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ACTING CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF COMMISSIONS NIGERIAN ARMY CIVIL MILITARY COOPERATION SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECT IN ITESIWAJU COMMUNITY ILORIN

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ACTING CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF COMMISSIONS NIGERIAN ARMY CIVIL MILITARY COOPERATION SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECT IN ITESIWAJU COMMUNITY ILORIN

By: Our Reporter

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, was at Itesiwaju Community in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday 26 November, 2024 to commission twin blocks of class rooms and offices for Itesiwaju Community Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School, Idi – Igba Were, Akerebiata, Ilorin. The Project, which also include; installation of sola lights, construction of restroom facilities, desks and chairs, are amongst several Nigerian Army (NA) Special Intervention Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Projects sponsored by the COAS, and executed across Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Acting COAS, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division NA, Major General Obinna Onubogu, stated that the NA recognizes the importance of the people as essential partners in progress; appreciating its great influence through non – kinetic operations. He said that the scheme is one of many initiatives of the NA, aimed at gaining the support and cooperation of the people towards achieving good results in its activities. He appreciated the good people of Ilorin and the entire Kwara State for their unwavering support to the NA.

Speaking further, the Acting Army Chief, described the scheme as designed to draw development to communities of NA senior officers who through their selfless service to the nation, rose to the enviable rank of Major Generals. “The initiative is also geared towards fostering and improving Civil – Military Relations. Thus, the projects executed by these Generals on behalf of the NA are carefully selected and executed so as to improve the well – being of people in their communities”, he said. He also noted that the NA has commissioned well over 250 similar CIMIC projects across the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the amenities provided at Itesiwaju Community School would create supportive and conducive environment to deliver quality education to children and guide them towards achieving success in their endeavours.

He appreciated the project executor, Major General Bamidele Alabi, for the exceptionally quality work he did for the community, while thanking the school management, community leaders, and the entire community for the support given to him during the different stages of the project. He charged them to ensure good maintenance and maximum use of the facilities.

General Oluyede, promised that the NA will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to deal with security challenges bedeviling Nigeria through kinetic and non – kinetic lines of operations. He thanked the President, Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his unflinching strategic guidance and invaluable support to the NA, reassuring Nigerians of unwavering loyalty of officers and soldiers to the President, the nation, and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs (CCMA) – Army, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, who also made remarks during the event, stated that “the commissioning ceremony, provides a platform to showcase that aspect of the NA’s non – kinetic operations intended to strengthen engagement with communities, boost awareness of Nigerian Army activities, and build a culture of natural trust and cooperation essential for our collective security and prosperity”, General Ugbo, further expressed confidence that the project would provide the targeted beneficiaries with quality education in a conducive learning environment, and empower them to compete with their peers globally and as well, contribute to building the desired Nigeria. He appreciated Major General Alabi for the good job, attributing the high standards to his unrelenting passion to bring development to his community and beyond. He urged students, teachers of Itesiwaju LGEA Primary School, and the entire community to make judicious use of the facilities provided.

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, CON, was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu. While appreciating the project executor, he thanked the COAS and the entire NA for the project, and also for sustaining the security of the entire nation.

Earlier in his welcome address, the project executor, Major General Bamidele Alabi, described the project as laudable, saying it was an honour for him to have executed it for the benefit of the school and entire Itesiwaju Community. He welcomed the representative of the Special Guest of Honour (SGoH), thanking the Acting COAS for the initiative and for considering him worthy for the project. He also appreciated the representative of the Governor, and all dignitaries who graced the occasion. “The NA has continued to play pivotal role in ensuring peace and security for economic development to thrive in our beloved country. This initiative therefore serves as a humble reminder that the NA is for the people and will also support developments that will improve the well – being of Nigerians”, General Alabi said. He further appreciated the CCMA, for his immense support and for sustaining efforts towards spreading NA’s Special Intervention CIMIC Projects across the entire nation.

General Alabi, also expressed gratitude to the Governor for his good works towards growth, development, peace and security of Kwara, while thanking the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu gambari CFR, for his exemplary leadership and continuous drive towards attracting progress to Ilorin and Kwara State as a whole. He charged the staff and pupils of Itesiwaju Community LGEA Primary School, and the entire community to take ownership of the school and ensure the facilities provided are put in good use and well maintained.

The historic event witnessed several Government Officials, Royal Fathers and other Dignitaries who took turns to deliver goodwill messages in appreciation of the NA for sponsoring the CIMIC project in Itesiwaju as well as others across the nation. There were cultural displays, commissioning of the project, tour of facilities, and presentation of souvenirs as highpoints of the event.

ACTING CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF COMMISSIONS NIGERIAN ARMY CIVIL MILITARY COOPERATION SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECT IN ITESIWAJU COMMUNITY ILORIN

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Tuggar Promotes Dr. Elias’s Candidacy for ICJ Position

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Tuggar Promotes Dr. Elias’s Candidacy for ICJ Position

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has solicited the support of the international community for the candidacy of Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) job.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

While formally presenting the candidate to the foreign diplomats in Abuja ahead of the ICJ elections scheduled for November 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said on Thursday, that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has not had a representative on the Court for over three decades.

The last time somebody from the ECOWAS sub-region served on the court was 2011, when Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone completed his second term.

Tuggar stated that Dr. Elias’ nomination reflects Nigeria’s belief in the enduring relevance of international law as the foundation for peace, justice, and mutual respect among the international community.

He said: “The occasion is more than a formal introduction. It is a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s enduring commitment to international law, to multilateralism, and to ensuring the legal voices and traditions of Africa, especially our ECOWAS sub-region, continues to play its rightful role in the world. Since the Court’s establishment in 1945, Africa has consistently contributed jurists of great distinction, yet no candidate from the ECOWAS region has served on the ICJ since 2011, when Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone concluded his second term.

“Even more striking, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has not had a national on the Court for over 30 years. This long absence is not a matter of pride, but of perspective. It underscores the importance of equitable geographical representation and the need for voices from West Africa to again be heard within the world’s highest judicial body.

“It is in this spirit that Nigeria proudly presents Dr. Elias, an eminent jurist whose personal merit and professional breadth fully justify this candidacy. Dr. Elias embodies the qualities envisaged in Article 2 of the Statute of the Court, a person of high moral character possessing the qualifications for the highest judicial office and recognised competence in international law. He is a Nigerian national and a member of the Nigerian Bar, but his reputation extends far beyond our borders.

“He is a distinguished scholar, a seasoned international civil servant, and a respected judge. His career demonstrates a rare and balanced combination of academic excellence, multilateral service, and judicial experience. As a widely published scholar, Dr. Elias has taught in leading universities and contributed to many of the most relevant debates in contemporary international law.

“He is a full member of the Institut des Droits Internationaux, an honour reserve for jurists of outstanding distinction. But, Your Excellencies, he is not merely an academic who comments on international law. He is a practitioner who has lived and shaped its evolution.

“His practical experience finds more than two decades of work within the United Nations system. Recall, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, that under the United Nations Charter, the ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. At the UN, he began as a junior legal officer and rose to the rank of UN Assistant Secretary General.

“Along that path, he held senior positions in multiple international organisations, serving at the intersection of law, diplomacy, and administration. This exposure has given him a deep understanding of how international law functions in practise, how it underpins peacekeeping, humanitarian action, disarmament, and sustainable development. With these elections, I do not believe that other candidates bring to the court such a thorough and real grasp of the UN’s legal architecture and its operational realities.

“Equally impressive is his judicial experience. Dr. Elias has served as a judge and president of several international administrative tribunals, presiding with fairness, clarity, and respect for due process. He presently serves as a judge ad hoc of the International Court of Justice, where he participates in the court’s deliberations and contributes to its jurisprudence with independence and restraint.

“This blend of scholarly reflection, institutional experience, and judicial temperament is unique and is precisely what the court requires at this moment in history, when international disputes are increasingly complex and the demand for legal clarity is greater than ever. Your Excellencies, this candidacy is not about Nigeria alone. It is about ensuring that Africa, and West Africa in particular, retains its rightful presence in shaping the global rule of law.

“Electing Dr. Elias would restore that balance and reaffirm the principle that all regions must share in the custodianship of international justice. It is also about upholding multilateralism in an era when global challenges, from climate change to maritime security, test our collective will. The ICJ stands as a beacon of peaceful dispute settlement.

“Nigeria has always believed that international law must remain the cornerstone of international order. Our record speaks clearly. When Nigeria has appeared before the court, we have respected its judgments and implemented them in full.

“That fidelity to the rule of law informs our decision to present a candidate of the highest calibre. Dr. Elias’ candidacy reflects the very ideals that unite us as members of the diplomatic community, that is integrity, competence, and commitment to justice. He is not a regional candidate.

“He is a candidate for the international community. We all know how complex the global judicial system can be. That is why we require people with the requisite expertise.

“If you look at the differences between francophone, anglophone, for instance, talking about the judicial systems, it is quite complex. That is why we need competent hands. In supporting him, you will be helping to strengthen not only the court but the principle that law, not power, should guide relations among nations.

“Nigeria therefore respectfully seeks your government’s kind support for the election in November 2025, both in the United Nations General Assembly and in the Security Council. Your endorsement will affirm a shared belief that the ICJ must continue to embody diversity, excellence, and independence. Your Excellencies, Nigeria is proud to present Judge Tauhid Orufemi Elias, a jurist of learning, experience, and vision.

“He represents continuity with Africa’s distinguished contribution to the ICJ and renewal for our collective faith in the rule of law. As we look ahead to the elections, I am confident that his presence on the bench will strengthen the court’s credibility and advance our common pursuit of peace through law.”
End

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ActionAid Nigeria Says Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Growth Has Shown No Impact in Citizens Living Standard

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ActionAid Nigeria Says Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Growth Has Shown No Impact in Citizens Living Standard

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has expressed concerns that the country’s macroeconomic growth has failed to translate into better living standards for the majority of citizens.

ActionAid Nigeria, in a statement on Thursday by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu said since 1960 when Nigeria got her independence, the Federal budget has climbed increasingly. Between 1999 and 2025 the Nigerian budget has climbed from approximately $3.1billion (excahange rate source: Oanda ₦299billion) to $36billion (exchange rate source Oanda ₦54.9trillion in 2025) yet, poverty rates in the same period have also increased proportionately in Nigeria from 42.7% of a population of 123 million people in 1999 to 52.5% of 230 million people today.   

Mamedu noted that: “The latest World Bank report reinforces the lived realities of Nigerians, confirming that poverty remains widespread and persistent. Although macroeconomic indicators suggest that Nigeria may be on a path toward recovery with GDP growth rates of between 3.13% and 3.9% in subsequent quarters of 2025, the benefits of such growth have not translated into real improvements in citizens’ livelihoods. Inflation may have eased marginally to 20.12% in August 2025 from 21.88% in July, while food and core inflation have also improved moderately; prices remain painfully high for the average Nigerian.” 

ActionAid Nigeria also noted that unemployment dropped from its 2020 peak of 10.85% to 5.05% in 2024, however, this statistical progress has not been felt by ordinary Nigerians. Historical analysis of the minimum wage reveals the dramatic erosion of economic value for the Nigerian worker.  The first official, unified National Minimum Wage was established in 1981 at ₦125 per month, which was equivalent to approximately £100 GBP at the prevailing exchange rate (source: OANDA, £1≈₦1.25 in 1981). By contrast, the current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 (officially adopted in 2024/2025) is worth approximately £35.63 GBP today (using the interbank exchange rate of £1≈₦1964.51 NGN). This comparison shows that the official minimum wage has lost nearly two thirds of its value in GBP terms since 1981. This stark disparity shows the failure of current wages to keep pace with cost of living and historical value. 

“Nigeria’s federal government set an ambitious target to raise the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio to 18% within three years, from the current 10%. The new tax reforms exempt individuals earning below One million naira annually and small businesses with turnovers under fifty million naira from income tax, an important but insufficient step given the scale of fiscal waste and inefficiency in government spending. 
Amidst these reforms, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on borrowing. The World Bank is expected to approve $750million in loans to Nigeria for strengthening healthcare, security and building resilient digital infrastructure.  

“Although the World Bank projects that Nigeria’s public debt-to-GDP ratio will decline for the first time in a decade from 42.9% to 39.8%, the sustainability of such debt amid poor fiscal accountability remains questionable.”

Mamedu added that: “Despite these borrowings, Nigeria continues to score low on budget transparency and citizen engagement. Weak accountability mechanisms and disproportionate spending on salaries and debt servicing have constrained the effectiveness of public expenditures. The U.S. Fiscal Transparency Report 2025 indicted Nigeria’s procurement system, citing the country’s failure to disclose key public procurement information. Past reports by the Auditor-General revealed contract fraud and procurement violations amounting to millions of dollars, while illicit financial flows continue to drain an estimated $18billion  annually twice the country’s 2025 budget deficit. 

He also reiterated that, “Nigeria’s economic indicators may suggest growth, but our people are not feeling it. When over half the population lives below the poverty line despite trillions spent in the name of development, it means something is fundamentally broken. Fiscal growth without human progress is failure.” This is why we must have a National Poverty Summit to confront our economic contradictions head-on and begin a national conversation on what truly works for the Nigerian people.”

The Country Director also called out civil society organisations, international NGOs, and local NGOs working on poverty eradication and alleviation, noting that it is an indictment on the sector if poverty continues to rise despite decades of interventions. “If after years of collective effort poverty has deepened, then we must admit that the strategies and approaches we are using are not sufficiently efficient or effective to provide the specific change Nigerians desperately want to see. This is a moment for honest reflection and renewed commitment.” 

ActionAid Nigeria therefore recommended that: “The Nigerian government must urgently convene a National Poverty Summit to move beyond fragmented policies and establish a unified, binding National Action Plan for poverty eradication. This essential emergency response requires immediate, non-negotiable action on Transparency, Accountability, and Data Integrity. This includes: strengthening anti-corruption agencies and overhauling the legal system to guarantee swift asset recovery; granting autonomy to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for independent data; and making the National Social Register publicly accessible for citizen verification. Furthermore, to address the poor at their level, all state governors must be mandated to hold public town halls and declare concrete, localised action plans with clear timelines for the transparent deployment of subventions and relief funds. 

“Citizens including Citizens groups like MOT!On must actively hold leaders accountable for public spending and policy outcomes, they must take advantage of FOI Act to track government expenditures, question contracts and mobiise public pressure when government action deviate from public interest. Citizens must reject the notion that their votes or efforts are pointless and instead adopt an aggressive, year-round stance of demanding transparency and accountability from all levels of government. 

“International Non-Governmental Organisations should fundamentally review their strategy in addressing poverty issues in Nigeria. Civil society, INGOs, and NGOs must re-examine their approaches to ensure that their interventions include a shift in their approach to aggressively working with the citizenry to hold government accountable and to challenge government impunity and demand concrete results for the poor and excluded.”

ActionAid Nigeria Says Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Growth Has Shown No Impact in Citizens Living Standard

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Lesotho strengthens one health collaboration through national bridging workshop

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Lesotho strengthens one health collaboration through national bridging workshop

By: Michael Mike

In a bid to strengthen coordination between human and animal health sectors, Lesotho’s Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Food Security, and Environment in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), convened a three-day National Bridging Workshop in Maseru District.

The workshop aimed to enhance the country’s One Health approach, recognizing the close link between human, animal, and environmental health. Many emerging and endemic diseases affecting humans originate from animals, transmitted directly, through food, or via the environment.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Ms. Matsoanelo Monyobi, emphasized the importance of dismantling sectoral silos to build a more resilient and responsive health system.

“Capacity must be comprehensive. If we want to build, we must first break down the silos that keep systems fragmented,” Ms. Monyobi said, highlighting the need for a unified approach to public health, animal health, and environmental challenges.
Representing WHO, Public Health Officer Dr. Sirak Hailu stressed the urgent need for integrated health approaches in the face of rising zoonotic threats.

“A majority of emerging, re-emerging, and endemic human diseases originate from animals,” he noted, citing recent outbreaks of Ebola, novel coronaviruses, and pandemic influenza as stark reminders of the interconnectedness of human and animal health.

Dr. Hailu also pointed out that the Ebola crisis revealed critical gaps in preparedness and underscored the need for a more solidary, multisectoral approach to health security.

Speaking on behalf of the FAO Representative, Mohlophehi Maope stressed the urgency of adopting the One Health approach. “This is no longer a choice, but it is a necessity,” he said. “Through this workshop, we have made tangible progress in building a shared understanding and developing a joint roadmap to enhance collaboration across the animal-human-environment interface. The joint planning, consensus-building, and prioritization efforts demonstrated here mark a significant step forward in putting the One Health Strategy into action.”
Dr. Mookho Ntiea, Director, Veterinary Field Operations, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing health challenges. She added that this initiative will help us build stronger systems and partnerships to safeguard the well-being of our communities.

Sello Mabatla, District Environment Officer, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in the One Health workshop, highlighting its potential to foster a more integrated approach to tackling health issues in Lesotho.

“I’m pleased to be part of this One Health workshop. It presents a valuable opportunity to promote an integrated approach to addressing health issues in our country. By bringing together different ministries, this initiative will help bridge gaps and foster collaboration among key stakeholders. Together, we can develop a joint action plan to tackle health challenges more effectively.”

The One Health workshop concluded with a shared commitment to advancing multisectoral collaboration in Lesotho. Participants endorsed a consensus-driven roadmap aimed at improving coordination between the animal health, human health, and environmental sectors for the prevention, detection, and response to health threats. With clear ownership from all stakeholders and prioritization of the top five activities, the workshop laid a solid foundation for actionable progress. By aligning the WHO’s International Health Regulations Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (IHR MEF) and WOAH’s Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway, Lesotho is poised to strengthen its national health systems and build a more integrated, proactive approach to safeguarding public health.

This activity was made possible through funding from the Pandemic Fund.

Lesotho strengthens one health collaboration through national bridging workshop

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