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Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy

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Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy

By: Michael Mike

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the country, Ambassador Kim Pankyu has said Nigeria is among the top contenders to benefit from his country’s $10 billion development assistance to Africa.

He also said Nigeria also stand tall to benefit from the $14 billion boost to Korean companies to encourage their activities in Africa.

Speaking at at the Korean National Day Reception in Abuja at the weekend, the envoy said: “During the Korea-Africa Summit, my President announced that Korea would continue to expand official development assistance up to ten billion US dollars by 2030 as a catalyst for projects for cooperation with Africa.

“In addition, he committed to provide fourteen billion US dollars to Korean companies by 2030 to encourage their activities in Africa.

“I am happy to share the news that
recently an intra-governmental task force team has been composed to follow up on the economic partnership agreements made on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit.
Since Nigeria is a leading economy and the biggest market in Africa I believe that the partnership between Korea and Nigeria will be one of the most vibrant ones in the years to come.”

He added that: “In fact, we are already witnessing meaningful progress. During the third quarter of this year, the trade between Korea and Nigeria increased by fifty-five percent. In particular, I would like to point out the fact that the import from Nigeria to Korea increased by ninety-one percent. I believe that this positive development will continue as more and more Koreans are interested in Nigeria and more and more Nigerians are interested in Korea.”

Speaking in the level of relationship between the two countries, the Ambassador said: “When I first came to Abuja earlier this year, I was pleasantly surprised by Nigerian people’s high interest in Korean culture such as Korean language, K-drama, K-pop and K-food.

“I had an opportunity to observe K-food contest in Abuja and was deeply impressed by the Korean foods made by Nigerian chefs. When I observed Taekwondo championship in Abuja recently I had a feeling that in a few years the number of gold medals that Korean athletes win at the Olympics may decrease due to brilliant Nigerian athletes. My fellow Koreans may be disappointed, but as a former Korean ambassador to Nigeria I will be happy to watch that. I believe these kinds of cultural exchanges between our two countries
will strengthen our bonds of friendship and mutual understanding. Furthermore, I think there is a huge potential for cooperation between the two countries in the creative economy.”

On his part, the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said:
“Over the years, the world has witnessed the remarkable process that led to the emergence of Korea as one of the economic giants of Asia and one of the strongest economies in the world. The success story of Korea following the war in 1953, global economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the strength, determination and resilience of successive governments as well as the patriotism of the good people of Korea.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Regions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Janet Olisa, said: “I wish to commend the government of Korea for the efforts towards increased cooperation with Africa with the overall aim of achieving shared development through sustainable economic partnerships. The successful hosting of the first Korea – Africa Summit in Seoul in June 2024 is definitely a positive step towards a formidable partnership. Nigeria expresses its appreciation to the government of Korea for its decision, which was announced during the Summit, to extend its Trade and Investment Promotion Frameworks to Africa and to increase its investment and Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the continent.”

He noted that: “Nigeria and Korea have enjoyed excellent and vibrant relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980. These relations have continued to grow in leaps and bounds across various sectors, including political, economic, cultural and people-to-people relations. On the political front, the two countries have, in recent years, witnessed the exchange of high-level visits, the signing of significant MoUs, as well as the successful hosting of six sessions of the Nigeria – Korea Joint Commission. It is hoped that these relations will be elevated to a more strategic relationship with the highest level of engagement.

“In the economic sector, there have been close collaborations between the two countries in the fields of construction/heavy-duty industries, electronics and chemicals production. There is a significant number of Korean companies registered and doing business in Nigeria, including prominent companies like Samsung, Daewoo, and Hyundai Heavy Duty Industries, as well as LG, Samsung Electronics, and the Lotte Chemical industry. These companies have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian GDP and have created job opportunities in the country..”

The Minister added that: “With the increasing momentum in our bilateral relations and improved trade relations, I am optimistic that both sides will work assiduously towards achieving a significant increase in the volume of trade for the mutual benefit of both nations.”

Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy

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Senator Lawan Installs Solar Streetlights in Mafa Local Government

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Senator Lawan Installs Solar Streetlights in Mafa Local Government

By: Our Reporter

In his ongoing effort to bring solar street lighting to every part of his constituency, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan has today extended his solar streetlight installation program to Mafa local government area.

This development is part of the senator’s larger initiative to brighten rural communities, complementing the efforts of Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum in improving the livelihoods of the people.

With the successful installation in Mafa, it is evident that Senator Lawan is on the brink of achieving his goal of covering all eight local governments in his constituency, with only Ngala and Kalabalge remaining. Senator Lawan, known for his deep commitment to his people’s welfare, continues to honor his promises, striving to meet the needs and aspirations of his constituents.

The senator is expected to tackle Ngala and Kalabalge together, bringing this ambitious solar streetlight project to completion and further advancing the development of Borno Central Constituency for a brighter future.

Senator Lawan Installs Solar Streetlights in Mafa Local Government

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ISI-UI HIJAB: ISI LOSES AGAIN AS COURT STRIKES OUT STAY OF EXECUTION APPLICATION

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ISI-UI HIJAB: ISI LOSES AGAIN AS COURT STRIKES OUT STAY OF EXECUTION APPLICATION

By: Michael Mike

For the second time within six months, the International School Ibadan (ISI), University of Ibadan lost its application of stay of execution for the usage of hijab by female Muslim students of the school.

This was sequel to striking out of the application for stay of execution of the previous judgement in May 22, 2024 granting the female Muslim students the right to wear their hijab on the school uniform by an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.

Justice Moshood Isola, who presided over the court on Tuesday gave the judgment following an appeal by the management of the school asking for stay of execution.

Delivering the ruling on the application, Justice Ishola who delivered the May 22 Judgment, ruled that it amounts to judicial impertinence for the court to entertain a pending application at the appeal court.

"This court lacks jurisdiction to entertain such an application; it can only rule on a matter if the application is in limbo without being given number at the appeal court", Ishola declared.

Earlier, the leading counsel to the applicants, Mr. Magnus Ejelonu argued that his application was premised on order 4, rule 10 of the Appeal Court stating that a case is admissible when records had been received and assigned file in the court registry.

In his submission, the leading counsel to the 11 female Muslim students of the UI-ISI, Mr. Hassan Fajimite expressed disappointment in the school management for making attempt to scuttle enforcement of fundamental human rights, following a well founded judgement of the High Court.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr Yusuf Anikulapo, Counsel to an incorporated trustee of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, corroborated Fajimite’s submission that a record of appeal has been transmitted by the applicant, adding that his case has been assigned Suit No: CA/IB/345/2024.

The Presiding Justice Ishola, therefore struck out the application for lack of merit and not in consistent with the laid down rules.

Reacting to the judgment, the Chairman, ISI Muslim Parents Forum, Abdur-Rahman Balogun described the judgement as a welcome development, as the school children have been living harmoniously, as evident in the 2024 Yearbook where all the students live peacefully irrespective of their tribe and faith.

Balogun added that the judgement also gave testament to the international status of the school which ought to allow for inclusivity of all irrespective of race, tribe and religion.

ISI-UI HIJAB: ISI LOSES AGAIN AS COURT STRIKES OUT STAY OF EXECUTION APPLICATION

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Human rights Commission calls for transparency within the 35 member Borno flood disaster relief committee

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Human rights Commission calls for transparency within the 35 member Borno flood disaster relief committee

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the “Borno State Flood Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee,” which is responsible for managing relief funds to streamline the process of compensation for residents so that each ward will know when they will be coming to their aid financially or materially.

The streamlining process being demanded will enable the 35 man committee to capture the entire residents affected and ensuring that justice is done to the myriads of people shouting to be included in the process which is looking almost like a selective jamboree weeks after it started.

The call was made by Hillary Ogbona senior Adviser (SA)to the executive secretary of the NHRC during a town hall meeting on the state of human rights during and after the maiduguri flood which took over the homes of over 200,000 residents within the state capital.

Hillary Ogbona stated recently that there was need for a timeline for the community to work with even as residents wait patiently for the Gujibawu led committee members to tend to their immediate needs.

Ogbona called on the numerous non governmental organizations (NGO’s) in the state to do more by engaging the committee to ensure all is well with the teeming residents waiting for their rightful compensations.

He regretted that it was sad that even the health sector and the information machinery in the state could not work together to fish out information from a common front instead of the piece meal approach employed in which residents were actually confused in certain instances of what to do to stay alive.

He regretted that many residents could not be reached in time for rescue because of the fact that they did not know who to call for help at such a desperately difficult period of their existence.

” I believe that the non governmental agencies would have done far better if they had engaged with the committee whose business it was to stabilize the people in the state capital.

” The values and approach to disaster management should be streamlined for effectiveness. This is because flood is not a respecter of people, creed, ranks or races. It is a leveler of all the people regardless of status.

“This is why is is important for the right thing to be done as at when due. People who earn daily wages are the most affected in such circumstances. Human rights inaction during flooding is key.”said Ogbona.

The SA stressed that there was need for the government to build a permanent and standardized camp for internally displaced people (IDP’s) with all the facilities so that all the principles of human rights based approach to disaster management will be employed without biases to anyone.

Ogbona emphasized that the usual discrimination based on status which is a common phenomenon in such circumstances in which some people are given compensation while others are not given was not permissible.

“It’s unfortunate that lots of discrimination was employed during the difficult period in which the flood was being managed but I feel this should not happen again because children should not be discriminated against at any time because major priority must be given to both women and children at such desperate circumstances.

“I had an experience in Germany which I wish to share with you people. While I was there, I observed that the selection of brains are placed above everyone during disasters, then the elderly and others may be considered later. This can equally be applied here whenever there is a similar disaster.” Said Ogbona.

Lessons from Community based human intervention in Borno were highlighted by barrister Okoro who insisted that leaders of religious groups have a very critical role to play in such trying times.

He posited that community and religious groups can be much more effective in handling such disasters if carried along when it occurred.

Okoro stressed that communication skills and the too much emphasis on the English language while encoding and decoding could also become a major challenge to the flood management approach.

Head of the Borno office Barrister Jumai Meshelia while welcoming stakeholders to the town hall meeting, called for the application of empathy while managing the people who have been traumatized by the flood.

She presented a summary on the state of human rights issues in Borno state from 2009 till date.

Stake holders present in the meeting highlighted the fact that some landlords have been coming to claim damages for the houses destroyed instead of first worrying about the fate of tenants who lost everything including lives to the flood.

One of them told stakeholders that his ten year old boy who was at home on that fateful night of Sept 10th lost his life in a fate of panic when on seeing the water pouring into the house, tried to get out but was swallowed by the raging flood from the dam.

On landlords who go to snap their homes while tenants are inside to claim damages and present same to the committees or coming to share humanitarian awards or compensations given to tenants, he called for a change of mindset by such shylock landlords.

Over 150 souls were reported as dead by the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Zulum approves additional 4 weeks for disbursement Committee

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum has approved a four-week extension for the “Borno State Flood Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee,” which is responsible for managing relief funds for affected residents.

The Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Mallam Bukar Tijani, conveyed the approval on recently in Maiduguri to stakeholders when it became obvious the duration given to the committee was inadequate.

The SSG noted that Governor Zulum has approved the extension of their work to allow for a thorough assessment of the victims to ensure all those affected were reached.

Alhaji Bukar Tijani added that the state government had received an interim report from the disbursement committee, which achieved a substantial part of their terms of reference.

Many wards are yet to be reached by the committee which has not been able to touch over 50 percent of the areas affected because there has not been any programmed time tables

Human rights Commission calls for transparency within the 35 member Borno flood disaster relief committee

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