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

Kenya’s military chief, Gen. Francis Ogolla, and nine other military representatives died in a helicopter crash.

Kenyan President William Ruto made the announcement at a news conference on Thursday.

Ruto has ordered three days of national mourning.

The helicopter crashed in the afternoon in the west of the country in the Elgeyo Marakwet district, shortly after taking off from the village of Chesegon.

The high-ranking military delegation had been visiting Kenyan soldiers in the region.

The cause of the crash was initially unclear.

According to reports, only two of the 12 people on board survived.

Ogolla had only taken office as head of the armed forces less than a year ago. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Mark Longyen

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, has lauded the efforts of the Inter-regional Coordination Centre (ICC), for its maritime security achievements in the Gulf of Guinea.

Touray made this known at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institution (HOI) of the ICC, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ICC was created in September 2014 by ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC).

It was created to serve as the Coordination Centre on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea following the 2013 Yaoundé Summit of ECOWAS, ECCAS and GGC Heads of State and Government.

Touray said: “Since the Political Declaration of our Heads of State, substantial progress has been made in our maritime community.

”This included the adoption of National Maritime Strategies and the deployment of critical maritime infrastructure that has improved maritime situational awareness.

“With regards to our MoU, some progress has been achieved by the governing body on inter-institutional coordination.

”The Coordination Centre receives funding, and its annual Work Plan and Budget are approved, including the operations of Maritime Operational Centres.”

Touray said that in view of the importance of ICC for global maritime security and safety, it also attracted the interest of many development partners.

The commission’s President listed them to include the G77++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, the European Union, the German Federal Government and the Chinese Government for their different support and assistance.

“Their assistance has contributed to our success in establishing the ECOWAS Regional Maritime Security Centre (CRESMAO) in Abidjan, with three Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres (MMCC) in Cotonou (Zone E), in Accra (Zone F), and in Praia (Zone G).

“Similarly, the ECCAS Maritime Security Architecture established a Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa (CRESMAC) in Pointe Noire, as well as Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres in Douala (Zone D) and in Luanda (Zone A).

“The establishment of maritime information sharing networks between ECOWAS and ECCAS have improved information sharing and situational awareness,” he said.

Touray also said that the Gulf of Guinea has continued to witness a downward trend in piracy and armed robbery attacks.

He added, “According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), actual and attempted piracy and sea robbery incidents saw a downturn trend from 31 in 2015, 18 in 2021 to 15 in 2022.

“Incidences of piracy and armed robbery further declined to 6 attacks in the first quarter of 2024 in the Gulf of Guinea. This is thanks to our institutional actions and collective responses.”

Touray, however, stated that in spite of such laudable progress, the ICC had serious challenges, which included non-recruitment of key staff, irregular funding, and breakdown of essential services.

He said that there was still a need for regular review of the progress and challenges on the level of implementation of the Declaration, stressing that it was important to take concrete steps to address the challenges.

“The Code of Conduct on the Prevention and Suppression of Acts of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa was supposed to be turned into a legally binding Agreement three years after its adoption in Yaoundé in 2013.

“Thus far, we have not achieved this after the 10th Year Anniversary of the Yaoundé process. It is therefore important that we critically appraise our institutional responses on the Code of Conduct,” he said.

Touray urged the ICC governing body, which comprises the Presidents of the Commissions of ECOWAS and ECCAS, and the Executive Secretary of the GGC, to review a new EU project, ‘Safe Seas’ for the region and the Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information Sharing (YARIS) tool.

He also called on member states to streamline development corporations and partnerships to ensure that ICC provided the necessary oversight to guide the Coordination Centre.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea Commission, Jose Abeso, said the region was still facing the challenges of maritime insecurity, stressing that the objective was to eliminate all forms of criminality in the domain.

He said that the law on criminal activities in the maritime sector in the Gulf of Guinea should be harmonized to act as effective detriments against committing such crimes.

“Our maritime domain is the next destination for the sustainable economic development of our countries.

”Our governments cannot or should not leave the running of institutions meant to patrol this area, to ensure that security and safety of activities is not left to third parties,” Abeso said.

Participants at the event included the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Gilberto Verissimo.

Others were the representative of the UN Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) and that of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Maureen Okon

A total of 14 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers from Nigeria have been contracted by universities in Uganda, following their meritorious services in the institutions.

The affected volunteers had served in the universities for the two-year TAC programme.

The Director-General (DG), Nigeria Technical Aid Corp (NTAC), Dr Buba Yabub, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja.

He spoke during a debriefing ceremony for 39 returning TAC volunteers who served in Uganda and Guinea Bissau.

He said that most countries were not willing to let go of the Nigerian volunteers because of the positive impact of the services they rendered to their host communities.

“This is why NTAC always send out the best. When we do our selection we always pick out the first 11 just like in football, because we really want to impact the lives of our sister countries,” he said.

The DG recalled that a volunteer who served earlier introduced a new department in the university he served and pioneered it successfully.

“Yes, anytime we receive volunteers we always hear the countries do not want you to return because Nigerians are very special, they are hardworking, discipline people, who put in their best wherever they find themselves.

“So nobody will like you to come back because of your quality,” he added.

He said, “When I visited Uganda, I said if they want to sign a new contract with you, it is welcome.

“I know about 12 to 14 volunteers in Uganda have signed a contract with that country with different universities and they are currently working there,’’ he added.

Buba said it was not a bad idea for Nigerians to seek greener pastures through legal employment abroad, but added that it should be done in a dignified manner.

“The last two batches that came back as I promised when we came back from Uganda, the first set, we facilitated their visas and supported them.

“In Nigeria we have a lot of manpower, that’s why you hear everywhere that there’s unemployment.

“So, if anybody is talking about fleeing the country a.k.a. “JAPA’’, it is not a bad thing, but we should do it well, so that when you go out there you will have dignity.”

The DG said one of NTAC’s new initiative going forward, would be to export Nigeria’s abundant manpower talents to other countries.

“There are countries that make their revenue through selling of their manpower, and the manpower we have in Nigeria is in abundance.

“So one of our new initiative that we will table going forward, is to see how we will harness our manpower and send out our experts to go out with dignity, with their families, and earn money for themselves and the country,’’ he said.

Speaking earlier, the teams lead volunteers from Uganda and Guinea Bissau applauded Nigerian government for the opportunities given to them.

Abubakar Abdulkarim, the team lead for Uganda TAC volunteers, said as senior professionals with high skills, they had contributed to the university system in that country.

“We have contributed immersely not only to the country alone, but to the entire East-Africa. Some of us graduated Masters students and Phd students.

“We are back home and we will continue to contribute our quota to the service of Nigeria as we have also developed and increased our knowledge through impacting others,’’ he said.

Dr Simon Achegbani, a Paediatrician and team lead for the TAC volunteers in Guinea Bissau, said that they offered selfless medical services to the people of that country.

“We faced some challenges starting from the weather that was extremely hot, and we did not have suitable accommodation that was well ventilated.

“Delay of our payment to meet our basic needs was also a challenge, but all in all, we are here and we thank the federal government, you sir, and Nigeria for this opportunity,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the debriefing was to enable NTAC to learn from the experiences of the TAC volunteers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed