ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch

By: Michael Mike

The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has commended the initiative by ECOWAS to extend an invitation to the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger for the official launch of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee in Accra.

The Network, in a press statement on Tuesday, said it supports the initiative by ECOWAS to ease tensions and foster diplomacy in a bid to sustain the common heritage, shared history, and longstanding socio-cultural ties of the peoples.

The statement read: “As ECOWAS opens its doors and extends an arm of friendship and collaboration to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the Network encourages the three countries to reciprocate the gesture, upholding the spirit of good neighbourliness and cross-border cooperation. Such
cooperation is necessary now more than ever, especially as we require a concerted effort to confront matters of common interest to the subregion, such as security and trade.

“WADEMOS maintains the position that the restoration of trust and confidence between
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, on the one hand, and ECOWAS, on the other hand,
remains critical to sustaining cooperation and enhancing the free movement of goods and people. Building trust and confidence, we believe, is also critical to effectively combat the growing threat of terrorism across the subregion.

“Considering the close ties that exist among the West African peoples, WADEMOS
continues to urge the three Sahelian countries to be reconciliatory in their engagements with ECOWAS.”

WADEMOS is an independent and non-partisan network of diverse national and transnational civil society organisations and civic groups working to promote and defend democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in the West Africa region.

It mobilizes, coordinates, and leverages the collective voice and power of civil society and other pro-democracy actors, resources, and opportunities within the West Africa region to advance its mission. The current membership of WADEMOS stands at 47 spread across West Africa.

The WADEMOS Secretariat is based in Accra, Ghana.

ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch

Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations of extortion involving officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The officers, according to a viral post, allegedly extorted ₦5.2 million from a group of young men traveling from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State to Akure, Ondo State.

The Minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Babatunde Alao, noted that any officer found guilty will face the full weight of the law.

He said: “We will not tolerate any form of misconduct from our security agencies.

“We are building a paramilitary that is disciplined, professional and serve Nigeria and Nigerians with all sense of diginity and patriotism.

“On this case, we will see that justice is upheld and ensure that security personnel serve with forthrightness,” he said.

Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers

CAN holds peaceful protest in Plateau over killings of Christians

By: Zagazola Makama

The Plateau State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Jos to express concerns over the continued killing of Christians in the state.

The protest, led by the CAN State Chairman, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, commenced at about 9:43 a.m. from Favwei Junction and terminated at the New Government House, Little Rayfield.

Speaking at the Government House, Rev. Fr. Lubo and the President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) appealed to the Plateau State Government to urgently convey their message to President Bola Tinubu.

They said the protest was aimed at drawing national attention to the plight of Christian communities affected by the recent violence.

In his response, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang assured the protesters of the government’s commitment to securing the lives and property of all citizens in the state.

He noted that the Inspector General of Police had expressed readiness to deploy additional personnel to Plateau to strengthen security operations.

A formal letter of protest was presented to the governor for onward transmission to the President.

CAN holds peaceful protest in Plateau over killings of Christians