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Nigeria-Malaysia bilateral trade hits $956m in 2023

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Nigeria-Malaysia bilateral trade hits $956m in 2023

By: Michael Mike

High Commissioner of Malaysia to Nigeria, Ambassador Aiyub Omar has said Nigeria-Malaysia bilateral trade is in the region of $956 million,

,Omar also said no fewer than 3,386 Nigerian students are currently pursuing higher education in Malaysian public and private institutions.

Omar said this at the weekend on the occasion of his country’s 67th Independence Day of Malaysia in Abuja.

He said Malaysia-Nigeria Diplomatic relations which will hit milestone of 60 years by 2025 is based on a mutual interest in the realms of politics, economics and social.

The envoy said: “Globally, Nigeria is Malaysia 37th trading partner. Total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Nigeria in 2023 was USD956 million (RM4.36 billion).

“For this year alone, our total bilateral trade until the month of July has been recorded at USD747 million. Nigeria is currently Malaysia’s 4th largest partner in Africa (after South Africa, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire).”

He also disclosed that his country has been contributing to the Nigeria’s development under the framework of South-South Cooperation commitment by providing our technical assistance and expertise.

He added that: “Nigeria has been a recipient country of our Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) since 1981. Until today, 560 government officials from Nigeria have benefited in various technical courses that we offer namely trade, economy, construction skills, cyber security, environmental management, diplomacy, health, public administration, and education.

“I believe with plenty of opportunities, our bilateral relations will flourish.”

Omar said in the area of education: “There are currently about 3,386 Nigerian students pursuing higher education in Malaysia either in public and private institutions.”

He noted that Malaysia has continued to be one of the preferred destinations for Nigerian students to pursue their tertiary education.

Speaking on his country’s post independence journey, the Ambassador said it was ” a long and challenging one involving years of struggle and negotiations of political parties, which pushed for our self-governance. From humble beginnings, Malaysia has diversified its economy, harnessed its natural resources and achieved remarkable milestones.

“Since gaining independence in 1957, Malaysia has effectively shifted its economy away from its initial reliance on agriculture and commodities to evolve into a nation with robust manufacturing and service sectors, turning Malaysia into a major global player in the export of electrical appliances, parts and components.

“Based on a World Bank report, Malaysia stood out as a highly open economy, consistently maintaining a trade-to-GDP ratio exceeding 130% since 2010. Our economy too, has continuously experienced a positive trajectory, posting an average growth rate of 5.4% since 2010 and poised to complete its transformation from an upper middle-income economy to a high-income economy by this year withcurrent GDP per capita now stands at USD13,310 (current price).

” This economic performance is indeed characterised by our political stability and huge Foreign Direct Investment. In 2024, Malaysia has been ranked 19th wealthiest country in Asia alongside China and Singapore. The Global Peace Index (GPI) in 2024 has ranked Malaysia as 10th safest country in the world, a milestone achievement which is something we are really proud of as Malaysians, thanks to the able leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.”

Nigeria-Malaysia bilateral trade hits $956m in 2023

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Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

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Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 years.

The departed Holy Father, the political head of Vatican City and the head of the Catholic Church, was described in the statement as a global moral leader whose papacy was marked by humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to peace, social justice, and the dignity of all people.

The statement read: “Nigeria commiserates with the teaming population of the catholic church in the country and joins the international community, particularly the Catholic faithful worldwide, in mourning this immense loss. Pope Francis’ deep concern for the marginalized; including refugees, the poor, and victims of conflict, resonated strongly in Nigeria, where his calls for interreligious harmony and solidarity were a beacon of hope amid challenges.

“His historic 2022 apology for the Church’s role in colonial injustices, including the suffering of Indigenous peoples, indeed set a powerful example of reconciliation. Also worthy of commendation is his advocacy for peace in Africa, and other conflict areas in the world, reflecting his universal pastoral mission.”

The statement further read that: “In this moment of grief, therefore, Nigeria extends heartfelt condolences to the Vatican, the Catholic Church, and the Argentine people, who gifted the world this extraordinary pontiff.

“We pray for the repose of his soul and trust that his legacy of mercy, dialogue, and care for our common home will endure.”

Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

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Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

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Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected abduction occurred on April 18, 2025, when Mr. Yangi Ming, a Chinese national working at Panda Supermarket in Jabi, was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Mr Yangi Ming left his residence at Stargate Apartment in Durumi around 1700hrs and was last seen wearing brown shorts and a black polo shirt.

His sister, Aisha Pan, residing in Sharanda, Kano State, later received a ransom demand of ₦300 million, made from Yangi Ming’s mobile phone number.

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

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India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

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India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two siblings at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during a planned travel to India with 5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said: “Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two brothers: John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos with 5 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.”

He said the two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport last Thursday following proactive processing of credible intelligence. He said they claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine were discovered on the walls of their bags.

Babafemi said in a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Osei with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.4 kilogrammes packed in a giant travelling bag. The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.

In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Ngozi Ogili while moving 3 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along Okene-Lokoja highway last Monday. Babafemi said a follow up operation at her point of delivery in Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis.

In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nnanna Felix with 1.6 kilogrammes skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West local government area, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba last Tuesday.

No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye with 4.2 kilogrammes codeine syrup and 5.4kg pentazocine.

In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives last Thursday arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25 kilogrammes skunk and 90.4 grammes of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two women: Faith Etim, 64, and Victoria Etim, 40, were nabbed lasr Friday when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani local government area of Cross River State where 250,000 kilogrammes of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River and FCT commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

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