News
Gaza war: Envoy Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Address of Root Cause of Crisis
Gaza war: Envoy Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Address of Root Cause of Crisis
By: Michael Mike
The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh has asked Nigeria and other countries to call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, even as he insisted that the only acceptable solution to the ongoing war is to address the root cause of the conflict between the Palestine and Israel.
Shawesh while noting that the attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023 was a smoke as the fire was long ignited by United Kingdom who handed over Palestinian land to European Jews in 1917, noted that to have a lasting truce it has become imperative to institute the two state solution backed by United Nations.
He also declared the two sides should be made to return hostages in their custody, noting that apart from Palestinian hostages held by the Israeli government before the ongoing impasse over 1,600 hostages have been taken from Palestinian soil by Israeli military, adding that while Hamas is being asked to return the hostages, Israel should also be told to do same.
The envoy while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday said the two-state solution calls for establishing an independent state for Palestinians alongside that of Israel, while insisting that the underlining issue in the present crisis was not the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas but rather the occupation of Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem.
He claimed that the 7 October attack on Israeli territory was a natural reaction against the oppression of the Israeli forces, who he alleged has incessantly arrest, torture and detained Palestinians without any provocations.
The envoy who gave a historic perspective to the issue, blamed the Western world, especially United Kingdom who he said handed over their land to European Jews in 1917.
He also accused the Western world of playing lip service to the call for ceasefire, alleging that without the support of the West the Israeli would not have been able to sustain the war.
The envoy also accused the media of cover-up, saying most of the atrocities against the people of Palestinians are not reported, noting that the urgent need right now is cessation of hostility and not the humanitarian.
He said: “This current war would not have continued without the unconditional and unequivocal support of the Western countries to Israel. We all witnessed the mass visits by Western leaders not only to provide their full military and political support for the current genocide, but also have used extremely unbalanced language in commenting on the current ongoing war against the Palestinian people, which was interpreted by the Israeli as the green light to commit more massacres.
“One of the goals of this war is to forcefully transfer the Palestinian people to Sinai Peninsula, to implement the old Israeli dream, that we have been fighting against since 1956.
“Many are still trying to divert the discussion from the unconditional ceasefire to the humanitarian aids and how many trucks need to enter to Gaza and many other logistical details, this is a trap to pave the way to the Israeli occupation to continue with their genocidal and war crimes.
“No one should be trapped, we all should address the roots of the current humanitarian crises in Gaza, which is the frenzy Israeli war, what we need urgently is the ceasefire.
“All the world streets are flooded of the decent demonstrators calling for an immediate ceasefire.”
The envoy also added that there should be equality in the application of international law, insisting that: “All human being are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
The applicability of the international law should not be selective.”
Israel has been bombing Gaza since the 7 October Hamas attacks that killed 1,400 people with 239 people kidnapped as hostages.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 8,700 people have been killed since Israel’s retaliatory bombing began.
2026 teachers’ summit: Zulum stands in for NGF chair, commends FG for NELFUND
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, attended the National Teachers’ Summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he stood in for the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Governor Zulum commended the Federal Government for its strategic investments in education, citing the positive impact of Students Loan Scheme, the strengthening of key educational institutions, and the upward review of salaries for federal university teachers as evidence of a clear policy direction aimed at revitalising the sector.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to educational development and human capital advancement in Borno State.
The summit, convened by the Federal Ministry of Education, provided a strategic platform to review the state of Nigeria’s education sector, strengthen policy implementation, and formally launch “Edu Revamp”, a platform to enhance teacher capacity, utilise digital tools for 21st-century skills, and foster collaboration to improve learning outcomes.
About 12 exemplary teachers were honoured for their outstanding service to the nation. Six teachers—one from each of the six geopolitical zones—from the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), alongside six secondary school teachers, received cash awards of ₦25 million each. The Overall Best Teacher award was presented to Mr Solanke Francis Taiwo, who received a cash prize of ₦50 million.
Governor Zulum commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting the maiden National Teachers’ Summit at the Presidential Villa, describing the initiative as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s prioritisation of education.
He particularly applauded her sustained advocacy for girl-child education and her support through scholarships and grants that continue to reduce barriers to educational access for vulnerable Nigerians.
He also praised the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, for their focused and reform-driven leadership.
2026 teachers’ summit: Zulum stands in for NGF chair, commends FG for NELFUND
News
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
By: Our Reporter
Nigeria is participating in the Cocoa Beyond Borders 2026 Conference in the United Kingdom, joining global policymakers, industry leaders, financiers, and farmer representatives to examine power imbalances and compliance challenges in the global cocoa sector.
Delivering a keynote address, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Nigeria, challenged existing trade and compliance regimes, stating that cocoa-producing nations “must not remain rule-takers in a system where the rules are made without their meaningful input.”
Speaking within the conference theme, “Rules Without Recourse? Navigating Compliance, Power, and Trade Justice in the Cocoa Sector,” the Minister warned that sustainability frameworks would fail if they undermine farmer livelihoods and national sovereignty, stressing that “compliance cannot be just if it weakens producer economies while protecting markets elsewhere.”
Senator Kyari also cautioned against the weaponisation of ESG and environmental regulations as non-tariff barriers, noting that climate action must advance alongside fairness and equity in global trade.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reclaiming value across the cocoa supply chain, emphasising the need for producing countries to move beyond raw exports to processing, branding, and greater market influence, while calling for stronger producer-led alliances to reshape global cocoa governance.
The two-day conference is examining ESG compliance, digital traceability, climate finance, price volatility, and the future of cocoa innovation, positioning cocoa as a strategic asset in global trade justice.
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
Armed robbery foiled by Bauchi Police, three suspects arrested in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Three persons were arrested following a foiled armed robbery along the Bauchi–Gombe Federal Highway in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Jan. 26.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:16 a.m. when armed robbers blocked the road near Kalajanga Hamlet via Bara Village.
Officers on routine patrol responded promptly, engaging the hoodlums and forcing them to abandon their operation and flee into the surrounding bush.
The trail of the robbers led authorities to the house of one Nasiru Ibrahim of Saddiya Hamlet, where two of his children, Isya Nasiru, 20, and Umar Nasiru, 18, were also arrested in connection with the case.
Recovered items included two sticks, a touch light, three bags, a local bullet-proof shirt, face masks, two pairs of shoes, an Oppo android phone, and several local charms.
Sources say Investigations are ongoing.
Armed robbery foiled by Bauchi Police, three suspects arrested in Bauchi
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