By Lizzy Okoji

President George Weah of Liberia has promised to deliver a peaceful and credible election as the country prepares for its Presidential and general polls in October.

Weah made the commitment on Wednesday in Monrovia during the commemoration of the 176^th Independence of the country.

The activity’s theme was “Giving our people hope for a violence-free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible elections”.

Weah said that the theme for this year’s celebration had a special significance as it comes on the heels of the nation’s elections, and reiterated his commitments to uphold and preserve the peaceful democracy of Liberia.

“Today, we have a collective duty to uphold and defend our constitution and I pledge to do that with all my ability.

“The theme of this year’s celebration is also a reminder to do our duty to country and to God.

“I reiterate my commitment to preserving the peace of the country which has been sustained since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on Aug. 18, 2003 in Accra, Ghana.

“The Presidential and general elections will be credible, reflect the voice of the people of Liberia, and will meet international and national standards,” Weah said.

Weah also admonished politicians contesting for various positions to ensure peaceful polls in their various counties, putting the interest of the people above theirs.

He thanked Liberian citizens for their resilience and commitment to the sustained peace in the country.

“We have proven that what unites us is bigger than what divides us and we are grateful to the people of Liberia for their tenacity and commitment to preserving the peace of the country since the end of the civil war.

“We should know the value of peace now and must do all we can to sustain it,” Weah added.

President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana congratulated the government and people of Liberia on the occasion of their independence and their adherence to the Accra commitment.

“It gives me great excitement to see the fruition of the Accra Agreement which was a commitment to the peace in Liberia by all factions after the brutal civil war.

“I urge Liberians to hold on to the tenets of the agreement and preserve their democracy to a peaceful transition.

“The successful implementation of the Accra agreement 20 years after, has seen to peaceful transition of power and this must be maintained.

“As you go to the polls, look beyond where you come from; deepen cohesion for peace and prosperity.

“You are Liberians first and foremost. If there must be a fight, it must be a fight to work together for the advancement of the country, political and economic gain,” Akufo-Addo said.

Akufo-Addo pledged the commitment of ECOWAS to support Liberia to achieve peaceful, credible and transparent elections.

President Adama Barrow of the Gambia also greeted the country on their independence celebration, urging them to remain united to achieve another mark for a peaceful democratic transition.

Also present at the event was the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis, representative of the ECOWAS President, Omar Touray, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmtyro Kuleba, among other dignitaries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
======
Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Lizzy  Okoji

Ms Mawine Diggs, Liberia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, has advised that countries should not be allowed to burn after general elections.

Diggs also called for inclusion and collaboration between winners and losers of elections in ECOWAS Member countries to preserve peace and democratic rule in the sub-region.

She made the appeal while presenting a paper titled: “Mechanism for collaboration between political majorities and opposition as a crisis prevention mechanism”, at a delocalised joint committee meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament on Thursday in Monrovia.

Diggs said the majority as the winner and the minority as the loser have a duty to keep the country safe, peaceful, stable and prosperous through inclusion and collaboration.

She noted that as always in a democracy, there would be a political majority elected by the people through the ballot box and a minority who does not get elected, stressing that collaboration between political majorities and opposition is sure means of crisis prevention.

“Like we say in Liberia, after all the political processes, ‘the country will not burn’. So it is with all countries in the ECOWAS community. After elections, our countries must not and should not burn,” Diggs said.

She admitted that in a democratic system of government, the majority wins but has a responsibility to protect the minority, insisting that the responsibility of protection encapsulates the respect for the rights of all, irrespective of the gender, ethnic or political affiliation of the individual.

“The governing majority is required to build strong and vibrant institutions including an independent judiciary and a free press.

“The governing majority is charged to ensure that the fundamental rights, including healthcare and education are available and affordable for all,” said the minister.

On the part of the minority, Diggs said that whilst the governing majority has a duty to govern, the minority has a charge to subscribe to the rule of law.

“The right to protest and hold government accountable or ‘hold their feet to the fire’, which is fundamental, must be exercised in a peaceful manner consistent with the constitution.

“Besides criticism, the minority is required to provide alternatives on what the governing majority could do in the best interest of the citizens.”

She explained that the first step to govern is the creation of the space and atmosphere for governance, and this is attainable only by collaboration, insisting that both the majority and minority must collaborate at all times regardless of the disagreements and divergence of views.

“Both sides must respect democratic principles and values. Whilst the majority focuses more on the delivery of its programmes, it must also create an enabling environment for everyone to co-exist.

“The threat of conflict is greatly minimised by a healthy collaboration between both the government, opposition and those of no position.”

Diggs also noted that in parliament, it is often said that “the minority has its say but the majority have the will,” stressing that: “This assertion finds its true meaning in the responsibility the majority has to all. To demonstrate will means to do the right thing, create the space required for all to participate as they so wish.

“For the minority, having say, is meant to insist on holding the government accountable and serviceable while also respecting the rule of law.

“The majority and minority must collaborate and build synergies on their commonalities in areas of gender parity, a free press, an independent judiciary, and an open budget which puts the people first and above all, upholds the constitution.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Lizzy Okoji

Mr Aderemi Ajibewa, a former top official of the ECOWAS Commission has urged member states to implement the bloc’s protocols of sustainable peace, democracy, and good governance in the sub-region.

Ajibewa, a former director of political affairs at the commission, gave the advice in Monrovia on Tuesday while delivering a paper at the Delocalised meeting of the Joint Committees of the ECOWAS Parliament on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, Judicial Affairs and Human rights, Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment.

The paper had the theme “Assessment of the Impact of the Relevant Provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol of Democracy and Good on Improving Governance and Crises Prevention in Member States”.

Ajibewa said community protocols and instruments already captured the mechanisms on constitutional political governance principles that addressed governance challenges.

He observed that the implementation of the relevant protocols by member countries would mitigate the level of conflict and bad leadership in the sub-region.

Ajibewa identified over-centralisation of power, weak institutions and structures, bad leadership, military interventions and interruptions of democratic governance as some of the challenges to  the implementation of some ECOWAS protocols.

“The position of governance in the ECOWAS sub-region is hinged on constitutional political governance principles that address governance challenges and guidelines for member states.

“The Supplementary Protocol (2021) provides for democratic control of the armed forces and zero tolerance for military coup d’etats and any form of unconstitutional change of power.

“The linkages between good governance and economic development is evident in good management of resources across a country’s various sectors impacts the country’s economic growth and development.

“The efficient operationalisation of the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance would provide long-lasting solutions to the challenges faced by the West African Region,” Ajibewa said.

To address some of the challenges, Ajibewa urged the ECOWAS Commission to increase engagement and partnership with civil society organisations.

He also urged the ECOWAS Commission to sensitise the military to the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocols on Democracy and Good Governance, and build the capacity of government officials.

Speaking, Hon, Ladi Ayamba, Member of Parliament from Ghana expressed regret over the the factors militating against the implementation of policies at the country level.

“We have these laws and protocols guiding us but it is sad that implementation is a problem,” Ayamba said.

Hon. Fatimatou Njai, a parliamentarian from the Gambia also said that it is time for ECOWAS to learn lessons from mistakes that have brought down some countries in other to move forward.

Njai recommended that ECOWAS bodies and institutions need to be firm on laws that retrogrades the sub-region. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

=======

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

By Isaac Aregbesola

Nigeria and South Africa have reiterated their commitment to tackle the menace of cybercrimes, money laundering and other economic and financial crimes.

The Acting-Chairman of EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, when a senior delegation from the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) of South Africa, led by Lt.-Gen. CS. Mosipi visited the commission.

Chukkol told the delegation that the EFCC was honoured to receive the delegation as a significant step “towards fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration between our esteemed agencies.

“The EFCC actually recognizes the track record and unwavering commitment demonstrated by your organization, the DPCI, most especially in prioritizing and combating serious crimes that threaten the fabric of our societies.

“As we all gather here today, united by our shared mission to safeguard our nations from the clutches of economic and financial crimes, we recognize the crucial role that knowledge exchange and cooperation play in strengthening our collective efforts.

“These challenges that we face are quite complex and multifaceted requiring a holistic and collaborative approach.”

Chukkol added that the EFCC placed a premium on cooperation and collaboration with law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies in Africa.

“So, collaboration with agencies like yours will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges we face in our continent.

“Through open and transparent sharing of intelligence, strategies and methodologies we can bolster our capabilities and enhance our resilience in the face of evolving criminal tactics,” he said.

On his part, Mosipi stated that the delegation was at the commission to develop new pathways in tackling economic and financial Crimes issues and other related offences bedeviling the society.

The leader of the delegation called for collaboration and cooperation between both agencies and the implementation of the existing law enforcement Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa.

“Within the DPCI we deal with serious economic and financial crimes; there is a section that deals with that and we equally deal with drugs, there is a section that deals with that.

“We are happy to be here and we hope that when we leave here we will have a way forward, we know exactly what we want to do and how we want to do it and we can from this table, get the  capacity to deal with those things,” he said(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

======

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Lizzy Okoji

The Speakers of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Parliament and the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) have agreed to foster integration, trade and free visa movement across both regions.

Hon. Sidie Tunis, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and Hon. NTAKIRUTIMANA Joseph of the EALA Parliament disclosed this after a meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EALA was on a courtesy visit to the ECOWAS parliament to discuss ways of strengthening the integration between both blocs for the interest of the people, to achieve a unified Africa.

Speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting, Tunis said that both parliaments have agreed to come up with resolutions to enhance visa free movement across West and East African countries and to share knowledge on best parliamentary practices.

“We have had a very short but important discussions bothering on the two institutions as to how we can collaborate in the interest of the people of the two regions.

“For the first time, these two regions have agreed as a parliament to work together to make sure that we bring them together.

“If these two regions through the parliament can work together, we will be bringing Africa together.

“Free movement is key within our regional body, our aim is integration. Free movement is an integral part. The aim is to work together for Africa to become one.

“If the two regions collaborate, we believe we can come up with resolutions that can enhance free movement of people from West Africa to East Africa and from East Africa to West Africa.

“Like West Africa, the ECOWAS Parliament is playing a very important role in ensuring that we have free movement. And it is the same thing that we want to collaborate with EALA, so that both regions can collaborate to integrate.

“So the whole idea of EALA and the ECOWAS Parliament is to see how we can share these ideas and see how we can take into consideration what is good in EALA bring to ECOWAS and what ECOWAS has that will be of good to EALA,” Tunis said.

Joseph said that strengthening collaborations between ECOWAS and EALA that will also foster free trade between citizens of both blocs is a legacy he would want him and Tunis to be remembered for.

“ECOWAS and EALA have been working together. learn from each other and our dream is to make Africa one, Africa that will be with free movement, free business.

“Africans should be leaving North to south with no visa, doing business. We want to have a legacy when we leave,” Joseph said.

NAN reports that both speakers also discussed supporting the candidature of Tanzanian House of Assembly, Tulia Ackson as President of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The speakers later went in for a closed-door meeting with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray.

According to Joseph, Africa clinching IPU’s Presidency after 100 years of the Union’s existence is an opportunity that must not elude the continent. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A Saudi designated air carrier, Flynas, has operated 22 flights from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria in the last seven days.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that so far 11,966 Nigerian pilgrims had been flown home in the last seven days, with Flynas accounting for 8,063 of them, leaving the remaining 3,903 to Max Air, Aero Contractors, Azman Air and Air Peace.

Flynas is operating the flights from Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; and the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto.

Official data obtained from the Command and Control Centre of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Tuesday, revealed that the five approved hajj air carriers have operated a total of 30 flights so far.

Flynas has transported 5,523 pilgrims in 14 flights to Sokoto, and 3,075 pilgrims to Lagos Station in eight flights, according to the official data.

The Managing Director of First Planet Travels – the General Sales Agent (GSA) of Flynas in Nigeria, Alhaji Umar Kaila, in an interview with journalists in Jeddah, said the airline would conclude its inbound transportation of pilgrims ahead of schedule.

“Flynas is fully prepared to conclude its inbound transportation of pilgrims ahead of schedule. We are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that all our assigned pilgrims are transported back to Nigeria in maximum comfort and safety,” he said.

Kaila said as witnessed during the outbound movement, the priority of the airline was the safe and comfortable transportation of its esteemed passengers on schedule.

“Like we did during the phase one operation, we have operated 24 flights so far on schedule without any delay or cancellation.”

The statistics have shown that Air Peace and Aero Contractors have operated one flight each, while Max Air has operated four flights and Azman Air two flights since the beginning of the return journey on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

Flynas has so far transported pilgrims from Sokoto, Lagos, Zamfara, Osun, Ogun, Kebbi, Borno states using the two operational centres in Lagos and Sokoto states.

NAHCON allocated 29,296 pilgrims to Flynas, 16,326 to Max Air, 11,348 to Air Peace, 8,660 to Azman Air, and 7,833 to Aero Contractors.

With over 80 Nigerian adhoc staff on its payroll, Flynas has been in Nigeria since 2014 as part of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Aero Contractors in collaboration with Umza Aviation Services has assured speedy transportation of all Nigerian pilgrims assigned to it back home within a shortest possible time.

Alhaji Abubakar Maifata, the Chairman of Umza Aviation Services, who is coordinating the 2023 Hajj operation for the two companies, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makkah.

NAN reports that Aero contractors is one of the Nigerian air carriers approved by the Federal Government to transport about 7,318 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and back to Nigeria.

Maifata stated that the airline had since begun the outbound movement of the Nigerian pilgrims despite constraint arising from lack of adequate slots at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

According to him, the airline has so far done one flight with about 475 pilgrims of Nasarawa State.

“But we are constraint with lack of adequate slots given to us by the Saudi authority to operate within King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. And this didn’t apply only to the Aero Contractors, it is applicable to all the Nigerian carriers.

“However, we held series of meetings with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on how to get out of the situation so that the Nigerian carriers can have adequate slots to transport pilgrims back to home.

“And I think it was agreed at the meeting that slots will be given to the Nigerian carriers and they have promised to do that between now to 15 of this month (July).”

He revealed that presently Aero contractors had secured additional two slots to transport pilgrims on July 12 and 13.

“As I’m talking to you, we were given two slots to operate on the July 12 and 13, and I am sure all the Nigerian carriers were given, some two, three to four slots to operate between now and July 14, and they promised also to make more slots available after July 15.

“We only did one flight on July 8 with 475 passengers from Nasarawa State and we hope to do second and third flight on July 12 and 13, respectively.”

The chairman appealed to all Nigerian pilgrims to exercise more patience and consider their continued stay in Saudi Arabia as an act of worship.

“I want to use this opportunity to, on behalf of all the Nigerian carriers, to appeal to all Nigerian pilgrims to be more patient. I want to assure them that all the problems are being resolved.

“And God willing in the next one to two days they will see lots of movement of pilgrims back home. It’s something that is not intentional on any part from the Nigerian air carriers.

“It’s a situation that we found ourselves and a lot of efforts are being made and solutions are being gotten and in the next couples of hours everything will be ok. I want to assure them that all the Nigerian air carriers are equal to the task,” said Maifats.

NAN reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Saturday said the commission was yet to get additional approval for the outbound movement of pilgrims to Nigeria through King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Hardawa, made this known at a news conference in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He, however, said that the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) had invited airlines responsible for the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to an operational meeting.

He said the officials of NAHCON were also part of the meeting, adding that at the end of the meeting the commission might have slots approved for the transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the commission is yet to get additional approval for the inbound movement of pilgrims to Nigeria through King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Hardawa, made this known at a news conference on Saturday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He, however, said that the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) had invited airlines responsible for the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to an operational meeting.

He said that the officials of NAHCON were also part of the meeting, adding that at the end of the meeting the commission might have slots approved for the transportation of pilgrims back to Nigerians.

“Up to this very moment I’m telling you no additional approval have been given for the transportation of pilgrims through King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

“The Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has invited airlines for a meeting this evening. Our officials are also attending the meeting and we hope by the end of the meeting we will have slots approved.

“And then transportation of pilgrims to Nigeria will commence in earnest involving all the approved carriers. As of now only the Flynas, a Saudi Arabian designated airline is actively flying out.

“Then with the Air Peace, Aero Contractors and Azman airlines were getting flight slots here and there which will not be satisfactory,” he said.

Hardawa explained that because of slot constraint, the commission had an aged long policy of ensuring justice to the pilgrims by trying to maintain the sequence of arrival into the Kingdom by all the pilgrims.

“That is respecting the principle of first-in-first-out, last-in-last-out. One will wonder as of now so many pilgrims have departed to Nigeria. As I’m talking to you almost 7,000 pilgrims under the states quota have been returned to Nigeria.

“We have carried out about 17 flights yet Nasarawa State pilgrims who had the opportunity of coming first are still in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One will wonder what went wrong ? Why are we jettisoning that principle of first-in-first-out.

“We have not. We are compelled by the circumstances. Flynas, a Saudi based carrier, was able to secure all the slots it required to fly out all the pilgrims allocated to it from Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Lagos and Osun States and it has been busy doing that.”

He said that Aero contractors, who are the carriers of Nasarawa state pilgrims would transport first flight of Nasarawa pilgrims to Nigeria today (June 8).

“Subsequent flights will depend on the outcome of the meeting currently taking place in Jeddah between GACA, air carriers and the officials of NAHCON.

“If additional slots are approved, particularly to Aero contractors, then it will be able to continue to transport Nasarawa pilgrims on back to back basis without any break.”

He therefore appealed to all Nigerian pilgrims to exercise more patience and continue to have confidence in the commission, which is not unmindful of their concern.

On his part, Sheikh Sulayman Momoh, the Commissioner Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services of the commission, expressed concern over the prevalence of pregnant women to this year’s Hajj.

He said the commission would review the incidents with a view to sanctioning those found to have violated laid down rules and guidelines governing pregnancies.

He said if NAHCON would drop its pregnant female staff, there was no reason for states not so do.

Momoh stated that NAHCON expected effective collaboration with state pilgrim boards, agencies and commissions to ensure smooth operation before, during and after the Hajj operation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola