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Nigeria Officially Become 48th Member of the UN Water Convention

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Nigeria Officially Become 48th Member of the UN Water Convention

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has taken a decisive step for cooperative water action by officially becoming the 48th Party to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (known as the UN Water Convention).

The decision was communicated to the rest of the world as leaders gather in New York for the milestone UN Water Conference,

A statement by United Nations on Friday said: “Nigeria has taken a decisive step for cooperative water action by officially becoming the 48th Party to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (known as the UN Water Convention).”

In the statement Nigeria is noted to share at least one transboundary water body with each of its neighbouring states, making cooperation a key part of transformative action needed to address complex water challenges.

According to the statement, at a ceremony held on the opening day of the Conference, Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, stated that “as water and climate change know no borders, transboundary cooperation concerning climate change adaptation is necessary to prevent the possible negative effects of unilateral adaptation measures and enable the sharing of the costs and benefits of such collaboration.”

He recalled that “many transboundary basins that will be most severely affected by water scarcity and related climate change impacts are also, in parallel, impacted by political tensions, armed violence and internal water mismanagement, thus necessitating urgent efforts to build trust and strengthen cooperation on shared water issues.”

The Minister was also quoted to have said: “I am pleased to announce to you that the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has acceded to the Water Convention as an instrument to help strengthen our existing Transboundary commitments under the auspices of the Niger Basin Authority and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.”

The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE), Olga Algayerova and Convention Parties welcomed Nigeria as the 7th African nation to join the Convention since 2018 (following Chad, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Togo and Cameroon). Nigeria’s accession further consolidates the strong momentum for water cooperation in Africa and worldwide. More than 20 countries worldwide are in the process of joining the UN Water Convention, including around 15 in Africa – where over 90% of water resources are transboundary.

Nigeria, given its role as the largest economy and most populous nation in Africa – with over 213 million inhabitants – and position in key shared basins including both Lake Chad and the River Niger, Nigeria’s accession may inspire even more countries to join the Convention and reap its benefits through strengthened joint management of shared water resources, according to the statement.

The statement noted that the Lake Chad Basin is the largest inland drainage area in Africa and covers 8% of the continent’s total land area. The basin extends through Algeria, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, Central Africa Republic, Chad, and Sudan. In Nigeria, the basin drains about 20% of the country. However damming, overextraction, climate change, and drought are all contributing to the rapid depletion of Lake Chad, which has decreased in size by 90% over the last 60 years and has led to significant unemployment and insecurity challenges in the region.

Nigeria is also home to about 80% of the 100 million people residing in the basin of the Niger river, which crosses Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.

The Water Convention, whose secretariat is serviced by UNECE, is a unique and widely accepted intergovernmental legal framework. It requires Parties to prevent, control and reduce negative impacts on water quality and quantity across borders, to use shared waters in a reasonable and equitable way, and to ensure their sustainable management through cooperation. Parties bordering the same transboundary waters are obliged to cooperate by concluding specific agreements and establishing joint bodies.

Nigeria Officially Become 48th Member of the UN Water Convention

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Nigeria, Japan trade volume Stands at $10billion- Japanese envoy

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Nigeria, Japan trade volume Stands at $10billion- Japanese envoy

By: Michael Mike
The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsuyama Kazuyosh hasi said his country trade volume with Nigeria is in the region of $10 billion.

Kazuyoshi however said efforts are already in place geared towards improving the trade relations.

The envoy made the disclosure at the 64th Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, Naruhito.

He said, “Currently, Japan and Nigeria as at today have a trade volume at $10 billion.”

The envoy while insisting that it is not a good data given the potential of both countries, said there is a need to expand trade relations between both countries.

He said: “I really feel the potential of Nigeria, rich in mineral resources and also rich in the talented youth. We need to expand trade and investment to Nigeria.”

The envoy said further that Japan is looking forward to deepening the existing cooperation between both countries.

He said: “Japan looks forward to further deepening its cooperation with Nigeria, despite the various challenges we both face.

“Japan is facing unprecedented population ageing and decline and Nigeria is facing an economic crisis.

“But Japan has its advanced technology, and Nigeria has its rich human and natural resources, they complement each other.

“So together, united as one, we can become a formidable force for a better future.
Just as the Japanese people continue to “Build Back Better” after every natural disaster, each time we come together, we learn from each situation and from each other.

“In this way, we can overcome anything. Especially as 2024 is the Year of the Dragon in Japan—a symbol of courage, strength, and wisdom. With these qualities and our unwavering unity, we will triumph over any obstacle in our path.

“So here’s to another year of deepening friendship, fruitful cooperation, and shared prosperity between Japan and Nigeria.”

He also revealed that there are scholarship opportunities for Nigerians students to school in Japan.
He said there are lso exchange programmes in place .

The Ambassador said currently no fewer than 51 Japanese companies operates in Nigeria.

He said his country is working with the Nigerian government to address the challenges inhibiting Nigeria investment climate.

Accordjng to him, “So there are many challenges but now
we are working together with Nigerian government to overcome that kind of challenge to Japan and Nigeria companies.

“In many ways, Japan is rich in technology, so that technology can help Nigeria to overcome those kinds of challenges. So I think that Japan and Nigeria should be united together to overcome challenges to promote more trade and investment between Japan and Nigeria.”

On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Nigeria House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu also called for deepening of Nigeria-Japan relations.

Kalu also assured the Japanese Ambassador and investors that the National Aseembly is ready to remove any impediment in the ease of doing business in Nigeria, through the legislative instrument.

He said, “As you know, we are the home for primary products but its about time we use their technology (Japanese) to add more value to our primary product.

“Lots of resources are here Japan is blessed with technology and they have been doing well with assistance, communication, equipment and the rest of them we want them to do more.”

“Every legislative impediments that will affect investors coming into our country will be removed.

“We are willing to fine tune the laws to ensure legislative interventions that will give more confidence to invest in us.”

Nigeria, Japan trade volume Stands at $10billion- Japanese envoy

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ECOWAS COURT DISMISSES NGOS’ APPLICATION SEEKING COURT ORDER COMPELLING NIGERIA TO SUPPORT HAITI’S REQUEST FOR ADMISSION INTO AFRICAN UNION

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ECOWAS COURT DISMISSES NGOS’ APPLICATION SEEKING COURT ORDER COMPELLING NIGERIA TO SUPPORT HAITI’S REQUEST FOR ADMISSION INTO AFRICAN UNION

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court on 14 March 2024 dismissed an application brought by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which asked the Court to hold the Federal Republic of Nigeria liable for violating the right to development of the Africans in the diaspora particularly people of Haiti.

The action was premised on Nigeria’s alleged failure to take measures to ensure the admission of Haiti into the African Union at a 2016 Summit of the AU, in Addis Ababa, which the Applicants claimed would have enabled Haiti to take advantage of developmental initiatives on the continent such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Justice Dupe Atoki, judge rapporteur who delivered the judgment said the Court declined jurisdiction to hear the matter and dismissed it on the grounds that the alleged violation occurred outside the ECOWAS sub-region. Both parties were ordered to bear their cost of litigation.

The initiating application with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/54/22 was filed on 24 November 2022 by two NGOs – The Incorporated Trustees of Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation, Nigeria, and Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation, Switzerland. In the suit, they claimed that the Nigerian government failed to protect the right to development of persons of African descent in the diaspora, particularly those in the Caribbean country of Haiti, by its failure to formulate and execute a policy in line with Article 22(2) of the African Charter that would have supported Haiti’s 2016 request for membership of the African Union (AU).

Mr Charles Offokaja who represented the NGOs said that such membership could have forestalled Haiti’s economic crisis and enhanced the development of Haiti and other Afro-American individuals and peoples and ensured their full participation in the affairs of the AU including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He asked the Court for a declaration that Nigeria breached Article 22(2) by not formulating and executing a policy to support Haiti’s application for membership of the AU. He also demanded an order of Court compelling Nigeria to formulate and execute such policy to support Haiti application for consideration at the next ordinary or extraordinary session of the Assembly of the AU.

In response, Mrs Maimuna Lami Shiru, lead counsel representing Nigeria filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the Court to hear the matter relating to Afro-Americans who are not citizens of the ECOWAS Community, adding that the NGOs’ pleadings were not in accordance with Article 9 of the Court’s Protocol as amended.

In addition, she argued that the ECOWAS Court was not the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and therefore not empowered to determine cases not related to the ECOWAS sub-region. She also said that the subject matter had been determined by the African Union Commission and published in a press release issued in May 2016.
Mrs Shiru asked the Court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction and reasonable cause of action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In its analysis, the Court noted that though an allegation of human rights violation was invoked, the alleged violation did not occur in any Member State of ECOWAS as required under Article 9(4) of the Supplementary Protocol of the Court. The Court therefore dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.

Also on the panel were Justices Edward Amoako Asante (presiding) and Sengu Mohamed Koroma (member).

ECOWAS COURT DISMISSES NGOS’ APPLICATION SEEKING COURT ORDER COMPELLING NIGERIA TO SUPPORT HAITI’S REQUEST FOR ADMISSION INTO AFRICAN UNION

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ECOWAS: Over 3,500 terrorist attacks recorded in West Africa in 2023, 9,000 Lives Lost

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ECOWAS: Over 3,500 terrorist attacks recorded in West Africa in 2023, 9,000 Lives Lost
….To establish anti-Terrorism force

By: Michael Mike

No fewer than 3,500 terrorist attacks were recorded in West Africa in 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) revealed on Friday.

The subregional bloc lamented that about 9,000 lives were claimed as a result of terrorism with the same period under review.

The Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musa, said this has left the body with no other option but to establish an Anti-Terrorism Force to address the challenge.

Musa gave the details on Friday in Abuja at the weekly press briefing of the ECOWAS Commission.

He noted that the bloc is not unattractive as some would want many to believe, stating that the body despite its challenges remain as attractive as before and that the request for membership from Morocco is still on the table and that the three member states that pull out are still seen as members for they have up till February next year for their request to exit to be considered in accordance with Article 81 of the organisation.

He noted that efforts are been made within ECOWAS and outside of the group to persuade the departing member states to rescind their action and retrace back their steps.

He said they are prominent members and importance in the security of the region from the Sahel to the Ocean, insisting that it is unimaginable that they would leave the bloc that has done so much to all the 15 countries, stating that the ECOWAS does not have anything against the association of the Sahelian States of which the three departing countries have formed for their security.

He said that is seen as a bilateral or rather multilateral relations among members for their good and not in conflict with anything under ECOWAS rule.

He applauded the announcement of the formation of joint anti terrorism force by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, stating that it was a welcome development.

He explained, “The whole geographical area of West Africa is rich in human and natural resources. However, our geographic area is an area of immense vulnerability.

“In 2023 alone, about 3,500 terrorist attacks were recorded in the ECOWAS region alone. This includes close to 2,000 in Burkina Faso, over 1,044 in Mali, and 500 in Niger Republic. These incidents have resulted in close to 9,000 fatalities including 7,000 in the three Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

“In the three Sahel countries, a total of 4.8million people faced food insecurity, 2.4million people were internally displaced and close to 9,000 schools remain closed in the region.

“Burkina Faso has already taken over from Afghanistan”

On the creation of Counter Terrorism Force, Musa said that the region will soon work out modalities to finance the force.

“On terrorism, you would recall during that the previous ECOWAS meeting, the Heads of State decided that there was a need to create a counter terrorism force to help fight terrorism in the region. This is presently underway.

“Very soon, there will be a meeting of Ministers of Finance and Defence to work out the modalities of raising our own resources in the region to finance that counter terrorism force,” he said.

ECOWAS: Over 3,500 terrorist attacks recorded in West Africa in 2023, 9,000 Lives Lost

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