Nigeria’s total public debt has escalated to N121.67 trillion (USD 91.46 billion) as of March 31, 2024, an increase of N24.33 trillion, or 24.99%, within just three months. The Debt Management Office (DMO) disclosed this rise in a press release issued on Thursday.The latest figure reflects a substantial jump from the total debt of N97.34 trillion (USD 108.23 billion) recorded on December 31, 2023. The public debt encompasses the combined total of domestic and external debts owed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the thirty-six state governments, and the Federal Capital Territory. According to the DMO report, Nigeria’s total domestic…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is currently in France for his first official visit outside Africa, aiming to redefine Senegal-France relations. President Faye, who assumed office on April 2, arrived in Paris on Wednesday to participate in the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation. During his visit, President Faye met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss ways to rethink and enhance the longstanding relationship between Senegal and France. “Senegal wants to rethink the relations with France, but to do so, discussions are necessary,” Faye stated. At the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, which took place on…
South Africa and Nigeria have reported a substantial increase in bilateral trade, reaching $670 million in the first quarter of 2024. This development was highlighted during a bilateral meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu of Nigeria on Thursday. President Tinubu attended the Presidential Inauguration in South Africa on Wednesday, witnessing the swearing-in ceremony of President Ramaphosa. South Africa regards Nigeria as a pivotal partner in pursuing the African Agenda, fostering South-South cooperation, and promoting a rules-based international system. The strengthening of ties between these two AfCFTA member countries is seen as a…
Young Educators Foundation, an NGO, has announced that Nigeria and Ghana will represent Africa at the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee, that will be hosted in the U.S. in 2025. Mrs Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja. Tachie-Menson said that the spelling competition that tested students’ competence in spelling and vocabulary prowess had seen Ghana representing the continent for about two decades. She said that the foundation in collaboration with Lucid Education Initiative, Nigeria, facilitated for Nigeria to join the…
The cholera outbreak in Lagos has intensified, resulting in 21 deaths and 401 suspected cases across the state. This was confirmed by Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, during an update on the disease. Dr. Ogunyemi disclosed that the hardest-hit areas include Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa. The death toll has increased from the previously reported 15 to 21 fatalities. “The rise in cases was anticipated following the Ileya festivities, during which large gatherings occurred,” Dr. Ogunyemi stated. She noted that the number of suspected cases is starting to decline across Local Government…
Bilateral trade between the Philippines and Nigeria has surpassed $100 million, according to the Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria, Meresole Mellejor. Speaking during the 126th anniversary celebration of Philippine independence in Abuja, Mellejor highlighted the robust and long-standing relationship between the two countries, which has been steadily growing since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962. “The Philippines recorded the highest bilateral trade with Nigeria in 2020, prior to the COVID-19 era,” Mellejor noted. This milestone was achieved despite the geographical distance and an 18-hour flight time between the two nations. The ambassador stated the significance of bilateral agreements and ongoing…
The recent G7 sanctions on Russian diamonds have impacted the global diamond market, prompting diamond-rich African nations to ramp up production to fill the gap left by the ban. Earlier this year, the G7, a coalition of wealthy nations including the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and the European Union, imposed a ban on rough diamonds mined in Russia. While these sanctions are designed to penalize Russia, they also carry implications for the stability of the global diamond market. “Africa is the dominant producer collectively,” said M’Zee Fula Ngenge, head of the African Diamond Council (ADC), in…
The Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development has urged civil servants to remain diligent and value-oriented in the execution of their official duties. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary in the ministry gave the charge when Ali Seidu, Chairman of the union in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside some members of staff, visited him in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was in appreciation of Aduda’s impactful role during his tenure as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from December 2020 to October 2022.1:00 Aduda said that the civil service was…
The Federal Government has revised the contract cost for the ongoing Bodo-Bonny Road Project in Rivers State from N199 billion to N280 billion. This was announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during an inspection tour of road projects in the state. Minister Umahi explained that the Federal Ministry of Works is prioritizing and harmonizing projects based on available funds and the need for completion. The new target date for the completion and commissioning of the Bodo-Bonny Road is set for December 15, 2024. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the payments made to contractors correspond with the…
The Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has witnessed hundreds of fatalities, due to the growing threat of extreme heat waves. Temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) during the annual gathering, contributing to an increased death toll among the 1.8 million participants. The extreme heat wave during Hajj 2024 has led to the deaths of hundreds of pilgrims, with numerous reports from various countries. Egypt alone has reported 323 deaths due to heat-related illnesses, according to unnamed Arab diplomats. Other nations have also faced tragic losses: Indonesia reported 138 deaths, Jordan 41, and Tunisia 35. The Associated Press,…
U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent immigration policy announcement has provided relief for Americans with undocumented spouses. The new plan offers a path to citizenship for immigrants who entered the country illegally and are married to U.S. citizens, allowing them to legalize their status without leaving the United States. Pennsylvania-based immigration lawyer Bridget Cambria expressed her joy at the news. Over the years, she had informed many couples of the difficult process for the immigrant spouse to gain U.S. legal permanent residency, which often involved leaving the country and enduring years of separation. “When I called them, it was nice to…
The Ojude Oba Festival 2024, an illustrious celebration that showcases culture, fashion, and unity at its peak, once again transformed Ijebu-Ode into a dazzling display of color and grandeur. Held at the Oba Sikiru Adetona Pavilion on Tuesday, this year’s festival, themed “Unity and Harmony, Our Gift,” showcased the rich heritage of the Ijebu people with world-class elegance. Celebrated annually on the third day of Eid al Kabir, the Ojude Oba is marked by the parade of various cultural age groups, known as regberegbe, who gather to pay homage to the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.…