By Fortune Abang

The Africa Korea Economic Development Association (AKEDA), Nigeria chapter has called on African leaders to explore the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 as platform  to advance investment and trade relations between the two parties.

The association reiterated the need for the leaders to adopt sustainable economic partnership framework, increase trade relations and investment, inclusive growth, and upward review of official development aid from Korea in Africa.

AKEDA is a public-private partnership organisation that seeks to promote trade relations and investment between Korea and Africa since its establishment in 2006.

Chairman of AKEDA Nigeria Yuccee Uwah in a statement on Tuesday made the call in view of the summit scheduled for Seoul, Korea, from June 4 to June 5.

According to him, the partnership between Africa and Korea will help to gravitate towards mutually beneficial outcomes and outputs that support aspirations of everyone.

Yucee said, “The recognition of economy and investment potential of Africa, which receives deserved attention of the government and people of Korea through this auspicious summit is pivotal in the history of Korea-Africa relations in the last 60 years.

“Korea-Africa relations is taking new paths that gives hope for better future for them, therefore, we appeal to African leaders as representatives of more than 1 billion Africans to draft and agree on new economic partnership.

“Such that positions the continent towards sustainable development, create jobs and opportunities and shared prosperity.

“The expectations are for African leaders to identify key development priorities, articulate them and agree on actionable steps that will stimulate economic development in partnership with Korea.”

The chairman explained that AKEDA had led advocacy that deepened trade relations and investment, as well as improved partnership between Korea, and Africa for nearly two decades.

Yucee further described the summit as milestone that has justified advocacy visits to 37 Africa countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Angola among others, to deepen Korea-Africa partnership.

“In our view, priorities for the summit should focus on trade and investment, technology, research and development, infrastructure, mining and solid minerals, industrialisation, education, and cultural exchange.

“The presence of Korean owned companies and businesses operating in Africa with others eyeing investing in Africa as next manufacturing base and largest single market.

“Leaders attending the summit need to focus on scaling up opportunities, fostering engagements for trade opportunities and foreign direct investment,” Yucee added.

The association boss also said the summit will be the first in the history of Korea-Africa relations to be hosted by the government of Korea, saying it will attract participants from 54 African countries.

This, according to Yucee, will include Heads of State and Governments, Ministers, policy makers, private sector leaders, multilateral institutions, and United Nations system, regional development banks, among others.

“It will exchange ideas on emerging economic trends, technology, innovative solutions, development models towards the transformation of trade and investment relation between Korea and African countries.

“The summit will also advance advocacy for deepening trade and investment between Africa and Korea, as well as redefine engagement between Korea and Africa.

“The summit represents huge step in the history of Korea-Africa relations under the auspices of Africa Union (AU).

“Africa as the second largest continent with 1.3 billion population and combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 3.1 trillion U.S., dollars, a large market with more young population,” Yucee stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Mark Longyen

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Amb. Musa Nuhu, has called on the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to harmonise strategies towards mitigating regional conflicts.

Amb. Nuhu made this known at the maiden joint consultation meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Chairman, ECOWAS MSC, described the meeting as a key turning point in Africa’s collective pursuit of peace and prosperity, stressing that “for long, the continent had struggled with security challenges that brought untold hardship to its people.”

“From terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes of government, these challenges demand a unified response that goes beyond our national boundaries and requires collective efforts.

“Therefore, these joint consultative engagements between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) serve as an important platform for forging such a collective response to mitigate these challenges.

“This is in tandem with the tenets of Article 16 of the PSC Protocol, to harmonise the activities of Regional Mechanisms towards promoting peace, security and stability in Africa,” he said.

The Envoy noted that the nexus between the AU PSC and ECOWAS MSC missions was highly fundamental, hence aligning strategies would ensure a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to regional peace and stability.

“By aligning strategies and actions, this joint consultation can foster a deeper understanding of regional security dynamics, harmonise efforts aimed at preventive diplomacy and develop more effective conflict resolution strategies, thereby ensuring a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to regional peace and stability.

“Therefore, I urge us all to seize this platform to engage in an in-depth discussion that will allow us identify areas of potential synergies and foster a coherent response to achieve political stability, as well as ensure peace and security in Africa,” he stressed.

Amb. Nuhu added that by leveraging the collective expertise, resources, and networks of both organisations, the continent could amplify its efforts towards conflict prevention, mediation, and peace building initiatives across the continent.

He also suggested that the dialogue should go beyond discussions on only political affairs, peace and security and involve discussions on economic development, humanitarian intervention, social cohesion and infrastructural development.

The envoy called for the mobilisation of resources for regional and continental peace initiatives, building synergies, coordination, and urged participants to explore  concerted strategies to sustain zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government and effective counterterrorism measures.

“These are the building blocks for good governance that would guarantee a peaceful and stable Africa, as the pursuit of lasting peace is linked to a broader spectrum of regional integration.

“Through dialogue on all critical sectors, the AU and RECs like ECOWAS can craft effective solutions that address the root causes of conflict and foster a brighter future for all Africans.

“It will also achieve the African Union’s vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa”, to practicalise our slogan of “African Solutions to African problems,” he added.

Also speaking, Amb. Jainaba Jagne, The Gambia’s Permanent Representative to the AU and Chairperson AU PSC, said that Africa was faced with the scourge of terrorism, violent extremism and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of governments (UCGs).

She said that these conflicts had serious negative consequences for peace, security, and stability in the continent, and the meeting was an opportunity to brainstorm on the effective means and ways of preventing and responding to their recurrences.

“It is also a very good occasion to further reflect on the proliferation of terrorist groups that threaten peace, security and development, as well as the territorial integrity of the member states directly affected by these unfortunate events.

“This underscores the critical need for stronger cooperation between the PSC and RECs/RMs to enhance efforts to address security challenges posed by the spread of terrorism and violent extremism.

“I expect this meeting to re-energise our efforts on leveraging preventive diplomacy to forestall UCGs, and terrorism and violent extremism; strategise joint actions by our two Councils for the countries in the West African Region, and enhance coordination, synergies, and regular engagements,” she said.

Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the event, described the inaugural meeting as timely.

He said that it was an intensification of numerous efforts towards resolving the asymmetric challenges facing Africa, such as the AU’s 1999 Convention against terrorism, ECOWAS 2019 plan of action for the eradication of terrorism.

“It is about how we should institutionalise predictable collaborative arrangements between the African Union, the regional economic communities and the regional mechanisms on a broad area.

“We have chosen terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government as the main issues to discuss because these are the two existential threats that are facing the West African region today.

“We are going to have a clear roadmap or joint action between ECOWAS and the African Union on the challenges facing West Africa as to a framework of action and raising resources together to confront the challenges facing us,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Halima Sheji

By Mark Longyen

The ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ) and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights(AfCHPR) have pledged to strengthen global jurisprudence through regular peer review mechanisms.

The two judicial institutions made this known during a peer review meeting of their officials, when a delegation from the AfCHPR headquarters in Tanzania visited the CCJ Headquarters on Monday in Abuja.

Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar, CCJ, who welcomed the delegation on behalf of the court’s President, Justice Edward Asante, said the meeting was crucial and an opportunity for sharing experiences between both sides.

He recalled that in June 2023, a delegation from the CCJ had visited the AfCHPR where an MoU was signed for setting up a Joint Committee for institutionalizing consultation and effective cooperation.

Ouro-Sama urged the AfCHPR to ensure  its speedy implementation and suggested regular dialogue in line with the MoU’s provision for periodic dialogue and discussions.

He said: “As a key observer of African jurisdictions, one may affirm without the risk of error the warm relationship between the African Court of Justice and the Community Court of Justice and the dialogue that is firmly installed between the two parties.

“It is without doubt that the dialogue of judges has been firmly installed within the global justice system and this international trend to internationalize justice as a backing force to the law has seen the African courts affirming their role as vanguard organisations.

“The ECOWAS Court of Justice has observed the dialogue of judges at the bilateral as well as the multilateral levels, the most important of which is the one held in Zanzibar in 2022 between the CCJ, AfCHPR and the Community Court of East African States.”

He reeled out the peer review meeting’s activities to include discussions on jurisprudence developments in both jurisdictions, as well as the role judicial actors and legal aides play.

Others, he said included capacity building, research, library and documentation, legal procedures, human resource management and supplies.

According to the Chief Registrar, the “galaxy of expert participants” would cross fertilize ideas for the overall benefits of the respective jurisdictions.

Responding, the leader of the AfCHPR delegation, Dr Segnonna Horace, extolled the warm relationship existing between the CCJ and AfCHPR.

He said that the dialogue of judges had been affirmed globally, adding that AfCHPR was already a vanguard of justice at multilateral level.

Horace said that the CCJ official delegation of June 2023 was a demonstration of the commitment of both sides to cooperation which has further cemented dialogue among judges.

He said that one of the key objectives of the peer review meeting was to a arrive at resolutions and report back to the Joint Committee for necessary action.(NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji

By Mark Longyen

Amb. Bankole Adeoye, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, has said that mainstreaming human rights through compliance and accountability was crucial to tackling terrorism.

Adeoye made this known at a high-level strategic AU-EU-UN-ECOWAS steering committee partnership project meeting, for the enhancement of compliance and accountability framework for AU peace support operations on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, human rights remain critical to AU’s Agenda 2063, which entails working with multilateral partners, as well as AU recognized economic blocs towards ensuring that the region knows peace.

He said that the AU was working with UN, EU, and regional blocs through multilateral partnerships towards achieving accountability and compliance with human rights laws by security forces during conflicts.

“The AU is working with the UN Office on Counterterrorism and Peaceful Enforcement to roll out accountability and compliance and ensure that international human rights are respected.

“We must keep pace with the challenges as we can’t deploy peacekeeping forces without complying with universal human rights laws.

“The international community should continue to support the AU in these efforts as terrorism knows no bounds.

“The UN Security Council Resolution 2719 gives a stamp of authority to kinetic mechanisms, thus the need for inter-regional efforts in this regard,” Adeoye said.

While speaking on the sidelines of the event, Adeoye stressed that mainstreaming human rights compliance and accountability was crucial to tackling terrorism.

He added, “To fight the fight against terrorism, the African Union with its partners, ECOWAS and all others are saying clearly that the mainstreaming of human rights is central to the fight against terrorism.

“It is central to the fight against violent extremism; it is central to defeating the ideology behind the spate of violence perpetrated by terrorists.

“It is central to defeating rebellion and insurrection in our continent; it is central to curbing unconstitutional changes in government by making sure that we nip it in the bud.

“The idea is to see this African Union compliance framework as a template to be rolled out in terms of capacity, in terms of protection of human rights for women, for children and for all stakeholders who are caught up in conflict.”

Adeoye said that the goal of the framework was to ensure a conflict-free Africa based on the “AU’s Agenda 2063, the Africa We Want,” which is achievable if human rights are protected.

Also speaking, Dr Abdul-Fatah Musa, ECOWAS Commissioner, Political and Security Affairs, said that compliance with human rights and humanitarian law was at the core of the establishment of ECOWAS.

He said that it was within this ECOWAS’s framework that the commission set up a standby force, ECOMOG, which intervened in the Liberian, Sierra Leonean conflicts combining both enforcement and peacekeeping operations.

“The framework to be put in place for the peace and accountability project is very crucial, especially with regards to kinetic efforts.

“We need to bring everything together under the counter-terrorism framework of ECOWAS in partnership with the AU, EU, UN, to ensure that the project sees the light of the day,” the commissioner said.

Amb. Thomas Huyghebaert, EU Head of Policy, and Cooperation, said that the EU was a strategic partner in peace support operations, adding that it had spent over 5 billion dollars over the past two decades in that regard.

“The EU has been a long-term partner of Africa on African peace support operations, the EU has spent over five billion dollars in the past two decades in support of such operations, be it led by the AU or regional economic bloc like ECOWAS,” he said.

Also speaking, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Amb. Ilze Kehris, described the discussions as fruitful saying that the UN would look forward to the implementation of the framework to achieve its desired objectives.

“I would say that it was a fruitful discussion through the partnership engagements with the AU.

“In addition to the compliance framework there’s a broader agreement between the AU and United Nations dating from last year, which is the joint framework for human rights,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Fortune Abang

The government of Canada has extolled a Nigerian, Prof. Tunji Asaolu, Deputy Secretary-General, African Affairs of the International Society of Diplomats (ISD) for his commitment toward fostering cooperation between Canada and Nigeria.

David Smith, Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) of the Scarborough Centre and Chair of Government Agencies, made the commendation at the Global Diplomacy Summit Canada 2024, in the City of Toronto, Canada and monitored in Abuja.

The event with the theme: ”Harnessing the gains of global diplomacy and peaceful coexistence: The role of international organisations” was organised by ISD in partnership with the government of Canada and relevant stakeholders.

According to him, commendation on Asaolu was based on his commitment and volunteer efforts in fostering international cooperation, dialogue, and continued dedication to humanity.

Smith said, “It is also for your contribution toward success of the Global Diplomacy Summit Canada 2024.

“As a Member of Provincial Parliament for the Riding of Scarborough Centre, I thank you for bettering the lives of our community members.

“Also, for helping to make Ontario a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

For his part, Asaolu, also Vice-Chairman/CEO of the African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR), expressed appreciation to the Canadian government for the honour.

He said that it is dedicated to the glory of God, while promising to do more to advance his services to humanity.

Scarborough, Ontario, is a former municipality, now part of the city of Toronto.

Scarborough is located on Lake Ontario that make up the eastern part of the city. It was incorporated as a township in 1850 and as a city in 1983. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Halima Sheji

By Sarafina Christopher and Eletta Mercy

Hon. James Sule, the Permanent Secretary of The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, has appealed to Nigerian stakeholders to emulate China’s efforts in language preservation to prevent indigenous languages form extinction.

Sule made the appeal during an interview on the sidelines of the International Chinese Language Day organised by the China Cultural Center in Abuja.

He emphasised the importance of protecting and revitalizing the approximately 512 languages spoken across the 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Sule highlighted China’s proactive measures, such as establishing language schools, cultural centers, and incorporating indigenous languages into educational programs, as a model that Nigerian policymakers should adopt.

He stressed that native languages in Nigeria were facing a rapid decline among the younger generation.

Sule proposed introducing language instruction for all regions to ensure the preservation and transmission of these languages for future generations.

“Nigeria indigenous language is fast dying and we need to join all hands on deck to prevent it through sensitisation.

“We realize that the younger generation are no longer familiar with their indigenous languages so we need to have a curriculum where we teach every geopolitical zone the languages that are there.

“I believe that introducing language instruction for all regions will ensure the preservation and transmission of these languages for future generations, “he said.

Mr. Li Xuda, the Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, emphasised the cultural significance of language as a fundamental aspect of human civilization and identity.

“For example, the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria has been teaching Chinese for over 10 years since its establishment in 2013.

“Many friends living or working in Abuja find their chances to learn Chinese here in our cultural center,” he said.

He praised Nigeria’s diverse linguistic landscape, highlighting languages like Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba as vital components of global culture.

“In my eyes, Nigeria is the cradle of African Civilisation with about 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages, including Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba.

“While we celebrate “International Chinese Language Day’”, never forget to celebrate Nigeria’s amazing languages, which are definitely important parts of world culture,” he said.

Li also underscored the importance of investing in language preservation initiatives and promoting bilingual education to foster a society that values and embraces its linguistic diversity.

Similarly, Mr. Ahmed Sodangi, the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, commended China’s dedication to language preservation, leading to the United Nations’ recognition of the International Chinese Language Day.

He suggested that Nigeria should adopt comparable strategies to safeguard its linguistic heritage, given its rich tapestry of languages and cultures.

“We want to urge the government to establish days to celebrate the various languages across Nigeria’s diverse communities, emphasising the crucial role of families and educational institutions in preserving indigenous languages for posterity.

“We should also embed it in our homes. Every parent should take responsibility in teaching their children their indigenous languages and the school systems too so that our students can understand the basics.

“As efforts to save indigenous languages intensify, Nigeria can look into initiatives like those in China for guidance to ensure the continuity and vibrancy of its linguistic heritage,”Sodangi said.(NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji

By Fortune Abang

The government of Sudan says it will continue to prioritise humanitarian solutions amidst one year of protracted conflict situation in the country.

Ahmed Jaboul, Charge d’ Affaires of Sudan Embassy in Nigeria, who spoke with journalists on Friday in Abuja, said humanitarian solutions have become important for government to achieve progress.

According to him, although the conflict situation in Sudan has not completely changed since it began; the National Military Forces have halted hostilities in most parts of the country.

Jaboul said, “What we will like to focus on nowadays is the humanitarian solutions in Sudan.

“This is very critical area and one of the priorities, not only for the government, but also for the international community.

“The discussion on humanitarian solutions has been on since June, 2023, particularly at the conference held in Geneva, which centred on the conflict situation in Sudan.

“Yet, what we received as aids here in Sudan are not more than 10 per cent, the commitment was very weak.

“Even, the humanitarian aids we received in the central part of Sudan and stored in the central part of the Sudanese states have been invaded by the rebel forces.”

He said not much had been done by the international community to sustain humanitarian solutions resulting from conflict situation, especially to condemn rebel acts.

He expressed concern over moves by the rebel forces to invade central part of Sudan and parts of Western Sudan, thereby killing innocent people.

“The rebels just invade wherever they go to and start killing innocent people, taking everything they found suitable and stop business life totally wherever they go.

“The government of Sudan is willing to have roundtable like it did in Jedda in 2023, to negotiate political settlement.

“At the end of the negotiations last year, there were commitments made by each party, government played its part, those who hosted the peace talk alluded to it, but the rebels failed to play their part.

“We agreed the rebels should come out from the houses of civilians, public entities, government institutions, universities and move to safe places, to enable us proffer solutions.

“Unfortunately, the agreement was not adhered to by the rebel forces, but the situation has changed now.

“The military forces control the Sudan capital and most central parts, except parts of Dafur still under control of the rebels,” he added.

He appealed to media organisations to always play their role to promote correctness on news about the conflict in Sudan to encourage humanitarian solutions, sustainable peace and ensure negotiations for political settlements. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it allocated 25 million dollars in 2024 to fight terrorism in Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Prof. Fatou Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs, disclosed this during a news conference at the commission’s headquarters, on Friday in Abuja.

Sarr said that four million dollars of the amount was dedicated to humanitarian action to curb the devastating consequences of terrorism, and mitigate the fallout of natural disasters in the sub-region.

She noted that humanitarian actions were critical because of the multiple crises and displacements within the community, adding that such actions never stopped even where the target country was under sanctions.

“In 2024, ECOWAS has released 9 million dollars for internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as for the communities that welcome them (i.e all 15 countries).

“ECOWAS has allocated one million dollars for stabilisation in Nigeria, that is, victims of terrorism, displaced people, injured people, rehabilitation and strengthening community resilience.

“Out of a fund of 25 million dollars intended for the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, Burkina, Mali and Niger, ECOWAS has reserved 4 million dollars for humanitarian actions,” she said.

The commissioner said that in 2023 alone, ECOWAS provided support of over 12. 6 million dollars to 4 million out of the 8.5 million victims of violent conflicts and disasters across West Africa.

She said that the Republic of Guinea, while under sanctions in January, received 600,000 dollars, of which 100,000 was allocated to fire disaster, and 499,390 dollars for floods in the country.

Sarr said the commission also carried out programmes for the development and promotion of young people within the subregion under three key intervention areas, namely, volunteerism, sports and economic integration.

“Since 2014, ECOWAS has posted 217 volunteers to the following countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Burkina, Bénin.

“ECOWAS works to promote the spirit of volunteerism among young people to give them opportunity for professional development, enhance their civic engagement and foster conscience for community service,” she said.

Sarr identified sports as a crucial integration factor used by the ECOWAS to encourage the youths from all member countries, and create in them a feeling of oneness and belonging.

“ECOWAS also supports sports federations with 100,000 dollars each per year.

“In 2023, ECOWAS initiated cooperation with the Peoples Republic of China to support young people. Thus, 12 entrepreneurship projects for young people in the subregion received an award out of a total of 100 worldwide.

“For the ECOWAS Gender Centre, 1,720 excellence scholarships were distributed from 2010 to 2022 to young girls from disadvantaged families,” the commissioner said.

Sarr announced that an ECOWAS youth conference would hold from May 2024 to appraise the current situation, identify the changes and ruptures, which have led to some malaise in the subregion.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed