Deployment of Telecommunication Installations Must Comply with Environmental Laws- NESREA DG

By: Michael Mike

The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor has said the agency will ensure that the environment is given due consideration in the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure in the country and that such installations must comply with extant environmental regulations.

Barikor made the promise on Wednesday when he received two European companies, Consulting & Management and Europe Ltd, who were in his office to brief him on the European Union-funded project in Nigeria titled “EU Support to Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for studies in support of 90,000km Fibre Optic Network and Improved Digital Literacy in Nigeria.”

The NESREA DG stated that the environmental implications of such deployment would be taken into consideration and due diligence carried out before the commencement of the project, while also drawing attention to the need for sensitization of the citizens.

Prof. Muhammad Ladan, who led the delegation assured the Director General that the team was already taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance especially with regards to the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project, adding that the team was in NESREA as part of its Stakeholders’ engagement and consultation on the project.

Deployment of Telecommunication Installations Must Comply with Environmental Laws- NESREA DG

Our Stand on Establishment of Palestinian State, Firm and Unwavering- Saudi Arabia

By: Michael Mike

Saudi Arabia has described its stand on the establishment of a Palestinian state as firm and unwavering, insisting that they won’t be any diplomatic ties with Israel with taking this into cognizance.

A statement from the Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday read: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering.

“His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister clearly and unequivocally reaffirmed this stance during his speech at the opening of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council on September 18, 2024. His Royal Highness emphasized that Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that.”

The statement added that: “His Royal Highness also reiterated this firm position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2024. He stressed the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

“His Royal Highness also urged more peace-loving countries to recognize the State of Palestine, and emphasized the importance of mobilizing the international community to support the Palestinian people’s rights, as expressed in United Nations General Assembly resolutions, recognizing Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land. The international community has a duty today to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain steadfast on their land and will not move from it.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises. Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current U.S. administrations.”

Our Stand on Establishment of Palestinian State, Firm and Unwavering- Saudi Arabia

Tuggar Arrives Kuwait on Historic Visit

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria is aiming at strengthening diplomatic ties with Kuwait with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar arriving the Gulf nation for a landmark working visit.

The visit, which runs from 5th to 8th February 2025, marks the first time a Nigerian Foreign Minister has visited Kuwait since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 31st January 1970 (55 years ago).

According to a statement on Wednesday by the minister’s spokesman, Alkasim AbdulKadir, during the visit Tuggar will engage in strategic discussions with his Kuwaiti counterpart, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, and sign key bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The visit will also include high-level meetings with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait, and a courtesy call on His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait.

Tuggar and his Kuwaiti counterpart will formalize several agreements designed to deepen cooperation, including: Joint Commission for Cooperation: Establishing a framework for stronger bilateral ties; Bilateral Consultations MoU: Strengthening diplomatic engagements between both Foreign Ministries; Diplomatic Training Cooperation MoU aimed at enhancing capacity building and diplomatic expertise exchange.

The statement read: “Additionally, discussions will be held on advancing negotiations on economic, trade, investment, science and technology, and agricultural cooperation agreements.

“As part of the visit, Ambassador Tuggar will meet with Kuwait’s Minister of Petroleum, Tariq Suleiman Al-Roumi, and the Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Waleed Al-Bahar.

“The Minister will also participate in a business lunch hosted by Kuwaiti authorities, attended by leading business figures and investors.

“This visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and investment ties between Nigeria and Kuwait, opening new avenues for cooperation across multiple sectors.”

Tuggar Arrives Kuwait on Historic Visit