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Ministerial screening: Bianca Ojukwu narrates harrowing experience as Ambassador to Spain
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, nominated by President Bola Tinubu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, narrated her experiences as Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain during her Senate screening.
She revealed the challenges she faced, including living in a hotel for a year due to the poor condition of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concern that the embassy’s dilapidated state did not reflect Nigeria’s image abroad.
She began an extensive refurbishment project aimed at restoring both the embassy and the ambassador’s residence.
Bianca said, “I would like to say that my past records speak for me. As an ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, I spent an entire year in one hotel room because when I got to Spain, the mission building was in such an appalling condition.”
She recounted that the building’s ruin was particularly embarrassing given its location.
She recounted that the building’s ruin was particularly embarrassing given its location.
“The embassy was located very close to the upscale estate of Galagao, where people would pass by on their way to various events and matches.
“It was disheartening that this decadent structure represented Nigeria in such a prestigious area,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that she took immediate steps to address the issues, organising significant repairs and preservation efforts to overhaul not only the mission building but also the ambassador’s residence and other Nigerian-owned properties in Spain.
“The Nigerian embassy in Madrid that you see today is the product of my time in that country,” she said, noting that her focus was to restore Nigeria’s image to one that “truly deserves a designation of outstanding.”
She also highlighted the ongoing challenges Nigerian embassies face worldwide due to limited funding, which often constrains ambassadors in performing much-needed maintenance.
She added, “In most missions, because of no more funding, most ambassadors are constrained when it comes to carrying out refurbishments.
This shortage of funds, she said, ”prevents embassies from showcasing Nigeria’s stature, impacting the country’s standing on the global stage.”
“It is unfortunate because a lot of embassies are going through this situation, and it has, to a large extent, diminished our standing around the world,” she added.
Emphasising the importance of respectable diplomatic representations, Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the Nigerian government to prioritize embassy maintenance under the current administration.
She cited the nation’s foreign policy objectives of promoting democracy, development, and the Nigerian diaspora as critical areas that require embassies with dignified facilities.
“This is something that the government, under this president, should look into,” she said, pointing out that embassies often host international delegations, study tours, and exchanges, making respectable surroundings crucial.
“It is imperative that when you are in those exchanges, you meet your patrons and colleagues in environments that reflect Nigeria’s true standing,” she said, concluding her remarks with a plea for urgent intervention.
After her response, she was thereafter asked to take a bow and go.
Bianca is one of the seven ministerial nominees currently being screened by the Red Chamber.
Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed why he ended his affairs with his ex-girlfriend, claiming that she was “quite manipulative”.
In an interview with YouTuber Korty EO, Rema said the relationship was “beautiful” but not always peaceful.
The singer lamented that sometimes when he returns home hoping to rest from the pressure of the outside world, his then girlfriend often greeted him with chaos.
He said he eventually walked away when he could no longer tolerate her excesses.
“My romantic relationship was beautiful but a little quite manipulative. So much pressure. Knowing the world puts so much pressure on me but coming back home is where you want to feel relieved but when you come back home and you are getting more pressure, it’s a different story. For now, I’m done,” he said.
Barlastone brought the Matero Local Court, Zambia gallery to laughter after he revealed that he married a Lusaka seller who charged him K50 per round during their matrimonial games.
Aubrey told the court that the behaviour of his wife, Stella Tembo, a 25-year-old Easterner was undiplomatic due to her unacceptable demands and conditions every time he wanted to be intimate with her.
According to Zambia Observer, he said the two got married in 2009 and that his wife had continually made his life miserable for the past 17 years that he got to a point that he resorted to never have s3x her again.
He lamented that when he finally gave up on paying for what rightfully and lawfully belonged to him, Stella started covering her entire body with clothes while in bed.
“I have never had peace. Despite paying lobola, I was still paying to have sex with her.
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“I also found out that she was using charms on me, such that I could not say no to her even though I was paying,” he said.
In her defense, Stella swore that she had been a good wife to Aubrey and that he was free to express his desires on her in whatever style he wished.
She said she only started charging him after he married another woman elsewhere and rented a house for her.
“He even moved out of our home, saying he had gone to the mountain to pray.
“For five months, my husband was nowhere to be found.
“I later discovered that he had married elsewhere and was renting another house,” she said.
The wife also accused her husband of using charms on her, which left her like the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible, who was isolated from the society for 12 years.
“He cut a piece from my green chitenge and took it to a witchdoctor, and I have never stopped bleeding since then,” she alleged.
The magistrate, Harriet Mulenga granted the couple divorce and ordered the husband to pay the wife K17,000 for adultery.
Mulenga also ordered Aubrey to pay K1,000 monthly child maintenance, while household goods were to be shared equally between the two parties.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, on Saturday collected the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Certificate of Return on behalf of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan during the party’s National Convention in Abuja.
The certificate was handed over by the PDP Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN. The presentation has renewed focus on the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
The event was held at the convention venue in Area 10, Garki, with party leaders, delegates, former ministers, state officials, and supporters in attendance.
Gana received the certificate on Jonathan’s behalf before the crowd. The moment quickly became a major talking point and put the former president back at the centre of political discussions as the PDP debates strategy and possible candidates for 2027.
Speaking to supporters and journalists after receiving it, Gana drew significant attention from attendees and political observers tracking developments in the opposition party.
The development comes as PDP continues internal discussions on leadership structure and future direction. Many members believe decisions in the coming months will shape the party’s chances in the 2027 presidential race.
Political watchers are closely following events in the PDP as it works to strengthen its position ahead of the next election cycle.
More details are expected as the convention proceeds.
Rema finally reveals why he ended his relationship with girlfriend
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