By Francesca Hangeior

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina for emerging second at Miss Universe 2024, describing it as a reward for her doggedness and resilience.

In a congratulatory statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss was excited that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.

Dabiri-Erewa said though Chidimma Adetshina as Nigeria’s representative, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, her courage, determination and support from Nigeria eventually paid off. She was also named Miss Africa and Oceania 2024.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage ,some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa.

While in Nigeria, accompanied by President Silverbird group, Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chidinma was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island ,with music legend, Dbanj in attendance.

Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.

The competition, described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

Nigeria came second behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who won the keenly contested crown from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

It will be recalled that Chidimma was rejected by South Africa who expressed worries and questioned her nationality.

Due to that, Adetshina came to Nigeria to represent Taraba State and won the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.organised by the Silverbird group.

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday felicitated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for winning Saturday’s governorship election held in the state.

The president also commended the peaceful conduct of the process.

Tinubu’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu congratulates Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa on election in Ondo State.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as the winner of the election.

The Returning Officer of the exercise, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, declared Aiyedatiwa winner having polled 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party with 117,845 votes.

The President congratulated Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for the maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election.

“He enjoins the political actors to allow their orderly conduct to permeate the post-election activities and processes.

“President Tinubu believes the Ondo State election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, affirming that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials and handling of the electoral process,” the statement read.

The President also commended INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the elections.

He extended his appreciation to the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Youth Service Corps, the military and other security outfits for their professionalism in maintaining peace and order.

Tinubu urged candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress in areas of conflict.

…set to Join World Leaders in Rio de Janeiro

President Bola Tinubu will soon depart Nigeria for Brazil to attend the 19th meeting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking place in the South American country.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced this in a statement on Sunday.

The trip comes five days after Tinubu returned to Abuja after attending the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The summit, which was hosted by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on Monday, focused on current issues in the Middle East.

In his statement, Onanuga said the latest trip is at the instance of the Brazilian President and current President of the group, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

“President Bola Tinubu will leave Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday to attend to attend the 19th meeting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking place in the South American country.”

“The Nigerian leader’s participation is at the instance of the Brazilian President and current President of the group, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

“The Summit holding from Monday, November 18 to Tuesday 19, will bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the European Union, the African Union, and multilateral financial institutions among others.

This year’s meeting, under the theme, ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,’ will see the participants discuss the fight against hunger and poverty; reform of the Institution of global governance and; sustainable development and Energy Transition.

“Nigeria has always strongly advocated for a reform of the global governing institutions, and often presented its impressive credentials as a strong contender for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

“President Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit in advancement of Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms.

“He will be accompanied by top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Ministers of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Art, Tourism, Culture and Creativity, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

“The President will return to Nigeria at the end of the visit.”