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Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dunn Loren Merrifield Group, Sonnie Ayere was this Wednesday 31st August 2016, presented as the new President, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) at an investiture ceremony held in Lagos.
L-R: Mr. Ike Chioke, 2nd Vice-President, AIHN/CEO, Afrinvest, (middle) Mr. Sonnie Ayere, New AIHN President/Chairman, Dunn Loren Merrifield Group and Mr. Chuka Eseka, 1st Vice-President AIHN/ CEO, Vetiva at the AGM of Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) held in Lagos recently.
The presentation of Ayere and other key principals of AIHN was part of activities in the association's Annual General Meeting. The immediate past chairman of AIHN, Victor Ogiemwonyi commented that credibility and transparency of operational transactions in the market would help boost the confidence of Issuing Houses in Nigeria.
In his address to members of the association, Sonnie Ayere called for a unified frontier by partnering with allied bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers ("CIS"), Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria ("PenOps"), Fund Management Association of Nigeria ("FMAN"), Association of Corporate Trustees ("TACT") in resolving pertinent challenges that currently affect the efficiency of service delivery in the financial markets. "We will invest in the education of our markets, investors and where necessary, regulators to ensure we achieve a positive change in the way our industry operates.
When successful, universal securities firms should hopefully begin to operate and service investors and clients across a wholesome, viable and sustainable financial market, with access to sustainable liquidity to finance their operations. As such, these firms will be able to build very strong institutions, intermediate better, create lots of high value jobs, contribute to financial market stability and facilitate a much better market for capital raising and trading."
Ayere said. Ayere also requested for the consideration of flexible fee structures, as an incentive within the market to accommodate interest of Issuing Houses in providing varied level of services to small and large transactions for companies. DLM 2016 Sonnie Ayere as the new chairman of AIHN brings an injection of forward-thinking innovations, having over 23years experience in corporate and structured finance, corporate banking and asset management.
He is registered with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the United Kingdom and is a Fellow, Institute of Credit Management of Nigeria as well as Fellow of the Association of Investment Advisors & Portfolio Managers. Other new principals of the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria include, Chuka Eseka, CEO - Vetiva Capital Management as 1st Vice President and Ike Chioke, CEO - Afrinvest as the 2nd Vice President. Founded in 1996, the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) is a self-regulatory body for investment banks registered for Issuing Houses operation by the Securities and Exchange Commission to perform the applicable functions as an issuing house.
With thirty-one Issuing Houses in the association, the objectives of AIHN are to set professional and ethical standards for its registered members, promote and protect the interest of its members in the exercise of their duties as issuing houses among others. Tenure of AIHN's new executives will last for a period of two years and renewable on re-election by the member companies of the association.
A popular Nollywood actress, Fadekemi Mommoh has said that wearing a nose ring to church is not a sin as it has nothing to do with someone’s belief.
Mommoh said, rather, people’s good deeds to their neighbours is what counts at the end of the day.
"Well, my dear, nose ring has nothing to do with our belief. Our mind, our devotion, our good deeds to our neighbours that's what up," she said.
This was a response to a faction of her fans who would rather she didn’t wear nose ring, especially to church.
Nollywood actress, Fadekemi Mommoh
However, the actress who loves looking good sees nose ring as part of the make-ups that adds beauty to, especially her face and she has been carrying it for long.
It however became an issue when she revealed to her fans that she wears it to her church.
The Akwa Ibom Government on Monday said it is willing to host Super Eagles 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.
Aniedi Dickson, State Director of Sports, disclosed this in Uyo.
Dickson said that though the decision of where the national team would play rest with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the state was willing to host the matches.
“As an Akwa Ibom indigene, I will like all the games to be played here, most especially the qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“This is where you get the luck and this is where you get the goals and this is where you get success,” the Director said.
Dickson said the new Super Eagles coached by Gernot Rohr was fantastic and made Nigerians to be happy with their 1-0 win against Tanzania.
“The new Super Eagles is fantastic. I was happy that Ogenyi Onazi was brought in, and we all saw the midfield was coordinated.
“I am really excited because at the end of the game, every Nigerian was extremely happy,” he said.
Dickson urged Nigerians to be patient with the new players assembled by Rohr, adding that with time, they will blend and do well.
“I urge everybody to have patience. This is a new team that is yet to really blend. As soon as they are blended, the goals will be coming,” he said.
According to the Director, the score line was poor but the boys played good football.
“As a former professional footballer, I know it is not really very easy for strikers because of the people marking them.
“We saw what our strikers did in the field. We could have scored up to four goals, but the Taifa Stars goalkeeper was very good,” he said.
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged relevant authorities to re-orientate youths against corrupt morals through the use of social media.
The archbishop made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
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“ I believe that a lot of good things can be done through the social media; lots of great messages can be passed through the social media.
“I believe that people are making their living through the use of the social media, so it's a good thing in itself.
“Its only that we find out that sometimes people also use it for not so good things.
“People use it for pornographic purposes, which is a corruption of the morals of people particularly the young.
“People also use it for fraudulent purposes.
“Well, the government obviously has a responsibility, first of all, trying to re-orientate peoples values, and then they will be able to, even when you are not watching do the right thing.
“Of course, not only government, but also the family, we have the responsibility of doing that, and of course, the religious institutions.''
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He therefore, appealed to youths in the country to avoid the use of mobile phones in places of worship, describing the action as a distraction from focusing on God.
Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said economic crime can better be tackled if countries partner each other and share strategic information to stop the network of those who commit such crimes.
Amaechi made the statement Monday while delivering a keynote speech at the opening of the 34th Cambridge University prestigious International Symposium on Economic Crime, at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The Rt. Hon. Jeremy Wright, the Attorney-General of England and Wales and Advocate General of Northern Ireland also spoke on the first day of the week-long symposium.
In his address titled: “Beyond Blame Game: The Imperative of Tackling Economic Crime Together” Amaechi said economic crime is often committed in an organised manner involving several people, sometimes across countries through multiple jurisdictions. Although such crimes may originate from one country, it often involves the participation of clandestine, criminal networks operating in different countries, playing one role or the other and benefiting from such illicit proceeds.
“At the 7th African Union and Economic Commission for Africa conference that held in Abuja back in 2014, the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki stated that Africa loses between $50 billion to $60 billion annually as a result of Illicit Financial Flows (IFF). These are said to occur through forms of tax avoidance including transfer pricing or mispricing- depending on which side you are- through which multinationals minimize their tax obligations by shifting their profits from high tax to low tax jurisdiction thereby short-changing some of their host countries especially in the developing world and draining them of legitimate revenue, impeding their projects and denying their population access to basic services,” Amaechi noted.
He further explained that because economic crimes are committed through networks, sometimes spread over countries, It is therefore a global problem that can only be effectively tackled through global collaboration and partnership.
“For this to happen, the public and private sectors especially the banks, must come into collaboration beyond high sounding rhetoric and public relations. Institutions from both developed and developing countries must learn to share information and act swiftly to erode the efficacy of these networks to successfully use any jurisdiction either as transit routes or safe havens for proceeds of economic crime. Strong, effective, regulatory and enforcement capabilities must be encouraged both domestically and internationally through technical cooperation. Partnerships must be encouraged to provide platforms to share best practices and intelligence and strengthen legislations between jurisdictions.
He also noted that leaders across countries and institutions must take responsibility when economic crime or corruption happens. “That is what it means to be held accountable. In doing so, leadership is expected to do three simple things; perhaps four. They are – upholding the primacy of leadership and political will, insisting on the force of example, enforcing the urgency of incentives and the necessity of sanctions and finally by leveraging on the power of partnership.
“As someone who has been in active politics for more than thirty years, I have learnt that many well intended reforms are possible only if the leader can offer the requisite leadership and muster the right political will. In my country, since our President, Muhammadu Buhari was elected, he did not leave anyone in doubt that the fight against corruption will not only be taken seriously but will form a cardinal plank of his policy direction. So far, he has made several pronouncements that set the tone of his commitment to strengthening anti-corruption agencies to go after anyone who has questions to answer. The President's resolve was enough to signal all of us, members of his cabinet and the citizenry, that an end has come for the old ways of doing things. Currently, many people who have been indicted in one form of corrupt practice or another are being prosecuted in our courts. That, I believe is the way to show leadership and take responsibility.
“Another important factor is what I refer to as the force of example. There is very little any leader can achieve if he talks the right political talk without offering personal examples. In these days of internet and social media revolution, citizens often spend time to scrutinize the reputation and activities of any leader to find out if they are consistent with what he or she stands for in the media. Essentially leaders must practice what they preach if they expect to be taken seriously both by those within their organisations, state or country or outside,” he stated.
Amaechi again gave the example of President Mohammadu Buhari and his commitment to lead the fight against corrupt practices through personal example.
“Through the implementation of calculated policies to block conduits of waste, the cost of running the central government in Nigeria has been reduced by more than twenty-five percent in the last eighteen months. In the last one year about a cumulative amount of 3.4 trillion naira have been recovered in cash and assets while about 115-billion-naira worth of cash and assets have been located in the United States, United Arab Emirates and even here in the United Kingdom. Our President has stopped at nothing to demonstrate that whosoever is caught in corruption related crimes will not be spared. In his days as military President, and through other positions he has held in public life, he has upheld a life of integrity. He is a typical example of how a leader can inspire committed followership through the force of example."
Amaechi concluded that economic crime has become a strong force that can only be successfully confronted if all hands are on deck.
“As an interconnected and rapidly globalising world, it's vital we work together, in partnership, to collectively fight economic crime. This is a common enemy and a very smart one for that matter. It seeks to beat every barrier that we mount against it. It is my humble submission that we must hold hands together as never before to confront the spread of economic crimes squarely and successfully.”
Kosovo on Monday had six of their squad cleared to play by world football body FIFA on the day of the country’s first competitive match.
The Balkan territory, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, became a FIFA member in May, promoting some Kosovans, who have played for other nations, to ask to change teams.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kosovo start their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification campaign with a game in Finland on Monday.
The qualifying group also includes Croatia, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine.
The six players cleared are:
. Amir Rrahmani — a 22-year-old centre-back with one cap for Albania.
. Valon Berisha — a 23-year-old midfielder with 19 caps for Norway.
. Alban Meha — a 30-year-old midfielder with seven caps for Albania.
. Herolind Shala — a 24-year-old midfielder with five caps for Albania.
. Milot Rashica — a 20-year-old midfielder with two caps for Albania.
. Samir Ujkani — a 28-year-old goalkeeper with 20 caps for Albania.
Kosovo's complicated political status has seen several players born there play for different countries, including Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), Shefki Kuqi (Finland) and Lorik Cana (Albania).
When Kosovo’s FIFA membership was secured, football’s world governing body indicated it would deal with players wanting to switch nations on a case-by-case basis.
Arsenal midfielder Xhaka published an open letter on Tuesday in which he said he would continue to play for Switzerland.
In it, he claimed FIFA had said players who featured at Euro 2016 would not be allowed to switch nations.
Xhaka played in all of Switzerland’s matches — including their opening game against Albania, for whom his older brother Taulant plays.
FIFA has already allowed Alberto Bunjaku, who appeared for Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup, to play for Kosovo.
The Swiss football federation (SFV) has complained about “a lack of clarity in regulations''.
“The SFV regrets (that) the priority of the Kosovar directors has been in trying to recruit players for the next World Cup qualifiers, instead of consolidating the foundations of their federation,” a statement added.(NAN)
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to remain focused despite attempts by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to distract his administration by attempted blackmail via the current recession facing the nation.
Buhari
The APC gave this charge to President Buhari in a statement in Abuja on Monday, by its National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni.
In statement, APC said: "In reacting to the orchestrated and insensitive comments by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the economy, the All Progressives Congress (APC) urges the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to remain focused in its bold bid to restore economic growth in the country.
The Party added that "Inspite of the PDP's orchestrated and feeble attempts to blackmail the current administration and twist facts, the reality remains that the prevailing socio-economic hardship being faced by Nigerians is a direct consequence of the mismanagement of the economy and unprecedented looting of the country's commonwealth perpetrated under its watch.
Buni said "The PDP's attempt to turn truth on its head is fraudulent, insensitive and an insult to Nigerians. For the umpteenth time, the PDP must own up to its transgressions and apologize to Nigerians.
The statement however explained that "Going forward, the urgent task before the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration is to restore the country's battered economy back to health and all legitimate and innovative means are being employed to achieve this in the quickest possible time.
Reeling out the party's plan Buni said "Among other strategic economic agendas, diversification of the country's economy is a priority for the administration. To this end, President Buhari is aggressively formulating and implementing policies aimed at diversifying Nigeria's economy from oil to other sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
"The APC assures Nigerians of the strong political will and commitment of the President Buhari administration to revive the economy and tackle the nation's current challenges through suitable and well-thought economic policies, fiscal discipline and socio-political reforms.
"The APC assures Nigerians that the administration will pull the country out of the present hardships. With the support, cooperation, patience and prayers of Nigerians, the country will reach its deserved potential under our leadership,” the statement added.
The Nigerian journalist, Ahmed Salkida, who was declared wanted along with two others-Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil-by the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram's latest video, has been arrested by the security operatives.
Ahmad Salkida
Salkida who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard Emirates flight EK 785 was arrested in Abuja on Monday from the door of the aircraft.
However, following a conversation between him and a passenger on-board the flight, Salkida had said that he knew he would be arrested because he had been declared wanted by the State Security Service (SSS).
I recognized the journalist from photos posted on the Internet and engaged him in conversation throughout the seven-hour flight, said the passenger who sat next to him during the journey.
She said Mr. Salkida told her that he expected to be arrested upon arrival because he was traveling with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and that the State Security Service (SSS) was aware of his coming. He expressed fear that he would not be given a fair trial and accused the government of pronouncing him guilty without trial.
He also said he didn’t know the whereabouts of the missing Chibok girls as claimed by the Nigerian army.
However, he admitted to receiving two video clips from Boko Haram before they were released to the public. He said Boko Haram had confidence in his objectivity as an investigative journalist, having previously interviewed Mohammed Yusuf, the founding leader of Boko Haram.
Recall that barely a day after being declared wanted by the Federal Government for alleged association with Boko Haram terrorists, Ahmad Salkida, has said he should be commended for making sacrifice to free the Chibok girls rather than being labelled an accomplice.
Salkida has been living in the Middle East since the outbreak of the Boko Haram crisis and is believed to have close on Monday said he had commenced preparations to return to country to honour the invitation.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that a repeal of the Enabling Act of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG) will curtail foreign investment into the country.
He stated this on Monday in Abuja when the management of NLNG led by its Managing Director, Mr Tony Attah, visited him.
Lai Mohammed
The minister was reacting to an issue raised by the management of the company that there was a proposal before the House of Representatives seeking the repeal of NLNG Act.
“It is very sad for me to hear that attempt is being made to stop the operations of the NLNG.
“It will mean that we are not only killing the goose that lay the golden eggs, but we will be sending a negative signal to the investing world.
“One thing investors like most is predictability. When we keep changing the goal posts, we are not going to attract investors.
“We should not think that what we are doing will affect only the NLNG, because big investors are in the same pool and they are so interconnected.
“If you take a decision that will affect anyone of them, it will have multiplier effect on others,'' he said.
Mohammed said that the National Assembly was a patriotic organ and that he was sure that it would not take any step that would affect the flow of foreign investment into the country.
“I am sure we have a very patriotic National Assembly and I have full confidence that they will not do anything knowingly that will lead to capital flight or mass disinvestment in Nigeria''.
He advised the management of NLNG to approach the leadership of the national assembly and the Federal Executive Council as well as embark on serious advocacy on the issue.
The minister commended the company for its uniqueness in contributing to the economy and for being a shining example of success in Public-Private-Partnership.
He hailed the company's approach to development of its host communities, investment in education sector, and in particular, sponsorship of a prize in Literature.
He solicited the partnership of the company in the execution of the “Change Begins with Me'' campaign of the Federal Government.
According to Mohammed, the campaign to be launched by President Muhammadu Buhari is a national advocacy against indiscipline and a push towards a revival of eroding cultural ideals and values.
Earlier, Attah said that the legislature had taken steps to repeal the NLNG Act which was the foundation of the company as an entity.
“I can say without contradiction that they have taken steps to repeal the Act which enables investments into the company and takes more than 30 years to come into fruition.
“There are guarantees and assurances which are given within the Act which are expected to be sacrosanct.
“We see the attempt by the legislature to repeal this Act as something that will be very detrimental to the company and more importantly, to the country.
“First and foremost, we think we will, as a country, be faced with litigations which is a risk and which will put our reputation negatively in the investment world.
“We also see potential capital flight worth billions of dollar and a loss of more than 18,000 jobs both in the upstream and other side of the business,'' he said.
Attah urged the minister to use his office to wade into the matter to forestall all the disadvantages it would pose to the nation. (NAN)
Guinea-Bissau winning a group in which they were expected to finish last was the biggest shock of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition that ended at the weekend.
The tiny Portuguese-speaking west African country reached the finals for the first time at the expense of former champions Zambia and Congo Brazzaville and Kenya.
They will be at the 16-team tournament in Gabon during January and February while notable absentees include previous title-holders Nigeria and South Africa.
AFP Sport picks five winners and five losers after an elimination process that spanned 16 months and produced 363 goals at an average of 2.5 per match.
WINNERS
Guinea-Bissau
Have no stars and coach Baciro Cande is virtually unknown, but home and away wins over Kenya and a 3-2 triumph over Zambia in Bissau thanks to a stoppage-time Toni Silva goal secured top spot with a fixture to spare.
Uganda
After a string of near misses in qualifying competitions, Uganda are going to the finals for the first time since 1978 with a narrow home win over the Comoros securing one of two places reserved for the best runners-up.
Senegal
The only qualifiers to finish with a 100 percent record, after home and away victories over Burundi, Namibia and Niger, is testimony to the organisation and consistency coach and former star Aliou Cisse has developed.
Egypt
A stoppage-time equaliser from Mohamed Salah in Nigeria against the run of play proved crucial as record seven-time champions Egypt won the return match in the ‘group of death’ to halt a run of three failed qualifying campaigns.
Zimbabwe
A chaotic start induced by a shortage of funds forced the squad to make a 24-hour bus journey to Malawi, but they won 2-1 to set in motion a five-match unbeaten run that secured top spot while favourites Guinea flopped.
LOSERS
Nigeria
The withdrawal of cash-strapped Chad turned the matches against Egypt into group deciders and after being held at home in a match they dominated, the Super Eagles fell to a Ramadan Sobhy goal in Alexandria and were eliminated.
South Africa
Instead of contesting first place with eventual group winners Cameroon, Bafana Bafana (The Boys) never recovered from a disastrous start in which they were held by Gambia and lost to Mauritania and finished a humiliating third.
Zambia
A downward turn by Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) since shocking Ivory Coast to win the 2012 final continued after drawing three and losing one of four qualifiers this year to end third in a group won by no-hopers Guinea-Bissau.
Cape Verde
A team ranked No. 1 in Africa for one month this year needed a home victory over modest Libya to seal a third consecutive Cup of Nations appearance, but lost to a stoppage-time goal in a game interrupted by a dog wandering around the pitch.
Congo Brazzaville
The central African country have been unable to sustain progress after reaching the 2015 quarter-finals despite defeating group winners Guinea-Bissau home and away. A shock loss in Kenya proved fatal.
Gabon’s failed presidential candidate Jean Ping on Monday called for a general strike after days of violence following incumbent Ali Bongo’s disputed re-election, saying an economic blockage would “topple the tyrant.”
But the centre of the capital Libreville was its usual bustling self on Monday, despite Ping’s appeal for a massive work stoppage.
After being shuttered for days over the post-election violence, banks and shops were re-opened in the seaside city and taxis were returning to the streets.
Many shops however offered only limited provisions as the unrest had stalled deliveries.Jean Ping
Post-election chaos has claimed at least seven lives in the oil-rich central African nation, ruled by the Bongo family since 1967.
Bongo’s rival Ping, a veteran diplomat who has held a top African Union job and served as foreign minister, has already vowed to challenge the result.
“We cannot accept that our people will be killed like animals without reacting,” Ping said on Facebook. “I propose to cease all activity and begin a general strike.
“We must use all means of resistance to topple this tyrant and believe me, he is on the verge of falling,” Ping added.
Bongo was declared victorious by a razor-thin margin of just under 6,000 votes, but Ping has insisted the vote was rigged and on Friday claimed victory for himself.
He is calling for a recount — something the Gabonese authorities have so far refused to do.
On Monday, the internet was accessible after a five-day blackout but social media networks remained blocked, according to AFP journalists in the capital Libreville.
Meanwhile, speculation mounted that Ping could launch an appeal at the Constitutional Court for a recount.
However many of his supporters feel this is not a viable option as they question the courts impartiality.
They say fraud was rampant, notably in the Bongo fiefdom of Haut-Ogooue in the east. It is one of the country’s nine provinces and turnout there, according to official figures, crossed 99 percent with 95 percent voting for the president.
– International concern –
The violence after the announcement of the results on Wednesday has sparked international concern with top diplomats calling for restraint as rights groups raised alarm over the use of excessive force.
At least seven people have died, according to an AFP count, and some 800 people have been arrested in the capital
UN chief Ban Ki-moon spoke to both Bongo and Ping on Sunday and “deplored the loss of life”, a UN statement said.
“He expressed concern about the continuing inflammatory messages being disseminated and called for an immediate end to all acts of violence in the country,” it said.
Tensions remained high in the economic capital Port-Gentil and Total workers turned up for the first since Tuesday, a management source in the French oil giant told AFP.
A Total worker said there had been gunshots heard in the city overnight.
“The refinery remains closed. The teams working round-the-clock are only there to ensure security,” said an official at Sogara, Gabon’s sole refinery jointly owned by the government and a clutch of major international firms.
The troubles have also caused prices to rocket.
“Four chillies now cost 1,000 CFA francs (1.5 euros, $1.6) against 200 to 300 CFA francs earlier,” said Andre, a resident from Lalala-a-gauche, a working class area in Libreville.
“Things will really start heating up,” he said, echoing a widespread fear in the capital.
“This is the lull before the storm,” said a fruit and vegetable wholesaler, speaking the central town of Lambarene.
The country had previously enjoyed relative political stability, mainly because former colonial power France helped Omar Bongo rule for 41 years.
After he died in June 2009, his son Ali won an election but opposition media claimed he had essentially been installed by France.
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu on Monday refuted media reports of possible increase in the prices of petroleum products in the country.
MEETING: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu
Supported by and the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Maikanti Baru, after a closed-door with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, Kachikwu described the reports as untrue.
Pressed on the issue by State House correspondents, he asked, “have you seen any memo to that effect?''
On his part, Baru said that NNPC has no plan to increase the pump price of petroleum products, stressing that “there is nothing like that.''
The GMD, however, directed the correspondents to go to the Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA?) for further clarification on the issue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that oil marketers had indicated intention to increase prices of the products, citing continued scarcity of foreign exchange to finance importation of the products, as reason.
The G20 group agreed at their summit in China that refugees are a global issue and the burden must be shared, the leaders declared in a joint communique Monday.
“Worldwide massive forced displacement of people, unprecedented since the Second World War, especially those generated from violent conflicts, is a global concern,” they said at the end of their two-day gathering in the scenic eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.
The Group of 20 — which together account for 85 percent of the world economy and two-thirds of its population — reiterated their call from last year’s summit in Turkey for “global concerted efforts in addressing the effects, protection need and root causes of refugee crisis to share in the burden associated with it”.
The group called for strengthening humanitarian assistance for refugees and invited all states “according to their individual capacity” to ramp up aid to international organisations assisting affected countries.
A steady stream of refugees has flowed into Europe over the last year, largely fleeing the civil war in Syria.
EU President Donald Tusk said on the first day of G20 Europe was “close to limits” on its ability to accept new waves of refugees and urged the broader international community to shoulder its share of the burden.
The issue has become a political flashpoint for leaders in the region as a series of Islamist terror attacks and rising anti-globalisation sentiment have combined to create an increasingly inhospitable environment for refugees from the brutal conflict.
The group’s communique called for increasing efforts to “find durable solutions”, particularly for “protracted refugee situations”.
Earlier a senior EU diplomat told AFP that G20 was making a strong stand, and had overcome initial reluctance from Argentina and Brazil on including the issue in the communique, but noted it was not a binding commitment.
“There is a difference between commitment and enforcement… at least, it’s here,” he said.
“Of course we have to take into account the fact that it is a sovereignty issue. it is not an obligation, but the burden-sharing is there.”
Lionel Messi’s availability for Barcelona’s Champions League opener with Celtic next week remains in doubt after tests confirmed the five-time World Player of the Year is suffering from a groin injury.Messi.
Messi returned to Spain after aggravating the injury as he scored the winner against Uruguay last Thursday in his first match with Argentina since reversing his decision to retire from international football.
In a statement on Monday Barcelona said tests had confirmed an injury to his left groin and that Messi will “lower the demands of his training sessions in the next few days.”
The Spanish champions refused to state how long Messi will be sidelined for, but Barca are unlikely to take any risks for Alaves’ trip to the Camp Nou on Saturday with seven matches to come in 22 days.
Messi had started the season in fine form, scoring three times as Barca won the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla and opened their La Liga title defence with back-to-back victories over Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao.
Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza said Messi had gone against the wishes of Barcelona’s doctors to make a triumphant return to the national team having dramatically reversed his shock decision to retire from international duty after missing a penalty in Argentina’s Copa America final defeat to Chile in June.
Messi will miss Argentina’s latest World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela on Tuesday.
Oil rallied by up to five percent on Monday as top global producers Russia and Saudi Arabia vowed to stabilise the market after meeting at the G20 in China.
Saudi Energy Minister Khaled Al-Falih and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak agreed to “act together” to steady the market, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.
In reaction, Brent North Sea crude leapt as high as $49.40 per barrel, and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) soared to $46.53.
Prices later pulled back however as Saudi Arabia ruled out the need to trim back production, while traders questioned whether the pair would curb global oversupply.
The two nations “noted the particular importance of constructive dialogue and close cooperation between the largest oil-producing countries with the goal of supporting the stability of the oil market”, the ministers said in a joint statement.
“To this end the ministers agreed to act together or in cooperation with other oil producers,” it read, adding they had agreed to set up a “joint monitoring group” to offer recommendations to prevent price fluctuations.
– ‘New era’ –
Novak described the announcement as marking a “new era” in cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia and insisted that it would have a “critical significance”.
However, there were no details on any deal to freeze oil output around current levels, just weeks before Moscow and the 13-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) crude cartel meet in Algeria to discuss a global supply glut.
Thus far, major oil producers have been unable to strike an accord on freezing output, owing mainly to a dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran over Tehran’s desire to raise production levels after the lifting of sanctions.
After meeting Novak, Falih told Al-Arabiya television channel there was “currently no need to freeze production”.
“A freeze is one of the preferred options but it is not needed for the moment.”
OPEC members Kuwait, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates all welcomed the Saudi-Russian pledge.
Kuwait “backs the outcome of these consultations for the sake of achieving a balance in the markets”, acting oil minister Anas al-Saleh said.
Emirati Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei hailed the “positive step”.
Nigerian Petroleum Minister of State Emmanuel Kachikwu added it was “good news” that “should help firm the price” if both sides agree to a “strong level of discipline in terms of production”.
OPEC and Russia together account for about half of the world’s oil output.
President Vladimir Putin had met Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in China on Sunday — and vowed to address a global glut and overproduction that has hammered prices for two years.
Putin, speaking at a closing G20 news conference on Monday, repeated his call that Iran should be allowed to return to pre-sanction production — a key sticking point with Saudi Arabia — and also appealed for a “fair” crude price that “could be a bit higher”.
Putin — whose economy slumped into recession on the back of oil price falls — has already stated that an output freeze would be “the right decision” and called for “compromise”.
– Investors ponder deal –
Around 1645 GMT, prices had tempered their gains somewhat.
Brent for November delivery stood at $47.49 a barrel, up 66 cents from Friday’s close. WTI for October was 75 cents higher at $45.19.
“There were no… immediate indications that this (deal) will lead to lower oil output,” FXTM analyst Jameel Ahmad told AFP.
“If there is no agreement to change output, or at least remove the excessive oversupply in the markets then the same oversupply will continue to weigh on investor sentiment — and this has ultimately led to oil retracing nearly half its gains already.”
The oil market has been plagued by a stubborn supply glut that saw prices crash to near 13-year lows below $30 at the start of 2016.
The Ivory Coast’s president has rewarded Cheick Sallah Cisse, the country’s first ever Olympic gold medallist, with a new house and a 50 million CFA franc (75,000 euro, $84,000) cash bonus.
Cisse, who clinched the men’s under-80kg taekwondo title with a dramatic last-second move, was one of four Ivorian athletes competing at Rio 2016 to be honoured for their exploits on Monday.Sallah Cisse
Ruth Gbagbi, who won taekwondo bronze to become the first ever Ivorian woman medallist, was also given the keys to a new home and 30 million CFA francs.
Two track athletes were also honoured by Ivorian head of state Alassane Ouattara.
The quartet were made officers of the National Order.
Ouattara released funds totalling 380 million CFA francs to the west African nation’s 12 athletes competing in Rio last month and their coaching staff and officials.
Before Rio, the Ivory Coast had only one medal to its name — the men’s 400m silver picked up by Gabriel Tiacoh at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
That all changed when Cisse stunned third seed Lutalo Muhammad of Great Britain with a four-point score right at the death to win 8-6.
At the presidential presentation the athletes appealed for increased funding.
“We were supported. The Government did what it could…but we need new laws passed so that athletes can live off their sports,” declared Cisse.
The majority of Ivorian athletes train in difficult conditions and find it hard to raise funds to meet their costs.
Ouattara said he had listened to “the complaints” and said he expected “proposals from the government” to deal with their plight.
He had earlier recalled the 32-year wait for a medal “before our dream was realised” and said that the medals “were a joy for every Ivorian”.
“The Ivory Coast is on the map of the world in every area,” he stated.
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state, has stated that his administration will float an airline in November.
Ayade said this while playing host to a consortium of Indian investors in Calabar on Monday.
Governor Ben Ayade
He said the airline, which is to be called `Cally Air', will be managed by Dana Group under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The governor said it would fly Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja routes.
"We have our own state's aircraft currently in Aero Contractors' fleet in Lagos.
"The management of Dana Airline has agreed to do a detailed technical study of the aircraft before it commences commercial flight operations."
Ayade said the state was in a haste to get the airline started while Dana Airline would serve as its technical partner.
Jackies Hartmani, managing director of Dana Group, applauded the joint partnership between his group and the state government.
Hartmani said: "My company is very impressed with what Ayade is doing to transform the state in terms of investment and we are committed to ensuring the success of the partnership."
Nigeria has reported its third polio case in the northeastern state of Borno, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday, warning more cases could appear in a major health setback.
Two other polio cases were reported in August.
Nigeria was on track to be certified free of the virus next year.
“A third child has been paralyzed by wild poliovirus type one (WPV1) in Borno state,” WHO said in a statement.
“It's all linked to the same outbreak,” WHO said, adding: “detection of new cases is not unexpected and can be anticipated, particularly as disease surveillance is being strengthened including by conducting retrospective case searches.”
The three cases appear to come from the same strain of the disease circulating in the northeast for years, said Stephanie Mucznik, spokesperson for Rotary International, which is working with the Nigerian government to eradicate polio.
Mucznik said the latest case concerned a two-year-old boy suffering from the onset of paralysis on August 6 in the Monguno area.
“Genetic sequencing of the isolated viruses suggests they are most closely linked to WPV1 last detected in Borno in 2011, indicating the strain has been circulating without detection since that time,” Mucznik said.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease which mainly affects young children and can result in permanent paralysis. There is no cure and it can only be prevented through immunisation.
Nigeria’s outbreak response, which includes a large immunisation campaign, is expected to continue until November and includes the neighbouring areas of Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
Nigerian Health Minister Isaac Adewole warned in August that the affected areas “have had their health facilities destroyed by insurgents” and “accessibility was a barrier to service provision.”
Since taking up arms in 2009, Boko Haram Islamist militants have captured swathes of territory in the northeast, cutting off health services for millions of people.
In the past year, the Nigerian military has recorded a series of successes against Boko Haram.
But the northeast has been devastated by the fighting, with the United Nations estimating that this year seven million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
This year’s most exclusive and closely-watched diplomatic party -- the G20 summit -- saw presidents and prime ministers from countries representing 85 percent of the global economy gather in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.
How did the first China-hosted G20 go? While analysts correctly foresaw little prospect of big economic breakthroughs, there were some notable moments -- and notable flops.
As heads of state bid farewell to the scenic city, which authorities emptied of residents to ensure a smooth summit, here are some of the memorable takeaways.
Globalisation
Facing populist ire at home, heads of state at the G20 tried to walk a fine line by acknowledging anti-globalisation anger while arguing that ever more liberal trade was the cure for sluggish economies.
In their communique they promised to “reject protectionism” and “promote global trade”.
But they also pledged to ensure that growth “serves the needs of everyone and benefits all countries and all people”. It should generate “more quality jobs” address inequalities and eradicate poverty “so that no one is left behind”, they said.
During the gathering leaders repeatedly admitted that many citizens feel the global trade system has failed them.
US President Obama’s parting words on the G20 meeting -- his last -- were a poignant admission that these are "turbulent times" with "volatile politics" where people don’t believe leadership is capable of "making sure the international economy is working for everybody".
Syria
Heading into the meeting, diplomats were hopeful that the US and Russia would reach a deal to ease fighting in Syria, but talks failed Monday despite the efforts of Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The American side accused Russia of backtracking on already agreed issues which Washington refused to revisit, but the talks seemed to have been overtaken by developments on the ground, after government troops encircled rebel-held parts of Aleppo.
Maritime disputes
While China was eager to put on a show of concord in Hangzhou, tensions over the South China Sea have risen sharply, putting the Asian giant at odds with many neighbours over its expansive claims to nearly all of the strategic and resource-rich waterway.
Beijing was eager to avoid the contentious topic, but Obama took the opportunity to chide China Saturday, telling it to abide by international law, drawing a rebuke from Xi Jinping.
Japan has longstanding territorial disputes of its own with China but Xi’s tone with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was warmer than previously.
At their first meeting in over a year Xi said the two powers should "put aside disruptions" in their relationship, and Abe described China to reporters as “an important friend of Japan’s since long ago”.
Brexit
New British leader Theresa May came on her first prime ministerial visit to China in hopes of shaping her country’s post-EU access to world markets, but faced a Japanese warning over the fallout from Brexit while the US said London was not its priority.
In the wake of its vote to leave the European Union, Britain must renegotiate its access to world markets — a huge task for the world’s fifth biggest economy.
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said he did not like the idea of Britain holding trade talks while still part of the EU.
But Britain has already had discussions on the issue with Australia, and May said after the summit that India, Mexico, South Korea and Singapore all said they would "welcome" talks on removing barriers.
US-China diplomacy
Ceremonial niceties matter at the G20, and things got off to a bad start when Barack Obama exited from the rear of Air Force One on folding stairs, a marked contrast to other leaders who descended down a large red-carpeted staircase.
But furious speculation claiming it was a deliberate snub by China, fuelled in part by a tarmac stand-off between travel press and a Chinese agent, seems to have been misplaced, as US sources told AFP the incident came about because Washington refused to use a Chinese staircase in favour of the plane’s built-in steps.
Chinese authorities imposed unusually tight security on the event, with vast swaths of the city closed to normal traffic, but Obama himself downplayed the incident, leading China’s nationalist Global Times newspaper to claim in a Sunday editorial that the hype was due to Western media, "which often makes a fuss over trifling issues".
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