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Nigeria-US Renew Security, Trade, Investment Partnership
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their long-standing strategic partnership, with both countries pledging closer cooperation in security, trade, investment and regional stability.
The commitment was made on Monday when the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Welcoming the American delegation, Ambassador Enikanolaiye described the relationship between both countries as one of great importance to Nigeria, expressing optimism that the visit would further deepen bilateral cooperation across critical sectors.
He said, “Nigeria attaches great importance to its bilateral relations with the United States, and I am confident that this visit will deepen cooperation across key sectors and provide further impetus to the growing partnership between our two countries”.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding collaboration in trade and investment, maritime security, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and regional peace and security.
He also highlighted the progress achieved through the Nigeria–United States Joint Working Group and disclosed that preparations were underway for the next round of bilateral engagements scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., in August 2026.
Speaking on Nigeria’s security efforts, Enikanolaiye said the government remained committed to tackling insecurity through stronger law enforcement, effective prosecution of terrorism-related offences, better protection for vulnerable communities, and sustained efforts to secure both the Gulf of Guinea and the Lake Chad Basin.
Addressing concerns over religious freedom, the minister stressed that Nigeria remained committed to protecting all citizens regardless of their faith or ethnic background.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to maintain constructive dialogue with the United States on migration and consular matters.
“While security challenges exist, they should not be misconstrued as a policy of religious persecution or genocide. The Government remains firmly committed to protecting all citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity and to strengthening the rule of law.”
In his remarks, Assistant Secretary Frank Garcia described Nigeria as one of the United States’ most important strategic partners on the African continent, noting that cooperation between both nations had continued to grow across several sectors.
“Nigeria remains one of America’s most important strategic partners in Africa. We are encouraged by the growing momentum in our cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, health, technology, maritime security and counter-terrorism, in line with the United States’ commitment to expanding commercial partnerships across the continent”, he said.
Garcia also praised Nigeria’s leadership in strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and acknowledged its contribution to regional peace through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
He further expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s continued collaboration on migration and security issues.
According to him, “The United States remains steadfast in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its security institutions, promote regional stability and expand economic opportunities for its people.”
At the end of the meeting, both countries agreed to sustain regular high-level consultations, strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and deepen people-to-people exchanges.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to resolving outstanding issues through dialogue while further consolidating the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
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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