Vatican names Prelate Georg Gänswein as ambassador to Baltic States
Ambassador
Rome, June 24, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The German Catholic Prelate Georg Gänswein, the former long-time personal secretary to the late Pope Benedict XVI, has been assigned to serve as the Vatican’s ambassador to the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.
Gänswein, 67, has a strained relationship with Benedict’s successor and the current pontiff, Pope Francis.
Last June, Pope Francis transferred Gänswein away from Rome and back to his German home town of Freiburg, but did not assign him any new duties or an official office.
The Vatican announced Gänswein’s new assignment as Apostolic Nuncio in Vilnius on Monday.
Tensions between Gänswein and Pope Francis broke into public view after Gänswein published a book, “nothing but the Truth: My Life Beside Benedict XVI, immediately after the former pope’s death in December 2022’’.
In the book, Gänswein expressed his disappointment with Francis and published some private letters.
The current pope reacted by accusing Gänswein of spreading untruths and showing a “lack of humanity.’’
Pope Francis also accused Gänswein of having used Benedict XVI, who was born in Germany as Josef Ratzinger and resigned as leader of the Catholic Church in 2013.
Following his resignation, he held the title of “pope emeritus’’ until his death. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
From L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar and his counterpart Wang Yi. (NAN)
Cooperation
By Fortune Abang
Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Nigeria and China have signed joint agreement towards strengthening exchanges and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his counterpart, Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, disclosed this in their joint statement in China.
Yi is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The two ministers, who co-chaired the first Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee, signed the statement centered on joint efforts by both countries to promote regional and world peace
According to both ministers, their agreement will advance their respective departments of security operations, trade, police enforcement, enhance their capacity, safeguard national sovereignty and security interests.
“The two countries restated commitment to enhancing the mutual bond and friendship between their two peoples mutual-trust, interest-sharing and common progress through mutual exchanges, mutual leaning and mutual understanding.
“The two countries are willing to continue to build culture brands, such as the Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese-Nigeria Culture Week, Chinese-Nigeria Film Festival, and Abuja International Art Fair.
“The two sides will strengthen mutual visits and exchanges between art groups and personnel; promote human resources training in the fields of culture and tourism, and support cooperation in creative culture between them.
“The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in cultural and tourism fields, such as publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums and tourism promotion.
“The two sides confirmed their readiness to maintain regular contacts and close communication at all levels on convening the second Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee and Sessions of its Sub-committees.”
The two officials reviewed the positive outcomes achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria over the past 50 years.
They also jointly planned the future development of the bilateral relations, exchanged views on China-Africa relations, major international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached wide range consensus.
Both countries pledged to support each other in their aspirations in various international fora, particularly the UN, G20 and BRICS.
“The government of Nigeria acknowledges there is but one China in the world and that the government of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
“Also that Taiwan is inalienable part of China’s territory; Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” in any form.
“In any external attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs, Nigeria will support efforts by Chinese government to realise national reunification.
“The two sides agreed to work towards good governance and democratic values, peace, security and stability in the Sahel region and recognise Nigeria’s leading role in fight against terrorism and other related transborder crimes.
“Both agreed that necessary efforts towards ensuring economic viability of the region would be pursued through infrastructure development and sectoral cooperation.”
Wang said that China commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership role in ECOWAS and efforts to bring about stability in the sub-region.
Similarly, Tuggar said Nigeria commended and support the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
The ministers expressed both governments commitment to intensifying efforts to protect the rights and dignity of each other’s citizens living in its country and create business-friendly environment for their business.
“The two sides agreed to support each other’s efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity and social harmony, endeavour to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.
“The two sides stressed the importance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China-Africa relations, international peace and development, Nigeria supports China in hosting the 2024 FOCAC Summit.
“The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.
“The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all and jointly promotes building a community with a shared future for humanity.
“Both countries are dedicated to advancing high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), facilitating synergies between BRI and FOCAC conference outcomes with Renewed Hope Agenda, Eight Priority Areas proposed by Tinubu and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.”
The two countries further promised to strengthen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications, finance, agriculture, industry, mining and free trade zones.
Also, to jointly explore cooperation opportunities in fields such as digital economy, green economy and blue economy and foster new growth drivers in cooperation.
“The Chinese side is willing to expand imports of Nigerian agricultural products; the Nigerian side called for increased partnership in Mining and Solid Mineral development and expressed willingness to partner Chinese companies to establish manufacturing companies in Nigeria for local consumption and exports.
“The two sides stand ready to create transparent, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for cooperation between the two countries, strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.
“The two sides support more Chinese and Nigerian provinces and municipalities/States and Local Governments in establishing more friendly relations and encouraging sister cities.
“China expresses its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and aboard; also at the regional and international levels and to safeguard peace and stability of the country,” the ministers said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
World Bank urges Philippines to invest in children’s early years
Children
Manila, June 24, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Increasing investment in children’s early development will improve the well-being of all Filipinos and strengthen the country’s economic potential, according to a World Bank report released on Monday.
The report describes the impoppppllpppppppppprtance of health, nutrition, education, and social protection during the first decade of life, stressing the need to invest in these areas to boost human capital in the country.
The Philippines, with a relatively young population, can harness its demographic dividend with adequate investment in human capital, said Ndiame Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
However, according to the World Bank’s Human Capital Index (HCI), the Philippines struggles in this regard.
The HCI measures the contribution of health and education to the productivity of the next generation of workers.
Because of underinvestment in those key areas, Filipino children born today are projected to be only about half as productive when they reach adulthood as they could be.
The report finds several factors contributing to the productivity gap, including limited and unequal access to education and health services.
It recommends targeted capacity building, budget support, and an equitable incentive mechanism for the country’s local government units, which play a critical role in service delivery to boost human capital. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Fire kills 3 children in Vietnam’s Central Highlands
Fire
Hanoi, June 24, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Three children died in a blaze in the Vietnam’s Central Highlands city of Da Lat on Monday morning, local media reported.
The flame engulfed a wooden house at around 10 a.m. while the three children were staying indoors.
Their mother, who was going out had locked the door when the incident occurred, VnExpress reported.
Vietnam has reported 1,989 fires and explosions in the first five months this year, killing 36 people and injuring 37 others.
The fires and explosions also left property losses of 116.3 billion Vietnamese dong (4.5 million dollars), according to the country’s General Statistics Office. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Eid holiday: 48 killed in traffic accidents across Afghanistan
Accident
Kabul, June 24, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) At least 48 people killed and more than 160 others injured in road accidents across Afghanistan, during the five-day Eid al-Adha holiday that ended on Friday.
Head of General Directorate of Traffic Police, Hasibullah Mokhtar confirmed the incident to the media.
“We had 97 road incidents resulting in approximately 161 injuries and 48 fatalities,” Mokhtar stated on Sunday.
Poor conditions on the roads, reckless driving and lack of security measures during travel are among the causes of deadly road accidents in the war-ravaged country.
This year’s Eid al-Adha holiday in Afghanistan had been initially announced to last three days, but was later prolonged to five days.
During the four-day Eid al-Fitr holiday in April, 50 were killed and 185 others were injured in road accidents across Afghanistan. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Makkah (Saudi Arabia), June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act to ensure an effective hajj operating system in Nigeria.
IHR National Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, made the call in a statement on Monday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Muhammad said that the amendment would address gaps in both policy and its implementation in terms of service delivery.
He said the call also becomes necessary because of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj’s adjustment of hajj policy and calendar of events – which was a detailed approved guideline for all hajj participating countries.
According to him, Nigeria is the fifth largest hajj country and the first in Africa with an allocation of 95,000 slots.
” Nigeria is the only country out of the top 10 Hajj participating countries which includes Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Morocco and Malaysia that does not operate a centralized system.
” We operate a three-tier system in Nigeria (Federal, State and Local Governments).
” All the countries mentioned above have a unified and central control hajj administration with a coordinating unit at zones, so they found it easy to run five to six-year hajj rolling plans. ”
The coordinator said that the Local Government Pilgrims officers do Pilgrims Registration under the control of state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
” Thereafter the State Pilgrims boards deposited such funds in their respective accounts before it will be moved to the NAHCON operational account on request all within one hajj calendar year. ”
He noted that the management of hajj operations was strictly time-limited to start thinking of continuing with these time-consuming bureaucracies.
” We support an advocacy for improved services to our dear pilgrims but the recent calls for the decentralisation of NAHCON and devolving powers to the states would be a very wrong move.
” For example, the new calendar of activities released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently scheduled Sept. 4, for the start of arrangements for the 2025 hajj.
” By virtue of diplomatic protocol, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj only relates with National Hajj missions not regional bodies.
” Decentralisation as being touted will allow 36 states’ pilgrim’s welfare boards and agencies to send 36 different delegations to Saudi Arabia (the first in the History of Hajj operation) to liaise with Saudi Arabia (host country) on Hajj plans.
” 36 states will also sign different hajj memorandum of understanding with one country.”
On service delivery, he said NAHCON controls airlines and accommodation in Madina.
” In the last few years, Nigerian pilgrims have been housed in a 4-star hotel within the vicinity or five minutes’ walk close to the prophet’s Mosque.
” On the other hand, States are responsible for choosing their accommodation in Makkah.
” Also, registration of pilgrims starts from the local governments after which the funds are transferred to state pilgrims’ boards before being transferred to NAHCON.
” We, therefore, call on the National Assembly to make it possible for pilgrims to pay their deposits directly to NAHCON.
” This will ensure that the funds goes direct to NAHCON, so that the commission can in turn meet its obligations in time and avoid a situation where the entire operation will be put in jeopardy.
” This, we believe, is also the best way to truly hold the commission to account in case of any service failure.” (NAN)
Shettima woos Israel on expanding i-FAIR programme
Innovation
By Fortune Abang
Abuja, June 23, 2024 (NAN) Vice-President Kashim Shettima has implored Israeli government to expand its scope of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) initiative programme to benefit more Nigerian youths.
Shettima made the call during the meeting/tour of the Innov8Hub centre with Foreign Ministry Director-General of Israel, Mr Yaakov Blitshien, on Sunday in Abuja.
The vice-president was represented by Mr Tope Fasua, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice-President.
He commended i-FAIR initiative sponsored by Israel to have benefited young people, saying it should be scaled-up to enable more Nigerian youths benefit.
Shettima said, “I think for some of the initiatives we have seen so far, the youth of this country are already taking initiatives to solve problem that they have.
“Food inflation is 40 per cent as we speak, which is not acceptable, this is what we are actually battling to work-down as quickly as possible.
“We will be like Oliver Twist; we want some more connection to the rest of the world, some more capita and mentorship with startups in Israel.
“Such exposure will be good for them to see latest in scientific and technological innovation coming from Israel, which is reputed all over the world for their achievement.
Blitshien described I-FAIR as one of Israeli flagship programme in Nigeria that had recorded remarkable successes
“During the i-FAIR ceremony in March, 2024 the vice-president asked us to double the size of the programme.
“So, I am pleased to announce Israel is committed to the programme together with our partners TETFund, to increase the size. We will be launching it very soon.
“We are proud to meet the challenge of the vice-president and the government of President Bola Tinubu, we look forward to doing more project together in future.
“I will be pleased to strengthen the relationship between Israel and Nigeria, and the one to open the institute of Israel to Nigeria,” Blitshien said.
The Executive-secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the programme had been expanded through support from Israeli embassy in Nigeria.
“We have another programme, where we are trying to have research labs and demonstration farms in our specialised agricultural universities.
“We are also working in partnership with Israeli scientists and Innov8Hub to help us bring that together,” Echono said.
For his part, Michael Freeman, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, attributed close working relations between the embassy and the Tinubu-led administration for success of the programme.
Freeman, also Permanent Representative of Israel to ECOWAS, said such partnership resulted in the achievement of various goals and aims of the government.
“We are really pleased to be working with our partners.
“We look forward to make a big difference for Nigerians and Israelis, because this is a partnership between our both countries,” Freeman said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Tents
By Salisu Sani-Idris
Makkah(Saudi Arabia), June 23, 2024 (NAN) The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says intending pilgrims will pay more for Hajj fare to be able to stay in tents in Muna that are closer to Jamrat.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, stated this at a news conference held at the Commission’s headquarters in Makkah on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tent camps for Nigerians and other African countries are over three kilometers from Jamrat.
The Jamrat is where the symbolic stoning of the Devil takes place during the hajj rituals.
The distance means Nigerians had to make a one way journey of one hour to the place to do the stoning.
Arabi, however, said that Nigeria could get closer tents with increased fare which the commission was not currently considering.
“The issue of getting tents in Muna and Arafat is money. That is why you hear complaints of people paying so much money to get tent, but they don’t.
“The tent is pegged on payment close to 20,000 Saudi Riyal; imagine lumping that amount on Hajj fare to our intending pilgrims.
“So, it is the case of let me buy what I can afford. That was what we did. We bought the ones we can afford but with quality in it.
“If wishes were horses, all our pilgrims will be in Tent A, B or C.”
He said that the other option for the tent was early payment which for now was not feasible due to the culture of late payment of hajj fare in Nigeria.
He added that the commission was still awaiting reports on the challenges faced by some state governors and high personalities about access to Tent A.
“No Nigerian pilgrim will say he or she didn’t get a space while in Muna or food; but we know the challenges of inadequate toilets.”
The NAHCON boss stated that the commission was able to move Nigerians out of ghettos and got accommodation with improved services.
“Going forward, with Allah’s help in our capacity and currency gaining strength, we will get it right.”
He added that with the timetable for the 2025 Hajj released, it would ensure early preparation for participants and the money to be paid.
On the issue of illegal pilgrims, often referred to as Takari, Arabi said most of them operate in concert with some legal persons.(NAN)
SSI/IS
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
Dr Salihu Abubakar, Acting Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal, addressing some Nigerian girls who are rescued from sexual exploitation in Tamaccounda and Kedougou Regions of Senegal shortly before their repatriation to Nigeria from Dakar, Senegal on June 22, 2024
Embassy, NGO rescue 24 victims of sexual violence in Senegal
Exploitation
By Abdullahi Mohammed
Dakar, June 23, 2024(NAN) The combined operatives of Nigerian Embassy and a Senegalese-based NGO have in an overnight operation rescued 24 Nigerian girls who were subjected to sexual exploitation in Tamaccounda and Kedougou Regions of Senegal.
Dr Salihu Abubakar, the acting Ambassador in the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dakar on Sunday.
According to him, the girls mostly under-aged, ranging between the ages of 11, 13 and 24 are being trafficked to Senegal, through Cotonou, Republic of Benin, via Mali to Senegal border for the purpose of sexual exploitation in Tamaccounda and Kedougou Regions.
“These girls and many more are being trafficked to Senegal, through Cotonou, Benin Republic via Mali to the Senegal border for prostitution,” the diplomat said.
Abubakar said preliminary investigation revealed that most of the girls, who were school dropouts were from Edo and Delta, adding that a few of them were from Imo and Abia while two others were from Plateau.
He, however, said of the 24, 22 were already repatriated weeks ago while the two other ladies were repatriated to Nigeria on Saturday and had landed in Nigeria safely.
The diplomat could not immediately give the details of the health status of the victims and other information regarding the time they spent while undergoing sexual exploitation in Senegal.
The envoy said that the successful repatriation of the girls to Nigeria was as a clear indication of the strengthened international cooperation in combating human trafficking between the embassy and the Senegalese-based NGO, “Free the Slaves” (La Lumiere in French).
“Our main goal and number one priority is to discourage the trafficking of our Nigerian girls to any part of the world for prostitution under any disguise,” Abubakar said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Makkah, June 23, 2024 (NAN) Sheikh Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, a member of the Da’awah Committee of Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board says Islam always encourages the Muslims to treat mankind with good conduct.
Umar-Wasagu, who is also the Deputy Imam of Central Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, stated this in Makkah during the morning enlightenment programme for the pilgrims on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN) reports that the enlightenment was meant to further strengthen the faith of the believers especially after performing one of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj.
He described good conduct (husnul kulq) as one of the excellent qualities of Islam, hence the need for the Muslims l to promote it to the best of their ability.
The cleric charged them to avoid acts that go contrary to the teachings of Islam, identifying such acts to include; telling lies, fornication, adultery and backbiting among others.
Umar-Wasagu recalled that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) spent ten years in Makkah calling on the people to avoid bad habits and encourage good attitudes.
He said during the period, people differed in accepting the message of the Prophet, saying: “People like Sayyidna Abubakar Siddiq accepted the Prophet directly and immediately, others accepted his message partially, while others rejected the faith completely.”
Taking his text from Sura Waqi’a, (Qur’an Chapter 56) and A’araf, (Qur’an Chapter 7), the cleric said God Almighty had classified people into three groups; those who would inherit the Kingdom of paradise, those who would go to hell fire as well those who would be in-between.
“On the last day, there are some Muslims that will enter paradise directly without any hindrance, there are some who will come as Muslims but commit different categories of sins, however, they will enter paradise.
*While the third category are those who contemplated their faith and in essence rejected the faith.
“A believer is the one called muqarab, meaning close to our creator and will enter paradise directly while there are those who will come with loads of sins.”
According to Umar-Wasagu, the likes of Abubakar Siddiq, Umar bn Kathab, Usman bn Affan and Aliyu bn Abu Talib were the four prominent companions of the prophet (PBUH) alongside others.
The rest were like Dalha bn Ubaidullah and Mu’az bn Jabal, among others, who are referred to Al-Muqarrab, who are very close to the Lord.
“The second category are those Muslims who commit sins and these are divided into two those who will enter paradise after struggle and those who will remain on the fence of A’araf they neither enter paradise nor hell fire,” he said.
Citing an example of some giant disbelievers like; Abu Jahal and Shaiba bn Rabi’a, the cleric said they stood against the message of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
“However. Allah’s path is supreme, the message went beyond the Arabian Peninsula and spread all over the world,” Umar-Wasagu said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
