Ethiopia

Wakanda Forever

When Marvel first approached Jomo Tariku about featuring his work in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the Ethiopian-American furniture designer and artist was in disbelief. After sharing the news with his family and watching his teenager enthusiastically explain the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tariku agreed to the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity, excited for his work and designs to be front and center. "I felt a sense of pride being able to represent Ethiopia in this wonderfully made movie—it is so deep and has so many layers," says Tariku.

Set designer Hannah Beachler included five of Tariku's designs in the award-winning film, which expertly fuses the past, present, and future to create a new narrative around the African diaspora. Similarly, with each piece that he creates, the designer desires to tell a story, adding chapters to a legacy of excellence and continuing to honor the past in the present.

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The designs in the film—the Nyala chair and Mukecha stool—were already part of Tariku's portfolio of functional art inspired by his upbringing. The names of the pieces, like Nyala (a mountain antelope from the Bale Mountains of East Africa), allude to his heritage. Tariku hopes his works also educate consumers on their journey to finding his furniture.

"This is to elevate my own culture into everyday utilitarian objects—they're not just collectibles. You can pick them up again to use the same way you would do so with your coffee pot," Tariku explains.

"You set goals for yourself as a designer—targets we hope to hit. One of my goals, when I started, was to get attention to my work and that it would end up in a museum while I am alive, not when I am gone," Tariku shares.

To date, Tariku's work has been added to the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Denver Art Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art, with upcoming exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. He is also a winner of the 2022 Black Artist + Designers Guild Maker Award (BADG) and is offering insights into his journey as an Ethiopian-American maker in Season 2 of Netflix’s Made By Design series.

The story for this artist is far from over. "I am leaving my footprint on this timeline and saying that we as Black people are contributing now, and have always been. We are a part of a canon," says Tariku.

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Credit: https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/entertainment/a42300131/black-panther-wakanda-forever-jomo-tariku/

Obasanjo Praises Late Ohanaeze Leader George Obiozor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described George Obiozor, the late Ohanaeze leader, as a patriotic Nigerian.

He said that Obiozor raised the country's international profile while serving as Nigeria's ambassador to Israel and the United States of America.

Obasanjo, in a statement from the spokesman, Kehinde Akinyemi, said he received a phone call about the death of chief Obiozor on Wednesday.

The former president (1999-2007) and High Representative of the African Union (AU) for the Horn of Africa is currently in Ethiopia.

Obasanjo noted that the late's good works as an envoy to Israel and the United States were a fitting complement to his administration's efforts to remake Nigeria's image.

“Ambassador Obiozor would be fondly and proudly remembered as a leading multilateralist, erudite scholar, passionate nationalist, and internationally renowned diplomatic legend. He was an icon and a true Nigerian.”

Obasanjo said the retired diplomat came across as a lover of peace, a committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.

The former Head of State observed Obiozor's impressive profile and the immense goodwill and affection that his people showed him.

“He was imbued with an undying love for his people that informed his acceptance to serve as president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to help minister to and advocate for their needs.”

Obiozor was committed to the development and global vision of the Igbo and the southeast region of Nigeria until his last breath, Obasanjo added.

"He still had a lot to contribute to community and national life, but we take comfort in knowing that he left an indelible mark on everything he was called to do," the statement added.

Credit: https://dailypost.ng/2022/12/29/obasanjo-eulogises-late-ohanaeze-leader-george-obiozor/

It’s Christmas Day | The Guardian Nigerian News

Christmas is upon us once again as Christians around the world celebrate the portentous event of the birth of Jesus the Christ, the one who is not only considered the Savior of the world, but whose birth dated and divided world history in two, according to the Gregorian calendar. Even in a world overrun by secularism and moral relativism, the continuing influence of Jesus Christ in the global context is unmistakable.

As always, Christmas is associated with the festive spirit, travel, family gatherings and the exchange of greetings and gifts to friends and neighbors. Nigerian Christians will want to extend the hand of fellowship and solidarity in charity and thanksgiving to all who have survived the unprecedented stresses and strains of the past year. The poor will also have a hard time celebrating this period, even when the most common Christmas delicacy has been put out of reach.

As we join the world in celebrating Christmas, Nigerians must not lose sight of the true meaning and essence of Christmas. The coming of Jesus, celebrated at Christmas, will herald a civilization of love and human solidarity that will replace a world of corruption and immorality, of greed and avarice, of hate, evil and violence. Yet more than 2,000 years later, our world is still mired in trouble; between the daily revelation of acts of monumental corruption by those in positions of public trust in our country, the intractable terrorist insurgency, banditry and senseless killings by so-called "unknown gunmen" around the world. Nigerian landscape, including those who ironically claim a religious motivation for their wicked and sadistic enterprise.

On the international stage, the world has continued to watch helplessly as Russia and Ukraine find themselves embroiled in large-scale violent conflicts, while the longstanding political tension between North and South Korea, China and Taiwan, as well as the Tigray region and the federal government. of Ethiopia, have not yet diminished. Human society in general continues mired in corruption, injustice and social inequity, and human degradation. Today's biggest disasters are often man-made.

Christmas this year holds a special meaning and omen, not just for Christians but for all Nigerians, who have lived through and survived one of the most difficult years in the nation's history. While in the year the bombardment of strategic institutions and infrastructure by Boko Haram terrorists appears to have subsided, Nigerians have faced the proliferation of murderous bandits (and so-called unknown gunmen) who have seized swaths of territory unguarded throughout the country. across the country, looting entire villages, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping innocent citizens, including travelers and school children, for huge ransom money.

In the year 2022, the faith of even the most optimistic believer has been sorely tested in the real world of flagrant social injustices, widespread political tension, increased insecurity, and deteriorating economic fortunes, under a group of callous and clueless political people. . charge across the board, who, like callous scavengers, seem intent on ruining the Nigerian nation and eviscerating the Nigerian people for senseless and venal gain.

With these harrowing realities, how, we may ask, are Nigerians expected to celebrate Christmas? The challenge of Christmas, however, is to rekindle hope in the realization of the powerful prophecies of the prophet Isaiah about the people who walked in darkness on whom a great light has dawned; about a time when the wolf and the lamb, the calf and the lion, the cow and the bear will be together in peace, and the child will come to no harm playing in the cobra's den or probing the viper's den.

The challenge for Nigerian Christians, as we commemorate Christmas, is to critically reflect on their national circumstances and re-examine their commitment to live out the prescriptions of Jesus, abiding by the high Christian standards of sacrificial love, selfless service, justice and equity, human solidarity and universal brotherhood. Nigerian Christians must be prepared to apply these values ​​to break down the many barriers we see standing in the way of accountable and transparent government, healthy development, national integration and peaceful coexistence. We must accept as Nigerians the obvious reality that the obstacles to true nation building and the desired prosperity for our country are not in our stars, but in ourselves. It is within our reach to make the dreams of the prophets of yesteryear come true, to transform this nation into a haven of peace and development, using all the human and material endowments with which the Creator has blessed us. Yes, it is within our power to change our circumstances for the better, especially as the nation approaches a major national election exercise.

We urge that Christmas this year not be just a party for the delight and sumptuous consumption of a privileged few in an otherwise comatose economy. Instead, we must work to translate our widely acclaimed religiosity into a more godly life at both the individual and corporate levels and take the necessary steps toward much-needed transformation. It is on this note that The Guardian wishes all our Christian readers, and indeed all Nigerians, a Merry Christmas, with the hope of the emergence of a better Nigerian society, in the New Year 2023.

Credit: https://guardian.ng/opinion/its-christmas-day-3/

CAA names Tobi Amusan Best Female Athlete in Africa

The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) named Nigerian Tobi Amusan the Best African Female Athlete of the Year 2022 on Tuesday.

Winner at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where she set a record and also at the World Championships in Oregon, where he set a new world record of 12.

12s in the hurdles, Amusan has been way above his contemporaries this year.

She also won the Diamond League trophy for the second season in a row, highlighting her rating as one of the best in the world and the undisputed number one in Africa right now.

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya and Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia, both world champions in the 1500m and 1000m, took second and third place respectively behind Amusan, who has enjoyed a phenomenal year.

Earlier this month, Amusan was named the fifth best female athlete in 2022 by World Athletics.

World Athletics ranked each athlete according to the points she accumulated from her performances during the season, using track and field score tables.

The 25-year-old hurdler had a fantastic year and became the first Nigerian world champion in a track and field event when she won the gold medal in the 100m hurdles at the 2022 World Championships, setting the current world record of 12.

.

12 seconds in the semifinal, followed by 12.

06s in the final.

She also won gold again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, before retaining her Diamond League Trophy in Zurich with a new record of 12.

29 s.

The previous record, which stood for 22 years, was held by an American legend, Gail Devers.

World Athletics recently affirmed Amusan's women's 100m hurdles world record set at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, USA.

Amusan also made the shortlist of five finalists for the Female World Athlete of the Year Award.

Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce tops the list, followed by her compatriot Sharicka Jackson.

The queen of the Triple Jump from Venezuela, Yulimar Rojas, occupies the third position, and the American Sydney McLaughlin, the fourth.

Femke Bol, a 400m hurdles athlete from the Netherlands, is sixth, Gudaf Tsegay, a runner from Ethiopia, is seventh, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, a high jumper from Ukraine, is eighth, Faith Kipyegon, from Kenya, ninth and the American shot putter Chase Ealey occupies the tenth position.

Buhari returns from his 19th trip abroad in 2022

President Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (ret.) returned from Washington DC, United States, on Sunday morning after a week-long participation in the US-Africa Leaders Summit.

Buhari's official plane landed at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Sunday morning, bringing the total number of overseas trips made in 2022 to at least 19.

Countries visited so far include Rwanda (June), Equatorial Guinea (May), Guinea Bissau (December), Niger (December), United States (September and December), United Kingdom (March and November), United Arab Emirates (May). , Liberia (July), South Korea (October), Ghana (June), Portugal (June), Spain (May), Belgium (February), Ethiopia (February), Kenya (March), Ivory Coast (May) and Senegal (July).

In between, the president and his vice president have been out of the country at the same time at least three times in the past two months, The PUNCH observed.

In his first speech at the US-Africa Leaders Summit, the President of Nigeria reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to generate 30 gigawatts of power by 2030.

Buhari noted that Nigeria became the first African country to develop a detailed Energy Transition Plan to address both energy poverty and climate change.

Consequently, he sought US support in getting Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan done, which he said required at least N10bn/yr to finance.

During the Just Energy Transition panel discussion, Buhari cited recent analysis showing that delivering the Energy Transition Plan requires spending of $1.9 trillion through 2060, including $410 billion above business-as-usual spending.

This additional funding requirement, he explained, translates to an investment of $10 billion per year.

In his second speech, the president warned his fellow African leaders that unconstitutional regime change, terrorism and the effects of climate change on the continent may undermine the ability of their states to achieve Agenda 2063.

Speaking on the topic, Partnership in Agenda 2063: A Peaceful and Secure Africa, Buhari, however, expressed his hope that these threats would not overcome the shared unity of purpose among all member states.

He urged member states to quell the resurgence of conflicts in their regions through inclusive governance, constitutionalism and strengthening the African Union's conflict prevention and mediation support mechanisms.

In an interactive session on Friday titled A Conversation with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the president said he had given the Independent National Election Commission the necessary resources to run the 2023 election smoothly.

Therefore, I would not consider excuses from the political arbitrator on the basis of insufficient funds.

“I made sure they got all the resources they asked for because I don't want any excuse that the government denied them the funds,” Buhari said in response to a question about INEC's preparation for the 2023 elections at the co-sponsored event. by the United States Institute of Peace, the International Republican Institute, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

Buhari also warned Western nations against issuing "frivolous" travel advisories on Nigeria, urging international media to be more objective in their reporting on the country.

In the bilateral scenario, Nigeria signed two agreements on space exploration and clean energy.

On the first day of the summit, Nigeria, along with Rwanda, became the first African nations to sign the Artemis Accords.

According to a statement issued by the United States Department of State, “The agreements were signed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by the Executive Director of the Space Agency of Rwanda, Francis Ngabo, on behalf of the Republic of Rwanda."

The Artemis Accords represent a bold and multilateral vision for the future of space exploration. The current 23 signatories commit to the principles to guide their civilian space activities, including the publication of scientific data, responsible debris mitigation, registration of space objects, and the establishment and implementation of interoperability standards.

On the second day, the Nigerian Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment signed a clean and reliable energy agreement with Sun Africa LLC, the largest US renewable energy company operating in Africa.

The agreement earmarked at least 360 rural communities and another 16 nationwide for the construction of 5,000MW of solar power generation plants and 2,500MWh of battery energy storage plants.

The first phase of the project scheduled for Q1 2023 includes: Gwagwalada, FCT (143 MWp PV size and 68 MWh energy storage); Gombe, Gombe State (270 MWp PV size and 128 MWh energy storage); Lafia, Nasarawa State (350 MWp PV size and 166 MWh energy storage); Geregu, Kogi State (174 MWp PV size and 82 MWh energy storage) and Ihovbor, Edo State (24 MWp PV size and 11 MWh energy storage).

The president returns amid disputes between state governors, lawmakers and the Central Bank of Nigeria over the N20,000 daily cash withdrawal limits imposed by the latter.

Credit: https://punchng.com/buhari-returns-to-abuja-from-washington-dc/

Ethiopia: African Development Fund Approves $13.95 Million Grant for Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Program

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund has approved a $13.95 million grant to the Government of Ethiopia to implement the first phase of a livelihood improvement project for pastoralist communities in Ethiopia’s drylands.

The Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Program will enhance access to climate-resilient, gender-sensitive integrated and sustainable water and sanitation services.

Phase one of the program will focus on developing well-field infrastructure and a transmission pipeline to a storage tank.

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) will contribute €300,000 to the program to strengthen adaptation and resilience, under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, a partnership with the African Development Bank. GCA will provide technical assistance for the development of an in-depth understanding of climate related risks to improve the climate resilience of the catchments.

It will also design a strategy and approach to involve local communities, and carry out a gender climate vulnerability and resilience assessment as an integral part of climate adaptation.

The scheme will bolster access to water supplies in Elweya, Dubluk, and Yabel districts, covering 62 rural villages and 12 towns with an estimated population of 308,576 people—half of them women – and 975,750 livestock.

  Osward Chanda, Director of Water Development and Sanitation at the African Development Bank, said: “The Bank’s support is a coordinated response with the Government of Ethiopia to mitigate water, sanitation and climate challenges, develop sustainable water structures, and improve socioeconomic outcomes in Borana.” Phase one of the program will be implemented over four years.

The Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Program will lead to improved health outcomes, nutrition and food security.

In the last 15 years, Ethiopia has suffered eight major droughts with adverse consequences for its economy and the livelihoods of its people, resulting in forced migration and displacement of humans and livestock.

Droughts in the Borana area have been linked to increased violent conflict and boundary disputes, and unsafe drinking water, and inadequate sanitation, which remain critical health concerns in the Ethiopian lowlands.

The Borana program aligns with the Bank’s Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa as well as its Gender Strategy, Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan, and the Bank’s Climate Change Policy which seeks to invest in programs which boost climate resilience and adaptation.

Sudan vows to strengthen solidarity and economic integration of the regional trading bloc

Sudan pledged on Wednesday to strengthen solidarity among member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) trade bloc in East Africa and promote economic integration in the region.

The pledge was made by Ali Al-Sadiq, Sudan's acting foreign minister and chairman of the IGAD Council of Ministers, addressing the 48th regular session of the IGAD Council of Ministers which opened in Khartoum on Wednesday.

"Sudan will work to strengthen solidarity among member states and promote regional economic integration... as a necessary condition to promote the role of youth and women in contributing to regional prosperity," Al-Sadiq said.

Sudan has formulated a roadmap to take IGAD to a higher level of distinction at the regional, continental and global levels, he added.

For his part, Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of IGAD, highlighted the importance of the organization's ministerial meeting in the Sudanese capital.

"This meeting, as well as the 14th regular session of the IGAD Committee of Ambassadors held in October, is a sign that the unity of purpose of our member states strengthens our value as a role-based organization," Gebeyehu said.

The 48th IGAD ministerial session is attended by all the foreign ministers of its member states, the ambassadors of the United States and Italy, as well as the representative of the European Union.

The meeting is scheduled to discuss issues of peace and security, drought and desertification, and conflict resolution in member states.

IGAD, established in 1986, has eight members from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Eritrea. South Sudan's membership was suspended at the end of 2021 due to the country's failure to pay its annual dues. ■

(Xinhua)

Investing in resilient internet will enhance inclusive, sustainable growth in Africa

African countries have been urged to invest in building resilient internet infrastructure to tap digital opportunities and accelerate social and economic transformation on the continent.

Global leaders attending the 17th Internet Governance Forum being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscored the importance of digital technologies as tools for enhancing development across Africa.

“The internet’s contribution to social development is immense, the democratization of knowledge and communication, access to entrepreneurship skills and new employment opportunities health care access and education are a few noteworthy ones,” Mr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, said in opening remarks at the IGF 2022 being held under the theme, Resilient Internet for a Shared Sustainable and Common Future.

However, Prime Minister Ahmed said there is need for cautioned optimism around ownership of critical digital infrastructure, data governance and cyber security as data governance was about harmonizing roles of the digital ecosystem to spur economic development while protecting individual rights.

United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, told participants that while digital technologies were transforming lives and livelihoods, they were outpacing regulations and exacerbating inequalities around the world.

He called for a human-centered digital future based on a resilient internet that is open, inclusive, and secure for all in line with his proposed Global Digital Compact.

The proposed Global Digital Compact aims to deliver universal connectivity, close the digital divide and reach the millions of people who are  not connected to the internet.

"The safe, secure human-centred digital space begins with the protection of free speech, freedom of expression and the right to online autonomy and privacy," said Mr. Guterres, emphasizing that governments, private companies and social media platforms have a responsibility to prevent online bullying and misinformation that undermines democracy, human rights and science.

"We need to work for a safe, equitable and open digital future that does not infringe on the privacy or dignity," Mr. Guterres urged.

Acting Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Antonio Pedro, said reducing the digital divide is essential to building new pathways for rapid economic growth, innovation, job creation and access to services in Africa.

“Harmonizing regulations to remove barriers to connectivity both within African nations and across the continent is crucial,” said Mr. Pedro, explaining that harmonized regulations will facilitate the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The AfCFTA is key to Africa’s food and energy security and foster competitiveness through economies of scale and improved market access.

Statistics show that an estimated 871 million people are not connected to the internet in Africa and access was even limited in rural areas.

Though 70% of Africa’s population technically has access to mobile internet, less than 25% are making use of the internet due to the high cost of mobile internet across the region, Mr Pedro noted.

“The lack of digital and literacy skills is another key barrier to achieving digital inclusion,” said Mr. Pedro, adding that “These skills gaps have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, where the expansion of online education, e-healthcare, e-commerce and remote work, have left a large portion of the population without internet access even further behind.” He said the need for meaningful digital connectivity to boost sustainable development, particularly for the Least Developing Countries (LDCs), has never been more urgent.

Despite this, Africa has made some progress in promoting digital access.

For instance, in Ghana, a business-to-business e-commerce platform, Agrocenta, connects 10,000 farmers with buyers, allowing farmers to secure a higher price for their production.

While in Guinea, Clinic-O, a startup, is providing digital healthcare to rural Guinea and Kenya has introduced coding classes for school going children.

“Now is the time to double down on our effort to close the digital infrastructure gap, and to leverage digital technologies to power key initiatives in support of achieving a greener and more inclusive digital world, and a just and sustainable development for all, “said Mr. Pedro, remarking that a multi-sectoral approach in realizing a resilient and unfragmented internet in Africa was key.

“The implementation of digital technologies should progressively and continually mirror key principles of inclusion, representation and accessibility… Private sector involvement to spur digital development, specifically infrastructure development, will leapfrog socio-economic development,” Mr Pedro underscored.

Addressing the participants, Mr.Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), said the internet is a springboard to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals through digital empowerment.

“Digital technologies and the internet are serving as engines of growth and providers of essential services including the support to e-government and growing economies,” said Mr. Junhua, adding that: “The digital frontier is where the truly transformational power will be realized and the important space for accelerating projects towards the SDGs.”

The new Korean Ambassador to Seychelles accredited

The new Ambassador for the Republic of Korea to Seychelles, H.E Ambassador Kang Seokhee presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, during a ceremony held at State House yesterday morning.

President Ramkalawan welcomed H.E. Ambassador Kang to Seychelles and congratulated him on his accreditation.

The Head of State expressed his satisfaction with the existing longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between Seychelles and Korea.

He expressed hope that the tenure of Ambassador Kang, will bring new dynamism to the relationship, and focus on areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries whilst enhancing the diplomatic relations to new heights.

Discussion between the President and Ambassador Kang centred on possible future cooperation geared towards further strengthening relations in tourism, trade and investments, Information technology, and climate change issues, as well as addressing other international global issues that are of importance for both Seychelles and Korea.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Ambassador Kang highlighted that during the twenty-seven years of diplomatic relations with Seychelles, Korea has maintained a friendly relationship.

He noted that the two countries have worked closely in various bilateral corporations as well as in the international arena.

Ambassador Kang confirmed his commitment to further enhance and promote the friendship and relations between Korea and Seychelles, as there is great potential for new cooperation.

The Republic of Korea and Seychelles established diplomatic relations on 29th January 1995.

H.E. Mr. Kang will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Also present yesterday morning was the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivienne Fock-Tave, Director General Bilateral Affairs Division, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Lindy Ernesta, the Honorary Consul for Korea, Mr Conrad Benoiton, and Third Secretary and Desk Officer for the Republic of Korea, Mr. Jean-Luc Louise.