By Maureen Okon

The Charge de’affairs of the High Commission of Pakistan in Nigeria, Mr Riaz Chughtai, has called on the United Nations (UN) to push for the right of the people of Kashmir for self-determination.

Chughtai made the appeal on Friday at a private ceremony at the Pakistani High Commission, Abuja, held in solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.

He said Pakistan marks the ‘Kashmir Black Day’ every Oct. 27, to remind the world of the struggle of the people of that region.

Chughtai said the UN had passed multiple resolutions to allow the fate of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to be determined through free and impartial referendum conducted under the auspices of the UN.

According to him, numerous international organisations, including the UN Special Rapporteurs have reported gross rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

He urged the international community including the UN, Civil Society Organisations, media and human right organisations to ensure that the people of Kashmir are allowed to determine their fate through democratic process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jammu and Kashmir is a region administered by India and has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947 and between India and China since 1959. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Angela Atabo

The African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU), an International pan-African diplomatic organisation, is set for inauguration in Nigeria with a view to paving the way for Africans living across the world to reunite with their ancestral homes.

King Alfred Diete Spiff, Chairman of AFRIDU-Nigeria and Special Envoy of the African Union 6th Region said this in Abuja on Wednesday during a news briefing organised ahead of the International Conference of African Descents in Diaspora and Formal Launching of AFRIDU, Nigeria.

According to Spiff, the conference with the theme: “Fostering Global Partnership with African Descents in Diaspora for Economic and Infrastructural Development of Nigeria,” will lay the foundation for charting a way forward for African people whose great grandparents were taken away to foreign lands during the slave trade.

“These African descendants desire to return to their ancestral homes, especially those of Nigerian origin, for restoration, reconnection, and investment.

“AFRIDU was initiated as a civic organisation to propagate and work with various private organisations, institutions, and government agencies to mobilise African descents to return home for economic and infrastructural development of the continent.

“AFRIDU aims to foster unity, solidarity, and empowerment among the African descent in the Diaspora.

“The launching of AFRIDU Nigeria will serve as an important platform to bring together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world to discuss and explore investment opportunities and partnerships in various sectors of our economy,” Spiff said.

African diaspora populations include but are not limited to African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latin Americans, and Black Canadians – descendants of enslaved Africans taken to the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America during the Atlantic slave trade.

Spiff said that the conference would provide a unique networking environment for attendees to engage with potential investors, industry experts, and government officials.

He said that some of the African diasporas were well-to-do and successful people seeking to return home and establish a mega city in the likeness of the Vatican City in Rome, but not all African countries were open to the idea.

According to him, the idea of a mega city within a country in Africa is generating a lot of trepidation so much so that many consider yielding land for the project an impossibility perhaps out of fear of displacement.

He, however, said, “Nigeria is a big country. We are not afraid that anybody is going to come in with any amount of money and topple the government like some other countries are thinking would happen to them.

“Some countries have been very conservative and are not ready to receive them with open arms.

“They (diaspora population) feel a bit disappointed, but they are also very determined to return home.

“They have a group  – that calls itself `The Right to Return’. None of us can tell them they cannot come back to their roots.

“They feel they are part of us and want to come home.

“All they want is to come and give us all the expertise and the help that Africa needs to stand out in the world.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike are expected to grace the occasion as special guests.

Diplomats, some state governors, and heads of agencies saddled with the responsibility of catering to diaspora matters are also expected to attend the one-day international conference which will be held on Nov. 2 in Abuja. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Maureen Okon

ECOWAS and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at deepening collaboration for the protection of refugees, stateless, and internally displaced persons in the sub-region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray signed on behalf of the sub-regional bloc while Mr Abdouraouf Gnon-Kond, the Director of UNHCR Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, signed for the global body.

The agreement signing which was scheduled as part of the UNHCR Regional Director’s mission was held in Abuja.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Touray said the commission had tried to put some measures in place to address the political and humanitarian crises in the sub-region.

He added that the commission and member states were working assiduously to tackle the root causes of the conflicts in the sub-region through diplomatic and political engagements.

He further said that violent conflicts, disasters, and insecurity in several countries in West Africa “continue to force people to flee their homes to other parts of the sub-region and beyond.

“Currently, 6,976,470 people are forcibly displaced by conflicts and violence, and stateless persons in the ECOWAS sub-region, including 6, 352,346 internally displaced persons, and 624,124 refugees and asylum-seekers.

“Nigeria and Burkina Faso host the highest displaced populations with 3,578,996 and 2,062,534 individuals respectively.

“Niger hosts the highest refugee populations by far, with 325,419 individuals,’’ he said.

Responding, Mr Gnon-Konde described UNHCR’s collaboration with the Commission as long-lasting, highly productive, and relevant in view of the current humanitarian context confronting the sub-region.

He added that the duo enjoyed excellent working relations adding that, UNHCR also collaborates closely with other ECOWAS institutions such as; ECOWAS Court of Justice and the ECOWAS Parliament.

Also, UNHCR has previously signed distinct MoUs to address forcible displacement issues within the ECOWAS sub-region and build on the specific mandates of each of these institutions.

They are; the identification and protection of refugees found in dangerous migratory movements, stateless, emergency management, as well as durable solutions to forcible displacements.

He added that the revised MoU included new areas of collaboration that had emerged since the initial MoU between the two institutions in 2001.

NAN reports UNHCR the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, upholding rights, and working for durable solutions for persons forced to flee their homes as a result of conflict and persecution.

Also, UNHCR leads international action to protect refugees, internally displaced persons, and their host communities as well as persons without a recognised nationality. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited Emmanuel Yashim

By Maureen Okon

The Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC) on Tuesday deployed 12 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers to Liberia as part of the agency’s foreign duty.

The Director-General, Dr Yusuf Yakub, said that it was an important occasion for DTAC since it was the third deployment since he assumed office on Aug. 25.

He added that the deployment was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, and also the 4-D agenda which are; Development, Democracy, Demography, and Diaspora.

Yakub said that in keeping with Nigeria’s big sister or brother relationship with African, Caribbean and the Pacific countries, there was a need to deploy TAC volunteers.

”I want to thank the president for the 4-D foreign policy, and today we are taking one of the D which is Demography in which Nigeria has a positive demography in Africa.

“Most of our population are well trained and talented which is a youthful population, agile youths that are ready to serve their country whenever they are called upon.

“Also, we believe that these ones are capable because they have gone through rigorous training to be selected to serve Nigeria.

“So, this demography advantage, by extension, will also contribute to the development of Liberia in different ways, and also, it will contribute to the positioning of Nigeria among the committee of nations.

“Because you’re going to Liberia as volunteers to give service to humanity, so that you will portray the image of our dear country Nigeria,’’ he said.

Yakub also urged the volunteers to see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria and to their host community adding that, as Nigeria was sending them today, their guardian would be the Ambassador of Nigeria to Liberia.

The director-general said that the Nigeria Embassy in that country would be their new family home that they can run to when they need assistance.

He added, “DTAC will ensure that your welfare taken care of during the cause of this assignment.’’

Speaking earlier, the Director, Programmes, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed, said that all necessary certifications and training were done on the volunteers to meet the agency’s mandate as TAC personnel in their host community.

He also urged the volunteers to be of good character and do Nigeria proud as ambassadors.

Some of the volunteers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were grateful to DTAC for the rare opportunity given to them.

They also promised to deliver as expected and to put the name of Nigeria in the map of greatness.

Also, the TAC volunteers will be departing from Nigeria to Liberia on Wednesday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has urged Israel to end its heavy bombardments of the Gaza Strip, a response to the terror attack by armed Hamas militants in Israel more than two weeks ago.

“Enough is enough,” the emir said, addressing Israel at the opening session of the Shura Council in Doha on Tuesday.

It is unacceptable that Israel be given an “unconditional green light and a free licence to kill,” the emir said, Qatar local media reported.

The Israeli “occupation, siege and settlement” could not be ignored, he said.

“In our time, cutting off access to water and withholding medicines and food as a weapon against an entire population should also not be allowed.”

Qatar and Israel do not have diplomatic relations but Qatar has close ties with the organisation that controls the Gaza Strip.

More than 200 people were abducted during the Hamas attack on October 7, including citizens of several nations.

Qatar has helped broker the release of four of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israel opened a trade mission in Qatar in 1996, but the emirate later closed it.

During the Football World Cup, however, Qatar allowed direct flights from Israel.

The Emir said the bloodshed must stop and civilians must be spared the consequences of military
confrontations. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

================
Edited by Ummul Idris/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Abigael Joshua

TEXEM UK, a leadership development organisation based in the United Kingdom, says that transformative leadership is critical to addressing headwinds caused by global and local challenges Nigerian organisations face.

In a statement on TEXEM’s website, www.texem.co.uk,

by the Director of Special Projects, Caroline Lucas, said Nigeria is in a volatile era like most countries.

Lucas said that in such a period of unprecedented challenges, leaders across the globe face multiple dilemmas characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.

“Nigerian leaders in the government and private sectors are not exempt from these challenges.

“They grapple with issues such as a highly geared government, high inflation, dwindling disposable income, supply chain disruptions, cybersecurity threats, low national cohesion, mediocre individual and organisational performance and more.

“The need for transformative leadership has never been more critical,” the Director said.

Lucas says TEXEM is poised to address these challenges through its upcoming programme, “Leading Transformation for Strategic Outcomes.”

The Director said the programme will be held from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30, at Hilton, London in the United Kingdom.

Describing it as an innovative learning experience, she said

TEXEM’s programme is an interactive and tailored learning experience designed for senior executives.

Lucas said it will equip participants with practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and valuable insights through professional exchange.

She said the programme’s primary goal is to enhance leadership capabilities, ultimately leading to the realisation of strategic outcomes.

According to her, TEXEM’s unique methodology is grounded in diverse learning tools, including discussions, role plays, company visits, videos, and games.

“This multifaceted approach enhances interpersonal skills, stakeholder engagement, decision-making, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

“The programme’s methodology, which includes case studies, sharpens cognitive skills, analytical rigour, and the ability to manage ambiguity effectively and efficiently,” Lucas said.

She said the programme will benefit leaders in several ways, including guidance in challenging times,

effective decision-making, inspiring strategic leadership, crisis management, and leadership adaptability.

Among topics to be discussed during the programme are Influencing and Negotiating for Sustainable Success,

Building Agility and Responding to Shifting Priorities, and

Inspiring Teams in Uncertain Times.

Others are Fostering Innovation and Change in Various Work Environments,

Developing Organisational Capabilities for Ambitious Goals, Leadership in Crisis Management,

Leadership for Impact

and, Leadership for Efficient Goal Achievement.

Speaking more on benefits, Lucas said Nigerian Leaders will acquire the ability to successfully navigate their organisations through adversity and lead them to success even in the most challenging circumstances.

“Leaders will develop the ability to lead better during crises, safeguarding organisational resilience and profitability.

“Leaders will learn to better adjust and change strategies swiftly during emergencies, optimising the value they unlock and prosperity of their organisations,” she said.

The statement included testimonials from Nigerian delegates who had attended a similar TEXEM programme.

“…The program has been very interesting, exciting, facilitated knowledge sharing, and it has actually brought about a greater insight into what leadership is…,” Akinwunmi Lawal, MD/CEO of NPF Microfinance Bank PLC. said.

“I found that it’s quite a new approach to workshops than I’m used to because I’ve attended so many workshops organised by other organisations.

“But I found that the approach made by TEXEM is quite different,” Ambassador Mustafa Sam, Non-Executive Director, Jaiz Bank, stated.

“I’ve enjoyed the orderliness of the organisers. I’ve enjoyed the presentations of the consultants. I’ve enjoyed the practicability of the consultants.

“They bring in life examples in all their presentations, then with that one, the participants could be carried along. It’s not theoretical.

“You know, you can see they also practicalise by bringing in life events, even using themselves as examples. So that sends the message deep into our hearts. And that’s wonderful…,” Sonya Ogunkuade, Hon. Commissioner and former Special Assistant to the President, said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Rukayat Adeyemi

Sanlam  Group on Sunday said that it had trained no fewer than 600 financial journalists across the African continent through the Sanlam Summer School which began 20 years ago.

Ms Pearl Majola, Head, Group Communications of Sanlam announced this at the opening dinner for 2023 Sanlam Summer School For Financial Journalists across Africa held in Pecan Manon, Hartbeespoort in South Africa.

The theme of this year’s training is: “Fintech And Mobile Money In Africa.”

Majola said that the company started the programme in response to South Africa’s governance initiative for its indigenous corporates to support media development.

She noted that the training is organised yearly for public good and to improve the skills of journalists, while Sanlam expects nothing in return from the beneficiaries, except that they should become more valuable.

“I hope that the participants finds this programme valuable, because the aim is to develop the capacities of journalists across Africa to contribute truthful, sensitive and value information that helps people’s lives.

“Sanlam has put in lots of effort to sustain the investment and have also seen value for it over the years,” she said.

Majola commended Sanlam subsidiaries across the African nation such as : Nigeria, Namibian, Rwanda, Botswana, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya, among others for supporting the programme, by making it accessible to young journalists in the financial services sector.

In his keynote address, Mr Karl Socikwa, Group Executive, Market Development And Sustainability of Sanlam said that the 2023 Summer School is a milestone for the programme which had been organised for 20 years.

Socikwa stated that the summer school had contributed meaningfully to media houses across Africa, promoted excellence in journalism and media development in Africa.

He explained that the financial sector is so critical to economic development, hence Sanlam is committed to advancing financial journalism in Africa for effective and professional coverage of the sector.

According to him, the theme of the 2023 is apt, as fintech and mobile money had revolutionised financial services in Africa and contributed significantly to financial inclusion and economic development.

The group executive noted that Sanlam is committed to shaping the future of fintech in Africa to make it more accessible, secured and beneficial to its people.

“Sanlam has recently launched a fintech platform to demonstrate its commitment to the fintech space for economic development and financial inclusion.

” Your work as journalists is to cover the sector and provide reports that give access to financial services and inclusion that can change people’s lives ,” he said.

Socikwa wished the participants a successful training and charged them to take advantage of the opportunity and renowned facilitators at their disposal to improve their capacities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 22 journalists selected from different Africa countries are participating in the 2023 Sanlam Summer School which will run from Oct. 22 to Oct. 27 in South Africa.

The beneficiaries of the training are young journalists covering various financial sectors of their country and not more than 35 years old.

Among the expected facilitators and speakers are : Mr Chris Kabwato, Convener, Sanlam Summer School, Ms Paula Fray, Lead Trainer, Fray College, Mr Segun Aina,President Africa Fintech Network and Mr Tsakani Maluleke, Auditor-General of South Africa.

Sanlam Group is a Pan-African brand, founded in 1918 as a life insurance company, with its headquarters in South Africa.

The brand has grown to become Africa’s largest non-banking financial services group, with a strong presence in 33 countries on the African continent, including Nigeria.

The group operates in eight out of the 10 largest economies in Africa, with over 154,000 employees globally and has a niche presence in India, Malaysia, United Kingdom and Australia.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the African Union (AU) High Representative for Silencing the Guns, on Thursday urged African states to learn from the Chinese experience if the continent is to achieve its dream of development.

Chambas gave the advice when he delivered a webinar keynote address to participants at the 2023 Abuja Forum, a conference organised by the Gusau Institute in collaboration with the Zhejiang Normal University of China.

The forum which was held in Abuja, had the theme: “Promoting Africa-China Belt and Road Cooperation for a New Era of Common Development.”

Speaking further in his address, Chambas said, “there are a few lessons that I see we can learn from the Chinese experience.

“Many commentators see China’s rapid development as a miracle but it is obvious to me that this was no miracle.

“No, it was not a miracle. It came about as a result of careful and meticulous planning directed by a national vision.

“The saying that ‘failure to plan is planning to fail’ is a truism.

“The Chinese were able to correctly analyse and understand their situation and decide where they wanted to go, and set out to plan the exact steps to be taken to get there.

“But we all know that planning alone isn’t enough.

“Therefore, the second important lesson we can learn from the Chinese experience is the discipline of policy implementation.

“No matter how well one plans, without proper execution everything will come to naught. Admittedly, we have a serious problem with following through with our plans in Africa.

“I have seen a fair share of good policy documents prepared by experts at the country, regional, and continental levels which have remained on the shelves while the problems that they were designed to solve linger on.

”I am curious to see how Africa-China partnerships could help us develop this discipline of implementation and delivery.”

He said China’s goal of achieving full integration into the global economy over the longer term, currently manifests through two separate but interconnected global initiatives, namely – the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the “International Capacity Cooperation” initiative.

According to him, BRI projects China’s global economic connectivity and influence along two major axes (the on-land Eurasian bridge referred to as the “Silk Road and Economic Belt” – and the maritime route which connects seaports in China to those in Asia, Pacific, and Africa – referred to as the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) whereas the “International Capacity Cooperation” initiative aims primarily to move offshore, in the form of project-specific investments.

“China has also set up a variety of special purpose infrastructure investment funds, such as China-Arab Investment funds; China-South America Fund; China-Africa Development Fund, and the China-Africa Fund for Industrial Cooperation aimed at bolstering support for China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation, toward Africa’s industrialisation drive, the former ECOWAS president said.

“Thirdly, the Chinese have been able to develop without compromising their culture, history, and way of life.

“It is remarkable that they have been able to weather all global pressures including ideological, philosophical, cultural, moral, economic, and political pressures to keep their culture.

“From my perspective, it is this ability to maintain and improve upon their way of life that has helped the Chinese to come this far.

“What this teaches us is that we cannot develop by seeking to copy everything from other places.

“Development after all is a positive evolution of culture.

“So how do we take stock of our history and culture, improve upon the positive aspects, and resolve the negative aspects such that we can take full advantage of our enormous resources to build the prosperity that we so desire as Africans.

“This is a question that should continually agitate our minds as we engage our partners,” Chambas said.

He noted that as the AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns, he is “particularly optimistic about what the China-Africa relationship means for peace and security.

“The Africa-China cooperation equally aims at building a safer, stable, and more peaceful Africa by upholding the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concepts.

“China and Africa have continued to pursue peace through cooperation and resolving differences through dialogue and consultations.

“China supports African countries in seeking African solutions to African problems,” he added.

He stated that the two parties are jointly promoting the timely accomplishment of “silencing guns in Africa”.

Chambas, therefore, urged all sides in the Africa-China partnership to make the collaboration durable and a win-win for both sides.

He expressed optimism that the partnership would help Africa realise its vision captured in Agenda 2063.

Speaking earlier, Founder of Gusau Institute, retired Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau said that the yearly conference “is billed to advance dialogue and foster more understanding between African nations and the People’s Republic of China.

”It also provides the opportunity for critical discussion of issues that mutually affect China and Africa.”

Gusau said that coming against the backdrop of wide-ranging interactions between “our regions”, there was no doubt that the forum could promote closer friendship, greater economic engagement, and other mutually beneficial activities.

According to him, it has become imperative that in the fast-changing political, economic, and other global ecosystems, more attention should be focused on the importance of effective collaboration, in this case, between Africa and China.

“This is not only appropriate but timely if we are to develop a new and workable strategic framework for tackling the increasingly intricate challenges of this era.

“We are convinced, following recent events, that any effort to shape a new international order that is stable, inclusive, and beneficial to all regions of the world, should be a collaborative effort,” he added.

He expressed optimism that the conference would witness very engaging and productive interactions.

“At the Gusau Institute, we believe that what Africa needs most now is an entity that will generate new ideas for dealing with old and emerging challenges facing the continent.

“Such a body should comprehend how global issues affect Africa. It should also articulate the course of actions needed to effectively address the numerous security problems that plague both the continent and the rest of the international community.

“A core value of our Institute is to develop long-term working relationships and partnerships with similar organisations around the globe, as we have with Zhejiang Normal University.

“We believe that fostering strong international relationships is paramount in ensuring the world’s sustainability and future growth,” the former National Security Adviser to former Nigerian presidents Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan said.

Highlight of the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the institute and the Zhejiang Normal University.

The MoU is aimed at promoting academic collaboration, conference hosting, book-writing, student exchange, and information sharing on how to secure funding for academic purposes. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Sarafina Christopher

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja has pledged more support to promote cultural exchange and cooperation in Education and tourism with Nigeria to strengthen the two countries’ friendship.

The Embassy made the pledge during the World Day for Cultural Diversity Road walk in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cultural day with the theme “Embracing Cultural Diversity: Building Bridges for a Harmonious World”, depicted the role of culture in promoting people to people relationship.

According to Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, the embassy would further promote cultural educational exchange and cooperation, and embrace a better future full of hope for Nigerians.

He added that Nigeria and China share rich and similar cultural heritage, noting that the 2023 theme was apt.

“I believe with our joint efforts we can build a cultural bridge which will promote cultural understanding between the two countries and deepen our people to people relationship.

“On the other hand, we can build friendship through this cultural bridge in the area of Education, politics and every field including the film industry and exchange programmes as well as through a solid win-win cooperation for both countries.”

Xuda also said that Nigeria had lots of rich culture, adding that he had visited several Museums and tourism sites in Nigeria.

“I have seen that there is huge potential for the two countries to push forward their culture, education and tourism cooperation and exchange, and through this we can build a bridge for the harmony of the world.

He also said that 2023 marked the 10 years Anniversary of the Belt and Road initiative adding that it had really promoted a people-to-people bond between China, Nigeria and several countries.

“The 2023 edition of the BRI will mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by the President of China, Xi Jinping, as an initiative for global infrastructure development strategy.

“Adopted and launched by the government of the People’s Republic of China in 2013, the initiative seeks international action to enhance cooperation and promote infrastructure investment in nearly 70 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes.

“The Belt and Road Initiative will continue to strengthen the China-Nigeria bond,” he said.

Mr Abiola Abdulkareem, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, expressed his appreciation to the Chinese Cultural Centre for its efforts and support especially in the areas of promoting cultural exchanges and education, among others.

Abdulkareem said that the event was very special for China and Nigeria because it would be the first official one of the ministry since it was carved out to stand alone.

“We also look forward to more collaboration with China to make sure that the Art and Culture sector is enriched like never before.

“We believe that Art, Culture and creative Economy is the new oil and we look forward to deepening our friendship with China and more partnerships.

“Nigeria has benefited a lot from the Belt and Road initiative in all sectors and we must appreciate the Chinese government for this effort,”Abdulkareem said. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Maureen Okon

The Palestinian Ambassador in Nigeria, Abu Shawesh, has called on the United Nations and African Union to set up an independent commission of inquiry on Tuesday’s attack on a hospital in Gaza.

The Envoy made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the attack.

He said that women and children were mostly killed when Israeli Air Force jets allegedly struck the Baptist Hospital in Gaza.

Shawesh said that the hospital, which was located side by side with the Baptist Church, had served as a safe haven for families displaced by the ongoing war.

He also said that calls by the Israeli authorities for people to evacuate the hospital was rejected by medical personnel of the hospital, who said doing so would amount to slow killing of sick and injured patients receiving health services.

He allegedly said that “before the end of Tuesday at 5:30 pm (Jerusalem time), Israeli occupation war aircrafts bombed the Baptist Hospital in Gaza.

“The displaced families believed that this hospital was completely immune from military attacks, in accordance with international law.

“The death toll of the Palestinians in this massacre has so far reached about 900 people; the majority of them are women and children, in addition to several hundreds wounded.

“Since Oct. 7, the death toll on the Palestinian side is more than 3000, of which two to three are children and women and more than a thousand are still missing under the rubbles.

“I call for a humanitarian court to be set up by an independent body such as the United Nations and African Union aside from the west.

“Many Western media outlets are waging a dirty war against the Palestinian people by broadcasting and distributing dozens of false and fake news,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed