It is with great joy and pride that I congratulate you on the occasion of your 67th birthday and a life replete with milestone achievements.

You have attained the pinnacle of your legal career as a learned silk (SAN), a professor of law, a multiple national honours awardee, and a holder of multiple chieftaincy titles bestowed on you for your admirable community work and contributions.

Your passion for the legal profession, scholarship, and human rights activism has earned you global respect. It is fitting that on the occasion of your 67th birthday, you chose to celebrate the same with a rare display of intellectual potpourri by the publication and launch of numerous books on law and other subjects.

Congratulations, my brother, and may God reward you with continued wisdom, good health, and the vigour to continue impacting humanity.

Happy Birthday, learned SAN

FROM:

Prof. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu

Former Honourable Minister of State

Petroleum Resources

Former President of OPEC, APPO, GECF

“It’s an unfathomable paradox”, ruefully stated the woman sitting next to me at the discussion segment of the three-day Energy Summit at the Landmark Events Centre when the 2024 annual conference started on Tuesday, October 15, “that a country so blessed with brilliant and talented persons could be in the present development morass”. The lady, in her early 30s and from one of the largest commercial law firms in the country, was impressed, like the rest of the considerable audience, at the presentations of executives of different power generation firms in the country. The discussants were Meyen Etukudo, the CEO of Ibom Power; Edu Okeke, CEO of Azura Power Ltd; Oti Ikomi, Vice Chairman & CEO of Proton Energy Africa; and two amazons, Mrs Atinuke Taiwo, Executive Director and General Counsel of Mainstream Solutions Ltd, and Mrs Agatha Nnaji, Group Managing Director of Geometric Power.

Mrs Nnaji received the most sustained applause each time she spoke. Each time, she provided a new, totally refreshing insight into the electric power sector. The first insight is the imperative of aligning interests between public servants and entrepreneurs in the power sector. The second is the revelation that her Geometric Power firm has been operating effectively without government subsidies, in contrast to the case with other power generation and distribution firms in Nigeria.

She believes that Nigeria will remain in the woods unless there is a new culture and mindset in the public servants, including civil servants who run agencies dealing with the sector.

Nnaji argued that if civil servants, for instance, continue to earn their salaries and benefits regardless of their performance, it would be difficult for the country to make a dent in the electricity sector. She wants civil servants to be incentivized so as to develop an entrepreneurial spirit that will benefit them and the nation.

Nigerian top officials and civil servants need to learn a lesson from China in this respect. China has five government tiers, stretching from over 40,000 townships to 2,800 counties to 333 municipalities to 31 province-level regions and the national administration. One critical criterion for promoting a person from one layer to another is the number and size of investments attracted to a person’s area within a given period.

In a well-circulated article entitled “What the West Misunderstands about Power in China” and published in the influential thought magazine, Noema magazine, on November 10, 2023, Xiao Ma of Peking University wrote: “The desire to reach higher positions generates incentives for local officials to reach and balance goals such as promoting growth, attracting investment, preserving the environment, and maintaining social stability.

“Local leaders have to be entrepreneurial to outperform their equally motivated peers in local development. Some resort to policy experiments, transforming the local bureaucracy to make it more amicable to residents and outside investors; others lobby their superiors, in particular those in the central government, for additional policy handouts”.

In a popular book published in the United States in 2009 entitled The China Strategy: Harnessing the Power of the World’s Fastest-growing Economy, Edward Tse, an investment consultant based in Hong Kong who writes for Harvard Business Review, notes on page 10 that the amazing success of Chinese new cities and towns owes to officials who govern them in a way to “attract as much business as they can”.

On page 18 of the book, Tse, who notes the immense patriotism in all Chinese officials, continues: “They have taken on responsibilities beyond their job description, acting as the guiding hand in the creation of China as a world-leading country. Their interests extend beyond self-enrichment to the creation of national wealth and pride. This has been the motive behind building up the infrastructure necessary to economic development. It also means a long-term commitment to ensuring incremental development, as well as a willingness to experiment and collaborate across government agencies and with the private sector”.

What led Mrs. Nnaji to call for a new culture and mindset in the public agencies dealing with the power sector was a question from the moderator of her session on power generation and sustainability. The moderator, Nicholas Okafor of Belo-Osagie and Udo Udoma law firm wondered how the Geometric Power group, comprising the 188-megawatt Geometric Plant in Aba, Abia State, and the embedded Aba Power distributing firm, Nigeria’s 12th distribution power company, was able to survive despite being in limbo for 20 years as a result of deliberate man-made obstacles before it was eventually commissioned last February 26 by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

While the other electricity generation and distribution companies have been lamenting that the Federal Government, which has paid over seven trillion naira (N7tr) to them since their privatization in 2013 as subsidy, is still owing them so much money, the Geometric Power group has not received a kobo from any person as subsidy. More incredibly, the Geometric Power group it is not expecting any because it is designed to operate with no such support.

No wonder, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has been saying that the Federal Government is studying the Geometric Power model intending to replicate it in other parts of Nigeria. The minister says that the DisCos cover very wide territories which makes efficient management difficult, citing the example of the Ibadan DisCo that services industries in Ogun State and places in Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and even Kwara states. In contrast, Aba Power serves only nine local government areas in Abia State, making it efficient to manage.

But the more important point about Geometric Power operations, as Mrs. Nnaji revealed, is that it is Nigeria’s foremost power-integrated group, that is, it generates its own power and sells it to itself for a dedicated or niche market. Other electricity companies in Nigeria are either power generation firms or electricity distributing ones. Therefore, when other GenCos complain of not being paid by DisCos after supplying them electricity, Geometric Power doesn’t complain because Aba Power does not owe it.

As Dr Shamsudeen Usman, the former Minister of Economic Planning, revealed recently, most of the 11 DisCos privatized in 2013 were hijacked by extremely greedy people in the Federal Government and their agents. They are today’s in a big mess. They are perhaps the weakest link in the country’s electricity value chain. The Federal Government, which still retains a 40% stake in them, should consider selling them to GenCos willing to purchase them. There is no future for eight of the 12 DisCos in Nigeria. There is a limit to how long the Federal Government can subsidize them.

Dr (Mrs) Adewala-Johnson is a business consultant in Lagos.

Following enquiries by journalists as to who is in charge of our country as the President and Vice President are out of the country, we want to clarify:

1. It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation's affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.

2. President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires. 

3. The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.

4. All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.

5. We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll. 

6. We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit. After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government's machinery did not halt. 

7. The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfil his duties.

Bayo Onanuga 

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy) 

Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, sharing money,soft drinks and foodstuff to inmates of the IDP Camp,Durumi,Abuja,as part of activities marking his 67th birthday celebration.

See pictures and video below:

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to lead a Federal Government delegation to Jigawa in response to Tuesday night inferno in Majia town, which claimed over 100 lives. 

The government delegation will comprise the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali; Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Shehu Mohammed; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North West), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai. 

While in Jigawa, the delegation will visit the scene of the incident to assess the situation and visit injured persons in the hospital.

President Tinubu further directs that emergency aid, including medical supplies, food, and shelter, be extended to the 50 victims receiving treatment and others affected by the fire.

The President, with a heavy heart, joins the Vice President in extending his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this devastating incident.

He expresses his heartfelt prayers and support to the government and people of Jigawa during this time of tragic loss and grief.

He prays for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the peaceful repose for the souls of the departed.

President Tinubu reassures the nation that the Federal Government, in collaboration with states, is committed to the swift and comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols across the country.

He restates his directive to the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) to strengthen night travel measures, such as increased patrols, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and other highway safety mechanisms.

He said those found responsible for breaches of safety standards will be held accountable, reaffirming the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring such incidents do not recur.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

Dark clouds loom in the horizon; turbulent weather is imminent; man-made ‘viruses’ lurk and search for victims; locusts swarm sprouting seeds; good people are hounded by evil machinations from the pits of hell. 

We draw strength from wise counsel and the simple prayer of the oppressed: ‘May the moment of our greatest Challenge become the moment of our greatest Triumph’. 

So, shall it be for Allen Onyema. 

I wake up a few days ago, and see my brother passing through a crucible of blazing fire. It is refinement. A reassuring calmness comes over me. I choose to look beneath the surface of the murky waters of obscure allegations dug up from hell. Accusers draw their swords, deploying opaque microscopic lenses in a scrutiny that they, themselves, cannot survive without a smear or a stain. Yet here they are continually prying at the distant past of a Nigerian man who turned opportunity into unbelievable success, and thereafter making a difference to the world, touching lives, healing wounds and the land, blessing the oppressed, recalling and rewarding forgotten deeds and neglected sports heroes, employing thousands, and shining light on darkness all over Africa. 

In Nigeria, this simple and humble pilgrim has become a model for success and humility and patriotism and courage, and a compass into endless possibilities for every young hardworking person. Conspirators and co-conspirators want to smother both the dream and the dreamer. 

I refuse to be distracted by convoluted and complicated allegations that ‘hide’ the goodness that lie beneath them. I choose to remain focused and to await the breaking of dawn and the guaranteed bright sunlight that will come again when these dark clouds clear up. 

I am a proud AirPeace Ambassador. 

On behalf of all my colleagues whose lives Allen Onyema and AirPeace have touched and blessed, I join all other Nigerians to celebrate 10 unblemished years of service to humanity, and of patriotism. I humbly shake the extended hand of friendship that AirPeace, a great advertisement of the Nigerian spirit to win against all odds, offers the world. 

Airpeace and Allen are winners, any day, anywhere. Nothing can make us forget! 

Dr. Olusegun Odegbami MON, OLY, AFNIIA, FNIS.

Bybit, a top crypto exchange in the Crypto industry has announced that it will be listing $X tokens for spot trading on October 24.

This is good news to the millions of crypto enthusiasts who are engaged in the X Empire crypto project.

The X Empire crypto project is one of the TON blockchain-powered projects existing on Telegram as a mini-app and part of the vibrant community of tap-to-earn crypto games hosted on Telegram.

Bybit announced the development via its Telegram channel revealing that the X token will be listed for Spot trading at 12:00 UTC on October 24, 2024.

“Bybit Spot Will List @xempiregame ($X) Soon 

 $X deposits/withdrawals will be available via the TON chain. 

Timeline 
Deposits: Oct 18, 2024, 8 AM UTC 
Listing: Oct 24, 2024, 12 PM UTC 
Withdrawals: Oct 25, 2024, 10 AM UTC” Bybit announced via telegram.

At the moment the X Empire crypto project is at its Chill Phase. The chill phase is the time when participants have the opportunity to earn up to 5% of the total token supply, equivalent to 34.5 billion tokens.

The chill phase will end on Thursday, October 17 at exactly 18:00 UTC. The X Empire team has assured its community that failure to participate in the chill phase will not in any way affect their eligibility for the initial token distribution of 70%

Spot trading Details for X token traders  

Bybit noted that deposits for X tokens will open at 8:00 a.m. UTC on the same day of the listing.

The decision by Bybit to start early is geared towards giving users time to prepare for trading. The Withdrawal feature will be disabled for 24 hours from the listing date meaning that withdrawals will start on October 25

The crypto exchange also confirmed that all transactions, including deposits and withdrawals of the X tokens, will be carried out via the TON blockchain.

X Empire community reacts  

The community of the X Empire project is highly anticipating the spot trading of the token on Bybit with a focus on how it performs on Bybit and other platforms.

The project and its token have gained considerable recognition in the industry as it is inspired by Elon Musk one of the richest men in the world. The project also mirrors the success of other Tap to earn games tapping into the massive userbase of Telegram.

What to Know  

• The credibility of the X Empire project is boosted by its listing on exchanges like OKX and Bybit and its association with the TON blockchain a star in the industry at the moment.
• The project is inspired by Elon Musk and the X Empire team revealed that more listings on various exchanges are in the works.

[Nairametrics]

National Day Celebration Chairperson Han Kuo-yu, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, Premier Cho Jung-tai, Prime Minister of Tuvalu Feleti Teo and Madame Tausaga Teo, heads of delegations from diplomatic allies and friendly nations, distinguished guests from home and abroad, and my fellow citizens here in person and watching on TV or online: Good morning.

Today, we gather together to celebrate the birthday of the Republic of China, praise the beautiful Taiwan of today, and usher in the better Taiwan for tomorrow.

One hundred and thirteen years ago, a group of people full of ideals and aspirations rose in revolt and overthrew the imperial regime. Their dream was to establish a democratic republic of the people, to be governed by the people and for the people. Their ideal was to create a nation of freedom, equality, and benevolence. However, the dream of democracy was engulfed in the raging flames of war. The ideal of freedom had for long eroded under authoritarian rule.

But we will never forget the Battle of Guningtou 75 years ago, or the August 23 Artillery Battle 66 years ago. Though we arrived on this land at different times and belonged to different communities, we defended Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. We defended the Republic of China.

We will never forget the Kaohsiung Incident 45 years ago, or wave after wave of democracy movements. Again and again, people who carried the dream of democracy and the ideal of freedom, through valiant sacrifice and devotion, gave their lives to open the door to democracy. Over more than a century, the people’s desire to master their own destiny has finally been fulfilled.

My fellow citizens, though the Republic of China was driven out of the international community, the people of Taiwan have never exiled themselves. On this land, the people of Taiwan toil and labor, but when our friends face natural disasters or an unprecedented pandemic, we do not hesitate to extend a helping hand. “Taiwan Can Help” is not just a slogan. It is a movement by the people of Taiwan to cherish peace and do good for others.

In the past, our people, going out into the world equipped with only a briefcase, sparked Taiwan’s economic achievements. Now, Taiwan’s chip technology drives the whole world, and has become a global force for prosperity and development.

The people of Taiwan are diverse, and they are fearless. Our own Nymphia Wind is a queen on the world stage. The people of Taiwan are truly courageous. Lin Yu-ting, a daughter of Taiwan, is a queen of the boxing world. At 17 years old, Taiwan’s own Tsai Yun-rong put steady hands to work and won first place for woodwork in a global skills competition. Chen Sz-yua, at 20, took first for refrigeration and air conditioning, using the skills passed down by his father. A new generation of “Made in Taiwan” youth is putting a new shine on an old label.

I want to thank generation after generation of fellow citizens for coming together and staying together through thick and thin. The Republic of China has already put down roots in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. And the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan. The 23 million people of Taiwan, now more than ever, must reach out our branches to embrace the future. My fellow citizens, we have overcome challenge after challenge. All along, the Republic of China has shown steadfast resolve; and all along, the people of Taiwan have shown unwavering tenacity.

We fully understand that our views are not all the same, but we have always been willing to accept one another. We fully understand that we have differences in opinion, but we have always been willing to keep moving forward hand in hand. This is how the Republic of China Taiwan became what it is today.

As president, my mission is to ensure that our nation endures and progresses, and to unite the 23 million people of Taiwan. I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty.

It is also my mission to safeguard the lives and property of the public, firmly carry out our Four Pillars of Peace action plan, strengthen national defense, stand side by side with democratic countries, jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence, and ensure peace through strength, so that all generations can lead good lives.

All the more, my mission is to care for the lives and livelihoods of the 23 million people of Taiwan, actively develop our economy, and expand investment in social care. I must also ensure that the fruits of our economic growth can be enjoyed by all our people.

However, Taiwan faces relentless challenges, and the world’s challenges are just as much our own. The world must achieve sustainable development as we grapple with global climate change. Sudden outbreaks of infectious diseases impact human lives and health around the globe. And expanding authoritarianism is posing a host of challenges to the rules-based international order, threatening our hard-won free and democratic way of life.

For these reasons, I have established three committees at the Presidential Office: the National Climate Change Committee, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, and the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. These committees are interrelated, and they are closely connected by the theme of national resilience. We intend to build up a more resilient Taiwan, proactively deal with challenges, and bring Taiwan into deeper cooperation with the international community.

We must strengthen Taiwan’s ability to adapt to the risks associated with extreme weather, continue promoting our second energy transition, and ensure a stable power supply. We must steadily advance toward our goal of net-zero transition by 2050 through the development of more forms of green energy, deep energy saving, and advanced energy storage.

In terms of health, we must effectively fight the spread of global infectious diseases, and raise the population’s average life expectancy while reducing time spent living with illness or disability. We must achieve health equality so that people are healthy, the nation is stronger, and so that the world embraces Taiwan.

Finally, we must strengthen resilience throughout Taiwan in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. As the people of Taiwan become more united, our nation grows more stable. As our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure, and there is also greater peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan is resolved in our commitment to upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and achieving global security and prosperity. We are willing to work with China on addressing climate change, combatting infectious diseases, and maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

For a long time now, countries around the world have supported China, invested in China, and assisted China in joining the World Trade Organization, thereby promoting China’s economic development and enhancing its national strength. This was done out of the hope that China would join the rest of the world in making global contributions, that internally it would place importance on the livelihoods of the people, and that externally it would maintain peace.

As we stand here today, international tensions are on the rise, and each day countless innocents are suffering injuries or losing their lives in conflict. We hope that China will live up to the expectations of the international community, that it will apply its influence and work with other countries toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. And we hope that it will take up its international responsibilities and, along with Taiwan, contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region and the globe.

In an era when the international landscape is becoming increasingly chaotic, Taiwan will become more calm, more confident, and stronger; it will become a force for regional peace, stability, and prosperity. I believe that a stronger democratic Taiwan is not only the ideal of our 23 million people, but also the expectation of the international community.

We will continue to make Taiwan stronger and promote cross-sector economic development.

Taiwan’s economic strength is no “miracle”; it is the result of the joint efforts of all the people of Taiwan. We must strive for an innovative economy, a balanced Taiwan, and inclusive growth; we must stay on top of changes in global trends, and continue to remain a key player in supply chains for global democracies.

Going forward, in addition to our 5+2 innovative industries plan and Six Core Strategic Industries policy, we will more vigorously develop Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors, namely semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications, and help expand their global presence. We will also promote the transformation and development of medium, small, and micro enterprises and help them develop their international markets.

My fellow citizens, we will continue working to achieve a Taiwan that is balanced across all its regions.

In the central government’s proposed general budget plan for next year, general grants for local governments and general centrally funded tax revenues increased significantly, by NT$89.5 billion, reaching a total of NT$724.1 billion, a record high. And our budget for flood control will be raised by NT$15.9 billion from this year, bringing the total to NT$55.1 billion. This will help municipalities across the country in addressing the challenges of extreme weather.

We will also expedite improvements to the safety of our national road network and create a human-friendly transportation environment. Furthermore, we will improve our mass rapid transit network and connect the greater Taipei area comprising Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan. We will roll out the new Silicon Valley plan for Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli to form a central technology cluster connecting the north with the south and launch the Smart Technology Southern Industrial Ecosystem Development Plan. We will accelerate promotion of safety in our eastern transportation network so that locals can go home on safer roads. We will also enhance basic infrastructure in the outlying island areas to raise the quality of life for locals and increase their capacity for tourism.

My fellow citizens, we must all the more ensure the well-being of our people across the generations.

To our young parents, we will continue to promote version 2.0 of our national childcare policy for ages 0–6. We are going even further by already increasing childcare subsidies, and we will also enhance the quality of preschool services. Children are the future of our country, and the government has the responsibility to help take care of them.

To our young students, we will continue to provide free tuition for students of high schools and vocational high schools, and we will also continue to subsidize tuition for students of private junior colleges, colleges, and universities. And we are taking that a step further by establishing the Ten-Billion-Dollar Youth Overseas Dream Fund. Young people have dreams, and the government has the responsibility to help youth realize those dreams.

To our young adults and those in the prime of life, next year, the minimum wage will once again be raised, and the number of rent-subsidized housing units will be increased. We will expand investment in society and provide more support across life, work, housing, and health, and support for the young and old. Raising a family is hard work, and the government has a responsibility to help lighten the load.

To our senior citizens all around Taiwan, next year, Taiwan will become a “super-aged society.” In advance, we will launch our Long-term Care 3.0 Plan and gradually implement the 888 Program for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

We will also establish a NT$10 billion fund for new cancer drugs and advance the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan. We will build a stronger social safety net and provide enhanced care for the disadvantaged. And we will bring mental health support to people of all ages, including the young and middle-aged, to truly achieve care for all people of all ages throughout the whole of our society.

I am deeply aware that what everyone cares about the most is the pressure of high housing prices, and that what they most detest is rampant fraud. I give the people my promise that our administration will not shirk these issues; even if it offends certain groups, we will address them no matter the price.

We will redouble our efforts to combat fraud and fight housing speculation. We will expand care for renters and strike a balance with the needs of people looking to change homes. We will walk together, continuing down the path toward achieving housing justice.

We have with us today former President Chen Shui-bian, former President Tsai Ing-wen, and leaders from different political parties. I want to thank all of you for attending. Your presence represents the strength our nation has built up over generations, as well as the values and significance of Taiwan’s diverse democracy.

Our nation must become more united, and our society must grow more stable. I also want to thank Legislative Yuan President Han and Premier Cho for recently initiating cooperation among the ruling and opposition parties to facilitate discussion among the ruling and opposition party caucuses.

In democratic countries, political parties internally promote the nation’s progress through competition, and externally they unite to work toward achieving national interests. No matter our political party, no matter our political stances, national interests come before the interests of parties, and the interests of parties can never take precedence over the interests of the people.

And this is precisely the spirit upheld by those who sacrificed, who gave everything they had, in order to establish the Republic of China. This is the lesson we take from our predecessors who, generation upon generation, overcame authoritarianism, and sacrificed and devoted themselves to the pursuit of democracy. That is precisely why, regardless of party affiliation or regardless of our differences, we are gathered here today.

Regardless of what name we choose to call our nation – the Republic of China; Taiwan; or the Republic of China Taiwan – we must all share common convictions: Our determination to defend our national sovereignty remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait remain unchanged. Our commitment to hoping for parity and dignity, and healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges between the two sides of the strait remains unchanged. Our determination, from one generation to the next, to protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged.

I believe this is the dream that Taiwan’s 23 million people all share; it is also the shared ideal that Taiwanese society and the international community hold. The stronger the commitment of the Taiwanese people, the greater the tenacity of democracy around the world. The greater the tenacity of the Taiwanese people, the stronger the commitment of democracy around the world.

Let’s keep going, Republic of China! Let’s keep going, Taiwan! Regardless of our differences, let’s keep going forward! Thank you.

•President Lai Ching-te’s national address at the ROC’s 113th Double Tenth National Day Celebration in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office Building, titled ‘Taiwan Together for Our Shared Dream’.

The Confédération African Football (CAF) has announced Morocco as host of the 2024 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League Finals.

The CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 will be played between November 9 and 23, 2024.

Morocco hosted the 2022 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League – the premium women’s club football competition in Africa.

Eight (8) clubs will contest for the top prize with the winners getting USD 400,000 in prize money while runners-up will walk away with USD 250,000.

Mamelodi Sundowns are the current holders having won the competition twice in three years.

Morocco’s ASFAR is the other team that won the competition back in 2022 when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns.

Since its inception, the CAF Women’s Champions League played a key role in shaping women’s football in Africa.

Morocco’s hosting of the CAF Women’s Champions League followed its successful hosting of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 which was very successful.

The Nigerian Naira is among the worst-performing currencies in sub-Sahara Africa in 2024.

This is according to the World Bank in its latest edition of Africa’s Pulse report.

It showed that the Naira is at par with the Ethiopian Birr, and South Sudanese Pound in terms of decline in the region.

The report said the continued increase in the demand for dollars and limited dollar inflow is responsible for Naira depreciation in the last months.

According to the report, as of August, the Naira lost about 43 percent.

“By August 2024, the Ethiopian birr, Nigerian naira, and South Sudanese pound were among the worst performers in the region.

“The Nigerian naira continued losing value, with a year-to-date depreciation of about 43 percent as of end-August.

“Surges in demand for US dollars in the parallel market, driven by financial institutions, money managers, and non-financial end-users, combined with limited dollar inflows and slow foreign exchange disbursements to currency exchange bureaus by the central bank explain the weakening of the naira,” it said.

Daily Trust reports that the Naira plummeted to a new record low, closing at N1,700 per dollar in the parallel market on October 14, 2024, according to data from Bureau de Change (BDC) operators.

This represents a 0.29% drop from its previous rate of N1,695/$1 recorded on October 11, despite a surge in crude oil prices, which have surpassed $80 per barrel.

[DailyTrust]