The Chairman, Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) Comrade, IDEHAI Frederick, his Exco and members of the association conferred on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar DICAN’s Grand Patron in an elaborate occasion at the minister’s conference hall in MFA, Abuja.
DICAN’s courtesy visit to former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Abuja
Courtesy visit by the Executive Council of Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) to the Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflicts Resolution, in Abuja.
Courtesy visit by the Executive Council of Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria DICAN to the Director General, Nigerian Technical Aids Corps, in Abuja.
Niger has made a significant move in asserting its cultural identity by declaring Hausa as its national language. This decision marks a shift away from the country’s colonial past, with French now designated as merely a working language.
The move is seen as a bold step towards decolonization and a reaffirmation of Niger’s rich cultural heritage. Hausa, widely spoken across the Sahel region, is not only a language but also a symbol of unity among various ethnic groups.
This change reflects Niger’s efforts to promote indigenous languages and cultures, aligning with broader trends across Africa. The decision has sparked discussions on language policy and cultural identity, with many welcoming the move as a step towards a more authentic national expression.
The implications of this change are significant, affecting various aspects of life, from education to government communications. As Niger embarks on this new path, the role of Hausa as a unifying force is expected to grow, fostering a stronger sense of national identity and pride.
The Team Leader of the five (5) new sets of Volunteers of Nigeria Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Mr. Michael Akubo has declared their commitment to perform to the very best of their abilities and make Nigeria Proud before their departure to Benin Republic.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and the DG of NTAC , Rt. Hon. Buba Yakub, for providing the remarkable opportunity.
The professional basketball couch specially poured encomium on Mr. President for his commitment to the volunteering scheme, adding that it takes a great and focused Leader to share, especially when you yourself do not have enough.
Earlier, the Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Nkem Anyata-Lafia to the Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub in a press statement affirmed that the five (5) Volunteers are deployed to the Republic of Benin to serve as responsible Technical Diplomats during their two-year stay in the country.
According to him, they five specialize in various fields; including Agriculture, Nursing, Engineering, Basketball, Academics, and the sciences and are currently employed in different institutions across Nigeria and are set to spend the next two years in their host countries before returning to their positions.
Having completed rigorous orientation exercises to prepare them for their assignments, they are ready for the challenges ahead.
The Volunteers, the former Lawmaker informed are selected under the Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) scheme and expected to contribute their skills and expertise to the development of the host country while promoting Nigeria’s interests and values.
Hon. Buba urged the volunteers to be excellent ambassadors of Nigeria and to understand that they are serving both humanity and their country.
the Director-General emphasized the importance of changing the narrative about Nigeria through this initiative and reiterated Nigeria’s Commitment to Providing Technical Support to African Countries.
He highlighted that the deployment of these volunteers demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to sharing its abundant human resources with African, Caribbean, and the Pacific, as well as its desire to exchange expertise and knowledge where needed.
Present at the Briefing were some Senior Staff at NTAC led by Mr. Adebowale Fehintola, (Assistant Director Programs) Mrs. Bukola Ejiwale, (Ministry Consular Administration), Mrs. ‘Bunmi Ojo, (Head Information/Public Relations) and Mr. Nkem Anyata-Lafia, Special Assistant to the DG on Media and Publicity, who represented the Director- General, among others.
Footnote:
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps is an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria dedicated to providing technical assistance to developing countries. Since its establishment in 1987, the Scheme has deployed over ten thousand volunteers to various countries and multilateral institutions around the world.
In a bold diplomatic move, Namibia has revoked visa-free entry for US travellers, effective April 1, 2025. This decision aims to promote reciprocal treatment and address the disparity in visa requirements between Namibia and countries like the US.
As of today, US citizens must obtain a visa to enter Namibia. The Namibian government has introduced a visa-on-arrival system, which will allow travellers to obtain a visa at the point of entry for a fee of approximately $90.
This policy shift is part of Namibia’s efforts to assert its sovereignty and demand equal treatment in international relations. The country’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security explained that Namibia has extended visa-free travel to many countries without receiving reciprocal treatment.
The move is expected to impact Namibia’s tourism sector, which contributes significantly to the country’s GDP. However, the government is confident that the visa-on-arrival system will not significantly impact tourism, as it remains a relatively straightforward process.
The decision has sparked concerns among US travellers, particularly those who were mining diamonds, gold, uranium, copper, and other minerals in Namibia without visas. Over 500 US citizens applied for visas after the announcement but were rejected and ordered to leave the country
Namibia’s bold diplomatic move is seen as a strategic response to assert its sovereignty and demand reciprocal treatment in international relations. As the country navigates this new policy, it remains to be seen how it will impact diplomatic relations, tourism, and the economy
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