The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • Delta council poll: ‘Itsekiri oppose delineation of wards’

    Delta council poll: ‘Itsekiri oppose delineation of wards’

    Rights activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, yesterday, opposed some Ijaw groups’ request for delineation of wards in Warri, urging Federal Government and the state to ignore same.

    She said Warri belongs to Itsekiri, adding the Ijaw ought to obey ‘constitutional provision of 10 wards per council’’.

    “Ownership” of Warri has been in dispute for decades and three ethnic groups –  Itsekiri, Urhobo, and Ijaw – often claim the oil-rich town.

    But Lori-Ogbebor, in a statement, claimed the matter of ownership had been settled.

    She said: ”… if you beat the Itsekiri, the only place they run to is the law court, which they have been doing. The reason is Itsekiri own Warri and it is Warri Kingdom.

    “And judgments proved Itsekiri are owners of Warri. They have attacked Olu of Warri in judgments from the lowest court to the highest court and it has been settled.

    “But this seems to give our neighbours nightmares and they cannot accept it. So, they try to attack us. They go legally and we have won all cases.

    “Now they are beating us to stupor and they believe the Itsekiri will not fight because they want peace. So, that is violence and that violence is telling a lot on us.”

    Lori-Ogbebor said she was raising the alarm “because there is a case on where the Ijaw are asking for illegal wards and these ware created for them long time ago, and of course the only way we know best is to go to court.

    “In the constitution, the structure regarding wards and local governments is clear all over the country – 10 wards in every council.

    “Warri Kingdom has three local governments and each one has 10 wards. The Ijaw, same and Urhobo,same and these were created in 1992.

    “We enjoyed that privilege until 1996 and 1997 when National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) invented 12 wards.

    “The Itsekiri again went to court and we say no that according to constitution, 10 wards is what is stipulated for the three councils and all others in Delta State. Why did you select us out to add more wards and you are doing that knowing that to do that we have to have a referendum.

    “The Itsekiri have to be in the know because you don’t just do things and put aside the constitution because you know that going through the constitution we have defeated you in court.

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    “So, the court then told them to go back to the federal constitution of 10 wards and that was in 1996 and 1997. They went back and then in 2003 they smuggled it back again and we complained.

    “Again, the court is our refuge, we went back to court and the court told them they were wrong and that they should go back to the federal constitution. But they didn’t care. They undermined the law.

    “Still to avoid violence we went back to court and they swore to an oath they have been obeying the order because we took them there for contempt of court. When they swore an oath, the judge gave them 60 days to comply but they undermined us, court, constitution and country.

    “We have gone back to court because it is our only refuge. We own the land but we are not saying people should not stay.

    “We allow everybody to stay because peace is what we want. Olu of Warri is doing everything and making himself accessible to everybody so we can have peace but they want to rule Warri…’’

    “That is actually the problem we have and at this stage in our country where soldiers and officers are killed, there is tension and we are tensed… That is why I’m asking Nigerians to come to Niger Delta because Niger Delta is not the Niger Delta of everybody but Niger Delta of Ijaw.

    “I have written to police, defence headquarters and National Security Adviser to tell them of imminent danger in Niger Delta. And I don’t want anybody to think the problem in Niger Delta is a tribal problem.”

  • Death toll from Indian stampede rises to 121

    Death toll from Indian stampede rises to 121

    The death toll from a stampede that broke out at a religious gathering in northern India has risen to 121, minister of Uttar Pradesh state government said yesterday.

    Thousands of people had gathered on Tuesday for a prayer meeting and sermon organised by a local guru at a tent off a highway in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district.

    Eyewitnesses reported people suddenly rushed out of the crowded venue as the guru departed.

    Many slipped and fell along a ditch filled with mud and water.

    Read Also: Stampede at India religious event kills 105 people

    Most of the deaths were caused by suffocation and trampling, a local administration official said.

    Uttar Pradesh Education Minister Sandeep Singh said that 121 people have died so far.

    “The probe has started and whoever is found responsible will be punished,” he added.

    Among the victims were over 100 women and at least seven children.

  • Germany not party to Ukraine war, says Scholz

    Germany not party to Ukraine war, says Scholz

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reassure citizens that his country would not become a party to the war in Ukraine by continuing to support Kiev in the fight against Russian forces.

    “Yes, I give this guarantee’’, he said in response to a question in the Bundestag parliament yesterday, echoing comments he had made before.

    “That’s what I stand for as chancellor,’’ he said.

    Read Also: China slams NATO’s chief over comments on role in Ukraine war

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has, however, long regarded Germany and the Western military alliance NATO as a party to the war.

    Scholz rejected the idea that there should be a ceasefire in Ukraine on Russian terms.

    “In my view, a ceasefire that involves Ukraine surrendering is something that we as Germany should never support.

  • Minister urges ECOWAS to collectively tackle insecurity

    Minister urges ECOWAS to collectively tackle insecurity

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has urged members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to seek collective actions to address the root cause of insecurity in the sub-region.

    Tuggar, however, said despite the various challenges, the sub-region has made significant progress in the area of democracy and governance.

    The minister, who spoke at the opening of the 52nd Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja, highlighted security and humanitarian challenges confronting the subregion.

    He stressed that terrorism continues to threaten the collective well-being of the region, while violent extremists operate within and across national borders.

    Tuggar, who is the chairman of the council, therefore, urged them to come up with collective actions required for ECOWAS to overcome the mirage of challenges.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Minister calls on ECOWAS to pursue joint efforts to tackle root causes of insecurity

    He said: “We are gathering with a deep sense of purpose and unity — driven by our commitment to securing peace and political stability across our region. As we are all aware, our region faces grave security and humanitarian challenges. Terrorism continues to threaten our collective well-being. Violent extremists operate within and across our national borders, compromising not just our peace and security, but also our prospects for growth and development. Therefore, as we commence our deliberation today, let us be mindful of the critical threats we face – and the collective actions required to overcome them.

    “The statistics from the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN) paint a sobering picture. Between January and May 2024, our region has witnessed over 7,000 deaths as a result of more than 800 terrorist incidents. Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have been particularly devastated by this relentless violence. This stark reality highlights the staggering human cost of insecurity, and underscores the urgency for a coordinated and decisive action to combat this menace.

  • Boris Johnson returns to support Sunak as UK election campaigns end

    Boris Johnson returns to support Sunak as UK election campaigns end

    Former Conservative British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lent his support to the incumbent prime minister, Rishi Sunak, on the campaign trail.

    This is coming as pollsters forecast their party could “win a lower share of the vote than at any past general election”.

    At a rally on Tuesday, Sunak hailed the “Conservative family united” after an appearance by his predecessor Johnson and claimed just 130,000 voters could help stem his party’s predicted losses.

    He made his speech after Survation pollsters found Labour is on course to win more seats than it did in 1997.

    But, around 235 million Pounds ($298 million) is expected to be withdrawn from ATMs today as people prepare casting their general election votes.

    Read Also: It’s not the end for Boris Johnson, says ex-adviser

    This is according to a forecast from UK cash access and cash machine network Link reported yesterday.

    The network expects the total to be lower than it was in Dec. 12, 2019, when the last general election was held.

    On that date, which resulted in Boris Johnson returning to Downing Street as Conservative Prime Minister, 322 million Pounds was withdrawn.

    The Link said that early December was tended to be a slightly busier time for cash machine withdrawals.

    And on the general election date of June 8, 2017, which led to the then-prime minister Theresa May’s election gamble backfiring as the Conservatives’ Commons majority was erased.

  • UN urges global solidarity as Hurricane Beryl devastates Caribbean islands

    UN urges global solidarity as Hurricane Beryl devastates Caribbean islands

    The United Nations has called for international solidarity with Grenada, the Saint Vincent and other Caribbean islands hit hard by Hurricane Beryl.

    A Category 5 storm, Hurricane Beryl has claimed at least six lives as it barrels through the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday. Initial reports indicate severe damage to homes, infrastructure and power and communications.

    UN Spokesperson, Stephané Dujarric, told journalists in New York that seven agencies based in Grenada and nine in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines “will be augmented by additional UN emergency teams in the coming days.”

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    “Logistics are going to be a challenge, given the islands’ dispersal, damaged infrastructure and limited accessibility,” he said.

    Dujarric added that the Secretary-General is “very much appealing for strong international solidarity” with Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the other islands that have been hit by the hurricane.

  • Abidjan set to host first international extractive, energy resources exhibition

    Abidjan set to host first international extractive, energy resources exhibition

    The Ministry of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire has announced plans to hold the inaugural International Extractive and Energy Resources Exhibition (SIREXE). 

    Approved by the council of ministers on April 17, SIREXE 2024 will take place from November 27 to December 2, 2024, at the Parc des Expositions.

    Themed “Sustainable Development of Extractive and Energy Industries: What Policies and Strategies?”, this event will be held under the patronage of Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister, Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé. 

    SIREXE 2024 will gather participants from the mining, petroleum, and energy sectors worldwide, including representatives from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. 

    It will provide unique opportunities for collaboration, exchange, and investment, promoting sustainable growth for African economies.

    Norway, known for its expertise in hydrocarbons and energy technologies, will be the guest country of honour at this inaugural edition.

    The exhibition aims to encourage private international, regional, and national investments in the extractive and energy resource sectors on the continent by creating a platform for exchange, collaboration, and investment for industry leaders in Africa and globally.

    The Ivorian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Sangafowa-Coulibaly, emphasised: “We must highlight the continent’s potential and attract investments to stimulate our economies.”

    This major initiative aligns with the vision of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, who stated during his recent national address: “The exceptional wealth of our subsoil, notably in gold and manganese, as well as the promising potential for the exploitation of strategic minerals such as nickel, coltan, and lithium, must be the driver of sustained and sustainable growth for our economy.”

    He added: “Our country’s industrial potential will be reinforced by the recent discovery of the Baleine and Calao oil and gas fields, the largest ever discovered in the country. These fields will help achieve our ambition to make Côte d’Ivoire an energy powerhouse and a hub in the sub-region, while ensuring environmental protection.”

    SIREXE 2024 will also open its doors to the public, offering the Ivorian, African, and global populations a unique opportunity to learn about the issues facing the extractive and energy sectors worldwide, particularly in Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, through engaging activities and interactive presentations.

    Read Also: Rohr faults Finidi on Chukwueze, Iwobi  substitutions in Abidjan 

    Promoting local content will be a central focus of this first edition, with the dual objective of presenting career opportunities in these sectors for Ivorian youth and unveiling business opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

    Sangafowa-Coulibaly promised that the event will forge strategic partnerships that will shape the future of the extractive and energy industries in Africa and beyond. 

    The event will meet the quality standards of the largest international exhibitions. 

    Exhibitors and visitors to SIREXE 2024 will benefit from the brand-new facilities of the Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan.

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  • Election gives hope to first-time immigrant voters

    Election gives hope to first-time immigrant voters

    Voting for the first time in a British election, Prathesh Panjak and other immigrant voters are excited to take part in the July 4 ballot, hoping they can influence change in the country that they have chosen to call home.

    The opposition Labour Party is widely expected to win by a landslide, replacing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party, which has been in power for 14 years.

    Refugees and immigrants from Commonwealth countries, mainly former territories of the British Empire such as Nigeria, India, and Malaysia, are eligible to vote in British elections.

    Read Also: ‘Okigwe, other Imo communities to enjoy electricity 15 years after’

    Panjak, 27, who came to Britain in February last year, said he was excited to cast his vote after missing the election in his native India.

    “In my country, they don’t allow people from other countries to vote … I came here on a student visa, but they are giving us an opportunity, like British citizens,” said Panjak who works part-time as an ambassador at his university in Manchester, northwest England.

  • Sunak insists predictions of defeat not going to stop him

    Sunak insists predictions of defeat not going to stop him

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted that predictions of a Conservative defeat are not going to stop him after the likelihood of his return to Downing Street.
    He said this was put at less than “lightning striking twice in the same place” by a polling expert.
    He was asked during a “BBC Breakfast’’ interview whether he accepted the analysis by-elections guru Prof. John Curtice, the prime minister said: “That’s his view.
    “That’s not going to stop me from working as hard as I can over these final few days to talk to as many people as possible about the choice.”
    “And I was up at 4 this morning talking to workers at a distribution facility.
    “I’m here talking to you, I’ll be out till the last moment of this campaign because I think it’s a really important choice for the country.”
    Sunak kicked off a final push for votes on the last two days of the campaign with an early morning visit to an Ocado packing plant in Bedfordshire.

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    Then he stopped at a Morrisons near Witney the former oxfordshire seat of Foreign Secretary, David Cameron where the conservatives won with a 15,200 majority in 2019.
    In a last-ditch attempt to rally conservative voters, the Tory leader claimed in a speech on Tuesday that just 130,000 voters could prevent a Labour “supermajority.”
    He denied that his switch from talking about his policy plans to warnings about a landslide for Keir Starmer and his Labour Party was the language of defeat.
    “No, I’m very much still talking to people about our plan,” he said.

  • Stampede at India religious event kills 105 people

    Stampede at India religious event kills 105 people

    A stampede among thousands of people at a religious gathering in northern India has killed no fewer than 105 and left scores injured, officials said yesterday, with many women and children among the dead.

    Attendees had rushed to leave the makeshift tent following an event with Hindu figure Bhole Baba, local media reported. They cited authorities who said heat and suffocation inside could have been a factor. Video of the aftermath showed the structure appeared to have collapsed. Women wailed over the dead.

    Senior police officer Shalabh Mathur in Uttar Pradesh state confirmed that 105 people had died while 84 others were injured and admitted to hospitals.

    Deadly stampedes are relatively common around Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with shoddy infrastructure and few safety measures.

    Police officer Rajesh Singh said there was likely overcrowding in the event in a village in Hathras district about 350 kilometres (220 miles) southwest of the state capital, Lucknow.

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    Initial reports suggested that over 15,000 people had gathered for the event, which had permission to host about 5,000.

    “People started falling one upon another, one upon another. Those who were crushed died. People there pulled them out,” witness Shakuntala Devi told the Press Trust of India news agency.

    Bodies were brought to hospitals and morgues by trucks and private vehicles, government official Matadin Saroj said.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of the dead and said the federal government was working with state authorities to ensure the injured received help.