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Jonathan Solicits ECOWAS’ Support For Buhari

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President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Accra declared that democracy had come to stay in West Africa.
In his valedictory speech at the 47th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, he also urged regional leaders to support the incoming administration in Nigeria, led by President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan said he felt deeply satisfied that the tree of democracy planted in Nigeria and the sub-region had “taken roots and blossoming’’.
He said recent elections held in Ghana and Senegal were largely peaceful without controversy, while polls in Benin, Sierra Leone and Togo had shown tremendous progress in consolidating democracy in the sub-region.
He expressed the hope that democracy would continue to bear abundant fruits in the region under the watchful guidance and nurturing of the regional leaders.
President Jonathan thanked ECOWAS leaders for their understanding and cooperation accorded him during his tenure as Chairman of the organisation from 2010-2012.
“The personal rapport and chemistry that I have enjoyed with each one of you, my brother and sister Presidents greatly facilitated the decisions that we were able to take and the concrete measures we took on behalf of our sub-region.
“As the new administration takes over, I am confident that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and each member state of our cherished Organisation and Nigeria’s role within ECOWAS will grow even stronger.
“I urge you all to extend the same friendship and fraternal cooperation that I have received from you to my successor.
“The future of our Organisation and West Africa is in good, safe and capable hands.
“I shall, even out of office, continue to give my modest support to our noble cause of unity, peace, stability and development of our sub-region.’’
President Jonathan used the occasion of his address to highlight notable achievements of Nigeria in the quest for peace and stability in the region.
He recalled that as Acting President and Chairman of ECOWAS in 2010, the organisation was confronted with the situation in Niger.
“Happily, through dogged efforts on our part, we were able to resolve it and the country returned to democratic rule.
“Gen. SalouDjibo who oversaw the return to constitutional rule in Niger is today a student at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.’’
In Cote D’Ivoire, the President recounted that under his watch as Chair, ECOWAS followed through in its commitment to enduring democracy by standing firm behind the winner of the presidential elections in 2010.
“We are pleased that our brother, President AlassaneOuattara, took his rightful place and went on not only to provide leadership to his country, but also as Chairman of ECOWAS.
“Similarly, in both Guinea and Guinea Bissau, we remained focused on the goal of ensuring that viable political solutions were found for the political and security challenges that they were experiencing.
“That peace and stability and democratic governance have returned to these brotherly countries underscore our commitment to finding viable solutions to the problems of our Sub-region,’’ he said.
In the speech which was intermittently greeted with applause, Jonathan also referred to his recent visit to Mali for the historic Peace and Reconciliation Agreement signed in Bamako on May 15 by all parties.
He said “as co-mediator, I visited Mali and met with all the stakeholders in early and difficult times of the crisis in the effort to return to democratic rule, maintain peace and articulate viable political process.
He added that “Nigeria participated in all the negotiations and meetings coordinated by ECOWAS at various venues that eventually produced a political timetable for the holding of democratic elections in Mali.’’
He, therefore, commended President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Government and people of Mali for the historic signing of the peace agreement and expressed the hope that the Accord would signal the end of the Malian crisis.
On the situation in Burkina Faso, the Nigerian leader urged stakeholders to stay firm on the political roadmap that had been agreed upon by all parties to ensure peace and political stability, ahead of the Oct. 11 presidential elections in that country.
Jonathan then challenged ECOWAS leaders to address the growing wave of young men and women in the sub-region undertaking “very perilous journeys across the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.
“The phenomenon, given its hazardous nature, has claimed many lives and assumed humanitarian crisis.
“ECOWAS, in the first instance, should earnestly address this problem.
“At the level of member states, we should take necessary action to address the root causes of the crisis.’’
He also urged ECOWAS to table the matter at the forthcoming 24thSummit of the African Union (AU) in June in South Africa.

NUJ chairmanship candidate in Rivers State, Mr Omoni Ayo-Tamuno (middle), with The Tide chapel exco, during a campaign visit to the chapel, last Thursday

NUJ chairmanship candidate in Rivers State, Mr Omoni Ayo-Tamuno (middle), with The Tide chapel exco, during a campaign visit to the chapel, last Thursday

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NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians To EU Ban On Dex Soap

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The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted Nigerians on the ban on Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower), by the European Union (EU).
The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 012/2024, signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, and issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
“The product does not comply with the cosmetic products regulation; it also contains Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system.
“It also causes harm to the health of unborn children and may cause skin sensitisation.
“It is as a result of the defective nature of the product that the EU banned it.
“The products is not in NAFDAC database; importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain,” she said.
NAFDAC boss urged marketers and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the product, stressing that product’s authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.
She enjoined members of the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

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Communities, Volunteers Ready To Face Upcoming Floods – Red Cross

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The Country Manager of the British Red Cross in Nigeria, Karsten Voigt, says communities and volunteers are ready to face the challenges expected with the upcoming floods.
Voigt said this at the sidelines of the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch.
The Tide’s source recalls that the British Red Cross donated resilience items to some communities in December 2023, to help mitigate the effects of flooding.
The items included cash, rain boots, rain coats, mosquito nets, handheld flashlights, solar powered lights with radio, USB chargers and a bridge to link the communities.
The communities that benefited included Agboyi 1, Agboyi 2, Agboyi 3 and Odo Ogun in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
Voigt said the Red Cross had measured the impact of the project in the communities and noticed that a lot of progress had been made.
According to him, apart from the cash and items given to the communities, simulation exercises have also been carried out to prepare the volunteers ahead of the floods.
“We have seen that people used the cash to address immediate needs they have after floods.
“Many households have used part of the cash to build up businesses.
“The solutions we have given to them are not only addressing their immediate needs after the disaster but actually building family income for their future,” he said.

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Nimet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Thunderstorms

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorm from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released yesterday in Abuja, forecasts sunny skies on Monday with a few patches of cloud over the northern cities and prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba later in the day.
According to the forecast, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorm over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara States.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Benue States.
“The southern region is expected to be cloudy with spells of sunshine with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States.
“ In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Ekiti, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa States,” it said.
NiMet also anticipated sunny skies on Tuesday with few patches of cloud over the northern states with prospects of isolated thunderstorms envisaged over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.
It envisaged the North Central region to be sunny with patches of cloud during the morning hours.
The agency also envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Niger States, later in the day.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South, with chances of morning thunderstorm over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa States ,” it said.
It predicted a sunny atmosphere on Wednesday, with patches of cloud over the northern region, during the forecast period.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue States, during the afternoon/evening periods.
“ Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.”
Other states to experience cloudy atmosphere, are “Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States, later in the day.”
NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
The agency also urged airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from its office for effective planning in their operations.

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