The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EU

  • Obama urges Britain to remain in EU

    United States President, Barack Obama, has said Britain would go to the “back of the queue” for trade deals with America if it votes to leave the European Union.

    He said Britain was at its best when “helping to lead” a strong EU and membership made it a “bigger player” on the world stage.

    The U.S President spoke at the start of a three- day visit to the United Kingdom, the BBC reports.

    EU exit campaigners reacted angrily to Obama’s words, with Tory Member of Parliament, Dominic Raab, dubbing him a “lame duck” president.

    Mr Raab told BBC News: “The reality is the U.S has failed and Barack Obama’s biggest trade failure has been in not being able to secure a trade deal with the EU.

    “I think those left to pick up the pieces after Obama moves on will be a little bit frustrated about his comments because they don’t reflect U.S trade policy and I’m sure they won’t reflect future U.S trade policy.

    “What you had here was a lame-duck American president doing an old British friend a political favour.”

    Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr. Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron said being a member of the EU strengthened Britain’s “special relationship.”

    On the UK’s upcoming referendum on its EU membership, he said: “This is our choice – nobody else’s – the sovereign choice of the British people – but as we make that choice, it surely makes sense to listen to what our friends think.”

    Mr Obama said: “The UK is at its best when it’s helping to lead a strong European Union. It leverages UK power to be part of the EU. I don’t think the EU moderates British influence in the world, it magnifies it.

    “America wants Britain’s influence to grow, including within Europe.”

  • SON, EU partner on export

    SON, EU partner on export

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the European Union (EU) have begun an initiative to establish a code of practice for Nigerian agricultural products for exportation.

    A statement jointly signed by the Deputy Director, Standards Directorate, SON, Mrs. Chinyere Egwuonwu and Mrs. Irina Kireeva of EU said to achieve the goal, the organisations planned a national training on standards on code of practices for products.

    The theme of the training, scheduled to hold in Abuja on Thursday, is “Standard and Quality: Unleashing the Potential of Agricultural Products to Grow the Non-oil Export in Nigeria.”

    The statement said the training will focus on products such as cocoa, beans, Shea butter and melon. It added that the event would unveil the result of training facilitated by the organisations focusing on exports on key agricultural commodities.

    The workshop would equip participants with the technicalities of the export market with regard to the issues of development of standards and the engagement of the private sector.

    It said the workshop was critical for transforming agriculture in Nigeria and would help participants understand that Africa could feed itself through agriculture and export.

    The statement said the training would lead to adopting modernised and commercial agriculture, which was the key to transforming the country’s economy.

    The training is to be organised by African Caribbean and Pacific Countries from the EU’s Technical Barriers to Trade.

  • UNICEF, EU harp on clean water, better jobs in Bayelsa

    It has always been said that water is everywhere inBayelsa state, but there is no potable water to drink. Bayelsa is, indeed, about 80 per cent water and 20 per cent land. But the residents still suffer from lack of drinkable water.

    The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union (EU) have insisted that there is no alternative to clean water. Both EU, UNICEF and the Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation embarked on massive campaign for clean water and the role of water in creating better jobs across the state during the 2016 World Water Day christened Better Water, Better Jobs.

    UNICEF and its partners got children especially pupils in schools involved in their clean-water campaign. The team held one of the water events at the Rev. Proctor Memorial School, Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area.

    The venue of the event was congested with over 200 students in attendance. It was a programme that exposed the students to significance of water and the need to avoid having contacts with contaminated or polluted water.

    In his speech on water, a representative of the Bayelsa State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Winikime Asingbe, said everybody needs access to clean water. He said any attempt to use contaminated water will lead to water-borne diseases.

    Addressing the attentive students, he said: “We need to have access to clean water. There are many things we do with water like washing, drinking, cooking our food and others. We should always endeavor to drink clean water.

    “We should not drink dirty water from the well, from the water tunnels or gutters that carry stagnant waters and also the rain water we collect with our drums. When we drink dirty water we are exposed to water borne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, malaria and tuberculosis.

    “So we should drink clean water everyday to avoid being sick. We should also wash our hands with clean water. We should always wash our hands. There shouldn’t be a time frame for washing of our hands.

    “We should wash our hands whenever we wake up from sleep, before we eat, after playing football, after going to the toilet, when we come back from school, before we go to sleep.

    “We should wash our hands after each activity of the day and after washing our hands we should not clean our hands with towels because our towels might be dirty rather you shake off the water or leave your hands to dry off.”

    Speaking on the theme; water and jobs, Asingbe said water has created many jobs across the world. He said many people work in water-related companies adding that water has been able to stimulate the economy.

    He said: “Water means Jobs. Water is essential building block of life. But it is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.

    “Today half of the world’s workers – 1.5 billion people work in water related sectors. Moreover, nearly all jobs, regardless of the sector, depend directly on water.

    “Yet despite the indelible link between jobs and water, millions of people whose livelihoods depends on water often not recognized or protected by basic labour rights.”

    He said the year’s theme focused on the central role that water plays in creating and supporting good quality jobs.

  • EU condemns Borno mosque attacks

    The European Union has condemned Wednesday’s attack on a mosque in Borno which claimed no fewer than 20 lives and injured many.

    This condemnation is contained in a statement issued by European Union Delegation and EU Heads of Mission in Nigeria.

    It decried the fact that the attack was carried out on innocent worshippers, and condoled families of victims and the injured.

    The EU reaffirmed its full support to the Federal Government and the Nigerian people in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

    It said that insurgency featured prominently at the ongoing EU-Nigeria Joint Ministerial meeting in Brussels.

    “The EU again confirms its full solidarity with the Nigerian government and people in their fight against terrorism in all its forms.

    “This was reaffirmed to President Muhammadu Buhari when he met with EU leaders in February.

    “It was a major topic for discussion in the EU-Nigeria joint Ministerial meeting this week in Brussels,” it said.

  • Buhari, EU, Buratai condemn attacks 

    Buhari, EU, Buratai condemn attacks 

    President Muhammadu Buhari, the European Union and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday condemned the killings.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President assured that with the renewed determination of the Nigerian security agencies, coupled with the regional and international attention constantly now focused on the eradication of terrorism, the final end of Boko Haram is in sight.

    The President also commiserated with families of the victims.

    He said the condemnable and reprehensible attack on a place of worship by perpetrators who pretended to be worshippers, has once again exposed them as mere criminals who have no place among civilized people.

    President Buhari expressed his deepest sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Borno over the incident.

    Wishing speedy recovery to those injured in the blasts, Buhari also commended the security agencies and care givers for their prompt deployment to the area and reaffirmed that those who perpetrate, finance, organise and sponsor these reprehensible acts of terrorism will not escape punishment.

    He implored Nigerians to continue to remain vigilant to the antics of these lawless individuals and cooperate with the relevant government agencies to defeat the enemy.

    The President prayed that Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed.

    The European Union (EU) in a statement reaffirmed its full support for the country’s fight against terrorism.

    The statement said:  “The European Union (EU) strongly condemns the latest attack on innocent worshippers in a mosque in Maiduguri this morning (yesterday) and extends its sincere condolences to the victims and their families.  The EU again confirms its full solidarity with the Nigerian government and people in their fight against terrorism in all its forms. This was reaffirmed to President Buhari when he met with EU leaders in February and was a major topic for discussion in the EU-Nigeria joint Ministerial meeting this week in Brussels.”

    General Buratai described the attack as an indication that members of Boko Haram group are struggling to survive.

    He described the uses of young innocent girls to kill themselves, as unfortunate.

    He spoke in Benin City during a visit to the headquarters of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army.

    Gen. Buratai said efforts were on to bring an end to insurgency in the country.

    He said those carrying out attacks were the last remnants of Boko Haram insurgency.

    On the re-run elections in River State, the Army Chief said the military was working to ensure peace during the period of the elections.

    ”First of all, the report talking about the end of insurgency was not properly carried. I did mention that insurgency is a very difficult situation. It is a global phenomenon and we will continue to struggle to ensure that it comes to an end very soon. This does not mean that insurgency will just die.

    “So, what happened today is not unexpected because these people are struggling to survive and these are the last remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists. And as you know very well, they are sending innocent young girls to go and kill themselves. It is unfortunate. Their (Boko Haram) end is near definitely. But terrorism, in itself, is not something that you just wish just like that; it requires a lot of intelligence, lot of painstaking measures so that we will be able to take care of it. They are within us, within the society and, at any point, they will sneak out and go and commit the crime. So, it requires a lot of intelligence; and a lot of painstaking measures to completely end it”.

    Addressing soldiers of the Brigade, Gen. Buratai urged them to be loyal to the constitution and to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He promised to improve on challenges being faced by soldiers in the Brigade.

  • EU, UNICEF tackle open defecation in Ekiti

    EU, UNICEF tackle open defecation in Ekiti

    Ekiti State has the highest rate of open defecation in Nigeria. The European Union (EU) and United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have taken up the challenge to reverse the trend. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Open defecation has been identified as the major cause of diseases. In Ekiti State, many houses still lack toilets. Even many homes in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, do not have this facility.

    Despite its sobriquets of “Fountain of Knowledge” and Land of Honour”, the state has the highest rate of open defecation in Nigeria.

    The problem pervades urban and rural areas. The messy situation has become a challenge for the Ministry of Environment, Ekiti Waste Management Board (EKWMB), Rural and Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and other agencies charged with maintaining a clean environment.

    Surprisingly, Ekiti State observes environmental sanitation like other states on the last Saturday of every month. Apart from the general sanitation, civil servants, market men and women are also compelled to carry out environmental sanitation on other designated days.

    During one of his monthly media chats, Governor Ayo Fayose, apparently concerned about the problem, threatened to prosecute landlords who fail to provide toilets for their tenants.

    Many months after the threat, no landlord has been reported to have been prosecuted for non-provision of toilets in their houses. Some observers claim that political consideration could be one of the reasons for lack of action on the matter.

    Many parts of Ado-Ekiti are dotted with overflowing garbage bins and incinerators. In some places, such as Okutagbokutalori in Okeyinmi area of the town, residents dump their garbage on the ground. Those places provide people opportunity to defecate openly.

    Many houses in areas, such as Odo-Ado, Oke-Ila, Okeyinmi, Okesa, Ojumose, Oke-Ese, Irona, Ijigbo and Atikankan lack toilets making the residents to defecate openly.

    Apparently concerned by the development, the European Union (EU) and United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have decided to reverse it in order to promote better hygiene and sanitation among the people.

    The bodies have committed huge financial, material and human resources to the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) III.

    At a two-day media networking and alliance building workshop held in Ijero-Ekiti, headquarters of Ijero Local Government Area, and sponsored by UNICEF, open defecation dominated deliberations.

    In Ekiti, about 1.8 million people representing over 60 per cent of the 2.7 million population still defecate openly. Experts say if the situation is not checked, the projected population that will be practising open defecation by 2025 will rise to 4.3 million.

    Open defecation has become an issue because it constitutes health hazard and outbreak of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, worm infestations; typhoid and contributes to child and adult mortality.

    While the city which is peopled by more educated and exposed people wallows in environmental deterioration and poor hygiene practices, the rural communities are showing the way on how not to foul the environment with human waste.

    The need for a collective action to stop open defecation was a step taken by EU and UNICEF to bring media practitioners together to brainstorm on how to use their platforms to promote water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices.

    The two local government areas for the EU/UNICEF sanitation agenda were Ekiti West and Gbonyin with 313 rural communities and 30 rural primary schools in the council areas billed to benefit from 460 hand pump boreholes and 60 sanitation blocks.

    The counterpart funding ratio for the construction of these facilities is 70 per cent to EU/UNICEF, 18 per cent to state and 12 per cent to the local government areas. The communities are also expected to contribute five per cent which will be left with the community as seed money for operation and maintenance.

    In the affected communities, water, sanitation and hygiene committees (WASHCOMs) were established as vanguards of proper hygiene practices and to carry out interface with the community-led total health facilitators (CLTS).

    As part of the workshop, a field trip was organised which took journalists to two farm settlements in Ekiti West Local Government Area.

    The leader of the UNICEF delegation, Ms. Mohsena Islam, described the media as an important and strategic partner in creating awareness and sensitising the people.

    Ms. Islam, who is also sanitation specialist, UNICEF Lagos Field Office said the two communities namely Temidire Elejofi Farm Settlement and Aba Asasa Farm Settlement both in Ekiti West Local Government Area have keyed into the war against open defecation by constructing toilets latrine facilities for each family.

    She said: “We go to communities where it is demonstrated; we have to work with the communities to sensitise them to the need to embrace hygienic lifestyle so that it would not seem as if it was imposed on them.

    “The community leaders are involved. We have been able to get 26 communities and we are looking at how monitoring can be done. We also do hygiene promotion, going from one household to another to communicate the messages.”

    First to be visited by the journalists, UNICEF and RUWASSA officials was Temidire Olojofi which is located off Aramoko-Ado Ekiti Highway and linked by a wooden bridge over the community river.

    The settlement is surrounded by cocoa, kola nut and banana plantations and it is populated by the Oyos, the Urhobos and the Togolese who are bound together by massive agricultural activities.

    The people were full of enthusiasm in receiving the delegation and were proud to show off their household latrines to announce to the world that open defecation has become history among them.

    A community leader, Kareem Isola, revealed that they had settled on the land for over 50 years, even as he praised EU/UNICEF for enlightening them on the need to construct latrines to prevent outbreak of communicable diseases.

    Isola said: “We are all farmers and we have been here for more than 50 years. These people always come here to give us enlightenment on the evils associated with open defecation.

    “They advised us that each family should have its own latrine, each family contributed money and materials needed to make our toilets. At the back of the houses, there are latrines for the families.

     

     

  • EU talks focus on migrant crisis

    European Council President, Donald Tusk, is due to visit Greece and Turkey as he tries to find a common approach to Europe’s worsening migration crisis.

    Mr. Tusk has said reducing the number of migrants travelling from Turkey to the Greek islands is key to avoiding a humanitarian disaster, the BBC reports.

    More than 25,000 migrants are now stranded in Greece as border controls further north are tightened.

    Migration is also due to be discussed at a United Kingdom-French summit on Thursday.

    The British Prime Minister, David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande will hold talks in the French city of Amiens.

    Counter-terrorism and conflicts in Libya and Syria are also expected to be on the agenda.

    Hours before the meeting, French Finance Minister, Emanualle Macron, said his country could allow migrants to travel unchecked to the UK if British voters chose to leave the European Union in a June referendum.

    Authorities in the northern French port of Calais have been clearing part of a sprawling camp known as the Jungle, from where many migrants are trying to enter the UK illegally.

    But Mr. Macron said an exit vote in the referendum could end a bilateral deal allowing the UK to vet new arrivals on French territory.

  • EU pledges support for diversification of Nigeria’s economy

    EU pledges support for diversification of Nigeria’s economy

    The European Union (EU) has pledged to assist Nigeria attract the requisite investments that could aid ongoing efforts to diversify the economy.

    Head of Delegation and EU Ambassador in Lagos, Mr. Mitchel Arrion who spoke at the opening of the ‘African Build Exhibition Lagos’ acknowledged that Nigeria is going through a very tough time given the recent dwindling revenues as crude oil prices continue to slide at the international market.

    Arrion said the European Union is interested in encouraging member states invest in Nigeria but demands that the country reform some of its institutions to create the right environment to attract and sustain investments.

    “We are aware of the falling oil prices globally and the impact on Nigeria,” said Arrion.

    “But I am confident that Nigeria can diversify its economy. It is good for the EU to continue to look at Nigeria as a priority country. Investors want to come to Nigeria, but there is this uncertainty of what will happen next. For instance, the investor wants to be sure that he can enforce his rights with the Nigerian laws,” he noted.

    Speaking at the same event, the German Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Ingo Herbert also acknowledged that the times might be tough for Nigeria but noted that the economy has to be diversified.

    “Is the right place and this is the right time to invest in Nigeria.   But we have to diversify the economy, boost production, and create wealth,” he added.

    In his own contribution, the Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Spanish Embassy in Lagos, Mr. Pablo Segrelles said the current economic crisis in Nigeria offered the best opportunity for investment in the country.

    In his speech, President Nigerian Institute of Building, Mr. Tob Shuaib described the Afribuild Lagos 2016 hosted in Lagos as the ideal entry point for international investors into the industry in Nigeria.

    According to him, the Nigerian construction industry has remained very vibrant over the past years and was currently worth about $69billion and employing about five per cent of the 180 million Nigerians.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson said increased investments in infrastructure is one way to boost the economy in this austere times.

    “Investments in infrastructure always create jobs, enhance movement of goods, services and people, lead to redistribution of income and engender in a general way, an efficient and effective economic structure,” Johnson said.

  • EU support drug trafficking, illicit drugs fight with €36m

    EU support drug trafficking, illicit drugs fight with €36m

    Nigeria government fight against drug trafficking and illicit drugs has received a boost as the European Union (EU) support the effort with €36 million.

    The Deputy Head of EU Delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Richard Young, disclosed this while donating 11 Hilux vehicles to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in Abuja, Tuesday.

    The EU funded the purchase of the vehicles while the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are the technical partners.

    Ten out of the 11 Hilux vehicles were given to NDLEA while one was give to NAFDAC Young expressed worries that drug trafficking still remains one of the major threats to human security affecting the political, social and cultural development of every society.

    The Toyota Hilux vehicles, according to the EU head of delegation were distributed based on the outcome of an assessment carried out on the agencies.

    He explained that the donation of the vehicles was aimed at “supporting policy formulation and to improve drug regulation and coordination; improve law enforcement capacity in tackling organized drug related crimes and to enhance drug prevention, treatment and care services in Nigeria.

    “This project is to support Nigerian Government in its efforts to fight illicit drug production, trafficking and use. It is also to curb related organized crime including counterfeit narcotics and psychotropic substances.

    “I am pleased to see that there is a new national drug master plan that was launched last year. I know that it was put together by a wide support of stakeholders.”

    The envoy also announced that EU has so far supported Nigeria in the review and implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan, strategic drug control approach, 29 law enforcement training courses, training of 1,000 health practitioners in charge of drug abuse treatment and care as well as school based enlightenment programmes.

    Reacting to the gessture, the Director of Administration of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, disclosed that the prevention of circulation of fake and substandard drugs was a herculean task, hence the agency had decided to embark on collaborative efforts with others agencies in order to succeed.

    While applauding EU and the UNODC for the donation of the vehicle, she, however, requested for more vehicles so as to effectively cover other sensitive areas in the country.

    She vowed that the vehicles will be used judiciously for the purpose they are meant for.
     

  • EU presents operational vehicles to NDLEA, NAFDAC

    The European Union has donated vehicles to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    The presentation was made at the United Nations House, Abuja, by the EU Deputy Head of Delegation, Mr. Richard Young.

    The support is part of an ongoing project, Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime in Nigeria funded by the EU while the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are the technical partners.

    The Toyota Hilux vehicles were distributed based on the outcome of an assessment carried out on the agencies.

    10 vehicles were given to NDLEA and one to NAFDAC.

    According to Mr. Young, the objective of the EU project is to support the country’s fight against narcotics.

    “This project is to support Nigerian Government in its efforts to fight illicit drug production, trafficking and use. It is also to curb related organized crime including counterfeit narcotics and psychotropic substances.”

    The NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah, thanked the EU, UNODC and other partners for the donation, which he said was one of several benefits of the project.