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A philanthropist and former president of the Spanish branch of the apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Ugochukwu Nduwuisi, has commended the governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, for his superlative performance in the last 16 months. In a telephone interview with a South-East PUNCH correspondent on Tuesday, Nduwuisi described Otti as a
A former Minister of Interior, Professor Bola Akinyemi, has said that Nigeria should not have accepted the partner membership granted to it by the multinational bloc, BRICS. Akinyemi made this statement on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, on Monday. He argued that Nigeria should have been an original member of the group or
Ex-Interior Minister Akinyemi faults Nigeria’s acceptance of BRICS partner membership
A former Minister of Interior, Professor Bola Akinyemi, has said that Nigeria should not have accepted the partner membership granted to it by the multinational bloc, BRICS.
Akinyemi made this statement on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, on Monday.
He argued that Nigeria should have been an original member of the group or granted full membership during its expansion, rather than being designated a partner country.
The professor of political science said that offering Nigeria partner status instead of full membership by BRICS is a slap in the face of Nigerians.
“I am not happy. Can you tell me the difference between a partner country and a member, given our GDP in Africa compared to Ethiopia or even South Africa? Is it a partner country that befits us? No.
“We should have been part of the original members of BRICS. I have said this on several platforms. I don’t know why we were never an original member; I don’t know why we were not invited to join as a full member when they were expanding it.
“I think it is a slap in our face, and we should never have accepted this partner member if that is what they call it,” Akinyemi said.
DAILY POST reports that BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation consisting of 10 countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Recall that on Friday, Brazil announced the formal admission of Nigeria as a partner country of BRICS.
According to a statement by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, BRICS and Nigeria share common interests, as both actively strive to enhance cooperation among Global South countries and advocate for the reform of international organisations.
“With the world’s sixth-largest population—and Africa’s largest—as well as being one of the continent’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other members of BRICS.
“It plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and in reforming global governance—issues that are top priorities during Brazil’s current presidency,” the statement said.
DAILY POST gathered that Brazil currently holds the BRICS presidency for 2025, having taken over from Russia on January 1.
Ex-Interior Minister Akinyemi faults Nigeria’s acceptance of BRICS partner membership
The Plateau State Government has further relaxed the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed on Jos-Bukuru metropolis following violent protests in the…
As part of government’s efforts in promoting livelihood and cushioning the economic challenges in the state, Ogun State Government has commenced the sale of subsidised Federal Government rice in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun East Senatorial District. Recall that Governor Dapo Abiodun, flagged-off the sale of the rice at subsidised rates to all residents across the three senatorial
Ogun Govt begins sale of FG subsidized rice to Ijebu-Ode residents
As part of government’s efforts in promoting livelihood and cushioning the economic challenges in the state, Ogun State Government has commenced the sale of subsidised Federal Government rice in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun East Senatorial District.
Recall that Governor Dapo Abiodun, flagged-off the sale of the rice at subsidised rates to all residents across the three senatorial districts of the state at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Representative of Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Hamzat Abdulwasiu, in an interview with newsmen on Friday, said laid down procedures will be followed for the purchase of the 50kg bags of rice, in order to promote efficiency, accountability and transparency.
“Residents who have interest in the purchase of the subsidised rice will have to be physically present for capturing with their NIN and a loaded ATM card with the sum of N40,000. Individuals will get their rice within 48 to 72 hours of adhering to the process.
“We do not collect transfer or cash from anybody. To ensure convenient distributions, we encourage group collection, but individuals must carry out their registration separately.
“The capturing process and distribution of rice have been hitch-free since we commenced,” he said.
The representative of the Ogun State Government at the venue, Dr. Olusoji Adekoya, maintained that the exercise has been going on smoothly and peacefully in Ijebu-Ode.
“People are turning out enmasse to purchase the subsidised rice. The initiative has really helped a lot of households in cushioning the effect of hardship, and the exercise is just for three weeks,” he said.
Responding, one of beneficiaries, Mr Bode Ayanbugajo, appreciated the Federal Government for the initiative, saying the subsidised rice would go a long way in cushioning the effects of hardship.
He called on government at all levels to continue to roll out more initiatives that would ameliorate the socio-economic challenges in the country.
Ogun Govt begins sale of FG subsidized rice to Ijebu-Ode residents