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ASEAN Diplomatic Missions Commit to Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Nigeria

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ASEAN Diplomatic Missions Commit to Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) diplomatic missions in Nigeria, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, have pledged to deepen bilateral ties with Nigeria.

The pledge was made on Thursday evening in Abuja during the “Essence of ASEAN” festival reception hosted by the High Commission of Malaysia in Nigeria in partnership with Embassies of Philippines, Indonesia , Thailand and Vietnam.

ASEAN, is a regional grouping of 10 states in Southeast Asia “that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members.

The High Commissioner of Malaysia, Mr Aiyub Omar, who is also the current chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Abuja, highlighted the festival’s importance in fostering understanding and collaboration between ASEAN member countries and Nigeria.

He said: “Malaysia has been a partner to Nigeria since 1965, and this year marks the 60th anniversary of our bilateral relations

“This festival aims to raise awareness of ASEAN’s cultural offerings and opportunities in Nigeria, where interest in travel to Malaysia has surged, with over 300 applications from Nigerians to visit the country each month.

“Additionally, more than 3,000 Nigerians are currently studying in Malaysian universities, both public and private.

“There are so many travellers now travelling to Malaysia, for instance in a month, we receive about more than 300 applications for Nigerians to travel to Malaysia.”

The envoy also noted that ASEAN diplomatic missions rotate the chairmanship every six months, which helps maintain a dynamic engagement among member states.

Also speaking, Philippines Ambassador, Mr Mersole Mellejor, called for greater awareness of ASEAN among Nigerians, stating that efforts must be made to increase exposure and understanding of ASEAN’s aspirations as a vital partner in Africa.

He said: “The common people of Nigeria need to know what ASEAN represents and our aspirations.”

He also stressed the importance of increasing ASEAN’s visibility and engagement with Nigeria, recognising the potential of collaborating within a collective market of nearly 1 billion people across ASEAN and West Africa.

On his part, the Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed appreciation for the support and emphasised Nigeria’s strong connections with ASEAN countries, stating how collaboration in trade and tourism is crucial for mutual economic growth.

Tuggar, who was represented by Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director of Regions in the Foreign Affairs Ministry pointed out that ASEAN has a lot to offer in terms of educational exchange programs, leveraging the robust network of institutions available in the region.

He said: “ASEAN has taught us that the first thing you need to do is trade among yourself, tourism among yourself, before you go out.

“So you have to build each other’s economy, each other’s trade and we borrowed the lead from the West African Economic Summit taking place tomorrow for all West African countries.

“So we are talking about how we grow together economically. Have a lot of collaboration with most of the ASEAN countries. Malaysia has a very robust scholarship exchange programme that they do provide. Same with Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and the other 5 countries.”

The highlight of the event was a display of ASEAN cultures, featuring traditional dances, attire, music, culinary delights, and promotional materials aimed at familiarising Nigerians with the diverse nations of ASEAN

ASEAN Diplomatic Missions Commit to Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Nigeria

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.

Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.

Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa

The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.

The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.

He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.

“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.

Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.

“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.

He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.

Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.

Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.

“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.

He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.

Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.

He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”

He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.

He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”

Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.

He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.

He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.

He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.

He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.

He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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