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  • Nigeria, Gambia to promote cultural ties

    National Council for Arts and Culture Director-General, Otunba Segun Runwese, has stressed the need to project African culture in its originality at every international forum, noting that the development of Africans resides predominantly in culture.

    Runsewe, who spoke while hosting The Gambia High Commissioner Ambassador Amadou S.O. Taal in his office, said: ‘’If we harness our potentials in the culture industries properly, we will rule the world.’’

    He said the symbiotic relationship between Nigeria and Gambia dated back to 1940 when Nigeria and Gambia operated co-empires together. He added that if not for the trust The Gambia has in Nigeria, it wouldn’t have been possible to put her military and even judiciary in the hands of Nigerians for co-ordination for many years. “The brotherhood spirit that exists between the two nations can only be further enhanced and harnessed,” he added.

    According to Runsewe, the need to further showcase our endowment can be kick-started with the youths in form of ‘holiday exchange programme in which we can take some of our selected youths to learn some of your culture, in term of dress code, food, dance and music, while the same thing could be organised interchangeably.”

    Runsewe disclosed that “the Gambia delegation will be given a free stand at the forth coming African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC) now known as International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC), which will hold later in the year.

    INAC is a good platform through which the best of culture of both nations can be displayed in term of cuisines, agriculture, arts and crafts, among others.

    Gambia envoy appreciated the DG for being passionate about the development of culture and tourism in Nigeria.”I have watched you keenly from afar and I have come to realise that you are one Nigerian that I can work with because of the great assets and high level of dynamism you processed,’’ he said.

    Taal, who was delighted thanked Nigeria for the big brother roles Nigeria played in ensuring that peace returned to his country in those years of their struggles.

    According to him, if not for Nigeria, the relative peace we enjoy in Gambia today would not have been possible.  The diplomat added that it is high time both nations came together and partner in the areas of health, justice, culture and tourism as members of the same ECOWAS sub-region. This, he said, will make ‘our people benefit hugely from the synergy.’

  • Nigeria, Gambia to promote cultural ties

    National Council for Arts and Culture Director-General, Otunba Segun Runwese, has stressed the need to project African culture in its originality at every international forum, noting that the development of Africans resides predominantly in culture.

    Runsewe, who spoke while hosting The Gambia High Commissioner Ambassador Amadou S.O. Taal in his office, said: ‘’If we harness our potentials in the culture industries properly, we will rule the world.’’

    He said the symbiotic relationship between Nigeria and Gambia dated back to 1940 when Nigeria and Gambia operated co-empires together. He added that if not for the trust The Gambia has in Nigeria, it wouldn’t have been possible to put her military and even judiciary in the hands of Nigerians for co-ordination for many years. “The brotherhood spirit that exists between the two nations can only be further enhanced and harnessed,” he added.

    According to Runsewe, the need to further showcase our endowment can be kick-started with the youths in form of ‘holiday exchange programme in which we can take some of our selected youths to learn some of your culture, in term of dress code, food, dance and music, while the same thing could be organised interchangeably.”

    Runsewe disclosed that “the Gambia delegation will be given a free stand at the forth coming African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC) now known as International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC), which will hold later in the year.

    INAC is a good platform through which the best of culture of both nations can be displayed in term of cuisines, agriculture, arts and crafts, among others.

    Gambia envoy appreciated the DG for being passionate about the development of culture and tourism in Nigeria.”I have watched you keenly from afar and I have come to realise that you are one Nigerian that I can work with because of the great assets and high level of dynamism you processed,’’ he said.

    Taal, who was delighted thanked Nigeria for the big brother roles Nigeria played in ensuring that peace returned to his country in those years of their struggles.

    According to him, if not for Nigeria, the relative peace we enjoy in Gambia today would not have been possible.  The diplomat added that it is high time both nations came together and partner in the areas of health, justice, culture and tourism as members of the same ECOWAS sub-region. This, he said, will make ‘our people benefit hugely from the synergy.’

  • Nigeria, Gambia to promote cultural ties

    The Director-General of National Council for Arts and Council (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has reiterated the need to  project African culture in its originality at every international fora.  He said this while hosting the Gambia High Commissioner, Ambassador Amadou S.O. Taal, in his office.

    The culture helmsman emphasized that the development of Africa resides predominantly on our culture. According to Runsewe, “if we harness our potential in the culture industries properly, we will rule the world”.

    Runsewe stated that the symbiotic relationship between Nigeria and Gambia dated back to 1940 when Nigeria and Gambia operated co-empires together. The Director-General added that if not for the trust the Gambia has in Nigeria, it wouldn’t have been impossible to put their military and even judiciary in the hands of Nigerians for co-ordination for so many years. The brotherhood spirit that exists between the two nations can only be further enhanced and harnessed.

    According to Runsewe, the need to further showcase our endowment can be kick-started with the youths, in form of a holiday exchange programme in which we can take some of our selected youths to learn some of your culture, in term of dress code, food, dance and music, while the same thing could be organized interchangeably.

    Runsewe added that the Gambia delegation will be given a free stand at the forth coming African Arts and Crafts Expo ( AFAC) now known as International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) which will be held later in the year.  It was agreed that INAC is a good platform upon which the best of culture of both nations can be displayed in terms of Cuisines, Agriculture, Arts and Crafts and so on.

    On his part, the Gambia envoys appreciated the Director-general for being a man that is so passionate about the development of Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.” I have watched you keenly from afar and I have come to realize that you one Nigerian that I can work with because of the great assets and high level of dynamism you processed” he said.

    Ambassador Amadou S.O Taal was so delighted that he thanked Nigerians through the Director- General for the big brother roles Nigeria played to his country in ensuring that peace returned to his country in those years of their struggles.

    According to him, if not for Nigeria, the relative peace we enjoy in Gambia today would not have been possible.”  The diplomat was of the view that it is high time both nations come together and partner in the areas of health, justice, culture and tourism as members of the same ECOWAS sub-region.

  • Nigeria, Ghana rivalry focal point of ICC World Africa T20 Qualifier

    The just-concluded ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos, without any iota of a doubt rekindled the bitter rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana.

    The event which ran for a week in Nigeria’s commercial capital, paraded The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria; saw the teams jostling for the two available slots that would take them to the main qualifiers.

    After the keenly contested matches, Ghana and Nigeria eventually qualified for the next stage of the qualifiers which will hold in 2019, while Sierra Leone and The Gambia returned home empty handed.

    The rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria dates back to circa 1904, when the Lagos Colony and Gold Coast Colony first played at the TBS Cricket Oval which ended in favour of Ghana.

    Ever since then, both countries have literally been at “war’’ to affirm their supremacy in the sport.

    In their first encounter at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers, fans came out in large numbers to watch both sides slug it out; in a tension-soaked match which ended in favour of Ghana.

    The Ghanaian side fielded first and ensured that Nigeria was reduced in the first innings to 119runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs.

    The second match which would have served as an avenue for Nigeria to avenge the defeat in the first match, turned out to be a bitter pill for fans.

    Just like it was in 1904, Ghana once again affirmed her supremacy over Nigeria at the same venue where the rivalry started 114years ago, with 4 wickets to complete a double and emerged champions of the qualifying tournament.

    At the end, Ghana finished with 11 points, Nigeria settled for 8 points, while Sierra Leone and Gambia had five points and two points respectively.

    Eugene King, the Team Manager of Ghana, said it was a perfect victory for his team due to the war of supremacy between both countries in cricket.

    King said his team was able to capitalise on the mistakes of their rivals to record their second win against Nigeria and topped the ICC qualifying event.

    “This is a perfect victory for us, winning our first and second match against Nigeria in this qualifiers is a good boost for the team.

    “Nigeria has always had the upper hand against the Ghanaian team in the past, but I think the tide has turned in our favour,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Chimezie Onwuzulike, the Captain of Team Nigeria, said he was not happy with the outcome of the matches played against Ghana.

    Onwuzulike said the two defeats will not diminish the team’s morale, adding that qualifying for the main Africa qualifiers slated for 2019 was a consolation for the players.

    “In every game there must be a winner and losers, we will go back to the drawing board and re-strategise.

    “But the good thing is that we have qualified from the North-Western Sub-Regional Zone, we are grateful to the Nigeria Cricket Federation ( NCF ) for its support,’’ he said.

    Prior to the event, the NCF board set up committees piloted by Uyi Akpata, the Vice-president of NCF to ensure a hitch-free event and they performed creditably.

    The event which was the first of its kind for the country, was a leverage for the Prof. Adam Yahaya-Ukwenya-led board in its bid to popularise the sport.

    As part of the buildup to the event, the TBS cricket oval was given a much needed facelift that was befitting for an event of the magnitude of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers.

    Also, the NCF sealed a sponsorship deal with one of Nigeria’s leading, indigenous oil companies — Eroton Exploration and Production Company Ltd.

    The NCF president said that the hosting of the event was a plus for the game in the country.

    “It is unprecedented in our cricket history for Nigeria to be given hosting rights for the qualifying ICC T20 tournament.

    “It’s a measure of confidence on the new board of NCF and Nigeria.

    “We are building a team for the future and we have this same level of freshness running through all our national teams,’’ he said.

    Kuben Pillay, an ICC Africa Representative, said the body was pleased with what the NCF had achieved within a short period to stage the event.

    Pillay said that the country was in the best position to host the sub-regional qualifiers owing to the commitment and determination of the NCF in improving the standard of the game.

    Read Also: Nigeria will win 2019 AFCON – Rohr

    “I am proud of what has happened in the last few months, I remember what I saw when I visited in March for facility inspection and what is on ground now.

    “This only shows that the federation is ready to take cricket to the next level in the region, and the ICC is ready to work with the body with the aim of developing the sport in Africa,’’ he said.

    In the same vein, Michael Aboagye, Captain of the Ghanaian side, said the organisation of the event was a huge success and commended the NCF for the effort.

    “The qualifiers was well organised by the host and I believe they have put in a lot to achieve this,’’ he said.

    Mohamed Monsaray, Captain of the Sierra Leone team, said that the logistics put in place was good for the ICC event.

    “The reception, atmosphere and movement of participants from the venue to hotel and security was well executed without any hitch,’’ he said.

    Also, Tayo Atoloye, who played in the national team for 12 years, said there had been a positive change in the sport since the inception of the new board last year.

    Atoloye, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Oyo State Cricket Association, said that it was long overdue for the country to host an ICC event, adding that the effort of the NCF had paid off.

    “There is a lot of development in the administration of cricket in the past few months, which is a positive sign for the sport and I hope they won’t relent.

    “The board has gone the extra mile to ensure the country hosts this event for the first time in our history, because it is long overdue to host an ICC competition,’’ he said.

    With all the accolades heaped on the NCF, one would expect that the same effort will be adopted to prepare the national team players tactically as they continue their bid to qualify for the Twenty20 Cup in Australia.

    NAN

  • ACA board member calls for regular regional cricket competitions

    Gabriel Gomez, a board member of the African Cricket Association ( ACA ), on Monday canvassed for regular regional championships to improve the profile of the sport in West Africa.

    Gomez a former Sports Minister in Gambia made the remark in an interview with the newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing ICC World Twenty Qualifier A, holding in Lagos.

    He stressed that regular competitions in the sub-region would help countries in West Africa to raise their game to the next level.

    “The only way to develop cricket in the region is by having regular competitions among West African countries.

    “The competitions may not necessarily be for our national teams, but we can have under age competitions to groom budding grassroots talents to fruition,’’ he said.

    He, however, noted that inadequate funding was militating against the growth of the sport in the region.

    Read Also: ACA : 70 and counting

    The board member added that the ACA should reach out to the Economic Community of West Africa States ( ECOWAS ) to fund some of its programmes.

    “Getting funds to participate in regional competitions are expensive, in my country, the government provides support for cricket and that is why we can attend the ongoing qualifiers in Nigeria.

    “We can tap sports funds from the ECOWAS Sports commission to run programmes in the region, and I believe that the Nigerian Government can help being a power house in the region,’’ he said.

    The newsmen reports that Nigeria has recorded a convincing 55 runs victory over The Gambia in its second match played on Sunday, the country posted 176 runs for loss of five wickets in 20 overs.

    Ghana also eased past Sierra Leone in its second match of the qualifiers, to set up the much anticipated showdown against arch rivals Nigeria.

    NAN

  • Cricket: Five NCF officials to participate in ICC advanced programme

    Cricket: Five NCF officials to participate in ICC advanced programme

    Cricket: Five NCF officials to participate in ICC advanced programme Igwilo said that the programmes when completed would keep the participants abreast with current trends in the sport.

    ‘’We have good coaches and umpires in the country, but there is the need to further expose them in order to be in tune with what is happening at the international level.

    ‘’The closest place within our reach is South Africa and they will also learn from cricket South Africa.

    ‘’The programme will be in two batches, a coach and umpire selected by the NCF will go for the first batch of training, while two coaches and umpire from Edo State will attend the second batch.

    ‘’We urge more states to emulate Edo State and also send their coaches to such programmes for the growth of the sport in the country.”

    Read Also: ICC WT20 West Africa Qualifier: NCF calls up 36 to first phase camping2018

    On Nigeria’s preparation for the T-20 ICC Sub- Regional qualifiers holding from April 16-22 in Lagos, the Manager said that preparation was in top gear.

    ‘’The federation has put all the necessary logistics in place to ensure a hitch free event for participants.

    ‘’The Local Organising Committee, led by our amiable Vice-President, Uyi Akpata are working round the clock to ensure that we host the region,’’ he said.

    Our reporters, reports that an ICC representative in Africa, Kuben Pillay carried out an inspection of the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket pitch in Lagos on March 2, ahead of the qualifiers.

    Ghana, Sierra Leona, the Gambia and host Nigeria will participate in the qualifiers.

    NAN

  • Buhari, Gambian President meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Gambian President meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed-doors with the Gambian President, Adama Barrow at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Gambian President after the meeting told State House correspondents that he was in Abuja to thank Nigeria for the support given to his country during and after the impasse.

    He said “My visit is very important to us. We have always wanted to say thank you when Nigeria gave us all the support during and after the impasse. Nigeria has been supporting

    “The Gambia for a long time in different areas like technical assistance in the area of education, judiciary. We are really happy to come.

    “When we met in Mali, he (Buhari) took a decision as a leader in a closed door meeting, he made one statement that changed everything, that if The Gambian President wants to challenge the subregion, he is welcome.

    “This was his words and that make a big difference as a leader. And that leadership role was very important not just for The Gambia but for Africa because the problem was an Africa problem with an Africa solution.

    “So we are very grateful and that was why we wanted to come and say thank you. There is a saying in my country that if you want to thank a farmer for a good job, you have to visit him at his farm and that is why we are here.” he said

    Asked what was the deal he struck with the former president that led to the smooth transition, he said “Basically, the deal was ECOWAS was involved, UNDP and the international community was involved to mediate and this mediation, Nigeria was involved and Liberia as the chair was involved, the Guinean President and the Mauritanian President were also involved. the Guinean President and the Mauritanian President were physically on the ground, for him to accept the will of the people, exit to allow us assume office.

    “This was the deal, he accepted to go on exile which we couldn’t guarantee his security. This was the deal.” he said

    On what role Nigeria will continue to play to help The Gambia overcome its challenges including security, President Buhari said “Well, your President has virtually answered the question. We did our best in the most critical time, hopefully now the president will raise his team and we will raise a corresponding team and we will seat together and see how we can draw a political programme that will complements each other’s effort on development. So this is the next time we are going.”

  • Burundi becomes first country to quit ICC

    Burundi becomes first country to quit ICC

    Burundi has become the first country to pull out of the International Criminal Court ( ICC ), a spokesman for the court in the Hague told dpa on Friday.

    The country had launched the process of leaving the court 2016, with the government saying the ICC was biased against African nations.

    Gambia and South Africa had announced their withdrawal in 2016, but changed their minds, leaving Burundi as the only country to officially leave.

    There are now 123 member states.

    Inspite of the withdrawal, the court will continue a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes in Burundi.

    The probe began in April 2016 and was “independent, impartial and objective,” the court spokesman added.

    Amnesty International’s Head of International Justice Matt Cannock said: “the Burundian government has made a cynical attempt to evade justice by taking the unprecedented step of withdrawing from the ICC.

    “Perpetrators, including members of the security forces, cannot so easily shirk their alleged responsibility for crimes under international law committed since 2015”.

    NAN

  • Nigeria recovers $85m Malabu loot from UK

    Nigeria recovers $85m Malabu loot from UK

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami Thursday announced that the Federal Government had just recovered $85million Malabu fund from the United Kingdom (UK).

    His words: “I am also pleased to inform that Nigeria has just recovered the sum of $85million on the Malabu funds from UK.”

    He spoke at the Agenda for Pre-Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Consultative Meeting organized by the Mac Arthur Foundation and the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) in Abuja.

    Malami also added that the Federal Government of Nigeria was concluding negotiation with that of Switzerland on the return of $331million recovered from the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

    According to him, the Civil Society Organizations will be involved in the monitoring of the utilization of the funds.

    He stressed that with the conclusion of the negotiation, the different countries involved are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the repatriation of the funds in the next few weeks.

    The minister said that “we are indeed concluding negotiation with Switzerland on the return of $331million recovered from the late Abacha family. I am pleased to inform that Civil Society Organizations were involved in the negotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding.

    “Most importantly, the Civil Society Organizations will be involved in monitoring the use of funds. With the conclusion of negotiation, parties are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding at the global forum at Asset Recovery meeting and repatriation all follow within weeks as agreed by the parties. ”

    He recalled that Nigeria has implemented the United Nations Convention Against Corruption requirement through the development of National Strategy on Anti-Corruption.

    The National Strategy on Ant-Corruption, according to Malami, was adopted by Nigeria and has been approved by the Federal Executive Council in July this year, which the President is expected to launch in due course.

    He revealed that the Nigeria is currently reviewing its anti-corruption laws, noting that the Federal Government has signed government partnership initiative and completed the National Anti-Corruption national action plan with practical implementation in the country.

    Malami noted that President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to launch the National Action Plan very soon.

    He said that “it is pertinent to state at this point that the repatriation of our stolen wealth need very tedious several bilateral agreements entered into between Nigeria and other jurisdictions.”

    Even when the provision of the United Nations Convention against corruption obliged same, the minister said that, parties to facilitate the return of stolen assets between Nigeria and parties are facing several challenges.

    He said that his office has held talks with office of interests during the global forum on asset recovery.

    He said the countries include the United Kingdom, United State of America, Canada, Switzerland, South Africa, Panama, United Arab Emirates, Northern Ireland, Gambia and others.

    The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Eric Mayoroz said Switzerland and the government of Buhari are committed to fight against corruption.

    He noted that his country changed its legislation in the last decade so that stolen money could not be deposited there.

    The envoy said that his country’s law on money laundering is now the global model in the fight against the crime.

    According to him Switzerland was the first country to return stolen funds to Nigeria from the western world after it recovered $22million from the late Abacha’s family.

    He said that then, the Swiss Justice discovered that there were still other assets owned by the family in the country and it froze hundreds of million dollars deposited by the family in the banks.

    The envoy added that after an agreement was signed by the Swiss government and that government of Nigeria in 2014,  the Swiss Attorney General in Geneva decided that the money about $320million  should be given back to Nigeria.

    It urged negotiation with the government of Nigeria and the modalities emerged in 2016 when Malami and the Swiss AGF signed the letter of intent ,that the money should be protected from another attempt of being looted again.

    He added that in June 2016, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo chose the projects to use the money on to include those that would benefit the poorest in the society and that it would be monitored by the World Bank.

    He said “a few weeks ago, at the moment of negotiation, leading to the final point and the writing of the Memorandum of Understanding, we are very grateful to the Nigerian authorities for its commitment to a transparent and accountable decision that is aimed to reduce absolute poverty and providing cash transfers to support the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerian population.

    He said that the Swiss government had insisted that measures must be taken to ensure that the money will not disappear again, noting that the role of the civil society is vital in the matter.

    Mayoroz said that “We openly expect to sign another agreement between the Nigerian Civil Societies and the World Bank even before the end of this year.”

    Speaking, the British High Commission/Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Paul Arkwright, said that the United Kingdom is keen to see the quick passage of Nigeria’s bill on asset recovery and it is also ready to support its implementation.

    He said that Civil Society Organizations will have vital roles to play in the monitoring and oversight of assets.

    According to him, asset recovery is an important priority in the UK in its bilateral relationship with Nigeria.

    The transparent management and use of money and the returned assets matter more to the United Kingdom than Nigeria.

    He said that his government is insisting that the retrieved funds must be out to good use by the government of Nigeria for Nigerians.

    The United State Ambassador to Nigeria, who was represented by Senior Police Advisor, Mr. Michael Baner noted that the US was not a safe haven for stolen funds.

    The chairman of ICPC Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye  said that Nigeria needs to agree on some framework for asset returning saying that foreign countries a zealous to return stolen assets yet very conservative about returning the money.

    He said one should not criticize the position of the western world on asset return because previously returned ones were mismanaged or re-looted.

    According to him, Nigeria is now trying to put that accusation behind it by developing a roadmap for future asset recovery.

    He called for a framework and structure for the management of returned assets.

    He said that pending the passage of the bill in the National Assembly, there is now a framework which the government is using to diminish accusation against law enforcement agencies who recover asset in a transparent manner.

  • Cooperation among West Africa police ensured Evans’ arrest – Idris

    Cooperation among West Africa police ensured Evans’ arrest – Idris

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has attributed the arrest of Chukwujeme Onwamadike, the suspected kidnapper popularly known as Evans, to information sharing and intelligence cooperation among police services in West Africa.

    “Information sharing is crucial to tackling the menace of trans-border crimes in West Africa; it is through such exchange that we were able to nab a Ghanaian/Nigerian kidnapper two weeks ago, after evading arrest for many years,” Idris said on Wednesday.

    Idris spoke in Accra, Ghana in a paper titled: “The role of Nigeria Police in national security and its contributions in West Africa”, delivered at an ongoing West Africa international security conference.

    The paper was sent, via email, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia.

    “For several years, Evans terrorised Nigerians and nationals of many countries across West Africa. Efforts to apprehend him did not yield the desired results until we spread our search net wider”, he said.

    The police chief, who solicited closer ties among security agencies in the sub-region, emphasised the need to improve the method of monitoring and surveillance, particularly among border and coastal police units.

    Idris called for improved communication capabilities among intelligence gathering outfits in West Africa, and called for mutual support to plug loopholes usually exploited by criminals.

    He said that the Nigeria Police Force had 300,000 personnel in 127 area commands and 5303 divisions, adding that the force had consistently contributed to stability and peace in ECOWAS nations and under UN mandates.

    “The Nigeria Police Force trained 250 Liberian Police personnel in 2005 and has consistently offered training slots to police officers from Gambia and Sierra Leone at the Police Staff College, Jos and the Police Academy, Wudil.

    “We also trained 100 police officers from the Republic of Niger on mobile police combat in 1998. At the end of the training, Nigeria donated trucks, riot equipment and tear smoke to the Nigerien government,” he said.

    Idris said that the Nigeria Police Force also helped to stabilise Guinea Bissau in 2012, when the military intervened in its leadership and truncated democracy.

    “Our police personnel remained there until democracy was restored in 2014,” he stated.

    The IGP expressed Nigeria’s readiness to consistently cooperate with police formations in other countries to track down criminals, pointing out that such mutual cooperation had become even more necessary as technology had reduced the world to a small village.