As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commemorates its 49th anniversary on May 28, the President of the commission, Omar Touray said insecurity has continued to threaten the region despite its achievements.

Touray’s assertion was contained in a statement made available to THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, where he called on the region, to regardless,
recall some of the commission’s positive results.

“These achievements can be seen in many areas including free movement of our people, intra-community trade, regional energy, and transport infrastructure, governance as well as in peace and Security.

“ECOWAS may have realised many achievements, but the Community continues to face a number of challenges.

“As we celebrate our 49th anniversary, insecurity continues to threaten our region.

“Some of our member states are battling terrorist groups on a daily basis and a large number of our population face displacement and food insecurity.”

Touray noted that it was pertinent that the region stays united to successfully win the war against insecurity. “But it is our unity which now stands threatened,” he said.

He called on the member states to do everything to preserve the unity, even as it aligns with the theme of this year’s anniversary: ‘Strengthening regional unity, peace and security’.

The theme, according to Touray was chosen to reflect the region’s current challenges and the need to work to preserve regional unity and peace as envisioned by its founding fathers like General Yakubu Gowon who ensured the security and integrity of the region was protected.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our leaders, both past and present, members of the Community as well as the staff of all ECOWAS institutions and agencies for the sacrifices they make every day to promote our community objectives.

“I would also like to extend my gratitude to all our local and international partners for their consistent support to ECOWAS in the implementation of the various community projects and programmes.

“We are convinced that in unity, we will preserve peace and strengthen our actions for the security of our Member States and our people.

“Through unity, we will preserve regional stability and the harmonious political and socio-economic development of our community,” Touray said.

The leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, has backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration on the step taken to grant the 774 local government areas in the country full autonomy.

This was contained in a congratulatory message marking the first year anniversary of President Tinubu.

The statement was signed by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.

Ajayi quoted Pa Fasoranti as expressing delight on some bold steps that the President has taken in the last one year aimed at repositioning Nigeria adroitly.

“Before, during and after the Presidential election that brought you into the office last year, I gave you some ideas regarding how to tackle some challenges that Nigeria faced – and still faces. We also spoke about some of these issues when I led Afenifere delegation to your office in Abuja last month.”

“I’m happy to note that, in line with your promises, you are making efforts at implementing policies that will enhance the situation of our dear country and better the lot of the people,” Pa Fasoranti stated.

The nonanegarian said that the reforms initiated by the government have the prospect of revamping the country’s economy and reducing the mutual distrust among the ethnic nationalities in the country.

According to Ajayi, the Leader particularly commended Tinubu on his government’s effort to rescue local governments from the strangulating grip of state governors.

“It’s undebatable that local government is the closest to the people. For, it is through it that the people at the grassroots can effectively feel the impact of the government.

“As the situation is presently however, the tight grip that state governors have on local governments is seriously denying the people of the benefits they should, by right, be deriving from their local governments.

“It’s in this respect that Pa Fasoranti, described the latest step taken by the Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi on behalf of the federal government as a step in the right direction”, Ajayi quoted Fasoranti who is also the Asiwaju of Yoruba, as saying.

While expressing optimism that steps being taken by the government will soon soothe the pains of Nigerians, Fasoranti called on President Tinubu to further look in the direction of infrastructure such as power and transport among others.

“Security is an important factor in any social equation. For, it’s in a situation where people are secured that they would be able to confidently engage in activities that will boost the economy and enhance inter-personal relationships.

“In order to institutionalize reforms being made, accelerate developments, enhance people’s participation in governance and engender the desired new Nigeria, there is the urgent need to restructure the country.

“Restructuring will deepen people’s participation in governance, boost the creativity of Nigerians and guarantee the future of the country”.

The President and Commander-in- chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Wednesday deliver an address at the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives to mark 25 years of democracy/Legislature in Nigeria.

The President is also expected to commission the new National Assembly Library as part of the events slated for the 25 years celebration.

The joint sitting to commemorate Nigeria’s unbroken democracy will be the first of its kind by the National Assembly since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

The two chambers only sit jointly during the budget presentation by the President. However, Wednesday’s sitting will be historic in the country’s democracy.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Clerk to the national assembly, Sani Magaji.

The statement reads, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to deliver an address at the Joint sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday.”

“The President is also expected to commission the new National Assembly Library as part of the events slated for the 25 years celebration.”

“Also expected to attend the joint session in the national assembly are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and governor of Kwara State, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.”

“The chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, who is the governor of Imo State, Gov. Hope Uzodinma; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.”

“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike; the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Magaji Tambuwal, the Senior Special Assistants to the President for both the Senate and the House, among others.”

“There will be commemorative lectures on 25 Years of the National Assembly: Lessons & Opportunities at the joint sitting.”

“While Gbajabiamila, who served as the Speaker of the 9th House (2019-2023) will deliver a paper on ‘Reflections on the House’, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) David Mark, GCON, the President of the 6th & 7th Senate (2007-2015), will speak on ‘Reflections on the Senate.”

“Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, will also deliver a paper on’ Reflections on the Journey to Democracy.”

A former member of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Yusuf has dismissed the possibility of a merger between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023, Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar.

Yusuf spoke in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

Recall that talks of a merger between Obi and Atiku became public conversation following a meeting between the two politicians a few weeks ago.

Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the PDP before the former joined LP in the leadup to the 2023 poll.

Speaking on the proposed merger, Tajudeen said he does not see both Obi and Atiku working together in 2027.

He said, “They have worked together before in 2019. It would not be out of place if they work together again. I am not in their minds but I don’t see the possibility.”

According to Yusuf, Atiku’s comment after the meeting and other roadblocks make an alliance between the duo a herculean task.

Yusuf said, “They met a few days ago and after the meeting, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar came out to say he will continue to contest as long as he’s alive and healthy.

“To me, that was to send a signal to those, especially the media, who were running with the notion that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar might step down and shelve his political ambition for Peter. But the follow-up statement a week later clarified that.”

Yusuf said both men may contest the poll in 2027 which makes talks of a merger difficult.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says non-enrollment of school-age children in the state  will now be criminalised.

He warned that parents and guardian who don’t register their children or wards of school age will be seriously penalised. 

He issued the admonition while speaking at Umuahia Township Stadium during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration.

He stated that the policy will receive a legislative backing from the Abia State House of Assembly which would prescribe a penalty for offenders.

“From now on it is an offence for any child that is of school age not to be sent to school. 

“We are going to back that up with a legislation and that legislation will prescribe penalties for any parent who refuses to bring out his child for education,” he said.

He also disclosed that there will be scholarship for children whose parents are financially disadvantaged, to ensure that every child of school age goes to school, promising that no child in the state would be marginalized or molested.

He further abolished payment of levies for special books by students of the school for the blind, Afaraukwu, and donated a bus to them.

The governor, who broke down in tears at Umuahia Township Stadium while taking salute from pupils, said he was pained by the plight of the children with special needs like the deaf.

He apologized to Abia children for the past administrations which owed teachers salaries and environments left to rot.

The House of Representatives has announced plans to investigate allegations of widespread financial misappropriation in the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, disclosed this during an investigative hearing regarding petitions from contractors. The petitions concern the payment of N510 million to contractors who did not participate in the bidding process. This hearing was convened by the House Committee on Procurement, chaired by Hon. Unyime Idem.

At the hearing last Tuesday, Hon. Unyime Idem presented the petitions to the Minister, addressing the issue of the N510 million payments to non-participating contractors.

He said: “The matter that brought all of us here this afternoon is about a petition that was brought to us last month. The petition is about some projects in your ministry to the tune of N510 million that were bidded and subsequently award letter was given to the bidders, that is the contractors.

“But surprisingly, while some of the contractors according to their claims said they have executed the projects and some said they were still waiting to get mobilisation from your Ministry to enable them execute the projects, they were shocked to know that some of those projects were already paid for by the Ministry of Finance.

“From their discoveries, when they visited the Ministry of Finance and they found out that while either the money they spent to execute the contracts were not paid or the request they made in your Ministry asking for mobilisation was not paid and the Ministry told them that all those projects we’re paid for.

“And unfortunately they paid into the wrong account. What I mean by wrong account is that the people they paid the money to or the contractor they paid the money to, did not take part in the bidding process they were not given award letters but were surprised too that the money were paid to the account that did not take part in the entire procurement process.

“So, the contractors numbered about 10 came to the National Assembly to protest of irregularity that is going on regarding the process. In fact, they described the process as procurement fraud, that it’s incumbent upon the Committee in charge of Procurement to come to their rescue by asking the Ministry to reverse the N510 million from the wrong accounts that the money were paid to, to their own accounts.

“Because they claimed that some of them have already done the job while some said that ‘wait they are waiting for mobilization’. So, that’s why we are here,” the lawmaker noted.

Idem further disclosed that the Committee has written the office of the Accountant General, to furnish this Committee with the position of this alleged malpractice or fraud that is rocking this particular contract. We wrote to that office and they have given us the details of the payment they have made in respect to the projects in question.

“So, we have those documents with us here, so we’d like to hear from you because I think the last time we met I gave the Ministry the assignment to contact the Ministry of Finance and Accountant General to confirm if the documents submitted to us are anything to rely on in terms of being the evidence before this committee.

“So, I don’t know whether you have been able to confirm what we sent to you or whether you have gotten independent information regarding these transactions?”

Hon. Udem also affirmed that there are some of the aggrieved contractors present during the investigative hearing.

In her intervention, Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Ogbara who expressed displeasure over the inordinate attitude of the Minister to the Committee, argued that she has not been cooperative despite all efforts made to synergize with her.

She said: “I’ve got so many petitions already against her. Even the people working with the Ministry, have complained that she works alone.

“Apart from the excuse she has given that she wants to try and get her people to come with her, the Perm Sec and relevant personnel that need to appear before this Committee, I will just want to appeal to the chairman to give her time, not too long because we also inviting her from the Committee on Women Affairs very soon.

“The notice is already out, I don’t know whether they’ve sent it to her office. So, we also invited her, because I don’t understand, I have been trying to work cordially with her as a woman. As women supporting women, we should work together, but when you’re trying to work with somebody and the person is not even trying to learn or trying to work in the way you expect.

“Now, there are so many petitions, diversion of money, misappropriation of funds, people’s jobs in the Ministry. You just misappropriate paned the money, anyway, anyhow from all the complaints that we have got, so we are going to invite her from the Committee as well, and I want the Chairman to choose the nearest day possible.

“All the personnel she’s talking about, they are right there, they are indoors in the Ministry, if you want them to come tomorrow morning, they should be here. Even when the Committee went to the Ministry on oversight, they didn’t have records to show and they were just mixing up different things, with different terminology, misappropriated a lot of funds for different projects, they used the same name just turn it to another name, you know, duplication of contracts and all that. I can go on and on,” Ogbara lamented.

In response to the inquiry, Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye said: “after we came here the last time, the information given by the Accountant General’s office was wrong, they gave you totally wrong information.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the seizure of N10.7m traced to Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT), Cotonou in Benin Republic University.

Recall the Federal Government of Nigeria sometime in 2023, set up a committee to investigate activities of degree mills in the university.

The panel was set up by the Federal Ministry of Education following an investigative report, exposing the activities of degree mills in Benin Republic.

However, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) through its spokesman, Demola Bakare, in a press statement on Monday evening, said N10.7m was traced to the account of Togboui Gnadzo Soncy Koakli, Vice Chancellor of the University.

According to Bakare, an ex-parte motion filed by Aniekan Ekong, Esq on behalf of ICPC before Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, alleged that the money, found in account number 1007884857 domiciled in Zenith Bank, was proceeds of degree racketeering.

The ICPC legal counsel had informed the court on how ICPC acted on intelligence and launched an investigation into an alleged criminal conspiracy and degree racketeering involving Togboui and his agents, the promoters of Access Institute of Advance Learning (AIAL) supposedly based in Kano.

Bakare gave the names of the promoters as Mubarak Hamza Adam, and Abdullahi Shehu Yusuf as well as one Abdulrahma Hadi Badamosi of the Federal College of Education, Kano.

According to the prosecutor, the group was investigated for alleged involvement in issuing fake degrees to Nigerians for a fee and explained to the court that they usually collect money from Nigerians desiring to procure degrees from ESGT and share it with Togboui.

Ekong further explained that some of their victims paid in cash while others paid through bank transfers as tendered before the court.

Meanwhile, the court granted the request made by the Commission for the interim forfeiture of the N10.7m.

The court also ordered for the publication of the said Preservation Order in a widely circulating national newspaper calling upon any interested party to show cause why the forfeiture should not be made.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) Abubakar Kyari, on Monday, said N309bn was used to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country.

Abubakar Kyari, at the ministerial briefing in Abuja, said 6,750 tons of wheat were imported from Mexico and 5,500 seeds procured and sourced locally.

According to Kyari, the move followed the President’s directive, to step up a plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops

Speaking on the development, Kyari said, “In the last year, in the area of food and nutrition security, we launched the dry season farming with cultivation of 118,657 hectares of wheat in 15 states.

“We launched that all-year round farming in November in Jigawa State which has the largest share of the 118,000 hectares with 40,000 allocated to it.

“I am happy to announce that at the end of the season, Jigawa had produced 55,000 thereby exceeding the allocated 40,000 by 15,000 hectares.

“We also supported 107,429 wheat farmers with inputs resulting in an output of 474,628 metric tons of wheat that was given, a 50 per cent subsidy of all inputs, fertilizer, agrochemicals as herbicides and insecticides and also seeds, wheat seeds, free of charge”.

Kyari also said, that to tackle food inflation, the ministry commenced the distribution of 60,432mt of improved seeds, 887,255mt of seedlings, 138 value kits, 501,726 litres of agrochemicals, 62,328.5mt of inorganic fertilisers, 1,000kg fungicide, and 33,200 equipment to farmers across different value chains to enhance production.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said that the controversial national carrier, Air Nigeria, remains suspended Indefinitely.

The minister disclosed this on Monday during the ministerial briefing to mark the one year anniversary of president Bola Tinubu.

The former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika unveiled Nigeria Air few days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

However, the controversial national carrier was suspended in August when the new aviation minister announced the suspension of Air Nigeria over ownership concerns.

In his update to Nigerians, Keyami said the contract was unfair to indigenous players.

Keyamo said, “It remains suspended. It was never Air Nigeria. It was not Air Nigeria. That’s the truth. It was only painted Air Nigeria. It was Ethiopian Airlines trying to fly our flag.

“If it is so, why not allow our local people to fly our flag. Why bring a foreigner to fly our flag? So nobody should dispute that it was Air Nigeria.

“Air Nigeria must be indigenous, must be wholly Nigerian, and must be for the full benefits of Nigeria, not that 50 percent of the profit is for another country.”

The prolonged suspension is happening amidst the probe of Sirika by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over N5.8bn alleged fraud.

Sirika, his brother Ahmad Abubakar Sirika and two companies Enginos Nigeria Limited and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited were, on Thursday, May 23, 2024 arraigned by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice S.B. Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Garki .

Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala has won the best goal for the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Oshoala netted a stunning bicycle kick in Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Benfica in their opening group game en route to the Catalans claiming the Champions League for the second consecutive season.

With the Blaugrana already 4-0 up, Jonatan Giráldez sent the reigning Women’s African Footballer of The Year and she wasted no time in making her mark in the game, scoring the last goal of the encounter in style – her only goal of the competition.

She thereafter made a mid-season move to American side, Bay FC.

UEFA on Monday announced that Oshoala’s goal was the best among other goals selected.

“The top 10 goals of the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign have been selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer panel, with Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala taking the prize for Goal of the Season thanks to her stunning bicycle kick for Barcelona against Benfica on Matchday 1,” UEFA wrote on their website.

“Also for Barça, midfielder Aitana Bonmatí took second spot for her bending effort in the quarter-finals second-leg win against Brann, while Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino came third for her long-range strike in the quarter-finals second-leg victory over Benfica.”

Oshoala made history with Barcelona Femení by becoming the first African to win three UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.

The 29-year-old received a winner’s medal despite her mid-season transfer to Bay FC in the United States. The Super Falcons striker contributed to Barcelona’s Champions League campaign by playing in two group-stage matches and scoring once before her move.