Beijing on Tuesday accused the United States of having flown more than 10 illegal balloons over China in the past year.

This the country said in a diplomatic spat triggered by the detection and downing of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon in U.S. airspace.

“The U.S. should first reflect upon itself and change course, instead of smearing other countries and inciting confrontation,“ Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told the media in Beijing.

The U.S. government pushed back, however, rejecting accusations that it had flown several high-altitude balloons over China.

“Not true. Not doing it. Absolutely not true,“ said U.S. National Security Council communications director John Kirby. “We are not flying balloons over China.”

Earlier, Wang had gone on to say that it was “quite common for U.S. high altitude balloons to enter into other countries.”

Washington also sent “aircraft and warships” to gather information on China, the spokesperson noted, adding that this year 64 sorties had been recorded in the South China Sea.

China claims a large part of the disputed sea area. The international arbitration court in The Hague rejected the claims in 2016.

In spite the ruling, Beijing is building military installations there.

“It’s quite clear to the global community which country is the number one spy empire in the world,“ Wang said, referring also to U.S. surveillance activities and its large spy network.

The U.S. had monitored calls and chat messages by the leaders of European countries including Germany, France, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, the spokesperson said.

He reiterated that the Chinese balloon that entered U.S. airspace last week was an entirely unexpected isolated event caused by force majeure and said he did not have any information on any of the other unidentified unmanned objects detected over the country.

Washington has now shot down an overall four unmanned objects, officials said earlier on Monday, with the latest being downed over Lake Huron on the order of U.S. President Joe Biden.

“We were able to determine that China has a high-altitude balloon program for intelligence collection that’s connected to the People’s Liberation Army,” Kirby told reporters at the White House.

“It was operating during the previous administration, but they did not detect it. We detected it. We tracked it. And, we have been carefully studying it to learn as much as we can,” he said.

“We know that these (Chinese) surveillance balloons have crossed over dozens of countries on multiple continents around the world, including some of our closest allies and partners,” Kirby said, adding that Washington was consulting with allies and partners on the subject.

Kirby also said that Biden earlier on Monday directed an interagency team to study the broader policy implications for detection, analysis and disposition of these aerial objects, which he said pose either safety or security risks. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Halima Sheji/Joseph Edeh

By Maureen Okon

Dr. Peter Mozie , the National Chairman of All Nigerian Nationals in the Diaspora (ANNID) has reiterated the groups’ commitment to observe and ensure a free, fair and credible 2023 general elections.

Mozie made the commitment at a news briefing on ANNID’s agenda in Nigeria at the 2023 polls, in Abuja on Friday.

According to Mozie, the group is representing 18.5 million Nigerians living in the Diaspora, who have civil right as patriotic citizens to participate in the upcoming general elections.

“We are here to observe the 2023 elections and to make sure that the election is conducted fairly, freely and credible.

“This is not the first time we are doing this observation; in 2011 over 500 Nigerians in Diaspora from over 52 countries visited Nigeria to see how we can add value to the democratic process.

“At the end of our consultation, we all decided that we would get involved in the elections’ monitoring and observation to make sure that credible people are being elected into offices.

“So, after that event we’ve been observing elections from 2011, 2015 up till this day, so we are here to repeat the same feat again.

“Also, this time around the situation is different because we are going to make sure that we observe all the elections in Nigeria at all levels to make sure is free, fair and credible,” he said.

Mozie noted that the group was recommended as partners with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to train all their accredited observers for free.

“We trained observers for the previous elections and this time around, we are going to do the same thing again.

“We will also help the local observers and strengthen them.

“We also went ahead and formed what you call the coalition of INEC accredited election observers comprising of about 100 Non-Governmental Organisations,” he said.

According to him, this is the first time INEC has allowed international observer groups to have access to their portal to upload certain information.

“We believe that this is an assurance that Nigeria is moving in the right direction and also at the end of the elections, credible leaders will emerge to head various offices,” he said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five man-team was led by Dr. Mozie, while others include Mr Uke Ugwu, Deputy Head of Mission, Ms Hannatu, Company Director/Anchor person for ANNID.

Others are Mr Oliver Nkuku, Head of Corporate Communications ANNID, and Mrs Nonye Igwegbe, ANNID member from Boston.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Prof. Randall Peterson

By Abigael Joshua

Randall Peterson, a professor of Organisational Behaviour and Academic Director, Leadership Institute of London Business School says lessons are still being learnt from COVID-19 and the global economic recession.

Peterson, who is one of the faculties at the coming leadership development programme titled “Self-awareness for Better Management of Change in Uncertain Times” organised by UK firm, TEXEM, said self -awareness is critical for success at such uncertain periods.

In a question and answer session monitored on TEXEM’s website – www.texem.co.uk – the professor said the most important awareness was to figure out one’s personal tolerance for risk, in order to manage better during uncertainties.

“Those who are okay with risk are likely to be okay with change. Those who prefer to avoid risk are more likely to take risks (sometimes unreasonable or unwise risk) to avoid changing,” he said.

On what lessons could leaders learn from previous crises, such as COVID-19 and the global economic recession, Peterson said they should understand that there were winners in those crises and ask themselves what they could do to win now.

“One of the critical challenges of crises is that some leaders might need more time to tap into the collective knowledge in the organisation and act alone.

“Those who win ask great questions, build trust, encourage the team to challenge assumptions and emphasise the organisation’s purpose,” he said.

On how leaders could develop self-awareness to better manage change in uncertain times, Peterson said that most importantly, they should get feedback from others!

“As hard as it can be to listen sometimes, everyone must ask others for feedback, listen carefully, and not get upset, but learn from it.

“We will cover more of this at TEXEM’s forthcoming programme, from Feb. 11 to March 4, on Self – awareness for better management of change in uncertain times. I encourage you to attend,” he said.

Peterson spoke on the three challenges that organisations face at this critical time, and he advised leaders on how to address them.

“The fast pace of change, stiff competition and increasingly challenging operating landscape.

“Change means old plans die, but there is always an opportunity for change.

“I will also encourage a culture of ingrained psychological safety- challenge ideas and do not attack the people behind the ideas, and encourage everyone to contribute,” he said.

Peterson said that finally, a leader must encourage his team to embrace a growth mindset and keep an open mind and ask further questions to avoid being superficial.

“A growth mindset culture is difficult to imitate and gives you an edge over competitors.

“Some of the best ideas that drive life-changing innovation are from the most unexpected sources, which could be the silver bullet for you and your organisation to thrive in these challenging times,” he said.

Other renowned faculties expected at the four weeks TEXEM virtual session are,

Prof. Roger Delves, Prof. Paul Griffith, the world’s first Professor of Management to lead a team to launch a rocket, and Ambassador Charles Crawford. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro, has called on African Countries to establish legal framework to accelerate the implementation of Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).

Omokaro, who made the call on Wednesday at the ongoing 61st session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD61) in New York, said that implementation of MIPAA hinged on effective policies backed by strong legal framework.

Omokaro, who is a Panelist at the High-level panel discussion on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the MPAA, an event held on the sidelines of CSoCD61, presented a statement on behalf of 54 African countries.

The UN Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Panelist presented the “Statement of Africa on Fourth Review and Appraisal of the MIPAA in Africa 2018-2022: Key Findings and Recommendation.’’

She said national development plans were critical in policymaking process, citing Nigeria as one of the countries that has established an entity- National Senior Citizens Centre- on ageing.

“For MIPAA to move forward, there has to be legal backing; Nigeria is an example, for a long time, 20 years, we didn’t know what MIPAA was, we never used MIPAA but with the National Senior Citizens Act and the setting up of a legal entity in-charge of ageing, there is no coordination.

“Now, there is multisectoral coordination, and review and appraisal of MIPAA was very easy so African countries should really emphasise the establishment of legal frameworks to back up policies framework,’

“There cannot be a dichotomy; when you have a strong policies framework, there has to be strong legal framework.

“I believe that the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons will provide us the normative standards and the compelling framework to ensure that MIPAA is implemented.’’

According to her, to accelerate localisation and achievement of the aspiration MIPAA, national and regional planning and ageing frameworks establishment by African Union must be aligned with MIPAA.

Adopted in 2002, MIPAA offers a comprehensive action plan for handling the issue of ageing in the 21st-century and for building a society for all ages.

It focuses on three priority areas: older persons and development; advancing health and well-being into old age and ensuring enabling and supportive environments.

Omokaro said accelerating the implementation of the Plan after 20 years, Africa needed to mobilise required financing to accelerate implementation of MIPAA and sustain the gains already made.

“The continent should sustain the gains already made by using national budget processes and increase domestic financing, international financing remains crucial to complement and catalyse domestic financing of ageing programmes,’’ she said.

The panelist, however, recommended that MIPAA should have a specific Monitoring and Evaluation tool and structure that would serve to ensure its consistent implementation and reporting at national, regional and global level.

In addition, she said technology would play an important role in supporting older persons and acerating the implementation of MIPAA, saying, “African countries should embrace technology.

“It should embrace technology to help its ageing population stay economically and socially active, access health and other services, and to live independently with dignity.’’

Omokaro said about one third of African countries (18) had developed comprehensive National Policies on Ageing, strategies and various programmes to implement the targets set in the three priority areas.

She said some had advanced quite well in implementing the various priority areas of MIPAA while others had not gone beyond the phase of formulating strategies.

She further said that MIPAA review in the Africa region revealed that implementation was lagging due to lack of awareness and utilisation of MIPAA as policy instrument.

Omokaro identified lack of national legislation to compel establishment of statutory coordinating entities on Ageing as another challenge in the implementing of the Plan.

“Members States that have done well in the implementation adopted MIPAA and mainstreamed it in the policies and national legislation like Nigeria.

“Nine out of 11 countries that reported significant strides in implementation of MIPAA had enacted laws that clearly established the entitlements of older persons.

“They put a duty of care on public institutions to promote the rights and wellbeing of older persons,’’ she said.

In addition, she said weak institutional and human resources capacity had hampered the implementation of the Plan in Africa, noting that most policy makers, planners and implementers had no training in Ageing policy, strategies and programme design, especially in related field that called for mainstreaming.

NAN reports that MIPAA is the first international agreement which commits governments to linking questions of ageing to other frameworks for social and economic development and human rights.

It also calls for governments to include older people in the development of the policy development process.

Endorsed by 159 governments, the MIPAA is not legally binding and its implementation is voluntary. A participatory review of the Plan is organised every five years, in which older people’s involvement is encouraged.  (NAN) (www.nannews,ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Sarafina Christopher

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and partners say they have, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE), implemented the second phase of e-governance master plan project in Nigeria.

Mr Sungil Son, KOICA’s Country Director, said the second phase of the National e-Government Master Plan was developed in line with the shared vision and objectives between the partners and the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

According to Sungil, the vision is to achieve effective and efficient leadership in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was implemented in the course of a two-day workshop on e-government master plan in Abuja, with the theme, “Building Foundations Towards Digital Governance in Nigeria (2020~2026/$13m).”

“The first phase of the e-government master plan was implemented between 2014-2019.

“After the implementation of the first phase, we figured out that we needed to update the e-government master plan project 1.0 into project 2.0 which is the second phase.

“Specific strategies are proposed that will improve the quality of citizens’ lives by enhancing national competitiveness, facilitating market economy, promoting participatory democracy, and improving transparency in the public sector.

“There are guiding principles, objectives, phased approach to vision realisation, critical success factors, sub-systems, policies, components, strategies and initiatives which when adhered to will ensure the successful implementation of the e-government master plan,” he said.

He added that the goal of the project was to achieve one digitalised government through open governance, digital transformation of processes involved in delivering services, and through an inter-operatable government ICT network.

“This project guarantees that Nigeria is on its way to achieving a fully digitalised economy,” he added.

Earlier in his speech, the Project Manager, Prof. Hung Park, a Professor of Computer Science at Sangmyung University, South Korea, noted that by implementing the e-government master plan, Nigeria would be embracing the capability that would enable the country to become a leading global digital economy player.

“Over the past eight years Nigeria has been able to implement only one aspect of the e-government master plan as recommended, which is the establishment of the presidential council for e-government, and they made the first phase a national agenda.

“So this is a really good start towards transforming the Nigerian government into a digital economy.

“The e-government master plan is not just a document but a success factor based on how it is implemented and this brings us to the second phase of the project.

“The project will enhance Nigeria’s e-Government implementation system through an update of the current Nigeria e-government master plan, upgrade of Nigeria’s Enterprise Architecture, and development of 10-year e-Government Implementation Plan.

“It will also aid in improving competencies for e-Government service delivery through capacity building programmes designed for policy makers and technical officers at both the federal and state levels of government.

“The project will also enhance the quality of government digital services through the activation of the Government Service Portal – www.services.gov.ng,” Park said.

Similarly, Mr Aremu Ade, Director e-Government Department, FMCDE, said the project would be used by the government to re-engineer its agenda for the country towards directing the holistic and citizen-centric deployment of ICT in governance.

“The ministry is committed to ensuring that the initiative taken by the South Korea government on Nigeria’s e-government is achieved.

“We will not only adopt this e-government practices but also continue to strive to improve the quality and scope of e-government as encouraged by the bi annual publication of the UN e-government survey since 2003,” Ade said.

NAN reports that the Project Management Consortium led by the Sangmyung University is the lead Project manager of the project. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Emmanuel Yashim

By Sarafina Christopher

Prof. Hung Park, a South Korean don, on Wednesday urged Nigeria to continue to diversify its economy to boost and stabilise its Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

Hung, a Professor of Computer Science from Sangmyung University, South Korea gave the advice in a sideline interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja after the closing of a two-day workshop on e-Govt master plan with the theme, “Building Foundations Towards Digital Governance in Nigeria.”

The university teacher who is an expert in digital economy, said: “In South Korea, when we were in the dictatorship period, we called it developmental dictatorship and one of our presidents changed our industry structure from just an agricultural economy to a diversified one by investing in education and entertainment, among others.

“So I want to encourage Nigeria to do the same because I have also noticed that Nigeria is now heading in the right direction.

“The oil industry structure alone should change so that Nigeria will not only focus on oil but also on Information Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, natural gas, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, and arable land, among others.

“Too much dependence on one aspect of the economy is not really good. So the oil industry structure should be changed – diversified – because that is the key to resolving Nigeria’s GNI.

“Nigeria should not solely rely on a one-industry structure but keep on diversifying as it has started using the e-government project in order to be a global digital player,” he emphasised.

Gross national income is the total amount of money earned by a nation’s people and businesses. It is used to measure and track a nation’s wealth from year to year.

The number includes the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) plus the income it receives from overseas sources.

GNI is an alternative to gross domestic product (GDP) as a means of measuring and tracking a nation’s wealth and is considered a more accurate indicator for some nations.

Hung said Nigeria’s GNI ranked 23rd among 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and its overall score was above the regional average but below the world average.

“Research shows that Nigeria’s economy is growing and I believe that if Nigeria keeps diversifying its economy, it will be ranked 14th and above in its GNI per capita by 2030,” he said.

Earlier during the event, Mr Folayan Oluwasegun, Manager, Government Website and Domain at the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA), said, “Nigeria is ready to diversify its economy.”

According to him, the e-government project that started 8 years ago between the both countries clearly shows Nigeria’s interest in expanding its economy starting with ICT in accordance with the global trend.

“NITDA is the agency of Nigeria in charge of IT regulation and it’s our priority to enhance and promote everything that concerns IT advancement and the e-government project is a clear example that shows the country’s interest in boosting its economy.

“We commend the South Korean government for reaching out to support our growth in various areas especially in information technology.

“We also want to also assure you that every ministry, department, and agency in Nigeria is putting all hands on deck to promote and ensure that every aspect of the economy that they play key roles in is fully utilised,” Oluwasegun said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Geoffrey Onyeama

By Lizzy Okoji

Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama says that the ministry will launch a 24-hour, seven days citizens desk for responding to complaints of Nigerians from across the globe.

Onyeama made this known on Thursday, in Abuja at the 22nd Edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard while presenting the achievements of the Foreign Ministry in the past seven years.

He said that the desk would be a game-changer with the government’s active presence in almost all the countries.

“We are setting up a citizen’s desk so that a 24/7 team should be there, so that Nigerians all over the world can call a dedicated line of the help desk.

“We are about to launch that very soon and this will be a real game changer for Nigerians who are outside the country.

“We are also putting up a diplomatic service digitization initiative so that all our embassies will be able to have one unified communication network,” Onyeama said.

He said that under Buhari’s intervention on creating an enabling environment for ease of doing business, the Ministry had also developed a match making portal to boost foreign direct investments.

“In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have developed a match making portal to facilitate this exchange between Nigerian businesses and foreign businesses and making it easier.

“Mr President set up a Presidential Business enabling environment also for greater ease of doing business and we are doing that concretely by setting up this portal.

“So, we have this digital online match making portal and it will give access and connectivity to various businesses and investors for verified Nigerian businesses and skill professionals.

“It leverages on the fact that we have over 100 missions across the world, so we are leveraging on that match making and get businesses to come into the country,” Onyeama added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Lizzy Okoji

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says the corrupt-free record of President Muhammadu Buhari is a key facilitator for the return of the Abacha loot and other stolen national assets.

Onyeama made this known on Thursday, in Abuja at the 22nd Edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard while presenting the achievements of the Foreign Ministry in the past seven years.

According to him, the global community sees Nigeria as a country led by a leader that has unimpeachable  locally and internationally.

“Nigeria was able to leverage on Mr President’s anti-corruption stands to start to repatriate a lot of loot that was stolen out of this country and in a huge amount, about two billion in record pounds sterling of Nigerian asset loots starched in foreign countries and we started to get this back.

“And again, I will say thanks to clearly one very robust diplomacy and engagement by this country and also with Mr President’s engagement with various countries.

“Nigeria-U.S. binational Commission, in 2020 was a platform that was used to sign a tripartite agreement between the U.S., the Daily week of Jersey and Nigeria to have some assets, 380,460,239, stolen funds of Nigeria repatriated to Nigeria.

“And again, we saw ongoing engagements facilitating the landmark tripartite agreement between Nigeria and this time Switzerland and the world bank repatriate 322 million dollars called the Abacha loots under a legal framework returned to Nigeria.

“We have also succeeded with the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates also getting funds coming back and all of these have been in the back of Mr President’s anti-corruption fight,” Onyeama said.

Onyeama said that Nigeria has also being able to get positive recognition in the international and multilateral forum because of the President’s anti-corruption personality which he is renowned for the world over.

The minister said that by Buhari’s principle and what the world knew about him had been able to become a brand for Nigeria.

“Because of the personality of the President, within the framework of the UN, after trying for a very long time to get the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution on the promotion of international Cooperation, illicit financial flows, and strengthened good practices on asset return to foster sustainable development.

”Nigeria through its foreign policy, through its diplomatic relations was able to, with other like-minded countries get this passed by the UN General Assembly as a framework.

“To hold countries to account and their companies and individuals doing business in Nigeria and other developing countries to be accountable with respect to illicit financial flows out of this country.

“Mr President was very key in Nigeria becoming a member of the open government partnership, and this comprises government leaders and civil society advocates, and it promotes transparent participatory, inclusive and accountable governance.

“So with Nigeria being in these kinds of organisations, these are also statements to the global community that Nigeria is a country that respects the rule of law and transparency and fights corruption.

“In that context and because of that, Mr President was appointed the African Union anti-corruption champion and through that was able to get through a lot of good practices and regulations, countries adopted, other African countries to promote anti-corruption,” Onyeama said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Ismail Abdulaziz