Villagers seek government intervention on their cattle route in Potiskum

By: Yahaya Wakili

Residents of Gamawa village in the Potiskum local government area of Yobe state have appealed to Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, the Executive Chairman of Potiskum local government, Hon. Salisu Muktari, and the National President of Kulen Allah, Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, to rescue their long-standing cattle route, which unpatriotic elements turned into their own farm land.

Speaking to newsmen in the village, the community leader, Malam Mohammed Ali Gamawayel, said the cattle route has a long history because, for over 100 years, it has existed and comes right from the Niger Republic up to the Cameron Republic.

“We know the Executive Chairman of Potiskum local government, Hon. Salisu Muktari, has a good record, and he can’t tolerate injustice in his life, and we know that he is not fully aware of this injustice that has been done to the people of Gamawa.

This is the only cattle route that, as of now, is functioning properly, and the only cattle route that we have been using for many years, and nobody has come to temper with it. But this year, unfortunately, some staff of the local government came and demarcate the route as a plot and converted it into farmland.

Therefore, we are appealing to His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, the Executive Chairman of Potiskum local government, Hon. Salisu Muktari, and the National President of Kulen Allah, Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, to come to our aid to kindly intervene and rescue our long-standing cattle route.

Adding to that, the aim of this people is to bring disunity, peace, and clash among the citizens of the area and the people of Gamawayel, who are law-abiding, and we are 100 percent supporting Governor Buni and our amable and highly reliable Chairman, Hon. Salisu Muktari’s administration,” he said.

He said that tempering with cattle routs in Nigeria is like tempering with the security of the nation; therefore, we are passionately appealing to the Chairman, Hon. Salisu Muktari, as a matter of urgency to intervene in this matter and solve the problem.

When contacted on the issue under reference, the National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, said the association rejects in totality and condemns in unmistakable terms any illegal act of converting existing cattle routes into a plot or farm land.

The act, which he described as a serious threat to the practice of state security and that of the country, was the major reason for most of the insecurity challenges in the northern part of the country.

He said he is optimistic that His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, and the Executive Chairman of Potiskum local government, Hon. Salisu Muktari, would definitely come to the aid and dry the tiers of the people of Gamawayel whom he requested to remain calm and very peaceful.

Villagers seek government intervention on their cattle route in Potiskum

The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee

By: Michael Mike

The following is the full text of the statement.

Joint Statement of the First Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee between the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria

On June 21, 2024, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, held talks with H.E. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The two ministers co-chaired the first Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee.

The two sides reviewed the positive outcomes achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria over the past more than 50 years, jointly planned the future development of the bilateral relations, exchanged views on China-Africa relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached wide range consensus.

The two sides agreed that over the past more than 50 years, China-Nigeria relations have withstood the test of changes in the international landscape and have become increasingly resilient and more robust. The two countries have developed a good tradition of mutual trust on political and diplomatic issues, mutual benefit in practical cooperation, mutual support in international affairs, and mutual learning in people-to-people exchanges.

Both countries pledged to support each other in their aspirations in various international fora, particularly the UN, G20 and BRICS.

The Government of Nigerian side acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” in any form, and any external attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and Nigeria will also support the efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.

The two sides agreed to work towards good governance and democratic values, peace, security and stability in the Sahel region and recognize Nigeria’s leading role in the fight against terrorism and other related transborder crimes. It was also agreed that necessary efforts towards ensuring economic viability of the region would be pursued through infrastructure development and sectoral cooperation.

China commends His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership role in ECOWAS and his efforts towards bringing about stability in the region.

Both governments committed to intensifying efforts to protect the rights and dignity of each others’ citizens living in its country and create a business-friendly environment for their business.

The two sides agreed to support each others’ efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity and social harmony, endeavor to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.

The two sides stressed the importance of the Forum on Chin-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to China-Africa relations and international peace and development and Nigeria supports China in hosting the 2024 FOCAC Summit.

The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all and jointly promotes building a community with a shared future for humanity. Nigeria applauds and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.

Both countries are dedicated to advancing the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC conference outcomes, with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Areas proposed by President Tinubu, and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.

The two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications, finance, agriculture, industry, mining and free trade zones. Both countries will jointly explore cooperation opportunities in fields such as digital economy, green economy and blue economy, and they will foster new growth drivers in cooperation.

The Chinese side is willing to expand imports of Nigerian agricultural products. The Nigerian side called for increased partnership in Mining and Solid Mineral development and expressed willingness to partner with Chinese companies to establish manufacturing companies in Nigeria for local consumption and exports.

The two sides stand ready to create an open, transparent, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for the corporate cooperation between the two countries, strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. The two sides support more Chinese and Nigerian provinces and municipalities/States and Local Governments in establishing more friendly relations and encouraging sister cities.

China expressed its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment, and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and aboard, as well as at the regional and international levels, and to safeguard peace and stability of the country.

The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the departments in charge of military security, military industry and trade, and police enforcement, to enhance their capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests, and make joint efforts to maintain regional and world peace.

The two countries restated their commitment to enhancing the mutual bond and friendship between the two peoples, mutual trust, interest sharing and common progress through mutual exchanges, mutual leaning and mutual understanding.

The two countries are willing to continue to build culture brands such as the Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese-Nigeria Culture Week, Chinese-Nigeria Film Festival, and Abuja International Art Fair. The two sides will strengthen mutual visits and exchanges between art groups and personnel, promote human resources training in the fields of culture and tourism, and support cooperation in the fields of creative culture between the two sides. The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in cultural and tourism fields such as publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums, and tourism promotion.

The two sides confirmed their readiness to maintain regular contacts and close communication at all levels on convening the second Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee and Sessions of its Sub-committees.

The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee

Security: NIS CG Appeals to Market Women, Youths, Traditional Rulers to Help in Border Surveillance

By: Michael Mike

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nandap has appealed for the support of market women, youths and traditional rulers for proper monitoring and surveillance of Nigerian borders.

Nandap, in her appeal, insisted that their support has become imperative as critical stakeholders in managing the nation’s borders, especially the vast unmanned areas.

Nandap made the remarks during assessment tours to Nigeria borders towns and villages in Katsina and Jigawa States

A statement from the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Kenneth Udo, revealed that the Immigration boss during her tour of duty took time out to visit former President, Muhammadu Buhari and the Emir of Daura Alhaji Umar Farouk.

He said during the tour, the CG visited the Fago Patrol Base, Daura Forward Operational Base and Kongolam Border control post as well as Magatari Control Post where she inspected the ongoing e-border projects and other facilities.

Nandap called on critical stakeholders at the border communities especially traditional leaders, youth leaders, transport unions and market women, to support the Service in safeguarding the country’s borders particularly in the vast unmanned areas.

She however warned the stakeholders on the dangers of transborder organised crimes such as smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons with particular emphasis on the need to always provide useful information on the activities of irregular migrants.

The CG while interacting with other security agencies, called for continued collaboration in the task of effective border governance, noting that, “a safe border is a safe nation”.
She urged border officers to display utmost professionalism in the discharge of their duties and to be extra vigilant in manning the borders.

She said the federal government is committed to improving the working condition of officers at the borders through provision of logistics, accommodation and continuous capacity building.

Security: NIS CG Appeals to Market Women, Youths, Traditional Rulers to Help in Border Surveillance