Category: Foreign

 

By Flowerbudnews

Abuja (Flowerbudnews)  Below are the names and countries of posting of Nigeria ‘s new Ambassadors. Confirmation is however, being awaited from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

*S/N Name State Of Origin Portfolio.*

1. Obinna Chukwuemeka Agbugba Abia Ambassador to Togo.

2. Salisu Umaru Adamawa Ambassador to Senegal.

3. Paragalda Ilyasu Audu Adamawa Ambassador to Turkey.

4. Inyan Udo-Inyang Akwa Ibom Ambassador to Gabon.

5. Okeke Vivian Nwunaku Anambra Ambassador to Spain.

6. Nonye Udo Anambra Ambassador to Austria.

7. Liman Munir Bauchi Ambassador to Congo.

8. Ndem Jane Ada Benue Ambassador to Sweden.

9. Demenongu A. Agev Benue Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea.

10. Mohammed Hassan Hassan Borno Ambassador to Kenya.

11. Toko Ali Gongulong Borno Ambassador to Sao Tome & Principe.

12. Lawan Abba Gashagar Borno Ambassador to Mali.

13. Martin Nyong Cobham Cross River
Ambassador to Thailand.

14. Odeka Janet Bisong Cross River Ambassador to Zimbabwe.

15. Janet Omoleegho Olisa Delta Ambassador to Jamaica.

16 Itegboje S.Sunday Edo Permanent Mission in New York.

17 Queen I. Worlu Edo Ambassador to Cuba.

18. Olatunde Adesesan Ekiti Ambassador to Angola.

19. Emmanuel Kayode Oguntause Ekiti Ambassador to Benin Republic.

20. Lilian Ijeukwu Onoh Enugu Ambassador to Namibia.
21 Adamu Onoze Shuaibu FCT.

Ambassador to Rwanda
22. Manaja Tula Isah Gombe Ambassador to Israel.

23. Habu Abubakar Gwani Ibrahim Gombe Ambassador to Zambia.

24 Ngozi Ukaeje Imo Ambassador to Portugal.

25. Kenneth C. Nwachukwu Imo Ambassador to Cameroon.

26. Bello Kazaure Huessini Jigawa. Ambassador to North Korea.

27. Enoch Pear Duchi Kaduna Ambassador to Ireland.

28. Garba Baba Kano Ambassador to Poland.

29. Rabiu Akawu Kano Ambassador to Algeria.

30. Usman Bakori Aliyu Katsina Ambassador to China.

31. Ibrahim Hamza Katsina Ambassador to Iran.

32 Umar Zainab Salisu Kebbi Ambassador to Botswana.

33. Momoh Sheidu Omeiza Kogi Ambassador to Liberia.

34. Kadiri Ayinla Audu Kwara Permanent Mission, Geneva.

35 Olufemi Abikoye Kwara Ambassador to Ghana.

36. Balogun Hakeem Lagos Ambassador to Indonesia.

37. Inusa Ahmed Nasarawa Ambassador to Ethiopia.

38. Ibrahim Isah Niger Ambassador to Australia.

39. Bankole Adegboyega Adeoye Ogun.

Ambassador to Belgium
40. Sonaike Adekunbi Abibat Ogun Ambassador to Philipines.

41. Ibidapo-Obe Oluwasegun Osun Ambassador to Port of Spain T&T.

42. Ogundero Sakirat Oyo Washington.

43. Eric A. Bell-Gam River Ambassador to Argentina.

44 Attahiru Halliru Sokoto Ambassador to Niger Republic.

45. Rahmatu A. Dunama Taraba Ambassador to Burkina Faso.

46. Musa Saban Mamman Yobe: Ambassador to South Sudan.

47. Kabiru Bala Zamfara Ambassador to Mozambique

 

By Paul Ejime

Dakar (Flowerbudnews):  Outgoing Senegal’s President Macky Sall, on Monday congratulated opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his victory in Sunday’s presidential election.

Almost all other presidential candidates, including former Prime Minister Ahmadou Ba, the candidate of the ruling Alliance for Republic, APR, have also conceded defeat and congratulated Faye.

“I salute the smooth running of the election and congratulate the winner, Mr. Bassirou Diomaye, who is the winner by the trends. This is the victory of Senegalese democracy,” Sall said through a post on his X, former Twitter handle, hours after Ba had congratulated Faye.

The National Electoral Commission, CENA, is still compiling the official tally of the election in the country’s 14 regions

.

But unofficial estimates indicate that Faye might have received about 57% of the vote, against the runner-up Ba’s 31%.

Under Senegal’s Constitution, a candidate requires more than 50% of the vote to win the presidency in the first round of balloting, otherwise, the two frontrunners go into a run-off vote.

The Appeal Court of Dakar is expected to announce the final figures of Sunday’s contest on Wednesday, and this will be validated by the Constitutional Council, if no objections are raised.

The Council has the final say on electoral matters in the country, while CENA supervises the electoral process.

President Sall will hand over power to Faye, as Senegal’s 5th and youngest President on April 2nd.

It is a perfect birthday present for Faye, who turned 44 on Sunday, the election day, and a great relief particularly to pro-democracy advocates in Senegal and ECOWAS, which is battling growing military incursions into politics in the region, with four of its 15 member States now under army rule.

Credit should also go to the Senegalese population, especially the civil society groups for their resilience in checkmating Sall’s political manoeuvrers.

Among the immediate tasks of Faye, a former tax collector is the reconciliation of a country, whose democratic standing had been shaken in the past couple of years, particularly by Sall’s tenure elongation plan, which he was forced under local and international pressure to abandon.

But this was not before the attendant political tension and street protests that killed at least 20 people, followed by uncertainties over the rescheduling of the presidential vote originally fixed for 25 February, before it was moved to March 24.

As an appeasement gesture, a subdued President Sall declared a general amnesty for detainees recently, including Faye and his comrade Ousmane Sonko, who were released to join the campaign trail.

Sonko was barred from contesting the presidential election following his conviction for radicalizing the youths, a charge critics consider politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Faye has promised to tackle corruption and address the needs of Senegal’s youthful population from where he and Sonko draw their most support.

Given the unsalutary experiences of “anointed candidates” or Godfatherism in Africa, political observers will closely monitor the Faye-Sonko relationship with political power in their hands. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Paul Ejime

Dakar (Flowerbudnews): With less than 24 hours to Senegal’s March 24 Presidential election, the race has become more interesting with former President Abdoulaye Wade’s Senegalese Democratic Party, PDS, joining the main opposition Coalition’s candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

The Constitutional Council had disqualified Karim Wade, the PDS’s flagbearer and the former President’s son, from the presidential race over his dual citizenship.

The Supreme Court also rejected his bid to cancel or delay the presidential vote beyond March 24.

But the PDS in a surprise move on Friday declared its support for Faye, whom popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has chosen as his preferred presidential candidate following his disqualification after conviction for “misleading” Senegalese youths.

Both men are beneficiaries of a recent general amnesty announced by out-going President Macky Sall, whose ruling Alliance for the Republic, APR, is fielding former Prime Minister Amadou Ba in the presidential contest.

With new political alignments developing, Faye could clinch the presidency in the first round with the 50% + 1 vote required by the constitution.

Otherwise, the two frontrunners will go into a run-off.

After months of political uncertainty and tensions following President Sall’s defeated tenure elongation plans and the rescheduling of the presidential vote from February 25 to March 24, Senegal’s estimated 7.4 million registered voters are eager to put the presidential election behind them.

Reports from across the country of an estimated 18 million population indicate that all is set for the crucial election which has attracted great international attention.

The contestations and street protests that killed at least 20 people, had threatened to dent Senegal’s record as a bastion of stability in the politically restive West African region.

There have been more than a dozen military coups and the toppling of elected governments by soldiers in four of the 15 ECOWAS member States from 2020 – Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The last three countries have served notice of their intention to quit ECOWAS altogether, hereby throwing into crisis the lofty regional integration goals set almost 50 years ago by the organization’s founding fathers. (Flowerbudnews)

By Danladi Ahmed
Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  Nigeria’s economic prosperity could be galvanised through a structured Diaspora Investment,  Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM, has declared.

The NIDCOM Boss emphasized this at a strategic meeting with an Investment Group, Optiva Capital in Abuja, Gabriel Odu of NIDCOM
Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit,
disclosed in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Dabiri-Erewa added  that collaboration between Optiva Capital Partners and NiDCOM signals a pivotal step towards harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s Diaspora community, fostering sustainable economic growth, and strengthening ties between the Diaspora and their homeland.

Dabiri-Erewa added that Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) is willing to partner with Optival Capital Partners in advancing Diaspora investment and leveraging the capabilities of Nigerians living abroad.

The Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM expressed satisfaction as the meeting aligns with the Commission’s core objectives,
highlighting the significance of fostering a structured and symbiotic relationship with the Diaspora, stressing the importance of trust building.

Dabiri-Erewa further stated that platforms such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit, which serves as a linkage for Diasporans to invest in various sectors of the Nigeria’s economy. was already in place and would be strengthened , adding that plans are on for a structured Nigerian diaspora fund to be private sector driven with appropriate government supervision

 

“NiDCOM serves as the bridge connecting Nigeria and its Diasporans, facilitating mutual growth and development,” she stated.

Jane Kimemia, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Optiva Capital Partners, expressed satisfaction with MIDCOM’s warm engagement promising to strategically work with the Commission to double Diaspora investment opportunities, fostering new business ventures for the Diaspora to reinvest in their homeland. She reiterated that the best investment by the Diaspora should be in their home country , with a population of over 200 million people

 

Optiva Capital Partners is a prominent wealth management firm specializing in investment immigration, investment advisory, and insurance services. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Paul Ejime

(Flowerbudnews):  Senegal prides itself as a country of “Teranga,” or hospitable people.

Until its recent political tensions and uncertainty over the rescheduling of the presidential election from 25 February to 24 March 2024, and President Macky Sall’s later jettisoned third-term plan, the country held hope as the anchor of political stability and democracy in the politically restive West Africa.

In the 15-nation ECOWAS region, Senegal and Cabo Verde are also the only countries that have not experienced a military coup.

West Africa has earned itself the dubious reputation and sobriquet of the “coup belt or coup zone” with almost a dozen failed and successful coups from 2020 and four ECOWAS member States under military dictatorships.

Even so, religious tolerance remains very much evident among Senegal’s estimated 18 million people, and it is one of the few Muslim-dominated nations, that observe more Christian holidays than the Vatican.

Similarly, the former French colony that gained independence in 1960 under the leadership of renowned poet and African Socialist President Sedar Senghor, leads other ECOWAS member States in gender political inclusion.

Although civil society and women’s advocacy groups would want the country to do more in terms of gender parity.

With Muslims accounting for about 95% of the population, Senegal is home to Touba, in the centre of the country, and arguably the most popular Islamic pilgrimage destination in Africa.

At some 170 kilometers east of Dakar, the nation’s capital, Touba was established in the 20th Century by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, a highly revered founder of Senegal’s Mourid Islamic brotherhood.

The city has grown rapidly around the tomb of its respected founder to become the spiritual centre of Senegal.

With an estimated population of 1.8 million, Senegal’s second largest city after Dakar (census 2023), Touba boasts one of the largest and most beautiful Mosques in West Africa.

It hosts one of the largest annual pilgrimage festivals on the African continent and matters in Senegal’s political equation, such as the presidential election on Sunday.

Ordinary citizens and politicians alike have faith in Marabouts and Touba has the largest concentration of them.

Administratively, Touba is under Mbacke Department in the Diourbel region.

It has its unique governance system based on strict Islamic rules and regulations, including dress codes for men and women.

In Touba, women are required to be in their veils.

Short skirts and trousers are prohibited, while men are required to be properly dressed in no sagging trousers or body-revealing clothes.

Women activist groups and advocates of liberal Western democracy might have issues with Touba’s strict administrative rules, but there are no indications that these would change anytime soon.

The Grand Mosque of Dakar is the largest in Senegal. However, the Great Mosque of Touba, which was completed in 1963, with distinctive features such as the towering minaret and multiple blue and green domes, continues to dominate the City’s skyline.

It is open to everyone but with some restrictions on non-Muslims at certain times. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Paul Ejime

Dakar (Flowerbudnews):  After months of political uncertainty and tensions, all appears set for Senegal’s 7.03 million registered voters to choose their country’s new president at the rescheduled election on 24th March 2024

ECOWAS, the regional bloc is deploying 130 Long-term and Short-term observers led by Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Nigeria’s former Foreign Minister and United Nations Under-Secretary General to monitor the electoral processes.

Electioneering campaigns are ongoing, ending on the 23rd of March, across the nation’s 14 regions including the capital Dakar.

The 19 presidential candidates on the campaign trail include Amadou Ba, former Prime Minister and the flag bearer of the ruling APR party and outgoing President Macky Sall.

There is also Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the main opposition coalition, which includes the dissolved PASTEF of the recently released Ousmane Sonko and the only female candidate Anta Babacar Ngom of the ARC party.

Fourteen ECOWAS Long-term observers, LTOs, are already on ground monitoring various stages to ensure compliance with international standards.

They will be joined by their Short-term colleagues this week.

The LTO Team deployed to Diourbel and Louga regions, east and south-west of the national capital Dakar, have been engaging with major stakeholders to establish the level of preparations.

During meetings with the LTO Team, officials from the security agencies, police and gendarmerie, as well as the National Electoral Commission at the regional level, CEDA, regional Governors and Prefects of Diourbel and Louga confirmed their readiness and expressed optimism that the electoral processes would be peaceful.

They noted that substantial amounts of the Electoral materials had either been received, while others were being expected.

They appealed to the registered voters to come forward and collect the voters cards.

The Electoral Commission, CEDA,which supervises elections in the country, was also carrying out training of Electoral Controllers and Supervisors.

Senegal has continued to make incremental progress in gender mainstreaming, but only five of the country’s 46 Prefects and three of 14 regional Governors are female.

The head of CEDA in Diourbel is a female, while Louga is blazing the trail in gender inclusivity with a female Governor, a female Police Commissioner, and a female Prefect.

An official of the regional Association of Journalists and Media Workers in Diourbel Oumar Bayo Ba described the media space as relatively peaceful.

However, he cited as one difficulty, the fact that funds promised to journalists by government to facilitate their work during elections had not been released.

But, Ba also warned that for the media to maintain its neutrality and independence, journalists should not depend on the government’s financial support to carry out their constitutional functions, which is an obligation they owe the people. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Paul Ejime

Dakar (Flowerbudnews): Ahead of the 24th March crucial presidential election, Senegalese Christians on Sunday prayed for peaceful and transparent electoral process in their country.

Similar prayers were also held at various Mosques in the Muslim dominated country on Friday.

Abbe Jean Joe, who officiated the Mass at Our Lady of Victory, Diourbel, east of Dakar, the Senegalese capital, reflected on the Gospel of *John 12: 20-23,* especially the looming Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His resurrection, hence the admonition that a grain of wheat has to die in order to bear much fruit.

Abbe Joe, Dean of Diourbel Parishes and Parish Priests was joined in the Mass celebration by the Our Lady of Victory, Diourbel Parish Priest Abbe Pierre Claver Ndione and Fr. Marcel Mbengue.

The service was part of activities marking the Feast of the Legion of Mary, which brought together members of the group from various Parishes in Diourbel.

Senegal’s 7.03 million registered voters go to poll on the 24th of March to elect a new president from among 19 candidates, including one woman contender in the country of more than 18 million people.

Incumbent President Marcky Sall is not seeking re-election with his second term mandate ending on the 2nd of April 2024.

The run-up to the election had been characterised by uncertainty and political tensions over the rescheduling of the presidential vote, originally fixed for 25 February 2024.

The tensions have eased after the Constitutional Council’s recent intervention resulting in the election being rescheduled to the 24th of March, coupled with the general amnesty announced by President Sall leading to the release of some detainees, including opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the man he has anointed for the presidential vote, since he himself has been ruled out of the race. (Flowerbudnews)

 

 

By Paul Ejime

Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Nigeria’s former Foreign Minister, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General will lead a 120-member ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Senegal’s Presidential election rescheduled to the 24th of March 2024.

The Mission includes 14 Long-Term Observers (LTOs), who are experts in various fields, such as constitutional and electoral laws, election operations, conflict management and prevention, political analysis, gender and inclusivity, and the media.

They are being deployed this week and will be joined by 106 of their Short-Term colleagues from the 18th of March ahead of the crucial election featuring 19 presidential candidates, including one woman.

The short-term observers are drawn from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Electoral Commissions of the ECOWAS Member States, the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, the ECOWAS Parliament and Community Court of Justice, and Civil Society organizations in the region.

The EOM, which will support and monitor the electoral process to ensure best practices, will be supported by an ECOWAS Technical Team led by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Mr. Serigne Ka, acting Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division (EAD).

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, approved the deployment of the EOM to Senegal in line with Articles 12 to 14 of the regional Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance on support for member States holding elections.

Under Article 13 of the Supplementary Protocol, the Commission President had also deployed a pre-election fact-finding mission to Senegal from 26th November to 3rd December 2023. That Mission met with political stakeholders, including government officials, political parties, the National Electoral Commission, CENA, and non-state actors.

There are 7,033,854 registered voters from the country’s estimated population of 18,032,473, (49.4% females and 50.6% Males), slightly higher than the 6.7 million in the 2019 presidential election, which recorded about 66% voter turn-out when the outgoing President Macky Sall won reelection with 58% of the votes. Sall is not on the ballot for the 2024 election initially scheduled for the 25th of February 2024.

Senegal was among the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to hold multi-party presidential elections in 1978 before the wave of democratic transition in the 1990s. For this year’s election, some 338,040 Senegalese were registered in the diaspora.

The country has continued to hold presidential and legislative elections, sometimes marked by political tensions, but without significant threats to the stability of the country’s institutions.

Electioneering started on Sunday, the 9th of March. Voting officially opens from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., in 15,633 polling units of the 6,341 polling centers spread across the country’s 14 regions, including the capital Dakar.

The 19 presidential candidates cleared by the Constitutional Council include Amadou Ba, former Prime Minister, veteran opposition leader Idrissa Seck, and former Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall.

The only female candidate is entrepreneur Anta Babacar Ngom. The second, a gynecologist Rose Wardini withdrew from the race before the 24 March 2024 date was announced following allegations that she also has dual citizenship.

If none of the 19 candidates obtains an absolute majority of votes, there will be a run-off vote between the two frontrunners 15 days after the official declaration of the final results of the first round. (Flowerbudnews)