The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EU

  • UK to implement border controls for EU travellers by April

    UK to implement border controls for EU travellers by April

    In a major shift post-Brexit, the United Kingdom (UK) will introduce the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system on April 2, 2025, impacting millions of EU travellers.

    Historically, EU citizens only needed their passports to enter the UK, but this will no longer suffice. The new measure will require all travellers from EU countries to apply for an ETA before crossing the border.

    According to RTL, the introduction of the ETA is part of the UK’s broader strategy to strengthen border security and create a more comprehensive screening process for all incoming travellers.

    This change follows an earlier rollout in January for non-EU countries like the USA and Australia.

    Starting March 5, 2025, EU residents will be able to apply for the ETA online, which will be mandatory from April 2, 2025.

    The application costs £10 and allows for multiple visits over two years. However, the ETA only grants permission to travel—not entry into the country.

    The system will require personal details and a passport scan through an online portal. While it is designed to streamline immigration and enhance security, travel experts warn it could create additional bureaucracy, especially for short-term visitors.

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    Julia Tilley, an EU travel industry analyst, pointed out that the new system might affect the UK’s image as a travel destination.

    “There’s always a balance between security and convenience,” she said, adding that it remains to be seen how travellers will react to the extra step.

    The ETA will be valid for two years, with discussions suggesting the fee may increase by 60%, making it more expensive for travellers in the future.

  • EU launches solar project to power 25 healthcare facilities in Plateau

    EU launches solar project to power 25 healthcare facilities in Plateau

    The European Union (EU) has launched the Solar for Health Projet support a minimum of 25 healthcare facilities in Plateau State and improve energy access and enhance overall healthcare services.

    The organisation said the project is targeted at ensuring that healthcare facilities in Plateau State have unhindered access to reliable electricity for medical equipment, providing better healthcare services for local communities.

    The project, which is funded by the EU, in partnership with the Plateau State government, underscores the importance of clean energy in improving the quality of life, particularly in rural healthcare settings.

    The EU has committed 1.7 million euros for overall project implementation by NTU International and 8.7 million euros for infrastructure managed by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

    Speaking during the launch of the Solar for Health project, Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, highlighted the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy sector through initiatives like Solar for Health.

    She stated that the project marked a significant step in the partnership between the EU and Plateau state, aiming to ensure reliable and clean energy in healthcare facilities.

    The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, welcomed the initiative, stressing the critical role energy plays in providing quality healthcare.

    Mutfwang noted that energy access was crucial for powering life-saving equipment and ensuring effective medical care.

    “Without energy, our healthcare services are limited. This project is a game changer for Plateau State, and we are committed to its success,” the governor said.

    In addition to the launch, Governor Mutfwang inaugurated the Plateau State Solar for Health Project Steering Committee.

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    The committee, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the project, includes representatives from the EU, GIZ, NTU International, and the Plateau State Government.

    Also, the committee will be chaired by the Managing Director, Plateau State Energy Corporation, Pongzing Gambe, with the Commissioner for Health, Cletus Shurkuk, serving as co-chair.

    Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Samuel Jatau, who was appointed as the Chairman of the state steering committee thanked the governor for the honor to serve and lead the committee and pledged that him and all members of the team will deliver to ensure the successful implementation of the project in the state.

    The Solar for Health project is part of the broader EU Global Gateway initiative, which aims to promote investment in smart, sustainable infrastructure across the world, including in the areas of energy, health, and education.

  • EU urges ECOWAS to seek new way to engage Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

    EU urges ECOWAS to seek new way to engage Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

    The Head of European Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot has urged the regional body to seek a new way of managing its relationship with the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (Alliance des Etats du Sahel) AES-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

    Mignot stressed that the EU was not in support of ECOWAS splitting, saying that regionalism is the path to prosperity and stability.

    The envoy spoke on Monday during a media chat in Abuja.

    He described the decision by the three countries as a regrettable one.

    He said: “It is a decision that we regret, because we support very much, West African integration. We are probably the most autonomous model of regional integration in the world, and we think that this is a path to prosperity, unity, to stability in all regions of the world, especially in West Africa. So splitting doesn’t seem to us a good idea.”

    While noting that it was not up to the EU to tell ECOWAS how to handle the situation, he however said the EU would readily avail itself by sharing its experience of how it went about it with the exit of the United Kingdom.

    He said: “And of course, as in other issues, if we can get any help, we would be happy to share our experience, our expertise with ECOWAS. Indeed, we had the experience of a former member state that decided to exit the European Union. And how did we manage to have a possible smooth exit? It was through negotiation and dialogue.

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    “It was not easy. It took some time, but finally, we reached an agreement with the United Kingdom, an agreement on the modalities of the exit, and an agreement on our new relationship with them. And now we have a constant dialogue on also adjusting this new agreement and trying to see how to make our new relationship more efficient.

    “So, you know, even if you leave regional integration mobilization, geographically you remain neighbours and you have to find new ways of coexisting and cooperating.

    “So we hope very much that ECOWAS and the European Union will be able to do that also.”

    On the EU engagement with the three allied countries belonging to the AES, the envoy said: “First, we have to remind that the EU has maintained its humanitarian aid in these countries. And we have adapted our development cooperation, focusing on support to the population.

    “Because we are concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel, the number of displaced people, refugees, and people in need of assistance, which is reaching unprecedented levels. And there is ongoing work in Brussels towards a renewed approach in the Sahel, for which, of course, dialogue and exchanges with partners in the region.”

  • My dream to work in Nigeria came 10 yrs after – EU envoy Mignot

    My dream to work in Nigeria came 10 yrs after – EU envoy Mignot

    The European Union (EU) Head of Delegation to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, has revealed that it has been his longstanding ambition to work in the country.

    Mignot, who submitted his letter of credence to President Bola Tinubu just last week, shared that his desire to serve in Nigeria was sparked during his first visit to the country a decade ago.

    The former EU ambassador to Mexico made this known during a media parley with diplomatic correspondents in Abuja, where he expressed enthusiasm about his new role and the opportunities it presents for strengthening EU-Nigeria relations.

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    The envoy who also doubles as Head of Delegation to ECOWAS said: “I came here to Nigeria 10 years ago on a one-week mission to Abuja and Lagos, and I found it to be a fascinating country. I always thought how great it would be to come and work here in this country one day and this dream finally has come true.

    “So I’m very happy with that. I arrived here in Nigeria at the beginning of September, taking over from Ambassador Samuel Aissopi.I know you knew her very well. She was a very active ambassador. And again, I’m extremely happy to be here in Nigeria, the number one nation in Africa and a key player in the world.

    “I already had the opportunity to discover some parts of the country, apart from the Federal capital, Lagos of course, but also the city, Calabar, and more recently Borno and the Adamawa states. And also, I discovered a bit of the Nigerian tribal culture, since the Calabar carnival last year.”

  • France says EU will protect its borders after Trump’s Greenland claim

    France says EU will protect its borders after Trump’s Greenland claim

    French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday that the European Union would not allow its borders to be attacked.

    This came after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out using military or economic coercion to take control of Denmark’s autonomous territory of Greenland.

    “Obviously, it is out of the question that the EU will allow other countries in the world, regardless of which country it may be to attack their sovereign borders,” Barrot told France Inter radio.

    The top French diplomat said the United States is not imperialistic, despite statements made recently by Trump regarding U.S. claims for the Panama Canal, Canada, and Greenland.

    The minister added that although Europe is a strong continent, additional measures needed to be taken to strengthen the EU.

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    Greenland was a colony of Denmark until 1953. It remained part of the kingdom after receiving autonomy in 2009.

    Trump first announced his claims for the island in 2019, when he was serving his first presidential term. Soon after winning the 2024 U.S. presidential election, he reiterated his bid to buy the territory, calling it “an absolute necessity” for the United States to own Greenland.

    On Tuesday, Trump told a press conference in Mar-a-Lago that he was not considering deploying military force to acquire Canada but could not guarantee the same for Greenland or the Panama Canal.

    (RIA Novosti/NAN)

  • EU urges FG to protect rights of children

    EU urges FG to protect rights of children

    The European Union (EU) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the rights and protection of Nigerian children from all forms of discrimination and intimidation.

    Speaking at the International Human Rights Day with the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – Advancing Rights and Protection for Children in Nigeria”, organised by the EU Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), EU officials highlighted the importance of protecting children.

    The event marked the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism and the commemoration of the 2024 International Human Rights Day.

    Read Also: EU urges FG to protect rights of children

    The EU Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot emphasised the need for states to move beyond merely adopting the Child Rights Act and focus on its effective implementation.

    Mignot stressed the urgency of safeguarding children’s rights, calling for increased government funding to address the needs of Nigerian children.

    He said: “Children remain at the heart of our human rights strategy and are central to our external relations.

    “Every child, whether in Europe or elsewhere, should enjoy the same rights and live free from discrimination or intimidation. While the adoption of the Child Rights Act across all states, including the FCT, is commendable, effective implementation remains the key challenge.”

  • EU urges FG to protect rights of children

    EU urges FG to protect rights of children

    The European Union (EU) has called on the federal government to prioritise the rights and protection of Nigerian children from all forms of discrimination and intimidation.

    Speaking at the International Human Rights Day with the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – Advancing Rights and Protection for Children in Nigeria”, organised by the EU Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), EU officials highlighted the importance of protecting children.

    The event marked the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism and the commemoration of the 2024 International Human Rights Day.

    The EU Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot emphasised the need for states to move beyond merely adopting the Child Rights Act and focus on its effective implementation.

    Mignot stressed the urgency of safeguarding children’s rights, calling for increased government funding to address the needs of Nigerian children.

    He said: “Children remain at the heart of our human rights strategy and are central to our external relations.

    “Every child, whether in Europe or elsewhere, should enjoy the same rights and live free from discrimination or intimidation. While the adoption of the Child Rights Act across all states, including the FCT, is commendable, effective implementation remains the key challenge.”

    He urged the federal government to ensure children have unhindered access to education, healthcare, and social services, adding that adequate funding and institutional support are critical to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

    Mignot also addressed the broader need for preventing and combating gender-based violence, highlighting the EU’s commitment to investing in prevention and protection measures.

    He added: “At the European Union, we invest in prevention and protection—pillars fundamental to breaking the cycle of violence and safeguarding survivors. Together, these pillars form a powerful framework for creating a safer, more equitable world.”

    He called for collective efforts to promote a culture of human rights, noting that neglecting human rights undermines democracy, erodes the rule of law, and weakens societal values of equality and social justice.

    Mignot said: “Promoting and protecting human rights is challenging, but we must remain resilient in the face of barriers such as institutional resistance, lack of funding, or apathy. Advocacy for social justice must continue.”

    Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu appealed to state governments yet to domesticate the Child Rights Act to do so urgently.

    Read Also: EU urges FG to advance rights, protection of children

    He lamented the persistent issues of child labour and systemic failures in safeguarding children’s rights.

    Kalu said: “Despite legislative milestones such as the enactment of the Child Rights Act in 2003, children in Nigeria continue to face significant challenges, including abuse, neglect, exploitation, and systemic failures in rights enforcement. As of today, 11 states are yet to gazette the CRA, leaving millions of children without adequate legal protection.”

    He expressed concern over child labour, citing the National Child Labour Survey of 2022, which revealed that 24 million of Nigeria’s 62.9 million children are engaged in child labour, many in exploitative and hazardous conditions.

    Kalu reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to prioritise the rights of children in legislative efforts and called for joint actions to eradicate child labour in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • EU backs training of climate negotiators ahead of COP29

    EU backs training of climate negotiators ahead of COP29

    The European Union (EU) is partnering with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to train Nigeria’s climate negotiators ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) scheduled for November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

    The negotiators have been mandated to effectively advocate for national interests and build consensus, a key element in securing meaningful global agreements that align with the priorities and interests of local constituencies.

    At the training of climate negotiators on Monday in Abuja, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca highlighted Nigeria’s leadership after COP28.

    He said that Nigeria was one of the first countries to support the EU’s global pledge to triple renewable energy sources and double energy efficiency by 2030.

    De Luca commended the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) as a key move in advancing Nigeria’s climate agenda.

    “This is a significant signal to other African countries, who may look to Nigeria to set the tone and lead the way,” he said.

    He added: “We believe that building the capacity of Nigerian climate negotiators attending this year’s COP meetings will ensure more productive engagement with a clear national position.

    “The EU has initiated an energy and climate dialogue at the senior official level with Nigeria, creating a platform to engage technically, with the goal of feeding this into broader policy dialogue at the political level.”

    He disclosed that the EU would support the NCCC in reviewing three target sectors of the NDC: waste, energy, and the circular economy.

    He said: “This is why the EU is pleased to continue our partnership with the NCCC on climate governance to ensure successful implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other climate actions.”

    The Director-General of the NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Madueke underlined the importance of Nigeria taking the lead in Africa and globally in climate change conversations at COP29, hence the need to train its own climate negotiators.

    While describing climate negotiating as a serious business, Madueke stressed the need for Nigeria to have a solid team for UNFCCC discussions.

    “We cannot claim to be the giant of Africa if we are not a major player in climate negotiations, she stated, adding: “Climate change is the most diverse, multidimensional, multidisciplinary, and cross-cutting challenge we face. If we do not treat it seriously, we will be left behind.”

    Also speaking, Climate Change and Nature Team Leader at the British High Commission, Martine Sobey noted that the need for well-trained, highly skilled negotiators has never been more critical.

    “The two weeks in Baku, Azerbaijan, will be a defining moment for global climate action, and Nigeria’s role must be strategic and impactful,” Sobey said.

    Sobey said that Nigeria must present a dedicated, goal-oriented team with deep technical knowledge and the ability to build alliances with other nations to navigate the UN-NCCC processes effectively.

    Meanwhile, the EU has supported a capacity-building workshop on methane emissions reduction in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

    The workshop provided stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, including international oil companies (IOCs), indigenous oil companies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and others, with knowledge on how to measure and monitor emissions from the oil & gas sector, agriculture, and waste.

    In her presentation, Dr. Madueke said the workshop was a significant step in addressing fugitive methane emissions in Nigeria.

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    She said: “Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with over 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Reducing methane emissions is essential for environmental sustainability and economic efficiency, as methane leaks from oil and gas operations result in significant resource loss.

    “Reducing methane emissions not only mitigates climate change but also represents a highly efficient and cost-effective strategy for achieving significant environmental gains. Nigeria is fully committed to this.

    “In our 2021 NDCs, we committed to eliminating routine gas flaring by 2030 and reducing fugitive methane emissions by 60 percent by 2031. To support this, we have produced three regulatory frameworks.”

  • Regulatory compliance: Global Rights, EU train CSO in Ibadan

    Regulatory compliance: Global Rights, EU train CSO in Ibadan

    By Yinka Adeniran and Grateful Ogunjebe, Ibadan

    Over forty civil society and non-governmental organizations have received training on regulatory framework compliance in Ibadan, aimed at enhancing their productivity, improving capacity, and increasing organizational efficiency.

    The two-day training, titled “Nonprofit Regulatory Compliance for Members of the Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening,” was supported by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.

    Speaking at the event, Edosa Oviawe, Programme Manager at Global Rights, explained that the goal was to equip CSOs with a deeper understanding of the regulatory framework governing the non-profit sector in Nigeria.

    He highlighted that the organization regularly hosts the Regional CSO Conference in Nigeria to improve the regulatory environment by bringing together CSOs, regulators, and lawmakers to address challenges facing the non-profit sector.

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    Oviawe said: ‘’Our aim is to see that the CSOs have a better understanding and better knowledge of the regulatory framework that governs the non-profit sector in Nigeria. In training like this, we usually train no more than 40 CSOs at a time to avoid a lot of distraction’’.

    “Over time we see that a lot of social service organisations, NGOs at the national level and even at the state levels and community levels are doing great work across the states and the communities. But over time they are faced with this constant push-back with regards to non-compliance.

    ‘’They are always faced with the challenge of adequate knowledge on what and what is required of them in terms of regulatory compliance that governs NGOs in Nigeria. Most times, it is not because they don’t want to comply, it is majorly because of the knowledge gap.

    ‘’So, Global Rights has taken it upon itself with support from the European Union, a delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and all its partners under the auspices of the Community of Practice on Service-Based Strengthening to begin to build the capacity of these NGOs that are doing great work to fully understand the regulatory compliance required as a non-profit sector in Nigeria’’.

    Also speaking, one of the facilitators, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Adekunle Adedeji, said it was imperative to look at four frameworks of corporate affairs issues relating to the kinds of corporate organisations in focus, compliance requirements, annual returns, and the issue of qualifications and disqualifications of directors and trustees.

    The professor, who spoke on ‘Companies and Allied Matters’, stressed the need for every civil society organisation to appoint a compliance officer.

    Speaking on behalf of the leadership of the Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe, said the training would strengthen the work that the CSOs do, especially when it comes to compliance with government regulations.

    Ogedengbe, who is a National Steering Committee member, CoP on Civic Space Strengthening, disclosed that the training was the second in Oyo State adding that the state was privileged to be part of the states selected in the Southwest.

    She lamented the multiplicity of regulations in the civic space, noting that there is a need for a synergy and harmonised method of documentation.

    She said: ‘’This kind of training opens us up to all the nitty-gritty. This training provides that opportunity to be enlightened. One of the things that we have seen as very important with this training is that you have professionals who have expertise, who have a wealth of experience and knowledge come to interact with us, to train us, to put us through step-by-step, and also allowing us to network and to be able to ask questions and put things right where we have not got it right so far.

    ‘’So, these are some of the benefits that we’re looking forward to, that you’re able to have access to the right personnel who will put you through a seamless way of putting all of your records together and ensuring that you comply with the requirements’’.

  • EU supports three northwest states with €20m to address ECC challenges

    EU supports three northwest states with €20m to address ECC challenges

    The European Union (EU) voted €20 million as support to the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) for implementing Education and Youth Empowerment in Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto states as part of an effort to address Early Child Education (ECC).

    This was disclosed by UNICEF Kano field office education officer, Habeeb Saleh in his keynote address on technical capacity at the four-day capacity-building training on the Learning Lab Approach to Instructional Leadership Team (ILTs) at Tashir Gust Palace in Dutse.

    Saleh explained that “Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the UNICEF Kano Field Office, had organised a four-day capacity-building training for the members of the states’ Instructional Leadership Team (ILTs) on the newly introduced Learning Lab Approach for effective Implementation a solid foundation for Literacy and Numeracy of Early Childcare (ECC)”.

    The UNICEF education officer said the project is the purpose of Learning Lab is to equip the school leaders, teachers, and stakeholders with the necessary skills and tools to effectively implement foundational Literacy and Numeracy as well as Early Childcare (ECC) in their respective schools, fostering improved learning outcomes.

    He maintained that “the European Union distributed €20 million supporting the programme implemented by UNICEF for four years from September 2023 to August 2027. 1.2 million Learners, 5,000 teachers, 150 Education officials, and 5,400 community members are targeted to benefit from the projects”.

    Saleh said, “The European Union (EU) founding the education and Youth Empowerment in the northwest aims to increase the number of girls and boys benefiting from safe, inclusive, relevant learning and skills development opportunities in Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto states.

    “The project is implementing 30 local government areas in the three states and the federation, 10 in each of the local area.

    “State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) seeks UNICEF Kano Field Office to organize a four-day capacity building training on the Learning Lab Approach. The training aims to enhance the capacity of Instructional Leadership Team (ILTs) members to the implementation Learning Lab Approach in teaching foundational Literacy, Numeracy, and Early Childcare (ECC) effectively across the 10 selected schools from Birnin Kudu, Hadejia, and Kazaure local governments.”

    Saleh maintained that parts of the points to justify the training of ILTs members include the Learning Lab Approach is a proven method of fostering teacher and school leader development through hands-on, reflective learning practices.

    He said: “The current challenges facing Jigawa State schools, especially in foundational literacy and numeracy, underscore the need for capacity building at all levels of the education system, foundational, learning deficiencies, Data from school assessments indicate that many children are not reaching the desired proficiency in literacy and numeracy, which hinders their long-term academic success.”

    UNICEF stated that the training will fill these gaps by equipping instructional leaders and school support teams with the skills necessary to strengthen leadership and support structures.

    School leaders, instructional leadership teams, and support officers at both the state and LGA levels need focused professional development to effectively coach and mentor teachers in using evidence-based practices, leading to better learning outcomes.

    Community and Stakeholder Involvement: SBMC and PTA members play a key role in creating a supportive learning environment.

    Engaging these groups through capacity building will foster stronger school-community partnerships and ensure accountability in tracking student progress.

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    The Learning Lab Approach is a proven method to enhance teacher and school leader development through hands-on, reflective learning. Current challenges in Jigawa State schools, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy, highlight the need for capacity building across all levels of the education system.

    The aim is to enhance instructional leadership by equipping ILT members at the state and LGA levels with the skills and knowledge to guide schools in improving literacy, numeracy, and early childhood care.

    Additionally, it aims to strengthen the ability of school leaders, including headteachers, SSOs, and SSITs, to implement effective teaching practices aligned with the Learning Lab Approach, focusing on foundational skills.

    It seeks to promote collaboration between various stakeholders—LGEAs, SSOs, SBMCs, and PTA members—to ensure a sustainable path to improving learning outcomes.