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US to Collaborate with Nigeria, Others to Harness Full Potentials of Atlantic Ocean
US to Collaborate with Nigeria, Others to Harness Full Potentials of Atlantic Ocean
By: Michael Mike
United States has expressed her willingness to collaborate with Nigeria and other countries in the Atlantic Ocean region to harness the economic potentials that the ocean presents.
Speaking to selected journalists in Abuja on Tuesday night, the Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Ambassador Jessye Lapenn who was in the country to further cement relations between Nigeria and United States on Blue Economy and Maritime Issues, said her home government was ready to deployed equipment and resources to ensure peace and safety in and around the Atlantic Ocean.
She noted that the challenges associated with piracy and insecurity on the Atlantic Ocean would be soon be a thing of the past as all the countries in the Atlantic Ocean Treaty would work together to ensure that there is peace and growth of commercial activities on the Atlantic Ocean.
She disclosed that during her visit to the country she was presented with the opportunity of meeting key decision makers in Nigeria’s maritime industry, explaining that it was a great decision that a ministry was created to take charge of the nation’s blue economy.
Thirty-two coastal Atlantic countries across four continents have recently adopted a Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation launching the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The new multilateral forum brought together an unprecedented number of coastal Atlantic countries across Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
This Partnership is the first grouping to span both the North and South Atlantic and address a broad range of issues, from economic development to environmental protection to science and technology. It is also the first time that so many Atlantic countries have come together to establish a forum through which they can work together on a more regular basis and to lay down, via the Declaration, a set of shared principles for the Atlantic region, such as a commitment to an open Atlantic free from interference, coercion, or aggressive action.
The recent Declaration builds on last year’s Joint Statement on Atlantic Cooperation, which started a process to explore deeper cooperation in the region. It was the product of that process and intensive diplomacy by the White House and the State Department.
Coastal Atlantic countries share direct and interconnected interests in the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean is the world’s most heavily traveled ocean with critical trade routes and global energy reserves.
The World Bank had estimated that the ocean contributes $1.5 trillion annually to the global economy—and expects this figure to double by 2030.
Sustainable ocean economy sectors are estimated to generate almost 50 million jobs in Africa and to contribute $21 billion to Latin American GDP.
Meanwhile, challenges like illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; natural disasters; and illicit trafficking threaten this economy. It is however recognized that no country alone can solve the cross-boundary challenges in the Atlantic region or fully address the opportunities that it presents.
The Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation seeks to usher in a new chapter in regional cooperation, forging deeper connections across Atlantic countries on four continents, with the purpose of the Partnership being twofold: to enable Atlantic countries to expand cooperation on a range of shared goals and to uphold a set of shared principles for Atlantic cooperation.
The Partnership is expected to give member countries a new platform to work together on issues such as science and technology, sustainable ocean economy, and climate change. Participating countries also endorsed a Plan of Action outlining the first phase of work this new grouping will undertake, including scientific cooperation and shared research, information and maritime awareness, and development of a cadre of young Atlantic scientists. The Partnership will convene regularly and establish working groups to carry out this work. To the greatest extent possible, the Partnership will collaborate with and build on existing regional initiatives.
The participating countries include Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Spain, Togo, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.
US to Collaborate with Nigeria, Others to Harness Full Potentials of Atlantic Ocean
Security forces arrest “Gwandara” notorious kidnap kingpin, logistics supplier in Bwari Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have arrested a notorious kidnapper and major logistics supplier to bandits identified as Y’au Ibrahim Dauda, popularly known as “Gwandara 01”.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the suspect was apprehended by the Scorpion Squad at about 5:40 p.m. on Thursday in Bwari following actionable intelligence.
According to sources , Dauda has been on the wanted list of security agencies for his alleged role in several coordinated kidnapping operations within the FCT, particularly across the Bwari axis, from 2024 to date.
Investigations further linked him to multiple abductions around the Garam area of Tafa LGA in Niger State and Bwari, including the kidnapping of a pastor in 2024 at the El-Rufai Estate, near the Nigerian Law School, Bwari.
The sources said that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover their weapons.
Security forces arrest “Gwandara” notorious kidnap kingpin, logistics supplier in Bwari Abuja
News
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja After Successful Engagements At G20, AU–EU Summits In South Africa, Angola
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja After Successful Engagements At G20, AU–EU Summits In South Africa, Angola
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Abuja from Luanda, Angola, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 7th African Union–European Union (AU-EU) Summit held in that country.
The Vice President had on Sunday departed South Africa for Luanda after a successful outing at the 2025 Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, where he also represented the President.
In Angola, Senator Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s statement in which the Nigerian leader intensified the nation’s call for Africa to secure permanent seats with veto-wielding authority on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, insisting that comprehensive reform of the global governance system is long overdue.
The President, in his statement, also tasked the European Union (EU) with co-creating peace and security initiatives alongside its African partners, anchored on African-led frameworks as a pathway to achieving sustainable stability across the continent.
The Nigerian leader reaffirmed the country’s firm commitment to advancing peace, security and democratic governance across Africa, and collaborating with the European Union to build a more stable, just, and prosperous world.
Earlier at the first session of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, the President urged world leaders to come up with a more equitable and responsive system to manage global financial flows and sincerely address the recurring debt crises in a manner that meets the needs of all nations.
In his speech delivered by VP Shettima on Saturday, President Tinubu noted that the multilateral frameworks, currently being relied on, no longer reflect the complexities of the present world, as they were “built in an era far removed from” the present challenges.
At the third session of the G20 Leaders’ Summit on Sunday, the President called for a global framework that benefits communities hosting critical minerals in Nigeria and Africa, ensuring value addition at the source.
He also backed the creation of global ethical standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI), aimed at accelerating development across the world.
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja After Successful Engagements At G20, AU–EU Summits In South Africa, Angola
News
WAFAI COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR RECENT RESCUES; DEMANDS URGENT, DECISIVE ACTION ON NATIONAL SECURITY
WAFAI COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR RECENT RESCUES; DEMANDS URGENT, DECISIVE ACTION ON NATIONAL SECURITY
The Women and Family Advancement Initiative (WAFAI), an NGO focused on family values, societal morals, policy implementation, and advocacy, has commended His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his resilience and commitment in securing the release of the 38 recently abducted church worshippers in Kwara State and some students from Saint Mary’s Private Secondary School, Papiri, in Niger State.
The Founder & CEO of WAFAI, Dr. Uche Francisca Obi, made the remarks in a press release today at the organization’s headquarters in Abuja. Dr. Obi said, “While we celebrate these victories, more must be done to curb the rising insecurity so that families across Nigeria can rest peacefully.”
She added, “The President’s efforts are greatly lauded, especially the good news that all 25 girls abducted from a school in Kebbi have regained their freedom. However, we are deeply concerned about the silence surrounding other kidnapped students still awaiting rescue. As a family-oriented leader, I share the pain of families yet to be reunited with their wards.”
Dr. Obi urged, “We call on the government to expedite efforts to safely return these students to their parents.”
She concluded, “Prioritizing security and tackling it head-on at this critical period will diminish narratives of foreign interference. Nigeria is a sovereign nation capable of handling its internal matters. With the willpower and right perspective from the government, insurgency can be defeated, restoring hope and self-sufficiency to families nationwide.”
WAFAI Media
Security forces arrest “Gwandara” notorious kidnap kingpin, logistics supplier in Bwari Abuja
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja After Successful Engagements At G20, AU–EU Summits In South Africa, Angola
WAFAI COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR RECENT RESCUES; DEMANDS URGENT, DECISIVE ACTION ON NATIONAL SECURITY
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