Politics

Gov. Abiodun Congratulates Obasanjo on His AU Appointment

By Web News 986

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun State has congratulated former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on his appointment as the High Representative of the African Union in the Horn of Africa.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kunle Somorin, Governor Abiodun said the new appointment was another milestone in the life of the former President.

While expressing confidence that Chief Obasanjo would excel in his latest assignment, Governor Abiodun stressed that the countries in the Horn of Africa, particularly in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan, would experience political stability and peace.

He said that the new appointment of Chief Obasanjo had further proved that the state is blessed with people with leadership traits and integrity.

The Governor who said that Chief Obasanjo would bring his wealth of leadership experience into his new assignment, prayed to God to give the former President good health to excel in his appointment as High Representative of the AU.

Bolanle Adesida

Lifestyle

Constitutional Review, Restructuring, Keys To True Federalism – Dr. Omotosho

By Web News 801

Constitutional review and restructuring have been identified as major keys of entrenching true federalism in Nigeria.

A don, Dr. Oluyemi Omotosho stated this in Osogbo at a lecture organised by the National Forum of Heads of Federal Government Establishments In Nigeria, NAFOHEADS, Osun State Chapter, to mark this year’s African Civil Service Day.

Delivering the lecture entitled, “The Consequences of a Bastardized Federalism: A Case Study of Federal Structure”,  Dr. Omotosho said Nigeria was not practicing true Federalism but a unitary system of government where the Federal Government remained the only controller and administrator of all resources.

Dr Omotosho pointed out that a true federalism would provide the states with more powers than the federal administration, control the natural, human and financial resources, as well as develop at their pace.

The guest lecturer therefore advocated the review of the 1999 constitution that would make it a people-oriented statute book representing people’s culture and sentiments.

Earlier, the Chairman, Osun State Chapter of the National Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments ln Nigeria, NAFOHEADS, Dr. Omolara Idah, described civil service as the most potent and viable instrument worldwide for the formulation and implementation of government policies and programmes.

The African Civil Service Day is celebrated on June 23rd every year to recognize and appreciate the value and virtues of civil service to the community.

Funmi Adekoya

Foreign

Chad after Idriss Déby: African Union Urges End to Military Rule

By Web News 582

The African Union has called for an end to military rule in Chad, whose president was killed by rebels.

The army immediately announced that Idriss Déby’s son would head a military council for 18 months before elections were held.

Former colonial power France, which has a large military base in Chad, appeared to back the takeover for “stability” amid “exceptional circumstances”.

Opposition parties have also condemned what they called a “dynastic coup”.

Trade union have called for a general strike, while rebel group Fact said Chad was “not a monarchy”.

The African Union’s Peace and Security Council voiced “grave concern” about the military takeover which put 37-year-old Gen Mahamat Déby Itno in charge and saw parliament dissolved.

The AU’s 15-member security body discussed the situation on Thursday but waited until after Déby’s funeral on Friday to issue its statement.

It said power should be restored to civilian authorities “expeditiously”.

According to the constitution, the speaker of parliament should take over in the event of the president’s death, and organise new elections.

Déby, 68, had just been elected for a sixth term in office when the army announced on Tuesday that he had been fatally wounded in a clash with rebel Fact fighters in the northern region of Kanem.

He was a key ally of France in the fight against jihadist groups across West Africa and French President Emmanuel Macron was among the foreign leaders and thousands of Chadians who paid their respects at his funeral.

Standing beside Déby’s coffin, Mr Macron said: “You lived as a soldier, you died as a soldier with weapons in hand. You gave your life for Chad in defence of its citizens.”

While he was in Chad, Mr Macron held talks with Gen Mahamat Déby Itno, along with the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, which are all battling various Islamist groups, some of which are linked to al-Qaeda and others the Islamic State group.

BBC

Crime

JIFORM Implores AU to Tackle Trading of Migrant as Slaves

By Web News 543

As the world marks the International Migrants Day 2020 to recognize the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants, the African Union (AU) has been implored by the Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM) to put a stop to the en-slavery of countless African women in the Middle East through the horrible Kafala System.

Kafala is a trade system in the Middle East that encourages the trading of migrants as slave workers in connivance with some countries that part with their female folks in exchange for money.

 “In this illicit human trading a lot of governments, their officials, cabals and human traffickers have capitalized on the pitiable state of non-empowered citizens grasping to survive under the harsh economy to sell them into slavery and in return receive kick-backs in dollars from the slave masters.

 This is contained in a statement by the President of JIFORM, Ajibola Abayomi .

 “In as much we further social cohesion which is varied and unique to the living conditions of the present 272 million migrants with additional 51 million in 2010 as recorded in 2019 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) living new lives and building new communities in every corner of the globe, the AU must not close its eyes to the agony of her citizens being sold to slavery in Qatar, Omani, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and others under the guise of seeking employment opportunities

“AU should muster enough political courage to engage authorities in the Middle East region to abolish the deadly work being foisted on the Africans and in alternative negotiate decent jobs with human face. It is now imperative too to pay attention to those unfavorable economic policies across Africa that are direct drivers for irregular migration to other parts of the world.” The statement reads

The statement notes that Jiform president, Ajibola added that JIFORM would continue to lead advocacy on protection of all migrants’ workers and their family members and remained committed to the United Nations vision since December 4, 2000 to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems associated with migration and refugee issues, celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.

Adedayo Adelowo

Politics

PMB Calls for Peace as Africa Marks Day

By Web News 665

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for peace as a prerequisite for sustainable development.

In a message to African leaders to mark the ”Africa Day 2020,” commemorated by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the World Health Organization, WHO, President Buhari said Africa has given the world a new hope by choosing the theme ”Silencing the Guns in the context of the COVID-19” for this year’s Africa Day.

The president stressed the need for African leaders to ensure that every effort is made to ensure the success of silencing the guns on the continent, emphasizing the need to sensitize Africans about the inseparable connection between peace and development.

President Buhari also urged regional economic groups, civil society organizations and the private sector in Africa to take full ownership of the theme of this year’s celebration to strengthen collaborative efforts among member-countries of the African Union.

Africa Day is observed annually on the 25th of May, to commemorate the founding of the Organization of African Unity, OAU, the precursor of the African Union, which was created on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Bilikis Akintunde