By Sarafina Christopher

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja has honored Dr Mairo Mandara, an Obstetrician/Gynecologist and Public Health Physician as the Matron of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mandara was given the award for her contributions to youth development and her dedication to mentoring young people in Nigeria.

NAN reports that the award was presented during the MWAFAN Lifetime Achievement Award Programme in Abuja.

According to Mr Brian Neubert, Cultural Affairs Officer of the embassy Mandara stands out as a great mentor to young women in Nigeria.

He said Mandara has also provided hope to thousands through dedicated charitable educational and empowerment programs for young girls and vulnerable women.

Neubert also urged experienced professionals mentors to guide and support young individuals as they navigate their educational and professional journeys.

“We believe in the power of mentorship and the significant role that mentors like Dr Mandara plays in inspiring and guiding young people to achieve their full potential cannot be overlooked.

“We are hence convinced that she will bring her experience, values and excellent qualities to bear in the new responsibilities,” he said.

Neubert also reiterated the embassy’s commitment to support initiatives that promote youth empowerment and leadership development in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Mrs Farida Yahya, President of MWFAAN commended Mandara for her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders in the country.

She also pledged to work closely with Dr Mandara to enhance mentorship programs and create more opportunities for aspiring leaders to network, learn, and grow.

“The appointment of Dr Mairo Mandara as the Matron of the Association symbolizes a significant step towards fostering a culture of mentorship and collaboration among the youth in Nigeria,” Yahya said.

In her acceptance speech, Mandara expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasised the importance of mentorship in shaping the future of Nigeria.

She highlighted the importance of equipping young Nigerians with the necessary support and guidance to tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Mandela Washington Fellowship is a prestigious program of the United States Department of State which empowers young African leaders through leadership training and networking opportunities.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

The number of known cases of sexual abuse of children and adolescents in Germany increased in 2023, according to a police report published on Monday.

However, as the police assume that there are a large number of unreported cases of this type of offence; this alone is not an alarming finding, the report states.

In 2023, the police were notified of 16,375 cases of children being sexually abused with an increase of 5.5 per cent compared to the previous year.

In the same period, 1,200 offences were also recorded in which young people were sexually abused.

The number of cases involving depictions of the sexual abuse of children increased by 7.4 per cent to around 45,000 cases, mainly due to numerous reports from abroad.

In the situation report, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) points out that the number of child abuse cases uncovered is closely linked to police monitoring activities and reporting behavior.

“In this respect, intensified police activities in the area of criminal offences in recent years was likely to have led to an increase in the number of unreported cases,” says the report.

The BKA also points out that the statistics do not include the numerous cases in which no potential crime scene in Germany can be identified following information, particularly from the United States.

The reason why such investigations sometimes come to nothing is the minimum retention of telecommunications traffic data especially IP addresses which has been suspended in Germany.

Images and videos of sexually abused children and young people are shared thousands of times on the internet.(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Haliam Sheji

By Maureen Okon

Dr Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General, Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), says Nigeria will continue to share its abundant human capital with Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific countries (ACP).

Yakub said this on Saturday in Abuja at a reception and debriefing exercise of 14 returning Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Volunteers from Uganda and the Gambian.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 13 TAC volunteers had on Friday returned from Uganda while one returned from Gambia after their two years voluntary service to their host countries.

The D-G lauded the TAC volunteers for their service to humanity, Africa and Nigeria by returning home without a stain and bagged accolades for a job well done, hence the reason for its continuation.

According to him, the volunteering programme will continue because it is a key component of the Nigerian foreign policy.

“It is only a few countries in the world that have the capacity and the political will to carry on with programmes of this nature, and these few countries are mostly the developed countries.

“These inlude the United Kingdom’s UKAID, America’s USAID, China’s CHINAID and in Nigeria, we have NTAC.

“I think we are the only country in Africa that sends TAC volunteers to ACP countries for the past 37 years, which shows that our country is a great nation.

“We also have all the manpower as I always say, we will continue in the African spirit to share what we have with our fellow ACP countries.

“We have our fellow blacks in these countries and we will continue to share with them the abundant human resources that God has given to us,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the NTAC programme was conceived as an instrument of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs soft power diplomacy to bridge the educational and professional gaps in the ACP countries.

The directorate is saddled with the responsibility of management and general administration of the foreign policy scheme which involves the conduct of recruitment.

Also orientation and deployment exercise for volunteers, sharing Nigeria’s know-how and its expertise with the ACP countries.

Some volunteers while speaking with NAN recalled their experiences and applauded the Federal Government for the opportunity and experienced gained.

They also solicited for Nigerian government to liaise with the host community to beef up security for the TAC volunteers by ensuring their safety in their host community.

Dr Chinwe Igiri, a Software Engineer, said due to their brilliance, the universities they served asked for their retainment but they had to follow due protocol and report back home first.

“Also, we have won a lot of grants and we have some projects ongoing. As a TAC volunteer, it was an avenue to express what is in me that needs to be tapped.

“The university I served gave me the opportunity which I made a lot of impact, I started a programme that was approved by the National Council of Higher Education,’’ she said.

Mr Terseer Ako, a Civil Engineer with specialisation in Transportation and Highway Engineering, said that the experience was wonderful and they used the opportunity to promote the country’s image.

“We had lots of commendations and experiences that I thought the school management didn’t observe but I was surprised when they organised a farewell party and the Vice Chancellor mentioned our achievements.

“Finally, when I read the appreciation letter they wrote to us individually, I wasn’t expecting the details of our stay from it, so all in all, it was a wonderful experience and we are grateful to Federal Government,” Ako said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Perpetua Onuegbu/Deji Abdulwahab

By Cecilia Ologunagba
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that deep global divisions and conflicts must end to clear a path to tackling the world’s two existential threats – climate change and the negative impacts of artificial intelligence.

Guterres said this in his address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana on Thursday.

The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO kicked off Thursday in Astana, with Belarus officially becoming a member of the association.

“The central goal of our multilateral system must be peace – a pre-condition for sustainable development and the enjoyment of human rights,’’ he told Heads of States attending the world’s largest regional organisation meeting in Kazakhstan’s capital.

Guterres listed multiple conflicts where ceasefire and lasting peace are needed, from the Middle East to Ukraine and from Sudan to the Sahel, in addition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Myanmar and Haiti.

“We need peace in Afghanistan and an inclusive government that respects human rights and is integrated into the international community.

“All countries should unite to prevent Afghanistan from ever again becoming a hotbed of terrorism,” he told the Council of the SCO, the world’s largest regional security body.

The body includes Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

With such wide representation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has the power and the responsibility to push for peace, the chief of the universal organization insisted.

The secretary-general underscored that the meeting in Astana was happening amid raging wars, geopolitical divides, “an epidemic of impunity” and backsliding on sustainable development – a key global goal – causing cynicism and a crisis of trust.

“These global challenges cannot be solved on a country-by-country basis.
“This is the moment to reaffirm our common commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at its centre, bound by the principles set out in the UN Charter, international law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,’’ he said.

The UN chief cautioned that people were losing faith in multilateralism, as they point to broken promises, double standards and growing inequalities.

He also highlighted the urgent need for collective action on two looming existential threats: the climate emergency and the unchecked rise of digital technologies, particularly AI.

UN climate experts have confirmed that although 2023 was the hottest year on record, it could soon be seen as one of the coolest years in a rapidly warming future.

Guterres warned that the devastating impacts of our changing climate are already evident in the melting glaciers, deadly floods, storms, droughts, and extreme heat waves that are battering countries worldwide.

“Our climate is breaking down,” he said, emphasising the dire consequences for water and food security, development and global stability.

The call to action should be clear, he insisted, in a call for ambitious measures to slash greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate justice, with the greatest responsibility falling on the world’s biggest emitters.

Outlining solutions to the global climate crisis, Guterres urged all governments to submit new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by next year, fully aligned with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

These NDCs should include absolute emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2035 and outline plans for critical global transitions, with key actions such as ending deforestation, tripling renewable energy capacity and reducing fossil fuel production and consumption by at least 30 per cent by 2030.

In addition, Guterres said countries must commit to phasing out coal power entirely by 2040.

Highlighting the critical role of finance in support of climate action, the secretary-general called for a strong financial outcome from COP29, the global climate conference to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November.

Turning to AI – the second existential threat facing the planet – the secretary-general highlighted the transformative potential of the technology in accelerating sustainable development.

He, however, cautioned that AI is advancing faster than regulatory frameworks can keep up, exacerbating power imbalances, concentrating wealth in the hands of a few, undermining human rights and increasing global tensions.
To address these challenges, the UN chief’s Advisory Body on AI has outlined five priorities: establishing an international scientific panel on AI, initiating regular policy dialogues developing common ethics and standards for AI.

Others are ensuring governance of the data used to train AI algorithms and supporting capacity building in developing countries through a global fund.

Guterres also proposed the creation of a compact, dynamic and flexible UN AI Office to oversee these efforts.

The secretary-general expressed hope that the upcoming Summit of the Future will be a turning point in renewing global unity and addressing the existential threats facing humanity.

“I look forward to welcoming you to New York in September,” he said, before urging the regional bloc’s leaders to seize this pivotal opportunity for collective action.

The UN secretary-general attended the SCO top-level meeting in the course of his tour of the Central Asia countries that covers Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to discuss a wide range of issues from peace, non proliferation to sustainable development. (NAN) (www.nannew.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

Dr Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General, Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC), has urged the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers, deployed to Sierra Leone to uphold discipline and behave as patriotic citizens.

Yakub stated this in Abuja on Saturday at a deployment exercise for 18 TAC volunteers to be sent to Sierra Leone.

He said the deployment was in line with the mandate of the directorate to bridge the educational gap in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) countries.

The TAC helmsman lauded the volunteers for deciding to serve humanity and their country by volunteering to give their professional service to other African countries.

According to him, the volunteers are to serve humanity and their fellow African country that is in need of professionals to bridge the educational gap.

“We also send volunteers to ACP countries to bridge the educational gaps in these countries as soft power diplomacy.

“Nigeria has been deploying TAC volunteers for the past 37 years. So, as you go there, we expect you to conduct yourselves and be good ambassadors of this great country Nigeria.

“That is why you are wearing the Nigerian colours as a symbols of respect and honour. So, be of good behaviour, uphold our integrity by bringing us a good name to our country.

“This is a very strong foreign policy of the Nigeria government which we use to deploy soft power diplomacy through technical aid to our brothers in the ACP countries.

“So, Nigeria as one of the super powers among the community of nations has introduced this very important foreign policy for the past 37 years and has been sustaining it.

“Through foreign policy instrument, we have developed friendship with so many countries of the world which is of great importance to our dear country Nigeria,’’ he said.

Some of the volunteers said the initiative of the Nigerian government to render soft power diplomacy to other African countries was a commendable one.

Mr Benham Batari, a Nurse, and Ukoma Nnoma, a Medical Doctor, expressed readiness to make Nigeria proud by being good ambassadors while rendering professional expertise in that country.

The TAC volunteers went through a selection process from over 10,000 entries made from various medical fields ranging from doctors, nurses and researchers, amongst others, to be volunteers.

After the exercise, 18 qualified TAC volunteers, who are professional practitioners, were selected to render their services to humanity to Sierra Leone.

Other previously sent were 11 to the Gambia, and 11 to Uganda from engineering and Academics fields. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN) has called on the Federal Government to set up an inter-ministerial panel to review 2024 Hajj operations.

Its National President, Alhaji Abdulateef Ekundayo, made the call at a news conference in Makkah, on the outcome of the just concluded 2024 Hajj.

” We call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, set up an inter-ministerial and credible panel to review this year’s Hajj, with the aim of restoring sanity into future operations.”

Ekundayo also emphasised the need for government to investigate the laws and acts that regulate Hajj affairs in the country.

” We implore those saddled with such responsibilities to
act now to safeguard Nigerian pilgrims.”

He decried poor services at tent A, saying “like the previous years, tent A was characterized by lack of transparency, racketeering, profiteering and poor organisation.

“Some of us paid double camp fees for camp at zone five and zone one on a single pilgrim.

“Apart from the exorbitant amounts for basic services, many pilgrims couldn’t have access to the services.

“This is the peak of any contractual breach, and we demand immediate reconciliation and payment of refund to affected members by the management of Ithra Alkhair (service provider).

“The Mutawwif (Ithra Alkhair) should immediately reconcile with our members to refund money paid for services not rendered both in Muna and Arafat for this year because of their actions and inactions.”

He urged the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to stop all charges on
members of the association, including the dollar equivalent service fees based on the new policy of government withdrawal of subsidy on Hajj.

” While we agree that NAHCON has the right to charge licencing fees, we believe the Hajj licence is the most expensive of any licencing regime in Nigeria.

“How can anyone justify a fee of N1 million for a licence that has only two months validity.

“ What happened to the component of the international pilgrims out of the N90 billion approved Hajj subsidy. Aren’t they Nigerians?.

“Our members deserve the right for official visa during Hajj because the Ministry of Hajj provides such as a percentage of the total allocation to Nigeria.

“Some of the problems our pilgrims face during Hajj can be easily addressed by us if we can move freely.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Chinenye Offor

The United Nations (UN) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have urged young people not to allow themselves to be used to incite and deepen hatred in Nigeria.

The organisations gave the advice at the commemoration of the third International Day for Countering Hate Speech, jointly organised by NHRC and UN on Friday in Abuja.

The Executive-Secretary of NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu, decried the impact of hate speeches in the society.

Ojukwu said hate speech had promoted discrimination; divisions; incited violence; and such impeded voters participation and access to elections.

Ojukwu said that in order to ensure peaceful, prosperous and united nations; Nigerians, particularly young people should reflect on things that would bind compatriots together, rather than separate them.

“Young people are more invested in the future of Nigeria than any other group in our population, and should not allow themselves to be used as cannon fodders to incite and deepen hatred in the country.

“Coincidentally, youths form the bedrock of our nation and this demographic dividend should at all times be mobilised for the social and economic development of our dear nation.

“Sensitising and mobilising young people to combat hate speech is crucial in today’s world, where they are not only the target, but also influential voices in their communities,” he said.

He promised to work closely with the UN system in Nigeria, youth leaders and other stakeholders to create relevant awareness to identify and counter hate speeches.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Fall, said that hate speech contradicted all the values and principles enshrined in international human rights law.

Fall, who was represented by Mr Phillippe Delanghe, added that it undermined efforts to achieve the aim of 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals to leave no one behind.

“Hate speeches often target the most vulnerable in our societies and minorities, if left unchecked, it can harm peace and development.

“It lays the foundation for conflicts and tensions, undermine social cohesion and contribute to wide scale human rights violations and crime.

“The devastating effect of hatred is not new. However, new technologies of communication has amplified the scale and impact of hate speech.

“Social media and the internet are now the most frequent methods for spreading divisive rhetoric and ideologies on a global scale,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Maureen Okon

Mr Mersole Mellejor, the Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria said both countries shared mutually beneficial relations, especially in trade and people-to-people partnerships since 1962.

The envoy said this at the Diplomatic Reception held to mark the 126th Anniversary of the Philippines’ Independence on Wednesday in Abuja.

The ambassador said the occasion was symbolic of strengthening relations between Nigeria and the Philippines for more than six decades.

According to him, although the countries may be located on two different continents, with no fewer than 18 hours of flight time between them, relations between the two have been robust.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962, the two countries have signed bilateral agreements and are in the process of concluding more, to generate concrete mutually beneficial outcomes.

“At the political level, the Philippines and Nigeria have a regular Joint Commission Meeting between our respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

“This year, we are resuming to hold another edition. The joint commission meeting was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We have a respectable level of bilateral trade reaching more than a million US dollars at its highest in 2020 and a steady flow of tourists from both sides.

“The most concrete manifestation of our relations has always been our people. At its peak before the global financial crisis in 2009, there were an estimated 8,000 Filipinos in Nigeria.”

“Mostly professionals in various capacities, in the oil and industrial states, factories in many parts of Nigeria, and more importantly, in the services sectors.

“Now, estimated to be around 3,000, the number is rising again as we emerge from the global pandemic. We certainly thank Nigeria for welcoming and hosting our nationals,’’ Mellejor said

Speaking on educational exchange, Mellejor said the Philippines had hosted more than 10,000 Nigerians studying in various higher institutions in his country.

On governance, he said, “There are many areas in which both countries can work continually to strengthen democratic governance and law enforcement.

“Meanwhile, the Philippines hosts some 10,000 Nigerians, the majority of whom are studying in various tertiary institutions in the country.

“I was told that the number was even higher in the 90’s. The graduates even have an association here in Nigeria called the Philippine Graduates in Nigeria, or PHILGRAN.

“There is also a good number of Nigerians pursuing productive careers in the Philippines – perhaps in the medical and the entertainment industry,’’ he said.

The ambassador also seeks Nigeria’s support for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 June elections of 2026 expected to be held in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the cultural dance performance by a Filipino group and a song from a Nigerian artist. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Perpetua Onuegbu/Emmanuel Yashim)

By Patricia Amogu

Sao Tome and Principe Forum said on Wednesday the country would work toward deepening relations with Nigeria by exploring business opportunities that would mobilise private sector players for national development.

The President of the forum, Dr Mike Ozumba, stated this in Abuja, when he led members of the forum on a visit to the Ambassador of Sao Tome and Principe to Nigeria, Gjazaide Aguar.

Ozumba added that the purpose of the meeting was to deepen engagement with Nigerian investors and entrepreneurs and to encourage them to take advantage of the off-shore economic opportunities in Sao Tome and Principe.

He said that the visit would provide the forum with the chance to discuss mutually beneficial opportunities on offer at the Sao Tome and Principe Investment Summit to be held in February 2025.

He spoke of the forum’s commitment to providing access to critical information on trade and investment for decision-makers through the relationship with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

“This partnership and development-centered relationship between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe is that it stands as a gateway to mutual economic and investment opportunities in the light of the AfCFTA possibilities.

“AfCFTA is an ambitious trade pact to form the world’s largest free trade area by creating a single market for goods and services across Africa and deepening efforts toward the economic integration of Africa,” the president of the forum said.

Speaking, Mr Chinedu Amadi, Director of the forum, said the visit demonstrated the readiness of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in both countries to leverage the possibilities offered by AfCFTA.

This move, he explained, will lead to sustainable economic development in Africa, attract foreign investors, and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

“The beginning of trading under AfCFTA has put Africa on the global map as the largest integrated trading area in the world by allowing liberalisation of trade in goods, services, and talent without tariffs.

“This has laid bare fresh opportunities and possibilities with greater promises to fast-track industrialisation and value addition,’’ he said.

Responding, the Sao Tome and Principe ambassador in Nigeria praised the forum for the initiative and visit.

He described São Tomé and Principe as a choice destination for quality investment.

Aguar added that the partnership and efforts of the forum would go a long way in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting trade and investment between the two countries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Emmanuel Yashim)