NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
NIMASA donates 1800 protective kits to LAWMA
General News

NIMASA donates 1800 protective kits to LAWMA

144 total views today

By Fabian Ekeruche

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has donated 1800 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to street sweepers of the Lagos Waste Management Authority in Lagos.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Folashade Kadiri, Director, Public Affairs, LAWMA, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

Kadiri said that the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, appreciated the gesture, describing it as the beginning of a robust partnership between both agencies.

He said that the kits comprised 600 reflective jackets, 600 face masks and 600 safety cones, largely for the use of LAWMA’s highway sweepers.

Gbadegesin said that LAWMA was committed to ensuring the effective management of marine waste.

Kadiri also quoted the NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, as saying that the gesture was part of the agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Jamoh said that there was the need to significantly enhance highway sweeping efforts.

Represented by the Deputy Director of finance, Mr. Samuel Ajayi,  Jamoh said that the maritime agency was committed to safeguarding both maritime and environmental interests.

The event was attended by LAWMA’s senior management staff. (NAN)


Edited by Christiana Fadare

Traders association begins construction of milk production factory in Abuja
Agriculture

Traders association begins construction of milk production factory in Abuja

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By Ikenna Uwadileke

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), on Friday performed the ground breaking of its milk production factory in Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

Performing the ceremony, Dr Alan Sy-Traore, Director of Agriculture in ECOWAS Commission, commended NANTS for living up to expectations in the partnership projects with the commission.

Traore said that the factory was in line with ECOWAS agricultural policy on livestock value chain.

He restated the commission’s commitment to continue to partner NANTS on trade and economic projects, that would enhance economic development in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

Earlier, the Deputy Director, Commercial Ruminant and Dairy Production, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ibilade Akeem expressed the ministry’s readiness to strengthen partnership with NANTS on meat and milk production.

According to him, the milk production factory is in line with the food security programme of the Federal Government.

The National President of NANTS, Dr Ken Ukaoha said the factory would be completed within 14 months.

He said that this would ensure the production of hygienic milk toward enhancing food security and national economic development.

Ukaoha said the need to address the challenges facing the dairy sector necessitated NANTS to construct the milk factory.

“West African region has been plagued with numerous challenges ranging from inefficiency and lack of technical expertise, deployment of obsolete practices, lack of feed, water among others.

“This includes desertification in the North as a result of climate change which has led to cattle and herders travelling far south for grazing and giving rise to conflict with farmers among others,” he said.

Ukaoha said that the situation had further devalued the capacity of the livestock and milk sector, to become attractive as a vocation for the teeming unemployed youths in the region.

“NANTS with support from ECOWAS and Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation has planned a pilot project to modernise and calibrate the milk sector and its practices.

“This is by showcasing the value chains as veritable opportunities for job creation and sustainable means of livelihoods attractive enough for youths,’’ Ukaoha said.

He said that the project would be achieved by improving the production, processing, handling, aggregation, transportation and marketing of milk in compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.

Ukaoha said the project when completed would serve as a training ground for students of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja.

He said that other relevant institutions within and around the FCT would also benefit from the project also to ensure job creation and youth empowerment.

“The ceremony of this small scale milk production and processing factory is going to serve as a model for milk sector productivity in Nigeria.

“Moreover we have extended this concept towards food production so that animal feeds can also be produced here.

“What this means is that here is going to have a facility where we will also be training young people particularly on food production processes and this is going to be on field.

“This is going to be a kind of practical demonstration,’’ Ukaoha said.

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abu Giri represented by Mr Yohanna Ishaya of Agric Department, described the project as a welcomed development in the area.

On his part, the Aguma of Giri, Alhaji Musa Wakili commended NANTS for siting the factory in his community, adding that it would provide job opportunities for the people. (NAN)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

UNGA 78: CISLAC presents SDG 16 Shadow report to Frist Lady
Foreign

UNGA 78: CISLAC presents SDG 16 Shadow report to Frist Lady

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By Cecilia Ologunagba

A non-governmental organisation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has presented the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) goal 16 Shadow Report to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oluremi received the report at the First Ladies High Level Forum on the margins of 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Report focuses on measuring Nigeria’s progress on SDG 16, targeting 16.4 (anti-money laundering), 16.5 (beneficial ownership), and 16.10 (access to information).

The Report, the sixth edition in a series of annual shadow reports, was prepared using a Transparency International global template to enable cross-chapter comparison among countries.

NAN reports that the launching of the report coincided with the 2023 UN Day of Peace, with the theme “Gender Actions for Peace: Ambition for Women Leaders as Key Players on Global Peace’’.

In her remarks, Oluremi spoke on ways to promote peace in Africa through the vision of the First Lady Forum, noting that its their vision for committed leaders and key players in global peace

“Our continent today is rift with conflict, uncertainty and revision, and therefore it is our collective responsibility. Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, equity, and harmony.

“Every individual, regardless of their agenda should be able to thrive in an environment free from violence and discrimination.

“The journey towards lasting peace requires dialogue, the engagement and empowerment of all members of society, in particular, women in leadership roles.

“Women bring unique perspectives, qualities, compassion and experience to the table, which can play a transformative role in conflict resolution, peace-building and sustainable development.

“Women, as activists and advocates of peace, deal with conflict, non-violently pursuing democratic and human values,’’ she said.

The first lady said women as educators and as humans in development process should continue to build the capacity of their communities and nations to preventing violence conflicts.

According to her, the year 2020 marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution 25 on Peace and Security.

Oluremi said that the African Union as member states had promoted the peace security agenda through several of the guidance frameworks.

“Despite the meaningful progress that has been made, women’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding, efforts at implementing agenda equality in peace and security has been slow.

“As First Ladies in Africa, we play a pivotal role in driving the agenda for peace in our respective countries. As mothers of our nations, we must strive to make an impact through our various programmes to ensure justice and equality prevail.

“We have a soft power to make the impact and we must not shy away from using that power.

“We must try to promote gender equity, promote and enforce policies that ensure equal opportunities for women in all spheres of life from education to politics to business,’’ she said.

The first lady, however, called for support from women in leadership, provide mentorship, training and resources to empower women to assume leadership roles and competences.

Oluremi also said the Forum should work to end violence against women, which often serves as the barrier to their full participation in society.

“We must engage men as ally, encourage men to actively support gender equality, and advocate for women’s inclusion in leadership. Also revive the voices of women leaders, peace process, and decision-making bodies,’’ she said.

Speaking on the report, Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of CISLAC, said it was important for Nigeria to achieve the SDG 16  on strong institutions, peace, justice, and anti-corruption.

“So, we have come up with this shadow report to remind our governments of the commitments they have made to attaining sustainable development goal.

“You can only achieve this when you are able to follow through those indicators, and for this goal, we have issues around money laundry, we have issues around access to recovery, we have issues around beneficial ownership, we have issues around access to information.’’

Rafsanjani said goal 16 could be achieved by blocking  leakages, stopping corruption, creating necessary avenues for information to be accessible, and ensuring that beneficial ownership register is established.

“But more importantly, you can only achieve peace and stability, when you have strong institutions, when you have stopped corruption, which undermines progress, which undermines peace and stability.

“In many countries, especially in Africa, insecurity is a major challenge. It has been a stumbling block to consolidating democracy, to having sustainable development, and to also ensure that you build a vibrant economy.

“If you do not stop corruption, insecurity will continue. If you do not stop corruption, you will continue to drain the country and a lot of problems will continue to happen.

“So that is why our organisation is reminding our government because we are civil society, there’s a limit to what we can do. Our government is responsible for ensuring that it creates an enabling environment for even the peace and stability to happen,” he said.

This Report is produced by CISLAC, TI Nigeria under the project which seeks to improve democratic accountability of public institutions and anti-corruption deficits by Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS) which is supported by the European Union.

This Report is an updated assessment of the previous editions of the SDGs Shadow Report published by CISLAC in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

AFIGF identifies cybercrime as threat to Africa’s digital transformation
Science & Tech

AFIGF identifies cybercrime as threat to Africa’s digital transformation

254 total views today

By Jessica Dogo

The Africa Internet Governance Forum (AFIGF) has identified cybercrime as a big threat to Africa’s digital transformation strategy.

This was contained in a communiqué presented at the end of the 12th AFIGF, with the theme: “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security and Innovation”, which ended in Abuja, Nigeria.

The forum urged governments across the continent for an urgent need to increase their investments in cybersecurity.

In a recommendation signed by all the members said, AIFG said: “Cybercrime remains a potential threat to the implementation of Africa Union (AU) 2063 agenda and its digital transformation strategy.

“AU and African government to ensure adequate investment to fight cybercrime activities, ensure international cooperation, and capacity building for lawmakers and enforcement actors, the judiciary and other necessary actors,” AFIGF said.

The forum said that Africa’s digital workforce strategy was reactive, and that urgent investment was required to bridge the digital divide and to develop the digital workforce needed for innovation.

The participants stressed that it was vital to penetrate into Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital solutions be grown from African datasets, and tailor AI models to the region’s unique challenges and opportunities.

They said the dearth of research in AI on the continent focused on the uniqueness of Africans, leaves a huge gap and stifles the ability to develop solutions that identify its culture and people.

In his remarks, the Secretary General (AIGF) and a member Ghanaian Parliament, Hon. Samuel George called for free internet that.was inclusive, safe and secured for all the citizens in Africa.

He said: “This can only be achieved through collaborative effort by coming together to build an Africa that is inclusive.”

George said for Africa to be self sufficient, it must create an enabling environment and laws , as well as provide digital infrastructure for young innovators to thrive.

This, he said, would in turn promote indigenous and local content development in technological development.

George appreciated the vital role of the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Africa IGF Secretariat and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

He also thanked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), partners and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the forum this year.

Meanwhile, the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta said that Africa Digital transformation can only be achieved by creating enabling laws, institutional changes and provisions of Digital Public Infrastructure.

“We can create enabling laws and institutional changes to respond to dynamics of the internet movement, recent discovery in AI, Blockchain technology, 5G technology and course a vibrant communications industry.

“These are the drivers of a digital transformation and also human capital with the capacity to ensure transformation takes place in all the sectors of the economy as well as in governance.

“These will drive Africa’s digital transformation agenda,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was a United Nations initiative hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Other hosts were: Africa Union (AU), Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The programme was sponsored by MTN Nigeria, Huawei, Meta, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), German Cooperation and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), accordingly.

The event brought together political leaders, intellectuals and experts in information and communication technologies (ICT) within the African continent. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

USIP restates commitment to peacebuilding in Nigeria
General News

USIP restates commitment to peacebuilding in Nigeria

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By Diana Omueza

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) remains committed to working with government at all levels in the pursuit of peace and harmony in Nigeria.

Dr Chris Kwaja, the groups Country Manager of USIP, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja to commemorate the International Day of Peace (IDP), observed around the world on Sept. 21.

The 2023 theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals.

Kwaja said “this day is a reaffirmation of our believe in peace as the most viable pathway to a secured and stable world.

“The focus should be about the international day of peace, and the commitment of USIP to work with all actors, government, non governmental, communities and individuals.

“This is towards building peace and restoring trust across all levels of society in Nigeria,” he said.

Kwaja said that peace was a public good that should be treasured by all regardless of religious, ethnic, gender, political and socio- cultural inclinations.

The USIP country manager said that peace was a factor that defined the shared humanity and should be preserved at all cost.

According to him, as government invested in public safety and security, attention should also be given to investments in peacebuilding.

This, he said was by empowering the youths, women and Persons with Disabilities(PWDs), as key levers of peace.

“The same attention should be accorded community level actors working for peace at the grass root.

“Good governance which represents a major pillar of peace should also be upheld by leaders at all levels as a key vehicle for trust building between the government and its citizens,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

 

Foundation inaugurates community advocacy clubs in 3 states
Health

Foundation inaugurates community advocacy clubs in 3 states

168 total views today

By Justina Auta

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, on Friday, inaugurated community advocacy clubs in three states to address public health and developmental challenges in the communities.

Its Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Mr Steve Aborisade, made this known during the inaugural launch of FCT Community Advocacy Club in Waru community, Abuja.

Aborisade said that the advocacy clubs were inaugurated in three communities across the AHF states of operation, including Waru community in Abuja, Seriki Noma in Kogi and Guruku in Nasarawa.

According to him, the establishment of the advocacy forum is aimed at mobilising and educating community members to participate in community-led advocacy.

“The establishment of advocacy forums in the communities is to revitalise and mobilise patients and non-patients’ interest and participation in community-led advocacy.

“They are to advocate for their fundamental rights, engage with decision makers and champion courses that address public health issues and their wellbeing.

“It has become important to identify community actors, bring them together and empower them with skills on advocacy so that they can push the development agenda in their communities.

“This, therefore, is in the realisation that when communities own an intervention, it becomes easier to achieve the set objectives, hence its sustainability is guaranteed through community ownership,” he said.

Aborisade further listed the criteria for selecting the club members, which included: individual’s dedication to community service, outstanding qualities and willingness to commit time without expectation of payment, among others.

A resident of Waru community in Abuja, Mr Goon David, said that the Waru advocacy club would steer and enlighten the community members on the need to support one another.

“This notable club will also change the negative narrative held by uninformed populace of Waru in regards to drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, stigmatisation, child abuse and early marriage.

Also, Mr Bala Namama from Kogi advocacy club, expressed great pleasure in AHF for selecting the community for such platforms.

Namama, however, pledged the commitment and support of community heads and chieftains to the clubs to enhance the development of the communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the advocacy community club concept will be implemented in 13 African countries with AHF bureaux. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Army tasks personnel on digital knowledge, skills
Defence/Security

Army tasks personnel on digital knowledge, skills

175 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Training, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Sani Muhammed, has advised officers to take advantage of the availability of technology to improve themselves and fully key into the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff.

Muhammed gave the advice at the graduation of the participants of Leadership Skills Development Course 7/2023 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), on Friday in Abuja.

He reiterated the commitment of the Army to enhancing leadership skills of officers and soldiers, so as to be innovative in the evolving security environment.

Muhammed said the two weeks course was designed to address some of the leadership gaps identified at tactical levels, adding that a lot of improvements were brought into the course.

He said the personal of the army could not afford to be left behind in the digital age as it is essential to critical thinking and skills in emotional intelligence.

According to him, it is important for them to also take note of the mobile phones which could also be used to conduct a lot of researches.

“This is because most of the things that are being taught here are aimed at adequately equipping you to apply them in your daily activities.

“We expect that as you go back to the field, we are going to contact your commanders as a way of getting feedback.”

He commended the centre for it’s commitment to capacity building of army personnel for optimal performance.

The Director General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the course was conceived to train and equip senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO’s) and the mid-level officers cadre.

“This is to imbue them with relevant leadership skills, creativity and critical thinking, essential to bridging observed leadership gaps and skills deficits.”

Wahab said the centre had conducted seven editions of the course, adding that the feedback had been wonderful.

He said the course had been expanded to include digital training, which  is key for soldiers in the 21st century.

The DG uurged the participants to go back to their units and fformations and deploy the knowledge acquired in improving their activities.

Giving the course highlight, the Director of Leadership Development Institute, NARC, Brig.-Gen. UM Aliyu, said the course had 60 participants, comprising 31 oofficers 28 soldiers and one civilian staff from the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command.

Aliyu said the course was primarily intended to train NCOs up to lieutenant colonels, to lead effectively in the contemporary security environment and bridge observed gaps especially while operating in joint environment.

He added that the objective was to increase creativity and critical thinking skills for optimum performance.

“It was to introduce adaptive leadership for innovative and creative skills to develop participants emotional intelligence and decision making,

“It will also enable the senior NCOs understand the significance of coaching and mentoring for successful career development in the Nigerian army,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/MAM/MZA

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Maharazu Ahmed

5 suspected Russian spies to face espionage charges in London
General News

5 suspected Russian spies to face espionage charges in London

131 total views today

 Five suspected Russian spies – Orlin Roussev, Bizer Dzhambazov, Katrin Ivanova, Ivan Stoyanov, and Vanya Gaberova – are scheduled to face espionage charge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London, U.K. next Tuesday, says a report released on Friday.

The five spies, who are Bulgarian nationals, were accused of conspiring to gather information that would be useful to an enemy between August 2020 and February.

They allegedly worked for Russian security services to surveil targets in the U.K. and the rest of Europe.

During a search of properties occupied by the defendants in London and Norfolk, police found fake passports and other phony IDs for the U.K..

Other phony IDs were for; Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and the Czech Republic.

Investigators believed that Roussev was the alleged leader of the spy ring that made the forgeries himself.

The spy ring was uncovered by the Countre Terrorism Command of London’s Metropolitan Police.

Police in the U.K. previously charged three suspected Russian military intelligence officers with an assassination attempt of a double agent and his daughter with the nerve agent Novichok.

The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich remained detained in Russia on espionage charges. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Cecilia Odey/Salif Atojoko

UNGA: Nigeria seeks stronger global partnership for Africa against terrorism
Foreign

UNGA: Nigeria seeks stronger global partnership for Africa against terrorism

298 total views today

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The National Security Adviser of Nigeria, Nuhu Ribadu has called for a stronger partnership with the global community against terrorism in Africa.

Ribadu made the call at the opening of the Preparatory Ministerial-Level Meeting of African Member States on the 2024 African Counter-Terrorism Summit, with the theme “ Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institutional Building in Adress the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa.’’

The UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting held in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly was to discuss the 2024 Africa Counter-Terrorism Summit slated for Nigeria in April 2024.

“For terrorism to be defeated, we need to see the development of new and strengthened partnerships, both between African member states and between Africa and the rest of the international community, to tackle the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

“It is in this spirit, that Nigeria and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) will co-organise the African Counter Terrorism Summit.

“Nigeria is committed to ensuring that the Summit is a success and encourages you to ensure that your leaders are present in Abuja from April 23 to 24, 2024.

“The government looks forward to welcoming you to this important event that will help shape an African-led and African-owned narrative in combating terrorism,’’ he said.

According to him, Nigeria has remained committed to strengthening the rule of law to bring terrorists to justice.

The NSA said that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 had enabled the establishment of two critical institutions, the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the Nigerian Sanctions Committee in Nigeria.

“With partnership from specialised UN agencies and international partners, we continue to strengthen our criminal justice provisions and judicial frameworks to secure the conviction of terrorism offenders.

“The hosting of this strategic event by Nigeria provides an opportunity for us to share our lessons learnt and wealth of Counter-Terrorism experience with other Member States, especially those dealing with the menace of terrorism on a daily basis.

“Terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism pose a persistent and evolving threat to international peace and security.

“The collaborative efforts to combat terrorism must be based on extant regional strategies, coordination mechanisms, and information sharing platforms,’’ he said.

The NSA said it was imperative that the continent strengthen its regional security apparatus by enhancing intelligence capacities, improving border control measures, and investing in the training and equipping of our security forces.

“Additionally, we must focus on building robust legal frameworks that enable effective prosecution of terrorist suspects while ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.

“There is also the need to strengthen our institutions to better address the root causes of terrorism.

“Investment in education, job creation, and community development programmes will help to insulate our societies from the influence of extremist ideologies.

“I would also like to emphasise the importance of international cooperation and partnership in our regional fight against terrorism in Africa.

“We therefore call upon our global partners, particularly UNOCT to provide the necessary support to strengthen our capacity to counter terrorism effectively,’’ he said.

In preparing for the Summit, Ribadu said the Member States would embrace an inclusive approach, ensuring the participation of all stakeholders, including regional organisations, civil society groups, the private sector, and international partners.

He said their expertise and perspectives would contribute to the success of the African Counter-Terrorism Summit, which will produce tangible outcomes and concrete recommendations that will guide our future endeavours in the fight against terrorism.

(L-R) Mr Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism; UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and the National Security Adviser of Nigeria, Nuhu Ribadu at the opening of Preparatory Ministerial-Level Meeting of African Member States on the 2024 African Counter-Terrorism Summit in New York.

In her remarks, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed said the UN had launched a joint appeal for counterterrorism in Africa.

Mohammed said that the UN had launched an appeal to mobilise resources for 10 inter-agency flagship initiatives to advance multilateral Action in support of the global counterterrorism strategy across the continent.

The UN chief said that more was needed, noting that Africa needs more resources, strategic and genuine partnerships, and structured support.

“I hope we can leverage the upcoming summit to scale up international regional and sub-regional support for the continent.

“I hope we can commit to putting and seeing gender-responsive strategies at the centre of our preventive strategies,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Africa Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, urged the participants to review the prevailing terrorism threat scenarios in Africa and brainstorm potential solutions.

“Terrorism is alien to Africa, to our culture to our people, but it is threatening our very existence.’’

He said until the continent defects terrorism, it would be difficult to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. (NAN)

 

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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

EU registered increase in asylum applications in June 2023
General News

EU registered increase in asylum applications in June 2023

123 total views today

European Union states received 25 per cent more asylum applications in June 2023 compared with June 2022, the EU’s statistics agency Eurostat said on Friday.

In June, 83,385 people applied for international protection in one of the bloc’s 27 member states.

The figure is however lower than in autumn 2022, when around 100,000 monthly application were filed in the EU, according to Eurostat data.

In line with previous months, Syrians were the largest group of people seeking protection in the EU in June 2023, followed by Afghans, Venezuelans and Colombians.

Germany, Spain, France and Italy together received around 75 per cent of all asylum applications in June 2023.

Compared to the population of each EU country, Cyprus received the highest rate of applicants, followed by Austria, Eurostat said. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ummul Idris/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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