The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • FG warns public against online employment scam

    FG warns public against online employment scam

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a public warning about a fraudulent job advertisement circulating online, falsely claiming that the ministry is offering employment opportunities in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry clarified that it does not directly recruit workers.

    According to its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, recruitment into the ministry is solely the responsibility of the Federal Civil Service Commission.

    “We want to put it on record that the Ministry does not recruit officers directly—recruitment of Foreign Service officers is carried out by the Federal Civil Service Commission,” Ebienfa stated.

    He noted that the ministry decided to respond following a flood of inquiries prompted by fake job advertisements allegedly signed by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs. Within the last 24 hours, scammers have escalated their scheme by sending fake employment letters to unsuspecting Nigerians.

    Ebienfa further revealed that the fraudsters are impersonating top ministry officials, including himself, to deceive the public. He urged Nigerians to disregard any such messages and report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.

    “They are sending out emails with my name as the signatory. This is not just about fake news. It is about protecting Nigerians from losing their hard-earned money and protecting the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”, he added.

    “One of the fake messages reads: ‘We are pleased to inform you that your application has been considered for diplomatic services at the Embassy of Nigeria in Juba, South Sudan to take effect 12 May 2025. It even directs candidates to pay N165,800 for a diplomatic passport.”

    Kimiebi described the offer as entirely fake.

    “This did not emanate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is no way you will be recruited into the Nigerian Diplomatic Service without going through the process of training, which is the Foreign Service Academy.”

    Read Also: FG urges youth leaders to be ambassadors of Nigeria, promote inclusivity

    He stressed that all recruits into the Foreign Service go through a clear and formal process: recruitment by the Federal Civil Service Commission, training at the Foreign Service Academy, then eventual deployment abroad.

    “The first deployment is one year of attachment. Subsequent postings last three years,” he added.

    He therefore warned that no Nigerian should believe any job offer claiming to be directly from the ministry, or pay for a diplomatic passport.

    “Diplomatic passports are free. “Even official passports for civil servants are free. So nobody should fall victim”.

  • Execution of Nigerian woman in Saudi: FG not to blame – Ministry

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted the report that it ignored the call for intervention over Mrs Kudirat Afolabi, a Nigerian woman, executed in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking.

    The ministry in a statement by its Spokesperson, Sarah Sanda, on Friday in Abuja, said the report in one of the media was a complete falsehood.

    “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a tendentious, mischievous and libelous article over the matter

    “It alleged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister were somehow responsible for the death of a Nigerian lady, Ms Afolabi, executed in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking, by not reacting immediately to letters addressed to the minister by the former Consul General, informing of the imminent execution of the lady in question.”

    She said that the attention of the ministry was drawn to what she described as a tendentious, mischievous and libelous article alleging that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister were responsible for the death of Afolabi.

    “This is preposterous and a complete falsehood. Clearly those behind the article who have deliberately distorted the facts have an agenda,” she said.

    Read also: Saudi Arabia: due process followed before execution of Nigerian

    The spokesperson said that the report which quoted extensively from a letter written by the said Consul General did not state that the lady in question, Ms Afolabi was about to be executed.

    She said that the letter rather states, “peddling of drugs into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…..is punishable with death penalty.

    ” Unfortunately,  between 2016-2017 the underlisted Nigerians were arrested……for smuggling narcotic drugs concealed in their rectums.

    “They have since been sentenced to death and the sentences had already been carried out on some of them,” he said.

    She said the report then listed 24 Nigerians on death row or executed, including Ms Afolabi.

    According to her, the truth of the matter is that the a letter from former Consul General was received on Feb. 19 raising an alarm over the criminal acts at certain Nigerian airports.

    “The letter said officials at those airports allegedly smuggled drugs to Saudi Arabia by checking in bags using the details of unsuspecting passengers.

    “Immediate action was taken by the Minister by reaching out to the relevant Nigerian authorities,” she said.

    According to her, the issue regarding Nigerians on death row in Saudi Arabia has been a challenge for many years.

    “Over the last three years, the Minister and our Embassy in Saudi Arabia have relentlessly engaged the Saudi Government orally and in writing on the need to commute the death sentences of Nigerians on death row.

    “Whipping up primordial sentiments by casting irresponsible aspersions does an injustice to the memory of the deceased and to her family and friends,” she said.(NAN)

  • Nigeria, Russia sign treaty on criminal matters

    Nigeria and Russia has signed a treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

    The treaty would assist in the fight against corruption as it makes provision for the tracing, recovery, forfeiture or confiscation of stolen assets, as well as the proceeds and instruments of crime.

    The agreement was negotiated in 2009 to enhance collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the administration of criminal justice was signed last Tuesday in Moscow Russia.

    According to a statement signed by Mr. George Ehidiamen  Edokpa, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami signed on behalf of Nigeria, while the Acting Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, Mr. Oleg Anatoyevich Plokhoy signed on behalf of the Russian Federation.

    The treaty, Edokpa said aimed at providing the necessary mechanism for cooperation in the fight against crime and criminal related matters, including terrorism, as well as to counter every form of support to terrorism.

    The agreement he stressed, “As it stands would assist in the fight against corruption as it makes provision for the tracing, recovery, forfeiture or confiscation of stolen assets, as well as the proceeds and instruments of crime.

    “The signing of the Treaty is a major breakthrough in the Bilateral Relations between Nigeria and Russia and the beginning of greater cooperation and partnership in other sectors. According to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Nigeria would benefit from this agreement as it would not only afford the country the opportunity to request for the arrest, surrender, investigation and prosecution of all persons who may have committed crimes and escape to The Russian Federation, but will be assured of the Russian cooperation in the tracing, recovery and repatriation of the stolen assets.”

     

  • Libyan slavery: Reps’ panel rues lack of  inter-agency collaboration 

    Libyan slavery: Reps’ panel rues lack of  inter-agency collaboration 

    The House of Representatives has identified lack of inter-agency collaboration as largely responsible for the migration of Nigerians abroad through illegal routes.

    According to the lawmakers, the spate of illegal migration through the desert eventually encouraged the slavery incidence recently uncovered in Libya.

    At a meeting between Committees on Foreign Affairs and Human Rights and stakeholders Wednesday, the lawmakers said the situation in Libya has made it imperative to find ways of addressing the situation.

    At the meeting were the Nigeria Head of Mission, Libya, Iliyah Fachano as well as officials of Department of State Services (DSS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The joint Committee was mandated by the House to unravel circumstances that led to the death of 26 Nigerian girls at the Mediterranean Sea.

    Chairman of the joint Committee, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje said following the disturbing report from Libya, the country must find ways of addressing the situation.

    Saying that lack of inter-agency collaboration among the various security agencies in the country was a major reasons for illegal migration of Nigerians to other countries, Elendu-Ukeje noted, “A situation where many of them either end up been killed or enslaved such as the recent revelation in Libya as reported by the Cable News Network (CNN) which has drawn worldwide condemnation.”

    Deputy Chairman of the joint Committee, Edward Pwajok, said security agencies in the country have to come out with a lasting solutions to the menace of human trafficking and illegal migration.

    In his remarks, The Head of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, Fachano said that the Libyan situation was not new, that it had long been in existence.

    The role of some Nigerians who were living in Libya was described as despicable as they were found culpable of being actively involved in selling off their kinsmen.

    They also said being a State with an unstable government contributed largely to the situation

    While the committee continues its findings, it requested more submissions on the situation in Libya by the various agencies.

  • FG evacuates Nigerians  in Caribbean Islands devastated by hurricane

    FG evacuates Nigerians  in Caribbean Islands devastated by hurricane

    The Federal Government has ordered the  evacuation of Nigerians in some countries in the Caribbean Islands especially in the Commonwealth of Dominica following  the devastating effects of the recent hurricane in the area.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday that efforts were on to “ensure that all Nigerians are safe in their various locations and where necessary, they should be evacuated, especially as it is in the case of Nigerians in the Commonwealth of Dominica.”

    There has been no reported death of any Nigerian so far in the disaster,spokesman for the ministry, Tope Elias-Fatile, said in a statement.

    He said:“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been following the situation of Nigerians in the Commonwealth of Dominica that experienced the most severe impact of Hurricane Maria.

    “There are approximately 500 Nigerians living in Roseau, the capital of that country, most of whom are medical students at the All Saints University.”

    He said the ministry’s permanent secretary, Olukunle Bamgbose, also directed the Nigerian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago to effect the evacuation of Nigerians in the area.

    Mr. Bamgbose said the mission would work closely with the International Organisation for Migration, and other relevant authorities in that country to evacuate them.

    Mr. Fatile said Nigerian Mission in Trinidad and Tobago had been working to verify these Nigerians and issue relevant travelling documents to them to facilitate their relocation.

    He said 236 Nigerians, who are students of All Saint University, were evacuated on September 27 with a ferry named “L-Express” to the neighbouring St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    “It is expected that the last batch of these students would be evacuated today implying that all Nigerian students in that country would have been evacuated by the end of the day,” he said.

    Mr. Fatile said that prior to their relocation the Mission was in constant touch with the President of All Saint University, Joshua Yusuf.

    He said that Mr. Yusuf had consistently confirmed that logistics and other arrangements had been put in place for the students in the temporary accommodation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    He noted that Hurricane Maria destroyed 90 per cent of the Island country of Dominica, which is a popular destination for International Medical students.

    “Subsequently, the country was cut off from the outside world, the international airport has been closed for commercial flight and the people have no basic food items, portable water or means of identification.

    “Meanwhile, the government of that country is canvassing for foreign aid to address these problems,” he said.

  • Nigeria, AfDB complete first cycle of $25mn fund

    Nigeria, AfDB complete first cycle of $25mn fund

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Nigeria’s Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have completed the first life cycle of the Nigeria Technical Co-operation Fund (NTCF).

    The NTCF is a twenty-five million United States Dollar (US$25,000,000) Fund, co-managed by the DTCA and AfDB.

    It was established as a grant facility for development projects/programmes with a view to contributing to the socio-economic and technological development of Regional Member Countries (RMCs) and to promote regional cooperation and economic integration in Africa.

    A statement from the AfDB said “the Fund which became operational on 5th April 2004, is the largest single bilateral co-operation fund by an African Country at the AfDB and a remarkable symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to promoting African brotherhood, solidarity and sustainable development of Africa in the spirit of South-South cooperation.”

    Thus far, a total number of one hundred and twenty three (123) project proposals have been considered under the NTCF as at June 2014 with sixty nine (69) approved, and twenty-four (24) fully completed. Forty-five (45) are at various stages of implementation and therefore classified as ongoing.

    The statement noted that “all fifty four (54) African Countries have benefited directly or indirectly from projects/programmes implemented under the NTCF.”

    The DTCA and AfDB have sought and obtained a 5-year administrative extension of the Fund.

    The managing partners of the NTCF will hold a celebratory event to mark the laudable strides of the Federal Government of Nigeria in establishing the Fund, the effective role of the co-managers in administering the Fund for Africa’s development. The event will provide an opportunity to chart a new course for further effective and efficient performance of the Fund, especially in view of the administrative extension.

  • No evidence of killing of 97 Nigerians- Ministry

    No evidence of killing of 97 Nigerians- Ministry

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday said there is no evidence that 97 Nigerians have been killed by Cameroonian Gendarmes.

    Rather, the ministry said that the 97 figure being bandied “was also an accumulation of figure of all the Nigerians that have lost their lives in previous incidents in the Bakassi area since 2008.”

    This was as the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs resolved to initiate a legislative framework for 10-year development plan for the development of Bakassi area of Nigeria.

    Speaking before the Hon. Nnena Elendu- Ukeje headed House committee on Foreign Affairs probing the matter yesterday the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olusola Emikanolaye, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama said though the Cameroonian authorities are yet to get back to Nigeria on the issue, independent investigation has shown that such killings did not happen.

    However, he noted that the incident started following the deployment in July 2017 of a new Divisional Officer (DO) to Idabato sub- division of Cameroon to administer the Bakassi General Area.

    “On assumption of office the new DO commenced the imposition of of new taxes on the residents after a meeting with all the Chiefs.

    “Accordingly, all men engaged in fishing and other business activities in the area were to pay N55, 000, women. 30,000 and churches N50, 000 per annum.”

    “Furthermore, taxes in packets of fish were raised from N200 to N1, 000 whole other were to pay N1,000 per head for goats slaughtered by them.

    “The sanctions placed on the residents for violation of the tax rules include seizure of their boats and enforcement to pay double the amount of the initial tax. This accounts for the N100, 000 which was hitherto heralded in the news and initial reports as the amount of the tax to be paid by Nigerians.”

    On the development fund, a member of the committee , Daniel Reineiju said the fund should be drawn from major revenue generating agencies and channeled to provision of critical infrastructure and resettlement of the affected people in Bakassi.

    But other members of the committee while buying into the idea were concerned about how to ensure accountability for the resources provided within the 10-year period.

    Chairperson of the committee Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, stressed the need to ascertain the authenticity of the N35 billion said to have been released to the Cross River State government for the development of Bakassi.

    According to her, the state government should account for the huge funds as captured in the reports presented to the Committee.

    While stressing the need for accountability of the resources within the proposed agency, Elendu-Ukeje said the Nigerian government should be more responsive to the needs of the Bakassi people.

     

  • Senate ‘recess delays’ resubmission of ambassadors’ list

    Senate ‘recess delays’ resubmission of ambassadors’ list

    Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the list of the 47 non-career ambassadors rejected by the Senate will be resubmitted when the upper legislative chamber resumes from its recess.

    Onyeama told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the list was being delayed by the recess.

    “The list of the 47 non-career ambassadors will be re-presented to the Senate; yes, I believe the list is ready.

    “And very shortly it will be represented; it is just that the Senate is in recess at the moment but hopefully it will be done very quickly.

    “We will certainly hope that we will get the envoys in place very shortly. The lists are ready; the places of deployment have more or less been approved.

    “So we hope to get them on board very quickly. Ideally, you always want to have your full compliment of staff in your missions,” the Minister said.

    He, however, said that the delay in the posting of ambassadors to Nigerian missions had not affected the country’s diplomatic relations with the host countries or the operations of those missions.

    “What we have seen, I think, is probably the quality of the Nigerian diplomats. We have nevertheless been able to achieve very great things with the officials that we have in the missions.

    “So that shows the depth of the quality of Nigerian diplomats. A good case in point here is this issue of illicit financial flows.

    “It’s something that has been achieved without having an ambassador here or permanent representative here in New York.

    “So I think it shows you that again, but notwithstanding, our diplomats are up to the task,” Onyeama said.

  • Nigeria young people advocate for global development  

    Nigeria young people advocate for global development  

    In the aftermath of this week’s visit of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi to Nigeria to discuss the UN’s programme in the country, young people are calling for youth development issues to be placed high on the global development agenda.

    The representatives of young people were speaking at a workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the support of the United Nations to discuss the future of Youth Development programmes in Nigeria and globally.

    Participants at the workshop raised several issues they considered pertinent for urgent consideration, including a clear framework for youth development in Nigeria. They requested that the next United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Nigeria reflects young people’s issues and addresses them in a comprehensive manner. They also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider putting young people’s development high on the global development agenda, under the leadership of the United Nations.

    Speaking on behalf of the UN system in Nigeria, Dr Bilali Camara, the UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria and Focal Point for ECOWAS, expressed gratitude to Mr Alhendawi for visiting Nigeria and thanked the Government for helping to make the visit a success.

    “I am very pleased by the Nigerian authorities for showing the world that young people’s issues are very important in the national development processes and are global issues. Nations will become stronger only when the potentials of young people are fully unleashed,” Dr Camara said at the workshop.

    The workshop was attended by 60 participants including representatives of young people, officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.

  • Nigeria’ll establish two consulates in Benin Republic, says Buhari  

    Nigeria’ll establish two consulates in Benin Republic, says Buhari  

    NIGERIA is to have two new consulates in Benin Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured.

    He made the promise on Saturday night during a meeting with Nigerians residing in Benin Republic.

    According to the President, provisions will be made for the establishment of the consulates in next year’s budget if it passe through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    He said: “I think I will direct your ambassador to make the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that by the time we are doing the next budget, it would be included.

    “Although we are trying to cut down on the number of ministries, the morale of Nigerians in the Diaspora must be considered.

    “This is because we are so many. We are aggressive whether in business or other facets of life. So, we, as a government will do everything possible to look after Nigerians wherever they are.”

    Stressing that it was customary of him to meet the representatives of Nigerian community wherever he goes and answer their questions, he said that he has always told Nigerians to respect their host’s culture and laws.

    He noted that there were a number of problems in South Africa which did not portray Nigerians in good light.

    “Some of them are in prison for committing a number of crimes. But for you who are so close home, you should do your best in being good ambassadors of the country,” he said.

    On whether there was any cooperation with Benin Republic towards fighting Boko Haram, he said: “Yes, they have identified with the countries of Lake Chad Commission which comprises of Cameron, Chad and Nigeria. He (Boni Yayi ) made an undertaking of providing a number of troops to join the Task Force troops of the Chad Basin Commission countries to fight the Boko Haram.

    “I will not mention the number of troops because it is a security issue. As you know, Nigeria is expected to make a bigger contribution.

    By yesterday (Friday), we are supposed to take the troops off the ground. So, Benin Republican through the President is participating in fighting Boko Harm.”

    Answering the question on what the Federal Government was doing to facilitate the return of those who may so wish, the President said: “I believe a lot of you are doing well and are better off here. So, the question of facilitating your coming home does not arise.

    “We don’t want you to come back home and be unemployed. Don’t come and add to our problems. If you have something doing here please continue doing it.”

    Towards opening a campus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Benin Republic, he urged them to pass a formal letter through the ambassador who will write the ministry of education.

    “And I think the possibility of expanding the facility may be examined,” he stated

    On how the government will assist to improve their businesses, he said: “I think what the government can do is through your ambassador. If the embassy sends a report from your representatives, I believe the ministry of commerce and industry will examine it and whichever suggestion they raise, the Federal Government will look at them.

    “The Federal Government here in Nigeria will ensure that people don’t just earn their salaries but that they do exactly what they are paid for,” he said.