Connect with us

News

Nigeria’s sovereignty must be respected – EU

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The European Union has reaffirmed its respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, distancing itself from external pressures while pledging continued collaboration with the country in peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and human rights protection.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, where he clarified the bloc’s position following US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on Nigeria.

Mignot stressed that the EU’s stance is guided by its long-standing partnership with Nigeria rather than the views of other nations.

“Our position is one of solidarity with Nigeria – solidarity with victims of violence, with authorities working to protect citizens, and with the Nigerian people who overwhelmingly desire peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and religious divides,” he said.

Advertisement

He affirmed that the EU and its member states fully respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and its constitutional commitment to religious neutrality.

According to him, the EU is ready to enhance its support in peace, security and defence matters, as well as through dialogue with all stakeholders, including civil society organisations and traditional and religious leaders.

Mignot said the EU would continue to implement several peacebuilding initiatives across the country to promote peaceful coexistence.

“We also support programmes on deradicalisation, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-members of non-state armed groups in the North-East,” he said.

Advertisement

He said the EU would remain committed to the protection of all communities, especially the minorities, with the freedom of religion and belief.

Mignot acknowledged that while Nigeria faces challenges in human rights and freedom of religion, its legal and institutional framework provides for fundamental freedoms.

“The situation is not perfect, as in any country, but there exists a constitutional basis for the protection of human rights.

“It is up to Nigerian authorities and society as a whole to uphold and strengthen this environment of peaceful coexistence,” he stated.

Advertisement

The ambassador stressed that the EU works closely with civil society organisations on projects promoting interfaith dialogue and good relations among religious communities.

He noted that the EU’s support is non-discriminatory, covering all victims of violence irrespective of the motives.

Mignot said the EU’s engagement with Nigeria remains steady and predictable, adding that the cooperation between both parties is not driven by what others do but by “shared interest in a stable, prosperous, and democratic Nigeria.”

Mignot disclosed that a peace, security and defence dialogue between Nigeria and the EU is expected soon as part of efforts to deepen strategic cooperation.

Advertisement

He emphasised that the EU’s guiding principle is to help Nigeria reinforce stability and prosperity and that the country’s future “lies firmly in the hands of Nigerians themselves.”

His remarks come after President Trump threatened possible action against Nigeria over alleged anti-Christian violence, urging the U.S. to cut off assistance to the country and designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” in a series of posts on social media.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

Why I Don’t Beg for Support – Remi Tinubu

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has given reasons why she does not beg for support, stressing that she only works with what God provides while encouraging young Nigerians to embrace contentment, hard work and patience.

She made the remarks on Friday at the State House in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Wing. During the meeting, she presented brand-new buses to the youth leaders to support their activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She explained that the vehicles were donated by individuals who support her initiatives and decided to hand them over to the APC National Youth Wing to enhance their operations.

The First Lady commended the APC youth leaders for their conduct, noting that they had never approached her office with requests for personal assistance.

Advertisement

She described their attitude as selfless and said she was pleased to support them because the buses would assist them in carrying out their responsibilities.

Mrs Tinubu also advised Nigerian youths against pursuing quick wealth, emphasizing that lasting success is built on diligence, integrity and perseverance rather than shortcuts.

She urged young people to remain disciplined, patient and committed to hard work, noting that laziness does not produce success.

Using the eagle as an example, the First Lady encouraged the youths to develop resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

Advertisement

She urged them to remain focused on their personal goals instead of comparing themselves with others or becoming discouraged by the achievements of their peers.

Continue Reading

News

INEC showcases Tinubu, Shettima’s personal details ahead of 2027 elections

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Electoral Commission has begun the public display of the personal particulars and academic credentials of presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.

The exercise, which took off on Saturday, features documents submitted by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and running mate, Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Copies of Tinubu’s Form EC9 sighted showed his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, United States, which his transcript indicated was awarded “with honours” on June 22, 1979.

The form also carried his National Youth Service Corps discharge documents, which showed he served in Oyo State from December 1982 and was demobilised in November 1983.

Advertisement

His work history, as listed in the form, showed three employers: Mobil Nigeria Limited, where he worked from 1983 to 1992 and left on account of “advancement”; the Lagos State Government, where he served from 1999 to 2007 until the “legal end of tenure”; and the Federal Government of Nigeria, where he has worked from 2023 till date.

The years listed against his primary and secondary school attendance in the same form were entered as “0000,” with only his university qualification, a B.Sc obtained in 1979, indicated.

The President’s personal information section listed his date of birth as March 29, 1952, and his age as 74.

It also listed his birthplace as Lagos, his residential address as No. 4, Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, and his occupation as “politician.”

Advertisement

For Shettima, the displayed documents traced his education from primary school.

His Certificate of Primary Education, issued by the Ministry of Education, North-Eastern State, showed he attended Lamisula I Primary School between 1972 and 1978, finishing second out of 22 pupils in his final year, with English, History and Religious Knowledge listed as his strongest subjects.

His West African Examinations Council result, obtained at Government Secondary School, Potiskum, in June 1983, showed six credits and passes, including a distinction in Religious Knowledge and Economics.

He proceeded to the University of Maiduguri, where records showed he bagged a Second Class Upper Division degree in Agriculture in August 1989, before earning a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.

Advertisement

His NYSC discharge certificate indicated he served from October 1989 to October 1990.

The display, contained in Form EC9, is a statutory requirement under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates INEC to publish candidates’ particulars within 21 days of receipt.

In a statement, the commission explained Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates.

“Form EC9 contains the credentials, personal particulars and affidavits submitted by candidates sponsored by political parties,” INEC stated.

Advertisement

The documents were displayed at INEC offices nationwide, including its Lagos State office in Sabo-Yaba and Local Government Area offices within affected constituencies.

The Electoral Act empowers members of the public to apply to INEC for certified true copies of nomination forms and other documents submitted by candidates, and to seek legal redress over allegations of false declaration or forgery.

Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to begin on August 19, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will follow later, in line with the commission’s revised timetable.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Elon Musk reveals Nigeria had four million more births than EU

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Richest man globally, Elon Musk has said Nigeria alone had four million more births than the entire European Union.

Musk made the claim on his X account on Saturday, citing his artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, as the source of the information.

“Nigeria alone had 4 million more births than the entire EU last year,” he wrote on X.

Musk’s remarks highlight Nigeria’s high birth rate compared with the European Union.

Advertisement

Available data from Musk’s Grok showed that Nigeria recorded an estimated 7.8 million births in 2025, while the European Union had 3.5 million births.

This means Nigeria recorded approximately four million more births than the EU.

Recall that in February 2026, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said 14 million Nigerian children had their births officially registered over the previous two years, marking significant progress in legal identity coverage.

Africa’s most populous country continues to record a high birth rate, placing further strain on its already fragile economy.

Advertisement

World Bank data showed that Nigeria’s poverty rate stood at 63 percent in 2025 amid rising economic hardship fueled by the skyrocketing cost of living.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit that, for the first time, the country’s economy was growing faster than its population, which is estimated at 250 million.

Daily Post

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News