National News
France Expresses Willingness to Foster Relations Based on Mutual Respect with Nigeria Insists No Establishment of Military Base, Exploration of Solid Minerals on the Card

France Expresses Willingness to Foster Relations Based on Mutual Respect with Nigeria Insists No Establishment of Military Base, Exploration of Solid Minerals on the Card
By: Michael Mike
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier has reaffirmed France’s commitment to fostering respectful partnership relations with Nigeria, insisting that there has at no time been a plan by the French government to establish a military base in Nigeria.
Speaking at a music show to roundup the French Ambassador activities to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, the envoy said France does not impose its interests on any nation, including Nigeria, while acknowledging the deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The event, themed around the fight against gender-based violence, marked the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, and featured a performance by Nigerian artist Morell, who created a special Hausa song for the occasion, and a documentary screening by Anti-Sexual Violence Lead Support Initiative ASVIOL.
In his speech, Fonbaustier highlighted the French Embassy’s collaboration with Nigerian civil society organisations to address gender-based violence.
He explained that over 13 major projects were launched across 11 states, raising awareness among more than 600 people through debates, workshops, and innovative tools like educational games.
The Ambassador lauded the courage and resilience of survivors, urging society to move beyond viewing them as victims and instead honor their voices as a source of inspiration and a call for change.
The evening showcased the power of art as a driver of social transformation.
Ambassador Fonbaustier praised the creative advocacy tools employed during the campaign, such as Morell’s music and ASVIOL’s documentary, which blended sound, storytelling, and visuals to convey powerful messages.
“These artistic expressions transcend cultural and social boundaries, uniting diverse communities in a shared commitment to ending violence.”
The Ambassador concluded by urging sustained action beyond the 16 Days of Activism, emphasizing that the event was a continuation of the conversation on gender-based violence, not its conclusion.
He expressed deep gratitude to the partners who made the evening possible, including Morell, Hassana Maina, and various grassroots organizations.
Their contributions, he said, underscore the importance of collective action in building a future free from violence.
In an interview with journalists at the sidelines of the event, the envoy said:
“I think France can be, frankly, a genuine reference partner for many issues. And I would quote four of them. Training, agriculture, culture and arts activities and industry.”
He added that Tech is very important, and energy is already very present, “but we can really enlarge, I would say, the scope of economic business-to-business cooperation. That’s my conviction as ambassador. We are good and right in doing APD, you see, public aid development.

“It’s very important. But I think that the game changer stems from economy. If French companies invest massively in Nigeria and reciprocally Nigerian billionaires and big companies like your four banks, which are now settled in Paris, come to France, these cross-exchanges will fertilize something very positive.
“I recall the figure. It’s huge. 100 companies operating here, 16,000 jobs directly, 100,000 indirectly. France is already a player, a significant player in your country.
“But we want to do more. Respectfully, I insist on this. We will never impose French solutions or ways to do things on our Nigerian friends.”
Reacting to the misconception that France is interested in establishing a military base in Nigeria, the Ambassador said: “We must listen carefully to what you need and what you look for. This relationship comes with a lot of misconceptions from different sections of Nigeria.
“We heard several stories. French is coming here to establish bases. French is coming.”
He acknowledged that the Nigerian military has done so much to put a lie to that, stating that: “If you look carefully, some messages have been sent by your Ministry of Defence, which have clearly excluded any foreign military presence on a permanent basis in Nigeria. So that’s not me who says it. Your authorities have said it.
“But there is absolutely not the hint of the beginning of any planning of that type. I must say it clearly because there’s been, as you say rightly, some fake news or misunderstandings, maybe. We have not at all any intention of that type.”
He however said: “By the way, we can enhance military cooperation in some fields and security cooperation, but not with a permanent presence. This is absolutely not in the air du temps, as we say. So it’s not in the mood of the times.
“France, as you know, is withdrawing from many countries, sometimes voluntarily, sometimes not. But in Nigeria, it’s absolutely never been an issue. I insist and say it with all clarity.
“There’s been something wrong also about maybe this memorandum of understanding on solid minerals. I read some comments saying, well, France will now exploit the resources of Nigeria. It has not been read carefully.
“This is a framework agreement, and President Tinubu was only eager to ask France, as well as other partners, for instance Germany, to provide technical assistance and expertise to help the Nigerian companies and Nigerian authorities to make better usage of the huge resources which are in your soil. But I insist, there is nothing more than that. But as again, you see, I don’t know who exactly has an interest in trying to spoil the relationship.”
France Expresses Willingness to Foster Relations Based on Mutual Respect with Nigeria Insists No Establishment of Military Base, Exploration of Solid Minerals on the Card
National News
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians in Diaspora of his administration’s determination to continue to provide the enabling environment and policies that will boost their active participation in the country’s governance.
Tinubu gave the assurance at the opening of the National Diaspora Day celebrations 2025 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This year’s celebration is themed: “Optimizing formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and growth”.
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora with the view to galvanizing your support for this administration and concretizing our democracy, optimizing your potentials and setting a good example for other African countries to emulate.
“Let me also state that we will look into the Challenges NiDCOM has enumerated with a view to ameliorating same so that we can harvest maximally the benefits of migration through the engagements with our Diaspora for national development and growth.”
He added that: “It is a great delight to address our over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of our National Diaspora Day 2025.”
“Only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria,” Tinubu stated.
The President highlighted the contributions of the diaspora, which include increasing remittances, pointing out that in 2024 alone, “Nigerians abroad sent home $20.9 billion through official channels—more than four times the value of the country’s foreign direct investment.
He said: “The Nigerians in the diaspora are also actively investing in our health care, agriculture, education, information, communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas, and other sectors.
“This, I must say, is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest.”
The President stressed how highly the government rates the Nigerians in diaspora, saying “Our renewed hope for foreign policy recognises the diaspora as the fourth pillar for the agenda—namely democracy, demography, development, and diaspora.
In his goodwill message, the minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said:
“When you go to any part of the world, maybe in Asia, Africa, South America, you will see Nigerians excelling. Nigerians breaking barriers. Nigerians breaking ceilings. And Nigerians using ceilings as springboards to greatness.”
The Minister highlighted the economic potential of diaspora remittances—comparing Nigeria’s $21bn in 2024 remittances to $32.91bn in oil earnings and India’s $135.46bn diaspora inflows.
He said: “What does that tell you? It tells you that the power of economic emancipation, a lot of this resides within you, beyond your own imagination,” he said.
The minister also explained that the administration is laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity—even if short-term sacrifices are required.
“You cannot cure a tumor by virtue of a paracetamol. It is important that the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President came into being. And today, we can see the results. We can see the economic stability of this country,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also spoke on the reforms in his ministry which include immigration and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
He therefore called on the diaspora community to trust in the country’s direction under President Tinubu’s leadership.
“Nigeria has never been ready for investment more than now. We are ready for investment.
“I assure you, under the leadership of this President, you will never regret your investment. Nigeria loves you. Nigeria cares about you. And this particular administration cares about you,” he said.
Earlier, in her remark, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said “The theme is apt to appreciate the efforts of both the government and the diaspora community in nation building and also to discuss how to make diaspora engagements better for national development.”
She emphasised the role of Nigerians in diaspora in the country’s development.
Dabiri-Erewa announced a proposed Diaspora Presidential Fellowship Programme. The initiative would allow professionals in the diaspora to take part in six-month sabbaticals in Nigeria, aimed at promoting knowledge transfer and innovation across sectors.
“It will strengthen their role in nation-building and serve as a knowledge-driven giveback to the fatherland,” she added.
Highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, aimed at providing secure housing opportunities for diaspora Nigerians seeking to invest back home.
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
National News
Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma

Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Nasarawa State have arrested six suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang responsible for a series of violent crimes in Yelwa Ediya village, Doma Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as Darda’u Shehu, Yunusa Malami Hashimu, Musa Abubakar, Ibrahim Musa, Mohammed Musa, and Jibrin Lafia, were apprehended during a coordinated raid based on actionable intelligence from a concerned resident.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of a local councillor, Hon. Ari Muhammad, on May 26, 2025. They further disclosed that one of their members, Darda’u Shehu, raped the councillor’s wife, Talatu Ari, during the abduction and stole two mobile phones an Infinix Note 30 valued at ₦250,000 and a Tecno phone valued at ₦20,000.
The gang also confessed to mounting a roadblock along the Doma–Yelwa Road on July 19, where they attacked one Ibrahim Haruna and snatched his Bajaj motorcycle worth ₦970,000.
Recovered from the suspects were ₦100,000 in cash and one Bajaj motorcycle believed to have been taken from one of their victims.
The suspects also named their gang leaders as Bammi Alhaji Amme (alias Zomo) and one Lawali (surname unknown), who are currently on the run.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.
End
National News
Police reunite two lost Beninese children with father in Lagos

Police reunite two lost Beninese children with father in Lagos
By: Zagazola Makama
The Lagos State Police Command has reunited two young girls from the Republic of Benin with their father after they were found wandering around the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
The children, identified as Mutiat Fatai, aged 10, and Mobubat Fatai, aged 5, were spotted by concerned traders roaming the BBA Market area of the complex on July 18. Both girls, described as black in complexion and Yoruba-speaking, could not provide any clear information about their whereabouts or destination.
Following a report, police operatives from the area promptly responded and took the children into protective custody at the station.
Four days later, on July 22, one Fatai Yayah, a resident of Isobe Lagbolugo, Ifonyin in the Republic of Benin, visited the station and positively identified the girls as his daughters. After proper verification, the children were reunited with him.
The Police said the swift action by the officers helped ensure the children’s safety, and they commended members of the public for their vigilance.
Police reunite two lost Beninese children with father in Lagos
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