Author: Maureen Okon

Deployment

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 29, 2024 (NAN) Dr Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General, Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC), has urged the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers, deployed to Sierra Leone to uphold discipline and behave as patriotic citizens.

Yakub gave the advice in Abuja on Saturday at a deployment exercise for 18 TAC volunteers to be sent to Sierra Leone.

He said that the deployment was in line with the mandate of the directorate to bridge the educational gap in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) countries.

The D-G lauded the TAC volunteers for deciding to serve humanity and their country by volunteering to give their professional service to other African countries.

According to him, the volunteers are to serve humanity and their fellow African country that is in need of professionals to bridge the educational gap.

“We also send volunteers to ACP countries to bridge the educational gaps in these countries as soft power diplomacy.

“Nigeria has been deploying TAC volunteers for the past 37 years. So, as you go there, we expect you to conduct yourselves and be good ambassadors of this great country Nigeria.

“That is why you are wearing the Nigerian colours as a symbols of respect and honour. So, be of good behaviour, uphold our integrity by bringing us a good name to our country.

“This is a very strong foreign policy of the Nigeria government which we use to deploy soft power diplomacy through technical aid to our brothers in the ACP countries.

“So, Nigeria as one of the super powers among the community of nations has introduced this very important foreign policy for the past 37 years and has been sustaining it.

“Through foreign policy instrument, we have developed friendship with so many countries of the world which is of great importance to our dear country Nigeria,’’ he said.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the volunteers said the initiative of the Nigerian government to render soft power diplomacy to other African countries was a commendable one.

Mr Benham Batari, a Nurse, and Ukoma Nnoma, a Medical Doctor, expressed readiness to make Nigeria proud by being good ambassadors while rendering professional expertise in that country.

NAN reports that the TAC volunteers went through a selection process from over 10,000 entries made from various medical fields ranging from doctors, nurses and researchers, amongst others, to be volunteers.

After the exercise, 18 qualified TAC volunteers, who are professional practitioners, were selected to render their service to humanity to Sierra Leone.

Other previously sent were 11 to the Gambia, and 11 to Uganda from engineering and Academics fields. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
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Warning

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Mr Mohammed Mohammed, the Nigerian Charge’ d’Affaires to Libya, has reaffirmed Federal Government’s stand against irregular migration following the repatriation of 164 Nigerian migrants from Libya.

The envoy, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, warned against such dangerous trips.

Mohammed handed down the warning during an exercise undertaken by the Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Libyan authorities.

He said that Nigerian returnees were detained in Libyan detention centres and were earlier arrested on various offences.

Mohammed listed the offences as illegal entry, overstay, lack of proper documents among others.

“They were advised to avoid irregular migrations through perilous journeys across the desert and the Mediterranean Sea.’’

He said that the repatriated Nigerians comprised 38 men 120 women as well as four children and two infants.

The envoy said that such unwholesome trips usually arose as a result of promises of better life in Europe or elsewhere and ultimately ended up in exploitation.

The exercise was conducted by the embassy with the co-operation of the Libyan Government and the IOM in Libya as part of the organisation’s Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) programme.

The programme, aimed at providing lifesaving, dignified and expedited return to willing migrants to their home country, is the 10th carried out by the Nigerian Embassy in Libya this year.

The Nigerian nationals, who arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday at about 1730hrs, left Libya aboard chartered flight No:UZ 189  same day.

Speaking to NAN via a telephone interview, Mohammed admonished Nigerians to avoid every unusual solicitation to undertake any such journeys without knowing what lied ahead of them.

“Life may appear rosy on the other side but we must understand that not all that glitters is gold, as the saying goes.

“Do not listen to anyone making you promises of job or even a better life elsewhere by offering to take you to Europe across the desert or the Mediterranean Sea.

“Count the costs of such an adventure before falling for it; many lives have been wasted through such simple promises,’’ Mohammed said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Cooperation

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says it is committed to ensuring that its relations with the EU continues to evolve by actively promoting partnership in all facets of their cooperation.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, communicated this at a reception held on Friday in Abuja to receive the 11 EU ambassadors to West Africa who arrived from Brussels.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ambassadors were received by Ms Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS at her residence in Abuja.

Speaking to the guests, Bagudu, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation in areas of rule of law, democracy, climate change, migration, amongst others to make life better for the citizenry.

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to empowering young people with the view of making them the catalysts for economic development in the country.

She said that one the approved laudable policies and initiatives to be implemented by the administration was 30 per cent inclusion of youths in government.

“The launch of the presidential initiative on youth enterprise clusters to make young people the drivers of the economy and improve their access to finances is commendable,” she said.

Earlier, Isopi said that the essence of the gathering was to foster partnerships and strengthen ties.

NAN reports that the 11 ambassadors are expected to hold series of meetings with the Nigerian government and communities during their visit. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Philippines, Nigeria share mutually beneficial relations – Envoy

Relations

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Mr Mersole Mellejor, the Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria said both countries shared mutually beneficial relations, especially in trade and people-to-people partnerships since 1962.

The envoy said this at the Diplomatic Reception held to mark the 126th Anniversary of the Philippines’ Independence on Wednesday in Abuja.

The ambassador said the occasion was symbolic of strengthening relations between Nigeria and the Philippines for more than six decades.

According to him, although the countries may be located on two different continents, with no fewer than 18 hours of flight time between them, relations between the two have been robust.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962, the two countries have signed bilateral agreements and are in the process of concluding more, to generate concrete mutually beneficial outcomes.

“At the political level, the Philippines and Nigeria have a regular Joint Commission Meeting between our respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

“This year, we are resuming to hold another edition. The joint commission meeting was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We have a respectable level of bilateral trade reaching more than a million US dollars at its highest in 2020 and a steady flow of tourists from both sides.

“The most concrete manifestation of our relations has always been our people. At its peak before the global financial crisis in 2009, there were an estimated 8,000 Filipinos in Nigeria.”

“Mostly professionals in various capacities, in the oil and industrial states, factories in many parts of Nigeria, and more importantly, in the services sectors.

“Now, estimated to be around 3,000, the number is rising again as we emerge from the global pandemic. We certainly thank Nigeria for welcoming and hosting our nationals,’’ Mellejor said

Speaking on educational exchange, Mellejor said the Philippines had hosted more than 10,000 Nigerians studying in various higher institutions in his country.

On governance, he said, “There are many areas in which both countries can work continually to strengthen democratic governance and law enforcement.

“Meanwhile, the Philippines hosts some 10,000 Nigerians, the majority of whom are studying in various tertiary institutions in the country.

“I was told that the number was even higher in the 90’s. The graduates even have an association here in Nigeria called the Philippine Graduates in Nigeria, or PHILGRAN.

“There is also a good number of Nigerians pursuing productive careers in the Philippines – perhaps in the medical and the entertainment industry,’’ he said.

The ambassador also seeks Nigeria’s support for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 June elections of 2026 expected to be held in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the cultural dance performance by a Filipino group and a song from a Nigerian artist. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Perpetua Onuegbu/Emmanuel Yashim)

Cultural diplomacy will deepen Turkey, Nigeria relations — Ambassador

Culture

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Mr Hidayet Bayraktar, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nigeria, says cultural diplomacy will deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the envoy made this known at the opening of a solo art exhibition by Imal Silva titled “An Ode to Existence’’,  on Friday in Abuja.

Bayraktar said the artwork of the earth was a platform for environmental activism.

“Also, art strives to create and develop an artistic space for sustainability by fostering connections among diverse communities.

“In our bid to strengthen and deepen the cultural diplomacy with Nigeria, we, as Turkish embassy, support Nigeria artists and display their precious artworks at our embassy’s exhibition hall.

“The artist’s work, `An Ode to Existence’, portrays the expression of nature’s colours which serve as a way to convey the beauty, complexities of nature, seasons, landscapes and natural phenomena.

“Through contemporary art exhibitions and cross-cultural dialogue, we do not only share the wall of our embassy, but also we aim to strengthen and deepen the cultural diplomacy with Nigeria.

“My profound gratitude goes to the artist for the gift of creativity in his work and also to extend my thanks to the curator Mrs Beste Gursu, for her relentless efforts towards the Nigerian artists.”

Speaking, Silva lauded the Ambassador and his wife for the opportunity and the platform to exhibit his work to an audience of art lovers.

“The platform created is not just for me alone but for many other Nigerian artists. I thank the curator for the encouragement, about a year plus this exhibition wouldn’t have been possible.

“My abstract renditions about the earth and our responsibilities toward the earth and also within that one year plus I was able to write some poems for mother earth to us,’’ he said.

Also, Gursu thanked the Ambassador for opening his doors to artists from the two countries to exhibit their work for a period of 20 months.

“I thank ambassador Bayraktar for opening the embassy doors for the period of 20 months, allowing us to organise our first five events, four of which were Nigerian artists and one from a Turkish artist.

“At this point, I want to appreciate the ambassador for the support he is giving to Nigerian art and artists.

”Our exhibition today is that of an abstract work by Silva after our figurative Nigerian art exhibition, this is the first time we are presenting an abstract work in Nigeria,’’ she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Independent state: Palestine seeks Nigeria’s support

Support

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria Abu Shawesh, has called on the Federal Government to use her political weight to convince more countries to recognise Palestine as an Independent state.

The envoy made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja when he addressed newsmen on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war development.

The envoy said recognising Palestine as a state would ease the challenge faced by its citizens in procuring visas.

He said as a heavy weight in international affairs, Nigeria’s voice could go a long way in influencing more recognition for the State of Palestine.

Shawesh said that heavy political weight can hang the balance not only in African continent, but all over the globe.

According to him some European Union (EU) member states recognise Palestine as a state

“Now we have over 20 or 27 European countries voting for a state of Palestine.

“In the past 10 days some European countries have recognised Palestine as a state and this is an important move for the visa procurement’’, he told newsmen.

NAN reports that Slovenia became the latest EU country to recognise an Independent State of Palestine after its parliament approved the move with a majority vote earlier on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that Slovenia government last week decided to recognise Palestine as an Independent and sovereign state following the steps of Spain, Ireland and Norway as part of a wider effort to coordinate pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu/ Halima Sheji

Nigeria, Italy relation built on mutual respect, cooperation – Envoy

Cooperation

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, said that the relationship between Nigeria and Italy is based on mutual respect and cooperation.

The envoy disclosed this during the 78th Italian National Day celebration, also known as the Festa della Repubblica, marking the abolishment of the monarch system and establishment of a republic in 1947.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Thursday that the celebration commenced a day earlier with an art exhibition of the Yoruba cultural heritage by a renowned Italian artist called Luigi Ballarin.

De Leo said that the day is significant for both Nigeria and Italy, and a symbol of friendship.

The envoy added that “this year marks the Italian G7 Presidency with the commitment to strengthen ties with Africa and Nigeria specifically.

“The aim is to strengthen the bridge that makes us grow together through cooperation, development and equal partnership.

“Italy offers a model of cooperation and development that bears the name of a great Italian, Enrico Mattel, the founder of ENI, known in Nigeria as Agip and NAOC, with a historic presence in Nigeria.

“Over the years, we have witnessed the growth of cultural exchanges, trade partnerships, and investments between the two countries.

“We have worked together and will continue to address common challenges such as terrorism, migration and climate change.’’ (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Halima Sheji

Italian embassy celebrates Yoruba culture through artwork

Culture

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Italian Embassy in Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba through a collage of artworks with the theme – `human and spiritual wealth of Yorubas”.

The celebration involved a solo exhibition of artworks of prominent Italian artist,  Mr Luigi Ballarin.

The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stefano De Leo speaking at the solo art exhibition, said art collection was a tribute to the over 40 million Yoruba-speaking people in West Africa.

De Leo said that Ballarin’s artworks had captivated audiences around the world.

“Today, it was a privilege to have his exhibition celebrating the Yoruba culture of Nigeria.

“His passion for exploring the intricacies of different cultures is evident in his work, reflecting a deep respect for tradition and a profound understanding of the human experience.

“In doing that, Ballarin has taken profound inspiration from the rich tapestry of traditions and artistry that define this vibrant community.

“Through his art, he has sought to capture the essence of the Yoruba people, their history, and their enduring legacy of creativity and spirituality.

“With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the world around him, Ballarin invites us to join him on a journey of discovery and enlightenment, ‘’he said.

Also speaking, Ballarin said that the Yoruba people were one of the largest in West Africa, adding that, over the centuries they had developed a refined culture.

“This is why the title of the exhibition is called the human and spiritual wealth of the Yoruba people.

“One of the most characteristically masks and headdresses, together with ritual costumes.

“Within each Yoruba community, art occupies a prominent place and a distinct artist tradition that remains vital and influential even in the current era.

“I think immersing myself in such a different and complex culture is incredibly constructive, fascinating, and stimulating, ” he said.

According to the artist,  preparing for this exhibition,  I felt pushed into a dreamlike dimension because Nigeria is full of prodigious stories.

He also referred to a recent book titled; “African Venice in Italy”, adding that it was the first guide that spoke about the African presence in the Venetian city of yesterday and today.

“There are about 20 essays, poems, and reflections that enrich the narratives of the African past and present of Venice.

“Therefore, art and writing can act as a bridge which unites people and continents.

“How do you explain Africa to those who judge it without ever having to caress this red and dusty land with their own hands? He queried.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Yoruba language is spoken in the Western African countries of Nigeria, Benin Republic, parts of Togo, and Sierra Leone.

It, therefore, constitutes one of the largest single languages in sub-Sahara Africa.

NAN recalls that Ballarin did a similar art exhibition in July 2023 titled ” Colours of Noble Cultures’’ of the Northern part of Nigeria, precisely depicting the Kano Durbar. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Emmanuel Yashim)