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Nigeria, Italy Set to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Tackle Migration, Security Challenges

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Nigeria, Italy Set to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Tackle Migration, Security Challenges

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Italy have expressed renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on addressing irregular migration, insecurity, counter-terrorism, and expanding economic cooperation.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in Abuja on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Roberto Mengoni.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Italy as one of Nigeria’s key strategic partners in Europe, noting that although diplomatic relations between both countries span more than six decades, there is yet to be a formal Nigeria-Italy Bi-National Commission, calling for the establishment of such a framework to deepen structured engagement and cooperation.

According to the minister, sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between both countries have continued to highlight shared priorities in sustainable development, food security, climate action, and economic growth.

She said ongoing consultations between Nigeria and Italy also reflect a common commitment to addressing global and regional challenges, including climate change, irregular migration, and security threats.

The minister urged for continued collaboration of both countries in combating illegal migration, human trafficking, and transnational crimes, while calling for stronger Italian involvement in Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms. She identified renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure development as critical sectors for enhanced cooperation.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also sought Italy’s technical support for Nigeria’s industrialisation drive, stressing that improved mobility between both countries would stimulate trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange.

She emphasised the need to improve visa processing systems, noting that more efficient procedures would ease movement, reduce delays, and strengthen economic and diplomatic relations.

The minister also called for the creation of effective trade facilitation mechanisms to allow Nigerian agricultural and manufactured products access to the Italian market, thereby reducing transit costs and improving supply chain efficiency.

Describing migration as both a challenge and an opportunity, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria and Italy are working together to curb irregular migration while expanding legal migration pathways. She explained that bilateral cooperation includes repatriation agreements, voluntary return initiatives, and reintegration programmes for Nigerians returning from Italy.

She also highlighted joint efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks operating between both countries, with special emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups. According to her, vocational training and small business development initiatives are being implemented in high-migration areas to address the root causes of irregular migration.

“With Nigeria’s large youth population, we are deeply concerned about the safety of our young people,” the minister said. “We are seeking effective ways to combat irregular migration, especially as Italy remains a major destination for Nigerian migrants.”

She added that Nigeria is exploring youth-focused initiatives to address unemployment, youth restiveness, and online radicalisation, while appealing for support in building capacity to counter violent extremism.

Earlier, Mengoni reaffirmed Italy’s interest in strengthening relations with Nigeria, describing the country as central to Italy’s Africa cooperation strategy.

He said his mission to Nigeria would prioritise expanding diplomatic and business ties for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“We now have the momentum to engage Nigeria more deeply and enhance cooperation. Italy does not believe in imposing policies on African countries but in building partnerships,” Mengoni stated.

Nigeria, Italy Set to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Tackle Migration, Security Challenges

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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