The New Diplomat

Top Economist Tells Nigeria, Ghana, S’Africa, Others: Abolish IMF, World Bank Now in Africa

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:18:42 +0000

Says, “Their Policies “ll Crush Africa’s Future!” By Abiola Olawale In a fiery call to what he called pragmatic action, prominent Malawian economist, Mavuto Bamusi has ignited a fierce debate by urging the complete abolition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s policies in Africa. This is as Bamusi branded the policies of […]

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[VIDEO] Nigerians in Iran Cry to FG: No Ambassador, No Embassy Staff to Evacuate us as War Rages

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:32:22 +0000

Say, We ‘ve Been Left Stranded By Abiola Olawale As the skies over Iran rumble with the chaos of conflict, Nigerians stranded in the war-torn nation have cried out to the Federal government, claiming that despite its directive to the Nigerian embassy in Tehran to quickly evacuate Nigerians, officials of the Nigerian Mission have left […]

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News Analysis: EFCC, Due Process, and the SunTrust Executives Affair

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:39:51 +0000

By Nduka Nwosu The Case of Halima Buba, Innocent Mbagwu, Aisha Achimugu, and the EFCC In this analysis, Nduka Nwosu contends that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must rise above media theatrics and embrace the discipline of due process if it wishes to reclaim institutional credibility. For the past two weeks, Halima Buba […]

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N’East APC Summit: How Gov Zulum’s Boys Almost Lynched Me Over VP — APC Chieftain, Mustapha

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:27:30 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice-chairman (North East), Salihu Mustapha, has recounted his ordeal at the party’s recent summit in Gombe, stressing that he had a close shave with death. Mustapha maintained that he could have been lynched by the political thugs who disrupted the summit but his military training […]

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Dangote Speaks: Why We Rely Heavily on Crude Imports from the United States

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:23:30 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and president of the Dangote Group, has finally spoken out about the persistent reliance of his $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery on crude oil imports from the United States. Dangote confirmed that the refinery, located in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, is increasingly dependent on U.S. […]

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Terrorist Incursions: Why FG Must Fence Off Dangerous’ Nigeria-Niger Border — CDS, Musa

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:20:46 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has identified the Nigeria border with the Niger Republic as the most porous and dangerous, stressing that it must be fenced off to stop the incursion of terrorists into the country. Musa said that it was through the Niger border that terrorists such as […]

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2027: Tinubu, Shettima Have Excellent Working Relations, Says Presidency

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:15:03 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi The presidency has dismissed claims that President Tinubu’s record of changing deputies twice as Lagos governor lends credence to speculation that he’s planning to drop his current second-in-command, Kashim Shettima, ahead of 2027. The Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said his principal’s past decisions were informed by […]

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NADECO Writes Trump, Urges Visas Ban On Akpabio, Abbas, Ibas Over Emergency Rule in Rivers

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:12:03 +0000

NADECO Urges Trump to extend Ban to families By Kolawole Ojebisi A prominent pro-democracy organization, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has written a letter to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, demanding a visa ban on the trio of the Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and the appointed […]

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UK Offers Duty-Free Access on 99% of Nigerian Exports

The New Diplomat — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 10:57:25 +0000

Says Nigeria, 36 Other African Countries Beneficiaries By Abiola Olawale The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to granting Nigeria duty-free access on 99% of its exports. This announcement, made on June 20, 2025, signals the continuation of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), designed to turbocharge economic growth for nations like Nigeria while […]

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Iran’s Oil Exports Soar as Israel Attack Prompts Cargo Clearout

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:24:41 +0000

Iran’s oil exports have jumped since the nation came under attack from Israel on Friday, according to a firm that specializes in monitoring clandestine shipping. The Islamic Republic exported an average of 2.33 million barrels a day since June 13, according to data from TankerTrackers.com. That’s an increase off 44% compared with the year through […]

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Thai PM faces calls to quit after leaked phone call

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:17:32 +0000

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s coalition government is on the brink of collapse after a phone call between her and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen about a festering border dispute was leaked. The leak provoked public anger and prompted a key coalition partner of the 38-year-old Paetongtarn’s Peu Thai party to quit. In the call, […]

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Matawalle, Yari, Others Borrowed Money to Steal in Zamfara, Says Gov Lawal

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:11:05 +0000

I Met Only N4m in Govt Account By Kolawole Ojebisi The governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has stated that he’s averse to borrowing money from international and other financial institutions as a conduit for siphoning public funds. Lawal made this claim when asked how much he had borrowed since assuming office during an interview […]

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Why Forecasters Can’t Agree On When Oil Demand Will Peak

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:27:19 +0000

Oil demand is proving more resilient than expected, with forecasts suggesting a plateau rather than a sharp decline. Challenges such as cost and consumer hesitancy are impacting electric vehicle adoption rates. Geopolitical events and varying energy policies continue to play a significant role in shaping global oil markets. Oil demand is set to plateau rather […]

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Mambilla Power Project: Agunloye Cries Out, Says EFCC Out To Damage my Name

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:11:01 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi A former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before an Abuja High Court, demanding a sum of N1bn as damages. Agunloye told the court that the anti-graft commission is plotting to drag his name through the mud in relation to the Mambilla […]

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Israel-Iran War: FG Reiterates Moves to Evacuate Trapped Nigerians

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:06:36 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Government of Nigeria says it has finalized emergency evacuation plans for Nigerians stranded in Israel and Iran amid escalating military tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the development on Thursday through a press statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa. The ministry in its statement urged all affected […]

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Rivers N1.48trn Budget: We’ll Monitor Your Spendings, Senate Warns Ibas

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:54:25 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi The Nigerian Senate has vowed to keep tabs on the disbursement and implementation of the N1.48 trillion budget submitted by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.). The Red Chamber maintained that ensuring that every naira allocated in the 2025 Appropriation Bill delivers tangible results is part of […]

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Joy As Netherlands Returns 119 Looted Benin Bronzes

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:52:18 +0000

Elated Oba of Benin Thanks Tinubu, Buhari By Abiola Olawale The government of Netherlands has repatriated 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, handing them over to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II. These treasures, looted during the British invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897, were received […]

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Let’s Nurture Collaborative Spirit To End Economic Dependence On Western Nations, Tuggar Urges ECOWAS Members

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:47:16 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has advised West African countries to nuture the spirit of collegiality in the subregion so as to foster economic exchange and end continued dependence on former colonial powers. Tuggar, who doubles as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States Council of Ministers, […]

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Drama As Senate Rejects NNPC Account Statements, Probes Alleged ‘N210trn Fraud

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:40:51 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has faulted the audited financial statements released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on the grounds that it shows discrepancies totaling N210 trillion. The committee claimed that the discrepancies were discovered during a probe into the financial statements with the assistance of external auditors. The […]

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FCCPC Seals up France, Belgium, Italy Visa Centres in Abuja

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:37:17 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the visa application centres for France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja. The FCCPC cited allegations of extortion and obstruction of investigations as the reason for the move. The operation, backed by law enforcement, targeted the TLS Visa Application Centre, which has been […]

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Ben Murray-Bruce Warns: World War III Looms As Global Powers Fight Over Territory

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:01:28 +0000

By Abiola Olawale In a chilling forecast, Ben Murray-Bruce, the renowned founder of the Silverbird Group and former Nigerian senator, has sounded the alarm on an impending World War III. Speaking during an interview, Murray-Bruce painted a stark picture of a world teetering on the brink of catastrophic conflict. Yet, amidst the grim prophecy, he […]

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Lagos CP Explains Why Adefarasin’s Stun Gun Is illegal

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:55:29 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has explained why pointing a stun gun at someone is a criminal offence under Nigerian law, stressing that the lethality or otherwise of the device is inconsequential. The police boss made this assertion while giving an update on the investigation involving the Senior Pastor […]

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N1.48bn Budget Defence: Rivers Administrator, Ibas Arrives Senate

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:53:09 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), is currently before the Senate for hearing on the state’s ₦1.48 trillion budget proposal for 2025. The New Diplomat reports that Ibas was accompanied to the National Assembly complex by other key officials, including members of the economic team. The delegation are defending […]

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US Reopens Student Visa Applications for International Students

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:47:11 +0000

Warns On Social Media Accounts By Abiola Olawale The United States’ State Department has announced the resumption of student visa processing for international applicants, ending a month-long suspension that left thousands in limbo. This was contained in a statement issued by the State Department, which said that as a key requirement, applicants must make their […]

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[VIDEO] Alleged Defamation: Akpoti-Uduaghan Pleads Not Guilty, Granted N50m Bail

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:47:46 +0000

Trial Adjourned Till September 23 By Kolawole Ojebisi The suspended Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been granted a ₦50m bail by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. Justice Chizoba Orji granted Natasha the bail after she pleaded not guilty for alleged defamation on Thursday. The legislator was also asked to provide one […]

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Emirate Strips Ex-Kano SSG, Ganduje’s Ally Of Waziri Title After Criticising Gov. Yusuf

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:08:28 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi The political developments in Kano State may have started dictating the dynamics in the state’s traditional institution This is as the Gaya Emirate Council in Kano State withdrew the traditional title of Wazirin Gaya from a former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji. Usman Alhaji, who is also a […]

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FAAC Disburses N1.6trn To FG, States, LGs In May

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:03:10 +0000

VAT Revenue Rises By N100bn By Kolawole Ojebisi The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has furnished the public with the details of how it shared a total sum of N1.65 trillion among the three tiers of government as allocation for May. FAAC stated that the amount shared in May represents a decrease of N30 billion […]

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Benue Visit: Obi Blasts Tinubu for Wearing Celebratory ‘Agbada’ Instead of Mourning Attire

The New Diplomat — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:56:22 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi Former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi has berated President Bola Tinubu for turning his visit to Benue State into a carnival by deciding to “choose optics over empathy”. Obi maintained that Tinubu’s appearance did not reflect the sobriety demanded by the occasion but rather exuded gaiety, stressing that the president […]

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EFCC Nabs ex-Plateau Speaker, 14 Ex-Lawmakers over N2.5 Billion Fraud

The New Diplomat — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:22:01 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has nabbed Moses Thomas Sule, former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, alongside 14 other ex-lawmakers in a high-profile arrest over an alleged N2.5 billion scam. EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrests in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja. According […]

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How Ojukwu Breached Aburi Accord, Triggered Outbreak Of Civil War – Gowon

The New Diplomat — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:17:32 +0000

By Kolawole Ojebisi A former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has reflected on events preceding the outbreak of Nigeria’s civil war which happened under his watch, identifying the Aburi Accord as the last-ditch attempt that could have prevented the internecine strife. Gowon disclosed that a fundamental disagreement with the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu […]

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