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

Easter: Church Targets Spiritual Renewal, Community Impact with Power-Packed Programme

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Easter: Church Targets Spiritual Renewal, Community Impact with Power-Packed Programme

By: Michael Mike

As Christians prepare for the Easter season, the City of Truth and Grace Assembly has positioned its 2026 celebration as more than a routine observance, unveiling a spiritually driven programme aimed at fostering personal transformation and strengthening community bonds.

Themed “The Power of Resurrection,” the church said the initiative is designed to rekindle faith, inspire hope, and provide a platform for collective spiritual engagement at a time when many people are seeking renewal amid prevailing social and economic pressures.

The programme, to be hosted by Dipo Fisho, will begin on Good Friday with a family-focused prayer session which organisers describe as a strategic gathering to address both personal and societal challenges through intercession.

According to the church, the prayer session will emphasise unity, healing, and divine direction for families and the wider community.

The Easter activities will culminate on Easter Sunday with a special worship service centred on the message of resurrection, renewal, and spiritual rebirth.

Organisers explained that the programme goes beyond worship services, incorporating moments of fellowship such as a love feast aimed at strengthening relationships among church members and welcoming first-time attendees while reinforcing the central Easter message of love, sacrifice, and redemption.

“This is not just a celebration; it is a call to experience transformation and new beginnings,” the church said, adding that the programme has been carefully curated to deliver both spiritual inspiration and emotional impact.

The event will take place at The Grounds Sport Arena, with activities scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Good Friday and 8:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday.

With expectations of a large turnout, the church said the programme—also tagged “The Power of Resurrection”—is open to people of all backgrounds and is intended to inspire faith, unity, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Residents across the city have been encouraged to participate, as organisers project the gathering as a significant Easter convergence focused on renewal, hope, and shared spiritual experience.

Easter: Church Targets Spiritual Renewal, Community Impact with Power-Packed Programme

National News

Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector

Published

20 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders from government, industry and the diplomatic community have intensified efforts to mobilise investment and modern technology to strengthen Nigeria’s food processing and packaging sector, as the 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria concluded in Lagos.

The push was highlighted during a networking event hosted by the German Consulate General Lagos, where Nigerian agribusiness stakeholders, German exhibitors and members of the German diplomatic and business community discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration across Nigeria’s agri-food value chain.

Speaking at a press briefing, the German Consul General in Lagos, Daniel Krull, said strengthening agriculture and food processing is central to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and food security.

Krull noted that improving the country’s food processing capacity would not only reduce post-harvest losses but also stimulate industrial growth, create jobs and enhance Nigeria’s ability to meet domestic food demand.

He pointed to Germany’s global strength in food processing technology as evidence of how innovation can transform agricultural output into competitive products.

According to him, Germany remains Europe’s largest exporter of coffee despite not cultivating the crop domestically, a feat made possible through advanced processing technology and value-addition capabilities that tailor products to consumer needs.

“Agriculture and food processing are key to addressing food insecurity and unlocking economic potential. Technology and innovation will play a decisive role in enabling Nigeria to fully harness these opportunities,” Krull said.

The annual exhibition, organised by German trade fair company fairtrade Messe GmbH, brings together players across the entire food value chain—from food production and ingredient manufacturing to processing equipment, packaging technologies and finished product distribution.

Managing Director of fairtrade Messe, Paul März, described the event as a vital marketplace where businesses across Nigeria and West Africa connect with global technology providers.

“It is a meeting point and market place where industry meets once a year for Nigeria and West African countries to come to Lagos to discuss products with exhibitors,” he said.

Now in its 11th year in Nigeria, the exhibition featured 137 companies from 17 countries presenting equipment and technological solutions aimed at strengthening food production, processing and packaging.

Since 2017, the fair has also hosted an official German Pavilion supported by the German Government, providing a platform for German manufacturers to showcase advanced machinery designed to improve Nigeria’s food processing capacity.

Organisers said the initiative is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s food self-sufficiency by introducing technologies that reduce dependence on imported food products while encouraging domestic production and industrialisation.

März said the exhibition has already contributed to noticeable improvements in Nigeria’s food processing ecosystem, particularly in the area of packaging and the development of new supply chains.

However, he stressed that significant gaps remain, especially in packaging technology needed to extend shelf life and meet international export standards.

According to him, several companies participating in the fair have already sold machines for sachet packaging, milk powder processing, PET bottling and recycling to Nigerian businesses.

“With its long-term approach, Agrofood will continue to hold yearly in Nigeria to provide even more solutions to existing problems such as food safety, recycling and processing,” he said.

Krull also highlighted Germany’s broader economic engagement with Nigeria, revealing that Germany currently maintains a development portfolio of about €570 million in the country.

He explained that beyond trade exhibitions, the German government supports Nigerian businesses through technical advisory services, vocational education and training programmes as well as financing opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises.

These include credit facilities and financial support windows facilitated through the German Desk at Access Bank, which provides funding options for businesses seeking to invest in food processing technology.

German companies already operating in Nigeria are also investing heavily in workforce training to ensure local staff can operate and maintain advanced industrial equipment, thereby strengthening technology transfer.

While acknowledging challenges confronting Nigeria’s agri-food sector—including insecurity, financing constraints, regulatory issues and energy shortages—Krull stressed that such obstacles should not deter stakeholders from taking decisive action.

He said Nigeria possesses the natural resources, entrepreneurial capacity and market potential needed to achieve significant growth in the food processing sector if investment, technology and policy support are effectively aligned.

By connecting entrepreneurs, investors and technology providers, he added, initiatives like Agrofood Nigeria could play a pivotal role in accelerating the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector

National News

Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday received a high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in a visit that observers say comes at a politically sensitive moment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The delegation was led by the President of the foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity division, Hari Menon, and included senior officials of the organisation’s Nigeria office. The team briefed the vice president on the foundation’s ongoing programmes and partnerships in Nigeria.

Posting on his verified Facebook page after the meeting, Shettima commended the foundation for its long-standing support to Nigeria in critical sectors such as health, agriculture and development.

“Yesterday, I received in audience a delegation of the Gates Foundation led by the President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, Mr. Hari Menon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,” the vice president said.

“In my interaction with the delegation, I applauded the Gates Foundation for sustaining investments and humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Indeed, the Foundation remains the nation’s strategic partner in the drive to change the Nigerian narrative.”

The visit comes amid growing political conversations about the composition of the ruling ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election and whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will retain Shettima as his running mate.

Although the meeting was officially centred on development cooperation, political watchers say the timing has drawn attention within policy and political circles, especially given the influence of the foundation founded by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.

Sources familiar with the engagement said discussions focused largely on the foundation’s interventions in Nigeria, including programmes aimed at improving public health, expanding agricultural productivity and supporting vulnerable populations.

During his visit to Nigeria, Menon also held diplomatic engagements, including a visit to the Indian High Commission where he met with the ambassador, Abhishek Singh.

The Gates Foundation has operated in Nigeria since 2000 and has been a key partner in several national initiatives, particularly in immunisation campaigns, disease control, nutrition and agricultural development. The organisation marked 25 years of its presence in the country in 2025.

Despite its extensive development footprint, some of the foundation’s programmes have occasionally attracted debate in Nigeria, particularly around issues such as genetically modified crops, vaccination initiatives and population policies.

Analysts say that as political alignments gradually begin ahead of 2027, high-profile international engagements by key government figures may increasingly attract attention beyond their immediate development objectives.

Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin