NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Shettima harps on value of traditional institution
Politics

Shettima harps on value of traditional institution

225 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has reiterated the value of the traditional institutions in the country.

Shettima made the statement when he received a delegation led by the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, retired Justice Sidi Bage I, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

He expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers, the government and people of the state for their love and support to President Bola Tinubu during the last electioneering campaign.

” You are the custodians of our rich cultural heritage, the people listen to you more than us because you are the closest to the people. We appreciate you and value you because you are our link to the past.”

” If we productively utilise our solid minerals, Nasarawa can be to the North what Lagos is to the South-West and can be the engine room in this region because of its proximity to the FCT; opportunities abound more in Nasarawa State,” he said.

He urged the people of the state to be peaceful in order to develop, adding that Nasarawa is home to all the solid minerals in the country.

In an interview with newsmen, Bage, said the aim of the visit was to reiterate the support of the people of Nasarawa to President Tinubu’s administration.

” We are here today on a courtesy visit to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by extension, we are here on a courtesy visit to this administration.

” This administration is our friend. It’s a friend of Nasarawa, it’s a friend of our people and added to it both Mr President and the Vice President all of them are our own.

” They know how close they are to Nassarawa State and since the assumption of office, we’ve not had the opportunity of coming around physically to and congratulate them that’s why we’re here today.

” It’s not very easy to see Mr President at his desk, but it could be slightly easier to see the Vice President at his desk.

” That’s why we booked the appointment first, to see the vice president at his desk, congratulate him and give him all our assurances that our people are with this administration.

” Our loyalty, our support to this administration is 100 per cent and we are there in support of all their aspirations, all the good things that they have laid out for this country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima in a warm handshake with the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The traditional ruler expressed confidence in the ability and capacity of Tinubu’s administration to move the country to the desired level.

” They are people that we know and we know very well and people that we can give a trust to. We are sure that tomorrow will be better than today with the two at the helms of affairs in this country.

” What we are saying is that Mr President has started and we are confident that he has started right. The policies and all of those things that are laid out for this country are the best that should happen at this time.

” So we are here to tell Mr President to please carry on with the good work that he is doing for this country . Nasarawa State is with you. We are behind you.

” We give you all the support that is necessary for you to succeed in what you have laid out to do for this country. Thank you.

Among the delegation were the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, Emir of Awe, Alhaji Isa Abubakar, Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Usman Jibrin, the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Ogah, the Chun Mada, Chief Samson Gamu Yare II, among others. (NAN)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Julius Toba-Jegede

Shettima advocates robust platforms to re-engineer affairs of north
Economy/Business

Shettima advocates robust platforms to re-engineer affairs of north

231 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday emphasised the need for re-engineering and re-strategising of affairs in the North with a view to fast tracking development.

Shettima stated this when he receive a Coalition of Northern States’ Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA) led by its President, Malam Dalhatu Abubakar, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: ” We have to go back to the drawing board, re-assess the state of affairs in the North and come up with robust platforms of re-engineering our society.

” It is imperative for the North to embark on the re-strategizing and re-engineering of the region in order to reposition it for accelerated development.

” Most of the issues highlighted by the President of CONSCCIMA are very poignant as these are issues that touch the lives and wellbeing of our people.”

Shetima commended CONSCCIMA leadership for its commitment to the development of the North through various industrial projects that can effectively lead to development through partnership with the Federal Government.

He observed that any society that sought to achieve economic development must cultivate peace and stability.

“There can never be development without peace and there can never be peace without development,” the vice president said.

Shettima extolled President Bola Tinubu as a visionary and committed democrat for his passion to seek and achieve development through addressing the challenges of insecurity in the North.

He added: ” Especially in the North-west through the Pulaku initiative. The Pulaku initiative is a robust solution towards addressing the challenges in the North-West.

” It is a solution aimed at addressing the challenges of banditry, kidnapping and the situation in the North-West which cannot be divorced from the issue of governance.

“Poor governance has a direct bearing on what we are harvesting in the North-West.”

Earlier, Abubakar expressed the readiness of the organisation to seek partnership with the Federal Government towards the revitalisation of the economy in the north.

He highlighted some projects that could help to galvanise the economy of the North to include the revival of moribound industries and setting up of new ones.

He also stressed the need for the establishment of pharmaceutical industries, establishment of modular refineries; recharging of the Lake Chad; completion of Mambila Power and other Power projects. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Insurgency: 23,000 people missing in Nigeria in 10 years
Defence/Security , General News , Health

Insurgency: 23,000 people missing in Nigeria in 10 years

285 total views today

By Franca Ofili

Dr Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, said on Wednesday that 23,000 people have been reported missing in less than a decade due to the insurgency in some parts of the country.

Edu said this in Abuja at a stakeholders engagement with the theme “Where are you now”, to mark the International Day of the Disappeared.

She said that the figure represented half the number of missing people in the whole of Africa.

Edu said that the report of the missing people released by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) was as a result of the insurgency in some parts of the country.

“Today, over 23,000 persons are still missing.

“However, it is likely that this is just a tip of the iceberg as a more efficient mechanism is needed to improve the reporting and forensically trace cases of missing persons,” She said.

The minister said the issue of missing people had become one of the most critical and long-lasting humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts, and as such called for sober reflections.

Edu said that the present administration was committed to curbing the issue, hence the need to facilitate and strengthen the legal frameworks that would substantially address the incidences of disappearance.

Mr Yann Bonzon, Head of Delegation, ICRC, said that more than 23,000 people, registered by the Family Links Network in Nigeria, never returned home, and remained missing until date.

Bonzon said that the number did not convey the true extent of the issue.

“The actual number of missing persons is likely to be much higher, with Nigeria having more missing people than any other country on the continent.

“Until a national mechanism is created, immediate steps must be taken by the Nigerian government to prevent disappearances, to prevent the disruption of family links and maintaining links between separated family members.

“It will also help to address proper management of the dead,” he said.

Bonzon said that ICRC would continue to work closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to prevent disappearances to encourage and promote the adoption of international best practices.

He said that the ICRC would also support the Nigerian authorities to build sustainable capacities and resources to establish a national mechanism for the missing and their families.

“Let us collectively remind ourselves that while people might be gone, they will never be forgotten, and their families will never stop searching for them,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group walked from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the National Human Rights Commission, to create awareness. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

2024 Hajj: Shettima urges NAHCON to come up with acceptable fare
Metro

2024 Hajj: Shettima urges NAHCON to come up with acceptable fare

146 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to rigorously review its exchange rate to come up with more acceptable fare for future Hajj exercises.

Shettima made the call when he received briefing from the management of NAHCON led by its Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shettima spoke against the backdrop of the problem of the volatility of the exchange rate on the commission’s finances which was caused by the unification of the different forex windows.

He also advised the management of NAHCON to make adequate arrangements to take care of the pilgrims.

Shettima said that though hajj was a spiritual exercise, the commission must not neglect the well-being of the pilgrims throughout their stay in the holy land.

He added: ” The welfare of the pilgrims is at the core of the pilgrimage and as such the commission must give it the priority it deserves.

” The management must be proactive as it prepares for the future. You have to rigorously review your exchange rate and come up with a much more acceptable figure.

” It is absolutely essential that we review this mechanism and make it practical and effective to give us maximum success in managing the hajj operations from year to year.”

Similarly, Shettima emphasised the need for NAHCON to develop a robust mechanism to curtail the challenges faced by the people.

He further advised them on the need to educate the pilgrims on their rights in the holy land by making use of the social media platforms and other traditional media to enhance its visibility.

Shettima commended the commission on the various initiatives to further enhance its activities especially the launching of the Hajj Savings’ Scheme.

The vice president said: ” And the Hajj Institute of Nigeria and Public Private Partnership Arrangements for Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri and Ilorin Projects.”

Shettima also lauded NAHCON for a successful 2023 hajj operations in spite of many challenges it faced.

He added: ” We have to offer praises to Allah for the successful conduct of 2023 hajj, in spite of harsh conditions faced by people in Saudi Arabia occasioned by the climate change and other factors.

” The temperature rose to unimaginable level, though Nigeria was not the only country affected by the effect of the climate change.”

Shettima commiserated with the families of the 29 pilgrims who died during the 2023 hajj exercise.

He urged the commission “to learn lessons from the last hajj operations and gird our loins and make efforts to address all the shortcomings in the upcoming hajj operations.”

Earlier, Hassan disclosed that the recently concluded 2023 Hajj was successful largely due to the prompt transportation of the pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He also said that the provision of accommodation to the pilgrims, feeding and efficient medical services at all the phases of hajj was successful.

Shettima said: ” We are here to brief His Excellency, the Vice President about National Hajj commission, our mandates, our scorecard and our challenges.

” As you are aware, the Vice President is in charge of supervising our activities so we have a duty from time to time to report to him about our challenges, and about our plans as well.

” The National Hajj commission is actually well prepared for the take off of Hajj 2024.

“As you know, there are a number of issues that have to be settled particularly this issue of the exchange rate.

” And as you are aware, over 90 per cent of Hajj fare is in US dollars in the sense of the flight, the cost of the flight, the hotels, all the services being provided in the kingdom.”

According to Hassan, all these are still being worked out.

He revealed that, already, the commission had gotten the approval of Shettima to start in earnest in preparation for 2024 Hajj in a matter of weeks.

Hassan said: ” We will inform Nigerians, exactly how we intend to key into the roadmap of Saudi Arabia. So that our planning will be in time .

“So that when you plan early enough it will also lead to smooth success of the operation.”

NAN recalls that President Bola Tinubu had recently returned the supervision of NAHCON under the office of the vice president. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Nigeria, UN strengthen collaboration on counter terrorism
Defence/Security

Nigeria, UN strengthen collaboration on counter terrorism

148 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) have signed Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) to further strengthen counter terrorism efforts in the country.

The Head, Strategic Communications, ONSA, Mr Zakari Mijinyawa, in a statement, said the MoUs were signed on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Mijinyawa, the documents are in furtherance of Nigeria’s joint efforts with the international community in combating the global menace of terrorism which still remains one of the most complex challenges to the peace, security, and stability of nations around the world.

He said the parties also pledged continued collaboration to identify, collect, and disseminate good practices and lessons learned as well as explore new opportunities by promoting dialogue and partnership through the development of capacity building activities.

The statement quoted the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as saying that the two MoUs signalled a momentous milestone in cementing Nigeria’s partnership with UNOCT towards enhanced collective counter-terrorism efforts.

Ribadu was represented by the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa.

It also quoted Mr Vladimir Voronkov, UN Under-Secretary-General, Office of Counter-Terrorism, as saying that the MoUs envisaged further cooperation in various areas including countering terrorist travel, financing of terrorism, border and maritime security, and delivery of counter terrorism training in Nigeria.

Heads of key implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also attended the signing ceremony. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Imo PDP governorship candidate plans to curb insecurity if elected
Politics

Imo PDP governorship candidate plans to curb insecurity if elected

152 total views today

By Gregory Mmaduakolam

Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Nov. 11 Governorship Election in Imo says he will create employment to curb insecurity if elected.

“Curbing insecurity in Imo is not by bombing or killing those involved in criminal acts, but by ensuring that unemployed youths in the state have things to do.

“If the people are gainfully employed, they will not have the time to engage in unlawful acts,” Anyanwu told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that if elected, he would grant full financial autonomy to the 27 local government councils in the state.

He added, however, that he would conduct proper monitoring of the councils’ allocations to ensure that the funds were used judiciously.

He decried the failure to conduct local government elections in more than three years in Imo and blamed the development for the rising unemployment.

Anyanwu argued that if the 27 local government councils in Imo had elected chairmen, deputy chairmen and councillors, unemployment would be reduced.

He said he would also be retraining teachers in the state and issue them licences to motivate them, if elected.

He explained that after the retraining, licences issued to errant teachers would be withdrawn.

Anyanwu also expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the health sector in Imo and said he would declare a state of emergency in the sector if elected.

He noted that Imo lacked enough medical doctors and assured that he would employ many doctors to boost healthcare delivery if he assumed office as governor.

The PDP candidate decried the indebtedness of Imo, which he put at N207 billion and said he would seek debt relief if elected.

He also assured women of getting 35 per cent of appointments that he would make, while promising to build satellite Government Houses in the three senatorial districts of the state to accommodate him on his visits and facilitate easy access for people to see him.

Anyanwu was two-term local government chairman, two-term member of the Imo State House of Assembly and the immediate past PDP National Secretary. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Alli Hakeem

Town Planners blame distortion of Abuja Master Plan on GIS
Metro

Town Planners blame distortion of Abuja Master Plan on GIS

205 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) on Wednesday, attributed part of the distortion of the Abuja Master Plan to abuse of Geographic Information System (GIS).

The National President of the Institute, Mr Nathaniel Atebije, stated this in Abuja, during the 2023 Town Planners Day, organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter.

Atebije said that the FCT was the first to deploy GIS for urban planning and city management in Nigeria, adding, however, that it was abused to cause several distortions to the masterplan.

GIS is computer system that analyses and displays geographically referenced information and uses data attached to a unique location.

The president said that the deceit of foreign experts to the country’s policy makers about GIS as supreme in the business of town planning must be arrested.

“Especially those who come in the name of deploying GIS to generate funds for states and end up usurping the functions of physical planning.

“Over time, this mis-information was spread around the country and many states have fallen victims,” he said.

He described GIS as a “tool that planners use for their services” and not an end itself, adding that it was a misnomer for a tool to be more important than its user.

He noted that in some cases, planning projects were given to foreign consultants by policy makers, and they end up producing fanciful and mind-blowing plans.

Such plans, according to him, do not meaningfully relate with the environment and the capacity of the government to deliver.

“I, hereby, call the attention of policy makers to the fact that we have come of age professionally; only a few issues may require consultation with foreign experts.

“These may only relate to the technology of plan production rather than conception.

“We, therefore, call on governments at all levels to engage indigenous consultants to provide services in various aspects of planning and implementation logistics,” he said.

According to him, policies, programmes, and plans are reduced to ordinary story books when they are not implemented, while implementation becomes an uphill task when they are not strategic.

“This has been the bane of planning and implementation in Nigeria.

“In some cases, plans seem to have utopian ideals, hence they do not respond to the immediate circumstances of their target beneficiaries.

“At other times, our strategies do not consider our strength of technology, nor funding possibilities, political will, manpower requirements and other critical factors.”

He also pointed out that the time for planning for the people was long gone, adding the current trend, “is to plan with the people, thereby encouraging inclusiveness.”

Earlier, the Chairperson of the FCT chapter, Ms Lami Ayuba, said that the theme, “Strategies for Implementation of Physical Development Plans in the FCT”, was to create sustainable, well-planned, and resilient urban spaces.

Ayuba said that the FCT serves as a focal point for urban development in Nigeria, adding that effective implementation of physical development plans was pivotal.

This, according to her, will ensure that the communities that were built were not only functional but also aesthetically, pleasing, and conducive to the well-being of citizens.

“Our discussions throughout this event will delve into the strategies, challenges, and innovations that can help us bridge the gap between planning and execution,

“This will help in transforming our plans into tangible developments that benefit the people we serve,” she said.

The Chairman of the event, Mr Shehu Hadi, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the FCT Administration has been working tremendously in collaborative planning.

Ahmad, who was represented by Mr Yahaya Abubakar, Director, FCT Urban and Regional Planning Department said that the FCTA was achieving this by engaging relevant stakeholders.

“The stallholders are engaged from the early stages of planning to ensure that diverse perspectives were considered and accommodated.

“The Administration has been pursuing these and other collaborative strategies, to make stakeholders synergize and work collectively towards achieving quality and realistic physical development plans.” he said. (NAN)

Edited by kemini Ladejobi

Arewa Economic Forum tasks Tinubu on fairness, inclusiveness in appointments
General News

Arewa Economic Forum tasks Tinubu on fairness, inclusiveness in appointments

157 total views today

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

A socio-economic pressure group, Arewa Economic Forum, has urged President Bola Tinubu, to be fair and equitable in the appointment of competent Nigerians into government positions.

The Chairman of the Forum, Ibrahim Dandakata, who said this in a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, specifically cited appointments into the finance ministry as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Dandakata said that the appointments of Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, Folashodun Shonubi, Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), occupied by people from a particular section of the country, could send wrong signals.

He also cited the appointment of Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, among others, who are also from the same zone in the country as Edun and Shonubi, as capable of also sending wrong signals.

Dandakata urged Tinubu to look for competent Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country for the purposes of fairness and inclusiveness.

“As you may be aware, finance and ICT are crucial to the economic eldorado that the president envisions for Nigeria.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance manages the finances of the federation, including controlling and monitoring federal revenues and expenditures

“The Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy develop a knowledge-based economy and facilitate the development of the ICT industry towards increasing its contribution to GDP.

“The two ministries play greater roles in facilitating businesses, e-commerce, job creation, empowerment and increased efficiency and productivity, which are vital for economic growth and prosperity,” he said.

According to him, the importance of finance and ICT sectors are such that we must be circumspect in the kind of decisions we make in those sectors.

He, however, commended the president for retaining performing chief executives of some key government agencies.

“As a patriotic, refined statesman who won a credible national mandate in February, Tinubu has a duty to not only be fair to all parts of the country but also to be seen to be fair to all parts.

“Meanwhile, we must commend the president for retaining some performing chief executive officers of leading agencies in economic and technology sector like Bello Hassan of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and Kashifu Inuwa of National Information Technology Development Agency.

“We believe that more competent, qualified and experienced technocrats from the North can also be appointed to head crucial sectors of the economy,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Petroleum ministers engage staff, seek collaboration
Oil & Gas

Petroleum ministers engage staff, seek collaboration

180 total views today

By Emmanuella Anokam

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), and his counterpart, Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, have urged the ministry’s staff to garner their support in realising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The duo, at a town hall meeting in Abuja, emphasised the need to reshape the narrative within the oil and gas sector.

Lokpobiri, in statement on Wednesday by Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, Deputy Director/Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, undescored the ministry’s vital role in Nigeria’s survival and the need for effective performance to address the nation’s challenges.

He explained that having two ministers in the ministry was a strategic decision to propel change and expand investments in the Oil and Gas Sector.

He described the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) as a facilitating factor, and assured the staff that collaboration between him and his counterpart would lead to the realisation of the president’s directive.

He stated that during their recent visit to the Port Harcourt Refinery, the contractors working on the refinery’s rehabilitation indicated that the initial phase would be completed by December 2023.

Lokpobiri also expressed willingness to engage stakeholders in the creeks to combat oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) also underscored the ministry’s significance in Nigeria’s economic growth and urged the staff to contribute their expertise to fulfill their mandates.

“We are here to work alongside you, understand you, and encourage you to bring your skills to bear,” he expressed.

He further outlined their shared objective of expanding domestic gas penetration, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), for the betterment of the nation.

Amb. Gabriel Aduda, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, expressed confidence in the staff’s capability to achieve the ministers’ goals.

He listed initiatives such as providing staff buses to ease transportation and transitioning same to CNG to align with environmental concerns.

Aduda advocated leveraging the ministers’ experience to advance the industry and announced plans for frequent meetings to enhance communication and collaboration within the ministry.

The engaging town hall meeting was attended by directors and staff from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, showcasing the ministry’s dedication to transparency, collaboration and administration’s agenda. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Wike, 2face, others make list of 100 peace icons in Africa
Entertainment

Wike, 2face, others make list of 100 peace icons in Africa

250 total views today

By Joshua Olomu

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and renowned singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, have been listed among the ‘100 Most Notable Peace Icons in Africa’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they were named among other Africans in the list released by the organiser on its website on Wednesday.

Other Nigerians who made the list included former SGF, Boss Mustapha, Tony Elumelu, Mohammed Abdullahi, Alhaji Imaan Ibrahim, Femi Otedola, Dr Stephen Akintayo, Farouk Khailann and Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Renowned clergy, Pastor Jerry Eze, Dr Daniel Moses, Mohammed Dewji, Mesfin Tasew Bekele, AIGP Aishatu Baju, Gabriel Aduda, Tein Jack-Rich, Tosin Eniolorunda, Dr Oluwatosin Olatujoye and Nollywood star, Rita Dominic also made the list.

Amb. Kinsley Amafibe, Project Director, Africa, for the 100 Most Notable Peace Icons in Africa, congratulated all Nigerians who made the list.

According to him, the peace icons are Africans drawn from different backgrounds, who have used their talents, positions and resources to build and promote peace across the continent.

He said the list was not exhaustive as there were other Africans who have contributed to peace building across the continent that would be identified and honoured in subsequent editions of the peace-building roll call.

“The 100 most notable peace icons in Africa come from diverse backgrounds and have different life experiences, but they all share a deep commitment to peace and non-violence.

“They have shown us that peace is achievable, and that each person can make a difference in building a better world.

“Through their leadership, activism, and humanitarian work, they have inspired millions of people around the world to join their movement and work towards a more just and peaceful future.

“Over the last three decades, our society has been tethering at the brink of global conflict and the pursuit of peace has given rise to some of the most remarkable individuals of our time,” he said.

He added that those who made the list were people who have dedicated their lives to promoting peace and justice in their communities, countries, and the world at large.

“As we honour these remarkable individuals, we are reminded of the importance of their work and the impact it has had on the world.

“We hope that their example will continue to inspire individuals and organisations around the world to work towards a more peaceful and just world for all,” he said.

He further said that the peace icons included Political Leaders who work tirelessly to resolve conflicts and promote diplomacy as well as activists who use their influence and resources to fight against injustice and inequality.

“We also have humanitarians who provide aid and relief to those in need especially during unrest, as well as artistes who use their craft to promote peace and unity in the world.

“There are real estate stakeholders who work with the humanitarians to provide safe space for homeless individuals and agricultural experts who sacrifice in ensuring Africa, is self-sustaining in food production.

“Also included are media personalities who are dedicated in ensuring that accurate information is passed and financial experts who use their financial strength to contribute to the growth of Peace among others,” he said.

NAN reports that other recipients across the continent included human right activist and African Affairs commentator P.L.O. Lumumba, Rwanda President, Paul Kagame; Seyi Vodi, Hajiya Salamatu Muktah, Josephine Nwaeze, Ayo Animashaun and Prof. Stevens Azaiki. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Sadiya Hamza

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