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ECOWAS Facing Financial Challenges, Must Not Be Overburdened- Justice Asante
ECOWAS Facing Financial Challenges, Must Not Be Overburdened- Justice Asante
By: Michael Mike
The President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, Justice Edward Amoako Asante has lamented that the regional bloc is presently facing financial challenges and must not be overburdened by its institutions.
Some of ECOWAS institutions include ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Community Court of Justice, Community Parliament, West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in West Africa (GIABA).
Speaking at the opening of the 16th
Administrative and Budget retreat of ECOWAS Court in Nasarawa State, near Abuja, Asante said with the financial challenges facing the community, it is imperative that it resources should not be overburdened.
He said: “We must all know that the Community is now financially weak and therefore we do not have to overburden the Community itself.”
He however said despite these constraints, the Court remain committed to its mandate, stating, “We still have to do our programmes to let people know that the Court is also performing its function.”
He acknowledged the essential role that budgetary allocations play in the functioning of the ECOWAS Court, stressing that: “We know budgetary issues are very important for every institution since that is the mainstay.”
He highlighted the comprehensive effort made to collate inputs from all departments and units, ensuring that the proposed budget reflects the diverse needs and priorities of the entire court.
However, the President underscored the financial challenges facing the community, cautioning against overburdening its resources.
“We must all know that the Community is now financially weak and therefore we do not have to overburden the Community itself,” he noted.
Addressing the high administrative and operational costs that constitute a significant portion of the Court’s budget, the President pointed out that approximately 80 percent of the budget is dedicated to these expenses, leaving limited funds for planned activities.
In a call for collective wisdom and strategic planning, Justice Asante urged all participants to contribute thoughtfully to the budget discussions. “We have to be able to judge all and put our heads together to come up with the best budget which when presented to the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) and to the Council of Ministers, they will look at it as a very good budget and approve it for us,” he said.
He expressed the Court’s intention to advocate for the preservation of its budget, highlighting its reliance on community funding.
Asante while declaring the Administrative and Budget retreat opened, invited participants to engage in productive dialogue and decision-making.
He said: “Without taking much of our time, I will declare the budget, and administration retreat open”.
The retreat is expected to foster thoughtful discussions, open dialogues, and constructive debates, leveraging the collective wisdom, diverse perspectives, and shared experiences of the attendees.
On his part, the Director of Administration and Finance, Dr. William Towah expressed full confidence that the retreat will pave the way for innovative solutions, inspire new ideas, and renew the sense of purpose within the Community Court of Justice.
Presenting the objectives and the expectations of the retreat, Towah emphasized the retreat’s significance as a platform to assess the Court’s progress and strategize for the future.
He commended the collective dedication and diligence of the Court’s members, which have propelled the institution to new heights, upholding the rule of law. “Our collective efforts have earned the respect and trust of our stakeholders, creating a positive impact on the lives of those we serve”, he stated.
Acknowledging the challenges that persist, he highlighted the importance of continuous improvement. He called for a critical assessment of the Court’s shortcoming and the identification of areas for enhancement.
He said: “By embracing these challenges, we can further strengthen our foundation and ensure that the Court remains a beacon of justice and fairness.”
The annual Administrative and Budget retreat was attended by the Honorable Vice President, judges, directors including and relevant staff of the Court.
ECOWAS Facing Financial Challenges, Must Not Be Overburdened- Justice Asante
News
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
By: Michael Mike
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai has called on developed countries to mop up climatic challenges they caused in developing countries, insisting that there is urgent need for them to take responsibility of international injustices especially regarding climate change.
He stated this in Abuja on Thursday at a “Seminar on Taking New Opportunities for China – Nigeria Cooperation in Deepening Reform in the New Era.”
Yu said it was unfair for developed nations to transfer the burden of developments on developing countries especially climate change and other challenges caused as a result of industrialisation.
The government envoy said China became among the top economies by adopting people centered approach and lifting 800 million people out of poverty over the past 70 years.
He further explained that his country achieved it development goals because it was open to all countries for exchange of ideas and that has been one of the major strengths the country had displayed to the world.
Yu said his country had adopted people centered approach to become relevant among the committee of nations by advocating stability among nations and in the last 70 years, it had never been to war with anyone.
He described China and Nigeria as strong partners that have been working towards the development of one another.
On his part, the head of department, political science and international relations, University of Abuja, Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, while giving a historical background on China’s development, recommended that Nigeria must be deliberate in its pursuit of development.
He noted that Nigeria has alot of good policies that require self decipline among leaders and followers to implement.
Another professor from the University of Abuja, Bibi Farouk decried that Nigeria has not grown to its commensurate capability because its leaders refused to develop the country’s infrastructure.
He said Nigeria and China need to look at technological development in its partnership agreement to help each other grow.
He advised that Nigeria should open its markets for China to enable it benefit from Chinese technology.
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
News
PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt
PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt
By: Mamman Mohammed
PDP National Chairman Ambassador Umaru Iliya Damagum today led members of
the National Working Committee and Board of Trustees of the party on a sympathy visit to Gov. Mai Mala Buni over the Mafa attack and flood in some parts of the state.
The chairman commended Gov. Buni for giving every citizen of the state a sense of belonging irrespective of political differences.
“I must appreciate you for giving everyone a sense of belonging and fulfillment, despite our political differences” he said.
Amb. Damagum said PDP shares the pain and trauma suffered by the people over the senseless killing of innocent people, and the hardships caused by the floods.
Similarly, former Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, paid a sympathy visit to the governor and prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the Mafa attack and the floods.
He prayed to Allah to grant the departed souls Aljannatul Firdaus, and to console their families.
PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt
News
UPDATE ON PLEDGES AND ACTUAL RECEIPTS OF DONATIONS FOR MAIDUGURI RELIEF FUND AS OF WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
UPDATE ON PLEDGES AND ACTUAL RECEIPTS OF DONATIONS FOR MAIDUGURI RELIEF FUND AS OF WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
By: Michael Mike
The list of pledges and actual receipts of donations and support to the Government of Borno State from corporate entities, state governments, State and National Assembly members, individuals, and non-governmental organisations are detailed below.
Kindly note that not all amounts listed were credited to the Maiduguri Relief Fund for the Borno State Government. Similarly, details of the redeemed pledges of donations and material support will be announced in due course:
Note: Updates are given at the close of every day at 7:00 pm.
States
- Bauchi State = N250m
- Kebbi State = N200m
- Adamawa State =N50m
- Yobe State = N100m
- Kano State =N100m
- Gombe State =N100m
- Taraba State =Nn100m
- Katsina State =N100m
Organisations and Individuals
- Alhaji Aliko Dangote =N2b (N1b to donated to NEMA)
- Alhaji Aminu Dantata =N1.5b
- HE Atiku Abubakar =N100m
- HE Peter Obi =N50m
- North East Dev Commission =N3b
- Nigerian Senate = N54.5m
- House of Representatives = N100m
- People’s Democratic Party (PDP) =N25m
- Borno House of Assembly =N60m
- Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan =N50m
- Hon Zainab Gimba =N25m
- Ibrahim Abba Umar =N50m
- Sumaila Satumari = N20m
- Hon Mallam Gana Kareto =N10m
- Northern Senators Forum =N10m
- Senator Barau Jibril =N10m
- Hon Moh’d Abubakar Maifata =N50m
- Southern Borno =N200m
- Hon Zakariya Dikwa =N10m
- Al-Amanah Aid =N1m
- Hon Mohammed Imam =N50m
- HE Maina Ma’aji Lawan = N10m
- HE Ali Modu Sheriff = 100m
- Hon Dr Ali Bukar Dalori = N50m
- Sen MT Monguno = N50m
- Sen Kaka Shehu Lawan = N50m
- Hon Aliyu Betara = N100m
- Hon Abdulkadir Rahis = N25m
- Hon Ibrahim Abuna = N25m
- Hon Usman Zannah = N10m
- Hon Engr Bukar Talb = 10m
- Hon Yerima Lawan Kareto = N2m
- Abdussalam Kachallah = N100m
- Awari Usman Alkali = N20m
- Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC) = N50m
- Dan Nene Construction Company = N30m
- First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu =N500m
- Dauda Kahutu (Rara Ra) =N10m
- 27 Borno LGAs =N1.350b
- Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)/Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) =N10m
Non-Cash Donations
- North East Dev Commission = 20,000 bags of 25kg rice, 20,000 cartons of macaroni and 10,000 gallons of vegetable oil.
- Sumal Food Group, Ibadan = 50,000 loaves of bread and 5,000 cartons of biscuits.
- Nasarawa State Government = 2 trucks of rice, 2 trucks of spaghetti and 2 trucks of sugar.
- General Buba Marwa (Rtd) = 10 trucks load of fertiliser worth N120m.
- Hon Aminu Jaji (HOR) = 600 bags of rice
- Nigerian Society of Engineers, Borno State Chapter = 10,000 wrappers
- Engineer Usman Monguno = 10,000 wrappers
- Alhaji Abdulkadir Ali (Matrix Energy) = Asirted food items worth N120m
- National Agency for Great Green Wall = 80 bags of 25kg rice, 30 cartons of 4.5l groundnut oil, 30 cartons of Macaroni, 30 cartons of spaghetti, 60 kerosene stoves, 73 big-size pots, 180 mats, 175 plastic chairs, 600 rubber buckets, 578 bowls, 78 mortar and pestle, 32 praying mats, 100-foot mats, 250 rubber and plastic trays, 256 bathroom slippers, 700 rubber cups, 353, stainless plates, 409 rubber plates, 291 ablation kettles, 192 aprons, 96 hand towels and 433 spoons.
- Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)/Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) = 400kg of used clothes.
UPDATE ON PLEDGES AND ACTUAL RECEIPTS OF DONATIONS FOR MAIDUGURI RELIEF FUND AS OF WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
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