Day: July 21, 2024

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has called for broad-spectrum collaborative effort in addressing the contentious issues of how armies can better protect the nation’s territory.

Lagbaja said this while presenting a paper at the symposium on ‘Peace, Security and the Commitment of the Youth’, organised by the French Army, at the Golf de Cicé-Blossac in Rennes, France.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Sunday, said the event was hosted by the French Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Schill Pierre.

Lagbaja spoke on the topic, ‘Armies and the Protection of their National Territory: Legal Framework, Issues and Challenges,’ at the event attended by 12 other chiefs of national armies across Africa.

He raised concerns on the applicability of local and international laws and conventions in the face of the harrowing struggle against non-state actors and states.

According to him, the actors chose to either ignore or treat the laws with levity.

Speaki
ng the French army chief, Gen. Schill, said the symposium was aimed at enabling the French army exchange its mode of engagement with foreign partners, particularly in Africa.

Schill said the symposium was designed with a view to transiting from solely military to an all encompassing, mutually beneficial approach to relationship cum engagement.

According to Nwachukwu, Lagbaja and his Ivorian counterpart are the only foreign delegates granted the honour of presenting papers at the symposium.

He said the COAS was accompanied by the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John Ochai and other members of his delegation.

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‘They later attended the commissioning ceremony of cadets into the French Army at the Saint-Cyr Military Academy, Coetquida.

‘The NDA Commandant also initiated bilateral engagements on cadets training on the side-line of the symposium,” Nwachukwu said.

Source:News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Justice Stella Anukam on her re-election as judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for another term of six years.

In a statement on Saturday by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President said Anukam was re-elected at the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting Executive Council in Accra, Ghana, on Friday.

‘President Tinubu commends Justice Anukam for her contributions to the development of human rights jurisprudence on the continent and enjoins her to continue to bring her invaluable knowledge and insights to the African Court.

‘The President states that his administration will continue to support the candidature of competent and qualified Nigerians for international positions, noting the country’s strategic importance in the global community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Anukam obtained her law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly known as University of Ife), Osun, Nigeria, in 1984, and was called to
the Nigerian Bar in August 1985.

She is also a chartered secretary, chartered arbitrator, and seasoned administrator.

Anukam has served as former Director of Special Programmes at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in Abuja, and as former Director of the International and Comparative Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a continental court established by African states to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.

It complements the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The court is composed of eleven judges nominated by member states of the AU and elected by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Nigeria is a state party to the Protocol establishing the Court, having ratified it in 2004.

Source:News Agency of Nigeria

Some Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Gombe, have urged the state government to rehabilitate dilapidated school structures to avert building collapse.

Malam Adamu Aliyu, the representative of the group, stated this on the sidelines of the State Level Sensitisation on the implementation of Safe School Declaration in Deba, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the state.

He said the call was imperative to facilitate rehabilitation of dilapidated school structures to avert building collapse, especially in rural areas.

Adamu, who is also the Master Trainer, Safe School Declaration Initiative in the state, said the measure would secure the school enviroment.

‘Even though Gombe is peaceful in terms of other threats but in the area of infrastructure, the assesment report showed that they have scored 13 per cent, which is very low.

‘This signifies that government needs to do more in rural communities because the structures in the urban areas are stronger.

‘At Central Primary School, Deba, there are crack
s on some of the buildings and damaged floors. Intruders are coming in to the school left and right because it is poros,’ he said.

He said the School Based Management Committee had conducted minor repairs in the school, adding that, ‘there are things beyond their capacity like perimeter fencing and presence of security personnel day and night.

‘We are calling on government to invest more in school infrastructure at the rural level,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gombe government in collaboration with the UNICEF is implementing a safe school intervention programmes, designed to secure schools from violence and other threats as well as provide safe teaching and learning environment.

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Meanwhile, the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has inaugurated SBMC’s in 70 schools across the state.

Part of the mandate of the committee is to identify gaps that needed to be filled and early warning sign for
threats.

Mr Abduraham Ibrahim, Education Specialist, UNICEF, stressed the need for stakeholders to adhere to the principles of the safe school initiative, to enable children grow confidence in learning.

He said the UN agency had trained teachers on safe school initiative, to expose them to the necessary steps in security, conduct of teachers and students in schools.

Also, Mrs Hajara Hassan, Head Teacher, Zangoma Kyari Primary School in Kwami LGA, requested for the perimeter fencing, provision of toilets, classrooms and water facilities in the school.

‘That is the highest risk faced by the children. Cows came into the school premises and injured one pupil.

‘There are 374 pupils in the school at the moment with only four classrooms. We only got these classes renovated by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya.

‘This is rainy season, but during dry season or when school feeding programme is on, we find it difficult teaching them as we take some of them under tree shade. We got up to 200 additional pupils with only four teacher
s including me,’ she said.

On his part, Nasiru Abubakar, Head Teacher, Doho Science Pilot Primary School, Kwami, identified gender based violence and corporal punishment as one of the issues inhibiting safe learning environment in the school.

He said that such experience negatively affected the learning process.

Source:News Agency of Nigeria

The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, has encouraged residents of government-owned housing estates in the Ikorodu area to participate and collaborate to improve living conditions in them.

Akinderu-Fatai said this at a forum organised for residents of government-owned housing estates in Ikorodu held at Babatunde Olushola Benson Housing Estate, Ibeshe, on Saturday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was organised to address specific issues such as estate maintenance, security, community development, waste management, and environmental sustainability.

Akinderu-Fatai, who stressed the importance of residents participation, expressed gratitude for their contributions, expertise, and commitment.

He emphasised the importance of the forum as a platform for collaboration in line with the THEMES+ agenda which prioritises inclusivity.

Akinderu-Fatai highlighted the importance of residents’ feedback and input, emphasising that it would help shape strategies and
improve services.

He said the government was committed to improving residents’ quality of life through investments in infrastructure, amenities, and services.

He assured residents of transparency and inclusivity in decision-making, adding that feedback was crucial for shaping policies and programmes.

The commissioner enjoined residents to work together with the government to build a better future for their estates, communities, and the state.

He appreciated residents support for the housing policy and encouraged continued collaboration to achieve a better Lagos.

Akinderu-Fatai was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Abdulhafis Toriola.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Abdulhafis Toriola, who corroborated what Akinderu-Fatai said, urged residents to share the information from the forum with those who were not able to attend.

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He advised that they took ownership of their estates and maintain the infrast
ructure, urging them to live peacefully with each other for a harmonious environment.

Abdulhafis Toriola added that the ultimate goal of the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration was to develop beautiful communities with proper infrastructure, comparable to modern cities worldwide.

Toriola was represented by the Director, Estates Department, Ministry of Housing, Mrs Olukemi Fosudo.

Allhaji Monsur Olowoshago, one of the beneficiary of the estate who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the Lagos State Government for offering financial assistance to make housing more accessible for residents.

Olowoshago noted that the cost of the subsidised housing unit was significantly lower compared to what they would find on the open market from private developers.

He added that the subsidised housing was not only affordable but habitable.

Source:News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday in Accra, Ghana, highlighted the progress made so far by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the prevailing challenges of the region.

A statement on Sunday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesman, said he highlighted the achievements of the bloc in the past one year at the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union while addressing African leaders on the status of ECOWAS.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said the Community had activated a Standby Force to counter terrorism and would continue to explore funding options.

The President said ECOWAS had been supporting member states to enhance electoral and governance processes, and recently deployed Election Observation Missions to Senegal and Togo – both of which elections were adjudged to be peaceful, transparent, and fair.

He also highlighted the facilitation of the signing of an Agreement for National Unity in Sierra Leone, notin
g that the sub-regional body would continue to work with stakeholders in the country to implement the provisions of the Agreement.

The President stated that consultations were ongoing to revise the ECOWAS 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

On economic integration, Tinubu said ECOWAS had implemented activities to consolidate the free trade area, customs union, and common market.

‘We supported six Member States in ratifying the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and thirteen Member States have ratified the AFCFTA agreement.

‘The ECOWAS interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) is also operational in twelve Member States,’ the President stated.

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Detailing the efforts on the humanitarian and social development front, President Tinubu said ECOWAS had allocated 9 million dollars to assist persons of concern, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and asylum seekers.

‘The frontline Member State
s in the fight against terrorism have also been supported with 4 million dollars under the ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Humanitarian Response.

‘On education, the West African Network of National Academies of Sciences, and the African Forum for Research and Innovation have been established.

‘Our regional Academic Mobility Scheme has continued to equip the youth with practical skills and is harmonising education systems.

‘While in the area of health, ECOWAS continues to provide support to women with obstetric fistula, empowered women entrepreneurs in agribusiness, and focused on gender equality in education and the green economy,’ the ECOWAS Chairman stated.

Foregrounding the progress on energy, mines, and agriculture, Tinubu said ECOWAS was advancing electrification efforts in The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Mali through the ECOWAS-Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP).

‘It is also implementing the Regional Off Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP). 32 Solar Off Grid SMEs have been approved, includi
ng nine SMEs led by women.

‘A total of 3 million dollars will be disbursed to finance the SMEs. More than 400 SMEs in 13 countries were trained in 2023 and 2024.

‘To achieve sustainable electricity access within the ECOWAS and Sahel countries, we will provide a total grant of 38 million dollars to SMEs in Member States,’ he said.

According to him, ECOWAS will extend this to Mauritania, Central African Republic, Chad and Cameroon through Commercial and Financial Institutions.

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‘An additional loan of 140 million dollars will also be made available to the solar SMEs.

‘Within the period under review, ECOWAS has supported Experts from Member States in international meetings and negotiations on environmental issues, including environmental governance.

‘We provided support to our members in the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the establishment of a regional carbon market,’ said Tinubu.

He explained that with respect to food securit
y, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) had approved the instruments to operationalise the Regional Fund for Agriculture and Food (RFAF).

‘A Regional Food Security was developed to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.

‘Furthermore, our support for pastoralism in the Sahel has targeted the improvement of animal health, with a record vaccination of over 490 million livestock.

‘We have established common rules for controlling veterinary medicine products at borders. In addition, ECOWAS inaugurated a project for Member States to access the Green Climate Fund.

‘This will promote climate-smart agriculture through the use of technologies,’ the President said.

On other ECOWAS institutions, Tinubu stated that the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament elected its first female President, the Right Honourable Maimunatu Ibrahim from Togo, and that The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice reviewed 15 new cases, held 33 court sessions, and delivered 11 judgments.

However, he noted that the b
loc faced multiple threats, including member states withdrawing, geopolitical rivalries, terrorism, food insecurity, climate change, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

He said ECOWAS would continue to dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to maintain unity and would convene a Special Extra-ordinary Summit on the future of the Community.

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‘Finally, Your Excellencies, I am happy to report that the ECOWAS Commission has assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the Inter-REC platform since February this year.

‘Earlier this year, the ECOWAS Commission hosted the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to exchange views on various issues and review best practices.

‘We will continue to collaborate with all AU regional communities and mechanisms in order to strengthen our continental integration,’ the President concluded.

On the sidelines of the AU meeting, Tinubu held a bila
teral meeting with President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.

Guelleh emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s role as a leader in West Africa and the continent.

He appealed for Nigeria’s support on development concerns and common challenges in his country.

Tinubu and Guelleh agreed to continue to work together to advance bilateral interests.

The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting was conceptualised in 2017 as the principal forum for the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to align their work and coordinate the implementation of the continental integration agenda, replacing the June/July summits.

It is a meeting between the Bureau of the AU Assembly and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), with the participation of the Chairpersons of RECs, the AU Commission and Regional Mechanisms (RMs).

This year’s meeting was convened under the AU theme on Education, ‘Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century’.

Source:News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the agricultural sector and livestock industry.

Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima gave the assurance at the launch of the Yobe Agricultural Empowerment Programme in Damaturu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative, which includes the provision of agricultural machinery and implements, is part of a broader national strategy to revolutionise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

The president said the programme was at the heart of his administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance food security, create jobs, and diversify Nigeria’s economy through agriculture.

Tinubu stressed the critical role of agriculture in national development and security, saying, ‘food is the heart of security in every society.

‘It is the foundation upon which we build our health, our well-being, and our economic stability.

‘There’s no way we are going to achieve our grand goals as a government, whethe
r at the state or national level, until we support and empower our farmers,’ he added.

Tinubu added that apart from boosting agricultural outputs, the initiative also aims to engage more Nigerians in the nation’s economic life.

He said the recently approved Ministry of Livestock Development intends to improve livestock production, change the destiny and narratives of the nation’s livestock production.

‘Each of us in this gathering must come to terms with the fact that the era of relying on rain-fed agriculture is gone. These machines are here to ease our practice of irrigation farming.’

He announced the approval of the Yobe’s request for additional resources to support its agricultural ambitions.

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‘These include mini-rigs for tube wells, solar water pumps, agro-chemicals, power tillers, more fertilisers, and other farm implements to complement your irrigation scheme,’ the president promised.

Tinubu assured the audience that the government was ta
king drastic measures to address security challenges to make farmlands safe and accessible in every state of the federation.

He commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe’s achievements, particularly in agricultural investments, emphasising the potential for agricultural mechanisation in the state.

Earlier, Buni reaffirmed the state’s sustained support for the Tinubu’s administration, acknowledging the challenges faced by Yobe, particularly in the agricultural sector.

He said, ‘In spite of all the challenges, agriculture remains the major preoccupation of our people.

‘With the improvement in security across the state, farmlands are now accessible in almost all the local government areas.’

Buni listed several government initiatives to revitalise agriculture, including the conduct of an agricultural summit.

Others were the constitution of a steering committee on the revitalisation of agriculture and partnerships with organisations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

He added that the state government,
in collaboration with the Federal Government, had established Livestock Development Centres to address farmer-herdsmen clashes, boost meat and dairy production.

Buni also disclosed the revival of the 2,000-hectare Lava Irrigation Scheme and the establishment of four Sesame Seeds processing factories across the state.

He said that: ‘This state visit is no doubt a significant milestone as we launch the agricultural empowerment programme.

‘ The items distributed include 100 Zoom Lion Tractors, 10 IMC Double Cabin 4-wheel drive vehicles for extension service supervision and 200 motorcycles for extension workers.

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‘ Others are 300 sets of ox-drawn ploughs, 5,349 small ruminants (goats), 1,349 hand-push planters and 889 hand-push plough machines.

‘The rest were 590 hand-push tiller machines, 4,202 solar-powered irrigation water pumps, improved assorted seeds, and 72,000 bags of fertilizer.’

Also, the Emir of Damaturu, Shehu Umar-E
l-Kanemi, thanked Tinubu for his tremendous support to progress and development of the state.

The royal father also appreciated the achievements so far recorded by Tinubu’s administration and its plans to move the country forward for the benefits of all Nigerians.

He said: ‘ To us today is a day of pride, a day of joy and a blessing to us to have His Excellency, the Vice-President Shettima representing His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu to launch agriculture in empowerment programme Yobe.

‘ And interestingly enough, Vice- President Shettima is an expert on agriculture and also the son of the soil.’

Source:News Agency of Nigeria