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In 50 Years, ECOWAS Have Never Had It This Bad With Departing Three Member Countries- ECOWAS Court PresidentMichael Olugbode in Abuja

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In 50 Years, ECOWAS Have Never Had It This Bad With Departing Three Member Countries- ECOWAS Court President
Michael Olugbode in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

The President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has lamented the situation the regional bloc is presenting facing, stating that the body which is celebrating its 50th anniversary has never had it this bad.

Speaking at the sent-forth ceremony for four of the Court staff, Dr Athanase Atannon, Dr William Towah, Mr Félicien Hounkanrin and Mr Iliyas Jonah on Wednesday in Abuja, the president of ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, said: “The path may not be easy, first of all, due to the particularly difficult situation that our Community is going through. In fact, in almost fifty years of its existence, for the first time, the ECOWAS Community is faced, at one stroke, with the departure of three countries, with all the consequences that may result: on a social level, on a financial level and on the level of security in our sub-region.”

He added that: “However, we believe that our political decision-makers will know how to take advantage of this moment to carry out a profound reflection on the path taken and what is intended for our Community in the next fifty years.

“This reflection will have to be plural, open, inclusive, participatory and its success will depend largely on the involvement of civil society in our countries.

“The path will still have challenges to be overcome [now focusing specifically on our Institution], if we consider that we will soon announce the recruitment competition for new employees.

“For this phase that is about to begin, it is our Institution’s duty to firmly commit to excellence, rigor, and individual merit. This attitude can conflict with heightened passions, personal commitments, parallel agendas, all of which are feelings and attitudes that we must tenaciously combat.”

On the challenges faced by the Court, the president said: “The problem of implementing our decisions has been highlighted as one of the greatest challenges facing our Institution. We fully agree and, along with this, we could also add the challenge of operationalizing the Court’s arbitration jurisdiction (mandate as an Arbitration Tribunal); the use of the prejudicial referral mechanism (legal advisory jurisdiction); the creation of a legal aid fund, just to name a few.”

He admitted that: “There is, however, a challenge that must be overcome as quickly as possible by the staff of this house, as this challenge appears to us to be crucial. This is the challenge of improvement and awareness on the part of our human resources.

“In an international institution like ours, professionalism, commitment and unreserved dedication, proactivity, knowledge of the profession, firm commitment to professional ethics and deontology and, above all, knowledge of the role that each person is assigned within our Institution, are crucial points that must be worked on. For some, more than others this is true, but these are certainly aspects that all employees should consider.

“This challenge falls to the staff because you are the continuity, the sap that gives life and guarantees the longevity of this Institution. We (The Court) will soon complete twenty-four years of existence. If our Institution is recognized internationally today, this is also largely due to its performance.

“But this cannot be interpreted as the end of the goal. Quite the opposite. Today, more than ever, you are all called to deeply reflect on crucial aspects of the collective existence of the Court, such as full dedication, disinterested analysis and advice, unreserved adherence to the objectives set by management, commitment to truth, rigor, honesty and respect for one another.”

On the retiring staff, he said: “They certainly had moments of uncertainty, frustration, misunderstanding and perhaps even anger. However, it could not be otherwise and there can be no surprises about it. In fact, we were warned well, at the beginning of our civilization, that in life we would face tribulations and that it could not be any different. We were given hope, however: in the end we would win, because we would never be alone.

“We are convinced that these were years of hard work, challenges overcame, valuable contributions and many shared moments, as they were “never alone”.

“Each of you leaves an indelible mark on this institution, both through your professional results and, above all, through the way you have left an impact on the people around you. Your wisdom and patience will continue to guide and inspire your colleagues. Your example and spirit of dedication will surely be a source of inspiration for many of us.”

A goodwill message read by a representative of the staff, Mr Ghislain Agbozo said: “We hope that this new chapter unfolding in each of your lives will be filled with opportunities for growth, fulfillment, and well-deserved rest. We wish you good health, so that you may enjoy your retirement pensions for many years to come, in peace and happiness. You will remain forever in our hearts and in our most vivid memories. We look forward to seeing you again—whether here in Nigeria, in Benin, Liberia, or wherever life may take you. This is not a goodbye; it is a fond farewell.”

One of the retiring staff, Mr Félicien Hounkanrin in an interview with journalists, thanked the ECOWAS Court management and staff for the elaborate celebration, stating that this has shown that the organisation is indeed a great family.

He said he would be going into his new facet of life with pride and with the feeling of having a family and friends in ECOWAS Court.

In 50 Years, ECOWAS Have Never Had It This Bad With Departing Three Member Countries- ECOWAS Court President
Michael Olugbode in Abuja

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Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation

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Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation

By: Zagazola Makama

The Ogun State Police Command has commenced investigation into the sudden death of a 20-year-old fresh graduate of Information Technology from Babcock University, Ilisan Remo.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased, identified as Akawa Boluwatife Samuel, was brought to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital by his roommates on Wednesday and was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.

Police detectives who visited the scene said one of the deceased’s roommates, Adili Leonard Chimdindu, disclosed that Boluwatife had complained of cold and difficulty in breathing on July 27, and was advised to visit the University Medical Centre.

According to him, they were on campus to complete their clearance process ahead of graduation, and the deceased had planned to return home soon.

He further stated that the deceased was in good spirits the previous night and played games on his laptop until around 11:00 p.m. He was, however, found unresponsive by morning.

Photographs of the deceased were taken, and the statement of his elder brother, Akawa Toluwanimi John, was recorded.

The body has been deposited at the university morgue for autopsy and preservation, while investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death.

Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation

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Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities

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Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities

By: Michael Mike

The Waziri Mushere and community leader in Plateau, Chief Yohana Margif has raised alarm over terrorists’ current occupation of seven villages in Mushere community after displacing the inhabitants from their ancestral homes.

Margif in a statement issued on Friday, expressed his shock over the new development, and listed the occupied villages as Hokk, Kaban, Kadim, Nawula, Dulu, Mbor and Margif.

According to him, the seven communities, which are all in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state were recently attacked and ravaged by the terrorists, who killed many of the inhabitants and displaced thousands.

He said that for over three months now, the beleaguered communities had been under relentless terrorist attacks and siege, forcing them to flee their incestral homes to take shelter at Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps.

Margif said that the Fulani invaders, who have taken over their villages, are shockingly building their tents with their cattle gracing on their farms with impunity.

He noted that this was in spite of the state government’s claim that no part of the state was under terrorists’ occupation.

He said: “Am still in a state of shock by the governor’s claim that no part of Plateau State is under the control of bandit terrorists.

“My people have been forced to live in the wilderness at this critical period of the year when they are supposed to be in their farms.

“The terrorists who were previously called unknown gunmen are now known, as they have now set up tents in our lands on which their cattle are grazing, which is visible for everybody to see,” he said.

The Labour Party chieftain and gubernatorial hopeful, who lost his bid for the Plateau State governorship seat in the 2023 elections, stressed that terrorists who have built tents and are openly carrying guns around can no longer be regarded as unknown.

He said that the reality on ground contradicted the governor’s assertion as these communities have been practically and brazenly taken over by terrorists, who have usurped their lands and livestock.

“Enough is enough of this, government has abdicated its responsibility of protecting its citizens for too long.

“Now that the terrorists’ identity is known, let the relevant authorities direct the security agencies to go after them, so that our people can return to their ancestral homes.

“The Plateau State government must take immediate and decisive actions to restore peace and security of the communities because the people deserve protection, justice and the right to live in their ancestral homes without fear,” he emphasised.

Margif suggested that government should immediately direct security agencies to flush out the terrorists from the seven affected communities and smoke them out of their well-known sanctuaries in surrounding hills.

He also urged relevant authorities to take decisive steps to address the humanitarian challenges by providing relief to the distraught inhabitants who are currently taking shelter at lDP camps.

Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities

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Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt

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Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on Friday urged corps members deployed to the state to contribute meaningfully to its development during their service year.

He made the call while declaring open the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course at the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Akko Local Government Area.

The governor represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Inuwa Ibrahim, described corps members as critical stakeholders in nation-building.

Yahaya noted that the immediate past set of corps members had contributed significantly through community development projects, youth mentorship, and empowerment programmes.

“As you serve in Gombe State, I encourage you to be part of our developmental process, contributing to the transformation of our state and the empowerment of our youth.

“Your predecessors did well in nation-building, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue on this positive path,” he said.

He assured the corps members of a safe and conducive environment to enable them serve effectively and impact their host communities positively.

“Gombe State is a safe haven, and we guarantee a conducive working environment for your activities and programmes during your service year,” Yahaya added.

In her remarks, Mrs Chinwe Nwachuku, the NYSC State Coordinator in Gombe, urged the 940 corps members to participate actively in all camp activities as a foundation for their service year.

She encouraged them to adhere to camp rules, shun negative behaviour, and uphold the core values of the NYSC.

Nwachuku also appreciated the Gombe State Government, stakeholders, and residents for their continued support and commitment to the success of the NYSC scheme in the state.

Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt

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