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Senate President cautions regional leaders against dictatorship

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Senate President cautions regional leaders against dictatorship

Senate President cautions regional leaders against dictatorship

By: Michael Mike, Abuja

Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan has advised political leaders in West Africa to desist from dictatorship and allow for wide ranges of ideas as envisioned in democracy.

Speaking at the opening of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament in Abuja, Lawan also appealed for regional integration noting that it would promote commerce, trade, investment, collective economic growth and the wellbeing of the region.

According to him: “Regional integration is for instance, core to us all and has demanded attention, because of its importance to our commerce, trade, investment, collective economic growth and wellbeing of our people.”

He said: “Strengthening democracy is significant for the representative qualities of the governance system, and for stimulating integration and involvement of the large spectrum of the citizenry and against the background of pockets of threats to its sustenance in some of our countries

“Democracy has become priceless as a system of government bearing in mind the weakness of dictatorship and the strengths in democracy. As parliamentarians, we 3a bastion of culture of democracy and the onus is always on us to portray its core essences, including freedom, opportunities, growth and development.”

Lawal also urged all regional leaders to adopt the system of continuity in order to improve institutions and productivity, efficiency and efficacy.

On his part, the Deputy Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase while speaking to journalists at the session also stressed the need for regional integration as the key essence of promoting development and growth amongst the ECOWAS region.

“Nigeria has been doing alot in calming tempers. We called on our own in Sierra Leone and other countries that have problems of insecurity and the challenge of coup d’etat. Our intervention also in Gambia can not be overemphasized. We have been there for our brothers, so Nigeria is doing it best”.

Speaking on the challenges of insecurity in the subregion, the Deputy Speaker said the Members of the ECOWAS parliament were doing their best to curb the menace.

“Security is everybody’s business, we need the support of the entirety of the subregion to be able to solve the problem. The challenges of arms from Libya finding their way into the country is another issue. Talking about collaboration, in terms of ourselves as Members of Parliament, I believe we are doing our best to stem the insecurity in the region. We are doing our best in exposing, arresting and prosecuting”.

Earlier, the Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Sidie Tunis, assured the parliament of its willingness to discuss the issue of direct election during one of its meetings that will take place on January 22 in the republic Togo.

Also Read: Jos Prison Attack: 11 killed, 252 inmates on the run

“In January 2022, we will be holding another meeting in Togo and we are going to deal with the issue of direct election extensively.

“I wish to report to you that we are making significant moves in our quest for Direct Election of Members into the ECOWAS Parliament. You may wish to recall that during the 2nd Extraordinary Session in Winneba, Ghana, we requested His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State & Government to serve as champion of the project. Recall also that we requested His Excellency Mohamadou Issoufou, former President of the Republic of Niger and former Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State & Government, to serve as Chief Advocate, while  His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Chambas, former President of the ECOWAS Commission, former Secretary-General, Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) and the former Special Representative for the Secretary General and the Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa was requested to serve as Assistant Chief Advocate. Having been assured of their excellencies concurrence, we set out to address the following key areas: The modalities for the conduct and financing of the election of Members to the ECOWAS Parliament; The electoral Code for the election; as well as the proposal for the code of conduct for Candidates in the election”. 

Meanwhile, the Speaker also said the main focus of the current session was to deliberate on the 2022 budget of the ECOWAS parliament and to ensure that it addresses the current realities of the people.

“This session, otherwise known as the “Budget Session”, provides the opportunity, in accordance with provisions of the Supplementary Act, for Parliament to ensure that the estimates are directed towards programs that address the needs of the people. Here, I make specific reference to Article 17.2a, which states that “after the consideration of the budget by the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC), the report of the AFC on the budget shall be presented to Parliament during the Parliamentary Budget Session.” In fulfillment of this statutory responsibility, we are expected to render opinions, including where necessary, proposals for the amendment to the draft community budget”.

Senate President cautions regional leaders against dictatorship

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Nigeria Partners UNICEF To Train 20m Youth In Digital Skills By 2030

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Nigeria Partners UNICEF To Train 20m Youth In Digital Skills By 2030

** As VP Shettima chairs Generation Unlimited board

By: Our Reporter

The Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed its strategic partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to train and empower 20 million young Nigerians with digital skills by 2030.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima has accepted to chair the board of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a public-private-youth partnership platform constituted to help young Nigerians between the ages of 10 and 24 transition from learning to earning through digital connectivity.

Speaking during a meeting with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall; UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, and Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, at the President Villa, Abuja on Monday, Senator Shettima warned that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, currently estimated at over 230 million with an average age of 17, presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

“It is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA). This platform provides a vista of opportunities for our young people. Beyond rhetoric, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward,” the Vice President said.

The GenU 9JA initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive development, digital innovation, and youth empowerment as tools for national transformation.

VP Shettima stressed that Nigeria is not seeking handouts but sustainable, equitable partnerships.

“We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship—one based on respect and shared interests. This is why I’m very passionate about the digital initiative. Beyond leadership in our enlightened self-interest, if we want to live in this part of the world, we have to involve them, we have to empower them,” he said.

The VP described the initiative as a beautiful programme that would enable the Nigerian youths trade their skills in the global market, saying “from earning to learning is a beautiful initiative and more than any other platform, the digital space gives us the easiest window to get the youth engaged effortlessly.

“They can trade their skills in the global market. I know of a lot of young Nigerians who are working for global firms from the comfort of their homes,” he added.

Earlier, UN Resident Coordinator, Fall, praised Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the GenU platform is central to addressing youth unemployment, educational inequality, and digital exclusion.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youth-focused initiatives—skills, digital access, and employment—are critical. And GenU is helping to drive those priorities,” Fall said.

Also, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Khan, added that GenU 9JA is one of UNICEF’s most successful global youth empowerment programmes, with Nigeria showcased as a model.

“We’ve seen incredible results from Nigeria. Few countries globally have recorded the level of youth impact that GenU 9JA has achieved,” she said.

According to Khan, the programme is built on three pillars: digital connectivity, pathways from learning to earning, and youth engagement and empowerment—all designed to prepare Nigerian youth for today’s job market.

On her part, UNICEF Lagos Chief, Celine Lafoucriere, noted that since its launch in 2022, GenU 9JA has impacted over 10 million young people, with 1,500 job linkages already secured.

“To reach our target of 20 million youth by 2030, we must now strengthen coordination among partners and align even more closely with national policy,” Lafoucriere said.
End

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OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT

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OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders at the just concluded four-day strategic Obafemi Awolowo University Council Management Retreat have resolved to work together and use their respective expertise towards the development of the institution.

Rising from the retreat held from May 28 to May 31, 2025 at Ede, Osun state, the Stakeholders used the opportunity to restrategise on challenges and opportunities confronting the 63 years old institution.

The retreat tagged: “Towards A Better Working Relationship Between Council and Management” had Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan as the keynote speaker.

Other stakeholders in attendance include Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Pro-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Bamire, OAU Vice Chancellor, his DVC Administration, Prof. O.M.A. Daramola and newly elected Great Ife Alumni Association President, Barrister Leye Bunmi Falode.

Others in attendance were Prof. M. Olubola Babalola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development and all other principal officers of the University which include the Registrar, Librarian and the Bursar.

All the registered unions like ASUU, CONUA, Students Union Government among other stakeholders at the institution were equally in attendance during the retreat.

In his goodwill message, Barrister Falode used the opportunity to unveil the Alumni 14-point agenda which include giving priority to the needs of the University as the Federal Government allocation alone cannot sustain it.

He also said that working together with all stakeholders in a rancour-free atmosphere is what they need to achieve all the set goals of the Alumni for the university.

Falode, who was sworn in as Global President on Saturday May 24, however, urged all stakeholders to work in harmony with the management and Council of the Institutions towards making it a true centre of academic excellence.

OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT

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ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment

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ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment

By: Michael Mike

The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves on Monday emphasised the critical need for transparent financial management and strategic institutional reform as the Court navigates a defining moment in its administrative evolution.
 
Speaking at the 17th Administration and Budget Retreat of the Court, the President said the retreat was not merely a routine institutional exercise, but one that requires renewed commitment, clear vision, and adaptive leadership.
 
“This is not just another meeting,” he said. “It is a decisive moment that will shape the future of the Court. The complex administrative and financial environment we are operating in, demands not only compliance but also innovation, resilience, and courage.”
 
Gonçalves stressed the importance of building a more efficient and accountable institutional framework. He called for a renewed sense of purpose among departments, urging managers and staff to embrace transparency and creativity in tackling challenges.
 
“The Court must reflect a strong strategic direction and realign its priorities to match regional realities. We cannot afford to be passive. We must act decisively to redefine our priorities, streamline our procedures, and reinforce our core mission”.
 
Highlighting the economic challenges facing the West African region, the President underscored the need for efficient use of financial resources and ensure that all initiatives, are results-oriented, impactful, and aligned with the Court’s long-term vision.
 
He emphasised that the Court must serve as a model of integrity, foresight, and adaptability: “We are not only managing numbers; we are shaping the future of regional justice. Our financial and administrative actions must match the responsibility we carry as custodian of community law.
 
The President called for the consolidation of strategic plans into concrete, measurable reforms and encouraged collaboration across departments to foster a professional and inclusive working environment, one that motivates, empowers, and attracts talent.
 
The Director of Administration and Finance of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Chief Dr. William Deiyan Towah who made a presentation on the «Objectives and Expectations of the Retreat,” emphasised the importance of strategic reflection, data-driven planning, and institutional renewal. He urged participants to go beyond routine planning and embrace a future-ready approach that prioritises impact, sustainability, and risk management.
 
“This is not just about doing our best,” he stated. “It is about ensuring our efforts are effective, sustainable, and align with the Court’s evolving realities.”

Participants at the retreat include directors, heads of divisions and units, administrative and finance staff and other key staff of the Court.

ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment

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