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CDS confirms co-deployment pact with Bangladesh
This development is the first of its kind since the formation of the United Nations.
It is also the first of its kind since the formation of the African Union and ECOWAS for the two countries to work as partners under one umbrella for the promotion and maintenance of global peace.
This development was unveiled on Tuesday as the Bangladeshi Army Chief General S.M. Shafiuddin Ahmed visited the Gambia Armed Forces’ Training School in Fajara Barracks in Bakau where he embarked on an inspection mission.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the activities, the Chief of Defense Staff, Lt. General Yankuba A. Drammeh, revealed that the purpose of the Bangladesh Army Chief General’s working visit to The Gambia was to make an assessment and make an informed decision to look at what the convergences are.
He said this came after the UN shared a proposal with the Gambia Armed Forces about the possibility of co-deploying with Bangladesh. He added that when this proposal was shared with them from their permanent missions at the United Nations, they in the Gambia Armed Forces received the message with delight and optimism.
“On that basis, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow was adequately briefed and he also consented to it, and as the commander in chief in line with the constitution, he has the prerogative to accept when and where the Gambia Armed Forces would be deployed through normal processes,” he said.
He noted that the Parliament would be informed as well.
“From that moment we started putting all the mechanisms to actualise this proposal and on that basis, last February, President Adama Barrow tasked a high-powered delegation led by the Foreign Affairs Minister to undertake what we called worldwide mission to Bangladesh to convey their special request,” CDS Drammeh told journalists.
“Bangladesh is the largest contributing country when it comes to the United Nations peace mission. They have over 8000 troops in the UN in all dimensions at the level of military, aviation and at the sea-level.”
He added that when the proposal was shared with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in principle, she accepted the proposal.
“Form there, both sides have been in consultations with Bangladesh, with the UN serving as a mediator to put in place the mechanisms, procedures and programmes to see a joint deployment between Bangladesh and GAF,” he said.
CDS Drammeh thanked the government of Bangladesh for availing the Gambia Armed Forces a rare opportunity to co-deplore with “fine men and women” in uniform.
Credit to: thepointnews paper
2ND ANNUAL NIGERIAN FESTIVAL UK COUNTDOWN
💥 Please save the date! 2 Days to go!!! 💥
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🇳🇬 2ND ANNUAL
NIGERIAN FESTIVAL UK 🇬🇧
Theme – Our Language, Our Heritage.
.
The largest outdoor event gathering of Nigerians in the UK 🇳🇬 🇬🇧
.
Visit – www.nigerianfestivaluk.org today and register for free to attend.
.
Date: Saturday, June 17th, 2023.
.
Time: Starts 11am and ends 7pm
.
Venue: Vauxhall Park, Lawn Lane, London. SW8 1JY
.
For more information, sponsorship, or to volunteer, please call 07903708677 or 07940020459 or email nigerianfestivaluk@gmail.com
Promoted by AfrinityTv www.afrinitypro.com
UPDATED: Akpabio elected Senate President
A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has been elected as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly.
Akpabio is the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
The voting in the election of a new Senate President had commenced with Akpabio and former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator-elect Abdulazeez Yari, going toe to toe.
After a quick recess, Sani Tambuwal, the Clerk of the National Assembly, declared Akpabio as the Senate President having garnered 63 votes leaving his rival with 46 votes.
Against the announced time of 10 a.m., the election started before 9 a.m.
After the Clerk of the National Assembly called for nominations, the senator-elect for Borno South, Ali Ndume, nominated Godswill Akpabio, senator-elect for Akwa Ibom North-East, as President of the Senate. Akpabio accepted the nomination; while Elisha Abbo, senator-elect for Adamawa North, nominated Abdulaziz Yari, senator-elect for Zamfara West.
The senators protested that Yari was not allowed to stand for the position as a first-time senator.
After the lawmakers cast their votes in alphabetical order, two representatives of each team came to count their votes.
Senators Adeola Solomon and Ndume came out to represent Senator Akpabio, while Abbo and the senator-elect representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim, represented Senator Yari.
Credit to: By Tope Omogbolagun (Punch News Paper)
2ND ANNUAL NIGERIAN FESTIVAL UK COUNTDOWN
💥 Please save the date! 3 Days to go!!! 💥
.
🇳🇬 2ND ANNUAL
NIGERIAN FESTIVAL UK 🇬🇧
Theme – Our Language, Our Heritage.
.
The largest outdoor event gathering of Nigerians in the UK 🇳🇬 🇬🇧
.
Visit – www.nigerianfestivaluk.org today and register for free to attend.
.
Date: Saturday, June 17th, 2023.
.
Time: Starts 11am and ends 7pm
.
Venue: Vauxhall Park, Lawn Lane, London. SW8 1JY
.
For more information, sponsorship, or to volunteer, please call 07903708677 or 07940020459 or email nigerianfestivaluk@gmail.com
Promoted by AfrinityTv www.afrinitypro.com
Senegal beat Gambia 2-0 to win Under-20 AFCON
The Young Teranga Lions of Senegal on Saturday at the Cairo International Stadium, Egypt, defeated their Gambia counterparts 2-0 to lift their first-ever Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.
Goals from forward Sulaymane Faye and midfielder Mamadou Camara were all the team needed to secure Senegal victory over their Gambian neighbours.
The Senegalese side zoomed into Saturday’s final with a 100 per cent record, winning all their matches without conceding a goal.
The Young Teranga Lions were playing their fourth Under-20 AFCON final, having finished runners-up in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Malick Daf’s tutored side have followed in the footsteps of the senior Teranga Lions, the Beach Soccer national team and the home-based national team in winning continental glory over the last year.
The Young Teranga Lions started better at the Cairo International Stadium with their direct approach causing the Young Scorpions problems at the back.
The Young Teranga Lions broke the deadlock after six minutes through Sulaymane Faye’s header from a cross down the right channel.
The Gambian defence failed to deal with Pape Diallo’s cross which allowed Faye to head into an unguarded goal.
The Young Scorpions came from the break seeking to get back into the match but were unable to break the defence of the Senegalese.
Senegal doubled their lead 10 minutes after the restart through midfielder Mamadou Camara who guided home a corner to beat the helpless Pa Ebou Dampha.
The Young Teranga Lions dominated possession in the opening exchanges of the second period with Lamine Camara and Mamadou Camara pulling the strings for Malick Daf’s side.
The Gambia coach Abdoulie Bojang made a double substitution bringing in Mansour Mbye and Muhamed Sawaneh for Bailo Bah and Modou Marong and the change added more firepower to the ineffective Young Scorpions attack.
Senegal captain Samba Diallo twice came close to extending their lead and substitute Mouhamed Gueye even hit the Young Scorpions’ post with a ferocious effort in stoppage time.
The Senegalese held unto their goals which eventually saw them through to their first ever title at this category.
It would be recalled that the Flying Eagles thrashed The Young Carthage of Tunisia 4-0 to win the third place match.
The four semi-finalists are to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup scheduled to hold in Indonesia between May 20 and June 11. (NAN)
Credit to: vanguardngr.com
Indigent students to access education loans as Tinubu signs law
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Students Loan Bill into law, in fulfilment of one of his promises to liberalise funding of education in the country.
This was disclosed to newsmen, yesterday evening, by the President’s media team, led by Dele Alake, who is also a member of the Presidential Strategic Team.
Alake, who was accompanied by other members of the team, including Tunde Rahman and Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, David Adejoh, explained that the new law is a fulfilment of Tinubu’s electoral promise.
He dismissed concerns that the law will encourage inflation in school fees, saying both situations are unrelated.
He said the idea behind the law is to help indigent students access education in the country without challenge.
He said: “We are very happy to announce to you that today, just a few minutes ago, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signed into law, the Students Loan Bill. You all know what it entails, what it connotes.
“This is the promise made during the presidential campaign by the then candidate, that he will bring back the student loan issue to the front burner and today, that promise has been kept.
“He has just signed that bill into law, which, henceforth, will allow or enable our indigent students to access Federal Government loans to fund their educational pursuit or career. This is how it’s done in developed climes all over the world.”
Meanwhile, the Immediate Past President of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Sunday Asefon, described the development as a blessing that would give opportunities to orphans and indigents students.
He said the bill provides these set of people opportunity to secure loans and pursue their education dream.
Asefon said development shows Nigeria is aiming to maintain parity with other countries that have introduced the initiative.
“We saw it in his manifesto. But we didn’t expect it was going to be this quick. The President has not spent a month in office, and he has put a smile on the faces of Nigerian students. The students, their parents and student leaderships are appreciative of the action. This bill will go a long way,” he said.
Also, President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Anderson Ezeibe, said the union would need to study the bill before it can comment.
“It is going to be premature to talk about it, until our team reviews it. When we do that, we would be able to issue a statement with respect to it.”
Sierra Leone Election Series: US speaks on relationship with Sierra Leone
On 24 June, Sierra Leone will hold elections, which are less than two weeks away.
In December, US President Joseph Biden met with Sierra Leone’s President Julius Bio, at the White House, along with other African leaders: President Felix Tshisekedi, President Ali Ondimba, President George Weah, President Andry Rajoelina, and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“While the United States does not support any specific candidate or party, the United States is committed to supporting electoral processes to deepen democracy in Africa. Working with Congress, the United States plans to provide over $165 million to support elections and good governance in Africa in 2023,” President Biden said, at the time.
To support the country, the US has “contributed an estimated $600 million in the fight against the 2014 Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone” and Bryan Hunt, nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Sierra Leone was nominated by President Biden on 6 March, a White House press statement confirms.
On the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP)’s Global Conflict Index (GPI), Sierra Leone ranks in the top five most peaceful countries in Sub-Saharan Africa ahead of Zambia. Ghana, The Gambia, Botswana, and Mauritius placed in the top 4 spots. However, the report published that Sierra Leone is listed as “likely to experience increasing levels of violence over the next decade” because it had experienced a “Positive Peace deficit in 2020.”
Sierra Leonean activists expressed their sentiments in a Twitter Spaces event titled, “The Road to Sierra Leone’s Elections,” held 8 June. “As citizens, we are being asked to hold off and restrict our rights … so what kind of democracy do you think we’re building in #SierraLeone? The ground that we have been building is now eroding because our rights are being held hostage,” said Ishmael Beah.
“The police in #SierraLeone, as we move into elections, and thinking about post-election …immediate efforts need to made to reform them and get them back on track. The right protest have been outright denied,” said @cellasey [Marcella Samba-Sesay] on @ResistBureau.
PREMIUM TIMES asked the US Department of State to comment on where the U.S.-Sierra Leone relationship stands ahead of its 24 June elections. On Friday, 9 June, a US Department of State spokesperson told White House Correspondent Pearl Matibe.
Matibe: Country Reports (Human Rights): All People’s Congress presidential candidate, Samura Kamara, in a recent broadcast for a large network broadcaster, questioned how the US Department of State obtains its information to produce the Country Report on Human Rights; that information could be coming from NGOs and journalists.
State Department Spokesperson: The individual reports are prepared by US diplomatic missions around the world. They collect information from a variety of credible sources, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the media.
Matibe: After six decades of Independence from colonial rule, a Sierra Leonean is at “$2.15 per person/day at 2017 PPP,” according to World Bank data which is current as of 30 March 2023. Given this context, what measurable outcomes has the US-Sierra Leone relationship helped the country move positively towards its goal of attaining middle-income status, in a regional economic community (REC) facing complex security challenges?
State Department Spokesperson: US investments in Sierra Leone total more than $954 million over the past 20 years, including nearly $260 million for health. Following a peaceful election and transfer of power in 2018, the government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) embraced a “new direction” which seeks to transform the country from a fragile state into a stable and prosperous democracy. The government has set ambitious goals of achieving middle-income status and sustainable development for the country by 2035 and sees Human Capital Development as the most fundamental pathway to achieving those goals. The GoSL’s Medium Term National Development Plan for 2019-2023 lays out a renewed focus on basic services, including free universal education and increased investments in health. U.S. assistance seeks to support those efforts and improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans through strategic investments in pandemic preparedness and global health security, health service delivery, democracy and governance, and security.
Matibe: US-Africa Leaders’ Summit: Could you comment on (or list) meetings held with the Sierra Leone delegation, what, when, how was anything achieved, of note (or opportunities to overcome)?
A State Department Spokesperson: During the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in December 2022, President Biden met a wide range of African Leaders, including President Bio, to discuss our vital partnerships with African nations. President Biden met with President Bio and other African leaders whose countries have presidential elections in 2023 to discuss their countries’ upcoming elections at a critical time for democracy globally.
UCL: Man City overtakes Chelsea as fourth most successful English team [Top 10]
Manchester City have now toppled Chelsea as the fourth most successful English team following their Champions League triumph.
City lifted their first ever major European title thanks to a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan on Saturday night.
They also became the second team to win the Treble, after rivals Manchester United in 1999, and moved up the list of England’s most successful clubs.
Manchester City have now toppled Chelsea as the fourth most successful English team following their Champions League triumph.
City lifted their first ever major European title thanks to a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan on Saturday night.
They also became the second team to win the Treble, after rivals Manchester United in 1999, and moved up the list of England’s most successful clubs.
City now have 26 major trophies, overtaking Chelsea’s 25, and they are now hot on the heels of Arsenal, who have 31.
Liverpool are the most successful team with 45 trophies, ahead of Manchester United who have won 43 major titles.
The most trophies won by English clubs:
Liverpool 45
Man Utd 43
Arsenal 31
Man City 26
Chelsea 25
Aston Villa 20
Tottenham 17
Everton 15
Newcastle 11
Blackburn 10
Credit: Dailypost.ng
Gambia to benefit from £20M climate change funding
President Adama Barrow yesterday announced that The Gambia through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources will benefit from an initial disbursement of £20 million donated by the government of Canada on climate related problems.
In his State of the Nation’s Address at the National Assembly, the President revealed that sector personnel are now working with the International Institute for Environment and Development the Least Developed Countries’ Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience Project for implementation.
“It is geared towards ensuring that 70% of climate finance reaches the intended communities, with four other countries,” the President said.
He added that a project of US$45 million under the West Africa Coastal Area Management funded by the World Bank was also approved in December 2022 for The Gambia.
“The project is meant to reduce climate-related disasters, such as flooding in the urban area,” he elaborated. “Correspondingly, a 6.9 million Euro project, funded by the French Development Agency, was approved late last year. Its main objective is to support five marine protected areas and the communities around them.”
The President underlined that the “Ministry looks forward this year to enacting” the Biodiversity/Wildlife Bill and the CITES Bill.
“They are at the Ministry of Justice for legal review,” he said, adding: “In the same vein, review of the Biodiversity and Wildlife Policy and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2015-2020) has commenced. Further, the Wetland Policy will be developed, and efforts stepped up to fulfill The Gambia’s international obligations.”
Borrow also said: “In fulfilling government’s obligation of domesticating international laws and conventions and to strengthen the sector’s management and regulatory frameworks, three important bills have been formulated, namely the National Environment Management Bill, the Chemical Control and Management Bill, and the Waste Management Bill. They are under review for submission to this Assembly thereafter.”
In view of the alarming rate of coastal erosion and other environmental concerns, President Barrow said his administration would adopt measures to promote the integrated approach to coastal zone management and address emerging challenges.
“The enactment of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Bill will strengthen these measures,” he said.
“On general environmental quality regulation and management to enhance the wellbeing of Gambians, I have reintroduced the voluntary monthly national cleansing exercise, Set’settal. I urge everyone to take it seriously and participate in it.”
Credited by: Thepoint.gm
2ND ANNUAL NIGERIAN FESTIVAL UK COUNT DOWN
💥 Please save the date! 4 Days to go!!! 💥
.
🇳🇬 2ND ANNUAL
NIGERIAN FESTIVAL UK 🇬🇧
Theme – Our Language, Our Heritage.
.
The largest outdoor event gathering of Nigerians in the UK 🇳🇬 🇬🇧
.
Visit – www.nigerianfestivaluk.org today and register for free to attend.
.
Date: Saturday, June 17th, 2023.
.
Time: Starts 11am and ends 7pm
.
Venue: Vauxhall Park, Lawn Lane, London. SW8 1JY
.
For more information, sponsorship, or to volunteer, please call 07903708677 or 07940020459 or email nigerianfestivaluk@gmail.com
Promoted by AfrinityTv www.afrinitypro.com
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