Category: General

The Somali delegation, led by State Minister of Labor Yusuf Mohamed Adan, recently took part in the second Arab Forum for Equality held at the United Nations Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. The delegation, which also included experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, actively engaged in panel discussions focused on promoting equality and addressing social challenges.

During the forum, State Minister Yusuf Mohamed Adan and other delegation members underscored Somalia’s unwavering commitment to social development and the importance of international collaboration. They expressed gratitude to the Government of Lebanon and the United Nations Office in Beirut for organizing the event, which provided a platform for fruitful discussions on crucial issues.

The Somali delegation’s participation in the panel discussions enabled them to share valuable insights and perspectives on various topics related to equality and social issues. The forum served as an opportunity to highlight Somalia’s efforts in agriculture and food security, with the presence of experts from the Ministry of Agriculture providing additional expertise.

State Minister Yusuf Mohamed Adan emphasized the significance of addressing social challenges and promoting equality, particularly in Somalia’s ongoing development endeavors. He expressed the government’s deep gratitude for the support received from international partners, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable and inclusive social development.

The delegation’s representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister also contributed to the discussions, shedding light on the government’s priorities and initiatives aimed at promoting equality and advancing social development. Their valuable inputs further emphasized the commitment of the Somali government to address key societal issues.

The Somali delegation’s active engagement in the Arab Forum for Equality exemplifies the country’s determination to prioritize social development, improve the well-being of its citizens, and foster international partnerships. By participating in such important events, Somalia aims to strengthen ties with Arab nations and enhance cooperation for its overall progress.

The discussions held during the forum will undoubtedly contribute to shaping policies and strategies that address social inequalities and foster inclusive growth in Somalia. The insights gained from the panel discussions, along with the expertise of the delegation, will be instrumental in advancing Somalia’s social development agenda.

As the Somali delegation concludes its participation in the Arab Forum for Equality, the government reaffirms its commitment to working tirelessly to ensure social progress, foster equality, and improve the lives of all Somali citizens. Through continued collaboration and international partnerships, Somalia is determined to achieve sustainable and inclusive social development that benefits its people and contributes to regional stability.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The first phase of the Green Legacy program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has registered huge success, according to ministers.

The ministers, who took part in the launching of the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in Afar region yesterday, said the program has been very successful.

Head of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Minister, Alemtsehay Paulos stated during the occasion that more than 25 billion seedlings were planted in the first phase of the Green Legacy Initiative.

Highlighting the success of the first phase of the initiative, she noted that planting of seedlings has benefited the society as they were able to get fruits from the planted trees.

The second phase of the program launched under the theme: “Let’s plant the future today” is a crucial juncture in which we leave great legacy for the future generation, she said.

Alemtsehay added that the initiative is also pivotal to transfer a well developed, productive and climate resilient nation for the next generation.

According to her, this year’s program has mainly focused on planting edible fruits tree seedlings.

Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa affirmed the success of the first phase of the initiative as the program has mobilized Ethiopians at large, which is a great experience to expand into other areas.

Noting that planting seedlings is instrumental to develop water resources, he added attention will next be given to basins.

Irrigation and Lowland Areas Development Minister, Aisha Mohammed said that Ethiopia has become a leading country in green legacy.

The green legacy program initiated by the PM will be critical in preventing the impact of climate change which has become a global phenomenon, the minister elaborated, pointing out that the lowland areas consist of plenty of water resources, huge land resources, and animal resources that could be beneficial to the nation.

Starting the initiative in these areas will have a huge role in showing the ample potential, Aisha noted.

Understanding that the initiative would bring social harmony and accelerate economic growth, we need to join hands to be successful in such areas.

Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla noted said the first phase has registered big leap.

As monitoring the seedlings should be given attention in addition to planting seedlings, software that carry out the activity has been developed.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopian Airlines has fully recovered to pre-pandemic operational levels and is now looking to further expand its fleet and network map, Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said.

“Now we are operating around 140 aircraft, but this number continuously varies. By 2035, we forecast 271 aircraft in our operations. That means we need at least 130 additional aircraft,” the CEO told Aviation Daily on the sidelines of the IATA Annual General Meeting in Istanbul.

With older aircraft needing to be replaced, that number could increase, he added.

According to him, the next round of aircraft orders by the end of the year will be a mix of narrow body and wide body aircraft.

“The Embraer E2 series versus the Airbus A220 are candidates of the lower end of aircraft size,” Mesfin said, adding that the carrier is still evaluating a 100-seater.

Besides the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo as narrow body contenders, the 777X and A350-1000 are being considered for the wide body side of the order.

As of June 5, Ethiopian Airlines’ order book comprises 29 aircraft: 17 737 MAXs, five 777Fs, one 787-9, and six Airbus A350-1000s.

In the current financial year, which ends June 30, the airline received 12 new aircraft, it was learned.

As the carrier prepares for a busy summer season, it is also being affected by the global supply chain issues impacting much of the aviation industry.

“Not on the older models like the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 or Boeing 737NGs,” Mesfin said “the problems are with A350s and 787s. We have a critical shortage on components.”

So far it has not been necessary to ground aircraft, he said, “but in July and August during the high season, every aircraft is needed, and then we could have a problem.”

Regarding network growth, in a year or two the Star Alliance member may expand to Australia, the last continent to which it is not flying to.

More services to the Americas are also being planned.

“We want to increase flights to Toronto, and for Montreal we have applied for traffic rights,” the CEO stated, adding that in the US, Ethiopian operates to New York JFK, Newark, Chicago O´Hare, Atlanta, and Washington Dulles.

In South America the carrier serves Buenos Aires and Sao Paolo, “but our network is permanently developing and when we see an opportunity then we use it,” he said.

In Europe, Madrid and Lisbon are also on the radar.

Besides serving 63 international destinations in Africa, Ethiopian’s current domestic network of 20 airports will increase to 27, as five new airports are planned in the nation.

For the current fiscal year ending in June, the airline will be reporting slightly higher passenger numbers of 13 million compared to 12.2 million in 2019.

“Our revenue met our target,” the CEO said. “It will be about 50 percent higher compared to pre-COVID levels and partly contributed by cargo. Cargo still has a big contribution to our overall revenue.”

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Green Legacy Initiative that Ethiopia has been undertaking will make a great contribution to the effort to prevent climate change globally, ambassadors of different countries observed.

The ambassadors pointed out that they will strengthen their support for the Green Legacy Initiative Ethiopia has been carrying out.

In the second phase of the program launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed yesterday, it was announced that 25 billion seedlings will planted in this phase.

Among the ambassadors who participated in the launching program, French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux, said this Green Legacy Initiative is very important in mitigating climate change.

“It’s part of a more comprehensive movement and there is a growing awareness that all around Africa this kind of initiative, maybe not to the level of Ethiopia, but from east to west in the Sahel there is a huge project of the green wall to stop the progress of the deserts,” the ambassador added.

Moreover, he elaborated that Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is an example for many countries.

“Ethiopia is quite an example for many countries, not only in Africa, only if you take into account the energy mix of Africa which is 98 percent renewable. That’s a major contribution to a global challenge.”

According to him, what is undertaken here is not only for Ethiopia because global warming is a global challenge, and it must be addressed and fought in each and every country.

Italy’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Agostino Palese said on his part that the initiative that Ethiopia has been implementing is encouraging.

Ambassador Palese noted that it will create the ability to prevent floods, droughts and other related disasters that occur due to climate change at the international level.

Moreover, he stated that the initiative will benefit other development activities besides its contribution to climate change prevention.

China’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan appreciated Ethiopia’s commitment to plant 25 billion seedlings in the last four years under the Green Legacy Initiative.

He said this has its own positive contribution in preventing climate change not only in Ethiopia, but also the world.

“This Green Legacy Initiative was initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. I think since it has been started, it has made great achievements. In four years we have planted more than 25 billion seedlings. It has changed the climate of Ethiopia and will make a great contribution to Africa and around the world.”

The Green Legacy Initiative is a flagship program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June 2019 with a target of planting 20 billion seedlings within a period of four years.

However, by the last fourth year, 25 billion seedlings, including fruit trees and cattle feeds, have been planted as part of the national Green Legacy Initiative across the nation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia will have planted a total of 31 billion seedlings by the end of this year’s Green Legacy planting season, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed disclosed.

The premier also called on all to join and plant the future today.

Abiy launched yesterday the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in Afar region.

The prime minister wrote on his Face-Book this afternoon: “We always finish what we start. By the end of this year’s Green Legacy planting season, Ethiopia will have planted 31billion seedlings.”

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector, on Thursday in Abuja, launched the African Catfish Value Chain to address the challenges in its farming and boost productivity.

The Representative of UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Fred Kafeero, during the launch of the flagship programme, themed: “FISH4ACP”, said the project was an opportunity to reiterate FAO’s commitment to a blue transformation of the catfish sub-sector.

Kafeero said FISH4ACP” was a global fish value chain development programme, set up by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), being implemented by the FAO, and funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

“Nigeria is a very important and strategic member state in the development. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of African catfish, with an estimated annual production of one million tonnes (in 2021), worth around 2.6 billion dollars.

“Additionally, Nigeria has an estimated 285, 000 producers, of which small-scale farmers represent over 60 per cent. The catfish value chain itself offers employment to about one million people.

“This data, according to the value chain, followed the analysis conducted by FISH4ACP and the FMARD (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), which underpins the strategy we are launching today,” he said.

Kafeero noted that the strategy would reduce harm to human health, and lessen the burden on the environment, through the introduction of cleaner smoking technologies.

Frank Okafor, who represented the International Partnership Officer of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Urszula Solkiewics, said the African Catfish Strategy, developed under the Fish4ACP Programme, reflected stakeholders’ commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in the fisheries sector.

“The EU and the German Government, have long recognised the importance of investing in the fisheries sector, both as a means of livelihood for communities, and as a contributor to the overall economic growth of the continent.

“Through the Fish4ACP Programme, we aim to strengthen the capacities of African countries to sustainably manage their fisheries resources, enhance the competitiveness of the sector, and foster regional cooperation.

“By supporting the African Catfish Strategy, we strive to address the challenges faced by catfish farmers and entrepreneurs in Nigeria and beyond,” Solkiewics said.

The Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, represented by the Director of Special Duties at the Ministry, Fausat Lawal, said Fish4ACP Initiative aimed to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the fishery and aquaculture value chains.

Umakhihe said the ministry was supporting fish farmers’ efforts at boosting the catfish sector due to its potential for job creation and widening business opportunities.

The National President, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, said the catfish value chain played a vital role in meeting the growing demand for quality fish products, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to Nigeria’s food security and economic growth.

Ansa said the launch of the programme marked a significant milestone in the collective efforts to harness the potential of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, by focusing on the value chain approach.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has said that all arrangements to transport 2023 prospective pilgrims to Saudi Arabia must be completed latest by June 20.

This is contained in a statement issued by the commission’s Deputy Director of Information and Publication, Mala Mousa Ubandawaki, on Friday.

Ubandawaki said that all states that are scheduled to fly are on course to do so without any disruption related to visa procurement.

“We want to reiterate our commitment to transport every eligible Nigerian pilgrim to the Holy land not only in good time, but also in comfort and best welfare service.

“Our attention has been drawn to a news story that over 45,000 Nigerian pilgrims may miss this year’s Hajj as a result of non-availability of travel visas to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“The report is not only misleading, but mischievous and aimed at causing panic and apprehension among intending pilgrims in particular and the public in general.”

Ubandawaki, however, admitted that there was a technical problem relating to visa processing.

“But it has been resolved at the moment, as visa processing is ongoing. In the last two days, visas to state pilgrims have been steady, and no flight has been cancelled due to visa issues.

“Therefore, over 35,000 Nigerian pilgrims are in the Holy Land, while the remaining pilgrims are expected to be transported in the next 10 days.

“It is interesting to note that out of 75,000 slots, more than 58,000 visas are being processed for Nigerian pilgrims. Of these, 20,000 visas were issued between Thursday and Friday while the remainder will be processed by Saturday.

“Despite the hiccup, the commission is committed to concluding the airlift operation to Saudi Arabia before June 20.”

Ubandawaki said the commission had resolved to transport all pilgrims to visit Madina before Arafat, and synchronise the transportation with the available accommodation in the city.

“And not to overcrowd the place, the commission is cautious of pushing more pilgrims out.

“We want to urge our partners in the media that while it is critical for them to push the interest of Nigerian pilgrims, they should also be conscious of the fact that they might be indirectly creating worry and anxiety for the hapless pilgrims.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi has expressed concern over how some Nigerian publications fall below international standards.

Anunobi spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a Sensitisation Workshop on Legal Deposits and International Numbers Utilisation organised by the National Library of Nigeria (NLN).

The theme of the workshop is tagged: ‘Bibliographic Control in Information Resources Publishing in Nigeria”.

The national librarian said there was need for authors and publishers to have the international standard numbers for proper documentation and collation of Nigeria’s heritage.

According to her, ”documentation of history of a people could determine the root of the people.

”The law of the National Library of 1970 gave the national library the mandate of legal deposit which is the collation of what is published and depositing them for posterity.

”While the documentation of this history makes it possible for a society to trace its roots, it becomes easier to access and utilise the history for the diverse needs of the people.

”’Documentation of the knowledge heritage is one aspect while publishing them in the globally acceptable standards is another.

”How embarrassing will it be to have our published heritage despised and/or criticised in comity of global documented knowledge. Such is also the concern of National Library and by extension the global publishing industry.”

She added that a published document would be globally accepted where it has international standard numbers.

She, therefore, urged authors and publishers to also make it a point of duty to submit electronic copies of their resources for proper documentation and collation.

She added that the national library had succeeded in automating the process, while calling on authors to familiarise with the requirements as well as ways and means of getting published resources assigned the standard numbers and newsletters inclusive .

”Our decision to begin this conversation in Abuja this year is derived for the observation that many Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) publications fall short of international standard expectations.

”It is then a case of rushing to help a neighbour make his bed when yours is in disarray. Thus charity begins at home , we must surely give back to the seat of federal might before moving to the states,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr David Adejo, called for concerted efforts to collect all materials published in the country.

Adejo, represented by the Director, Special Duties in the ministry, Zubairu Abullahi, commend the National Library for the continuous effort in sensitising the public about the legal requirement of publication.

He also said that proper documentation is foundation for all materials stored in books to get to digital space.

”Nigerians are good in writing and creativity for a very long time, most of the time we do not have a standard procedure of recording our achievements.

”The best of what you have done if it is not recorded in accordance with international best practices, there is every chance that over time you are going to miss it.

”So for the sake of history, posterity and longevity, this particular exercise we are doing with the national library is good for the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria