News
Jonathan Expresses Nigeria’s Commitment To AU Objectives
President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that Nigeria remained committed to the strategic objectives of the African Union.
Jonathan, who is attending the AU summit for the first time as President, gave the assurance while addressing the 15th African Union Ordinary Summit in Kampala.
He said that Nigeria would pursue and ensure the realisation of all programmes of action and the instruments of the AU.
Jonathan also used the occasion to condemn the July 11 terror attacks on an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala in which 76 people were killed and 65 others injured.
He extolled the virtues of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua whom he called “my brother”.
“His demise remains a great loss to Nigeria and the continent, because of his love for justice and rule of law which AU stands for.
Jonathan also used the occasion to congratulate the South African government for the successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup.
Earlier, before the summit began, two minutes silence was observed for the late Yar’Adua and those killed in the July 11, terror attacks in Kampala.
In his address of welcome, President Yoweri Museveni called on the AU to condemn in strongest terms the activities of Al-Shabbab in Somalia.
“I reject in totality the new form of colonialism through terrorism.
“The AU should not accept anyone who has no respect for the union. Who are they? Who they represent?”
“Attacking AU combatants, manipulating and using children as canon fodder?, Let us rise in consonance and get them out of Africa,”
Museveni said.
He called on the AU not to depend solely on foreign loans for the development of infrastructures in Africa.
Speaking on the theme of the summit: Maternal, Infant and Child health and development in Africa, Museveni also said that Uganda had made considerable progress in obstetric care.
He said that Uganda has advocated for improved maternal and newborn health.
This method, he said, was in covering 54 districts and 553 health facilities and assessing the availability of trained midwives and doctors in child births.
The Summit tagged “Kampala 2010’’ is expected to focus on action plan to reduce mother and child mortality and take decisive and implementable actions to improve on maternal, infant and child health.
Thirty five leaders are attending the summit out of the 43 that indicated their intentions to attend.
The Summit is also expected to consider, among other continental issues, the proposal by the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi for the transformation of the AU into an African Union Authority (AUA).
It will be recalled that the 13th Ordinary Session of the AU held in July 2009 in Sirte, Libya brainstormed on issues related to the Union Government that culminated in a consensus to establish AUA to replace the African Union Commission.
Gaddafi, the then Chairperson of the AU and the proponent, contended that the transformation would bring stability to Africa as the continent would be speaking with one voice, defending common position in international negotiations.
The Summit is also expected to consider the African common position on the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for full representation of Africa in all the decision making organs of the UN.
Tagged the “Ezulwini Consensus’’ on the Security Council, it was agreed that full representation of Africa in the Security Council means not less than two permanent seats with all prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership and five non-permanent seats.
The gathering of all heads of government from all the 52 AU member nations will also consider its earlier decision to put a definitive end to the scourge of unconstitutional changes of government in member nations.
The scourge the leaders consider as undermining the progress achieved in the on-going democratisation processes in the continent and constitutes a threat to peace and security in Africa.
In addition, the Summit will review its efforts on the Tripoli Declaration on the elimination of conflicts in Africa and the promotion of sustainable peace as well as the proclamation of 2010 as the Year of Peace and Security in Africa.
Other issues for considerations at the Summit are the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes, the Africa-Arab cooperation for food security in the continent, climate change and the implementation of the AU border programme.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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