Day: August 23, 2024

The United States government on Friday said that it was not planning the establishment of any military base in Nigeria.

Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), West Africa Coordination Element Lead, Department of Defence, made this known during a media roundtable with select journalists in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable was to enable Ekman explain the purpose of his visit to Nigeria.

‘Now, coming here and into the Nigerian context, I want to tell you upfront that there are no plans for a U.S. base here in Nigeria.

‘I want to address that with you because I think that is a popular concern.

‘I recognise that the presence of U.S. forces comes with costs and benefits, depending on the context.

‘I’m here to talk about how regional security problems affect Nigeria.

‘This is because Nigeria has such a capable military, and is such a dominant leader in West Africa,’ he said.

Ekman emphasised that no discussions were held between Nigeria and the U.S. over t
he establishment of a military base as was speculated after the announcement of their withdrawal from Niger.

‘I am not aware of any discussions between U.S. and Nigerian authorities on placing a U.S. base in Nigeria as a result of the Niger withdrawal.

‘I want to be perfectly clear on that and I’m not surprised that some people assumed that there were discussions going on about this,’ he said.

He explained that AFRICOM and the Department of Defence had been supporting the three main objectives of democracy, government, and human rights in Africa.

According to him, the support also includes mutually beneficial trade and investment, human capital development, and working with authorities on security, stability, and prosperity.

‘While our objectives haven’t changed, that is, the shared objectives between the United States and our African partners, they have become harder to achieve.

‘The U.S. AFRICOM, as we function here in West Africa, we do nothing by ourselves. Everything that we do is through partner-l
ed, U.S.-enabled operations.

‘So we don’t do it for our partners. We help them do it and do it better.

‘It’s about exercises, it’s about training, it’s about grant security assistance.

‘And then all of this builds on a strong foundation of security cooperation,’ he said.

David Greene, US chargé d’affaires in Nigeria, had also in May said no plans to set up any base in the country.

‘I am not aware of any such conversation, and I am not really sure whose purpose it serves to agitate on this point.

‘We will continue our very strong security cooperation with the Nigerian security services, the Nigerian military, and the Nigerian government, and that will always be in a spirit of partnership and respect for each other.’

Similarly, Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed, has refuted allegations of any plans for a U.S. military base in Nigeria.

‘The federal government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country. We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals
from any country on the establishment of any foreign military base in Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government says it will prosecute foreign nationals associated with funding banditry for economic sabotage and waging war against the Nigerian state.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, stated this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Thursday in Abuja.

Alake said that the warning followed preliminary reports of non-Nigerians involvement in the mining business as funders of such operations.

The warning is also in response to reports of 12 miners allegedly killed by bandits in the Ungwan-Magro community of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State.

He urged embassies in Nigeria to monitor the activities of their nationals in the sector as allegations of criminal conduct could pose serious threats to bilateral relations.

He said that mining operations in the area have been banned as part of measures to fish out the perpetrators of the crime.

‘No form of mining will be allowed to occur at the scene of the attack until security agencies ha
ve concluded investigations into the attack,’ he said.

The minister condemned the act and vowed to avenge the deaths of the miners, stating that security agencies were already on the trail of the perpetrators and would soon bring them to justice.

He further assured that security agencies would not rest until mining sites across the country were secure.

According to the minister, the agencies are determined to address the incursion of bandits and criminal elements seeking to seize mineral-rich areas for illegal mining through violence.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to continue promoting the rule of law and ease the administration of justice in Nigeria.

He made this commitment during the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu emphasised his administration’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring prompt attention to the judiciary, recognising its crucial role in driving social order, peace, security, and economic development.

He urged Kekere-Ekun to remain faithful to the constitution and promote the course of justice, integrity, discipline, and transparency during her tenure.

Kekere-Ekun, the 23rd and second female CJN, promised to take the judiciary to greater heights by improving its reputation and enhancing public confidence.

Tinubu commended Kekere-Ekun’s admirable family and professional background, noting her exceptional talent, hard work, and dedication to her calling.

He praised her meritorious rise from magistrate to ju
stice of the Supreme Court, describing her as a beacon of hope for young women aspiring to break the glass ceiling.

The President also acknowledged the significant role of the Supreme Court in Nigeria’s evolution, resolving complex legal conflicts and shaping public policy.

He expressed his expectation that the apex court would continue to play a critical role in shaping constitutional democracy and impacting all segments of Nigerian society.

Tinubu thanked Justice Kayode Ariwoola for his 33 years of dignified and honourable service to the judiciary and the country, wishing him a healthy retirement.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State thanked President Tinubu for ensuring a seamless transition by swearing in Kekere-Ekun as Acting CJN, describing her as a rare and exceptional individual.

Kekere-Ekun promised to improve the judiciary’s reputation and enhance public confidence, emphasising the need for cooperation and collective effort to achieve a better judiciary.

Kekere-Ekun was born on 7 May 1958 in
London, United Kingdom.

She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on 10 July 1981.

She proceeded to the London School of Economics, where she earned a Master’s degree in Law in November 1983.

Kekere-Ekun joined the Lagos State Judiciary as Senior Magistrate II and rose to the position of State High Court Judge.

She served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999, among several key positions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kekere-Ekun is the 23rd and second female CJN, after Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who served from 2012 to 2014.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has met with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton Mckenzie to discuss advancing social cohesion and moral regeneration.

‘The meeting discussed the proposed Programme of Action for Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration Movement, to ensure that a socially-cohesive, non-sexist, non-racial, equal and safe South Africa is realised,’ the Presidency said on Thursday.

Among others, the meeting agreed to prioritise partnerships within and beyond government, including with Traditional and Khoisan leaders as well as inter-faith leaders.

In particular, the programme of action that was agreed to, as anchored on the strategic priorities of the Seventh Administration of Government, will focus on removing obstacles that impede the advancement of social cohesion and moral regeneration in the country.

‘Under the leadership of the Deputy President, the work will also prioritise tackling gender based violence and femicide, promoting nation building through sport and arts, as well as en
suring equal access to sporting opportunities by all communities,’ the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The deadline is fast approaching for Gauteng-based fashion designers, live music artists and bands to apply for market access opportunities being availed by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

Fashion designers have until this Sunday, 25 August, to apply for a chance to be part of three Gauteng fashion designers to participate and showcase their work in the Fashion and Textile Trade Fair, taking place in Cape Town from 07-13 September 2024.

Applicants are required to submit a company profile, company registration documents, ID copy, clear images of merchandise and a list of international fashion shows participated in.

Documents should be submitted to [email protected].

Meanwhile, an opportunity has been availed for unrecorded Live Music Artists and Bands to showcase their talent at popular tourist venues and elsewhere in Gauteng, including recording their own EP and receiving professional coaching.

Preference will be given to artists based in Townships, Informal
Settlements and Hostel (TISH) areas.

The applicants have until Wednesday, 28 August 2024 to submit their applications to [email protected]. Applications should be submitted using the Google form provided at https://forms.gle/3HrVxA2HP8Ev99QP8

Only Gauteng-based fashion Designers and Live Music Bands should apply for the two opportunities. Further communication will be done with shortlisted candidates. -SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has committed R25 million over three years to provide dignified sanitation solutions for communities across the metro.

MMC for Infrastructure and Engineering, Khanya Ngqisha, said for the past decade, the municipality has experienced the mushrooming of illegal informal settlements across the metro.

‘These settlements have exerted pressure on the already strained system, with communities demanding sanitation, water, and electricity. These demands come on top of the already existing backlog of the bucket system,’ Ngqisha said.

Ngqisha said in 2015, the municipality had 32 000 bucket toilets and through focused interventions dating back to 2019, the number has since been reduced to 6 100 buckets.

Ngqisha said for the next three years, the metro plans to eradicate the remaining buckets entirely, ensuring that every resident has access to dignified sanitation.

To facilitate this goal, cluster service providers have been appointed to construct various sanitation typo
logies, including communal ablution blocks and single toilet units.

‘This initiative is designed not only to improve health and hygiene but also to enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. As part of the rollout, contractors have been introduced to local councillors and community members [with] some contractors already on site, actively working.

‘As a critical element of this project, the directorate is also conducting community engagement sessions to ensure that contractors understand the unique needs of the areas they serve before they start with construction,’ Ngqisha said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency