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Nigeria Advocates Enhanced Diaspora Economic Contribution

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By Gloria Ikibah
 
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging its overseas community, in othe to reshape the country’s international image and bolster the economic impact of its diaspora.
 
The Minister stated during a courtesy visit by the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE) on Tuesday in Abuja.
 
Tuggar emphasized the need to improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributions of Nigerians abroad, drawing comparisons with other countries that have smaller diaspora populations but higher economic contributions.
 
 “We are moving closely towards changing those negative narratives about Nigeria and to improve on the contribution to GDP of diasporans”, he stated.
 
One of the PAC-ADE delegation, an Executive Director, Deniece Laurent-Mantey, 
while fielding questions from journalist noted that Nigeria was part of their first official trip to Africa. 
 
She explained that the council, inaugurated by President Biden in 2023, aims to strengthen the African diaspora’s role in economic and social development.
 
 “We chose Nigeria because Nigerian diasporans represent a vibrant part of the African diaspora community,” she said. 
 
Laurent-Mantey extolled the engaging and interactive discussions with Minister Tuggar and expressed optimism about future collaborations.
 
She added, “We talked about how we can partner with the Nigerians in diaspora, across different sectors. Our partnership should go both ways: how can the US support Nigeria, and how can Nigeria support America as well?”
 
Naijablitznews.com reports that the PAC-ADE was established by President Biden via Executive Order 14089 during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and was formally inaugurated in October 2023 by Vice President Harris. The council includes 12 members distinguished in various fields such as government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work, and faith-based activities. 
 
The council advised the President on strengthening relationships between U.S. officials and the African diaspora in the United States.
 
In March, the council adopted its first set of recommendations for the President. These included programs focused on student exchanges between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and African educational institutions, advocating for more U.S. Government policy support for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), funds for climate-focused initiatives in Africa, improving visa processes for Africans traveling to the United States, and enhancing investments and collaborations in African creative industries.
 
The council’s visit to Nigeria underscores the significance of bilateral relations and the impact of the Nigerian diaspora. This follows the historic Framework of Cooperation signed between the U.S. and Kenya in May 2024 at Spelman College in Atlanta. This agreement included funds to support the Edtech Africa Initiative, a public-private partnership recommended by PAC-ADE to promote STEM education partnerships between HBCUs, the Open University of Kenya, Mastercard, and Microsoft.
 
The ongoing efforts of PAC-ADE highlight the importance of these initiatives and the potential for further collaboration between the U.S. and African nations.
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I’d have been a journalist if I wasn’t a musician — Davido

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Award-winning Afrobeats megastar, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has revealed that if he hadn’t ventured into music, journalism would’ve been his calling.

Speaking in a recent interview with Atlanta’s 96.1 The Beat which started trending on Thursday, the With You crooner explained his love for media and press engagement, something he admits he does more than most of his peers.

Davido said, “I like promo, I like conversations. A lot of people don’t know that I studied marketing apart from business management. I like to market myself, I love to talk. If I had a podcast, I talk for like three to four days [laughs].

Davido said he believes that interacting with the media is an essential part of being an artist, “I just feel like it’s part of being an artist. A lot of big artists don’t do press but I do because I can talk. But some people just don’t want to talk. When people meet me, I like to have conversations, I like to know things, I like information. Even at home, I’m also researching. If I wasn’t doing music, I would definitely be in journalism.

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“A lot of people in my position would just sit down and let everything work for them. People be asking me why I have the most followers, it’s because I’m working.

“I know how hard Beyonce will work with all the money she got.”

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Nkechi Blessing Confirms Break Up With Lover

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Controversial actress, Nkechi Blessing, has announced a breakup with her younger boyfriend, Xxssive.

This is coming amid speculations of their breakup on the social media.

Speaking in a series of posts on her Instagram story on Thursday, the actress declared herself single.

“I have been single since last year,I choose when i want to talk about my life, and the time is now no bad blood Between me and anybody, we are good,” she posted.

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Recall that the 36-year-old actress confirmed relationship with the 27-year-old man in September 2022, after her messy split with Ekiti born politician, Opeyemi Falegan.

The relationship has been in public eye, following their public displays of affection on the social media.

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Anambra govt. ban street begging, public almsgiving

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The Anambra State Government has banned the distribution of food items and other gifts to street beggars in public spaces, particularly under the Aroma Bridge in Awka, the state capital, and other locations.

The state government also banned all forms of public begging, loitering, and street trading beneath the bridges in Awka, insisting that the move became necessary to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which is the face of the state.

A statement released by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Capital Territory Development Authority, Ossy Onuko, on Thursday, stated that the directive is part of the state government’s efforts to sanitise the capital city and maintain public order.

Onuko said anyone found violating this new directive will be arrested and prosecuted.

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He, however, cautioned content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups against distributing food, cash, or any form of alms to street children and beggars in public spaces, particularly.

While acknowledging that some of the “charitable acts” were for good intentions, he expressed concerns that they are inadvertently contributing to the continued loitering and congregation of destitute individuals in dangerous locations.

He said, “The government has closely observed the activities of some content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups who encourage and sustain the indiscriminate roaming of children under the Aroma Bridge by consistently giving out food, drinks, and cash gifts to these kids.

“Although their intentions may be noble, they ultimately contribute to the degradation of the capital city and put the lives of these children at risk. These children are exposed to potential harm, such as being knocked down by vehicles, abused by unruly adults, or even recruited into criminal activities.

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“Such actions are illegal and we hereby warn that any individual or group found engaging in them will be seen as promoting civil disorder and will face legal action.”

He also advised that all charitable activities be conducted through accredited institutions, such as orphanages, care homes, and registered non-governmental organisations, where support can be provided in a more structured and secure manner.

Onuko further urged the general public to work with the state government to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which represents the face of Anambra State.

“Charitable acts should be channeled through accredited organisations such as orphanages, care homes, and registered NGOs, where support can be professionally administered to those in need.

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“Alternatively, donations can be made to private homes and spaces that do not create public nuisances,” he added.

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