Day: July 3, 2024

The Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAIPKC), Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, says the centre is committed to enhancing peacekeeping operations in Nigeria and African continent through training.

Adedoja gave the assurance at the inauguration ceremony of the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course 36/2024, organised by the centre in Abuja.

The course was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in conjunction with the Government of Japan.

He said that the inauguration represented an essential step forward in their collective efforts to ensure the pro-activeness of peacekeepers in the aspect of protection of civilians in conflicts zones.

He added that the course also demonstrated the commitment of international partners to support MLAILPKC in delivering quality and realistic training to potential peacekeepers.

According to him, the course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the perform
ance of Comprehensive Protection of Civilian functions in an integrated peace operations environment.

‘This course will also provide participants with the expertise and strategies necessary to protect civilians in conflict zones.

‘It will also serve as measures to win the heart and minds of the local indigene in conflict and post conflict environment among others.

‘The MLAILPKC in conjunction with other collaborations are showcasing the profound truth that the protection and promotion of human rights is a collective endeavour that transcends government and institutional responsibilities.’

The commandant also said that the course was aligned with the UN training standards and qualified participants to be deployed in integrated peacekeeping operations such as UN, AU and ECOWAS missions.

He added that the participants would be empowered to impact positive changes and contributes to enhancing peace, security and safety of the citizens in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

‘I want to assure you that the centre h
as erudite facilitators with world- class experiences and capable instructors who will impart the required knowledge on you.

‘Our facilitators are renowned experts in their fields, with a deep understanding of the complex peacekeeping challenges we face,’ he added.

The Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, in his remarks said that the mandate of MLAILPKC was to deliver realistic training support to leaders and critical stakeholders on multidimensional challenges of contemporary peace support operations.

Mohammed, represented by Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Abai, said the collaboration between the centre and UNDP started in 2016 in pursuant of that mandate.

He said the collaboration was aimed at fostering stability, security and sustainable developments in conflict affected regions.

According to him, it is also designed to enhance peace building efforts by working together and leveraging expertise and resources to effectively support conflict prevention, peace building and post conflict recovery effort
s.

‘Over the years, the collaboration has yielded positive results in the areas of sponsorship of courses. This is aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of military, para-military and other relevant stakeholders in Nigeria and around Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

‘In the year 2023, a total of four courses were conducted in collaboration with UNDP and the Government of Japan. These include the Anti-Piracy Course series, Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course, Countering Violence Extremism Course.

‘Today, we are here to inaugurate the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course in furtherance of the active, progressive and effective collaboration that exist between MLAILPKC and UNDP/Government of Japan,” he said.

Mr Matthew Alao, Team Lead, Governance, Peace, and Security Unit, UNDP, Nigeria, also reiterated the need to ensure adequate protection of civilian population by peacekeepers, security personnel and humanitarian workers during violent conflicts to minimise casualties.

Alao, represented by
Mr Richard Ologunla, noted that civilians often bear the brunt of hostilities and uncertainties in conflict zones around the world, adding that there was the need to ensure their safety, uphold their rights and safeguard their dignities.

He said the course was designed to arm the participants with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the complexities of protecting civilians in armed conflict.

‘As we inaugurate this course today, let us remember that the true measure of our success lies in the positive impact that we create in the lives of those we are committed to protect.

‘The protection of civilians is not just a professional call to duty, it is a moral imperative.

‘By enhancing our capabilities to protect civilians in armed conflict, we are contributing to a more just and peaceful world.

‘I encourage you all to engage fully, learn from one another, and take this opportunity to build a sustainable network for your career and leadership,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Soldiers of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Alamala, on Wednesday conducted an environmental sanitation exercise at Lafenwa market in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the soldiers started the exercise at about 7:30 a.m., sweeping through the market and clearing drains in the vicinity.

The exercise is part of the activities to mark the 2024 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), slated for July 6.

The Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Aminu, said the gesture was to support the host community by giving back to the society.

Represented by Col. Legborsi Nule, the Garrison Commander, Aminu said the military personnel were members of the community and played a vital role in activities related to the country’s growth.

‘Also, because of the Cholera outbreak, we decided to clean the environment, this is a market and all of us shop from here.

‘So, there is no better place that should be kept clean than a place where you are b
uying your foodstuffs.

‘It is a yearly event that takes place across the country, and we use this period as a day to carry out activities like this in support of our host communities.

‘We decided to come to the market, we have been passing here and we found out that the market was dirty, so, we decided to clean it to help the civil authority and our host community,’ he said.

According to Aminu, the gesture will let the people to know that soldiers are also part of the society, and part of the community.

‘Whatever that has to do with development of the country, it is also our responsibility as citizens of this country’.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The European Union (EU) has unveiled a digital platform to boost investment in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.

Ms Myriam Ferran, EU’s Deputy Director-General, Directorate of International Partnerships (INTPA), said this at the 9th edition of the Nigeria-EU Business Forum in Abuja.

Ferran said the platform was aimed at increasing private investments in the country’s agribusiness sector.

She said the initiative would contribute to the reduction of food insecurity and poverty as well as the attainment of sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

‘The EU-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform will contribute to boosting the exploration and exploitation of agribusiness opportunities between Nigeria and the EU.

‘This is through the establishment and maintenance of a network of active members of agribusinesses across Nigeria and the EU.

‘An agribusiness platform is a form of a digital agricultural platform that provides digital marketing, trading or investment space for commercial and/or transactional activities.

‘I
t also aids interactions, communications, integrations and cooperation in the agri-food system and agro-industry between Nigerian and European SMEs.’

According to Ferran, the EU-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform’s primary focus is to create linkages and interactions between Nigeria and EU agribusiness stakeholders, especially among SMEs.

She said it would also promote trade and investment between both sides.

‘The idea for an agribusiness platform stems from the commitments of the November 2020 EU-Nigeria Ministerial Dialogue.

‘In consultation with the government of Nigeria, it was decided to launch an EU-Nigeria Agri-business Platform as a structured dialogue between Nigerian and EU farming and agri-food communities agricultural and agro-industrial sectors.

‘This is to promote trade and attract responsible investment, and to foster business linkages, particularly for SMEs,”she said.

Ferran said that Agribusiness Register Limited, a private sector entity conversant with the agribusiness ecosystem would mana
ge the EU-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform.

She said the idea of handing over the platform to a private sector-led entity working in partnership with public and private sector stakeholders was birthed from a stakeholders’ consultative meeting.

She added that the firm would work and engage with selected agribusinesses, farmer groups, aggregators and other critical stakeholders.

She said that it would also nurture partnership and collaboration with EU implementing partners in the relevant space of agriculture, digital and entrepreneurship with relevant agencies of the government of Nigeria.

‘In particular, it will work with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced a decrease in prices for all grades of fuel for July, bringing much needed relief to consumers.

This is the second month in succession that a fuel price decrease has been implemented.

The fuel prices for July are adjusted as follows:

Petrol 93 (ULP and LRP): R1,05 decrease.

Petrol 95 (ULP and LRP): 99c decrease.

Diesel (0.05% sulphur): 30c decrease.

Diesel (0.005% sulphur): 24c decrease.

Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): 18c decrease.

Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating Paraffin: 24c decrease.

Maximum LP Gas Retail Price: 22c decrease

In a statement, the department attributed the decrease in prices to several factors in the international market.

‘The average Brent Crude oil price decreased from 82.98 US Dollars (USD) to 82.24 USD per barrel, during the period under review. The main contributing factors are the increased production by the US and other non-OPEC countries amid slow economic growth globally.

‘The averag
e international product prices of petrol decreased following the lower Brent Crude oil prices during the period under review. The movement in product prices has led to a lower contribution to the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) of petrol by 93.66 – 99.65 c/l, diesel by 17.55 – 23.80 c/l and illuminating paraffin by 16.87 cents per litre,’ the department stated.

Furthermore, the Rand’s strength against the dollar also influenced prices.

‘The Rand appreciated slightly, on average, against the US Dollar (from 18.46 to 18.44 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of all products by about 1.50 cents per litre on all products,’ the department added.

The adjusted prices are to take effect from Wednesday, 03 July 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his US counterpart, President Joe Biden, have committed to advancing the relationship between the two countries.

According to the Presidency, the two leaders held a telephone discussion on Tuesday evening.

The Presidency revealed that Biden congratulated President Ramaphosa on both his re-election as President and ‘the successful formation of the Government of National Unity’.

‘President Biden pledged that the United States will work closely with the 7th Administration in South Africa on key areas such as economic growth, job creation, social development and climate change, as well as South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 in 2025. President Biden confirmed that he will visit South Africa and participate in the G20 meetings.

‘President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for this commitment and in turn extended an invitation to President Biden to undertake a State Visit to South Africa. Dates will be confirmed by the respective diplomatic teams,’ the Presidency said.

Source:
South African Government News Agency