FG debunks report of expulsion of Nigerian ambassador from Niger – Newstrends
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FG debunks report of expulsion of Nigerian ambassador from Niger

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Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Mohammed Usman

FG debunks report of expulsion of Nigerian ambassador from Niger

The Federal Government on Saturday debunked a viral report that the country’s Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Mohammed Usman has been expelled from the country.

In a statement signed by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, urged the general public to disregard such news.

The statement read “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to news making the rounds on social media that the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, H. E. Mohammed Usman was on Friday, August 25, 2023 expelled and given 48 hours to leave the country.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that this information is false and as such should be disregarded.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria warns against the circulation of unverified information capable of jeopardizing the ongoing mediation efforts by ECOWAS in the political impasse in Niger.”

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Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu says war is not ideal for Nigeria’s economic reforms amid the tension in the Niger Republic.

Aguri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this on Saturday following a meeting between Tinubu and the US Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee.

Tinubu called on the US to deepen democracy in the West African sub-region through collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

He explained ECOWAS remained committed to exploring all options for restoring democracy in the Niger Republic.

“We are deep in our attempts to peacefully settle the issue in Niger by leveraging our diplomatic tools. Despite its readiness for all options, I continue to hold ECOWAS back to exhaust all other remedial mechanisms. War is neither ideal for my economic reforms nor the region, but the defence of democracy is sacrosanct. The ECOWAS consensus is that we will not allow anyone to buy time insincerely,” he said.

A military junta truncated Nigerien democracy on July 26.

FG debunks report of expulsion of Nigerian ambassador from Niger

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Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence

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Catholic Bishops

Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised concerns over the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly by youths in Nigeria and beyond.

Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri and President of CBCN, expressed this during the CBCN maiden edition of the Communications Week (ComWEEK) Public Lecture in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event, themed ‘Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Evangelisation and Social Development,’ was part of the activities marking the 2024 ComWEEK of the CBCN, the 58th edition since the Pope established World Communication Day (WCD) in 1967.

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Ugorji emphasized, “Despite the enormous benefits, the development and deployment of AI digital technology must be approached with ethical rigour. We must strive for a balance that prioritizes human welfare alongside technological progress, mindful of the ethical and moral dilemmas, as well as risks such as job displacement, threat to peace in the world, spread of falsehood through propaganda, manipulation of the human person, and privacy concerns through advanced hacking and deepfakes.”

Speaking on the theme, Prof. Anthony Akinwale, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, highlighted that despite the fears associated with AI and other technologies, religion cannot ignore the accomplishments of science and technology.

Additionally, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, noted that Pope Francis’ position aligns with the consistent magisterium of the Church, emphasizing that all scientific progress is a gift of God to humanity, to be used for human well-being and the glory of God.

Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence

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Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out

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Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out

Suspected peasants have killed an invader and macheted three others, who allegedly encroached on the Okuama-Ewu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, to loot zinc, iron, rods and related scraps, barely 24 hours after the Nigerian Army pulled out of the embattled community.

Soldiers started withdrawing from the community, on Monday, and finally pulled out, on Wednesday, following negotiations between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Army authorities.

Vanguard learned that soon after, some youths from neighbouring villages, observing that soldiers had withdrawn from Okuama-Ewu, went to the community to scavenge for things to sell.

Meanwhile, the people of Akugbene community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state, have raised the alarm that one of the six persons attacked and macheted, by returnees of the embattled Okuama Community in Ughelli South was still missing.

They ambushed, macheted our people—Akugbene resident

A source from the neighbouring Akugbene Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state told Vanguard that they noticed soldiers leaving the Okuama-Ewu Community, on Tuesday. It explained that Okuama returnees ambushed and attacked four Akugbene indigenes with machetes.

His words: “As I talk to you, there is a problem: the Okuama returnees ambushed and butchered four indigenes of our community with machetes.

“They (Akugbene indigenes) were on their way to the Ezebiri Community along the footpath linking various communities on hearing that the road was free when the Okuama returnees ambushed them.

“One of them, who escaped to our community with machete cuts, narrated that the Okuama returnees pointed guns at them and attacked them, while on their way to Ezebiri.

“They attacked them with machetes, but he managed to escape while others were led towards the jetty in the community waterfront.

Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out

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Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy

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CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso

Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy

The Senate and House of Representatives have sharply disagreed on the controversial 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

While the Senate said there was nothing wrong with the levy since the national assembly passed it into law, the House of Representatives asked the CBN to suspend its implementation based following public outcry that had trailed it.

The Senate contended that the cybersecurity levy came into being through a collaborative effort that involved the National Assembly’s ICT and Cyber Security Committee and a transparent public hearing process, with contributions from various stakeholders.

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According to the Senate, both arms of the National Assembly unanimously passed it before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed it into law.

It also argued that the levy was not punitive, but aimed at protecting national security and the economy.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Umar Buba, APC Bauchi South, who addressed the controversy surrounding the proposed implementation of the cybersecurity levy by the CBN yesterday , said that the levy was provided for in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Senator Buba noted that the provisions of the cybersecurity levy had been in place since 2015 but were delayed due to unclear interpretations and applications.

He, however, clarified that the levy was not punitive as it had numerous exemptions to protect and relieve ordinary citizens, particularly the poor.

According to him, the exemptions include salary payments, intra-account transfers, loan disbursements and repayments, and other financial transactions.

But the House of Representatives directed the CBN to suspend implementation of the proposed levy.

It also mandated its Committees on Banking Regulations, and Banking and other ancillary institutions to guide the CBN properly.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, PDP Rivers, and 359 others

Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy

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