National News
Tinubu Acknowledges Nigerians High Migration Rate

Tinubu Acknowledges Nigerians High Migration Rate
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday acknowledged that Nigeria ranks amongst the top 10 countries with most travelled citizens on the globe.
Tinubu while quoting a United Nations figure, recognized the complexity and the scale of migration among Nigerian citizens.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations, with the theme “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development,
Tinubu who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, acknowledged the significant contributions of Nigerian citizens living abroad to the country’s development.
The President while citing data, noted that 169 million international migrant workers left their countries of origin primarily to seek work, “with Nigeria having a significant diaspora population.
He added: “Currently, the United Nations ranked Nigeria amongst the top 10 countries with the most international migrants,” even as he shared his personal experience, having lived in the United States before returning to Nigeria.
He appealed to Nigerians in diaspora to bring back their experiences to contribute to national development.
The President highlighted the historical context of migration, from the transatlantic slave trade to the current global mobility competing for talent and skills.
Tinubu identified the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and presidential town hall meetings with diaspora communities, as some of the programmes aimed at engaging the diaspora in national development.
He said that the positive effects of global immigration includes huge remittances of funds to middle-income countries, with Nigeria receiving $21.9 billion in 2023.
The President encouraged Nigerians in diaspora to continue contributing to critical sectors of the economy and commended the Central Bank’s reforms, which have increased Forex and stabilized the currency.
The President also emphasized the importance of Nigerians, both at home and abroad, developing their country and encouraged participation in programmes with tremendous impact.
Speaking earlier, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, revaled that Nigerians in Diaspora remmited about $100 billion from diaspora remittances in the last five years.
Dabiri-Erewa said the contribution of the Diaspora community to national development cannot be over-emphasized.
No fewer than 1,000 participants are expected at the 2-day 2024 diaspora day celebrations.
She said: “Let me also state that the contributions of the Diaspora community to national development cannot be over-emphasized.
“According to the World Bank statistics recently, Nigerian Diaspora has remitted over 99 billion US dollars into the system in the last five years. This is huge and highly commendable.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed that Diaspora is one area that needed to pay more attention to.
She said, “So, this is a sector that we need to pay more attention we haven’t pay attention to it We need to do a lot more. So we have to tap into the enormous resources we have with the diaspora.
“We are still scratching the surface. And that’s what I will say.”
On the much expected diaspora voting bill, she said the Bill which is been sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas has already scaled the first reading, noting that this is a huge plus for the administration.
She said: “It is worthy of note that the long awaited Diaspora Voting, which has been a consistent topic of discussion among the Diaspora community, has now passed the first reading in the Parliament, which is a huge plus for this administration.
“The Bill was sponsored by no other persons than Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Hon. Sadiq Ango Abdulahi from Kano state. “
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said Nigerian Government was committed to Diaspora Elengagement for national development.
Abbas who was represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu announced plans to explore ways to grant voting rights to Nigerians in the diaspora, recognizing their relevance to nation-building.
He said a constitutional amendment bill has been presented to the House of Representatives, and the government is committed to making progress on this issue.
The government he said acknowledged the significant contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to the country’s development, particularly in areas such as education, agriculture, ICT, transportation, and healthcare.
He also expressed gratitude to the diaspora community for their efforts and encouraged them to continue making a positive impact.
On his part, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the brain drain phenomenon, where talented youth seek opportunities abroad.
He therefore stressed the need to create an environment that fosters technological growth and entices skilled professionals to return home.
The National Assembly, he said stands ready to enact necessary laws to support the return of skilled professionals and contribute to the country’s growth
He also urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain committed to Nigeria’s progress and invest in local initiatives.
The National Diaspora Day 2024 provided a platform for Nigerians in the diaspora to engage with the government and discuss ways to drive national development. The event underscored the government’s commitment to diaspora engagement and its recognition of the community’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s growth.
The National Diaspora Day 2024 provided a platform for Nigerians in the diaspora to engage with the government and discuss ways to drive national development. The event underscored the government’s commitment to diaspora engagement and its recognition of the community’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s growth.
Tinubu Acknowledges Nigerians High Migration Rate
National News
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
National News
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
National News
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
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