Foreign News
Buhari Approves 50 Volunteers For Liberia
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Monrovia, Liberia said that Nigeria will this year provide 50 volunteers in the field of education and health to support Liberia addresse its challenges in those field.
This, the President said would be done through the nation’s Technical Assistance Programme.
President Buhari also assured that the continent’s largest nation was also prepared to deploy additional volunteers in the other fields, in order to contribute to the capacity building in Liberia.
Buhari who conveyed the felicitations of Nigerians to their brothers in Liberia, said “Today represents yet another significant milestone in the life of the brotherly nation of Liberia.
“Nigerians rejoice with all Liberians on this momentous occasion. It is a matter of pride that Liberia, the first country in Africa to gain its Independence, has successfully preserved its unity and cohesion, despite the tragic events that culminated in an unfortunate civil war.
“I am here to celebrate with you this remarkable achievement while at the same time recalling the enormous contributions and sacrifices made by Nigeria in your recent history.”
The Nigerian leader further assured Liberians of continued support of the country to its development: “As Liberia sustains its notable efforts towards economic recovery, I wish to assure you of Nigeria’s commitment to continue to partner with the country, for all possible assistance with a view to making our modest contributions that will positively impact on the security and economic well-being of the Liberian people.
Speaking on Nigerian experience, the president explained that having realised the futility in continuing to subject the Nigerian economy to the vagaries of its mono-product dependence, his administration has instituted policies aimed at diversifying the national economy which were yielding positive results.
He added that the Economic and Recovery Growth Plan launched by his administration in 2017 was creating the enabling environment for growth, security and economic revival.
“Our government had to adopt appropriate measures including diversification and reforms to address such underlying causes exemplified by our continued dependence on a single-commodity, crude oil, lack of fiscal buffers, leakages, corruption and high governance costs.
“Furthermore, in our efforts to stimulate the economy, our government initiated bold policy interventions that are beginning to yield positive results,”he stated.
Buhari, who was honoured at Liberia’s 172nd Independence Anniversary occasion with the country’s highest award, the “Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers of the Republic of Liberia with Grade of the Knight Grand Cordon”, said he accepted it ” on behalf of all Nigerians and as a tribute to all our country men who paid the supreme price in aid of Liberia’s unity and stability.”
He also thanked the Government and people of Liberia and expressed his resolve to continue to strengthen cooperation within the sub region.
Buhari added that, “This gesture can only strengthen my resolve to rededicate myself to the service of my country, work for the prosperity of our people in the sub-region.”
The President likened the Liberian economic situation to what obtained in Nigeria when he assumed office in 2015 and praised the administration of President George Weah for its social intervention programme.
He told President George Weah that, “I am fully aware that on assumption of office, your country was experiencing severe economic challenges occasioned by the fall in commodity prices, the main source of revenue for Liberia. This situation is akin to what I inherited on my election in 2015. That was a difficult period for the Nigerian economy which later lapsed into recession.”
He commended Weah’s leadership and vision for initiating since coming to office, people oriented projects and programmes including the “Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development” (PAPD) launched in 2018.
“I am convinced that this well-articulated programme which is quite similar to our Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2017-2020, if well implemented, could bring the desired transformation and sustainable development to Liberia.”
The President encouraged his Liberian counterpart to take decisive actions to further stimulate the economy of the country: “Mr. President, Liberia under your leadership may wish to learn from our experience by taking courageous steps to diversify its economic base by developing the productive sector that would complement earnings from rubber, iron ore and the increasingly dwindling funds from Development Partners.
“In this regard, the need for proper management of human resources and investment in agriculture, solid minerals and other sectors such as tourism where the country has comparative advantage, cannot be overstated.”
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Liberia, Mer. James Dimka told newsmen that the what was deserving because, “We have done what no other African President has done to the country. We have had close relations (Nigeria and Liberia) and this has only strengthen our relations. Liberia was in war for 14 years and the major country that stood by them was Nigeria. Our military just left this country about a month ago. At some point the United Nations, ECOWAS were but Nigeria stayed till the end.
“And so you will recognize that there is a strong relations between Nigeria and Liberia.”
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti said, Nigeria has sacrificed so much for the country even though Liberia is older going by flag independence record.
He said: “Nigeria has done a lot to keep Liberia one. This is the first country we sent the first ECOMOG to and several Nigerians lost their lives to. Uptil very recently, a Nigerian, Gen. Abdulrahman was Chief of Defence Staff here and he lost his life in the course of serving this country. Before him other Nigerians headed their military, Gen Obiakor was the head of mission. I spent sometime here on the flip side of the conflict as the mediator and negotiator in the difficult days here. President Obasanjo was critical in the management of the conflict and President Buhari followed on in that capacity and he is still doing a lot for peace in West Africa as Chairman of ECOWAS.
“So, it is a fitting and proper honour done to him and by extension to all of us in Nigeria. Because, somethings Nigerians wonder why we do so much in the subregion and Africa without getting much in return. Return comes in various forms and recognizing with the highest honour in the land shows how grateful the Liberians are in the role Nigeria continues to play in the country.
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe said, the honour is for President Buhari and Nigeria considering the role he is playing in the west Africa subregion and the continent.
He said the award shows how much respect the President commands from his counterparts in the region.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said award is in recognition of all the country has done to help Liberia.
“This country with the longest history of independence but couldn’t hold together and was helped majorly by Nigeria, with everything we had, our armed forces, resources in other to help them to remain as one united people.
“It is also in recognition of Nigeria’s support for Liberia to rebuild. He has offered 50 technical aid corp to Nigeria and has promised many more in case there is need.”
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has expressed commitment to the development of children in the country.
He said this at the launching and public presentation of a new book titled The Power of a Teenager: 50 Ways to Inspire Change, written by Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, House of Representatives, and Founder of the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), Rep.
Bamidele Salam on Thursday.Tinubu, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the National Assembly, House of Representatives Liaison, Dr. Ibrahim Olarewaju, commended Salam for his dedication to youth development.
“You may not fully understand the impact of what you are receiving now, but tomorrow you will see what.
Hon. Bamidele Salam has done in your lives,” he said.He urged all attendees to make a personal commitment to shaping the minds of young Nigerians, stressing that while Salam funded the initiative personally, the greater task lies in mentoring and guiding the nation’s youth.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, described the launch as a clear demonstration of the potential of Nigerian children.
Represented by Senior Special Assistant, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, praised Salam for aligning his work with the administration’s vision for youth empowerment.
“This initiative speaks directly to the leaders of tomorrow,” he added, commending both the organisation and the children participating in the programme.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila also lauded Salam’s efforts.
“Nigerian children are the future of this nation. Even though they are young, we are looking to them to take this country to where it should be,” he said.
Gbajabiamila commended Salam for consistently producing the book annually, calling it a testament to leadership and commitment.
“Leadership may be inborn or thrust upon you, but there must be someone to guide you. That is what this book is doing—it provides the guidance our young people need,” he said, urging children to read and internalise its lessons.
Speaking at the event, Rep. Bamidele Salam shared the story of how CALDEV was founded in 2015 to fill a gap in Nigeria’s educational system.
Unlike in other countries, he said, leadership training is rarely embedded in the curriculum. Through CALDEV and its flagship National Children’s Leadership Conference, children gain practical exposure to leadership, public speaking, and community service.
Many past participants have gone on to start NGOs, run radio programmes, and lead campaigns addressing early marriage, child labour, and other social issues.
“This year, about 400 children are participating, and the impact has been phenomenal,” Salam said. He urged state governments to replicate the initiative at the state level to provide young people across Nigeria with intensive leadership training. Highlighting the large participation from Borno State, Salam said that properly trained and nurtured children could become agents of change, promoting peace, tolerance, education, and societal development.
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, lauded Rep. Bamidele Salam for his dedication to youth development through the newly launched book.
Chinda expressed pride that a member of the House is actively shaping the future of Nigerian children.
“As members of the House of Representatives, we hold our heads high today that one of us is doing this. We are very, very proud, and we pray that this inspiration should flow through every other member of the House,” he said.
Chinda noted that the legacy of leaders and thinkers is remembered not for wealth but for wisdom and the knowledge they left behind.
“When we see initiatives like this, these are the things worthy of celebration,” he said.
Member of the House from Borno State, Zainab Gimba, said,”We have come because we are celebrating not just a book today when they had an imagination behind it. I actually commend for shining the compassionate and bright lights of our teenagers.
“He has given our young people a voice that others will also step on the same foot, so that our teenagers will be empowered, not in this generation, but in future generations to come.”
Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, currently in jail after being impeached and removed from office, has been charged with additional offences, including supporting an enemy state.
The prosecutors said this on Monday.
Yoon, 64, is accused of attempting to provoke a military conflict between South and North Korea by covertly sending drones into the North, in an effort to legitimise a state of martial law he declared late last year.
Prosecutors argued that the drone deployment in October 2024 led to the leak of military secrets to the North as the vehicles crashed near Pyongyang.
The conservative politician has been in pre-trial detention for months and already faces charges over the declaration that include high treason, a crime punishable by life imprisonment.
Yoon’s dramatic action on December 3 plunged the country into a deep political crisis.
He justified the move by claiming that the left-wing opposition had been infiltrated by communist and anti-state forces, though he presented no evidence to support the allegations, and it was soon overturned.
Left-leaning Lee Jae Myung is now president; he won an early presidential election in June following Yoon’s removal from office in April.
The African Union (AU) has called for an urgent international response, including intelligence-sharing, to address worsening security conditions in Mali, where insurgents are imposing a fuel blockade and kidnapping foreigners.
An Al Qaeda-linked jihadist group active in West Africa’s Sahel region has blocked fuel imports since September, attacking convoys of tankers and creating a shortage that forced schools and businesses to shut.
The latest show of force by the group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, has raised concern that it might eventually try to impose its rule over the landlocked country.
Western countries including the U.S., France, Britain, and Italy are urging their citizens to leave.
In a statement, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, expressed “deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Mali, where terrorist groups have imposed blockades, disrupted access to essential supplies, and severely worsened humanitarian conditions for civilian populations”.
He said there should be “enhanced cooperation, intelligence-sharing and sustained support” for countries in the Sahel affected by violent extremism.
He also called for the immediate release of three Egyptian nationals he said were recently kidnapped.
JNIM has targeted foreign nationals for kidnapping to finance its operations in West Africa.
Reuters reported in October that a deal was reached to free two citizens of the United Arab Emirates in exchange for a ransom payment of roughly 50 million dollars.
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