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Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Summit Adopts Action Plan 2023-2026
The 2nd Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Summit has ended with a declaration to address common challenges and deepen relationship between Russia and African countries.
The event held on Thursday and Friday, 27th and 28th July, 2023 respectively in St Petersburg and recorded the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Russia and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on basic principles of relations and cooperation.
Also, there was an MoU between Russia and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on basic principles of relations and cooperation.
At the joint declaration at the end of the event, the two sides committed to strengthen dialogue partnership and cooperation on a wide range of areas.
They include politics, security, economics and humanitarian issues, in the interests of greater mutual benefits and prosperity.
Along the usual reiteration of the need for free and fair trade practices, they agreed to identify economic sectors in Russia and Africa to implement mutual trade support measures, elaborate sector development programmes and enhance trade relations.
Highlighting the St. Petersburg Declaration endorsed by the leaders, President Vladimir Putin of Russia said it enshrined strategic dimensions for development of cooperation between Russia and African states for the long term.
According to Putin, the commitment of all of the states to shape a just and democratic multipolar world order has been confirmed.
“A world order based on universal principles of international law and the UN Charter.
“The declaration reflects common commitment to contrary near colonialism, use of illegitimate sanctions, attempts to undermine traditional moral values.
“The Sochi agreement has been confirmed that Russian African summits will be held once every three years.
“In between the summits between Russia and Africa, there will be a mechanism of dialect partnership put in place.
“There will be regular political consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Russia, African States and the leadership of the African Union.
“It is also planned to establish a new permanent Russian African mechanism to coordinate on the matters of security.
“This includes such relevant topics as fight against terrorism and extremism, food security, information technology, non-placement of weapons in outer space and climate change.
“It is very telling that many constructive ideas and useful practical notions were expressed by our African friends during today’s meetings.
“Naturally, we’ll take them into consideration,’’ the President said.
Putin further explained that representatives of African states showed political will and demonstrated their independence and interest in developing cooperation with Russia.
“We appreciate that and we are convinced that there is a successful future for Russian African relations.
“This is based on traditions of time tested friendship, as well as history of multifaceted and fruitful cooperation that dates back to the early period of African countries building their statehood,’’ he said.
Putin also said that the summit confirmed the firm commitment both by Russia and Africa to further develop and fighting new forms and new spheres of mutually beneficial partnership.
“In this context, it is very telling that the outcome of our work is the adoption of impressive package of joint documents,’’ he said.
The President said that many spheres of Russian African cooperation have resulted in separate declarations which spell out their harmonised approaches and benchmarks for further joint actions.
According to him, the decisions of St. Petersburg Summit are set out in a large scale 2026 action plan.
“Its goal is to quantitatively and qualitatively improve bilateral trade and its structure.
“We’re also talking about consistently transitioning to financial settlements and commercial deals to national currencies, including Ruble to eliminate trade barriers,’’ Putin said.
On his part, the Chairperson of the AU and President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, said that Africa had put in place an enabling environment for investments.
He said that Africa intended to have multiple partners critical for rapid development of the continent.
“We’re not going to have one sole partner. We will have multiple partners. If we have two or three partners, it is even better because they will attract more new partners.”
He said the setting up of the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was a good model that would facilitate trade in Africa.
“We are setting up a free trade area in Africa. We believe this is a very good model which will help us make headway and develop further.
“As chairperson of the AU, I can do what I can in order to accelerate the establishment of the AfCFTA.
“And I am sure that with Russia’s support we will be able to implement this project and achieve tangible results,’’ he said.
Assoumani sued for peace between Russia and Ukraine.
“The Russian president has demonstrated his willingness to help us with the supplies of grains, it is important maybe that is not enough.
“What we need is a cease fire because war is always unpredictable, the longer it lasts the more unpredictable it becomes.
“President Putin has shown us he is ready in dialogue and search for solutions and we need to convince the other party and I hope that we will be able to do that,’’ he said.
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I will not be intimidated by any military – Wike
By Wumi Tewogbade (rtd), Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Minister Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, said he will not be intimidated or blackmailed by any military personnel from doing his job.
Wike stated this when he went on an unscheduled visit on a plot of land that was allegedly being illegally developed in Gaduwa, Abuja.
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According to the Minister, he had earlier instructed the Director Development Control, Muktir Galadima, to go and demolish an alleged illegal development ongoing in plot 1946, Gaduwa district, Abuja, owned by the former Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Awaul Zubairu Gambo.
But when the staff of Development control got to the property to effect the directive of the FCT Minister, they were forcefully driven out of the property by security acting on the former Chief of Naval staff, directives.
So the Director of Development control went to report back to the FCT Minister, who immediately came to see what was going on.
Wike while speaking to journalists said, “You are aware that the land departments and the development control have been mandated to see where the illegal development is going on and land grabbing. And when this was brought to my attention, I did instruct them to make sure that nothing takes place in as much as they did not have any legal paper in terms of regional approval or even the acquisition of the land. And when they came here, I was informed that the soldiers of the former Naval Chief, chase them away and I thought probably they would be acting illegally.
“And so today while I was in the office, while they came to implement the directive that was given to them by myself, I was called that the military have taken over the place and I have to come by myself to see things for myself. It’s really unfortunate. And you heard what the officers said, he was sent by the former chief of Naval Staff”.
The FCT Minister noted that the Naval Chief, should have approached him for discussion instead of taking law into his hands, “And I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position and he said that he has a problem cannot approach my office to say, look, this is what is going on, this is what is going on. But simply because he’s a military man, he could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I’m not one of those kind of persons that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation”.
He said there is no documents to prove, the Former Chief of Naval staff is actually the owner of the property in question.
“And where are the documents. And the Director of Development Control said, look, I was here. I said bring the documents, you don’t have the documents.
“Bring the approval for building, you don’t have it. And how can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail in this country? What about those who don’t have the military? What about those who don’t have security? It has gotten to a level where when government officials are doing, carrying out their job, you go and bring security to intimidate them. And this government official, I will not accept that”.
He said, “I’ve spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and I’ve spoken to the Chief of Naval Staff and they have assured me that, please, they have to resolve the matter. And we’re not coming here to have a shootout with anybody to cause chaos and all. But what I can say, I would not allow it to happen.
“The way we have done and carried out our jobs in other areas is the same way it will be done here. We will not allow this illegal development, simply because he was a former Chief of Naval Staff. I would not allow that”.
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Digital Economy and eGovernance: Stakeholders Endorse Bill, Demand Institutional Role Definition
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s digital and technology ecosystem have expressed support for the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, describing it as a vital step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework that will strengthen digital governance, boost innovation, and accelerate socio-economic development.
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However, they urged the National Assembly to address potential overlaps between the proposed law and the mandates of existing agencies to prevent institutional conflict and regulatory burden.
The submissions were made on Monday during a Public Hearing convened by the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on ICT, Cybersecurity, Digital and Information Technology at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Among groups that presented their position was the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR), which commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and federal lawmakers for the initiative.
Presenting NADIR’s memorandum, its Legal Adviser, Barrister Yunus AbdulSalam (SAN), said the Bill represents a significant legislative intervention aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s digital governance ecosystem and regulating emerging technologies. He, however, cautioned that certain provisions appear to replicate functions already assigned to agencies such as NITDA, NCC, and NDPC.
Such duplication, he warned, could “trigger constitutional and institutional disputes, raise compliance costs, and discourage private sector participation and investment.”
He recommended that the National Assembly adopt a “consolidation and amendment approach,” extracting the Bill’s innovative elements and integrating them into the existing Act, rather than creating new regulatory overlaps.
Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, said the Bill would enhance Nigeria’s digital competitiveness, strengthen e-governance service delivery, improve transparency, and boost the ease of doing business, particularly in the ICT sector.
He noted that the digital economy currently contributes about 20 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, adding that the passage of the Bill would unlock greater opportunities for job creation, innovation, and revenue growth.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Digital and Information Technology, Honourable Adedeji Stanley Olajide, said the engagement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building a transparent and innovation-driven governance structure. He emphasized that collaboration among lawmakers, regulators, and industry players marked “a new phase in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.”
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lauded the National Assembly for advancing the Bill and assured that stakeholder concerns would be considered to guarantee a balanced outcome. He said the proposed framework seeks to enable seamless data sharing across government institutions and foster stronger synergy with the private sector.
He also highlighted the Bill’s provisions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing AI as a strategic tool that could enhance Nigeria’s productivity and global digital competitiveness.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stressed that Nigeria must adopt a modern digital legal framework to benefit from ongoing global technological shifts. He cited the application of AI in agriculture for real-time access to data on best practices, weather patterns, and input quality as an example of the potential impact on food security.
Stakeholders present at the hearing included the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), among others.
Declaring the hearing open, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, described the Bill as a bold step toward aligning Nigeria’s governance and economic policies with global digital realities.
The Bill, if passed into law, is expected to play a transformational role in Nigeria’s digital economy comparable to the telecommunications liberalization policy of 2001.
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Igala Nation Backs Ododo/Tinubu 8 Years Mandate
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, has reaffirmed the unity and firm support of the Igala nation for the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, declaring that the governor’s eight-year tenure is sacrosanct and backed by the people of Kogi East.
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Comrade Joel Salifu made the declaration at the 2025 Kabba Day Celebration.
The Deputy Governor who represented his boss at the occasion stated:
“I want to categorically tell you that I am an Igala by tribe and from Kogi East. By the grace of God, I am a leader of the Kogi East APC. There is no other person that can deliver the voice of the people of Kogi East apart from Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and my humble self.”
He stressed that the current administration remains united and resolute in delivering good governance, warning against divisive politics or misinformation.
“If there’s anybody, let them not talk from behind. Whatever message they have, let them not come to confuse you. In this government, I am the leader and voice of the Igala people, and what I will tell you is nothing but the truth; Ododo’s eight years in office is sacrosanct,” he said.
The Deputy Governor further disclosed that the entire Igala nation has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for their continued leadership, stressing that the people of Kogi East are united behind their vision of renewed hope, and transformational leadership.
“All the Igalas have resolved, united, and have endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Ododo for their second term of eight years in office, to enable them continue the good works they are doing,” he declared.
Turning to the traditional rulers, Comrade Joel Salifu commended the Okun people for their intellectual strength and political maturity.
“My dear people of Okun nation, I know you for being focused, determined, and very intelligent, having produced the largest number of Professors in the state. With that record, nobody should deceive you because of their selfish political interest. Continue to disappoint them,” he urged.
The brief remark was received with cheers, showing the growing rapport between Kogi East and Kogi West senatorial district under the leadership of Governor Ododo, a synergy rooted in unity and collective progress of the state.
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