By Lizzy Okoji

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on Tuesday evacuated 151 stranded Nigerians from Benghazi, Libya as the government resumed its voluntary evacuation in Libya.

Amb. Kabiru Musa, Charge D’affiares en titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Musa, the evacuees who included 71 females, 54 males, 14 children and 13 infants are expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos at 8 p.m.

Musa said that in 2022, the IOM, Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Nigerian Mission in Libya, successfully repatriated almost 4,000 Nigerians who were irregular migrants in the country.

He said that the March 28 voluntary evacuation was the first in the year with several other exercises to follow in the coming days and weeks.

​“Under the IOM’s voluntary repatriation exercise, we successfully evacuated 151 stranded Nigerians from the city of Benghazi to Lagos, Nigeria at 16:00 hours local time aboard chartered flight no. UZ189.

“The flight is expected to arrive the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at 20:00 hours Nigerian time the same day.

“There are several Nigerians living illegally in this country who have been subjected to very inhumane treatment, and the Federal Government, through the Mission here, has continued to intervene with local authorities to stop this.

“The voluntary repatriation offers an opportunity for those who want to return to Nigeria to do so safely and reunite with their families.

“There are always officials of relevant government agencies on ground to receive them and ensure their resettlement and reintegration back to society,” Musa said.

Musa said that more Nigerians would be evacuated from Tripoli on Wednesday, with another exercise to be carried out on April 3 from Misrata, Libya. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Masudur Rahman has expressed the desire of his country to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of agriculture, textile and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Rahman said this on Sunday evening in Abuja at a reception to mark the 52nd Independence and National Day celebration of Bangladesh.

He said considering the peculiarity between both countries in terms of demography and diplomatic pursuits, Nigeria and Bangladesh needed to further strengthen cooperation from all fronts.

“Today Bangladesh and Nigeria, having tremendous synergies in demography, colonial legacy, democratic and secular traditions and diplomatic pursuits under the ambit of the UN and it’s specialised bodies, the OIC, the D-8 and the Commonwealth are poised to deepen further our existing bilateral cooperation.

“Both countries are eyeing to expand cooperation in agriculture, education, communications and digital economy, export-led sectors like garments/textiles, SMEs including defense training and exchanges,” he said.

Rahman also stressed the need to explore other areas of untapped potential and mutual interest.

“I am hopeful that Bangladesh and Nigeria will strive further to tap the unexplored huge potential existing in the two countries and people, to elevate the bilateral cooperation to the next level of incentivized trading and business,” he added.

The envoy paid homage to the visionary leadership of the ‘father of the nation’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his struggle for independence and bequeathing an independent and prosperous nation to its people.

He noted that the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina had gradually moved the country into a digital middle-income developing country from where it was at independence.

He said the country was on the road to achieving all SDGs and transforming the country into a higher middle-income country before 2030.

The high commissioner therefore called on the international community to continue to partner with Bangladesh in its quest for rapid development.

NAN reports that the occasion was graced by diplomats, captains of industries, the academia, defence attaches among other dignitaries.

The Independence Day of Bangladesh is celebrated on March 26 as a national day.

It commemorates the country’s declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

By Abigael Joshua

The UK-based executive education and management consulting firm, TEXEM, has stated that the scars of COVID-19, geo-political instability and monetary tightening remain major global threats raising the dangerous level of volatility in the present times.

In a statement on its website (www.texem.co.uk), the Director, Special Projects at TEXEM UK, Caroline Lucas, says these challenges have been unprecedented in recent years.

Lucas said that the recent failure of Niger Insurance in Nigeria, the collapse of critical Silicon Valley Bank and the historically impactful Credit Suisse, which was founded in 1858, confirms no organisation is immune from these existential risks.

She articulated that the increasingly unstable global financial ecosystem is heightened at this time when debt levels are very high, and the global economy is expected to slow down.

The director said that as a result, all organisations require strategic leadership to thrive.

Lucas said that to address these issues, TEXEM invites leaders to a virtual and engaging programme tagged “Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods” in April.

She said the TEXEM programme comprises live, virtual and engaging sessions from April 15 to May 6.

“These volatile periods have significantly impacted organisations across various industries, resulting in an exodus of talent, depressed demand, high inflation, policy inconsistency, and low individual and organisational performance.

“In the face of these challenges, organisations require leaders with strategic leadership skills that can adapt and innovate to achieve enduring impact.

“It is for this reason that the TEXEM Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods programme is crucial for executives and organisations,” Lucas said.

According to the director of TEXEM, it is a flexible yet impactful leadership development programme designed to equip busy executives with the actionable insights, tools and behavioural change required to navigate volatile periods successfully.

She said the programme would bring together a team of world-class faculty and industry experts who would share their insights and practical experiences on leading strategically for sustainable competitive advantage during volatile periods.

Lucas said executives attending the TEXEM programme would benefit from a comprehensive learning experience.

The director said the experience covers vital topics such as Leading during high-stakes strategic change and Stimulating value innovation: Strategies for identifying, creating and sustaining new customers.

“The programme aims to help executives develop a strategic mindset, enabling them to identify new opportunities, anticipate potential threats and devise practical solutions to complex problems.

“Additionally, executives will learn how to create high-performing teams, enhance organisational agility, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

“Arguably, one of the significant challenges organisations are facing today is the exodus of talent,” she said.

Lucas said that in the current economic climate, employees have become more mobile, and organisations need to take proactive steps to attract and retain top talent.

She said that executives would learn how to create a culture that attracts and retains talent during the coming programme.

“They will also learn how to develop the skills and capabilities required to manage a diverse workforce effectively.

“This will ensure that their organisations have the right people with the right skills and competence to succeed,” Lucas said.

She said another challenge facing organisations today is depressed demand and high inflation.

“These challenges have had a significant impact on organisations across various industries.

“So, one of the essential things executives will learn during the April programme is how they could translate their strategic ambition into actions.

“This could entail developing new business models, identifying new market opportunities and adapting their business strategies to win.

“Additionally, executives will learn how to manage costs effectively, optimising their resources to achieve sustainable growth,” Lucas said.

She said that policy inconsistency is another challenge that organisations are facing today.

“Regulations and policies are frequently changing, making it difficult for organisations to plan and execute their strategies effectively.

“The forthcoming programme ‘Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods’ seeks to solve this issue by equipping executives with the skills and knowledge required to monitor and navigate through policy changes and ensuring that their organisations remain compliant.

“Low individual and organisational performance are also challenges that organisations are facing, with many struggling to meet their performance targets,” Lucas said.

The director says the forthcoming programme addresses this issue by helping executives develop a high-performance culture, creating an environment that fosters continuous learning, innovation and improvement.

“By developing a culture of high performance, organisations can enhance their productivity, increase employee engagement, and unlock scarce value.

“Executives attending the programme will benefit from a range of practical tools and frameworks they can apply immediately in their organisations.

“They will also have the opportunity to network and collaborate with other executives, sharing their experiences and best practices and building lasting relationships,” she said.

Lucas said among the faculty to handle the programme is Prof. Roger Delves, an Oxford alumnus and world-renowned Professor of Practice.

“Strategic Leadership For Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods will show participants how to think strategically in a way that will really make an impact during times of volatile change.

Anyone in a position of responsibility or leadership would benefit from the content of this workshop because all such people have to be confident in the quality of their strategic decision-making.

“As indeed do the people who work in the teams and organisations that they lead,” Delves said.

Prof. Paul Griffith,

the World’s first Professor of Management to lead a team that launched a rocket to space is a faculty.

“The key characteristic of organisations that are successful in navigating uncertainty and crisis situations is the strength of their strategic leadership.

“For executives in a leadership position who are ambitious to take their organisation to the next level of performance and create an outstanding legacy.

“Then, participating in the ‘Strategic Leadership for Enduring Impact in Volatile Periods’ programme will help you and your team take confident steps in steering your organisation to future success,” he said.

Ambassador Charles Crawford, winner of the equivalent of two Oscars, will also deliver lectures during the programme.

“This programme makes participants think about what they are doing, not least in balancing short-term and long-term considerations wisely.

“Participants learn to ‘Go Deeper’ – to think clearly about what a problem or challenge they face is really about – what exactly is at stake?

“If you don’t have a test of success and a test of failure for what you are doing, why are you doing it?,” Crawford said.

Prof. Rodria Laline,

the developer of the intellectual property used in the chip on every ATM card is another faculty.

“Strategic leadership is not just about making the right decisions; it’s about inspiring and engaging others to embrace change and achieve success in times of uncertainty and scarce resources,” Laline noted. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou reached Shanghai on Monday for a 12-day trip.

He becomes the first Taiwanese leader to visit China which refused to recognise the independence of the self-governing island.

Ma’s trip comes amid increased tensions between China and Taiwan.

On Sunday, Honduras broke off relations with Taiwan and established diplomatic ties with China.

The diplomatic setback came just days before Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s scheduled visit to Guatemala and Belize starting March 29.

Taiwan’s presidential spokesperson Olivia Lin on Monday urged Beijing to receive Ma as a former state leader in accordance with international diplomatic etiquette.

Before departing, 73-year-old Ma, of the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), said he wanted to honour his ancestors during his first trip to mainland China and organise student exchanges.

“I hope that exchange of youngsters will help improve the atmosphere of cross-strait relations and bring peace here faster and sooner,’’ Ma told reporters at the Taoyuan International Airport.

Michelle Lin, spokeswoman for the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), on Monday, criticised Ma’s trip, saying that the KMT was ignoring the fact that China was suppressing Taiwan.

Some other opposition parties had also urged Ma to cancel his trip.

Tensions are rising across the Taiwan Strait.

Since Tsai took office in 2016, nine former allies of Taiwan have switched sides and established ties with China, after being offered economic incentives from Beijing.

China cut off all communication with Taiwan’s leadership in June 2016, one month after Tsai took office.

Under Ma’s leadership from 2008 to 2016, China and Taiwan enjoyed relatively smooth relations since 1949, when the KMT fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war.

In late 2015, Ma met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Singapore in a landmark meeting.

Ma’s delegation, which included former government officials and university students, was due to visit several Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, and Chongqing.

However, there were no plans for him to visit Beijing.

Ma’s office in Taipei confirmed the delegation’s arrival at Shanghai Pudong Airport late on Monday, saying that he was greeted by senior officials of China’s Taiwan Work Office at the airport.

Taiwanese local TV reports showed that Ma was waving as he walked out of the aeroplane.

He did not stop in the airport to speak, but departed for Nanjing, where he would give a speech on Tuesday. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===============
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ijeoma Popoola

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Mr Gangadharan Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria says the much anticipated direct flights from Nigeria to India is set to commence on March 31.

Balasubramanian told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline had concluded plans for the inaugural flight from Lagos to Mumbai, Bombay.

” I can announce to you that that Air Peace will be flying directly from Lagos to India on March 31st for the inaugural flight.

“This is part of the implementation of the
Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) aimed at deepening relations between both countries, so I have been invited for the inauguration, ” he said.

Balasubramanian explained that the direct flight would further strengthen economic, trade, bilateral relations, and people-to-people ties between both strategic countries.

“The volume of trade between both countries as at 2022 is 14.95 billion dollars, so we believe agreements such as this will go a long way in boosting our relations,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the new route would increase the volume of trade between both countries, while opening new vista of opportunities for citizens of both countries.

NAN reports that Nigeria and the Republic of India had in 2019 signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), to deepen flight operations end to end.

Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika had expressed optimism that the agreement would further deepen cooperation between both countries.

BASA covers the basic framework under which airlines are granted bilateral rights to fly two countries. The frequency, designated airlines of the signatories, origin, intermediate points as well as traffic rights, type of aircraft and tax issues are normally covered by Memoranda of Understanding.

The new route is expected to further boost relations between both countries, as more than 135 indian companies currently operate in Nigeria.

India is becoming the prime destination for Nigerians seeking medical tourism, studies, businesses among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

By Fortune Abang

A forum of international guest speakers on Friday adjudged China’s strategy for common prosperity to be a model for other countries.

The forum held in Beijing, China was organised by the Chinese Global Television Network (CGTN), in furtherance of the 2023 national two sessions on “Modernisation toward common prosperity for all people.”

The event with the theme, “China Agenda”, centered on China’s modernisation masterplan and its significance to the world in general.

It examined the outcomes of this year’s two sessions and how they fit into China’s blueprint for modernisation

According to the speakers, China’s adherence to common prosperity is people-oriented.

They said the results were of benefit to the whole world, adding that such benefits were worth referencing.

A guest speaker, Alessandro Teixeira, a former Brazilian Minister of Development Industry and Foreign Trade, said China’s development over the past few decades had proven to be feasible for the realisation of common prosperity for all people.

“China’s modernisation focuses on universal issues such as poverty eradication and climate change response, which not only benefits China itself but its neighbours and the entire world as well.

“China’s modernisation has universal significance and value, which is expected to be a paradigm for realising humanity’s common prosperity,” Teixeira said.

Another speaker, John Ross, a British Senior Fellow at Renmin University of China, said that the Chinese-style of modernisation involved many aspects such as society, education, culture, and health.

“It has truly improved people’s livelihoods and well-being. Compared to China, the social development of the U.S. is severely imbalanced with a huge gap between the rich and the poor.

“Yet it still tries to dominate the world with its own values,” Ross said.

Also speaking, Geoffrey Hawker, Head of Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University, said the world was faced with various difficult challenges.

Hawker commended Chinese-style of modernisation to have coped well with various risks and challenges that enabled people achieve prosperity.

Michael Powers from the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University said there were notable differences between common prosperity and pure welfare society.

According to him, China’s common prosperity provided opportunities for all people to join the economic development.

“It not only relies on the traditional model of subsidising low-income groups and taxing high-income groups to narrow the gap between rich and poor.

“It is a more proactive strategy that tries to give a fair share of the interests of economic development to people in all regions and areas, which is worth learning for many, including Europe and the U.S.,” Powers said.

On his part, Peter Chai, Deputy Director of the Institute of China Studies of the University of Malaya defined common prosperity to mean inspiration to the world.

Chai said, “The idea of common prosperity is an inspiration to the development of the Global South, taking the imbalanced development between coastal and inland areas, urban and rural areas in its own country, Malaysia as an example.

“Common prosperity as proposed by China can effectively manage the huge gap between the rich and the poor. It is a very far-sighted development strategy. Developing countries can learn from China’s experiences.”

Meanwhile, Li Yong, Chief Researcher at D&G Thinktank, also commended China’s clear plan for realisation of common prosperity, suggesting efforts should be made to include all people in development processes.

“Individuals, governments, and enterprises should play an active role in promoting economic development, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a good example.

“The BRI connects China with its partners by bringing vitality to the economic development of every country.

“Enabling China and partners to thrive in cooperation, ultimately helps achieve common prosperity in all of BRI’s partner countries,” Li said.

The forum which was part of the serial activities about Chinese modernisation and the world attracted politicians, academicians, and Chinese experts from across the United Kingdom, U.S., Australia, Malaysia, Brazil, and other countries to discuss the subject.

The event attracted media organisations from 20 countries along the BRI including Kenya, Egypt, Pakistan, and the Philippines, the U.S., Brazil, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, India, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Emmanuel Yashim

Russian aircraft flying close to Estonian airspace was intercepted by Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) and Germany’s Air Force, or Luftwaffe.

The interception was carried out during their first joint NATO air policing scramble as pilots.

The response on Tuesday saw the pair of British and German Typhoon jets react to a Russian air-to-air refueling aircraft, after it failed to communicate with Estonian air traffic control.

British pilots are currently conducting joint air policing missions in the country alongside the German air force for the first time.

It came as Britain prepares to take over from Germany to lead the NATO mission in Estonia, which borders Russia.

The Ministry of Defence stressed the “routine” nature of the mission, but it came amid tensions between the West and Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

Armed forces minister, James Heappey said: “NATO continues to form the bedrock of our collective security.

“This joint UK and German deployment in the Baltics clearly demonstrates our collective resolve to challenge any potential threat to NATO’s borders, whilst demonstrating our combined strength.”

A Typhoon pilot from the RAF’s IX (Bomber) Squadron, who was not named by the Ministry of Defence, said: “We were scrambled to intercept an aircraft that was approaching Estonian airspace.

“We identified and monitored it as it transited close to NATO airspace.

“Any aircraft that are not communicating with Air Traffic Control or on a recognised flight plan will be intercepted by us to ensure we know who they are and maintain flight safety for all airspace users.

“As a fighter pilot, this was a routine business, even though I was flying alongside a German colleague.

“It is clear that all of our training and hard work paid off as we seamlessly operated together.”

Commander of the RAF’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, Wing Commander Scott Maccoll, said it had been “great” to see British and German forces operate as one team.’’

Details of the mission came amid a fresh reminder of the depth of tensions between Russia and the U.S., after a Russian fighter jet struck the propeller of a U.S. surveillance drone over the Black Sea.

The U.S. called it a “brazen violation of international law” and caused the U.S. forces to bring down the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Moscow said the U.S. drone manoeuvred sharply and crashed into the water following an encounter with Russian fighter jets scrambled to intercept it near Crimea.

But insisted its warplanes did not fire their weapons or hit the drone.

The incident appeared to mark the first time since the height of the Cold War that a U.S. aircraft was brought down after an encounter with a Russian warplane. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==============
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Joseph Edeh

Ukraine’s Air Force has defended the deployment of U.S. reconnaissance drones after the military incident in the Black Sea.

“The Black Sea is not an internal sea of Russia, as they have occupied the Sea of Azov and consider it theirs,” Ukrainian Air Force spokesman, Yuri Ihnat, said on television in Kiev on Tuesday night.

The Black Sea is also bordered by NATO members, including Turkey and Romania, which is why the U.S. drones are operating there on a legal basis, he added.

According to the U.S. military, an unmanned U.S. military drone collided with a Russian fighter jet in international airspace over the Black Sea.

U.S. forces had to bring the drone down after the collision, the military said.

The Black Sea borders both Russia and Ukraine.

Moscow’s ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, called the incident a provocation, saying the crashed U.S. drone was operating thousands of kilometres away from home near the Russian border.

The drone was collecting data for the Ukrainian armed forces in order to carry out strikes against Russia, which is an “impermissible activity,” Antonov said.

The U.S. invoked international law that allowed the operation over neutral waters.

A new U.S. drone has already been deployed in place of the crashed one, Ihnat said in Kiev.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the southeast of Snake Island in the Black Sea, which belongs to Ukraine.

The U.S. had been monitoring and conducting reconnaissance there long before Russia’s full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2023, he said.

Russia denied that there was any physical contact, claiming instead that the drone collided with the surface of the water after a sharp evasive manoeuvre. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Salif Atojoko

By Cecilia Ologunagba

 The Society of Foreign Consuls  (SOFC), New York, has honoured a Nigerian nurse, Dr Grace Ogiehor-Enoma, for her outstanding achievements and contributions to community empowerment of African immigrants in the U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogiehor-Enoma was honoured at the 2023 International Women Day celebration hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York.

The event was part of the activities to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day and International Women’s Month in New York.

The event co-hosted with the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, had 15 participating Consulates General. Fifteen  awardees from those Consulates were honoured.

The participating Consulates are Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, El Salvador, Guyana, India, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Peru, Serbia and Turkey.

In his remarks, Consul General of India in New York, Amb. Randhir Jaiswal, spoke about the importance of celebrating the achievements of women.

According to him, the Consulate has celebrated the Women’s Day on March 8, noting that celebrating the Day in an international environment with representatives from people all over the world is “truly a special day”.

He said that women had been contributing greatly to the growth and development of India from art to culture, and from entertainment to aviation sector.

“All our folk traditions, all our songs, classic music and dances, performing art, have been passed from one generation to the other through women.

“India today is the 5th largest economy, very soon, it will be the 3rd largest economy in the world.

“So, if the country has to climb this ladder, she needs to bring more women to every sector of the economy,’’ he said.

Similarly, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, Edward Mermelstein, urged countries to include more women in every sector of their economy.

“Let this event be a call for action to work for a more just and equitable world for women.

“Also, we must work together to have a world where women will be free from violence, a world to promote gender equality and women empowerment,’’ he said.

In her remarks, the President of SOFC in New York, Amb. Marita Landaveri, congratulated the awardees, saying that they were extra ordinary women representing former ministers, activists, teachers and people that had helped others.

“All of you in one way or the other have helped others. Your Consuls General have chosen you as women doing extra ordinary things in your communities.’’

Landaveri, who is the Consul General of Peru in New York, said that 15 ladies, representing their different countries and the world, had been chosen for 2023 International Women Day celebration awards.

“You have been chosen because you do special things. All of you here were honoured today by SOFC in New York because of your contribution and commitment throughout the many immigrant communities in the city,’’ she said.

NAN reports that Ogiehor-Enoma holds monthly health outreach in Nigeria House, conducting free health screening for Nigerians coming to the mission.

Ogiehor-Enoma, an associate Professor at Hunter-Believue School of Nursing, is a founder of the Nigerian Nurses Association of USA (NNAUSA) and is also a community health activist.

Founded in April 2002, NNAUSA is aimed at bringing Nigerian nurses for community health outreach, health education and to help eliminate health disparities amongst African immigrant communities.

It provides free health services including community outreach, health screening and referrals, cancer referrals, prescription drug programme,  family health counselling as well as an annual nutrition and clothing drive.

Under her leadership as Executive Director and now Chair, National Association of Nigerian in North America (NANNA), NNAUSA has expanded to several states in the United States and Canada, giving rise to the National Association in North America.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Pakistani authorities have busted a gang involved in the illegal transplant of kidneys to wealthy foreigners, a practice flourishing in the impoverished nation amid an economic crisis.

Police and health department rangers raided a hidden clinic in the city of Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad on Monday night arresting 10 people including doctors and nurses.

Hassan Akhtar, head of a team from the Punjab Human Organ and Transplant Authority, said three suspected donors and two recipients, one each from Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, were also arrested.

Akhtar who led the team said further raids were being conducted on Tuesday to arrest the remaining members of the network.

The network included several people who would go to villages and small towns in the central province of Punjab and convince people to sell kidneys to wealthy foreigners, mostly from Arab countries and some from Europe.

Wealthy foreign buyers pay up to 50,000 dollars for a kidney transplant, but the bulk of the money goes to middlemen and the donor hardly gets around 3,000 dollars, according to a nephrologist in Islamabad.

Pakistan enacted a law to control the illegal sale of body organs in 2010 that envisaged up to 10 years in jail and a fine for transplants other than at established hospitals.

However, the law has not been able to control the practice due to corruption, rising poverty and established criminal gangs working beyond the country’s borders, experts said. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Salif Atojoko