Day: June 9, 2023

This year’s Cape fur seal culling along Namibia’s coastline is set to begin July 1 – a harvest that’s done onshore for population control.

The seal population, according to the country’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, stands at 1.6 million and is made up of 26 colonies. The ministry has issued a quota for the harvesting of 80,000 pups and 6,000 bulls this year.

The annual harvest is usually met with controversy because of the methods used in the culling of seals. Pups are clubbed over the head, while the bigger bulls are shot with rifles.

The culling method has raised ethical concerns among environmentalists, but authorities say the population must be thinned to maintain fish stocks in the ocean. Seals are estimated to consume 2 million tons of fish per year.

Environmental advocate Dirk Heinrich told VOA that the seals are not to blame for the depletion of the fish stocks. Overfishing in Namibian waters for profit is the cause, he said.

“It seems that some people lose some money, and then the best culprit is another animal, and then we kill that animal and make it less and try to make money out of it,” he said. “In that way, we actually destroy our whole ecosystem.

“We should rather look at us, the humans. Are we concerned, especially we Namibians, are we concerned about conservation and the natural or sustainable utilization of natural resources, or are we looking at dollars only?”

Seal products

Fisheries Ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua told VOA the seals feed mostly on noncommercial fish stocks, such as gobies. She also explained what is done with the culled seals.

“The seal products include the skin, the meal, oil, and dry genitals meat,” she said. “These products are demanded both in the local and international markets.”

The seal harvesting is overseen by Ministry of Environment officials alongside those of the Fisheries Ministry. Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Environment Ministry, said, “If you let that [seal] population grow, then indeed it is that population that is going to consume commercial amounts [of fish], and we don’t want it to get to that level.” The population needs to be maintained at a level that the ecosystem can support, he said.

Twenty-seven countries worldwide, including the U.S., Mexico and South Africa, have banned imports of all seal products. In 2019, the European Union banned all imports of seal products, citing animal welfare and the culling methods.

Namibian seal products are exported mainly to Asian markets. Seal penis is a delicacy in China.

Source: Voice of America

TEXEM UK, a leading consulting organisation dedicated to promoting excellence and societal development, has celebrated her alumnus Ann Iyonu, the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.

According to a statement on TEXEM’s website, Iyonu is congratated on being selected as one of the 16 prestigious Global Yale Fellows.

The recognition is a testament to Ann’s outstanding contributions to humanity and exemplary societal leadership, the statement from TEXEM’s Director of Special Projects, Caroline Lucas announced.

Ann Iyonu participated in and completed the TEXEM executive development programme, Building Resilient Organisations for sustainable success, which held between Aug. 22 and Aug. 24, 2022, in Birmingham, UK.

The Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program at Yale University is renowned for its commitment to fostering global leadership and promoting internationalism.

As a core element of Yale’s ongoing dedication to nurturing leaders who can drive positive change worldwide, the programme has become synonymous with excellence and impact.

Thus, Iyonu’s selection as a Global Yale Fellow is a momentous achievement for Nigeria and the continent of Africa for recognising her remarkable achievements, strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to making society a better place.

Throughout her career, Iyonu has consistently displayed initiative, resilience, dynamism, and a vibrant spirit that has propelled her forward in her endeavours.

Her exceptional dedication to helping society and unwavering support for security, good governance, democracy, and societal betterment make her an outstanding leader.

While attending the TEXEM programme, she actively participated and portrayed impressive emotional intelligence and ability to think critically, infectious drive, commendable capacity to multitask and inestimable capability to inspire.

“TEXEM UK firmly believes that this prestigious global recognition will serve as a catalyst, inspiring Ann Iyonu to continue her remarkable work and make an even more significant impact on society.

“With this fellowship, Ann has been bestowed with an extraordinary opportunity to expand her influence, network, and knowledge, further empowering her to drive positive change on a global scale.

“Ann’s selection as a Global Yale Fellow reflects positively on the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, an organisation dedicated to advancing democracy, good governance, and peace across Africa,” the statement affirmed.

It says her accomplishments highlight the Foundation’s commitment to fostering leadership and excellence in the service of humanity.

Dr Alim Abubakre, Founder of TEXEM, UK, says “that this global recognition of Ann Iyonu for her sterling qualities, impressive potential, and the positive difference she makes and will make in the future is a call for more service to humanity.

“Ann exemplifies the principle that hard work, dedication, altruism and societal leadership will always result in an enduring legacy.

“We hope her success thus far will spur her to do more and inspire others to emulate her”.

The statement elaborates that as Iyonu embarks on the prestigious fellowship journey starting in August, TEXEM UK cheers her on, offering unwavering support and encouragement.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a warehouse containing goods worth N1.9 billion in Idu, an outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Bubuchiki Godiya, a member of the Federal Taskforce and Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, who disclosed this on Friday, said the agency received an allegation concerning feed avenue that was producing animal feeds.

Godiya said that the agency on receipt of the allegation sent its staff to the warehouse for confirmation.

He added that the team was shocked by their findings on getting to the warehouse, because it was discovered that goods were being manufactured there.

According to him, the revelations show that most of the goods are expired.

He said “what we saw verified the allegation as the company had been carrying out funny activities at the warehouse.

“In the manager’s office, we saw some pressing iron, sailing thread and several other items for re-bagging feeds.”

Godiya said that on interrogation, the manager could not explain what the items were used for as he claimed the products were imported from France.

He also said that aside the discovery, the goods had expired, some labels were also observed to have been removed and replaces with new ones.

“We saw many newly printed labels in the manager’s office; the manager said he had no answers to questions he was asked, as some products he said were produced in Nigeria had no label or NAFDAC number.

“We will investigate this and must get to the root of the matter. When you go to a place and you see scaling machine, pressing iron, coding machine, one will understand that things are being manufactured there,” he said.

The task force member disclosed that on inspection of the facility, the team discovered that the place was a warehouse, and not even a factory for production.

He said that the team had sufficient evidence and further regulatory action would be taken against the company.

Meanwhile, Mr Daniel Ajayi, the warehouse manager, claimed not to be aware of other activities, saying his responsibility is to sell poultry products.

He claimed that the new empty bags and other things in the warehouse were to re-bag any damaged product.

Mr Umaru Suleiman, the Team Leader of the Federal Taskforce Investigation and Enforcement Unit, Kaduna, whose jurisdiction covers the entire North, including Abuja, said that the warehouse had all it takes to repackage any product.

Suleiman explained that “the company buys expired products and re-bag them and sell to customers.”

According to him, even if a product is registered, it should be evaluated immediately it expires.

“Expired products should be quarantined in a particular place, so as not to contaminate others.

“If it is imported from France as he claimed, there is what we call import permit for products like this and it will be written on the labels.”

The News of Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the warehouse had been sealed and the manager arrested.

NAN also report that the warehouse has no notice board and it is in the premises of Bouygue Construction, Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Oludayo Obasanjo, Executive Director, Marketing and Development, Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Ltd., has called for concerted efforts to promote Nigerian foods globally.

Obasanjo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that this could be achieved by highlighting unique qualities and health benefits of Nigerian food.

According to him, repositioning Nigerian foods for global accessibility requires patriotism from government, individuals and stakeholders.

He said that Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million people was a desired destination for many manufacturers in the world.

He also said that Nigeria must leverage this strength to improve local production to meet demands for food as well as exports to other countries.

“Nigerian foods are diverse and rich with a variety of traditional dishes that are both healthy and delicious.

“However, Nigerian foods are not well known globally like the Chinese or Indian foods.

“Nigeria has a large population in the diaspora, our exports to the United States and Europe can begin with Nigerians and other Africans as target consumers,” he said.

Obasanjo said that it was sad that Nigeria had not been able to meet local demand for food in its various processing stages, adding that the country still depended majorly on importation of ultra-processed food.

He said that it was also saddening that the little exports the country managed to send out were being rejected.

Obasanjo said that recently the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said that more than 70 per cent of food exported from Nigeria were rejected abroad.

He said that was a great loss considering the amount of money spent on exporting those foods.

Obasanjo urged the food sector to wake up and be more efficient, noting that even the minimally processed foods such as chicken were still being smuggled into the country.

“This has significantly impacted the local industries negatively and consequently its poor per capital income and low Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“It is important to mention that most of these imported foods fail basic health and nutritional tests.

“Most imported processed foods have been found to be predisposed to health challenges such as cancer, heart diseases, hypertension and high cholesterol particularly the low density lipoprotein among others,” Obasanjo said.

He said that institutions like the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) must collaborate with government agencies such as NAFDAC and other bodies to discourage the influx of imported foods especially the unhealthy ones.

Obasanjo also urged NIFST to partner with the newly established African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) Laboratory in Ogun to ensure that made-in-Nigeria products, consumed within and outside the country, met the required safety standards.

He said this would enable Nigerians to export African products with full compliance requirements, other applicable standards and technical regulations within international markets.

Obasanjo said this would also increase the acceptability and visibility of made in African products in the international market.

He noted that it was also essential to leverage social media for promoting Nigerian food products to the global audience.

According to him, sharing videos and photos can exhibit the beauty, diversity and nutritional value of our foods.

“We need to embrace innovation and foster the spirit of partnership to make our economy grow. Agriculture is the future of Nigeria,” Obasanjo said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Forum of Commissioners for Finance of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to ensure that all accruals from the removal of fuel subsidy go to the Federation Account.

Outgoing Chairman of the Forum, Mr David Olofu made the call at a valedictory session for outgoing State Commissioners for Finance held in Abuja on Friday.

Olofu is also the immediate past Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Benue State.

While commending President Bola Tinubu on the removal of subsidy, Olofu said, as finance experts, the Forum, like other Nigerians, had long yearned for it.

“We will like to sincerely commend the President for having that political will to do that, first day in office.

“That is what we had been yearning for. He came, his first day in office, he was able to achieve that which we have always asked for”, Olofu said.

On how the President should manage the funds from subsidy, Olofu said that the Constitution provided for all federation revenues to go into the federation account.

“Nobody has any authority whatsoever to deduct any amount from federation revenue.

“So, I will align myself with the position of the Constitution and recommend that all the accruals go into the federation account and let it be disbursed from the federation account”, he stressed.

He said, however, the Federal Government should come up with policies and programmes that could address the challenges Nigerians are currently facing as a result of increase in the pump price of fuel due to the removal of subsidy.

“I believe that the President has the capacity and knowledge to be able to do that decisively.

“He has already started it by proposing a wage increase for workers but that has to be done alongside with sub-nationals, because the sub-nationals have the bulk of civil servants in this country.

“I believe he is on track but, apart from wage increase, we also have to look at issues of infrastructure because we believe strongly that if we can wrap up infrastructure in this country, it will also help to improve the living standard and bring down the cost of living.”

Olofu appealed to Nigerians to be patient saying, the long term benefit of what has been done by the President far outweighs the short term pains people were going through.

For the incoming Chairman of the Forum, Wale Akinterinwa, he commended his predecessor, saying that Olofu did a very good work while leading the forum.

“He has actually elevated the forum to a much higher level than he met it. Be that as it may I will try to ensure that I continue from where he stopped.

“I will continue to sustain the good relationship he has created with all the revenue generating agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation”, he said.

Akinterinwa who is the Commissioner of Finance Ondo State, reiterated that the removal of fuel subsidy was an over due issue.

His words: “I commend the President for having the courage to immediately remove the fuel subsidy as he was sworn.

“Well, we are going to feel the pain we are feeling in the short run but in the long run, it is in the best interest of everybody.”

Mohammed Shehu, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), on his part, commended the forum on efforts at taking the issue of federation account very seriously.

“We hope that as the years go by, the agitation on federal might or federal imposition on a lot of things would become a thing of the past.

“This is an opportunity for states revenue mobilisation and all other agencies to collaborate in the area of increasing internally generated revenue of states and diversification of the economy”, he said.

He also said that the removal of fuel subsidy was good for the economy.

Shehu urged states to ensure that the monies that were eventually going to the states should be put to use properly so that “we can run a very good federation and create opportunities for jobs for Nigerians.”

Special Guest of honour at the event, the Governor of Jigawa, Umar Namadi tasked the forum to build on the legacy of the outgoing chairman saying that he brought a lot of innovation and professionalism to the organisation.

He was a former Commissioner for Finance Jigawa and immediate past Deputy Governor of the state before becoming the present governor.

Shehu said that removal of fuel subsidy was a bold step taken by the President.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the event was attended by the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein and representatives of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Angolan ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) Miguel Bembe Friday in Kigali (Rwanda) reiterated the country’s commitment to the issues related to peace, security and reconciliation at the level of continental organisation, ANGOP has learnt.

The diplomat was addressing a debate on the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of this institution, ahead of Retreat of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, on 08-12 June, states a press note from Angolan

Embassy in Ethiopia.

The diplomat spoke of the need to focus on the PSC and stressed its role as the permanent decision-making body of the AU, at a time when the five regions of the continent face worrying situations of conflicts, terrorism, and, in some cases, the respective States insist on unconstitutional change of regime.

Miguel Bembe also reiterated the need to focus on prevention and considered it pertinent to strengthen the CPS’s capacities, in human and financial resources, as well as to consolidate coordination with the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (CER/MR).

The commitment is in line with the subsidiary and complementary principles set out in the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), in addition to valuing strategic information.

In his speech, the ambassador also referred to the importance of effectively applying the recommendations presented in the consultants/experts’ report, taking into account their impact on the performance of the PSC and fulfillment of its mission at the service

of peace, security and development of the continent.

Running until the 12th, the event addresses aspects related to the institutional reform of the continental organisation and the implementation of Agenda 2063, called “The Africa we want

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan government has pledged to provide adequate housing with universal access to basic services, such as energy, water and sanitation, transport, schools, employment, health care, green spaces and infrastructure financing.

The pledge come from the Permanent Representative of Angola to the UN Offices in Nairobi, Sianga Abílio, who said that the commitment also entails Angola’s active participation in the broad, inclusive and effective multilateral system.

In his speech, delivered Thursday at the Plenary Session of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) Assembly, the diplomat spoke of the urgent need to deal with the global crisis.

Sustainable Urban Development has the potential to address many of the current challenges and is crucial in global efforts to rebuild better, stronger, greener and safer prosperity.

In his speech, he said he believes that the implementation of the New Urban Agenda can contribute to the location of the 2030 agenda, in sustainable development in an integrated manner, as well as to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“I believe that the implementation of the New Agenda will make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, he advanced.

The UN-HABITAT Assembly, held in Nairobi, is attended by 5,500 delegates, representing 193 countries.

The event addresses various matters under the responsibility of this body, with emphasis on universal access to affordable housing.

Member States are being encouraged to explore mechanisms to achieve the universal right to adequate housing and to move towards the removal of existing barriers to affordable housing

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan Paulo Madeira was re-elected Thursday as president of FIBA Africa Zone VI for the 2023/27 term during the General Assembly of the governing body of basketball in the African continent.

With this vote of confidence by the National Federations, the former head of the Angolan Basketball Federation is part of the Central Bureau of FIBA Africa, having also a seat in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Paulo Madeira was first elected in 2019 in the Malian capital, Bamako.At the time, he replaced the Mozambican Aníbal Aurélio Manave at the helm of this African basketball institution

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Member of Parliament (MP) Henny Seibeb on Thursday questioned the actions of the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, for not removing non-resident councillors, even after he was legally advised to do so.

During a Parliament session on Thursday, Seibeb accused Uutoni of breaking the Local Authority Act by not removing Swapo councillors who do not permanently reside in the respective towns where they were appointed as councillors.

He gave the example of Fabiam George, chairperson of the Ongwediva Town Council management committee who is also employed full-time in Okakarara, which is 560 kilometres from where he is appointed as a councillor.

The Local Authority Act states that councillors should reside within the town where they are appointed as a councillor.

The MP asked the minister why he ignored the legal advice given to him by Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka in January 2019, informing him to remove such councillors, specifically, councillor George.

Seibeb said Uutoni has been overlooking these “wrongdoings” and asked the minister to explain what steps the ministry has taken to rectify the problem.

On the same day, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development was asked by MP Maximalliant Katjimune why he has not yet tabled the Rent Control Bill in Parliament.

He stated that the Rent Control Bill will regulate rent prices in Namibia, as well as handle and investigate complaints between tenants and property owners.

Katjimune added that the average wages do not compare to the rent rate in the country and that most Namibians could simply not afford to buy property, let alone rent.

The MP asked the minister to state when it can be expected to see this Bill tabled in Parliament.

These questions will be addressed in Parliament on 15 June.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency