News
WAANSA Seeks Collaboration With CAN To Check Illegal Proliferation Of Small Arms
By Uche Onyeali
West African Action Network On Small Arms, WAANSA, has called for a collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, to check illegal proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Regional 1st Vice President of WAANSA, Mr. Martin Igwe made the call when he led a delegation of the network on a courtesy visit to the CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Ok oh, in his office in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Igwe, Nigeria and the entire West Africa sub-region have had their fair share of violent crises which have claimed millions of lives due to the proliferation of small arms in the region.
He noted that to checkmate such trend, the root-causes had to be addressed.
Igwe noted that having observed that people, especially the youths, go into arms struggle as a result of joblessness and poverty, WAANSA took took upon itself to engage women and youths in skills acquisition programmes in order to get them busy and self-reliant.
He appealed to the CAN president to assist the network, especially in the area of connection with other well-meaning individuals to get the youths and women engaged, so as to reduce the rate of arms getting into the hands of the wrong people.
In response, Archbishop Okoh expressed delight on the activities of WAANSA, as he decried the rate of spread of violent crises in Nigeria and the entire West Africa.
Okoh, who decried a situation where very young men in Nigeria now brandish dangerous weapons to threaten the peace in communities, pledged to assist WAANSA in its activities where necessary to check the ugly trend.
Meanwhile, WAANSA has expressed concern over the escalation of attacks by armed groups in Nigeria.
The network in a solidarity letter to President Bola Tinubu, however commended the effort of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to partner civil society organisations to address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region.
The letter signed by the president of WAANSA, Victorien Aka N’Taye, expressed the network’s solidarity with President Tinubu and and people of Nigeria in this challenging period.
It condemned the repeated kidnappings in parts of the country, especially the abduction of 287 pupils of Keriga LEA Primary School and secondary school in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The group further thank the president for listening to the cries of Nigeria s by reopening the country’s borders to ease the economic suffering of the citizens.
Foreign news
Diplomatic Community in Nigeria Joins Italian Envoy in National Day Celebration
By Joel Ajayi
It was a vibrant evening of joy, connection, and cultural celebration as the Acting Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Mr. Iacopo Foti, hosted members of Nigeria’s diplomatic community in Abuja to commemorate Italy’s National Day, la Festa della Repubblica.
Held in the heart of Nigeria’s capital, the event was a memorable gathering marked by laughter, heartfelt exchanges, and a shared appreciation for the enduring ties between Italy and Nigeria.
In his address, Mr. Foti described the occasion as a time to reflect on the core values that define Italy: liberty, democracy, justice, and the enduring creativity and resilience of its people.
“It is a day to celebrate our rich history, our unparalleled cultural heritage, and our contributions to art, science, and innovation,” he said. “But beyond Italy, today we also celebrate the strong and growing bonds between the Republic of Italy and the Federal Republic of Nigeria — our economies, our cultures, and above all, our people.”
The ambassador emphasized the depth of the bilateral relationship, recalling that diplomatic ties between Italy and Nigeria were established on February 20, 1960. He noted that since the 1970s and 1980s, Nigeria has become a second home for many Italians who have contributed significantly across various sectors.
“We are proud to be part of this welcoming and vibrant society,” he said. “I have personally witnessed the dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and warmth of the Nigerian people, as well as their hospitality toward the Italian community.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Foti expressed optimism about the future of Italy-Nigeria relations, pointing to untapped opportunities for deeper economic cooperation, technological collaboration, and cultural and academic exchange.
“Nigeria is a cultural powerhouse, a leader in Africa and globally in art, literature, and film,” he remarked. “Italy, with its deep-rooted cultural legacy, is eager to expand its engagement with Africa, and particularly with Nigeria.”
He acknowledged the growing Nigerian interest in Italian culture — from fashion and design to cinema and tourism — while noting that Italy hosts the third-largest Nigerian diaspora community globally, after the United States and the United Kingdom.
The ambassador also highlighted the countries’ cooperation on global challenges such as climate change, peace and security, migration, and human trafficking. Both nations are signatories to the Paris Agreement and active participants in global policy dialogues.
“Our relationship is built on mutual respect and understanding,” he noted. “We see this in our economic ties, cultural exchanges, love for football, and the increasing number of Nigerians who study and travel to Italy, as well as Italians drawn to Nigeria’s rich history and culture.”
He pointed out the many shared qualities between Italians and Nigerians, from strong family values and communal bonds to a vibrant fashion industry and a dynamic film sector.
“We are both historically migrant societies that have achieved success abroad while keeping close ties to our homeland,” Mr. Foti said. “We share humor, resilience, and a deep appreciation for life’s ironies.”
Addressing the issue of stereotypes, he cited renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, saying: “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete.”
He concluded by expressing gratitude for the support of Nigerian authorities and all who attended the celebration.
“On behalf of the Italian government and the people of Italy, I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who joined us. Your presence is a testament to the strength of our friendship and our shared future.”
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