News
US removes Nigeria from religious violators’ list
The United States has removed Nigeria from its list of religious violators, even as it blacklisted Russia, China and eight other countries “as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made this known in a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Religious Freedom Designations’.
While the US had in 2020 placed Nigeria and six other countries on its special watch list of states that had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom, Nigeria was missing from the list of countries designated in the 2021 list for religious violations.
Blinken, who is currently in East African nation Kenya on an official visit, is scheduled to physically visit Nigeria this week and meet with the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and other members of his cabinet.
READ ALSO:
- BREAKING: Bandits gun down hunter, abduct 30 in Niger
- 14 killed in fresh Sokoto attacks
- BREAKING: Police take over APC National Secretariat in Abuja
- BREAKING: Another Building Collapses, Trapping Occupants In Badagry
The US Secretary of State, in his statement on Wednesday, said, “The United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country. In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs. This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.
“Each year the Secretary of State has the responsibility to identify governments and non-state actors, who, because of their religious freedom violations, merit designation under the International Religious Freedom Act.
“I am designating Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
“I am also placing Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.” Finally, I am designating al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.
“The challenges to religious freedom in the world today are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched. They exist in every country. They demand sustained global commitment from all who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo. They require the international community’s urgent attention.
“We will continue to press all governments to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices, and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses. The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment, and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe.”
Punch
News
Abia: You’ll refund Airport Project money, other looted funds, Otti tells Ikpeazu
Abia: You’ll refund Airport Project money, other looted funds, Otti tells Ikpeazu
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, will not get away with the grand larceny and looting of the state’s treasury that happened under him (Ikpeazu).
This is as he warned the immediate past administration in the state, headed by ikpeazu, to get ready to refund every naira that was stolen under him.
According to Otti, top on the list of funds that will be returned by Ikpeazu is the money budgeted for the airport construction.
The governor read the riot act at Nvosi, during a solidarity visit by supporters and loyalists of the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Rowland Chinwendu.
Otti, who was reacting to the report of the forensic audit of the state’s accounts, said his administration is not fighting anybody but is only interested in recovering looted funds, in a bid to ensure good governance.
He stressed that what he wants is the progress and development of Abia State, noting that since the airport was not executed, the project money should be refunded.
READ ALSO:
- Shettima aborts US trip over airplane fault, minister now to represent Tinubu
- No plans for foreign military base in Nigeria, says FG
- BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent
Otti he is surprised that some people are insulting him in the media because he disclosed the findings of the forensic audit report.
The governor described the solidarity visit by Chinwendu and his supporters as a good omen.
“I established a forensic audit of our accounts as soon as I was sworn in and the report turns out that a lot of money was looted, stolen brazenly and part of the ones I mentioned was the N10 billion Abia Airport Project.
“They started insulting me. If you follow what is happening in the media, you would know that what I said is true.
“We are looking for our money. If we are not able to find the airport, they would have to refund us our money.
“We are not pursuing anybody, they should refund the money they stole, let’s use it to work for our people.
“Our place must develop. We will continue to build roads, we will continue to clean up the environment, we will continue to create jobs.”
In his speech, the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Chinwendu, noted that his people sent him to the House to represent their interest.
He stressed that he cannot afford to be seen as opposition to the governor, who is from the same LGA.
The lawmaker thanked the governor for the ongoing reconstruction of Umuikaa-Umuene road, among other projects in his constituency
Abia: You’ll refund Airport Project money, other looted funds, Otti tells Ikpeazu
News
Shettima aborts US trip over airplane fault, minister now to represent Tinubu
Shettima aborts US trip over airplane fault, minister now to represent Tinubu
Vice-President Kashim Shettima could not travel to Texas United States on Sunday as earlier planned for 2024 US-Africa Business Summit following a technical fault with his aircraft.
This reportedly forced him to make a detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will now represent President Tinubu at the Business Summit.
The Summit is scheduled to hold from May 6 to May 9, 2024.
The statement read, “The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will now represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.
“Vice President Kashim Shettima who was originally scheduled to represent the President was unable to make the trip following a technical fault with his aircraft, forcing him to make a detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.
“The Vice President will carry on with other national duties.
“The high-profile summit, taking place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, will bring together political and business leaders from across Africa, the United States, and other regions. It features high-level dialogues, networking sessions, and plenaries.”
“The US-Africa Business Summit aims to foster economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities between the United States and African countries,” it added.
News
No plans for foreign military base in Nigeria, says FG
No plans for foreign military base in Nigeria, says FG
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the Federal Government is not considering any foreign military base in Nigeria to counter insurgence and other crimes.
He spoke on Monday in Abuja, noting that the Federal Government was aware of the false alarm being raised in some quarters about discussions with some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in Nigeria.
He urged the public to “totally disregard this falsehood”.
He said, “The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country.
“We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood.
“The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country.
“We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges.
“And the President remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Abia: You’ll refund Airport Project money, other looted funds, Otti tells Ikpeazu
Shettima aborts US trip over airplane fault, minister now to represent Tinubu
No plans for foreign military base in Nigeria, says FG
-
Sports2 days agoRonaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda
-
International2 days agoGaza: Thousands rally for hostage deal as ceasefire talks continue
-
Entertainment2 days agoNollywood veteran Shan George weeps as fraudster clears ₦3.6m from her account (VIDEO)
-
metro1 day agoDSS seals Plateau clinic over patient’s death
-
News3 days agoDon’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu
-
Politics1 day agoPDP: Sule Lamido blames court for mass resignation from party
-
News2 days agoUpdated: NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, hoarding, marketers disagree
-
Business3 days agoFinally, NERC unbundles TCN, creates new system operator