Category: UTA Italy

Amid heightened tension across the country over the August 1 nationwide protest, the United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation (UTA) has advocated dialogue between the organizers and the federal government. During a press briefing on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, the body acknowledged the hardship being experienced by Nigerians and called on the state and federal government to address the issues bedevilling the nation. In a statement made available to Daily Sun, UTA Country President, Ambassador Abigail Amalaha stated that by pursuing dialogue, a time frame put in place by the government to address the issues can be reached. “While we acknowledge that the federal government is trying to find a lasting and workable solution to the present economic quagmire in the country, we must say that this should go beyond the provision of palliative. “There is an urgent need to put in place wholesome programs and policies that would address food insecurity, security challenges, agitations, and growing disenchantment of Nigerians with the government. “On the planned nationwide protest, we recommend the option of dialogue between the organisers and the federal government. Through dialogue, a time frame can be reached for the impact of the measures so far put in place by the government to be felt”, she said. Speaking further, Amalaha suggested measures the federal government can take to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses. “We want to make some suggestions, which we believe, if considered and implemented, would go a long way in helping Nigeria experience quick socio-economic recovery. “As a matter of urgency, the federal government needs to establish programs that would make the teeming youths of the country actively engaged, like consciously revamping and resuscitating industries, which will lead to massive job creation. “The government should also widen the scope of support for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) so that more youth would benefit and start small businesses. The government should support individuals and organisations that have youth empowerment programs. “To guarantee food security and arrest the rising cost of food items, the government should sustain efforts in boosting agriculture. “The effort can be intensified by making the Bank of Agriculture more active and responsive to farmers and agricultural firms’ needs. The Bank of Agriculture should increase agricultural credit finances and offer to farmers in accordance with its mandate. “Also, the government should ensure that fertilizer and agricultural implements are available at subsidised prices as well as train farmers on off-season farming as well as provide facilities to ensure all-year-round farming. “Part of efforts to boost agriculture and promote economic growth is for the government to address security issues in the country.  It is therefore imperative that the government does everything within its powers to arrest insecurity so that Nigerians would have the confidence to go about their businesses. Security breeds economic growth. “There is a need to cut down on the cost of governance. At a time of economic challenges, the government’s size should be shrinking rather than burgeoning. The federal government should be thinking of merging ministries instead of increasing them. “The government should also find a way of cutting the allowances and perks of office of government officials. The recent offer by members of the House of Representatives to earn half salary for six months, as part of their sacrifice, in an effort to reduce the cost of governance, is a step in the right direction. The executive, both at federal and state levels, should do likewise. “Since education is the bedrock for development, the government, as a matter of urgency, should look into the issue of out-of-school children, enforce tuition-free policy as well as update and upgrade the facilities in all government educational institutions across the country. “The government should also integrate entrepreneurial and vocational training in the curriculum of both secondary and tertiary institutions across the country. The issue of child rights in line with the United Nations charter and that of Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations should also be prioritized by the government,”, she added.

According to the Country President of UTA Nigeria, Princess Abigail Amalaha, through dialogue, pro-protest agitators and government would reach a workable agreement with regards to federal government’s request to be given some time for the benefits of its programmes to manifest. Princess Amalaha, however advised the government to take some measures to solve the prevailing economic difficulties in order to reduce hardship being suffered by the citizenry. The organisation offered some suggestions that could help the government to achieve the desired result. The Country President said: “There is an urgent need to put in place wholesome programs and policies that would address food insecurity, security challenges, agitations, and growing disenchantment of Nigerians with the government. “On the planned nationwide protest, we recommend the option of dialogue between the organisers and the federal government. Through dialogue, time frame can be reached for the impact of the measures so far put in place by the government to be felt. “We want to make some suggestions, which we believe, if considered and implemented, would go a long way in helping Nigeria experience quick socio-economic recovery. “As a matter of urgency, the federal government needs to establish programmes that would make the teeming youths of the country actively engaged, like consciously revamping and resuscitating industries, which will lead to massive job creation. The government should also widen the scope of support for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) so that more youth would benefit and start small businesses. The government should support individuals and organisations that have youth empowerment programmes. “To guarantee food security and arrest the rising cost of food items, the government should sustain efforts in boosting agriculture. “The effort can be intensified by making the Bank of Agriculture more active and responsive to farmers’ and agricultural firms’ needs. The Bank of Agriculture should increase agricultural credit finances and offer to farmers in accordance with its mandate. Also, the government should ensure that fertilizer and agricultural implements are available at subsidised prices as well as train farmers on off-season farming as well as provide facilities to ensure all-year-round farming. “Part of efforts to boost agriculture and promote economic growth is for the government to address security issues in the country. It is, therefore, imperative that the government does everything within its powers to arrest insecurity so that Nigerians would have the confidence to go about their businesses. Security breeds economic growth. “There is a need for cut down on the cost of governance. At a time of economic challenges, the government’s size should be shrinking rather than burgeoning. The federal government should be thinking of merging ministries instead of increasing them. The government should also find a way of cutting the allowances and perks of office of government officials. The recent offer by members of the House of Representatives to earn half salary for six months, as part of their sacrifice, in an effort to reducing cost of governance, is a step in the right direction. The executive, both at federal and state levels, should do likewise. “Since education is the bedrock for development, the government, as a matter of urgency, should look into the issue of out-of-school children, enforce tuition-free policy as well as update and upgrade the facilities in all government educational institutions across the country. The government should also integrate entrepreneurial and vocational training in the curriculum of both secondary and tertiary institutions across the country. The issue of child right in line with the United Nations charter and that of Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations should also be prioritized by the government. “Though the government has introduced various palliative measures through the distribution of grains and various food items across the country, this should just be a stop-gap measure. The government should evolve a more permanent measure to solve the problem of hunger in the land. “While we applaud government for the current increase of the minimum wage of civil servants from N30,000 monthly to N70,000, we hope that there will be sincerity and diligence in implementation and that workers would be paid when due. “We acknowledge that economic challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria. However, we know that the solution to the problem lies in the hands of the leadership. Nigerians are looking up to the leadership to take the country out of the woods.” Identifying the issues in Nigeria, the UTA Nigeria stated: “We have noted the hardship being experienced by Nigerians, arising from economic challenges the country is facing. We have noted the rising cost of food, transportation, medicine, healthcare services, housing, and living generally, exacerbated by the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and the volatility of the foreign exchange regime. “It is important for us to also point out the hardship being faced by people with disability, who seem to have been neglected in the scheme of things. While the able bodied are complaining of prevalent hardship in the country, the plight of the physically challenged can better be imagined. “We have noted the exodus of Nigerian professionals and the workforce in search of greener pastures abroad. We have noted insecurity across the country, as kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, and sundry crimes are on the rise. We have noted restiveness among the youths, who are the most hit by the ugly situation in the country. We are worried about these.” The UTA Nigeria commended the media for their unflinching support. On its activities since inception two years ago, Princess Amalaha said: “We are happy to say that we had brought the plights of Nigerians in IDP camps to international attention with presentations at UN fora in Geneva and have engaged in advocacy on peace building, unity, and equality across the country.” 0

Barely 24 hours to the commencement of the scheduled August 1 protest in Nigeria, the United Towns Agency(UTA) Nigeria, a United Nations affiliated non-governmental organization, has called for dialogue between the federal government and organisers of the protest. While addressing the media in Abuja, the nation’s capital on the impending protest called to ensure good governance and to protest against hardship and hunger ravaging the citizens, president of UTA Nigeria, Princes Abigail Amalaha sued for dialogue that can guarantee timelines for the federal government to meet up with the demands of the protesters. Amalaha noted that while the government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is doing everything to address the issues of hardship and hunger in the land, she advised that government should go beyond distribution of handouts in the name of palliatives.UTA Nigeria advised that government should put in place mechanisms that can meaningfully engage Nigerian youths and the unemployed as well as providing enabling environment for private businesses to thrive.   She further tasked the federal government on ensuring that cost of transport, cost of living, availability and reasonable cost of petroleum products are available just as she tasked Nigerians to appreciate government response to their needs as well as trust the government and give it time with specifics to address the concerns.The UTA Nigeria president noted that, “There is an urgent need to put in place wholesome programs and policies that would address food insecurity, security challenges, agitations, and growing disenchantment of Nigerians with the government.   “On the planned nationwide protest; to avoid spill over of violence on the anticipated peaceful protest, we recommend the option of dialogue between the organisers and the federal government. Through dialogue, time frame can be reached for the impact of the measures so far put in place by the government to be felt. “We want to make some suggestions, which we believe, if considered and implemented, would go a long way in helping Nigeria experience quick socio-economic recovery. “As a matter of urgency, the federal government needs to establish programs that would make the teeming youths of the country actively engaged, like consciously revamping and resuscitating industries, which will lead to massive job creation. The government should also widen the scope of support for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) so that more youth would benefit and start small businesses. The government should support individuals and organisations that have youth empowerment programs.   The statement in part reads: “I want to first and foremost thank you all for your continued support of the United Towns Agency, right from when we got the mandate in 2022 for the Nigerian chapter until now. In the last two years that the UTA Nigeria has been in place, we have been contributing our quota to help our country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to reap the benefits therein. We solicit your continued support in the years ahead. “We are happy to say that we had brought the plights of Nigerians in IDP camps to international attention with presentations at UN fora in Geneva and have engaged in advocacy on peace building, unity, and equality across the country.   “As the country president of UTA Nigeria and a bona fide citizen of Nigeria, I feel obliged today to speak on the current state of our nation in line with my mandate. “We have noted the hardship being experienced by Nigerians, arising from economic challenges the country is facing. We have noted the rising cost of food, transportation, medicine, healthcare services, housing, and living generally, exacerbated by the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and the volatility of the foreign exchange regime. “We have noted the exodus of Nigerian professionals and the workforce in search of greener pastures abroad. We have noted insecurity across the country, as kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, and sundry crimes are on the rise. We have noted restiveness among the youths, who are the most hit by the ugly situation in the country. We are worried about these. “As patriotic Nigerians, it is incumbent on us to call on the federal and state governments to take measures in addressing these issues. While we acknowledge that the federal government is trying to find a lasting and workable solution to the present economic quagmire in the country, we must say that this should go beyond the provision of palliatives.   As a matter of urgency, the federal government needs to establish programs that would make the teeming youths of the country actively engaged, like consciously revamping and resuscitating industries, which will lead to massive job creation. The government should also widen the scope of support for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) so that more youth would benefit and start small businesses. The government should support individuals and organisations that have youth empowerment programs. To guarantee food security and arrest the rising cost of food items, the government should sustain efforts in boosting agriculture. The effort can be intensified by making the Bank of Agriculture more active and responsive to farmers’ and agricultural firms’ needs. The Bank of Agriculture should increase agricultural credit finances and offer to farmers in accordance with its mandate. Also, the government should ensure that fertilizer and agricultural implements are available at subsidised prices as well as train farmers on off-season farming as well as provide facilities to ensure all-year-round farming. Part of efforts to boost agriculture and promote economic growth is for the government to address security issues in the country. It is therefore imperative that the government does everything within its powers to arrest insecurity so that Nigerians would have the confidence to go about their businesses. Security breeds economic growth. There is a need for cut down on the cost of governance. At a time of economic challenges, government’s size should be shrinking rather than burgeoning. The federal government should be thinking of merging ministries instead of increasing them. The government should also find a way of cutting the allowances and perks… Continue reading August Protest: UTA Nigeria seeks dialogue, proffers solution to economic challenges

Giornalista:Tra pochi giorni si aprirà la sessione a Ginevra per il 57° concilio sui diritti umani. Da anni, Lei si occupa di tematiche internazionali legate ai diritti umani. È stata la prima donna europea a rappresentare i Paesi arabi e, nel 2018, ha aperto il primo centro di formazione professionale in collaborazione con il Governo tunisino. Ha ricevuto tre premi internazionali e numerosi riconoscimenti. Qual è il segreto di questo successo? Forse un tocco di magia?Rodà: (ride)Grazie per le gentili parole. Non è stato semplice, ma ho lavorato duramente per guadagnarmi il rispetto e la reputazione di serietà che oggi mi accompagnano. Essere donna, poi, ha reso tutto più difficile, soprattutto in un mondo prevalentemente maschile. Giornalista:Lei è anche una donna molto affascinante. Quanto conta la femminilità nel suo ruolo?Rodà:La femminilità viene dopo. Ciò che desidero è essere riconosciuta per le mie capacità professionali. Giornalista:È vero che sua figlia, per il tema del diploma sull’emancipazione femminile, ha scritto di Lei?Rodà:Sì, è vero. Gli esaminatori, dopo aver letto il tema, hanno voluto conoscermi di persona. Mia figlia ha parlato di me con stima e orgoglio, il che mi ha profondamente emozionata. Giornalista:Com’è la sua vita personale? So che preferisce non parlarne spesso…Rodà:La mia vita è dedicata ai miei figli, che seguo con grande amore, e alla mia “bambina pelosa” (ride). Inoltre, mi impegno molto nel mio lavoro per mantenere la mia indipendenza e per poter condividere i miei successi, sia professionali che economici, con gli altri. Giornalista:Quanto è difficile mantenere questo equilibrio?Rodà:È difficile quantificarlo, ma ci sono sicuramente sfide da affrontare ogni giorno. Giornalista:Parliamo del concilio. Quale sarà il tema di apertura?Rodà:Il tema sarà “L’importanza della cooperazione internazionale per lo sviluppo dei Paesi del Mediterraneo”. Insisterò molto sull’importanza di investire in questi Paesi, non solo per contrastare i flussi migratori, ma anche per creare sinergie economiche e formare il personale locale. Questo è il motivo per cui, nel 2018, ho aperto un centro di formazione a Tunisi. Oggi, molti giovani lavorano per aziende europee direttamente sul posto. Giornalista:Lei ha accennato al problema dei flussi migratori. Qual è la sua opinione?Rodà:Il problema dei flussi migratori non riguarda solo i numeri o la sicurezza, ma anche la sanità. Questi flussi incontrollati portano con sé malattie che in Occidente erano ormai superate, come HIV e infezioni da herpes, che colpiscono soprattutto i giovani. Inoltre, esiste la questione della resistenza agli antibiotici, un problema globale sottolineato da molte società di ricerca. Se non lavoriamo sulla prevenzione, ci ritroveremo con costi sanitari enormi e con sfide che potrebbero diventare ingestibili per il nostro Paese. Giornalista:Non tutti i migranti provengono dall’Africa. Ci sono anche persone che fuggono dai Paesi in guerra.Rodà:Certamente. Stiamo assistendo a un aumento degli ingressi nel nostro Paese da zone di conflitto, il che rende necessario un controllo rigoroso per evitare criminalità e sfruttamento. Inoltre, dobbiamo considerare le differenze culturali, alimentari e abitudinali. Non possiamo aspettarci un’integrazione rapida senza un supporto adeguato. Giornalista:Quindi si parla di sicurezza sanitaria e non solo?Rodà:Esattamente. Abbiamo visto un aumento di baby gang e fenomeni di violenza tra giovani migranti frustrati e rifiutati dalla società. Anche le donne, spesso destinate a lavori di assistenza, finiscono vittime della prostituzione. Lottiamo per i diritti e l’uguaglianza di genere, ma i fatti ci dimostrano che c’è ancora molta strada da fare. Giornalista:Cosa pensa della candidatura di Kamala Harris come possibile Presidente degli Stati Uniti?Rodà:Qui vediamo una contraddizione sociale: da un lato, donne al potere che si battono per l’emancipazione, ma che spesso sacrificano la loro vita personale. Dall’altro lato, donne che, senza una posizione sociale o economica, diventano vittime di violenza e sfruttamento. Questa dualità riflette bene le sfide che dobbiamo ancora affrontare.

THE United Towns Agency for North SouthCooperation (UTA), Nigeria chapter, hastaken humanitarian services to a uniquelevel.UTA is a United Nations-accreditednon-governmental organisation that hasconsultative status with the United NationsEconomic and Social Council (ECOSOC).As part of its humanitarian services toassist the underprivileged, the Nigerianchapter of UTA, on February 3, handed overa letter of admission for full foreign university scholarship to two victims of insurgencyin one of the internally displaced persons(IDPs) camps in Abuja.The scholarship, which covers their instruction, accommodation, feeding and sundryexpenses, is for their four-year programme in the university.The scholarship was achieved with thesupport of the university, Insitut SuperieurSaint Paul de Tarse (ISSPT) based in Cotonou, Benin Republic.According to the UTA country president,Princess Abigail Amalaha, who led somemembers of the board of trustees and staffof UTA to the event, the gesture was UTA’slittle way of supporting intelligent studentswho found themselves in the camp out of nofault of theirs.Explaining that education is the bedrockof any society, she said that by educatingthem, they will become better members ofthe society and will be in a better position totake care of their family and other membersin the camp, who are now looking uponwith operational vehicles, motorbikesand other equipment to assist them movearound the state and perform their duties.The day he presented the vehicles, a visiblyangry Ortom said Benue has been pushedto the wall with persistent attacks on innocent farmers by herdsmen militia and he was not going to sit and fold his hands andallow his people to be wiped out.them as role models and worthy ambassadors.She told them that as ambassadors oftheir people in a foreign land, they shouldnot disappoint both their people and UTA.She admonished them to live an exemplarylife over there and always be conscious oftheir root.She further stated that the scholarship isfor the pilot test, adding that more of themwill benefit from the scheme in the nextphase.The beneficiaries are Miss Yohanna Alheri Kitawa, who will study Biotechnology,and Mr. Godwin Matthias Gatawa, who willstudy Political Science.Expressing joy and appreciation, amidsttears, on behalf of the family of the recipients and the IDPs, the camp chairman, Mr Philemon Emmanuel,wondered why the government will be moreinterested in rehabilitating the Boko Harammembers whereas they that are victims ofthe Boko Haram are left to their fate. “Whatan irony of life,” he wondered.The high point of the handing over ceremony of the admission letters is the feeding of the children at the camp and handingover of gifts to them by the UTA team.Philemon Emmanuel, stated that their joyknows no bound. He said that this type ofgesture is what they have been expectingfrom the government. He further explainedthat they have been in that camp since 2014with little or no tangible support from thevarious state or federal governments. Heurged other well meaning Nigerians andNGOs to emulate the good work of UTA.

An international Non Governmental Organisatino (NGO), United Towns Agency (UTA), has expressed its commitment to embark on massive humanitarian activities in vulnerable rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). UTA is a United Nations accredited NGO that promotes North South Cooperation. It is prominent in over 110 countries and enjoys a consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. UTA is actively involved in diverse fields from scientific exchange and humanitarian aid. It equally plays key role in  raising awareness towards international mechanism for the protection of human rights and establishing solid foundation for the implementation of its strategy for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals )SDGs).   Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Tuesday, the UTA Country President in Nigeria, Princess Abigail Chinyere Amalaha, said that the focus of the NGO will be to scale up access to safe drinking water to FCT rural communities. “Our first set of rural community projects are construction of two modern hospitals, rehabilitation and equipping of two primary schools in FCT, Abuja.   “The choice of the location of these projects will be determined by UTA board in consultation with the FCT traditional rulers council,” she said. The Country President of the UTA, further disclosed that: “Our focus is on scaling up access of FCT rural communities to safe drinking water, qualitative healthcare and education. It is a thing of regret and shame that we still find several rural communities in FCT Abuja, bereft of basic social amenities. “We cannot fold our arms and leave everything to the government.”   On the source of funding for the projects, Princes Amalaha said: “Let me quickly mention that UTA headquarters in Geneva, for now, has not given us money for the projects but they expect us to take initiate and they will come in later to support when they have seen evidence of seriousness and transparency in us.” She noted that UTA will also show interest in the 2023 election by ensuring that the votes of the Nigerians count and that the election is free, fair and credible. “It is also within the work plan of UTA to seek to defend the political rights of Nigerian electorates in the 2023 general election by ensuring that their votes count, free, fair and transparent. Elections is the bulwalk of a democratic government.   “The UTA will therefore, be constructively involved in the electioneering process as an observer. “The inalienable rights of the people to vote and be voted for without fear of molestation and inducement must be guaranteed. We will be working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” she stressed. Speaking on the modalities for raising the funds for the various projects, Prince Amalaha  explained that: “Our immediate goal is to raise intervention fund for the various humanitarian project and the official lunch will take place sometimes in September, 2022, in Abuja, Lagos and the six geo-political zones where our activities and impact are to be felt. “We shall embark on advocacy visits to eminent Nigerians to solicit their financial support. It is only when we start and undertake some projects that the UTA can allocate fund and equipment for our humanitarian activities in Nigeria.” Link: https://authorityngr.com/2022/07/19/international-ngo-provides-safe-schools-water-hospitals-to-fct-rural-communities/ Leggi Articolo

The United Town Agency(UTA) has said it is set to construct two hospitals, rehabilitation and equipping of two primary schools in its first set of Rural Community Projects in Nigeria. The country president of UTA, Chinyere Amalaha in her address at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday disclosed that the agency’s immediate plan is to embark on humanitarian activities in vulnerable rural communities of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Abuja. Amalaha further said that the UTA focus is on scaling up access of FCT rural communities to safe drinking water, qualitative healthcare and education, adding that it is a thing of regret and shame that there are still several rural communities in the FCT, lacking basic social amenities. Amalaha pointed out that the choice of the locations of these projects will be determined by the UTA board in consultation with the FCT Traditional Rulers Council. She said: “We cannot fold our arms and leave everything to the government. Let me quickly mention that UTA headquarters in Geneva, for now, has not given us money for the projects but they expect us to take the initiative and they will come in later to support us when they have seen evidence of seriousness and transparency in us.” Speaking further, Amalaha said “It is also within the work plan of UTA to seek to defend the political rights of Nigerian Electorates in the 2023 General Elections by ensuring that their votes count. Free, Fair and Transparent election is the bulwark of a democratic Government”. “The UTA will therefore be constructively involved in the electioneering process as an Observer. The inalienable rights of the people to vote and be voted for without fear of molestation and inducement must be guaranteed. We will be working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” Amalaha while expressing gratitude, said it is an auspicious moment to express profound gratitude to the UTA Headquarters particularly the Secretary-General, Eya Essif whose enormous support, encouragement and facilitation led to her victory at the just concluded election involving over 100 countries in Geneva, Switzerland adding that the Almighty God made it possible for her to bring the UTA Crown to Nigeria. “My appointment as UTA President is a clarion call to action and a big challenge for Nigeria to join the community of 110 nations to prove its mettle and that we are truly the giant of Africa by taking the lead in the humanitarian projects, Human Rights Protection, United Nations Social Development Goals and scientific endeavours which are the hub of UTA’s interventions in various countries around the world.” Link: https://tribuneonlineng.com/uta-set-to-construct-two-hospitals-in-fct/ Leggi Articolo