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Samoa Agreement signed in the interest of Nigeria — Idris

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Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has stated that the Federal Government (FG) signed the Samoa Agreement in the interest of the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Idris said Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated 26th June 2024, clarifying its understanding and context of the Agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid.

“It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same sex relationship in Nigeria enacted in 2014,” He said.

The Minister further went on to assure Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu Administration is a rule-based government and will not enter into any international agreement that will be detrimental to the interest of the country and its citizens.

“In negotiating the Agreement, our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS for the process.

“Nigeria signed the Agreement on Friday 28 June 2024. This was done after the extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ).

“It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravenes the 1999 Constitution as amended or laws of Nigeria, and other extant Laws.

“The Samoa Agreement is nothing but a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among OACPS Member States at the international stage,” Idris noted.

On 28 June 2024, Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. The partnership agreement is between the EU and its Member States, on one hand, and the members of the OACPS on the other.

Negotiations on the agreement started in 2018, on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. It was signed in Apia, Samoa on the 15th of November 2018 by all 27 EU Member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member states.

The agreement has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols, namely: Africa –EU; Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols with each regional protocol addressing the peculiar issues of the regions.

The African Regional Protocol consists of two parts. The first is the Framework for Cooperation, while the second deals with Areas of Cooperation, containing Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth and Development; Human and Social Development; Environment, Natural Resources Management, and Climate Change; Peace and Security; Human Rights, Democracy and Governance; and Migration and Mobility.

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Politics

We didn’t suspend any member – Lagos APC

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All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has said that it did not suspend any member in any part of the state, as being reported by some online media.

APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Seye Oladejo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

“Our attention has been drawn to the fake news making the rounds about the purported suspension of thousands of party members in Alimosho Local Government by the State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

“We wish to state unequivocally that there’s no truth in the allegation,” he said.
According to him, Ojelabi remains committed to the unity of the party and acts that will engender peaceful co-existence of all members.

“APC as a political party, made up of members with different aspirations, naturally has its fair share of wrangling and suspicions that can always be resolved within the framework of its constitutional provisions.

“The chairman as an experienced individual in party politics and governance is always prepared to bend backwards to accommodate all opinions without trampling on the rights of others,” he said.

Oladejo said that the chairman, however, strongly believed that the interests of caucuses should not over-ride that of the party.

He said that the interest of the party remained cohesion among members and ensuring that party leaders act as checks to elected and appointed officials in government as regards service delivery.

Oladejo said: “There’s no provision in the party’s constitution that can be invoked for the chairman to unilaterally suspend a member.

“Members of the public are hereby advised to ignore statements that are designed to create an imaginary conflict and deliberate falsehood that are basically self-serving.”

Some party members in Alimosho had, during a protest at the party secretariat recently, attempted to manhandle and beat up the party chairman, before the intervention of security agents.

The protesters were allegedly angry that members of the caucus they belonged to were not recognised at a meeting convened by Ojelabi to reconcile disagreeing groups in the local government area.

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Yusuf has achieved alot in Kano – NNPP Chairman

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By Aminu Garko, Kano

The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hashimu Dungurawa in Kano State has praised the state government, led by Governor Abba Yusuf.

Noting that the Yusuf led administration has done a lot, the NNPP Chairman said Yusuf has achieved significant milestones in various sectors, including education, agriculture, health, women and youth empowerment, and infrastructure development.

According to the Dungurawa, the government has also demonstrated inclusivity by involving opposition parties and stakeholders in its decision-making processes.

He highlighted the allocation of N25 million to each of the 44 local government areas for minor repairs in primary and secondary schools, the provision of fertilizers to farmers, and the payment of retirees’ benefits, among other achievements.

Dungurawa also emphasized the government’s commitment to education, allocating 30% of the budget to the sector, and its efforts to empower women and youth.

He also praised Governor Abba Yusuf for his leadership and listening approach, which has led to significant progress in the state.

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Bitter individuals behind fake court ruling on Ighodalo – Edo PDP

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The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused bitter individuals of circulating fake news on the candidacy of its Governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.

In a statement on Sunday, Hon. Debo Ologunagba National Publicity Secretary of the PDP said that the party is aware of a well-oiled plot by certain egocentric and overtly ambitious individuals to orchestrate a series of coordinated smear campaigns against Dr. Asue Ighodalo being frustrated by his emergence as candidate, his overwhelming popularity across the State and the fact that he is already coasting to victory in the election.

According to Debo, “angry and bitter individuals have been going around the courts and reportedly attempting to induce certain judicial officers to procure damaging rulings against our candidate.”

“It has also come to the knowledge of our Party that these unscrupulous elements have been attempting to compromise the media to publish fabrications against our candidate and campaign.”

“Our Party have it on good authority that the intent of these individuals who have been holding clandestine meetings in locations in Abuja and Benin City is to cause crisis and derail the democratic process leading to the Edo State governorship election.”

“Information available shows that these politicians are behind the erroneous report that our Party’s Governorship Primary in Edo State was nullified by the Court when the Court indeed did not issue any Order to that effect.”

“These individuals have been going about brazenly boasting that they have the connection and capacity to compromise the courts.”

“Such barefaced boast is a direct assault on the sensibility and pride of the majority of the people of Edo State as well as the institutions of democracy where the Will of the majority of the people must prevail.”

“Our Party alerts the Institution of the Judiciary, the Media and Security Agencies to be wary of the antics and activities of these elements and take steps to resist their shenanigans which is a clear and present danger to the sustenance of democracy in our country.” The statement noted.

The PDP National Secretary further stated that the PDP is not deterred.

“Our Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo continues to enjoy the solidarity and support of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State; he remains focused on his issue-based campaign and will not be distracted from his vision and agenda of moving Edo State to another level of prosperity and development on the platform the PDP.”

“The PDP calls on the people of Edo State to remain at alert and resolute in their determination to ensure continued development by voting enmasse for the PDP and Dr. Asue Ighodalo in the September 21, 2024 Governorship election in the State.” He said.

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