Day: May 4, 2023

African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met today and discussed about the situations in Sudan among others.

Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz has landed in Ethiopia today, the start of his three-day trip to East Africa. Next, the chancellor is expected to visit Kenya.

During the discussion, the AUC Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat said that the commission is coordinating all efforts in resolving the situation in Sudan.

He added that the African Union is prioritizing in bringing ceasefire, open humanitarian corridor, and bringing the various actors into the negotiating table.

“There is no military solution except political solution that we can find,” he noted.

Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz expressed his country’s support towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa, particularly in Sudan.

Appreciating the role the AU is playing in order to ensure peace and stability of the continent, the Chancellor assured to continue providing support to the continent.

Germany will support Africa’s path to ascertain self-reliance in various fields, Scholz pointed out.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz has concluded his one day visit to Ethiopia. Olaf Scholz was seen off at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport this evening by Foreign Affairs State Minister Birtukan Ayano. The Chancellor is expected to travel to Kenya for similar visit, it was indicated. Chancellor Scholz was accompanied by several representatives of German companies. Ethiopia and Germany have a long standing bilateral cooperation in various development areas. Germany is a country that stood alongside Ethiopia during difficult times; the Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs said.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Neenyi Ghartey, VII Effutu Oma Odefe, has expressed concern over how some people are rearing cattle at the Town’s Deer Hunting site, destroying trees and coconuts planted to keep the area greeny.

According to him the traditional authorities were in dialogue with the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive to resolve the issue which was generating tension in the town.

Neenyi Ghartey expressed the concern in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after meeting the planning committee of the festival to review some of the activities earmarked for the celebration.

According to him the Council together with the Asafo Companies were very angry that the Effutu Municipal Assembly had not been able to eject the people from the site and warned that the Asafo Companies would be compelled to act.

Later when the GNA contacted Alhaji Zubairu Kassim, the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, he said his office received a letter in connection with removal of cattle which were destroying their heritage and as the matter was a security issue the Municipal Security Committee have met on it.

He assured that they were working to see how best to address it adding that the chiefs must partner the Assembly to find lasting solution to their concerns.

At the meeting, Neenyi Ghartey called on his people to fully participate in all the activities earmarked for this year’s Aboakyer and contribute towards their targeted projects which included sanitation.

According to him everything was on course, and he believed they would be able to execute all the activities they intended to do for a successful and peaceful celebration.

He stated that the festival was a period for family unification and used for the sober reflection of the town’s development.

The Omanhen called on all citizens of Effutu, friends, visitors, tourists, and their development partners to fully support the festival.

‘There is the need for all celebrants to eschew all forms of vices and immoral deeds, which could mar the celebration,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Former President John Dramani Mahama, has extended congratulatory message to Ghanaian journalists for their roles in the nation’s building.

Mr Mahama in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency to mark the 2023 World Press Freedom Day, which fell on May 3, said it was in the interest of young democracies like Ghana’s that the role of the independent media, in holding governments accountable, was protected.

‘As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, I salute our gallant Ghanaian journalists who defy all manner of threats and inducements, and courageously continue to expose wrongs in our society,’ Mr Mahama stated.

‘With the blot of the still unsolved murder of Ahmed Suale weighing heavily on the nation’s conscience, the government owes it a duty to our country to do better by working hand-in-hand with our press men and women in building a safer, more just and transparent society.’

He further bemoaned Ghana’s deteriorated ranking on the World Press Freedom Index.

‘This is not the Ghana the world had come to know. Happy World Press Freedom Day.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The U.S. Department of State has increased some nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees globally effective May 30, 2023.

The application fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s) and other non-petition based NIVs, such as student and exchange visitor visas, has increased from $160 to $185.

The application fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) has also increased from $190 to $205.

The application fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicant in a specialty occupation (E category) has increased from $205 to $315.

Other consular fees remain the same, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors, a statement from the U.S Embassy in Ghana has said.

The Embassy said, ‘this fee increase is established by the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and will take effect equally at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world.’

Applicants who have already paid a visa application fee that is currently valid and non-expired, but who have not yet appeared for their visa interview or are waiting for their case to be processed, will not be charged any additional fees.

The statement explained that ‘applicants who pay the visa fee before May 30, 2023, and schedule an interview within 365 days of the day payment is made are not affected by this change.’

‘There is no requirement for the interview to occur during that 365-day period, applicants must just take the step of scheduling an appointment within 365 days,’ it added.

The Embassy said all visa fee payments made on or after October 1, 2022, were valid for 365 days from the date a receipt was issued for payment of the fee.

It reiterated that ‘applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application within 365 days of paying the visa fee.’

The Department of State’s consular operations, it noted, were funded by fees collected for the consular services it provided.

‘Nonimmigrant visa fees are set based on the actual cost of providing these services, as determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services. Nonimmigrant visa fee increases are based strictly on the results of this cost-of-service model, and the Department of State only recovers the costs of providing these consular services.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) on Thursday inaugurated 72 units housing estate in Emuren, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Speaking during the inauguration, Mr Madu Hamman, Managing Director, FMBN, said the residential housing estate was developed by LSDPC under the FMBN Cooperative Housing Development Loan window.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mr Kamal Olowosago, presenting document to one of the beneficiaries of the apartments

Hamman said the project, fully funded by FMBN, was in fulfillment of its commitment to the realisation of the home ownership dreams of Nigerian workers who were contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme.

The managing director stated that the commitment led to the development of the FMBN Cooperative Housing Development window through which the estate was delivered successfully.

He said that FMBN had continued to ensure that Nigerians had access to decent and secure accommodation through affordable mortgage financing and access to products in the Nigerian financial services sector.

He appreciated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, for the support extended to FMBN and the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme.

“This support has ensured consistency of NHF contributions by the state workforce.

“This project consists of 72 housing units comprising 48 units of two-bedroom terrace apartment and 24 units of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

“The estate is fully serviced with basic infrastructure including internal road network, drainages, electricity, and water to create a conducive and liveable environment,” he said.

“By this endeavor, we are not only reducing the housing deficit in the country, we are also creating jobs and tackling unemployment,” he said.

The FMBN managing director appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his support which he said made the project a reality.

In his remarks, Mr Ayodeji Gbeleyi, Chairman, Board of Directors, FMBN, said the projects reaffirmed the commitment of FMBN to deliver affordable housing to Nigerians, who were contributors to the NHF scheme managed by the bank.

Gbeleyi lauded the Ogun State Government for allowing the project to be located in the state, adding that the synergy deserved commendation.

In his speech, Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Kamal Olowosago, said that his government would continue to prioritise workers welfare.

Sanwo-Olu commented FMBN for the scheme, saying that the government would continue to collaborate with the bank in ensuring that the state workers benefited more in various housing projects.

Oba Adesegun Abolaji, the Elemuren of Emuren, Sagamu, expressed gratitude for siting the project in his community, promising that he was ready to donate another 20 hectares of land for another phase of the project.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The FAME Foundation has warned against threats to life, stigmatisation, discrimination and cyber bullying of women journalists, urging government at all levels to protect them by all means.

Its Executive Director, Ms Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, gave the advice on Wednesday at a news conference held in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2023 (WPFD) in Abuja.

Ogunleye-Bello said the call became necessary as it would enable journalists to enjoy their right to freedom.

She praised women journalists in particular and called for an end to the bullying that some women journalists were facing.

“On this day, I celebrate journalists for their courage, passion, and determination to bring the news to every corner and nook of the earth.

“I particularly celebrate women journalists and ask for a stop to cyber bullying, threats to life, slut-shaming, and discrimination for doing their job.

“They have the right to practice journalism and report the news like any other person. The rights of women journalists are human rights, protect them,” Ogunleye-Bello said.

According to her, press freedom is the foundation of free speech, adding, ”if the press is allowed to speak freely, so would the general public.”

She added that marking the day should serve as a reminder to the government of their commitment to press freedom and media workers.

Ogunleye-Bello urged other media outlets and personnel to be vigilant and truthful in their duties, refrain from bribery, stop publishing false news and always defend their integrity.

Ogunleye-Bello expressed her excitement, love, and respect for the media and the tremendous expansion of media companies in Nigeria.

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3 every year and the theme 2023 is: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria