National News
ECOWAS Needs Immediate Reforms to Tackle Multiple Crises- Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima
ECOWAS Needs Immediate Reforms to Tackle Multiple Crises- Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima
By: Michael Mike
The Speaker of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima has advocated for the speedy reforms of some procedures and laws that guide the operations of regional bloc in order to tackle the myriad of crises that is presently beset the region.
The Speaker made the call in Lome, Togo on Tuesday in her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Third Extra-Ordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar of the regional legislature.
Ibrahima, who stated that one of the main areas of focus for the session is budgetary provisions to finance efforts to address the problems within the sub region, decried that “our region is ravaged by floods, terrorism, violent extremism and irregular migration that have affected thousands of our citizens. ECOWAS of 50 years must speed up reforms to consolidate the principles of democracy and good governance to drive the vision of the founding fathers.”
The Speaker while commending the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe for his ceaseless support for regional integration and women empowerment. noted that her ascension to the speakership of the regional legislature as the first female to do so was a testament to the Togolese leader’s promotion of female competences at all levels.
The Speaker added that the session will afford the regional legislature the opportunity to consider and adopt its budget of 2025-2027 to give it a clear cut financial roadmap to come out with “pragmatic measures” to address these challenges for the peace, stability, solidarity and progress of West Africa.
The session will also examine the level of implementation of the Parliament’s 2023 budget as well as the mid-term budget for the 2024 financial year to ensure that it aligns with the region’s development goals.
The regional parliament will then hold a symposium tagged “Empowering Women through Financial Inclusion”, that will be organized by the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) to unlock opportunities for women through financial services and promote economic empowerment.
In his good will message, the President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, said it is imperative to strengthen infrastructure and investment priorities in West Africa to unlock the opportunities in the region and make the economies of member countries more competitive even as he called for equitable distribution of economic opportunities for all citizens.
Represented by the Director, Department of Research and Strategic Planning MacDonald Goanue, the EBID president said the ECOWAS Parliament is a vital institution to facilitate dialogue, promote peace and stability towards achieving the objectives of the region. He pointed out the need for ECOWAS institutions to prioritize regional cooperation to boost investments and ensure equitable distribution of the benefits.
He said “West Africa must ensure that the benefits of investments are equitably distributed among its citizens and together we can realize the vision of the bloc for its citizens.”
The Togolese Minister of Human Rights, Citizenship Training and Relations with the Institutions of the Republic of Togo, Barrister Pacome Yawovi Missiame Amenyo Adjourouvi, decried the human rights situation in the region. He said the human rights have been undermined by repressive governments which have suppressed freedom of speech and protests against harsh government policies.
He noted that human rights protection will guarantee peace and greater opportunities for the citizens to thrive saying “we must play essential role to promote and protect human rights in West Africa”. He said further that the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right and gender equality will bring the regional bloc near to its cherished objectives.
The Speaker of the Togolese National Assembly, Sevon-Tepe Kodjo Adedze, who declared the session open on Tuesday in Lome, said the region must intensify its developmental strides with “budgetary provisions for a better Community,” stressing that the ‘ECOWAS vision 2050’ must consider social inclusion, economic integration, peace, stability , harmony and prosperity as espoused by the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe.
ECOWAS Needs Immediate Reforms to Tackle Multiple Crises- Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima
National News
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
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
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
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