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2023: Atiku, Tambuwal, Saraki in race for PDP’s presidential ticket

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As the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, finally resolved its internal squabbles ahead of the October 31 national elective convention, no fewer than five persons have reached advanced state of consultations to vie for the Presidential ticket of the party in the 2023 election.

The party at the end of its 92nd National Executive Committee, NEC meeting last week approved October 31 to elect national executive members as the tenure of incumbent chairman, Prince Uche Secondus gradually inches to an end. Nominations to the various committees of the convention are expected to be submitted on September 9 for ratification by NEC.

According Vanguard newspaper, the former Vice President and 2019 Presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Tanimu Turaki have all decided to vie for the sole ticket once again.

It would be called that four of these PDP chieftains were among the 12 aspirants who converged in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital for the 2018 convention, won by Atiku. While the former Vice President clinched the ticket with 1,532 votes, Tambuwal, Saraki and Turaki garnered 693, 317 and 65 votes respectively.

The decision to test the waters again is not unconnected with the party’s decision to keep faith with the North in the 2023 polls as they did in 2019. A reliable party source told our correspondent that the North offers the party a better chance of returning to power than the South.

According to him, “the party is yet to make an official statement but we all know it is going nowhere other than the North. The reason for this is already public knowledge for if the ruling party is going South, the PDP will go North and test its might and popularity among Nigerians.”

 Buoyed by his last outing, Atiku who has travelled the length and breadth of the country in the past two years, building bridges of friendship, sees 2023 as his last chance to realize his dream of governing Nigeria as an elected President.

Speaking exclusively to Vanguard, a loyalist of the Wazirin Adamawa said the former Vice President “will again seek the blessing of his party to contest the biggest election on its platform.”

Asked if Atiku is not tired of running for the office, the light-skinned fellow who asked not be named noted that “he’s doing this in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. He is tired of seeing a potentially great country reduced to ruins due to the incompetence of those managing her affairs. If you know the number of employees this man single-handedly engaged; you will ask that the race be thrown open to him alone. He understands what it takes to make governance count for the people. I can confidently tell you that when the time comes, he will contest but let’s not jump the gun.”

Speaking against the backdrop of recent criticisms of abandoning the party in times of crisis only to show up at electioneering period, Atiku pledged last week to always stay around this time, saying ‘I want to let you know that I won’t be travelling to Dubai again. I will always be around with you.”

Like Atiku, Tambuwal who finished second on the log in 2018 Presidential primaries is aiming to go again. As chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Sokoto state governor has in the past three years visited the six geo-political zones as well as top leaders of the country including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida.

An aide to the governor who pleaded anonymity because he doesn’t have the permission to speak on the matter said his principal has the blessing of eminent Nigerians including some “founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to seek his party’s nomination.” Tellingly, the governor has used every fora to hit the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, exposing its loopholes and asking Nigerians to give PDP another chance in the next election cycle.

Tambuwal is not the only governor credited with ambition to go for the sole ticket as his Bauchi state counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed is said to be in the race as well.

Another colourful in the race is Bukola Saraki whose 2023 Presidential posters were pasted at designated areas of the nation’s capital a few months ago. Although the former Senate President was quick to dismiss them, the ex-Kwara state governor has continued to make significant inroads into the nation’s political cum geographical zones, particularly after his appointment as the chairman of the PDP’s reconciliation and strategy committee.

A member of NEC of the PDP noted that owing to the fact that the Presidential ticket is north-bound, “Saraki will fight it out with others given the nod of approval he has so far gotten from his nationwide consultations. He is contesting and you can take that to the bank,” he said.

Vanguard Newspaper

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diplomacy

Equatorial Guinea 2035: A Bold Vision for Sustainable, Inclusive, and Globally Integrated Growth

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Straddling the strategic heart of the Gulf of Guinea, Equatorial Guinea is leveraging its institutional stability, rich natural endowments, and prime geographic location to chart a decisive path toward becoming an emerging, diversified, and resilient economy by 2035. This ambition, formalized in the National Sustainable Development Strategy “Agenda Guinea Ecuatorial 2035” (adopted in 2021 following the Third National Economic Conference), aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It marks a deliberate shift from hydrocarbon dependence toward a balanced model of growth that prioritizes people, productivity, and planetary health.

The strategy rests on four interconnected pillars that mirror the user’s outline, providing a coherent roadmap for transformation in a region—and a global context—marked by energy transitions and economic volatility.

Eradicating Poverty, Social Inclusion, and Lasting Peace

Equatorial Guinea has anchored its development in social cohesion and stability as non-negotiable foundations. With poverty rates hovering around 50-57% amid recent economic pressures, the Agenda 2035 prioritizes massive investments in education, vocational training, healthcare access, and targeted inclusion policies for youth and women. These efforts aim to address multidimensional poverty, including nutrition, water, and basic services, while fostering a peaceful environment that attracts long-term investment.

In a volatile Gulf of Guinea region, the country’s relative institutional continuity offers a comparative edge, enabling a focus on shared prosperity rather than conflict. Progress here is essential: recent World Bank assessments highlight that sustained gains in human capital and social protection will be critical to reversing poverty trends exacerbated by food inflation and hydrocarbon decline.

Boosting Productivity, Economic Diversification, and Industrialization

Oil and gas have long dominated (still accounting for a large share of GDP, exports, and revenues), but maturing fields and declining production—evident in recent contractions—underscore the urgency of transformation. The Agenda 2035 drives a strategic pivot through:

– Development of industrial zones and local processing
– Modernization of ports and logistics
– Sustainable agriculture and agro-industry expansion (including revival of cocoa, coffee, and value chains like coconuts)
– Support for innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging sectors such as the green, blue, digital, and “yellow” (likely agro/mining-related) economies

The goal is clear: generate quality jobs, add value domestically, and position the country as a competitive hub in Central Africa. Reforms to improve the business environment, financial inclusion, and infrastructure are underway, complemented by efforts toward WTO accession and private-sector-led growth. Non-hydrocarbon sectors are already showing resilience, though challenges like governance gaps and infrastructure deficits remain.

Environmental Sustainability and Territorial Development

With exceptional biodiversity—from tropical forests to marine ecosystems—Equatorial Guinea is embedding sustainability at the core of its vision. Priorities include preserving forests (via REDD + initiatives), advancing renewable energy, promoting balanced urban planning, and developing responsible ecotourism. Sites on Bioko Island and mainland national parks hold untapped potential as authentic, high-value destinations.

This pillar directly tackles climate risks and the post-oil transition, with strategies for low-carbon development and ecosystem services (e.g., wood processing linked to ecotourism and agriculture). An integrated approach—combining land-use planning, clean energy, and sustainable farming—could simultaneously protect natural capital and drive inclusive growth.
A Strategic Magnet for Investors and Tourism

Equatorial Guinea presents itself as an investor-friendly destination through political stability, ongoing economic reforms, modernizing infrastructure, and privileged access to Central African markets. Parallel efforts are elevating tourism with a premium offering: pristine nature, African hospitality, and upgraded facilities. Recent initiatives target barriers to entry and promote ecotourism as a diversification lever, while partnerships in fisheries, agro-processing, and digital sectors broaden appeal.

Outlook: A Model for Balanced African Development

By 2035, Equatorial Guinea aims not merely to adapt but to exemplify a new African development paradigm—one that harmonizes economic expansion, social equity, and environmental stewardship. This vision resonates with broader continental initiatives that seek to accelerate growth, deepen regional integration, and elevate Africa as a hub of innovation and opportunity.

Implementation will test resolve amid real headwinds: declining hydrocarbon revenues, the need for stronger governance and human capital investment, and global uncertainties. Yet the foundations—strategic location, resource base, and explicit policy alignment with global agendas—position the country to attract structuring partnerships and revalue its potential on the world stage.

Equatorial Guinea is more than a destination; it is a compelling opportunity for investors, partners, and visionaries committed to sustainable African success. With disciplined execution, the 2035 horizon could mark the emergence of a diversified, inclusive economy that delivers prosperity for its people while contributing meaningfully to the continent’s rise.

This narrative, rooted in the official Agenda 2035 framework, offers a forward-looking yet grounded perspective suitable for international news or investment publications—highlighting ambition without overlooking the structural shifts required for realization.

By Uche EJIMS
Making Africa Great Ahead
MAGAH

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Business

A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Foreign Missions: MFA, AGF Agree on Timely Fund Release

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a proactive step toward further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions worldwide. This follows a productive engagement between the Ministry and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), aimed at ensuring a more streamlined and timely release of budgeted funds for Nigeria’s foreign service operations.

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, paid a working visit to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen B. Ogunjimi, on Monday, 8 December 2025.

The meeting focused on strengthening administrative coordination and improving financial processes that support the work of Nigeria’s embassies, high commissions, and consulates across the world. Both offices reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing transparency, efficiency, and timely financial releases in line with the Federal Government’s broader reforms in public service management.

The engagement also reflects the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with relevant institutions to elevate Nigeria’s global representation—particularly at a time when new ambassadors have recently been nominated and Nigeria continues to expand its diplomatic engagements internationally.

The collaborative effort highlights the Federal Government’s dedication to ensuring that Nigeria’s missions remain well-positioned to deliver quality consular services, promote national interests abroad, and respond effectively to the needs of Nigerians in the diaspora.

Naija Diaspora Magazine remains committed to bringing credible and positive updates on developments shaping Nigeria’s diplomacy and global outreach.

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Events

Afrique-con Inaugurates New Douala Office to Elevate Customer Experience

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Afrique-con Plc has officially inaugurated its new office in Douala, a modern and comfortable space designed to enhance the experience of its valued customers.
The event was graced by Amb. Francis Ntui Enya, Consul General of Nigeria in Douala, who had the honor of commissioning the office.

The inauguration also attracted prominent members of the Nigerian community in Cameroon, including the community president and executive members, state union chairmen, market union leaders, the patron of the community, key personalities, the family of the CEO, as well as representatives of the media who ensured the event was well-documented.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Amb. Enya delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech. He addressed the gathering in two capacities: as the Consul General of Nigeria in Douala, and as a Nigerian whose hometown, Ikom, shares a border with Cameroon.

While he spent parts of his early life in Cameroon before returning to Nigeria to continue his education and eventually begin his career as a diplomat, it is noteworthy that he was born in Douala, which gives him a special connection to the city. Coincidentally, he was posted back to Douala as Consul General just over a year ago, strengthening his unique ties to both countries. He praised Afrique-con’s initiative, highlighting its role in strengthening cross-border ties and providing essential services to Nigerians living in Cameroon. He assured the company’s management that the Consulate General is ready to assist any Nigerian nationals wishing to return home, especially those without travel documents, by providing temporary documents to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey back to Nigeria.

Amb. Enya also expressed his appreciation to Chief James Kamaha, CEO of Afrique-con, for their strong and cordial relationship, and he prayed for the safety of the agency and its clients, particularly during this peak travel period when many Nigerians return home to celebrate with loved ones.

Speaking at the event, Chief James Kamaha thanked everyone for their support, loyalty, and trust in Afrique-con over the years. He expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian community for choosing Afrique-con as their preferred transport service, acknowledging that their continued patronage has been key to the company’s growth. He also commended his staff and management team for their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to delivering excellent service to every traveler.

Afrique-con is recognized as a leading transport company in Central Africa, owned by a Cameroonian entrepreneur, offering reliable, safe, and comfortable cross-border travel between Cameroon, Nigeria, and beyond. The new Douala office reflects the company’s commitment to professionalism, comfort, and convenience for its customers, making every interaction a pleasant experience. For many, Afrique-con is more than just a transport provider; it is a trusted bridge between nations, a “flight on land” that connects people, families, and communities.

Naija Diaspora Magazine congratulates Afrique-con Plc on this milestone and reiterates its appreciation to the Nigerian community for their loyalty and support. We also commend the staff and management of Afrique-con for their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to excellence. We wish the company continued growth and success as it strengthens cross-border travel, fosters community ties, and sets new standards in customer service.

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