Every Nigerian should learn a lesson from the recent nomination and screening of Dr Bosun Tijani as a minister.

When Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed him as one of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees last week, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did extra work to dig out caustic remarks he tweeted about the president in the past. In their estimation, this should disqualify him from becoming a minister.

For many APC supporters, past opposition to Tinubu and the APC or what they stand for is an automatic disqualification for such persons to hold public office under an administration formed by the party.

A few Nigerians, including award-winning writer, Toni Kan; frontline journalist, Dr Festus Adedayo; and co-founder of BudgIT, a civic group committed to government financial transparency, Seun Onigbinde, have tasted from this dish served by entitled partisans in the last four years. Following their appointments by different people between 2019 and 2023, internet warriors of the APC unleashed fury from their assumptions of the gentlemen’s non-compliance to the political ethos of the ruling party.  They did not relent until they got each of them to resign from their appointments.

On each of the occasions, I asked the question: was Nigeria or these individuals the greatest losers in the circumstance? What exactly did any of these professionals lose by having to renounce their appointment by public officers who thought they would add value to their tenure? We shall return to this point because Bosun had more to contend with than his criticism of Tinubu!

Before long, it became evident that the Information Technology entrepreneur had taken a dig at the senate and Nigeria on Twitter at different times. What is worse? This man did not just criticise; he poured invectives disparaging the country and its legislature. His emotions overtook him. He climbed the tree beyond the leaves of fair criticism, thereby exposing himself as some impulsive and disrespectful hater of his country and its institutions.

Ordinarily, the criticism of the country by concerned about the direction the country is going and the ruinous effects of the styles of governance is hardly illegitimate and unpatriotic.

 As a matter of fact, no one has criticised this country and its racketeering styles of governance as hard as the likes of Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, literary icon Chinua Achebe and legal giants like the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, respected intellectuals like Dr Bala Usman amongst many other patriots who have raised their voices about the disruption and misuse of national institutions by those saddled with the duty to build the country. In doing so, however, they reflected their education, intellectual strengths and love for the country and its people. They neither projected the country like a filthy field nor disrespected its national institutions, regardless of their towering statuses.

And this is the first lesson that Nigerians can draw from this event. Tijani could explain and apologise for his vituperations, but such opportunities do not occur daily. This is why we must be circumspect in our public remarks. The Yoruba draw a parallel between words and eggs. They say that words are delicate matters that cannot be retrieved once you speak, like eggs, which shatter without redemption the moment they drop. It is the same reason the Bible admonishes Christians: “Be angry, but do not sin…”

In venting the frustration that Nigeria and some of its leaders often drive many citizens to, we must exercise discretion and emotional intelligence. Aside from the fact that human beings can change their minds about things, words have very hurtful, sometimes spiritually generative (for those who are religious) effects, and people often live to regret their exuberant or tactless utterances.

This cautionary note is even more expedient in this social media era. We must deploy words with caution, conscious that, as they say, “the internet does not forget,” and that opinions shared on social media could have enduring outcomes.

And this is where the statesmanship of President Tinubu should be a lesson to leaders across the country. Tijani’s previous criticism would likely have come to the President’s attention, but this neither stopped him from nominating nor cause him to withdraw his name at the point of his screening.

In this situation, Tinubu comes across as magnanimous; a virtue that recommends itself to every leader in Nigeria. One of the major drawbacks of our polity is the winner takes all mentality, which excludes people no matter how competent or ready they might be to contribute to national development. The country must learn to engage the best of its resources for the critical task of national development, devoid of the restrictive dangers of parochial partisanship.

Citizens, especially party enthusiasts, must learn this lesson. We should realise that Nigeria belongs to all of us. While it is global democratic practice for the faithful who worked for a party’s victory to expect opportunities to serve the country, service is not anyone’s exclusive right.

In saying this, one must recognise a major misconstruction of the essence of politics and governance in Nigeria. The rabid public confrontation and tension accompanying nominations into public office in the country are because politics has become a meal ticket rather than an opportunity for people to serve. When people are appointed to public office in, it is primarily considered as a chance to get a slice of national resources rather than serve. Service is almost alien to many citizens’ contemplation of public office.

But this must stop if Nigeria is ever to attain greatness. 

We must realise that after elections, there is governance. At that point, a government must assemble the best team possible. Whether they supported the emergence of the government in power or not, it is the prerogative of the elected executive to nominate people who can help him achieve his vision. We should support such leaders if we genuinely want the best for our country. At the moment, more of the huff and puff is about the protection of party rather than national interest. And this is nationwide misbehaviour that cut across all parties. It should stop!

There are arguments about the dignity of rejecting appointments from people you have criticised, but that is an entirely personal thing. Far beyond the capacity of people to change their minds, refusing an opportunity to contribute to improving a situation you condemn is hypocritical and escapist. Everyone with capacity should be ready to contribute their quota if it is about service.

Finally, the senate made more joke than substance from the ministerial screening exercise. While one cannot detract from the seriousness of the Senate’s constitutional responsibility to help the President certify the quality and capacity of those, he is recruiting to run the affairs of the country, the Senate trivialises its enormous powers by the hilarity that attends this otherwise solemn duty. 

Sadly, they proudly feed the world with this soap opera where institutional ego, personal relationships, and premeditated opinions reigned. 

The other day, Akpabio ran down what could have been the most pertinent question put to Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. 

Abaribe wanted to know what the disposition of Fagbemi (who is favoured to be the next minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation), would be if the administration he is serving were to desecrate the constitution or refuse to obey court orders. 

The Senate President, who should know that such temptations inspired the principle of separation of powers, and that the executive arm is always at the risk of being lured into recklessness, told off the Abia south district senator. Akpabio claimed that the Tinubu administration was corrective and could not desecrate court orders! He then asked Senator Adamu Aliero to reframe the question. Really?

This 10th senate, lucky to have members from five different political parties, should therefore make itself a chamber of ideas and robust discussions that impact the people. It must embrace rigour and commitment to the task ahead. The lack of quality probing, which should justify the confirmation or otherwise of ministerial nominees’ capacities and their patriotic/pan- Nigerian credentials, was denied by Nigerians by that tiring “take a bow” and go cliché. The Senate should prepare to do much better by the Nigerians who voted for them and should have their loyalty and service.

The Nigerian Immigration Service has refuted a social media report claiming that some of its operatives who purportedly mounted illegal checkpoints at the Badagry-Seme border were arrested by policemen from the Inspector General of Police Special Squad.

The IGP squad, according to the viral report, chased and arrested some police officers as well as immigration personnel found at some checkpoints believed to have been created to extort citizens.

Reacting in an interview with our correspondent on Friday, the Comptroller of Border Patrol at Seme, Emmanuel Gbemudu, denied the allegation.

He noted that none of his men were arrested, saying the border patrol has four points, and the allegation of illegal checkpoints is false.

Gbemudu said, “No immigration personnel was arrested. I saw the whole thing yesterday and I was shocked. Border Patrol has four checkpoints, and they are known to the people. The issue of illegal checkpoints does not arise. It is fake news.”

Also, the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Seme border Command, Douglas Audu said he had investigated the claim and found no truth in it.

Audu said, “There is no iota of truth in the report. To me, that is fake news. Nobody was arrested around or in our corridor. We have done our investigation and found out that nobody was picked.

“We have two commands here. There is the seme border command and we have the Lagos state border patrol command. I have done my investigation and nobody was arrested at either of the two commands. ”

All efforts to get the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi to confirm if immigration personnel were arrested proved abortive. He did not pick up calls to his line and has yet to respond to messages sent to him as of the time of filling this report.

[Punch]

Emmanuel Ogalla, the chief of naval staff, says an operational base will be established in Enugu to assure investors that the south-east is safe and open for business.

He said the base will be stationed at the Adada river in Uzo Uwani LGA.

Speaking during his visit to Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, on Friday, Ogalla said securing the state’s coastal areas will improve the security of lives and property of the people.

“The Nigerian navy has three primary roles, which are first, the military duties, being the protection of this country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty from the maritime domain. We have policing roles as well as diplomatic roles,” he said. 

“We have noticed that within this role of policing duties, we have not really extended our functions to Enugu State, and we want to do that with your support.

“To this end, we plan to extend our operations to encompass and cover the broader spectrum of Enugu State, knowing that the state has a navigable river around Uzo Uwani. 

“That river used to be a seaport during the colonial era, and it has been abandoned.

“We believe that if we are able to police that area, it will give assurances to investors, who will now invest in the development of that seaway for the benefit of the people of Enugu state.

“Our operations there will be aimed at providing internal security operations both through area surveillance and patrol in such a manner that economic activities can thrive without hindrance.

“So, I want to seek your support as we make this bold initiative towards showing presence within that important seaway.”

On his part, Mbah said his administration is committed to making Enugu the prime destination for investment and tourism, adding that achieving this is dependent on resilient security.

“We know that some of us may be hearing for the first time that Enugu has navigable water because there is this erroneous perception that our state is a landlocked state,” Mbah said. 

“I am very happy that you made that clarification that indeed Enugu state, at some point, provided veritable seaport for this country where goods and persons were moved from our land. 

“So, I am happy the naval chief made the commitment today that the Navy will establish an operational base in Enugu State.

“This is heartwarming for us, as this will support the fight against insecurity in Enugu, especially at that flank of our state.

“I want to assure you, on behalf of the government of Enugu state, that we are going to support you with all that is required to ensure the actualisation of your operational base.”

[TheCable]

A former President of the West Africa Bar Association (WABA) and prominent legal expert, Femi Falana, has shed light on the disturbing trend of coups within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

In a communique yesterday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), cited the “reckless exploitation of natural resources” as one of the principal driving forces behind the unsettling political unrest and the rise of unconstitutional changes in government.

Drawing on the historical and current socio-political landscape, Falana emphasized that the external influence and interference, particularly from former colonial regimes, coupled with the unchecked extraction of the region’s vast natural resources, has perpetuated economic inequalities. Such disparities have, in turn, led to mounting frustrations and grievances among the populace, creating a conducive environment for coups and power struggles.

Falana’s observations come at a time when ECOWAS has been under increased scrutiny, with a growing number of its member states experiencing political upheavals. 

He said the correlation between resource mismanagement and political instability underscores the urgent need for reformed governance and transparent economic practices in the region.

He said: “We have confirmed that another principal cause of change of governments in West Africa is the reckless exploitation of the natural resources of the member states of the ECOWAS by former colonial regimes and their allies. Such exploitation is compounded by the control of the national economy by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. 

“The implementation of the anti people’s policies of the foreign forces has continued to increase the poverty of the entire people of the region.

Out of frustration with civilian governments, unemployed youths and victims of human rights abuse usually troop to the streets to celebrate coup plotters. The ECOWAS leaders should end the crude exploitation of natural resources and empower the people to control the commonwealth of member states in accordance with Article 21 (1) of the Charter which provides:

“All peoples shall freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources. This right shall be exercised in the exclusive interest of the people. In no case shall a people be deprived of it.”

The rights activists also noted that the immediate and remote cause of unconstitutional change of governments is the manipulation of constitutions and referenda by elected governments to extend the tenure of Presidents.

He recalled that in 2015, ECOWAS leaders proposed to restrict West African presidents to two terms in office to stop unconstitutional changes of governments in West Africa.

He said the proposal was shelved as it was opposed by Togo and The Gambia, both with presidents who had been in power for more than two terms in office.

But following the coup in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, ECOWAS leaders under the immediate past chairman, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana proposed to amend of the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance to limit the tenure of Presidents to a maximum period of two terms in office.

The amendment was not passed due to the objection by President Allason Quatara of Cote divoire, Mall of Senegal, and Faure Eyadama of Togo. Presidents Quatara and Eyadama are currently spending more than two terms in office while President Mall is scheming for a third term.

Falana urged the new chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that the amendment is passed forthwith while sanctions are imposed on democratically elected presidents who engage in amendment of the national constitutions to extend their tenure beyond two terms.

[Leadership]

Tensions are escalating on Friday between Niger's new military regime and the West African regional bloc that has ordered the deployment of troops to restore Niger's flailing democracy .

The ECOWAS bloc said on Thursday it had directed a “standby force” to restore constitutional order in Niger after its Sunday deadline to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum expired.

Hours earlier, two Western officials told The Associated Press that Niger’s junta had told a top U.S. diplomat they would kill Bazoum if neighboring countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule.

It's unclear when or where the force will deploy and which countries from the 15-member bloc would contribute to it. Conflict experts say it would likely comprise some 5,000 troops led by Nigeria and could be ready within weeks.

After the ECOWAS meeting, neighboring Ivory Coast’s president, Alassane Ouattara, said his country would take part in the military operation, along with Nigeria and Benin.

“Ivory Coast will provide a battalion and has made all the financial arrangements ... We are determined to install Bazoum in his position. Our objective is peace and stability in the sub-region,” Ouattara said on state television.

Niger, an impoverished country of some 25 million people, was seen as one of the last hopes for Western nations to partner with in beating back a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that's ravaged the region. France and the United States have more than 2,500 military personnel in Niger and together with other European partners had poured hundreds of millions of dollars into propping up its military.

Threat to kill Bazoum 'grim', say US

The junta responsible for spearheading the coup, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, has exploited anti-French sentiment among the population to shore up its support.

On Thursday night after the summit, France's foreign ministry said it supported “all conclusions adopted.” U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country appreciated “the determination of ECOWAS to explore all options for the peaceful resolution of the crisis” and would hold the junta accountable for the safety and security of President Bazoum. However, he did not specify whether the U.S. supported the deployment of troops.

The mutinous soldiers that ousted Bazoum more than two weeks ago have entrenched themselves in power, appear closed to dialogue and have refused to release the president. Representatives of the junta told U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat to Bazoum's life during her visit to the country this week, a Western military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

A U.S. official confirmed that account, also speaking on condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

“The threat to kill Bazoum is grim,” said Alexander Thurston, assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati. There have been unwritten rules until now about how overthrown presidents will be treated and violence against Bazoum would evoke some of the worst coups of the past, he said.

Human Rights Watch said Friday that it had spoken to Bazoum, who said that his 20-year-old son was sick with a serious heart condition and has been refused access to a doctor. The president said he hasn't had electricity for nearly 10 days and isn't allowed to see family, friends or bring supplies into the house.

It's unclear if the threat on Bazoum's life would change ECOWAS' decision to intervene military. It might give them pause, or push the parties closer to dialogue, but the situation has entered uncharted territory, analysts say.

“An ECOWAS invasion to restore constitutional order into a country of Niger’s size and population would be unprecedented,” said Nate Allen, an associate professor at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Niger has a fairly large and well-trained army that, if it actively resisted an invasion, could pose significant problems for ECOWAS. This would be a very large and significant undertaking, he said.

While the region oscillates between mediation and preparing for war, Nigeriens are suffering the impact of harsh economic and travel sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.

Before the coup, more than 4 million Nigeriens were reliant on humanitarian assistance and the situation could become more dire, said Louise Aubin, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Niger.

“The situation is alarming. ... We’ll see an exponential rise and more people needing more humanitarian assistance," she said, adding that the closure of land and air borders makes it hard to bring aid into the country and it’s unclear how long the current stock will last.

Aid groups are battling restrictions on multiple fronts.

ECOWAS sanctions have banned the movement of goods between member countries, making it hard to bring in materials. The World Food Program has some 30 trucks stuck at the Benin border unable to cross. Humanitarians are also trying to navigate restrictions within the country as the junta has closed the airspace, making it hard to get clearance to fly the humanitarian planes that transport goods and personnel to hard-hit areas.

Flights are cleared on a case-by-case basis and there’s irregular access to fuel, which disrupts aid operations, Aubin said.

The U.N. has asked ECOWAS to make exceptions to the sanctions and is speaking to Niger’s foreign ministry about doing the same within the country.

[newarab]

The recent certification of Akwa Ibom State-owned football stadium by CAF as the only approved home ground for all of Super Eagles’ international matches is a big boost for tourism in the state, and a dividend of the huge investments in sports facilities that the government has made over the years. The Super Eagles will now play all their CAF/FIFA international home matches at the famous Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (also known as the Nest of Champions) in Uyo. Fans are already bracing up for the arrival of the Eagles in Uyo as the 2024 Nations Cup and 2026 World Cup will soon kick off; and since Nigeria is co-hosting the 2024 AFCON Cup with Benin Republic, football fans across the country will soon descend on the Akwa Ibom capital. Completed in 2014 by the Akpabio administration and designed in the shape of a bird’s nest, the 30-000 capacity stadium is the most modern football facility in West Africa. It is modelled after the Allianz Arena, the 70-000 stadium in Munich, Germany.

The Nest has bullet proof VVIP/VIP areas; Box Office; media facilities; two scoreboards and video facilities for replays. There are 30 emergency exit points; a helipad; two dressing rooms and ambulance bay. When I broke the news of the certification to Senator Akpabio last night, he cooed: ‘’Congratulations to Akwa Ibom people. They are reaping the benefits of the era of uncommon transformation’’. There are other smaller, but up-to-date stadia that are suitable for trainings. Last year, the Uyo township stadium was comprehensively refurbished with an Olympic-sized swimming pool added. In Eket, a 40-minute drive from Uyo, the government has also built a new township stadium. It was commissioned early this year by former Governor Udom Emmanuel. About a kilometer from the Nest of Champion is another football stadium built in 2017. NDDC hosted its sports competitions in 2020 down there.

But there is more to Akwa Ibom than sports facilities. The state has two five-star hotels: Ibom ICON Golf Resort, a beautiful facility lying on the banks of the tributary of Cross River. The lawn tennis courts on the marina are my favourite getaway. The 18-hole golf course is one of the best in the country on which many an international golfer has played since it opened in 2007. There is also Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, just a 25-minute drive from the Nest of Champions. Typical of the renowned Sheraton brand, the facility is one of the best furnished hotels in Africa. In addition, there are many other privately owned hotels that would cater for ordinary football fans that will pour into the state. With a good road network, Akwa Ibom has the least crime rate in the country. Its airline, Ibom Air, has in its four-year history, impressed the travelling public with its prompt service. The cuisine is in a class of its own. A lot of people talk fondly of edikang ikong soup, but if you haven’t tasted the fisherman soup in Uyo, then you ain’t eaten nothing yet!

Akwa Ibom State is therefore a natural home for the nation’s football team, and this much was stated by the NFF Chairman, Ibrahim Gusau when he visited Gov. Umo Eno on Thursday. He asked the government to support the Federation to make the tournaments successful, just as Mr. Eno commended his predecessors for the huge investments in sports in the state. He announced that the state has renewed its facility management contract with Julius Berger Plc to continue keeping the Nest of Champions in good shape. I should emphasize that this stadium had in the past hosted a few of the Super Eagles’ international engagements and fans had always come out in their numbers to cheer them. I have attended a few of those games. But in recent times, the national team have been playing at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. But by designating Akwa Ibom as the home ground for the Eagles, all CAF/FIFA games would only be played in Uyo. It is a pleasant development. In addition to keeping the stadium beautiful, the government should go a step further and ensure that the state looks its best. Steet and traffic lights should work perfectly; lunatics that roam the streets, apparently brought in from neighbouring states, should be permanently taken care of and refuse collection efforts should be stepped up. The police will do well to keep crime rate as low as it is or even lower.

Much more, I will like the government to encourage sports among school kids in the state. Whatever happened to inter-secondary school football competitions which were so well organized in the ‘70s when I was a star footballer for my school? What of basketball, lawn tennis and athletics? It is possible that the death of youth sports in our schools has led to the flourishing of cult activities among these kids. The government should bring back Boys’ Scouts, Girls Guide, Man-o-War and other such associations to our schools. They helped in instilling discipline and moulding our characters in those days.

I welcome Super Eagles to the Nest of Champions. Their coming should boost the stadium’s advertising revenues which should go into maintaining the facility. The influx of football fans into Uyo will undoubtedly boost the local economy. I urge the fans and Akwa Ibom people to enjoy the games responsibly.

In recent news, content creators and social media influencers in Nigeria are celebrating as they begin to receive payments from ‘X’, the rebranded Twitter, through its innovative ad revenue-sharing model. This groundbreaking initiative enables verified users, both in Nigeria and globally, to monetize their presence on the platform. The coveted blue Verified badge on ‘X’ signifies the authenticity of an account of public interest. However, obtaining this badge requires meeting specific criteria and impressions thresholds on posts and content.

To become eligible for the blue badge, your ‘X’ account must be authentic, notable, and active. It’s worth noting that the blue checkmark indicates an account’s active subscription to Twitter Blue, along with meeting ‘X’s’ stringent eligibility standards. To even qualify for this badge, your account should have a minimum of 500 followers and a substantial 15 million impressions on cumulative posts within the past three months.

Eligibility Criteria for the Blue Checkmark:

• Completeness: Ensure your account has a display name and profile photo.
• Active Usage: Keep your account active within the last 30 days to be eligible for Twitter Blue.
• Security: Have an account older than 30 days with a confirmed phone number.
• Authenticity: Avoid recent changes to your profile photo, display name, or username.
• Transparency: Your account must be free from signs of deception or misleading information.
• Platform Integrity: Stay clear of platform manipulation, spam, and any suspicious activity.
• Pro Tip: Verify your phone number before signing up.

To apply for Verification, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the more icon in the main menu.
2. Select Settings and Support.
3. Choose Settings and Privacy.
4. Click on Your account.
5. Select Account information and provide your password.
6. Under Verified, select Request Verification, then Start request.

The ‘X’ team will review your Twitter Blue-subscribed account and determine whether it meets their rigorous requirements. Verified accounts can fall into various categories including Government, News organizations, Companies, Entertainment, Sports, Activists, and Content creators.

However, some accounts remain ineligible for the blue badge, regardless of meeting the authenticity, notability, and activity criteria. Such ineligible accounts encompass parody, commentary, unofficial fan, pets, and fictional character accounts. Also excluded are accounts engaging in severe violations, promoting harmful content, or selling unauthorized Verification badges.

On a brighter note, verified users can also explore Ads Revenue Sharing, allowing them to earn from organic impressions of ads displayed in replies to their posts. To qualify, follow these steps:

1. Be subscribed to ‘X’ Premium or Verified Organizations.
2. Accumulate at least 15 million organic impressions on your posts in the last 3 months.
3. Garner a minimum of 500 followers.

Once you meet these criteria, setting up Ads Revenue Sharing is possible. Ensure you have a Stripe account, as ‘X’ partners with Stripe for payouts. Once you join and set up payouts, funds can be transferred to your external bank account as long as you’ve generated over $50 USD.

For a more detailed guide, visit the source link: The Nation Online – How to Get Verified & Earn Money on Twitter, and stay updated with the evolving opportunities on ‘X’.

[Allmedia]

 Tensions are escalating between Niger's new military regime and the West African regional bloc that has ordered the deployment of troops to restore Niger's flailing democracy.

The ECOWAS bloc said on Thursday it had directed a “standby force” to restore constitutional order in Niger after its Sunday deadline to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum expired.

Hours earlier, two Western officials told The Associated Press that Niger’s junta had told a top U.S. diplomat they would kill Bazoum if neighboring countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule.

It's unclear when or where the force will deploy and which countries from the 15-member bloc would contribute to it. Conflict experts say it would likely comprise some 5,000 troops led by Nigeria and could be ready within weeks.

After the ECOWAS meeting, neighboring Ivory Coast’s president, Alassane Ouattara, said his country would take part in the military operation, along with Nigeria and Benin.

“Ivory Coast will provide a battalion and has made all the financial arrangements ... We are determined to install Bazoum in his position. Our objective is peace and stability in the sub-region,” Ouattara said on state television.

Niger, an impoverished country of some 25 million people, was seen as one of the last hopes for Western nations to partner with in beating back a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that's ravaged the region. France and the United States have more than 2,500 military personnel in Niger and together with other European partners had poured hundreds of millions of dollars into propping up its military.

The junta responsible for spearheading the coup, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, has exploited anti-French sentiment among the population to shore up its support.

On Thursday night after the summit, France's foreign ministry said it supported “all conclusions adopted.” U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country appreciated “the determination of ECOWAS to explore all options for the peaceful resolution of the crisis” and would hold the junta accountable for the safety and security of President Bazoum. However, he did not specify whether the U.S. supported the deployment of troops.

The mutinous soldiers that ousted Bazoum more than two weeks ago have entrenched themselves in power, appear closed to dialogue and have refused to release the president. Representatives of the junta told U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat to Bazoum's life during her visit to the country this week, a Western military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

A U.S. official confirmed that account, also speaking on condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

“The threat to kill Bazoum is grim,” said Alexander Thurston, assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati. There have been unwritten rules until now about how overthrown presidents will be treated and violence against Bazoum would evoke some of the worst coups of the past, he said.

Human Rights Watch said Friday that it had spoken to Bazoum, who said that his 20-year-old son was sick with a serious heart condition and has been refused access to a doctor. The president said he hasn't had electricity for nearly 10 days and isn't allowed to see family, friends or bring supplies into the house.

It's unclear if the threat on Bazoum's life would change ECOWAS' decision to intervene military. It might give them pause, or push the parties closer to dialogue, but the situation has entered uncharted territory, analysts say.

“An ECOWAS invasion to restore constitutional order into a country of Niger’s size and population would be unprecedented,” said Nate Allen, an associate professor at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Niger has a fairly large and well-trained army that, if it actively resisted an invasion, could pose significant problems for ECOWAS. This would be a very large and significant undertaking, he said.

While the region oscillates between mediation and preparing for war, Nigeriens are suffering the impact of harsh economic and travel sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.

Before the coup, more than 4 million Nigeriens were reliant on humanitarian assistance and the situation could become more dire, said Louise Aubin, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Niger.

“The situation is alarming. ... We’ll see an exponential rise and more people needing more humanitarian assistance," she said, adding that the closure of land and air borders makes it hard to bring aid into the country and it’s unclear how long the current stock will last.

Aid groups are battling restrictions on multiple fronts.

ECOWAS sanctions have banned the movement of goods between member countries, making it hard to bring in materials. The World Food Program has some 30 trucks stuck at the Benin border unable to cross. Humanitarians are also trying to navigate restrictions within the country as the junta has closed the airspace, making it hard to get clearance to fly the humanitarian planes that transport goods and personnel to hard-hit areas.

Flights are cleared on a case-by-case basis and there’s irregular access to fuel, which disrupts aid operations, Aubin said.

The U.N. has asked ECOWAS to make exceptions to the sanctions and is speaking to Niger’s foreign ministry about doing the same within the country.

[Time.com]

A Nigerian bank director managed to outsmart a major local bank out of a whopping  £200 million - just by telling the bank he needed the millions to build an airport.

Emmanuel Nwude is actually the former director of the Union Bank of Nigeria - but he channelled his expertise in a less than ethical way, when he called up a Brazilian bank director on behalf of another huge banking figure.

Nwude called Nelson Sakaguchi, of Brazil's Banco Noroeste - and pretended to be the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Paul Ogwuma when asking for a huge sum to build an airport.

Shockingly, MailOnline learns that this individual phone call was enough to fulfil Mr Nwude's requests, and Sakaguchi put full faith in the Nigerian bank director.

Without completing any background checks, Sakaguchi approved Nwude's demand - but only if he'd get a huge £8m in commission from the new airport - that was never due to be built anyway.

Over a three year period - 1995-1998 - the Brazilian banker paid innocently paid Nwude and his associates a huge sum of approximately £190m - all for the airport that nobody had bothered to check existed.

But one day, in 1997, the Brazilian bank was examining its expenses ahead of being bought by the multinational financial company Santander and noticed that almost half of their money was marinating in the Cayman Islands, a notorious tax haven.

Alarm bells finally started to ring, and Banco Noroeste was let wondering how this all went under the radar.

This instigated legal proceedings which showed that Nwude had in fact defrauded the Brazilian bank of the generous £190m, over the three year period.

Unfortunately, Banco Noroeste was so good-natured that its bank owners ended up paying the costs out of their own pocket, just so Nwude's sale would be successful - before its 2001 collapse. 

Nwude and his associates were taken to court years later, in 2004 and they were chucked out and rearrested, before facing charges in another court. 

The fraudsters decided to plead not guilty to over a hundred counts of fraud.

Things got even worse when Nwude tried to get himself out of trouble by bribery, paying £60k when one of his accomplices admitting their wrongdoing.

Despite being another large sum, his bribe was refused - and the trial even got Sakaguchi in as a witness for this, scaring the fraudster into confessing to his crimes.

He ended up pleading guilty in a bid to bag a lighter sentence.

Emmanuel Nwude was sentenced to 25 years for fraud - but was released from prison in 2006. 

Now this type of scam is affectionately referred to as a 419 scam, and Nwude contributed to one of the biggest financial frauds in history. 

[dailymail]