Day: August 20, 2023

Sen. Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that the removal of petroleum subsidy by President Bola Tinubu is for the development of the country.

Basiru said this at a reception organised in his honour by members of the party on Saturday in Osogbo.

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He said that in the last two months when the subsidy had been removed, government had been able to save about N2 trillion.

The APC national secretary said that Nigerians must be ready to support the Federal Government to take the country to a higher level.

Basiru also urged party members in the state to continue to work for the progress of APC.

He said those who worked against the party in the last general elections are now ripping the consequences.

“I want to thank all our supporters for standing with the party in the last general elections.

“APC garnered more than 113,000 votes in Osun Central Senatorial District in the last election.

“President Bola Tinubu won in Osun Central Senatorial district in spite of all the intimidation and harassment by the thugs,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Ade Adetimeyin, the Chairman of Ondo State APC, appealed to members of the party in the state to be united and always work for its progress.

Adetimeyin, who spoke on behalf of South-West APC Chairmen, said Basiru has the pedigree to lead the party.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Red Cross Society on Saturday says it has engaged over 4000 volunteers rendering various humanitarian services in the state.

The State Red Cross Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Bello, disclosed this in Gusau at a symposium to commemorate the 2023 World Humanitarian Day in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the day is: “No Matter What” In a World Beset by Challenges”.

Bello noted that the society as a popular humanitarian service provider organised the event in recognition of the day and humanitarian services in general.

“In Zamfara, we have over 4000 volunteers comprising males and females who were trained in different areas providing various humanitarian services across the state.

“In Red Cross, apart from first aid, we give social services especially in the correctional centres, orphanage homes, disaster management, health services especially for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) among others.

“We operate neutrally while giving humanitarian services, we don’t discriminate, we consider human being first, we don’t operate in political, religious or tribal lines,” Bello explained.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters, Alhaji Salisu Musa, commended the Red Cross office in the state for organising the event.

Musa represented by the Director Administration of the Ministry, Malam Bashar Maradun, described the Red Cross as a pillar of humanitarian services.

“We are very proud with you, considering your capacity and performance in disaster management and other humanitarian services programmes.

“We appreciate the Red Cross for complementing the state government’s efforts in various humanitarian programmes in the state,” he said.

He thanked the international donors, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the media as well as groups, associations and individuals for providing various food and non-food items to the IDPs in the state.

The commissioner reiterated the administration of Gov. Dauda Lawal in the state to continue partnering with all stakeholders in addressing humanitarian crises resulting from insecurity.

Earlier,the State Acting Chairman of the society, Alhaji Usman Marafa, said the Nigerian Red Cross Society considers the day as an opportunity to appreciate the services of the volunteers and those organisations in humanitarian endeavours.

“The theme for this day speaks about the extent to which humanitarian workers around the globe who selflessly dedicated their lives to alleviating suffering and promoting the well-being of those in need.

“The Nigerian Red Cross Society wishes to use this day to reaffirm its commitment to Seven fundamental principles particularly humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence and voluntary service.”, Marafa added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has presented N10m relief package to soldiers wounded in the ongoing fight against insurgents in the state.

The package was presented to General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Maiduguri, Maj.-Gen. Peter Malla by the Borno Commissioner of Information and Security, Prof. Usman Tar and the Permanent Secretary Government House, Mustapha Busuguma.

During the presentation, Tar said the package was a fulfilment of the pledge made by Zulum during the Eid-el-kabir lunch for troops in Maiduguri, organized by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

“We are here to fulfil the pledge made by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.

“You may recall that the governor was here on a Sallah day for an event, during which he expressed the commitment of the Borno State Government to the welfare of our troops and pledged a donation of N10m to wounded soldiers.

“This morning he despatched us to come and deliver the gift,” Tar said.

He expressed the state goverment’s commitment to continue to complement Federal Government in providing logistics and other support to improve troops’ welfare in view of their sacrifice in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

In his response, the GOC 7 Division, Maj.- Gen. Peter Malla, expressed appreciation to Zulum for his sustained support to the military in the state.

“Let me on behalf of Theatre Commander, welcome you to 7 Division and also express our appreciation to His Excellency for always supporting the military,” Malla said.

The GOC reiterated the commitment of the military to continue to sustain the relative peace enjoyed in Borno by eliminating the remnants of insurgents who insist on fighting in the state and region.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has described the ancient city of Ibadan as home where he learned to turn everything that comes his way into opportunity.

Mr Olusola Abiola, Director, Information, Office of the Vice President, in a statement, said Shettima spoke at a wedding reception at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

The wedding was between Ibukun Okunmadewa, the bride, and Obafemi Omitiran, the groom.

The bride, Ibukun, is the daughter of Prof. Folusho Okunmadewa, whom the Vice President described as ‘my beloved teacher’.

Shettima, who laced his speech with the lines from ‘Ibadan,’ a poem by one of Nigeria’s greatest poets, John Pepper Clark, said that he was in Ibadan, not as a guest, but as a member of the bride’s family to receive guests at the wedding.

“So, I’m here to receive you as guests in this ancient city of memories. Ibadan is a home to me, a home that formed me and taught me to turn everything that comes my way into an opportunity.

“This would not have been easy without the patience of my beloved teacher, Prof. Folusho Okunmadewa, whose daughter, Ibukun and her groom, Obafemi, we are here to celebrate as they embark on a beautiful journey of discovering the essence of life.”

The Vice President said that the gathering for the wedding was not that of mere friends but a closely-knit family united by the traits of time, education and unbreakable bonds.

“As I look around this room, I’m not only reminded of a city that has woven its culture, values and aspirations deep into my being, but also of how fate has played a part in expanding relationships and families,” Shettima stated.

Extolling the virtues of the bride’s father, Prof. Okunmadewa, Vice President Shettima described him as “a beacon of wisdom and guidance for vast generation of scholars.

“I’m privileged to not only draw from this intellectual oasis of the University of Ibadan, but also to identify as a member of the family and as a qualified son of the soil.”

He said he knew how a father feels on a day that he is giving his daughter’s hand in marriage and prayed for the newly-wedded couple to deepen their love for each other.

“Giving away one’s daughter in marriage is one of the most profound bitter/sweet experiences in human existence.

“It is a reminder that life is a journey of luck, a journey of hope and a journey of change.

” But I have no doubt that you have instilled in Ibukun the moral discipline that she needs to carry on from this day, away from her first family. And I pray that her new life brings forth endless joy.”

Among dignitaries that attended the wedding reception were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal; Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno and former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

Others were the Country Representative of the World Bank in Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale.

Shettima also attended the wedding reception of Suliat Alli and Abdulqudus Okeowo at the University of Ibadan before returning to Abuja.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Saturday reiterated commitment to support women and girls from internally displaced communities in Zamfara in the areas of sexual and reproductive health.

The Head UNFPA Kaduna Office, Mrs Loide Amkongo disclosed this at a sensitisation rally to commemorate the 2023 World Humanitarian Day in Gusau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2023 Humanitarian Day is: “No Matter What” In a World Beset by Challenges”.

The sensitisation rally was organised by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in collaboration with the UNFPA.

Amkongo said, “We want to ensure that women and girls from internally displaced communities in the state irrespective of their situation can access to sexual and reproductive health services.

“We want to make sure that they can access facilities of gender-based violence interms of services and information.

“Our focus is to ensure that we restore their dignity, we will continue to support mobile clinics for them, we want ensure that pregnant women among them brought to the health facilities.

“On behalf of the head of UNFPA country office, we recommit our commitment to continue partnering with Zamfara government towards rendering humanitarian service in the state, she said.

Also speaking, the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, State Ministry of Humanitarian and Relief Matters, Mr Isah Shu’iabu, commended the UNPFA for various humanitarian services to the state.

“I am using this medium to appreciate the efforts of all stakeholders especially the donors organisation and individuals, CSOs, NGOs for complementing government efforts in providing support to IDPs and other vulnerable groups.

“This day is very important to us as regards to provision of humanitarian services to victims of disasters and vulnerable persons.

“In the morning before we embark on this rally, we visited IDP camp at Saminaka area after interacting with them we shared them relief items,” Shuaibu said.

He expressed the state government’s commitment to continue to partner with all stakeholders in the humanitarian services.

Also speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Dr Yahaya Alhassan, described the event as welcome development in recognition of humanitarian services.

“Today, all the humanitarian actors in the state come together to celebrate this important day, we are here also to strengthen our efforts in responding to humanitarian crises,” he added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) pledged to strengthen its continued support for the successful accomplishment of Ethiopia’s development plans, CIDCA Regional Affairs Director-General Liu Junfeng said.

The Director-General affirmed that CIDCA will continue supporting efforts of Ethiopia to achieve its development goals as the country has been undertaking massive economic reforms.

Stating that strengthening international cooperation and enhancing the role of the private sector is one of the priority areas of the agency, he said Ethiopia and China have strong developmental cooperation and historic ties which is based on strong foundation especially in investment, trade agriculture, construction and other sectors.

Stressing that China’s technical support to enhance the agricultural productivity in Ethiopia is vital, he said such cooperation from his country will continue in railway infrastructure, technology transfer and industrial development as well.

The Director-General further affirmed that the agency will continue strengthening its support to Ethiopia’s economic development including the completion of the ongoing projects in the country.

Since China and Ethiopia established diplomatic ties in 1970, the two countries have forged a strong and close relationship over the years, it was learned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member countries should work collectively and find solutions in order to deter the threats of terrorism and conflicts being witnessed in the region, IGAD's Security Sector Program Director Commander Abebe Muluneh said.

Countries in the Horn of Africa are endowed with a plenty of natural resources.

However, instability, threat of terrorism, and climate change, among other things have been the major problems currently affecting the region.

Analysts say that conflict and instability in the Horn of Africa creates a safe haven for terrorists.

Hence, making the necessary efforts to sustainably address the prevalent conflicts and instability, being observed in the region, should be a priority of IGAD member countries.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, IGAD's Security Sector Program Director Commander Abebe Muluneh said that Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups have been conspiring to destabilize the region.

One of the reasons for this is the recurring conflicts and instability being witnessed in the region, the commander pointed out.

He stressed the need to take collective action to deter the threats of terrorism by developing a sustainable solution to the increasing conflict in the region.

“Al-Shabaab and Daesh, force that aspires to establish Islamic state, have been operating in the region. One of the reason for this is the existence of weak government in Somalia that has been serving as safe haven for the groups. The migration from Yemen has also been expanding to our region.

The terrorist groups in Syria look for a vacuum following their defeat. This vacuum has been available now in the East Africa Region. For instance there is threat in Sudan. If the problem in Sudan is not resolved, it is believed that the terrorist groups will use the vacuum for their actions.”

Moreover, Commander Abebe elaborated that the geo-political competition in the region is the other reason for the instability, but the intervention of a third party has its own contribution in disrupting the stability of the region.

Noting that there will be no one that benefits from war, the commander mentioned countries, that are not able to come out of their complex problems as good examples in this regard.

The situation in Yemen, Syria and Libya has similar elements. Previously these countries were peaceful where their citizens conduct trade and farm by enjoying the stability and peace. However, there was enormous foreign intervention in these countries. Several foreign countries had computed in the conflicts of these countries. But, at the end of the day what we have found was the collapse of states. Libya has collapsed eventually. Syria has also been devastated harshly and Yemen as well, he elaborated.

“All this points to the fact that war takes you out of the good life and throws you into fire and hell. So everyone has to work hard to avoid war.”

Therefore, he urged, all parties should do their part to solve the problems in East Africa and ensure the peace and security of the people of the region.

In this regard, IGAD is carrying out many activities the commander said, adding it is important to work hard to build the capacity of member countries, strengthen regional cooperation and implement international laws and regulations.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency