News
Tinubu Supports Direct Election into ECOWAS Parliaments, Asks Member Statrs to be Unitedl

Tinubu Supports Direct Election into ECOWAS Parliaments, Asks Member Statrs to be United
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind direct election of members of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, even as he emphasized the need for members of the subregional organisation to speak with one voice in order to cement the unity and prosperity of the area.
Members of ECOWAS Parliament have always emerged through selection from elected parliamentarians of member states. This has created endless agitation that they should instead emerge through specific direct election for places across the region.
Speaking at the inauguration of the sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday, the Nigeria’s President and Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Thursday charged leaders in the Economic Community of West African States on the need to speak with one voice for the unity and prosperity of the region.
He said: “Honourable Members as we inaugurate the sixth legislature, it is evident that we are faced with profound challenges in our region that demand our unified efforts.
“Recent political development have consequential effect on each of our member states.The wider international context in terms of security, access to markets, and climate change also presents profound challenges.
“Three Member States considering withdrawal from the community is a challenge to us.
“We must preserve the unity and integrity of our organisation. The ball is in your court as well as mine.
“At this critical junction, regional solidarity is imperative to strengthening our resilience and effectiveness as a bloc, particularly against forces that aim to divide us.
“We must not allow this. We cannot afford to remain persive and ordinary spectators, while our Community faces the threat of disintegration. We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaking.
“We must ensure that cooperation among us is strengthened with a view to building a sense of common destiny and purpose.
“No one can do this for us, we are the ones to do it, please.l take that seriously.
“In your legislative consideration and in your interaction it is very imperative that you take seriously that we have to build the economic prosperity of our region by ourselves.
“Let us forget what has happened to us in the past, we have matured and of age to build our intellectual curiosity to develop our region.
To this extent, reinforcing the legitimacy of decisions taken by authority of Heads of States, is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one body.
“It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, must show similar confidence in Parliament, respect the parliament’s resolutions, which will indeed deepen democracy in our region.
“Meanwhile, in the midst of ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth and prosperity in our region.
“Like I said earlier on, it is upon us. It is upon us. It is our responsibility to speak with one voice and make African Union from ECOWAS a central point of economic reform and foreign policy achievement. “
Declaring his support for direct election of members of the regional Parliament, Tinubu said the process will help actualize the vision 2050, which will ensure the people involvement in decision making process in the region.
He said:Am aware that the ECOWAS parliament is seeking an enhanced powers primarily through the election of its members by direct universal suffrage.
“This will increase the role the parliamentarians must play and the responsibilities they will assume in advancing our regional development objectives, particularly in harmonising laws and regulations across the member states.
“Indeed, the practice of directly electing public officers aligns with the democratic principles that Nigerians upholds as it enhances the legitimacy of democratic institutions.
“This principle is also in line with the spirit of ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance. As one time legislature myself, I look forward to reviewing the proposal regarding this matter.
“We stand to support the election into the ECOWAS Parliament.
“We believe this will ensure that citizens have direct say in their representation and legitimacy and credibility it will provide.
” Thank you for thinking very carefully on this subject. “
The president also promised that Nigeria will continue to support the regional body.
“I want to assure you, that Nigeria as the host of this very important community’s institutions, will continue to support you to achieve your objectives.”
Tinubu also added, “I am aware of the plan to have all ECOWAS’s institutions in one complex and all the good progress that has been made, Nigeria is also working to meet its responsibility to construct the ECOWAS Parliament headquarters in Abuja at the same complex.
” In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that as you conduct the business of six legislature It is my hope that your discussions will provide me the opportunity to address the prime concerns of the region and come up with resolutions that will lead to the attainment of peace and the advancement of all.
“You can stand assured that Nigeria is always ready to support the ECOWAS. The parliament in particular will be made effective and democracy will flourish if we support it and we fight for it.
The inaugural session of the Sixth Legislature of the Parliament which formally marks the commencement of the business of the legislature, is being convened in pursuant to Article 28 of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament of 2016, following the end of the Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on March 8, 2024.
The president of the ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray raised alarm of danger of disintegration of the regional body, which he said will affect all facet of life of the community.
He also noted the amount of investment made by the regional body in the three want away countries-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic which runs into $321 million.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio in his remark urged members of the regional Parliament to work in unity.
He saod, “Let us use ECOWAS to ensure that national boundaries are not Berlin walls separating kith and kin, but bridges of unity and progress.
“The road ahead is filled with new challenges and opportunities. Our task is to build upon the foundation laid by our predecessors and to forge a path towards a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future. We must strive to deepen regional integration, enhance trade and investment, and promote the free movement of goods, services, and people within our Community.
“Together, we can harness the power of collaboration, innovation, and dialogue to overcome the obstacles that lie before us. Let us remember that the strength of our Community lies in our diversity, and it is through unity and solidarity that we can overcome any adversity and achieve our shared goals.
“It is concerning that in spite of our region’s abundant natural resources and deep human capital, our region has not attained the heights envisioned by our founding fathers.
“I believe the time has come in ECOWAS and in the ECOWAS Parliament for us to play the role of Ghede, and show to each country her devil. This way we will drive all the devils of tribalism, corruption, nepotism, despotism, out of our region.
“Your participation and engagement are vital as we navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. I have no doubt that together, we will build a stronger, more prosperous, and more united West Africa.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar on his part stressed the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in fostering unity in the region.
He also urged members of the regional Parliament to ensure that their positions on key issues are harmonized with the decisions of the Authority of ECOWAS.
He said, “In the face of the various challenges confronting our region, including peace, stability, security, as well as the unity of our region, the role of the Parliament is more important than ever.
” The balance between executive, judicial and legislative arms is critical for effective, responsive and transparent governance. This was recently demonstrated by the key role played by Senegal’s judiciary in ensuring that national elections were not delayed. ECOWAS is no different. Let us remember that democracy is a process not an event. The Parliament, and other Community Institutions, are of vital importance in promoting democracy and regional stability.
” It is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our organization. Collaboration between the Commission, Court and Parliament is essential to ensure the smooth implementation of policies and programs that benefit our citizens. I encourage you to maintain constructive dialogue with other bodies and to align your efforts with the broader objectives of ECOWAS.
“Furthermore, I urge the new members of Parliament to ensure that your positions on key issues are harmonized with the decisions of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. Consistency in our collective stance will strengthen our voice on the international stage and prevent any perception of disunity within our organization.”
The outgoing Speaker of the 5th Parliament, Mohamed Tunis pleaded with the members of the Sixth parliament to pursue direct election of members.
He said, “While it is customary for each legislature to set its own agenda, I passionately appeal that the campaign for the election of Members into the ECOWAS Parliament by direct universal suffrage remains at the top of your agenda. The 5th Legislature raised a lot of awareness about the matter, and I can only hope that
the 6th Legislature will strengthen the fight for direct election, as it is a requirement for representative governance.”
Tinubu Supports Direct Election into ECOWAS Parliaments, Asks Member Statrs to be United
Crime
Herdsman loses two cows to suspected hoodlums in Adamawa

Herdsman loses two cows to suspected hoodlums in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected hoodlums have killed two cows belonging to a herdsman in Shelleng Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at about 3:30 p.m., took place in the Wuroyanka District of Shelleng.
A source in the area told Zagazola that the attackers, believed to be from Bare in Numan Local Government Area, ambushed the herder, Shehu Alhaji Yakubu, while he was grazing his cattle in the bush.
The assailants reportedly killed two of the animals before fleeing the scene.
Police and local hunters later visited the area to assess the situation and appealed for calm among residents to avoid reprisals.
A stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled to discuss measures to prevent further tension between herders and farmers in the area.
Herdsman loses two cows to suspected hoodlums in Adamawa
News
Over 600 patients receive free kidney dialysis, and other treatment on a monthly basis……………Bego

Over 600 patients receive free kidney dialysis, and other treatment on a monthly basis……………Bego
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Over 600 patients receive free dialysis and additional treatment on a monthly basis at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH), the Yobe state commissioner of information Abdulahi Bego has said.
He said that the free treatment was initiated by former Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam and was consolidated upon by the present administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
The Commissioner of information, Abdullahi Bego said that the increase of cases of Kidney diseases, mostly recorded in Jakusko, Nguru, Gashua, Yusufari and some other communities in Northern parts of the state, Governor Mai Mala Buni has came up with the continuation of the free treatment of all patients to save lives.
Bego gave this hint yesterday in an interactive session with some Journalists at the end of the 2-Day Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) 2025 Quarterly Strategy Meeting of Commissioners for information of All Progressive Congress, (APC) Governed States.
He noted that, yobe state has many cases of kidney diseases, as most of the communities on the shores of Yobe/Kumadugu River in northern part of the state suffered most”.
To address the roots causes of the incident, the Commissioner pointed out that, the State Government has established a Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre located at the College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University.
The centre is fully equipped with equipment worth billions of naira, even as it is collaborating with University of Sussex, United Kingdom and some Researchers, including a US-based Dr. Mahmoud Maina, to take the place to the next level.
Mains a British-Nigerian neuroscientist and educator whose research is focused on the cellular and molecular pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease is expected to bring his expertise to bear in the project.
The impact of the state government’s initiative according to Bego, goes beyond providing immediate relief and medical consumables, but to also delve into the root causes of the kidney disease and prescribe proactive solute. .
He also explained that, Governor Buni who have since declared a State of Emergency in the health sector, has constructed over 400-bed capacity at Mamman Ali Maternal and Child Complex hitherto commissioned by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The state of the art facility located within the premises of YSUTH, he added, is not only saving millions of lives, but also serve as referral and research centre in addressing maternal mortality in the North East region.
On social infrastructures especially roads and drainage networks within rural and urban centres, the Commissioner said that, “apart from the ongoing construction of multi billion naira Fly Over within Damaturu metropolis, the state government has completed the rehabilitation of key roads such as Katarko-Goniri and Siminti-Godowoli stretch.
Other interventions are the Geidam-Bukarti, Bayamari-Yunusari, and Yunusari-Kanamma roads, Damaturu-Kalallawa 25.5-kilometer dual carriageway, facilitating access to the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport, and the dualization of the Abattoir Junction-New Bye-pass Roundabout on Potiskum road to manage high traffic volumes.
Additional projects are the construction of roads connecting various communities, such as Damagum-Gubana, Bulanguwa-Kumagannam, Nguru-Bulanguwa, Danchuwa-Garin Abba-Garin Bingel, Chumbusko-Tagali, Nguru Highway-Karasuwa Galu town, Fika-Maluri, Jaji Maji-Karasuwa town, and Kukuri-Chukuriwa-Dawasa among others”. Bego stated.
The Commissioner further explained that Governor Buni expended N3.5 billion in building four Ultra Modern Sesame Seeds Cleansing, Processing and Packaging processing centres across the state.
These factories he said, are located in Machina, Potiskum, Nguru and Damaturu local government areas, as Yobe state is the largest producer of Sesame seeds in Nigeria as at today.
Over 600 patients receive free kidney dialysis, and other treatment on a monthly basis……………Bego
News
Man beaten to death over alleged affair with married woman in Bauchi

Man beaten to death over alleged affair with married woman in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
A 30-year-old man has been allegedly beaten to death by a husband for attempting to entice his wife in Lumbu community, Ningi Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident occurred at about 2:09 a.m. on Friday when the deceased, identified as Sanusi Tinau, allegedly visited the house of a yet-to-be-identified man to entice his wife.
The husband reportedly attacked Tinau, beating him to a state of unconsciousness before fleeing the scene.
Police operatives responded promptly, evacuating the victim to the General Hospital, Ningi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
The report said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect as investigation continues.
Man beaten to death over alleged affair with married woman in Bauchi
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