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WTO DG, Okonjo-Iweala excited as China finally ratifies deal on fisheries subsidies  

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After long disagreement, China deposited its instrument of acceptance for the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 27 June, affirming its support for the long due agreement for ocean sustainability as the world’s leading marine fishing producer.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who received the instrument from Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Tianjin, China ahead of the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I am delighted to welcome China’s formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. As the world leader in marine fish catch, China’s support for the implementation of this agreement is critical to multilateral efforts to safeguard oceans, food security, and livelihoods. By curbing harmful fishing subsidies worldwide, we can together forge a path towards a legacy of abundance and opportunity for generations to come.”

Minister Wang said: “The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the second multilateral agreement reached by the WTO since its establishment in 1995, and the first WTO agreement aimed at achieving the goal of environmental sustainable development. It is a significant agreement to boost the confidence of all members in multilateralism. China has completed the approval procedure of the agreement and will work with all members to push the agreement to enter into force before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference. At the same time, China will participate in the second phase of negotiations in a positive and constructive manner and look forward to an early outcome of the negotiations.”

Adopted by consensus at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva on 12-17 June 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks.  In addition, the Agreement recognizes the needs of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) and establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the obligations.

The Agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks, and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

Acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are needed for the Agreement to come into effect.

Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to making recommendations by MC13, to be held in February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

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Nimet mou

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One of the most recent of the many  strategic partnerships is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) NiMet signed with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on data sharing which took place at the apex bank’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

While NiMet’s team was led by Prof. Anosike, Dr. Mohammed Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate, was head of CBN’s side.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Charles Anosike highlighted the importance of integrating weather and climate data into economic research, especially in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and transportation. He noted that extreme weather events can reduce agricultural productivity and threaten food security.

He added that the collaboration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which prioritizes food security through major agricultural investment, including the cultivation of 10 million hectares of land and the distribution of mechanised equipment.
Prof. Anosike cited the World Bank (2026), which reports that extreme weather driven by climate change is significantly affecting global food security, with more than 87 million people facing hunger in East and Southern Africa and 52 million in West and Central Africa. He also referenced the Berkeley Earth Report (2026), which projects that 2026 is likely to be the fourth warmest year on record, a trend that continues to shape agricultural and energy market projections.

In his remarks, Muhammad said the signing of the MoU marked an important step in strengthening the partnership between two key national institutions whose mandates intersect in data, research, and policy support. He emphasized that, in an increasingly complex and dynamic economic environment, timely and reliable data remain essential for effective policy decisions.

He further noted that the Economic Policy Directorate relies heavily on timely and credible statistical information from NiMet. Such data, he said, are critical for inflation monitoring, agricultural sector assessment, and broader economic policy advisory functions. He described the initiative as both timely and important, adding that strong institutional partnerships are essential for strengthening evidence-based policymaking and improving the robustness of national data systems.

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“Jonathan still our member,” says PDP, warns public against fake campaign posters beating ex-president’s photos

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By Bonaventure Phillips Melah

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has warned the public of the circulation of campaign posters beating the photos of former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, saying such posters are fake and should be ignored completely.

The PDP raised the alarm Saturday in a statement signed its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong and sent to Nationwide Reports.

The party also said that Jonathan remains a full-fledged member of the PDP and that he personally registered in his ward, during the recently concluded digital membership registration exercise carried out by the PDP.

The statement reads- “Campaign posters bearing the photographs of President Goodluck Jonathan, either alone or paired with other notable Nigerians as running mate, have emerged and are being circulated widely on social media platforms.

“These posters also falsely portray him as a member of the various political parties whose logos appear on them.

“We state categorically that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party under the capable leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN. He duly registered personally in his ward during the recently concluded digital membership registration exercise — a fact he personally confirmed to members of the Interim National Working Committee during a meeting with him yesterday.

“This clarification has become necessary in view of the provisions of the extant Electoral Act, under which double registration is not only prohibited but also punishable.

“We are aware that mischief makers may not only design and circulate fake campaign posters, but may also, in concert with highly placed collaborators, attempt to input the details of President Jonathan and other prominent members of our party and the opposition movement into the databases of different political parties.

“We therefore put the public, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission, on notice of this malfeasance and urge them to countenance any such fraudulent activity,” PDP concluded.

 

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Gunmen kidnap CMD in Anambra hospital

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Gunmen have kidnapped the Chief Medical Director of Crown Hospital Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Dr. Edwin Emegoakor.

The four-man gang of gunmen adorning army and police uniforms, arrived the facility and ordered hospital security operatives, medical personnel and other workers within reach to surrender at gunpoint before confiscating their  phones. Sources said the incident happened at about 6:30pm on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

“They were casually discussing inside their car while people were moving about in the hospital freely without noticing them.

“They were patiently waiting for their victim and later two of them, one in army camouflage and the other in police uniform, came out and picked the CMD who was on a ward round.

“No life was lost in the process, probably because they did not want to attract the attention of patients and other passers-by,” a source said.

 

 

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