Category: General

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Tuesday, solicited for partnership with the Nigerian Navy to tackle the menace of insecurity in the state and the South East.

Mbah made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

He said the visit was to identify with the naval chief who is from the state as well as appreciate President Bola Tinubu for the honour of appointing a son of the state as CNS.

He said his administration had outlined measures to achieve exponential growth in the state through sound economic policies, adding that such policies could only succeed in a secured and peaceful environment.

The governor called on the Nigerian navy to expand its operational activities to the state, adding that his administration was ready to partner with the navy and other security services to put an end to insecurity in the South East.

“If we must deal with the root causes of insecurity, we must adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to dealing with insecurity and we felt that the big elephant in the room was to address those activities that may be an inhibition to bringing in investors to our state.

“We felt that it was a clog in the wheel of our continued development which was why immediately I took over as the governor, I convened the security council meeting.

“Following from that we made an announcement that we wanted the Monday sit-at-home to end, because we have zero tolerance to that.

“We needed to heighten our security architecture and to mobilise all the security agencies in our state to be able to deal with this, and thus far we are getting the required support we need from the various security agencies.

“We are also hoping that we are going to invite the Navy on board to join hands with us to be able to deal with these big elephants in the room,” he said.

Responding, the CNS, Rear Adm. Ogalla, said that the relationship between the Nigerian navy and other stakeholders like state governments had been instrumental to the successes they have been achieving.

Ogalla said the current security challenges facing the country required the whole of government approach, adding that the navy had extended its operations to cover a good part of the region.

He said the naval base and the special forces deployed in the South East had been contributing to the security apparatus in the region and promised to extend those operations further.

The CNS said the navy would continue to partner with state governments and other stakeholders to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive for the overall economic wellbeing and progress of the country.

“I want to assure you that the Nigerian navy will continue to support and collaborate with you for mutual benefits and progress of our dear country, Nigeria and Enugu State,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The foremost international Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Conference and Exhibition on Monday opened in Abuja with industry experts in attendance to address ways for decarbonisation and sustainable energy future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference brings together the industry experts to discuss how to improve Nigeria’s energy mix and also to engage stakeholders, financiers, investors and the private sector across the energy spectrum.

This year’s conference with the theme “Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Energy Future” is expected to end on July 13.

Declaring the conference open, Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) said it convened policymakers, regulators, experts and leaders from the private sector to discuss Nigeria’s vital energy agenda.

Kyari, represented by Mr Adokiye Tombomieye, Executive Vic e President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, said the conference would discuss policy implementation, project developments, investments and opportunities.

He said it would proffer solutions to current industry challenges, such as how to decarbonise the country’s traditional oil and gas operations.

The GCEO said the present NOG conference would debate strategies that would increase investment flows into the country, enhance industry operations, and promote international partnerships.

“Since 2000, NOG Energy Week has attracted over 100,000 attendees from over 75 countries and over 50 national and international oil companies, in addition to hosting a world-class conference with over 1000 speakers, over 23,000 delegates, and 345 sessions.

“NOG Energy Week is also renowned for its many hours of strategic business networking events, such as the golf tournament, gala dinners, VIP Energy Club, and awards ceremony, which take place alongside the conference and exhibition.

“NNPC Limited, Nigeria LNG Limited, Oando, ND Western, UTM FLNG, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron and Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission among others are the sponsors of the 2023 edition,” Kyari said.

According to Kyari, the event previously known as Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition will foster multilateral dialogue, engagement and deal making within the industry.

He also said that the conference had adapted its narrative to explore how the country can galvanise its universal energy mix as it navigates its energy evolution pathway underpinned by ‘The Decade of Gas’.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack perpetrated on 10 July against the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) near Sam-Ouandja, Haute Kotto Prefecture, following which one peacekeeper from Rwanda was killed. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed, as well as to Rwanda. They also expressed their condolences to the United Nations. They paid tribute to all peacekeepers who risk their lives.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of the Central African Republic to swiftly investigate this attack with the support of MINUSCA, promote accountability for such acts by bringing perpetrators to justice and keep the relevant troop-contributing country informed of the progress consistent with Security Council resolutions 2518 (2020) and 2589 (2021). They underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. They stressed that involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against MINUSCA peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA and expressed their deep appreciation to MINUSCA’s troop- and police-contributing countries.

The members of the Security Council further stressed the importance of MINUSCA having the necessary capacities to fulfil its mandate and promote the safety and security of the United Nations peacekeepers, pursuant to Security Council resolution 2659 (2022).

The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, Valentine Rugwabiza, and for MINUSCA to assist the Central African Republic authorities and the people of the Central African Republic in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2659 (2022).

Source: EMM/ United Nations

Touadera handed over the constitution draft during a ceremony in Bangui, days before the start of a referendum campaign. A new Central African Republic constitution would allow the president to run for a third term in office.

Source: Voice of America

The Registrar, Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM), Mr Olumide Adedoyin, has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to compel universities to engage professional in developing curriculum in treasury management

Adedoyin said in a statement on Monday in Abuja that the conventional curriculum, though invaluable, often neglects the nuances of treasury management.

He said of all the universities running Treasury Management Courses at masters level only Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) had been able to get it right.

He said institutions like Bayero University, Kano, Nasarawa State University, University of Maiduguri and University of Abuja had not been able to get the curriculum in standardising to meet global bench mark.

According to him, NUC should compel universities offering courses in Treasury Management to look beyond their current curriculum that only contains elements of finance and accounting.

This he said should include collaboration with the institute who would help develop such curriculum as the case with ABU, Zaria.

He said by integrating treasury management into the masters curriculum, it would empower students to shine in a competitive global economy.

According to him, treasury management possesses a unique allure that sets it apart from accounting and finance, while accounting and finance focus on tracking and analysing financial data, treasury management delved deeper.

This he said was by aiming to optimise the organisation’s financial resources, mitigate risks, and maximise profitability.

He said such omission could leave aspiring professionals ill-equipped to tackle the challenges that lied ahead, adding that recognising such disparity, the institute could provide expertise to help the nation’s institutions.

According to him, with a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, CITM offers a transformative pathway to harness the full potential of treasury management in our nation’s institutions

Adedoyin said the institute would be willing to partner with NUC to bridge the gap between theory and practice by equipping individuals with specialised skills and knowledge required in treasury management.

This according to him will help to navigate the complex world of financial management with finesse in an era where financial landscapes evolve at breakneck speed, collaboration, and continuous learning are paramount.

The registrar said it would further help to gain access to cutting-edge materials, world-best practices, and the professional touch that the institute would bring.

He said by doing such, it would pave the way for a new generation of financial professionals, armed with a comprehensive understanding of treasury management principles.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Angolan president João Lourenço re-inaugurated Monday (10) the Naval Base located in Soyo municipality, northern Zaire province, as part of 47th anniversary of the Angolan Navy celebrated on July 10.

João Lourenço re-inaugurated the infrastructure, which had benefitted from a facelift, in his capacity as commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA).

Soyo Naval Base occupies an area of 111,500 square metres. It has an access channel and a manoeuvring basin, which leads to dredging of 6.1 million cubic meters of land, and which include the quay, 330 meters long, as well as the three quay bridges, with a total length of 374 meters.

The infrastructure also has a floating footbridge of 115 meters which will serve for the mooring of light vessels, landing pads, among others.

In addition to the new facilities, the road works also include the former military base, which will be used for administrative support services, physical activities, canteen, fire extinguishing systems and energy.

The upgrading of the military infrastructure began in March 2021. It is a support unit for the northern naval region and, in addition to Zaire, will cover the provinces of Luanda, Bengo and Cabinda.

The project is part of the reinforcement and re-equipment programme of naval resources, underway in the Navy, which is tasked with ensuring maritime surveillance and security.

The entry into service of the new infrastructure of the Soyo naval base will bring gains to the country, particularly in the deployment of forces to carry out missions in the areas of Angolan responsibility, with emphasis on the Gulf regions of Guinea, the Great Lakes and others on the African continent.

Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, Angola has a coastline of 1,650 kilometers from north to south.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan head of State João Lourenço arrived in the municipality of Soyo, northern province of Zaire, where he will re-inaugurate the naval base in the region.

The re-inauguration of the infrastructure is part of the celebrations of the 47th anniversary of the Angolan Navy, the Presidency’s Press Office said on Sunday.

The programme also includes the official entry into operation of the Regional Maritime Coordination Centre.

The Angolan Head of State returns to the country’s capital later this Monday

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The commander of the Angolan Navy (MGA), Admiral Valentim António, highlighted Monday the Navy’s contribution to the development of the northern region of the country, in particular of Soyo municipality, northern Zaire Province.

The admiral, who was speaking at the celebrations of the 47th anniversary of the MGA marked on July 10, stressed the fact that the facilities that support operational activity of ships are located in a strategic area, in which the Zaire River is located, catalogued among the largest in the world and an international communication route of complex configuration.

The Navy in the region has always been a factor for the development of this city and one of the largest employers, as many citizens find jobs there, whether administrative, providing support or as labourers in the naval workshops, the admiral said.

The Navy commander added that the region’s geographic location has the potential to attract tourists and bring economic advantages, having pointed to the existence in the area of important oil and gas exploration facilities, factors of paramount importance for the country’s development and whose protection and defence is an imperative and essential mission of the Navy.

According to the commander, it is also a border area close to countries that together with Angola and within the framework of regional organisations must cooperate to maintain the security of the region, in the face of dangers and threats that occur in national seas.

The commander underlined the Navy’s medical assistance provided for the population of the Soyo municipality in addition to public health services, stressing the potential of the recently reopened naval base.

“The Navy is grateful and the people of this city has always had and will have in this base a safe harbour”, Antonio said, adding that the Soyo naval base is the largest infrastructure built by this branch of the Angolan Armed Forces over its 47 years of existence.

The commander explained that over the past few years, the Navy has been reinforced with ships and speedboats and that the arrival of larger combative capacity vessels are expected to arrive soon in the country to secure greater presence in the seas and safeguard national sovereignty.

In addition to these naval platforms, modern maritime surveillance systems and various sensors will enable better planning and decision-making of operations.

According to the commander, the Navy is on a good path, as naval educational establishments reach cruising speed and officers are trained with expected quality.

He recalled that the naval base, whose construction dates back to the 1960s, went through periods of destruction as a result of the post-election conflict in the country between 1992 and 2002, demanded modern and functional infrastructure.

The celebrations of the 47th anniversary of the Angolan Navy was led by the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces, Jõao Lourenço, who re-inaugurated the Soyo Naval Base.

The activity was marked by a parade of troops attended by members of the government, diplomatic corps and defence attachés of embassies accredited to Angola, traditional authorities and religious entities

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angola’s president João Lourenço returned to Luanda after having re-inaugurated the Naval Base on Monday in Soyo, northern Zaire province.

Delivering his speech, ahead of celebration of the 47th anniversary of the Angolan Navy (MGA), João Lourenço spoke of the construction of warships in the country which, according to him, constitutes the start for the Angolan Naval Industry.

With the achievement of peace, he said, the country should focus on strengthening of the Angolan Navy (MGA), with land infrastructure, maritime vessels of all categories and surveillance systems, in order to ensure protection of the coast.

In his speech, he said that by its location, along with other States in the Central and Southern regions of Africa, Angola must be prepared to contribute to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, an important maritime route for international trade.

He noted that the Navy has the responsibility for defending the territorial waters against any external threats, maritime piracy, illegal fishing and the depredation of the immense national wealth at sea.

The upgrading of the military infrastructure began in March 2021. It is a support unit for the northern naval region and, in addition to Zaire, will cover the provinces of Luanda, Bengo and Cabinda

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)