Category: Foreign News

Finland Court sentences Pro-Biafra Agitator, Simon Ekpa to six years for Terrorism-related offences

Emporium Reporters

A Finnish court has sentenced pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences, including incitement to violence and participation in a terrorist organisation.   The Päijät-Häme District Court delivered the judgment after prosecutors argued that Ekpa, a dual Finnish-Nigerian national, used online platforms to incite acts of terrorism in Nigeria between 2021 and 2024.   According to state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala, investigators presented substantial evidence linking Ekpa’s online communications to violent incidents in Southeastern Nigeria. Prosecutors alleged that he operated from Lahti, Finland, under the self-acclaimed…

Dabiri-Erewa, Soyinka, Cardoso hail Nigeria-Brazil Diaspora Cultural exchanges

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Brazil have strengthened their cultural and diaspora bonds with a landmark heritage dialogue held in the Legislative Chambers of Brasília, Brazil, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State Visit to the South American nation.   Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended Presidents Tinubu and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for their commitment to fostering closer ties between Africa and its diaspora communities. Speaking at the event, Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the significance of the “Return to Africa” project and the “Door of Return…

Nigeria, Japan forge closer Ties at TICAD 9, Eye strategic partnership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Japan have pledged to deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across key sectors following a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and his Japanese counterpart on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).   Ambassador Tuggar commended Japan for its leadership and hospitality in hosting TICAD 9, highlighting the cordial ties between both countries and Japan’s sustained support for Africa’s development through TICAD and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).   The talks focused on boosting…

Nigeria will not abandon its Citizens abroad — Minister assures Pastor jailed in Benin Republic

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a strong reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to citizen diplomacy, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has visited a Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, who has been incarcerated in the Republic of Benin for over two years.   Pastor Egbaji, originally from Cross River State, has lived in the Republic of Benin for more than 30 years. A real estate entrepreneur and cleric, he was arrested on May 17, 2023, over allegations of raping a 13-year-old girl, Bright Sarah Karls, in 2011. He was convicted on July…

WAES 2025: Nigeria, Benin advance Economic pact implementation ….. Odumegwu-Ojukwu hails President Tinubu’s vision, says Bilateral Ties enter New Era

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have taken significant steps toward implementing a landmark economic cooperation agreement signed at the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) held in Abuja in June 2025. Officials from both countries met in Cotonou from August 1 to 2, 2025, to fine-tune the operational framework of the agreement, which is expected to deepen bilateral trade, harmonize customs processes, and drive regional integration. Speaking during the high-level engagement, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the initiative as a major milestone in…

Nigeria, Algeria strengthen Bilateral Relations as new Nigerian Embassy Chancery breaks ground in Algiers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Algeria have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening diplomatic relations following a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and his Algerian counterpart, His Excellency Ahmed Attaf, in Algiers. The two Ministers exchanged views on a range of shared strategic interests and agreed to intensify cooperation across political, economic, and multilateral platforms. They also emphasized the need to revitalize the Nigeria-Algeria Binational Commission and enhance regional coordination, particularly in promoting Africa’s priorities on the international stage.   In a related development, Minister Tuggar led…

Liberia honours Nigeria at 178th Independence Celebration, commends Tinubu’s Leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Liberia has paid glowing tribute to Nigeria for its historic role in restoring peace during its civil war, as well as its ongoing commitment to African unity and regional cooperation, during celebrations marking its 178th Independence Anniversary.   Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the national ceremony held in Monrovia. The event was attended by several African leaders, diplomats, and representatives of regional organisations.   Delivering President Tinubu’s goodwill message, Ambassador Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with…

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu flags off Medville Medical City, urges Diaspora to end medical tourism

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to take deliberate steps towards ending medical tourism by investing in world-class health infrastructure back home. She made this appeal at the 16th Annual Mbaise USA Convention held in Minnesota, United States, where she officially flagged off the commencement of construction of the Medville Medical City in Uvuru, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria. Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the need for diaspora communities not to see the United States and Europe as permanent homes, but to replicate…

Nigerian Diplomat Zainab Joy Momodu dies in Guinea-Bissau after brief illness

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the passing of Mrs. Zainab Joy Momodu, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Nigeria in Guinea-Bissau. She died on Monday, 7th July 2025, at the Military Hospital in Bissau after a brief illness. Mrs. Momodu was a distinguished career diplomat who joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in 2010 as a member of the 20th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy. Over the years, she served the nation with dedication, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s diplomatic mission. In a…

Stranded in Libya: Nigerian Women recount Ordeal of Abuse, beg FG for immediate rescue

Emporium Reporters

Four young Nigerian women trafficked to Libya have made a desperate appeal to the Federal Government for immediate rescue following months of dehumanisation, forced labour, and sexual exploitation in the North African country. The victims — Adewumi Omowumi Boluwatife (20), Damilola Ojumirayo (31), Akinsanya Adenike (30), and Sobayo Oluwanifemi (27) all from the South-West region of Nigeria, spoke to SaharaReporters, narrating how they were lured abroad by human traffickers under the guise of securing job opportunities. “I was promised a better life but ended up in a nightmare,” said Boluwatife, who arrived in…