NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Foreign

Indonesia launches free meals programme to combat malnutrition in schools

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By Fortune Abang

The Indonesian government has launched an ambitious free meal programme to combat malnutrition and promote healthy eating among students in underserved communities in the country.

The “Free Nutritious Meal Programme’, a centerpiece of President Prabowo Subianto election campaign that propelled him to power in 2024, aims to reach more than 82 million students and pregnant mothers across Indonesia in five years.

A statement from the Presidential Communication Office Spokesperson, Philips Vermonte and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the initiative was a first of it’s kind.

“For the first time in the history of independent Indonesia, a universal government-subsidised programme, will provide millions of our students with rich nutritious meals.

“These meals are processed with high standards of hygiene, ready to be served to children in schools across the largest archipelagic nation in the world,”  Vermonte said.

He noted that the Indonesian education system is the fourth largest in the world with more than 60 million students, studying in more than 400,000 schools.

The spokesperson said that key features of the Programme include high-quality, balanced meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients to ensure freshness and central kitchens.

He said that the programme had received strong endorsements from United Nations agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh

Foreign

Security structure crucial to aircraft leasing – Boeing Director

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By Gabriel Agbeja

Ms Rose Lereece, Director Customer Finance, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, has said that security structure is crucial  in obtaining aircraft lease.

Lereece made this known at the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Global in Dublin, Ireland, on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the director described structure as a “Stand-by Letter of Credit (SBLC),’’  serving as a security provided by a commercial bank and covered by a confirming Banking and an Insurer.

According to her, SBLC provides a short-term guarantee (immediate and irrevocable) which allows the lender or lessor to cash-in an amount to the value of six to 36 months of payments in U.S. Dollars.

Lereece said that the payments were envisioned to include both rentals and maintenance reserves.

She listed SBLC Security features to include, immediate availability and irrevocable funds, US Dollar settlement and further security in the form of confirming and or third-party insurance.

She said that others were more entities that implied more security and fees, giving lessor or lender the ability to cure and continue or severe and repossess.

“`Collateteralisation by the airline of a fraction of the agreed SBLC value may be required by the commercial banks, “ she added.

According to her, airline pays commercial banks a single rate that embeds all fees including insurance where applicable while commercial banks pay lessor in the event of an issue.

The director explained that commercial banks obtained SBLC insurance support from the confirming bank while the confirming bank obtained SBLC insurance support from the insurance provider.

She further explained that the insurer provided insurance for the confirming bank or the commercial bank

Contributing, Mr Moor Ibekwe, Boeing Sales Director Africa Region Commercial Airplanes, said that the value of the SBLC, measured in payments due, could be six to 36 months for both rental and maintenance reserves.

He explained “playout term“ as one-off or monthly according to the severity of the underlying issue.

“Continued utilisation or restoration would be at the behest of the lessor or the lender, confirming bank support needed for the lease or loan traction.

“Insurance support needed for the lease/ loan transaction while tenor is the period for which the SBLC must be available to the lessor or lender in the first five years of a 12-year lease,“ he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka

Foreign

China’s ice-snow sector ’ll exceed 1trn RMB value in 2025 — Official

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By Fortune Abang

The National Alpine Skiing Centre of China has predicted that the country’s ice-snow sector would exceed one trillion RMB value in 2025.

The Ski instructor at the centre, Xin Dawei, made this known on Wednesday at a global virtual news conference organised by the centre.

He described 2025 as the busiest snow season.

Xin lauded China for capturing both domestic and international investments to become the world’s fastest-growing winter sports market.

He said that, although the world was undergoing a plateau phase, China recorded huge increments for international businesses.

“Two months ago, China released guidelines to boost the ice and snow economy with the aim to grow it into a 1.2 trillion-yuan industry by 2027,” he said.

According to him, the number of instructors at the centre has grown this year to meet the fast-rising demand.

He added that hiring was still going on.

Xin further said, “Youngsters venture into the snow fields inspired by Winter Olympic super idols, such as Eileen Gu and Yiming Su; many are also driven by their skilful friends or partners.

“Riding the Olympics wave, China’s ice and snow sector is expected to exceed the mark of 1 trillion RMB this year, up from 970 billion RMB in 2024.

“In 2015, when China won the bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the figure was 270 billion RMB.”

He identified JD.com as an e-commerce platform for Chinese device buyers, sales of ski-related gears in 2024, which recorded remarkable growth with sales of ski goggles.

Others, he said, are snowshoes and snowboards, which have increased by not less than 80 per cent year-on-year.

Xin further quoted Mr Xie Jinhong, an official of winter sports sales at JD.com, as saying that Southern China sales had surged by over 100 per cent in Fujian, Anhui, Guangxi, Hunan and Guangdong provinces.

He also said that the current snow season was estimated to attract not less than 500 million visitors to ice and snow resorts, up from 385 million last season.

Xin quoted Mr Benny Wu, Vice-President of Beijing Ski Association and author of 2023-2024 China Ski Industry White Book, as saying that youngsters make up a significant portion of the winter sports participants.

“Winter camps are attracting tens of thousands of students in Chongli, one of the host locations of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, when compared to less than the past.

“Skiing schools are also burgeoning in China; China has become the world’s largest indoor ski market, home to over half of the world’s total and six out of the ten biggest ones globally.

“Breaking the limits of terrain and season, indoor venues offer convenient, round-the-year choices for city dwellers, especially in places where there are few mountains to develop,” Benny said.

Xin further quoted Lisa Zhang, General Manager, Marketing Department, Bonski, the largest indoor ski resort in Southern China, as saying that indoor skiing has been integrated into citizens’ lives.

“Sales of family tickets hiked by 66.5 per cent in the past five years with the number of preschoolers escalating 20 times,” Lisa said. (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen

Foreign

Recapturing Aj Jazira will strengthen peace in Sudan- Official

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By Fortune Abang

The Sudanese Government believes that regaining control of Aj Jazira State from the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will pave the way for lasting peace in Sudan.

Mr Ahmed Taboul, Chargé d’Affaires of the Sudanese Embassy in Nigeria, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, this development follows the successful recapture of the strategic state by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

NAN recalls that the conflict between the SAF and RSF has been ongoing, with the RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, facing US sanctions for alleged genocide.

He noted that the recapture of Aj Jazira State by the SAF marks a significant turning point in Sudan since the war broke out on 15 April 2023.

Taboul said, “Aj Jazira is not just strategic; it is also the second largest after Khartoum.

“We consider it a junction connecting the highways of national roads linking most Sudanese cities.

“Aj Jazira is one of the leading states economically, politically, and socially, located less than 200 kilometres from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

“The successful recapture of the state will give the SAF a strong opportunity to advance and take control of other parts of Sudan, such as the western region, and ensure sustainable peace.

“The southern part of Aj Jazira and other states previously controlled by the rebels have been retaken by the national forces.

“Now, the situation is entirely clear, with the Sudanese Government fully in control through the SAF’s success in reclaiming many villages and other parts of Sudan.”

He explained that the RSF’s position was precarious at the time of the report, adding, “They no longer have any command or central control as they used to.”

This, according to the envoy, is politically and diplomatically good news for the Sudanese people.

He said the Head of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, would soon pay a working visit to four countries: Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, Mali, and Senegal.

“The situation in Sudan is changing, and we are confident that all aspects of the war will improve.

“Hopefully, millions of displaced persons and those who fled to neighbouring countries will regain peace and stability across Sudanese cities,” he said.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chioma Ugboma

Foreign

Allegation of plot with Nigeria to destabilise Niger `groundless` – France

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By Maureen Okon
France on Wednesday described as “groundless” the allegation by Niger that Nigeria had offered space in its territory to France in order to destabilise the former French colony.
Mr Bertrand de Seissan, Political Counsellor to the Embassy of France in Nigeria expressed this thought in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
“This allegation is groundless. This has never been discussed, nor even suggested by either France or Nigeria,” the political counsellor said.
It will be recalled that Abdourahamane Tchiani,  the Nigerien military Leader had alleged plot to destabilise the country by using neighbouring Benin and Nigeria as a base for attacks.
Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa in an interview, alleged that France was negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.
He said France made a “substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu” to establish a military base in Nigeria.
“They (France) met and negotiated with Boko Haram/Bakurawa (a possible variation of the pronunciation of Lakurawa, a new terrorist group in Nigeria),” Tchiani said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
Foreign

FDI crucial to Nigeria, Indonesia economic growth, says ambassador

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By Mark Longyen

Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Usra Harahap, says deepening bilateral relations between both countries to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is critical to engendering their future economic growth.

Harahap gave this insight in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the ambassador, it is for this reason that he explored  numerous investment opportunities for both Nigerian and Indonesian businessmen for the past five years and nine months.

Harahap said he made specific efforts to encourage Indonesian businessmen to invest in Nigeria, and vice versa, with significant achievements in this regard.

He affirmed that such investments include agricultural inputs, coal-based fertiliser, manufacturing, bilateral trading deals, artificial insemination of livestock, fishery technology programmes, cultural relations, education, and technology transfer.

The envoy disclosed that the bilateral trade between Nigeria and Indonesia recently witnessed an impressive growth of about 80 per cent, that is, about four billion dollars in volume.

“Investment opportunities will help towards promoting the future of Nigeria-Indonesia relations.

“Indonesia and Nigeria must set an even higher ambition in our bilateral cooperation.

“You know, we know, that not only me and not only Indonesia, but the whole world knows that Nigeria is a huge market,” he said.

Amb. Harahap said that the Indonesian embassy and  government had taken some deliberate steps toward facilitating investment opportunities from businessmen across both sides.

For instance, he said the Indonesian government decided to ease the visa process for Nigerian businessmen, who are interested in attending their annual Trade Expos.

“We encourage the businessmen to come together, to visit each other, to have business meetings, and so on.

“So, during my tenure of duty, I’ve tried to encourage these by solving, especially the problem of visa.

“Every time we have a big event in Indonesia, we encourage the Indonesian Immigration to make the visa easier because we present the ambassador as a guarantor,” he said.

The ambassador said that he also encouraged business-to-business contact among the businessmen.

“I open my telephone number to call the businessmen who already know me. They come to me, and explain what they need to connect with Indonesian businessmen. I just facilitate. No problem.

“I will just call Indonesia to tell them that somebody would like to do business with them. What do you have? What do you need? And what is your preparation for that?

“And, finally, we just make the communication by Zoom meeting. It’s our system. Every Zoom meeting, I already make a conclusion. Oh, this Zoom meeting is very fruitful and flourish. Let’s start.

“We also have the WhatsApp group chat. And after that is done, they try to communicate. Finally, one of them will visit Nigeria or the Nigerian will visit Indonesia for factory visit,” he said.

The Indonesian envoy added that, as a result of such deliberate efforts, more than 170 Nigerian entrepreneurs travelled to the Southeast Asia and Oceania region in 2024 to explore the huge investment opportunities available there. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Foreign

Indonesia, Nigeria deepening defence, counter-terrorism collaboration — Envoy

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By Mark Longyen

Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Usra Harahap, says both countries share similar defence and security experiences and interests, and are working closely to deepen collaboration against terrorism.

The ambassador, a retired Air Vice Marshal in the Indonesian military, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Harahap stated that during his six-year tenure in Nigeria and ECOWAS, he had utilised his military experience to strengthen Indonesia’s diplomatic-military engagements in the subregion.

According to him, his concurrent accreditation as ambassador to ECOWAS enabled him to engage with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, particularly during their threat to withdraw from the regional bloc.

“The development of relations between the two countries is very dynamic. In various fields, relations between governments are getting better.

“As you know, I have a military background. But, you know, a military background does not mean I’m not able to do a diplomatic job because diplomatic action is a kind of war without a weapon.

“We come here to share experience because we know Nigeria has a lot of experience in solving the problem of terrorism through counter-terrorism. And also, Indonesia, we have plenty of experience in that,” he said.

The envoy revealed that, in line with the military cooperation between Indonesia and Nigeria, he had facilitated the training of young Nigerian military officers at Indonesia’s defence university on scholarships.

“Some of them have already graduated. Some of them are still undergoing the same,” he said.

The outgoing ambassador disclosed that one of his greatest achievements and legacies was his strategic diplomatic engagements in Nigeria and the entire ECOWAS subregion to curb the surge of terrorism.

“We tried to stop the escalation of terrorism through diplomatic efforts. Diplomacy is very effective in making the situation not escalate,” he said.

Harahap, the longest-serving Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, said he was leaving behind a legacy of substantial growth and continuity in Indonesia-Nigeria diplomatic relations for his successors to build upon.

“Indonesia is a big country, Nigeria is a big country. It’s our duty to drive growth between both countries to solve challenges.

“We need to have a strong commitment to build our relationship with Nigeria and other accredited countries; a strong commitment to complement each other,” he said.

The envoy added that he would miss certain Nigerian dishes, which he had come to love during his stay in the country, particularly suya — roasted beef garnished with local spices.

NAN reports that Nigeria is Indonesia’s second-largest trade partner in Africa after South Africa, with current trade volume between the two nations reaching about four billion dollars. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Foreign

Nigeria, France, others not sponsoring terrorism against Niger- ECOWAS

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By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has refuted claims by Niger Republic that Nigeria and some ECOWAS member states were colluding with France to sponsor terrorism against the country.

ECOWAS made this known in a statement issued by its spokesman, Joël Ahofodji, describing  the allegations by Niger as “unfounded and unsubstantiated.”

The News Agency of Nigeria ((NAN) reports that Niger Republic’s military rulers had accused Nigeria and some West African countries of colluding with France to engage in terrorism acts against their country.

While dismissing the Sahel country’s allegations as unfounded and unsubstantiated, ECOWAS emphasised that it was solidly behind Nigeria and the accused member states.

“The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) expresses deep concern over allegations made against Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states.

“The Commission stands firmly by Nigeria and ECOWAS member states against the allegations that they are sponsoring terrorism.

“For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security of several countries, not only in the West African sub region but also on the African continent,” it said.

According to ECOWAS, recent successes recorded by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which Nigeria leads, demonstrate the country’s commitment to peace and security across the region.

“ECOWAS, therefore, refutes any suggestion that such a generous and magnanimous country would become a state-sponsor of terrorism,” it added.

The Commission further urged all ECOWAS member states to refrain from making accusations that are not supported by any evidence, and instead promote subregional dialogue and stability.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had on Thursday similarly denied the same allegations made by Niger.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the allegations, made by Niger’s military leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, were false and a figment of his imagination.

“These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination.

“Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France or any other country to destabilise Niger Republic,” Idris had said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited  by Halima Sheji

Foreign

We’re committed to regional dev’t- Moroccan official

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Moroccan Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, stated that His Majesty, King Mohammed VI, has a special interest in the success of regional development projects in Morocco.

 

Laftit emphasised that the king viewed the regional development initiative as a key driver for integrated, sustainable economic growth and human development.

 

He made this statement during the closing of the 2nd National Conference on Advanced Regionalisation, held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, on Saturday in Tangier.

 

Laftit added that regional development required the collective efforts of all stakeholders to ensure prosperity and a decent life for citizens.

 

According to him, the royal message emphasises the need to take up the challenges that still stand in the way of optimal implementation of the advanced regionalisation project.

 

He cited the challenges of reinforcing participative democracy regionally and locally, and implementing the constitutional principle of territorial accountability.

 

Other challenges according to him include promoting regional attractiveness, and the ability of regions to develop financing mechanisms to cope with certain crises and adapt to changes imposed by the economic situation and future hazards.

 

The minister said the participation of several stakeholders in the event had enabled constructive and fruitful debates on themes relating to the challenges facing the advanced regionalisation project.

 

“These contributions also highlighted the opportunities offered by advanced regionalisation as a platform for strengthening local governance, spatial justice and efficiency in resource management.

 

“It was also a collective work space giving stakeholders the opportunity to reflect on promoting integrated development through the territorial implementation of public policies,’’ he said.

 

The President, Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM), Mbarka Bouaida, described the conference as a strategic movement that dealt with improving the environment and improving the economy of the country on a global and national scale.

 

Bouaida said the meeting had brought together a large number of organisations, experts, students, citizens and global companies from across all territories.

 

She said the continuity of the dialogue would allow citizens and companies to organise intervention and support programmes in the field of interest.

 

“It is necessary to improve government policies, with projects to improve innovation programmes and improve the coordination of knowledge of the economy and the national and regional economy is the priority of all parties.

 

“The role of the parties in investing the economy and the national economy and the regional economy is to ensure the balance between the private sector and public sector,’’ she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Foreign

Moroccan advanced regionalisation will address territorial dev’t- official 

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

President, Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM), Mbarka Bouaida, says the current stage of advanced regionalisation must focus on operationalisation to meet the challenge of territorial development.

 

Bouaida said this at the 2nd National Conference on Advanced Regionalisation, held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, with the theme: “Advanced Regionalisation: Between Today’s and Tomorrow’s Challenges” in Tangiers.

 

Bouaida urged the region to fully assume its missions, manage its own affairs and exercise its prerogatives in an optimal manner.

 

According to her, the region is considered a vital and important space for creating material wealth and achieving integrated development.

 

She described the outcomes of the New Development Model which establishes administrative devolution and bolstering advanced regionalisation project, as essential pillars capable of meeting expectations and tackling various challenges.

 

Bouaida said that advanced regionalisation was the culmination of a gradual process and the enshrining of local democracy as a crucial strategy for developing the institutional structure and promoting territorial development.

 

According to her, the three territorial levels (communes, provinces and regions) have elevated the region to the status of a territorial space conducive to the convergence of public policies.

 

She called for the challenge of training human resources and local elites to be taken up, so as to strengthen the attractiveness of investments and deal with crises.

 

She said it would also address challenges including those linked to water stress, transport, sustainable mobility and the digital transition.

 

Bouaida stressed the need to adopt a participatory approach involving various territorial stakeholders, academics and civil society.

 

She said this would develop scenarios likely to improve and optimise this project to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

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