National News
Spanish envoy calls for deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria, Spain

Spanish envoy calls for deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria, Spain
By: Michael Mike
The new Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Juan Sell has said Nigeria and Spain needed to build on existing bilateral reletions for sustainable growth.
The envoy made the call on Thursday during a news conference held at the Spain Ambassador’s residence in Abuja, to announce a Spanish writer Ana Briongos and the team of LagosPhoto to present the cultural project “Unpacking the Suitcase”.
“Unpacking the Suitcase ” was derived from a true life experience of a Nigerian student Prince Adewale Emmanuel, who studied in Barcelona 60 years ago.
Emmanuel after three years of his stay in Barcelona left for London with his wife Elizabeth and leaving a suitcase behind in Spain with his friend Mrs Luisa Guadayol. Mrs Guadayol is the mother of the writer Mrs. Ana Briongos.
Mr Sell said that on his arrival to Nigeria he noticed that both countries had a long standing relations both diplomatic and economic.
It is no news that both Nigeria and Spain had collaborated in the fight against illegal immigration, holding meetings on the subject and numerous exchanges.
Also, experts of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Agency for the fight against Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have participated in various seminars and conferences in Spain.
Speaking also, Mrs. Briongos, a Spainsh writer and the custodian of the suitcase said that after her mother passed on many attempts to return the suitcase to Prince Emmanuel prove abortive and she decided to open the suitcase and the content of the case tells a story of two countries.
According to the writer, in 1967, Prince Emmanuel enrolled as a student at the art school Escuela Massana in Barcelona. Three years later Emmanuel and his wife Elizabeth decided to leave Barcelona for London.
Emmanuel left a suitcase and the content with his close friend Mrs Guadayol in Barcelona, when she passed away in 2016, her daughter Briongos was resolute in her quest to return the suitcase to Prince Emmanuel or his family in Nigeria.
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She said: “The material found in the suitcase points to different social and cultural moments in the history of Nigeria and beyond: the Nigerian Civil War, the cultural ties between two countries.
“Also, in it was the Nigeria and Spain, the legacy of the artist, the story of emigration, Nigerian studio photography of the 70s.”
Mr Azu Nwagbogu, Director LagosPhoto, said nothing encapsulate the bond of friendship between people and countries and that was what was found in the suitcase of Prince Emmanuel.
He added that the project had made him to think of restitution of recovering one’s identity, adding that the archive in the suitcase cumulates’ the 1967 to 70 and its tells about so many story at the time.
He urged lovers of art, writers, photographers and the general public to come for more interpretation of the content in the suitcase during the 2022 LagosPhoto Festival schedule to hold in October.
Parts of the items found in the suitcase are: candles, 600 photos, 100 letter both written and received, painting , classical drawings among others.
Spanish envoy calls for deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria, Spain
National News
GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting
By: Michael Mike
The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) has launched a new initiative, “PeaceCORE,” in Taraba State as part of
strategic effort to foster peacebuilding and strengthen conflict-sensitive journalism in some states in the North.
The programme aims to equip media professionals with the tools and knowledge to promote peaceful coexistence in conflict-prone communities.
The PeaceCORE project, formally titled “Strengthening Capacities for Conflict Transformation and Livelihood for Groups in Vulnerable Situations in Nigeria’s Central Zone,” is being implemented in Taraba, Kaduna, and Plateau states, and focuses on enhancing the capacity of government and civil society actors to manage conflict through sustainable dialogue, accurate information dissemination, and inclusive engagement.
As part of the initiative, GIZ hosted an intensive three-day training from October 6 to October 8, 2025, in Jalingo, bringing together 30 journalists from radio, television, print, and digital media platforms.
The training emphasized responsible and ethical reporting in times of conflict, and provided participants with hands-on experience using fact-checking tools while addressing the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in Nigeria’s volatile media landscape.
Facilitators at the workshop include: Silas Jonathan from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in Nigeria; Jérôme William Bationo, a conflict media specialist with MiCT in Germany; and Oluwole Oladipo Olurishe, a media development expert with GIZ.
The trio delivered sessions that blended theoretical frameworks with practical tools to enhance journalistic objectivity and sensitivity in reporting conflicts.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Taraba State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Mathew Eliud Jen, commended GIZ for its commitment to sustainable peace through media engagement. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to drive narratives that promote unity and discourage incitement.
“This training is a timely intervention. As journalists, we have the power to shape public perception. Let’s use our platforms to build peace, not stoke division,” Jen emphasized.
The PeaceCORE project is expected to roll out a series of media-for-peace initiatives across the state in the coming months, reinforcing GIZ’s broader objective of stabilizing conflict-affected regions through inclusive communication strategies and livelihood support.
With increasing political, ethnic, and resource-based tensions in parts of the country, stakeholders believe empowering thev media with conflict transformation tools is a crucial step toward lasting peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.
GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting
National News
AUDI LEADS NSCDC’S MORALE-BOOSTING VISIT TO EBONYI

AUDI LEADS NSCDC’S MORALE-BOOSTING VISIT TO EBONYI
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi in his continued strategic operational tour of the South East was in Ebonyi State, where he emphasized the Corps’ renewed focus on personnel welfare, grassroots security, and collaborative engagement with stakeholders.
Audi, who was warmly received by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, noted that his visit was to assess operational challenges, boost morale, and strengthen inter-agency cooperation for sustainable peace and development in the state.

During the courtesy visit at the Government House, Abakaliki, the Commandant General commended the Governor for his administration’s commitment to security and rural development, stating that the Corps remains steadfast in complementing the state government’s vision through intelligence-driven and community-oriented operations. He also requested the continued support of the State Government in the area of logistics and operational vehicles to further enhance the Corps’ capacity to respond effectively to security challenges.
“Security is the foundation upon which progress stands. Our officers in Ebonyi are dedicated, resilient, and ready to defend the people with integrity and professionalism. The NSCDC will continue to enhance its presence at the grassroots and protect critical infrastructure vital to the prosperity of the state,” Prof. Audi affirmed.
Nwifuru, in his remarks, lauded the NSCDC for its proactive contributions to peace and security across Ebonyi, describing the Corps as a dependable partner in maintaining law and order. He pledged the continued support of the State Government in providing logistics and operational resources to ensure that the Corps can deliver on its mandate effectively.
“Ebonyi, the Salt of the Nation, thrives on resilience, hard work, and unity. Our people are industrious and peace-loving, and we appreciate the NSCDC for its unwavering service to our communities,” the governor said.
After the courtesy call, the Commandant General proceeded to the NSCDC Ebonyi State Command Headquarters in Abakaliki, where he addressed officers and men of the Corps. He charged them to remain disciplined, committed, and proactive in their duties while upholding the highest standards of professionalism. Prof. Audi also reaffirmed his administration’s continuous efforts to improve welfare, training, and logistics to enhance operational efficiency.
The Commandant General was accompanied throughout the visit by the Ebonyi State Commandant, Francis Nnadi, and other senior officers.
The tour reflects the Corps’ ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, foster synergy with state actors, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s internal security architecture under Prof. Audi’s leadership.
AUDI LEADS NSCDC’S MORALE-BOOSTING VISIT TO EBONYI
National News
Air Peace flight aborts take-off in Abuja after engine failure

Air Peace flight aborts take-off in Abuja after engine failure
By: Zagazola Makama
Passengers on board an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Asaba escaped a potential disaster on Friday after the aircraft suffered an engine failure while preparing for take-off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft had gained speed and was almost closing in on the runway for take-off when a loud blast was heard, followed by flashes of light. There was, however, no fire outbreak.

The pilot immediately aborted the take-off procedure and taxied the aircraft safely back to the terminal, where all passengers were safely disembarked.

Eyewitnesses said the situation caused panic among passengers, some of whom broke into prayers and songs of thanksgiving after the aircraft came to a halt.
A passenger, told Zagazola Makama that the pilot maintained composure and quickly announced that the flight would no longer proceed due to a technical issue.

“We had gained full speed on the runway when we suddenly heard a loud bang. The plane shook slightly, and there was a flash like lightning. The pilot calmly informed us that there had been an engine failure and that we would return to the terminal,” the passenger said.
Air Peace officials were yet to issue an official statement as at the time of filing this report. However, sources at the airport confirmed that engineers were already inspecting the affected aircraft to determine the cause of the failure.

No injuries or damage were reported, and all passengers were safely evacuated in accordance with aviation safety procedures.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is expected to investigate the incident in line with standard air safety protocols.
Air Peace flight aborts take-off in Abuja after engine failure
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