NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Foreign

EU congratulates Angola president, Lourenço on election as new AU chair

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By Maureen Okon

The European Union (EU) has congratulated Angola President, João Lourenço on his election as the new Chairperson of the African Union (AU).

The Angolan leader was elected African Union chair at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government which held in Addis Ababa from Feb. 15 to 16, 2025.

The European bloc congratulated president Lourenço in a message posted on the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) handle, @eu_eeas.e

The EU also congratulated the newly elected Chairperson of the African-Union Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf and his deputy, Selma  Haddadi.

The EU said in the post that the year 2025 marked the 25th
anniversary of the mutually
beneficial partnership between the EU and Africa.

“Africa is a geo-political priority for the EU and we will continue our strong political dialogue and action,” the EU said in the post.

Youssouf, who is the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission, is from Djibouti.

He will be deputised by Haddadi from Algeria. Both mandates are for four years, renewable once.

The two leaders were elected and sworn in at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government which held in Addis Ababa from Feb. 15 to 16.

Both elected officials garnered the required two-thirds majority votes of the 49 member states eligible to vote.

Six AU member states are under sanctions and were, therefore, ineligible to vote.

The 60-year-old Youssouf is taking  over the reigns of leadership of the African bloc from former chairperson Moussa Mahamat, who is from Chad.

Mahamat served as AU chairman for two consecutive terms since 2017. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Foreign

S/Arabia donates 100 tonnes of dates to Nigeria

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By Mark Longyen

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated 100 tonnes of dates to the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of its annual humanitarian relief efforts.

 

A statement from the Saudi Embassy on Monday indicated that the donation to Nigeria is a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

 

It said that Amb. Faisal Al-Ghamdi, the ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Nigeria, donated the dates during an official ceremony.

 

The kingdom conveyed its commitment to humanitarian causes.

 

The embassy said the initiative was facilitated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in support of vulnerable Nigerian families and in an effort to strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.

 

The statement said that the envoy “expressed his profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Saud for their unwavering support in providing aid to Muslims and underserved communities worldwide.”

 

It quoted Al-Ghamdi as emphasising that Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering Islamic solidarity and providing relief to those in need.

 

“Ambassador Al-Ghamdi explained that this year’s distribution included 50 tonnes of dates for Abuja and another 50 tons for Kano, continuing Saudi Arabia’s tradition of assisting Nigeria through humanitarian donations,” the statement indicated.

 

According to the embassy, the donation represented the Kingdom’s broader mission to uplift Muslim communities, alleviate suffering, and promote unity, particularly during significant religious periods such as Ramadan.

It assured the Federal Government that it would, in collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian organisations, ensure the proper distribution of the dates so that the items get to the most vulnerable families across Nigeria.

 

Al-Ghamdi reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria across multiple sectors, but with especial attention to humanitarian and Islamic affairs.

 

“The Kingdom’s continued efforts in supporting food security and welfare initiatives exemplify its role as a global leader in charitable and humanitarian endeavours.

 

“Through its Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia seeks to expand its contributions to international humanitarian causes, highlighting its dedication to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity worldwide,” the statement said.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Saudi Arabia has been a longstanding partner in providing humanitarian aid to nations across the globe, including Nigeria.

 

NAN further reports that the donation to Nigeria further reinforces the commitments and underscores the depth of the decades-long partnership between the two countries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yash

Foreign

Singapore opposition leader, found guilty of lying to parliament

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Parliament
Singapore’s opposition leader Pritam Singh has been found guilty of two counts of lying to the parliament, a judge announced on Monday.

Singh, secretary-general of the Workers’ Party (WP) and leader of the opposition in the parliament, was convicted in connection with an investigation into former WP lawmaker Raeesah Khan.

Khan resigned in 2021 after admitting to making false statements in the parliament.

In August 2021, Khan falsely claimed that she had accompanied a sexual assault victim to a police station, where the victim was treated inappropriately.

She repeated the claim before finally admitting in November 2021 that it was untrue, according to local media reports.

The matter was referred to the parliament’s Committee of Privileges, which launched an inquiry.

During the inquiry, Singh was accused of making false statements about his role in handling the case.

The court found him guilty of lying about whether, when, and how he had advised Khan to come clean.

Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan ruled that Singh’s testimony was inconsistent with the facts or simply not credible.

Singh’s trial lasted 13 days from October to November 2024.

The prosecution is seeking the maximum fine of 7,000 Singapore dollars (5,250 U.S. dollars) per charge.

Singh’s lawyer objected to the proposed penalty, arguing that Singh was not involved in the original falsehood. (Xinhua/NAN)

Edited by Ummul Idris/Sadiya Hamza

Foreign

Nigeria, Sierra Leone’s first ladies elected to key positions in OAFLAD

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By Celine-Damilola Oyewole

Nigeria’s first lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has been elected as a member of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) Steering Committee.

Mrs Tinubu was elected on Saturday at the 29th Ordinary General Assembly of the organisation in Addis Ababa.

The first lady of Serria Leone, Mrs Fatima Bio was elected as the President of OAFLAD, while the first lady of Angola, Mrs Ana Lorenzo was elected Vice President.

Mrs Tinubu joins the eight-member steering committee as one of the two members representing West Africa.

Other member nations elected to the committee include Sierra Leone whose first lady is the new President of the organisation; Angola, whose first lady is the Vice President; Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea and Congo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was conducted on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) holding from Feb. 13 to 16.

NAN also reports that OAFLAD members comprise the spouses of African heads of state and government from 24 countries across the continent.

Mrs Tinubu congratulated Bio and promised to keep pushing forward to ensure that women and girls in Africa have access to standard education.

Ms Nardos Berhanu, the Secretary-General and the outgoing President of OAFLAD, the first lady of Namibia, Mrs Monica Geingos, also congratulated Mrs Tinubu and other elected members. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Foreign

ECOWAS Court rejects NGOs’ rights violation claims over Lagdo Dam

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By Mark Longyen

The ECOWAS Court has dismissed claims brought against Nigeria by two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) over the destruction of property, health and environment by the 2012 and 2022 Lagdo Dam floodings.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicants, Incorporated Trustees of Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation, Nigeria, and Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation, Switzerland, filed the suit.

They had in suit: ECW/CCJ/APP25/23, alleged that Nigeria’s failure to construct a dam in Adamawa to mitigate the effects of Lagdo Dam’s overflow from Cameroon violated the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

The applicants had argued that the delayed construction of the dam resulted in flooding, widespread damage, loss of life, displacement, and disruption of economic and educational activities across 14 Nigerian states.

The NGOs further contended that the dam project would have alleviated the flooding by enabling proper management of water, which could have been used for irrigation and electricity generation.

Delivering judgment on Friday, the court, in the judgment read by Justice Sengu Koroma (presiding/judge rapporteur), dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety.

According to the community court, the second applicant, a Swiss-registered NGO, lacked the legal capacity to bring a case before the court.

It said the first applicant, a Nigerian-registered NGO, claimed to represent public interest but failed to meet the required criteria for public interest litigation.

“The Court recalls that the requirement is that the class of victims in a public interest litigation, even when indeterminable, should be capable of being envisaged by the court,”  Koroma said.

The court further held that, “while the applicants referenced a broad class of victims (the Nigerian people), the court is unable to identify or envision the specific victims whose rights were allegedly violated.”

The court also noted that, while it has jurisdiction to hear human rights violation suits, the applicants’ lack of capacity to pursue it in the public interest was fatal to the suit.

NAN reports that Nigeria had denied the claims, asserting that the dam’s feasibility study which it earlier conducted in 1982 was part of a broader initiative to develop the Benue Basin’s water resources.

The Federal Government’s counsel had argued that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Cameroon was centered on enhancing cooperation in managing shared water resources.

The government also contended that it took measures to mitigate flooding, including building additional dams, and securing a 2024 Senate resolution to facilitate the dredging of Rivers Benue and Niger.

Nigeria also prayed the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the applicants failed to demonstrate the specific victims affected by the flooding or to show any direct violations of rights.

The three-man panel comprised Justice Sengu Koroma (presiding/judge rapporteur), Justice Dupe Atoki (member), and Justice Edward Asante (member)(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Foreign

Healthcare: First Lady advocate sustainable funding in Africa

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By Celine-Damilola Oyewole

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for sustainable financial allocations and support to promote healthcare services in Africa.

 

 

 

 

The first lady said this on Friday in Addis Ababa during her presentation at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

 

 

 

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first lady spoke on the topic  “Engagement of First Ladies to support sustainable Financing for Health in Africa”.

 

 

 

 

The AU session is holding between Feb. 12 and Feb. 16.

 

 

 

 

The first lady said healthcare support was essential to the well-being of the people and the future of the continent.

 

 

 

 

“Our aspirations for progress, economic growth, and social stability remain unattainable without a robust healthcare system.

 

 

 

 

“In spite of our collective efforts to ensure access to essential healthcare services, millions of Africans still lack quality healthcare, and preventable diseases continue to claim lives.”

 

 

 

 

Tinubu said that before Africa can achieve sustainable health financing, there was an urgent need for quality health services without imposing financial hardships on individuals or households.

 

 

 

 

This, according to her, means that sustainable financing goes beyond merely increasing funds for health but to ensure that resources are mobilised, allocated, and utilised efficiently for both short, medium, and long-term impact.

 

 

 

 

“In 2001, Heads of State met in Abuja to declare an intention to increase budgetary allocation to Health services to 15 per cent annually, more than 20 years after this declaration, many countries still struggle to fulfil this commitment.”

 

 

 

 

She urged Africa to stop relying solely on donor funding and foreign aids, due to its unpredictable and unsustainable nature.

 

 

 

 

“Instead, we must develop innovative financing strategies tailored to our unique challenges and circumstances.

 

 

 

 

“Given the increasing funding gap for health on the continent, I urge us all to commit to advocating for increased national health budgets in line with the Abuja Declaration. Our governments should allocate at least 15 per cent of their budgetary allocations to health.

 

 

 

 

“We must also support innovative financing mechanisms and explore sustainable models, such as expanding health insurance coverage, health endowment funds, and investments from the African diaspora.

 

 

 

 

“Accountability and transparency must be ensured, as funds allocated to health must be used efficiently and effectively.

 

 

 

 

“We must continue to work closely with all levels of government, the private sector, civil society and development partners to increase financing for health and strengthen our health systems,” Tinubu said.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Foreign

NiDO-Worldwide wants adequate investment in security to tackle kidnapping

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By Fortune Abang

The Nigerian in Diaspora Organisation NiDO (Worldwide), has underscored the need for adequate investment in security to end spate of kidnapping in the country.

The Coordinating Chairman of NiDO Worldwide, Dr Victor Ubani, made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

He said that the call became necessary because of the need for Nigerians living abroad to invest in the country’s economy and also attract foreign investors.

Ubani said, “NiDO-Worldwide members during the past Christmas had instances of attacks resulting to kidnap.

“Those kidnapped are not just diasporans; they are people who are contributing immensely toward good governance in the country.

“One of them, who is a professor was kidnapped in Rivers, another person was a NiDO leader living in Australia who had come home with his children, and the children were attacked and beaten.”

The NiDO-Worldwide coordinating chairman, also decried high cost of air fares, saying this posed a challenge for compatriots abroad who want to come home to invest.

“You can imagine somebody not just paying air-ticket worth four or five thousand Australian dollars for one person from Australia, but the whole family and was attacked, in the bid to contribute to nation building.

“So, our appeal to government is that it should prioritise investment in security, to encourage Nigerians abroad to come and invest, to foster economic growth of the country.

“It has become important for government to create enabling environment for business to thrive and encourage compatriots contribute their quota to nation building.

“We have to come and play our part through effective collaboration with government, therefore the call for an enabling environment to fully realise such goals,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Bayo Sekoni

Foreign

Nigeria’s Bankole Adeoye re-elected AU Commissioner for PAPS

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Election

By Ekemini Ladejobi

Amb. Bankole Adeoye has been re-elected as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the African Union Commission.

He defeated Central African Republic’s Jean Jacques Demafouth.

Adeoye was re-elected for another four-year term at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive council in Addis Ababa on Tuesday. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Mufutau Ojo

Foreign

ECOWAS President urges Turkey to boost bloc’s anti-terrorism efforts

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By Mark Longyen

Dr Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commision President, has called on Turkey to step up its support to the subregional body’s efforts toward curbing the scourge of terrorism in West Africa.

Touray made the plea when the outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hidayet Bayraktar, paid him a farewell visit at the commission’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, Turkey is ECOWAS’ privileged partner, Africa’s major partner, and a global power, hence should continue stepping up its efforts to support peace, unity and security in West Africa.

“Turkey is a major partner of Africa and a privileged partner of ECOWAS.

“Its leadership is hailed and appreciated throughout the African continent,” he said.

Touray recalled the multifaceted approaches, which ECOWAS and the UN had embarked on, aimed at combating insecurity and terrorism in the sub region, stressing that West Africa’s greatest challenge was insecurity.

The commission’s president lauded the Turkish ambassador’s commitment and support to ECOWAS throughout his tour of duty, as well as his country’s role in the development of West Africa.

He, however, noted that there was the need to engage in deliberate, collaborative efforts toward promoting peace and security, which he described as indispensable to the development of the subregion.

“ECOWAS’s major challenge is insecurity, and none of its member states can face it alone.

“If we are not united, we cannot combat this threat.

“Unity and collective collaboration are essential to preserve peace and stability in West Africa”, Touray added.

Speaking earlier, Amb. Bayraktar reiterated Turkey’s commitment to deepen its support for ECOWAS’ efforts in tackling the challenges of violent extremism and terrorism, as well as promote peace, security and stability.

The Turkish envoy also lauded the prevailing excellent cooperation between his country and ECOWAS, and appreciated Touray’s contributions and efforts which, he said, helped to deepen the cooperation.

Bayraktar noted that there was the need for further collaborative efforts to explore other avenues of effectively combating the scourges of insecurity and terrorism within the ECOWAS subregion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit marked the end of Bayraktar’s tour of duty as Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria with concurrent accreditation to ECOWAS. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Halima Sheji

Culture & Tourism , Foreign

Tourism: Morocco to invest in conservation of Yobe’s 8,000-year-old canoe

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By Nabilu Balarabe

The Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE), says it will invest in the conservation of an 8,000-year-old canoe “Dufuna”, in Yobe as part of efforts to develop tourism in the state.

Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, stated this in a statement on Monday in Damaturu.

Dufuna is the world’s second-oldest known boat. It is a dugout canoe discovered in 1987 by a Fulani cattle herdsman a few kilometers from the village of Dufuna in Fune area, not far from the Komadugu Gana River, in Yobe.

In 1994, archaeologists Peter Breunig and Garba Abubakar, from Frankfurt University, Germany, and University of Maiduguri, respectively, excavated the site.

The canoe was dug out over two weeks by 50 labourers and was found to be 8.4 meters in length, 50cm wide and 5 cm thick. It was found in a waterlogged state resting on a sandy bed with layers of clay between it and the surface protecting it.

The canoe had been radiocarbon-dated at least twice, and was dated to 6556-6388 BCE and to 6164-6005 BCE, making it the oldest known boat in Africa, the second-oldest worldwide.

Mohammed said Mr Yassine El Ahyani, Head of Emerging Industries, Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency, made the pledge on Monday in Rabat, when he received the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Wali, in Rabat.

“The agency is aware of the rich and historic canoe in Yobe, and the enormous tourism potentials it has for the state and country.

“The canoe would turn around the fortunes of the state with massive economic turn over. The Dufuna Canoe is one of the very few artefacts on the face of the earth that is very suitable for academic and historical research.

“It has the capacity to generate employment, create wealth and infrastructural development for the state,” Yassine said.

In his remarks, Wali, who led the state government delegation to Morocco, assured that government would provide enabling environment for investment in Dufuna and other age-long cultural festivals in the state for international prominence.

“This is in line with the policy of the Buni administration to provide employment opportunities to our youth in hospitality, transportation and tour guide, among others.

“Government is most willing to partner all Moroccan investors to explore this and other untapped potentials in the state,” he said.

The Dufuna Canoe in Yobe.

The Dufuna canoe which is recognised as the oldest watercraft in Africa symbolises the rich history and heritage of the region.

The canoe was found in the village of Dufuna, which is located between Potiskum and Gashua, in Yobe State.

The Yobe government’s initiative to transform the canoe into a prominent tourist attraction underscores its commitment to promoting tourism and preserving cultural artefacts for future generations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh

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