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US/Israel-Iran War: Tinubu Assures UAE, Other Gulf States Of Nigeria’s Solidarity
President Bola Tinubu has expressed Nigeria’s solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries that came under attack in the heat of the US/Israel war with Iran.
Commending the countries for their resilience and restraint, the President noted that Nigeria will always stand for peace and stability.
President Tinubu in a statement signed by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga stated this at the State House in Abuja when he received Letters of Credence from seven Ambassadors and two High Commissioners, including those of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
“Let me first of all congratulate all of you and use this opportunity to say that the Federal Republic of Nigeria expresses its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in the face of the recent attacks and say that we will always strive for peace and stability across the world.
“The world needs tranquillity, peace and love. We share that solidarity with all of you in that region,’’ he said.
The President received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the State of Qatar, Yousef Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hail; Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yousef Bin Mohammed Albalawi; Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic, Wissam Kalakeche; Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan, Mohammed Abdelaal Haroun and High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia, Walda Natangwe Ndevashiya.
Other envoys who presented their Letters of Credence were: High Commissioner of Rwanda, Moses Rugema; Ambassador of the Republic of Somalia, Mohamed Osman Mohamed; Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Nicolas Perazzo Naon; and Ambassador of the Republic of Congo, Moyongo Dieudonne.
President Tinubu told the envoys that Nigeria will continue to work together with international partners to pursue peace within the African sub-region and the globe.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the enduring partnership between Nigeria and your various countries, as I receive your Letters of Credence and the Letters of Recall of your predecessors.
“I am confident that your appointment as Principal Envoys of your respective countries in Nigeria is a testament to your years of service to your country and the strength of your character. I therefore request that you convey my warmest fraternal greetings and best wishes to your respective Heads of State and Government.
“Nigeria values the bonds of friendship we share. We remain fully committed to deepening these ties, for the mutual prosperity and progress of our peoples,’’ he added.
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s foreign policy will guide its active engagements with the global community for mutual benefits.
“Your Excellencies, you are arriving in Nigeria at a pivotal period in our national trajectory. My administration is undertaking bold and necessary economic reforms designed to reposition Nigeria as a globally competitive hub for investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
“As you commence your tour of duty, I invite you to see Nigeria not just as Africa’s most populous nation, but as a dynamic partner open for strategic and mutually beneficial business collaboration.
“As you engage with our government and our people, you will observe that our strategic foreign policy actively guides our interactions on the global stage. Nigeria seeks to collaborate with your nations to harness the boundless energy of our youthful demography, drive infrastructural and economic development, maximise the mutual potential of our diaspora populations and champion democratic governance.
“Furthermore, Nigeria remains acutely aware of its responsibilities within our immediate neighbourhood and the broader African continent. We are resolute in our commitment to the principles and protocols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The defence of constitutional order, the pursuit of regional economic integration, and the stabilisation of the Sahel region are priorities that we cannot achieve in isolation. We look forward to robust partnership and cooperation with your respective countries in addressing these transnational security and development challenges,’’ the President stated.
President Tinubu said global challenges can be tackled with the collective will and cooperation of nations and international institutions.
“The global community today faces a complex web of overlapping crises—from the changing international order, climate change and energy transitions to counter-terrorism and the need for a more equitable global financial architecture. Nigeria stands ready to work with your governments bilaterally and in multilateral forums to advocate for a fairer, more secure world order.
“To achieve these shared objectives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to extend to you their full cooperation.
“Your Excellencies, as you embark on your diplomatic missions in Nigeria, you have my personal assurance and the full cooperation of my administration. Our institutions are ready to work with you to ensure the resounding success of your tenure,’’ the President assured the envoys.
President Tinubu told the ambassadors to travel and explore the country beyond Abuja, and experience the rich cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, and unparalleled warmth and friendship of Nigerians.
On behalf of the envoys, the Ambassador of Qatar thanked the President for taking the time to receive them at the Presidential Villa.
He assured the President of excellent relations with Qatar and pledged that all the envoys would do their best to improve relations with Nigeria after their tour.
Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike is set to inspect Karu Township road due for completion by May 2026 in the next few minutes.
The minister has been monitoring projects in the Territory bumper to bumper to ensure completion in due time.
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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Legislators’ Forum has strongly condemned the latest move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure Senate approval for an additional external loan of $516,333,070, ostensibly for the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the regional leaders of the Forum: Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole ,PhDChairmanADC -National Legislators’ Forum African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Hon Nnenna Ukeje-SEHon Sergius Ogun-SSHon Ajagbe H -SWHon Zakari Mohammed -NCHon Koko Shehu -NWHon Maigari Bello M-NE stating that:
“This request is not only alarming but emblematic of an administration that has made reckless borrowing its default economic policy, with little regard for sustainability, accountability, or the wellbeing of future generations.
“While no responsible opposition undermines the importance of infrastructure development, we must ask: at what cost, and under what conditions? This government has failed to convincingly demonstrate that its endless appetite for loans is guided by a coherent, transparent, and economically viable repayment strategy.
“Instead, Nigerians are witnessing a troubling pattern; one where debt accumulation is prioritized over prudent fiscal management, innovation, and domestic resource mobilization.
“Nigeria is already weighed down by a crushing debt burden, with debt servicing swallowing a staggering proportion of national revenue. Yet, rather than confronting this reality with discipline and reform, the Tinubu administration continues to plunge the country deeper into what can only be described as a looming debt catastrophe. Each new loan tightens the noose around the nation’s economic sovereignty, leaving future generations to pay for today’s lack of foresight.
“Even more disturbing is the timing of this request. As the nation inches closer to a major general election cycle, Nigerians are right to question the motives behind this borrowing spree.
” Is this truly about development, or is it another attempt to create avenues for political patronage and electoral advantage? History has taught us to be wary of last-minute, large-scale financial commitments made under the guise of national interest.
“The ADC Legislators’ Forum insists that the National Assembly must not act as a rubber stamp or Pro group of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this matter.
“The Senate, in particular, must rise to its constitutional responsibility by demanding full disclosure of the project’s financial details, procurement processes, cost-benefit analysis, and a credible repayment plan.
“Anything short of this would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
“Furthermore, we call on the administration to redirect its focus toward policies that can genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s economy; policies that promote productivity, industrial growth, job creation, and the plugging of revenue leakages.
“Borrowing should never be a substitute for leadership, creativity, and accountability.
“We must clearly state that governance is not a free ride without consequences. Those who make decisions today that endanger the economic future of millions of Nigerians must understand that a day of reckoning will inevitably come. The Nigerian people will demand answers, accountability, and justice for policies that have deepened hardship and mortgaged the nation’s destiny.
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. We can either choose the path of responsibility, discipline, and sustainable growth, or continue down this perilous road of debt dependency and economic vulnerability. The Tinubu administration must decide where it stands; but Nigerians are watching, and history will not be kind to those who fail this nation.
At least one ISWAP fighter has been captured alive while top commander identified as Abu Umar Bundi Munzir has been neutralised alongside 24 other insurgents in Borno.
The development followed a foiled coordinated attack on Kukareta community in Borno by troops of Operation HADIN KAI.
Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theartre Commander, North East Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Maiduguri on Thursday, while providing situational update on the failed attack by ISWAP terrorists.
NAN report that the insurgents launched the attack in the early hours of Thursday, shortly after midnight, in an attempt to overrun the location but were decisively engaged by troops of Sector 2 in a sustained counter-offensive that lasted till about 3;00 a.m.
Abubakar said that during the encounter, the terrorists’ commander, Abu Umar Bundi Munzir, was reportedly among those neutralised as troops repelled the assault and forced the remaining attackers into a disorganised withdrawal.
The theartre commander also confirmed that a total of 24 other terrorists were killed in the operation, bringing the overall neutralised figure to 25.
”Troops subsequently conducted exploitation of the battlefield, leading to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns, two PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns and three RPG tubes.
”Others include two mortar tubes, four hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of belted 7.62mm ammunition,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter and have since been stabilised, while an armoured reinforcement vehicle had its tyres damaged during the firefight.
He added that further exploitation operations were ongoing to recover fleeing terrorists bodies, and abandoned equipment along withdrawal routes reportedly marked by blood trails and medical items.
The commander described the operation as a significant success in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, noting that sustained pressure would be maintained to deny terrorist elements freedom of action in the North-East theatre.
(NAN)
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