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Nigeria-India Move to Strengthen Defence Ties and Global South Alliance
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, expanding defence cooperation and strengthening collaboration among developing nations, following a high-level engagement in Abuja.
The renewed commitment emerged when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received a delegation from the 66th Course of the National Defence College during a courtesy visit to the ministry on Monday.
The delegation, led by Anvita Sinha, is in Nigeria as part of a foreign study tour aimed at examining the country’s socio-economic development, foreign policy direction, security landscape and strategic outlook.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Ahmed described relations between Nigeria and India as longstanding and robust, built on shared democratic principles, historical ties, expanding economic cooperation and active engagement within regional and multilateral institutions.
He noted that the visit offered an important opportunity to broaden cooperation in key sectors, including defence, security, capacity development, technology transfer and sustainable development.
Ahmed also acknowledged India’s contribution to Nigeria’s military training and professional development programmes, noting that such support has played a significant role in strengthening institutional capacity and promoting regional security.
During discussions, both sides exchanged views on Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities, regional security challenges and shifts in the global geopolitical landscape. The Permanent Secretary stressed the need for stronger partnerships among countries of the Global South and reiterated Nigeria’s support for South-South cooperation through platforms such as BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, particularly in advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, regional peace and security initiatives, infrastructure development and economic integration.
“The significance of the visit is a valuable platform for strengthening mutual understanding and expanding cooperation in critical areas such as defence, security, capacity building, technology transfer and sustainable developmentAhmed said.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and prosperity across the continent through diplomacy, strategic partnerships and regional cooperation.
The meeting explored opportunities for closer collaboration in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, border security, military education and the deployment of emerging technologies to tackle evolving security threats.
“Nigeria remains ready to deepen cooperation with India in these areas for the mutual benefit of both countries”, he added.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Manoj thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for what he described as a warm reception and constructive engagement.
He praised the enduring friendship between both countries and expressed optimism that continued dialogue would further strengthen bilateral relations while contributing to global peace, security and development.
Colonel Manoj said he was encouraged by the depth of cooperation between the two nations and confident that stronger engagement would yield greater benefits for both countries.
The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding collaboration in diplomacy, defence, security, education, technology and development, underscoring a shared determination to deepen strategic ties in an increasingly complex global environment.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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