News
Saraki, Chaudhury To Chair Commonwealth Summit
President of the Senate of
Nigeria, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh and Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Dr. Shirin Chaudhury, have been appointed to co-chair the Commonwealth Africa Summit Parliamentary Roundtable.
A statement issued by the CPA office in London, yesterday, explained that Chaudhury, the first woman speaker of Bangladesh Parliament, has experience of working with Commonwealth countries and governments.
The statement added that she was involved in implementing the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action, and held the Commonwealth Gender Chair for two years, and helped Bangladesh host the successful 10th Commonwealth Women Affairs Ministers’ Meeting in 2013.
According to the CPA, the State Minister for Women and Children, promoted gender equality, and contributed in formulating National Women Development Policy, Children Policy and Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act.
A Commonwealth scholar, she completed Doctor of Philosophy in Law from University of Essex, UK (2000) and was conferred an Honorary PhD in 2014.
Shirin was awarded Asia Society’s Humanitarian Services Award in 2010 for her role in preventing violence against women and has been a practicing Advocate of Bangladesh Supreme Court since 2009.
Chaudhury was elected as the chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee in October 2014 during the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and General Assembly of the CPA, the statement said, and hoped that she would unleash her expertise in driving the body’s agenda for future growth.
On the other hand, Saraki was the special assistant to the President of Nigeria on Budget in 2000 where he was responsible for preparing the 2000/2001 National Budget, and equally initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill as well as served on the Economic Policy Co-ordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of key economic policies for Nigeria.
With a vision to translate his experiences into progress and development for the people of Kwara State, Saraki was called upon by his people to contest for the position of executive governor of the state.
He was elected and sworn into office in 2003, and based on his performances and achievements, Saraki was re-elected in the 2007 general election for second term in office.
As governor, he garnered national and international acclaim for his innovative approaches to agriculture, health, education, fiscal policy and environmental reforms.
His spirit of team work endeared him to his colleagues where he was appointed as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum. In that capacity, he championed a peer review mechanism among the governors of Nigerian states.
Saraki also used the platform to create a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of government at the national level, and was the first Nigerian governor to be awarded the National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), among other achievements
The statement noted that the Parliamentary Roundtable will also feature parliamentarians from Commonwealth Countries in Africa, especially Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.
In its 3rd year, the Commonwealth Africa Summit holding alongside the Commonwealth Day Observance Service, is a major event in our calendar, the statement indicated, adding that the 2016 Summit will convene Heads of Government, senior ministers, public sector leaders, the private sector, investors and senior executives in one place to discuss trade and investment, business opportunities, security and development – with special emphasis on Africa and will build on the inaugural programme held in March 2014 in London.
The CAS Summit was designed to provide a space for high level dialogue between Business and Government leaders from Commonwealth countries from Africa and their counterparts from other parts of the globe.
The summit will also provide a platform for Commonwealth nations from Africa to showcase investment opportunities to a wider business community while learning best practices on securing their homeland and borderlines.
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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