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Nigeria, Italy to deepen bilateral ties

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•  Irregular migration, insecurity, counter-terrorism top list

Nigeria and Italy are poised to deepen bilateral relations, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has said.

In a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, she said despite the over six decades diplomatic ties with Italy, Nigeria was yet to have a bi-national commission with the country and called for one.

The minister who stated this when the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, paid her a courtesy visit in her office said that Italy remains a strategic partner for Nigeria in Europe, with bilateral ties reinforced by high-level visits.

According to her, those engagements have continued to underscore the shared interests of both nations in sustainable development, food security, and economic cooperation.

“The strategic nature of this relationship is further evidenced by ongoing diplomatic consultations that address global challenges including climate change, irregular migration, and regional security concerns,” the minister said.

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She acknowledged and urged the sustenance of joint dedication to combating illegal migration, human trafficking, and transnational crime by both countries while inviting deeper Italian engagement in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure.

The minister also called for Italy’s technical support in Nigeria’s industrialization efforts, highlighting the importance of ease of mobility as a catalyst for trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange between the two counties.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that improving the efficiency of Visa issuance and processing will not only reduce delays and frustrations for applicants but also directly support economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

The minister further called for the establishment of efficient trade facilitation mechanisms that would enable Nigerian goods—especially agricultural and manufactured products—to reach the Italian market directly, reducing transit costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing market competitiveness.

She identified migration as a challenge and an opportunity in Nigeria-Italy relations, as both countries worked to address irregular migration while facilitating legal pathways for movement.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the bilateral cooperation encompasses repatriation agreements, voluntary return programmes, and reintegration support for Nigerian nationals returning from Italy.

She noted the joint initiatives tackling human trafficking networks that operate between both countries, with particular focus on protecting vulnerable populations. She added that the two nations had developed programmes to create economic opportunities in Nigeria that might reduce migration pressures, including vocational training and small business development projects in regions with high migration rates.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: “We are concerned about ways and means of combating irregular migration especially as Italy is a leading destination for Nigerian migrants.

“We are looking at youth restiveness and initiatives in managing migration; looking at youth-focused initiatives that could give skills to the youths, create jobs and keep them busy.

“We are appealing for assistance in dealing with online radicalization of our society; in building capacity to combat violent extremism.”

Earlier, Ambassador Mengoni said that his country was looking forward to improving bilateral relations with Nigeria, based on their policy strategy for building stronger cooperation and businesses with Africa.

He explained that he arrived Nigeria recently and was determined to ensuring that Italy maximized the strategic place of Nigeria in the continent to the mutual benefit of both countries.

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UK-based Nigerian divorces wife after viral cheating allegation

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A United Kingdom-based Nigerian man, identified on X as Ugo (@heismric), has confirmed the end of his marriage after publicly alleging that his wife was involved in infidelity while he was working abroad and funding her education and family life.

Ugo, who shared a series of emotional posts that later went viral, said the marriage has now been officially dissolved, adding that he received confirmation of the final order from the UK courts.

The couple’s relationship had previously been widely admired online.

According to him, the relationship began with a proposal in January 2023, followed by marriage in December 2023. They later welcomed a child in 2024, after which he relocated his wife to the United Kingdom.

He claimed he took full responsibility for the family’s financial needs, including paying her school fees and supporting her throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

He also said he went as far as developing digital applications to support her well-being and their child, describing his efforts as part of his commitment to building a stable home.

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After the birth of their child, he reportedly bought her a car as a “push gift,” a gesture that was widely shared online at the time as a sign of affection.

However, the relationship later deteriorated following allegations of infidelity. In now-deleted posts, Ugo accused his wife of bringing another man into their home while he was working in the United Kingdom.

In one of the viral tweets, he wrote, ”It’s crazy you’re in my house, sleeping with another man, but I’m in London working my ass out to pay your school fees in GBP. No! Send your tuition to that man. He’s man enough to sleep with another man’s wife; he should match it with his funds. Divorce finalised, gtf.”

He also alleged that members of his wife’s family did not condemn the situation, but instead continued to demand financial support for her education.

“Because her family didn’t see anything wrong in it, but have the audacity to ask me about her tuition. Also I know the man, and his stupid ass is on my Instagram and X viewing my posts. Talking about, ‘I miss you, when am I seeing you again’ while she responds ‘as you should,’” he further wrote.

As the story gained traction online, reactions were divided, with some users sympathising with him while others criticised him for airing private marital issues on social media.

Some also revisited his earlier posts showing public displays of affection, noting that he had frequently expressed love for his wife online, while she maintained a relatively low public profile.

In a follow-up post on Monday confirming the separation, Ugo wrote,”UGO’s wife. Divorce is finalised. It’s ex-wife.”

He later shared a screenshot of an official divorce notification from the UK HM Courts and Tribunals Service, confirming that the final order had been granted, thereby legally ending the marriage.

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Three senators, 16 Reps members who betrayed Obi and should be rejected by NDC — Obi’s aide

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Peter Obi
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The Special Adviser to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, on Media and Publicity, Valentine Obienyem, has argued that politicians who allegedly benefited from Obi’s political popularity in 2023 before defecting to other parties should not be allowed back into the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obienyem, in an opinion article titled “Why Political Opportunists Must Not Be Allowed to Run Again,” said some politicians secured elective positions during the “Peter Obi wave” of 2022 despite having little independent electoral prospects, only to abandon the political movement shortly after assuming office.

According to him, a number of elected officials rode on Obi’s political momentum to win elections before defecting to the ruling party, while a few others remained loyal and moved alongside the former presidential candidate through successive political transitions.

“During the Peter Obi wave in 2022, many individuals — some of whom never realistically had prospects of electoral victory — secured positions largely on the strength of his popularity and political momentum,” Obienyem stated.
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He added: “Shortly after settling into offices, several of them defected to other political parties. A few, however, recognizing the pivotal role Obi played in their electoral success remained with him. This explains why some have consistently moved with him from the Labour Party to the ADC and subsequently to the NDC. This pattern is often described as ‘following your leader.’”

The presidential aide argued that some of those who defected to the ruling party were now seeking a return to the NDC as another election cycle approaches, alleging that their interest was driven by the desire to benefit again from Obi’s political influence.

“Now, as another election cycle approaches, some of those who previously defected to the APC are either returning to the NDC or signaling intentions to return. Their primary motivation is the desire to once again ride on Obi’s political influence,” he said.

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Describing such actions as political opportunism, Obienyem maintained that the NDC should resist granting party tickets to politicians who had previously abandoned the movement.

“This behaviour suggests a tendency to treat Obi as a mere political instrument — useful when advantageous and discarded when convenient. That is not a principled way to follow a leader,” he stated.

He further argued that defectors who left previous political platforms should not be allowed to displace longstanding party members, warning that repeated defections could weaken party cohesion and ideological consistency.

“We cannot continue to indulge opportunism in the name of political strategy,” he said, adding that individuals who felt “betrayed” by their former parties should seek alternative platforms if they believed they retained electoral value independently.

Obienyem listed three senators — Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Kelvin Chukwu and Neda Imasuen — among lawmakers he said defected after benefiting from Obi’s support base.

He also named 16 members of the House of Representatives, including Joshua Chinedu Obika, Chinedu Tochukwu Okere, Bassey Akiba, Ngozi Okolie and others, as politicians who should not be considered for return tickets under the NDC.

The comments signal growing internal debate over loyalty, defections and candidate selection within opposition politics as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

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10 feared dead as gunmen attack convoy in Zamfara

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Nabeeha: Police arrest ‘deadly kidnapper’, destroy bandits camp in Kaduna
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At least 10 people have been killed after suspected bandits ambushed a convoy along the Gusau–Magami–Dansadau Road in Zamfara State.

Several others are injured in the attack, while an unspecified number of passengers are reportedly abducted by the gunmen.

Eyewitnesses say the incident occurs between 4pm and 5pm as vigilante operatives escort residents travelling through the route, considered one of the state’s most dangerous highways.

The attackers reportedly open fire on the convoy, triggering panic among travellers and security volunteers.

Those killed include five traders, three local hunters and a member of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG).

The injured victims are initially taken to Magami General Hospital for treatment before arrangements are made for their referral to Gusau for further medical care.

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However, hospital sources say the victims remain stranded in Magami because there is no available security escort to facilitate their movement safely.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as insecurity continues to plague several communities across Zamfara State.

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