The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EU

  • Kebbi urged to review man-power in the health sector

    The European Union (EU) has urged the Kebbi State Government to increase its budgetary allocation to health and education sectors in order to build the future of the youths and reduce the maternal mortality  rate in the state.

    Minister Counselor and the Head of Cooperation of European, Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Kurt Cornelis made this call on Wednesday, in Birnin Kebbi ,  in an interactive session with kebbi  state government and the stakeholders on health sectors.

    Kurt was on an assessment tour alongside the National Primary Health Care Development  Agency, WHO, UNICEF and other partners agencies .

    The aim of the tour was to assess the performance of the government intervention in the state.

    Kurt urged the state government to increase the budget for health and education sectors   in other to meet up with the challenges facing the two sectors.

     “I commended the effort of the Kebbi State Government for utilising the intervention money given to them by the EU. l urge them to do more by improving on the commitment towards achieving the same goals” he added.

    In his remarks the representative of  World Health Organization (WHO) and the head of RMNCH cluster, Dr. Andrew  Mbewe, said they are in Kebbi State to see how far the state has gone on the implementation of the funds released to them.

    He also explained further that WHO has being of assistance to Kebbi State Government most especially on the areas of malaria, nutrition, polio and other related health cases which had show a good positive results.

    Chief of Health on UNICEF, Dr. Sanjana Bhardwaj, also commended the state government for utilising funds given to them on health sectors adding that they are always ready to partner with kebbi state .

    The representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and Director Department of Community Health Services Abuja Dr. Nneka U. Onwu,  assured the Kebbi  government of the federal and EU support on health and other institutions in the state.

    She also called on the government to review the issue of man power, adding  that the only challenge she discovered was lack of staff which is one of the key factors in the health sector.

    While responding, Governor Atiku Bagudu, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Umar Kambaza, thanked the EU and other donor agency   for their support.

    He assured of more commitment on the health sector .

  • Ekiti 2018: Voting underway as EU commends process

    Voting is already in process in most of the towns where the electorates are voting to decide their new governor.

    As early as 6.00 am, the voters were already at the polling units awaiting election materials.

    In places monitored in Ado, Ifaki, Ayegbaju and Oye, Iworoko, voting has started in those places.

    Security arrangements were also effective in communities visited as the policemen were civil in handing the situation.

    At Ayegbaju Ward 4, unit 002,  the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen , hailed the peaceful manner with which the
    election commenced.

    Karlsen said : “As at 9.17 am, the election has been peaceful . I have been to five polling units and the process has been credible enough.

    “This election is going to be a litmus test to 2019 elections.

    “This election is a precursor to the 2019 elections and its success is very crucial to us.

    “The EU have been supporting INEC win voter education, how to encourage people with disabilities among others.

    “We have seen large turnout of people and the enthusiasm for people to elect a governor that can represent them well.

    “I believe this election will be credible if it ends like this.”

  • EU, UK, US demand credible election

    The European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US) have demanded the conduct of free, fair and credible governorship election in Ekiti State.

    They noted that the Ekiti State election will be a pointer to what to expect in the 2019 general elections expected to be conducted in February and March.

    Their position was conveyed at a joint press conference addressed in Ado-Ekiti by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ketil Kalsen; the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright and the US Consul General in Lagos, Mr. John Bray.

    Kelsen explained that the international community was interested in the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, noting that “the Ekiti poll is a litmus test for the general elections.”

    He said the international community would want parties to avoid hate speech while security forces should not intimidate the electorate.

    Kelsen expressed satisfaction with the preparations made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Ekiti governorship election.

    He said: “It is important that voters vote freely for their preferred candidates. Any state election in Nigeria is of interest to us because many states in Nigeria are bigger than many countries in Europe.

    “We want peace to be maintained in Ekiti and we are also maintaining our neutrality in this election. We ask questions about the number of security officers deployed for this election.

    “Let me emphasise on the importance of free, fair and credible election because Ekiti will show the way for February/March elections.

    “This is the best way to secure development, stability and unity in Nigeria. What is good for Nigeria is good for EU and what is good for Ekiti is good for Nigeria.”

    UK High Commissioner Arkwright explained that he had held meetings with the two major candidates in the election and they had given him their commitment to a peaceful poll.

    Arkwright said: “I have seen Dr (Kayode) Fayemi of APC and Prof. Eleka (Olusola) of PDP. This afternoon, we met the police, particularly the DIG. It has been a busy day. We believe that this election should go on peacefully.

    “We want to plead that everybody that is eligible should vote, civil society organisations are here in large numbers.

    “This is a process of deepening democracy in Nigeria because in 2015, we witnessed the transfer of power from one party to another for the first time.”

    US envoy Bray said: “What we want is free, fair and credible election. Over time, what I have seen is much greater preparation by INEC and CSOs.

    “No election anywhere in the world is perfect, because the institutions that run election improve over the time.

    “I questioned the number of security forces sent here, but I was assured that they are here to protect the people.

    “I met the candidates and they said they are for free and fair election. I hope everything will go the way expected by the US, the UK and the EU.

  • 2019: EU, Ireland pledge support for free, fair election 

    •Bayelsa seeks partnership to end killings  

    The Republic of Ireland and the European Union (EU) yesterday said they would do whatever they could to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2919.

    The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy, who visited the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) in Yenagoa said the EU would be involved in monitoring the elections.

    He said the EU would support the democratic process and ensure that good conditions were put in place to reduce opportunities for violence.

    Hoy, who is also the ambassador to Ghana, Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire, said  the federal and state governments including faith-based organisations should sensitise the citizens on the need for peace and security.

    He said they would send their people as international observers to ensure that Nigeria gets the democratic process right, adding that the country should lead and set example for other African countries on free and fair elections.

    He, however, said many positive things had taken place in Nigeria, observing that the country’s electoral process was improving every year.

    Hoy also called for peace and security in the Niger Delta, observing that the region remained the economic heart of the country.

    The ambassador said:  “We are coming into another election year in Nigeria and what we feel is that this year could be just as hot as any other years that the potential for violence is always around and as a representative of Ireland and also from the European Union, we’re here to spread the word that we would do whatever we can to support peaceful, free and fair elections in the country.

    “We would be involved in monitoring elections, supporting the democratic process and making sure that the conditions are in place so that the populace believe that the elections are free and fair and that the opportunities for violence are reduced.

    “I want to emphasise the role of government, state government and all the faith-based leaders in relaying that message, especially to your people that elections are about democracy and giving people a voice, they should not be undermined by insecurity.

    “And that we’ll support as international observers in whatever we can by sending our people at different level of  democratic process because it is very important that Nigeria lead and set example in Africa for free and fair elections.”

    In his remarks, Jonah, expressed sadness over the security situation in the country and urged the EU countries to assist Nigeria to ameliorate the problems.

    Jonah said: “I want you to look at the general security situation in this country; it has never been this bad. As diplomats and members of EU countries, try and see in what ways you could assist us to solve the entire security problems in the country.

    “You alluded to a few things concerning elections, it is our prayer that elections will be violence-free and that the voters will have optimum say.”

    The deputy governor lamented the non-participation of Bayelsans in the oil and gas industry, which he said was a major cause of agitations in the Niger Delta area.

    “Wee are not carried along in the oil and gas industry, emphasized that, the Niger Delta peoples’ participation in the industry is almost zero”, he said.

    Jonah, who lauded the Irish envoy’s efforts to prevail on oil companies to give the Niger Delta people a fair share of the oil proceeds, said the state government would liaise with them, in resolving issues with the multinational oil firms.

    Describing the devastation to the environment caused by the activities of oil companies as enormous and unquantifiable, he said, a study was being carried out by experts on the extent of damage to the environment and the people.

    The deputy governor sought the collaboration of Ireland in the development of the Agge Deep sea port, education and Eco-Industrial park to build an economy beyond oil.

     

    He also urged the international community to monitor the forthcoming general elections nationwide.

     

  • ‘Why Nigeria must sign partnership agreement with EU’

    The refusal to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) by the federal government has attracted reactions from all quarters as the African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC) has called on the government to go ahead and sign the agreement.

    The EPA is a scheme to create a free trade area (FTA) between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP).

    The Director General of ACSC, Dr. Madu Obiora made this call at the 2018 fellowship investiture/membership induction in Abuja.

    Obiora said, “The government is afraid that signing of the EPA will disrupt the economy, they are not far from the truth, in the beginning it definitely will, but as time goes on it will become beneficial. The world has become a global village we cannot survive on our own which is certain, so something has to be done.  Nigeria needs to reconsider its position on signing the agreement.”

    He added that the government is listening to a part of the sector especially the manufacturing sector, forgetting that it could be positive for other sectors of the economy.

    Justifying the need for the EPA, the ACSC boss said, “It is not going to allow manufactured goods to come into the country, but basically equipments, then Nigeria will supply what it has. The government has this palpable fear at all times about EPA. The government goes into discussion and at the last minute they withdraw and this does not show them in good light.”

     

  • EU backs retaliation against U.S. steel tariffs

    European Union (EU) countries on Thursday unanimously backed a plan to impose import duties on 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion) worth of U.S. products after Washington hit EU steel and aluminum with tariffs at the start of June, EU sources said.

    The measures still need to be adopted by the European Commission, whose next scheduled meeting is June 20. They should be in place by late June or early July.

    The European Commission has proposed setting 25 per cent duties on U.S. goods, such as orange juice, bourbon, jeans, motorcycles in response to what it is sees as illegal U.S. action affecting 6.4 billion euros of its exports.

    U.S. President Donald Trump made steel from the European Union, Canada and Mexico subject to 25 percent tariffs and aluminum to 10 percent at the start of June, ending exemptions that had been in place since March.

    Canada has announced it will impose retaliatory tariffs on C$16.6 billion ($12.9 billion) worth of U.S. exports from July 1. Mexico put tariffs on American products ranging from steel to pork and bourbon last week.

    Some of the products chosen are designed to target states of senior Republicans who are seeking to retain control of both chambers of Congress in hotly contested November elections.

    The European Commission has also launched a legal challenge against the U.S. tariffs at the World Trade Organisation.

     

     

  • Nigeria accreditation process still below standard, say UNIDO, EU

    • Urges quality infrastructure accreditation

    United Nations Industrial Development( UNIDO) and the European Union ( EU) have tasked Nigerian government and other stakeholders on the need to give priority attention to developing a  stronger framework for a more credible accreditation process in its implementation of national quality infrastructure projects.

    The global organisations, while expressing concern during this year’s World Accreditation Day in Abuja said that though the Nigerian National Accreditation Service (NiNAS) was gaining some global recognition, the country’s accreditation process was still below standard.

    They said more efforts were required to ensure total compliance to global standards in all infrastructure and service chains in the country.

    UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS and Regional Director in Nigeria, Jean Bakole, stated that standard accreditation system helps in delivering a safer world.

    This, he noted, was critical because to a great extent it enhances consumers’ confidence in safety, security, and authenticity of food and water they consume.

    He added “this confidence is gained through application of common food safety management systems, supported by credible testing and inspection regimes. Many organisations in Nigeria check compliance with food and water safety and cleanliness standards through testing, calibration, inspection services, and certification services.”

    On her part, the European Union (EU) Representative, Cannata Nadia, said the European Union was finding the National Quality Infrastructure Programme in Nigeria to underscore the importance of having standard accreditation that will position the country to contribute effectively to delivering a safer world.

    She explained that “Quality infrastructure is about having each institution play its role in the best possible way within an agreed framework. This is a condition sine qua non, which is at the core of the National Quality Infrastructure Programme, funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO.

    She said that more has to be done in strengthening institutional framework in Nigeria for the purpose of achieving quality infrastructure accreditation.

     

  • UNIDO, EU: Nigeria’s accreditation process still below standard

    United Nations Industrial Development( UNIDO ) and the European Union ( EU) have tasked the Nigerian government and other stakeholders on the need to give priority attention to developing a  stronger framework for a more credible accreditation process in its implementation of national quality Infrastructure projects.
    The global organizations, while expressing the concern during this year’s World Accreditation Day in Abuja said that though, the Nigerian National Accreditation Service ( NiNAS) was gaining some global recognition, the country’s accreditation process was still below standard.
    They said  that  more efforts were required to ensure total compliance to global standards in all infrastructure and service chains in the country.
    UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS and Regional Director in Nigeria, Jean Bakole stated that standard accreditation system helps in delivering  a safer world.
    This, he noted was critical because to a great extent it enhances consumers confidence in safety, security, and authenticity of food and water they consume.
    He added ” this confidence is gained through application of common food safety management systems, supported by credible testing and inspection regimes.Many organizations in Nigeria check compliance with food and water safety and cleanliness standards through testing, calibration, inspection services, and certification services.
    ” Accreditation Service from NiNAS is the complementary tool that assures that these organizations are credible and reliable. NiNAS Accreditation service assesses the competence of bodies to determine compliance with standards. It also helps to promote best industry practices, compliments government agencies to individually monitor conformity assessment organizations, and strengthen consumer confidence in products and services”.
    On her part, the European Union ( EU) Representative, Cannata Nadia, said the European Union was funding the National Quality Infrastructure Programme in Nigeria to underscore the importance of having standard accreditation that will position the country to contribute effectively to delivering a safer world.
    She explained that ” Quality infrastructure is about having each institution play its role in the best possible way within an agreed framework. This is a condition sine qua non which is at the core of the National Quality Infrastructure Programme, funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO.”
    She insisted that more has to be done in strengthening institutional framework in Nigeria for the purpose of achieving quality infrastructure accreditation.
    ” Over the past four years, a lot of work has been put to move ahead with each of the elements of the quality infrastructure in Nigeria. I would like to quickly go through some of the key words associated to the theme of this year celebration: “Delivering a Safer World”: More has to be done to “protect the consumers”

  • Inec, eu partner for credible election

    •Politicians buying pvcs are wasting their time

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the European Union (EU) are working together to ensure a credible governorship election in Ekiti State.

    The EU, through its arm, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), has begun the training of INEC staff, corps members and staff and students of federal tertiary institutions to be used for the poll.

    The trainees are getting acquainted with modern and digitalised electoral process under the leadership of Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).

    Speaking at the training in Ado-Ekiti, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti, Oyo and Osun States, Prince Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, disclosed that some staff and students of some federal institutions will officiate at the governorship poll.

    This, he said, will make up for the shortfall recorded in the number of NYSC required to conduct the election, saying this was not attempt to compromise the integrity of the election.

    The INEC chief commended ECES for taking interest in those things that will boost the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.

    Reacting to allegations of purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by politicians ahead of the election, Soyebi described it as an effort in futility because of the technology to be used during the exercise.

    He said: “No one can vote for anybody by proxy, because we will test the fingerprints. In fact, a more voter-friendly enhanced Smart Card Readers will be deployed for the conduct of Ekiti election.”

    Speaking the training, Soyebi said: “The EMSC is a programme specially conceived to give skills to staff of this commission. We have passed through many trainings but this is very special and important, so we appreciate the European Union for this help.”

    On the allegations by Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose that using students of Federal University, Oye Ekiti would compromise the poll, Soyebi said: “I don’t need to join issues with them at this level, because that is the standard practice anywhere.

    “We want to draw them into the election to supplement the shortfall in the number of corps members to be used. We started this is 2011 and they have to be students and staff of federal universities”, he clarified.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof AbdulGaniy Raji, assured that INEC will be neutral in the conduct of the election which explained the decision to use workers and students of federal institutions.

    Raji said: “We needed 10,500 youth corps members and we have 6,500 in Ekiti as of now out which 1, 500 will be discharged by July 7.

    “With this, we need additional 5,500 staff and these we can only get through students and staff of federal schools. We are in the 6th week of training for them. They are being screened and trained to get the required skills.

    “It is a compulsory exercise and they have to participate”, the REC  stated. The Director of ECES, Mr David Le Notre, praised the INEC for taking a giant step to rebrand the country’s electoral system.”

     

  • 186 Nigerians return from Libya

    The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) have evacuated 186 more Nigerians from Libya.

    The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-West Zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, disclosed this on Friday in Lagos.

    Farinloye said the returnees arrived in two batches at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday and Thursday.

    He said,” Within 24 hours, NEMA has received 186 Nigerian returnees from Libya on two different flights at the MMIA, Lagos.

    “The flight with 154 returnees arrived the airport at 8:45p.m. on Thursday aboard a chartered Libya Airline with registration number 5A-DMG. They were received at the Cargo Wing of the airport.

    “The other 32 returnees arrived via a commercial flight, which landed at the International wing of the airport on Wednesday at 3:45a.m.”

    According to him, the returnees comprised of 99 female adults, 75 male adults, four children and eight infants.

    Farinloye said the new arrivals were those based in Libya but voluntarily decided to return home when opportunity came from IOM because of the current volatile state of the North African country.

    He disclosed that IOM had started training past returnees in batches in order to reintegrate them into the society.