China receives high international recognition for contributions to Aid-for-Trade initiative

By Yan Yu, People’s Daily

Aid for Trade is a way to help developing countries address trade-related obstacles that constrain their ability to engage in international trade. Its primary objective is to improve the trade capabilities of developing countries, particularly the least-developed ones, and facilitate their integration into the global trade system.

During the 9th Global Review of Aid for Trade recently held by the World Trade Organization (WTO), China’s Ministry of Commerce held a session themed “Aid for Trade: China’s Practice on Food Security.”

At the session, Lin Zhanxi, inventor of Juncao technology, and Yang Huade, head of a team of senior Chinese agricultural experts assisting Burundi, shared how China’s Juncao technology and hybrid rice technology have significantly boosted food security in the least-developed countries.

At the session, Seruwaia Kabukabu, a 46-year-old farmer who lives in Serea village of Fiji’s Naitasiri province, shared the changes brought about by China’s Juncao technology to local residents.

Kabukabu developed a passion for Juncao technology after being trained at the Juncao demonstration center in Nadi, Fiji, in 2019. Later, she led local women, disabled individuals and students to grow Juncao mushrooms.

“Juncao technology is a great gift that China has sent to Fijian people, which allows more Fijian farmers like us to increase income and improve our livelihood,” said Kabukabu during the session.

Evrard Ndayikeje, director general of the National Agency for the Promotion and Regulation of Cooperative Societies in Burundi, said that with the strong support of China, Burundi has introduced Chinese rice technologies, built agricultural value chains and set up rural cooperatives to develop rice trade, aiming to realize Burundi’s vision of turning into “emerging country in 2040 and developed country in 2060.”

The Aid-for-Trade initiative was proposed at the sixth WTO Ministerial Conference held in December 2005, to help the international community recognize the importance of trade for development and mobilize resources to address trade-related constraints faced by developing and least-developed countries, said Song Wei, a professor with the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, during an interview with People’s Daily.

Since its inception, China has actively responded to the initiative, fulfilled its international obligations, and helped other developing countries, particularly the least-developed ones, to improve their trade capabilities so as to facilitate their poverty reduction and independent development processes, added Song.

Mao Xiaojing, head of the Institute of West Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC), Ministry of Commerce, noted that China has made multifaceted efforts to provide aid for trade to other developing countries, especially the least-developed ones, over the years.

She said that China has strengthened trade-related infrastructure construction in recipient countries for better transportation and trade facilitation, and granted zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of taxable products from Togo, Eritrea and other least-developed countries to help them expand exports.

Besides, China has established relevant platforms such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) to offer these countries favorable treatment and policy support, such as providing free standard exhibition booths to the least-developed countries. Moreover, through technical support and personnel training, China has also helped recipient countries to improve their production capabilities, expand trade volume, improve trade structure and facilitate trade development.

Recently, a group of Rwandan students visited Jinhua University of Vocational Technology in east China’s Zhejiang province, to learn livestreaming e-commerce. This visit was inspired by the successful story of James Kimonyo, Rwanda’s ambassador to China, who had promoted Rwanda’s coffee on a Chinese livestreaming platform two years ago. The ambassador’s efforts resulted in the rapid sales of the coffee products, which garnered the admiration of people in African and other developing countries for the magic of Chinese e-commerce.

Nowadays, China’s e-commerce companies are expanding into developing countries, facilitating the access of local products to broader markets.

“For example, some Chinese e-commerce companies have provided cross-border e-commerce training for many African countries to teach local people how to sell their products to China and other markets via e-commerce platforms. These training sessions have helped local residents boost their income and employment prospects, while also promoting local women’s employment,” said Song.

In recent years, China has been actively leveraging its e-commerce experience to assist other developing countries, especially the least-developed ones, in reducing poverty and promoting economic development, which has become a new highlight of the Aid-for-Trade initiative, added Song.

Gerd Muller, director-general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), noted that aid programs launched by China have forcefully enhanced the localized production capabilities of least developed countries and supported their sustainable development.

Taufiqur Rahman, head of the Development Division of the WTO, said China’s development has provided a source of strength and references for other developing countries, and China’s Aid for Trade efforts have helped the least-developed countries in their own development.

Diverse applications of new technologies on display at 2024 WAIC

By Xie Weiqun, Shen Wenmin, People’s Daily

The 2024 World AI Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance was held in Shanghai from July 4 to 6, featuring 107 forums, more than 1,500 exhibitions and over 50 launch events.

With an exhibition area of more than 52,000 square meters, the conference featured a “full-domain connection hall” of 6000 square meters for project incubations, procurements and investment matchmaking. Nearly 100 large models were exhibited, and China’s first full-sized general-purpose humanoid robot prototype was also launched at the conference.

The AI exhibition held during the conference attracted more than 500 renowned enterprises. At the exhibition, visitors were amazed by how new technologies are transforming industries across the board. For instance, a large model developed by Chinese AI software provider SenseTime can bring photos to life, animating figures’ expressions and movements in photos to create dynamic videos. Besides, Alipay’s smart assistant can quickly answer questions and handle tasks with the command of users.

Among the exhibits, there were not just large language model application products but technical and service products supporting their operations.

INTSIG Information Co. Ltd., an industry-leading tech company specializing in business data, AI, and mobile applications, has launched a large model accelerator that can speed up pre-training, corpus development, practical implementation and other processes for large model applications. This accelerator can quickly parse unstructured data from lengthy documents of hundreds of pages and intelligently reconstruct the correct reading order of documents.

The conference also featured a dedicated demonstration zone for humanoid robots, showcasing more humanoid robots than ever before. For instance, at the exhibition booth of Robot Era, a robot developer in Beijing, a large screen displaying a humanoid robot climbing the Great Wall attracted huge attention. Besides, the “Healthy Loong” humanoid robot developed in Zhangjiang High-tech Park, Shanghai, announced its open-source status, aiming to advance towards general AI. These novel and impressive humanoid robots made visitors feel as if they were stepping into the future world.

According to statistics, the conference received over 300,000 in-person visits and 2 billion online views, an increase of 90 percent from the previous session, setting new records.

The advancement of AI technology, while driving economic and social development, has brought risks and challenges, including deepfakes, privacy breaches, and intellectual property disputes.

Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, a Turing Award winner and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, believes that the risks of AI manifest in the extension and expansion of cybersecurity threats, as well as in unforeseen social risks.

Strengthening global AI governance urgently requires building consensus through dialogue and cooperation. The Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance, issued at the conference’s opening ceremony, presents China’s proposals for global AI governance.

This year’s WAIC featured the first High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance. Over three days, a total of 1,300 guests from more than 50 countries and regions participated in thematic discussions.

Xue Lan, dean of Schwarzman College and head of the Institute for AI International Governance of Tsinghua University, said that to promote global AI governance, it is important to strengthen collaborative governance, expand multi-level and multi-channel bilateral and multilateral exchanges and dialogues, and advance international AI big science cooperation to jointly address the risks and challenges brought by AI technology.

This conference featured 107 forums, focusing on topics such as model algorithms and computing power, embodied intelligence, and industrial ecology.

When discussing the future development of large models, Zhang Yaqin, dean of the Institute of AI Industry Research, Tsinghua University, outlined several key trends.

He said that the development of these models will become multimodal, cross-modal, and multi-scale, predicting that AI will soon be integrated into edge devices like TVs, smartphones, and cars. Moreover, he said that large models will evolve into tools for developing intelligent agents capable of autonomous task planning, code writing, tool manipulation, and path optimization.

Zhang further explained that large models have already been applied to enhance the automation and intelligence of critical infrastructure such as transportation systems, communications networks, and power grids, paving the way for embodied intelligence. He also foresaw a future where large models are interfaced directly with biological systems, potentially leading to a groundbreaking fusion of digital, physical, and biological intelligence.

It is reported that the 2024 WAIC brought together 132 procurement groups and identified 126 project procurement needs, with an estimated total purchase amount of 15 billion yuan ($2.06 billion). Additionally, 24 major industrial projects were signed up, with a total investment of over 40 billion yuan.

1000 Bloggers, Tinubu-Shettima Support Group Salute Agric Minister Kyari Over Massive Job Creation

Over 1000 bloggers under the aegis of the Bloggers and Vloggers Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) and Tinubu -Shettima Support Group have lauded the creation of 60,000 jobs in various rural economies across the country under the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

The bloggers and Tinubu-Shettima Support Group in a joint statement on Sunday signed by the Vice President of BAVCCA, Dr. Adebayo Olugbenga, National Coordinator of Tinubu-Shettima Support Group Alhaji Shehu Mohammed and the Secretary, Hon Uche Okafor respectively expressed their unwavering support for Kyari’s transformative leadership and the significant progress made in the agricultural sector under his stewardship in the last one year.

The State reads in part, “It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we, the members of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria, and the Tinubu-Shettima Support Group gathered here today to pass a vote of confidence in the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

“In the past one year, Senator Kyari has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to revolutionizing agriculture in Nigeria, and we are here to applaud his remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to this crucial sector of our economy.”

They pointed out that the agricultural sector under the watch of Kyari, has injected an estimated value of N309 billion into the Nigerian economy in the last one year, as the money was injected through the harvest of agricultural produce.

And commended the minister for the provision of rural infrastructure, such as the construction of 77.8km of asphalt roads; construction of 130.9 km of earthen roads; provision of 102 motorized and solar-powered boreholes and installation of 6,504 solar street lights, as well as generating over 60,000 jobs in various rural economies.

Enumerating some of the Minister’s achievements, they said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had launched dry season farming with cultivation of 118,657 hectares of wheat in 15 states in the acceleration of all-year-round farming in a bid to ensure food and nutrition security.

They noted that at the end of dry season farming, that one of the participating States, Jigawa, had produced 55,000 metric tonnes of wheat.

The Vice President of BAVCCA disclosed that the Federal Government has also supported 107,429 wheat farmers with inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides, resulting in an output of 474,628 metric tonnes.

The leadership of BAVCCA and the Tinubu-Shettima supporters observed that in response to the Presidential directive, the Ministry of Agriculture had released 42,000metric tonnes of assorted food commodities made up of maize, millet, sorghum, and garri, from the National Strategic Food Reserve to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for onward distribution to vulnerable Nigerians.

As part of measures to reduce escalating prices of food items in the markets, they expressed joy that the Federal Government procured and distributed 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice to all States of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to the statement, “To reduce malnutrition and stunted growth among children, the Federal Government had embarked on fortification of crops with Vitamin A micro-nutrient to enrich nutrition content and health value of food commodities.

“In response to persistent food inflation, the Federal Government has distributed 60,432metric tons of improved seeds, 887,255mt seedlings, 138numbers of value kits, 501,726 litres of agrochemicals, 62,328.5 metric tonnes of inorganic fertilizers, 1,000kg fungicide, and 33,200 equipment to farmers across different value chains to enhance production.

“The Ministry also received 2.15 million bags of fertilizer from the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) for distribution to farmers free of charge, adding that the distribution of the farm input has begun across the States.

“As part of measures to guarantee the protection and safety of farmers in their farmlands, there has been an improvement of farmland security with the provision of additional resources to Agro Rangers and other security agencies.

“On livestock production and animal health, the Federal Government had in the last one year procured and distributed 14,056,467 doses of anthrax spore, foot, and mouth diseases vaccines for risk-based vaccination exercise in 22 high-risk states across Nigeria.”

The groups further noted with satisfaction the establishment of animal health centres and veterinary hospitals, six micro earth dams and eight boreholes, 164 milk collection centres, eight cottage feed mills, and seven livestock centres in the country.

On Mechanisation, BAVCCA explained that the Ministry had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with John Deere and Tata Africa to assemble in-country and supply 10,000 tractors with implements and accessories at 2,000 units yearly, as well as 100 units of combine harvesters to support production.

The groups explained that the Federal Government had partnered with the Brazilian government for the sum 995,000 Euros to provide mechanisation hubs across the Federation.

They are confident that under the continued stewardship of Kyari, the agricultural sector will thrive, contributing to the country’s food security, economic prosperity, and sustainable development.

“Kyari’s dedication, innovation, and tireless efforts have truly set a new standard for agricultural leadership in Nigeria.

“We, the members of BAVCCA and Tinubu-Shettima Support Group, pledge our unwavering support and commitment to working alongside the Minister to further strengthen the agricultural sector and realise our collective vision of a prosperous, food-secure, and environmentally sustainable Nigeria,” the statement assured.

Coalition lauds NCC’s commitment to telecoms’ sector increase in contributions to nation’s GDP

The Coalition on Transparency and Rule of Law (CTRL) has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its commitment to the nation’s telecoms sector which has led to an increase in its contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The coalition also praised the leadership of Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, for his vision and strategic goal alignment.

In a statement signed by Sunday Thomas, the coalition said: “We are thrilled to acknowledge the recent remarks made by Dr. Aminu Maida, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to significantly enhancing the telecoms sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.

“Dr. Maida’s leadership and creative vision are commendable, demonstrating the NCC’s dedication to driving economic growth and development.”

The coalition further praised Dr. Maida’s ambitious target of achieving a 25% increase in the telecoms sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, noting that it showcases the commission’s proactive stance in harnessing the potential of the telecommunications industry.

The group also acknowledged Dr. Maida’s leadership style, which has fostered an open-door policy, encouraging industry stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue with the commission.

“We extend our heartfelt commendation to Dr. Maida and the NCC for their dedication to driving sustainable economic growth and development in the telecoms sector,” Thomas added.

“Their commitment is aligned with our mission to champion policies and practices that uphold transparency, accountability, and sustainable economic growth.”

The coalition expressed its support for the NCC’s endeavours, acknowledging the imperative need for synergistic collaboration between the public and private sectors.

They believe that the NCC’s commitment will catalyze other sectors to strive for similar growth and contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.

“We believe that Dr. Maida’s 25% target is feasible, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative on our economy and the lives of Nigerians,” Thomas concluded.

Coalition Condemns Sustained Police Siege on Rivers LG Secretariats

The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has expressed dismay at the continued siege laid by the Police on the 23 Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State, despite the court declaration nullifying the tenure elongation of the outgone council chairmen.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Dr. Julius Bernard, the Coaltion of 1,000 civil society groups said this action is a gross violation of the rule of law, an affront to democracy, and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the judiciary.

Berger lamented that the Police, under the guise of maintaining law and order, have become an instrument of oppression, denying workers access to their offices and causing loss of man-hours.

“We recall that the state High Court had nullified the amended Local Government Law that backed the tenure elongation of the former chairmen, and the appeal court dismissed the appeals filed by Martin Amaewhule and others for lacking in merit,” he said.

“It is therefore surprising that the Police have continued to barricade the council secretariats, days after the tenure elongation controversy appeal was dismissed.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, to immediately withdraw policemen from the council secretariats and respect the judgment of the court. The continued presence of Police at the council secretariats is a clear violation of the principle of separation of powers.

“We also urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Inspector General of Police to order and direct him to immediately withdraw policemen from the council secretariats. We commend the Rivers State Government for their swift inauguration of new caretaker chairpersons after the expiration of the tenure of the last officials.

“We also applaud the Organised Labour for their bold stance in calling for the withdrawal of policemen from the council secretariats. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to join us in condemning this brazen attack on democracy and the rule of law.”

NASA, NASRDA RENEWS GEOHAZARD SPACE GEODESY COOPERATION AT CGG TORO

The National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) have agreed to renew their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2008 on Space Geodesy for Geohazard Research at the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG) Toro, Bauchi State

Leading the Nigerian contingent and chairing the virtual meeting attended from the NARSDA headquarters in Abuja on Friday, the Director General of NASRDA, Dr. Mathew Adepoju said his organisation places a great premium on its relationship and collaboration with NASA and will continue to do everything to expand and deepen it.

Recall that NASRDA signed an MoU with NASA in 2008 on Space Geodesy for Geohazard Research. The MoU which has witnessed about three extensions is being coordinated by the Director, Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics, (CGG) Toro, Dr. Dodo D. Joseph who has ensured the sustenance of the MoU.

Dr. Adepoju in his opening statement expressed concern about some aspects of the MoU that have not been implemented and has to do with capacity building and the transfer of technical know-how between both organisations. According to him, under the renewed hope agenda of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of the top priorities for NASRDA is Geodesy and Geodynamics as well as the monitoring of Nigeria’s tectonic base and coastal movements.

He assured the NASA team that Nigeria was seeking a symbiotic relationship and not a parasitic one with NASA insisting that it is ready to make valuable contributions to the relationship.

The Director General said: “As one of your global outposts; with improved training of our officers, the report and monitoring activities from Nigeria and Africa will be of great importance and make your work even better and easier.

“Not many countries in Africa have the kind of equipment and personnel that we have, so we can serve as a regional hub not only for Nigeria but for West Africa and Africa as a whole. When our staff receives such anticipated training, we can as well organise regional training for other countries. You have my full support and commitment to all the deliberation that will happen here. We want this collaboration to be successful and our relationship deepened.”

Responding, members of the NASA team took turn to express excitement at the resuscitation of the cooperative agreement between the sister organisations.

Elizabeth Anderson of the Office of International and Interagency Relations said NASA places great value on its relationship with Nigeria which she said dates to the 1960s when the countries began to work together on research going through the 70s and the 80s. “I believe this is one of our oldest relationships. We are also looking forward to extending and deepening this relationship, especially in our globe and educational programmes. We are happy to discuss our geodesy programmes as well as other areas of engagement,” she said.

Stephen Merkowitz of the Earth Science Division said NASA was looking forward to revitalising the MoU as he disclosed how critical the CGG Toro is to its geodetic data. “My understanding is that we have had some trouble getting that reliable data out, so we will certainly be happy working with you to improve the situation. We will certainly welcome any opportunities for enhanced cooperation as we look forward to the discussion,” he said.

Also, David Stowers of the Earth Science Division assured the NASRDA team of NASA’s interest in returning to a state of having things functioning again and returning to a state where the two agencies can exchange activities and data.

Dr. Dodo who initiated and anchored the meeting, and also doubles as the Technical Point of Contact for the MoU took time to review the agreement, evaluating the agreement signed many years ago, the state of the MoU, and the way forward. He also explained the responsibilities and commitments of both parties in the MoU.

He disclosed the various ingredients of the agreement which was first entered in 2008, renewed in 2013 and 2018 each with a 5-year implementation period while the next will be in 2028 making it 10 years after the last one.

According to him, the goal of the cooperative agreement is to advance international programs cooperation in Space Geodesy such as the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF), and initiative of the international Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Service. On the other hand, Space Geodetic Techniques include the Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI).

Other areas of cooperation include participation in global, regional, and local observations and networks to provide data to address solid earth deformation and earth orientation, the international terrestrial reference frame, earth orientation parameters, and international celestial reference. The geohazards research areas will include earthquakes, floods, landslides, subsidence, and volcanic eruptions among others.

Diaspora Group Praises Tinubu’s Commitment To Fight Corruption

Nigeria Professionals in Diaspora (NPID) has commended President Bola Tinubu’s achievements in the fight against corruption while advising against the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock to reduce the cost of governance.

NPID, which is made up of renowned Nigerian professionals living and working abroad, made this known in a press conference addressed on Saturday in Abuja to applaud President Tinubu on his remarkable achievements since assuming office, his unwavering commitment to fighting corruption, and to advise against the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock to reduce the overall cost of governance.

Speaking at the event, the NPID President, Dr. David Olakunle, expressed the organization’s profound appreciation for President Tinubu’s transformative leadership and the significant strides made under his administration.

“We, the members of the Nigeria Professionals in Diaspora, are gathered here today to applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his exceptional leadership and the profound positive impact he has had on our beloved nation, Nigeria, in a short period,” said Dr. David Olakunle.

The NPID highlighted President Tinubu’s swift and decisive actions to address the country’s most pressing challenges, particularly in the areas of economic reform, infrastructure development, and the fight against corruption.

“Since assuming office, President Tinubu has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s economy and laying the foundation for sustainable growth,” said Dr. Olakunle. “His bold policy decisions, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, have been instrumental in stabilizing the country’s fiscal position and paving the way for long-term economic prosperity.”

The organization also commended the President’s focus on infrastructure development, which has been a crucial driver of economic transformation. NPID praised the accelerated construction of roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure projects across the country, which have improved connectivity, facilitated the movement of goods and services, and created numerous job opportunities for Nigerians.

“President Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development has been truly remarkable,” said Mr. Kunle Adebayo, the NPID Secretary. “The roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects being delivered under his leadership are not only enhancing the quality of life for our citizens but also laying the foundation for Nigeria’s long-term economic competitiveness.”

Furthermore, the NPID highlighted President Tinubu’s unwavering dedication to the fight against corruption, which has been a longstanding challenge in the country. The organization lauded the President’s efforts to strengthen institutional frameworks, empower anti-corruption agencies, and hold public officials accountable for their actions.

The press conference also addressed the NPID’s concerns regarding the proposed creation of a new Ministry of Livestock, which the organization believes would be an unnecessary addition to the government’s structure and would increase the overall cost of governance.

“While we acknowledge the importance of the livestock sector to Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, we believe the creation of a separate Ministry of Livestock would be a misguided decision that would further burden the country’s already strained fiscal resources,” said Dr. Olakunle.

The NPID argued that the existing structures within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development could be strengthened and optimized to address the needs of the livestock industry, without the added cost and bureaucracy of a new ministry.

“Our analysis suggests that the resources required to establish and maintain a standalone Ministry of Livestock could be better utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing agricultural frameworks,” said Mr. Ikechukwu Obinna, a senior NPID member. “This would allow for a more streamlined and cost-effective approach to supporting the livestock sector’s development.”

The organization urged President Tinubu to carefully consider the long-term implications of creating a new ministry and to instead focus on optimizing the existing institutional structures to address the challenges faced by livestock farmers and stakeholders.

In conclusion, the Nigeria Professionals in Diaspora (NPID) commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his transformative leadership, his unwavering commitment to fighting corruption, and his focus on driving economic growth and development in Nigeria. The organization pledged its continued support and cooperation in realizing the President’s vision for a prosperous and sustainable Nigeria.

“President Tinubu’s achievements in such a short period have been truly remarkable,” said Dr. Joe Ella Abechi. “We, the members of the NPID, stand ready to work alongside the President and his administration to further strengthen our nation, enhance the well-being of our citizens, and position Nigeria as a global leader in the years to come.”

Food Security: Coalition of CSOs Commend Agric Minister Over Policies

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, Friday, hailed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, over policies driven to boost food security and crash high food prices.

The commendation was made during a press conference held in Abuja, where the spokesman, COCSON, Adebayo Oluwaseun, on behalf of the Coalition acknowledged and appreciated the Minister while noting that the leadership he has demonstrated since his appointment had impacted positively on the agricultural sector as he is currently revolutionizing the industry and ensuring Nigeria and Nigerians are food secure.

According to Oluwaseun, the Minister has been committed to the implementation of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan, NATIP, which has been instrumental in modernizing the agricultural space, whereby there have been technological advancements and empowerment of smallholder farmers across the country.

He said: “It is with great pride and a profound sense of optimism that we, the members of COCSON, gather here today to applaud the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, for his exceptional leadership and the transformative impact he has had on the agricultural landscape of our beloved country, Nigeria.

“Since his appointment, Minister Abubakar has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to driving positive change, implementing bold initiatives, and positioning the agricultural sector as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.”

According to COCSON, the Minister has empowered women and youth in the agricultural sector, including initiatives to provide specialized capacity building and access to financing, and giving opportunities to underrepresented groups, enabling them to become active contributors to the sector’s growth and development.

“The Minister’s unwavering support for women and youth in agriculture has been truly transformative. By investing in their skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit, he has not only empowered these crucial demographics but also paved the way for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural ecosystem in Nigeria.

“The coalition is confident that under your stewardship, the sector will continue to thrive, contributing to the country’s food security, economic prosperity, and sustainable development.

“Kyari’s dedication, innovation, and tireless efforts have truly set a new standard for agricultural leadership in Nigeria. We, the members of COCSON, pledge our unwavering support and commitment to working alongside the Minister to further strengthen the agricultural sector and realize our collective vision of a prosperous, food-secure, and environmentally sustainable Nigeria”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Secretary, COCSON, Fatima Usman, “Under Minister Abubakar’s leadership, the NATIP has been a game-changer, revolutionizing the way we approach agriculture in Nigeria.

“Through this innovative plan, we have witnessed a remarkable increase in crop yields, improved access to cutting-edge farming techniques, and the creation of numerous job opportunities for our youth in the agricultural value chain.

EFCC’s Biased Outbursts Against Bello Has Raised Fear of Compromised Investigation, MPPR Cries Out, Demands Fairness

….Says chairman should tell Nigerians why he wants Bello to follow the back door to see him?

Leadership of the Movement for the Protection of People’s Rights MPPR on Friday, disclosed that slouchy statements from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Boss, Mr. Ola Olukoyede on the person of Yahaya Bello has continued to show that the chances of justice for the latter are very slim.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Musa Abdullahi, the Secretary General and Comrade Abiola Adegbite, Dir, Media & Publicity, the group warned the anti-graft agency boss to quit looking for ways to bring in Yahaya Bello via backdoor.

It read: “Since the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) in 2002, its activities have elicited both support and suspicion in the fight to tackle graft cases in Nigeria. Patriotic citizens from all walks of life have consistently stood by the EFCC in the difficult mandate given to it through an Act of the National Assembly.

“Going through the recent press statement issued by the EFCC in which it has accused an imaginary named former Governor and two ex- ministers of spearheading a planned protest against the Commission is not only baseless, absurd but also cowardly. The story credited to the EFCC giving credence to some faceless 259 civil society organisations under the aegis of nonexistent Coalition for Transparency is a disgrace carried too far in the anti- graft war in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“With the story credited to the EFCC, one would think that the Commission was deliberately fashioned for lies, gross mischief, and drain pipe purpose – a channel of deception and castration of Nigeria’s puberty. From all indications, the groups being celebrated by the EFCC are either the creation of the Commission or the agency cash and carry, non existent nor unregistered NGOs/ CSOs arrangement and hatchet jobbers with them on retainership basis. Not long ago, one of such beneficiaries wrote a petition to the National Judicial Council,( NJC) against a Judge handling the case between the EFCC and a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Sadly, the author of the said petition to the NJC was once arrested and charged to court by the Nigeria Police for mischief, falsehood, and frivolous claims against a former Attorney-General of the Federation. What a shame and a coincidence for the EFCC- to be hobnobbing with such a disgruntled and malicious character parading himself as an activist.Has the EFCC forgotten the ethos of crime101 of profiling and carrying out due diligence of any of its friends before association?

“Rather than remain a vile witness of dishonour, false alarms, arbitrariness and politicization of the anti- graft war, we must posit that the era of fighting the anti-corruption war with disobedience to court orders, selective prosecution, intimidation, gestapo like arrests, defamation of character and blackmail are gone forever with the wind. The Commission should rather concentrate its energy on the investigation of N23 billion Kano- Maiduguri abandoned rail line contract, the CCTV contract scam awarded for Lagos and Abuja worth over USD100 million, monies in billions spent by NDDC, the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry’s mind boggling “N729 billion” fraud, among others and also during the COVID-19 lock down.

“Consequently, they also have an obligation to identify the Nigerian government officials who have been collecting bribes and perpetuating money laundering through Bitcoins platforms since 2016. But they all left these serious state matters in the coolers to go after a politically assumed enemy and a juggernaut who has become a rallying point for the youths in Nigeria and a formidable ally of Mr President. These are all in a bid, to please their monstrous paymasters and retain the office of the Chairman of the EFCC. How long will Olukayode be using unethical methods and gestapo like arrests and movements to persecute and hound Yahaya Bello in order to please his self-serving ambition and cohorts

“Nigeria is a country founded on constitutional democracy, anchored on the rule of law and due process. Therefore, we challenge the EFCC to disclose the identity of the ex-Governor and two former ministers spearheading the concocted protest against the EFCC, including the venue and time where the meeting took place. They must furnish Nigerians with details of the attendance list of the meeting and the money earmarked for the imaginary and phantom protest as alleged! How can the Commission stoop so low to embark on the dissemination of such hearsay, falsehood, orchestrated plots, red imaginary shadows, misrepresentation and innuendos without due process and the rule of law? The EFCC has become the accuser, prosecutor, and judge in its own case. What a misnomer?

“We must state categorically, to those who are either ignorant of the law establishing the agency or trying to display some affinity with the arrogance of the EFCC to note the motive behind the creation of the Commission wasn’t meant for the abuse of prosecutorial powers or usurp political authority. This presupposes that the Commission and its agents must act in accordance with the constitution and civil conduct in the discharge of their duties in consonance with the rule of law and civility in all its obligations to the citizenry, but the reverse is now the case under the present leadership.

“We wish to ask the EFCC some salient questions relevant to the handling of their case against Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello. Why are they shopping for a pliable judge to handle their persecution of Bello? Contrary to the standing operational procedure? Why did the Chairman place a call directly to Bello and want him to follow the back door if there is no hidden agenda? What was the motive behind the Chairman’s placement of direct call to Bello? Why was he interested in ushering him via the Chairman’s special entrance gate and exclusive door? A back door arrangement that Bello rejected outright till date has become his being hounded regrettably!

“This brings us to the shadow boxing placement of Bello on the watch list of Interpol. The apt description of the action of the EFCC in this regard can be described as ultravires, premeditated, teleguided, and an agenda for settling scores, having an axe to grind

“It is a big shame, ridiculous and embarrassing for obvious reasons, the EFCC is granting interviews and issuing statements in a clearer attempt to ambush and preempt judicial officers handling their case against Bello who are already in various courts of competent jurisdiction. What a shameless act by the agency!

“The EFCC must desist from further overheating the polity, from undemocratic and unconstitutional practices in the handling of this case and others. The era of plotting shenanigans and suffocating excuses in the fight against graft is over. Therefore, all cases before the courts must be allowed to be exhausted in full and the outcome decided. The anti-graft body must not be seen to probate and reprobate in a desperate bid to crucify any accused persons under investigation or prosecution under its watch. Actions of resorting to self-help, amounts to prejudicial and subjudicial, that are entrenchently intolerable in terms of both legal and moral compliance.

“Only an institution that has abandoned its core mandate would embark on a proxy war, name calling, and grandstanding. Blaming white witches and village people for their incompetence, lack of due diligence, and unprofessional conduct. Wasting taxpayers’ monies on wild goose chase that would lead Nigerians to no where, except the land of voodoo warriors insinuating about planned and sponsored protests against the EFCC

“For the umpteenth time, let us state that the placement of Bello on the watch list, which is already before the court, is mischievous, self-serving, arbitrarily obnoxious and devoid of fairness.
It is on this ground that we are urging the Chairman of the EFCC to resign from office forthwith due to his inability to discharge his mandate without fear, favour, and biases.

“Let us make it abundantly clear that natural justice is anchored in the will of Almighty God taught to mankind. The EFCC should always act with fear of God devoid of sentiments and preferential treatment of requesting suspects to see the Chief Prosecutor through his special backdoor. Nigerians are still waiting for explanation on other high suspects granted such merited or unmerited favours. The criteria used for the selection process and the fate of those who accepted and others who rejected such private gestures! The Nigerian people are interested in the overall outcome of what transpired during both day and night visits through the Chairman’s exclusive door!

“Finally, the desperate agenda to crucify Bello amounts to giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The constant review of human regulations and laws is evidence of civility, as Edmund Burke aptly captures it plainly when he said, “Bad laws are worst sort of tyranny.”

“The EFCC has goofed once again and should explain to Nigerians the extant rule of the exclusive backdoor passage, which Yahaya Bello declined and rejected.

“We therefore call on the International Community, Donor Agencies and Partners to dispassionately read in between the lines in terms of the backdoor arrangement/exclusivity offered by the Chairman of EFCC to Bello and the glaring double – standards and inconsistencies in the handling of the anti-graft war as it relates to politically exposed persons in Nigeria!

“With the above, the Chairman of EFCC has no moral right to stay a day longer in office as the Chairman of the agency!”

Alleged Corruption: Fire, Probe Great Green Wall DG, Maina Bukar Now – CSO Urges Tinubu

A group under the aegis of Network Advocacy for Positive Impact Initiative has called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, NAGGW, Dr. Yusuf Maina Bukar over alleged corruption and other allegations.

The group made this call during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Director Press/Consultant, Ambassador Austine Peacemaker, while speaking to newsmen, disclosed that the group is aware of Dr. Bukar’s lavish spending on personal expenses, including luxury cars and foreign trips.

Among other things, he accused Dr Bukar of corruption, contract splitting, nepotism, incompetence, and breach of public trust.

The group also called on the National Assembly to begin a thorough investigation and hold public hearings on the allegations against Dr. Bukar, while also urging the Federal Ministry of Environment, to take concrete steps to address the allegations and ensure transparency and accountability.

According to the group, Dr Bukar’s continued leadership as Director-General, undermines the agency’s credibility and hinders the effective implementation of projects, demanding an urgent implementation of appropriate legal measures to hold him accountable for his actions.

“We have written and addressed a letter to the government as we deeply believe that Nigerians deserve transparency, accountability, and effective leadership in public offices, we can not sit and allow the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be rubbished and brought to ruin by undeserving public stewards.” It added.

They, however, served a seven-day ultimatum, stating that if their demands are not met, They will immediately commence a public march/ civil protest at the Ministry of Environment and the agency to press home their demands.

See attached letter;