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FEC endorses AU Convention on Cross Border Cooperation

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the African Union (AU) Convention on Cross Border Cooperation better known as the “Niamey Convention”.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, briefed State House correspondents on Wednesday after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the minister, the convention aims to simply promote cross border cooperation at local, sub-regional and regional levels.

Dada said the convention was initiated by Nigeria during the conference of African ministers in charge of borders on May 29, 2012 in Niamey, Niger Republic and adopted in Malabo Equatorial Guinea in 2014.

“That simply explains why it is referred to as the Niamey Convention.

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“As I said, Nigeria initiated and spearheaded the drafting of the Convention; subsequently, Nigeria signed the convention on Jan. 29, 2017.

“What we simply did today was to present the convention to the council for its approval and ratification by the president.

“The convention harps on Federal Government’s foreign policy, which emphasises on good neighbourliness,”.

He said the convention equally intended to facilitate the delimitation, demarcation and reaffirmation of inter-state borders in conformity with mechanisms that had been agreed upon by the parties to the convention.

“This convention is aimed at facilitating peaceful resolution of border disputes between member states.

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“It is also intended to promote peace and stability through the prevention of conflicts, the integration of the continent and the deepening of unity amongst member states.

“Equally very important is the fact that it provides opportunity to share intelligence between us and our neighbours.

“ It also provides a mechanism for the promotion of economic integration of the continent, cross-border cooperation that will help trade facilitation and promote African Continental Free Trade Agreement which has just come into effect in the entire continent.’’

The minister said that he looked forward that the convention would enable Nigeria to harmonise activities at its numerous borders because it had very large borders.

Dada said that the convention would enable Nigeria to achieve an integrated border management system.

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“This is precisely what this convention intends to achieve; like I said, we did sign this since convention on Jan. 29, 2017.

“All we are doing now is to seek its ratification; other African countries have already signed on to it and have also ratified it.

“All we are doing is to give leadership to Africa by ensuring that we also ratify it so that it will come into effect,’’ he said

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Indefinite Strike: NLC set to announce suspension of indefinite action

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NLC, TUC

The Organised Labour has agreed to suspend its planned nationwide indefinite strike.

According to AIT, the Labour bodies reached the agreement after a closed-door meeting with Federal Government officials at the Presidential Villa Abuja, on Sunday.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, who was said to have addressed newsmen after the four-hour meeting, disclosed that the N25,000 announced by President Bola Tinubu in his Independence Day anniversary broadcast is now applicable across board and not only “low-grade workers”.

Leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, will meet with organs of workers’ unions across the country to announce a decision to suspend the planned nationwide indefinite strike.

The indefinite industrial action was scheduled to begin from midnight of Tuesday, October 3.

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Meanwhile, the meeting between FG officials, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will continue on Monday to further streamline issues surrounding fuel subsidy removal interventions.

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Independence: How Nigerians should mark anniversary — NLC

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Joe Ajaero

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says there is reason for hope in the country, in spite of the challenges that have beset it.

NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, said this in a statement on Saturday, on the commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence Day, marked on Oct. 1.

He urged Nigerians to mark the 2023 Independence Day with a renewed sense of purpose.

Ajaero charged them to acknowledge the past, confront the present challenges, and collectively work toward a brighter future for Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria remains a nation with enormous potential.

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“Our young and dynamic population, if properly empowered, can be the driving force behind our resurgence.

“It is imperative that we invest in education, skills development, and job creation to harness the untapped potential within our youth, “ he said.

The labour leader also called on Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders, adding that the days of impunity and unbridled corruption must come to an end.

He called on all Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process, holding elected officials to the highest standards of integrity and performance.

“We must then in the spirit of this year’s independence go beyond questioning why we have found ourselves in the cesspool of poverty and despair.

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“Also, we must build a determination to put a stop to this inexorable march to the cesspit and morass of excruciating pains and impoverishment.

“The citizens have a strong role to play in our collective quest for freedom from the shackles of mindless exploitation and pauperisation.

“Holding our leaders accountable is one of the very critical roles we must all play to free ourselves from the gyres of the oppressive forces of retrogression.

“It is the highest form of participation in the democratic space; if we cannot hold our leaders to account for every of their action then, we lose our democracy and we lose our nation.

“It therefore remains our patriotic duty for those that truly love our nation to rise at this time and speak truth to power.

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“This is to ensure that the salvation of our nation becomes real and our people from the North, the West, South and the East are able to enjoy the full benefits of their “Nigerianness” which holds a great promise, “ Ajaero said.

The leader, while noting that NLC was the voice of Nigerian workers, said that it had tirelessly championed and would continue to champion the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and people.

He said, however, the numerous challenges that persisted could not be overlooked.

“Issues such as unfair labour practices, inadequate safety standards, and insufficient protection for workers continue to plague our labor force.

“It is imperative that we work together to address these issues and create an environment where every worker can thrive, “ he said.

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