The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • Trump White House’s new press policy raises concerns among reporters, media editors

    Trump White House’s new press policy raises concerns among reporters, media editors

    The plan by the White House to tighten the noose on anti-President Donald Trump media and reward those in support of his government has raised concerns among some media houses and editors in the United States (U.S.).

    Tuesday’s announcement about President Trump’s press operation taking over “press pool” organising duties is part of the plan.

    At the White House, and at key agencies like the Defence Department, the plan is obvious: Punish traditional journalists who ask tough questions and promote a parallel universe of pro-Trump media outlets.

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    According to some editors, the administration is clearly trying to exert more control over who asks questions – and what they ask.

    Journalists, newsroom leaders and press freedom groups are all objecting to the changes, to no avail.

    Editors at the sidelined news outlets are speaking out now. In a rare joint statement on Wednesday, the top editors of The AP, Reuters and Bloomberg – the three wire services that were, until this month, daily fixtures in the press pool – said the White House’s changes are harmful to the public.

    “It is essential in a democracy for the public to have access to news about their government from an independent, free press,” the editors said.

  • Ukraine joining NATO is ‘not going to happen’, says Trump

    Ukraine joining NATO is ‘not going to happen’, says Trump

    President Trump doubled down yesterday on his opposition to Ukraine joining the NATO military alliance as he prepares to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House today.

    “Look, it’s not going to happen. … I could be very nice and say, ’Oh, well, we’ll look into it.’ It’s just not going to happen,” Trump said.

    Trump’s remarks came during an Oval Office meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

    Zelenskyy, who will visit with Mr. Trump and sign a rare earth mineral deal, has long sought membership in NATO for his country. This month, the Ukrainian leader said he would go so far as to leave office in exchange for peace or NATO membership.

    Trump said Wednesday that he hopes to soon speak face to face with Russian President Vladimir Putin in hopes of reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine that began when Moscow invaded in February 2022.

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    The Republican president declined to detail what concessions he would ask the two sides to make, but he underscored his administration’s position that Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO, the Western military alliance, is not tenable.

    “NATO, you can forget about it,” Trump said. “I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”

    Zelenskyy will visit the White House today to sign a long-sought minerals deal that will closely tie the two countries together for years to come.

  • EU backs strengthening of local council polls

    EU backs strengthening of local council polls

    The European Union has said it would continue to support the strengthening and improvement of local elections and local democracy in Nigeria.

    Team Leader, Governance, Peace and Migration, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ruben Aguilera, said this during the unveiling of a study titled “The State of the State Independent Electoral Commissions in Nigeria” by DAI in Abuja.

    The study, funded by the EU, highlighted some challenges that State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) face in conducting local elections, including partisan appointments, inadequate funding, and lack of autonomy.

    It also identified several opportunities for reform and improvement, especially in the context of the Supreme Court judgment regarding funding and democratic elections in Local Government Councils, which has led to several local government elections being held since July 2024.

    Aguilera explained that local elections are the most important because they are the closest to the people.

    He said: “Today, we’ve come together for one of the activities of one of the EU’s flagship programmes – the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN). We would like to see local elections being conducted everywhere in Nigeria so people can actually choose their local representatives, making sure that they are also closer to the people and can be held accountable. This way, they (Local Government Chairmen and councillors) can bring solutions to people’s problems, including health, education, and others.

    “There is a window of opportunity now because there is a Constitutional reform process ongoing, and we will continue to support this process by strengthening platforms of civic engagement.”

    In his remarks, the chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while highlighting the importance of local government elections, said that if the country does not get it right at the local government level, it is unlikely that it will ever get it right at the top.

    He, therefore, commended the efforts of DAI, with funding support from the EU, for coming up with the analytic study on the state of SIECs in Nigeria.

    Read Also: EU seeks increased youth participation in elections

    He said: “The SIECs and INEC are creations of the Constitution. But the Constitution saddles the SIECs with the responsibility for conducting local government elections. The Constitution, at the same time, saddles INEC with the responsibility of conducting national and state elections. While INEC conducts elections at all levels, the SIECs only conduct local government elections.

    “To this extent, INEC has been interfacing with the SIECs for a long period, to the extent that there is a forum called FOSIECON, and we have been meeting with them.

    “I have noticed that there has not been any serious study on the conduct of local government elections by the SIECs. I am excited by what DAI has done, and I’m excited that the EU-SDGN is supporting this initiative.”

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, said, “SIEC is a creation of the Constitution just like INEC. But in any country, there must still be some guiding principles. As much as SIECs should be able to regulate some of their activities, there must be basic laws that must guide every one of them.

    “INEC should, as of today, have the power to enforce the guidelines being used at the general election to be the basis for other elections at the local government. Therefore, if they want to have their election, there should be regulations that they must obey.

    “Part of the way to strengthen SIECs is to make them independent. If there is no financial independence, then we are not talking about independence.”

    DAI’s Team Lead, Rudolf Elbling, said that free, fair, and credible local government elections are the foundation of a functioning democracy at the grassroots level, as local government elections help to build strong, responsive, and accountable institutions that can effectively serve the community on the local level.

    He said: “This study has the objective to investigate the impediments and difficulties SIECs face to organize credible government elections and produce recommendations for national and international stakeholders for cooperation and support, especially the National Assembly, State Assemblies, INEC, and international partners.

    “Local governments play a critical role in addressing the everyday needs of citizens, such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Fair elections ensure that the best candidates, who understand the local issues and have the community’s best interests at heart, are elected.”

    In his remarks, Election Administration Expert for DAI, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, stated that among the challenges SIECs face in conducting local elections include political interference, limited financial autonomy, and capacity constraints.

    “State governments often impede their independence, impacting the credibility of elections. Despite challenges, the Supreme Court’s recent judgment supports Local Government Councils’ autonomy, prompting reforms,” he said.

    The study identified six key reform areas to strengthen SIECs in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities. They include: Creating a Coalition for Local Election Administration Reforms, implementing legal and technical reforms, and promoting the institutional development of SIECs and the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (FOSIECON), their umbrella body.

    Others are: Enhancing election observation by civil society, fostering collaboration between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and SIECs, and improving knowledge production and dissemination on SIECs. These reforms aim to secure SIECs’ independence, improve their functionality, and promote credible local elections.

  • Abdullahi advocates clean energy for climate resilience at London commonwealth roundtable

    Abdullahi advocates clean energy for climate resilience at London commonwealth roundtable

    The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, delivered a compelling address at the Commonwealth roundtable meeting in London, United Kingdom, making a strong case for clean energy as a catalyst for climate resilience and food security.

    His participation was at the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Right Hon. Patricia Scotland, in recognition of his expertise and technocratic leadership in Nigeria’s energy sector.

    Abdullahi was part of the Nigerian delegation led by the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

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    The event with the theme: “Building a resilient commonwealth: Climate finance & food security,” attracted global stakeholders to explore the intersection of climate finance and agricultural sustainability.

    Abdullahi spoke on “Energy and Agriculture: Advancing Clean Solutions for Climate Resilience,” highlighting the transformative role of clean energy in agriculture.

    He emphasised how solar irrigation, bioenergy, and energy-efficient technologies can enhance productivity, reduce emissions, and strengthen agricultural resilience against climate change.

    While acknowledging the challenges of transitioning to sustainable energy solutions, he commended Nigeria’s progress in expanding renewable energy adoption. He referenced the Nigeria Renewable Energy Master Plan, which aims to scale up clean energy integration in agriculture, and the National Solar Energy Policy, which promotes the use of solar-powered technologies to drive rural electrification and agribusiness development.

    Abdullahi called for greater collaboration between governments, investors, and development partners to accelerate clean energy adoption, support smallholder farmers with climate-smart financing, and integrate renewable energy solutions into agricultural value chains.

    His participation at the Roundtable, hosted by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, reinforced the crucial link between climate finance and food security. It also reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s clean energy agenda and positioning the country as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.

  • Russia rejects European peacekeepers for Ukraine

    Russia rejects European peacekeepers for Ukraine

    Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday rejected both proposals to freeze the front line in Ukraine in its current position and stationing European peacekeeping troops in the region.

    Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept European troops in Ukraine to keep the peace.

    Lavrov said Russia opposed the idea put forth that there is a line dividing both sides, with one part Russian and the other Ukrainian.

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    “That will not happen,” he said, during a trip to Doha, the capital of the Gulf state of Qatar.

    Lavrov said the Russian constitution defines the country’s territory, Lavrov said and according to that, the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson belong to Russia, even if Russian troops do not fully control them.

    In the rest of Ukraine, “racist laws” would have to be repealed, he said, referring to the alleged discrimination against Russian speakers, which include the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

  • Zelensky: no U.S. security guarantees yet in Ukraine mineral deal

    Zelensky: no U.S. security guarantees yet in Ukraine mineral deal

    Security guarantees that Ukraine considers vital remain unresolved in its negotiations with the U.S., Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday.

    While a framework economic deal involving U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals is ready, finalising a full agreement may depend on discussions in Washington, D.C., as early as today.

    Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasised that the framework deal is only the first step toward a broader agreement, which will require approval by Ukraine’s parliament.

    However, he stressed that Ukraine needs clarity on the future of U.S. military support.

    During his upcoming visit to Washington, Zelensky expects to have a substantive discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump.

    “I want to coordinate with the U.S.,” he said, highlighting key topics for the talks. Chief among them are whether the U.S. plans to halt military aid and, if so, whether Ukraine would be allowed to purchase weapons directly.

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    He also seeks answers on whether Ukraine can use frozen Russian assets for military investments and whether Washington intends to lift sanctions on Russia.

    Earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine and the U.S. have reached a preliminary agreement on a broad economic deal, which includes U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals amid its ongoing war with Russia. However, despite days of negotiations, key details—especially U.S. security guarantees—remain unresolved.

    Since returning to office last month, Trump has signaled that he expects something in return for the tens of billions of dollars in U.S. aid provided to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began on February 24, 2022.

    His administration has also taken a dramatically different approach to foreign policy, abandoning efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and casting doubt on U.S. support for its European allies.

  • Moghalu: education key to governance revolution in Africa

    Moghalu: education key to governance revolution in Africa

    Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has emphasised that education is crucial for transforming governance across Africa.

    Speaking at an information session in Lagos for the official launch of the African School of Governance (ASG), Moghalu, who serves as its inaugural president in Kigali, Rwanda, highlighted the role of education in shaping both leadership and followership on the continent.

    The school, founded by Rwandan President HE Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister HE Hailemariam Desalegn, aims to cultivate transformative leadership and drive sustainable development across Africa.

    “The biggest challenge facing governance in Africa is not just leadership but also followership. Educating both leaders and the governed is essential for creating accountable and effective systems,” he stated.

    Read Also: Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce ‘catalyst of growth’

    Moghalu noted that poor governance in Africa stems from a lack of structured leadership education. He stressed ASG’s commitment to addressing this gap through specialized training in corporate governance, gender equity, and public-private collaboration. The institution aims to nurture a new generation of leaders with a focus on policy innovation, ethical governance, and economic development.

    He also underscored the need for governance rooted in African identity rather than external influences. “We have to learn governance in the context of Africa. We must think as Africans, not just copy and paste from other cultures. We have our own systems and traditions that should be recognized,” he said.

    He advocated for the inclusion of traditional institutions in governance, arguing that their exclusion has created tension. According to him, integrating traditional leadership into advisory roles could enhance governance structures across the continent.

    Speaking on the role of education in combating corruption, attendees, including representatives from African Leadership University, Harvard Kennedy School, and Lagos Business School, emphasised that fighting corruption requires not just enforcement, but a shift in public perception.

    “With the right education and leadership training, Africa can revolutionise governance, making accountability, transparency, and economic growth the norm rather than the exception,” Moghalu said.

    He outlined ASG’s short- and long-term objectives, including the launch of its Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programmes in June.

  • Sahel States’ withdrawal from ECOWAS placed increased burden on Nigerian military, says CAS

    Sahel States’ withdrawal from ECOWAS placed increased burden on Nigerian military, says CAS

    Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar has declared that the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali from ECOWAS has placed more burdens on the Nigerian military.

    Abubakar said this at the opening of the First Quarter Meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and Commanders yesterday in Abuja.

    He said the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from the existing security frameworks had disrupted the security frameworks in the region.

    According to him, this development has direct implications for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which plays a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

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    “With AES member states opting out and Chad considering withdrawal, the MNJTF’s capacity to conduct joint operations is now significantly affected.

    “As a result, the burden on the Armed Forces of Nigeria to support the MNJTF will increase, demanding a more robust, agile and adaptive response from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    “Strengthening operational readiness, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and leveraging advanced air power will be critical in mitigating these evolving threats as we progress through 2025,” he said.

    The CAS said that the Sahel region had continued to be a hotspot for terrorism and insurgency, with Al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist groups exploiting weak governance structures to expand their influence.

    He added that the porous borders in the Lake Chad Basin, had also allowed the extremist elements to sustain their activities, posing a persistent threat to regional stability.

    Abubakar said the Gulf of Guinea also remained vulnerable to maritime crimes, including piracy and illegal oil bunkering, necessitating sustained aerial surveillance and stronger regional cooperation to bolster maritime security.

    According to him, addressing these challenges requires a unified approach, emphasising coordinated air operations, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships.

    He said the meeting would provide a valuable opportunity for them to review the security landscape of Nigeria in 2024, critically assess their operational successes and challenges, and project actionable strategies for the NAF operations in 2025.

    “As the senior leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, we shoulder the vital responsibility of ensuring the effective deployment of air power in support of national security objectives.

    “I deeply appreciate your dedication and support so far, and I urge each of us to engage in today’s discussions with the utmost commitment, foresight, and resolve,” he added.

  • Russia-Ukraine crisis: UN Security Council moves to broker peace deal

    Russia-Ukraine crisis: UN Security Council moves to broker peace deal

    On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russia-Ukrainian War, which had started in 2014. AYOOLUWA AYOBAMI reviews the voting pattern which seeks an end to the conflict.

    The unexpected siding of the United States with Russia at the United Nations (UN) on two key votes, as regards the Russia-Ukraine war, reflects substantial changes in the United States foreign policy, especially during the present administration of President Donald Trump.

    This shift is marked by the U.S. rejecting a UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, a position backed by European nations.

    Instead, the U.S. proposed and supported a new resolution in the UN Security Council that called for an end to the conflict without tagging Russia as the enemy or recognising Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    This new development points to a growing conflict between the U.S. and its supposed European allies, as the Trump-led government prays closer relationship with Moscow, distancing itself from Kyiv. The U.S. has engaged in direct negotiations with Russia to resolve the conflict, moving away from its previous position of firmly backing Ukraine.

    The United States (US) found itself siding with Russia on two votes at the United Nations, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    This shift reflects a change in the US foreign policy under the administration of President Donald Trump. The Trump-led government has seen a departure from previous American stances on the war.

    Before now, the US had rejected a European-drafted resolution that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The resolution called for the condemnation of Russia’s actions and reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    However, the Donald Trump-led administration’s hesitance to challenge Russia directly led to the US first voting against the resolution, now taking sides with countries such as Russia, North Korea, and Belarus. This was a significant departure from the US’s usual backing for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    The first voting occurred at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

    The resolution, which urged the condemnation of Russia’s invasion and maintained Ukraine’s sovereignty, was supported by 93 countries, except the US which voted against it.

    The second vote came into place during the UN Security Council, where the US brought in its resolution calling for an abrupt end to the war.

    The resolution was however notably refrained from criticising Russia.

    This resolution reiterated a desire to end the war without apportioning blame, a position that raised concerns about tacit approval of Russia’s actions.

    This vote shows the Trump government’s desire to embrace a more neutral, non-confrontational stance, focusing on de-escalating the war rather than holding Russia accountable.

    This resolution passed with the backing of 10 members. However, major US allies, including the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia, did not vote following their attempts to amend the text which were rejected.

    These votes came coincidentally at a time when there were high-profile diplomatic visits, including French President Emmanuel Macron’s meeting with Trump at the White House and upcoming discussions between British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump.

    These meetings follow deepening tensions over the war in Ukraine and the transatlantic alliance, which the Trump-led government has been alleged of undermining through its favouritism towards Moscow.

    During a rare moment of disagreement at the UNGA, the United States decided to push a more limited resolution that mourned the loss of life in the Russia-Ukraine war and prayed for its swift resolution.

    European diplomats, on the other hand, however, brought a more detailed resolution, condemning Russia for its aggression and reinforcing Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    While the US and Russia voted together against the European resolution, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa reiterated that the world must not give reward to Russia’s aggression.

    Ukrainian officials and lawmakers from America expressed concern over the US’s position on the issue.

    Republican Senator John Curtis expressed his discomfort, stating he was “deeply troubled” by the vote, which placed the US together with North Korea and Russia.

    In a post on X, he said: “These are not our friends. This posture is a dramatic shift from American ideals of freedom and democracy.”

    In the Security Council, the US resolution, which was largely free of criticism toward Russia, passed but faced obstruction from several European allies.

    US Acting Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Camille Shea, supported the resolution, labelling it as a “simple historic statement” focused on looking forward and ending the war.

    The US is usually not on opposite sides with its perceived European allies.

    The US’s stance at the UN in these major votes reflects wider shifts in its foreign policy, with the Trump-led administration distancing itself from traditional alliances in support of a more unilateral approach.

    The votes, while not legally binding, pointed to the tensions in the international community and emphasised the challenges of addressing the Russia-Ukraine war in a more diplomatic framework. 

  • UK-Based Nigerian security expert lauds Tinubu’s education policy

    UK-Based Nigerian security expert lauds Tinubu’s education policy

    A United Kingdom-based security expert, Opeyemi David Falegan, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially the education policy, describing it as a game changer. 

    Falegan, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday lauded Tinubu’s administration for its efforts in promoting education and human capital development.

    The UK-based security expert described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and (TETFUND) interventions across all public tertiary institutions as laudable initiatives that revolutionised Nigeria’s educational sector

    He noted that investing in education is critical to country’s long-term security and stability, urging other stakeholders to support Tinubu’s education policy for the country to achieve a greater future. 

    He said, “President Tinubu’s education policy is a step in the right direction. It’s a laudable initiative that will have a positive impact on the country’s future.”

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    “We need to support this initiative and ensure that it succeeds. Education is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential, and we must prioritize it”, he added. 

    Speaking on his interventions to promote education, Falegan said his commitment to quality education and human capital development aligns with the President’s vision for a more prosperous and secure Nigeria.

    He disclosed that approximately 7000 students across the 16 council area of Ekiti state benefitted from his free Joint Administration and Matriculation Board registration forms for this year’s unified tertiary matriculation examination. 

    According to him, the initiative, which has been ongoing for eight years was conceived to ease the financial burden on the shoulders of less-privileged Ekiti parents. 

    He promised to sustain the free JAMB registration, stating that his goal was to assist parents who struggle to sponsor their children’s education.