News

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala pushes for second term, emerges sole candidate for WTO DG

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2024

The current Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has signified interest to run for a second term.

To this end, Okonjo-Iweala emerged as the sole candidate of the WTO DG.

The organisation formally began the process of appointing its next DG on October 8.

WTO allowed members until November 8 to submit nominations.

This was disclosed in a message to members, by the Chairman of WTO General Council, Petter Olberg.

Olberg said no additional nominations were received by the November 8 deadline.

The statement reads: “Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case, 8 November 2024.

“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent director-general.

“The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, was circulated to all members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024.”

News

Bill On 6 Years Single Term, Rotational Presidency/Governorship To Be Introduced – Rep Ugochinyere

Published

33 minutes ago

November 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Leader of the opposition coalition Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other members of the House of Representatives who sponsored the bill seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the Offices of the President, State Governors and Local Government Areas Chairmen, have said the bill will be reintroduced again on the floor of the House.

In a statement issued by the lead sponsor and member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja, Rep. Ugochinyere said all hope is not lost as more consultation will be done on the bill and represented at a later time.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the bill which also seeks zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats, as well as holding of the elections in one day was rejected at the plenary on Thursday 21 November, 2024.

Rep. Ugochinyere said, “the decision on the floor of the House today does not put an end to agitation and hope as they will realize this objective.

“The struggle to reform our constitutional democracy to be all inclusive and provide Avenue for justice, equity and fairness has not been lost. The decision on the floor of the House today not to allow the bill for 6 year single tenure for presidency/governorship and for power to rotate between north and south, all elections to hold in one day, not to scale 2nd reading does not put an end to agitation and hope that we will realize this objective.

“This is a temporary set back which does not affect the campaign for all inclusive democratic process. We are going to review these decision and find possible ways of reintroducing it after following due legislative procedures. All I can tell Nigerians is that we will continue the advocacy and convince our colleagues to see reason with us. If elections are held in one day, it will reduce cost, reduce rigging. If power rotates, it will help de-escalate. political tensions and six year single term will go a long way in helping elective leaders focus on delivering their democratic mandate. All hope is not lost, we will continue the advocacy and we hope that when reintroduced our colleagues will support it.”

News

Trump Announces Pam Bondi For Attorney General after Rep Gaetz Withdrawal

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

After Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida abandoned his quest for U.S. attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time in choosing another candidate for the position.

On Thursday evening, Trump announced his decision on social media.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” he posted on Twitter. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families,” according to him.

“Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl overdose deaths.”

News

SAD! 38 Casualties As Gunmen Ambush Shiite Convoys

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

No fewer than 38 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, were killed in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday as gunmen ambushed convoys of vehicles that had been under the protection of security forces.

The attack was one of the deadliest in months of sectarian violence in the Kurram region, a scenic mountainous district bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, but Kurram’s population of 800,000 is nearly half Shiite Muslim, contributing to a cauldron of tribal tensions.

Conflicts, often rooted in disputes over land, frequently escalate into deadly sectarian clashes. The violence highlights the government’s persistent struggle to maintain control in the region.

The vehicles had been traveling in opposite directions on the main road connecting Parachinar, a Shiite-majority town in Kurram, to Peshawar, the provincial capital 135 miles away.

The road, a vital lifeline for the district, had only recently reopened after being closed for three weeks because of an ambush on Oct. 12 that left at least 16 people dead.

During the closure, residents of Parachinar were cut off from essential supplies, including food and fuel, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.