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FG to engage US on religious freedom blacklist

The Federal Government says it will open talks with the United States over the latter’s decision to include Nigeria among countries violating religious freedom.
It also rejected the US position that the Nigerian government was suppressing religious freedom.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, said the engagement would afford Nigeria the opportunity to demand the country’s removal from the blacklist.
The statement was in reaction to Monday’s decision by the US to add Nigeria to a religious freedom blacklist, which contains countries with severe religious violations.
It blacklisted Nigeria for “engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations.”
The Secretary of State, Mr Mike Pompeo, who announced the measure, said his country would continue to act when religious freedom is attacked.
He explained that the US law requires such designations for nations that either engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.”
Other nations on the blacklist are Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, China, Iran, Eritrea, Myanmar, North Korea, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
The US State Department in its annual report published earlier this year took note of concerns both at the federal and state levels.
The allegation against Nigeria is that it engaged in mass detention of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, a Shi’ite Muslim group and for disregarding court orders asking it to release the leader of the sect Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since 2015 after a clash between the military and members of the sect in Zaria, Kaduna State.
But the Federal Government said Nigeria’s religious liberty had never been in doubt and expressed surprise that the US could designate the country as promoting religious intolerance.
The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the nation remained multi-religious and multi-ethnic as defined by its constitution.
It said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria received the news with surprise, that a secular country under a democratic government would be so designated. Although the Nigerian state is multi-religious and multi-ethnic, the Nigerian constitution expressly states that the government shall not adopt any religion as state religion.
“Furthermore, section 38 of the Constitution [as amended] guarantees that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion including freedom to change his/her religion or belief and freedom to manifest and propagate his/her religion or belief.”
It reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring the respect and protection of citizens’ right to religious freedom as well as the promotion of religious tolerance and harmony.
Another statement by Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, described the allegation as a case of “an honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria.”
“Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation, neither does it have a policy of religious persecution,” he said, explaining: “Victims of insecurity and terrorism in the country are adherents of Christianity, Islam and other religions.”
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Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)

Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)
Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption, has ranked Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country in the world, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released on Tuesday.
Nigeria shares the 36th position with Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq and Cameroon, each scoring 26 points on the corruption index.
Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt country in the world with 90 points, followed by Finland with 88 points and Singapore with 84 points. The top 10 least corrupt nations were predominantly European, with no African country making the list.
However, Cape Verde emerged as the least corrupt country in Africa, ranking 35th globally with 62 points.
At the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan, Somalia and Venezuela were named the most corrupt countries in the world for the year under review.
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Commenting on the report, Francois Valeria, Chair of Transparency International, emphasised the widespread threat of corruption and its impact on global challenges such as climate change.
“The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but change for the better is happening in many countries,” Valeria said.
“Research also reveals that corruption is a major threat to climate action. It hinders progress in reducing emissions and adapting to the unavoidable effects of global heating.”
The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
While 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption levels since 2012, Transparency International noted that 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened in the same period.
“The global average of 43 has also stood still for years, while over two-thirds of countries score below 50. Billions of people live in countries where corruption destroys lives and undermines human rights,” Valeria added.
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Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma

Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma
The Federal Government has commiserated with the government and people of the Republic of Namibia on the passing of their first President, Dr. Sam Nujoma.
Nujoma, the founding president of Namibia died at the weekend at the age of 95 years.
The revolutionary leader, who served as Namibia’s first president for 15 years, died on Saturday night in the nation’s capital, Windhoek.
Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba said Nujoma died from an illness after being hospitalised in the capital, Windhoek.
A statement by Acting Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the departed leader as a visionary and a pan-Africanist.
The statement read, “The departed elder statesman was a visionary leader, a pan-Africanist and a relentless freedom fighter, who dedicated his life to the emancipation of Namibia from colonial rule.
“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality and self-determination not only shaped the destiny of Namibia but also inspired generations of Africans in the fight against oppression and injustice.
“As the pioneer President, Dr. Nujoma laid the foundation for a nation built on the principles of democracy, reconciliation, and development.
“His leadership set the country on a path of peace and progress, earning him the respect and admiration of the international community.
“Nigeria shares in the grief of our Namibian brothers and sisters at this moment of profound loss. We remember Dr. Nujoma as a true friend of Nigeria and a steadfast ally in pursuing African solidarity and cooperation.
“His legacy as a freedom fighter and statesman will forever remain a source of inspiration for the continent.
“Therefore, in this time of mourning, Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Namibia and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership between our two nations. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
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Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late

Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says all political of note have had to take difficult decisions including stepping on big toes.
He recalled how he had to sack his daughter from his farm on account of late coming to work.
According to Obasanjo, that action had a major effect on all his employees and they said, “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”
The former President made the disclosure while hosting the new Chairman, Board of Management of Federal Medical Centre Idi-Aba in Abeokuta, Dr Dayo Israel, who was on courtesy visit to him the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He told his visitor to prepare for the challenges ahead and be ready to step on toes, if necessary, for a successful tenure of office.
He said, “No leader of note I ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”
Dr Israel was in company of the FMC, Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and members of his management team.
The former President, according to a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr Segun Orisajo said: “If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.
“Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at University of Ibadan, studying Veterinary Medicine was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during long vacation”.
“On day one, she resumed a quarter past seven in the morning as against the usual 7 o’clock. I warned her, reminding her that she has an obligation to be of good example to other workers. I told her I will not hesitate to wield the big stick should the same be repeated going forward.
“To my amazement, the following day, she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.”
“Not surprisingly, this had an indescribable effect on all my employees, saying “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”
Earlier, the FMCA Board Chairman, Dr Israel, described Obasanjo as an international colossus, full of wisdom and wits.
Israel said: “Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always so much fun. As we begin this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta, Baba’s wisdom and experience are invaluable.”
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