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ELECTIONS: Edo people are satisfied with Obaseki’s performance – PDP

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“We’ll make sure Edo regains its position as education hub in Nigeria,” says Gov. Obaseki

…As U.S. sanctions 4 Russia-linked individuals for alleged election meddling***

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, said that the people of Edo are satisfied with the performance of Gov. Godwin Obaseki and ready to re-elect him.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan said that  Obaseki will defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in a manner that the party would be afraid to even approach the tribunal.

He said that the candidate of the PDP had been easily moving from ward to ward because he was widely accepted to the people of Edo.

 

“Obaseki is moving around the state showcasing his achievements. He has built a modular refinery, he has shown it.

“He has renovated schools, he has shown it, he is building roads, he has shown it, he is creating employments, he has shown it,” he said.

Ologbondiyan spoke on concerns on insecurity during the election and allegation of people who dress in fake police and military uniforms on election day.

He, therefore, urged security agencies to honour their assurance of ensuing peaceful election in Edo.

“We have received assurances from the various security chiefs who would be involved in the election.

“We have also received assurances from INEC that it will play by the rules.

“So, all we can ask and our stand is that they should walk their talk.

Also read:  Edo 2020: Butchers endorse Obaseki for 2nd term

“It is not enough you make promises then you go back and look idly and allow vandals, bandits, thugs to come and cause mayhem in Edo state,” he added.

In another development, the United States has imposed sanctions on four Russian-linked individuals for alleged attempts to interfere in its electoral process.

U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, said in a statement on Thursday that the action was taken by the Department of Treasury.

Among the blacklisted is a member of the Ukrainian parliament, Andrii Derkach, who “maintains close ties with Russian intelligence’’.

Pompeo alleged that Derkach tried to influence the views of American voters through a Russian-directed covert influence campaign.

According to him, the campaign was aimed at “manipulating the American political process to advance Russia’s malign interests in Ukraine’’.

“This operation was designed to culminate prior to Election Day,’’ he alleged.

The secretary of state identified the other three as Artem Lifshits, Anton Andreyev and Darya Aslanova, all Russian citizens.

Pompeo said they had links to the “troll farm Internet Research Agency (also known as Lakhta Internet Research), owned and operated by Kremlin-linked oligarch Yevgeniy Prigozhin’’.

“They supported the Internet Research Agency’s cryptocurrency accounts, facilitating the Internet Research Agency’s malign influence campaigns targeting the American people.

“This action sends a clear signal: the U.S. will not hesitate to use all tools of national power to respond to foreign actors that seek to interfere in or otherwise influence our elections by any means,’’ he added.

The treasury department’s move freezes any U.S. assets of those blacklisted and generally bars Americans from dealing with them, according to Reuters.

It would be recalled that Russia and China came under accusations from the U.S. intelligence community in recent times over alleged election meddling.

While Russia was alleged to be meddling in favour of President Donald Trump, China was accused of working in support of Democratic Presidential Candidate, Joe Biden.

Both countries have denied the accusations.

On Sept. 4, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in an internal memo, warned of alleged plans by Russia to erode the confidence of Americans in mail-in voting.

The DHS said Kremlin was trying to amplify criticism of vote by mail, which many U.S. states were embracing to check the spread of COVID-19.

 

 

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Sri Lankan President Thanks Seychelles Defence Forces For Rescuing Sri Lankan Vessel From Somali Pirates

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President Ramkalawan says Seychellois military boarded boat with utmost courage to take complete control

 The Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) Special Forces and Seychelles Coast Guards on board Coast Guards vessel Topaz led a successful operation to regain control of a Sri Lankan vessel hijacked by armed Somali pirates.

Seychellois special military forces boarded the boat with utmost courage to take complete control of the vessel and rescue our Sri Lankan brothers.

The Commander in Chief of the Seychelles, President Wavel Ramkalawan has spoken to the Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Michael Rosette to congratulate the Special Forces and Coast Guards team on a well-executed and successful mission.

“This is the spirit of the Seychelles Defence Forces. Professionalism, courage, and bravery are the tenets of the new spirit in the force. Though small, we will make our contribution to attaining maritime security, peace, and determination in the fight against terrorism to ensure that the world, especially in our part of the Indian Ocean remains a safe and peaceful region. Once again, I reiterate the  pride and confidence of the Seychellois nation in the Seychelles Defence Forces.”

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GoG: Promoting Trans-boundary Management For Sustainable Socio-Economic Development

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…Mission builds upon previous efforts by AU-IBAR in the beneficiary countries (Benin and Togo) for the national validation of the report on the State of the Transboundary Marine Environment (SoME)

NAIROBI, Kenya, January 23, 2024/ — From January 21st to 27th, 2024, AU-IBAR is on a mission in the republics of Benin and Togo. The mission is dedicated to supporting the implementation of a Transboundary Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiative between the two nations. Funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), under the project “Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity within the Framework of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy,” this initiative holds the promise of fostering socio-economic development through the judicious use of marine resources.

Collaborative Efforts: AU-IBAR is collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) body, the Abidjan Convention, and the World Bank-funded West African Coastal Area Management (WACA) Project. The SIDA-funded project, implemented by AU-IBAR, involves an assessment to map the extent of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) usage in Africa as a management tool for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems in the west, central, and northern regions of Africa.

Mission Objectives: This mission builds upon previous efforts by AU-IBAR in the beneficiary countries (Benin and Togo) for the national validation of the report on the State of Transboundary Marine Environment (SoME). The current objective is to secure joint expert validation of the SoME report and obtain high-level political endorsement for the provisions of the jointly validated report, demonstrating the commitment of both countries to the cause. Participants in the joint validation workshop include WACA project-nominated committee members from Benin and Togo, representatives from the Abidjan Convention, and government authorities from both nations, alongside relevant AU-IBAR staff.

Political Commitment: The opening statements during the joint meeting saw representatives from the Governments of Benin and Togo, the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention, and the representative of the Director of AU-IBAR express unwavering commitment to the transboundary marine management process. Both the Director of AU-IBAR and the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention reiterated their support for the Governments of Benin and Togo in realizing their shared vision for the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources in the designated shared maritime boundary.

Key Outcomes: The pinnacle achievement of the joint meeting is the validation of the study report on the state of the marine environment between Benin and Togo. This validation marks a significant milestone towards establishing the transboundary MSP between the two countries. AU-IBAR Director, DR Huyam Salih, emphasized that this accomplishment is a crucial step forward in enhancing aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in the Gulf of Guinea.

Conclusion: The joint expert consultation workshop serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts aimed at promoting transboundary management of shared marine aquatic ecosystems in the Gulf of Guinea. The validated report and political commitment from Benin and Togo are integral to realizing the socio-economic development potential inherent in the sustainable use of marine resources. As AU-IBAR continues its mission, the hope is that this initiative will serve as a model for other regions seeking to harmonize efforts for the conservation and management of their shared marine ecosystems.
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U.S.-British Strikes In Yemen Left 5 Dead, Say Houthi Rebels

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The U.S. and British military strikes in Yemen have left five Houthi fighters dead and six others injured, the Iran-aligned rebels said on Friday, vowing retaliation.

“The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression,’’ the Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree said in a statement.

Saree said the massive attack had targeted several Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen including the capital Sana’a.

“It will not pass unanswered and without punishment.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces will not hesitate to target sources of threat and all hostile targets on the ground and in the sea,’’ he said. 

  • dpa
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