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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has called for renewed unity, resilience and collective responsibility as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

Ikpeazu made the call in Madrid while addressing Nigerians and guests at an event organised to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day, saying nation-building remained a continuous process requiring the contribution of every citizen.

He congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians, particularly members of the Nigerian community in Spain, on the anniversary.

“It is my profound honour and privilege to welcome you all to this event marking the 66th anniversary of the independence of our beloved country, Nigeria. As you are aware, on this day in 1960, our great nation proudly raised its green-white-green flag and took its rightful place among the free and sovereign nations of the world,” he said.

According to him, the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey since independence and reaffirm the country’s commitment to freedom, unity, progress and dignity.

“I congratulate His Excellency, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and all Nigerians, especially those residing in the Kingdom of Spain, as we celebrate our national day. Permit me to pay tribute to those who envisioned our country, our nationalists and patriots whose courage and sacrifice secured our freedom.

“Their legacy reminds us that nation-building is a continuous endeavour, which demands resilience, innovation, and collective responsibility,” Ikpeazu said.

The envoy described Nigeria as Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest economies, noting its human capital, cultural diversity and natural resources.

“Nigeria today stands as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, a country rich in human talent, cultural diversity, and natural resources,” he added.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s democratic institutions, youthful population and contribution to peace, security and development in Africa and beyond.
Ikpeazu used the occasion to highlight the growing relationship between Nigeria and Spain, describing the bilateral ties as being anchored on mutual respect, constructive dialogue and expanding cooperation.

“This anniversary also provides an opportunity to reflect on the strong and growing bonds of friendship between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain. Our bilateral relations are characterised by mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges,” he said.

He noted that Spanish companies, including GB Foods, continued to explore opportunities in Nigeria, while Nigerians living in Spain were making contributions to the country’s social and economic life.

“Spanish companies like GB Foods and others continue to find opportunities in Nigeria’s dynamic market, while Nigerians in Spain contribute meaningfully to the social and economic fabric of this great country,” he said.

Ambassador Ikpeazu said Nigeria valued Spain’s partnership and was interested in expanding cooperation in renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, technology and the creative industries.

He added that the Nigerian diplomatic mission would continue working to create opportunities for investment and business-to-business partnerships.

“I want to categorically affirm that we will continue to create opportunities for investment and business-to-business matchmaking to develop our country,” he stated.
He also commended Nigerians living in Spain, describing students, professionals and entrepreneurs as important links between both countries.

“To the Nigerian community here in Spain – our students, professionals and entrepreneurs — I extend special greetings. You remain our most valuable ambassadors. Your hard work, integrity, and achievements enhance the image of our nation and strengthen the bridges between our two countries,” he asserted.

He therefore urged members of the community to remain united and law-abiding while upholding the values of enterprise, innovation and resilience associated with Nigerians.

Ikpeazu said Nigeria was pursuing reforms aimed at diversifying its economy, improving governance and promoting inclusive growth under the Tinubu administration.

“Looking ahead, Nigeria under the leadership of Mr President continues to pursue reforms aimed at economic diversification, improved governance, and inclusive growth.

“We are not satisfied with the present economic realities, but we are making progress as a people. Government is determined to harness the energy of our youth, the creativity of our people, and the strength of our diversity to build a more prosperous and secure future,” he said.

He acknowledged the importance of international partnerships in achieving those objectives, particularly the continued friendship and support of Spain.

“In this endeavour, the support and friendship of partners such as Spain remain invaluable.

“Fellow Nigerians, as we raise a toast to Nigeria at 66, let us renew our pledge to work together for a nation that is peaceful, prosperous, and respected in the comity of nations,” he said.

As Nigerians celebrated 66 years of independence, Ikpeazu urged citizens to renew their commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous country.

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Some personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have confirmed that they have started receiving salaries reflecting the recently approved 80 per cent increase for junior military personnel under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“I can categorically confirm that personnels of the Nigerian Military have now started receiving their newly increased salaries as approved by President @officialABAT in August,” he wrote.

He said the salary increase was expected to boost the morale of troops deployed in operations across the country.

“Another critical factor that is expected to boost the morale of our frontline forces as we continue to win the war against insecurity,” Olusegun added.

The salary adjustment follows President Tinubu’s approval in August of increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for personnel of the Armed Forces.

The new salary structure took effect from September 1, 2026.

Under the approved structure, personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant are to receive an 80 per cent salary increase, while those from Warrant Officer to Colonel are to receive a 50 per cent increase.

Officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier-General, Major-General, Lieutenant-General and General, are to receive a 30 per cent increase.

About 250,000 military personnel are expected to benefit from the new salary package.

The Presidency had said the adjustment would increase the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.

Tinubu, while announcing the approval, said members of the military deserved greater support because of their role in confronting banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across the country.

“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,” he said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on August 4.

The President also said his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of troops while providing the Armed Forces with weapons and technological tools required for military operations.

The implementation of the salary increase comes as Nigerian troops remain deployed in various operations against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.

This recent increment followed exclusive reports done by SaharaReporters which revealed the struggles of the solders amid poor pay.

For instance, in September 2025, some personnel of the Nigerian Army cried out over the nonpayment of their allowances and poor salaries and called for a review from the President Bola Tinubu-led government.

According to the soldiers, attempts to complain have been met with threats by the army authorities.

They also called for a review of the allowances to reflect the current economic realities of the country.

Soldiers serving in the Nigerian Army have lamented the poor salaries of junior personnel in the country.

The soldiers while speaking to SaharaReporters accused the Nigerian government of failing to improve welfare package for military officers as a gesture to show appreciation for their efforts in securing the country.

The soldiers, who spoke to SaharaReporters on Thursday morning, said the new salaries began reflecting in their accounts on Wednesday evening.

According to them, personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant are receiving the approved 80 per cent increase.

A Private, who previously earned about ₦103,000, now receives approximately ₦190,000, while a Lance Corporal whose previous salary was about ₦110,000 now receives approximately ₦202,000, according to the soldiers.

“Private soldiers ₦190k. Lance Corporal ₦202k, go on like that. It is exactly the 80 per cent as they promised,” one of the soldiers.

The development confirms an earlier announcement by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, who said military personnel had begun receiving the newly increased salaries.

Olusegun disclosed this in a post on X on Thursday.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Ghana High Commission in Abuja has presented a commemorative cake to Nigeria to mark the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the gesture as a symbol of the longstanding friendship and solidarity between both countries.

The cake was presented at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Wednesday by Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu.

Receiving the gift, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the presentation as an unusual and historically significant gesture.

“I must say, it’s very rare. I have been in the diplomatic service for quite some time. I do not have a recollection of any occasion in which this kind of presentation has taken place in the Ministry by a diplomatic mission. It may have, quite frankly, I cannot remember. So what you’ve done is historically very unique,” he said.

Enikanolaiye said the gesture demonstrated the depth and strength of the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, describing both countries as brotherly and sisterly nations bound by shared history and common aspirations.

He recalled his days as a student when the works of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, formed an important part of his academic readings.

According to him, Nkrumah’s Pan-African ideals remained relevant to contemporary African realities, stressing that Nigeria and Ghana must continue to dialogue and negotiate while upholding principles that advance their respective national interests.

The minister also thanked the Ghana High Commission for its observations on the need to further strengthen bilateral relations.

According to him, both countries were committed to ensuring that their longstanding relationship produced greater benefits for their citizens.

“We need to work harder to ensure that irritants in this relationship are prevented from snowballing into situations in which our peoples begin to question the basis and rationale of a relationship that had so long been nourished by our forefathers,” he said.

Enikanolaiye stressed the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between Abuja and Accra, particularly in addressing issues capable of affecting bilateral relations.

He also commended Ghana for its cooperation with Nigeria in efforts to address attacks against Africans on the continent.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye reiterated Nigeria’s position that such attacks should be described as Afrophobia rather than xenophobia, given that most of those affected in South Africa are fellow Black Africans.

“What is going on is totally unacceptable. It is barbaric. The punishment for irregular migration is certainly not death. The punishment for criminality where guilt has not been proven in court is also not death. We believe that the rule of law must be allowed to prevail,” he said.

Enikanolaiye further commended Ghana for its historic initiative at the United Nations to secure recognition of colonialism as a crime against humanity and for championing calls for reparations.

He said Nigeria would continue to work with Ghana to promote issues that serve the interests of their citizens and the wider African continent.

Earlier, the Ghanaian High Commissioner, Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu, described Nigeria and Ghana as members of the same family, saying the cake presentation reflected the longstanding cultural, economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

He said the special relationship between Ghana and Nigeria had continued to grow since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries.

According to him, Nigeria remains one of Ghana’s major sources of investment, while Ghanaian businesses and investors continue to maintain a strong presence in Nigeria.

The High Commissioner traced the roots of the relationship to Ghana’s former President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who visited Nigeria in February 1959 and held discussions with prominent Nigerian leaders, including Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, during the struggle for independence.

He said the relationship had since expanded across several sectors, urging younger generations in both countries to build on the foundation laid by their predecessors.

Abu also highlighted the strong social and cultural connections between Nigerians and Ghanaians, pointing to music, football, social media interactions and the popular “Jollof Wars” as examples of the friendly rivalry between both countries.

The celebration also took on a sporting flavour when the High Commissioner presented a Ghanaian football jersey to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, with both sides engaging in a light-hearted exchange over the football rivalry between the two countries.

The gesture added a touch of sporting camaraderie to the anniversary celebration, reflecting the cultural affinity and friendly competition that have long characterised Nigeria-Ghana relations.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its historic and strategic partnership with Ghana for the mutual benefit of both countries and the wider African continent.