The New Diplomat

Air Peace Faces Nationwide Disruption as Lessor Withdraws Aircraft

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 18:26:13 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s major carriers, is experiencing widespread flight disruptions, including delays and cancellations nationwide, following the withdrawal of three aircraft by a major lessor, SmartLynx Airlines. The operational setback, which has been ongoing for the past week, has impacted the airline’s schedule, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and prompting […]

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Ex-Anambra Commissioner Debunks Reports, Says Obiano Hale and Hearty

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:33:12 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, is alive and in good health, his former Commissioner for Information, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, has confirmed. The announcement comes in direct refutation of rumours circulating on social media suggesting the former governor had passed away. Adinuba dismissed the reports on Friday, describing them as […]

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Ranked: Countries With the Most GDP Per Capita Growth (2020-2025)

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:00:58 +0000

Key Takeaways Liechtenstein’s GDP per capita has grown by $67,713 since 2020, the largest absolute gain globally. Guyana saw the sharpest percentage increase in GDP per capita, surging 351% in five years, fueled by its rapidly expanding oil industry. Since 2020, U.S. GDP per capita has grown by $25,081, the seventh-highest increase in the world. […]

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Abuja choking on waste, Presidential aide warns Wike, urges action to avert health crisis

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:56:42 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has come under pressure to urgently tackle the growing waste crisis in Abuja amid warnings of a looming public health emergency. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, raised the alarm in a post on X […]

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CAF Announces Free E-Visas To Fans Travelling to Morocco Ahead of 2025 AFCON

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:47:11 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Confederation of African Football and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 Local Organising Committee has announced that all football fans travelling to the tournament will be eligible for free electronic visas. This announcement was made known in a press statement issued by CAF on Friday. CAF announced that it […]

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Court halts PDP convention, rules Lamido must be allowed to contest chairmanship

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:54:45 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Delivering judgment in a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) […]

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Asaba Mourns Chief Warrior Nwanze Oduah who Slumped, Died at Asagba’s 70th Birthday Celebration

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:50:05 +0000

By Obinna Uballa A tragic incident cast a pall over the 70th birthday celebration of the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge, SAN, on Thursday, as the Odogwu (Chief Warrior) of Asaba, Obi Nwanze Oduah, collapsed and reportedly died during the reception. Witnesses said the respected traditional titleholder suddenly slumped at […]

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Lt. A.M. Yerima is NOT the Son of Gen. M.M. Yerima

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:37:42 +0000

By Farooq Kperogi A social media contact familiar with Lt. A.M. Yerima reached out to me after my last update to say that the young man is not, as I had suggested, the scion of an upper-crust military family. His evidence was convincing. Yet many claims, including those circulated by popular AI chatbots such as […]

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Wike and Government Magic

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:04:47 +0000

By Fred Chukwuelobe I had a hot exchange with one guy who publishes an online newsletter called “Security Monitor.” The bone of contention was SaharaReporters exclusive story which alleged that there was a failed coup. He abused the publication and called it harbinger of fake news. I told him that a quality journalist is not […]

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PDP Shuns Wike as Damagum, Wabara, Other Delegates begin to Arrive in Oyo for Party’s National Convention

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:33:19 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The political spotlight in Nigeria has shifted to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, is set to hold its elective National Convention on Saturday, November 15th, and Sunday, November 16th, 2025. The New Diplomat reports […]

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JUST IN: Tinubu reappoints Buba Marwa as NDLEA chairman

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:20:44 +0000

By Obinna Uballa President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the reappointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for another five-year term, extending his leadership of the agency until 2031. Marwa, who first assumed the NDLEA chairmanship under former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, previously led […]

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[VIDEO] Irabor Lashes Wike: ‘Insulting a man in uniform is insulting the Nigerian state’

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:04:30 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The controversy surrounding the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a Commissioned naval officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima, has continued to generate attention, with former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd), warning that disrespecting uniformed personnel amounts to undermining the authority and sovereignty of the […]

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Tribute to Professor U. Joy Ogwu, OFR : A Mother Beyond the Permanent Mission

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:33:36 +0000

By Amb. Kio Solomon Amieyeofori The sad passing of *Professor U. Joy Ogwu, OFR,* former Foreign Minister and, to me, simply Her Excellency or “PR” (Permanent Representative), on 12 October, 2025, in New York, left me deeply heartbroken. Only days earlier, on 6 October, we had spoken briefly. Though feeling unwell, she summoned her characteristic […]

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Marketers Hail Tinubu For Shifting 15% Fuel Import Duty to 2026, Say Suspension Averts Price Surge

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 07:08:04 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Oil marketers and downstream operators have applauded President Bola Tinubu’s decision to shift the implementation of the proposed 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel to the first quarter of 2026, describing the move as timely, pragmatic, and crucial in preventing a fresh wave of fuel price increases and inflation. […]

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The World’s $111 Trillion in Government Debt, in One Giant Chart

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:55:44 +0000

Key Takeaways Gross public debt stands at $111 trillion globally in 2025, rising by $8.3 trillion since 2024. Together, the U.S. and China hold 51.8% of the world’s government debt. While global public debt is lower than pandemic highs in real terms, it remains stubbornly elevated at $111 trillion. This graphic shows world debt by […]

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Oil Stabilizes After Selloff Amid OPEC Reassessment and U.S. Funding Deal

The New Diplomat — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:52:32 +0000

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday after a sharp 4% slide the day before, with Brent trading near $63.08 and WTI around $58.80 at 11:01 a.m. ET, as traders reassessed the latest OPEC shift toward a more balanced 2026 market outlook. The passage of the U.S. funding deal that ended the government shutdown removed one macro problem, but crude […]

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W’Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles crush Gabon 4–1 in Morocco to reach Africa playoff final

Abiola Olawale — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:48:54 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Nigeria’s Super Eagles kept their World Cup dream alive on Thursday night with a dominant 4–1 win over Gabon in their Africa playoff semi-final clash in Morocco. The match started as a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to convert their chances. It was Akor Adams of Sevilla who finally broke the […]

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Wabara blames internal sabotage for PDP woes, insists Ibadan convention will hold

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:05:52 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the ongoing crisis within the party as self-inflicted but insisted that its national convention, scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, will proceed as planned. BoT Chairman and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, stated this on Thursday in Abuja […]

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Wike Breaks Silence, Says “I Respect Military, But Rule of Law Must Be Obeyed”

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:57:22 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims of a personal conflict with the Nigerian military following a confrontation with a naval officer over a disputed land in Abuja this week. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the Minister denied any “beef” with the Armed Forces, claiming that […]

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Crack in Obidient Movement as mobilisation chief quits, accuses Peter Obi of neglect, poor leadership

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:55:17 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Director of Mobilisation of the Obidient Movement, Morris Monye, has resigned from his position, citing poor coordination, lack of funding, and total neglect by the movement’s leader and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi. Monye, in a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, said that […]

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PANDEF demands national apology to Wike over clash with Naval officer

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:52:18 +0000

..as Lucky Irabor warns against disrespect to state authority By Obinna Uballa The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has demanded a national apology to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his recent confrontation with a naval officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima in Abuja, describing the incident as an affront on civil […]

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The Federal Government of Nigeria’s Decision to Retain English as the Medium of Instruction: A Necessary Step for National Development

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:29:12 +0000

By Sonny Iroche The recent announcement by the Federal Government of Nigeria cancelling the earlier National Language Policy (NLP) mandate, requiring Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and other indigenous languages to serve as the primary mediums of instruction in early education, has generated understandable debate. However, when examined through the lenses of global competitiveness, Nigeria’s developmental realities, […]

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[VIDEO] Solewant Group Sets Sight on Driving African Energy, Hosts 9th Energy Summit in Port Harcourt

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:34:05 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Solewant Group, a key indigenous player in Africa’s energy and industrial sector, is set to host the 9th Annual Energy Summit in Port Harcourt, reinforcing its commitment to technological innovation and continental self-reliance. Scheduled for November 26–28, 2025, at the Solewant Industrial Park in Alode-Onne, the event is said to be […]

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Matawalle Slams Wike Over Clash with Naval Officer, Says It’s Unnecessary

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:42:01 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The recent viral confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, has drawn sharp criticism from the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who described the public altercation as “unnecessary.” The incident, which occurred during Wike’s visit to a disputed […]

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UK economy stalls in Q3, raising pressure ahead of autumn budget

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:23:45 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The United Kingdom economy grew just 0.1% in the third quarter of 2025, according to preliminary figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), falling short of economists’ expectations of 0.2% growth and marking a slowdown from the 0.3% expansion recorded in Q2. Month-on-month, the economy contracted by 0.1% in September, following […]

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NMDPRA dismisses fuel scarcity fears, assures of adequate supply as oil output rises to 1.4mbpd

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:44:33 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid panic buying of petrol and diesel, assuring that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products across the country despite heightened demand. In a statement dated November 12, signed by the Director of Public Affairs, George […]

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Nwoko Speaks Again, Denies Marrying Regina Daniels at 17

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:07:11 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Senator Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State at the Senate, has refuted claims that he married Nollywood actress Regina Daniels when she was 17 years old. The lawmaker asserted that his wife was a consenting adult at the time of their union and labelled the allegations […]

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FG Halts Planned 15% Import Duty on PMS, Diesel Amid Public Outcry

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:00:16 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has suspended the planned 15% ad-valorem import duty on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel). The tariff, which was originally approved to protect local refining capacity and ensure energy security, had sparked widespread criticism and warnings of a significant increase in fuel prices […]

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Nigeria misses OPEC target for third month despite push for higher output quota

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:53:26 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Nigeria’s crude oil production inched up slightly to 1.401 million barrels per day (bpd) in October 2025, according to the latest Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Monthly Oil Market Report released on Wednesday. The figure represents a marginal rise from 1.39 million bpd in September, but remains below the country’s OPEC […]

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SAN: Wike Plotting to Set Tinubu Up With Military, Revoked 30 Hectares Of Land Owned By Top Military Officers, Reallocated Same To Associates Including INEC Chair Amupitan

The New Diplomat — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:39:42 +0000

Fresh details have emerged on the land dispute that triggered Tuesday’s confrontation between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and soldiers who stopped him and his officials from entering a property in Gudu district, Abuja. Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters, a legal practitioner involved in the case explained that the disputed 30-hectare land was initially […]

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