Connect with us

Featured

Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings’ Demise Left Me with a Profound Sense of Personal Loss – Victor Smith

Published

2 months ago

on

By Eric Elezuo

The Ghanaian Ambassador to the United States of America, Mr Victor Emmanuel Smith, has expressed deep regrets at the death of a former First Lady of the country, Mrs Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who died on Thursday, saying Ghana has lost a bold, visionary and courageous leader.

Smith, a seasoned diplomat noted in his condolence statement that Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings brought him to politics, adding that her death has left him with a profound sense of personal loss.

He wrote:

“I received with deep sadness the news of the passing of Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and a towering figure in our nation’s political development.

“Awakened far away in Iowa with this heartbreaking news, I had hoped it was inaccurate. However, after the confirmation, I was left with a profound sense of personal loss.

“Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings introduced me into active politics in the early 1990s. Upon my return from the United Kingdom in 1994, she offered me the opportunity and space to begin my journey in public service. I remain eternally grateful for the belief she had in my potential and for the pivotal role she played in shaping my political life.

“Like many meaningful relationships, ours experienced its challenges over time. But today, I choose to remember her for the significant impact she made — on me, on countless women she inspired, and on Ghana’s democratic progress. I was hopeful that time would afford us the chance to fully reconnect. Sadly, that opportunity will no longer come in the way I had imagined.

“To her beloved children — Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi — I extend my heartfelt condolences, love, and solidarity. We were once a close family unit, and I wish to reaffirm my hand of friendship and support during this painful moment.

“Ghana has lost a bold, visionary, and courageous leader — a champion of women’s empowerment and a key actor in shaping our political history. Her legacy will stand tall for generations.

“May her soul rest in perfect peace.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured

Dangote Launches Historic ₦1trn Scholarship Scheme for 1.3m Students

Published

10 hours ago

on

December 12, 2025

By

The Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Aliko Dangote, has launched a ₦1 trillion scholarship programme targeting more than 1.3 million Nigerian students over the next decade.

The initiative, the largest private-sector education support scheme in Nigeria’s history, will begin in 2026 with ₦100 billion disbursed annually across all 774 local governments.

The programme focuses on vulnerable learners, supporting undergraduate STEM students, technical trainees, and secondary school girls through tuition aid, study materials, and essential learning supplies.

It will be implemented through a fully digital, merit-based system in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO.

Dangote said the intervention is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that financial hardship—not lack of talent—is the major barrier keeping many young people out of school. He added that 25 percent of his wealth has been committed to sustaining the Foundation’s long-term programmes.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the scheme as a transformative act of nation-building, noting that it complements government reforms in basic, tertiary and technical education.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the programme aligns with the administration’s goal of transitioning Nigeria into a knowledge-driven economy, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged the governors’ full support.

Traditional rulers including the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, who chairs the programme’s steering committee, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised the initiative as unprecedented in scope and impact.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also commended the scheme, saying it will create conditions for children to learn and families to thrive.

The scholarship initiative reinforces the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s mission to expand opportunities, drive social impact and improve the wellbeing of communities across Nigeria.

Continue Reading

Featured

Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Ikpeazu, Others Scale Senate Screening Hurdle for Ambassadorial Positions

Published

1 day ago

on

December 11, 2025

By

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, approved the nomination of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for appointment as ambassador.

Other nominees cleared by the committee include former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-special adviser on new media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Grace Bent.

Also confirmed were former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu; former Governor of Enugu, State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of Abia State, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.

The screening session, conducted in batches of five nominees each, experienced a mild drama during Omokri’s turn.

Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Adams Oshiomhole openly disagreed on how his clearance should proceed.

After Omokri’s batch had introduced themselves, Ndume moved a motion to allow the nominees to take a bow and leave.

Some senators, including Oshiomhole, indicated they wanted to comment.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, recognised Oshiomhole to speak, but Ndume insisted that his motion should be seconded before allowing further interventions.

This led to a sharp disagreement between the two senators.

Continue Reading

Featured

Tinubu Reiterates Directive on Withdrawal of VIP Police Protection

Published

2 days ago

on

December 10, 2025

By

President Bola Tinubu has insisted on his earlier directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from very important persons (VIPs) in the country.

On November 23, Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs across the country during a security meeting with the inspector-general of police (IGP), the chiefs of army and air staff, and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The president said the move was aimed at boosting police presence in communities, especially remote areas where stations are understaffed and citizens remain vulnerable to attacks.

Speaking at the opening of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Tinubu warned against non-compliance and directed Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Ibrahim Gaidam, minister of police; and Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP, to follow up on the implementation of the order.
The president noted that police officers were trained to protect the lives and property of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society, adding that the protection of a select group of VIPs is not their responsibility.

The president ordered Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, to make arrangements for the replacement of police officers by civil defence corps.

“If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.

“The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too.

“We face challenges here and there of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The civil defence is very much around.”

Tinubu said there is a need to mobilise the police appropriately due to the country’s security challenges.

Continue Reading

Trending