News
France Reaffirms Its Global Commitment to Peace as it Honours Fallen Heroes
France Reaffirms Its Global Commitment to Peace as it Honours Fallen Heroes
•Assures deepening ties with Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
France has reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity, and multilateral cooperation as the French Embassy in Abuja joined the world to commemorate Armistice Day, marking 107 years since the end of the First World War.
The solemn ceremony, held in Abuja, recognised the sacrifices of French soldiers and all who died for the Republic — not only during the First World War but also in other conflicts around the world — in defence of liberty, democracy, and human dignity.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, who led the ceremony, said it was a solemn reminder of the cost of peace and the duty of nations to preserve it.
He praised the bravery of soldiers who fought for the Republic, saying their sacrifices embody the very spirit of France — courage, honour, and service to humanity.
He stated that: “France remembers not only those who fell on the fields of Europe but also those who fought and died in Africa, Asia, and beyond.”
Fonbaustier also reaffirmed France’s strong partnership with Nigeria and its continued commitment to multilateral cooperation, peacekeeping, and humanitarian support in Africa and worldwide. He noted that both nations share a vision of stability and mutual respect built on dialogue and democratic values. “France stands with Nigeria and all peace-loving nations in defending the ideals of freedom and human dignity,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Defence Attaché of France to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Useo, stated that the commemoration represents more than mere remembrance; it reflects France’s enduring commitment to promoting peace and upholding shared human values. He said, “Every year, generations gather before the monuments of our towns and villages, united in remembrance and strengthened in our shared purpose — to build a world where liberty, security, and dignity are guaranteed for all.”
Useo paid tribute to the courage and selflessness of French soldiers through the ages, noting that their sacrifices continue to define the strength and values of the French Republic. He also shared a personal reflection, revealing that members of his own family were among those who experienced the horrors of war. “For my family, as for many French families, war was not distant history — it was lived experience. It taught us that freedom is never free, and that peace must always be defended,” he said.
He further highlighted the symbolism of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe and the Bleuet de France, the blue cornflower that has represented solidarity with veterans since 1925. The Defence Attaché described the flower as “a small but powerful emblem of compassion, resilience, and unity.”
The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths and a moment of silence at the embassy’s memorial plaque, as France renewed its message that remembrance is not only about honouring the past but also about sustaining the collective resolve to secure a peaceful and united future.
France Reaffirms Its Global Commitment to Peace as it Honours Fallen Heroes
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
•••771 to Graduate in Nigeria in 2025
•••Otuaro Hails Scholars’ Performances
By: Michael Mike
Nine students awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by the Presidential Amnesty Programme have graduated from their master’s degree rprogrammes in universities in the United Kingdom.
The successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.
They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.
Also, 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.
The PAP, on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025, organised a graduation reception for the scholars in London.
Otuaro has congratulated them on their successful graduation, stressing that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.
He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.
“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.
He reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.
Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.
Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.
Within this period, also, he has also deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.
According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.
The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.
“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
By: Michael Mike
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been incorporated to seamlessly allowed for the Refinery and Free Trade Zone in Ondo State.
A press statement on Thursday read that: “In furtherance of our commitment to the execution of these two major projects – Refinery and Free Trade Zone in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, the joint partners have taken another giant step by incorporating a joint company, namely – SUNSHINE JOINT VENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – as the vehicle to be used in executing these projects. A move that further reinforces the sincerity of purpose and total commitment of the funding partners to move ahead together as a united front.
According to the release by Wale Adekola on behalf of the JV, the Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limitedwill, going forward serve as the vehicle to work with the Ondo State Government through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) in the implementation of the executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The statement added that: “In moving the projects forward for implementation, the JV team met in Dubai to finalize the funding modalities and put in place structures and plans for the commencement of activities for ground breaking and community engagements. These initial activities are aimed at complementing the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the one year anniversary of the election of the Executive Governor of the Sunshine State, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa CFR.
At the Dubai meeting were key officers of the JV Company, including: Messrs SALEHI FARHAD; ZAHERI NAVID; EGHBAL KORDJAMSHIDI; SAHEED ZAHERI; DR. STEPHEN DIKE; HENRY OWONKA AND MRS. NAMVAR MARYAM.
The statement further informed that, plans have been concluded to mobilize the relevant contractors working with the locals and host communities to put up structures that will host the information center, architectural models to showcase the projects on offer and facilities that will serve the team. All these are being planned with ONDIPA to execute the relocation and accommodation of the host communities that are likely to be affected by the projects and create a seamless transition that will engender peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with our host communities.
The JV company further reiterated its commitment to work with Ondo State Government (through ONDIPA) to change the infrastructural landscape of the Sunshine State and for mutual benefits.
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
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