Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service

Hajj & Umrah: NAHCON seeks Saudi Arabian collaboration

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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March 19, 2021

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, is seeking the collaboration of the Saudi Arabian Authority for successful Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Commission Alhaji Zikirullah Hassan made the plea at a dinner, organised by the Commission in honour of the new Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Faisal Bin-Ibrahim Al-Ghamidy, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Alhaji Hassan who welcomed and congratulated the new Ambassador on his well-deserved appointment by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia solicited his supports and said Nigerian Muslim pilgrims are eager to perform this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia gives the go-ahead.

“The embassy has been our second office here because it is through the embassy that we get to start the process of Hajj and Umrah preparation. We, therefore, seek the support of the new Ambassador for the continued cooperation with the commission with regards to Hajj and Umrah”.

“I can assure you, sir … vaccine is going to play a very great role in Hajj this year, from pronouncement from the Kingdom. The Hajj Commission has discussed with the relevant agencies in Nigeria and we are on priorities as far as the Covid-19 vaccine is concerned, all we wait for is the green-light from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Inshallah,” he said.

NAHCON Chairman said the commission had applied means of enlightening the intending pilgrims on COVID-19 protocols and commended the Nigerian Government and Saudi Authorities for their commitment to managing the COVID-19 situation in both countries.

Ambassador Ibrahim while responding assured the commission that he would consolidate the existing mutual relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

Me and my counterpart Nigeria ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, we are going to work together Inshallah to build a good relationship in the area of economy, finance and social matter,” the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador also pledged to work closely with the commission to ensure that the Hajj and Umrah exercise succeeds.

“Before I came here I met with my predecessors and they told me about the project that is about to be operated that will simplify and ease the process of Nigerian pilgrims’ documentation when in Saudi Arabia”.

“Inshallah we would take action on the Makkah Root Project to ensure its success. So that when Nigerian pilgrims arrive in the Saudi Kingdom there would not be delay they will just go to their hotels right from the airport,” he explained.

Ambassador Faisal Bin-Ibrahim Al-Ghamidy thanked the leadership of NAHCON for organising a lavish dinner in his honour.

The Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, in his goodwill message, expressing satisfaction that the bilateral relationship between the two sister countries in all areas will be beneficial.

Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Adamu Bulkachiwa also welcomed Ambassador Al-Ghamidy to Nigeria and said Hajj and Umrah activities have improved under the current administration.

“In Nigeria today, hajj and umrah have changed under this new dispensation. I know before that when some Nigerian pilgrims go for hajj or umrah they usually abscond but this time, I can guarantee you that devices are put in place so all Nigerian Hajj or umrah pilgrims definitely come back home to Nigeria after the performance of hajj or umrah right.

Also, Honorable Kabiru Sani Idris who represented Honorable Abubakar Nalaraba, the Chairman House Committee on Pilgrims’ Affairs, ascertained the readiness of the House to work harmoniously with the Saudi Authority in ensuring pilgrim vaccination.

Nnenna.O

WTO to support Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises

Business and Tech

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March 19, 2021

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The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okojo Iweala says supporting trade for Micro Medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs), especially for women entrepreneurs is meaningful.

She said this during a round table discussion with Women in Export Development Programme organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in Abuja.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated that trade can help to improve economic outcomes for women by creating more and better jobs, raising wages and lowering cost.

“MSMEs are the back bone of Nigeria’s economy as they are in nearly all countries. More than 41million MSMEs account for 76% of the jobs in Nigeria and nearly 50% of GDP. When these enterprises thrive and grow and become productive, they go to the people.

“For MSMEs connecting to the international market, they can drive a vicious cycle of sales, economy of scale and learning.

“This leads to higher productivity and higher wages, but as we speak even though MSMEs account for 76% of jobs in the country, they only account for 7.6% of export so very much underrated in the export sector,” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala observed.

Dr Okojo-Iweala noted that although the COVID-19 pandemic was a major factor in economies all over the world, Nigeria must strive to overcome and strengthen its economy:

“We know that MSMEs have fewer financial resources than their larger competitors and with all the cost arising from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, they are typically in a position where they have much less access to credit than before the pandemic.

“Bearing the obstacles for businesses of all sizes, especially women-owned businesses to participate in international trade will help build back a better economy for every one after this crisis.

“The positive news is that even before the pandemic, governments and donors had cashed into the untapped potential of women in global trade and began to respond.

“We’ve heard of the International Trade Center ITC and Shetrades initiatives; it’s really a favorite of mine in the short time I have been at the WTO because WTO is about rules, it’s about policies.

“The WTO’s purpose is to create jobs, improve income and support sustainability, meaning its suppose is to touch the life of the ordinary person.”

The WTO Boss assured the participants of support to grow their business to international standards:

“We will do our best at the WTO and ITC to partner with you more on this to make sure that the quality of what is being made is up to standard.

“We will also help you connect better to regional and international Market.

The Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Olusegun Awolowo, said clear area of focus for the organization was a drive to gain significant participation of women in non-oil exports, noting that women’s inclusion in trade could not be overemphasized.

“We created a Women in Export Division at NEPC, in all the Regional and Export Assistance offices to provide institutional support and advisory services for Women-Owned Businesses (WOBs) to increase participation of women in trade,” he said.

Amaka E. Nliam

ANCOPSS pledges to improve standard of education

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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March 19, 2021

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All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary School (ANCOPSS) FCT Branch, says it will improve the standard of education through capacity building workshop on Information Communications Technology (ICT) and teaching methods.

New ANCOPSS President in FCT, Alhaji Adamu Gupa, said this at a news conference shortly after his emergence as the President during the confederation’s congress held in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.

Gupa, who is the Principal of Government Secondary School, Kuje, said his administration would initiate various programmes to ensure that FCT education moves forward.

“We have a lot of programmes such as capacity building for the principals.

“You know ANCOPSS is not like NUT, NLC, we are just fortunate to be principals and one of our major aims is to help in implementing Government’s policies.

“And if that is our reason, it means we are part of the solution and if we are part of the solution, we must continue to do things that will make us look different in our various schools hence the need for capacity building for principals in ICT and teaching methods.

“So that at least what goes on in your school you will be able to monitor them very well, take care of what is expected for the education to move forward.

“The association is already positioned. What is left for us is to build on where our predecessors stop and by the special grace of God we are starting in a very good note,” Gupa said.

He said that the ANCOPSS was determined to train principals within and outside the country.

According to him, the confederation will participate in the upcoming conference of the Africa Confederation of Principals of Secondary School scheduled to hold in Nigeria in August.

According to him, “We have the international convention of principals that one is holding this year in Canada and we are going to attend by the special grace of God.

“Aside from that, there are other very important programmes outside Nigeria which were normally sponsored by NGOs.

“We will make timetable if they are available we put various principals there so that they will go and see the best International practice.

“The capacity building is going to cut across Nigeria here and also International,” he said.

Earlier, in his farewell address, the outgoing President of the branch, Malam Abdulkarim Abdulrahman thanked members for their immense support during his administration.

He urged the newly elected executives to ensure a higher level of commitment to expand the vision and uphold the ethics of the teaching profession.

“Let us continue to work and serve in unity because together we are strong,” Gupa said.

Other elected officials that would affairs of the association for the period of four years were Sani Sa’adatu of Junior Secondary Bwari as Vice President, Isa Oruku, Vice President II, Moses Shimachimin, Secretary and others

Nnenna.O

South Africa launches fund to boost Black farming

News Feature

Mosunmola Ore

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March 19, 2021

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South Africa has set up a 5 billion rand ($340 million) fund to boost Black farming by having access to capital and to also boost their role in commercial agriculture.

This was disclosed by the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the government on Thursday.

The joint Agri-Industrial Fund is aimed at easing the funding constraints and entry barriers to commercial agriculture facing Black farmers, the IDC and the agricultural and land ministries said.

“The broader agricultural sector is central to the recovery of the local economy, but most importantly, this Fund’s objectives are consistent with the IDC’s role in increasing the number of black commercial farmers,” said IDC CEO Tshokolo Nchocho.

The IDC will provide 4 billion rand via debt and quasi-debt over the next three years while the government will provide a grant of 1 billion rand, the IDC said.

Access to funding has become more challenging for new farmers after state-owned Land Bank, the country’s largest agricultural-focused lender, missed debt repayments last year and had its credit rating cut, forcing it to seek financial assistance from the government.

MTO/Reuters

No reason for France to reject AstraZeneca vaccine – Government spokesman

Health

Lantana Nasir

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March 19, 2021

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There is no reason for France to reject the AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine, government spokesman Gabriel Attal has said on Friday.

France is due to resume use of the vaccine on Friday, a day after the European Union’s drug watchdog said it was convinced that the shot’s benefits outweighed any risks.

More than a dozen nations including France had suspended its use following an investigation into reports of blood disorders.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex is due to get the AstraZeneca vaccine himself on Friday.

Castex announced a new month-long lockdown for Paris and other parts of the country on Thursday, after a faltering vaccine rollout and the spread of highly contagious coronavirus variants.

Attal told RTL radio the government would step up efforts to ensure as many people as possible worked from home rather than offices.

Davido to Feature in Another Hollywood Movie

Entertainment/Tourism

FELA OLAGUNJU

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March 19, 2021

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Davido will be starring in yet another Hollywood movie following his role in ‘Coming 2 America’.
The singer revealed this during his feature on the Ionwannatalk podcast, where he spoke about his music career.

The 28-year-old said he would be playing the role of a taxi driver in the film to be directed by Edward Zick.

Davido also said he has two studio albums recorded, adding that he’s only waiting on the right time to put them out.
According to him, an extended play (EP) for which he partnered Chris Brown, US R&B star, is also in the works.

Luckily for me, a lot of hits came out of ‘A Better Time’ (ABT). The first video I shot on ABT was me and Chris Brown. I’ve noticed that, with music, you have to plan especially when you’re releasing an album,” “Davido said.

“We’re in an industry where you have hit after hit. After you drop this, they want you to drop that. With me right now, I have two albums already made. I have movies coming out so I think I want to chill,” he said.
“I have another movie that I’m doing with the dude that shot Blood Diamonds. I play a taxi driver.”

Asked about his journey towards becoming a record producer, Davido opened up on his audio engineering days.

“The first thing I really wanted to learn; my passion was really audio engineering. I’ve had a good ear for music. I know when a song is a hit. I was 14, 15, and doing sessions for drug dealers. They had guns, coke,” he narrated.

“I go in the hood with my laptop. They knew me and that my father was rich in Nigeria.
On how he has managed to maintain his cool despite his numerous achievements in the entertainment scene, he said: “Everywhere you go, people know you are. Over the year, I’ve learned the art of not letting it get to me.

“It’s a mental thing. I will be like there are people bigger than me. It’s something that every artiste has to teach themselves. It affects you in a certain way. Sometimes I feel like things are going so fast.

“You look at how I’ve lived, and my relationship with people. I blew up at 16 17. I haven’t grown up in my adult years with regular people. When I’m looking at life, it’s different.”

Women deserve equal future free from stigma, stereotypes- Minister

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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March 19, 2021

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The Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, has said that women across the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence.

Addressing a World Press Conference in Abuja, Nigeria to mark International Women’s Day, the minister said to attain a future that is sustainable, peaceful and violent-free with equal rights and opportunities for all, the world needs women at every table where decisions are being made.

She said, “When women lead, we see positive results. Some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were led by women. Young women are at the forefront of diversity and equality in all parts of the world. Yet, women under 30 are less than one percent of parliamentarians worldwide.

“This is why this year’s International Women’s Day is a rallying cry for generational equality, to act for an equal future for all. We must progress together no matter the storm, for as long as we are together, be rest assured we will overcome.”

Speaking further, she said that the COVID-19 pandemic has further widened the gap of inequality that disadvantaged women have been facing, noting that “the lockdown brought the livelihood of many women to an abrupt end”.

On her part, the Chairman, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Imaan Suleiman, said over 80 percent of victims of human trafficking are women.

The NAPTIP Chairman who was represented by the Director, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Ebere Veron, said the agency will continue to work with Social Development Secretariat in areas of rescuing and also reuniting victims of human trafficking.

Similarly, the National Chairman of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mr Ladi Bala, said there’s no better time than now for everyone to join the campaign for women to be given a chance to contribute to development of the country.

She also raised concerns over the recent spate of insecurity in schools as it particularly affects the girl child, saying “Our girls need a save haven. Our school must be safe for our children to learn. We must not allow those bandits to hold us ransom”.

Also, the National Council of Women Society (NCWS), President, Dr. Gloria Shoda, said “we must say no to kidnapping of our women and domestic violence”.

She also called on women to always support women, saying that over time women have distinguished themselves in several areas in Nigeria except in politics due to lack of ensuring a level playing field for them.

Nnenna.O

Super Falcons Goalkeeper Signs Contract Extension With Paris FC

Uncategorized

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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March 19, 2021

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has signed a two-year contract extension with Paris FC of France, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Chiamaka joined the French side in January 2020 after a scintillating performance for Nigeria’s Super Falcons at the 2019 FIFA Women World Cup in France.

After the first difficult months, particularly due to the health context, the young goalkeeper has asserted herself week by week putting out amazing display.

The goalkeeper was happy to remain with the club till 2023.

“I was very happy when Paris FC offered me a new contract. It really is the perfect place to continue learning and developing.

It’s always an honor to wear the Paris FC jersey and defend it when the coach calls on me. I look forward to continuing to improve, ”said Chiamaka after signing his new contract.

Chiamaka missed Nigeria’s Super Falcons recent appearance in Turkey invitational tournament due to club engagement.

‘It is time to bury past with India’, Pakistan Army chief says

World

Bilkisu Halilu Pai

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March 19, 2021

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Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa has called on arch rivals India and Pakistan to “bury the past” and move towards cooperation, a proposal towards New Delhi that follows an unexpected joint ceasefire announcement last month between the two countries’ militaries.

General Bajwa stressed however that the burden was on India to create a “conducive environment” and said the United States had a role to play in ending regional conflicts.

“We feel it is time to bury the past and move forward,” Bajwa said on Thursday while addressing a gathering of scholars and experts discussing national security issues at a seminar in the capital, Islamabad.

“But … our neighbour (India) will have to create a conducive environment, particularly in Indian-occupied Kashmir,” he said, referring to the part of the Himalayan territory India administers.

Unsettled disputes between the two South Asian nuclear rivals are “dragging this region back to the swamp of poverty and underdevelopment,” said Bajwa at the conference meant to highlight the Pakistani government’s new security policies.

There was no immediate comment from India.

Pakistan’s powerful army has ruled the country for nearly half of its 73-year existence, and the military has long controlled foreign and security policies.

The disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir is split between Pakistan and India but claimed by both in its entirety. The two countries have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

Relations deteriorated in 2019 after New Delhi stripped its part of Kashmir of the special status it long had under the Indian constitution.

Bajwa said the economic potential of South and Central Asia had “forever remained hostage” to the India-Pakistan disputes.

“It is important to understand that without the resolution of the Kashmir dispute through peaceful means, the process of sub-continental rapprochement will always remain susceptible to derailment,” he said.

Bajwa’s call came after the armies of the two countries released a rare joint statement on February 25, announcing a ceasefire along their de facto border in Kashmir, known as the Line of Control (LoC), after having exchanged deadly fire hundreds of times in recent months.

The US immediately welcomed the move and encouraged the two to “keep building on this progress”.

Bajwa said Pakistan had “hope” in the form of President Joe Biden’s new administration, which he said could help facilitate peace in the region.

Also speaking at the gathering was Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who said “if India took one step forward for peace, Pakistan will take two”.

He however, claimed “India chose to take several steps backwards … (with) South Asia once again teetered on the brink”.

Pakistan wants India to reverse the 2019 move under which New Delhi stripped Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status and imposed a slew of administrative changes through new laws, touching off anger on both sides of the frontier.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training anti-India rebels in Kashmir and also helping them by providing gunfire as cover for incursions into the Indian side, a charge Pakistan denies. Rebels in Indian-administered Kashmir have been fighting the Indian rule since 1989.

Aljazeera

U.S, China kick off ‘tough’ high level talks in Alaska

World

Bilkisu Halilu Pai

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March 19, 2021

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The first high-level U.S.-China talks of the Biden administration got off to a fiery start on Thursday, with both sides leveling sharp rebukes of the others’ policies in a rare public display that underscored the level of bilateral tension.

The run-up to the meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, which followed visits by U.S. officials to allies Japan and South Korea, was marked by a flurry of moves by Washington that showed it was taking a tough stance, and blunt talk from Beijing.

“We will … discuss our deep concerns with actions by China, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyber-attacks on the United States, economic coercion of our allies,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Chinese counterparts in highly unusual extended back-and-forth in front of cameras.

The Biden administration has made clear that it is looking for a change in behavior from China, which has expressed hope to reset relations that had worsened drastically under former President Donald Trump.

China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi responded with a 15-minute speech in Chinese while the U.S. side awaited translation, lashing out about what he said was the United States’ struggling democracy, poor treatment of minorities, and criticizing its foreign and trade policies.

“The United States uses its military force and financial hegemony to carry out long arm jurisdiction and suppress other countries,” said Yang.

“It abuses so-called notions of national security to obstruct normal trade exchanges, and incite some countries to attack China,” he added.

Throughout Yang’s monologue, U.S. National Security Adviser Sullivan and other officials in the delegation passed notes to each other. At the end, Blinken held journalists in the room so he could respond.

What is typically a few minutes of opening remarks in front of journalists for such high-level meetings lasted for more than an hour, and the two delegations tussled about when media would be ushered out of the room.

Afterwards, the United States accused China of “grandstanding” while Chinese state media blamed U.S. officials for speaking too long and being “inhospitable”.

Both sides accused the other of violating diplomatic protocol, with a U.S. official saying the two had initially agreed two minutes of opening statements by each of the principals.

Many netizens on China’s social media said Chinese officials were doing a good job in Alaska, and that the U.S. side had shown zero sincerity.

Some even characterized the talks as a “Hongmen Banquet”, a historical event that took place 2,000 years ago where a rebel leader invited another to a feast with the intention of murdering him.

Still, the two sides reconvened for another meeting on Thursday evening, and a senior Biden administration official said that the first session was “substantive, serious, and direct,” running well beyond the two hours originally allotted, adding that a third session of talks was scheduled for Friday morning.

While much of Biden’s China policy is still being formulated, including how to handle the tariffs on Chinese goods implemented under Trump, his administration has so far placed a stronger emphasis on democratic values and allegations of human rights abuses by China.

China firmly opposes U.S. interference in what it regards as its internal affairs, issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said it was expecting the United States to brief them about the talks.

TERMS OF DISAGREEMENT

Washington says Blinken’s Asia tour before the meeting with Chinese officials, as well as U.S. outreach to Europe, India and other partners, shows how the United States has strengthened its hand to confront China since Biden took office in January.

But the two sides appeared primed to agree on very little at the talks.

Even the status of the meeting became a sticking point, with China insisting it is a “strategic dialogue”, harkening back to bilateral mechanisms of years past. The U.S. side rejected that, calling it a one-off session.

On the eve of the talks, the United States issued a flurry of actions directed at China, including a move to begin revoking Chinese telecoms licenses, subpoenas to multiple Chinese information technology companies over national security concerns, and updated sanctions on China over a rollback of democracy in Hong Kong.

Adding to tensions, China on Friday tried a Canadian citizen on espionage charges, in a case embroiled in a wider diplomatic spat between Washington and Beijing.

At the talks on Thursday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi questioned Blinken about whether the sanctions were announced ahead of the meeting on purpose.

Washington has said it is willing to work with China when it is in U.S. interests, citing climate policy and the coronavirus pandemic as examples.

Blinken said Washington hoped to see China use its influence with North Korea to persuade it to give up its nuclear weapons.

Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said tough statements from both sides in the run-up to the meeting had created a risk that it would devolve into an exchange of accusations and demands.

“Neither side benefits from this meeting being judged a total failure,” Glaser said.

Reuters

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