Buhari lauds China over Investments in West Africae. Buratai said also that when both armies collaborated, they Would be in a Better Position to Tackle the Security Challenges Confronting the African Continent. (NAN)

File: President Muhammadu Buhari during his meeting with the Nigerian community in China.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday expressed the appreciation of ECOWAS member states for China’s increasing investment in the sub-region with the aim of building a prosperous and shared future.
The President was speaking at the opening of the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese and African leaders and business representatives in Beijing, China.
He noted that China was the largest investor in the sub-region in both private and public sectors, covering areas such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, mining and healthcare.

According to him, China also provides significant assistance in emergency humanitarian aid and response to climate change.
READ ALSO: AGF inaugurates 17-man anti-corruption committee
He said: “Various construction projects are now ongoing in the sub-region, including the construction of railway projects, power infrastructure, airports and numerous roads through Chinese financing.
“While it is pertinent to mention that member states of ECOWAS are at different stages of development, President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to our sub-region has highlighted the need for even closer collaboration.
This he said was necessary “to enable more Chinese investment to support the cause of regional integration and development.
“We should also realise that while China’s help is vital, the main push to transform our economies must come from our own efforts and commitment.’’
He maintained that the ECOWAS region which accounted for some 30 per cent of Africa’s population and GDP had embarked on policies and strategies to stabilise and strengthen internal growth.
Buhari stated that member states were making efforts at diversifying their economies and developing specific policies, targeting the most vulnerable groups, in order to ensure more inclusive growth.

In this regard, he added that member states would continue to encourage Chinese State-owned companies and entrepreneurs to invest in the sub-region.
He said ECOWAS would also continue to welcome more Chinese tourists to visit West Africa.
The Nigerian leader stated that this would enhance “people-to-people exchanges, especially now that member states are getting involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
“Our sub-region is endowed with enormous tourism potential. With China’s support, tourism related infrastructure should be developed to empower our citizens, create more employment opportunities among the teeming population and eliminate poverty.’’
The President also requested for visa facilitation for African businessmen, women and students seeking to visit China.

September 3 2018

Opinion Columnists Logo Sections Search for: 0 Views News Nigeria, South Africa Armies Pledge Cooperation

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai

The Nigerian and South African armies on Monday pledged to strengthen collaboration to create conducive environments for their peoples to pursue economic activities.
The Chiefs of Army Staff of Nigeria and South Africa, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Lt.-Gen. Windile Yam, made the pledge at a joint news conference at the army headquarters in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buratai had earlier received the South African army chief behind closed doors, where they discussed modalities to strengthen cooperation.

Speaking earlier, Yam noted that the reason armies existed was to ensure security and peace so that their respective country’s economies could thrive.
READ ALSO: Buhari lauds China over investments in West Africa
He described the Nigerian army as a “very experienced” army that had worked to ensure peace and stability, not only in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, but the continent in general.
Yam said that cooperation between both armies was imperative, hence he visited to explore ways to strengthen the cooperation.
On his part, the Nigerian army chief said that when the armies of both countries were strong and collaborating, there would be security for their economies to thrive.
Buratai said also that when both armies collaborated, they would be in a better position to tackle the security challenges confronting the African continent.
(NAN)

September 3 2018 

Opinion Columnists Logo Sections Search for: 60 Views News Insecurity: SGF Inaugurates Committee on Peace Commission

Boss Mustapha

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha,  has inaugurated the committee on the establishment of a National Peace Commission with the acting Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Bakut Bakut as chairman.
Mustapha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Dr. Amina Bello said the National Economic Council recommended the establishment of the commission and peace agencies for states after reviewing the security situation of Nigeria in August 2017.

The committee has three months to accomplish its task and submit reports.
The IPCR Information Officer, Abu Michael said in a statement in Abuja on Monday that the NEC had identified ethno-religious crisis as one of the sources of insecurity in the country which must be addressed.
Expressing the significance of the task before the committee, he urged the members to take cognizance of the myriads of the security challenges across the country including terrorism in the North East, armed banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping in the North West; farmers and herdsmen’s crisis in the north central, secessionist agitations in the South East and others.
The SGF maintained that the peace index indicated that all parts of the country were facing one security challenge or the other hence the committee.
The committee, according to him should recommend suitable platform for resolving avoidable conflicts in order to return the country into the path of peace and sustainable development.
The terms of reference of the committee among other things was to develop a suitable framework for the establishment of NPC at the Federal level and peace agencies at state level and articulate the functions of the commission, and the peace agencies.
It would also draw the administrative structures and organogram for the commission and the state peace agencies.
The committee is expected to also recommend the legal framework for the commission and the peace agencies, and any other issues the committee members may deem relevant to the accomplishment of their assignment.

Members of the committee included the Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr. Jacob Gyang representing the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria; Prof. Is-haq Oloyede representing the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council; Navy Commodore James Pindar from the Defence Headquarters and DCP Ebong Eyibio from the Nigeria Police.
Others were Deputy Commandant-General (Crisis Management) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Adeoye Emmanuel; Director for Special Duties, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Olowoofoyeku Olusoji; Director PRS from National Orientation Agency, Bona Tagwai; Nnelai Bush representing the Department of State Services, Mr. Faanee Bebu from the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Mr. O. Olaoyefide of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

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September 3 2018

PHOTOS: Police Parade Robbers, Cattle Rustlers in Kaduna

Published September 3, 2018

The Kaduna State police command on Monday paraded suspected cattle rustlers, kidnappers and armed robbers operating along the Abuja/ Kaduna, Birnin gwarri and Zamfara axis.
Photos: Olatunji Obasa

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News Nigeria Breaking News Today Monday, September 3 2018

This is a roundup of some of the breaking news in Nigeria for Monday, September 3 2018.

Timi Frank: There’s A Fresh Plot To Arraign Saraki Over 2019 Presidency

Former Deputy National Publicity of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, says that the presidency has ordered the police and a foremost anti-graft agency to arraign Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in court this week over false charges.
Mr Frank, said the planned arraignment of Saraki on cooked-up charges is part of a renewed onslaught by the presidency and the leadership of the APC against Saraki who recently declared his intention to contest for President in the 2019 General Elections.

Read more details here

2019 general elections: PDP already conceding defeat, says APC

The All Progressives Congress(APC) says the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is already conceding defeat ahead of the 2019 elections by taking undue interest in the mode of primaries the APC adopts to elect its candidates for the elections.
The party stated this in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary, on Sunday in Abuja.
“The APC is amused by the interest the PDP has in the mode of primary election we adopted to elect our party candidates for the 2019 elections.
Read more details here

2019: My Govt. Will Conduct Free, Fair Elections – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared in China on Sunday that he is not scared of free and fair elections in 2019.
He vowed that his administration would conduct a free and fair elections, since a free and fair election brought him into power in the first place.
Read more details here

2019 Election: Why Afenifere May Back Atiku – Adebanjo

Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, has revealed that the group may back the presidential bid of former vice president of Nigeria and People Democratic Party (PDP) Heavyweight, Atiku Abubakar, come 2019.

The leader of the group, Ayo Adebanjo made this known on Sunday when he received the frontline presidential aspirant in Lagos.
Read more details here

Dele Momodu Describes Buhari Supporters As ‘Bitter’

Former Presidential candidate and publisher of Ovation magazine, Chief Dele Momodu, has berated online supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari for being ‘bitter‘.
He had been a victim of attacks after publishing an article about the 2019 Presidential ambition of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki.
Read more details here

Saraki, Tambuwal, Ortom Get New PDP Assignment

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, as well as the governors of Sokoto and Benue states, Aminu Tambuwal and Samuel Ortom respectively have been appointed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into National Campaign Council for the governorship election in Osun State.
Saraki was appointed by the PDP to chair its National Campaign Council, while Tambuwal and Ortom are members of the council.

Erigga - Motivation [Official Video] ft. Victor AD

The Nigeria Police on Monday, denied reports that some of its personnel on special duties, protested at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over unpaid allowances. The clarification came after some reports surfaced, claiming some officers of the Nigeria Police posted to the Presidential Villa, were protesting over unpaid allowances since 2015. The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement obtained by Naija News said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to an online news captioned ‘Villa Police Protest unpaid Allowance Since 2015.’ “The Force wishes to categorically state that salaries and allowances of police personnel across ranks throughout police formations, departments and detachments including those attached to the Presidential Villa are being paid as at when due, and on time.” “Special and ad hoc duties allowances are also promptly paid on completion of such duties”. “The report was carefully studied and was found out to be outright falsehood, unfounded, mischievous and fake news. “There was no time the policemen in the Villa or anywhere else in the country protested over any issue relating to payment of allowances or whatsoever.” Share