Chad Demands Permanent African Seats At UN Security Council

By Asefon Opeyemi Chris

Chad has tasked the United Nations, UN on ensuring that African states get permanent seats at the intergovernmental organization security souncil. 

Making the demand at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77), Chad's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Awatif El Tidjani Ahmed Koiboro, said it would "correct an historic injustice" and help countries in the G5 Sahel.

She said: "On the reform of the Security Council, the body responsible for peace and international security, Chad once again urges member states to move from rhetoric to action in order to achieve the said reform and correct the historic injustice towards the African continent, which excludes it from full and equal participation in this body."

It is worthwhile to note that the Security Council is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions like imposing sanctions and authorizing use of force. It has five permanent veto-wielding members: the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.

The African continent usually has two to three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, currently held by Kenya, Tunisia and Niger.

Speaking on internal situation of the Sahel region, Chad regretted Mali's recent withdrawal from the G5 Sahel, stressing that Bamako is a founding member of the joint force. 

"We will not be able to defeat terrorism, stabilise and develop the Sahel, without a common fight and pooling of resources," said Ms Koiboro. 

"We hope that our Malian brothers will reconsider their decision and rejoin our common organization. The door of the G5 Sahel is always wide open to welcome them," she added. 

In December last year the UN and the African Union pledged to work together with the G5 Sahel and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to improve security and governance.

UNGA 77: Nigeria Reiterates Commitment To Renewable Energy Transition

 

By Asefon Opeyemi Chris 

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the commitment of the Nigerian government towards ensuring that there is a rapid and strategic transition to renewable energy in response to the worldwide efforts for the preservation of the environment.

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s media aide, on the sidelines of a Leaders’ Closed-Door Meeting on Climate Change convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres.

The President disclosed that Nigeria had in august this year, launched a home-grown, data-backed, multi-pronged energy transition plan, which is the country’s framework for achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

He said the data-backed energy transition plan highlights the use of renewable energy technologies to transform Nigeria into a clean energy-led economy.

Nigeria’s energy transition plan is projected to create 340,000 jobs by 2030 and up to 840,000 jobs by 2060, driven by the transportation, clean cooking and power sectors. 

According to him, emerging technologies like hydrogen and bioenergy would create pathways for low-carbon development in the country. 

In his statement, Buhari shared a few details from the plan and shared his confidence in Nigeria’s energy transition plan, which he said would put Nigeria on a path to prosperity.   

“The clean energy goals of the plan include modernizing the power sector with large-scale integration of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency and conservation; and is expected to generate 250 gigawatts of installed energy capacity with over 90% made up of renewables,” he said.

Buhari, whose administrative tenure comes to an end by May 2023, said the implementation of the energy transition plan will provide investment opportunities for Nigeria, especially in the area of natural gas for industrialization and power supply. 

In his speech, he made reference to the possibilities that solar energy, e-mobility, and hydrogen production could give Nigeria, going forward. 

He commended Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his tireless efforts in the preparations for the COP27 and assured him of the support of the Nigerian Government.

Delta 2023: Niger Delta APC Youth Group Hails Emergence Of Osanebi

Ahead of 2023 governorship election in Delta State, a Niger Delta All Progressives Congress, APC, youth group, Niger Delta APC, Youth Vanguard, ND-APC YV has hailed emergence of Rt Hon Friday Osanebi as running mate to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Reacting to the decision of the Delta State APC chapter's on Osanebi to be the running mate to Senator Omo-Agege, the National Coordinator, ND-APC YV, in a statement signed by its President/National Coordinator, Gen Fiawei Pathfinder, noted that the duo are men of integrity with impeachable track record of good governance that will change the narrative come 2023.

Commended the process of Osanebi emerged as running mate, the group noted that Rt Hon Osanebi is a young man of integrity with unblemished track record.

Also, the grassroots-based organisation added that it has thrown its weight behind the Omo-Agege/Osanebi governorship ticket as it unanimously endorsed the deputy governorship candidate slot of the former Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly.

‘‘Rt Hon Osanebi is a young man of integrity with unblemished track record, A onetime pioneer President of Ndokwa Youth Council who worked hard to bring community development with employment opportunities to the youths of Ndokwa Nation by engaging most of the multinational oil companies in the Ndokwa domain such as Agip, Saipem, Sterling Global Oil Company and others by ensuring that all MoU's agreements towards community development was adequately approved. 

‘‘He is a young man that is well accepted by all various youth groups, women the elderly and the traditional rulers in the entire Delta North Senatorial District. He is a round peg in round hole and has all it takes to be a competent deputy governor based on his antecedents as a lawmaker a well-established Business entrepreneur, a loyal the party stakeholder and a dedicated family man. His unparalleled effective representation of his constituency while he was Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly is unquestionable’’

However, the group called on the neglected oil producing communities in the riverine to take their destiny in their hands to elect the candidates of the APC to rescue them from the shackles of bad administration.

Bayelsa State Government Mulls Stoppage Of Unfriendly Burial Practices Against Women

Bayelsa State government has said it would work towards ending unfriendly traditional and customary practices that inhibit the burial of married females in some communities in the state.

Governor Douye Diri gave the hint on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the Yenagoa residence of his Technical Adviser on Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, who lost his wife.

The Bayelsa governor said his administration would consider legislation to end practices that forbid women from being buried in some communities. 

He expressed concern over the practice, saying it was unfair to the female gender. 

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as assuring that his administration will work with the state House of Assembly to provide a legal framework to end discriminatory practices against women. 

As part of efforts to tackle the issue in the short term, Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Lands and Housing and his Works and Infrastructure counterpart to laise with leaders of Amassoma community to get a suitable location for the construction of a cemetery.

He described as painful the death of a loved one, particularly a spouse, and prayed God to grant Chief Naingba and his family the fortitude to bear the loss. 

The state helmsman described the deceased as a very caring woman, who  left a worthy legacy, stressing that those who mourn should be consoled by her legacies. 

His words: "I know what it means to lose a loved one, especially a wife. Chief Naingba, let me on behalf of your government and the people of the state express my sincere condolences. 

“All of us, at any point in time, will answer the call of death. We accept that reality. We pray that the almighty God will grant you the fortitude to bear this loss.

"God made it so and we accept our fate. Whatever happens to one of us happens to all of us. We came today to encourage and to pray with you. But let the reality be on all of us that no matter who we are, we can die at any point in time. We are consoled that she has led a good life."

Responding, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba expressed gratitude to the governor for his show of love and friendship, stressing that his family was strengthened by the visit. 

He appealed to the governor to approve the construction of a cemetery in Amassoma Island to end the discriminatory tradition against female corpses in the community.

Ekiti decides: Photo Speaks

Election officials on ground materials and personnel deployed promptly.

Sen. Dickson Congratulates Okowa, PDP on Vice Presidential Nomination

Being the Full Text of A Congratulatory Press Statement By Senator Henry Seriake Dickson To Governor Ifeanyi Okowa On His Nomination As PDP's Vice Presidential Candidate:

I congratulate my brother and colleague His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa on his well deserved nomination as the vice presidential candidate and running mate to the presidential candidate of our great party, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON which was announced yesterday.

His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has been a colleague and a brother who infact took over from me as chairman of the South-South governor's forum which office he currently occupies. I know him as someone who possesses the qualities that can assist our candidate and our party not only in campaigning and winning the election but also in running an effective government for our country.

As I have always said, all political ambitions and aspirations are legitimate but must follow due process. The presidential candidate has spoken. In our system, the office of the vice-presidential candidate is not to be contested or vied for, it is the prerogative of the flag bearer and should be respected.

We should all therefore rally round our party and our flag bearers to confront the issues ahead which requires the support of all.

Both His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON and His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and our party can be assured of my support as usual.

Congratulations to PDP

Hsd.

Senator Dickson Congratulates Okowa On His Emergence As Running Mate To Atiku

 

The Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has congratulated the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on his emergence as the running mate to the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.

Senator Dickson said that he had related with Okowa as a colleague and brother who took over from him as the current Chairman of the South South Governor’s Forum

The former Governor of Bayelsa State said that Okowa has the requisite qualities not just to assist the candidate in the area of electoral campaigns but also to run government effectively.

Senator Dickson called on all party members to rally round the candidate to give him all the needed support to achieve targeted objectives now that the Candidate has taken a decision.

He assured the Candidate, Atiku, and his running mate of his unflinching support.

“I congratulate my brother and colleague His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa on his well deserved nomination as the vice presidential candidate and running mate to the presidential candidate of our great party, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON which was announced yesterday.

“His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has been a colleague and a brother who infact took over from me as chairman of the South-South governor's forum which office he currently occupies.

“I know him as someone who possesses the qualities that can assist our candidate and our party not only in campaigning and winning the election but also in running an effective government for our country.

“As I have always said, all political ambitions and aspirations are legitimate but must follow due process. The presidential candidate has spoken. In our system, the office of the vice-presidential candidate is not to be contested or vied for, it is the prerogative of the flag bearer and should be respected.

“We should all therefore rally round our party and our flag bearers to confront the issues ahead which requires the support of all.

“Both His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON and His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and our party can be assured of my support as usual.” He said.