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Piracy, Armed Robbery in Gulf of Guinea Has Reduced- Touray

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Piracy, Armed Robbery in Gulf of Guinea Has Reduced- Touray

By: Michael Mike

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray has said that the Gulf of Guinea has continued to witness a downward trend in piracy and armed robbery attacks over the year.

He noted that this was achieved through the efforts of the Inter-regional Coordination Centre, ICC, insisting that its achievements in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea is quite commendable.

Touray made this known at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institution (HOI) of the ICC, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday.

ICC was created in September 2014 by ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) with the mission of serving as the Coordination Centre on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea following the 2013 Yaoundé Summit of ECOWAS, ECCAS and GGC Heads of State and Government.

Touray in his address on Thursday, said: “Since the Political Declaration of our Heads of State, substantial progress has been made in our maritime community.

”This included the adoption of National Maritime Strategies and the deployment of critical maritime infrastructure that has improved maritime situational awareness.

“With regards to our MoU, some progress has been achieved by the governing body on inter-institutional coordination.

”The Coordination Centre receives funding, and its annual Work Plan and Budget are approved, including the operations of Maritime Operational Centres.”

Touray added that the importance ICC for global maritime security and safety cannot be wished away, noting that it attracted the interest of many development partners.

He listed them to include the G77++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, the European Union, the German Federal Government and the Chinese Government for their different support and assistance.

He said: “Their assistance has contributed to our success in establishing the ECOWAS Regional Maritime Security Centre (CRESMAO) in Abidjan, with three Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres (MMCC) in Cotonou (Zone E), in Accra (Zone F), and in Praia (Zone G).

“Similarly, the ECCAS Maritime Security Architecture established a Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa (CRESMAC) in Pointe Noire, as well as Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres in Douala (Zone D) and in Luanda (Zone A).

“The establishment of maritime information sharing networks between ECOWAS and ECCAS have improved information sharing and situational awareness.”

Touray while noting that the Gulf of Guinea has continued to witness a downward trend in piracy and armed robbery attacks, added that: “According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), actual and attempted piracy and sea robbery incidents saw a downturn trend from 31 in 2015, 18 in 2021 to 15 in 2022.

“Incidences of piracy and armed robbery further declined to 6 attacks in the first quarter of 2024 in the Gulf of Guinea. This is thanks to our institutional actions and collective responses.”

Touray, however, stated that in spite of such laudable progress, the ICC had serious challenges, which included non-recruitment of key staff, irregular funding, and breakdown of essential services.

He said that there was still a need for regular review of the progress and challenges on the level of implementation of the Declaration, stressing that it was important to take concrete steps to address the challenges.

“The Code of Conduct on the Prevention and Suppression of Acts of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa was supposed to be turned into a legally binding Agreement three years after its adoption in Yaoundé in 2013.

“Thus far, we have not achieved this after the 10th Year Anniversary of the Yaoundé process. It is therefore important that we critically appraise our institutional responses on the Code of Conduct,” he said.

Touray urged the ICC governing body, which comprises the Presidents of the Commissions of ECOWAS and ECCAS, and the Executive Secretary of the GGC, to review a new EU project, ‘Safe Seas’ for the region and the Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information Sharing (YARIS) tool.

He also called on member states to streamline development corporations and partnerships to ensure that ICC provided the necessary oversight to guide the Coordination Centre.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea Commission, Jose Abeso, said the region was still facing the challenges of maritime insecurity, stressing that the objective was to eliminate all forms of criminality in the domain.

He said that the law on criminal activities in the maritime sector in the Gulf of Guinea should be harmonized to act as effective detriments against committing such crimes.

“Our maritime domain is the next destination for the sustainable economic development of our countries.

”Our governments cannot or should not leave the running of institutions meant to patrol this area, to ensure that security and safety of activities is not left to third parties,” Abeso said.

Participants at the event included the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Gilberto Verissimo.

Others were the representative of the UN Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) and that of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA).

Piracy, Armed Robbery in Gulf of Guinea Has Reduced- Touray

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Nigerian Delegation Arrives China to Cement Chino-Nigeria Relations

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Nigerian Delegation Arrives China to Cement Chino-Nigeria Relations

By: Michael
Mike

A Nigerian delegation led by the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe has arrived China to put muscle to Chino-Nigeria relations.

According to a statement on Sunday Tegbe’s trip marks a significant step in furthering the comprehensive strategic partnership between Nigeria and China, with the goal of building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.

The statement said upon arrival in China, Tegbe was warmly received by representatives of the Chinese Business Community and officials from the Nigerian embassy.

The statement read: “During his (Tegbe) visit, he is expected to engage with top Chinese government officials and participate in a series of strategic meetings aimed at sealing agreements that will bolster the Nigerian economy in key sectors.

“These sectors include Agriculture, where efforts will focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and food security; Alternative Energy, which involves developing renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels; Healthcare, with an emphasis on improving access to quality healthcare services and medical infrastructure; Mining, which seeks to harness Nigeria’s mineral resources to drive economic growth; Education, aimed at strengthening educational institutions and promoting cultural exchange; and Technology, focused on fostering innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria.”

The statement added that: “As the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Tegbe leads the initiative to drive Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation through targeted Chinese investments, supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Tegbe’s visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepen their economic cooperation and foster sustainable development. As Nigeria seeks to become a net exporter to China in the next five years, this partnership is poised to play a crucial role in achieving this goal. The partnership provides a platform for the actualization of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which involves exploring more development paths with China as a major development partner.”

Nigerian Delegation Arrives China to Cement Chino-Nigeria Relations

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Jega Commends Zulum for Establishing “First of Its Kind Ranch in Nigeria”

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Jega Commends Zulum for Establishing “First of Its Kind Ranch in Nigeria”

By: Michael
Mike

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Co-Chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee, Professor Attahiru Jega has commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum for establishing a cattle ranch that is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Jega made the commendation on Saturday in Mafa local government area of Borno State at the commissioning of Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement constructed by Zulum’s administration, with the support of the federal government.

He said: “I must say that I witnessed something I had never seen in our country today. We have seen today the vision of a leader, the passion and commitment to what clearly will help drive economic growth, uplift the lives and livelihood of people and provide employment to our citizens.”

“It is highly commendable and encouraging that Borno State has shown leadership and commitment to livestock development based on what we have seen at today’s event,” Jega added.

He also said: “It is gratifying that the state is ahead with the launching of the Annual Animal Vaccination Scheme and distribution of livestock for livelihood restoration and economic empowerment of the citizens. It is commendable that the state has both the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development and Borno State Livestock Management Agency (BOLMA).”

Delivering his address, Zulum noted that Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement is a 4-square km project built for 461 nomadic families from eighteen communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

He said: “In addition to a house, each of the 461 families received pairs of bulls and heifers, goats, and a humanitarian relief package consisting of essential food and non-food items.

“The project has facilities that include a housing estate with road networks, schools, health clinics, veterinary services, and state-of-the-art dairy and beef upgrading centres.

“Other facilities are pasture development centres, milk collection centres, earth dams to secure water supply, markets to foster local trade, and security outposts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.”

Meanwhile, the minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha has branded Borno State Governor with the ministry’s logo appreciating his commitment to livestock development.

The ministers said: “I am delighted to join you at this occasion of the commissioning of Ngarannam Livestock Improvement Ranch Settlement built by Borno State Government. I wholeheartedly congratulate and commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, on this laudable project which will immensely benefit the good people of Borno State and Nigeria in general, with attendant implications for addressing the food security challenges in our nation.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Governor of Borno and the overseeing Commissioner for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Dr Umar Kadafur, stated that Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement is one of the three established by the Zulum administration, one in each senatorial district of the state.

According to him, while that of Ngarannam is commissioned, the other two are also at 90% completion stage. He said, “It is with immense gratitude and pride that I stand before you today to welcome you all as we commission Ngarannam RUGA as first in the list of the three livestock ranching centres (RUGA) located on Grazing Reserve across the three senatorial districts of Borno State.”

He added, “These centres symbolise our commitment to sustainable development, peaceful coexistence, and economic empowerment for our people. The remaining two RUGA centres will be commissioned in due course as the works have reached over 90 per cent completion.”

Jega Commends Zulum for Establishing “First of Its Kind Ranch in Nigeria”

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Airstrike Hits Vigilantes, Residents in Zamfara, many Feared Dead

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Airstrike Hits Vigilantes, Residents in Zamfara, many Feared Dead

By: Zagazola Makama

Many people were reportedly killed in another accidental Airstrikes in Tungar Kara community, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on evening.

Intelligence source told Zagazola Makama that the victims include members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), vigilantes, and residents of the community, who were called to respond to bandits incursion in the area.

The vigilantes were mistaken for bandits, shortly after the bandits had fled the scene.

“So far, 16 dead bodies have been retrieved, but the total number of casualties is not yet clear,” the source said.

The Nigerian military under Operation Fansan Yanma has been intensifying operations against banditry and terrorism in Zamfara and other parts of the northwest, which have been plagued by insecurity.

The troops successfully dismantled terrorists’ hideouts in the Fakai area of Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, neutralizing 25 terrorists and rescuing seven kidnapped victims.

They also cleared several camps belonging to terrorist kingpins, including Bello Turji and Mallam Ila, in the Fakai axis.

Airstrike Hits Vigilantes, Residents in Zamfara, many Feared Dead

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