President Bola Tinubu has called on Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to work towards establishing and sustaining a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.

Tinubu made the plea on Sunday, during the opening of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja.

Tinubu, who was re-elected at the meeting as the Chairman of the regional bloc, highlighted the practicality of a standby force in the face of growing security threats.

He also urged member states to commit more to providing the needed resources for securing the region.

He said, “The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions. In addition to this, the Ministers of Finance and Defence met recently in Abuja to raise funds for activating the ECOWAS Standby Force to boost counter-terrorism efforts.

“Member countries are also displaying their commitment to combating insecurity by individually increasing their defence budgets in order to acquire necessary equipment and ensure preparedness.

“Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential. As we move to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasize that the success of this plan requires not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.

“We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defence and Finance, in order to counter insecurity and stabilize our region.’’ 

Speaking further, Tinubu advised ECOWAS leaders to leverage the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which has been widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.

The President urged the management of ECOWAS to re-align and reposition its priorities by reducing overheads and setting up in-country steering committees.

He stated, “Difficult economic conditions and inconsistent payment of financial commitments to ECOWAS have contributed to the current plight. To ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for its programmes and activities, I urge all member states to ensure full compliance with the Protocol on the Community Levy.

“Nigeria, under my leadership, is committed to leading by example in remitting its collected levies to the organization. Nevertheless, the ECOWAS management must also reduce its overhead expenditures and focus on programmes and activities that directly impact the lives of our citizens.

“I am aware of the progress report on the implementation of the ECOWAS Institutional Reforms. I therefore call on the President of the ECOWAS Commission to resume and expedite the conclusion of the second phase of the Institutional Reforms, aimed at reducing the organization’s operational costs.”

Tinubu also welcomed a new member of the Authority, Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, stressing that the recently concluded presidential election has been widely adjudged as free, fair, transparent, and credible.

He added, “Allow me to further extend warm congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Senegal for their steadfastness in the consolidation of democratic governance.

“Their recently concluded presidential election has been widely adjudged as free, fair, transparent, and credible. This achievement is a testament to our region’s commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and rule of law.”

A former presidential media aide, Doyin Okupe, has called for a political solution to the current upheavals in Rivers State.

Okupe, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Sunday, lamented that the current happenings in Rivers State are taking dangerous dimensions, describing the situation as a misfortune.

The former Labour Party (LP) chieftain said the happenings in the oil-rich state are about interests, and to resolve the issues, a political solution must be deployed.

He stated further that the crisis in the state was caused by disregard for rules and laws and shouldn’t have surfaced at all if laws were obeyed.

He said, “That is a total misfortune, and the real issue if we look at it properly, is that we do not obey our laws. if only we obey our laws, this situation cannot surface at all.

“The courts have to help, the judiciary must be consistent, fair and judge according to law, not any other sentiment.

“Let us all obey our laws and our rules and let the court adjudicate according to the law and anybody who flouts the law should pay for it.

“The way things are going in Rivers right now is dangerous, but a political solution is what I will suggest, as a very experienced politician.”

Okupe suggested that the interest of all aggrieved parties in the Rivers political crisis must be brought to the table and an acceptable middle ground agreed upon.

He said, “In all my years of politics, I have never seen anything in this world that a political solution cannot resolve in all political disagreements.

“Politics is about interest. What is the interest of A and what is the interest of B, and how can we marry them? That’s is all.”

Rivers State has been engulfed in a political crisis arising from a disagreement between the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, who is the incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The rift has also divided the State House of Assembly into two factions, with both parties currently in court to get the law on their sides.

Popular socialite, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, has responded after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC asked him to prove his allegations that they are the most corrupt agency.

This response comes in the wake of the EFCC’s claims that a colossal sum of N35 billion was discovered in his bank accounts.

Momoha, facing a money laundering case brought by the EFCC, in a post via Instagram wrote, “The most useless and corrupt Nigeria government agency @officialefcc.”

However, the EFCC, in a statement by the Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, challenged Mompha to show proof that they are corrupt.

In a post via his Instagram page, Mompha said the fact that the anti-graft agency responded to him shows how it is “useless and jobless.”

He wrote, “My attention has once again been drawn to the social media tantrum of the efcc demanding that I prove corruption allegation against them. The fact that the commission, particularly their chairman could stoop so low to respond to my post shows clearly how useless, jobless the efcc is and how they waste taxpayers money on exchanging banters on social media.

“Now, I won’t bother to dwell on the trumped-up charges that was cooked up against me for personal gains by some of their corrupt officials and mere media trial because the fact speaks for itself but will rather dwell on how useless this commission under the leadership of the Chairman Cos why will the efcc on Friday, 5th of July, 2024 step outside of their constitutional duty and litter armed men on the streets of Lagos and Abuja all in the name of preventing citizens from protesting against the corruption being displayed by the Efcc, thereby infringing on their fundamental right to lawfully protest and preventing innocent citizens from going about their lawful business.

“Another example is beating up innocent citizens during their illegal and night raids ( we all saw what happened in Ondo state and recently in Lagos which the commission reluctantly admitted on its social media platform)
Now back to my case, the efcc claimed they have “overwhelming evidence of my involvement in money laundering”, however the question is; who is this faceless person I laundered money for?; does the person not have a name?; did you mention the name of the person in the trumped-up charges before the court?.

“Your commission is clearly the one drowning and clutching to any straw, when they quickly rushed to the media to post one side of the evidence of your witness in court when he was yet to be cross examined just to gain social media trend with my name, whereas all he said in court were lies with no evidential proof, which would all come to light on the next court date. To confirm how useless they are again ??? they will reply me again and i will be waiting with more proof ???? @officialefcc”

The Ebonyi State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has expressed confidence that only its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, can salvage the Nigerian economy from its declining fortunes.

LP made the assertion in a communiqué issued at the end of an expanded stakeholders meeting in Abakaliki, signed by Linus Okorie (Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone), Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh (Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone) and Emmanuel Nwobo (Central Senatorial Zone).

The party urged Nigerians to identify with its quest to take power and move the nation to greater heights.

The stakeholders also urged feuding party members to sheath their divisive swords in the overall interest of the Labour Party and target to better the lives of many Nigerians.

The communiqué stated, “The members of the National Transition Committee, NTC, of the Labour Party, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, Rt. Hon. Linus Okorie and Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, convened the stakeholders briefing with a view to informing members of the Labour Party, Ebonyi State Chapter, about the future political activities of the emerging Labour Party, which include mobilisation of new members and registration.

“The members of the NTC also shared details of the 2023 post-election reviews conducted by the national and state working committees of the party and consequently resolved as follows:

“That His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, remains the National Leader of the Party and he, Mr Obi, is bestowed with the appropriate competences to salvage the Nigerian economy from its declining fortunes.

“Stakeholders observed the need to support the National Transition Committee in her bid to conduct an all-inclusive state congress and national convention of the Labour Party, respectively.

“Furthermore, stakeholders urged feuding stakeholders of the party to sheath their divisive swords in the overall interest of Labour Party and our target to better the lots of Nigerians.

“That a united Labour Party, Ebonyi State Chapter, shall pursue vigorously the conversion and registration of new members into the party at the right and designated time and also set a target of 400,000 members.” 

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, has asserted that the crisis rocking the party at the national and state level was lately fuelled by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

Inuwa, the campaign director of Atiku/Lado in Katsina State during the 2023 general elections, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting in Katsina where issues about the party’s crisis in the state were discussed.

A former national secretary of the PDP, Umar Ibrahim Tsauri, who chaired the meeting, vowed to do anything possible to salvage the party in Katsina before the upcoming congresses.

Also speaking at the meeting, Inuwa said Wike and Ortom are destabilising the opposition party in favour of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

He said, “It is a common knowledge that both Wike and Ortom have declared that they have no presidential candidate to support in the 2027 elections, but they endorsed President Tinubu.

“Their main aim was not to win election but to weaken the party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 election in favour of President Tinubu and that is why they are using stooges in the state to fulfil their mission.” 

Recall that some stakeholders in Katsina have accused a faction led by the 2023 governorship candidate, Yakubu Lado Danmarke, with the backing of the state caretaker committee appointed by the national working committee, of concealing the party Congresses forms.

During the WWE Money in the Bank event held in Toronto, Canada, John Cena confirmed that he will be stepping away from in-ring competition in the year 2025.

Cena specifically mentioned that his final appearances will take place at the 2025 Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41, all scheduled to be held in Las Vegas.

Donning a ‘John Cena Farewell Tour 2025’, the 16-time world champion said: “I’ve been in the WWE for over two decades and in that time, I’ve seen incredible waves of prosperity like we got right now. WWE is the hottest ticket in town, no doubt, but I have also seen true hardship, that’s when no one knows your name, nobody wants to be your friend, and only the most dedicated and hardcore fans stand by your side.”

John Cena expressed his desire to participate in the transition of Raw to Netflix in January.

Cena entered the WWE scene in 2002. Nonetheless, starting in 2018, he has taken on a less full-time position within the company to concentrate on his acting projects.

A former national vice chairman (North-West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has described former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the likes of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai as political orphans.

Lukman, who spoke of a proposed coalition among top political bigwigs in the country, listed El-Rufai, Osinbajo, former Minister of the Interior of Nigeria – Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, among others seeking to occupy the nation’s top political seat via merger.

According to him, the APC leaders have been sidelined by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and have been pushed to the peripheral edges of Nigerian politics.

Lukman, however, in a press release issued to the media in Abuja on Sunday, said the APC chieftain must bury their presidential ambition and focus on pushing for a better Nigeria.

He emphasized that as long as the goals of Nigerian politicians are confined to winning elections and installing new elected officials, Nigerian democracy will be incapable of combating the phenomenon of ‘state capture’, which is currently at an advanced stage of infiltrating the Federal Government.

He said: “Unfortunately, given the advanced stage of ‘state capture’ at the Federal level, most political leaders, including the leading opposition leaders such as Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are all operating in isolation to one another. APC leaders such as former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesole etc., who are more like political orphans on account of being excluded from the President Asiwaju Tinubu government, have been pushed to the peripheral edges of Nigerian politics.

“Although there are some indicative political activities taking place around some of these political leaders, it has not graduated to the level of commitment to building the kind of strong political parties capable of threatening the APC and President Asiwaju Tinubu, which is needed to guarantee the future of Nigerian democracy.

“Building strong political parties in the country capable of responding to the challenges facing citizens and reversing the phenomenon of ‘state capture’ at all levels is about political leaders agreeing to form a united front across all parties. Forming a united front is about recognising the shortcomings of individual leaders and being able to forgive misgivings of the past. The ability to forgive misgivings of the past is a fundamental requirement for political leaders to be able to orient themselves and provide the needed leadership for national reconciliation. The inability of APC, both under former President Buhari and now under President Asiwaju Tinubu, to orient itself on the path of national reconciliation represents one of the biggest political failures ever experienced in the country.”

Lukman emphasized the necessity of creating a united political front that can bring together leaders from all regions of the country, especially in light of the widening fault lines caused by the failure of the APC.

He said it is crucial that this new front garners widespread acceptance across Nigeria.

Lukman stressed that all political figures, including Atiku and Obi, should refrain from exploiting this opportunity to further their Presidential ambitions.

Similarly, he urged APC leaders like Osinbajo, Amaechi, Fayemi, El-Rufai, Amosu and others with aspirations for the Presidency to set aside their ambitions during the negotiations for the united political front.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will swear in 12 judges into the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

According to Channels Television, this was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by the Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Main Courtroom of the apex court by 10am.

Meanwhile, among the 12 judges to be sworn in is the CJN’s daughter-in-law, Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria.

Here is the full list of all 12 judges:

1.Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria (Oyo State)
2.Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo (Kwara State)
3.Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi (Lagos State)
4.Iheabunike Anumaenwe Godwin (Imo State)
5.Odo Celestine Obinna (Enugu State)
6.Hauwa Lawal Gummi (Zamfara State)
7.Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh (Bayelsa State)
8.Maryam Iye Yusuf (Kogi State)
9.Buetnaan Mandy Bassi (Plateau State)
10.Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike (Rivers State)
11.Ibrahim Tanko Munirat (Bauchi State)
12.Abdulrahman Usman (Taraba State)

Recall that on May 17, 2024, the National Judicial Council recommended a total of 86 judicial officers for appointment into federal and state courts across the country.

The recommendations were made by the council’s Interview Committee on Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria, during the NJC’s 105th plenary meeting held between May 15 and 16, 2024.

This was according to a statement issued by the council’s Director of Information, Soji Oye.

…as ABUAD/NSE hold maiden industrial park trade fair

Legal luminary and Elder Statesman, Aare Afe Babalola has said that Nigeria will remain perpetually poor it fails to produce rather than consume more.

Babalola made this known over the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, while performing the dual role of declaring open, the maiden edition of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) Industrial Park Trade Fair, in conjunction with the state chapter of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, (NSE), and later, while receiving the executives of the Akure Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA), who came to present to him, the Icon Award for Excellence.

Babalola warned that the country might continue in stagnation, for as long as the incurable attitude of indiscipline, poor work attitude, lack of vision and patriotism are tolerated.

He called Nigerians and its leaders to be genuinely ready and willing to change the narrative, for the country to grow while describing the industrial park as a technology hub, designed to bridge the gap between research and industry, as well as provide employment opportunities for many jobless graduates and youths.

He also expressed regrets over rising incidences of some Courts, now in the habit of fragrantly delivering contradictory judgments, on same subject matter, asking members of the NBA nationwide to urgently convey a meeting, and rise to the occasion, to put a stop to further dent and embarrassment such abnormality was daily causing the legal profession.

“It is true Nigeria today, is in the doldrums. That however does not mean we should throw patriotism and national interest into the mud. This is because to me, Nigeria can still become like USA of this world, or other great countries alike.

“But the bitter truth is that Nigeria can not suddenly become a USA with the way we do things continually and still expect different results. Nigeria is such a rich country, blessed with resources, good weather, friendly climate and money.

“Unfortunately however, aside many other obvious factors, the very point where we began to get things wrong is that Nigeria is a nation that consume more than it produces, and the bitter truth here is that, any country that does that, will remain perpetually poor.

“As a leader by example, even at my age, I abhor laziness and complacency. I do work for 18 hours daily. I do not buy food, I grow them in the farm, I do not buy pepper, tomatoes, chicken or fish, I produce them. How many Nigerians does that?

“As a result, ABUAD was conceived by me, not only as an innovative institution to change things for the better, but also as a deliberate way of giving back to the society, what I did not get, on a platter of gold.

“Even though I did not have the opportunity of going beyond conventional primary School, neither did I have opportunity of conventional, class studies of secondary or university education, I struggled on my own, out of strong determination to succeed, coupled with uncommon commitment, to get myself educated at both secondary level, and later university of London, all through correspondence studies.

“But I thank God today that in all, God has rewarded my dedication, and endowed me with something extra: the ability to work hard, to achieve desired results.

He therefore urged Nigerians to embrace hard work, honesty and faith in the country, to achieve greatness.

He expressed confidence that the country would be great again, only if leaders and the citizens can start emulating some of the principles that ABUAD had imbibed over the few years of it’s establishment.

“I make bold to say that our performance gives us the hope in this country that Nigeria can achieve what we have achieved, if we all agree to change the old ways of doing things.

“Nigeria can be greater. With hard work, the way we are doing things here, with hard work, honesty and faith, Nigeria can be better and get out of doldrums. I believe that hardship breeds determination, determination breeds faith, and faith never fails.” he said.

In his remarks, the NBA Akure, Ondo State Branch Chairman, Banjo Ayenakin, who described Babalola as a trailblazer and exceptional icon, commended him for being a most generous and versatile Nigerian.

He said: “If we have a few more of your type in this country, the story will change for the better. If we all work and lift individuals and groups, the way Baba Afe Babalola is doing on regular basis, across tribes, cultures and political divide, even at his age, and at the expense of his hard earned resources, there will be no much problems of any sort for anyone in this country.”

Also speaking, at the industrial park maiden trade fair, Chairman, Ekiti chapter of the NSE, Prof. Oluwasegun Aluko, expressed gratitude to Babalola for establishing the park, which he said was designed to accommodate124 cottage industries, and thereby give a boost to use of locally explored raw materials.

The Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, in her welcome address at the events, commended Babalola for deploying his hard-earned resources in championing the needed revolution in the education sector with the establishment of both the University, and the industrial park, among others.

According to Olarinde, ABUAD was recently ranked the best Nigerian University for the third consecutive time, 4th in Africa and 142th in the world, as recently published in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Besides, she said the university also ranked first globally for SDG 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy, Outreach Programmes scoring 98%, and Stewardship Programmes with 98.2%.

She said though only about 15 years old, ABUAD’s accomplishments in Law, Medicine, Engineering, the Sciences and Social and Management Sciences in the past few years of its existence, had put the university on the international grid of world-class institutions.

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, shared spiritual insights with his congregants on Sunday, emphasising how believers can ensure sufficient supplies and receive answers to their needs through faith.

During his sermon, titled “The Bible: A Most Reliable Guide to Life,” Oyedepo highlighted the importance of relying on God’s words to solve life’s problems.

He emphasised that he has never misappropriated church funds, nor has his family ever prayed for food supplies, citing biblical references as guidance.

“Every sincere question has an answer with Jesus,” Oyedepo stated. “Who pays me? Suddenly the word came—after these things, He appointed seventy others also, and the laborer is worthy of his wages. So He said to me, ‘You are in my employment; I am responsible. Just stay on duty, the light of life.’ Since then, I have not looked for who pays me until tomorrow and until I go to heaven.”

He referred to Luke 10:7, displayed on the church’s monitoring screen: “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

“I have never prayed for what to eat in my family. The light of life, the five loaves, and two fishes were more than enough. I have never cornered church money of one naira to my side, the light of life.”

Oyedepo also addressed church growth, sharing insights from a book titled “Reach Out for the Light.” He mentioned four key points that can help grow a church even in challenging environments, encouraging the congregation to seek the light of life.

Quoting John 6:63, he concluded, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”