The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating peace in the violence-prone communities in Plateau, Benue, and Gombe state.

The Association said this in a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh in Abuja on Saturday.

CAN condemned the ongoing violence in some parts of the country, reaffirming its commitment to advocating for the safety, security, and dignity of affected communities.

“This appeal is imperative as violence in the Middle Belt continues to claim lives, with recent attacks in Benue and Plateau, resulting in significant casualties and displacement, further highlighting the urgent need for collective action and dialogue.

CAN urged Nigerians irrespective of their backgrounds and faiths to support ongoing peace talks and avoid actions or rhetoric that could escalate tensions in the affected states.

The association highlighted its ongoing efforts, including visits to affected areas to provide relief items and solidarity, and emphasised the importance of verified information to prevent further division.

It also encouraged open dialogue among all stakeholders, both local and international, and pointed to platforms like the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council as key to finding sustainable solutions.

“We appeal to all citizens to refrain from spreading unverified information that may deepen divisions.

“The strength of our nation lies in our unity, and it is only through collective effort that we can build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

“Let us embrace the teachings of the Holy Bible to love our neighbours, and the pursue peace with all,” it said.

CAN reiterated its dedication to promoting peace, unity, and understanding, calling on all parties to work together for the well-being of every Nigerian, regardless of faith or ethnicity

 Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.

Shettima stated this when he hosted a  delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.

The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.

“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.

” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”

He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.

According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.

Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.

 “We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”

The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.

” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.

The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.

Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.

” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.

“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”

Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.

“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.

“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.

Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.

The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.

He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.

He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.

Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.

He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing enabling environments and adequate protection for migrants in the country.

Mr  Tijjani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI), said this at the International Migrants Day in Abuja on Wednesday.

Report says that the theme of the celebration was  “Beyond Borders: Celebrating Migrants’ Legacy, Protecting their Rights.

The Commission organised a walk in commemoration of the day to sensitise Nigerians of the danger of not following the right path when leaving the country.

Ahmed highlighted the invaluable contribution of migrants to Nigeria’s development, including remittances exceeding 23 billion dollars annually,  and advancements in technology and agriculture.

He said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to creating a secure and supportive environment for migrants while enhancing migration governance.

“We are here today to celebrate the migrants for their technological transfer.

“We celebrate migrants because of their contributions towards the development of this country.

“We also celebrate them today in order to inform them that the Nigerian government and the people of Nigeria are there for them.

“We do not forget the contribution of our migrants in the diaspora towards the development of Nigeria,” he said.

Ahmed emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to lead migration governance globally through the “Rabat Process” in 2025, showcasing its dedication to migration management and human rights.

“Nigeria is preparing  to take over the leadership of the rubber process by 2025.

“We are asking everyone within and outside this country to support Nigeria to succeed in the governance of migration internationally.

“We have at least 10,000 migrants in Nigeria and over 20,000 outside the country that are contributing towards the development of  the country, ” he said.  (NAN)