NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
UN Chief warns India, Pakistan against military confrontation

UN Chief warns India, Pakistan against military confrontation

136 total views today

By Tiamiyu Arobani

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan.

While addressing newsmen at the Security Council in UN Headquarters in New York, he warned that escalating tensions over a recent deadly terror attack in Kashmir risk spiralling into military confrontation.

Guterres expressed deep concern over deteriorating relations between the two South Asian neighbours, saying they had reached “their highest in years”.

He reiterated his condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which killed no fewer than 26 civilians and injured many more.

“Targeting civilians is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means.

“It is also essential, especially at this critical hour, to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control,” Guterres said.

India and Pakistan both administer parts of Kashmir but claim the territory in full.

The Security Council was due to meet behind closed doors later to discuss the rising tensions between the two nations.

The UN chief offered his good offices to both governments to help de-escalate tensions and promote diplomacy, stressing that “a military solution is no solution.”

“Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink,” he said.

Guterres also praised both countries for their long-standing contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and expressed hope that their shared history of cooperation could form the basis for renewed dialogue.

“The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

ICJ rejects Sudan’s genocide case against UAE

ICJ rejects Sudan’s genocide case against UAE

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By Tiamiyu Arobani

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has rejected Sudan’s case accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of complicity in genocide in Darfur, citing a lack of jurisdiction.

The request for the indication of provisional measures was submitted by Sudan in the case concerning, ‘Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in Sudan ‘.

Sudan had accused the UAE of backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alleging its support amounted to complicity in genocidal acts against the non-Arab Masalit population in West Darfur.

Public hearings on that request were held on April 10.

In the decision, the UN’s top judicial body ruled on Monday by a vote of 14 to two that it could not proceed with the case brought by Sudan and declined to impose any provisional measures, as Sudan had requested.

It was brought under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).

The Court also removed the case from its general list by a vote of nine to seven.

“Having come to the conclusion that it manifestly lacks jurisdiction, the Court is precluded from taking any position on the merits of the claims made by Sudan,” the ruling stated.

The Court noted that while it could not hear the case, all States remain bound by their obligations under the Genocide Convention.

The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army has claimed thousands of lives and displaced over 12.7 million people since April 2023.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

African countries showing strong interest in Iranian petrochemical exports – Official

African countries showing strong interest in Iranian petrochemical exports – Official

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Iran’s annual petrochemical output has now surpassed 100 million tonnes, with projections indicating an expected rise to 131 million tonnes by 2029, according to an official.

The official who announced this at the third Iran-Africa cooperation conference, said the rise is expected to be supported by 67 new projects currently ongoing.

The official added that around 70 per cent of Iran’s petrochemical products are exported, a situation that has a significant potential to expand trade relations with African nations.

According to him, key areas of collaboration could include supplying petrochemical feedstocks as well as exporting urea and methanol, which are in high demand in Africa.

With 73 active petrochemical complexes and three dedicated power plants, Iran’s current nominal production capacity stands at 97 million tonnes.

An investment of 26 billion dollars in upcoming projects is expected to boost output to the projected 131 million tonnes annually within the next five years, as reported by Pars Today, a partner of TV BRICS.

In the past year, Iran’s petrochemical exports generated substantial revenue, including 2.8 billion dollars from polymers, 2.2 billion dollars from methanol, and 1.7 billion dollars from urea.

The official also expressed readiness to strengthen business and trade partnerships with African countries, emphasising mutual economic benefits. (TV BRICS/NAN) 

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Trade turnover between Russia, Kazakhstan jumps to bn

Trade turnover between Russia, Kazakhstan jumps to $28bn

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Trade volume between Russia and Kazakhstan exceeded 28 billion dollars, while Russian exports increased by almost five per cent at the end of 2024, according to Kazinform, a partner of TV BRICS.

Kazinform said that the main growth emanated from machinery, transport, chemicals, and minerals.

More than 70 major investment projects with Russian participation are being implemented in Kazakhstan.

“We are talking about the automotive industry, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals, and digital technologies,” Kazinform reported an official as saying.

In addition, in 2024, the tourist flow between the countries exceeded 4.8 million trips, thus making Kazakhstan to become one of the three most popular foreign destinations for Russians. (TV BRICS/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Democracy: Shettima, African leaders witness inauguration of Gabon President

Democracy: Shettima, African leaders witness inauguration of Gabon President

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, alongside other African leaders, on Saturday joined thousands of Gabonese citizens to witness the inauguration of the newly elected President of Gabon, Brice Nguema.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nguema emerged the President of Gabon on April 12, 2025, after beating seven others to win the country’s recent presidential election.

Nguema had been the interim President for 20 months following a change in government and ouster of former President Ali Bongo.

The inauguration ceremony, which was held at the Stade de l’Amitié sino-gabonaise in Libreville, Gabon, saw military parades, march past and display of Gabon’s rich cultural heritage.

In his inauguration speech, Nguema, thanked citizens of the country for their overwhelming support which led to his emergence as a democratically elected President of Gabon.

He pledged to work hard for the development of Gabon as well as empower the youth in order to secure the future of the nation.

He further promised to address the challenges of insecurity and criminality that are troubling the country, adding that the lack of adequate water supply will also be tackled.

Nguema, who recognised the role of the United Nations, pledged to work with them and called for peaceful coexistence amongst African nations.

Other Heads of State present at the event included President Teodoro Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, John Mahama of Ghana, Faustin-Archange Touadéra of Central African Republic, Adama Barrow of Gambia, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Sanwo-Olu pledges collaboration with ECOWAS Court for justice access

Sanwo-Olu pledges collaboration with ECOWAS Court for justice access

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By Mark Longyen

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has assured the ECOWAS Court of Justice of the state’s commitment to support it in providing access to justice for the people of the subregion.

Sanwo-Olu pledged the support when he received the ECOWAS Court President, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, who led a delegation of the community court on a courtesy visit to him in Lagos.

He acknowledged the court’s efforts in addressing cross-border issues and expressed readiness to support it, a statement issued on Saturday by the court’s spokesman, Felicien Hounkanrin, said.

The Governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the principles of justice and the rule of law, assuring that it would participate in all the court’s forthcoming activities in Lagos.

Earlier, the ECOWAS Court President called for stronger collaboration with the Lagos State Government in the enforcement of the Court’s decisions, which he said remained one of its key institutional challenges.

Gonçalves explained that the visit was part of the court’s preparations for its external court session and public sensitisation campaign scheduled to hold later in May in Lagos.

He expressed appreciation to the state government for hosting the court’s activities and called for continued cooperation in promoting access to justice and respect for the rule of law within the subregion.

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, in a remark, lauded the court for planning to hold its upcoming external court session in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forthcoming ECOWAS Court’s Lagos outreach aims to bring justice closer to the people of the subregion and strengthen ties with national institutions.

It also aims to raise public awareness about the court’s mandate, its role in regional integration, and how citizens can access its services.

Gonçalves was accompanied on the visit by the court’s Vice President, Justice Sengu Koroma, the Chief Registrar, Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, and other senior officers.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

ECOWAS parliamentarians seek Sahel states’ return to bloc

ECOWAS parliamentarians seek Sahel states’ return to bloc

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By Mark Longyen

Members of the ECOWAS Parliament have appealed to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger (Sahel States) to rescind their decision to quit the subregional bloc and return to its fold.

Sen. Edwin Snowe, Chairman of the parliament’s Joint Committee Delocalised Meeting, made the plea at the closing ceremony of its five-day meeting in Banjul on Friday.

The delocalised meeting of the Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, Human Rights, Trade, Social Affairs, Gender, and Persons with Disabilities, was held to consider the far-reaching impact of the countries’ withdrawal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three countries officially quit ECOWAS earlier this year, claiming that ECOWAS had deviated from its founding principles by becoming the West’s stooge.

Snowe, a Liberian parliamentarian, noted that the withdrawal of the three countries was a challenging experience for ECOWAS, which had been in existence for 50 years focusing on economic integration and development.

He emphasised the need to mend ties and foster unity, considering the importance of regional integration and cooperation, and the withdrawal’s likely consequences on the socio-economic well-being of their citizens.

“We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,” the parliamentarian said.

While underscoring the importance of parliamentary teamwork, he urged staff members to brace for the challenges.

“The work we do here, there’s no good parliamentarian without all of good staff. You can be well-educated, and have all of the education.

“However, if you don’t have good staff, you don’t have a good team, you will not be a good parliamentarian,” he said.

Also speaking, Veronica Sesay, Chairperson, Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs, Gender, Women in Parliament, and Oppressions with Disability, appealed to the withdrawn countries to ignore their grievances and return.

She highlighted the importance of unity and cooperation among member states, citing the example of ECOWAS’s intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone during their civil wars.

“We need you people, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali back. We are a bloc, we should be working together. We’ve been helping each other, like us, who faced the war in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“We appreciated the cause that was done by ECOWAS in their intervention to help us quell down the situation in Sierra Leone,” she said.

Sesay also appealed to the withdrawn countries to consider the impact of their decision against the backdrop of conflict’s impact on vulnerable groups like women and children.

“When there is a problem, who faces the bulk of it? It’s women and children,” she noted.

NAN reports that the parliamentarians also emphasised the need to maintain dialogue with the exited countries and advocated for an inclusive approach involving the ECOWAS Parliament and Commission.

They also recommended involving women parliamentarians in mediation efforts, as well as mobilising other regional institutions, such as the African Union and river basin authorities.

The lawmakers noted that, in spite of the January withdrawal deadline, a six-month grace period was in effect to continue with the dialogue toward returning the deserted countries to the ECOWAS fold.

The parliamentarians also reaffirmed their central role in preserving ECOWAS’ unity and stability, adding that they were committed to ensuring subregional peace, cohesion, security, and free movement of people and goods. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Lagos CJ decries difficulty in enforcing ECOWAS Court judgments

Lagos CJ decries difficulty in enforcing ECOWAS Court judgments

174 total views today

By Mark Longyen

The Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has decried the difficulty of enforcing the judgments of ECOWAS Court in sovereign states with diverse political climates.

Alogba made this known when ECOWAS Court President, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos, a statement issued on Thursday by ECOWAS Court’s spokesman, Felicien Hounkanrin, said.

Hounkanrin said that Alogba lauded the ECOWAS Court for its high standards of jurisprudence and its commitment to justice in the sub-region.

He said that the CJ acknowledged ECOWAS Court’s achievements, and stressed the need for continued collaboration and exchange between national and regional judicial bodies.

Alogba, however, emphasised that international charters must be respected once they were ratified by member states.

“The existence of judicial bodies like the ECOWAS Court play a vital role in ensuring legal accountability and curbing impunity, even when direct enforcement mechanisms are limited,” Alogba said.

Responding, Justice Gonçalves, who was accompanied by the court’s Vice President, Justice Sengu Koroma and the Chief Registrar, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, appreciated the CJ for the warm welcome and institutional support.

He explained that the visit was part of the court’s sensitisation campaign and preparations for its upcoming external court sessions scheduled to take place from May 5-7, and May 8-16, respectively, in Lagos.

The court’s president added that the events aimed at increasing public awareness about the court’s role, as well as improving access to regional justice.

He said the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS had reduced the number of the court’s participating states from 15 to 12, describing the development as regrettable.

While affirming the court’s continued commitment to its mandate, Gonçalves outlined its core jurisdiction as human rights protection, which represented over 80 per cent of its caseload.

The president listed the court’s other mandates as the interpretation and application of ECOWAS legal instruments, disputes involving community civil servants, and advisory legal opinions to ECOWAS institutions.(NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

BRICS foreign ministers reaffirm commitment to strengthening security, economic, cultural cooperation

BRICS foreign ministers reaffirm commitment to strengthening security, economic, cultural cooperation

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Foreign ministers of the member states of the BRICS bloc have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in three areas: politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

A statement published on the official website of the Brazil’s BRICS Presidency, indicated that the ministers reaffirmed their commitment at a two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro with the participation of the BRICS member states.

The meeting, the statement further indicated, was held in an expanded format with representatives of the BRICS partner countries in attendance.

The ministers emphasised the key role of BRICS as the voice of the Global South.

The group expressed support for the idea of reforming the United Nations, including increasing the representation of developing countries in the UN Security Council of the global body.

The ministers favoured greater use of national currencies in mutual settlements, as well as the development of their own payment platforms.

The group acknowledged the important role of the New Development Bank (NDB) as a key financing instrument for emerging economies, its further expansion, and the re-election of Dilma Rousseff as President of the NDB.

The Leaders acknowledged the role of Artificial Intelligence in inclusive development and expressed their intention to assist developing countries in this area.

They also welcomed the work on an agreement to manage the data economy.

The ministers condemned, in strong terms, all forms of terrorism and, in particular, the attack in India on April 22 that killed at least 26 people.

They affirmed that the countries of the association would deepen cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

The foreign ministers welcomed the activities of the BRICS specialised working group and called for the finalisation and adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

They spoke in favour of the peaceful use of space, reliable and secure ICT environment and free access to reliable information, stressing the importance of digital literacy and agreed rules in cyberspace.

In addition, the ministers spoke out against cybercrime, reaffirmed the need for reform of the global financial architecture and the importance of the role of the G20.

Given the recent enlargement, they emphasised the importance of institutional strengthening of BRICS, including through the creation of a common database to facilitate access to relevant documents and background information.

The Heads of the ministries supported Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier held a news conference on the results of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

He said that the parties agreed to continue working with partner countries in various formats.

In addition, the ministers emphasised the importance of strengthening the role of the world majority in solving key problems. (TV BRICS/NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

UNESCO: AU-Arab League candidate pledges dedication to people, local realities

UNESCO: AU-Arab League candidate pledges dedication to people, local realities

192 total views today

By Halima Sheji

Prof. Khaled El-Enany, the African Union and League of Arab states candidate for UNESCO Director-General, says his tenure will witness more responsive approach to serving the people through exploring local realities.

 

He said he intends to dedicate his period to education, culture, science and intercultural dialogue for which UNESCO was renowned for.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that El-Enany, an Egyptologist and former Egypt minister of tourism and antiquities, presented his vision to UNESCO’s Executive Board.

 

He said he would draw on over 30 years of experience and more than 50 visits around the world since launching his campaign, to bring about a deep understanding of Member States’ aspirations.

 

‘’It advocates for more inclusive governance, stronger representation for countries in the Global South, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence for the common good.

 

‘’Supported by a broad international coalition, his candidacy embodies the ambition for a renewed, responsive, and united multilateralism.’’

 

Over the course of the session, El-Enany outlined the key pillars of his vision, which include strengthening UNESCO’s presence on the ground, promoting more inclusive governance and innovative financing policies.

He emphasised a pragmatic and human-centered approach, attentive to people’s needs and the major challenges of our time.

 

“The world urgently needs a UNESCO that serves one goal, peace, and one ultimate objective, people. It is time to adopt a bold, fresh approach to shape the UNESCO of tomorrow.

 

“With my slogan ‘UNESCO for the People’, I aim to break down barriers, give a voice to the marginalised, and bring about concrete and measurable change that is felt in villages, classrooms and at the very heart of communities,” El-Enany said.

 

His candidacy embodies the ambition of a united and supportive multilateralism, driven by a strong desire to make UNESCO an organisation that is closer to the people.

 

It was endorsed three times by the African Union, in February, July, and September 2024.

 

Following the hearing, his candidacy received additional endorsements from several countries and international partners, reflecting growing support for his vision and leadership.

 

‘’The message I am conveying is clear, to reduce UNESCO’s political dimension and focus on its technical mandate, on building genuine consensus among member states while implementing their decisions with the highest standards of impartiality, transparency and efficiency.

 

‘’Any proposals I submit must be neutral, grounded in technical expertise.”

 

“If a child is denied access to education, their nationality is irrelevant. If a woman is deprived of her rights, her nationality does not matter, she is entitled to those rights. That, to me, is the true meaning of depoliticisation.”(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

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