President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron has taken bilateral brotherhood between the two countries to another level on X during Tinubu’s recent state visit to France.

Tinubu went on a two-day trip to France on Thursday, the first state visit by a Nigerian leader since 2000 comes after military coups

Macron celebrated the occasion with a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a GIF of himself and President Tinubu sharing a special handshake, both smiling.

The French president said it was a big hour for France’s ‘dear President Bola Tinubu’ to welcome you in the country as ‘one big partner and friend.’

For a formal meeting, Macron wrote to Tinubu on X in Nigerian Pidgin—an English-based Creole language.

The exchange broke away from the traditionally formal language of international diplomacy, resonating with everyday Nigerians and showcasing Macron’s familiarity with the country’s culture.

“Na big honor for France, dear President Bola Tinubu, to welcome you for dis State visit as one big partner and friend of today and tomorrow.” Macron tweeted in Pidgin.

Macron went ahead to note that Tinubu’s visit reminded him about his time as a young intern at the French Embassy in Nigeria

“E still dey sweet me well well as I remember say I be young intern for French Embassy for Nigeria that time,” Macron said.

Tinubu, in turn, within a few minutes, reciprocated Macron’s gesture by responding with a blend of Pidgin, English, and French.

“Merci beaucoup, President Macron. Na big privilege to dey strengthen dis bond wey join Nigeria and France together,” Tinubu wrote, switching between English, French, and Pidgin,” Tinubu wrote, mirroring the informal yet sincere tone set by Macron.
Tinubu told Macron that “E sweet me well well to hear say di memories of your time as young intern for Nigeria still dey inspire you.”

The Nigerian president also wrote a full speech in French, saying, “C’est un grand privilège, Président Macron, de continuer à renforcer les liens solides qui unissent le Nigeria et la France. Ça me touche beaucoup de savoir que vos souvenirs de votre temps comme jeune stagiaire au Nigeria vous inspirent encore aujourd’hui. Cela montre la profondeur et la solidité de notre relation.

“Ensemble, nous continuerons à bâtir un partenariat fondé sur le respect mutuel et l’égalité, pour réaliser les aspirations de nos peuples aujourd’hui et créer un avenir meilleur pour demain. Merci pour cet accueil chaleureux, mon ami!”

Tinubu tweet can be translated as “It is a great privilege, President Macron, to continue to strengthen the strong ties between Nigeria and France. It means a lot to me to know that your memories of your time as a young intern in Nigeria still inspire you today. This shows the depth and strength of our relationship.

“Together, we will continue to build a partnership based on mutual respect and equality, to realize the aspirations of our people today and create a better future for tomorrow. Thank you for this warm welcome, my friend!”

The duo exchange is unusual for two world leaders to incorporate informal, regional language into formal diplomacy.

Pidgin English, though often used in everyday conversation in Nigeria, is not typically associated with statecraft.

The Nigerian pidgin language is used in day-to-day interaction to banter with close friends, talk with sellers in the market, argue with bus conductors and share laughter with family at home.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing education for Nigerian children.

Tinubu made the reaffirmation on Thursday during a dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des Élysée.

He outlined plans to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-class initiatives and skills development programmes.

President Tinubu also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to create a supportive framework that ensures school-age children re-enter classrooms, emphasizing the role of motivation and skill acquisition in the initiative.

“In order to bridge the gap for some who are of age and have been out of school for a while, we will encourage skills development,” the President added.

Accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President stressed that Nigeria’s developmental potential hinges on a well-educated populace.

“The insecurity in some parts of the country makes it hard for children to return to school, but we are gradually repopulating the classrooms. And we need skills development to bridge the gaps,” the President stated.

President Tinubu further highlighted the notable progress in enhancing security across Nigeria, employing “kinetic” strategies as part of the peace-building process.

“With some more effort, we will be able to get some level of stability. We had a very good harvest this year. And as soon as more farmers can go back to the farm, we will have more stability in harvest and supply,” he said.

In response, President Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s vast growth potential and the importance of investing in educational initiatives.

He reflected on his formative experiences during a six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria, including visits to Lagos and Kano.

President Macron and Brigitte Macron expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their State Visit, promising to elevate the France-Nigeria partnership to new heights.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed match officials from Togo to take charge of the 8th African Nations Championship qualifying match between the senior B teams of Ghana and Nigeria, scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 22nd December 2024.

The engagement is the first leg of the qualifying fixture between both teams, with the second and concluding leg to take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 28th December.

Aklesso Gnama will be in the role of referee, with compatriots Jonathan Ahonto Koffi, Wassiou Tchamolla Ourotou and Kossi Fabrice Senyo as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Ivan Gator Brown from Liberia will serve as commissioner while Beninoise official Hugues Alain Adjovi will be in the role of referee assessor.

For the return leg in Uyo, Moroccans Hamza El Fariq, Abdessamad Abertoune, Zakaria Bouchtaoui and Hicham Temsamani will work as referee, assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively, with Prince Kai Saquee from Sierra Leone as commissioner and Miboti Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo as referee assessor. The game in Accra will commence at 4pm Ghana time (5pm in Nigeria) while the return leg will kick off at 5pm.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for the 8th African Nations Championship finals, to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania – which will use the event as dress rehearsal to test-run facilities and equipment for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals they have been selected to host.

The tournament will hold 1st – 28th February, 2025.

PREVIOUS CHAN FINALS & HOST NATIONS 2009: Cote d’Ivoire2011: Sudan2014: South Africa2016: Rwanda2018: Morocco2021: Cameroon2023: Algeria2025: Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania

The Nigerian Super Eagles have experienced a significant dip in the latest FIFA men’s rankings, falling eight places to 44th globally.

The rankings were released on Thursday via FIFA’s official website, marking a challenging period for the three-time African champions.Previously positioned 36th in the world, the Super Eagles also slid from fourth to fifth place on the African continent.

This decline reflects a challenging month for the team, which failed to secure a win in its two matches during November.

The West African side recorded one draw and one loss, contributing to their fall in the rankings.Despite Nigeria’s drop, other African powerhouses have maintained their positions, with Morocco retaining the top spot on the continent.

The Atlas Lions, who achieved a historic semi-final finish at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, continue to demonstrate consistency. Following Morocco are Senegal in second place, Algeria in third, and Egypt, which climbed to fourth, ahead of Nigeria.

The Super Eagles’ performances in November highlighted key areas for improvement.

They first played out a draw in a friendly match before suffering a defeat in a crucial game, which dented their prospects in both the rankings and team morale.

Analysts have pointed to tactical inefficiencies and defensive lapses as contributing factors to the team’s recent struggles.

This decline in ranking is a cause for concern for many Nigerian football enthusiasts.

The Super Eagles are traditionally one of Africa’s strongest teams, boasting a rich history that includes three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles.

However, inconsistent results and an inability to deliver in crucial moments have raised questions about the team’s readiness for upcoming tournaments, including the next AFCON.

On the brighter side, this ranking update could serve as a wake-up call for the team and coaching staff.

With preparations for major tournaments underway, the Super Eagles have an opportunity to regroup, address weaknesses, and rediscover their winning form.

A strong showing in future international matches could help the team regain its footing in the global rankings.Globally, the FIFA rankings continue to be dominated by elite teams from Europe and South America.

African teams like Morocco and Senegal, however, have shown that the gap is narrowing, providing inspiration for the Super Eagles to rise again.

Fans will be eagerly watching to see how Nigeria responds to this setback in the coming months.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday warmly received Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the historic Invalides memorial complex in Paris.

This marked the first official state visit by a Nigerian president to France in over two decades, symbolizing a renewed focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.

The visit commenced with a formal ceremony in the courtyard of the Invalides, where the two countries’ national anthems echoed across the iconic landmark.

Tinubu’s two-day trip aims to foster economic partnerships between France and Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous country.

The meeting comes at a crucial time for both nations.

France, under Macron’s leadership, has sought to redefine its relationship with African nations since his election in 2017.

This effort has taken on greater urgency following a series of military coups and growing anti-French sentiment in several former colonies, which have significantly reduced Paris’s influence in Africa.

Nigeria, on the other hand, faces economic challenges, including skyrocketing inflation and surging food prices, which make foreign investments and partnerships essential for its recovery and growth.

Macron’s office emphasized that the visit presents a significant opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria.

Paris is particularly keen on strengthening ties with English-speaking African nations, a strategy designed to diversify its partnerships on the continent amid strained relations with some Francophone countries.

Nigeria, with its vast market potential, natural resources, and youthful population, represents a strategic partner for France’s renewed focus on Africa.

Tinubu’s administration has prioritized economic reforms and is actively seeking foreign investment to address Nigeria’s fiscal deficits and infrastructure gaps.

The president’s visit underscores his government’s commitment to building international partnerships to drive economic recovery and create opportunities for Nigerians.Macron and Tinubu are expected to hold discussions on a wide range of issues, including trade, security, and climate change.

Both leaders will also explore opportunities to enhance bilateral trade and investments, with a particular focus on sectors such as energy, technology, and agriculture.

This historic visit not only signifies a new chapter in France-Nigeria relations but also highlights the shifting dynamics of global diplomacy in Africa.

By strengthening ties with Nigeria, France hopes to bolster its relevance on the continent, while Nigeria looks to leverage the partnership for economic advancement.

The self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, is set to face terrorism-related charges in May 2025. This timeline was disclosed by Mikko Laaksonen, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation.

Laaksonen confirmed that the date for presenting possible charges had been determined by the Päijät-Häme District Court. “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed.

The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025,” he stated.

The senior detective added that Ekpa and Finnish authorities have the option to request a re-evaluation of his case within two weeks.

“In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than two weeks from the previous hearing, should the parties in question seek for the matter to be re-evaluated by the district court,” Laaksonen explained.

Simon Ekpa, a prominent secessionist figure and a key advocate of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, has been a controversial figure in Nigeria and the diaspora.

His activities, particularly through social media, have been linked to incitements of violence in the southeastern region of Nigeria, where IPOB agitates for the creation of an independent Biafran state.

Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa alongside four others last Thursday on suspicion of engaging in terror-related activities.

These allegations include incitement to violence, public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, and financing terrorism.

Ekpa’s remand was officially sanctioned by the Päijät-Häme District Court. His detention highlights growing international scrutiny of his activities, which many argue have exacerbated instability in southeastern Nigeria.

In recent years, Ekpa has used his online platforms to promote the controversial “sit-at-home” orders in the region, which have led to widespread disruptions, violence, and economic stagnation.

This arrest marks a significant development in the legal challenges facing Ekpa. While IPOB leadership had distanced itself from his activities, he has maintained his stance as a key figure advocating for Biafra’s secession.

His arrest has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the Finnish government’s action as a step toward curbing violent rhetoric, while others see it as an infringement on freedom of expression.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Finnish authorities are yet to disclose the full scope of the evidence against Ekpa. As May 2025 approaches, this case will likely draw international attention due to its implications for counterterrorism efforts and the broader geopolitical ramifications of separatist movements.