News Agency of Nigeria
Tinubu charges Nigerians to embrace CNG
General News

Tinubu charges Nigerians to embrace CNG

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, charged Nigerians to embrace the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which he said had come to stay.

Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), said, while addressing State House correspondents, that the President gave the charge at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

“We are well aware that the President set up a Presidential Committee on the CNG to drive the CNG project.

“It is left for us to inform the general public that CNG has come to stay, and we have to follow that route because CNG is safe, cheaper, and protects the environment,” said the Minister.

He said the President also directed that most of the filling stations across the country should be converted to CNG stations with conversion kits to enable people convert their vehicles to CNG.

“It is important to note that when you are using CNG, you save a lot of money, a litre of fuel can go for N1000, but you get CNG at N200 per litre, which saves you N800.

“With the passion of Mr President, the push that he has given to us, we’ll try to drive the CNG programme to reach the nooks and crannies of this country.

“We have to take advantage of the natural resources, gas, that God has endowed us with,” said Ekpo.

The Minister assured that gas was available in large quantity, and the only challenge was infrastructure to deliver the product to filling stations.

He, however, said the President directed that adequate infrastructure should be provided to ensure the delivery of gas to filling stations.

“What we produce in our country is more than enough for us to use for CNG; and of course, you know, we are exporting to so many other countries,” he said.

On the high cost of conversion of cars to CNG, the Minister said it was because the conversion kits were imported.

He said that with more private investors taking advantage of the CNG project, the price would drastically come down eventually.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said the President and members of FEC believed that there was need for further enlightenment of the Nigerian public to know the advantages of using CNG.

“It is not just because it is cheaper, but because it also marks our own transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy that the world is moving towards,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

FG, partners begin Cadre Harmonisé analysis to combat food insecurity
Agriculture

FG, partners begin Cadre Harmonisé analysis to combat food insecurity

By Talatu Maiwada

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with technical experts have commenced a state-level Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis to identify areas facing food and nutrition insecurity.

The CH is a unified tool used to provide rigorous and transparent analysis of current and projected food and nutrition security situations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six-day CH workshop in Yola includes analysts from Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Bauchi states.

Dr Dishi Khobe, Special Adviser to the Adamawa State Governor on Food Security, noted the importance of the exercise in obtaining reliable data to identify areas affected by severe poverty, food shortages and malnutrition.

“The main goal is to combat food insecurity, the poor are getting poorer due to the rising cost of living and we lack reliable data to support our people effectively.

“We have followed the CH exercise for a long time and observed that the trends are accurate and factual, it has shown hotspots on the map for immediate intervention.

“The state government is making efforts to improve and take ownership of the project so that when the supporting partners withdraw, we can fully take over without leaving any gaps,” he said.

Mr Bulama Dauda, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the exercise aims to consolidate evidence on food and nutrition security at the state level.

“The CH involves analysing the food and nutrition situation for specific areas, such as Local Government Areas, states, and the country as a whole, it is essential for shaping effective response plans.

“The results are used globally, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel countries, to guide responses to food and nutrition crises, support decision-making, planning, implementation, and budgeting for interventions,” Dauda added.

Dr Ibrahim Bayaso, Adamawa State CH Coordinator, noted that the analysis helps governments and humanitarian partners to prioritise areas for response.

“When food insecurity and nutrition challenges arise, it is crucial to identify the areas that need immediate intervention.

“The CH process identifies five phases: minimal, under pressure stress, crisis, emergency, and famine, which guide governments and donor partners in determining the areas that require urgent assistance”, he said.

Mr Jasper Mwesigwa, Food Security Analyst, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), noted that Nigeria was experiencing prolonged period of economic hardship and high inflation rates since 2023.

This, he added puts pressure on families and communities.

He noted that the country also faced the impact of climate change, including severe flooding and droughts, along with conflicts that have displaced populations, creating compounded vulnerabilities.

“The CH process provides timely and credible data to guide humanitarian actors and government agencies in targeting their responses to the most vulnerable populations”.

NAN reports that the CH state-level analysis is being conducted across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The partners include FAO, the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), Action Against Hunger, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, UNICEF, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NEWSAN, climate council partner on water, sanitation integration
Environment

NEWSAN, climate council partner on water, sanitation integration

By Tosin Kolade

The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), on Tuesday called for the integration of climate change adaptation strategies into Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

Mr Benson Attah, National Coordinator of NEWSAN, made this call at a meeting with Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director -General of the National Council on Climate Change, in Abuja.

He said there was a need for collaboration to address the impacts of climate change on the country’s development, particularly within the WASH sector, which directly affects health, safety, and livelihoods.

“Climate change poses a serious setback to development, and we are especially concerned with how it impacts water, sanitation, and hygiene,” Attah said.

He added that while climate change has revealed neglected issues, the setbacks outweigh the benefits.

Attah commended the Federal Government’s recent efforts, supported by UNICEF, to develop a climate change adaptation plan for the WASH sector.

He stressed the importance of collaborating with the National Climate Change Council to fully integrate climate considerations into WASH policies.

“It is not enough to have policies; we must ensure effective implementation across all sectors,“he said.

Mr Williams Ngwakwe, a NEWSAN representative, pointed to the need to address climate-related issues such as flooding and its impact on agriculture and food security.

He stated how early rains followed by drought have damaged crops, and noted that poor sanitation worsened by climate change has contributed to cholera outbreaks in 34 of 36 states.

Ngwakwe urged the council to prioritise these issues in its agenda, emphasising that NEWSAN’s extensive grassroots network could help implement climate-resilient WASH projects.

He cited ongoing efforts to build disability- and girl-friendly sanitation facilities as part of their work.

Responding, Maduekwe acknowledged the importance of building resilience against climate impacts like flooding and high temperatures.

She stressed the need for action, particularly in securing funding through mechanisms like the Green Bond and the loss and damage funds.

Maduekwe called for health and infrastructure projects to be prioritised in climate financing plans.

“We need to strengthen infrastructure that ensures access to clean water and sanitation. Why can’t that be part of Green Bond funding”

“One of the things in the green bond is afforestation, what about health, what about infrastructure, access to WASH.

“How can we get the funding for water, sanitation, so when the government bring out the budget where do we stand.

“Your expertise is very important.  How do we move from paper to reality, do we qualify for loss and damage”.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from both parties to continue collaborating on addressing climate change in the WASH sector, with NEWSAN pledging its support to the council’s initiatives.

NEWSAN is a civil society network coordinating NGOs and community-based organisations in the WASH sector, with operations across all 31 states and geopolitical zones in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Bobrisky served term in correctional centre- Report
Defence/Security

Bobrisky served term in correctional centre- Report

By Kelechi Ogunleye

A report by Federal Government’s Independent Investigative Panel has revealed that there is no evidence indicating that Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) lived outside the Correctional Service facility during his six-month imprisonment.

The panel, established by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was tasked with investigating allegations of gross violations of standard operating procedures within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The report was submitted on Monday in Abuja.

Presenting the report to the Minister, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, President of the panel and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, noted that this was the first phase of the investigation.

Ajani stated that the report included findings on Bobrisky and also addressed allegations made by Abdulrasheed Maina against personnel at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The investigation revealed that Bobrisky received several special privileges while in custody at both the Medium-security and Maximum-security custodial centers in Kirikiri, Lagos.

“He had furnished single cells, humidifier, rugged floor and lots of visits by his family members and friends as he desired. Visits were also held inside the office of the officer in-charge of the custodial center.

“He also enjoyed the privileges of self- feeding, designated inmate to run errands for him, access to fridge and television, and possibly access to his phone,’’ she said.

She, however, underscored the need to further investigate, if the privileges were financially induced and based on corrupt practices by correctional officers.

Ajani noted that the peculiarities and physical appearances of the responder probably led to the special treatments he received by the correctional officers.

According to her, findings revealed that, the decision to transfer Bobrisky from Ikoyi custodial centre, to the Medium maximum centre was made by Ben Freeman, the  then, State Controller, NCos Lagos Command.

“The state controller however, has the power by law to transfer inmates within the same state.

“Proper documentation was, however, not made prior to his transfers but the documents were later provided and backdated.

“This is in violation to Section 168 and 169 of the NCoS service standing order, and the transfer of Bobrisky being a first offender violates section 16 (4a) (b) of the Ncos Act, 2019,” she added.

The president of the panel said that the committee proposed that in future, provisions should be made available for peculiarities such as Bobrisky’s case.

According to her, steps should be taken to avoid the obvious discriminatory practices in relation to the socio-economic levels and other status of inmates.

In the same vein, the panel reports indicated that, it was true that a senior officer collected funds from Maina’s son.

According to her, the panel, upon interrogation of the officer, discovered that money was paid into his personal account.

“The officer claimed that the money paid into his personal account was for the purpose of catering for Maina’s welfare and health.

“He acted unethically and brought himself and the service to great disrepute by requesting and receiving money from Maina’s son.

“The panel is of the view that, even if the transfers were made with Maina’s approval, it is still a violation, as the officer’s conduct was not consistent with institutional regulations,” she said.

The panel therefore recommended that all correctional service personnel should “be re-trained and be persons of integrity and character’’.

The panel also recommended that personnel without previous direct heading of a custodial center should not be deployed to head big and sensitive custodial centers.

“The gross under-funding of the Nigerian correctional service, poor welfare package and working conditions of correctional officers are factors that encourage corruption and commercialisation of provision of welfare and other services to inmates,” Ajani said.

Responding, the minister said that any officer found culpable based on the report would face disciplinary actions.

“We have nothing to hide and it is about reform and making sure we build strong institutions that will outlive every one of us, and the correctional service is a key institution in the security architecture.

“We will follow this up with action and make sure we build a service that will not be condemnatory to inmates.

“We want to reform the service in a way that it will be the bridge between the weak and the strongest,” he said.

The minister assured that it would no longer be business as usual, adding, “the renewed hope starts with us in this ministry”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/ Rotimi Ijikanmi

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger
Environment

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger

By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent flood warning to communities along the River Benue and River Niger, following significant rises in water levels due to continuous rainfall.

In a statement on Thursday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, urged residents near the riverbanks to evacuate, as water levels in the River Benue have reached critical points.

He noted that water gauge data from key stations such as Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi show consistently high levels, exceeding 9 meters between October 9 and October 15.

“The map shows critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, particularly around stations along the River Benue and River Niger.

“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” Mohammed stated.

The agency also warned that the management of the Kainji and Jebba Dams are closely monitoring and controlling water releases to prevent downstream flooding along the Niger.

Mohammed called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies and advised citizens to move to safer areas to avoid the worsening effects of the floods as rainfall continues.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to build resilience against flooding, which had become an annual challenge for many communities in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NIGCOMSAT to replace ageing satellite before 2026 – Official
Science & Tech

NIGCOMSAT to replace ageing satellite before 2026 – Official

By Sunkanmi Onifade

Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd., has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to replacing the NIGCOMSAT-1R satellite before its lifespan ends in 2026.

Egerton-Idehen disclosed this at a news conference to mark the begining of  Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja on Wednesday.

She emphasised the importance of satellite technology in advancing Nigeria’s digital future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIGCOMSAT-1R, which was launched in 2011, had delivered substantial services to Nigeria’s telecom and broadcast sectors, saving billions in foreign exchange.

Egerton-Idehen said the week, which has ‘Empowering Nigeria’s Digital Future: Innovations in Satellite Technology and Entrepreneurship’ as its theme, would demonstrate the transformative potential of satellite technology across the sectors of the nation’s economy.

According to her, the week-long event aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders, from industry experts to policymakers, with the goal of making satellite technology a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable development.

“Key features of the event include the Stakeholders’ Forum for in-depth collaboration and the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Demo Day, where startups will showcase their innovative solutions.

“This is the day we will see entrepreneurship and innovation in action, with pitches from startups ready to transform the industry.

“We’ll also have fireside chats and panels discussing the role of public-private partnerships and entrepreneurship in driving space sector growth.

“This event is not just about conversations in the rooms; it’s about inspiring action long after the week ends. It’s about taking the next step—moving from dialogue to action.”

NIGCOMSAT boss urged all the participants, stakeholders, and partners to fully engage during and after the event.

“We need every sector of society to understand and support the satellite industry if we are to truly unlock its potential for national development,” she said.

“This initiative highlights the importance of public-private partnerships and entrepreneurship in growing Nigeria’s space sector.”

According to her, the week-long event is not merely a platform for discussion but a launchpad for action.

She encouraged all participants to engage actively and continue fostering innovation in the satellite industry to grow Nigeria’s economy. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Over 2.8bn people can’t afford healthy diets – FAO
Food Security

Over 2.8bn people can’t afford healthy diets – FAO

By Busayo Onijala

More than 2.8 billion people in the world cannot afford healthy diets, the Director-General of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Qu Dongyu, has said.

Dongyu made this known during the 2024 World Food Day global ceremony with the theme: “Right to ‘Foods’ for a Better Life and a Better Future”.

‘Foods’, in the theme stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability and safety.

Dongyu said that malnutrition in its various forms existed in all countries and socio-economic classes.

He added that even in high-income economies, people were choosing convenient and unhealthy foods.

The FAO director-general attributed the problems to challenges in agri-food systems where nutritious and diverse foods needed for healthy diets were insufficient and unaffordable.

According to him, food security translates to food availability, accessibility and affordability.

“With 730 million people facing hunger, it is clear that there is still much work to be done, and FAO’s mandate to ensure food security for all is as valid as ever.

“This World Food Day, I am calling on all to renew their commitments to building more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that can nourish the world,” he said.

Dongyu said that immediate action must be taken to ensure the integrated ‘Four Betters’.

“For better production and better nutrition, governments should enable healthy diets for everyone by incentivising production and sale of more nutritious foods.

“They should also promote their consumption in a healthy way.

“For a better environment, we need to produce more with less; we need more quantity with more diverse foods with less agricultural inputs and less negative impacts on the environment.

“We need to produce enough diverse foods, while preserving biodiversity and protecting the planet,” he said.

Dongyu said that, for a better life, innovation such as information technology, Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology and digital agriculture were needed.

He also said to support governments, the private sector would need to shift from unhealthy foods and make a greater diversity of safe and nutritious foods available, affordable and appealing.

“They need to be our allies in addressing this global challenge. Governments cannot do it alone.

 “We cannot build peaceful communities without addressing hunger and malnutrition,” he said.

He said that the younger generation had a vital role to play, adding that a food secure future without malnutrition was a human right.

Dongyu called for renewal of commitments to building efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that would guarantee the right to good foods for all. (NAN) www.nannews.ng 

Edited by Chidi Opara/Ijeoma Popoola 

Governors Forum advocates PPP expansion to close infrastructure gap
Economy/Business

Governors Forum advocates PPP expansion to close infrastructure gap

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has called for collaborative efforts to enhance Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.

AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, Governor of Kwara and Chairman of the NGF, made this call at the 2nd Joint PPP Units Consultative Forum (3PUCF) and the Nigeria PPP Network (NPPPN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day event was organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

The theme of the meeting is “Using PPP to Actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda in Nigeria’s Infrastructure Delivery”.

Abdulrazaq, represented by Abdulateef Shittu, Director-General of the NGF, stated that there was a 100 billion dollar infrastructure deficit at the subnational level.

“Overall, at both federal and state levels, we face an infrastructure deficit of over $200 billion. Since the government alone cannot shoulder this cost, we need collaboration with the private sector,” he said.

According to Abdulrazaq, challenges such as financing gaps exist, but these must be addressed collectively to boost investor confidence and ensure the success of PPPs.

“The private and public sectors, together with development partners, must seize this opportunity to examine best practices, identify challenges, and develop concrete solutions for implementing PPP projects,” he added.

He noted that the theme of the meeting was timely and relevant, as citizens expect the government to provide the infrastructure necessary for economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life.

“At the core of the Renewed Hope Agenda is the desire to improve the lives of Nigerians by creating jobs, enhancing access to quality services, and building an economy that benefits everyone.

“Infrastructure is the backbone of this vision, and PPPs provide a unique opportunity to mobilise resources and expertise to achieve it,” Abdulrazaq said.

Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, Director-General of the ICRC, also noted the importance of collaboration in closing the infrastructure gap in the country.

Ewalefoh explained that the forum was designed to review how agencies have been performing in terms of PPP implementation.

“At this forum, we exchange ideas and gather feedback from various agencies on strategies for advancing infrastructure development in the country.

“We aim to professionalise this platform and work more closely with the agencies and the Governors’ Forum to achieve this. Together, we are striving for a unified national approach, both at the federal and subnational levels,” he said.

Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships.

Edun, represented by Mrs Lola Uket, Director of Technical Services at the ministry, emphasised the role of PPPs in achieving the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is estimated at $100 billion, and PPPs can help bridge this gap by attracting $20 billion in private investment annually.

“Through effective collaboration, we can accelerate the delivery of essential projects in sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare, education, and others critical to our nation’s development.

“With PPPs, the government aims to increase agricultural productivity by 20 per cent over the next three years.

“Nigeria has a renewable energy potential of over 200,000 MW, and our target is to harness at least 20 per cent of this potential by 2030,” Edun said.

He added that Nigeria’s current literacy rate is 62 per cent, with the goal of increasing it to 75 per cent by 2028 through PPP initiatives.

According to him, the government aims to boost the contribution of the non-oil sector to the GDP from the current 90 per cent to 95 per cent by 2030.

Edun urged participants to commit to fostering a conducive environment for PPPs by ensuring transparent policies, a strong legal and regulatory framework, and synergy among stakeholders.

Mrs Dadi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Chairman of the Forum, reiterated the commitment to creating a platform where public and private stakeholders can align their interests.

Walson-Jack, represented by Mrs Fatima Mahmood, Permanent Secretary for Career Services, said the forum would address challenges and develop innovative solutions to accelerate the delivery of key infrastructure projects, improving the quality of life for citizens.

The 3PUCF is a forum for heads of PPP units in federal MDAs, while the NPPPN, under the aegis of the NGF, is a network of PPP agencies at the state level. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

FIRS allays fears over reforms, says no new taxes
Economy/Business

FIRS allays fears over reforms, says no new taxes

By Naomi Sharang

Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has allayed the fears of Nigerians on possible introduction of new taxes through proposed tax reform laws.

Adedeji made this known during an interactive session with members of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja on Tuesday.

He assured Nigerians that the tax reform laws would not entail introduction of new taxes or increase in the already existing ones.

“Tax reform will not introduce any tax or increase the percentage of the existing ones but it will reduce the number of taxes being paid by Nigerians.

“No agency will be merged in the process of carrying out the reform and no job will be taken from anybody.

“The tax reform basically seeks to increase the simplicity and efficiency of tax administration in Nigeria,” he said.

Adedeji said that there were four executive bills already forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly to legalise the reform.

The bills, according to him, include: Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Act (amendment) bill, Nigeria Revenue Service bill and Joint Revenue Board (establishment ) bill.

Adedeji said that the four bills, when passed, would, among others, help to harmonise the multiple tax laws in the country.

“They will drive efficiency and modernisation, simplify tax laws and ensure synergy among the agencies involved.

“The bills will also increase efficiency and effectiveness in government savings, promote transparency and integrity in revenue collection, align with international standards and broaden Nigeria’s tax base,” he said.

When asked why FIRS, as contained in one of the bills, would be changed to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Adedeji said the present name of the agency did not cover the scope of its services.

“Like the Value Added Tax (VAT), 85 per cent are remitted to states while the federal government gets the remaining 15 per cent,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Sani Musa said that the purpose of the interactive session was for FIRS to update the committee on what the tax reform bills were aiming at.

“Tax reforms lie at the heart of government’s agenda and require constructive inputs from all stakeholders,” Musa said.

He commended the FIRS boss for meeting up with the revenue targets set in the fiscal year, even as he urged him to go beyond the target. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Africa needs 4bn additional financing to achieve SDGs – UNGA President
Foreign

Africa needs $194bn additional financing to achieve SDGs – UNGA President

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Philémon Yang, says Africa will need 194 billion dollars in additional financing annually to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Yang, said this at a joint debate on the New Partnership for Africa’s development at the ongoing 79th session of the UNGA at UN headquarters in New York.

The UNGA president acknowledged Africa’s potential but underscored urgent need for both international support and systemic reforms across the continent in order for it to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Yang addressed the continent’s progress toward the SDGs and the African Union’s (AU) related framework, known as Agenda 2063.

“There has never been a better time to accelerate progress towards peace, prosperity and sustainable development,” he stated.

Yang highlighted the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future which acknowledges the special challenges faced by the most vulnerable countries, in particular African States, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

He stressed that despite Africa’s vast energy and agricultural resources, many nations suffer from electricity deficits and food insecurity.

Moreover, debt distress and the unjust global financial system have exacerbated Africa’s financial pressures, resulting in a development financing gap of $1.6 trillion.

He called for a more just financial system, expressing that the current system “prioritises high interest rates and debt servicing over investments in resilience and social services”.

While acknowledging the bleak economic outlook, Yang also praised Africa’s resilience as economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase from 2.6 per cent in 2023 to 3.8 per cent by 2025.

He urged the global community to help transform Africa’s “untapped ingenuity” into solid foundations for inclusive growth, emphasising that the continent’s growing working-age population could be a major driver of transformative change.

“With more effective financial management, stronger domestic resource mobilisation and better use of debate as a development tool, African economies can fortify and sustain their growth,” he said.

Yang also underlined the importance of peace and political solutions to conflicts, especially in countries such as Sudan and Somalia.

He called for legal and societal reforms to address systemic barriers to justice and inequality, noting that “promoting peace and advancing the rule of law in Africa demands a comprehensive strategy”.

He pledged to keep Africa’s development at the forefront of the General Assembly’s agenda, saying: “Africa must continue to rise” in its pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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