National News
Opinion; We are Helping, not Attacking Niger
Opinion; We are Helping, not Attacking Niger
By Danjuma Ibrahim
Following the July 26 military coup that overthrew the civilian government of Mohammed Bazoum in Niger Republic, many have tended to misconstrue the resolution of the Heads of Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in response to the developments there as intention to go to war.
As the economic and political body of the region, ECOWAS has the mandate to respond to developments that threaten the peaceful coexistence of the various countries of the region. This is consistent with article 4 of the ECOWAS charter which states inter alia that ECOWAS is charged with ‘’maintenance of regional peace, stability and security through promotion and strengthening of good neighbourliness.”
The charter also charges ECOWAS with “promotion and consolidation of a democratic system of governance in each Member State as envisaged by the Declaration of Political Principles adopted in Abuja on 6 July 1991…’’
The coup that took place in Niger and the subsequent events that followed the coup was a clear violation of the principles of the ECOWAS charter, and the regional body is acting in pursuance of its mandate under the charter. For the avoidance of doubt, each member state including Niger being a signatory to the charter are obligated to comply with its provisions.
Against this background, the steps so far taken by ECOWAS to freeze diplomatic ties, target the financial assets of functionaries of the junta and deny it any form of recognition and interaction within the region are within the purview of the necessary measures to restore the democratic order in Niger which was violently and unconstitutionally disrupted by the military junta in Niger.
We must bear in mind that the coup in Niger falls into a disturbing pattern in which the military have overthrown the democratic order in several countries in the region and even beyond. The coup in Niger completes the circle of countries in the entire Sahel belt of West Africa comprising Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. If this dangerous unconstitutional contagion is not checked decisively, it might spread to engulf the entire West African sub-region.
The implication is that hard won struggles to install democracy across the countries of the region will be reversed. The peoples of the various countries of the region will come under arbitrary rule of military juntas which will set off a plethora of insurmountable challenges and exacerbate existing ones.
To arrest this untoward development, it behoves on the democratic states in the region to come together to apply robust diplomatic, political and economic measures not only to return the affected countries to democratic governance but also to act as deterrence to would be military adventurers in the remainder of the countries in the region.
This is what ECOWAS is pursuing at the moment and the military junta in Niger and indeed those in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso as well are called upon to heed the entreaties of ECOWAS, African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and well-meaning international bodies to begin the process of returning their countries to democratic rule without further delay in the interest of national and regional peaceful co-existence. Nor will any further action taken by ECOWAS to be misconstrued as “attacking Niger Republic.”
Removing the illegal junta is not the same thing as attacking Niger Republic, any more than removing Laurent Gbagbo in 2010 did not amount to an attack on Cote D’Ivoire.
***Danjuma Ibrahim
Retired Foreign Service Officer
Opinion; We are Helping, not Attacking Niger
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria
Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court
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