National News

Lawmakers at ECOWAS Parliament Still in Fight Over Employment of Staff

Published

3 years ago

October 9, 2022

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Lawmakers at ECOWAS Parliament Still in Fight Over Employment of Staff

By Michael Mike

The controversy surrounding the recent employment by the Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS) is not over yet as lawmakers at it’s parliament have rejected a motion to present the outcome of the Ad-hoc committee setup to review allegations of nepotism in the exercise.

The lawmakers registered their protestation against the committee headed by Nigerian Senator Ali Ndume, at the plenary session of the 2nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, in Lome, Togo while alleging that the Speaker of Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis constituted the review committee without recourse to parliament.

The lawmakers noted that it was against the rules of parliament for the recruitment exercise to have gone ahead after it was voted to be suspended in the last parliamentary session when allegations of favouritism were raised.

Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante who moved a point of order said that the report of the Ad-hoc Committee as set up by the Bureau was given the mandate to work without recourse to its adoption by the Plenary as such was illegal in its entirety.

This position was supported by Nigeria’s Senator Smart Adeyemi, who drew the Speaker’s attention to the adverse implication of the exercise.

Adeyemi said, “when actions are taken that are not in conformity with the spirit and the content of the documents that are supposed to guide us I think Mr. Speaker let us accept that something was done wrong. We should be courageous to say that, but for you to say that you prefer the decision that was not in conformity with the law, as an infringement to the modalities of the Parliament, in fact, the contrary is the case, if we go ahead to accept what is not properly done then the integrity of Parliament itself will be questioned.

“It means that as we are here, somebody can take a decision on our behalf without consulting us. Mr. Speaker with due respect to your position, I personally like you, I respect you, but this decision is not in intent and spirit of the document before us.”

Another lawmaker, Hon. Samson Ahi from Ghana argued that the formation of the Ad-hoc Committee was against the rules of parliament.

He said. “I just want to find out from you Mr. Speaker, are you saying that with the consultation of the Bureau you constituted an Ad-hoc Committee and after that, you gave them a mandate to work without the approval of the entire house, is that what you are saying?

“My understanding is that you can constitute the committee, alright, but it is subject to the approval by the entire members before they can legally work. If you and your Bureau can constitute a committee and they start working without recourse to members before you present your report, then I think there is something wrong with what you have done.”

Also, Nigeria’s Hon. Abdullahi Kamba noted that the Bureau has no right or powers to take the decision and that they should have reverted back to Plenary to form an Ad-hoc committee.

He said: “Not them as the Bureau forming the Committee, it is wrong, and for that matter, I hope that whatever report the Ad-hoc committee has should not be read here, we should form the committee today so that they can start work.”

Responding to the backlash, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Senator, Ali Ndume said “I am standing here because of the Ad-hoc committee that was formed and vested with powers to investigate on the matters raised by our high Commissioner from Nigeria and also the First Deputy Speaker on the purported irregularities in recruitment which was suspended.

“Our mandate as at that time and now did not lift the ban for the suspension that was the decision that was taken at the Plenary.

“On behalf of the other colleagues that undertook this Ad-hoc job, we didn’t look for the job. In fact in my own case I was in my local government because we were on recess and I was mourning my father; then the Speaker called me to say that there is an issue that came up that is eating the system which was true as at that time and that he needed some members as a committee to immediately look into the matter and report. “

He added that: “We have a mission but now I am embarrassed by the observation of abnormalities. I am not looking for this job and I am sure our other colleagues are not looking for this job. I am also sure that even if a new committee has to be formed it has to be members of this ECOWAS, and I don’t think they are looking for the job either and I don’t think any of us cannot do this job.

“I was thinking that members will hear me out or hear the committee or even adopt if there is abnormality because I know the situations where normally if the head of the institution takes a decision that decision is not questioned, but it looked into with the view of ratifying it.”

Ndume said: “Distinguish colleagues, I don’t want it to put my personal interest but because of the interest of the workers, if not I will not present the report, I will not continue with illegality, you have to decide.”

The Speaker of Parliament, Tunis moved that the recruitment process be suspended indefinitely, a decision which seems to have infuriated Senator Edwin Snowe from Liberia who walked out of the plenary in protest of the deferment.

Shortly after the session, at a press conference, the Speaker of ECOWAS parliament accused lawmakers in the parliament of mischief and a deliberate misrepresentation of facts in order to garner the sympathy of constituents.

He said: “You will recall that in the last session in Abuja, Honourable Members raised the issue of recruitment in the ECOWAS Parliament, in fact the impression at that time was that there were a lot of malpractices regarding the recruitment exercises.

“When I got the information, I decided to set up an independent Ad-hoc Committee, headed by a very senior senator from Nigeria, Ali Ndume, to look at the whole situation and to determine whether in fact Nigerians were marginalized, and whether the process was transparent in line with our Supplementary Act in the staff regulations, and any other issues that may arise from their investigations.”

“They submitted their report to me and I called a Bureau meeting. We looked at the report, we adopted it by law and based on the fact that the committee found out that there was nothing wrong in the recruitment exercises, we decided to go ahead to discuss it, to now consider the Advisory Committee Report. The Advisory Committee is provided for in our Staff Regulations, their responsibility is more or less to look at shortlisting and interviews for staff members. The composition of that particular committee is clearly indicated in our Staff Regulations and how to determine who will be a member is already stated in the Staff Regulations. So it’s just a question of looking at the positions, like if they said the Director of Finance is a member, you look at the Parliament who is the Director of Administration you put the person there. It’s all clear in the Staff Regulations.

“By law and in line with the Supplementary Act we have done our part, but of course because the issue of recruitment initially came up from the Plenary I decided that the Chairman should also report to the Plenary for information purposes only, because the Law does not in any way require Plenary to deal with recruitment issues.

“If you look at the recruitment issues, a reference is made to the head of the institution, which is me, I am the Speaker. I am wearing two hats, one as the Head of Institution and the other as Speaker. So as Head of Institutions I can take decisions with regards to that, but then, I can say because colleagues in the Plenary actually raised the issue I needed to be very clear in my mind and to the public, that in fact the process was transparent and it was all done in line with the Law.

“What I am about to tell you especially for our Colleagues in Nigeria, because this is were there was a huge publicity about malpractices in the ECOWAS Parliament, I want the public to know that the Senator Ali Ndume report which will be given to you clearly exonerated the Parliament that from G to P4 Recruitment as ongoing at the ECOWAS Parliament is transparent and in line with the Staff Regulations and the Supplementary Act, that is very important I want the public especially our Nigerian Public to know, that there we no malpractices. Number two, that Nigerians were not marginalized at all in the whole process.

“As a matter of fact, out of ten positions from the report now that has been submitted to us by the Advisory Committee, 5 of them went to Nigeria, 1 to Sierra Leone, 1 to Senegal, 1 to Guinea Bissau, 1 to Niger and 1 to Ghana, and it also important and very important to inform the general public that 70% of this new recruitment came from the internal staff, that means people who have already been serving the ECOWAS Parliament,” the Speaker explained.

The speaker equally alleged that another reason for the row in parliament was because lawmakers are protesting a new administrative rule that takes away the prerogative to buy air tickets from lawmakers themselves and vested it in administration.

He noted that: “When I came to Parliament in 2018, we used to buy our own tickets then the Parliament would refund. They gave us a threshold for a return ticket, then in 2019, that is before I took over as Speaker, that changed completely because of an audit report which I don’t know the details of because by then I was not the Speaker.

“From then, tickets for MPs were not going to be bought by the MPs. When I took over in 2020 that’s what I inherited, but then in the last two years I have been Speaker there has always been agitations from Honourable Members that we should go back to what was obtained in 2018, or before I joined Parliament that MPs should be buying their own tickets.

“I have been resisting it for some time and resisting because I am one person that always believes in what the rule says.

“The reason why I had decided to encourage the idea of MPs buying their own tickets is because I looked at the budget circular, but then from the figures I saw the Parliament was spending more on tickets for MPs, and we were talking about cutting down cost.

“It will only be proper for me to toe the line of MPs for me to say let us try again this idea of buying our own tickets and see what will come out of it. But I must make it very clear, these are not just proposals, the law as it stands right now, is that Parliament was supposed to buy it.

Lawmakers at ECOWAS Parliament Still in Fight Over Employment of Staff

National News

FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

Published

19 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

As VP Shettima calls for coordinated results to drive economic growth

By: Our Reporter

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday, rallied global development partners, industry leaders, and policymakers to deepen investment in the Federal Government’s ongoing skills acquisition drive targeting millions of Nigerian youths.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima called for clarity, collaboration, and coordinated results from relevant stakeholders, emphasising the need for investments in a more coherent national system, where skills lead to jobs that are enterprising enough to drive economic growth.

The Vice President stated this in Abuja when he declared open the National Skills and Industry Alignment Roundtable Series (Q1 2026) with the theme, “Bridging Skills Supply and Labour Market Demand.”

The event was convened by the Office of the Vice President, with support from the European Union (EU).

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, the Vice President commended the European Union for its continued partnership and support for Nigeria’s job creation and youth development agenda.

He noted that the collaboration had been instrumental in strengthening coordination and advancing collective efforts to create opportunities for young Nigerians.

Senator Shettima stressed that Nigeria stands at a decisive moment in its history, noting that the country is home to one of the largest youth populations in the world, with millions entering the labour market each year—full of ambition, energy, and potential.

He, however, observed that the vast majority of available jobs are informal, unstable, and not fully connected to productivity and growth, requiring sustained and targeted interventions to ensure graduates are job-ready and equipped with relevant skills.

“This tells us one thing very clearly—the challenge is not simply job creation; it is alignment. Nigeria does not have a talent problem. Until skills meet industry demand, job creation will remain below its full potential,” he said.

Spotlighting the government’s position, the Vice President affirmed that the Tinubu administration is determined to address this challenge.

He continued: “We are moving away from fragmented programmes, isolated interventions, and uncoordinated investments toward a more coherent national system—one where skills lead to jobs, jobs lead to enterprise, and enterprise drives economic growth.

“Last year, under the leadership of the Vice President and with the support of the European Union, the Office of the Vice President undertook a mapping of the national job creation ecosystem and convened a National High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation.

“That engagement made it clear that sustainable employment will not come from government alone, but from a coordinated ecosystem where the private sector leads and government enables. It is in continuation of that effort that we are gathered here today.”
VP Shettima further noted that the Roundtable Series was designed as a structured platform for engagement, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, and institutions to align efforts, build trust, and drive practical solutions.

He stated that, beyond ongoing multi-faceted investments, the Federal Government seeks to move from dialogue to deliberate action, connecting the dots between training and employment, education and industry, and policy and outcomes.

He emphasised that while government must align programmes with real economic demand, all stakeholders have a role to play in actualising President Tinubu’s skills policy direction.

“Job creation cannot be outsourced to government alone—industry must take its place at the table, not just as employers but as co-creators of the workforce Nigeria needs. The private sector must clearly articulate the skills it requires and actively participate in shaping them.

“Development partners also have a critical role—not just in funding programmes, but in supporting alignment, coordination, and scale around what works. Ultimately, what we are seeking is simple—clarity, collaboration, and results,” the VP said.

The Vice President declared that the time for fragmented action was over, stressing that the moment demands coordinated results, even as he said Nigeria has the talent, energy, and opportunity, but requires coordination, discipline, and execution from relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, stated that the roundtable was very important to the ministry, noting that many employers are seeking skilled workers.

He explained that housing development involves a wide chain of activities—from architects to engineers to bricklayers—and requires collaboration among stakeholders and development partners to address the housing deficit, which will, in turn, drive economic growth.

For his part, the EU Head of Cooperation for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, acknowledged ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, and other development partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation, to drive impact in skills development and job creation.

According to him, the EU has, in recent years, focused on fostering organic engagement within Nigeria’s production system.

“We grow skills where they matter, where they are required, and where they are defined,” he said, commending the Office of the Vice President for ensuring that relevant fellowship programmes for Nigerians such as 3MTT are embedded within a broader ecosystem.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Akubo Adegbe, described the roundtable series as a deliberate and ongoing effort by the Office of the Vice President and the EU to strengthen coordination across Nigeria’s job creation ecosystem.

He added that the series serves as a structured platform to bring together key actors to deliberate on how to impact priority sectors of the economy, moving from collaboration to measurable outcomes.

Other participants at the roundtable include representatives of the Organised Private Sector, the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

National News

ECOWAS Issues Biometric Identity Cards to Over 260 Women Traders at Senegal–Guinea-Bissau Border

Published

3 days ago

March 22, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

ECOWAS Issues Biometric Identity Cards to Over 260 Women Traders at Senegal–Guinea-Bissau Border

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Cards (ENBIC) to more than 260 women traders in border communities between Senegal and Guinea-Bissau in a move aimed at strengthening regional integration and easing cross-border trade.

The cards were presented during a ceremony held on March 16, 2026, in the twin border communities of São Domingos and Mpack, with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The initiative, led by ECOWAS’ Directorate of Free Movement of Persons, Migration and Tourism, is designed to facilitate the movement of women engaged in cross-border economic activities while addressing administrative barriers faced by vulnerable populations who often lack awareness or access to ECOWAS travel documents.

The event brought together officials from both countries, including the Governor of Cacheu in Guinea-Bissau, Honorina Vasconcelos, and the Governor of Ziguinchor in Senegal, Mor Talla Tine, alongside representatives of national boundary commissions and the ECOWAS Commission.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vasconcelos expressed appreciation to ECOWAS for selecting São Domingos as a beneficiary of the pilot phase of the initiative, describing the programme as an important step toward strengthening regional integration and facilitating free movement across the sub-region.

Also addressing participants, Tine commended the programme and stressed the importance of transforming border communities into hubs of economic opportunity while maintaining vigilance against security threats and cross-border crime. He noted that around 100 women cross the Mpack–São Domingos border daily without adequate knowledge of required travel documents, highlighting the need for broader community sensitization.

Representing ECOWAS’ Director of Free Movement of Persons, Migration and Tourism, Obinna Ajugwo said the initiative demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to translating regional integration policies into tangible benefits for citizens.

He explained that the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card plays a critical role in facilitating cross-border travel while enhancing security through modern identity verification systems.

In total, 262 women traders received the biometric cards, a development that was greeted with enthusiasm and appreciation by beneficiaries who rely on daily cross-border trade for their livelihoods.

ECOWAS said the programme forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen border management systems, improve migration governance and advance the free movement of persons across West Africa.

Established in 1975 in Lagos, the regional bloc continues to pursue economic integration and cooperation among its member states, with a long-term vision of building an “ECOWAS of the People: Peace and Prosperity to All by 2050.”

ECOWAS Issues Biometric Identity Cards to Over 260 Women Traders at Senegal–Guinea-Bissau Border

National News

VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri

Published

4 days ago

March 21, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, joined thousands of muslim faithful to observe the Eid prayers at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.

The two units prayer were observed peacefully at the main Eid ground and other prayer grounds across the state under tight security, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.

In a sallah message shortly after the sermon by the Imam Idaini of Borno, Shettiima Mamman Saleh, the Vice President called for unity and peaceful coexistence in the state and the country as a whole.

Senator Shettima assures the Federal Government Gommitment to protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry, stressing that the fight against insurgency would be tackled head-on.

The Imam Idaini admonished worshippers to imbibe the lessons learned during the holy month and encouraged Muslim faithful to give alms to the poor (zakatul fitr) and to fast six days in the month of Shawwal to receive Allah’s bounties and rewards.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in a sallah message, called on faithful to recharge their spiritual beings towards rebuilding a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Borno.

He saluted the courage, resilience, and commitment of the people to all initiatives aimed at deepening security and peace-building among the various components of society, fragmented by the Boko Haram insurgency over the years.

The Eid prayer was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Almin El-Kanemi; the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Minister of State for Regional Development.

Other dignitaries include members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State House of Assembly, former deputy governors, the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, APC stalwarts, and other top government officials.

VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri