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ICC welcomes reappointment of WTO head
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has welcomed the reappointment of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
ICC Secretary General John W.H Denton said: “On behalf of ICC’s global network of over 45 million comapnies in more than 170 countries, we warmly welcome the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to serve a second term as Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
“Dr Ngozi has shown immense leadership in championing multilateral cooperation through a particularly challenging period for world trade — not least the fall out from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Retaining broad based support for the WTO will clearly be vital in the years ahead. We look forward to working with the Director- General to this end — simply put, no economy will benefit from an erosion of the multilateral trade system.
“We also see an opportunity to advance pragmatic solutions through the WTO to address common trade frictions — including through coalitions of the willing where necessary.
“Action to bring greater transparency to industrial policies, enable cross-border data flows and unlock synergies between trade and sustainability objectives will be particular priorities for the global business community.”
• King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall
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Alleged N2.2bn fraud: Ngige gets bail, trials continue on January 28
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position between 2015 and 2023 to award contracts unfairly, divert funds, and enrich himself and associates.
Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has been granted bail by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarimpa.
He faces eight counts of charges bordering on abuse of office, contract fraud, and acceptance of kickbacks from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
In Thursday’s ruling, Justice Maryam Hassan adopted the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
The court ordered Ngige to produce a surety who must be a serving Federal Government director.
The surety is required to deposit travel documents with the court registrar, as Ngige claims his passport was lost.
The surety must also present landed property with a valid certificate of occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory.
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position between 2015 and 2023 to award contracts unfairly, divert funds, and enrich himself and associates.
The trial is scheduled to commence on January 28, 2026.
News
BREAKING: Senate Confirms Former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Others as Ambassadors
#The Nigerian Senate has confirmed a list of high-profile non-career ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu, including former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, social media influencer and former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and ex-Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK).
The confirmations followed screenings by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which cleared the nominees amid some procedural debates but ultimately recommended their approval.
Other prominent figures confirmed include former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and several former senators and political allies.
The approvals form part of a broader diplomatic restructuring by the Tinubu administration, with the nominees expected to be deployed to key missions abroad to strengthen Nigeria’s international relations.
Sources indicate that the list, which includes a mix of career and non-career diplomats totaling around 68, addresses long-standing vacancies in Nigeria’s foreign missions.
The nominations had sparked public debate earlier, with critics questioning the inclusion of politically controversial figures, while supporters highlighted their experience in public service and loyalty to national interests.
The confirmed ambassadors-designate will receive their specific postings after formal letters of credence from the president.
This development marks a significant step in revitalizing Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally.
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