The New Diplomat

Beneath the Surface, By Dakuku Peterside

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:41:27 +0000

Beneath the surface is where the true story is. What we notice—headlines, viral videos, social media mention, quarterly results—is just the small visible part. Below the surface are the deeper forces: motivations, systems, identities, and daily habits that shape our public life. Going deeper is not about mystery; it’s a clear approach. It helps us […]

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42 dead, 49 injured as bus plunges off mountain pass in South Africa

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:21:03 +0000

By Obinna Uballa At least 42 people have been confirmed dead and 49 others injured after a passenger bus carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals veered off a steep mountain pass along South Africa’s N1 highway in Limpopo Province on Sunday night. Authorities said the bus, which was travelling from the city of Gqeberha in the […]

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Herbert Macaulay’s Pardon, Oseni And Umahi; By Festus Adedayo

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:07:24 +0000

Words are sacred sovereign objects. This sacredness makes them very essential to democratic freedom. In his poem, ‘The Word Is An Egg’, great Nigerian poet and dramatist, Niyi Osundare, demonstrated the primacy of the word, whether written or spoken. To show the uniqueness of the word, Osundare’s Yoruba people say, like the broken egg, when […]

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The World’s 20 Fastest Growing Populations

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:29:40 +0000

Key Takeaways Africa is home to 16 of the top 20 fastest-growing populations, while the Middle East holds four. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is forecast to reach a population of 225.6 million—up from 112.8 million—as soon as 2047. At current rates, it will take 133 years for America’s population to double given aging […]

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Wale Edun: Presidency dispels rumours of stroke, says Finance Minister recuperating in Abuja

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:09:51 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Presidency on Sunday dismissed reports claiming that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, suffered a stroke and was flown abroad for medical treatment. Multiple presidential sources, according to The Nation Newspaper, confirmed that Edun, 69, is recuperating at his Abuja residence after taking ill […]

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FG Insists All ASUU Demands Have Been Met, Says No Justification for Strike Action

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:01:47 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared that every outstanding demand from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been fully addressed. This is as the government asserted that the union’s warning strike is “unnecessary and disruptive.” Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa made this known on Monday while speaking during […]

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Floods devastate 27 states, kill 236 Nigerians, displace over 135,000 – NEMA

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:53:39 +0000

By Obinna Uballa At least 236 people have died and more than 135,000 displaced following severe floods that have ravaged 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since the start of the year, according to the latest situation report from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The 2025 Flood Dashboard released by NEMA revealed […]

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Nigeria’s Corruption, Waste, and the Futility of Blaming the West

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:48:55 +0000

By Sonny Iroche Introduction For decades, Nigeria has struggled under the crushing weight of corruption, profligacy, and waste, both in the public and private sectors. Despite immense natural resources and a youthful population brimming with potential, the country’s progress remains hobbled by an entrenched culture of greed, inefficiency, and poor governance. Yet, while Nigerians lament […]

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Fubara Set to Submit Fresh Commissioner Nominees to Rivers Assembly

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:39:13 +0000

Retains Eight Commissioners By Abiola Olawale In a move signaling the normalization of governance following six months of federal emergency rule, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is set to transmit a fresh list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly. The anticipated submission comes as the state legislature, reconvened just weeks […]

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Trump-brokered ceasefire: Hamas begins release of Israeli hostages, says 67,806 people killed

Hamilton Nwosa — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:34:34 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Hamas on Monday began releasing Israeli hostages under a landmark ceasefire agreement brokered by United States President Donald Trump, marking what many hope will be the end of the devastating two-year Gaza war, AFP reported. According to the Israeli military and security service, the first seven of 20 surviving hostages were handed […]

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Trump Declares ‘War Is Over’ in Gaza as He Begins Middle East Diplomatic Visit

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:32:19 +0000

By Abiola Olawale United States President Donald Trump declared the “war is over” in Gaza, just hours before touching down in Israel for a diplomatic push in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the region, Trump emphasized the end of the two-year conflict that has ravaged Gaza since […]

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Presidency Gives Update on Edun’s Health, Says He is Recovering

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:29:28 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Presidency has confirmed that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is recovering from a sudden illness at his Abuja residence, with no immediate plans for his replacement under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The update comes as the Presidency confirmed earlier that Edun would not be […]

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Oil Prices Rebound After a Sharp Selloff

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:12:24 +0000

Oil prices rebounded in early Asian trading on Monday, recovering from sharp losses in the previous session as investors grew cautiously optimistic that potential talks between President Trump and President Xi could ease tensions between the world’s two largest economies and oil consumers. At the time of writing, Brent was up 1.64% at $63.76, while WTI had risen 1.73% […]

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Confirms Wale Edun’s indisposition, names Cardoso to lead Nigeria’s delegation to World Bank-IMF meetings

The New Diplomat — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:05:24 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Presidency on Sunday confirmed that Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, is “indisposed,” and announced that Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will lead the country’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings scheduled […]

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Nigerian Varsities Set to Shut Down as ASUU Declares Nationwide Two-Week Warning Strike

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:20:29 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially declared a comprehensive two-week warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria. The action is set to begin at midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025. ASUU’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the decision during a press briefing at the University of Abuja […]

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Umahi Declares: It’s not yet South East’s turn to produce Nigeria’s president

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:14:20 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has told Nigerians from the South East to exercise patience in their quest for the presidency, insisting that it is “not yet the region’s turn” to produce the country’s next leader. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, […]

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Madagascar Crisis: Mutinous soldiers claim control as President Rajoelina warns of coup attempt

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:30:41 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Madagascar plunged deeper into political turmoil on Sunday after a renegade army unit declared it had seized control of all military forces in the country, prompting President Andry Rajoelina to accuse the group of attempting to “seize power illegally and by force.” Reports said the mutinous CAPSAT contingent, a corps of administrative […]

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Atiku expresses worry over youths losing hope in Nigeria, urges massive participation in 2027

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:26:04 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing loss of hope among young Nigerians about the future of the country, urging them not to give up but to remain engaged in the democratic […]

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Tinubu Heads to Rome for High-Stakes Global Counter-Terrorism Summit

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:21:35 +0000

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on a diplomatic mission to Rome, Italy, to attend an international counter-terrorism summit. It was gathered that the summit is aimed at addressing the growing threat of global terrorism. The New Diplomat reports that the summit, hosted by the Italian government, brings together heads of state, […]

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Presidency Accuses US Lawmakers of Weaponizing ‘Christian Genocide’ Claims Over Nigeria’s Gaza Stance

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:15:54 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Nigerian Presidency has accused influential United States lawmakers of allegedly fabricating and amplifying claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria as retaliation for the country’s criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. This is as Daniel Bwala, special adviser to the president on policy communication, dismissed the allegations as “Western propaganda” […]

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[PHOTOS] Peter Obi Embarks on Spiritual Quest in Rome, Seeks Divine Intervention for Nigeria

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:01:02 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, visited Rome, Italy to pray for Nigeria. Joined by his wife, Margaret, Obi, a two-term governor of Anambra State, said he undertook a sacred pilgrimage to Rome during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year. He said he prayed for Nigeria’s healing, peace, and responsible leadership. […]

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SERAP Writes Newly Nominated INEC Chair, Demands Prosecution of Electoral Offenders

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 12:49:44 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Joash Amupitan, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to launch swift prosecutions against politicians and their sponsors implicated in grave electoral offenses. SERAP’s letter, dated October 11, 2025, and signed by Deputy Director […]

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Trump Escalates Trade War: Slaps 130% Tariffs on Chinese Goods

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 09:17:19 +0000

By Obinna Uballa President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new trade measures against China, declaring that the United States will impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports, on top of the existing 30%, starting November 1 or sooner. The move marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and Beijing, effectively reviving the trade […]

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Senior Advocates of No-Consequence (SANs), By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

The New Diplomat — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 08:41:48 +0000

The ritual of the “Call to Bar” is the formal ceremony for the admission of new entrants into Nigeria’s legal profession. The responsibility for administering it resides in the Body of Benchers (BoB), a statutory entity described by law as “a body of legal practitioners of the highest distinction in the legal profession in Nigeria.” The solemnity […]

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How Much Mercury is in the Fish You Eat?

The New Diplomat — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:38:17 +0000

Low-mercury seafood options include scallops, clams, shrimp, and salmon, all with less than 0.02 ppm. Top predators like swordfish, shark, and Gulf of Mexico tilefish have the highest mercury levels, some over 1.0 ppm. Experts recommend eating high-mercury fish no more than 3 times a month, or avoiding them entirely. Mercury in fish is a […]

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[FULL LIST] Presidency Unveils Names of Beneficiaries of Tinubu’s Presidential Pardon

The New Diplomat — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:02:33 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Nigerian Presidency has officially unveiled the names of 175 beneficiaries granted clemency under President Bola Tinubu’s presidential prerogative of mercy. The announcement, ratified by the Council of State on October 9, 2025, includes posthumous pardons for iconic figures like Herbert Macaulay and Major-General Mamman Vatsa, alongside living convicts such as former […]

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Arise TV Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu’s Burial Date Announced

The New Diplomat — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 15:49:18 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The family of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a 29-year-old Arise News anchor, reporter, and producer, has unveiled a schedule for her funeral rites, culminating in her burial on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Known affectionately as “Sommie,” Maduagwu’s tragic death during an armed robbery in Abuja has sparked widespread grief, tributes, and renewed demands […]

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A list of this year’s Nobel Prize winners so far

The New Diplomat — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 14:24:32 +0000

The awarding Friday of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado brought this week’s Nobel announcements to a conclusion. Only the economics prize remains, to be awarded Monday. The peace prize is the only Nobel awarded in Oslo, Norway. The others are awarded in Stockholm. The award ceremony will be held on Dec. 10, […]

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Oil Prices Drop to $59 on Gaza Ceasefire and Trump’s China Tariff Threat

The New Diplomat — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 13:37:15 +0000

WTI crude tumbled below the critical $60 per barrel mark for the first time since May, with front-month futures settling at $58.90 per barrel for a steep 4.24% loss on Friday, October 10. The international benchmark, Brent, followed suit, closing down 3.82% at $62.73 per barrel. This decisive collapse was driven by a powerful one-two […]

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Why Forgiveness Is Hard, By Funke Egbemode

The New Diplomat — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 13:29:46 +0000

Ebun noticed that her husband was avoiding intimacy with her. He was travelling more, sleeping outside the home under one flimsy excuse or the other. The traffic was terrible. I did not want to drive home that late because my spare tyre is bad. I had had an extra bottle of beer and my friends […]

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