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Ghana, Nigeria to invest in non-oil sector- Envoy

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Ghana, Nigeria to invest in non-oil sector- Envoy

Ghana, Nigeria to invest in non-oil sector- Envoy

By: Michael Mike

The Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Rashid Bawa on Thursday revealed plans by his country and Nigeria to partner in area of non-oil sector.

The Envoy stated this at the 2022 Ghana Nigeria Business Council CEO Forum in Abuja.

Bawa said the latest partnership between the two countries would extend to the agricultural sector such as cassava and ginger production.

He said: “This is the first Ghana Business Council Meeting. We are looking at various areas of cooperation. There have been series of meetings in the last few days. We are looking at the non-oil sector; in the area of cassava and ginger production.” 

 Bawa, while noting that the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana have been for ages, said: “It is difficult to put a finger on the number of Nigerians visiting Ghana for various reasons daily, and vice versa.”

He added that: “However, according to a report published by the US Department of Economic and Social Studies in 2019, there were more Ghanian residents in Nigeria than any other country in the world with 233,002 persons. This was followed by Ghanians living in UK and the US.”

The forum, which is historic according to him, is the first of its kind since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

He said: “The forum aims to encourage the private sector operatives of our two countries to pull resources together to be competitive when trading under AfCFTA,” insisting that: “We have the framework of ECOWAS protocol in the last fourty years to promote this kind of activities,” and then with the coming up of AfCFTA, “Ghana-Nigeria have the biggest economies in West Africa region, it is high time we formalize these engagements in order to take full advantage of the potentials between both countries.”

He said with this forum, there should be many more to come, for “we don’t want it to be a one-time forum. We want to sustain it. As we speak, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council and Ghana Investment Promotion Council are working out arrangement in ways they will have annual meetings among themselves. 

“There will be coordination between Nigeria and Ghana businessmen. We believe that pretty soon, we are going to have certain collaboration that will be beneficial to both countries.”

Meanwhile, Ghanians CEOs have been urged to create platforms for Nigerians to connect with investments opportunities that can generate growth for economies of both Ghana and Nigeria and create a win-win situation for both countries.

The President, Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar in his opening remark at the 2022 Ghana Nigeria Business Council CEO Forum in Abuja urged Ghana to take advantage of the population of Nigeria as it presents a large consumer market for investors and traders.

He said: “In 2009, Nigeria net trade with Ghana in the export of metal was $2.1 billion, transportation $1.59 billion, mineral product $232 million. 

“In 2019, Ghana had a trade net with Nigeria in the export of footwear and headwear worth almost $105 million, foodstuffs worth $25million and chemical products worth over $11million dollars.

Abubakar who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, a former minister of state for health and later foreign affairs, who is the Vice President Communication, Strategy and External Relations of the ACCI, said the forum underscores the importance of the partnership between the countries over the years, urging that the forum should not just be a one off thing. 

Also Read: Report says 13.9% of teachers in Borno without any formal…

Abubakar commended the effort of ECOWAS and the governments of Nigeria and Ghana towards the quick intervention in resolving the crisis between the Nigerian and Ghanians traders in Ghana.

He said: “I think the intervention will go a long way in making sure that the relationship between the two countries and the vision of the ECOWAS to be quickly integrated.

“So it is highly commendable that the government of these countries have taken initiative towards solving this crisis.”

He however lamented that the forum was coming a little late for if had existed the crisis between Nigerian and Ghanaian businessmen would not have festered. He admitted though that it was rather late than never.

Ghana, Nigeria to invest in non-oil sector- Envo

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A New Era for the Nigerian Army: Setting Agenda/Defining the Priorities for General Oluyede – The Gift, the General, the Legend

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A New Era for the Nigerian Army: Setting Agenda/Defining the Priorities for General Oluyede – The Gift, the General, the Legend

By Zagazola Makama

The recent appointment of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff following the passing of Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for enhanced national security. With rich resume of command and staff appointments, General Oluyede is well-equipped to tackle the multiple internal/external security to defend the territorial integrity challenges assailing Nigeria.

A consummate infantry officer who has held several respective challenging positions to mention a few, Gen Oluyede’s was the Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School and many more.

General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation Lafiya Dole and HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade and Commander Sector 2 of the Nigerian Army at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2020. His resume speaks for itself, a resolute leadership in a time of need.

As General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, he explicitly distinguished himself as a gallant commander who gave oil thieves in the Niger Delta region a bloody nose. He was also the Commander of the elite Infantry Corps in Kaduna where stripped an indelible mark with pragmatic transparency. With great leadership skills, he served until this current appointment as the Acting Chief of Army Staff. The mantle is passed to a General of soldiers but a father to all, passionate and dedicated leader.

As he takes charge, General Oluyede has his work cut out for him at a time the country is buffeted by the multiplicity of internal and external challenges ranging from terrorism, insurgency, cross-border banditry, kidnapping, secession agitation, attacks on maritime assets, other forms of violent criminalities and transnational crimes. Being the linchpin in the country’s internal security operations, the Nigerian Army, which he now leads, is currently deploying its troops in 36 out of 36 states of the federation for one significant operation or the other. This sphere could only be a position suited for a decorated General like the new Chief of Army Staff, who no doubt will deliver.

Expectedly, Nigerians are holding their breath in anticipation as they eagerly await the new Army Chief’s plan of action and how he intends to tackle the country’s numerous security challenges. But feelers from close quarters indicate that the gallant infantry General would prefer to maintain the momentum he met ” another wise turn of leadership as others could have made changes too sudden and too gullible to begin. He is said to have decided to continue from where his late predecessor and former course mate stopped as the wise saying goes ‘building a house or bridge has its foundation:. In fact, he has adopted both the administrative and command structure put in place by Gen Lagbaja, including so worthy of emulation to include his mission, vision and command philosophy, at least for now.

This spectacular commitment to continuity and building on existing foundations is lauded by close watchers considering the current momentum steering in the entire battle against terrorism, insurgency and banditry in the country. What this translate to is that Gen Oluyede appreciates the quality of work done by his predecessor and understands the imperative of maintaining the momentum leveraging on team work, shared purpose and collective action which the Nigerian Army is well known for.

Even though his coming into the saddle was never foretold given the unexpected demise of the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Gen Oluyede, true to type as a gallant General of the Nigerian Army, has since appointment hit the ground running. Just couple days in office, he took a trip to Sokoto State where the terrorist group aka Lakaruwas were reported to have commenced attacks on some communities. To see things himself and assesses the readiness of his troops to confront the new challenge, this spark is the beacon light of motivation, morale and high spirits needed for operatives on internal security operations in the field. During that visit, he charged up the troops to deal decisively with situation and ensure that the terrorist group are totally obliterated. Few days ago in Kaduna where he went to hand over formaly to his successor at the Infantry Corps, the Army Chief disclosed that what is uppermost in his mind were the welfare of personnel and the protection of Nigeria’s national security. Another posture of wisdom and the administration of office.

As General Oluyede begins his tenure, several key areas, in our reckoning, demand attention in order to effectively to tackle Nigeria’s internal security challenges, and this include prioritizing decisive action against the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency in the north east and surrenders from the group and the War against Banditry in the North West. Even though the efforts in those theatre’s of operation is up and running effectively so, it is expected that he will add more fillip to the operational effectiveness of the troops.

One key area that the new Chief was already paying close attention is interagency collaboration, synergy and liaison: Fostering seamless collaboration with sister services and other security agencies is crucial to tackling Nigeria’s complex security landscape. During his recent visit at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration(NASFA), Apapa, Lagos, he charged Regimental Seargent Majors (RSM)of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Nigeria Police to curb inter agency rivalry and be exemplary in carrying out their statutory duties as custodians of discipline,regimentation, as well as customs and traditions of their various services.

It is good that the General has already identified welfare of his troops as one of his top priorities, we expect him to also up-build the capacity of the troops through adequate training and provision of needed equipment and combat enablers that will make the job easy for the gallant soldiers. There is no doubt that enhanced personnel welfare and capacity building will enhance morale and operational effectiveness of the troops.

Gen Oluyede should also embrace innovative strategies to address emerging security threats. This is important because there is the need for him to think outside the box and come up with ingenious ideas considering that the traditional methods may not have been effective enough to address the complex emerging security challenges that Nigeria is confronted with. He will need to adopt multi-dimensional approach community engagement – building trust with local communities to gather intelligence and prevent violent groups from taking foothold. Again, he is in a challenging spot with the activities of extremist and junta authorities in the SAHEL where the right approach or measures to intensely secure and defend Nigeria’s integrity is paramount.

By focusing on these key areas and embracing the principles of continuity, innovation, and accountability, General Oluyede will no doubt primed to lead the Nigerian Army to greater heights and ensure a safer, more secure Nigeria for all. We at Zagazola Media Network wish him a successful tour of duty.

Zagazola Makama is a counter insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad Region.

A New Era for the Nigerian Army: Setting Agenda/Defining the Priorities for General Oluyede – The Gift, the General, the Legend

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VP Shettima Launches Innovation Drive For Indigenous Healthcare Solutions

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VP Shettima Launches Innovation Drive For Indigenous Healthcare Solutions

*** Says Grand Challenges Nigeria an avenue to promote groundbreaking research, local expertise

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched ‘Grand Challenges Nigeria’ (GCNg), a national innovation programme aimed at revolutionising Nigeria’s healthcare landscape through locally-developed solutions.

The initiative, which is part of the global Grand Challenges network, will focus on maternal and child health challenges in the first phase.

Speaking on Monday when he launched the GCNg at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima told the audience that the initiative became necessary following an urgency occasioned by the rapid pace at which the world “is evolving in the realms of science and technology.”

He stressed the importance of contextualizing solutions to national challenges, citing this as “a cardinal message” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, just as he said the initiative will promote groundbreaking research and build local expertise, among others.

“This initiative is more than a response to problems; it is an avenue to promote groundbreaking research, build local expertise, form strategic partnerships, and engage communities in co-creating culturally relevant solutions,” VP Shettima said.

He explained that the programme will integrate with existing government healthcare initiatives, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Nutrition 774 programme.

“What Grand Challenges Nigeria promises is transformative: a Nigeria where every child has access to proper nutrition, where every family can rely on the quality of our healthcare system, and where our public health metrics continue to improve year after year,” the VP noted.

The Vice President also announced an immediate call for proposals on “Advancing Innovative Solutions for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, while explaining that the initiative will address various challenges, from infectious diseases to food security and climate resilience.

“Our gateway to innovation is rooted in recognising our place within the global community,” he stated, adding that “we must believe that our progress is intertwined with the progress of the rest of the world.”

VP Shettima emphasised that the Tinubu administration is “steadfast in its resolve to provide the support needed to turn our aspirations into lifelines for our people.”

The Vice President expressed anticipation for witnessing the ingenuity of Nigeria’s best minds, “whose innovations will receive the funding and support they deserve through this initiative.”

In his keynote remarks, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the Grand Challenges Nigeria is aimed at developing local solutions to critical issues confronting Nigerians.

The Minister noted that the model aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda using innovation to drive prosperity and growth, and in the process, empowering researchers and innovators.

Chief Nnaji said the ministry remains committed to fostering growth, using innovation, even as he assured that the Grand Challenges Nigeria will prioritise key goals investment in education and environmentally sustainable projects, among others.

On his part, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, commended the commitment of the Vice President and the dedication of the Federal Government to the launch of the initiative, noting that the programme would go a long way in complementing existing efforts in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria.

He pledged the support of the House of Representatives for the Grand Challenges Nigeria framework, especially as it impacts food security and nutrition across the country, noting that he was looking forward to a rewarding collaboration with stakeholders to deliver on its vision.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, said the responsibility of addressing the issues of malnutrition and food insecurity requires focused efforts and collective actions, which, according to him, the Grand Challenges Nigeria initiative is designed to contain.

He expressed hope that by adopting the framework of the Grand Challenges Nigeria, Nigerians would be at the forefront of finding solutions to problems in the country, thanking the Federal Government for believing in the efficacy of the initiative.

The chairman commended the leadership of the Vice President as chairman of the Nutrition Council of Nigeria and a key promoter of advancing nutrition and related agenda across the country.

In the same vein, the President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Salisu Abubakar, commended the leadership demonstrated by the Vice President in the launch of the initiative, noting that it would help address health challenges by leveraging locally resourced and researched solutions/approaches.

He pledged the support of the society in ensuring that solutions adopted through the programme are inclusive and adaptable to Nigerians, especially in improving their health and wellbeing.

On her part, the Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas-Anwulah, said the launch of the Grand Challenges Nigeria reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to reforming the economy and ensuring food security by leveraging solutions that are homegrown and rooted in the values of communities across the country.

She noted that resources and the framework for solving local problems would be harnessed from the grassroots, adopting an inclusive approach where the expertise and experience of stakeholders at all levels would be taken into cognizance.

VP Shettima Launches Innovation Drive For Indigenous Healthcare Solutions

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Daurama Foundation Premieres ‘Voices Within”

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Daurama Foundation Premieres ‘Voices Within”

By: Michael Mike

Daurama Foundation has announced the premiere of Voices Within, a powerful short film that sheds light on domestic and gender-based violence.

Produced by Take 7 Media and directed by Bem Pever, with screenplay by Mahdi Eldaw and Emil Garuba, this evocative film forms a key part of Daurama Foundation’s initiatives for the annual 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign to end violence against women and girls. The premiere will take place at Silverbird Cinema, Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja, on November 30, 2024, at 4:00 pm.

Voices Within tells the story of a young girl who witnesses a tragic cycle of abuse at home and turns to writing as an escape. Through her storytelling, she finds the strength to express her pain and resilience while dreaming of a safer world. Her story also unveils her mother’s plight—a survivor of abuse who, due to a childhood disability, is unable to defend herself physically. This moving narrative amplifies the voices of those often unheard, encouraging audiences to stand in solidarity against violence.

The cast features a talented ensemble of Nigerian actors, with standout performances by Grace Daudu, Mbasity Jesse, Tolu Asanu, Franca Igwe, Lanzy Janpak, Hoomsuk Alex Jibrin, Austin Mangs, and Senenge Abela. Dr. Samira Buhari, Executive Producer and Chair of Daurama Foundation, shares that Voices Within embodies the Foundation’s commitment to empowering women and fostering communities that advocate against violence.

Daurama Foundation is a Nigerian non-governmental organisation focused on improving health outcomes and advocating for the rights of women and girls through education, outreach, and community engagement. Their work addresses critical issues affecting women’s and girls’ well-being, developing programs and resources that combat domestic violence and provide a pathway forward for survivors.

“The release of Voices Within marks an important milestone in our mission to not only raise awareness but also inspire action. We invite the public, stakeholders, and community members to attend this premiere, be moved by the story, and join us in saying ‘no more’ to gender-based violence,” said Dr. Samira Buhari. For those committed to creating a safer and more inclusive world, Voices Within is a call to action. These premiere promises to be a transformative event that unites communities in the fight against domestic violence and gender-based violence.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Daurama Foundation Premieres ‘Voices Within”

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