The New Diplomat https://newdiplomatng.com/ Nigeria's global voice Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:09:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://i0.wp.com/newdiplomatng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-newdip-1.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 The New Diplomat https://newdiplomatng.com/ 32 32 127640339 Visualized: 2028 U.S. Presidential Election Odds https://newdiplomatng.com/visualized-presidential/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:09:06 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285846 Key Takeaways Current U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance (28%) and Governor of California Gavin Newsom (23%) lead betting market odds for the 2028 U.S. President, followed by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 7%. Despite being ineligible for a third term, Donald Trump still holds 3.3% odds, while Elon Musk (1.1%) is also ineligible due to being […]

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]]> 285846 Fubara Cancels N134 Billion Secretariat Contract Awarded by Ibas, Demands Full Refund https://newdiplomatng.com/fubara-cancels-billion/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:02:42 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285844 By Abiola Olawale The Rivers State Government has annulled a N134 billion contract for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex, originally awarded by former Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (rtd.). The administration, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, also ordered the immediate refund of all payments made to the contractor. The decision was […]

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]]> 285844 Bandits raid Zamfara mosque, abduct worshippers during dawn prayers https://newdiplomatng.com/bandits-raid-zamfara-mosque/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:04:31 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285841 By Obinna Uballa Armed bandits on Thursday morning invaded a mosque in Maradawa, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, abducting several worshippers during the early morning (Subhi) prayers, reports said. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who arrived in large numbers, surrounded the mosque before whisking away an unspecified number of people into a nearby forest, […]

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]]> 285841 Fagbemi: Presidential pardon list under final review to ensure legal compliance https://newdiplomatng.com/fagbemi-presidential-pardon/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:01:13 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285838 By Obinna Uballa Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, says the recently approved presidential pardon list is undergoing a final administrative review to ensure full legal and procedural compliance before implementation. Fagbemi, in a statement on Thursday, explained that the process remains at its last stage, which involves verifying the […]

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]]> 285838 Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman https://newdiplomatng.com/senate-confirms-amupitan-inec/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:01:18 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285834 By Abiola Olawale The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as the substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His confirmation came after over two hours of questioning by senators, who pressed him on how he plans to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process […]

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]]> 285834 Pardon as an instrument of impunity, By Olusegun Adeniyi https://newdiplomatng.com/pardon-instrument-impunity/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:54:35 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285828 In the movie, ‘The Godfather’, which was based on Mario Puzo’s novel of same title, one of the most interesting scenes involved Amerigo Bonasera, a wealthy funeral home director, whose daughter had been brutally assaulted by two men. The case, of course, went to court but at the end of the obviously corrupted judicial process, […]

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]]> 285828 Mapped: Life Expectancy Around the World in 2025 https://newdiplomatng.com/mapped-life-expectancy-around/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:47:58 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285825 Key Takeaways Monaco has the world’s highest life expectancy at 86.5 years. Nigeria and Chad sit at the bottom of the global ranking, with averages below 56 years. Women outlive men in every country, with an average gap of five years globally. How long people live depends on far more than genetics, with access to healthcare, diet, […]

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]]> 285825 Drama as INEC Demands N1.5bn Fee to Print Voter Register after FOI Request https://newdiplomatng.com/drama-inec-demands-fee-print/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:00:48 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285823 By Abiola Olawale In a move that has ignited controversy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for Nigeria’s National Register of Voters but slapped a N1.5 billion processing fee on the applicant. The New Diplomat reports that the request originated from V-C Ottaokpuku & Associates, a prominent […]

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]]> 285823 Crisis looms in Bayelsa as lawmakers move to impeach Deputy Gov over refusal to join APC with Diri https://newdiplomatng.com/crisis-looms-bayelsa-lawmakers/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:38:54 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285817 By Obinna Uballa Tension has gripped Bayelsa State following reports that members of the State House of Assembly are plotting to impeach Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for refusing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Douye Diri. Governor Diri had on Wednesday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through […]

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]]> 285817 China slams US ‘distortions’ over rare earth curbs, says new export rules follow global standards https://newdiplomatng.com/china-slams-distortions/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:24:54 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285815 By Obinna Uballa China has accused the United States of exaggerating and misrepresenting its new rare earth export licensing rules, insisting that the measures are consistent with international practice and that Washington was notified ahead of their announcement. Beijing’s strong reaction came on Thursday after US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, accused China of […]

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]]> 285815 NCAA slams Orji Kalu over ‘drug-using pilots’ claim, says allegation false, misleading https://newdiplomatng.com/ncaa-slams-orji-kalu-drug/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:45:21 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285811 By Obinna Uballa The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has strongly dismissed allegations by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during senate plenary on Wednesday that Nigerian pilots routinely operate aircraft under the influence of drugs, describing his comments as false, unfounded, and damaging to the country’s aviation reputation. Reacting to Kalu’s remarks on the Senate floor, […]

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]]> 285811 Ex-President Jonathan Mourns Passing of Kenyan Political Giant Raila Odinga https://newdiplomatng.com/president-jonathan-mourns-2/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:53:44 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285809 By Abiola Olawale A former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed his sadness over the death of Kenya’s political titan and former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80. The New Diplomat reports that ​Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan and African politics, died in India where […]

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]]> 285809 Kanu Fit to Stand Trial, Ailment Not Life-Threatening, NMA Panel Declares in Court-Ordered Report https://newdiplomatng.com/kanu-fit-stand-trial-ailment/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:02:16 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285807 By Abiola Olawale The ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has taken another turn following the submission of a critical medical report by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). The expert panel constituted by the NMA President, in compliance with a Federal High Court order, has concluded […]

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]]> 285807 Nestle shares jump 7% as new CEO announces sweeping plan to cut 16,000 jobs https://newdiplomatng.com/nestle-shares-jump-ceo/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:05:15 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285797 By Obinna Uballa Nestle shares surged more than 7% on Thursday after the global consumer goods giant announced plans to slash 16,000 jobs worldwide as part of a sweeping cost-cutting and restructuring drive under its new Chief Executive Officer, Philipp Navratil. The Swiss-based maker of Nescafé, KitKat and Maggi said the cuts, comprising 12,000 white-collar […]

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]]> 285797 PDP: Okonkwo urges INEC to Declare Diri’s Seat Vacant as Bayelsa LG Chiefs, Lawmakers Back Gov’s Exit https://newdiplomatng.com/okonkwo-urges-inec-declare/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:36:56 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285794 Okonkwo urges INEC to declare Diri’s seat vacant as Bayelsa LG chairmen, lawmakers back govr’s PDP exit By Obinna Uballa Following the resignation of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nollywood actor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) […]

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]]> 285794 Oil Prices Rebound After Trump Claims India Will Curb Russian Oil Imports https://newdiplomatng.com/oil-prices-rebound-after-trump/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:28:30 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285792 Oil prices recovered slightly in early Asian trade on Thursday after a steep drop that pushed WTI and Brent to five-month lows the day before. The rebound was fueled by renewed optimism over U.S. pressure on India to curb its imports of Russian crude, which could tighten arbitrage flows and compress margins for buyers. At […]

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]]> 285792 Peter Obi Slams ‘Defection Politics,’ Vows to Resist South-East ‘Capture’ https://newdiplomatng.com/peter-obi-slams-defection/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:29:11 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285784 A former Anambra State Governor and the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned the current wave of defection politics sweeping through Nigeria’s political landscape. This is as Obi slammed politicians for focusing on what he described as personal gain over public good The former Governor also criticized politicians for […]

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]]> 285784 [VIDEO] Finance Minister Wale Edun Makes First Public Appearance at London Art Fair Amid Health Concerns https://newdiplomatng.com/video-finance-minister-wale/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:23:47 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285779 By Abiola Olawale ​Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, made a public appearance at the prestigious 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London on Wednesday. The development comes amid speculation about Edun’s health. ​The outing, captured in a brief video shared on social media, marked the first public […]

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]]> 285779 Why is Nigeria’s head not correct?, Funke Egbemode https://newdiplomatng.com/why-nigeria-head-correct/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:45:01 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285776 Forty-six years ago, there once existed a small fishing village called Bao’on County with a population of 30,000 people quietly fishing and selling their fishes. It had only one major road, an old street with a few inner roads leading off it. A few shops and restaurants were Bao’on’s only claim to modernity. Today it […]

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]]> 285776 [Video] Dickson Blasts Gov Diri’s Defection, Says it Makes No Sense https://newdiplomatng.com/video-dickson-blasts-gov-diri/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:26:55 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285768 By Abiola Olawale Senator Seriake Dickson, the lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District of Bayelsa State at the Senate, has criticised his successor, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is as Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, declared that he doesn’t understand the reason why Diri, […]

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]]> 285768 Ranked: The World’s Largest Merchant Ship Fleets by Country https://newdiplomatng.com/ranked-the-world-largest-4/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:18:53 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285765 Key Takeaways Indonesia tops the global ranking with over 11,000 merchant ships — a reflection of its massive archipelago, large domestic economy, and laws requiring ships in its waters to fly the Indonesian flag. Panama is the world’s 3rd largest ship registry — thanks to its open ‘flag of convenience’ system, which allows global shipowners to […]

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]]> 285765 [Video] Wike Mocks Defected PDP Govs: Those Who Accused Me of Working for Tinubu Are Now in APC https://newdiplomatng.com/wike-mocks-defected-pdp-govs/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:13:21 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285762 By Obinna Uballa The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at governors and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying their move vindicates him after years of being accused of undermining the opposition party. Speaking on Wednesday during […]

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]]> 285762 Nigeria’s inflation drops to 18.02% in September, lowest in over a year https://newdiplomatng.com/nigeria-inflation-drops/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:35:07 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285760 By Obinna Uballa Nigeria’s inflation rate eased sharply to 18.02% in September 2025, its lowest level in more than a year, down from 20.12% recorded in August, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The latest figures indicate a significant moderation in price increases across key sectors of the economy, signaling […]

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]]> 285760 Breaking! Governor Douye Diri Dumps PDP [Video] https://newdiplomatng.com/breaking-governor-douye-diri/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:02:44 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285753 By Abiola Olawale Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has reportedly ditched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday. According to reports emerging on Wednesday, Diri alongside 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, dumped the PDP. While their destination remains sketchy as of press time, an insider source said they are heading to […]

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]]> 285753 OPEC Chief: The World Needs $18.2 Trillion in Oil and Gas Investment https://newdiplomatng.com/opec-chief-the-world-needs/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:31:50 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285751 OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais emphasizes the critical need for continued investment in oil and gas, projecting their substantial role in the global energy mix until 2050. Primary energy demand is expected to increase by 23% by 2050, with oil still accounting for 30% of total global energy consumption, necessitating $18.2 trillion in oil […]

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]]> 285751 Defection fever grips PDP as Taraba gov, other bigwigs plot move to APC https://newdiplomatng.com/defection-fever-grips-pdp/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:32:31 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285748 By Obinna Uballa A major political realignment is underway as Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, appears set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following in the footsteps of Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, who formally joined the APC on Tuesday. The planned defection, which has sparked intense debate […]

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]]> 285748 Heavy casualties as Pakistan, Afghanistan border clashes escalate into full-blown conflict https://newdiplomatng.com/heavy-casualties-pakistan/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:27:15 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285744 By Obinna Uballa Dozens of troops and civilians have been killed in fierce cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as hostilities between the two neighbours entered a second week on Wednesday. Officials on both sides confirmed the escalating violence, which erupted after a string of deadly explosions in Afghanistan last week – including two in […]

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]]> 285744 Tears as Ex-Kenyan PM Raila Odinga Passes Away at 80 https://newdiplomatng.com/tears-kenyan-raila-odinga/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:18:11 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285741 Tears as Ex-Kenyan PM Raila Odinga Passes Away at 80 By Abiola Olawale In a heartbreaking moment that has plunged Kenya into mourning, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has passed away at the age of 80. The news was confirmed early Wednesday from a hospital in southern India. Odinga was said to have suffered a […]

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]]> 285741 Super Eagles to Face Gabon in 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Offs https://newdiplomatng.com/super-eagles-face-gabon/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:52:41 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285739 By Abiola Olawale The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to battle Gabon’s Panthers in the semi-finals of the African zone play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The development comes hot on the heels of Nigeria’s 4-0 thrashing of the Benin Republic. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the pairings, slotting the three-time […]

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]]> 285739 [Video] I Will Send You Back If You Don’t Wear Tinubu-Branded Outfits– Okpebholo Tells Cabinet Members https://newdiplomatng.com/video-will-send-you-back-you/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:13:59 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285735 By Abiola Olawale Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has mandated that all commissioners and special advisers in his administration wear the “Asiwaju cap”, a signature accessory emblazoned with branding for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during official engagements. The governor gave the directive on Tuesday while swearing in newly appointed commissioners and inaugurating commissions and boards […]

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