News
Nigeria Decries that Global Inequality is On the Rise, Many Countries Incapable of Meeting SDG 2030
Nigeria Decries that Global Inequality is On the Rise, Many Countries Incapable of Meeting SDG 2030
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has decried that global inequality is on the rise leaving many countries incapable of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.
Speaking on Thursday at the ongoing Nordic-African Business Summit in Oslo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassor Yusuf Tuggar while noting that the Summit is potentially an epoch-making event in the history of the relationship between Nordic Countries and Africa, said: “We gather at a time of weakening global economic performance, even if the Inflation Reduction Act has had a salutary effect on the largest economy on the planet- the US. Inequality is on the rise, as it becomes all the more apparent that we are unlikely to meet our Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
Tuggar said: “More unsettling is the state of geopolitical affairs, as we made the transition after the Cold War from a bipolar order to a unipolar moment and then a multipolar system. Protectionism and trade barriers have made a comeback in what we thought had become an interconnected, globalised world. Now whether or not this is a result of the transition to a less stable multipolar system should not detain us here.
“What is clear is that it has become a less safer, scarier world and the businessmen and women in this room should become all the more concerned. Conflicts rage in Ukraine, Sudan and the Levant, each with the potential of spilling into a wider global conflict. That of the Levant has already become one, with Israel’s pre-emptive strikes at Iran drawing a response two days ago. In my region, the expanding Sahel has become a theatre for Unconstitutional Changes of Government, organised criminal gangs and banditry.
“Migration has been weaponised, with eco-fascists calling for border closures and the far-right becoming mainstream in some countries. The gratuitous use of migrant fear has forgotten the admonishment of Adam Smith- the father of Economics: Free Circulation of Labour is the Foundation of any Free Trade System. When the Covid-19 Pandemic went global in 2020, we witnessed the onset of vaccine apartheid, as wealthier countries pulled up the draw bridges, depriving others of the intellectual property to reproduce the vaccines, even if they had the capacity.”
The Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister insisted that: “Much of what is wrong today has been supercharged by the scary notion that we are living in a post-factual era that feeds on the pursuit of identity politics. Social media is making it increasingly difficult for us to relate to people who are not like us and has become a space for performed contempt. Being louder means being right.”
He however added that “having painted that gloomy picture, I am happy to say that we have an opportunity to do something very special here today between Nordic and African private and public sector. It was no less a businessman like you- Alfred Nobel- who deemed it fit to bestow the administering of the Peace Prize to a Norwegian Committee. He knows what he saw in Norway and Norwegians, even though he was not one. The entrepreneurs here have the unique opportunity to use their individual agency to take advantage of the enormous opportunities that exist on the African continent.
“Yes, Africa’s share of global trade is miniscule, but the growth opportunities for those who hitch on early are enormous. And the African Continental Free Trade Area is becoming a reality; presently, only 17% of Africa’s exports remain on the continent, compared to 69% for Europe and 59% for Asia. The AFCFTA is going to change this with tariff removals that will unleash a value of $50-70bn. We want to see clean energy-run Norwegian vessels ferrying goods from Lekkideep-sea port in Lagos to Zanzibar. Norway’s trade with the whole of Africa currently stands at a paltry $8.5bn. it is not enough.”
He posited that: “The mere fact that 70% of the 220 million Nigerians are under the age of 30 and that most have mobile phones and are getting fast speed internet, is proof that it will be key to future global economic growth. For additional proof that Nigeria is going to succeed in the future, I urge you to please meet a successful Nigerian entrepreneur and engage them in discussion. They are African latter-day Vikings who can succeed anywhere in the world. It is not a fluke. They are resilient problem solvers with an indefatigable can-do spirit.”
Nigeria Decries that Global Inequality is On the Rise, Many Countries Incapable of Meeting SDG 2030
Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor
By: Michael Mike
The rationale behind the pulling down of the historic Awolowo House, a multi-story building, in Ikeja, Lagos, that has been a symbol of innovation since 1978 has been explained.
The iconic building, which is managed by Wemabod, a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, owned by the six South West states of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti, was demolished and is being rebuilt into a modern and magnificent technology haven called Awolowo Technology Mall.
The new Awolowo Technology Mall, is being developed to commemorate and immortalize legendary nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy of innovation, quest for knowledge, spirit of discovery, and excellence; qualities that the leading technology companies taking up spaces at the Awolowo Technology Mall are globally famous for.
The new Awolowo Technolgy Mall will more than double the previously available commercial space of Awolowo House from 4,800 sqm to over 9,000 sqm.
On the rationale for the demolition of the former edifice, the managing director of El-Salem Nigeria Limited, Mr Ben Gbade Ojo, whose company is in partnership with Wemabod to develop the Awolowo Technology Mall, told journalists in Abuja at the weekend, that “the Awolowo Technology Mall, now famously called A.T Mall, is a place where top-notch information technology companies will set up shops and offices to exhibit and market the latest information communication technologies and systems, a place where latest ICT products from global technology companies can be found in Nigeria. It is a place where leading ICT experts congregate and set up shops and offices, a place where ICT training is carried out by global ICT geniuses and where ICT puzzles find ready answers, and ICT problems find well-tailored solutions. You will likely find at the A.T Mall, any ICT product or electric product available in the world, and you may not need to travel outside Nigeria for the product. Whatever technology products or services you are in need of, come to A.T Mall, Ikeja, and you will get them”.
He noted that recently, a comprehensive report by data analytics firm, Statisense ranked Lagos as the world’s fastest-growing emerging technology ecosystem in 2025.
The report published on X placed Istanbul in second position, followed by Pune. Belo, Horizonte, Mumbai, Curitiba, Riyadh, Johannesburg, Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City completed the top ten.
Analysts say the ongoing development of the magnificent Awolowo Technology Mall, now sought after by world-class technology firms, will further solidify Lagos’ now globally acknowledged status as a leading technology hub in the world.
Statisense is a leading artificial intelligence data analytics company known for its annual ecosystem intelligence reports across emerging markets.
Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Benue on Tuesday confirmed the killing of a 55-year-old farmer in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 3:44 p.m. by Mr. Zaki Pkan, a resident of Yelwata, who raised alarm after his brother, Mr. Ayua Fedelis Hemen, failed to return from his farm.
“Upon receiving the report, the coordinator of tactical teams in Yelwata mobilised operatives to the area.
“The body of the deceased was discovered in the farm with multiple machete cuts. It was photographed, evacuated and later handed over to the family,” he said.
The sources added that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the suspects behind the killing.
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Benue have destroyed five camps belonging to suspected armed herders during a clearance operation in the Sankera axis of Ukum Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which began at about 11 a.m., on Friday was carried out jointly by Ukum Divisional Police personnel, Operation Zenda, visiting units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), operatives of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Benue Civil Protection Guard.
“During the offensive, five bandits’ camps were destroyed following a fierce gun battle around Dyom and Asom Amadu in Ukum LGA.
“The armed bandits fled with bullet wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle with breech number 309416 and five rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. These were recovered by our men.
“The clearance operation is still ongoing with efforts being intensified to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits,” he said.
The sources said the coordinated operation was part of measures to flush out criminal elements terrorising rural communities in the Sankera axis.
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics2 months ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
