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Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Should be Scaled Up to Other Countries: AU Blue Economy, Sustainable Environment Director

Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative should be upscaled to other countries as it is pivotal in responding to climate change, African Union Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment Director Harsen Nyambe said.

The director told ENA that the Green Legacy is a very commendable initiative in mitigating the impacts of climate change across the continent.

“Effort of the Government of Ethiopia should actually be scaled up so that other member states can also learn from them,” Nyambe stated.

According to him, the concept of the Great Green Wall initiative on the continent and “such initiatives are quite important in terms of sequestration of carbon, but also actually support the livelihoods.”

In terms of expansion, what we can facilitate normally is sharing of best practices where we bring members of states to be able to support one another.

“I think Ethiopia can play a good role in that in terms of helping other member states to do what they are exactly doing.”

Recall that Ethiopia, as part of Ethiopia’s keen interest to share its experience of the Green Legacy initiative deployed youth to plant seedlings in South Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan.

Its youth assigned to African countries planted seedlings under the banner “Plant African Fraternity” with a view to strengthening unity and brotherhood among countries in the continent through green diplomacy in October, 2022.

The government is also working to expand the campaign to neighboring countries with a view to creating a Green Africa by providing seedlings, according to government sources.

AU Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Gatkuoth Kai said on his part that the intuitive is very pivotal in ecosystem and climate change adaptation.

“The Green Legacy Initiative is a very important program because forest and ecosystem system health is very important. I also think the Green Legacy Initiative is very important for climate change program adaptation,” he added.

He believes that many countries need to follow this example, especially the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. “This is really very welcome and the way to go forward.”

The Green Legacy Initiative is a flagship program in June 2019 with a target of planting 20 billion seedlings within a period of four years.

However, by the fourth year, 25 billion seedlings, including fruit trees and cattle feeds were planted as part of the national initiative across the nation.

Last week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in the Afar region; and the nation is set to plant 6.5 billion seedlings during this rainy season.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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African Countries Should Build Their Own Capacity to Able Address Disasters

African countries should build their own capacity to be able to address disasters, Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union, Harsen Nyambe said.

A two-day validation workshop for the Second Africa Bi-Ennial Report on the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) in Africa is underway in Addis Ababa.

The workshop aimed to bring together all member states of AU to validate the Second Africa Bi-Ennial Report on disaster reduction.

The workshop is looking at validating bi-Ennial report review report, which we do every two years to assess how member states perform in addressing issues of disasters, he said.

From the report, we expected that members of states will now be able to provide more inputs that can be taken to ministers who will meet in November this year, he stressed.

“What we expected from the member states is more to build their own capacity to be able to address those disasters,” he said, adding but more importantly, we have launched the multi- hazard early warning system for disasters.

He also elaborated that each member state will have its own early warning system, because it is better to be able to warn people before disaster strikes.

“In that way, people can be better prepared and they can avoid casualties,” he added.

He said we are supporting member states in terms of development of policies, but we are also actually training them on how to handle disasters but more importantly, actually for early warning.

“We have got a situation room here in Addis at AU headquarters, and we have been bringing member states, representatives of member states and regional economy communities to be trained on how to operate that because that’s one thing that we feel can help a lot in terms of alleviating disasters,” he stated.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015.

The aim of the Sendai Framework is to achieve the sustainable reduction of disaster risks and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health and in the economic among others by 2030.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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American Journalist Describes HRW as Destabilizing Agent Bent on Disrupting Ethiopian Peace Process

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) report issued a fortnight ago is a destabilizing agenda intended to disrupt the ongoing peace agreement in Ethiopia, an American journalist who visited the area stated in the report noted.

The American journalist, Jemal Countess, told ENA that the Human Rights Watch and other international human rights organizations have repeatedly failed to employ proper working procedures during investigations.

According to him, the Human Rights Watch latest sensational report containing a litany of allegations of grave human rights violations is solely a compilation of phone reports.

The journalist, who visited the areas cited in the report last year noted that these organs have had years to engage people doing phone reports even from other countries and adjacent countries.

The fact is those people have never seen anything on the ground, he stressed.

“Whether people who may or may not exist, but they had the opportunity to have a phone report about these places and say something. It is completely questionable.”

As he had witnessed the facts on the ground, Countess rejected the latest Human Rights Watch report that has basically reversed the circumstances.

The American described the report as a statement employed by a destabilizing agent.

Moreover, it can obstruct the ongoing peace process that has ended the two-year war in northern Ethiopia by fueling ethnic conflict, he underscored.

Therefore, “I think that drastic action is required on the part of governments and other entities like human rights entities in Ethiopia and in the region for that matter. This body (Human Rights Watch) is a destabilizing agent that challenges the entire region, not just Ethiopia.”

Countess believes that most of the international human right organs are instrumental for intervention to achieve their geopolitical interest in Africa by putting pressure on the ground.

Africans, therefore, need to band together and support other Africans.

“Those human right organizations think that they have free reign to spew anything they want. That is why I am saying this needs to be a collective African effort. Multiple countries and other players just need to start the call and force change because the reason is this can’t go on like this.”

The journalist finally urged all Ethiopians to reinforce the reconciliation and justice efforts and avoid divisive agendas that lead to unnecessary conflicts.

“We need to move forward in that way. At the same time this needs to be a collective voice, basically to reject conflict entrepreneurs,” Countess pointed out.

Recall that the Ethiopian government declared that Human Rights Watch’s report is a distorted and misleading portrayal of the situation that attempts to undermine peaceful coexistence and fuel inter-ethnic conflict in Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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IGAD Adopts Roadmap for Conflict Resolution in Sudan, Commends Ethiopian Peace Process

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has adopted a roadmap for the resolution of the conflict in Sudan and commended the African Union-led and Ethiopian-owned successful peace process.

The 14th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government was held on Monday, 12th June 2023, and was chaired by Malik Agar, the Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan and representative of the Chair of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, it was indicated.

The assembly was also attended by leaders of the IGAD member countries and foreign affairs ministers including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

In its communiqué sent to ENA, IGAD has adopted four point of action plans to resolve the ongoing Sudan crisis.

It Includes Ethiopia as the fourth member of the IGAD High-Level Delegation for the Peace Process in the Sudan; and for William Ruto, President of Kenya, to Chair the Quartet Countries of the Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan and for the Quartet to work in close coordination with the African Union Commission.

Within ten days, the Quartet would arrange a face-to-face meeting between General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the Chairperson of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, and General Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo in one of the regional capitals, it was indicated.

Moreover, the communiqué stressed the need to secure a commitment from the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to establish a humanitarian corridor within two weeks.

Within three weeks, an inclusive political process towards a political settlement of the conflict in the Republic of Sudan will be initiated, it added.

Expressing alarm regarding the continued fighting and the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Sudan, it commended the unrelenting efforts of IGAD High-Level Delegation led by Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of Sudan, towards the de-escalation of armed engagements and resolution of the conflict in Sudan.

The communiqué also lauded the African Union, the AU High-Level Panel, and the African Union Commission, the AU Monitoring, verification, and compliance mission, the IGAD Executive Secretary for supporting the implementation of this AU-led and Ethiopian-owned successful peace process.

IGAD further called upon regional and international partners to support Ethiopia`s efforts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of conflict-affected areas in northern Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Presidency clarifies V-P Shettima’s remarks on Senate presidency

The Presidency on Monday made clarification on Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s remarks on support for southern Senate President.

Mr Olusola Abiola, Director of Information, Office of the Vice-President, stated in Abuja that the vice-president’s remarks were taken out context.

The vice-president met with senators campaigning for the emergence of Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Barau Jibrin to lead the 10th Senate on Sunday.

Shettima said at the interactive session that the nation’s current political structure demanded the emergence of a southern Christian and a northern Muslim as the fairest balance to promote inclusivity at the centre.

“Shettima’s statement was motivated by a profound awareness of the divisive factors within our great nation and was in harmony with the governing party’s pledge to ensure inclusivity across all regions and among all groups.

“President Bola Tinubu has wholeheartedly reassured the country of his dedication to providing every group with equal representation, which has resonated with the vice-president who shares the same commitment to this honourable endeavour.

“Unfortunately, the vice-president’s remarks have been stripped of context and mischievously circulated as an attempt to minimise the suitability of Muslim contestants in the race for the Senate leadership.

“The remarks have not only been taken out of context, but also misinterpreted to suit an agenda that sabotages our collective bid for unity,’’ Abiola stated.

He stressed that what Shettima advocated was the choice of a non-Muslim contestant, even if it was against a more qualified Muslim option, to achieve balance, since the president and the vice-president are Muslims.

Abiola added that it was alarming that such unambiguous plea was unfairly misconstrued to imply that the vice-president said the most incompetent Christian candidate was superior to a Muslim candidate.

“The vice-president’s position reflects the stance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“APC assigned the leadership of the House of Representatives to the Northwest and designated the position of Deputy Senate President to the same region.

“At the time the vice-president made his remarks, three contenders for the Speakership race had withdrawn their candidacy to support the candidate from the Northwest.

“This well-considered balancing strategy aimed to mitigate the potential for crisis within the country, particularly by those anticipating the domination of leadership from the same religious faith in all branches of government.

“It will be illogical for the vice-president, a Muslim to second-guess the competence of fellow Muslims in a nation headed by a Muslim president.

“The president has demonstrated unmatched leadership qualities on the strength of which he and his deputy were elected in February,’’ he stated.

Abiola added that the vice-president wished to distance himself from the wrong and dangerous inferences drawn by a section of the public on his remarks.

He noted that while some inferences were made innocently and without mischief, there were entities that had seized on the story to cause further chaos that transcended the realm of power politics.

“Before the media interface, the vice-president was aware that some entities and individuals were covertly pushing for Muslim leadership of the National Assembly to use the instance to legitimise their grievances against the Nigerian state.

“They were doing this to prove to their communities that they had been marginalised and must rise to cause chaos.

“This is a paradoxical situation where lawmakers who opposed a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket are actively campaigning for political arrangements that would result in Muslims occupying the topmost four or five positions in the country.

“The covert intent of their actions is evident to astute observers of our politics.

“This is the dimension to which our politics have descended; a dimension that does not align with President Tinubu’s and the APC’s vision of a Nigeria for all.

“It is the vision and promise that propelled this government to power even when some interest groups attempted to mischaracterise the APC ticket,’’ Abiola stated.

He added that senators who met with the vice-president were known as the Stability Group, a group of 77 patriots who had signed up for the Akpabio/Barau ticket.

Senators in the Stability Group believe the pair would represent the interests of the nation and the party, he stated.

According to Abiola, the group is neither ethnic nor religious, but a collection of well-intentioned senators with a convincing solution to Nigeria’s stability dilemma, as its name implies.

“The vice-president remains grateful to media outlets that have seen through the mischaracterisation and have been able to provide context for those who missed it.

“We are at a critical point in our nation and cannot afford to lose our focus because of mischief-makers obsessed with starting a fire where there is none.

“Shettima remains grateful to those who have read beyond newspaper click bait and those who have given him the benefit of the doubt and remain allies for the betterment of Nigeria,’’ Abiola stressed.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Akpabio emerges as Senate President of 10th NASS

Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC-Akwa Ibom) has been sworn in as the Senate President of 10th National Assembly after he was elected by the Senators-elect in Abuja.

Akpabio, who represents North West at the national assembly, scored 63 votes to beat his rival, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari who polled 46 votes in the election.

Sen. Barau Jubrin (APC-Kano) was also elected as the Deputy Senate President.

Akpabio was born on Dec. 9, 1962 to the family of Chief Obot Akpabio and Madam Lucy Obot Akpabio (née Inyangetor) of Ukana, Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom.

He did his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Ukana and had his secondary education at the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, after which he gained admission to study law at the University of Calabar and graduated in 1987.

Akpabio completed his law school studies at the Lagos Law School in 1988 and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar.

After he was called to the bar, he worked briefly as a teacher and also as an associate partner with Paul Usoro and Co., a leading law firm in Nigeria.

He also worked with EMIS Telecoms Limited, a pioneer fixed wireless telecommunications company in Lagos.

In 2002, he rose to the position of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company.

While still in the Telecoms industry working as a Director at EMIS, Akpabio, served as the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria, (ATCOM).

In 2002, Akpabio was appointed as Akwa Ibom state’s Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources and later Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

In 2006 he was appointed as the Commissioner for Lands and Housing.

In April 2007, he contested for the state governorship seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was successful.

In the 2011, Akpabio contested for a second term and was successfully re-elected as the governor of Akwa Ibom.

In 2015, he contested for the Awka Ibom North West Senate Seat and won on the PDP Platform.

He was the minority leader of the 8th Senate. Akpabio was the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs in the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He is a recipient of the Nigerian National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

He holds several international, media and academic awards.(NAN)(www.nannwwa.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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