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Release of North East Masterplan, a Big Statement by Federal Government- KACRAN

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Release of North East Masterplan, a Big Statement by Federal Government- KACRAN

Release of North East Masterplan, a Big Statement by Federal Government- KACRAN

By: Michael Mike

The release of the North East Masterplan by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has been described a big statement of the federal government’s plan to arrest the troubled region from the brink of destruction brought about by the over 12 years Boko Haram insurgency.

A statement on Saturday by the  Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) said the launching of the 10 years Northeast Masterplan by the North East Development Commission, a development agency of federal government of the troubled region, is highly commendable.

The statement signed by it’s National President, Khalil Bello said: “We the members of Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria, hereby commend the North East Development Commission for the successful launching of a 10 year development master plan for the North East Region of Nigeria.

“As an active stakeholder in NEDC projects and programmes, we have never hesitated to appreciate and commend the commission for their good works. Obviously, the 10 year development plan is quite commendable as a strategic move to fast track the total and prompt achievement of the commission’s mandate of holistic rapid development of the region, as well as providing modern facilities for enriching the practice development of animal husbandry in the North East.

He noted that; “Since the inauguration of NEDC in 2017 by the federal government, the commission has been adequately visible and eloquent in the discharge of it’s mandate of delivering humanitarian services to the insurgency devastated North East region, without any equivocation. This is quite commendable.”

He highlighted some of the progress made so far made by the NEDC to include, construction of thousands of houses to accommodate the displaced persons in the region; provision of several water points for livestock and their owners, thus ameliorating the problem of acute  water shortage, which always often forced our herders to unnecessarily move to many dangerous places in search of water and animal feeds; incorporating herders needs in all their plans, policies and programmes which has largely motivated KACRAN members to have a deep sense of belonging, thereby making them to feel proud as Nigerians, for receiving an equitable share of the commission’s humanitarian guestures and  interventions. 

Also Read: Insurgency: N/East women group hails military over recent…

He added that NEDC is said to have spent over N5.6 billion in carrying out 647 projects in agriculture, health and other sectoral projects that are key to nation building/development and also providing food security; has also trained several youths on acquisition of waste recycling skills in Gombe State; North East scavengers have also been trained on stove briquettes production; an education fund for training about 18,000 teachers has also been launched; provision has been made, through a special fund for awarding scholarships to North East students who want to advance their studies in universities and other higher institutions of learning, of which some of KACRAN members are beneficiaries; several roads and bridges have been constructed by the NEDC  to link or reconnect towns and villages in the region; the commission is seriously assisting the North East Governors in various ways to enable them successfully shoulder the numerous responsibilities of rebuilding their states, from the ruins of insurgency activities and is always very busy in meaningful initiating various empowerment programmes and giving palliatives to hundreds and thousands of beneficiaries.

 (12)It is heartwarming and encouraging to note that the activities of the commission is quite visible, since they are always moving up and down, from one state, city, town or village to another, to ensure timely and urgent interventions in the resettlement of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

Mohammed said: “Also commendable is to launch a 30 year development master plan by the Buhari administration. About N31.05 trillion has been earmarked for developing the North East in a period of 30 years. hence the Commission for launching its 30 years development master plan for which about N31.05 trillion was earmarked, so as to successfully rebuild and develop the entire region.”

He said: “We in KACRAN are highly expectant that our needs and wants, will be adequately captured in this development agenda by the commission.”

Release of North East Masterplan, a Big Statement by Federal Government- KACRAN

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EU Declares Nigeria Matters to Us

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EU Declares Nigeria Matters to Us

… Reiterates Commitment to Strengthen Long Standing Partnership

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, David MacAllister on Monday declared the importance of Nigeria to the bloc, stating that Nigeria “matters” to us.

He also reiterated the bloc’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria.

MacAllister, who led a six-member European Parliament delegation on an official visit to Nigeria on Monday, after a meeting with the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar disclosed that their mission to Nigeria was designed to deepen mutual understanding, explore new areas of collaboration, and reinforce political and economic ties between both sides.

He said: “We are a delegation of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, We are six members in total from five different countries, from three different political groups in the European Parliament. And this shows a cross-party interest in further deepening and strengthening the relations between the European Union and Nigeria.”

MacAllister while describing Nigeria as a strategic partner whose influence on the continent and beyond makes it an indispensable ally in shaping Africa–EU relations, said: “Nigeria is considered as a strategic partner for the European Union. “We have a long-lasting, good and close relationship based on shared values and also on joint interests.”

He noted that the visit was part of the Parliament’s tradition of engaging directly with partner nations to better understand their challenges and opportunities.

He said: “The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee travels with smaller delegations a few times a year to other parts of the world,” adding that: “We mainly travel to get to know better the countries, to understand better the challenges these countries are facing, and also the opportunities these countries have. And we are also there to very carefully listen.”

MacAllister while expressing appreciation to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs for hosting the delegation, noted that their discussion was insightful and covered a broad range of regional and global issues.

He said: “It was a great honour for us to be received by the Honourable Minister. His Excellency took more than one and a half hours of his precious time to really go into detail with many, many questions we had as regards the further development of the African Union, the further development of ECOWAS, and the developments in all neighbouring countries of Nigeria.”

He said the dialogue also reflected a shared interest in understanding the trajectories of both regions, stating that: “The Minister was also very interested in finding out how the further developments of the European Union will look like.”

He said: “Because just like Nigeria, just like ECOWAS, we in the European Union, of course, are also facing enormous challenges.”

He reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a vital partner in Europe’s engagement with Africa, stating that: “To sum up in one sentence — Nigeria matters. Nigeria matters for us in the European Union, and we in the European

Parliament are very keen to deepen the strategic partnership with Nigeria. And this will be our message when we go back home to Brussels.”

Responding, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed the lawmakers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing the European Union as a critical partner in trade, security, and development.

He said: “Any visit from the European Union has to be considered very important because Europe still remains our largest trading partner,” adding that: “Figures may vary, but it is not less than 31.8 billion euros.”

He described Europe and Africa as “natural neighbours,” emphasizing that geography should unite rather than separate the two continents.

He said: “For those who understand a bit of Latin, ‘Mediterranean’ means ‘water in the middle of land. So where Europe is concerned in its relations to Africa, what we have is water in the middle of land—we are closer than we imagine.”

He noted that Nigeria’s partnership with the EU extends beyond trade, touching on regional stability, food security, and job creation.

Tuggar said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasizes food security as his number one priority because we are a nation of 230 million people, expected to become 400 million by 2050. We are in a race against time to create jobs, feed our people, and ensure our population is healthy.”

He added that Nigeria’s recent inclusion as the 77th shareholder of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development reflects its commitment to global economic cooperation.

He saud: “We have a lot of lessons to learn from the European Union, which itself is still integrating. It gives us hope and serves as a model that we seek to emulate. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with the EU in all areas.”

Other members of the European Parliament delegation included Christophe Thomas (France), Jaliana Lefebvre (Croatia), Marta Emigo (Portugal), and Tim Kenan (Finland).

EU Declares Nigeria Matters to Us

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.

The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.

Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.

The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

All appointments take immediate effect.

PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS

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Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy

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Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria-Germany trade volume has hit an all-time high of €3 billion, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther said on Thursday

The envoy who addressed a press conference in Abuja said the 30% increase could be attributed to Nigeria’s economic recovery.

Gunther who called the press conference ahead of the joint Nigerian-German binational commission scheduled for Berlin, in German, noted that Nigeria remains “Germany’s second biggest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa with a total trade volume of 3 billion Euros,” adding that: “Trade volumes have increased this year by 30% due to Nigeria’s economic recovery.”

The envoy equally revealed that more than 90 German companies are active in the country, “indirectly creating about 17.000 jobs in Nigeria.”

Gunther also told journalists that good times between both countries were not over, promising Nigerians that more investments are on the way, especially in the energy and the pharmaceutical sectors.

She revealed that in the energy sector, the Presidential Power initiative is now in the second phase.

She said: “This cooperation with the German energy giant Siemens will add about 7 Gigawatts to Nigeria’s Energy Grid. Secondly, the German –Nigerian cooperation in the Gas sector, eliminating gas flaring and improving Nigeria´s CO2 footprint.”

The envoy revealed that the relationship has also improved in the area of Visa and Migration as no fewer than 7,600 visas were issued to both students and short term stay, adding that plans were already in place to increase the number.

Gunther said: “All the common goals and projects would not work if they were not supported by travels on all levels between our two countries, plus legal migration. Last year alone, the German Embassy here in Abuja and the German Consulate General in Lagos granted around 1400 long-term visas for purposes such as study in Germany, family reunion and employment as well as around 6200 visas for short-term stays such as business and tourism.

She revealed that: “This year, we are well on track to raise those numbers,” stating that:
“The German missions remain committed to furthering the bilateral relations by granting visas to properly documented applications.”

She also assured that in the area of military cooperation, Germany will continue to stand by Nigeria.

She said: “This year marked a new chapter: the launch of our first Bilateral Annual Programme, bringing military experts from both countries together for in-depth exchanges and joint planning.

“Through the Bundeswehr Advisory Group, Germany has been a reliable partner — supporting Nigeria with field medical expertise and counter-IED operations, car mechanical training and other interventions.

“And we’re not stopping here. Germany will continue to stand with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

“Next month, we’ll take this cooperation to the next level: for the first time, high-level military staff talks will take place in Abuja, opening the door to even closer collaboration in the future.”

She also revealed other areas of cooperation which includes support for the Nigeria police force and the drug enforcement agency amongst others.

In the area of stabilization efforts at containing impacts of terrorism and climate change, the envoy said: “Germany is supporting the development of resilient state institutions and the strengthening of local communities.”

She said focus are on the North East (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) and the North West (Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina), “where initiatives such as the reconstruction of schools, health centres, markets, housing, and police stations are improving both security and daily life for local people.”

Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy

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