June 19, 2023 – Page 2

Nigerian army to enhance security operation – GOC

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Olufemi Akinjobi, says the army has adopted realistic training that will enhance its operations against insecurity.

The GOC stated this at the 1 Division Operation planning cadre for officers within the 1 Division Area of Responsibility on Monday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five days training has brought together participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the 1 Division area of responsibility.

Akinjobi said the workshop was organised to refresh the personnel on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance their skills and improve their capacity in single and joint service operations planning process.

“In line with the Chief of Army Staff vision which is a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned Missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria,’’ said Akinjobi.

According to him, warfare has become increasingly complexed due to changes in the nature of threats and advancement in technology.

He said further that the armies the world over are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.

“The NA equally recognises these changes and therefore seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its operations,“ he said.

Akinjobi said 1 Division experiences in Birnin Gwari, Falgore, Kagara and other forests, as well as other experiences in other area of operations in the division, had helped in garnering useful lessons and identified gaps in the conduct of their operations.

He said, 1 division operations planning cadre for 2023 was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by the Division to meets its operational needs in the areas of warfare and operations planning, military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others.

He urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the Cadre.

The GOC appreciate the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, for providing the resources for this Cadre and for his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support and motivation to this Division, which has also aided the successes recorded so far in our operations.

NAN reports that the five-day workshop will witness series of lectures.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

West Region: Alleged adulterer receives justice in Bamendou Village

A man in his 50s who lives Bamendou-Penka Michel subdivision of the West region has been administered mob justice on Sunday morning June 18, 2023. He was allegedly caught committing adultery with another man’s wife, on their matrimonial bed.

According to reports, Pa Djakass left his house saying he was traveling to a nearby village, promising his wife Ma Rosana that he will be back in two days. After seeing off her husband Saturday at about 6:00 pm, she returned home, joined by her secret lover. Both of them had fun all night.

Unfortunately for them, Pa Djakass who had instead stopped at a drinking spot returned home at about 4:00 am the next day. While at the entrance of his home, he heard the familiar screams from his wife and quickly dashed in to discover Ma Rosana and her side guy, making love.

Pa Djakass waisted to time to pounce on the intruder with a piece of plank and punches, leaving his rival with a swollen face.

His wife who was already in paradise on her part came back to earth claiming she was under some form of spell.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

SDF to hold NEC Meeting on June 24

The Secretary General of the Social Democratic Front, SDF Party, Djomgang Adeline Lord has announced an upcoming meeting for the National Executive Committee. This information is contained in a release signed this June 16 in Yaounde.

This information comes less than one month after the Committee held a meeting in Yaounde on June 3rd to discuss on the party’s reorganisation and upcoming National Elective Convention.

The Social Democratic Front party had on June 12, lost their founder and Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi to the cold hands of death. Following his demise, members of the SDF G-27+ group had in a release demanded for reconciliation with the party.

The G-27+ are a group of SDF Militants who had in January this year, taken the party to court. They were later expunged from the party for acts of misconduct, a decision which they refused to accept.

Following the announcement of an ordinary NEC meeting come June 24, stakes are high on the next twist the party is about to take given the different challenges the party has been going through of recent.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Financial Accessibility to Agri-MSMEs Needs to Improve to Realize Nation’s Ambition: Minister of Agriculture

Accessing finance for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) needs to improve massively to realize the nation's long-term ambitions in the sector, Minister of Agriculture Girma Amente said.

Opening the half-day workshop on access to finance for MSMEs on Monday, Girma said that ministry of agriculture identifies access to finance as a key pillar in the 10-year development plan under creating enabling environment for development of the agriculture sector.

Even though the contribution of agriculture is very immense for the economic development of the country, the focus and coverage it obtains in terms of financial accessibility is weak, he affirmed.

For the minister, sufficient financial accessibility is crucial for the agriculture sector to meet the overall ambitions of the nation as working on the linkages among water, land and human resources is also pivotal.

Similarly, Vice Governor of National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) Solomon Desta stressed the crucial role the agricultural sector plays for the nation's economic growth.

The vice governor also stated the policy and strategy issued by NBE need to enhance access to finance to the sector.

One of the policy directives which the NBE has put an obligation on commercial banks to avail at least 5 percent of the loan disbursement to enterprises in the agriculture sector, it was indicated.

CEO of Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) Mandefro Nigussie said for his part that despite significant efforts by the government of Ethiopian and development partners to improve MSMEs' access to finance, the financial market is under-developed in Ethiopia.

So, he added MSMEs are suffering from limited access to finance which is stifling the sector's ability to contribute towards the country's economic development and generate higher employment.

Accordingly, major objectives of the workshop are to discuss the challenges and issues that are constraining the Agri-MSMEs operation in accessing finance, explore best experiences, obtain recommendations among others.

The half-day workshop was held in the presence of high-level federal and regional government officials, public and private financial institutes, agri-businesses SMEs among others.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Launch of Tariff Free Trade to UK Market for IPDC Products Held at Bole Lemi Industrial Park

Tariff free trade launch program was held at Bole Lemi Industrial Park for investors engaged in industrial parks to supply their products to the UK tariff-free market, according to Industrial Parks Development Corporation(IPDC).

The inauguration program was held to allow manufacturers from developing countries to supply their products to the UK market tariff-free.

Nigel Huddleston of the United Kingdom Ministry of Commerce, who was present at the opening of the program, said that the trade program for developing countries will start in 65 countries of the world and 37 of which are African countries.

He added that it will help the manufacturers engaged in the production of garment, textiles and other manufacturing sectors in Ethiopia to supply their products to the UK market tariff free.

CEO of IPDC, Aklilu Tadesse said that the corporation has been searching for market options in cooperation with other stakeholders to address the market problems faced by investors working in industrial parks in connection with the cancellation of AGOA.

This opportunity is a demonstration of the results of the work done to facilitate a comfortable environment for investors to continue with their engagement and also get other market destinations which are in the process, he added.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

KOICA Dispatch of Volunteers to Ethiopia Play Pivotal Role In Sharing Skills, Knowledge: Minister Women, Social Affairs

KOICA's dispatch of volunteers to Ethiopia has been playing a crucial role in sharing their skills, knowledge, and experience, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs said.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) organized 2023 host organization representatives meeting today.

During the meeting, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye said Ethiopia and Korea are two sisterly countries, enjoying historical and long-standing relations in multifaceted spheres, including voluntary service.

Noting the KOICA has been dispatching many volunteers to Ethiopia, she said the volunteers have been sharing experiences, skills, knowledge to Ethiopia and working with the community at grass root levels.

She elaborated that the volunteers will also further strengthen the bilateral relation between Ethiopia and Korea.

She expressed her hope that the KOICA will dispatch more volunteers as well as senior advisers to Ethiopia so that they can share their expertise and skills for public institutions in the country in addition to linking and encouraging with local volunteers in Ethiopia.

“Volunteers play a critical role in economic development and with its critical mechanism, social inclusion can be promoted in all our frameworks,” the minister added.

Accordingly, the ministry is implementing a voluntarism program at the country level and it is one component of the youth development program.

Country Director of KOICA Ethiopia Office, Lee Byunghwa said on his part World Friends Korea (WFK) volunteer Program is one of the technical cooperation programs of KOICA.

He stated that the office has started re-dispatching volunteers physically to Ethiopia after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Currently, we have 9 project volunteers working in the health sector. The team is composed of social welfare, youth development, nurse, and public relations fields. They are promoting their voluntary services for the community,” he elaborated.

So far, KOICA dispatched more than 1,300 volunteers to different parts of the country, it was indicated.

The volunteers shared their expertise with community at grass root levels as well as they contributed in changing the lives of the people that they served, the country director noted.

He added: “Thought-out this meeting, I hope that we will share our experiences and suggest the ways forward for the improvement of the service and strengthen the program to contribute to what Ethiopia is striving for.”

Moreover, he said that KOICA aims to alleviate poverty and support sustainable socio-economic development in developing countries.

Since its establishment in Ethiopia in 1995, KOICA has been assisting the government of Ethiopia in achieving development targets by implementing projects worth of more than 288 million US dollar and providing technical assistance programs, it was learnt.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

State Minister Mesganu Confers with UN Special Representative for Somalia

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga today received at his office the United Nations Special Representative of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Catriona Laing.

They discussed regional matters pertaining to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and other multilateral issues of mutual interest.

During the deliberations, Ambassador Mesganu wished the incoming Special Representative success in her endeavours and assured of Ethiopia’s continued support, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Catriona Laing on her part expressed her gratitude for Ethiopian Government’s continued support and vowed to further bolster cooperation between Ethiopia and the international body on peace and security.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

HoF Speaker Stresses Strengthening Inter-governmental Relations between Federal, Regional Governments

Speaker of the House of Federation, Agegnehu Teshager said that strengthening the inter-governmental relations between the federal and regional governments is crucial to promote genuine federalism in Ethiopia.

A consultation forum between the House of Federation and joint regional councils was held today which intends to strengthen the inter-governmental relations.

The forum brought together senior government officials, regional chief administrators, speakers of regional councils and scholars on federalism.

In his keynote address to the consultation forum, Agegnehu said the inter-governmental relations would be instrumental to facilitate in carrying out multi-sectoral development and good governance activities, it was indicated.

The speaker went on referring to article 50 of the Ethiopian Constitution stipulating that the Federal Government and the regional governments subscribe to the federal and democratic system.

Whereas, the individual and collective powers and responsibilities of both the federal and regional governments have been duly identified and set out in the constitution by virtue of the federal system, he pointed out.

To this end, a draft proclamation has been prepared on inter-governmental relations that would help to integrate and combine the capabilities of all bodies at each and every level as required, Agegnehu said.

He added rather than expending solitary efforts, inter-governmental relations would be viable to bring about sustainable peace, ensure reliable democracy, and continue the rapid social and economic development.

Moreover, strengthening the inter-governmental relations is pivotal to build multi-national federalism and one political and economic community, he said.

“Therefore, strengthening the inter-governmental relations between the federal and state governments and the states themselves is not an issue that cannot be disregarded in our country,” the speaker underlined.

Agegnehu also stressed the need for considering the inter-governmental relations as an important tool to establish a better federalism system that requires constant consultation to strengthen the common agendas that are needed for the system.

He further explained that the federal and regional governments should further consolidate their relationship.

For the past 30 years, Ethiopia has a federal system of government, which holds together more than 76 ethnolinguistic groups, it was indicated.

The current federal arrangement, divergent views aside, the House of Federation believes that much of the problems related to the system have to do with its implementation and could be partly addressed through interventions based on scientific research and capacity-building training provided for all stakeholders involved in the process implementing the federal project, it was learnt.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency