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Ndume Speaks On Canada Visa Denial To CDS, Asks Nigerians To Respect Themselves

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Lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district at the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has suggested that leaders in the country do not accord themselves the needed respect before the international community.

Ndume said this in reaction to recent denial of visa to Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa by the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria.

As earlier reported, Musa was scheduled to travel to Canada for an event in honour of the fallen heroes but was denied visa by the Canadian embassy in Nigeria.

Speaking at the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies, AANISS, in Abuja on Thursday, Musa confirmed they were denied visas to Canada.

Musa said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those that were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there.”

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, in his reaction, had berated the Canadian embassy for denying the Chief of Defence Staff and other army chiefs visas.

Ribadu said the North American country “can go to hell”.

However, Canada said it cannot reveal the reason for denying visa to Musa and his colleagues due to “privacy reasons”.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had also described the incident as disrespectful to Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo stated that the action by the Canadian embassy was condemnable and showed lack of respect to Nigeria as a country.

But appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ndume suggested that Nigerian leaders should learn to stay home instead of globetrotting.

“You brought about the CDS drama and how the NSA reacted or overreacted. In the first place, There’s no doubt that that is a kind of disrespect to Nigeria, but you have to respect yourself first.

“They should have written to them, inviting them. And it is that letter of invitation, I don’t know whether they did that, that they would have used to ask for a visa, and it should be clear, if they don’t get the visa, they don’t go.

“I’m happy the CDS is not worried about it. But if you don’t respect yourself that much, this is what happens.

“How can, I can’t imagine it. How can the CDS of Nigeria, a country that is known and the most populous and ranked top, and we have been contributing to international engagements, denied visa?

“And what they wanted to do was to go and attend the whatever in honour of the fallen heroes. So I can understand why the NSA was very angry, but for me, as I said, let’s be Nigerians.

“I don’t go anywhere. And I’m a Senator. For the past 15-20, years, I’ve been in the National Assembly. I don’t go anywhere. I don’t need to go anywhere. Nigeria is my country.”

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Rivers Assembly Suspends Impeachment Move Against Fubara After Tinubu’s Intervention

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially suspended impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

The House moved the motion to halt the impeachment process on Thursday at its resumed sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

JomogNews had reported that during its first sitting of 2026, the House had begun impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the State Assembly complex and alleged spending without legislative approval, among other claims.

More details later….

 

 

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Reserves Surge To $48.5bn As Nigeria Reclaims 2013 Peak Levels

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Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have reached $48.5 billion, their highest level in nearly 13 years.

This milestone, confirmed by data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), surpasses previous multi-year peaks and represents the strongest balance since May 14, 2013, when reserves stood at approximately $48.51 billion.

However, the data showed that the foreign reserves increased steadily by 6.45 percent or $2.94 billion year-to-date, from $45.56 billion reported on January 1 to $48.5 billion.

Further checks showed that the FX reserves figure was $48.36 billion on Monday.

According to the CBN, FX reserves are assets held on reserve by a monetary authority in foreign currencies, which are used to back liabilities and influence monetary policy.

On December 22, 2025, the apex bank projected that the country’s external reserves would rise to $51.04 billion in 2026, saying the increase will be supported by FX reforms.

“Reforms in the foreign exchange market are expected to sustain exchange rate stability, while external reserves are projected to increase to US$51.04 billion,” CBN said.

On February 10, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, said the bank will do “whatever it takes” to safeguard the value of the naira, while strengthening the country’s external reserves.

Looking ahead to 2030, he said the CBN’s targets include achieving single-digit inflation and growing foreign exchange (FX) reserves driven by non-oil exports, foreign direct investment, and diaspora remittances.

 

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Ogun Police Launch Investigation Into TikToker Mirabel’s Sexual Assault Claims

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The Ogun State Police Command has launched an investigation into sexual assault allegations made by a TikToker known as Mirabel (@mirab351), who is currently receiving treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The case gained widespread attention after she posted emotional videos on Monday, February 16, detailing an attack she claimed occurred at her home the previous Sunday.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development on Thursday while speaking on The Morning Brief.

Babaseyi confirmed that Mirabel voluntarily visited the Ibafo Police Division on Tuesday, February 17, to lodge a formal complaint and was subsequently admitted to the hospital for medical care due to her unstable condition.

“When the DPO in Ibafo met with her, she was taken to the hospital for medical analysis. She wasn’t as stable as necessary, but we ensured the investigation continued.

“As we speak, she is in the intensive care unit getting appropriate care. Her medical well-being is more important to us at this point. When she is stable, we can now continue investigations and get the necessary facts,” Babaseyi said.

According to Babaseyi, the incident reportedly occurred in Ogijo, a border community between Ogun and Lagos states.

The police have established that Mirabel was not arrested, but rather, she is being treated as a victim.

The command urges individuals with useful information to come forward and assist with the investigation.

“She was not arrested by the police. She reported a case, and we are investigating. Nothing like her arrest happened,” he said.

“If the allegation is established to be true, the perpetrator will be arrested and charged to court appropriately. Otherwise, the law also addresses giving false information,” the police stated.

The police said they will rely on evidence to reach a logical conclusion and take appropriate action.

“We advise people not to jump to conclusions based on emotions. We are investigating and will rely on evidence to reach a logical conclusion,” Babaseyi said.

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