STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

WHAT PRESIDENT TINUBU DISCUSSED WITH US PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ADVISOR

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received a State Department representative from President Donald J. Trump’s administration, Mr. Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa, on Thursday in Paris.

The meeting focused on developing a strategic economic and security partnership between Nigeria, Africa, and the United States anchored on mutual respect, prosperity, and regional stability.

The US State Department rep conveyed President Trump’s strong interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa.

The US wanted to work closely with President Tinubu to expand American investment in Nigeria and Africa, support energy and infrastructure development, and align trade and job creation efforts.

Both sides discussed actionable support and shared their perspectives on regional peace, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the Sahel.

President Trump’s advisor recognised Nigeria’s regional and continental leadership and supported President Tinubu’s interventions to stabilise key African regions.

President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to build productive alliances with the United States, centred on transparency, opportunity, mutual respect and outcomes that strengthen Africa’s place in the global economy.

The Nigerian Correctional Service, Gombe State Command, has denied allegations that it prevented members of Take-It-Back Movement from visiting remanded state coordinator, Thomas Umar.

Our correspondent reports that Umar, 32, was remanded on April 10, 2025 at the Gombe Medium Security Custodial Centre on the order of Federal High Court, Gombe.

He is being held in custody for the offence of insult, enmity, hatred and ill-will which is a punishable under the Cybercrime Act 2015, now amended, following a case filed by Minority Whip of House of Representatives and member representing Billiri Balanga Federal Constituency, Ali Isa.

According to a statement obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, which was signed by DSC Abdullahi Hamma, the Command’s Public Relations Officer on behalf of Salihu Abdullahi, the Controller of Corrections, Gombe State Command, reports that officials barred members of the group was false.

Hamma described the allegations being peddled by an online news outlet as false, unpatriotic and an attempt at denting the good image of the Service.

He said that NCoS remained committed to ensuring that the rights of every inmate was protected in line with the provisions of the law.

The statement said, “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Gombe State Command has been drawn to a purported online report.

“The online report alleged that officials of the MSCC Gombe blocked members of the above mentioned group from visiting the said Thomas Umar.

“The Command wishes to inform the general public that this report is false, unpatriotic and also fabricated to paint the image of the Service in bad light.”

It added that the concerned inmate, Umar, had earlier applied through the Welfare Office that only few authorised persons would visit him, stressing that the names of those persons he wishes to see were clearly listed in the content of his application.

He said that Umar, clearly in his application stated that any visitor whose names were not mentioned in his application should not be allowed unless with his “humble consent”.

While urging the media to painstakingly fact-check reports to avoid circulating falsehoods, he stressed the need for members of the public to disregard the report.

“The NCoS is committed to upholding justice and fairness in ensuring that all inmates in custody are being properly reformed, rehabilitated and reintegrated at the expiration of their jail term,” Hamma added.

Deji Adeyanju, a prominent human rights lawyer and senior partner at Deji Adeyanju & Partners, has congratulated High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on his 54th birthday, lauding him as a transformative figure in the Niger Delta’s quest for justice and development.
In a statement on Sunday, Adeyanju described Tompolo as the “great lion of the Niger Delta” and the “Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation,” recognizing his decades-long advocacy for the region’s rights. He credited Tompolo’s efforts with securing the 13% derivation fund from the Federal Government, a milestone that has bolstered economic development and empowerment in the Niger Delta.

Adeyanju also highlighted Tompolo’s role in protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas assets through Tantita Security Services, a firm founded by Tompolo. The organization has been instrumental in curbing vandalism, contributing to the nation’s economic stability. Additionally, Adeyanju noted that Tompolo’s advocacy has helped reduce environmental pollution in the region, though challenges remain.

“His monumental contributions to Nigeria’s economic development will forever be etched in history,” Adeyanju said. He wished Tompolo continued strength and resilience in his service to the nation and humanity.

Adeyanju credited Tompolo with contributing to the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stating that their advocacy led to significant infrastructure improvements, including the construction of roads, provision of motorable routes, and access to drinking water in numerous Niger Delta communities.

He further noted that the relative peace the region enjoys today would not have been possible without Tompolo and other agitators choosing to lay down their arms. Adeyanju attributed the creation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which has empowered millions of Niger Delta youths through skills acquisition and development initiatives, to the impact of Tompolo and other agitators’ actions.

Tompolo’s work has spurred significant development across Niger Delta communities, earning him widespread recognition as a defender of the Ijaw nation. Adeyanju extended his wishes for a long, healthy, and impactful life, celebrating Tompolo’s enduring legacy as an emancipator of his people.