Economy
Akpabio Wecome Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parilla: Full Speech
Akpabio Wecome Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parilla: Full Speech
Akpabio wecome minister of foreign affairs of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parilla in his full speech says. It is with the utmost honor and warmth that I welcome you to Nigeria.
Your visit is not merely a gesture of diplomacy but a reaffirmation of the enduring bonds between our two nations—bonds forged in the fire of history, strengthened by shared struggles, and sealed by an unyielding commitment to justice and sovereignty.
Nigeria and Cuba have stood together for decades—not as strangers bound by convenience, but as allies bound by principle.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974, our two nations have championed the cause of self-determination, equality, and the right of all peoples to govern themselves, free from coercion or subjugation. We have upheld the right of every nation to be the master of its own destiny.
And we remember. Africa remembers. When the forces of oppression sought to choke the life out of an entire continent, when apartheid reigned as an insult to human dignity, when nations wavered and hesitated—Cuba did not. Cuba stood with Africa. Cuba fought for Africa.
At great sacrifice, Cuba sent its sons to Africa—not as conquerors, not as exploiters, but as liberators. In Angola, in Namibia, in South Africa, Cuba’s courage and solidarity became one of the shields behind which Africa gathered its strength.
Your iconic statesman and former president, Fidel Castro, put it succinctly at the 12th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Durban, South Africa, on September 2, 1998, when he said: “The blood of Cuban internationalists was shed for Africa, alongside the blood of Africans.
It was shed in defense of Africa’s sovereignty and independence. It was shed in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
Africa is in our hearts. The Cuban people hold the people of Africa in the highest regard. We are brothers and sisters.”
The decisive role Cuba played in dismantling the apartheid regime’s military strongholds and in the defeat of apartheid and colonial rule shall never be forgotten. And today, as we stand free, as the chains of oppression lie broken, we say this: Nigeria will always remember. Africa will always remember.
Your Excellency, this visit presents yet another opportunity to deepen our ties. Nigeria is eager to explore new frontiers of cooperation with Cuba—in trade, education, healthcare, technology, and culture. Together, we can build a future where the prosperity of our peoples is no longer dictated by external forces but by our own ingenuity and determination.
We are also united in our commitment to global peace, security, and a new international order—one that respects the sovereignty of all nations, big or small. As members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 plus China, we share a common vision of a world where no nation is subjected to economic strangulation simply for choosing its own path.
And on this matter, let me be unequivocal: Nigeria opposes, in the strongest terms, the unjust economic embargo imposed on Cuba. The world must recognize that no man-made embargo can compare to the boundless gifts of nature—air, water, land—all freely given by God. When properly harnessed, these gifts are sufficient to overcome any embargo. Economic blockades are relics of the past, tools of coercion unworthy of the modern world, and grave violations of international law.
Time and again, Nigeria has stood in the halls of the United Nations, casting its vote in defiance of injustice, demanding an end to this siege upon the Cuban people. We recognize the hardship these sanctions have inflicted, and we extend not only our sympathy but our unwavering solidarity.

Akpabio and Bruno Rodriguez Parilla
As José Martí, that towering figure of Cuban resistance, once declared: “Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and to speak without hypocrisy.” Cuba has exercised that right—at great cost, but with unbroken will. And so long as Cuba stands for its dignity, Nigeria shall stand with Cuba.
This visit must mark not only a renewal of our friendship but the beginning of an even stronger alliance—one that translates our shared history into shared progress, our solidarity into economic strength, and our struggles into lasting victories.
To the Cuban people, we say this: Nigeria has not forgotten, and Nigeria will not falter. Together, we move forward—undaunted, unafraid, and unyielding.
Your Excellency, welcome to Nigeria. May this visit be the dawn of greater things to come.
Economy
Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki
Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki
Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.
He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.
Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.
Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.
‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’
Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.
“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.
“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”
He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.
“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.

Obaseki
“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.
“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”
Economy
Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training
Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training
Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.
He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”
Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.
“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.
“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.

Teachers Register For Special Training
He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.
“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.
He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.
Economy
PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery
PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery
PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality
service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.
Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.
From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.
“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”

Leadway Pensure
Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.
“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.
As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.
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