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Nigeria-North Korea Move to Revitalise Ties as Envoy Pushes for Deeper Diplomatic Cooperation
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By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations as both countries seek to expand cooperation in diplomacy, culture and international affairs.
The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador-designate of the DPRK to Nigeria, Mr Jo Yong Sam, to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Dunoma congratulated the envoy on his appointment and assured him of the Ministry’s full support in the discharge of his diplomatic responsibilities.
He expressed optimism that the cordial relationship between Nigeria and the DPRK, which dates back to 1976, would continue to flourish.
The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the DPRK’s consistent backing of Nigeria’s candidatures in international organisations and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful dialogue aimed at promoting lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
He also proposed the early revival of cultural exchanges, particularly in film and the creative industry, alongside plans to convene the Fifth Session of the Nigeria–DPRK Joint Commission in Pyongyang on a mutually agreed date.
Ambassador Dunoma further advocated stronger reciprocal cooperation, including the allocation of land for the construction of a permanent Nigerian Embassy in Pyongyang and increased employment opportunities for Nigerians at the DPRK Embassy in Abuja.
He said, “The cordial relations between both countries, established in 1976, would continue to grow from strength to strength.”
In his remarks, Ambassador-designate Jo Yong Sam commended Nigeria’s leadership role on the African continent and its increasing influence in global affairs.
He also praised the country’s economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening relations as both countries prepare to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.
The envoy further reiterated the DPRK’s support for Nigeria’s aspirations in international organisations, including its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
He identified visa facilitation as an important area requiring attention to encourage greater official exchanges and stronger people-to-people relations between both countries.
Ambassador Jo also proposed the institutionalisation of congratulatory messages between the leaders of Nigeria and the DPRK during national celebrations and other important occasions as a reflection of the enduring friendship between both nations.
He said, “The DPRK remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations as both countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.”
Responding, Ambassador Dunoma assured the Ambassador-designate that all issues raised during the meeting, including visa facilitation and the exchange of official messages between the leadership of both countries, would receive due consideration through the appropriate government channels.
Both sides restated their shared resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand engagement in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of Nigeria and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The Accord Party has defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polling unit of former Osun Deputy Governor and ex-APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, in the ongoing Osun State governorship election.
According to results uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), Accord secured 131 votes at Polling Unit 003, Ife Ward 1 (Moore), St. Gabriel Primary School, in Ife East Local Government Area.
The APC polled 85 votes to finish second, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) recorded 10 votes. Other political parties obtained marginal votes at the polling unit.
The result adds to a series of early victories recorded by the Accord Party as INEC continues the uploading and collation of results across the state.
Earlier, Accord also won at the polling unit of former Osun Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
The result sheet uploaded on the IReV portal showed Accord polling 125 votes, ahead of the APC, which recorded 85 votes. The ADC secured five votes.
Meanwhile, INEC has continued to upload results from polling units across Osun State as the governorship election moves into the collation stage.
Voters across the state’s 30 local government areas cast their ballots on Saturday to elect a governor for the next four years.
The major contenders in the election include the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam.
The Accord Party has won the governorship election at the polling unit of former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state.
According to the result sheet uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IReV portal, Accord polled 125 votes to emerge victorious at the polling unit.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 85 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured five votes.
The African Action Congress (AAC) scored two votes, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) each recorded one vote.
Other parties, including the AA, ADP, APGA, APM, APP, BP, NNPP and PRP, recorded no votes.
The result sheet showed that 228 voters were accredited, with 220 valid votes cast and eight rejected ballots.
The election was conducted at Court Hall I, Okuku, in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
The result comes against the backdrop of Oyinlola’s reported endorsement of the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the election.
Oyinlola, who governed Osun State from 2003 to 2010, had publicly backed Oyebamiji despite the APC candidate running against incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The outcome at Oyinlola’s polling unit therefore puts the Accord Party ahead of the APC, with Adeleke’s party failing to secure the unit despite the incumbent governor’s participation in the election.
Voting was disrupted in Ejigbo, Osun State, after violence broke out at a polling unit during the ongoing Osun State Governorship election.
It was gathered that voters, residents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fled the polling unit as tension escalated around the area.
According to Channels TV, people were seen running in different directions while motorcycles and vehicles moved through the area as residents attempted to escape the unfolding situation.
The immediate cause of the violence was not clear, as the chaos temporarily halted the ongoing electoral process.
The incident comes as voters come out in their numbers to partake in governorship election amid tight security.
Osun Election: Accord Defeats APC in Omisore’s Polling Unit
Osun election: Oyinlola Loses Polling Unit to Accord Party
Osun election: INEC officials take to their heels as violence erupts in Ejigbo
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