By Ruth Oketunde

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has unveiled its service charter toward promoting efficiency and accountability in service delivery.

Mr Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General, NEMA, joined by the National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, performed the unveiling of the service charter at agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ahmed described the event as a significant milestone for NEMA and disaster management in the country, saying it would spur the agency to deliver excellent services to vulnerable persons and victims disasters in the country.

“I am proud to say that we have always strived hard to deliver the highest standard of service.

“However, we believe that there is always room for improvement and we understand that our customers, that is, those in distress, deserve the best.

“It is therefore our duty to ensure that their needs are met efficiently and effectively within the period they need support,” he said.

The director-general added that the NEMA SERVICOM charter outlined the agency’s commitment to providing timely and accurate information, responding promptly to emergencies and treating all individuals with respect and dignity.

He said the charter was a significant step toward achieving the agency’s goal by providing exceptional service in a transparent, accountable and improved manner.

Also speaking, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, SERVICOM, commended NEMA for the unveiling of the charter.

Akajemeli, represented by Mrs Ngozi Akinbodewa, Head of Operations, SERVICOM, added that the agency must strive to meet public expectations as it carried out its mandates.

“The agency has taken the right steps, we implore you to justify public confidence in the delivery of your mandate,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has reiterated his commitment to completing ongoing projects in the council in the next three months.

Maikalangu said this in Abuja, when he led council officials and journalists on inspection tour of some ongoing projects and completed ones in four political wards of Zone A.

He said that the projects were in fulfillment of his campaign promises, adding that he would not relent in providing the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

The chairman, while calling for more cooperation among residents of the communities where road projects were sited, attributed the delay in their completion to the rainy season.

“I am happy with the progress of the projects so far, but the contractors must deliver in line with the required standards.

“We appeal to the communities where projects are sited to cooperate with the contractors; else the projects will be moved to another community that needs it.

“I also want to warn that any contractor that fails to deliver standard projects would not be paid,” he said.

Maikalangu who had a stopover at the Emir of Karshi Palace, assured him and his subjects of more dividends of democracy in the domain.

The Emir of Karshi, Malam Ismaila Mohammed, appreciated the chairman on the visit and also for initiating various projects.

He however, tasked the chairman not to relent in providing quality leadership to the people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects visited included the 500KVA transformer rural electrification projects and the 500 metre road project in Kugbo.

Others were the 945 metre road at Jikwoyi, Phase 1, 10,000 litres overhead tank solar borehole in Agwan Gade-Jikwoyi and the rehabilitation of 2.15km Kpeyegyi Phase 2 Asphalt and extension access road in Karu ward.

The constructed motorised borehole at Agwan Gbagyi in Karshi, 800 meters Asphalt Access road at Orozo community, rehabilitation of access road in Kurudu, installed 500KVA transformer in Gidan-Diya community and rehabilitation of access road in Gbagalape community in Nyanya were also part of the projects. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Ali Baba-Inuwa

President Bola Tinubu’s Speech at 78th UN General Assembly

1 STATEMENT DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 78TH SESSION OF UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 18TH SEPTEMBER 2023.

Mr. President, Heads of State and Government, Secretary-General, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. President, 1. On behalf of the people of Nigeria, I congratulate you on your well-deserved election as President of this Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

2. We commend your predecessor, His Excellency, Mr. Csaba Korosi (Cha-ba Kor-o-chi) for his able stewardship of the Assembly.
3. We also commend His Excellency, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, for his work seeking to forge solutions to humanity’s common challenges.
4. This is my first address before the General Assembly. Permit me to say a few words on behalf of Nigeria, on behalf of Africa, regarding this year’s theme.
5. Many proclamations have been made, yet our troubles remain close at hand. Failures in good governance have hindered Africa. But broken promises, unfair treatment and outright exploitation from abroad have also exacted a heavy toll on our ability to progress.
6. Given this long history, if this year’s theme is to mean anything at all, it must mean something special and particular to Africa.
7. In the aftermath of the Second World War, nations gathered in an attempt to rebuild their wartorn societies. A new global system was born and this great body, the United Nations, was established as a symbol and protector of the aspirations and finest ideals of humankind.
8. Nations saw that it was in their own interests to help others exit the rubble and wasteland of war. Reliable and significant assistance allowed countries emaciated by war to grow into strong and productive societies.
9. The period was a highwater mark for trust in global institutions and the belief that humanity had learned the necessary lessons to move forward in global solidarity and harmony.
10. Today and for several decades, Africa has been asking for the same level of political commitment and devotion of resource that described the Marshall Plan.
11. We realize that underlying conditions and causes of the economic challenges facing today’s Africa are significantly different from those of post war Europe.
12. We are not asking for identical programs and actions. What we seek is an equally firm commitment to partnership. We seek enhanced international cooperation with African nations to achieve the 2030 agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
13. There are five important points I want to highlight.
14. First, if this year’s theme is to have any impact at all, global institutions, other nations and their private sector actors must see African development as a priority, not just for Africa but in their interests as well.
15. Due to both longstanding internal and external factors, Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic structures have been skewed to impede development, industrial expansion, job creation, and the equitable distribution of wealth.
16. If Nigeria is to fulfil its duty to its people and the rest of Africa, we must create jobs and the belief in a better future for our people.
17. We must also lead by example.
18. To foster economic growth and investor confidence in Nigeria, I removed the costly and corrupt fuel subsidy while also discarding a noxious exchange rate system in my first days in office. Other growth and job oriented reforms are in the wings.
19. I am mindful of the transient hardship that reform can cause. However, it is necessary to go through this phase in order to establish a foundation for durable growth and investment to build the economy our people deserve.
20. We welcome partnerships with those who do not mind seeing Nigeria and Africa assume larger roles in the global community.
21. The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner.
22. Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of African exports and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we seek.
23. Second, we must affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.
24. The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups. It is a demand for solutions to perennial problems.
25. Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region. I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.
26. This brings me to my third crucial point. Our entire region is locked in protracted battle against 10 violent extremists. In the turmoil, a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed. Along the route, everything is for sale. Men, women and children are seen as chattel.
27. Yet, thousands risk the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths in search of a better life. At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north.
28. This harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region. African nations will improve our economies so that our people do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations. We also shall devote ourselves to disbanding extremist groups on our turf.
29. Yet, to fully corral this threat, the international community must strengthen its commitment to arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa.
30. The fourth important aspect of global trust and solidarity is to secure the continent’s mineral rich areas from pilfering and conflict. Many such areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little.
31. The mayhem visited on resource rich areas does not respect national boundaries. Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, CAR, the list grows.
32. The problems also knocks Nigeria’s door. Foreign entities abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk.
33. Given the extent of this injustice and the high stakes involved, many Africans are asking whether this phenomenon is by accident or by design.
34. Member nations must reply by working with us to deter their firms and nationals from this 21st century pillage of the continent’s riches.
35. Fifth, climate change severely impacts Nigeria and Africa. Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land. Our south is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion. In the middle, the rainy season brings floods that kill and displace multitudes.
36. As I lament deaths at home, I also lament the grave loss of life in Morocco and Libya. The Nigerian people are with you.
37. African nations will fight climate change but must do so on our own terms. To achieve the needed popular consensus, this campaign must accord with overall economic efforts.
38. In Nigeria, we shall build political consensus by highlighting remedial actions which also promote 14 economic good. Projects such as a Green Wall to stop desert encroachment, halting the destruction of our forests by mass production and distribution of gas burning stoves, and providing employment in local water management and irrigation projects are examples of efforts that equally advance both economic and climate change objectives.
39. Continental efforts regarding climate change will register important victories if established economies were more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africa’s preferred initiatives.
40. Again, this would go far in demonstrating that global solidarity is real and working.

CONCLUSION 41. As I close, let me emphasize that Nigeria’s objectives accord with the guiding principles of this world body: peace, security, human rights and development.

42. In fundamental ways, nature has been kind to Africa, giving abundant land, resources and creative and industrious people. Yet, man has too often been unkind to his fellow man and this sad tendency has brought sustained hardship to Africa’s doorstep.
43. To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this year’s Assembly, the poverty of nations must end. The pillage of one nation’s resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must end. The will of the people must be respected. This beauty, generous and forgiving planet must be protected.
44. As for Africa, we seek to be neither appendage nor patron. We do not wish to replace old shackles with new ones.
45. Instead, we hope to walk the rich African soil and live under the magnificent African sky free of the wrongs of the past and clear of their associated encumbrances. We desire a prosperous, vibrant democratic living space for our people.
46. To the rest of the world, I say walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.

By Olatunde Ajayi

An Anglican Church cleric, Ven. Kehinde Aremu, on Monday urged citizens to allow a reformation of the country to ensure development of its economy.

Aremu, the Sub-Dean in Charge of the Cathedral Church of St David, Kudeti, made the call at a news conference in Ibadan.

The conference was organised as part of a week-long activity lined up for the anniversary of the 170 years old Church with the theme: “Jesus Christ The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Church of St. David Kudeti, Diocese of Ibadan South, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion was founded by the late German missionary and evangelist, David Hinderer on April 27, 1853.

According to Aremu, political leaders and the entire citizens should return to God, repent and allow a national rebirth to produce a country everyone will be proud of.

He said that to address the situation in Nigeria, leaders should note that righteousness exalted a nation and sin was a reproach to any people.

“Our leaders must know that nobody has any wisdom of himself except it is given by God. That is why we need to turn to God, the problems facing the country is not beyond what God can solve.

“We have neglected God for long, we depend so much on our own wisdom and so we are left on our own. We must know that without the help of God, we can do nothing,” he said.

The cleric said that increase in the rate of crime in spite of large number of churches was sign that the world was about to end.

He noted that the church had impacted on many lives economically, aside spreading the gospel for 170 years and being a place where christianity started in southwest apart from Lagos end.

“We are not relenting in our welfare programmes, big institutions such as Emmanuel College of theology, St Anne’s School and many more which emanate from the church.

“We ensure that our Computer and Innovation Centre is open to all irrespective of religion or tribe, “he said.

Earlier, Chairman, Anniversary Planning Committee, Mogaji Olutunde Aboderin, said that the anniversary presented opportunity to families, friends and associates to identify with the enduring history and legacy of faith, nurtured by perseverance that the church represented.

He added that adequate security had been put in place to ensure safety of lives and properties during the programme.

NAN reports that the week long anniversary will hold between Sept. 18 and Sept. 24.

The event will feature medical outreach, youths variety day, unveiling of the Baobab tree where the first service was held in April 27, 1853 and planting of new trees.

It will also feature book launch, reopening of first storey building in Ibadan land, the David and Anna Hinderer House within the church premises, hosting of invited Anglican spiritual heads and other dignitaries.

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Vivian Ihechu

By Philip Yatai

The newly-inaugurated Operation Sweep in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has arrested 400 persons and impounded 50 vehicles for various offences.

The Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police, Umar Kadiri, made this known while briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday, during an operation to destroy illegal structures and dislodge illegal traders selling items on the street.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operation also dislodged illegal motor parks, removed illegal structures on the streets, demolished scavengers’ shanties and set them ablaze.

The operation took at Utako Ultra-Modern Market and down through A.E Ekukinam Street to Jabi Motor Park and environs, among other locations, to keep Abuja city clean.

Kadiri said that the 50 impounded vehicles and the 400 people were arrested between Friday and Monday, adding that some of the offenders have been prosecuted.

He explained that the operation was part of efforts to strengthen environmental sanitation in the FCT by clearing hawkers, demolishing illegal structures, unauthorised car parks, and activities of scavengers.

“We have impounded not less than 50 vehicles from Friday to date and arrested not less than 400 people. Some were prosecuted and others will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The clearing of illegal traders by the roadside around the markets became necessary because they were constituting obstacles to the free flow of traffic and defacing the city.

“Beyond keeping the city clean, clearing them would also ensure a free floor of traffic on Abuja streets, including market areas where traders and their illegal strictures have taken over the roads.

“Most of these traders were associating themselves with scavengers who are allegedly stealing people’s valuables in the name of scavenging,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Kaka Bello, Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said that the operation was part of ongoing exercise to Keep Abuja clean.

Bello said that Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT, had recently inaugurated the Operation Sweep FCT to ensure effective sanitation in the Federal capital city.

“As you can see, we are here with different security agencies to provide the needed support for a hitch-free exercise.

“We have been here several times, but the illegal traders and scavengers return after some time to continue their illegal activity,” he said.

He advised owners of properties in Abuja to take over their properties and develop them to prevent miscreants from using undeveloped areas for illegal and criminal activities.

NAN reports that operation sweep FCT is made up of the representative of the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Défense Corps, and Department of State Services.

Others are the Nigerian Army, Navy, and the Airforce, as well as the Federal Road Safety Corps and AEPB.

One of the affected scavengers, Mr Mohammed Sani, whose shanty was destroyed around Jabi Motor Park, confirmed that they had been vacated from the area a long time ago but returned.

“I know that we have been warned to leave the place, but we are just trying to survive,” he said.

Also, a resident, Ismail Haruna, commended the government for clearing the streets to restore sanity on Abuja streets.

He lamented that illegal traders have taken over major streets, built illegal structures for selling all kinds of items, including drugs.

“I am very happy that the FCT administration has taken steps to keep our city clean,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Mr Robert Piper, the Special Adviser to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General on solutions to internal displacement, says the body is a critical partner towards achieving Nigeria’s humanitarian response.

Piper said this on Monday when he led the UN delegation to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, in her office in Abuja.

The special adviser told the minister that his mission in Nigeria was to follow up on the UN Secretary-General’s action plans on internal displacement.

Piper also said, “the visit was to renew our commitment towards supporting Nigeria in areas of Humanitarian needs.

He therefore assured her of UN readiness to partner with the Federal Government to ensure coordinated approach towards sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s humanitarian crises.

“We welcome the federal government’s positions on a coordinated approach towards handling humanitarian crises in Nigeria.

“We believe that the approach is the best way to find durable solutions to the multi-dimensional humanitarian challenges facing the country and we would partner with you in this regard,” he said.

The special adviser who was joined by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, said only durable solutions could bring quick coordinated results.

He commended the minister for her doggedness and commitment to address poverty and humanitarian crises across the country.

In her response, the minister stressed the need for all UN humanitarian agencies to work collectively to achieve the desired result.

According to her, working across purpose will not help us achieve the desired result.

“We must face reality, when humanitarian crises occur, the temptation is to offer emergency response only hoping the will be resolved quickly and people will go back home.

”The reality on ground is that people in their millions are displaced for many years, some ten years while some for a life time.

“There is a need for a coordinated approach in line with the government’s vision, I just returned from Niger, I have been to Borno the challenges there are huge,” she said.

Edu stressed the need for development partners of provide strong and durable shelter for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“Development Partners should stop building tarpaulins for the IDPs, provide them with durable solutions for their resettlement and means of economic their survival.”

The minister said that the IDPs had begun to feel the impact of Renewed Hope Agenda of  Mr President.

She assured the UN that the federal government’s work plan on humanitarian responses will trickle down to states to provide durable solutions.

“The President will also be discussing this at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“It’s time to provide durable solutions to Humanitarian crises and poverty in Nigeria,” Edu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Ekemini Ladejobi

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has again invited the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lalong had on Sept. 4, invited NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a meeting to avert the earlier two-day nationwide warning strike.

NAN also reports that only the TUC showed up for the meeting.

Lalong said that he had directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene the meeting with the leadership of the NLC on Monday.

He said it was important for the unions to sit with the government to resolve all pending matters to avert further disruption to the economy.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu will always engage the organised labour and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations.

“This is in order to guarantee industrial harmony which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Lalong said.

Also, the NLC National Executive Council had on Sept. 1, in a communique threatened to embark on an indefinite strike within 21 days of the issuance of the communique.

NAN reports that among other demands, the NLC and the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to the public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

Though the FG made a commitment to restructure the framework for engagement with organised Labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no action whatsoever.

The committees were given eight weeks to conclude their assignment and hasten the implementation of the framework in cushioning the effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians but weeks after the timeframe expired, the sub-committees had yet to meet or actualise their mandates.

President Tinubu had since June 19 set up the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework to be adopted on the palliatives.

The sub-committees had been created to implement FG’s palliative package in areas such as Cash Transfers, Social Investment Programme, Cost of Governance, Energy, and Mass Transit and Housing.

This was a fall-out of the President’s closed-door session with the leadership of the NLC and the TUC during a nationwide protest by the organised labour.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza