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“We stand with Tinubu on developmental policies,” says EU as VP Shettima pledges FG commitment to workable partnership
The European Union (EU) has reassured of its relentless support for the development policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying it will continue to identify more areas of collaboration.
The assurance was given by Rita Laranjinha, managing director of European Union’s External Action Service, when she briefed Vice President Kashim Shettima on the forthcoming Ministerial Dialogue to be held on October 19, 2023.
The VP, while welcoming the team to the Presidential Villa, reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to remain open to interventions that work, adding that mutual and beneficial partnerships remained the utmost in President Tinubu’s foreign policy directive.
He maintained that the Tinubu administration remains a breath of fresh air, observing that despite its current share of challenges, “the nation, like a phoenix, will rise from the ashes of despair and soar.
“Support us and we will, in turn, support not just West Africa but the entire African continent as a result of our Domino effect. We are really out to reposition this country. God has blessed this nation. We have not utilised half of our arable and fertile land, much more our bountiful human resources. We are ready to partner with the EU in the execution of mutually beneficial projects and programmes to the benefit of Nigerians,” the VP stated.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, in a statement said that Sen. hettima expressed concerns about migration issues and called on the EU to join hands with the Tinubu administration in creating jobs in the digital world, more so that the EU agenda perfectly blends with the eight-point agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Speaking earlier, Laranjinha who led the EU delegation, said she was in the country ahead of the Ministerial Dialogue with Nigerian officials billed to take place on October 19.
“This Ministerial Dialogue will be chaired by the Vice President of the EU Mission. He will be here to hold meetings with members of the Nigerian government to take stock of the relations between the EU and Nigeria in different areas and to prepare the way forward in this relationship.
“Today, it was very clear that there is a lot of common interest in the relationship but there is still a lot that we can still do. Nigeria matters in the region, continent and the world, and the EU wants to make sure that we will be a partner of choice for Nigeria,” Laranjinha submitted.
She thanked the Vice President for his support, saying the EU delegation is committed to working closely with Nigeria in the different areas of trade, investments, energy, digitalization, peace and security matters.
15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Amaewhule disclosed the lawmakers’ decision during Friday’s plenary, attributing their defection to what he called a “clear division” within the PDP.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided, and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision, to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule said.
Amaewhule’s Deputy, Dumle Maol, is one of the 16 lawmakers that joined APC as well.
All the lawmakers, who have jumped ship, are core loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Central Bank of Nigeria,has rolled out a new framework ito expedite handling of fraud accusations and refund victims.
Customers must report suspected fraudulent transactions within 72 hours under this draft guideline, and financial institutions have 16 working days to look into the matter and repay money.
The action comes in the wake of a dramatic increase in banking sector fraud.
According to data from the Financial Institutions Training Center, losses in the first quarter of 2025 increased to ₦3.29 billion, a startling 603 percent increase over the previous year. In the same time frame, reported cases also increased to 12,347.
The November 26, 2025, proposed regulations seek to improve bank accountability, expedite reimbursements, and boost prevention.
Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department Rita Sike signed the circular, which describes stricter regulations intended to prevent fraud before it occurs.
The apex bank’s ongoing fight against financial fraud has advanced with the adoption of this guidance. To enhance cooperation between operators, it established the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum in 2011.
It directed banks to establish specialized fraud bureaus four years later. By requiring BVN or NIN for account opening, it reinforced Know Your Customer checks in 2023.
Operatives of the Department of State Service have arrested a medical doctor treating wounded kidnappers inside the forest in different parts of Kwara State.
The suspect, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was also involved in supplying drugs to kidnapping gangs operating in Kwara.
The DSS intercepted the medical doctor in the Jebba area after intelligence reports revealed that some couriers had been moving medical supplies from Sokoto to treat wounded bandits hiding in forests across the state.
A security official said many of the criminal groups have sustained gunshot injuries in recent encounters with forces.
The source said, “So, we are advising improved security measures in health facilities in thickly forested areas which the kidnappers may target.”
Confirming the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the arrest was another significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat banditry.
Ajakaye noted that the state government will continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to shut down all channels aiding kidnapping activities.
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