National News
ECOWAS Parliament says regional security operations must be strengthened to prevent coups
ECOWAS Parliament says regional security operations must be strengthened to prevent coups
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has called for collaboration between ECOWAS Commission and the African Union (AU) in order to strengthen collective regional security operations within West Africa that would ward off the constant threat of coup d’etat currently bedeviling the subregion.
This was one of the recommendations contained in the draft report presented at the end of the delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament Joint Committees on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, Judicial Affairs and Human rights, Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment in Monrovia, Liberia on Friday.
The delocalized meeting which held from July 25-28 with aim at proffering the best mechanisms for ensuring greater political inclusion in governance in member states, allowing for peace, security to prevent and resolve the multifaceted crisis faced by countries, in the draft report which would be adopted by plenary at the next session of the Parliament contained recommendations to the member states.
With the threats of insecurity in the region, the ECOWAS Parliament Committees stated that: “We appeal to the ECOWAS Commission to work hard to strengthen collective regional security operation in collaboration with the African Union and key partners.
“To encourage regional efforts in addressing the concerns and common security challenges that makes the state fragile and susceptible to coups.
“Encourages the ECOWAS Commission to continue to intensify dialogue with the transitional authorities in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
“In other to ensure the follow up and implementation of the transition time-table with a view to accelerate the return to constitutional order in these states.
“Urges the ECOWAS Parliament to develop mechanisms to enable it to be proactive, operational in conflict prevention and management.
“Urges the member states to centralize military commands to avoid formation of elite military units or parallel military forces whose command and control is outside a unified command structure”.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, Senator Edwin Snowe, Leader of the Liberian Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament lamented the backsliding in democratic rule in the sub-region, describing it as a shame on the region’s democracy and that it needed to be stopped forthrightly.
Snowe, who was Chair of the Joint Committees’ delocalized meeting expressed hope and optimism in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria who is Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of States to intervene in the recent coup in the Republic of Niger.
He said: “It was actually in Guinea Bissau two weeks ago when President Tinubu declared zero tolerance to coup d’etats and less than two weeks later there is coup d’etat.
“This morning, the President (Liberia) have asked me to join him on Sunday to Abuja for the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Heads of State. We hope that the Heads of States will come up with some decisive positions of this matter.
“It is actually a shame on our region and we hope that we will find a way to stop this. Because backsliding from democracy. Gone are the days when we had the Samuel Doe, Jerry Rawling, Yahaya Jameh, Abacha’s. Gone are those days.
“We have made significant progress in our drive to democracy so to see us going back to where we come from it is a shame and I hope that something will be done in a faster manner for us to correct the situation.
“It is a big test for Nigeria and the leadership of the Chairmanship of President Tinubu and we are hoping that there will be some drastic measures to correct this situation in our region.
“This time around, ECOWAS will not be a sleeping bulldog. I believe in the leadership of President Tinubu and I am sure he will make a difference,” Snowe said.
Snowe however noted that for every successful coup with a loss of a member state, it undermines the work of ECOWAS bodies and institutions, reiterating that the leadership of ECOWAS will stand firm protecting the region’s democracy.
ECOWAS Parliament says regional security operations must be strengthened to prevent coup
Dabiri-Erewa: Diaspora Involvement Key to Nigeria’s Sports Development
By: Michael Mike
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that Nigeria’s sports sector will experience significant growth if its diaspora potential is fully harnessed.
She highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, expertise, skills, and investment from Nigerians abroad in driving sports development in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa made this known in Lagos while welcoming Super Bowl champion Morotoluwa Ojomo to a warm reception by NiDCOM officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Ojomo, a Nigerian-born American football star, returned to his home country following his remarkable achievement as a member of the victorious Philadelphia team in the Super Bowl.
Ojomo, a proud native of Lagosmoved to the United States in 2009 has carved a niche for himself in American football first at the collegiate level where he excelled at Texas in college before advancing to the professional league.
His homecoming was led by his father, Pastor Ololade Ojomo, accompanied by a dedicated team of supporters.
Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM celebrates Ojomo’s outstanding feat, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to recognizing and engaging Nigerians in the diaspora who continue to bring pride to the nation.
She noted that Ojomo’s success is a reward to the resilience, hard work, and excellence that define Nigerians Globally.
Dabiri-Erewa added that NiDCOM remains dedicated to fostering stronger ties between Nigeria and its diaspora, ensuring that their contributions to national development are recognised.
Dabiri-Erewa: Diaspora Involvement Key to Nigeria’s Sports Development
Nigeria to Leverage Chinese Technology to Boost Sugar Production
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is planning to leverage Chinese technology and expertise to boost the nation’s sugar production.
The plan was disclosed on Wednesday by the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe while paying host to a delegation of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) led by the Executive Secretary, Mr Kamar Bakrin.
The working visit focused on fostering collaboration between the two organisations and exploring opportunities for partnerships to transform the Nigerian Sugar sector through Nigeria-China Collaboration.
While receiving the delegation, the DG NCSP noted the huge potentials of the Nigerian Sugar sector and lauded the commitment of the management of the NSDC led by Mr Bakrin, he added that the goal of the collaboration is to leverage Chinese technology and expertise to boost Nigeria’s sugar production, meeting both local demand and the requirements of target global market.
China, a significant player in the global sugar market, currently import an estimated 5 million metric tonnes of sugar annually, valued at $10 billion in addition to its domestic production of 10.5 million metric tonnes.
The local sugar market, valued at $2 billion annually, is projected to benefit from a transformed sugar sector. In addition, the country could potentially acquire a substantial share of the global market, where sugar imports by China is currently valued at $10billion.
A statement on Wednesday said the NSDC aims to position the Nigerian sugar sector as a beneficiary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Nigeria and China. This will involve the deployment of modern technology, conversion of by-products, training of farmers on modern skills, and technology transfer, as well as access to low-interest financing to fund the development of new sugar production estates and ventures.
It said as Nigeria seeks to boost its sugar production, this collaboration is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this goal, which is part of the second phase of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP). This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which prioritizes economic growth and development.
The statement added that NCSP, led by Joseph Tegbe, is committed to deepening the partnership between Nigeria and China, and this collaboration with the NSDC marks a significant step in this direction.
The delegation of the NSDC included Ms Edirin Akemu, Head of NSDC’s Strategy and Performance Management department, and Mr Teslim Bello, Head of Executive Secretary Office Department.
Nigeria to Leverage Chinese Technology to Boost Sugar Production
NDE showcases employment initiatives at 46th Kaduna trade fair
By: Michael Mike
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is participating in the ongoing 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair, offering a platform for beneficiaries of its skills acquisition programs to exhibit their products and services.
Themed “Promoting Efficiency in Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Trade through Digital Transformation,” the event aligns with NDE’s mission to drive economic growth and employment. Speaking during the NDE Special Day, Director-General H.E. Silas Agara reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling unemployment through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, which targets 93,731 unskilled and unemployed Nigerians.
As part of its participation, NDE is launching a mobile application to connect Nigerians with services provided by its trained beneficiaries. The fair also provides young entrepreneurs with opportunities to engage with industry professionals and expand their business networks.
President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), ESV. Ishaya Idi, commended NDE’s consistent presence at the fair, highlighting its role in strengthening small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and fostering self-reliance.
The Kaduna International Trade Fair remains a vital platform for businesses to gain exposure and market access, with NDE’s involvement reinforcing its dedication to self-employment creation and economic empowerment.
NDE showcases employment initiatives at 46th Kaduna trade fair
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