigeria’s stature, impacting the country’s standing on the global stage.”
“It is unfortunate because a lot of embassies are going through this situation, and it has, to a large extent, diminished our standing around the world,” she added.
Emphasising the importance of respectable diplomatic representations, Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the Nigerian government to prioritize embassy maintenance under the current administration.
She cited the nation’s foreign policy objectives of promoting democracy, development, and the Nigerian diaspora as critical areas that require embassies with dignified facilities.
“This is something that the government, under this president, should look into,” she said, pointing out that embassies often host international delegations, study tours, and exchanges, making respectable surroundings crucial.
“It is imperative that when you are in those exchanges, you meet your patrons and colleagues in environments that reflect Nigeria’s true standing,” she said, concluding her remarks with a plea for urgent intervention.
After her response, she was thereafter asked to take a bow and go.
Bianca is one of the seven ministerial nominees currently being screened by the Red Chamber.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, on Saturday collected the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Certificate of Return on behalf of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan during the party’s National Convention in Abuja.
The certificate was handed over by the PDP Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN. The presentation has renewed focus on the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
The event was held at the convention venue in Area 10, Garki, with party leaders, delegates, former ministers, state officials, and supporters in attendance.
Gana received the certificate on Jonathan’s behalf before the crowd. The moment quickly became a major talking point and put the former president back at the centre of political discussions as the PDP debates strategy and possible candidates for 2027.
Speaking to supporters and journalists after receiving it, Gana drew significant attention from attendees and political observers tracking developments in the opposition party.
The development comes as PDP continues internal discussions on leadership structure and future direction. Many members believe decisions in the coming months will shape the party’s chances in the 2027 presidential race.
Political watchers are closely following events in the PDP as it works to strengthen its position ahead of the next election cycle.
More details are expected as the convention proceeds.
Angry protesters lockdown Ibadan, demand urgent rescue of abducted Oyo teachers, pupils
Hundreds of teachers and civil society activists marched through Ibadan on Friday, demanding immediate action to free colleagues and pupils kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area.
The protest, led by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and the Nigeria Teachers Congress, NTC, followed the May 15 abduction of victims in Esiele and Yawota communities near Ogbomoso.
—“Do more to rescue them”—
NTC National President Rev. Bunmi Thomas told protesters the rally was lawful and necessary. “We are demanding pragmatic action from government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students,” he said.
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While acknowledging ongoing rescue efforts, Thomas insisted more must be done: “If the government is trying and the result is not there, then efforts must be intensified.”
He raised alarm over the children’s condition: “We have kids as young as two and three years old in the bush, exposed to rain and harsh weather.”
Thomas also called for security in all public schools: “We cannot continue to work while living in danger. Government must attach security personnel to every government school.”
He stressed the protest was not against Governor Seyi Makinde: “No reasonable teacher in Oyo State is against Governor Makinde because he has performed excellently well.”
—Government responds–,
Executive Assistant on Security Matters, retired CP Sunday Odukoya, addressed protesters on behalf of the state government. “It is your constitutional right to protest and let government know your concerns,” he said, assuring that rescue operations were ongoing.
Odukoya also promised no teacher would be victimized for joining the protest.
Protesters said their only demand is the safe and swift return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
[ Channels TV]
A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, senatorial aspirant under the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has revealed how the primary election was allegedly manipulated by some party leaders.
Recall that the activist-turned politician contested for the FCT Senate but pulled out over alleged misconduct by officials.
In a lengthy statement detailing how the primary election was conducted, Aisha alleged that the exercise was conducted in a closed room with “predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities”.
She said after the exercise was “repeatedly postponed”, the venue was also “changed at the last minute”.
Aisha alleged that the “guidelines of the party were not followed. Delegate based process was introduced to be conducted at a central location instead of the direct primaries to be conducted at Local Government headquarters.
“When the moment came, the contest was not decided by delegates in the open; it was affirmed in a closed room, away from the people whose voices it was supposed to reflect.
“The party will indeed go on to release statements upon statements about the free and fair nature of the Abuja FCT primaries.
“They are entitled to their voice, but the facts that transpired when litigated by conscience and the guidelines of the electoral act do not reflect justice and fairness”.
Finally, PDP Faction Presents 2027 Certificate of Return to Jonathan at Abuja Convention
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Angry protesters lockdown Ibadan, want immediate rescue of abducted Oyo teachers, pupils
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