News
Tinubu Travels to South Africa to Strengthen Ties and Discuss Key Issues With Ramaphosa
President Bola Tinubu is set to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, after concluding his visit to France.
This trip marks a significant diplomatic engagement as he prepares to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Tinubu is currently in France on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.
His discussions there have focused on strengthening Nigeria’s relationship with France and fostering partnerships in economic, security, and other key sectors.
According to a statement from his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the Bi-National Commission meeting will officially begin on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
However, preparations will kick off with a ministerial meeting on December 2 at South Africa’s Parliament Building in Cape Town.
During the BNC, Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa will hold extensive talks covering a range of issues critical to both nations.
These discussions will address bilateral matters such as trade, investment, security, and migration, as well as regional and international concerns.
The meeting also offers an opportunity to review commitments made during their earlier discussions on June 20, 2024, when Tinubu visited Johannesburg shortly after Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term.
The Bi-National Commission, a platform established to deepen cooperation between the two countries, will focus on eight strategic areas.
These include political consultations, consular and migration issues, banking and finance, defense and security, manufacturing, the social sector, mining and energy, and trade and investment.
President Ramaphosa, a seasoned politician and anti-apartheid activist, has been instrumental in driving South Africa’s foreign policy towards fostering stronger ties across Africa.
Under his leadership, the country has prioritized economic recovery, industrialization, and regional security.
Similarly, President Tinubu has demonstrated a commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa by leveraging partnerships to tackle pressing challenges such as insecurity and economic instability.
The ministerial meetings preceding the presidential session will lay the groundwork for these high-level discussions.
They will involve senior officials from various sectors, ensuring that the BNC outcomes are practical and impactful.
News
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Eases Travel Restrictions for Nigerians
South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa announces Nigerian can now apply for Visa to the country without submitting a passport. This announcement was made on Tuesday during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town. President Bola Tinubu was also in attendance and witnessed the announcement made.
President Cyril stated that this new process with make travelling easier for Nigerian business and tourists.
The President shared a speech during the announcement “Our efforts to create a favourable environment included simplifying the visa process for Nigerian business people travelling to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian business people were granted a five-year multiple-entry visa.”
News
VeryDarkBlackMan Speaks on Fate and Declares ‘Nobody Can Cancel Me’
Popular social media personality, VeryDarkBlackMan, has shared an intriguing post online. In a tweet with the hashtag #MindYouNobodyFitCancelMe and mentions of Naira Marley and Zinoleesky, he reflected on an encounter with a group he called “innocent rough men.”
He revealed that he asked the men about their situation, and they responded, “Na God hand e dey,” meaning their fate rests in God’s hands. The phrase has resonated with fans, sparking discussions about faith and resilience.
In the same post, VeryDarkBlackMan boldly declared that no one has the power to cancel him, showcasing his confidence and determination to rise above challenges. The post has drawn reactions across social media, with many admiring his fearless attitude and thought-provoking words.
News
Reps Call on Tinubu to Unfreeze NSIPA Accounts and Settle Outstanding N-Power Payments
The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action by directing the unfreezing of the accounts belonging to the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within 72 hours.
This decision was reached on Tuesday after a motion was presented by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu and supported by 32 other lawmakers.
The suspension was a response to widespread allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the sector.
The lawmakers expressed concern that the continued freezing of NSIPA’s accounts is hindering critical programs aimed at reducing poverty and supporting vulnerable Nigerians.
The NSIPA is responsible for managing key social intervention schemes, including N-Power, which provides skills and employment opportunities for Nigerian youth; the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which offers microloans to small business owners and artisans; the Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), designed to provide direct financial support to poor households; and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), which delivers meals to schoolchildren across the country to improve enrollment and nutrition.
During the plenary session, Ben Kalu emphasized the importance of restoring NSIPA’s financial operations, stating that doing so aligns with President Tinubu’s broader vision of eradicating poverty in Nigeria.
He stressed that unlocking the agency’s accounts would ensure that these social programs remain efficient, effective, and impactful, particularly during a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with economic hardships.
The House urged the federal government to promptly release funds to NSIPA to enable the payment of outstanding stipends owed to 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries across the country.
The delayed stipends have caused significant hardship for many young Nigerians who depend on the program to sustain themselves and their families.
In addition to addressing the financial constraints of NSIPA, lawmakers called for a comprehensive review of the agency’s operations to prevent future mismanagement and ensure transparency in the use of public funds.
They noted that resolving these issues swiftly is crucial for maintaining momentum in the administration’s poverty alleviation goals and rebuilding public trust in government-led social intervention programs.
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