National News
ECOWAS Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Handling of Religious Matters in West Africa
ECOWAS Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Handling of Religious Matters in West Africa
By: Michael Mike
Members of Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Parliament have expressed deep concern regarding the unequal treatment of religious matters in political decisions by government of various countries in West Africa.
The Parliament therefore called on political and religious leaders from member states to ensure equity in the treatment of different religions existing within the community, as part of the efforts at addressing religious intolerance in the sub-region.
Besides, the parliamentarians also called for the establishment of the ECOWAS Communication charter on religious tolerance.
This came against the backdrop of religious crisis in the sub-region in recent times, which has led to killings and wanton destruction of properties, and gradually turning the Sahel into a theatre of war with the activities of various religious terrorist groups.
The concern was raised at the end of ECOWAS Parliament delocalised meeting of joint committees on Education, Science and Culture; Health ;Telecommunications and Information Technology , in Praia, Capital of Cape Verde, with the theme, “Religious Tolerance and Harmony: Essential factors for development, peace and stability in ECOWAS region”.
The draft report of the meeting which had many presentations from scholars and religious leaders was read by the meeting co-Chairman, Hon. Aime Assine, from Senegal.
The meeting noted that the challenges raised with regards to religious tolerance and harmony in the community space and therefore insisted on the need for them (Parliamentarians) to become more involved in the national education policy programmes of their states.
The meeting harped on the need for deliberate actions and funding for programmes and activities that would promote religious tolerance among the people in the community.
The meeting also stressed the need for ECOWAS parliamentarians to undertake sensitization, education and information activities for the benefit of the populations, particularly in rural areas.
The meeting further called on the parliamentarians to make legislative proposals or vote on bills which intend to promote a legislative framework relating to religious tolerance and harmony.
Other m recommendations put forward by the meeting include the promotion of structures that will ensure enforcement of laws and political will for religious tolerance amongst other far fetching recommendations put forward at the end of the meeting.
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Member states were also charged to “Include in their curricular in schools, from primary to universities religious tolerance teachings in order to foster the culture of religious tolerance.
“Create a legal and formative framework that favours liberties to ensure religious tolerance culture in ECOWAS
“Allocate massive government budget on religious General Education in ECOWAS centred on cultural and religious diversity for tolerance culture.
“Promote an ECOWAS-wide campaign sensitization for the promotion of tolerance culture.”
In his vote of thanks, a member of the joint Committee, Hon. Usman Idi Ango, from Niger Republic expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Cape Verde, Rt. Hon Ausrelino Tavares and the Cape Verdeans Delegation for the successful hosting of the event.
He also appreciated the Speaker of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis for his efficiency and commitment in executing his Mandate, support to the regional integration and his immense contribution to peace, democracy and solidarity in the ECOWAS region
ECOWAS Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Handling of Religious Matters in West Africa
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
By: Our Reporter
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Addis Ababa With Her Husband, Senator Kashim Shettima to attend the 30th General Assembly of Organization of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) while The Vice President will be attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of States and Government on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Mrs Shettima is Representing First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
The African First Ladies are expected to Focus on internal issues and advance OAFLAD’s strategic priorities.
The 30th General Assembly’s open session under the theme “Building Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict, and Sustainable Futures will be held on the 15th of February.
Mrs Shettima who left Abuja this afternoon for Addis Ababa the Capital of Ethiopia will participate in various meetings with African First Ladies spanning for Three Days
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
The Vice President was received at the Bole International Airport by the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola, alongside the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu tsegaye; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yussuf Tuggar; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Amb. Dunoma Ahmed; Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Amb. Nasiru Aminu; Head of Consular and Ambassador-Designate, Amb. Geoffrey Chima and other government officials.
On arrival, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tuggar, debriefed the Vice President on his itinerary at the Summit.
This year’s AU summit, with the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Besides the Heads of State meetings, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events, and bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Speaking with journalists after debriefing the Vice President, Amb. Tuggar said the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) is a strategic move to consolidate and strengthen the democratic culture in Africa.
On the gains of the summit, the Minister noted that the country was already taking in the benefits of her participation, with the confirmati on of Nigeria as the host of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank as well as its nomination to the board of the bank.
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.
The Summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
While in Addis Ababa, the Vice President will join other African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
On the margins of the Summit, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events and hold bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
The Vice President is accompanied by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his official engagements in Addis Ababa.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
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