The Federal Government has commenced the deployment of consular officers to diplomatic missions worldwide before the anticipated release of the ambassadorial list.

This comes 14 months after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023. Coming on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, a reassessment of foreign policy gave rise to the recall of the 83 ambassadors; both career and non-career from their posts in September 2023, but the subsequent appointment of replacements has yet to take place.

The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, marking a shift in diplomatic strategy and suggesting that the government was looking to realign its foreign engagements to better serve national interests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, had said the ambassadors served at the President’s behest in their host nations and that it was the President’s “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”

Tuggar added that it was part of a strategy to realign Nigeria’s foreign engagements.

The recall was done but it left a diplomatic void as no replacements have been announced ever since.

However, the delay in appointing successors has raised concerns.

In April 2024, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to represent Nigeria in 14 countries, but these interim measures fell short of filling the leadership vacuum in key missions.

Consuls-general and chargés d’affaires can handle routine administrative duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of an embassy, but they do not possess the authority or diplomatic weight to engage at the highest levels, such as with heads of state or critical international negotiations.

On May 28, the foreign affairs minister acknowledged the situation, citing a lack of funds as the primary reason for the delay in appointing new ambassadors.

A few days later, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, said any new ambassadorial appointments would depend on budget allocations.

“I guess the funds may be included in the supplementary budget, but for now, there is no clear way forward without funds,” Abu-Ode stated.

The prolonged absence of ambassadors echoes similar delays during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, where ambassadorial appointments took up to 20 months.

Some diplomats fear Nigeria’s international partners may interpret this prolonged inaction as a sign of instability or disinterest in global affairs.

This perception, according to them, can be damaging, particularly for a country that relies on foreign investments and international partnerships to fuel its economic growth.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday, the court announced on social media.

This means that neither Netanyahu nor Gallant can travel to any of the 120 countries that are party to the Rome Statute.

The ICC said that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant committed the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other humane acts.

The court says it found reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant knowingly deprived Gaza’s civilian population of essential supplies, including food, water, fuel, and medical aid, in violation of international humanitarian law.

These actions allegedly created life-threatening conditions, leading to civilian deaths from malnutrition and dehydration. The disruption of medical supplies also resulted in extreme suffering, including surgeries performed without anesthesia.

The ICC says it found that decisions to allow limited humanitarian aid were often conditional and insufficient to alleviate Gaza’s dire conditions. The alleged actions, which disregarded international warnings, formed part of a systematic attack against civilians, the court stated.

Israel had filed an official objection to the ICC regarding the legality of the prosecutor’s request to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant in September.

Israel claimed that the court has no authority to discuss the Palestinian complaint against it, which recently led to the prosecutor’s request to issue arrest warrants against the prime minister and the defense minister.

These claims were rejected in pre-trial, with the chamber noting that “the acceptance by Israel of the Court’s jurisdiction is not required, as the Court can exercise its jurisdiction on the basis of territorial jurisdiction of Palestine, as determined by Pre-Trial Chamber I in a previous composition.”

The court also said that “the Prosecution notified Israel of the initiation of an investigation in 2021. At that time, despite a clarification request by the Prosecution, Israel elected not to pursue any request for deferral of the investigation,” rejecting Israel’s second objection.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will need to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card, citing limited government revenue as the primary reason for the decision.

Speaking during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos, Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, said, “The payment is to ensure that the card is produced for only those who need it.”

He explained that this approach aims to avoid repeating past mistakes where physical cards were issued for free, but many were left uncollected.

“In the previous attempt to issue free National ID cards, over two million cards were produced, and many of them have not been collected till date,” he noted.

Dr. Iwegbu further stated, “The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card.”

Adding to this, the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, Mr. Lanre Yusuf, said, “The idea of a free national ID card did not turn out well in the past.” He described the new ID card as a post-paid identity card, emphasizing that individuals must need the card before initiating a request for it.

“To get the new national ID card, Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and then collect their card from the chosen location,” Yusuf explained.

He also mentioned programs aimed at ensuring inclusivity: “The government has implemented programs to make the card accessible to less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support. This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality.”

Yusuf revealed that the multipurpose ID cards are set to launch soon, with sample test cards already received.

He added, “NIMC is working with banks across the country, which will make it possible for people to walk into any bank closest to them and request the card.”

He further highlighted the card’s functionality, stating, “The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services.”

The card, powered by AfriGO, was developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System.

It is designed to support government intervention programs and services across various ministries, departments, and agencies.

The Federal Government has reinstated the sacked Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Prof, Joseph Ikechebelu and Victor Modebelu, after kicking out their replacements, Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh and Rosemary Nwokike.

This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in a letter by its Permanent Secretary, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, on Thursday.

According to Sani-Gwarzo: “Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR vide letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November, 2024 nullifying the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive vice chancellor of the university who was illegally appointed by the dissolved 10th Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, I am pleased to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister to reinstate you as the acting vice chancellor of the university with immediate effect.

“Consequently, you are directed to take charge of the administration of the university.”

According to the Permanent Secretary, Ikechebelu should forward any matter that requires the approval of the now-dissolved council to the Minister of Education for his consideration and approval until President Bola Tinubu reconstitutes a new council.

Technology company, Globacom, on Thursday in Warri, Delta State, delivered a brand new Toyota Prado car to the first winner at a colourful carnival ceremony held at the Gloworld, Delta Mall, Warri, in its ongoing customer reward promo, Festival of Joy.

The impressive carnival event, which was further electrified by performance from the Ema Dance Troupe, was witnessed by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who was the Special Guest; Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Ofoni; representative of Urhobo community in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Hon. Karo Goru Jonathan; Chairman Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Anthony Ofoni; representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs. Anwuli Efejuku; representatives of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Okieneni and Chief Emmanuel Eyela; President of Igbudu Market Association, Warri, Chief Rume Kugberu, Nollywood actor, Ese Eriata, and comedians Gordons and M.C. Forever.

The proud winner, 57-year-old Mr., Daniel Mayuku, who is the Board Chairman of Delta State Security Trust Fund, got his car priz. He recalled: “When I received the first call that I won a Prado in Glo Festival of Joy promo, I believed it was a scam and I immediately told the caller not to call me again. However, after few minutes, I started receiving calls from friends and I decided to call my friends in Glo and they confirmed it. I was in disbelief; I thought it was a scam. I jokingly asked for the car immediately and I was told to come to Glo office for verification and today the jeep has just been presented to me. Globacom is truly Nigerian, a network that delights its subscribers every year”.

Others who won tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines were equally presented their prizes at the ceremony. One of them Ovueve Efejiro, a native of Ughelli, who received her Keke prize, said: ”I just won Keke through Festival of Joy promo, I am very grateful to Glo. This Keke will help my family. My brother will use it for commercial purpose immediately”. Felix Gabriel, who won a power generating set, gave kudos to Globacom for always remembering Nigerians in its yearly loyalty reward promos.

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, described Globacom as a network that is known for always giving. Said he: “Over the years, many Nigerians have been empowered by Glo. The people of my constituency in Warri South West and entire Delta people are grateful to Glo. We will continue to use Glo and I also want to be part of the winners one day soon. So, I will ensure that my line is always on and ready”, adding, “Kudos to Glo and our own Dr. Mike Adenuga. Please keep on empowering Nigerians”.

In the same vein, the Head of Licensing and Operation, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs. Anwuli Efejuku, eulogized Globacom for the transparency of the ongoing promo. “We witnessed the raffle draw few days ago here in Warri where it was conducted in the presence of everyone and today the winners that emerged have been presented their prizes. Congratulations to all the winners”, she affirmed.

Globacom’s Regional Manager, Warri, Mr. Frederick Oiboh, in his remarks explained that existing Globacom customers can participate in the Festival of Joy promo, by simply dialing *611# and keep recharging while new customers can also participate by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

“Customers are required to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for grinding machine, a recharge of N500 in a day will be eligible for the draw. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#”, he said.

The Festival of Joy train will arrive Lagos, next week where another set of Nigerians will win prizes including another brand new Toyota Prado, Kia Picanto car, Keke, power generating sets and others.