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ECOWAS Court President Advocates Citizen Sensitization on their Rights

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Delegation from Kenya National Assembly and Judges of the ECOWAS Court

ECOWAS Court President Advocates Citizen Sensitization on their Rights

By: Michael Mike

Hon Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice has emphasised the need for sensitisation of citizens on their (fundamental) rights.

He made the assertion during a courtesy visit of some Members of Parliament from Kenya National Assembly to the Seat of the Court.

The delegation led by Hon Peter Orero and made up of members of the Committee on Regional Integration of the 13th Parliament of the Kenya National Assembly said that the visit to the Court formed part of their weeklong study visit on the mode of operation of ECOWAS Institutions including the Court of Justice, and various departments in the ECOWAS Commission.

Hon Orero added that the committee embarked on a study visit of different economic blocks including the West African block – ECOWAS, and that they were at the Court to gain insight on its operations, judicial activities and programmes.

In his remarks, Justice Asante commended the delegation for the initiative while noting the importance of such discussions and experience sharing.
Justice Asante gave an overview of the Court from inception and stressed the success recorded by the Court with the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Court in 2005 with the amendment of the 1991 Protocol on the Court.

He explained that the 2005 Protocol allowed individuals to access the Court and empowered the Court to examine certain cases of human rights violation occurring in the region.

In addition, President Asante indicated that the Court has jurisdiction to rule on disputes relating to the free movement of goods and persons, and the right of establishment. Referring to an instance in Ghana when there was an alleged breach of freedom of establishment, he lamented that such matter was not brought before the Court.

“The Court only examines cases brought before it for determination. Whereas citizens and organisations have not approached the Court to enforce their rights in relation to regional integration laws, due to lack of awareness of the existence of the laws and their rights.”
He attributed the situation to lack of knowledge of the laws and their application, adding that “there is need for education of citizens on ECOWAS Laws and their rights.”

He also elaborated on various ECOWAS Laws aimed at strengthening regional integration including Immigration laws and Customs laws.

He said that the Court carries out media programmes and sensitisation missions in Member States aimed at creating awareness about the Court, its activities and how to access it.

Regarding judicial activities, Justice Asante stated that to examine cases brought before the Court, he ensures that they are translated into the three official languages of the Community which are English, French and Portuguese in order to allow each judge to work in his or her own language. He added that judges do everything possible to conclude cases as quickly as possible.

On the issue of funding, he said ECOWAS institutions including the Court are funded from the Community levy contributed by Member States and that the Court is independent in its judicial functions.

Similarly, Hon Justice Gberi-Be Ouattara, Vice President of the Court added that the Court is committed to removing all obstacles to economic integration in the West African Region, particularly in matters of human rights protection. He gave an instance with a case law on slavery and women’s right to inheritance in which the Court ruled that slavery is prohibited and women have right to inheritance. He added that any of the 15 countries or institutions can approach the Court.

Other Judges present were Justices Sengu Mohamed Koroma and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.

The meeting ended with exchange of gifts on both sides and a photo session. The delegation also visited the courtroom.
The Kenya delegation led by Hon Peter Orero comprised Hon Rael Kosiwai, Hon Peter Salasya, and Hon Jimale Mohammed.

Also in attendance were Ms Rose Chemas and Mr James Nyongesa from the Kenya High Commission in Abuja, and Mr Anthony Ogunjimi from ECOWAS Commission.

ECOWAS Court President Advocates Citizen Sensitization on their Rights

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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