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We’re Qualified To Represent Africa, Nigeria Makes Case For UN Security Council Seat

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Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has called for a permanent seat for Africa in the United Nations, UN, Security Council while making a case for Nigeria as the country that should represent the continent in the global body.

A statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said Tuggar spoke during a panel discussion on the theme, ‘Africa’s Momentum’, at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Sweden.

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Africa has no permanent seat in the Security Council, arguably the UN’s highest decision making organ.

Tuggar decried the exclusion of Africa in the UN Security Council while stating that about 60 percent of the resolutions of the Council bother on issues that have to do with Africa.

He also noted that many of the laws promulgated by the Council have adverse implications for Africa, including the Deforestation Law which bans the purchase of produce from deforested land in Africa while ignoring the technological companies that produce the machineries that enable deforestation on the continent.

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The minister further disclosed that Nigeria’s global outlook under President Bola Tinubu’s administration is premised on the accentuation of the country’s strategic autonomy and nonalignment principle in its relations with the rest of the world.

The panel discussion, which featured other African leaders including the Foreign Ministers of Tunisia, Mohammed Ali Nafti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, and the Ugandan Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, was moderated by the Director of Chatham House, Bronwen Maddox.

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The conversation also highlighted the role of Africa in global governance and the implications of the first 2025 G20 Summit scheduled to be held in South Africa.

Tuggar equally made a case for Nigeria becoming a member of the G20.

“The G20 summit in South Africa presents an opportunity for us to make a strong case, in the case of Nigeria becoming a G20 member and of course, South Africa is a brotherly neighbour, we have strong ties,” Tuggar observed.

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Highlighting Nigeria’s significant role in not only supporting South Africa’s liberation from Apartheid but also in providing asylum to Thabo Mabaki during the years of South Africa’s struggle for liberation, Tuggar said Nigeria is the country that should represent Africa in the UN Security Council.

Enumerating Nigeria’s strengths and qualifications, and why the country should lead Africa on the global stage, the minister said, “It is important for a country like Nigeria to be a member of the G20 because we are used to making a case for Africa, we have got a lot of goodwill, we have got soft power.”

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The minister highlighted the historical contribution of Nigeria to the struggles for Africa’s liberation and fight against racist regimes in the continent.
Tuggar also disclosed that as part of its soft powers, Nigeria through its Technical Aid Corp sends volunteer professionals including medical doctors, engineers, and university lecturers to other African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries to support their development.

Tuggar further stated that Nigeria is a non-threatening power that is friendly with its neighbours and does not have land or boundary disputes, and when such issues come up, they are resolved in most cases with Nigeria conceding to its neighbours. “Nigeria’s nonthreatening nature has earned the trust of its neighbours who support Nigeria to represent them globally,” he observed.

Speaking further, the minister stressed that Nigeria is the only African country with a permanent seat in the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.

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Furthermore, Tuggar said it is important for Nigeria to be at the table because the G20 was created to review global economic and financial issues such as the utilization of Special Drawing Rights to fund the energy transition in Africa. He called for a return to the promises made by developed nations to developing countries during the Rio Summit with regards to the transfer of technology, which he said has gone quiet and Nigeria using its big strong voice can bring it to the fore as a member of the G20.

Responding to what Nigeria would do with the G20 seat, Tuggar submitted that Nigeria would advocate for the reconsideration of the Special Drawing Rights, and push for the consolidation of the global tax reforms which he said was championed by African countries at the United Nations with Nigeria leading the charge, to make the tax system fairer for the Global South countries.

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On Nigeria’s expectation from South Africa at the G20 summit, the minister opined that South Africa can make a strong case for fairness, for the process to be more representative, and to become more democratic. He faulted the argument that because Africa is already represented by the African Union and South Africa, the continent should not demand for more representation, citing South America which representation does not attract the same reaction as Africa.

He emphasized that Africa should not be viewed as a single country but as a continent with 54 countries, noting Nigeria’s over 220 million population with a potential to rise to 400 million by year 2050 and the third largest population in the world.

Tuggar said that Nigeria deserves to be represented, given its track record, the size of its economy, and many other factors. He submitted that he expects South Africa to support Nigeria’s case and added that Nigeria is already being invited as an observer.
(DAILY POST)

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Six Dead, Others Trapped As Gold Collapse

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Six people have been killed and up to 20 others are feared trapped after a gold mine collapsed in northern Sudan, authorities said on Saturday.

The accident occurred on Friday in the Um Aud area, west of the city of Berber in River Nile state, said Hassan Ibrahim Karar, executive director of the Berber locality.

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“Efforts are ongoing to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble,” Karar said, without specifying the cause of the collapse of the artisanal mine.

Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, both sides have largely financed their war efforts through the country’s gold industry.

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Official and NGO sources say nearly all of Sudan’s gold trade is funnelled through the United Arab Emirates, which has been widely accused of supplying arms to the RSF — a charge it denies.

Despite the conflict, the army-backed government announced record gold production of 64 tonnes for 2024.

Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country by area, remains one of the continent’s top gold producers.

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However, most gold is extracted through artisanal and small-scale mining operations, which lack proper safety measures and often use hazardous chemicals, resulting in severe health risks for miners and nearby communities. Buy vitamins and supplements.

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Before the war pushed 25 million Sudanese into acute food insecurity, artisanal mining employed more than two million people, according to industry figures.

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Today, mining experts say much of the gold produced by both warring factions is smuggled through Chad, South Sudan and Egypt before reaching the UAE — currently the world’s second-largest gold exporter.

The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced roughly 10 million people, creating the world’s largest displacement crisis. An additional four million Sudanese have fled across borders.

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Popular Nail Polish Ingredient Banned Over Fertility Fears

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The European Union has outlawed the use of TPO in all cosmetic products as of September 1, citing evidence that it may cause long-term fertility problems. The move forces nail salons in all 27 EU countries, as well as Norway and others that follow EU rules, to stop offering TPO-based gels and safely dispose of their stock. Manufacturers will now be required to reformulate their products without the chemical.

TPO has been a staple in the beauty industry, used as a photoinitiator to harden polish quickly under ultraviolet light and give manicures a glossy, long-lasting finish. But while gel polish has been praised for staying chip-free for weeks, experts say the ingredient behind its durability may carry hidden dangers.

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Industry insiders expect the UK and other countries to follow suit with a similar ban by late 2026. The US, however, has yet to propose any such restrictions, though American salons that import products from Europe could be affected.

This ingredient could not be defended. The industry was unable to prove there were no safer alternatives,” said Francesca Rapolla of the UK’s Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association.

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Still, not everyone agrees with the ban. Belgian retailer ASAP Nails and Beauty Supply warned of “major economic damage” to small businesses and argued there is “no human evidence of danger”. Meanwhile, US-based consultant Doug Schoon criticised the EU’s decision as “disproportionate”, saying it would waste safe products and undermine confidence in regulators.

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The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of chemicals in everyday cosmetics. Experts warn that toxic compounds, including endocrine disruptors, may contribute to rising cases of infertility, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. One striking trend is the surge in endometriosis cases — a painful condition linked to infertility — as global cases have risen to nearly 190 million. Scientists believe endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and now TPO could be a driving force.

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“These chemicals can linger in the body for years, stored in fatty tissue. They affect the immune system, disrupt hormones, and in some women, may trigger reproductive problems and endometriosis,” said Professor Katie Burns of the University of Cincinnati.

For now, Europe has chosen precaution over profit. The debate over TPO could prove a turning point in the battle over hidden toxins in beauty products — and their long-term toll on women’s health.

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Trump Threatens Severe Consequences Against ‘Wrongful’ Detention Of U.S. Nationals Abroad

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Trump threatens severe consequences against ‘wrongful’ detention of U.S. nationals abroad
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to protect U.S. nationals from what he termed “wrongful detention” abroad.

U.S. Department of State, in a statement issued on Friday, threatened severe consequences for those who “wrongfully” detain Americans abroad.

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“Today, President Trump signed an Executive Order that takes unprecedented action to impose new consequences on those who wrongfully detain Americans abroad,” the statement read.

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Through this Executive Order, actors designated as State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention may face severe penalties,” the statement added.

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The penalties include economic sanctions, visa restrictions, foreign assistance restrictions and travel restrictions for U.S. passport holders, according to the statement.

Like the State Sponsor of Terrorism determination, no nation should want to end up on this list.

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The bottom line: Anyone who uses an American as a bargaining chip will pay the price.”

This administration is not only putting America first but also putting Americans first, the statement said

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