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Nigeria Reiterates Commitment To Strengthening Diplomatic Relations With Russia

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By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Russia.
Naijablitznews.com reports that Nigeria and Russia have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations since establishing diplomatic ties on December 25, 1960.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Al-kasim Abdulkadir, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
Ambassador Tuggar stated this during his working visit to Russia where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Sergey Lavrov
He re-emphasize Nigeria’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as both countries are significant exporters of grains worldwide.
While pointing out that the conflict affects Russia’s ability to sell its grains to Africa, Amb. Tuggar also noted that the Joint Commission between Nigeria and Russia was established to provide a framework for the implementation of the concluded bilateral agreements and has since its inception, held four sessions in 2014 (Moscow), 2006 (Abuja), 2009 (Moscow) and 2016 (Abuja).
The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister said it was Russia’s turn to host the next session, even as he expressed Nigeria’s determination to conclude all outstanding bilateral agreements and a framework to deepened economic, cultural, and political ties for the mutual benefit of the parties.
He said Nigeria and Russia supported each other in their quests for elective positions in the United Nations specialized agencies and other international engagements, adding that the importance Nigeria attaches to its relationship as an important ally and a strategic partner, speaks volume especially in the fight against terrorism.
The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, however, appreciated the Russian Federation’s immense support and solidarity to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration especially Russia’s commitment towards facilitating the continued financing and execution of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited as well as the resuscitation of the Aluminium Smelting Company in Nigeria by AC Rusal.
Ambassador Tuggar further said Nigeria and Russia had agreed to cooperate in building nuclear power plants in Nigeria and that the Russia State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) had signed the first Intergovernmental Agreement to cooperate in developing atomic energy for peaceful purposes in 2009.
The Minister pointed out that Nigeria is interested in partnering with Russia on renewable energy, particularly on the peaceful use of nuclear power.
Also highlighting the longstanding military and defence cooperation between Russia and Nigeria, the Minister appreciated the Russian Government’s support and assistance in intelligence sharing, which has aided the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.
He added that military ties between Russia and Nigeria dated back to the Soviet era, but however, appreciated the support received during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970.
He concluded by applauding Russia’s cooperation in education through its scholarships to Nigerian students over the years, which he said had greatly benefitted not only Nigeria but humanity.
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I Can’t Feed My Family Again; I Make N20,000 Daily But Spend N17,000 On Fuel — Taxi Driver Laments

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Despite earning N20,000 daily, Ajibaye says he takes home only N3,000 after fuel expenses, leaving him unable to cater to his children and wife.

A commercial driver identified as Wahab Ajibaye based in Ilorin, Kwara State has expressed frustration over the rising fuel prices, saying it has left him struggling to provide for his family.

Despite earning N20,000 daily, Ajibaye says he takes home only N3,000 after fuel expenses, leaving him unable to cater to his children and wife.

He said: “I am buying fuel for N1100 and I make N20,000 (daily) but I take only N3,000 with me to my house (after work). I am the owner of my car but I am no longer making enough to cater to my children and my wife. The All Progressives Congress (APC) government will not end well. Nigeria is becoming worse and we pray God takes away this set of current leaders.”

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Ajibaye blamed the ruling APC government for the hardship faced by Nigerians, saying, “Their government is bringing more suffering. They’re not ashamed, despite many Nigerians cursing them. They should rethink.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had recently agreed that the policies initiated by President Bola Tinubu resulted in growing economic hardships in Nigeria.

The party in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka had said this, while responding to a former national vice chairman (North West) of the party, Salihu Mohammed Lukman.

Recall that Lukman had berated the party for bad governance, adding that former President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have failed to deliver on their campaign promises.

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Lukman, therefore, urged opposition leaders to unite and work hard to defeat the APC-led government in 2027.

But reacting, Morka in a statement on Tuesday argued that President Tinubu was taking bold measures to reset the country’s “long broken economy”, explaining that his reforms had increased economic hardship in the country.

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LASG shuts down Idera market over ‘environmental pollution

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) says it has sealed off the Idera market in the Oshodi metropolis.

In a statement on Thursday, Ajayi Lukman, LAGESC spokesperson, said the agency sealed the market due to unhygienic practices and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which contravened the environmental law of the state.

He said the measure was taken to enforce adherence to environmental cleanliness across registered markets in the state.

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‘‘Our operatives stationed across the Oshodi division during routine market monitoring identified the filth, unhygienic practices, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse around the Idera Market area, which prompted us to seal off the market until further notice,” the statement reads.

Lukman quoted Olaniyi Cole, the corps marshal of the agency, as decrying the level of hygiene at the market, which could lead to an outbreak of diseases.

He said Cole frowned at the inability of the market leadership to provide a valid waste collection contract, which resulted in the heaps of refuse in the facility.

He added that the display of wares for sale on road setbacks, lay-bys, medians, verges, kerbs, street trading, and hawking remained banned in the metropolis.

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The LAGESC corps marshal reiterated the ban on the sales, distribution, and usage of styrofoam in the state, noting that anyone found culpable would be punished decisively.

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Hours to Edo guber polls, major opposition candidate crumbles structure for Ighodalo

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Hours to the Edo State governorship election, the guber candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP)Amb Osalumese Areloegbe on Thursday morning collapsed the structure for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie Esq.

Addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Benin City, Areloegbe said his decision to collapse the structure for the PDP candidate was because he believed that Ighodalo had all it would take to govern the state to greater heights.

According to him, I urged all my followers and supporters to disregard any information that I have aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

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“I am supporting Asue Ighodalo because he is competent, not that I am not competent but I believe Asue is on the forefront. That is my reason for supporting his candidacy.

“My party is aware because they have been having a series of negotiations for us to align with the APC, and I told them categorically that I am supporting PDP. My eighteen local government followers are in full support of my decision, I mean 100 per cent supporting the PDP candidate, Barr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie in this election.

“My choice for Asue Ighodalo is because, apart from myself, I see him as the next better candidate that I can support and I can put my weight on because he has the capacity, mentally, physically and otherwise to pilot the affairs of Edo State to greater heights.

“The national secretariat of my party, APP – they are in Abuja and I am in the state, and know much more of what is happening in Edo State. They are not here and don’t know what is going on here in Edo. And I am in a position to tell them what will be better for the Edo people.

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“There is a parable that says, ‘You cannot shave a man’s head when he is not present’. I am here in Edo State and I know who to support and why I am supporting him. The national leadership might have taken a different tone, but this is what I and my followers have chosen.

“We had a series of other politicians who had made such decisions before. That is why I agreed with the support of my supporters to collapse my structure for the governorship candidate of the PDP Barr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie.”

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