The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, describing the ongoing political drama orchestrated by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as a “shameful circus.”

Bratislava [Slovakia], April 10 (ANI): Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini on Wednesday (local time) announced the country’s full support for India‘s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting the longstanding and growing relationship between Slovakia and India, according to a Joint Press Statement, amid President Droupadi Murmu‘s state visit to the nation.

According to the joint press statement, President Pellegrini emphasised Slovakia‘s commitment to backing India‘s bid, stating, “I would like to clearly declare at this place that within the United Nations, Slovakia is prepared to fully support India‘s bid to become a new permanent memberof the UN Security Council.”

Meanwhile, President Murmu, in the statement, expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Slovakia and acknowledged the mutual respect between the two nations and commended Slovakia for its cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, science and technology, defence, and space.

She further acknowledged Slovakia‘s “unwavering support” in evacuating Indian students from Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, strengthening the bond between the two nations.

“I am extremely pleased to be in Slovakia, my first State visit to this beautiful country. I thank President Pellegrini and the people of Slovakia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and my delegation. I bring warm wishes from the people of India. India and Slovakia are based on mutual respect, democratic ideals and a shared vision for global cooperation. Our two countries support each other in international forums, reflecting our deep friendship. Our trade relations are flourishing, and our trade and investment have grown significantly in recent years,” Murmu said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Slovakia for its unwavering support in evacuating Indian students from Ukraine. India will always remember Slovakia‘s cooperation and generosity, which strengthens our bond as true partners and friends,” she added.

The leaders discussed various areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, nuclear cooperation, and cultural exchange and also reviewed global and regional issues of mutual interest, reinforcing their shared vision for international cooperation.

“We resolved to further strengthen our long-term bilateral relations covering all areas, including trade and investment, science and technology, defence, digital technology, migration and mobility, space, nuclear cooperation, and culture, and to further promote people-to-people contacts,” President Murmu added.

The two Presidents also signed documents related to the exchange of diplomats and cooperation in the field of small and medium enterprises.

Meanwhile, trade between the two countries has tripled in the past five years, reaching nearly EUR 1.3 billion, with Indian investments in Slovakia, including the Tata Jaguar Land Rover assembly plant in Nitra, contributing to this growth.

“Two documents on bilateral cooperation were signed, one pertaining to the exchange of our diplomats and the second supporting cooperation of small and medium companies. I can declare with pleasure that substantial growth is also a mutual trade which, over the past five years, has tripled today, reaching the level of nearly EUR 1.3 billion, and I’m very pleased indeed that the Indian partners are also showing more and more interest now in Slovakia,” President Pelligrini said.

In addition to these bilateral discussions, President Murmu and President Pellegrini will jointly inaugurate the India-Slovak Business Forum on Thursday and visit the Jaguar Land Rover Assembly plant in Nitra, marking a significant milestone in economic cooperation between the two countries.

President Murmu’s visit, the first by an Indian head of state to Slovakia in nearly 30 years, is expected to further strengthen the political and economic ties between the two nations. The visit underscores the growing partnership between India and Slovakia, with a focus on expanding trade, investment, and cooperation in various sectors.

Owerri, April 3, 2025 – The Government of Imo State has issued a stern warning to the general public against engaging in unauthorized land transactions within designated government layouts across the state.

In a public notice released by the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, the Honourable Commissioner, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, cautioned that all prospective land buyers must verify every land transaction through the ministry before proceeding, to avoid legal complications and financial loss.

The government expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in police cases and litigations linked to unverified land dealings, especially within key government layouts. The affected layouts include:

1. 3R Residential Layout, Off Onitsha Road

2. Housing Area TM, New Owerri

3. Housing Area TN, New Owerri

4. Unity Layout Extension, Uratta, Owerri North LGA

5. Ekwema (GRA) Residential Layout

6. Shared Prosperity Layout, Port Harcourt Road, New Owerri

7. Riverside Layout, Orji/Amata

8. New Community Layout, Okuku, Owerri West

The statement made it unequivocally clear that no official land allocation exercise has been conducted within any of the listed layouts since the inception of the administration of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma.

“The public is hereby warned to desist from transacting on any purported land allocation in the said layouts,” the statement read. “The Government and the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning shall not be held liable for any act of negligence resulting in loss, litigation, or any adverse consequences suffered by land speculators or buyers.”

The ministry reiterated that all land transactions must be duly verified at the Ministry of Lands, Block 7, State Secretariat Complex, Owerri, to ensure legality and avoid falling prey to fraudsters and illegal developers.

The warning comes as part of a broader effort by the state government to sanitize the land sector and protect residents from avoidable disputes and fraudulent practices.