News
FG to Reintroduce Undersecretaries into Its Foreign Policy Administration
FG to Reintroduce Undersecretaries into Its Foreign Policy Administration
… Tuggar Insists Constitutional Governance Solutions to Terrorism
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has concluded plan to appoint undersecretaries as part of its foreign policy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar has said.
Tuggar also said that the threat to peace from terrorism and irridentism in the Sahel can only be countered with a solid foundational basis of constitutional governance, strong democratic institutions and an alliance of democratic countries in the region.
The Minister said plans are underway to reintroduce underscretaries to enable the federal government achieve the set foreign policy agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Tuggar made the disclosure while presenting a paper: “The Foreign Policy Agenda under the Tinubu Administration” at the Annual Lecture of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He explained that Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy (Democracy, Diaspora, Demography and Development) could be attained in a technology-driven foreign affairs ministry with appropriate bureaucracy.
The Minister noted that: “None of these (4Ds) will be possible without reforming our workplace- the Ministry- into a technology-driven environment with the right bureaucracy to achieve our smart objectives.
“The reform is already in place and we are improving the working terms and conditions of the ministry’s staff.”
Tuggar said: “We also intend to bring back the system of undersecretaries in the New Year, with the return of several senior ambassadors.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives still exist and are entailed in the country’s constitution.
“With regards to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, they exist and remain immovable because they are enshrined in our constitution.
“They are: to promote and protect Nigeria’s national interest, to promote African integration and support African unity, promote international co-operation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among all nations and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda that catalogued President Bola Tinubu’s promises to Nigerians during the Presidential campaign further elucidated three objectives: to protect against all forms of external aggression; promote the best possible outcomes for Nigeria in all engagements with other nations; improve Nigeria’s standing and dignity among the comity of nations,” he said.
On reemergence of coup d’etat in West Africa, the Minister noted that the illusion that military regimes may somehow be better equipped to fight terrorists and separatists remains just that, stressing that soldiers are prone to turning their guns on each other instead of terrorists, in their contestation for control of the capital metropolis.
He said: “This leaves the periphery and border areas more at the mercy of non-state actors, creating more insecurity and instability to neighbouring countries and the region as a whole.”
The Minister while some citing instances, said many countercoups have been encountered in West Africa and perhaps more to come adding that Burkina Faso government currently only controls less than 40% of its territory.
He therefore maintained that it is incumbent on Nigeria as Africa’s largest democracy (and serendipitously Chair of ECOWAS) to pull its weight ally with other democracies and constitutional governments to reverse this deadly trend.
“Nigeria and ECOWAS’s role in the successful elections in Liberia and President George Weah’s noble concession is an indication of what can be achieved through Diplomacy. But the Democracy in 4-D also calls for Democracy in global organisations and institutions that remain exclusive clubs under sketchy criteria.” He added.
In his remarks, the President ARCAN, Amb. John Shinkaiye stated that the formulation and execution of the foreign policy of the country is crucial as decisions made in this aspect of the nation’s governance have far reaching implications for Nigeria, the West Africa region, the African continent, and even beyond.
He said: “It is important therefore that the new government sets appropriate
priorities and strategies and identify potential challenges that the government may face.
“It is recognised that Nigeria’s foreign policy will be shaped by, among other
things, a combination of domestic factors and imperatives, regional dynamics and global realities.
“Understanding how these factors can affect the country’s position on
many key issues, including security, economic cooperation, relations with other countries and the international community at large, is very important to the success of the Tinubu administration,” Shinkaiye advised.
Shinkaiye also said ARCAN was also disposed to exchange views with other arms of government with interest in the implementation of the nation’s foreign policy.
FG to Reintroduce Undersecretaries into Its Foreign Policy Administration
Troops Neutralise Terrorist During Operation Savannah Shield in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Savannah Shield have neutralised a suspected terrorist during an offensive operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 2:45 p.m. on May 13 by troops of 221 Battalion alongside personnel of CSIB XVI deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babanna.
The troops reportedly carried out the offensive raid on Masaka Village following intelligence on terrorist activities within the area.
During the operation, the troops made contact with the suspected terrorists, leading to an exchange of fire.
According to the report, one of the fleeing terrorists accidentally triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which detonated and resulted in his death.
Troops subsequently recovered one magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from the scene.
Security forces have continued exploitation and clearance operations in the area aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts and preventing further attacks within the operational environment.
Troops Neutralise Terrorist During Operation Savannah Shield in Niger State
Troops Repel Terrorists, Rescue Injured Civilian in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under 8 Division Garrison, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services, have repelled suspected terrorists during a security operation in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 2:50 a.m. on May 14 following intelligence reports on terrorist activities around Lugu Village in the area.
The troops reportedly made contact with the armed suspects and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the attackers to flee toward the Bafarawa axis.
Following the encounter, troops conducted further exploitation operations around Danzanke in Modachi Village and along a riverbank near a damaged bridge within the general area.
During the operation, troops rescued a civilian who had sustained gunshot wounds.
The injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while security operatives continued clearance and patrol operations across the affected communities to track the fleeing suspects and prevent further terrorist activities.
Troops Repel Terrorists, Rescue Injured Civilian in Sokoto
HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERING MUST NOT BE REDUCED TO EGO CONTESTS
By: Frank Tietie
The unfortunate events surrounding the aborted hearing of the bail application filed on behalf of Justice Crack are deeply troubling and represent a sad commentary on the administration of justice in matters affecting personal liberty and fundamental human rights.
While a lawyer who has authority to withdraw an application scheduled for hearing before a court may determine who leads a team of counsel, no lawyer possesses the unilateral authority to withdraw an application already filed on behalf of a client without the express consent and instruction of that client.
Accordingly, it was wrong for the court to have permitted the withdrawal of the bail application filed on behalf of Justice Crack by Marshall Abubakar, Esq., unless there was clear authorisation from Justice Crack himself consenting to such withdrawal. The implication of that development is grave because it further delayed the hearing of the application of a man who has already endured prolonged detention.
Equally disappointing was the conduct of every lawyer present who failed to oppose the withdrawal of the application. By allowing arguments over seniority, representation, and professional hierarchy to overshadow the urgent necessity of securing the liberty of an oppressed citizen, the entire defence team failed in its sacred duty to the cause of justice.
The position becomes even more disturbing when viewed against the provisions of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, which clearly empower the court to adopt written addresses already before it even where counsel elect not to orally move an application. In other words, there was absolutely no justification for allowing avoidable disputes among counsel to frustrate proceedings in a matter fundamentally concerning liberty and human dignity.
Human rights litigation is not a platform for personal glory, ego contests, or professional grandstanding. It is a solemn calling that demands self-effacement, sacrifice, austerity, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the protection of the human person above all else. Lawyers who undertake human rights causes must constantly remember that the suffering client and not the lawyer’s prestige remains the true centre of every struggle for justice.
The development at the court over such an insignificant procedural disagreement has understandably generated public concern and disappointment. I therefore call on the Comrade-President, Omoyele Sowore, in his capacity as the avowed defender of the oppressed as well as the family of Justice Crack, to urgently take definitive steps regarding his legal representation in order to avoid any further setbacks capable of undermining the pursuit of justice in this matter.
The liberty of a citizen must never become collateral damage in professional rivalries among lawyers.
Frank Tietie, Esq.
Human Rights Lawyer &
Executive Director,
Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER)
HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERING MUST NOT BE REDUCED TO EGO CONTESTS
Troops Neutralise Terrorist During Operation Savannah Shield in Niger State
Troops Repel Terrorists, Rescue Injured Civilian in Sokoto
Troops Discover 7,800 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
