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Dabiri-Erewa Lauds Duke, Duchess of Sussex for Invictus Games Centre in Nigeria

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Dabiri-Erewa Lauds Duke, Duchess of Sussex for Invictus Games Centre in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has commended the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, for their innumerable philanthropic works to society, especially for injured, sick and traumatised soldiers and war veterans.

She gave the commendatio at the welcome banquet held in their honour by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, in Abuja.

The NiDCOM Chairman/CEO stated that the kind gesture from them will empower the wounded soldiers, who have sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

“The initiative for the proposal to cite the Invictus Centre in Nigeria to support the categories of soldiers mentioned above is not only laudable but also a testament of our commitment as a country to look after those who have suffered in one way or the other in the line of duty to protect our nation”, she said.

The NiDCOM boss added that this visit would also boost Nigeria’s quest and interest to host the Invictus Games 2027 and enhance the proposal to cite the Invictus Centre in Nigeria in support of the wounded, injured and sick war veterans, among others.

In addition, Dabiri-Erewa who learnt that Meghan Markle is 43 percent Nigerian after having her genealogy (DNA) done in 2022, commended the Duchess for being an embodiment of the Nigerian woman and her activities towards women and girl-child empowerment.
She used the opportunity to welcome the Duchess to Nigeria and extended an invitation to attend the Annual Badagry Door of Return Festival in Lagos.

Prince Harry, who is the founder of the Invictus Games Foundation stated that in the 10 years of the Invictus Games, one remarkable moment was to have the Nigerian team win gold and bronze medals at their first outing in the 2023 games held in Düsseldorf, Germany.

He expressed his pleasure at Nigeria joining the Invictus Games and hoped to witness more participation.

Also, the Duke of Sussex is certain that the proposed Invictus Games Centre in Nigeria will bring succour to the injured, sick and traumatised army men and women.

The Duke, who served as a member of the Royal Armed Forces in the UK, assured his commitment in collaborating with the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially with the Centre in Nigeria, which he is enthusiastic about.

He further appreciated the warm hospitality he and his wife had received since their arrival to Nigeria, while calling on everyone to support and respect the Armed Forces, especially the injured soldiers.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar was delighted that such a facility will be built in the country adding that this gesture is apt, given the sacrifices the soldiers have made to defend the country.

Also, Major General Uche Agbor representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, said that the Nigerian Army will continually cater to the welfare of its soldiers, especially post-war and injured ones.

He thanked the royal couple for choosing Nigeria to build a centre during this historic visit, which he believes will rehabilitate the victims to become the best versions of themselves, irrespective of the present challenge facing them.

In addition, Hajia Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, wife of the Minister of Budget and Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said she is pleased at their visit to help the wounded soldiers.

Bagudu who is an advocate for girl-child education, as well as, cancer patients, especially for women, noted that this will go a long way to give hope to the army personnels who were injured in their line of duty.

Furthermore, the Chief of tDefence Staff added that Nigeria was well represented at its first participation at the Invictus Games last year where the
players who despite all odds, excelled greatly, showing that limitation is of the mind, and everyone can be great in whatever field they find themselves.

Some of the major highlights were the gift presentations of African attire by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and another by the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) in conjunction with the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) to the Duke and Duchess.

The royal couple arrived in Nigeria on Friday, at the invitation of General Christopher Gwabin Musa, following the nation’s maiden appearance at the 2023 Invictus Games, held in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Invictus Games Foundation “offers a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women (WIS)”. The Foundation “collaborates to provide opportunities for post-traumatic growth: enabling those involved to reclaim their purpose, identity and future, beyond injury”.

Dabiri-Erewa Lauds Duke, Duchess of Sussex for Invictus Games Centre in Nigeria

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Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away

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Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has described the first indigenous Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, owned by Nigerian oil magnet, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi, as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s industrial and technological advancement.

Governor Zulum stated this on Saturday, at the sail away ceremony of the EMEM Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Vessel (FPSO), held at the Drydocks World facility in Dubai, which marked the completion of the vessel, and is now set to depart for Nigeria.

“The sail away of the EMEM FPSO is more than an engineering feat,” the Governor stated. “It is a powerful statement of confidence in Nigeria’s energy future and a reflection of what homegrown enterprise can achieve when guided by vision, discipline, and excellence.”

He began his remarks by thanking the Government and People of Dubai for their hospitality, noting that hosting the milestone in the UAE “underscores the strength of our mutual commitment to innovation, trade, and sustainable development.”

The EMEM FPSO, a $315 million facility with a storage capacity of one million barrels and a production capability of up to 30,000 barrels per day, is the first FPSO to be fully financed by an indigenous Nigerian company, Oriental Energy Resources Limited.

The Governor specifically commended Dr. Muhammadu Indimi and the Oriental Energy Resources team for this “bold accomplishment.”

“This achievement does not only contribute to national output,” he said, “it reinforces our collective belief that Nigeria’s private sector has the capacity to drive growth, create jobs, and compete globally.”

Upon its deployment to Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 15, the FPSO is expected to boost Nigeria’s oil production and enhance national revenue, aligning with the economic diversification goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Governor Zulum concluded that the project’s success reflects the “resilience, innovation, and self-reliance” that define ongoing efforts to rebuild Borno State.

“It inspires confidence that, with determination and partnership, Nigeria’s best days lie ahead,” he said.

He wished the EMEM FPSO a safe voyage and productive operations, calling it a “symbol of Nigeria’s strength, ingenuity, and promise.”

The event was attended by the Governor of Adamawa, Hon. Ahmadu Umoru Fintiri and his Akwa Ibom state counterpart, Umo Eno; elder statesman Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON); Chairman (CEO) Oriental Energy Resources, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri and representative of the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away

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VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements

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VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements

  • As Nigeria reaffirms resolve to champion climate change solutions in Africa

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Belem, Brazil, for Abuja after a successful diplomatic engagement in the South American country where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30).

This is just as Nigeria has reaffirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.

The Conference convened by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with the United Nations and other global partners, was held from November 6 to 7 in the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.

During the international engagement, Vice President Shettima joined other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit – COP30, where he delivered a speech on Nigeria’s effort in addressing climate change, saying the nation’s renewed climate agenda represents “not just an aspiration, but a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”

VP Shettima also represented President Tinubu at a high-level thematic session titled, “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” on the margins of COP 30, where he delivered Nigeria’s bold statement.

Delivering the statement titled, “The Rational Soul of Nature,” he called on global partners “to recognise the economic value of nature and to channel significant finance towards protecting and restoring it through predictable, equitable, and accessible funding mechanisms.”

The Nigerian Vice President also took part in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, and participated in a roundtable chaired by President Lula on Climate and Nature, as well as an Amazonian Cocktail for Heads of Delegation, hosted by the President of Brazil.

On the sidelines, Senator Shettima also held bilateral meetings focused on establishing and managing Nigeria’s participation in the carbon markets, enabling the nation to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to help meet climate goals.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has affirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.

Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, gave a recap of the Vice President’s participation in COP 30 held Belem, Brazil.

She said Nigeria will use its influence to mobilize finance for the country, as well as advocate the adaptation finance for African nations in order to collectively tackle the challenges of climate change.

“One thing that I know the whole world would look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa. So we do have our influence in the regional ECOWAS and also at AU platforms to demonstrate that we are that big brother.

“So, we must galvanize all stakeholders, both in public and private sectors, to make sure we implement our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make it work for us,” she said.

The presidential aide added that Nigeria’s natural resources will also play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

“The natural capital we have – don’t forget that we are an oil-producing nation and endowed with vast natural gas resources and renewables – we will also continue to use that to implement the NDCs in a way that works for us and addresses the sustainable development challenges that we are facing,” El-Rufai added.

On the passion of the Nigerian government for seeking solutions to climate change matters, El-Rufai said, “Nature and climate are the very home that makes our economy thrive and also gives us the stability to live good lives. So, we are dependent on nature.

“That is why how you consume and use the natural resources is important to ensuring sustainability of livelihoods, economies and everything. So, this why we need to live our lives responsibly and also leave a better future for generations to come.

“The government led by President Bola Tinubu is concentrating on resilience and ensuring that there is long term shared value creation. The government will continue to prioritize climate and nature as well as ensuring that we lead on the necessary climate policies,” the Special Adviser added.

Noting that many countries are yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), El-Rufai urged them to emulate Nigeria, just as she praised Nigeria for taking the lead.

“There are many countries that haven’t submitted their NDCs yet but Nigeria has. China and EU just submitted; so, you can see we are leading because we also have our Climate Change Act as well as our carbon market framework in place, and that is why the theme for COP 30 is apt: COP of Action and Implementation.

“This COP Presidency said they are not creating anything new; rather, let world leaders seat and operationalize NDCs and make sure all those climate-related finance pledges made at Baku that were brought down from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion come to a reality,” she stated.

VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements

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Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria

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Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria

By: Zagazola Makama

Hundreds of members of the The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Kano on Saturday staged a protest against a viral statement attributed to United States President Donald Trump, suggesting the possibility of a military strike on Nigeria.

The protest, which took place in several parts of the Kano metropolis, saw large crowds chanting anti-US slogans while carrying placards expressing displeasure with the alleged remarks.

Zagazola Makama report that mobilisation for the protest was largely coordinated through Hausa-language social media platforms, where posts claimed that the United States was planning to “attack Nigeria.”

Video footage circulating online showed youths marching, calling for global condemnation of Trump’s alleged comments, and urging Nigerians to defend the country’s sovereignty.

The members said they viewed the comments as provocative and capable of inciting tension.

“The statement is unacceptable. No foreign nation should threaten Nigeria. This protest is to show that we will not allow external aggression,” a protester said.

The narratives circulating online suggest a growing trend of anti-US sentiment in parts of northern Nigeria, fuelled by misinformation, distrust of Western involvement, and emotional messaging tied to religion and national identity.

They expressed concern that such rhetoric, if unchecked, could escalate and be exploited by extremist groups or political actors.

Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria

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