By Taiye Olayemi

The Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) has embarked on a four-day workshop on developing Civil-Military coordination strategies to aid humanitarian action across West Africa.

Dr Sintiki Ugbe, Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, during the workshop in Lagos said this was necessary considering the varied humanitarian challenges confronting the region.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that delegates cutting across the 15 member states of ECOWAS were represented at the workshop which began on Monday, April 3.

The workshop will end on April 6, 2023.

Ugbe noted that humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable citizens was a critical mandate that ECOWAS had to pursue with all vigour.

“Today, ECOWAS is hosting a regional workshop on Civil-Military coordination,.

“Our region is faced with conflicts, terrorism, impact of climate change, food insecurity and many other challenges as this has led to a surge in humanitarian assistance.

“But, in providing humanitarian assistance, civilians cannot do it alone, they need military assistance to work together in a coordinated fashion to deliver assistance to vulnerable population.

“So, what we are trying to do as ECOWAS is to see how we can strengthen Civil-Military coordination, as it has become important in our region because it is difficult for humanitarian actors to reach those who are in need.

“The only way to enhance humanitarian access is to strengthen the synergy of Civil-Military coordination to promote compliance with humanitarian principles with comparative advantage in the use of our resources as civilians and military,” she said.

According to Ugbe, ECOWAS had enjoyed the support and cooperation of ECOWAS countries’ Heads of States over the years.

She said: “Through their approval and mandate, we have the ECOWAS community levy that we use for implementing our programmes but that is not enough.

““We also mobilise resources from our partners, just like this workshop is done with partnership between ECOWAS commission and some other organisations, with funding from the European Union and we have our United Nations partners who are providing technical support.”

Earlier, Mr Usman Obeche, Programme Officer for the workshop said the rationale behind the workshop was to organise ECOWAS working groups.

According to him, the workshop is also meant to establish linkages between the working groups and other relevant forum such as the regional committee for disaster management in West Africa, the ECOWAS standardised emergency management system and the national disaster risk reduction platform.

He said at the end of the day, some of the outcomes would be to have established standards and guidelines for the use of national military assets in emergencies and  ECOWAS and member states would have been developed.

“Challenges in military coordination would be identified as well as emerging policy issues and gaps in the field of response,” Obeche said.

In his goodwill address, Mr Trond Jensen, Head of Office, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), assured participants that the workshop would be strategic.

Jensen emphasised  the need for meaningful collaboration and constructive dialogue between the military and civilians.

He said this was essential in solving common problems and building a brighter

future for the many people

“This workshop will be strategic and deliberations will design an appropriate civil-military coordination strategy for the ECOWAS region that meets the requirements of international best practices,” he said.  (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Vivian Ihechu

R-L: Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, Amb. Bello Kazaure, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero standing side by side in Abuja on Thursday during the launch of the book, “Humility in Diplomacy”, authored by Kazaure.

By Lizzy Okoji

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says humility can achieve better results in diplomacy when applied to the implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy. 

Onyeama stated that this postulation goes contrary to the ideology presented by some scholars who prefer Nigeria to “throw its weight around”.

The minister expressed this thought on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of the book, ‘Humility in Diplomacy’ authored by the Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bello Kazaure.

According to him, humility does not connote weakness but rather shows the strength of the country.

He lauded Kazaure for the book title which he described as a departure from the everyday perception of so many. 

“I really like the tittle which is humility in diplomacy and I think this is very important for a country like Nigeria. 

“Very often, over the past seven years, we hear scholars and others in international relations and foreign affairs writing about what the ministry should and should not be doing, as well as what the diplomats should and should not be doing. 

“They expect us as a big country to be banging the tables hard and throwing our weigh around.

“Humility in diplomacy is very apt, especially in the context of a lot of what is happening globally. Yes, you might be big, but ultimately, humility is very important. 

“And humility does not denote weakness, rather strength, and especially in the context of diplomacy where you are trying to achieve your own national interest. 

“You very often find that humility can actually help you to be more successful and achieve those interests rather than throwing your weight around, being a bully and being extravagantly proud. 

“So, I think it is a very apt tittle and it also represents the individual. 

“It is an excellent read and also an important tool for generations to come and history.

“And it is testament to a very important period in the life of not just the author and the country but also where the world is at this particular period of time and to development during this period,” Onyeama said.

Also speaking, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari said it was a kown fact that diplomacy had helped to create an international order conducive for non-violent approach to the resolution of disputes.

Gambari, who was represented by Amb. Janet Olisa, Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, added that diplomacy has also fostered greater cooperation among state and non-state actors for sustainable peace and security.

“There is gainsaying that public diplomacy encourages people-to-people contact across borders or boundaries which the author is vastly conversant with,” Gambari said.

Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado–Bayero, described the book as a hallmark in the history of foreign affairs.

“I have read two books and I find it very rich in content and detailed in presentation which I believe will provide some good lessons to foreign officers. 

“It will also be a reference book to students and researchers of international studies,” Ado Bayero said. 

Kazaure expressed appreciation to all the dignitaries for their commendation, said that he was inspired by his experiences and the need to contribute to the development and improvement of the Nigerian Foreign Service..

“When I joined foreign service, I noticed it is a profession that connects the world and I am opportune to move around. I travelled all over the world.

“In the course of my work, I noticed that humility is key to succeeding if you want to become a diplomat and so I came up with the idea of putting my experiences both at home and abroad in a book.

“This is to enable me pass the message to the younger ones and those interested in becoming diplomats,” Kazaure said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that also in attendance were the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami; Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Musa Bello; amongst others. (NAN)  (www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

By Adebola Adegoke 

 A leading Zimbabwean property company, WestProp Holdings, has announced its official listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange.

Dr Michael Louis, Chairman of the Board, announced at a news conference held in Zimbabwe  that the company would formally be listed on April 29.

He said  the company had received approval to list two categories of share capital namely its ordinary shares and preference shares.

“It is my privilege to formally announce that on the 7th of March, the Registrar of Companies approved West Property Company Pvt Ltd., to become a public company and West Prop Holdings Ltd. was birthed and issued with its certificate of name change,” he said.

Louis said the shares would accordingly be opening an offer for public subscription for the securities from March 27 to April 21, 2023.

He said the decision was in line with the National Development Strategy of ZImbabwe to achieve an empowered upper-middle income society by 2030 to chart a new transformative and inclusive development agenda.

“The board thought of creative ideas to have a participatory inclusive economic model that really can help the poor and give everybody a secure future.

“We are further elated to announce that we have decided to list on the victoria fall stock exchange because of the numerous benefits it holds for shareholders, including but not limited to shares trading in US Dollars, no capital gains and minimum transaction costs.

“If you buy preference shares the company underwrites a minimum return of 7.5 per cent per annum on investments,” he said.

Louis added that WestProp’s IPO is to raise 30 million dollars in capital to accelerate the development of the company’s existing projects such as Pokugara Residential Estate, Millennium Heights, Pomona City, The Mall of Zimbabwe, Millennium Heights Office Park and the Hills Golf Estate.

This, he said, was in line with the company’s 2050 vision of one billion bricks resulting in thousands of jobs and a total value of five billion dollars.

“As we have now gone public, the board is convinced the time is now for individuals to be part of a bigger family to start investing in their long-term future and especially encourage the youth to start participating.

“To this end, the board will be investing in educational literacy programmes to transform and educate the public and especially the youth regarding their responsibility of securing a generational future,” he said.

Louis, the new chairman of the board acknowledged the achievements of Kenneth Sharpe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and his team that have led the company to receive several international and national awards.

The awards included Company of the Year 2023 ( Zim land Developments and construction Awards); Property Development Company of the Year 2021. ( Property Magazine); Company of the Year National Awards 2021 (Zimbabwe Business Awards).

Others were Best Real Estate Innovative company of the year 2021 (Zim Infrastructure Investment summit);

Outstanding Property Development company 2022. (Zim CEO Network).

In his remarks, Sharpe announced that the company was offering one million ordinary shares at 10 dollars each and 5.4 million preferential redeemable convertible shares at 5 dollars each.

According to him, the preferential shares allow investors five years to decide to become ordinary shareholders during which time they will benefit from a minimum guaranteed return of 7.5 per cent per year as well as dividends from the company’s profits.

“This is likely to result in over 10 per cent per year being paid out which is an amount that no other listed company or bank in Zimbabwe is currently offering investors.

“We have a goal of taking our company from the current annual sales of 40 million dollars to over 100 million dollars within seven years and to create a balance sheet that will exceed one billion dollars in value which is more than five times the one today.

“All the shareholders will benefit from this growth. We know It is achievable and within our grasp,” he said

He said  the company’s corporate strategy statement was to pioneer world-class, vertically-integrated, premium lifestyle communities in Zimbabwe by 2025.

“It is not a coincidence that we have targeted one billion bricks if you look at our projected construction for the projects we have designed, it will take one billion bricks and five billion dollars to complete them.

“Every day we are putting bricks into the ground working towards the vision where we know that within the next 27 years, we will have laid one billion bricks.

“As of today, we have laid 5,298,975 bricks and we have 55, 626,972 committed bricks from our existing sales,” he said.

“This ensures we have smart cities encompass the live, work, shop and play model which means we provide social amenities like shopping malls, sporting facilities, creches, churches and many other recreational facilities in a safe 24 hour secure gated community,” he said.

He also assured the public that the benefits of investing in the company were multi-dimensional.

According to him, the company guarantees a secure investment where someone who’s investing 50 dollars will know that their money will still be there in one month, in one year and five years.

“It’s an alternative to the banks. There’s no cost we deduct for holding that value on behalf of the investor, and they are guaranteed that their investment is safe with us.

“Once they have invested with us, the investment doesn’t just stay at the 50 dollars that they invested. We give a solid return. The reason why we’re able to give them an expected return of over 10 per cent a year in USD is that we are highly profitable.

“We are saying that together with the public, we can join hands and build Zimbabwe because the opportunity to invest with us will allow us and the public to come together, hold hands and build our country brick by brick.

“We are doing this today through IPO and the listing, benefiting yourself in becoming a shareholder with us, you are joining hands in owning the assets that we own,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Temitope Ponle

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said the onus lies on Africans, at home and in the diaspora, to rewrite the narrative for a progressive Africa.

Dabiri-Erewa said this at a joint world news conference ahead of the Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The news conference was held virtually for participants from other countries, and physically for participants in Abuja.

The chairman said the narrative for a progressive Africa was because the African Diaspora had proven their talents, vibrancy and competence in all fields, internationally.

She said there was the need for Africans to continue such positive actions to dismiss the negative perception of its citizens abroad.

“It is good to know that efforts are being made by Africa to effectively harness the human and economic potentials of its diaspora, for continental, national and even grassroots development.

“This is demonstrated in the areas of diaspora remittances, skills and knowledge transfer plus socio-economic investments.”

She also said the GADS would take place on April 27 to 28 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

She said the symposium was the second after the one held in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2020.

More so, she said, it was inspired by the Declaration of the 2012 Global Diaspora Summit, which recognised the need for Africa to form impactful engagement with its Diaspora.

She said it was also inspired by the African Union’s (AU) first African Global Diaspora Summit in 2021, in which member states promised to partner with one another politically, socially, economically, and in other aspects.

“This is in consonance with the fifth aspiration of the AU Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want”, which is Africa with a stronger cultural identity and Pan-African movement.

“Also, the Symposium gives Africa, the chance to engage with its Diaspora, and build upon the first African Diaspora Symposium (ADS-2020), held in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2020, as well as, the maiden outing of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Diaspora Forum in Luanda, Angola, on December 7, 2022, for its 10th Summit Edition.”

More so, she said, the symposium had as its theme, “Building Stronger Connections between Africa and the Global Diaspora”, and was designed to address and proffer workable solutions to Africa’s most pressing issues.

She also added it would offer strategies and necessary partnerships between important diaspora leaders in business and the professions with leaders, on the African continent, to achieve successful results.

Dabiri-Erewa, however, said few objectives of the symposium were to create an interface for networking among Africans and Diaspora globally, and promote the implementation and institutionalisation of Pan-Africanism at the United Nations.

She said the implantation and institutionalisation would be through the celebration of the “International Decade for People of African Descent”.

She further spoke on other objectives of the symposium, saying “Build bridges between Africa and the Diaspora by deepening relations between the AU, OACPS, among others in realising the Diaspora as the sixth region of the AU.

“Explore and engage the contributions of Diaspora skills, particularly in scientific knowledge and technology transfer.

“Mobilise Diaspora savings and Diaspora philanthropic contributions and harness migration, remittances and Diaspora contributions for suitable development.

“Enhance participation of the Diaspora in Africa’s development process to support the development of the roadmap for the Diaspora as the sixth region of Africa towards the attainment of AU’s Agenda 2063.

“Advocate policy and practice changes conducive for more effective integration of Diaspora-led actions in the national development plans of their countries of origin through organisations such as the OACPS.”

Moreover, she said, GADS was the brain-child of the African Diaspora Alliance, (AfDA), OACPS, NiDCOM, the Directorate for Technical Cooperation for Africa (DTCA) and the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dabiri-Erewa said the two-day event would be a hybrid one, geared to bring over 3,000 individuals of African descent, worldwide, to have constructive dialogue for better socio-economic opportunities and favourable policies for Africa.

“The symposium will focus on key areas in: science and technology, agriculture, manufacturing and industry, energy, infrastructure development, tourism and culture, green energy and technology, health, information communication technology, education, finance, and economic development, among others.”

Also speaking, the Director-General, DTCA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Rabiu Dagari, said the symposium was similar to the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) that was held in Nigeria in 1977.

Dagari, however, said there was more structure in place, like NiDCOM and the DTCA, to promote the Diaspora community in a positive perception.

“When Nigeria hosted FESTAC ’77, it was sponsored by the Nigerian Government. Nigerians built the town for Africans in Diaspora and for foreigners also. It was a huge success.

“There was a lot of cultural displays and exchanges, and it was the turn of Senegal to host next and when the country saw the success of Nigeria, that it built a town, the money invested, the cultural festival died.”

The director-general also reiterated that the symposium would be intellectual, full of cultural exchanges and contribute to Africans wanting to do more to promote development in their different countries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Lizzy Okoji

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on Tuesday evacuated 151 stranded Nigerians from Benghazi, Libya as the government resumed its voluntary evacuation in Libya.

Amb. Kabiru Musa, Charge D’affiares en titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Musa, the evacuees who included 71 females, 54 males, 14 children and 13 infants are expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos at 8 p.m.

Musa said that in 2022, the IOM, Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Nigerian Mission in Libya, successfully repatriated almost 4,000 Nigerians who were irregular migrants in the country.

He said that the March 28 voluntary evacuation was the first in the year with several other exercises to follow in the coming days and weeks.

​“Under the IOM’s voluntary repatriation exercise, we successfully evacuated 151 stranded Nigerians from the city of Benghazi to Lagos, Nigeria at 16:00 hours local time aboard chartered flight no. UZ189.

“The flight is expected to arrive the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at 20:00 hours Nigerian time the same day.

“There are several Nigerians living illegally in this country who have been subjected to very inhumane treatment, and the Federal Government, through the Mission here, has continued to intervene with local authorities to stop this.

“The voluntary repatriation offers an opportunity for those who want to return to Nigeria to do so safely and reunite with their families.

“There are always officials of relevant government agencies on ground to receive them and ensure their resettlement and reintegration back to society,” Musa said.

Musa said that more Nigerians would be evacuated from Tripoli on Wednesday, with another exercise to be carried out on April 3 from Misrata, Libya. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Masudur Rahman has expressed the desire of his country to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of agriculture, textile and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Rahman said this on Sunday evening in Abuja at a reception to mark the 52nd Independence and National Day celebration of Bangladesh.

He said considering the peculiarity between both countries in terms of demography and diplomatic pursuits, Nigeria and Bangladesh needed to further strengthen cooperation from all fronts.

“Today Bangladesh and Nigeria, having tremendous synergies in demography, colonial legacy, democratic and secular traditions and diplomatic pursuits under the ambit of the UN and it’s specialised bodies, the OIC, the D-8 and the Commonwealth are poised to deepen further our existing bilateral cooperation.

“Both countries are eyeing to expand cooperation in agriculture, education, communications and digital economy, export-led sectors like garments/textiles, SMEs including defense training and exchanges,” he said.

Rahman also stressed the need to explore other areas of untapped potential and mutual interest.

“I am hopeful that Bangladesh and Nigeria will strive further to tap the unexplored huge potential existing in the two countries and people, to elevate the bilateral cooperation to the next level of incentivized trading and business,” he added.

The envoy paid homage to the visionary leadership of the ‘father of the nation’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his struggle for independence and bequeathing an independent and prosperous nation to its people.

He noted that the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina had gradually moved the country into a digital middle-income developing country from where it was at independence.

He said the country was on the road to achieving all SDGs and transforming the country into a higher middle-income country before 2030.

The high commissioner therefore called on the international community to continue to partner with Bangladesh in its quest for rapid development.

NAN reports that the occasion was graced by diplomats, captains of industries, the academia, defence attaches among other dignitaries.

The Independence Day of Bangladesh is celebrated on March 26 as a national day.

It commemorates the country’s declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

By Abigael Joshua

The UK-based executive education and management consulting firm, TEXEM, has stated that the scars of COVID-19, geo-political instability and monetary tightening remain major global threats raising the dangerous level of volatility in the present times.

In a statement on its website (www.texem.co.uk), the Director, Special Projects at TEXEM UK, Caroline Lucas, says these challenges have been unprecedented in recent years.

Lucas said that the recent failure of Niger Insurance in Nigeria, the collapse of critical Silicon Valley Bank and the historically impactful Credit Suisse, which was founded in 1858, confirms no organisation is immune from these existential risks.

She articulated that the increasingly unstable global financial ecosystem is heightened at this time when debt levels are very high, and the global economy is expected to slow down.

The director said that as a result, all organisations require strategic leadership to thrive.

Lucas said that to address these issues, TEXEM invites leaders to a virtual and engaging programme tagged “Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods” in April.

She said the TEXEM programme comprises live, virtual and engaging sessions from April 15 to May 6.

“These volatile periods have significantly impacted organisations across various industries, resulting in an exodus of talent, depressed demand, high inflation, policy inconsistency, and low individual and organisational performance.

“In the face of these challenges, organisations require leaders with strategic leadership skills that can adapt and innovate to achieve enduring impact.

“It is for this reason that the TEXEM Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods programme is crucial for executives and organisations,” Lucas said.

According to the director of TEXEM, it is a flexible yet impactful leadership development programme designed to equip busy executives with the actionable insights, tools and behavioural change required to navigate volatile periods successfully.

She said the programme would bring together a team of world-class faculty and industry experts who would share their insights and practical experiences on leading strategically for sustainable competitive advantage during volatile periods.

Lucas said executives attending the TEXEM programme would benefit from a comprehensive learning experience.

The director said the experience covers vital topics such as Leading during high-stakes strategic change and Stimulating value innovation: Strategies for identifying, creating and sustaining new customers.

“The programme aims to help executives develop a strategic mindset, enabling them to identify new opportunities, anticipate potential threats and devise practical solutions to complex problems.

“Additionally, executives will learn how to create high-performing teams, enhance organisational agility, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

“Arguably, one of the significant challenges organisations are facing today is the exodus of talent,” she said.

Lucas said that in the current economic climate, employees have become more mobile, and organisations need to take proactive steps to attract and retain top talent.

She said that executives would learn how to create a culture that attracts and retains talent during the coming programme.

“They will also learn how to develop the skills and capabilities required to manage a diverse workforce effectively.

“This will ensure that their organisations have the right people with the right skills and competence to succeed,” Lucas said.

She said another challenge facing organisations today is depressed demand and high inflation.

“These challenges have had a significant impact on organisations across various industries.

“So, one of the essential things executives will learn during the April programme is how they could translate their strategic ambition into actions.

“This could entail developing new business models, identifying new market opportunities and adapting their business strategies to win.

“Additionally, executives will learn how to manage costs effectively, optimising their resources to achieve sustainable growth,” Lucas said.

She said that policy inconsistency is another challenge that organisations are facing today.

“Regulations and policies are frequently changing, making it difficult for organisations to plan and execute their strategies effectively.

“The forthcoming programme ‘Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods’ seeks to solve this issue by equipping executives with the skills and knowledge required to monitor and navigate through policy changes and ensuring that their organisations remain compliant.

“Low individual and organisational performance are also challenges that organisations are facing, with many struggling to meet their performance targets,” Lucas said.

The director says the forthcoming programme addresses this issue by helping executives develop a high-performance culture, creating an environment that fosters continuous learning, innovation and improvement.

“By developing a culture of high performance, organisations can enhance their productivity, increase employee engagement, and unlock scarce value.

“Executives attending the programme will benefit from a range of practical tools and frameworks they can apply immediately in their organisations.

“They will also have the opportunity to network and collaborate with other executives, sharing their experiences and best practices and building lasting relationships,” she said.

Lucas said among the faculty to handle the programme is Prof. Roger Delves, an Oxford alumnus and world-renowned Professor of Practice.

“Strategic Leadership For Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods will show participants how to think strategically in a way that will really make an impact during times of volatile change.

Anyone in a position of responsibility or leadership would benefit from the content of this workshop because all such people have to be confident in the quality of their strategic decision-making.

“As indeed do the people who work in the teams and organisations that they lead,” Delves said.

Prof. Paul Griffith,

the World’s first Professor of Management to lead a team that launched a rocket to space is a faculty.

“The key characteristic of organisations that are successful in navigating uncertainty and crisis situations is the strength of their strategic leadership.

“For executives in a leadership position who are ambitious to take their organisation to the next level of performance and create an outstanding legacy.

“Then, participating in the ‘Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact in Volatile Periods’ programme will help you and your team take confident steps in steering your organisation to future success,” he said.

Ambassador Charles Crawford, winner of the equivalent of two Oscars, will also deliver lectures during the programme.

“This programme makes participants think about what they are doing, not least in balancing short-term and long-term considerations wisely.

“Participants learn to ‘Go Deeper’ – to think clearly about what a problem or challenge they face is really about – what exactly is at stake?

“If you don’t have a test of success and a test of failure for what you are doing, why are you doing it?,” Crawford said.

Prof. Rodria Laline,

the developer of the intellectual property used in the chip on every ATM card is another faculty.

“Strategic leadership is not just about making the right decisions; it’s about inspiring and engaging others to embrace change and achieve success in times of uncertainty and scarce resources,” Laline noted. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou reached Shanghai on Monday for a 12-day trip.

He becomes the first Taiwanese leader to visit China which refused to recognise the independence of the self-governing island.

Ma’s trip comes amid increased tensions between China and Taiwan.

On Sunday, Honduras broke off relations with Taiwan and established diplomatic ties with China.

The diplomatic setback came just days before Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s scheduled visit to Guatemala and Belize starting March 29.

Taiwan’s presidential spokesperson Olivia Lin on Monday urged Beijing to receive Ma as a former state leader in accordance with international diplomatic etiquette.

Before departing, 73-year-old Ma, of the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), said he wanted to honour his ancestors during his first trip to mainland China and organise student exchanges.

“I hope that exchange of youngsters will help improve the atmosphere of cross-strait relations and bring peace here faster and sooner,’’ Ma told reporters at the Taoyuan International Airport.

Michelle Lin, spokeswoman for the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), on Monday, criticised Ma’s trip, saying that the KMT was ignoring the fact that China was suppressing Taiwan.

Some other opposition parties had also urged Ma to cancel his trip.

Tensions are rising across the Taiwan Strait.

Since Tsai took office in 2016, nine former allies of Taiwan have switched sides and established ties with China, after being offered economic incentives from Beijing.

China cut off all communication with Taiwan’s leadership in June 2016, one month after Tsai took office.

Under Ma’s leadership from 2008 to 2016, China and Taiwan enjoyed relatively smooth relations since 1949, when the KMT fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war.

In late 2015, Ma met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Singapore in a landmark meeting.

Ma’s delegation, which included former government officials and university students, was due to visit several Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, and Chongqing.

However, there were no plans for him to visit Beijing.

Ma’s office in Taipei confirmed the delegation’s arrival at Shanghai Pudong Airport late on Monday, saying that he was greeted by senior officials of China’s Taiwan Work Office at the airport.

Taiwanese local TV reports showed that Ma was waving as he walked out of the aeroplane.

He did not stop in the airport to speak, but departed for Nanjing, where he would give a speech on Tuesday. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ijeoma Popoola