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Nigeria, South Africa Meet to Resolve Visa, other issues

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Nigeria, South Africa Meet to Resolve Visa, other issues

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to resolve the issues of visa restrictions between both countries.

Both countries are in the process of adopting simplified visa processes for business people.

At a meeting of top government functionaries from the two African powerhouses in Abuja on Tuesday, they both reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the area of trade and investment, defence, energy and people to people exchanges.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu led her nation’s delegation while the South Africa’s team was led by the country’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Thandi Moraka to the Abuja Political Consultations between both countries.

Both countries, according to a communique issued at the end of the meeting also agreed to address challenges that hinder greater economic integration.

The political consultation was meant to strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship, cooperation, solidarity between the two countries, and pursuant to the decision to adopt and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations during the 10th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Abuja, Nigeria in December 2021.

After much deliberations, the meeting, according to the communique reviewed the following amongst others:

“In terms of the Liberalisation of Visa Restrictions, it was noted that both countries are in the process of adopting simplified visa processes for businesspeople to remedy persisting visa-related challenges”.

The two Ministers also welcomed “the finalisation of the MoU on the Early Warning Mechanism, seeing it as a transformative tool in addressing consular and migration issues. They emphasized that effective implementation of the MoU is crucial to strengthening coordination, streamlining the movement of people and goods between the two countries, thereby contributing to social, cultural, technical, scientific, tourism, and private business sector growth.”

The communique also stated “Both sides acknowledged that the cultural exchanges between the two countries remain strong. Nigeria and South Africa cooperate in the film industry through an official Audio-Visual Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2021. This agreement facilitates co-production, skills transfer, investment, and joint promotion of their audio-visual sectors. Collaborations include sharing technical expertise, shooting on location in both countries, and joint participation in industry events.

“In the area of Transport, it was noted with satisfaction that the MoU between South Africa and Nigeria on the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was signed on 17 January 2025 in Johannesburg.”

The parties also discussed “the MoU on Standards and Standardisation between the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) that could not be signed in Cape Town during the BNC held in 2024. It was agreed that it would be signed in March, 2025”.

Nigeria and South Africa, the communique also said would work towards the operationalisation of the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (JMACITI).

The Session, the communique also noted expressed concern that the 3rd Consular and Migration Forum (CMF) has not taken place and requested that this be convened during the 1st quarter of the year 2026 in Pretoria, and matters related to migration and consular be discussed and reviewed as was agreed in the 10th BNC.”

The meeting commended the work of the Defence and Security Working Group, which convened the 6th Session of the Defence Committee (DEFCOM) in Abuja from 1-5 September 2025, to review progress on the implementation of the 11th BNC decision. “The co-chairs encouraged other Working Groups to intensify efforts to ensure the timely execution of all agreed decisions.

The meeting also applauded the formal establishment of a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), which is to be co-chaired by the leaders of the Working Groups. The JIC will serve as the monitoring and evaluation mechanism and structure of all the bilateral issues that have been agreed upon in the last two (2) BNCs held in 2021 and 2024, and Political Consultation, as well as future engagements. The Session also directed that the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) must meet quarterly (virtually) for monitoring and evaluation in order to manage the implementation of all BNC decisions.

They also expressed commitment to holding regular Political Consultations for continued bilateral engagements.

“The Co-chairs acknowledged the work that is underway in preparation for the G20 Africa Outreach meeting on Industrialization and Agriculture, that will be hosted in Abuja on 3 November 2025. This meeting will amplify Africa’s perspectives on industrialization, sustainable agriculture, and value-chain development within the global economic agenda.

The Parties agreed that the next Political Consultation, which would be preceded by the Mid-Term Review Meeting, would be held in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2026 on dates and venues to be mutually agreed, and conveyed through diplomatic channels.

Nigeria, South Africa Meet to Resolve Visa, other issues

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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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

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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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

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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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

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