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Tag: Secretary General

  • Congress of diplomats appoints Nigerian as Sec.-Gen.

    Congress of diplomats appoints Nigerian as Sec.-Gen.

    The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) has appointed a Nigerian, Dr Tunji Asaolu, as its Secretary-General.

    UN-WCD is a registered entity in the United Kingdom and Canada that engage with diverse stakeholders to facilitate diplomatic exchanges, advocate sustainable development and championing international cooperation to tackle global issues.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Friday by Prof. Jose Rodriguez, Global President and Member of the Supreme Council International, UN-WCD.

    Rodriguez  said that Asaolu’s appointment was confirmed on March 3, 2025 based on his leadership abilities and commitment to diplomatic relations.

    “It is with great pleasure that I formerly inform you of your appointment as the Secretary-General of the UN-WCD, following the unanimous consensus of the Supreme Council International.

    “Your appointment is effective from March 3, 2025. In this role, you will directly report to the Chairperson of the Supreme Council of the Congress.

    “Your appointment as Secretary-General is indicative of your exceptional leadership abilities, extensive experience in international relations and unwavering commitment to promote diplomacy and peace on a global scale.

    “We are confident that your experience and dedication will be valuable assets in furthering our mission.

    “As the Secretary-general of the UN-WCD, you will play a pivotal role in guiding the organisation towards achieving its mission of fostering international cooperation and understanding.”

    Tunji’s position would span for a four-year term upon confirmation at the forthcoming congress scheduled to take place from Sept. 6 to 12, 2025 in Canada.

  • UN Secretary-General reacts to breakdown of negotiations at COP27

    UN Secretary-General reacts to breakdown of negotiations at COP27

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has decried the breakdown of trust between the global North and South at the ongoing 27th session of Conference of Parties (COP27) on Climate Change in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

    Guterres in his remark at COP27 briefing on Thursday, said the breakdown in trust between North and South, and between developed and emerging economies was a recipe for mutually assured destruction.

    “This is no time for finger pointing. The blame game is a recipe for mutually assured destruction.

    “I am here to appeal to all parties to rise to this moment and to the greatest challenge facing humanity. The world is watching and has a simple message: stand and deliver,” said the UN scribe.

    Guterres urged the parties to deliver the kind of of meaningful climate action that people and the planet so desperately needed; as global emissions were at their highest level in history and still rising.

    “Climate impacts are decimating economies and societies and growing. We know what we need to do and we have the tools and resources to get it done.

    “And so I appeal to the parties to act in three critical areas. First, the most effective way to rebuild trust is by finding an ambitious and credible agreement on loss and damage and financial support to developing countries.

    “The time for talking on loss and damage finance is over. We need action. No one can deny the scale of loss and damage we see around the globe.

    “The world is burning and drowning before our eyes and I urge all parties to show that they see it and get it.

    “Send a clear signal that the voices of those on the frontlines of the crisis are finally being heard. Reflect the urgency, scale and enormity of the challenge faced by developing countries.

    “We cannot continue to deny climate justice to those who have contributed least to the climate crisis and are getting hurt the most. Now is a moment for solidarity, said the UN chief.

    He also appealed to all parties to forcefully address the huge emissions gap, noting that the 1.5 target was not simply about keeping a goal alive, but it’s about keeping people alive.

    “I see the will to keep to the 1.5 goal – but we must ensure that commitment is evident in the COP27 outcome. Fossil fuel expansion is hijacking humanity.

    “Any hope of meeting the 1.5 target requires a step change in emissions reductions. We cannot close the emissions gap without an acceleration in the deployment of renewables.

    “The Just Energy Transition Partnerships are important pathways to accelerate the phasing out of coal and the scaling up of renewables. This effort must be expanded,” he said.

    Guterres also called for the delivery of the $100 billion in the climate finance for developing countries by the developed world.

    The parties, he said must act on the crucial question of finance as it meant clarity on how the doubling of adaptation finance will be delivered through a credible roadmap.

    “We have agreed solutions in front of us to respond to loss and damage, to close the emissions gap, and to deliver on finance. The climate clock is ticking, and trust keeps eroding.

    “The parties at COP27 have a chance to make a difference here and now. I urge them to act — and act quickly,” the UN boss appealed.

  • Former ACF Secretary-General, Col. Musa Shehu Rtd is dead

    The death has been announced of the former Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Secretary-General Colonel Musa Shehu (Rtd).

    The former ACF stalwart gave up the ghost after  a brief illness.

    His demise was announced via the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Wednesday evening in the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.

    It explained that the late Colonel Musa Shehu has been buried, according to Islamic tenets, saying that the deceased was a one-time military administrator of Plateau and Rivers states.

    The ACF statement further highlighted his good works, tremendous contributions to the developments and upkeep, contributing his quota to the growth of the body.

    The ACF also acknowledged his selfless service,  how he sacrificed his life to national and societal services and how he served  as the Acting Chairman, Political Committee of the Arewa Consultative Forum.

    A condolence register, on behalf of ACF and his family, has been opened at the ACF Headquarters, No. 11A, Sokoto Road, Kaduna, while his family house, at Apo Quarters, Abuja, receives personal sympathizers.

  • Portugal nominates UN Secretary General, Guterres for second term

    Portugal nominates UN Secretary General, Guterres for second term

    The Portuguese government has officially nominated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as a candidate for a second term in office.

    UN spokesman, Mr Stephane Dujarric, disclosed this at his daily news briefing in New York on Wednesday.

    He said the nomination came in a letter addressed to the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

    Guterres, 71, a former Prime Minister of Portugal, became the ninth Secretary-General following his election by the UN General Assembly on Oct. 13, 2016.

    On Jan. 11, Dujarric confirmed that the UN chief, whose current term expires on Dec. 31, would be seeking a second five-year term beginning in January 2022.

    Article 97 of the UN Charter empowers the General Assembly to appoint the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council.

    This means that any of the five permanent members of the council, who will make their choice known in coming months, can veto Guterres’ nomination.

    The selection process of the next Secretary-General officially began on Feb. 6 with a joint letter by the General Assembly and Security Council presidents asking member states to nominate candidates.

    As of the time of filing this report on Wednesday evening, only Guterres was known to have been nominated for the post.

    In January, Honduras’ permanent representative to the UN, Amb. Mary Flake, also sent a letter to all member states asking them to present female candidates.

    Flake said there had never been a female secretary-general, adding that she is “wring from a place of conviction, where standing for equal rights makes a difference in creating a fair and equitable organisation”.

    Guterres’ election in 2016 came as a disappointment to women, who had hoped to break the male dominance of the post.

    Thirteen candidates, comprising seven women and six men, contested for the post then.

  • IndustriALL Global Union Congratulates NUTGTWN, Hails Aremu at retirement as Secretary General

    IndustriALL Global Union Congratulates NUTGTWN, Hails Aremu at retirement as Secretary General

    The IndustriALL Global Union’s fifty million workers in 140 countries has congratulated the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGWN) on the successful hosting of the 12th Quadrennial National Delegates” Conference in Abuja recently and the election of new national executive for the next four years. The new Executive Council is headed by John Adaji as the President elected for the second 4 years term.

    The high points of the 12th Congress were the adoption of the Secretariat report of activities in the past four years and the retirement of Comrade Issa Aremu as the General Secretary of the Union having served the union for 31 years, 8 of which as an acting General Secretary and 23 years as successively elected substantive General Secretary.

    IndustriALL Global Union with headquarters in Geneva in a letter signed by it’s Secretary General Secretary Valter Sanches, singled out the Union’s former General Secretary for appreciation for his globally acknowledged service to the labour movement. Comrade Aremu attains the statutory retirement age of 60 years January 8th 2021 remains IndustriALL Vice President and executive member of the Sub Saharan Africa region until it’s 3rd global Congress scheduled for Cape town South Africa in October this year. The constitution of Textile Union makes the position of General Secretary elective of 4 years term which lasts 2024. Comrade Ali Baba, a Principal Assistant General Secretary in charge of Kano area of the Union was therefore appointed as the Ag.General Secretary of the union. The outgoing General Secretary had since congratulated his successor whose appointment he said was “earned and deserved based on commitment, honesty, selflessness and faithfulness, loyalty to the Union” promising a smooth transition and sustainable progress of the Union. In spite of the challenges of factory closures and job losses, textile union had been adjudged relatively stable with peaceful record of successions at delegates conferences which often focused on issues that affect the workers and the industry rather than controversial issues of elective offices that had crippled the cohesion of many unions. The union had signed as many as 45 national collective agreements in its 40 years of existence without a national shut down of the factories. Labour observers commended comrade Aremu and his comrades for keeping the cohesion of the union which was once in turmoil in 1993 after an orchestrated violent attack on the union through fake report and rumors. To his credit he also led the union

    Aremu held all critical positions from an Organizer to senior Deputy General Secretary. He was also two terms elected Vice President of NLC (2007-2015) and members of labour market institutions such as Micheal Imoudu Labour Institute, Ilorin, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund ( NSITF), National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Labour Transport Service among others. He is the face of reindustrialization and revival of textile and garment industry campaigns.

    Industriall Global Union specifically singled out NUTGWN for commendation on its campaigns to revive the textile and garment sector through support to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Textile and Garment Policy. It pledges to support the union “for a sustainable policy framework for manufacturing and for the implementation of minimum wages, and the moves towards living wages and decent work”.

    In the 1970’s and early 1980’s, Nigeria was the home to Africa’s largest textile industry with over 180 textile employing some direct 650,000 workforce and indirect millions of cotton farmers, traders and garment workers, more workforce than the Federal government! The sector which contributed over 25% of the workforce in the manufacturing sector and as much to national GDP currently employs less than 10,000 organized workforce. The Union over the years has risen to intensify campaign for industrialization, uninterrupted electricity, against influx of smuggled imported and substandard products, lack of patronage of home-made goods, poor infrastructure, high taxation and interest rates and the depreciating value of the naira coupled with insecurity in parts of the country. President Muhamadu Buhari had initiated a number of new measures aimed at textile industry revival within the context of Textile and Garment (CTG) policy aims at reviving the value chains of cotton growing, Ginneries, spinning and weaving, printing and garments production. On Tuesday July 23 2019, the leadership of the union led by the President, Comrade John Adaji and General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu, mni and the Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) paid an historic courtesy visit to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

    The CBN under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele has taken a number of bold and commendable efforts to encourage patronage of local fabrics, the notable being the signing of an unprecedented Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Service Chiefs, Chief Executives of Uniformed Services, and textile/garment manufacturers on enforcement of Executive Order 003 on Support of Local Content in Procurement by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The MOU envisages that uniforms for navy, police, army, civil defence, immigration, customs, NYSC, road safety among others are sourced locally from the Nigerian CTG sector in pursuance of the administration’s drive towards economic diversification and creating jobs for our teeming population. Under the leadership of Comrade Issa Aremu, union made significant progress appreciable in organized the unorganized hundreds of thousands of self employed Tailors and Kampala makers in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, Niger, Abuja, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Cross River, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Taraba, Borno among others., the challenge remains making them financial membership.

    Issa Aremu joined Textile Union as an organizer in 1989 at the request of former General Secretary and two terms President of NLC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Aremu’s activism however dated back to his university days in ABU, Zaria and University of nh. An economist, he was also the pioneer Head of Economics and Research department of Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) having served under two NLC Presidents namely Ali Chiroma and late Pascal Bafyau. He was the only Congress staff retained when Babangida military regime forcefully dissolved Ali Chiroma led executive in 1988 and appointed a sole administrator Chief Michael Ogunkoya. Comrade Aremu voluntarily resigned from NLC in 1989 under Pascal Bafyau “on ideological ground,” after which he joined the textile union. He is a recipient of numerous national awards including Member, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State; (SEC, Senior Executive Course 27) 2005; 2014 National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) recipient, Alumni Association of the National Defence College and the National Defence College, Nigeria Awards, 2014; Award by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), 2013; Awards by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, 2007, May 26, 2010; 2013; and Award by the Bank of Industry, 2011.

    Aremu was a Two-term elected Secretary-General of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy & Strategy Studies, AANI (2013 – 2017); Labour Delegate; 2014 National Conference and Deputy Chairman of the National Conference Committee on Civil Society, Labour, Youth and Sports. He was Kwara State 2019 Governorship CANDIDATE under the Labour Party of which he was a founding member. 2016 Fellow of the Bloomberg Media Leadership Initiative (A.L.I), Aremu is a columnist with Daily Trust over the decades and regular contributors to national and global issues in all platforms.

  • OPEC re-elects Nigeria’s Mohammed Barkindo as Secretary-General

    The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC ) on Monday night announced the re-election of Nigeria’s Mohammed Barkindo as Secretary General for a three-year tenure.
    Barkindo, who is an accomplished oil technocrat with a wealth of experience in the oil and gas sector, was first elected as Secretary General of the bloc in 2016.
    Addressing newsmen at the end of the 176th meeting Of OPEC member nations, Mr Salvador Fernandez, President of the conference, also announced a nine- month extension of the global oil production cut under the “ Declaration of Cooperation “ among member states.
    The “Declaration of Cooperation”, an outcome of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Producing Countries’ Ministerial Meeting held on Dec. 10, 2016, was effective for an initial period of six months.
    The declaration constitutes an unprecedented milestone in the history of the OPEC because, for the first time ever, the member countries of the organization coordinated with 11 non-members in a concerted effort to accelerate the stabilization of the global oil market through voluntary production adjustments, which amounted to approximately 1.8 million barrels per day.
    The Second Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Producing Countries’ Ministerial Meeting, which was held on May 25, 2017 decided to extend the voluntary production adjustments for another nine months beginning July 1, 2017.
    According to the bloc, the sustainable oil market stability sought by the declaration is in the interests of producers, consumers, investors, and the global economy at large.
    Similarly at the third joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Producing Countries’ Ministerial Meeting on Nov. 30, 2017, it was agreed to amend the Declaration of Cooperation so that it will take effect for the entirety of 2018.
    The core principles of transparency, equity and fairness which have underpinned the Declaration of Cooperation infused all aspects of OPEC’s interactions with its non-OPEC oil producing partners, including cooperation at a research and technical level.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day conference will continue on Tuesday with the 6th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial meeting

  • YCE suspends Olajide as Secretary-General

    YCE suspends Olajide as Secretary-General

    The crisis rocking the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) got a new twist as members of the Council on Thursday suspended its Secretary-General, Dr. Kunle Olajide indefinitely.

    This suspension was part of the decisions taken at the YCE Joint Meeting of Senior Elders’ Forum and Chairmen of State Chapters at the Council’s National Secretariat, Old Bodija, Ibadan.

    In the communique by the President of the Council, Dansaaki Col. Sam Ade Agbede (Rtd) after the meeting, Olajide was suspended for “reasons of gross misconduct and insubordination”, urging him “to surrender all the Council’s properties and documents in his custody to the President immediately.”

    The meeting also resolved that Comrade Sam Agbetuyi should with immediate effect take up the position of Assistant Secretary-General 1 for the Council in an acting capacity.

    At the meeting, a vote of confidence was unanimously passed on Dansaaki Agbede as the President of the Council, also known as ‘Egbe Igbimo Agba Yoruba’.

    The Communique also disclosed the report of YCE presence and participation at the Southwest Security Summit held earlier in the week, where the Council gave a position paper.

    Some of the elders in company of the President at the meeting where the decisions were taken include, Chiefs Mike Omoleye, Jibade Oyekan, Adegboye Onigbinde, Anthony Meraiyebu, Dr. Rasaki Shiyanbola, Prof. Adetoun Ogunsheye, Barr. Akin Akinremi and Com. Sam Agbetuyi.

  • Former Secretary General of NFF, Taiwo Ogunjobi is dead

    Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, former Secretary General of Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), is dead.

    Ogunjobi, who before his demise was the Chairman of Osun Football Association, was confirmed dead by his Media aide, Mr Tunde Shamsudeen.

    Shamsudeen told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Osogbo, that Ogunjobi passed on in the early hours of Monday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    He said the former NFF Secretary-General was admitted at the hospital three days ago.

    Shamudeen did not disclose the nature of the ailment that took Ogunjobi to the hospital but said he would provide further details later.

  • Ohanaeze Suspends Secretary General, Explains Why

    Ohanaeze Suspends Secretary General, Explains Why

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has suspended its Secretary-General, Uche Okwukwu, over alleged anti-organisation activities.

    The National Executive Committee of the group said he was suspended over his alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to factionalize the body which is in violation of the constitution of the pan Igbo socio-cultural organization.

    Ohanaeze highest decision-making body, Imeobi, had endorsed Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Reacting to his suspension, Okwukwu was said to have step outside, made some calls and in less than five minutes, over 30 policemen with five Hilux vans stormed the meeting holding at the national secretariat, GRA Enugu to disperse the meeting.

    It was gathered that parts of the allegations levelled against the suspended Secretary-General, Okwukwu was hinged on misconduct which includes; “That he organized a press conference in Nnewi, Anambra state, to contravene the position of Ohanaeze on the endorsement of Atiku, when he was part of the endorsement; making some spurious allegations against the leadership of the body, going to Aba, Abia State to endorse President Buhari in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and joining APC leadership to factionalize the Igbo apex body.”

    Ohanaeze stated that the action of Okwukwu smacks of betrayal of his people, noting that he was actually in the meeting at the Nike Lake Resort, where the debate on the endorsement took place and he did not raise objection, only for him to go and aligned with desperate politicians in APC, who had vowed to mortgage the future of Igbo nation for their personal gains.

    Reacting the Secretary-General dismissed his suspension claiming that it was mere political rascality which can be obtained only in Student Union politics.

    He said the meeting was not convened in line with the Ohanaeze’s constitution and therefore his suspension a nullity.

    Okwukwu also disclosed that a body of Igbo leaders and concerned personalities have suspended the President-General Nnia Nwodo for his rascality and Prince Richard Ozobu has been appointed the President-General and chairman, disciplinary committee.

  • OPEC Sec-Gen, Barkindo arrives Nigeria on 4-day visit

     

    The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Mohammad Barkindo has arrived in Nigeria on Sunday to begin a four-day working visit.

    Barkindo, who is also in the country for the 16th Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOG), will be meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of State Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu, among other stakeholders, to discuss market dynamics in the sector.

    In an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, said the fallout of Barkindo’s visit will be felt in the sector for a long time.

    “Yes, it is a big event that will affect our markets positively. He is leading an eight-man delegation and his advance team arrived earlier and will talk on the oil and gas market outlook.

    “”I believe whatever policies put in place here will be strictly adhered to and give our economy the needed boost. I’m excited. It’s a big event,” Ughamadu said.

    At an earlier news briefing, Ughamadu said Kachikwu would give a keynote address on Repositioning the Oil and Gas Sector’ while the NNPC’s Group Manaiging Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru would speak on “`Commercialising the NNPC”.

    The conference, which is organised by the CWC Consulting, begins on Feb. 27 and ends on March 2.

    More than 6,000 delegates, 250 exhibitors, from over 20 countries, many oil and gas experts and hundreds of government representatives from different countries are expected at the conference.

     

    NAN