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Ambassador hails Franco-Nigerian relations
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jean-Michel Dumond, has expressed delight at the “excellent relations” between the two countries.
The ambassador, who featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum on Sunday in Abuja, noted that the ties between France and Nigeria had further improved since he assumed office two years ago.
“There has been no bilateral difficulty between France and Nigeria,” he said, pointing out that French President Nicholas Sarkozy would host President Goodluck Jonathan from May 31 to June 1 in Nice, France.
“In a few days, there will be the first African Summit in Nice, France; the French government has invited President Goodluck Jonathan to be there from May 31 to June 1.
‘’We hope that he will be able to come and our President Nicholas Sarkozy is ready to meet him for discussions on bilateral, political issues, good governance in the world, peace and security in Africa and climate change,’’ Dumond said.
He recalled the visit of late President Umaru Yar’Adua to France in June 2008 which culminated in the signing of a strategic partnership agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Security and the Gulf of Guinea.
He said the agreement stated clearly that the two countries would increase cooperation in the power sector, hence the signing of the MoU in Abuja in 2008.
He also referred to an agreement on legal assistance to Nigeria to fight against corruption, adding that as a follow-up, the French Prime Minister visited Nigeria in 2009 to finalise the signing of the agreement.
The envoy described the outcome of the agreement as worthwhile after two years, noting that there had been close cooperation and consultations between the two countries on important global issues, including the situation in West African.
‘’We have been working very closely with Nigeria not only on a bilateral level but also in its capacity as the President of ECOWAS in order to maintain the rule of law and democracy in West Africa,’’ he said.
Dumond alluded to discussions on the crisis in Guinea and the Republic of Niger Republic, saying that the French government and Nigeria worked closely to ensure that the military junta in Guinea organised an election.
He said that their action was to ensure the maintenance of democracy and the rule of law in Guinea.
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Okonjo-Iweala Celebrates Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women Recognition
World Trade Organisation Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has celebrated her inclusion on Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women list for 2025, marking her eighth appearance on the prestigious ranking.
In a post via her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude and reflected on the responsibility that comes with influence.
“Nice to make (for the eighth time) the @Forbes List of the 100 most powerful women of the world 2025 and to be on the cover of the magazine. With power comes responsibility! We are doing our best to fight for and reform the rules-based multilateral trading system, which the world needs to avoid a chaotic approach to world trade that would hurt the smallest and the least powerful countries,” she wrote.
She also congratulated her fellow African women on the list, including Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Prime Minister, Suminwa Judith, CEO of Bidvest, Mpumi Madisa, CEO of EbonyLife Group, Mo Abudu, and Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.
The annual Forbes list recognises women who hold significant influence in business, politics, culture, and global leadership.
Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 92nd, is the first woman and first African to serve as WTO Director-General, a position she assumed in March 2021.
Forbes described her as “an economist and international development professional” with over 30 years of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
She previously served two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006.
The WTO boss also chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunised more than 760 million children globally.
Okonjo-Iweala holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is recognised for her belief in the power of trade to lift developing countries out of poverty and promote sustainable development.
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Association Seeks Government Intervention in Desilting of Canal
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
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Rivers Judges Begin Christmas Vacation Dec 23
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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