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Osinbajo Discusses Rising Coups In Africa

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with his Tanzanian Counterpart Philip Mpangno

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his Tanzanian counterpart, Philip Mpango, on Sunday, in Arusha, Tanzania, held bilateral talks.

The two spoke on issues ranging from climate change and technology to deterring unconstitutional changes of government in Africa.

Osinbajo is in Tanzania to speak at inaugural session of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights for the year 2022 scheduled for Feb. 28.

They also discussed issues of interest to both Nigeria and Tanzania, including infrastructure development, trade and investment, technology, climate change and democracy.

According to Osinbajo, ECOWAS has experienced in just under a year, four coups d’etat including attempts.

He said that it was disturbing because such things ought to have been put behind the region.

“It is something that we think has to do with more cooperation. AU has been very forthcoming (in condemnation) in saying that we cannot tolerate unconstitutional seizures of power.

Gunmen Attack Final Year Student At Birnin-Gwari,Kills 7

“But sanctioning these coupists without any proper “teeth” has not been particularly effective.

“There might be a need for us to reach out to some of the regional bodies, development financial institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and the EU.

”The EU has been quite responsive but we think that we can do a lot more just in terms of cooperation, so there is an effective deterrent if everyone agrees that undemocratic change of government is unacceptable.”

On climate change and the attendant goal of net-zero emissions, Osinbajo said the major challenge was that the wealthier countries were abandoning fossil fuels and gas and some of them were already defunding gas projects.

He said it was important  to keep focus on the transition to net-zero emissions, but also important for the world to know that Africa had two challenges – Climate Change and development.

“We in Africa will run into trouble because gas projects are important even for the transition.

“It is important for us to come together to oppose any situation where the wealthier countries insist that on account of going towards net-zero emissions in 2050, we should then abandon gas which is one of the major sources of energy for industry and clean cooking.

”We think that the wealthier countries are asking us to do what they didn’t do – use renewable energy for industry.

“While we are interested in ensuring that we meet net-zero emissions target, we are also interested in ensuring that we develop.”

On the place of technology in economic growth, Osinbajo said that growth would be technology-led, adding that from 2016, six Nigerian companies had become UNICORNS – companies worth over a billion dollars.

“All these companies started in 2016, including Flutterwave which was recently valued at over 3billion dollars.

“Technology is very important to us and we have investments in broadband infrastructure across the country and consider it to be fundamental to our economic growth.

“Even with what we have done, it is incredible how many new businesses in technology have come up, startups springing up every day.

”It is an exciting time for us, especially for those investing in technology startups across all sectors – education, health, and FinTech.

“There is also financial inclusion because there were many parts of the country that banks didn’t bother to go to, but with technology, we are able to reach all of those places,” he said.

On his part, Mpango commended West African leaders for their efforts to halt the menace of coups d’etat in the sub-region and also agreed that Africa can achieve more working in unison.

He said that climate change was an example of one area leaders on the continent needed to work together to address.

“The apparent wish by developed countries to abandon fossil fuel is worrisome because we are still struggling to provide the basics.

”Our forests are disappearing because our people are still forced to use firewood for cooking, if we abandon gas energy, where do we go to?”

The Tanzanian vice president thanked Osinbajo for accepting the invitation of the African Court to be the guest speaker at the formal opening of the Court’s 2022 Judicial Year.

Both leaders also agreed that the relationship between their countries had been notable over the years, adding however, that there was room for more improvement.

The two leaders agreed that arrangements for the Joint Commission between both countries should proceed.

Mpango recalled Nigeria’s role in the fight to end apartheid in Southern Africa.

“Nigeria never abandoned her brothers and sisters in South Africa.

He added that both countries have been working together and supporting each other internationally since 1962 including at the United Nations and in Africa. (NAN)

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Mega City: Gov. Yusuf Lays Foundation of 15 Billion Naira Inter Change Bridge in Kano

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Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, State Commissioner of Works and Housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad and Project Manager, CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Gee Wang during the foundation laying of N15 billion naira three layer inter change bridge at Kofar Dan'agundi in Kano on Dunday 5th May, 2024

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has layed a N15 billion three layer Interchange bridge at Kofar Dan’agundi in Kano metropolis as part of vision to enhance traffic flow in the ancient city.

The governor who visited the project site on Sunday in company of some cabinet members, affirmed his administration’s eyesight to transform the city centre to status of a mega city.

Recall that Governor Yusuf in December, 2023, awarded the multi-billion naira project to CCG Nigeria Limited with completion period of eighteen months. The multiple projects was awarded along side another high impact interchange bridge at Talidu roundabout also in the city centre, to ease traffic congess.

“We have created fordable alternative routes and motorists are expected to comply with rules for safety and allow the project operation to run smoothly”

Gov. Abba Kabir also layed the foundation of a similar project at Tal’udu roundabout worth 12 billion naira which was initially awarded same time with three layer overpass, underpass and surface layer roads.

In a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson Sanusi Bature, Infrastructure development is a critical area of the present administration where Gov. Yusuf allocate more resources apart from the education sector.

While responding after the foundation laying ceremony, The Project Manager CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Gee Wang and the commissioner of works and housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad said in a saparate addresses that the project will be completed within the time frame.

 

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Dangote Cement Hosts NISS Team At Obajana

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The Plant Director of the Dangote Cement Plc Obajana, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, has hosted members and students of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Abuja.

The Executive Intelligence Management Course (EMIC) 17 was on study tour of the Cement Plant as part of overall study tour of Kogi State.

Welcoming the team, the Plant Director expressed appreciation to NISS and the study Anchor for deeming it fit to consider visiting the Plant in the spirit and letters of the theme of the study tour “Artificial Intelligence, Security and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects.”

The Plant Director congratulated the visiting team on being enlisted for the course and wished them a successful exercise.

The team was led to the Plant by the Hon. Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology for Kogi State, Hon. (Dr.) Adeniyi A. Helen. Also in the team was the Programme Lead, Mr. Hyginus Ngele and the team Anchor, Dr. T. O. Fashola.

Earlier, the Programme Lead explained to the Plant Director and his team that the course is aimed at developing a core of security experts with high level of expertise in intelligence and delop their capacity to formulate and implement security policies and strategies to enhance the economic and social development of Nigeria.

He noted that the course has 92 participants with a group visiting the Plant, while others were simultaneously visiting other locations as part of the course learning process.

The students expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the reception accorded them by Management of the Plant.

Areas of discussions include: Energy security and sharing, AI utilization in the Plant operations, environment, capacity building and CSR.

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Journalist Hit by Metal Debris from Ongoing Construction – Kano Govt

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

The attention of Kano state government has been drawn to a one sided media report bya section of the media revealing that a journalist, with the state own Television station, attached to Government house was hit by a stray bullet.

The incident, which occurred amidst a flurry of misinformation, sparked widespread concern and speculation regarding the safety of journalists covering events at the government house.

However, the government will like to emphatically say that journalists are not under threat in Kano government house. It is however worthy of note to caution journalists to ensure credible source while reporting any development and avoid unnecessary sensational angle that can mislead the public.

For clarity purpose, Naziru Yau, the reporter of the state television station was not hit by any stray bullet.
Instead, he sustained injuries from the metal debris emanating from an ongoing construction at the Kano State Government House, an area that has been barricaded for caution.

The truth of the incident emerged when medical professionals at the government house clinic disclosed the true nature of Mr. Naziru’s injuries.

The journalist, Mr. Naziru, expressed gratitude for the prompt medical attention he received and thanked well-wishers for their concern during his recovery.

Let me emphasized the need for journalists to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties, especially in environments where construction activities pose potential hazards.

We thereby dispel any rumor that had sparked outrage and call for increased safety measures for journalists covering sensitive events.

We also need to underscores the importance of accurate reporting and thorough investigation in mitigating misinformation and maintaining public trust.

In response to the incident, Sanusi Bature the Director General Press at the Kano State Government House have assured the public of their commitment to ensuring the safety of all individuals within the premises and the state in general.

Additionally, have pledged to review and enhance existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident, we urge the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims and to rely on verified information from credible sources.

 

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