Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Mr KIM Pankyu, has promised to explore avenues of assisting Nigeria to tackle the security challenge in the country.
He said this at a media parley in Abuja.
Pankyu.

The envoy who had just spent about 50 days in Nigeria, pledged to work toward expanding the partnership between the two countries for mutual benefits.
He said that Korea had at different times offered capacity building programmes for the Nigerian military and other security agencies toward enhancing their capabilities.
“I intend to expand this kind of opportunities for Nigeria. I believe that counter-terrorism courses and training programmes are useful for Nigerian military officers.
“We will also explore ways to have Nigerian Government to keep itself with proper hardwares. The Korean navy has donated a patrol ship which will arrive Lagos in few months. I will explore ways to expand this kind of assistance.
“I will also explore ways to deepen the security cooperation to assist the country address insecurity. I will do that by using my expertise in military and security affairs which saw me through in my 40 years in the Korea navy.
“On this, I will also like to focus on promoting corporation on maritime security, because, securing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea will essentially benefit many countries, including Korea.
“In addition, I will like to expand Korean support of capacity building for Nigerian Military and security Officers,”Pankyu said.
He said that Nigeria remained a strong Korean partner in Africa, adding that the two countries can do more together.
He lauded the Federal Government for introducing reforms toward improving the business environment in the country.
“I will explain these changes to Korean companies and encourage them to venture into Nigeria and make investments.
“I will facilitate a people to people exchange between Nigeria and Korea because I believe that culture has the power to connect people and improve understanding among them,” he said.
He commended the Korean Culture Centre in Nigeria for playing significant roles in introducing Korean Culture to Nigerians, promising to provide opportunities to Nigerians to experience the Korean content.
Pankyu also promised to explore avenues of increasing study slots for Nigerians wishing to study in the Republic of Korea.
He said that the Korean Government had provided numerous support toward food self-sufficiency in Africa through various projects like the K-Rice Belt Initiative to enhance high yield and food security on the continent.
“We have signed Memorandum of Understanding with 10 African Countries to promote K-Rice Belt Projects. Nigeria’s joining this project is being discussed and when it is realised, it will surely contribute to its agriculture sector,” he said.
The Envoy said that the Korea-Africa Summit slated for June in Seoul, Korea, would help solidify the relationship between Korea and Africa and also Korea and Nigeria.
“The inaugural Korea-Africa Summit is expected to be the largest international gathering. This reflect Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol’s commitment to fostering mutually, beneficial, sustainable and strategic partnership with Africa.
“This also marks significant steps in Korea’s comprehensive strategy to engage deeply with the global South, reflecting our commitment to global inclusiveness and corporation.
“During the Summit, we will host many side events, and provide opportunities for Nigeria and Korea to explore ways to expand their bilateral economic and cultural exchange between government and private sector.
“I’m positive and believe that the coming Summit will set a new milestone in the relationship between Korea and Africa,”Pankyu said.
He said that Korean people were largely Super Eagles fans, as they enjoyed their superlative performance in international tournaments.

“The Korean people know Wole Soyinka, the literary Icon and they know the role of Nigeria in peace keeping in Africa,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba Inuwa

By Chinenye Offor

Dr Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, on Sunday said trade relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) currently stands at about seven billion pounds sterling.

Montgomery told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Nigeria and the UK signed a new agreement on enhanced trade and investment partnership and agreed to work on a range of sectors.

He identified the sectors as agriculture, the creative industry, legal, financial services, and education.

Montgomery stated that trade between the UK and Nigeria is balanced.

“Trading by both countries is relatively balanced because the UK exports about four billion pounds sterling worth of goods and services to Nigeria while Nigeria exports to the UK about three billion pounds worth of goods .

“We need to do more because if you look at last year’s figure compared to the penultimate, there was not much of an increase in trade volume.

“It was an increase of about two per cent. So trade in the last few years has changed.

“And the aim of our enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership is to boost trade and investment between both countries and also to raise these numbers.

“Nigeria can benefit and take advantage of a new post-Brexit trading agreement that the UK has put in place that is called the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

“This scheme called the DCTS is one of the most generous schemes in the world in the sense that it removes tariffs on thousands of products from across the world to make free trade easier,” he said.

The envoy said that having visited many parts of Nigeria, the UK realised that Nigeria had at least 3,000, tariff-free products that it could export to the UK.

According to him, the enhanced trade investment partnership signed between the two countries in February is aimed at attracting more investment to the agric sector.

He said Nigeria could boost trade with UK by exporting more of its agric products.

“In agricultural exports, Nigeria can export cashew, cotton, or cocoa from the middle belt.

“There are lots of commercial farmers involved in vegetables, which can be processed, and there is also timber.

“And we think that there’s a big potential for commercial agriculture in the future in Nigeria. You have the land you have the people.

“The new trading scheme should be an opportunity for Nigeria. We can do more in financial and legal services,” he said.

He said that there were new technologies coming into the financial services sector which will greatly enhance the sector.

He added that Nigeria has a huge creative industry which the UK recognises and is interested in.

“London is a good place for partnerships in the creative industry. So we are hoping to promote those areas through partnership,” he said.

He said that two challenges of doing business in the UK that foreigners needed to take cognizance of were lack of knowledge on how to do business and also the standards (non tariff barriers to trade).

He stated that a facility called the growth gateway run by the Department of Business and Trade was provided as a source of advice for anyone that intends to export to the UK.

“When you go onto the internet and search for UK Department for Business and Trade, you will access the growth gateway page where you will get information on trade, depending on what sector you are in. There’s even a page for Nigeria.

“In the area of standards , if you want to sell some products in the UK, there are safety standards you have to meet, and you will have a certification. Nigeria has its own certification.

“And Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is working with UK standards organisation to reconcile standards or enable them to certify for the UK market to help ease trade,” he said .

Montgomery added that he was optimistic that the UK would do more trade in Nigeria because of the bold reforms by the Nigerian government.

He applauded the removal of the “crippling fuel subsidy”, tackling oil theft, getting oil revenues that manage the budget better, and also the foreign exchange reforms.

He said that those were critical in encouraging UK investors and banks to come back into the Nigerian market and do more trade, noting that the foreign exchange reforms were absolutely critical in this sense.

“You all know that the foreign exchange system in the past chased away investors because it is difficult to get your exchange done and you do not know whether you will be able to move money across borders.

” But the new exchange rates policy under this government and the very impressive Central Bank of Nigeria leadership team is making investors to say they can come back and invest in the country,” he said (NAN) (www.nan.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Emmanuel Yashim

By Mark Longyen

Maj.-Gen. Richard Gyane, Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Accra, Ghana, has called for capacity building for women and youth to build their resilience to tackle terrorism.

Gyane made this known at the opening ceremony of a Mobile Training course on Women, Youth, and Violent Extremism and Terrorism, organised by KAIPTC in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training aims at building the capacities of women and youth in Nigeria to be more resilient against the threat of Violent Extremism and Terrorism (VET).

He explained that heavy-handed tactics by security forces have sown distrust among and within local communities in some countries, making women and youth more vulnerable to exploitation and recruitment by terrorists.

The commandant said that terrorist groups exploited latent ethnic animosities, mistrust of security forces, and the absence of state presence in certain parts of the littoral countries to enhance their agenda.

He explained that the training developed by KAIPTC for women and youth, which was the sixth edition, would equip the beneficiaries with requisite knowledge skills and resilience against VET.

“As we gather here today, it is clear that VET continues to escalate at an alarming rate in coastal states of West Africa.

“This is terrifying for citizens, especially women, youth, and children, although what we see is just the tip of the iceberg.

“As such, there is a need for partners to remain committed in this fight against VET by building the resilience of their main targets (women, youth, and vulnerable communities), to prevent and counter the recruitment processes of these VET groups.

“It is obvious that there is a critical need to build the resilience and capacity of women and youth to also support the efforts of security practitioners in achieving this unity of purpose.

“KAIPTC collaborates with its key and strategic partners to organise VET-related courses both at the centre and as Mobile Training Teams (MTTs), because the fight against VET is not only for security practitioners but for all,” he said.

Gyane said that as security responses to the threat of VET ramped up, the ability of governments in the littoral countries to avoid the mistakes of their counterparts in the Sahel (Mali and Burkina Faso) was critical.

He explained that KAIPTC preferred to teach participants through collaborative problem-based learning methodology and based on peer learning.

Gyane urged them to be actively involved in the training and offering informed suggestions to address the VET threat regionally.

Dr Joseph Ochogwu, Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), who declared the training opened, said the institute was glad to identify with KAIPTC, adding that the strategic course was timely.

Ochogwu said that women and youth were the worst hit by the menace of violent extremism and terrorism particularly due to their high level of vulnerability.

“My presence here today to join forces with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and Norwegian Government in the swift conduct of this strategic Course, is a testament of our resolve to achieving a nation and continent devoid of violent extremism and terrorism.

“It is my earnest belief and the belief of the entire team at IPCR that working together, we can create a safer and more secure future for our nation and the entire West African region.

“I have no doubt in my mind that this five-day event will achieve its overarching goals of equipping the participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to combat Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Nigeria, Sahel Region and Africa as a whole,” the IPCR DG said.

He added that the array of experienced resource persons participating in the course was proof that all stakeholders were determined to stamp out VET for regional stability, integration, sustainable development and global peace.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

The Gambian President,  Adama Barrow, has commended His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians and achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East region.

Barrow, who is the new Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit, said this at the opening session of the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Banjul.

The theme of the summit is “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development”, in the presence of heads of state and government from OIC member countries.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who is the Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, was represented at the summit by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq.

The Moroccan delegation to the summit includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, accompanied by the Moroccan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Others include  Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the OIC, Mustapha Mansouri, the Ambassador, Director-General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, Mohamed Methqal, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Moroccan Embassy in the Gambia, Ahmed Belhaj, and several Ministry officials.

The opening ceremony of this summit was presided over by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sovereign of Saudi Arabia.

It was attended by the Gambian President, Adama Barrow, the OIC Secretary General, Hissein Brahim Taha, as well as by heads of State and Government from member countries.

This 15th session was preceded on Thursday and Friday by a meeting of foreign ministers, held at the “Dauda Kairaba Diawara” International Conference Centre, and a preparatory meeting of senior officials on Tuesday and Wednesday.(NAN)

The King of Morocco, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has stressed the need to devote more attention and care to the least developed African Member Countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

King Mohammed made the call in a speech to the 15th OIC Summit Conference being held on May 4 and May 5, in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia.

The king, whose speech was delivered by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, said this was to help them rise to the various challenges affecting their development and progress.

“Given that the Kingdom of Morocco is itself an African nation, and considering my country’s close, longstanding human ties and age-old spiritual bonds with African sister countries.

“ I wish to insist on the need to devote more attention and care to the least developed OIC African Member Countries in order to help them rise to the various challenges affecting their development and progress,” said the Sovereign

He noted with concern that those countries were facing increasing threats to their energy and food security as well as to their economic growth.

He added that the situation was having a negative impact on their stability and is worsening their social and economic conditions.

Highlighting the importance of South-South cooperation, he recalled the launch of the Atlantic Initiative as a platform for African partnership.

The main goal of the platform include but not limited to strengthening cooperation and integration between the African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean and thus promote peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region.

“I have also announced the launching of an initiative at the international level to enable the countries of the Sahel to have access to the Atlantic Ocean,” adds His Majesty the King.

He noted that the Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline project is rooted in the same spirit of solidarity, since it is a project designed to promote regional integration, a joint economic take-off and a genuine industrial dynamic in the Atlantic region.

The Sovereign also pointed out that this Islamic Summit is being held at a time when several regions in the Islamic world are still experiencing political and military tensions as well as challenges to their security.

He added that this situation was having adverse effects on people’s living conditions in a number of OIC Member States, especially in Africa.

“Our Organization and its specialized agencies are therefore called upon to strive doubly hard through their efforts and initiatives to assist these countries, in keeping with the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity among Muslims.

“Making sure they benefit from the development programs and plans endorsed by our summits and meetings,” he said.

He called on the Organisation’s members to shore up their ability to respond to these challenges and adapt, on a continuous basis, to the turmoil affecting the world economy due to the pressure on global supply chains resulting from wars and the threat to maritime shipping lanes.

The King said that meeting the challenges of sustainable, comprehensive human development and attaining economic well-being require exploring opportunities for complementarily and integration so as to achieve common benefits and implement the objectives under the eighteen priority areas of the next ten-year program of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.(NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Visit

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, May 5, 2024 (NAN) The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have agreed to visit Nigeria on the invitation of the country’s Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomerry, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the course of his courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the agency, Malam Ali M. Ali in Abuja.

“It’s great that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nigeria, which I understand is at the invitation of Defence Headquarters.

“But they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official one.

“So, the British High Commission is not involved in arranging or facilitating their programme.

“They are not representing the work of His Majesty’s Government on this visit.”

Prince Harry are expected to kick off the journey on May 8, by attending the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Shortly after, Meghan will join him in Nigeria for a series of engagements aimed at fostering cultural exchange and celebrating the spirit of resilience among service members.

The couple’s itinerary includes visits to military rehabilitation centers, sports facilities, and meetings with local organizations working to support veterans’ welfare.

They will also attend cultural events and engage in discussions with community leaders on topics.

The trip to Nigeria holds special significance as it underscores Prince Harry’s dedication to the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.

Last year’s Invictus Games in Germany saw the participation of 500 athletes from 21 countries.

Nigeria, Colombia, and Israel, were represented and it marked their debut in the event.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has expressed eagerness to host the games in the future, further solidifying the country’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and sportsmanship.

During their time at the Invictus Games in Germany, Meghan and Harry shared memorable moments with Team Nigeria, showcasing their support and camaraderie.

In a lighthearted exchange, Prince Harry joked about the friendly competition between him and Meghan, especially since she discovered her Nigerian heritage.

Meghan’s connection to Nigeria runs deep, as she revealed on her podcast Archetypes that she has Nigerian ancestry, with her genealogy test showing she is 43  Nigerian.

The revelation further strengthens the bond between the Duchess and the Nigerian people, fostering a sense of shared identity and belonging.

YEE

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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Amb. Babagana Kingibe, Nigeria’s Special Envoy to Chad and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), has called on candidates, political parties and the general public to uphold peace during the Chad presidential election.

The presidential election is scheduled for May 6.

Kingibe, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, urged Chadians to maintain the relative peace and good order demonstrated during the campaigns.

He implored Chadians to remain calm after voting and patiently await the announcement of the outcome of the elections by Chad’s National Election Management Agency (ANGE).

The special envoy said that any grievance that might arise from the polls should be channeled to the appropriate authorities.

“On the eve of the historic presidential election in Chad, I congratulate the transitional authorities in Chad, the Chadian people and all friends of Chad for the journey so far towards the return of the country to a democratic constitutional order through peaceful elections.

“As the Special Envoy to Chad of the LCBC, and, as mandated by the Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the LCBC, I and my team have, since May 2021, closely followed and accompanied the Chadian people and the Government in their transition process.

“Throughout this journey, the Chadian people and the transitional authorities exhibited great patriotism, mutual tolerance, and the necessary spirit of compromise in order to change the Chadian narratives and now commit to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous democratic country.”

Kingibe said that the transition process had not been easy or without often heated contentions.

He noted, however, that Chadians confronted all the challenges, weathered all the political and security storms and were on the cusp of the final lap.

“Therefore, I call on all the presidential candidates, the political parties and leaders, and the general public to maintain the relative peace and good order demonstrated during the campaigns.

“Continue to remain calm; and after the voting, patiently await the announcement of the outcome of the elections by the ANGE, the body legally authorised to announce the results.

“I further urge that any challenges, complaints or grievances that may arise are taken up peacefully for settlement through the constituted electoral guidelines and laws, or if necessary, the judicial processes.

“The alternative is to risk the tremendous progress and the fruits of the great sacrifices already made by all parties.

“I wish to reassure the continued support to Chad of the Leaders of the LCBC as they look forward to the peaceful inauguration of a new democratic constitutional order in the country,’’ he said. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Mark Longyen

The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, says the U.S. government, through its Presidential Malaria Initiative, PMI, has contributed $914m to fight malaria in Nigeria since 2011.

This is contained in PMI’s latest report, which said it also supported Nigeria with $73 million to fight malaria in 2023 alone, the the U.S. Embassy, Abuja, stated on Thursday.

It said that the funding cost and programs covered the delivering of 13.4 million bed nets, 6 million fast-acting medicines, and 11.8 million malaria rapid diagnostic tests to clinics and communities in Nigeria over the past year.

USAID also disclosed that in 2023, more than 7,200 Nigerian health workers were trained to strengthen their skills in malaria detection, treatment, and how to provide lifesaving care for their communities.

The report quoted USAID Nigeria Deputy Mission Director Sara Werth as lauding the Federal Ministry of Health for collaborating with the United States government and working to foster robust and effective malaria services in the future.

“As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs in our collective battle against malaria, let us reaffirm our commitment to a future where no family in Nigeria fears the threat of this disease.

“I urge the government of Nigeria to invest in making malaria programming more efficient and effective using data and other evidence to inform malaria implementation and drive faster results,” Werth said.

It recalled that Werth had earlier during the country’s 2024 World Malaria Day commemoration, reaffirmed the U.S. government’s unwavering support for Nigeria in the fight against malaria.

Werth had noted that the event was an opportunity to highlight the partnership between the United States and Nigeria to protect people from malaria and support healthy communities.

According to the report, malaria, which is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, occurs regularly and is widespread across Nigeria.

It said that the World Health Organization estimated that Nigeria had nearly 67 million cases in 2022, which accounted for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden.

The PMI said that Nigeria also accounted for 31 per cent of global deaths and 38 percent of global deaths in children under the age of five, in 2022.

It said that worldwide, PMI benefited more than 700 million people each year, and had helped save over 10.6 million lives and prevented 1.7 billion malaria infections since 2000.

The report also quoted Dr David Walton, U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator, as lauding the Nigerian government’s support, as well as the  efforts of Nigerian health workers, who are always on the front lines to protect their communities from malaria.

“I commend the energy, dedication, and ingenuity of those working on the front lines to protect their communities from malaria.

“The United States is committed to working hand in hand with the people of Nigeria as we pursue our joint vision of a malaria-free future,” Walton said.

It added that PMI, led by USAID and implemented together with the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, supported 27 partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa and 3 programs across the Greater Mekong Subregion in Southeast Asia to control and eliminate malaria.

“PMI also delivers cost-effective, lifesaving malaria interventions, including insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and essential medicines.

”It also invests in health workers and health systems to accelerate the global fight against this deadly disease,” the report added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Fortune Abang

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Americas (NIDOA) on Tuesday expressed regrets over the passing of Dr Raymond Sowemimo, its Houston Chapter president.

This is contained in a joint statement by Dr Victor Ubani, Chairman NIDOA Board of Trustees (BoT), on behalf of NIDO-Americas, Dr Eromonsele Idahosa, Chairman, NIDOA-USA Board of Directors, Mr Christopher Anukwu, Public Relations Director, NIDOA and Mr Danladi Husaini, President, NIDOA Belize.

“NIDO Americas regrets to announce the death of Sowemimo, its Houston Chapter president and a former Assistant General Secretary NIDOA-USA, and NIDOA Board of Trustees member.

“Sowemimo, 69, was a patriot par excellence. He saw NIDO as a strategic tool for the development of Nigerians at home and abroad.”

The organisation in the statement, said Sowemimo was until his passing the CEO of AvalonHealthcare Service and Avalon Medical Career Academy, which he established in 2001.

It also revealed he was recipient of numerous recognitions for community services, which include the 2017 Outstanding Texan Award and the 2018 Presidential Award.

“He was at various times the President of African Cowboy Association and several Nigerian associations; such as Egbe Omo Yoruba Association of Houston and the Nigerian American Forum.

“In 1995, he led the Nigerian community in Texas to host Nigeria’s former Head of State, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Bola Ige and Prof. Wole Soyinka in Houston.

“He was a philanthropist who routinely spread kindness through ‘The Raymond Sowemimo’ Foundation programme, a 501(c3), Non-Profit Organisation,” it added.

The organisation further extended condolences to the family Sowemimo left behind, restating he would be sorely missed.

It listed planned programmes by the organisation to mourn Sowemimo’s passing to include wake/viewing on May 1, at McCoy and Harrison Funeral Home, Houston, and celebration of life on May 2, at 10a.m. at the Whitelife Baptist Church, Houston. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru