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
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
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
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
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
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News12 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
