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Buhari vows to improve security, reposition economy before leaving office

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Buhari vows to improve security, reposition economy before leaving office

President Muhammadu Buhari says the gains recorded in security will be further consolidated and more attention will be given to the economy, before handing over on May 29.

The president stated this when he received the Executive members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

President Buhari noted that the security situation had improved over the years, particularly in the North East where the focus had shifted to rebuilding infrastructure and re-orientation on education.

“I am very grateful for your visit to the Presidential Villa, and I agree with you on some of the observations you have made.

”The question of insecurity is most important to us because unless a country or institution is at peace, it will be difficult to manage.

“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both states, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation had improved since 2015, especially in Borno.

“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,’’ he said.

Buhari told the Catholic Bishops that the government will continue rebuilding infrastructure in parts of the country affected by terrorist attacks, while underscoring that terrorists had no control over any space in Nigeria.

“Some people have acknowledged the difference,’’ he added.

On the economy, the president said creditors had full confidence in Nigeria, with the capacity to utilize resources and repay loans before the approvals were granted.

“We are credible, that’s why the countries and institutions agreed to support our development with the loans,’’ he stated.

Buhari said the destruction of oil facilities slowed the generation of revenues, and the government would be harder on saboteurs.

“If you look at the economy, we are trying hard to rely more on ourselves. Nigerians rely more on agriculture for livelihood, and we are putting in our best to enable more people, and diversify,’’ the president noted.

He said some of the challenges faced in the past, which include coups and counter-coups, and civil war, had prepared the nation for survival.

“We thank God that Nigeria is still one. We should not forget that more than a million died for the nation to survive.’’

The president noted that he had been part of Nigeria’s history since 1967, fighting in the civil war, serving as governor, minister, Head of State, Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund, contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011, before winning in 2015.

“We should thank God, and we should reflect on these things and thank God more,’’ he added.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, commended the president for reforms in the electoral system, making it more stable and fair, particularly the signing of the Electoral Bill into law.

“We commend and congratulate you for the efforts the government has put into ensuring real improvement in our electoral system and processes, especially your signing into law the electoral bill.

“Please do not relent in making sure that INEC and other relevant agencies of government carry out their serious duties to conduct peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections,’’ he said.

Ugorji urged the President to use the remaining months in office as Commander-in-Chief to tackle insecurity in the country, and improve the economy.

“The main crux of our message to you today is one of fervent appeal and strong encouragement.

”Your tenure of two terms as President, Commander-In-Chief of Nigeria, is drawing to an end.

”But we believe a lot can be done to turn things around for the better in the about four months left of your presidency before you step down in May 2023.

“We have seen some signs that the government is not entirely incapable of tackling the sad state of insecurity in the land, which has consumed thousands of innocent Nigerians across all religions, creed, and ethnic groups,’’ the cleric noted.

The Catholic bishops presented a souvenir to President Buhari, containing a letter of encouragement and prayers for the forthcoming elections.

Buhari vows to improve security, reposition economy before leaving office

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2027: VP Shettima’s Aide lauds North East Youths, others for endorsing Tinubu/Shettima for second term

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2027: VP Shettima’s Aide lauds North East Youths, others for endorsing Tinubu/Shettima for second term

By Inusa Salihu

The Personal Assistant Domestic (Northeast), office of the Vice -President Kashim Shettima, Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, has expressed gratitude to the teaming youths, mostly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the North East who endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima to run for the second term on the same ticket come 2027 general elections.

He also applauded Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State who is the Chairman North East Governors’ Forum, his counterparts from Yobe and Gombe state, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya and Mai Mala Buni, as well as other party stalwarts and thousands of supporters who also threw their weight behind Tinubu/Shettima -led administration.

The endorsement were made on Sunday in Gombe state during the North East APC Consultative Meeting.

Meanwhile, there was a chaos witnessed at the meeting after Comrade Mustapha Salihu, National Vice Chairman of the ruling APC in the North-East, failed to mention the name of Vice-President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

But briefing Journalists shortly after the meeting, Comrade Mahmud said, “the unanimous decision taken by all stakeholders to ensure Tinubu/Shettima fly another same ticket come 2027, would ensure continuity of good governance with inclusivity, progress and development of Nigeria at all levels.

“As you can see the large turn out of people, all the entire Youths, the three Governors, Women groups and stakeholders have unanimously gave their support come 2027.

“Let me use this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all and sundry for not just coming out enmasse to witness this meeting, but to also join millions of Nigerians who are clamouring for Tinubu/Shettima ticket for second term.

“I want to assure the APC family and all other Nigerians from other political parties to continue give their maximum support and cooperation to the present administration which is poised to put smile on the faces of the downtrodden”. He said.

According to Mahmud, President Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima have in their short term of leadership, transformed Nigeria with their renewed hope agenda, adding that, the education, health, agriculture, women/youths empowerment and other sectors have witnessed positive boost.

He specifically thanked Governor Zulum for his continued support to the present administration led by President Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima.

Mahmud then call on Nigerians to continue pray for peace, as there is no development without peace.

Earlier in his speech at the occasion, Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum noted that, in the last two years the Tinubu-Shettima led government has done a lot in areas of health, education, youth and women empowerment, revenue generation and has better lives of citizens.

He called upon all and sundry to rally behind a ticket that promises unity, progress and hope for the country.

Likewise, the Deputy National Chairman of the APC (North) Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno state also endorsed Tinubu/Shettima ticket while delivering his remarks.

But in another development, chaos were witnessed at the meeting after Comrade Mustapha Salihu, National Vice Chairman of the ruling in the North-East, failed to mention the name of Vice-President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

Also, the National Chairman of the Party, Umar Ganduje did not mention the name of Kashim Shettima, as he only endorsed Tinubu, a situation that led to the meeting ended abruptly.

2027: VP Shettima’s Aide lauds North East Youths, others for endorsing Tinubu/Shettima for second term

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Terrorism: ONSA-NCTC, PAVE Network Move to Strengthen Local Ownership, Capacity for PCVE in Nigeria

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Terrorism: ONSA-NCTC, PAVE Network Move to Strengthen Local Ownership, Capacity for PCVE in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

In a bid to deepen the domestication and implementation of the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PF-NAP) across Nigeria, the PCVE Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub (KIRH) is hosting a Training of Trainers (ToT) in Kano and Sokoto States.

Mr. Ade Atambi of PAVE Network in a statement on Sunday, said the the four-day training programme, scheduled to take place from June 16 to June 21, 2025, aims to empower stakeholders with the tools, frameworks, and strategic capacities required for sustained, community-based, and evidence-driven PCVE programming.

According to the statement participants include officials from relevant state ministries, departments, and agencies, local government administrators, state house of assembly members, security agencies, community and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and state PAVE network representatives.

The statement, read in part: “The simultaneous training in Kano and Sokoto States is part of ongoing efforts to promote peace and community resilience in the North West region. The PCVE KIRH, an initiative of the PAVE Network, is working in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser – National Counter Terrorism Centre (ONSA-NCTC) and other strategic partners, with support from ActionAid Nigeria and funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

“The training programme will feature interactive technical sessions, panel discussions, and practical planning exercises, led by seasoned facilitators and subject matter experts. The event is expected to provide a platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration, cross-state learning, and mobilization for sustainable peace and community resilience.”

Atambi also urged media professionals to attend and cover the opening sessions and select panel discussions by obtaining appropriate accreditation.

He said the PCVE KIRH is committed to serving as a national knowledge and learning hub, facilitating critical reflection, technical support, and policy innovation, and promoting the domestication of the PF-NAP at state and local government levels.

Terrorism: ONSA-NCTC, PAVE Network Move to Strengthen Local Ownership, Capacity for PCVE in Nigeria

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ABU Wins Inaugural ECOWAS Moot Court Competition

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ABU Wins Inaugural ECOWAS Moot Court Competition

By: Michael Mike

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaira has emerged the winner of the inaugural Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Moot Court Competition.

The competition which had competing for the top prize of N5 million, eight universities, had as first runners up University of Jos carting home N3 million.

Organized by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the competition which came to an end at the weekend, also had law undergraduates from American University, Yola; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Igbinedion University, Okada; Lagos State University, Ojo; Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, and University of Uyo, Uyo.

The Moot Court Competition, marking a significant step toward deepening youth
engagement in regional integration and justice, was held under the theme “Promoting Regional Integration and Human Rights through Judicial Processes in West Africa,”

In his closing remarks, the Honourable President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Goncalves, described the event as a “historic milestone” for the ECOWAS Court and a “beacon of hope” for the next generation of legal professionals in West Africa. Applauding the eloquence, analytical acumen, and professionalism displayed by the participants.

He congratulated all the universities represented, declaring that “every team is a winner” for its invaluable contributions.

Justice Goncalves also announced that, following the overwhelming success of the
maiden edition, the Moot Court Competition will become an annual flagship
programme of the Court, with plans to expand participation to universities across all ECOWAS Member States.

“By creating platforms such as this, the Court not only demystifies its work but also plants the seeds of a more robust legal culture—one that upholds justice, human rights, regional cooperation, and the rule of law,” he stated.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Honourable Vice-President of the Court, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, lauded the competition as a powerful blend of vision and execution. He commended the students for their dedication and decorum and acknowledged the essential roles played by judges, academic mentors, ECOWAS institutions, and development partners.

“Whether or not you won today,” he told the
participants, “you have all emerged as ambassadors of law and justice in the ECOWAS region.”

ABU Wins Inaugural ECOWAS Moot Court Competition

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