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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a meeting with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, arrived in Nigeria on a two-day working visit. He was welcomed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by Dunoma Umar Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sources reveal that the discussions focus on the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in China. Key topics include economic cooperation, political relations, and developments in the oil and gas sector.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, is also in attendance at the meeting.

Both foreign ministers are expected to address the press following their closed-door talks.

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the last election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the increasing crime rate in Nigeria, particularly kidnappings, describing the situation as alarming and worrisome.

Obi’s remarks followed recent incidents, including the abduction of two Catholic reverend sisters by unknown gunmen and the killing of the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala.

The sisters were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Condemning the incidents, Obi stated, “No one is currently spared from the dangerous wave of kidnappings and killings sweeping through many parts of the nation. Every Nigerian feels the heat of insecurity, which has continued to affect every aspect of our nation.”

He highlighted the impact on critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare, citing instances where farmers, teachers, and health workers have been targeted.

“These are people contributing immensely to our national development through their sacrifices in farms, educational and health facilities in different remote villages. Nothing justifies these kidnaps and killings, as well as those of many Nigerians who suffer the same fate daily,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor called on the government to intensify efforts to address the insecurity, urging leaders to take urgent action to rescue those in captivity and curb the menace.

“This worrisome situation continues to demand urgent attention from us, the leaders. One wonders if the reported cases of kidnapping and killings are this much, then how many go unreported? I appeal to the government to employ every security arsenal at its disposal to end this menace and ensure the safe rescue of those in captivity,” he added.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has dismissed concerns over a potential coalition of opposition parties aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the nation’s progress, Sule lauded President Bola Tinubu’s policies, attributing them to consistent economic growth and improved production levels. He described these developments as evidence of the administration’s positive impact.

The governor also praised the successful rehabilitation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries under Tinubu’s leadership, calling it a significant achievement worthy of recognition and celebration.

Meanwhile, speculation persists about secret meetings among key political figures exploring alliances and realignments to reshape the political landscape before the next elections.

Gunmen stormed Chad’s presidential complex in the capital, N’Djamena, on Wednesday evening, sparking a firefight that left 19 people dead, the government confirmed.

The assault, launched by a 24-member commando unit, resulted in the deaths of 18 attackers and one security personnel member. Six other attackers were injured, along with three members of the security forces, one of whom is in critical condition, according to government spokesperson and Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah.

Gunfire erupted near the presidential complex around 7:45 pm local time (1845 GMT), with tanks deployed on the streets as security forces responded. All roads leading to the presidency were blocked during the operation, according to eyewitness reports.

“The situation is completely under control… the destabilisation attempt was put down,” Koulamallah said in a video posted on Facebook, flanked by soldiers and visibly armed.

Security sources identified the attackers as members of the Boko Haram jihadist group, which Chadian forces have been battling in the Lake Chad region bordering Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.

Chad, currently under military rule, has faced ongoing attacks from Boko Haram and broader security challenges. The country recently ended a military agreement with former colonial power France and has been accused of meddling in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

The government has not disclosed further details on the motives behind the assault, but investigations are underway.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order for the freezing and forfeiture of over ₦228.4 million linked to former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, to the Federal Government over alleged money laundering.

The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Nwite also directed the EFCC to publish the order on its official website and in the Daily Trust newspaper.

As part of the order, interested parties have 14 days from the date of publication to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.

The case has been adjourned to February 3 for a compliance report.

The EFCC, in its application, sought the interim forfeiture of ₦228,497,773.12 held in an account with a commercial bank, alleging that the sum was found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd and is suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The Diplomatic Institute hosted Uganda’s Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Esther Davinia Anyakun, and her delegation this week for a professional seminar focused on agriculture, labor, exports, and business relations with Israel.

During the seminar, the minister sought Israel’s support in improving Uganda’s agricultural practices, export readiness, crop selection, water technologies, and advancing a labor agreement to facilitate Ugandan workers joining Israel’s agricultural workforce.

The delegation participated in extensive training, including:

Enhancing Uganda’s global competitiveness based on World Economic Forum guidelines.
Modern agro-marketing techniques.
Dignity farming practices.
Exporting value-added Ugandan products to high-standard markets like the EU.
Developing an agriculture-focused innovation ecosystem.
Establishing leadership and logistics centers.
Promoting skilled Ugandan labor for Israel’s workforce.
Leveraging the Ugandan diaspora by fostering local community leaders worldwide.
Key meetings included discussions with Israeli serial entrepreneur Dr. Ron Adany, founder of Crafts of Africa, who presented his e-commerce initiative and its impact on African markets. The delegation also met with Kan-Tor-Acco Law Firm’s Zvi Kan-Tor and Amit Acco, experts in global labor mobility, to explore pathways for importing Ugandan labor under Israel’s expanded foreign worker quota.

The seminar aimed to strengthen Uganda-Israel ties and promote economic growth through collaborative initiatives in agriculture, labor, and innovation.