The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday lambasted the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over its comments on the delay in appointment of ambassadors.
The Ministry also described as “false” and “insulting” the ADC’s assertion that Nigerian missions have become “sorry symbols.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar said the claims of the party are nothing but “alarmist, politically motivated, and fundamentally misinformed.”
He said that the claim of the party undermines the efforts of foreign service officers who serve under difficult conditions.
The minister in a statement signed by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said: “Nigeria remains fully and effectively represented in all of its foreign missions by seasoned diplomats and experienced chargés d’affaires.
“These professionals continue to advance Nigeria’s interests, uphold consular services, facilitate trade and investment, and safeguard the welfare of citizens abroad.
“The ADC’s assertion that Nigerian missions have become ‘sorry symbols’ is not only false but insulting to the hardworking men and women of Nigeria’s foreign service.
“It is categorically untrue that morale is at its ‘lowest.’ Nigerian diplomats continue to serve with distinction.”
Highlighting the recent international engagements of Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdulkadir pointed to meetings with foreign counterparts from the U.S., UK, Germany, China, Japan, and Egypt, as well as active participation in BRICS, the African Union, and ECOWAS as evidence of Nigeria’s strong diplomatic presence.
On the issue of ambassadorial appointments, the Minister stressed that it is not a matter of “partisan appeasement.”
“The appointment of ambassadors is a sovereign function, not a matter to be rushed for political convenience or partisan appeasement,” the Ministry stated. “President Tinubu… is committed to reforming the foreign service architecture to ensure that future postings are driven by merit, competence, national interest, and strategic alignment, not patronage or expediency.”
The Ministry also addressed the ADC’s claim that Nigeria mishandled a reported U.S. proposal to accept Venezuelan deportees, stating that the government’s response was “clear, principled, and consistent with its sovereign rights.”
“The notion that the Foreign Minister’s public articulation of Nigeria’s position was a diplomatic faux pas ignores the realities of modern diplomacy, where transparency and responsible communication are increasingly vital,” the statement added.
Calling the ADC’s commentary a product of “political opportunism,” the Ministry urged political actors to avoid using foreign policy as a tool for partisan attacks.
“Diplomacy must not be used as a tool for partisan attacks. Nigeria’s global reputation is too valuable to be undermined by sensationalism and domestic political point-scoring,” “Diplomacy is built on consistency, discretion, and strategic clarity, not populism,” it said.
Ends
Guterres: End of Fossil Fuel Has Come
From: Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja
The end of fossil fuel is around the corner as the world has started embracing clean energy,
The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has predicted an end to fossil fuel, as the world has started embracing clean energy.
Guterres in a televised broadcast: “A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the Clean Energy Age,”said: “The headlines are dominated by a world in trouble. By conflict and climate chaos.
By rising human suffering. By growing geo-political divides. But amidst the turmoil, another story is being written.
“And its implications will be profound.
Throughout history, energy has shaped the destiny of humankind – from mastering
fire, to harnessing steam, to splitting the atom. Now, we are on the cusp of a new era.
Fossil fuels are running out of road. The sun is rising on a clean energy age.
“Just follow the money $2 trillion went into clean energy last year – that’s $800 billion more than fossil fuels, and up almost 70% in ten years.
“And new data released today from the International Renewable Energy Agency
shows that solar – not so long ago four times the cost of fossil fuels – is now 41%
cheaper. Offshore wind – 53%. And over 90% of new renewables worldwide produced electricity for less than the
cheapest new fossil fuel alternative.
“This is not just a shift in power. It is a shift in possibility. Yes, in repairing our relationship with the climate. Already, the carbon emissions saved by solar and wind globally are almost equivalent to what the whole European Union produces in a year.
But this transformation is fundamentally about energy security and people’s
security.
“It’s about smart economics. Decent jobs, public health, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. And delivering clean and affordable energy to everyone, everywhere.
“Today, we are releasing a special report with the support of UN agencies and
partners — the International Energy Agency, the IMF, IRENA, the OECD and the
World Bank. The report shows how far we have come in the decade since the Paris Agreement sparked a clean energy revolution. And it highlights the vast benefits – and actions needed – to accelerate a just transition globally. Renewables already nearly match fossil fuels in global installed power capacity. And that’s just the beginning.
“Last year, almost all the new power capacity built came from renewables.
Every continent on Earth added more renewables capacity than fossil fuels.
And renewables generated almost a third of global electricity. The clean energy future is no longer a promise. It’s a fact. No government. No industry. No special interest can stop it.”
Gutteres said: “Of course, the fossil fuel lobby will try – and we know the lengths to which they will go. But I have never been more confident that they will fail – because we have passed the point of no return.”
He explained that there are three powerful reasons; which are market economics as number one, stating that: “For decades, emissions and economic growth rose together,” but: “No more in many advanced economies, emissions have peaked, but growth continues.
“In 2023 alone, clean energy sectors drove 10% of global GDP growth. In India, 5%. The United States, 6%. China – a leader in the energy transition – 20%. And in the European Union, nearly 33%. And clean energy sector jobs now outnumber fossil fuel jobs – employing almost 35 million people worldwide. Even Texas – the heart of the American fossil fuel industry – now leads the US in renewables.”
He noted that “it makes economic sense.
And yet fossil fuels still enjoy a 9 to 1 advantage in consumption subsidies
globally – a clear market distortion.
Add to that the unaccounted costs of climate damages on people and planet – and the distortion is even greater,” decrying that: “Countries that cling to fossil fuels are not protecting their economies – they are
sabotaging them; Driving up costs;
Undermining competitiveness; Locking-in stranded assets; And missing the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century.”
He said secondly, renewables are here to stay because they are the foundation of
energy security and sovereignty.
Guterres said: “Let’s be clear: The greatest threat to energy security today is fossil fuels. They leave economies and people at the mercy of price shocks, supply disruptions, and geopolitical turmoil.
Just look at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A war in Europe led to a global energy crisis.
Oil and gas prices soared. Electricity and food bills followed.
“In 2022 average households around the world saw energy costs jump 20%.
Modern and competitive economies need stable, affordable energy. Renewables
offer both. There are no price spikes for sunlight. No embargoes on wind. Renewables can put power – literally and figuratively – in the hands of people and
governments.
“And almost every nation has enough sun, wind, or water to become energy self-
sufficient. Renewables mean real energy security. Real energy sovereignty. And real freedom from fossil-fuel volatility.”
He said the third and final reason why there is no going back on renewables is because of easy access.
The UN Secretary General said: “You can’t build a coal plant in someone’s backyard.
But you can deliver solar panels to the most remote village on earth. Solar and wind can be deployed faster, cheaper and more flexibly than fossil fuels ever could.
“And while nuclear will be part of the global energy mix, it can never fill the access
gaps. All of this is a game-changer for the hundreds of millions of people still living
without electricity – most of them in Africa, a continent bursting with renewable
potential.”
He noted that by 2040, Africa could generate 10 times more electricity than it needs – entirely from renewables.
