News

Sudan Conflict: FG Seeks Egypt’s Support to Rescue 5,500 Nigerians

By Web News 342

The Federal Government is making preparations to evacuate about 5,500 stranded Nigerians out of Sudan through the Egyptian town of Luxor.

Director of Special Duties of the National Emergency Management Agency, who doubles as Chairman of NEMA’s Committee for the Evacuation of the Stranded Nigerians from Sudan, Dr Onimode Bandele, said the Federal Government was meeting with government officials in Egypt on how to move Nigerians out of Sudan through Egypt.

Bandele stated this as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, that the government had concluded arrangements to evacuate 5,500 Nigerians in Sudan by road.

According to him, Nigeria, for security reasons, will get authorisation from the Sudanese government before the evacuation.

The conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Force, has claimed over 400 lives with thousands of others injured and millions displaced.

The clashes broke out between erstwhile allies, General Abdel al-Burhan who heads the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF paramilitary group, led by General Mohamed Dagalo.

Several ceasefires that had seemingly been agreed upon by both sides were ignored, including a three-day pause to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which started on Friday.

The Federal Government had on Friday explained that the tense situation in Sudan was making it difficult for stranded Nigerian citizens to be evacuated from the country.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said though the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the NEMA had put in place arrangements to evacuate the citizens, it was impossible for any flight during this period of war as all airports and land borders in Sudan were closed.

However, giving an update on the rescue plan on Sunday, Bandele stated, “Let us make it clear that the situation in Sudan is an internal conflict. It is not Sudan versus another country. It is two factions against themselves. However, we are in touch with our ambassador in Sudan, and in fact, I spoke to him about two hours ago.

“The situation does not allow anybody to go in and pick any of their citizens. It may interest you to know that the governments of Qatar and France tried to move some of their citizens on Saturday and they were attacked, so they have to beat a retreat.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Foreign

Ukraine Expresses Readiness for Grain Hubs in Nigeria

By Web News 506

The Ukrainian government has expressed its readiness to establish grain hubs in Nigeria and other African countries to boost bilateral ties.

This was made known when Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solskyi, led a delegation to the  Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar, in Abuja.

Onyeama lauded Ukraine for the grain donation, adding that the gesture was coming even when the country is still at war.

He noted, “Notwithstanding the situation in which your country finds itself, you are able to reach out a hand of friendship not just to Nigeria but to other African countries. This demonstrates superhuman courage and we really admire your generosity, we thank you for this support.”

Onyeama, however, lamented that some of the victims of the war in Ukraine are large number of Nigerian students, whose studies have been interrupted by the war.

He added, “You have built up real specialisation in many disciplines and Nigerian students are the beneficiaries. We can continue to strengthen relations between our two countries and our two peoples.  We will do our best at the multilateral level to bring the war to a very quick end.”

Also at the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abubakar, said that Nigeria is very willing and ready to provide the appropriate ports for the grain hub in the country.

Abubakar stated, “We appreciate and commend you that despite the war you still found time to extend a gesture of friendship to Nigeria and also donated grains. I can assure you that the relations with Ukraine will improve, we have been having business with Ukraine, especially in the agriculture sector and I can say that over 30% of our agricultural businesses are with Ukraine, especially in the area of wheat, fertilizer and other grains. And this I can assure you will continue to improve our relationship.”

Abubakar added that the purpose of the grain hubs is to have a centre where Ukraine would be bringing grains and Nigeria will be helping other African countries, which would be useful in case of emergency and even for donations to other countries.

The Agriculture minister noted that Ukraine had the technology and know-how to help Nigeria in wheat production, stressing that capacity building will be part of the relationship which would produce a win-win situation.

On his part, the Ukrainian minister said the grains from his country will arrive in Nigeria next month under the initiative called ‘Grains from Ukraine’.

He explained, “Despite the war with Russia, the Ukrainian food industry wants to have closer relations with Nigeria and we are very thankful to you that your country is ready to develop these relations.

“Despite all the events going on in the world, our countries are ready to develop this cooperation. The Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian president are ready to pay a lot of attention to this development. We want to have regular contact every year not only with our agriculture ministers but with other ministers as well.

“Development of such hubs will make it possible to bring in high-quality grains into your country and it will influence prices in your country positively. Ukraine intends to develop two or three hubs in Africa and taking into consideration the capacity of your country, the grain hub in your country is priority number one. If we implement it well it would be a practical step towards businesses reaching a new level.”

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Lifestyle

Sanwo-Olu, Foreign Affairs Minister, To Grace JIFORM Summit

By Web News 666

The Journalists International Forum For Migration , JIFORM, has invited the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to its third annual migration summit in Canada.

Participants from North America, Europe, Asia, South and North America, Africa and from several countries have confirmed participation at the hybrid event to be held in Toronto between December 3-11, 2021.

Ajibola Abayomi, President JIFORM in a statement said the invitation of the duo was necessitated by their interest and support for advocacy on migration matters.

JIFORM, comprising over 300 Journalists covering migration issues across the continents also announced the addition of an event company, Abedorc Productions Inc., Canada, the owners of the Dorc Tv and Dorc Radio to the list of partners for the summit in the country.

Other partners are: Home For The Needy, Edo State; Diaspora Innovation Institute, Federal University of Technology Akure, the NEKOTECH Center of Excellence, Ghana and others.

The United Nations’ lead migration agency the International Organization for Migration IOM in Nigeria and in other countries and international speakers that include former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in Canada, Hon Gerry Weiner; Professor Patrick Lumumba, a foremost pan-Africanist from Kenya and member of the African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee, H E Dr Kabuki Asie Ocansey from Ghana are to deliver presentations during the summit.

Listed also were Mr Williams Goiz, the Regional Director, Asia Migration Forum; Director, Home For The Needy, Folorunso Abumere; Professor Byron Price of City University, New York City, USA and others. 

JIFORM, founded in 2018 initiated the global summit premiered in Abuja between November 26-28,  2019. On February 25-26, 2021, the media body held the maiden African Migration Summit in Accra, Ghana in partnership with the Nekotech Center of Excellence and equally organized the  first African Media Migration Summit in Lome, Togo between June 22-23 this year.

Apart from these, JIFORM has organized series of trainings and workshops on migration, anti-human trafficking, labour, decent work, economic and social developments over the years from which over 3000 Journalists and other participants have benefitted.

Kayode Banjo 

Lifestyle

President Buhari Wishes Onyeama Quick Recovery

By Web News 807

President Muhammadu Buhari wishes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, quick recovery as he goes into isolation after testing positive to Covid-19 on Sunday.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said President Buhari described the minister as a strong pillar of his administration, commending him for tirelessly working to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country as a member of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, and ensuring the safety of Nigerians abroad.

It explained that the country is eternally grateful to Geoffrey Onyeama for his diligence in attracting international support for Nigeria to defeat the coronavirus pandemic and boost the economy.

Bello Wakili