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Nigeria, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Meet to Strengthen Economic Cooperation

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Nigeria, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Meet to Strengthen Economic Cooperation

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Niger have moved to strengthen economic cooperation especially in operationalization of cross-border markets, trade and energy.

The relationship between the two neighbouring countries was near crashing after the coup d’etat that ousted democratic government in Niger and the Nigerian government leading other countries of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to place series of sanctions on Niger and two other countries of Burkina Faso and Mali who have had their civilian administration toppled.

The three countries moved ahead to further distance themselves from ECOWAS by denouncing membership of the regional bloc and subsequently forming Alliance of Sahel States or in French, Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

Though Niger and the other two countries seems to have moved on but a lot need to be done to keep the age long relationship.

Meeting in Niamey, the Nigerien capital on Wednesday the foreign affairs ministers of both Nigeria and Niger, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and Mr. Bakary Sangaré respectively had talks on building on the relationship of the two countries.

In a communique they both signed after the meeting, they disclosed the engagement was the initiative of both parties.

The communique read that: “His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf MaitamaTuggar was warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, in a spirit of brotherhood that characterizes the warm and friendly relations that have always existed between the peoples of the two countries;

“The discussions took place in a climate of great cordiality and provided an opportunity for an in-depth examination of the challenges facing the two countries and major current issues at the sub-regional, regional, and international levels;

“The two countries deliberated on various issues of mutual interest that would foster closer relations amongst the people and government of Niger and Nigeria. Some of the concerns raised were the renewed commitment to revitalise the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC), which would further consolidate the gains made so far. Furthermore, the two parties emphasized the need to strengthen economic cooperation especially in operationalization of cross-border markets, trade and energy, the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi railway, the construction of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic, Bilateral Air Services, local bilateral committees, micro-diplomacy, tariffs and taxes, desertification, good neighborliness policies, migration, tourism, education, new information and communication technologies, agriculture and livestock farming, and infrastructure. In this regard, the two Ministers agreed to cooperate and follow up on these issues through the NNJC as soon as possible;

“During their discussions, the two Ministers welcomed the quality of the relations of fraternity, friendship, cooperation, and good neighborliness that bind Niger and Nigeria, and reaffirmed their shared desire to boost and energize bilateral cooperation between the two countries, to raise it to the level of their ambitions and the legitimate expectations of their respective peoples, who aspire to peace, security, and development;

“On the security front, the two Ministers noted the terrorist threat raging along the border between the two countries, which constitutes a real obstacle to the effective implementation of all development programs initiated by the governments of their countries. Therefore, the two ministers called on the ministries of defense of both countries to continue their security cooperation;

“The delegations expressed their conviction of the need to strengthen social, political, economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation between the two countries and agreed to increase mutual exchanges at all levels, particularly through the regular holding of meetings of the committees of experts, the Council of Ministers, and the High Authority of the Niger-Nigeria Joint Cooperation Commission;

“To this end, the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs have expressed the need to set up a Joint Consultative Forum that will bring together all relevant stakeholders of both countries to address their common challenges and explore further opportunities for the benefit of their citizens;

  1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigerien abroad, His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, expressed his sincere thanks to his brother and Nigerian counterpart for his visit to Niamey. He requested him to convey the gratitude and appreciation of the President of the Republic, Head of State, Government, and people of Niger to the Government and people of Nigeria;
  2. His Excellency, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar expressed his thanks to the Government and people of the Republic of Niger for the hospitality and warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and invited His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré to pay an official working visit to Nigeria. This invitation was warmly accepted, and the date will be communicated through diplomatic channels.”
  3. Nigeria, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Meet to Strengthen Economic Cooperation
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IJAP Affirms INEC Chairman’s Call for End to Courtroom Elections, Reiterates Urgent Reform Agenda

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IJAP Affirms INEC Chairman’s Call for End to Courtroom Elections, Reiterates Urgent Reform Agenda

By: Michael Mike

The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), led by Hon. Justice Adekunle Owoade (Rtd) has commendsed the recent proactive statements made by the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, regarding the need to end the era of endless court battles over election results.

IJAP noted that Professor Amupitan’s emphasis on the necessity for robust legal frameworks, genuine internal democracy within political parties, and his challenge that “Elections must be won at the polling units, not in the courtroom,” is a welcome and highly encouraging statement, stressing that this commitment perfectly aligns with the extensive recommendations developed through its rigorous analysis of post-election justice delivery in Nigeria.

A statement on Wednesday said IJAP’s position, articulated during its 3rd session (September 30 – October 3, 2025), is clear: the current fragility of our electoral process is deeply rooted in the lack of consistency with legal principles of fairness, equity, and compliance with the electoral legal framework.

“We strongly urge the new INEC leadership to immediately prioritise the following critical recommendations made by the Technical Working Group of the Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP – Justice):

“Pre-election matters should be determined before the election to ensure fairness, prevent multiplicity of actions and enhance election administration.

“The levels of redress for pre-election matters should be reviewed as follows: House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship elections should have two steps/levels ending at the Court of Appeal, while Presidential pre-election matters should start from Court of Appeal and end at the Supreme Court.

“Primaries not conducted in adherence to INEC regulations & guidelines should be invalidated. Stringent rules and sanctions should determine elevated electoral crimes, and parties should be prohibited from holding public office for five years in case of disqualification.

“INEC Regulations should be separated from the guidelines and gazetted.

“The punishment for electoral offences in the Electoral Act, 2022 (Electoral Act) should be revised to elevate serious offences to a level that disqualifies the political parties and/or candidates from elections.”

IJAP also acknowledged that several bills currently before the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review align with the panel’s reform objectives, demonstrating legislative interest in addressing electoral flaws.

It added that notably, while some progress is reflected in the proposed Electoral Bill 2025, specifically the increase in fines for certain electoral offences, IJAP maintained that this measure is insufficient. The panel strongly reiterated its demand that any revised laws must include the automatic disqualification of candidates and political parties found guilty of serious electoral offences. IJAP emphasized that mere fines are inadequate as a deterrent, especially against deep-pocketed political actors, and that only the threat of direct exclusion can restore integrity to the electoral process.”

IJAP, also in the statement signed by Hon. Justice Adekunle Owoade (rtd), said: “Our independent assessment shows that one key to ending courtroom elections is that INEC should not be a statutory party in election petitions. Professor Amupitan has the unique opportunity to leverage the judiciary’s expertise, as envisioned by IJAP, to institutionalize these reforms. This is the moment for INEC to act decisively and cement its position as a truly independent umpire, safeguarding the will of the people expressed at the polling unit, not the whims of lawyers in the courtroom.”

IJAP Affirms INEC Chairman’s Call for End to Courtroom Elections, Reiterates Urgent Reform Agenda

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Marwa: Challenge of Drug Scourge Remains Monumental, Needs More Work to Be Done

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Marwa: Challenge of Drug Scourge Remains Monumental, Needs More Work to Be Done

…Discloses 45,853 Arrests Made, 8.5m kilogrammes of Drugs Seized, 9,263 Convicted in 30 months

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) has said the challenge of drug scourge in the country still remains monumental and as such there’s need for more work to be done.

Marwa, while disclosing that 45,853 arrested were made, 8.5 million kilogrammes of drugs seized, and 9,263 persons convicted in 30 months, commended officers of the agency for raising the momentum of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country in the past two and a half years of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The commendation was given on Wednesday by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) during a presentation of commendation letters and awards to 220 personnel for outstanding performance in the discharge of their duties and the decoration of 15 senior officers with new higher ranks.

In his remark at the event, Marwa said: “Today, we specifically recognize those who have gone above and beyond. We celebrate those who, despite facing immense danger and relentless temptation, chose the path of integrity, selflessness, and uncompromising adherence to our mandate.

“Your commitment to the renewed hope agenda of the administration of President Tinubu has yielded tremendous results in the past 30 months on our two major planks of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, leading to 45,853 arrests; seizure of over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs; and conviction of 9,263 offenders; with 26,613 drug users counselled and rehabilitated in our treatment facilities across the country, while a total of 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities were conducted in schools, work places, markets, motor parks, worship centres and communities among others within the same period.”

The anti-drug czar while noting that he has upheld the tradition of hosting the commendation and awards ceremony in the last four and a half years to appreciate and encourage officers, men and women who have distinguished themselves in the line of duty, said the challenge of the drug scourge still remains monumental and as such there’s need for more work to be done.

“Without mincing words, the challenge we face is monumental. Drug abuse, trafficking, and the associated criminal enterprises represent a direct and existential threat to the social fabric, economic stability, and national security of Nigeria. They fuel crime, corrupt our youth, and provide resources for terrorism and insurgency.

“But for every kilogramme of cocaine intercepted, for every clandestine laboratory dismantled, for every major drug kingpin apprehended, a critical blow is delivered to these criminal networks. These victories, are no doubt the direct result of your dedication.”

He said the reward system he established is to maintain the momentum and keep the workforce in optimal condition—both materially and mentally, while ensuring high morale. “This is why we uphold our tradition of rewarding key virtues: hard work, loyalty, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, honesty, courage, and obedience. In addition to the traditional incentives such as promotions, training, and others (which we continue to work towards), we introduced this reward system: the CCEO Commands Awards and Commendations. This has become one of the primary ways management expresses appreciation for the efforts of the NDLEA workforce.

“If anything, our faith in the reward system has been proven right. Over the past four and a half years, we have witnessed an improvement in both the individual and collective ethos of our workforce. However, let us not forget that each gathering to celebrate and honour our finest efforts serves as a reminder to all officers of this noble agency that there is still much work to be done.

“For decades, we lagged behind, constrained by a lack of resources and limited capacity. Now that we are gaining momentum with increased capacity, we must work to roll back the influence and dismantle the structures put in place by drug cartels, using the full force of the law. In carrying out your duties, it is essential to operate within the parameters of our SOPs. Adhering to these guidelines ensures your protection”, he charged.

He expressed appreciation to local and international partners for believing in the Agency and supporting its efforts. “I cannot proceed without thanking our media partners for their collaboration and partnership in supporting our efforts. I would also like to express our gratitude to UNODC, INL, the UK Border Force, the French government, and the Government of Germany for their invaluable contributions.

“At home, we owe a great deal of thanks to the Senate Committee on Narcotic Drugs and the House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, who, particularly over the past years, have been immensely supportive and crucial to the growth of the NDLEA as an institution. “Similarly, we extend our gratitude to the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation as well as the Judiciary as an arm of Government. We must also express our deepest thanks to the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. We are where we are today because of the unwavering support we have received from these institutions, and we are optimistic that this support will continue, enabling us to fulfil our mandate of making Nigeria a drug-free country. Finally, we thank Nigerians for embracing the reforms we’ve implemented and for continuing to be one of our strongest partners”, he added

Marwa: Challenge of Drug Scourge Remains Monumental, Needs More Work to Be Done

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Chief of Air Staff vows to build a fearless, intelligent and combat-ready Air Force

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Chief of Air Staff vows to build a fearless, intelligent and combat-ready Air Force

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kyaoka Aneke, on Wednesday delivered a stirring and inspiring address before the Senate, declaring his unwavering commitment to build a “lethal, intelligent and combat-ready” Nigerian Air Force that will defend the nation with precision, discipline and purpose.

Speaking with rare candour and conviction, Aneke said his duty as Air Chief was not just a professional obligation, but a sacred covenant between the Air Force and the Nigerian people.

“As the Chief of the Air Staff, my duties are very clear, direct and simple to secure the lives, liberties and aspirations of Nigerians through the instrument of air power,” he said.

“This is not merely a professional mandate. It is a sacred trust between the Nigerian Air Force and the people we serve.”

Aneke, a battle-tested pilot and strategic thinker, told lawmakers that every decision he makes, every policy he drafts and every mission he authorises will be driven by a single objective to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and preserve peace.

“Every decision I make will be guided by one purpose to protect our people and ensure that the Nigerian Air Force remains the shield of the nation,” he said.

He vowed to transform the Air Force into a force of speed, precision and intelligence capable of overwhelming threats before they emerge.

“If confirmed, I will dedicate myself to building a combat-ready Air Force one that is operationally versatile, disciplined and lethal,” he declared.

“I use the word lethal in a professional sense, because a man running from you will not have the time to sit down and plan. The Nigerian Air Force will respond swiftly, strike precisely and act intelligently across the full spectrum of military operations.”

Aneke said his vision was anchored on training, technology, safety and strategic innovation, noting that true military power is not measured by brute force but by superior intellect and adaptability.

“When you find yourself in a battle, it is not the strength you have that matters. It is the brain you have that solves the problem,” he said.
“We must use technology wisely and meet our adversaries with intelligence, not just strength.”

The Air Chief, known for his pragmatic leadership style, pledged to deepen inter-agency synergy, especially with the Navy and Army, to ensure unified and effective operations.

“I have served with the Navy and seen firsthand the challenges of joint operations. I will energise and strengthen collaboration among all the services. Together, we will fight as one force for one nation,” he said.

On the question of funding, Aneke offered a blunt but insightful reminder about the real cost of national security.

Aviation is a very expensive business,” he told the senators. You may hear N1.2 billion and think it is a lot, but in the aviation environment, that is like a spoon fetching from the ocean. To train one pilot or fire one missile costs tens of thousands of dollars and we do this every day.”

He appealed for sustained legislative support, insisting that national defence must never be compromised by budgetary hesitation.

“The Armed Forces is that part of government which you must spend money on and hope not to use,” he said.

“If you do not have it, you are a chicken waiting for the hawk. But if you have it, you can look anyone in the face and defend your country with pride.”

Drawing from his experience flying alongside top airmen in the United States and across the world, Aneke said Nigerian officers command respect globally for their professionalism, discipline and intellect.

“I have flown with Americans and officers from other nations. They respect us. A Nigerian is a proud person anywhere in the world all we need is support,” he said.

He concluded his address with an impassioned pledge to the nation:

“I will lead an Air Force that is fearless in the face of danger, relentless in the pursuit of excellence, and uncompromising in the defence of our homeland. We will make Nigeria proud.”

The Senate applauded Aneke’s vision, describing his words as both inspiring and reassuring a reflection of renewed determination within the Nigerian Air Force to defend the nation with courage, intelligence and strength.

Chief of Air Staff vows to build a fearless, intelligent and combat-ready Air Force

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