News

Nigeria Seeks Permanent Spot on UN Security Council

Published

3 months ago

November 8, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…Builds Stronger Regional Alliances to Boost Global Standing

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has stated again strongly the commitment of the country to securing a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), even as he stressed Nigeria’s unique role in representing Africa’s interests on the global stage.

The Minister who stated this at a media conference on Thursday in Abuja, highlighted the imbalance in Africa’s representation on the Council, despite the continent being central to many of its decisions.

He appreciated President Bola Tinubu’s strong commitment to achieving this goal, noting the progress being made, and seeks support for Nigeria’s bid.

He said: “The United Nations Security Council remains important because 68% of decisions made there concern Africa, yet not a single African country has a permanent seat. It’s important that Nigeria is there to represent not just ourselves, but our region, our continent, and the world as a whole.

“For the first time, the United States has publicly supported permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council. Other African leaders have also suggested innovative approaches, including a seat for the African Union and another that rotates among countries”.

He further emphasized Nigeria’s track record of selfless leadership, focusing on her role in supporting neighboring countries and its contributions to the fight against racism in Africa.

“Nigeria has consistently been a stabilizing force, never threatening its neighbors, and always standing firm for the collective good of the continent,” Tuggar added.

Tuggar also stressed the importance of the Security Council in addressing global challenges, including health, climate change, population, and education, as outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The UNSC remains critical because this is where key decisions on global priorities are made.

“68% of Security Council decisions concern Africa, yet no African country has a permanent seat. Nigeria is best suited to represent the continent,” he said.

Nigeria’s bid for a seat is part of broader efforts to ensure Africa’s voice is heard on the international stage, and Tuggar expressed optimism about the growing support for this initiative.

Ambassador Tuggar also revealed the outcomes of his recent diplomatic mission across West Africa, where he engaged in discussions on economic collaboration, regional security, and Nigeria’s global aspirations.

He stated that during his visit to Togo, the talks was on economic opportunities, particularly in the mineral and fertilizer industries.

“Togo is rich in phosphate, which is used in making fertilizer, and Nigeria has many blending plants. We discussed opportunities for investment between our two countries,” Tuggar said.

In Guinea Bissau, he highlighted the discussions was on security within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Nigerian troops stationed there have been supporting stability, and Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s role as a mediator in resolving parliamentary challenges.

He also explored investment opportunities in fisheries, agriculture, and fibre optics, assuring that recommendations would be made to relevant Nigerian agencies.

In Gambia, Tuggar noted Nigeria’s longstanding support, particularly in judiciary development and education and enhancing economic integration and security cooperation.

“The Vice President and Foreign Minister of Gambia reminded us that without Nigeria, they would not have a judiciary today. Through the Technical Aid Corps, we will continue providing professionals, especially university lecturers,” he said.

The final stop was Côte d’Ivoire, where the minister emphasised the importance of the Abidjan-Lagos trade and transport corridor as a key infrastructure project for ECOWAS.

Amb. Tuggar further said talks also included collaboration in cashew production, where Côte d’Ivoire leads globally, and partnerships in coffee and other agricultural sectors.

“We saw Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to improve roads on this route, which facilitates significant trade and movement across the region,” he stated.

He described the mission as the first phase of broader shuttle diplomacy, with plans to continue engagements after addressing other commitments.

News

Reps Move to Transform Micheal Okpara University to Conventional University

Published

13 minutes ago

February 6, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

A Bill seeking to transform the already existing Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike into a conventional university, has has passed through second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday at plenary.

The proposed legislation titled, “Bill seeking for an Act to Establish the Michael Okpara University, Umudike to make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and Administration and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu and six other lawmakers.

Leading the debate on its general principles, one of the co-sponsors, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu recalled that the University was established in November 1992 as a specialised University for Agriculture and related sciences pursuant to the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap F22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He said however, that there is need to transform the university into a conventional university to expand its mandate.

According to the lawmaker, a conventional university status would encourage interdisciplinary research, enabling more collaborations between agriculture and other fields such as engineering, health sciences, and social sciences.

Explaining further, He said integrating agricultural studies with engineering could lead to innovations in mechanized farming, while partnerships with health sciences could enhance research into nutritional science and food security.

He expressed optimism that transitioning Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, into a conventional university would bring diversification of academic programs, enhanced research opportunities, increased funding, and improved global recognition.

He said, “As an institution primarily focused on agricultural sciences, MOUAU has already contributed significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural development. However, broadening scope of the university to include diverse disciplines would amplify its impact across multiple domains. Some of the advantages include – One of the most immediate advantages of becoming a conventional university is the ability to offer a wide range of academic programs. Transitioning to a conventional university would allow the institution to introduce programs in fields such as Arts, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities. This diversification would attract a larger and more varied student population, ensuring that MOUAU becomes a hub for learners from different academic and cultural backgrounds.

“By offering programs in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and environmental sciences, the university could prepare students for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. This expanded academic scope would also make the institution more appealing to prospective students who might otherwise choose other universities. Such interdisciplinary research could address complex global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and public health crises.

“Conventional universities often have access to a wider range of funding sources compared to specialized institutions. By expanding its academic offerings, MOUAU could attract funding from organizations that support disciplines outside agriculture. For example, grants for research in Technology, Medicine, and Social Sciences could complement existing funding for agricultural studies. (d) Improved Global and Local Recognition: The transition to a conventional university would likely elevate MOUAU’s status in global and local rankings. Universities that offer diverse academic programs are often ranked higher because of their broader impact on education and society.”

Thereafter the Bill was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the session, it was passed and referred to the Committee on University Education.

News

Parliamentary Oversight of Security Agencies, A Legislative Imperative – Speaker Abbas

Published

24 minutes ago

February 6, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary oversight in ensuring security agencies adhere to the rule of law and uphold human rights.

Speaking at a two-day workshop in Abuja, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, underscored the legislature’s responsibility in monitoring security institutions to ensure they effectively safeguard citizens.

He stressed that maintaining a balance between security operations and accountability is essential for fostering public trust in government institutions. Given the technical nature of the security sector, he noted that lawmakers must be equipped with the necessary knowledge to scrutinize security activities and align them with national objectives.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, Abbas called on lawmakers to leverage their legislative powers to support security agencies in overcoming these issues. He encouraged his colleagues to familiarize themselves with the newly developed legislative oversight manual, which offers guidance on navigating the complexities of security governance.

Additionally, the Speaker urged continuous evaluation of existing oversight mechanisms, advocating for both routine assessments and targeted investigations into security operations to identify and rectify inefficiencies or abuses.

He commended the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for its efforts in strengthening the National Assembly’s institutional capacity and assured that the legislature remains committed to maximizing these resources for national benefit.

He said, “As we are all also aware, Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the performance of any individual or body charged with executing laws enacted by this esteemed institution. The words of our Constitution in this respect are clear and unambiguous in subjecting everybody and institution to the control of the peoples’ representatives. By extension, this constitutional mandate therefore places upon us a significant responsibility to ensure that our security agencies operate within the framework of accountability and transparency while safeguarding the lives and properties of our citizens and protecting the territorial integrity of our nation.

“Legislators are not only engaging in debates but are also actively taking legislative actions on a variety of security-related issues. This shift underscores the importance of parliamentary involvement in ensuring that security services operate effectively and within the bounds of law. The oversight of security services is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that these institutions fulfill their primary mandate: to protect the populations they serve. Effective oversight mechanisms help to guarantee that security services adhere to the rule of law and uphold human rights while executing their duties. This balance is essential for maintaining public trust and legitimacy in governmental institutions.

“Our current capacity in this regard falls short; we must bridge this gap if we are to fulfill our constitutional obligations meaningfully. We cannot afford to remain stagnant; we must actively seek out opportunities for education and training that will enhance our understanding of this complex field as our current capacity in this regard falls short of what is needed. To meaningfully fulfill our constitutional obligations, we must bridge this gap. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders involved, ensuring that we are well-prepared to engage with and oversee the security sector effectively.”

News

Eha-Amufu College Upgrade: Melubari Confers With Reps Nnamchi, Fulata

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Eha-Amufu College of Education, Prince Melubari Akekue, on Wednesday met with Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi and Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata to discuss the Bill for upgrading the college to a University of Education.

The Bill which was being sponsored by Professor Nnamchi, has already passed its second reading in the House and is now awaiting a public hearing to organized by the House Committee on University Education.

Prince Akekue expressed his gratitude to Professor Nnamchi for his support and noted that the upgrade would significantly boost the institution’s intake, which has declined in recent years.

He also sought Professor Nnamchi’s assistance in reviving the Igbo studies department, which is at the risk of being closed due to low enrollment.

In response, Professor Nnamchi offered to establish a scholarship programme for students from his constituency interested in studying Igbo Language at the institution.

The meeting with Hon. Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, was also productive, as he pledged to expedite the public hearing process once funds are released by the National Assembly.

This development is a significant step towards enhancing the institution’s status and promoting education in the region. Eha-Amufu College of Education, established in 1981, is a federal government higher education institution located in Enugu State.