News

Ministerial screening: Bianca Ojukwu narrates harrowing experience as Ambassador to Spain

Published

4 hours ago

October 30, 2024

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.

“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.

News

State of the Nation: Governors, Traditional rulers meet at Aso Rock

Published

23 mins ago

October 30, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Governors and traditional rulers under the auspices of National Council of Traditional Rulers are currently meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Although the agenda of the meeting holding at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, was not immediately made public, sources said they are discussing the situation of the country with a view to putting in measures that will alleviate hardship in the land.

Daily Trust gathered that the governors are trying to get feedback from the traditional rulers in order to frame policies and take decision in the overall interest of Nigerians.

Among those cited by Daily Trust were the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), and other state governors including, Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Dapo Abiodun, (Ogun), Seyi Makinde, (Oyo), Agbu Kefas, (Taraba), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, (Gombe), Uba Sani (Kaduna).

Some of the prominent traditional rulers at the event are the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Oni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar.

News

Reps Urge Reps Federal, State Govt To Adopt Measures To Control Flooding

Published

23 mins ago

October 30, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…summon Environment Ministry, NEMA, Hydrological Services Agency on measures in place

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has charged the federal and state governments to adopt control measures to mitigate the impact of flood disasters in 22 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.

The House also directed the Federal Government through its relevant ministries and agencies to collaborate with state governments to enhance their disaster preparedness capabilities and ensure the quick deployment of rescue teams, relief materials, and medical assistance where needed.

The House called on the Federal Ministry of Environment and state governments to activate evacuation protocols for communities along flood plains and ensure that affected populations have access to temporary shelters, medical services, and other forms of support.

The lawmakers further summoned the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Emergency Management Agency, and Hydrological Services Agency to appear before its committee to explain what precautionary measures are being implemented to safeguard lives and property in the predicted flood zones.

These resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “Urgent need for precautionary measures to mitigate predicted flood risks in 22 states and the FCT”, by Rep. Oluwaseun Whingan, member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State, on Wednesday at plenary.

Rep. Whingan referred to a report on the October 14, 2024, concerning the prediction of five days of heavy rainfall, which may lead to flooding in 22 states and the FCT, attributed to the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The lawmaker said communities along the flood plains of Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun, in States such as Osun, Delta, Cross River, Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, and Kebbi, among others are at the risk of severe flooding.

He said, “The House is concerned that the predicted heavy rainfall and resulting floods could have devastating impacts on vulnerable communities, leading to displacement, loss of property, destruction of infrastructure, and potential loss of lives if adequate precautionary mechanisms are not put in place to protect citizens in these areas.

“The House is also concerned that despite early warnings, there may not be sufficient proactive measures such as timely evacuations, provision of temporary shelters, and support systems for affected communities. This increases the risk of severe humanitarian consequences if these warnings are not addressed through urgent action.

“We are aware that flooding is a recurring issue in Nigeria, often exacerbated by inadequate drainage systems, lack of preparedness, and insufficient coordination among agencies responsible for disaster management. It is crucial that relevant authorities immediately implement strategies to mitigate the predicted disaster, including evacuation plans, provision of relief materials, and ensuring post-flood recovery efforts are coordinated effectively.”

The House adopted the motion which enjoyed overwhelming support as members voted in support of it.

The House it urged the Federal Ministries of Works, Housing and Water Resources to carry out an immediate assessment of drainage systems and waterways in flood-prone areas and work to reduce blockages that could worsen flooding.

The House also mandated its Committees on Environment, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, and Water Resources to ensure ongoing monitoring and post-flood rehabilitation efforts, ensuring that affected communities receive long-term support in rebuilding infrastructure and livelihoods.

News

Rivers verdict: Fubara Must Cough Out Illegally Spent Funds -Coalition

Published

3 hours ago

October 30, 2024

Austin Ojomah

As reactions continue to tlood in over the judgement of Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Rivers State fund; the National Democratic and Change Coalition (NDCC) has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to cough out all monies spent without appropriation to the state cofers.

The Coalition, while expressing satisfaction over the ruling, said the people of Rivers have been vindicated, and the long awaited justice has been served to the Governor.

Recall that, a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), from disbursing further monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government, citing alleged constitutional violations by Governor Fubara.

In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik found that Governor Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member House of Assembly breached constitutional protocol.

The court order further restricts the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, and the state’s accounts at Zenith Bank and Access Bank from releasing any funds to Fubara.

Reacting via a press release Wednesday afternoon, signed by John Uloko Esq,
President of the Coalition, the group hailed Justice Abdulmalik, for holding that, since January 2024, Rivers State has received and spent allocations based on an “illegitimate” budget, thereby describing it as a “constitutional aberration.”

The statement said, “the NDCC, made up of a group of lawyers, has always been of the view that what is going on in Rivers State is a theatre of the absurd that persistently violates the constitution, stands logic on its head and even defies mathematical reasoning to the extent that four members were allowed to constitute themselves into a House of Assembly that is meant to have 32 members”.

“We, therefore, commend Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja for holding that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

“This ruling is a victory for democracy and will teach rogue governors the bitter lesson that the Constitution of the Federal Republic must be respected and the sanctity of our democratic institutions upheld irrespective of their political desperation. Operating an illegal State Assembly of four men by any Governor is something everyone should condemn in totality and welcome the court’s judgment.

“In the wake of this judgement, NDCC urges Governor Fubara to immediately reverse all his decisions and actions based on the illegitimate Assembly since they all suffer the same defect as the budget the court threw out.

“The Governor must also strongly consider refunding all the Rivers States’ funds illegally expended from January to date.

“We further advise Governor Fubara to urgently do the needful by resubmitting the state’s budget to the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly for due process to be followed so that governance is not truncated and the people plunged into more misery than they have already endured from the Governor being absorbed in his political sabre-rattling.

“Finally, Governor Fubara must allow Rivers State to breathe by stopping all the unnecessary squabbling that has served no useful purpose”, the Coalition added.