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Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu: The quintessential Nigeria’s Minister Of State, Foreign Affairs, By Emeka Monye

On Monday, October, 21st, 2024, President Bola Tinubu made a policy announcement in a major cabinet reshuffle, among which was the appointment of former beauty queen, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of state, Foreign Affairs.
Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, by routine, replaced former Women Affairs Minster, barrister Uju Kenedy-Ohaneye, from Anambra state, who had occupied that office since August 2023.
Bar. Ohanenye’s removal didn’t come as a surprise. It was much anticipated because of her many controversies while she held sway in the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Ojugwu’s appoinemt though didn’t come with much surprise, but some party members of the All Progressive Congress, APC faulted her appointment, citing some infractions to party membership before one could be offered such a position.
Their argument is that Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu isn’t a full APC member and therefore shouldn’t have been appointed a Minister.
While some APC caucus members in the state acknowledged the president’s prerogative in ministerial appointments, they nonetheless express their concerns about the potential for discord within party ranks of the party, especially as the 2027 general elections approach.
Their arguments appear plausible in principles, and their grievances seem genuine, however beyond party politics and sentiments, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has very much to offer this present administration in terms of image building, brand positioning, goodwill, and building alliances, both domestically and globally for obvious reasons – she is experienced, exposed, skilled, competent, and has built capacity over the years, both in her private and public lives.
Her appointment by the Tinubu-led administration is a testament of her good work and as a woman who has distinguished herself in both private and public sectors in Nigeria.
Bianca is a remarkable figure celebrated not just for her stunning looks but also for her extraordinary achievements across various fields. She is more than just a beauty queen; she’s a dynamic politician, diplomat, lawyer, and businesswoman.
Through her various roles, she has effectively bridged cultures and represented her country with elegance and authority, solidifying her status as a multifaceted leader. Bianca’s journey is a powerful blend of beauty, intellect, and dedication to public service, making her an inspiring role model for many. (Saturday Independent)
The widow of former Biafra president Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, she is a multiple international pageant title holder, having won Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 1988, Miss Africa, and Miss Intercontinental.
The former beauty queen once served as a presidential adviser, Nigeria’s ambassador to Ghana and Spain in 2012 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Certainly, reminding one of her distinguished tenure as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, between 2012-2015, is a clear reference point of her exceptional leadership, diplomatic prowess, and dedication to promoting Nigeria’s interests in the global community.
Her successes as Nigeria’s ambassador resonate in many ways, including fostering bilateral relations, enhancing economic cooperation, and showcasing Nigerian culture, certainly serves as a strong foundation for her success in this new role.
Born into the influential Christian Onoh’s family on August 5th, 1967, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu attended the University of Buckingham, University of Nigeria, Nigerian Law School, Alfonso X El Sabio University
As Minister of State, I have no doubt Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu will bring the skills, experiences, competences, capacity and exposure to play in contributing to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, strengthen international partnerships, and yield tangible benefits for our nation.
Emeka Monye Is A Journalist, Works With ARISE NEWS
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JUST IN: President Tinubu set to return to Nigeria after Saint Lucia, Brazil trip

President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Saturday (today) two weeks after his two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil.
The President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga announced this in a post on his official X handle.
Recall that Tinubu departed Abuja for Saint Lucia and Brazil on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
The President paid a state visit to Saint Lucia as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and strengthen South-South cooperation.
Tinubu on July 4th departed Saint Lucia for Brazil where he attend the 2025 BRICS Summit, held July 6-7, 2025.
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CBN And Bank of Industry Partner With CEAN To Stabilise Nigeria’s Creative Sector Post-COVID
For more than a decade, CEAN has played a vital role in connecting Nigeria’s informal creative workforce to structured policy, funding, and formal economic opportunities.

September 12, 2022, Lagos, Nigeria –
In a bold and strategic move to rescue Nigeria’s creative industries from the lingering economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) partnered with the Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (CEAN) to design and implement a nationwide intervention targeting vulnerable creative businesses.
The collaboration, launched in mid-2022, marks a milestone in the recognition of Nigeria’s creative economy as a critical pillar of national development—and affirms CEAN’s position as a trusted stakeholder in industry policy and infrastructure development.
Responding to a Sector in Crisis
The partnership was galvanized by CEAN’s early post-pandemic white paper, “Creating Through Crisis: The Future of Nigerian Creativity Post-COVID.
It presented compelling data and policy recommendations that influenced federal strategy.
While other sectors received initial support under the government’s economic recovery plans, it was CEAN’s persistent advocacy and detailed sector mapping that brought national attention to the creative industries’ urgent needs.
CEAN’s nationwide rollout had seen the training of over 2,000 creative entrepreneurs, advisory support to more than 500 micro-businesses, and the establishment of regional Creative Recovery Hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu.
“From day one of the pandemic, we understood that Nigeria’s cultural workforce—millions strong—was at risk of collapse,” said Adebowale Ewedemi, CEAN founding executive and veteran media entrepreneur.
“We didn’t just lobby for change; we brought the tools, the structure, and the roadmap,” said Ewedemi.
From Blueprint to Implementation
The result was a landmark intervention program backed by BOI and regulated by CBN, with CEAN serving as the official implementation partner.
The program delivers targeted support to struggling sub-sectors including independent film, performance art, fashion, radio, music, design, and digital content production.
Highlights of the program include:
• Access to low-interest working capital for creative entrepreneurs
• Training grants and accelerator programs for skill development
• Support for studio and performance infrastructure
• Technical assistance for digital transformation and business retooling.
CEAN’s nationwide rollout had seen the training of over 2,000 creative entrepreneurs, advisory support to more than 500 micro-businesses, and the establishment of regional Creative Recovery Hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu.
Sustained Leadership in Nigeria’s Creative Economy
This intervention is only the latest in CEAN’s long record of national impact. During the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the association served as a frontline support system—offering emergency relief, transitioning training programs online, and shaping portions of the Federal Government’s Survival Fund.
For more than a decade, CEAN has played a vital role in connecting Nigeria’s informal creative workforce to structured policy, funding, and formal economic opportunities.
Through this work, the association—under Ewedemi’s leadership—has consistently introduced original models, innovative frameworks, and institutional partnerships that define sustainable creative sector governance in Africa.
Architects of a New Creative Economy
This partnership with CBN and BOI reflects a broader understanding that Nigeria’s future is tied to the creative ingenuity of its people—and that long-term development requires strategic institutions with deep insight, trust, and capacity.
“We’re proud to move beyond advocacy into implementation. This is not a moment—it’s a movement. We are helping to reshape the creative industry into a nationally recognized economic force, ”said Ewedemi.
As the creative sector continues to recover and rebuild, CEAN remains committed to ensuring that no artist, content creator, or cultural innovator is left behind.
News
President Tinubu congratulates Governor Okpebholo on Supreme Court Victory

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on the affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court.
The Edo State governorship election took place in September 2024, and Governor Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Supreme Court, as the final arbiter, upheld the election of the governor today.
According to the press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), President Tinubu encourages Governor Okpebholo to be magnanimous in victory and rally the citizens of Edo across divides towards a singular vision of advancing the state’s development.
The President advises that now that the governor has cleared the legal hurdles, it is time for him to accelerate the delivery of exceptional services and good governance to the people of Edo State, which he has already begun to do.
President Tinubu also congratulates the leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State and calls for cohesion and dedication in effectively discharging the mandate given by the people.
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