₦airaland Forum

Taiwanese government has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s successful State visit to the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia as a truly a landmark achievement in Nigeria diplomacy.

“We, the people and Government of Taiwan, wholeheartedly congratulate President Tinubu for his visions and concrete actions of extending Nigeria’s connection with the Caribbean Island state, just like Taiwan has made diplomatically with St. Lucia”, Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Taiwan’s Representative/ Head of Mission in Nigeria said in a latest statement.

In line with Nigeria’s moves, Liu noted that Taiwan and St. Lucia, as well as three other Caribbean Island nations – St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti, have long established diplomatic relations with full-fledged Embassies setting in each other’s capitals.

The head of Taiwan mission in Nigeria further said that his country’s diplomatic presence of Embassies, together with Development and Technical Aid of medical, agricultural, women and youth empowering, trade and investment strengthening, sustainable development, have truly assisted St. Lucia as well as other Caribbean nations to grow well economically and socially.

Liu believed that during President Tinubu’s visit, he would have toured some facilities jointly developed by the Taiwanese government and St. Lucian authorities.

“ We’re proud to offer our helping hands that produce fruitful results, and we certainly welcome wholeheartedly that Nigeria will also be joining this humanitarian and economic collaborations in the Caribbean area.

“We are extremely delighted to witness President Tinubu graciously receiving the conferment of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (K.C.O.S.L.) in recognition of his efforts to strengthen ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

This has showcased His Excellency’s visionary exploration and escalation of Nigeria’s ever-growing international status, and his grand movements in deepening the collaboration with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)”.

Liu noted that Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, whom President Tinubu met in St. Lucia, visited Taiwan in attending President Ching-Te Lai’s inauguration ceremony on May 20th, last year.

“Also, St. Lucia’s Senate President Madam Alvina Reynolds, that President Tinubu has met, visited Taiwan in attending our National Day Celebrations on October 10th, 2024. All these have demonstrated how cordially the diplomatic relations between Taiwan and St. Lucia have been, and our bilateral cooperations have truly showcased Taiwan is such an indispensable and healthy partner for St. Lucia, as well as other Carribean nations”.

He further said that Taiwan has survived the heavy pressure from across the Taiwan Strait, and flourished outstandingly in the world, democratically and economically on nation building.

Liu offered hands of fellowship saying “We the Taiwanese people are privileged to share our advanced know-how and technology to any country globally, so that we can work together in weathering through all sorts of challenges”.

While expressing his desire to strengthening of Nigeria-Taiwan relations, or in its shared diplomatic allies of St Lucia and the Carribean states, Liu said

"Taiwan remains ready to share its vast knowledge with Nigeria in various fields of comparative advantages, and we would appreciate deeply that His Excellency President Tinubu and Nigeria to view and regard Taiwan as a most advanced and developed, healthy partner, to build substantial relations, like what we have contributed and collaborated in Saint Lucia”.

NgeneUkwenu:
NEC! Which is the second highest decision making organ of the party, where changes can be made. The same APC NEC will hold later this month to replace Ganduje..

If you say internal issues of the party. Wont there be a NEC meeting for those decisions.??

The Federal Government of Nigeria has shown commitment to collaborate with the Kaduna State Government on the construction of light rail projects to further ease the state’s transportation process. The Minister of Transportation, Said Umar Alkali, disclosed this when the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, led a delegation from the state to seek the support of the Federal Government for the realisation of the project.

Alkali noted that the desire of the Kaduna State Government to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to develop the light rail in Kaduna is not only apt but timely.

In view of this, the minister emphasised that the transportation sector is the gateway to the nation’s economy, as no nation can fix its GDP without an affordable transportation system. “When I took over as the Minister of Transportation, I was directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure timely delivery of all railway projects under the railway partnership. The Ministry is pleased with your developmental metrics. It matches that of our dear President in putting transportation at the top scale of your administration.

“When Mr President visited China for a state visit, he engaged President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China to ensure the delivery of our project from Ibadan to Abuja and Kaduna to Kano and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. I am pleased to inform you that we are going to deliver the Kaduna to Kano segment of the railway modernisation project by next year. Kano to Maradi with a branch line to Dutse by next year.”

The minister further gave assurances of support under the directive of Mr President that the ministry should collaborate with sub-national entities to ensure the development of the rail transportation sector, and that the Federal Ministry of Transportation would cooperate with Kaduna State to ensure timely delivery of the Kaduna Light Rail.

The minister gave an express directive to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to set up an engagement committee between the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), and the Kaduna State Government, which will provide the design for how the light rail project will be developed.

“We want to do the groundbreaking as quickly as possible. The committee will submit a report within two weeks. You are directed to come to your inaugural meeting. I am going to inaugurate the committee on Monday. I will give you the terms of reference. I have already given you a marching order to report back to the Ministry within two weeks,” said Alkali.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, earlier in his remarks, appreciated the minister for repositioning the rail transportation system within and outside the country.

Governor Sani noted that the thrust of his visit was to further the state’s collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and also thank the Minister for giving the necessary support. The governor asserted that addressing transportation-related issues no doubt addresses other pressing issues, such as the creation of jobs and the enhancement of productivity.

“I want to appreciate the Minister for repositioning both within the country and outside. And the level of support the Ministry is getting from its partners, and that is why some of us at the sub-national level have stepped up, and that is why today, with the support of our leader, President Bola Tinubu, who has given this rare opportunity to the Minister.

”Senator Uba Sani noted that Kaduna State is one of the states leading in the area of transportation, the transportation hub in the whole of northern Nigeria, and second to none after Lagos.

“A few weeks ago, President Bola Ahmed was in Kaduna to commission our 100 CNG buses, and he attested to the fact that Kaduna is leading, and not only that, five months ago we did the groundbreaking of our BRT, and we are embarking on a 24km corridor of our bus terminal, which I have no doubt is the first in Nigeria.

I am here to brief the Minister that we are making a lot of progress. We are looking forward to commissioning the project by the third quarter of next year.

“Due to this, President Tinubu selected Kaduna as one of the few states for the light rail project.

“President Tinubu has given 100 billion as the first instalment to support the light rail in Kaduna,” he said.

He further revealed that the state is working closely with the Minister of Transportation, Finance, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the light rail in Kaduna becomes a reality.

“By the grace of God, we will do the groundbreaking of our light rail in September. “This means Kaduna State will be the next state to have a light rail in Nigeria after Lagos State,” said the governor.

WizardOfNG:
Lol. Well-said Igbokwe. I love his parting advice of "cash out bro". We all know Atiku's dollars and the looted billions of Malami's etal don land.


Cash out my guy Nwosu. It is indeed your time and God don pick your call. Lol.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has said that Okey Ralph Nwosu, former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is the luckiest man in the party.

DAILY POST reports that a coalition of opposition figures in the country has adopted the party as its platform to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Nwosu, a founding member and long-serving national chairman of the party, had, alongside other party executives, stepped down for former Senate President David Mark and other coalition members as they assumed leadership of the party.

Reacting, Igbokwe, in a post on his official Facebook page, insinuated that Nwosu had been persuaded to step down for the interim leaders. His post reads:

“The luckiest man in this ADC Coalition is Chief Okey Nwosu. He has struggled with this party for many years now. “Okey Nwannem collect as much as you can. It is your time. You laboured for it. But the small bird will not fly. Cash out bro.”

Excitement emerged around the refinery zone in Eleme where flames rose in the morning of Sunday, June 29, 2025, over the second Port Harcourt Refinery known as PHR 2. There is also indications that the old refinery is being tested again.

The refineries are at Alesa Eleme near Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Petroleum marketers around the area said this was indication that the 150,000-capacity new refinery would soon begin production because the plant seemed to be under test.

By Sunday morning, the flare through which unwanted gas generated during the production process is emitted was lighted to the excitement of petroleum marketers.

More than one billion dollars has been committed to Port Harcourt Refineries which have been undergoing major rehabilitation since 2021.

The excitement stems from hopes that products from the local refineries would be cheaper in the market and more available in the domestic market.

The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had promised that the refinery would begin production before the end of 2025.

The old Port Harcourt refinery, which was shut down last month for emergency repairs, is also undergoing testing and could resume production soon.


Sources in Eleme said marketers have called for the production of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol at the refineries. They said only kerosene and diesel were produced before now.

Producing petrol at the Port Harcourt refinery would make the very essential petrol available in the market at a rate affordable by everyone.

More domestic production of petroleum products in Nigeria can improve the value of the naira because importation of the products has put a lot of pressure on the currency.

Marketers had since called for appointment of a General Manager at the PH Refinery to ensure speedy completion of repairs.

favor914:
when the deed of assignment is faulty, the certificate of occupancy will also be faulty.

zero8zero:


The woman showed us a valid certificate of occupancy but Obi and his brother dey show us a deed of assignment 🤣🤣 and to think some Obidense are beating their chests 🤣🤣😂
No wonder, he had a 3rd class in philosophy, what do you expect from his supporters, go school dem say no 😂😂🤣

aribisala0:
One of who?

The owner has come out publicly to show a C of O

A Nigerian doctor in the United States, Dr. Timileyin Oluseyi, has achieved a milestone that has stirred waves of pride across Nigeria and the global Black community.

In a historic moment at his medical residency graduation, Oluseyi won all eight of the program’s top awards; an unprecedented feat in the institution’s history.

Not only is he the first Black resident to sweep the awards, it is reported he also outperformed every one of his peers across all key metrics.

His exceptional performance, spanning clinical excellence, leadership, research, and compassionate patient care, earned him admiration from both faculty and colleagues.

In a viral video, the program’s director and department chairman were seen honoring him with a traditional Yoruba gesture: prostrating flat on the floor.

The act, rooted in Yoruba culture as a symbol of deep respect, was reportedly the result of deliberate research by the institution’s leadership.
According to a faculty member,

“The chairman said, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this. He raised the bar for this program forever."

The celebration took a light-hearted turn when his colleagues jokingly presented him with a wheelbarrow to help carry all his awards home: a gesture that sparked laughter and joy during the ceremony.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred the second highest national honor, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank for his outstanding contributions to development of Africa, particularly prioritising Nigeria’s interests.

The President gave the surprise recognition to Prof. Oramah at the 32nd Annual Meetings of the Bank in Abuja, appreciating his leadership role in expanding trade on the continent by leveraging opportunities, integrating and streamlining payment systems, and facilitating development projects for both the private and public sectors.

He said: “Today is your day, Prof Oramah. I have listened to the accounts and reports you read eloquently, which also consist of lessons for us, your friends.

“I have the honour and privilege of conferring on you one of the highest recognitions of our country, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)”.

President Tinubu noted that this year’s meeting with the theme—”Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”—was timely and profound.

“Afrexim Bank, under Professor Benedict Oramah’s steadfast leadership, has grown its assets from 5 billion dollars to over 37 billion dollars. His decade of leadership saw the Bank champion Africa’s pandemic response, drive industrialisation, and support the AfCFTA and the continent’s creative economy. His legacy is one of generational impact,” he added.

Oramah, who was one of the pioneering leaders of the institution in 1993, served as President/Chairman of the Bank for ten years, with record interventions in facilitating funds for 400 million vaccines to halt spread of Covid-19 in Africa, supporting agricultural development, healthcare projects and energy, including the Dangote Refinery.

President Tinubu noted that Nigeria benefited from more than 52 billion dollars in support from the Afrexim Bank.

“Nigeria has proudly benefited from over 52 billion dollars in support, directed into energy, agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and creative industries.

Flagship projects such as the Dangote and BUA Refineries, the African Medical Centre of Excellence, and the Africa Quality Assurance Centre embody confidence in Nigeria’s future and Africa’s potential.

“This partnership extends beyond capital. Nigeria’s formal approval of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is a significant step towards financial independence. PAPSS enables cross-border trade in local currencies, reducing reliance on foreign exchange and promoting economic stability.

I urge all African nations to embrace PAPSS because deeper financial integration strengthens our collective resilience,” he added.

The President said Afrexim Bank was born from Africa’s resolve to own its development since 1993, with over 250 billion dollars mobilised for trade and development and 140 billion dollars in the last decade alone.

“Nigeria’s collaboration with Afrexim Bank is expanding in scope and ambition. Together, we are launching the Africa Energy Bank, headquartered in Abuja, with 5 billion dollars in initial capital to finance Africa’s energy transition—leveraging gas, renewables, and clean technologies.

“We are scaling our fertiliser sector to 7.5 million tonnes annually, supported by Afrexim Bank, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s fertiliser hub and ensuring food security for the continent.

Meanwhile, transformative projects such as the 3.5 billion dollar Bakassi Deep Seaport enhance trade infrastructure and market access.

“Through platforms like FEDA, AQAC, CANEX, and PAPSS, our partnership with Afrexim Bank is not just about financing. It’s about fostering African entrepreneurship, elevating quality standards, and scaling SMEs in creative and export-driven industries.

Afrexim Bank is a strategic partner in co-creating the institutions, infrastructure, and innovations that will define Africa’s economic future,” he stated.

President Tinubu highlighted some of the Nigerian economy’s gains through repositioning in the last two years.

According to him: “Since May 2023, my administration has, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, advanced tough but necessary reforms rooted in macroeconomic stability, inclusive growth, and restored productivity. We removed the long-standing fuel subsidy and unified our exchange rate system.

“These reforms, though difficult, were essential to correcting systemic distortions. The results of our efforts are clear and promising, providing a strong foundation for our future endeavours. We have made significant strides in various sectors, and these achievements should fill us all with optimism for what lies ahead.

odi1278:
Waste of taxpayer funds… what’s the trade volume between St. Lucia and Nigeria. The worst president ever. Very useless fellow

President Bola Tinubu will on Saturday, June 28, 2025, depart the nation’s capital on a two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil.

According to a statement issued on Friday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s first stop is Saint Lucia, where he will pay a state visit as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and strengthen South-South cooperation.

At the end of the visit to the island State, President Tinubu will fly to Brazil to participate in the 17th Summit of BRICS in Rio de Janeiro,
During the visit to Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will pay courtesy calls on the Governor-General, Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip Pierre.

A key highlight of the visit will be President Tinubu’s address to the special joint session of the Senate and the House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.

The Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Nigerian community in the country and the Director-General of OECS, Dr Didacus Jules, have been invited to attend the special session.

President Tinubu will hold a high-level working luncheon with the Heads of Government of OECS, after the joint session of the Parliament of Saint Lucia.

Discussions at the luncheon will focus on specific parameters to deepen cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS for shared prosperity through economic partnerships and cultural solidarity.

According to the President’s itinerary, he will visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to strengthen educational ties and promote academic exchange.

President Tinubu’s visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Caribbean states, especially within the African Union’s Sixth Region framework, which recognises the African diaspora as an essential partner in the continent’s development.

Nigeria and Saint Lucia share ties through membership in international organisations such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations, and they have a common heritage rooted in African ancestry.

The visit is expected to open new pathways for infrastructure development, educational cooperation, youth empowerment, and diplomatic exchange.

After his engagements in Saint Lucia, the President will proceed to Brazil to participate in the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6-7, 2025.

President Tinubu is attending the summit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, on the strength of Nigeria’s status as a ‘partner country’- a membership category short of full status.

The Partner status is higher than that of a guest country, as has been the case in the past. South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are African members of BRICS.

The 17th BRICS Summit will focus on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”. Discussions will prioritise two key areas: Global South Cooperation and BRICS Partnerships for Social, Economic, and Environmental Development.

Senior government officials will accompany President Tinubu on both visits.