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Simon Ekpa, Ayaba Cho: OEAS raises alarm over prolonged detention of separatists in EU

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The Organisation of Emerging African States has raised an alarm over the continued detention of Simon Ekpa, a Biafra separatist, and Ayaba Lucas Cho, an Ambazonia agitator, in Finland and Norway, European countries, respectively.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday jointly signed by OEAS legal counsel, Jonathan Levy, and Secretary General, Ebenezer Akwanga.

OEAS said the charges brought against the activists, Ekpa and Cho, are ill-motivated and aimed at suppressing the fundamental human rights of the accusers by their home countries, Nigeria and Cameroon.

According to the organisation, Ekpa, the Prime Minister of the United States of Biafra and Cho, leader of the Ambazonia Defence Forces, are being unjustly detained for seeking the right to self-determination and freedom for Biafra and Ambazonia.

This comes as OEAS alleged that the Nigerian and Cameroonian governments are negotiating with Finland and Norway to illegally persecute Ekpa and Cho.

The group demanded the release of Ekpa and Cho in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and internationally recognised treaties.

Also, OEAS urged that the cases against the accusers should be transferred to the International Criminal Justice Court.

“Norway and Finland should be mindful that the accusers themselves are

responsible for the situation in their respective countries, which resulted only after decades of their ongoing oppression of the Biafran and Ambazonian peoples.

“In 2024, Ekpa and Cho expanded upon the 2021 diplomatic agreement between Biafra and Ambazonia to include cooperation for

mutual self-defence against human rights abuses. This alliance set off shock waves across West Africa. Nigerian and Cameroonian officials began calling for the arrest and extradition of Ekpa and Cho.

“In August 2024, at a meeting of the Nordic countries’ ministers with the Nigerian government and ECOWAS in Abuja, an agreement for increased investment and political cooperation was reached, the price of which was apparently the arrest of Cho and Ekpa. Elina Valtonen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, was quoted in the Nigerian press on August 14, 2024, as promising Ekpa would be soon arrested.

“General Christopher Musa, Nigerian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, has announced the neutralisation of Ekpa is one of his top priorities,” OEAS stated.

“OEAS further reminds the governments of Norway and Finland that the applicable provisions of The European Convention on Human Rights, The Treaty on European Union, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on
Economic, social, and cultural rights (ICESCR) apply to all EU citizens, including Ekpa and Cho.

“To the extent any evidence is discovered in the course of investigation that indicates war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity committed by the agents and armed forces of Cameroon and Nigeria,

“The matter should be referred to the International Criminal Court, which has the appropriate level of expertise to evaluate such evidence,” the organisation added.

 

Recall that on November 18 and September 24, 2024, Ekpa and Cho were arrested by Finland and Norway on alleged incitement and terrorism-related offences.

Recall that upon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Christopher Musa, said it has concluded plans to extradite him. Cameroonian had stated a similar move against Cho in Norway.

BREAKING: NCC approves 50% calls, data tariff hike

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NCC

Nigerian Communications Commission has a 50 percent tariff hike on telecommunications services such as calls and data by mobile network operators.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by NCC Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA), to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators, will be granting approval for tariff adjustment requests by network operators in response to prevailing market conditions.

 

 

 

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 percent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.

NCC explained that “Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators. The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised.

According to the Commission, “These adjustments will support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage,” the statement reads.

This comes days after the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, gave approval to a telecom tariff hike.

 

 

Simon Ekpa: Finland doesn’t have extradition agreement with Nigerian govt—CoS, Orabueze 

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The Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of the United Biafra Republic, Ngozi Orabueze, has dismissed Simon Ekpa’s extradition claim by the Nigerian Government.

Orabueze, who doubles as the deputy to Ekpa, disclosed this in a statement on her X account on Thursday.

This comes amid widespread reports that the Nigerian government said it has concluded plans to extradite Ekpa, who was arrested by the Finnish government in November, 2024, on an alleged terrorism incitement in South-east Nigeria.

Reacting, Orabueze described the claims by the Nigerian government as lies.

According to her, Nigeria has no extradition agreement with Finland.

She stressed that Finland, like other European Union countries, does not extradite nationals outside the region.

Orabueze noted that USB is advancing discussion to lift the restriction on its Prime Minister, Ekpa.

“Simon interrogation is advancing, and we hope the restriction will be lifted soon; he has more access to his family now.” – Finland

“Nigeria has no extradition agreement with Finland, and Finland, like other European Union countries, does not extradite its citizens outside the region.

“The Nigerian government is frustrated that PM Simon Ekpa has no case to answer and will soon be out of investigation.

“Please ignore the lies from the Nigerian terrorist enabler—Christopher Musa,” she stated.

Checks by Nigerian Newssphere on Finnish extradition requirements for nationals showed that the country will not do so except for European Union members or Nordic states, data from the Ministry of Justice showed.

“Finland will not extradite its own nationals other than under certain conditions to the member states of the EU and other Nordic states,” the Finnish Ministry of Justice stated on its website.

 

Nigeria’s Supreme Court scores zero in integrity scorecard—ICPC

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s 2024 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard ranked the Supreme Court lowest with zero.

The anti-graft commission disclosed on Thursday while unveiling the report.

Demola Bakare, ICPC’s spokesperson, noted that this poor performance indicates the urgent need for reform and improvement across institutions.

Also, the report showed that the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) received a dismal score of zero points.

On the flip side, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) emerged as the standout performers, each scoring above 80 percent in the integrity assessment conducted by the anti-graft agency.

This comes as the noted that other institutions, such as the Federal University of Agriculture Umudike, Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Federal Polytechnic Ede, and the University of Ibadan, also received zero points.

He said, “The EICS serves as a preventive tool used to assess and enhance the compliance of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) with ethical standards, policies, and anti-corruption measures.” He further explained that the evaluation examined key areas such as leadership and management, financial management, and policies related to ethics, education, and whistleblower protection.

The report indicated that none of the 330 government agencies evaluated achieved perfect compliance. Instead, the agencies fell into various compliance categories: 29.55 percent showed significant compliance, 51.62 percent had moderate compliance, 15.91 percent demonstrated weak compliance, and 2.92 percent failed to comply.

Common weaknesses identified included a lack of policies to protect whistleblowers and ineffective inventory management, which the ICPC stated undermined the agencies’ ability to operate efficiently and transparently

Others are failure to conduct regular internal audits and delayed or missing financial and audit rereports

Recall that on Wednesday, ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu disclosed that the commission secured 16 convictions and tracked 1,500 projects valued at N610 billion over the past year. “In the past year, the commission processed 851 petitions, fully investigated 95 cases, and filed 72 cases in court, securing 16 convictions,” Aliyu stated.

The findings of the ICPC’s integrity ranking serve as a wake-up call for institutions across Nigeria, emphasising the critical need for enhanced accountability and ethical governance to combat corruption effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How NITDA’s bold moves close Nigeria’s digital literacy gap in 2024

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In a bold push to achieve 70 percent digital literacy by 2027 and full realisation by 2030, the National Information Technology and Digital Agency (NITDA) remains undeterred by the magnitude of this goal. Throughout the course of 2024, it has been making significant progress toward this ambitious target.

Through the foresight and leadership of its Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, and through the policy direction of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, ‘Bosun Tijani, several initiatives have been introduced, including the integration of digital literacy and skills curricula into the formal education system under the Digital Literacy Framework (DLF). This initiative has garnered widespread praise from stakeholders, who view it as a holistic approach to realising the 2027 vision, particularly by empowering the younger generation with the skills needed for today’s digital world.

In the same vein, in July, NITDA collaborated with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), leveraging its widespread presence across the 774 local government areas. The partnership aimed to equip selected corps members with digital skills, enabling them to train approximately 30 million people in rural areas in digital literacy.

In its effort to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, NITDA has made a significant move by implementing the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) nationwide. This initiative aims to foster innovation, enhance job creation among the teeming population, and empower eligible startups to access various benefits, ensuring they thrive in a competitive economy.

In the area of cybersecurity, NITDA has dedicated time and resources to exposing various phishing tactics employed by cyber fraudsters. These tactics often exploit Microsoft Office and Zip files to bypass security measures and deceive individuals into opening them, frequently resulting in data theft.

Recognising the importance of culture to human existence, NITDA recently partnered with the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) to integrate Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries with digital and innovative ecosystems. This collaboration aims to promote the country’s rich cultural heritage and talent to a global audience.

In a bid to foster knowledge acquisition, NITDA has partnered with Coursera to offer learning scholarships aimed at enabling Nigerians to obtain professional certifications from leading institutions. This initiative seeks to drive literacy while empowering citizens.

With an elaborate and deliberate strategy spearheaded by thoughtful leadership, the goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027 appears attainable, paving the way for the full realisation of this vision by 2030.

Recently, in yet another remarkable stride, NITDA collaborated with Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API), an Africa-focused nonprofit dedicated to advancing digital innovation and inclusive policy development. Together, they released a white paper on the framework for an Online Harm Protection Bill, aimed at sparking robust conversations around the pressing issue of online harm, which continues to challenge the digital space in Nigeria.

 

NITDA’s unwavering commitment to innovation, digital literacy, and inclusive development continues to position the nation on the path to achieving 70 percent digital literacy by 2027. Through strategic collaborations, forward-thinking policies, and a focus on empowering Nigerians, the agency is paving the way for a digitally empowered and economically vibrant future.

Funding key to research implementation-Expert

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Dr. Akanimo Odon, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Lancaster University, England, said connections between research producers and users were inadequate to secure funding for research and implement it.

Odon stated this while presenting a paper titled “Supporting the African Research Community With Expertise from the UK-Africa Diaspora” at the 7th African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC) congress on Wednesday in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Odon, who doubles as the chair of ASRIC Diaspora, United Kingdom chapter, said securing research funding can be challenging and competitive, especially in times of budget cuts and uncertainty.

“Research funding and grants are essential for advancing your academic career and conducting impactful studies.

“Not only does research play a significant role in influencing decisions and policies across various sectors, but it is also essential in expanding our understanding of the world and finding solutions to global issues.

“Funding for research is the catalyst that fuels groundbreaking discoveries. At the heart of groundbreaking discoveries lies funding, the catalyst that fuels innovation, he said.

Odon added that funding for research was not just about financial sustenance but about unlocking the doors to securing resources.

“Funding enabling researchers to traverse the path from ideation to innovation that makes tangible contributions to human knowledge.

“It enables researchers to push boundaries, facilitating access to cutting-edge technologies, specialised equipment, and expert collaborations,’’ he said.

Odon further noted why identifying the best types of funding and applying for research grants was important for researchers.

He emphasised the importance of unravelling the intricacies of funding for research, depending on the types of research funding available, and how to navigate the funding pool in research.

“Unfortunately, it is common to see potentially valuable research initiatives languishing due to inability to access resources or funding,’’ he said.

Odon said one way any researcher can increase their chances of success is to partner with other researchers who share their interests, goals, and expertise.

He added that he was committed to exposing African researchers to opportunities for research funding at various stages of their careers.

“I mentor African researchers and discuss concepts necessary to obtain funding for research, which is a crucial step towards initiating a research program,’’ he said.

Odon disclosed that almost all granting agencies are motivated by the vision of their organisation and urged researchers to align the research objectives in their grant application with the funding agency’s goals.

He said, “The researchers must reshape their research question to suit the agency’s call for proposals.

“It is the applicant’s responsibility to choose a funding opportunity that aligns with his or her own research goals.

 

“The funding body’s objectives are always listed in the call for applications.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

NIMC clears outstanding debts to front-End Partners

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NIMC and DG

The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, said that it has cleared outstanding debts owed to Front-End Partners.

The spokesperson of NIMC, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

NIMC wishes to inform its stakeholders and the general public that it has cleared all outstanding payments owed to the Front End Partners (FEPs) for all enrolment that successfully hit the database and generated the National Identification Numbers (NINs).

 

“It should be noted that the FEPs were contracted in 2021 by the erstwhile administration through the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to scale up enrolment for the National Identification Number (NIN). However, the FEPs were only paid for one year of enrolment activities.

 

Consequent upon the resumption of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote as the NIMC’s Director General, he promised to clear the outstanding owed to the FEPs.

 

 

As part of the process of paying the outstanding money, all the FEPs were subjected to a revalidation exercise to ensure they met internationally acceptable standards, adhered to compliance, and followed best ethical practices.

 

After the revaluation exercise, the NIMC, with the support of the Identity for Development (ID4D) and the World Bank, began the process for the payment of the outstanding NIN enrolment money owed to the FEPs. The outstanding money was not part of the World Bank-funded NIN Enrolment project. The NIN Enrolment between 2021 and 2024 by the FEPs was a stopgap measure approved by the erstwhile Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to scale up NIN enrolment pending the commencement of the World Bank/ID4D project. The NIMC, through the ID4D and the World Bank, subsequently paid all the outstanding money after the thorough evaluation.

 

“I extend our deepest appreciation to the entire leadership of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for your unwavering commitment to enhancing the welfare and operational efficiency of enrolment partners, particularly the proactive efforts in addressing and offsetting the backlog of payments for 2022 to date”.

 

This decisive action not only fosters trust and accountability but also strengthens the collaboration between NIMC and its partners, Phillip M. Adekunle, MD/CEO, Knowledge Square Ltd.’ The payment of the outstanding enrolment money by NIMC is well appreciated and  commendable. MD, Real Positive Friends. Pastor Vincent Emiowele, MD Slogani, affirms, ‘ NIMC Management, most especially the DG/CEO, should be commended for the payment of all the outstanding money owed to the FEPs; it is timely and highly appreciated ‘   Engr. Coker-Odusote expresses her gratitude to the FEPs and the Commission’s stakeholders for their support and dedication in populating the National Identity Database (NIDB).

 

She reiterates her commitment to ensuring that the Commission continues to provide the necessary support to build a credible, reliable, and world-class identity database. The World Bank and ID4D’s valuable support to NIMC is well appreciated.

 

 

 

FG reaffirms commitment to youth development through ICT development

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Mrs Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on community engagement (North Central) flanked by stakeholders, fellows and some beneficiaries of the FGs 3MTT initiative

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development through technology trainings to improve Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

According to NAN, this position was reaffirmed by some stakeholders in government on Thursday at the three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Community Impact Summit & Hackathon in Abuja.

The theme for the event was “ The role of technology, talent in driving Nigeria’s digital economy”.

Mrs Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on community engagement (North Central), said that the 3MTT Programme was being driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE).

“ It is an incubator for the digital education and skills desired to enhance the capacity and value of Nigerian youths.

“ The 3MTT Programme is an affirmation of President Tinubu’s vision of factoring youth development into the overall national development strategy, ” she said.

 

She said that to lay a formidable framework towards achieving this, the administration was also prioritising the economic security of Nigerian youths, towards building a more secure and prosperous country.

 

According to her, the goal of the programme is to create a pipeline of technical talents across Nigeria.

 

“ The Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has set up the structures to create three million jobs for youth through the three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme,’’ she said.

 

Mr Francis Sani, Technical adviser, innovation, entrepreneurship and capital to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said that 3MTT was a solution to the dearth of technical skills.

 

He said that it would also empower graduates with high-demand digital skills such as software development, UI/UX design, data analysis and visualisation, among others.

 

According to him, the lack of digital skills represent a major reason for unemployment among many youths and 3MTT offers a hybrid model of online and in-person training completed in about three months.

 

“The 3MTT’s goal of training three million Nigerians over the next few years and creating two million digital jobs by 2025 remains unmatched.

 

“Its current trajectory hints at a promising future for Nigeria’s tech generation.

 

“ Going by the implementation plans released by the government, the training will be held in multiple phases.

 

“The first phase, which is Cohort 1, accommodated 30,000 people, while 27,000 fellows were enrolled three months ago,’’ he said.

 

Some of the beneficiaries shared their experiences with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) about the impact of the programme and how it has helped improve their ICT skills.

 

Mercy Egwakhide, who participated in the data analysis classes, said that the guidance and resilience of the mentors and the teachers spurred her to complete her training.

 

She said that the indepth teachings of the foundational modules helped her better in her software skills.

 

“I found all the training sessions interesting. I am ready to provide more solutions to economic challenges and do more for my community,” Mercy said.

 

Nnana Nwogbo, a data science trainee, said that he found the programme enriching owing to the potential for career advancement and building his self-confidence.

 

“ I have enjoyed the clear and concise approach of the course’s modules and the rigorous process motivated me,” he said.

 

Jamila Abubakar, who benefitted from the project management training said that the curriculum suited her learning preferences.

 

“ I signed up for a course in product management hoping that this will add to my academic background in the social sciences,’’ she said.

 

NAN reports that the summit brought together 3MTT fellows, applied learning clusters in past Cohorts and stakeholders to share insights, celebrate achievements, and discuss the future of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

Biafrans demand release of Simon Ekpa as BRGIE declares Biafra Independence

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BRGIE PM Simon Ekpa
BRGIE PM Simon Ekpa

Biafrans gathered in Lahti, Finland, in a solidarity march calling for the release of Simon Ekpa, the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile Prime Minister.

This comes as BRGIE on Monday declared Biafra’s independence.

The Minister of Information, Media and Communications BRGIE, Sunny Akparawa, disclosed this in a statement through his X handle on Tuesday.

According to him, 517 Biafra delegates voted to ratify the Biafra Self Referendum and the Restoration of Independence of the United States of Biafra on December 2, 2024.

“517 Biafra delegates voted yes to ratify and adopt the Biafra Self Referendum & Declaration of the Restoration of Independence United States of Biafra on December 2nd, 2024. History should speak of this like it happened in August 1776 for America, he stated.

The Biafra Declaration convention was held from November 28 to December 3, 2024, led by Ngozi Orabueze, the chief of staff of BRGIE, despite the detention of Ekpa by Finnish police.

Recall that on November 21, 2024, Ekpa was taken into custody by the Finnish police on allegations of propagating insecurity in his homeland, Nigeria.

In an update on Tuesday, several Biafrans were seen in a viral video on X in a solidarity march for the release of Ekpa by the Finnish government. The protesters noted that Ekpa has no offence other than championing the quest for Biafra and the marginalisation of Igbos by the Nigerian government for more decades.

Nigerian govt launches AGORA project

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The Finance and Market Monitoring Expert, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Victor Minguez; National Project Coordinator, UNEP, Etiosa Uyigue; Acting director, Energy Transition Unit, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Shehu Mustafa;  National Ozone Officer, National Ozone Office, Engr. Idris Abdullahi; Regional policy and technical specialist, Regional Service Centre for Africa, United National Development Programme (UNDP), Joel Ayim Darkwah;  Climate change programme analyst, UNDP, Udumma Nwokike; Energy expert, United for Efficency, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Miquel Pitarch Mocholi; and Program Manager, UNEP, Mzwandile Thwala during the AGORA Project stakeholders inception workshop in Abuja

The Nigerian government has launched the Abating Greenhouse Gas Emission from Obsolete Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (AGORA) Equipment project to reduce the impact of the emission of greenhouse gases on climate change.

The workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Ozone Office, in collaboration with the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United for Efficiency (UNEP-U4E), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), themed “Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete Refrigeration and Airconditioning Equipment in Ghana and Nigeria (AGORA)” stressed that the project will tackle climate change issues.

Speaking at the inception workshop in Abuja, the National Ozone Officer, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Idris Abdullahi, said that the AGORA Project is aimed at creating a future where energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling and refrigeration technologies will become a standard.

 

L-R: Energy expert, United for Efficency, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Miquel Pitarch Mocholi; Finance and Market Monitoring Expert, UNEP, Victor Minguez; National Ozone Officer, National Ozone Office, Engr. Idris Abdullahi; Regional policy and technical specialist, Regional Service Centre for Africa, United National Development Programme (UNDP), Joel Ayim Darkwah; and Program Manager, UNEP, Mzwandile Thwala during the AGORA Project stakeholders inception workshop in Abuja.
According to him, the project is also an avenue to promote energy-efficient and low global warming potential (GWP) technologies by strengthening policies that facilitate the transition to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

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