Foreign News
Diri Visits UN Headquarters, Pledges Collaboration on SDGs
From Tayese Mike, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, says his government remains committed to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations to enhance the living conditions of the people of the State.
Diri, who the assurance when he visited the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr.
Amina Mohammed, at the UN headquarters in New York, United States of America, said the continued collaboration with the global body would fast track development in such areas as education, health, youth, and women empowerment, food production and the environment.In a statement by his Director , New Media, Kola Oredipe and made available to DAILY ASSET, the Governor who congratulated Dr.
Mohammed for rising to the enviable position and for her great work at the UN, stated that the collaboration would enhance the prosperity agenda of his government to the people of the State, insisting that his government is building critical infrastructure that will provide great opportunities to open up Bayelsa State for more investments in different sectors.“First, we are here to congratulate you on your appointment and to say that you are a worthy ambassador of Nigeria in the United Nations. So far, you have done very well occupying this office, please continue to help humanity. We have come to strengthen the existing relationship between Bayelsa State and the UN. We are committed to the attainment of the SDGs for the betterment of our people in education, health, sanitation, access to clean water and ensuring we live in a safe environment devoid of pollution”, Diri stated.
He said that the State Government took a deliberate effort to open up the maritime domain with the three ongoing Senatorial roads linking several riverine communities and corridors to the Atlantic ocean where so much opportunities exist for the establishment of a sea port and massive aquaculture project.
“Yes, we are an oil producing state but we have more wealth in the sea and agriculture. Because, we are located in the Gulf of Guinea, we must also strive to tackle the security issues on our water ways to attract serious investments.
I have offered to host the meeting of the Gulf of Guinea in Yenagoa. When our waterways are safe, we can tap the tourism potential there in. We already have an agreement with a European consortium on deep sea fishing and ship building, an investment capable of providing over 2,000 jobs.
The roads we are constructing along the three corridors will take us to Brass, Agge in Ekeremor to develop a deep sea port and also link us to the Ocean through Oporoma”, Diri said.
On the unabated environmental pollution and degradation, Governor Diri, said the ongoing clean-up in Ogoni land by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) should be extended to the entire oil-rich Niger Delta and that Bayelsa State is worst affected by incidents of oil spills leaving behind attendant devastated ecology and health issues.
According to him,“You are very familiar with our stories and the Niger Delta environment. We must commend what you started in Ogoni as then Minister of Environment. Our land, rivers are polluted. The remediation of the region must be total. Bayelsa State is worst affected.”
In her response, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Amina Mohammed, appreciated the pace of development in Bayelsa State since its creation in 1996 and that the UN was ready to deepen the existing relationship with the State to support ongoing development efforts by the current administration.
“A lot has happened in terms of infrastructure in Bayelsa State since creation along side my own State of Gombe. We are here to support nations, communities to grow. We are working with leaders like you to add values to the lives of the people and create opportunities for the young people to harness their potential. Here, we are working hard to realise those SDGs and make our society better”, she stated.
Dr. Mohammed who welcomed the request for the hosting of the Gulf of Guinea meeting by Bayelsa State, said the UN was disturbed at the level of environmental pollution in the oil-rich Niger Delta, a situation she described a ‘complete disaster.’
She added, “It is not just about Ogoni land but the remediation should be for all oil producing places. The means of livelihood of the people, fishing and farming are greatly affected. The oil pollution is a complex thing and it is a complete disaster which require urgent intervention.”
On the entourage of the governor to the UN headquarters were Ambassador Lot Egopija, Nigerian Consul-General in the New York, Hon. (Dr.) Fred Agbedi, Member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Barr. Patience Ranami Abah, Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments and Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd.).
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is to travel to France for talks with his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu on Wednesday evening, following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
The talks are expected to focus on the consequences of Trump’s victory.
In particular for the future support for Ukraine, which has been fighting for more than two and a half years against Russia, as well as for European defence policy?
Washington has been a central provider of military support to Ukraine, which Trump has long criticized.
During his election campaign, Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine in a very short time and has held Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky jointly responsible for the war.
(dpa/NAN)
Congratulations for Donald Trump poured in early on Wednesday following his victory over challenger, Democrat’s Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential polls.
“Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine, with respect and ambition.
“For more peace and prosperity, French President“, Emmanuel Macron, wrote on social media platform X.
“Congratulations to Donald Trump on his election victory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the platform X.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” he added.
“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer.
I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” Zelensky wrote.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also added his congratulations.
“For a long time, Germany and the U.S. have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens,” the chancellor wrote on X.
Earlier, Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone about the election outcome.
A German government spokesman said the two European leaders had agreed to coordinate closely with each other.
“We will work in this new context for a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe.
“In cooperation with the U.S. and defending our interests and values,’’ Macron wrote on X after the conversation.
The mood was ebullient out of Moscow, which has led a full-scale war against Ukraine for more than two and a half years, with no end in sight.
“Hallelujah, wrote Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, on her Telegram channel, noting that the election winner was the one who loved his own country.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who now sits on the Russian Security Council, said Trump has an important quality for Russia.
“As a businessman to the core, he cannot stand spending money on various minions and lackeys on idiotic allies, on stupid charity projects and on gluttonous international organisations.’’
He said it was a sad day for the scum in Kiev, in a post on Telegram.
Newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, whose alliance has a key role in the war on Ukraine, congratulated Trump on X.
“His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong,’’ Rutte added.
The conservative broadcaster Fox News had already declared Republican candidate Trump the overall winner against Democrat Kamala Harris, but other media networks and U.S. news agency AP had not done so.
Trump declared himself the winner in a speech to supporters in Florida.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz added his congratulations.
“For a long time, Germany and the U.S. have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens,” the chancellor wrote on X.
Earlier, Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone about the election outcome.
A German government spokesman said the two European leaders had agreed to coordinate closely with each other.
“We will work in this new context for a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe.
In cooperation with the U.S. and defending our interests and values,’’ Macron wrote on X after the conversation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she looked forward to working with the presumptive 47th president of the U.S. on a strong trans-Atlantic agenda that delivers for their people.
Von der Leyen said the European Union and the United States “are more than just allies,” bound by a “shared history, commitment to freedom and democracy, and common goals of security and opportunity for all.”
“Millions of jobs and billions in trade and investment on each side of the Atlantic depend on the dynamism and stability of our economic relationship,” she added.
Outgoing European Council President Charles Michel, meanwhile, said the EU looked forward to cooperating constructively with the US, while “defending the rules-based multilateral system.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK-US special relationship would “continue to prosper” following Donald Trump’s “historic election victory,” the PA news agency reported.
Congratulations also came from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said the strategic connections between their two countries would now become even stronger.
“Good luck with your work, president!” the far-right prime minister added.
“Congratulations, Mr President … You made it happen!” Poland’s conservative nationalist president, Andrzej Duda, posted on X.
Dutch right-wing populist politician Geert Wilders, a declared Trump supporter who won the election in the Netherlands almost a year ago, joined in the chorus.
“Congratulations America! Never stop, always keep fighting and win elections!” Wilders wrote on X before the official result was announced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “history’s greatest comeback.”
“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his “friend” Donald Trump had won the presidential election after a “great struggle.”
China, meanwhile, was more cautious in its response. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the election was a domestic affair that Beijing would handle as usual once the results are officially announced. (dpa/NAN)
Leaders and monarchs across the Arab world praised Donald Trump on his election victory, amid uncertainty on how his presidency will impact the conflict in the Middle East.
“I wish him every success in achieving the interests of the American people,” said Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.
He said that in view of “critical circumstances in the world,” cooperation between the U.
S. and Egypt, which along with Israel is among the largest recipients of U.S. military aid, was particularly important.Egypt is an important mediator in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, along with Qatar and the United States.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman described the U.
S. as a “key partner” for the Gulf emirate and the region.The largest U.S. military base in the Middle East is located in Qatar.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II sent Trump his “warmest congratulations” for the election victory.
He said he looked forward to renewed cooperation “in the service of regional and global peace.” Jordan is an important U.S. ally.
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid wrote on X: “I am hopeful that the new American administration will foster much-needed stability and constructive dialogue in the region.”
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdelaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also conveyed their congratulations. (dpa/NAN)
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