The Kano state Pilgrims Welfare Board has blamed Azman Air for the slow pace in the airlift of Kano pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year pilgrimage.
The executive secretary of the Board, Alhaji Mohammad Abba Danbatta told newsmen in a briefing today, July 4, that since before the commencement of the airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, the board had formally written to National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) seeking for its approval to allow Max air uplift its pilgrims.
He said that the board made the request because max air had performed the same exercise for many years without any hindrance.
Abba Danbatta said that despite the formal request, NAHCON assigned Azman Air to uplift Kano pilgrims which are over two thousand, adding that since the commencement of the hajj operations, Azman had airlifted only 975 pilgrims.
“Yesterday, Azman directed us to call our pilgrims for airlift to Saudi Arabia. We summoned over 400 pilgrims for screening at the camp, and the pilgrims were left stranded for over 24 hours.”
Abba Danbatta said that the board had complained to NAHCON on the recent development in Kano, adding that NAHCON has now resolved that Azman Air cannot fulfill this assignment and has resolved to hire an air carrier company from Saudi Arabia, named Flyners. He added that the aircraft of this airline can contain over four hundred pilgrims at a time.
Ahead of the conduct of the 2023 national census, the National Population Commission (NPC) has said that a total of one million Nigerians will be recruited by the federal government for the exercise.
The NPC also assured that a reliable technological innovation has been advanced by the NPC for the conduct of the exercise to prevent politicians and interested elites from hijacking or manipulating the process.
The commissioner representing Ekiti at the NPC, Deji Ajayi, who made these known today, July 4 in Ado- Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, at a media briefing, said that nine towns across nine local governments selected out of the 16 councils in the state, have been delineated into Enumerated Areas (EAs) to ease the trial census.
He said that areas to be enumerated in the trial census in Ekiti include: Ado, Emure, Iro, Ijero, Ikole, Iworoko, Ise, Ikun and Omu Ekiti.
“This is the first time we will be doing a paperless census, everything will be digital to check corruption and bring about accurate data that can help national development.
“Census is a massive operation that will engage one million personnel and managing such a huge workforce manually will raise huge logistical and documentation challenges.
“It is in recognition of this fact that the NPC resolved that recruitment for the 2023 census will be done electronically. This trial census will provide opportunity to test the feasibility of the e-recruitment.”
Investors in the Nigerian capital market have lost N20.60 billion following the dip in equity capitalization by -0.07 percent at the close of the day’s business.
After eight hours of trading today, July 4, the equity dropped from N27.94 trillion to N27.92 trillion to push back the bourse into bearish territory.
The All-Share Index was down by 38.22 basis points to close at 51,791.45 compared to 51,829.67 achieved last Friday.
Investors traded 194.12 million shares worth N2.82 billion in 4,899 deals on Monday.
This surpassed 127.03 million shares valued at N1.70billion which exchanged hands in 3,718 deals last week.
Fidson led the gainers with N1.10kobo to move from N11.20kobo to N12.30kobo per share.
Learn Africa gained N0.22kobo to move from N2.25kobo to N2.47kobo per share.
UPDC’s share value was up by N0.10kobo to end trading with N1.13kobo from N1.03kobo per share.
Prestige gained 8.33 percent to close at N0.39kobo from N0.33kobo per share.
Regal Insurance’s share appreciated by 7.69 percent to rise from N0.26kobo to N0.28kobo per share.
Unknown arsonists have razed the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The attack happened at 11.48pm on Sunday 3rd July 2022, according to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Emeka Ononamadu.
The arsonists overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze. Although no casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed in spite of the best effort of the Enugu State Fire Service deployed from Nsukka.
The Commission is working to ascertain the status of voter registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as well as uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) locked up in the fireproof cabinet.
The incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police for investigation and further action.
The attack, coming in the middle of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for 2023 General Election, is worrisome. It will be recalled that on 23rd May 2021, our office in the neighbouring Igboeze South Local Government Area was attacked in a similar manner by unknown gunmen. This followed earlier attacks on Udenu Local Government Area office on 13th May 2021 and the State Headquarters in Enugu on 16th May 2021. The Commission has since substantially recovered from these attacks and resumed normal activities there, including the CVR and collection of PVCs.
The Commission will continue to work with the security agencies and the emergency services to protect our facilities.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s State Visit to Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday 28th June to 2nd July was a first class success story and this is measurable by outcomes, not least, the real determination of the two nations to engender a close relationship.
Many in Nigeria remember that historically, Portuguese sailors were the first in Europe (ahead of British) to have contact with the territory now called Nigeria, when a certain Explorer, Rui de Sequira visited the Lagos area in 1472, actually naming the area around the city as Lago de Curamo, which means Lake of Curamo (Curamo, recall Kuramo Lagoon, Kuramo Beach and Kuramo Hall at the famous Eko Hotel, Lagos).
Among the important things embedded in the vision of Nigeria’s role and place in the world , clearly laid by President Muhammadu Buhari, is the revival of important relationships that have suffered long neglect. In addition, he has a strong willingness to assume the leadership expected from Africa’s largest country in population and economy.
So herein lies the first importance of this visit.
One, there can be no better illustration of the larger strategic goal of the future of this relationship than the eight agreements and Memoranda Of Agreement, MOUs signed in the course of this visit.
These are the MOU on political consultations, diplomatic training, research and exchange of information and documentation; cooperation in the field of culture; in the field of women and girls development, empowerment and gender affairs; youths and in the area of sports.
At the very well attended Portugal and Nigeria Economic Forum with the chosen theme: “Expanding Investment and Trade Between Nigeria and Portugal,” two agreements also were signed, one between the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council and AICEP, its Portuguese equivalent and another between the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, NACCIMA and the similar body in Portugal.
Two, this visit achieved a desire for a strategic partnership to strengthen the work Nigeria has been praised for doing by all levels of Portuguese authority- President, Prime Minister, President of National Assembly and Mayor of Lisbon-which is her stabilizing role in West Africa and importantly for the hosts, the stability and support of the ex-Portuguese territories in the subregion, specifically Guinea Bissau and São Tomé and Principe. This is resonating very well with the Portuguese.
Three. Invariably linked to this is the convergence of strategic interests and the laying of a framework to strengthen security and cooperation between the two states.
Portugal which has an association with with its former territories in Africa, the equivalent of our own British Commonwealth made up of Angola and Cape Verde in addition to the two others states mentioned. They have troops deployed for safekeeping duty in West Africa. They have committed to support Nigeria in military training, the sharing of intelligence and in the war against terrorism.
Four. Nigeria and Portugal have equally identified a common interest and goal in the transatlantic gas pipeline for which our country needs investment and security. This is with a view to finding a market in Europe for the enormous gas resources available to us. After listening to a briefing on the pipeline by Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, President Marcelo de Sousa was quick to show interest in the maritime mapping of the gas pipeline, instead of the Trans Saharan pathway which is equally an option. Portugal, says President Sousa has chosen for itself, the role of the spokesman and defender of African interests in the EU.
Nigerian LNG is important for Portugal especially at this time of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the regime of western sanctions imposed on the Russian supply of oil and gas.
With 60 percent of our LNG going to Portugal, meeting 30 percent of their energy needs, Portugal is today more energy secure than most of their Russia-dependent European neighbours. It is noteworthy that the Portuguese are very appreciative of the consistency and reliability of the gas from Nigeria, thanks of course to good management from NLNG.
Five. The Kano-Maradi railway line being constructed by a Portuguese company, Mota-Engil, is turning out to be a significant factor in the emerging relations between our countries.
Despite President Buhari’s emphasis at several speaking opportunities that the contractor met all requirements to beat others to get the job, the Portuguese authorities see it not only as a milestone in trade relations but also as a trailblazer and a precursor to the evolution of Nigeria as the gateway to the vast African market opened up by the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
President Sousa spoke about their wish for the entry into the Nigerian market of Portuguese companies, “not in 30s or 100, but in their thousands.”
Six, Portugal, which was a strong force in the UN recognition of Nigeria as one of five centres for vaccine production in Africa has determined to key into our health sector. They will come in. It’s a country with a very strong pharmaceutical economy.
Seven, in the choice of Jose Peseiro, the Portuguese coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria struck yet another positive cord that resonates politically and diplomatically.
Even before the advent of coach Peseiro, there are more than 200 professional football players of Nigerian origin in Portugal.
Some of them were brought to a meeting with the President, coordinated by Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Now, we have a commitment that the country famous for producing Ronaldo, and for its globally recognized football academy is opening up chances for our youth to train.
Eight, there is also a welcome plan to share the achievements of Portugal in the field of renewable energy. With 60 percent of their energy got from renewable sources, that country ranks among the world leaders, hoping to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
For the Buhari administration, and hopefully for the succeeding ones, the attainment of set climate change objectives will continue as a priority. For our two countries, this will be a win-win.
Nine, we have now an MOU on political consultations, diplomatic training, research and exchange of information and documentation. This will see our two nations working hand in hand at multilateral institutions including the UN. Portugal prides herself with experience in international relations.
Ten. Lastly is the important thing about the very strong alignment of strategic interests of both countries. It’s rare to see this anywhere. The commitment to be with Nigeria is everywhere: All levels of authority in the country: President, Prime Minister, President of the National Assembly, and Mayor of Lisbon showing a total commitment to align with Nigeria. President Sousa in his second term said “I waited six years for this marriage.”
They honored him with that country’s highest national order.
For President Buhari, this visit is an affirmation of the norm that global aspirations must be accompanied by global engagements and a demonstration of his determination to turn commitments into actions.
Hopefully, these will lead to the acceleration of the nation’s economic growth, securing the country, attracting investment and creating jobs.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity.
Association of Mass Communications Graduates,1992 set, has donated a television studio worth over five million naira to the the Department of Mass Communication of the institution.
The donation of the N5 million worth of equipment to the television studio is part of activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of their graduation.
Receiving the equipment, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, described the gesture as timely, saying that the institution is planning to host the officials of the National Board of Technical Education in a few weeks.
“One of the ways to ensure MAPOLY remains the best polytechnic in the country is by encouraging the alumni association members to come back and share in our aspirations for the improvement of the polytechnic and we have started seeing the dividends.
“For example, recently, the alumni members of Marketing donated N80 million Marketing Department to the polytechnic and another set of alumni, AMACOS alumni of the institution, donated a big generator to power the new radio station that we have just commissioned.
“Also today, the AMACOS ’92 alumni association refurbished the TV studio to the Department of Mass Communication.”
This was even as the Chairman, AMACOG 1992 set, Kunle Adeshina, said that the set decided to give back to the institution.
Adeshina explained that the 1992 set raised funds among its members to refurbish the training television studio as its token to advance the practical knowledge of broadcasting.
He added that it would ensure that students who choose to study Mass Communication would henceforth enjoy the benefit of being trained with some of the best and latest high tech equipments that were obtainable in distant locations.
He stated that the state government alone should not be saddled with the task of providing the infrastructure needed to ensure that tertiary institutions not only has the requisite manpower needed to train employable graduates, but that the right facilities were also provided.
Adesina said that the set would also provide after installation training on how to operate and manage the equipment in the new studio.
He however enjoined alumni on the need for old students to play active roles in developing their alma mater.
“We have accomplished set of gentlemen and ladies who have made their marks in various fields of endeavours after graduating from this Department.
“We have them in the media world as CEOs, Publishers, Editors and Line Editors of national dailies.
“We looked at area of deficiency where we could assist with our little might.”
“We realised that the highest concentration of students who applied to the department are for broadcast.
“We now felt if we want to be impactful in terms of touching the department, the school and the public at large, we should do something about the television studio.”
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has reframed his earlier call on Christians in the country to return fire for fire being unleashed by the enemies of State.
The Pastor, who clarified the issue he raised in his earlier stand which went viral yesterday, now advised Christians not to buy guns for self-protection, saying: “I never asked Christians to go and buy guns. Samson in the Bible did not fight with guns.”
He emphasized today, July 3 at the monthly thanksgiving live television programme of the church: “don’t buy guns. You don’t want to kill anybody. We just must make sure that unwanted visitors don’t come to our churches, so don’t go and buy guns.”
At the Holy Ghost Service yesterday, Pastor Adeboye had urged members of the church not to be afraid to attend church programmes because of terrorists attack on a church in Owo, Ondo State.
He had made it clear that “it is now fire-for-fire for any attack on Christians, and commanded them to rise to the occasion by calling the bluff of the devil.
Criminals have invaded Point of Sale (PoS) business centres in Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, defrauding, scamming and robbing the operators and customers. Investigation revealed that the criminals, who sometime appear as PoS operators, used to obtain the details of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of persons who use their PoS machines, and in few hours or days, thereafter, empty their (customers’) bank accounts. Abdulrazaq Siraja, a graduate of Information Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, recalled an incident where two ‘scammers’ defrauded him. Siraja, who operates his PoS ‘business’ with the help of a young lady he employed to work for him, narrated how he lost a huge amount of money to the two fraudsters who performed fake cash transactions with Chika Nwendi, the female agent running his PoS business. Siraja said: “Sometime in January last year, two boys came to my PoS kiosk to deposit N100,000 into another account. “It was my shop attendant, who is helping me manage the PoS business, that attended to them. “She was given a bundle of N1,000 notes. She confirmed the money, and noticed that the money was incomplete. She then returned the money for them to confirm. “The boys gave her a similar bundle of N100,000 of N1,000. After counting and confirming the amount of the money, Nwendi put the bundle of N1,000 inside her drawer, and then they (the boys) left my shop. “But reality dawned on her few hours later, when she wanted to audit her daily transactions. Nwendi discovered that the bundle of N1,000 notes also had N100 notes. What the boys smartly did was to cover the inside of the N1,000 notes they gave my PoS agent. “They put N1,000 note at the top and bottom of the bundle of N100,000 they gave my PoS agent. Then, in the middle of the bundle were just N100 notes.” Siraja, it was gathered reported the incident to Manager of the Suleja First Bank Branch, who asked him to send pictures of the money (brought by the two fraudsters) and a court affidavit, so that he (the Bank Manager) can freeze the account Siraja deposited money for the scammers. Few days after, it was discovered that the bank account which Siraja had transfered the N100,000 to (for the fraudsters) belonged to another PoS operator in Kano. “Over there in Kano, another PoS vendor by name, Musa Aminu, raised an alarm that his bank account was frozen. Aminu then visited the bank, and he was informed about the fraudulent transaction that occurred on his account, from my own endzin Suleja.
“The two boys that defrauded Aminu in Kano were working in concert with the two boys that also scammed my Pos agent in Suleja. “After the first two guys had succeeded in defrauding my PoS girl, their partners in Kano went to Aminu’s PoS stand. They told him their uncle wants to send them money to purchase some items, there in Kano. “Aminu gave them his account number. And within a short period, he received an alert of N100,000. He gave them the cash, and removed his transaction charges,” Siraja further noted. Seeing that nothing can be done to retrieve the ‘stolen’ money, Siraja and Aminu were told by the Suleja First Bank Manager to jointly share the ‘loss’. The PoS operator in Kano was asked to give Siraja N50,000, while he – Siraja – will raise N37,000 for himself, as the entire money they (the two swindlers) gave his PoS shop attendant was N13,000. It was gathered that many PoS customers have experienced a situation where money in their bank accounts where ’emptied’ after patronizing some PoS vendors.
A former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, has lamented the lack of selfless and charitable leaders dedicated to meeting the needs of the less privileged ones in Nigeria. Senator Shettima, who spoke at the investiture ceremony of the Managing Editor Northern Operation of The Nation Newspaper, Rotarian Yusuf Alli as the 11th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, in Abuja, commended the Rotary International for selfless service to humanity.
Describing the Club as the conscience of the society, the former governor said: “there’s a reason both religious groups and corporate organizations revolve around the principle of giving back to the society. “It’s not just to compensate for the negative externalities accumulated in the pursuits of our capitalist and self-serving interests, but to fill the vacuum around us. “When you look around this country to trace the origin of our national dilemma, the most glaring shortcoming is always undersupply of selfless and charitable leaders, whether in politics or business, socio-cultural groups, or local communities. “As a time-tested group, Rotarians have figured out the danger of playing down the conditions of the needy, especially those in our immediate surroundings.
“Your Club, which operates from the nation’s capital and a district recognized as a habitat of some of the nation’s most affluential people, is privileged to grasp the socio-economic contrasts that have widened the nation’s poverty gap in the past years. “We must never give back to the society just to appeal to ourselves, for that seems to be the mindset. “These clubs have ridden on the compassion and integrity of good people like you to serve as oases for the downtrodden. “You have taught us much more than what it means to have empathy and, more importantly, act on it. “Rotary clubs have become the conscience of the world, for they remind us of the debt we owe our society. “We must never yield to the temptation to believe that giving back to the society that produced us is a favour to the needy. “While this is the mainstream thinking, we can’t afford to understate the circumstances that gave us our good start in life and that doing so would come at great risk. “Every society, just like nature itself, abhors a vacuum and so the alternative to giving to those at the lowest rungs of our economic ladder is a calamity for which none of us is prepared. “The society isn’t the beggar here. This society is the source of the material possessions over which we scrutinize our balance sheets to determine the size of charities to dispense or authorize. “We are merely giving back to our giver, and that’s because none of us is prepared for the worst implication of glossing over these vacuums in which the majority of us are trapped.” former governor Shettima said that he is not surprised that Rotn. Yusuf Alli was chosen as the as the 11th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama. “He deserves to be so named. Yusuf Alli’s life is a remarkable study in dedicated labour; professionalism; and a deep sense of duty. “These were the essential building blocks of the life he has lived, over several decades, as a journalist. “Today, he has become recognised, as a leading authority in investigative journalism, in our country. “His colleagues, from near and far, recognise the incredible hard work, that he puts into every story, that he pursues, and the excellent quality of his outputs, in the professional field. “If all that Rotarian Yusuf Alli has done in life, is the exemplary service that he has given to journalism in our country, we would be forgiven to conclude, that he has done enough, for a lifetime. “But here we are today, to witness his investiture, as the 11th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama. “I think the lesson to draw from that, is that Yusuf Alli is very dedicated to community good; but not only in journalism. “By reaching the height he has attained today, as the 11th President of a body like the Rotary Club, we can similarly underscore the fact, that his dedication to community good, reaches beyond his calling, as a journalist.” In his remarks, Rotn. Alli said even though he accidentally joined Rotary, his reason for joining the Club was not to lead but to serve. “I have never aspired to lead. All I wanted was to serve in my little way. I come from a family with a deep passion for service and giving. “I also married from a family which loves to share and give. So, I saw myself only living up to type in Rotary, it does not look extraordinary. “I need to explain this to clear doubts about my resilience for service in Rotary. As long as I serve humanity, I do not expect anything in return.”
The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has expressed happiness over the discovery and rescue of over 50 children in an underground cell in Ondo State Church.
The body, in a short statement today, July 3, commended the police and other security agencies for a job well done, even as it condemned those who are responsible for the abduction of the children.
“Children should not be targets of violence in whatever guise. Violence against children is condemnable and we call on governments to redouble efforts to protect children against all forms of violence. A society’s health is measured by how it treats its children.”
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10 Takeaways From Buhari’s State Visit To Portugal, By Garba Shehu
President Muhammadu Buhari’s State Visit to Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday 28th June to 2nd July was a first class success story and this is measurable by outcomes, not least, the real determination of the two nations to engender a close relationship.
Many in Nigeria remember that historically, Portuguese sailors were the first in Europe (ahead of British) to have contact with the territory now called Nigeria, when a certain Explorer, Rui de Sequira visited the Lagos area in 1472, actually naming the area around the city as Lago de Curamo, which means Lake of Curamo (Curamo, recall Kuramo Lagoon, Kuramo Beach and Kuramo Hall at the famous Eko Hotel, Lagos).
Among the important things embedded in the vision of Nigeria’s role and place in the world , clearly laid by President Muhammadu Buhari, is the revival of important relationships that have suffered long neglect. In addition, he has a strong willingness to assume the leadership expected from Africa’s largest country in population and economy.
So herein lies the first importance of this visit.
One, there can be no better illustration of the larger strategic goal of the future of this relationship than the eight agreements and Memoranda Of Agreement, MOUs signed in the course of this visit.
These are the MOU on political consultations, diplomatic training, research and exchange of information and documentation; cooperation in the field of culture; in the field of women and girls development, empowerment and gender affairs; youths and in the area of sports.
At the very well attended Portugal and Nigeria Economic Forum with the chosen theme: “Expanding Investment and Trade Between Nigeria and Portugal,” two agreements also were signed, one between the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council and AICEP, its Portuguese equivalent and another between the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, NACCIMA and the similar body in Portugal.
Two, this visit achieved a desire for a strategic partnership to strengthen the work Nigeria has been praised for doing by all levels of Portuguese authority- President, Prime Minister, President of National Assembly and Mayor of Lisbon-which is her stabilizing role in West Africa and importantly for the hosts, the stability and support of the ex-Portuguese territories in the subregion, specifically Guinea Bissau and São Tomé and Principe. This is resonating very well with the Portuguese.
Three. Invariably linked to this is the convergence of strategic interests and the laying of a framework to strengthen security and cooperation between the two states.
Portugal which has an association with with its former territories in Africa, the equivalent of our own British Commonwealth made up of Angola and Cape Verde in addition to the two others states mentioned. They have troops deployed for safekeeping duty in West Africa. They have committed to support Nigeria in military training, the sharing of intelligence and in the war against terrorism.
Four. Nigeria and Portugal have equally identified a common interest and goal in the transatlantic gas pipeline for which our country needs investment and security. This is with a view to finding a market in Europe for the enormous gas resources available to us. After listening to a briefing on the pipeline by Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, President Marcelo de Sousa was quick to show interest in the maritime mapping of the gas pipeline, instead of the Trans Saharan pathway which is equally an option. Portugal, says President Sousa has chosen for itself, the role of the spokesman and defender of African interests in the EU.
Nigerian LNG is important for Portugal especially at this time of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the regime of western sanctions imposed on the Russian supply of oil and gas.
With 60 percent of our LNG going to Portugal, meeting 30 percent of their energy needs, Portugal is today more energy secure than most of their Russia-dependent European neighbours. It is noteworthy that the Portuguese are very appreciative of the consistency and reliability of the gas from Nigeria, thanks of course to good management from NLNG.
Five. The Kano-Maradi railway line being constructed by a Portuguese company, Mota-Engil, is turning out to be a significant factor in the emerging relations between our countries.
Despite President Buhari’s emphasis at several speaking opportunities that the contractor met all requirements to beat others to get the job, the Portuguese authorities see it not only as a milestone in trade relations but also as a trailblazer and a precursor to the evolution of Nigeria as the gateway to the vast African market opened up by the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
President Sousa spoke about their wish for the entry into the Nigerian market of Portuguese companies, “not in 30s or 100, but in their thousands.”
Six, Portugal, which was a strong force in the UN recognition of Nigeria as one of five centres for vaccine production in Africa has determined to key into our health sector. They will come in. It’s a country with a very strong pharmaceutical economy.
Seven, in the choice of Jose Peseiro, the Portuguese coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria struck yet another positive cord that resonates politically and diplomatically.
Even before the advent of coach Peseiro, there are more than 200 professional football players of Nigerian origin in Portugal.
Some of them were brought to a meeting with the President, coordinated by Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Now, we have a commitment that the country famous for producing Ronaldo, and for its globally recognized football academy is opening up chances for our youth to train.
Eight, there is also a welcome plan to share the achievements of Portugal in the field of renewable energy. With 60 percent of their energy got from renewable sources, that country ranks among the world leaders, hoping to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
For the Buhari administration, and hopefully for the succeeding ones, the attainment of set climate change objectives will continue as a priority. For our two countries, this will be a win-win.
Nine, we have now an MOU on political consultations, diplomatic training, research and exchange of information and documentation. This will see our two nations working hand in hand at multilateral institutions including the UN. Portugal prides herself with experience in international relations.
Ten. Lastly is the important thing about the very strong alignment of strategic interests of both countries. It’s rare to see this anywhere. The commitment to be with Nigeria is everywhere: All levels of authority in the country: President, Prime Minister, President of the National Assembly, and Mayor of Lisbon showing a total commitment to align with Nigeria. President Sousa in his second term said “I waited six years for this marriage.”
They honored him with that country’s highest national order.
For President Buhari, this visit is an affirmation of the norm that global aspirations must be accompanied by global engagements and a demonstration of his determination to turn commitments into actions.
Hopefully, these will lead to the acceleration of the nation’s economic growth, securing the country, attracting investment and creating jobs.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity.