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Following the approval of the Federal Executive Council of the Memorandum on signing and ratification of Air Service Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Seychelles, the two countries have formerly ratified the Agreement.

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika using the platform of the ongoing International Civil Aviation Negotiation (ICAN) event holding in Abuja, led officials of the Ministry to sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement ( BASA) while the Republic of Seychelles Minister of Transport, Mr. Anthony Derjacques, signed on behalf of his country.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika signing the BASA with Seychelles

During the ceremony, the two Ministers underscored the importance of the BASA as it will promote air services and connectivity between both countries, enhance business, and promote tourism.

Seychelles Minister of Transport, Mr. Anthony Derjacques endorsing the BASA with Nigeria

According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation on Public Affairs, James Odaudu, the two Ministers agreed that the signing would further promote the African Union Agenda 2063 and called on citizens of both countries to latch on the opportunities of the BASA for their mutual benefits.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Aviation has either signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and initial Air Services Agreement (ASA) with Senegal, Benin Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Finland, Cameroon, Morocco, Suriname, India, Sudan and Uganda.

The Ministry has also had discussions on how to further implement the open skies Agreement, signed 30 years ago, with the United States of America.

The Ethiopian government has explained that the recent suspension of its ‘Visa on Arrival’ policy is not targeted at citizens of any particular country, including Nigerians.

A statement by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the explanation became necessary following misgivings in some quarters that the suspension was aimed at Nigerians.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that the Federal Government of Ethiopia has suspended issuance of “visa on arrival” to non-
resident foreigners at all points of entry into the country, over security concerns and the current political situation in that country. The suspension applies to nationals of all countries bearing Standard Passports, who seek entry into Ethiopia and not specifically targeted at Nigerians, as reported in some quarters.

“The Ethiopian authorities have explained that the measure is aimed at better border control of movement of persons into Ethiopia in view of the ongoing armed conflict in the Northern part of the country. The measure is said to be temporary, pending improvement in the security situation in the country and not a replacement of Ethiopia’s open visa policy.

“Therefore, Nigerians bearing Standard Passports intending to travel to Ethiopia are
by this notification advised to obtain appropriate entry visas at the Ethiopian Embassy
or an electronic visa (e-visa) through the country’s Immigration and Citizenship
Service (ICS) portal at www.evisa.gov.et Also, those transiting through Bole
International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to other destinations or intend to briefly stop over would require valid entry visa to enable them access hotel facilities in the city or else would be obligated to remain in the airport pending their connecting flight.

“The new temporary visa restriction measure came into effect on 29th September, 2022. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will liaise with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and relevant Airlines to ensure that intending Nigerian travellers enroute Ethiopia are well sensitized.

“The general public is invited to take note of the new visa regime of the Federal Government of Ethiopia and be guided accordingly”.

In a related development, the Nigerian Government has noted the concern expressed by the Ethiopian authorities over the abuse of the country’s visa policy by some Nigerians who enter the country on tourist visas and remain even after the expiration of their visas, engaging in unwholesome activities.

“The activities of these few elements not only tarnish the image of the country, but limit opportunities for well meaning Nigerians outside the country. Such persons are enjoined to turn a new leaf and take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Ethiopian National Security Agencies to participate in the ongoing registration of undocumented migrants to avoid unpleasant situations” thestatement concluded.

By James Odaudu

University Don, Dr Abdul Hamidu Abdullahi has been appointed to the governing board of the International Association for Community Development (IACD).

The appointment was was conveyed through a statement by Association’s headquarters in Glasgow, Scotland.

The International Association for Community Development is the only global network for Professional community development practitioners. It supports community development agencies and practitioners to build the capacities of communities to realise greater social and economic equality, environmental protection and political democracy.

IACD is registered in Scotland and is an accredited organisation to the United Nations. Thus it submit a brief annual report on its work and what it has been doing to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030.

IACD currently has four representatives who attend events and consultation meetings at the UN in New York or Geneva. These include one Regional Director for Europe and former Vice President who is also the immediate past chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; one Regional Director for Sub-Sahara Africa who also works for UN Women; one Regional Director for North Africa and the Middle East and one active IACD North America member.

Reacting to his appointment, the university don said “It’s a rare opportunity and I’m glad for scaling through the competitive and rigorous processes and procedures. It is really a big feat for me and Nigeria”.

According Dr Abdullahi, the organisation’s objectives include advancing public education through the promotion of community development, community capacity building, and other charitable purposes on behalf of the community.

Other objectives he said, include emphasising to international bodies, government, business and non-governmental organisations, the importance of community development.

The organisation, he further reiterated, conducts research, publishes and disseminates information relating to community development, as well as organising international meetings, conferences, training and exchanges in the field of community development.

On the potential benefits of him appointment to Nigeria, Dr Abdul Hamidu Abdullahi listed them to include; gaining exposure to international best practice of community development, deriving innovative methods used in other countries to tackle community issues, ability to showcase the age-long community development methods such as ESUSU, AGE GRADES etc in our various communities.

Other benefits according to him, include; drawing attention for collaboration and networking for the good of our communities and harnessing exchange programs and other educational activities for various advantages.

“As the most populace black nation, we are model for others thus we must companion and lead in all developmental activities” he said.

Dr Abdul Hamidu Abdullahi has B.sc Sociology, MPA Public Administration, and PhD in Local Government Studies all from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

Presently, his teaching and research work is on Community Development, Public Policy, Local Governance, Research Methodology and Gender studies.

He has several publications in scholarly journals and contributed many chapters in Books and Monographs. And a Visiting Scholar with the Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

His involvement in community development project include been an Assistant Research Fellow at Center for Democratic Development Research and Training, (CEDDERT) and a producer of the radio program.

His volunteerism include active membership of the following: Community Development Charter (CDC) and the Ward Integrity Companion (WIC) of his Ward; Network for Society against Child Trafficking Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) and the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA).

He is also a Producer and Presenter of a radio programme –‘’Town and Gown’’ in Hausa language called Jamia da Jama’a at DITV/ALHERI Radio 97.7FM Zaria, Nigeria.

He is also a board member of Funtua Community College of Health Sciences and Technology; Team Lead of Initiative for Orphans and Vulnerable Persons, Zaria.