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Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy
Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy
By: Michael Mike
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the country, Ambassador Kim Pankyu has said Nigeria is among the top contenders to benefit from his country’s $10 billion development assistance to Africa.
He also said Nigeria also stand tall to benefit from the $14 billion boost to Korean companies to encourage their activities in Africa.
Speaking at at the Korean National Day Reception in Abuja at the weekend, the envoy said: “During the Korea-Africa Summit, my President announced that Korea would continue to expand official development assistance up to ten billion US dollars by 2030 as a catalyst for projects for cooperation with Africa.
“In addition, he committed to provide fourteen billion US dollars to Korean companies by 2030 to encourage their activities in Africa.
“I am happy to share the news that
recently an intra-governmental task force team has been composed to follow up on the economic partnership agreements made on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit.
Since Nigeria is a leading economy and the biggest market in Africa I believe that the partnership between Korea and Nigeria will be one of the most vibrant ones in the years to come.”
He added that: “In fact, we are already witnessing meaningful progress. During the third quarter of this year, the trade between Korea and Nigeria increased by fifty-five percent. In particular, I would like to point out the fact that the import from Nigeria to Korea increased by ninety-one percent. I believe that this positive development will continue as more and more Koreans are interested in Nigeria and more and more Nigerians are interested in Korea.”
Speaking in the level of relationship between the two countries, the Ambassador said: “When I first came to Abuja earlier this year, I was pleasantly surprised by Nigerian people’s high interest in Korean culture such as Korean language, K-drama, K-pop and K-food.
“I had an opportunity to observe K-food contest in Abuja and was deeply impressed by the Korean foods made by Nigerian chefs. When I observed Taekwondo championship in Abuja recently I had a feeling that in a few years the number of gold medals that Korean athletes win at the Olympics may decrease due to brilliant Nigerian athletes. My fellow Koreans may be disappointed, but as a former Korean ambassador to Nigeria I will be happy to watch that. I believe these kinds of cultural exchanges between our two countries
will strengthen our bonds of friendship and mutual understanding. Furthermore, I think there is a huge potential for cooperation between the two countries in the creative economy.”
On his part, the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said:
“Over the years, the world has witnessed the remarkable process that led to the emergence of Korea as one of the economic giants of Asia and one of the strongest economies in the world. The success story of Korea following the war in 1953, global economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the strength, determination and resilience of successive governments as well as the patriotism of the good people of Korea.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Regions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Janet Olisa, said: “I wish to commend the government of Korea for the efforts towards increased cooperation with Africa with the overall aim of achieving shared development through sustainable economic partnerships. The successful hosting of the first Korea – Africa Summit in Seoul in June 2024 is definitely a positive step towards a formidable partnership. Nigeria expresses its appreciation to the government of Korea for its decision, which was announced during the Summit, to extend its Trade and Investment Promotion Frameworks to Africa and to increase its investment and Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the continent.”
He noted that: “Nigeria and Korea have enjoyed excellent and vibrant relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980. These relations have continued to grow in leaps and bounds across various sectors, including political, economic, cultural and people-to-people relations. On the political front, the two countries have, in recent years, witnessed the exchange of high-level visits, the signing of significant MoUs, as well as the successful hosting of six sessions of the Nigeria – Korea Joint Commission. It is hoped that these relations will be elevated to a more strategic relationship with the highest level of engagement.
“In the economic sector, there have been close collaborations between the two countries in the fields of construction/heavy-duty industries, electronics and chemicals production. There is a significant number of Korean companies registered and doing business in Nigeria, including prominent companies like Samsung, Daewoo, and Hyundai Heavy Duty Industries, as well as LG, Samsung Electronics, and the Lotte Chemical industry. These companies have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian GDP and have created job opportunities in the country..”
The Minister added that: “With the increasing momentum in our bilateral relations and improved trade relations, I am optimistic that both sides will work assiduously towards achieving a significant increase in the volume of trade for the mutual benefit of both nations.”
Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy
Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy
…Reps Committee Begins Probe of Incident
By: Michael Mike
The stranded Nigerians in Central Africa Republic CAR have finally arrived at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.
It will be recalled that through a viral video, some Nigerian miners called for help, which elicited immediate intervention from officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security who accompanied them from their location to the capital.
The journey to Bangui took a number of days with the Nigerians, alleged victims of a Chinese National and a Nigerian agent who hired them for work in that country and abandoned them there without paying their renumeration for 11 months,
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun said obviously traumatised, weak and distressed, they (the stranded Nigerians) had called for help to be rescued.
He said: “They are now in the safe hands of officials of the Nigerian Embassy who will arrange their return back home.”
He added that: “They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and staff of both countries , the Nigerian Embassy, the CAR Security agencies and Nigerians who shared their stories.
“The agent who lured them into the job scam, is currently based in Nigeria and has been identified and is expected to be prosecuted .”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched a thorough investigation into a viral video depicting some Nigerians in the Central African Republic (CAR) alleging abandonment and passport seizure by a Nigerian businessman, purportedly linked to a Chinese company.
A statement released to the press and signed by the committee’s Chairman, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
The statement read: The Committee regrets the unfortunate situation the Nigerian workers are being subjected to in CAR and assures that a comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal.”
The Committee clarified that Abdulrauf Ademola, the businessman accused in the video, has refuted the allegations of passport seizure, unpaid salaries, and abandonment. It further stressed that Ademola is not affiliated with the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce.
It added that: “His (Ademola’s) actions or inactions should not be linked to the embassy or Chinese enterprises doing their legitimate businesses in Nigeria.”
The committee stated that China-Nigeria relations have flourished over time, yielding significant results across key sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, human capital development, and people-to-people partnerships.
It urged the media and the public to report on China-Nigeria relations in a fair, balanced, and truthful manner, reflecting the mutual solidarity between the two nations.
End
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
…Insists Nigeria Remains Committed to Better Nigeria-Ghana Relations
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has finally began the move to douse the ongoing tension with Ghana over the growing agitation by Ghanaians that Nigerians should leave their country, as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining robust relations with Ghana during a visit.
The Minister also said the relationship would not stop at government level but extend to citizen-to-citizen level.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu made this known on Wednesday during her ongoing two-day visit to the West African country.
According to a statement by the spokesman to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, his principal is in Ghana to address the situation of Nigeria-Ghana citizens’ relations and meet with relevant stakeholders at both ends including the President of Ghana, the country’s Foreign Minister, traditional rulers and Nigerians resident in the country, to ensure that the life, property and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians living in Ghana are safe and protected.
Eze said: “As part of the engagements for the minister, a few minutes after touching down at Kotoka Accra International Airport, Ghana on Tuesday evening, she had a quick interface with the Inspector General of Police Ghana, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who was on his way to London, United Kingdom.”
He disclosed that Odumegwu-Ojukwu continued similar engagements on Wednesday with Ghanian officials and leaders of the Nigeria community.
She is expected back to Abuja on Thursday.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the new substantive Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) with effect from 14th August, 2025.
The appointment was announced in a statement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), signed by its secretary, Abdulmalik Jibrin.
The statement read: “This appointment follows the imminent retirement of the current Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, on 1th August, 2025, upon attaining the age of sixty.
“DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having transferred his service from the FCT Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and grown to the rank of Deputy Controller-General of Fire in the Human Resource Directorate of the Service Headquarters.
“In the course of his career, the Officer has attended and passed all mandatory In-Service trainings, command course as well as other courses within and outside the country.
“He has served in various capacities and is equally a member/fellow of the following professional associations including Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.
“The Board extends its appreciation to the retiring Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola for his remarkable contributions to the development of the Federal Fire Service while also acknowledging his dedication and commitment to the service, and the numerous initiatives he spearheaded during his period of service.”
Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service
Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy
NDLEA, Education Ministry Agree on Drug Education in School Curriculum, Test for Varsity Students, Others
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
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