Month: August 2023

Sen. Shehu Sani, a former Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, has urged ECOWAS leaders to allow Nigeriens to fight for democratic rule in their country like Nigerians did.

Sani, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He added that the coup d’etat in Niger Republic was an internal matter which only the Nigeriens can take a decision on.

He was speaking against the backdrop of the threat of the use of military force against the military junta in Niger by the leaders of West African sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS.

“The takeover of government in Niger by the military was unfortunate because many people thought that military rule had come to an end and that democracy had come to stay in Africa, and especially the West coast of Africa.

“But we have seen in the past few years how democracy in the sub-region had collapsed. It happened in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and now in Niger Republic.

“Where we are making a fundamental mistake is the way we are handling the matter.

“Coup d’etats are internal issues. And they do not happen within a day. Conditions are created for them to happen.

“But we should not be involved in regime change,” he said.

According, Armed invasion of Niger will simply be a war between Nigeria and Niger because the former foots the bills of ECOWAS.

“If we are going to engage in an armed attack on Niger Republic, who will provide the soldiers, is it Togo, Guinea Bissau or Ghana?

“How many soldiers do they have? How much ammunition do they have?

“When we had our own military regimes in Nigeria, we were the ones that fought for democracy.

“Many of us went to prison and many of us went into exile,” he said.

According, let Nigeriens stand up and fight for democracy if they want to like we did.

“When we had military rule in 1983 nobody came to Nigeria to reinstate Alhaji Shehu Shagari to power.

“Nobody invaded Nigeria to put MKO Abiola in power.

“Nobody invaded Nigeria to remove Yakubu Gowon at that time to bring back Nnamdi Azikiwe to power.

“Whoever is the president of Niger Republic should be decided by the people of Niger. Let us handle the Niger coup with care,’’ he warned.

Niger’s palace guards last month put President Mohamed Bazoum under house arrest and assumed power, drawing condemnation from international powers.

The coup by the Nigerien military raised the spectre of further conflict in the impoverished Sahel region of West Africa which is already overrun by a deadly Islamist insurgency.

ECOWAS on Thursday ordered the activation of a standby force for possible use against the junta, saying it wanted a peaceful restoration of democracy but all options including force were on the table.

The order for the activation of a standby force came after the junta defied an Aug. 6 deadline set by ECOWAS for it to stand down.

The junta then closed Niger’s airspace and vowed to defend the country against any foreign attack.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Sen. Shehu Sani, a former Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, says military incursion into Niger Republic by an ECOWAS standby force will be synonymous with a declaration of war by Nigeria.

Sani expressed this thought in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Thursday that it had ordered the deployment of a “standby force’’ to Niger to restore constitutional order in the country.

The order was given after the junta who took over power from President Mohamed Bazoum on July 2, defied an Aug. 6 ultimatum issued by ECOWAS leaders for the junta to revert to status quo.

Sani said there was nothing wrong in applying pressure on the junta in Niger after the coup but deploying military force against the junta in the Francophone country sharing the northern border with Nigeria had a lot of implications.

“Armed invasion of Niger by ECOWAS will simply be a war between Nigeria and Niger because Nigeria foots the bills of ECOWAS.

“If we are going to get into war with the Nger Republic, what will be the future of states like Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Yobe, and Borno that share borders with Niger? What will be the fate of people living in these areas?

“Right now there are more than 303,000 Nigerian refugees that were sacked by terrorist groups living in villages in Niger Republic,’’ he said.

According to him, in the 1990s, the West pledged support for Nigeria and for the Economic Community Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) to move into Liberia, and Sierra Leone to restore peace and Nigeria took the mandate on the basis that they would get the support they needed.

“Nigeria moved into Liberia and the Francophone countries refused to join the ECOMOG. Senegal joined but after a few of its soldiers were killed it pulled out leaving only Nigeria and a few other smaller West African countries.

“Only one person served as an ECOMOG commander from Ghana. All the other commanders from the beginning to the end of the war were Nigerian.

“Nigeria ended up spending 8 billion dollars according to figures provided recently by the former Chief of Defense Staff Lt.-Gen. Lucky Irabor.

“These were monies that could have been used to connect the states by railway lines but we blew it in Liberia and the support never came,” he said.

According to him, If we get into an armed confrontation with Niger Republic, in the 21st century there is no one-week war. There is no one-month war. It is years of war.

“Saudi Arabia moved its troops into Yemen, thinking that would bring an end to Houthi rebels and restore order. But it is still there now for five to six years.

“Russia moved into Ukraine thinking it would bring an end to the Ukraine government but it is still there for more than a year. America went to war in Afghanistan and it fought the war with the Taliban for 20 years – 2001 to 2021 – only to pull out leaving the Taliban to take back power.

“What resources do we have to prosecute a war? Does our military have the experience to fight a war in the Sahel, or the desert?

“The coup happened when the French and U.S. had military bases in Niger.

“If these could not stop the coup, they could not protect Bazoum, and they could not restore Bazoum to power, is it the Nigerian army that has security challenges in Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa that will neglect these places and go fight a war in Niger?,” he questioned.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

No fewer than 54 young sailors graduated from the Nigerian Navy Military School, Ikot Ntuen in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa ibom, after six years of successful academic and military trainings.

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who was the special guest of honour at the graduation ceremony in Ikot Ntuen on Saturday commended the young sailors for their discipline, determination and professional expertise.

Eno said that the school would produce professionals of repute, technocrats and seasoned military officers, who will make remarkable contributions at national and international levels.

He said that the state government would continue to attach great importance to the development of education.

“Let me congratulate the first batch of young sailors for the successful completion of their academic and military trainings which spanned six years.

“I deeply commend the discipline and level of determination you all have put in during the course of your training.

“The Nigerian Navy Military School was established to groom young able-bodied boys, with the right mix of academic excellence,values and discipline.

“I am aware that this school is just six years, and in just six years of its existence had grown in leaps and bounds and today it is one of the most sought after military secondary schools in Nigeria.

“With what I have seen today, the reason why the school is so active is not far-fetched.

“The serenity of the environment, the quality of parade and disciplines as well as academic performance and spectacular silent drills are the reasons the school is so attractive.

“I wish we can make all schools in Akwa Ibom have some stint of military training, so we can inculcate in them the discipline I have seen here today.

“I have no doubt that this school will produce professionals of repute, technocrats and seasoned military officers, who will make remarkable contributions at both in national and international levels,” Eno said.

Eno said that the government would continue to support the school to provide conducive learning environment for the students.

The governor pledged that the state government would build a one-storey building block to support the school and reduce accommodation problem.

He commended the Commandant of the School, Navy Capt. Abdulhafiz Yabo and all academic staff for doing excellent job on the students, urging them to keep the flag flying.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highpoint of the graduation ceremony was the award of prizes and certificates to the five best graduating students.

NAN also reports that the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Olusola Oluwagbire and the Commander NNS Jubilee, Commodore Madumom Ide, among other senior naval officers were in attendance.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu is profoundly saddened by the news of the passing of Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Kayode Laro.

He extends his deepest condolences to deceased family, the diplomatic community, as well as the Government and people of Kwara.

The president recognises Amb. Laro’s tireless dedication in fostering mutually-beneficial diplomatic ties between Nigeria and France during his tenure.

He noted that his commitment to diplomacy and the impactful role he played in ensuring the success of the president’s visit to France in June this year.

The visit was the president’s first foreign trip following his assumption of office in May 29.

Laro has devoted himself fully to his duties during 35 illustrious years in service as a Nigerian diplomat, spanning from 1983 to 2018.

Tinubu remembered the late diplomat’s profound grasp of geo-political intricacies and how he aptly harnessed his wealth of skill and experience in multilateral diplomacy to advance worldwide peace, security and development.

The president affirms that the appointment of the Fellow of the National Defence College as an Ambassador in July 2020 to represent Nigeria in France was in recognition of his widely respected expertise and dedication.

“Our nation has lost an exemplary diplomat. I will always hold cherished memories of my interactions with him during my attendance at the New Global Financial Pact Summit in France this June.

“His unwavering dedication and strong sense of duty left an indelible mark. May his legacy continue to inspire us to strive for a more harmonious and prosperous world,” the president said.

Tinubu prayed that Almighty God will continue to console Laro’s family, friends, and colleagues while granting eternal rest to the departed soul.(NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Olalekan Balogun has sought partnership with the Nigerian Police to get rid of the land grabbing menace in Ibadan.

A statement issued on Saturday in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant to Olubadan, Mr Dele Ogunsola, indicated that Oba Balogun sought for the partnership when the Olubadan in Council hosted the State Commissioner of Police, Ademola Hamzat in his palace.

According to the statement, Hamzat and some senior officers of the command were on a familiarisation visit to the Olubadan palace at Alarere area of Ibadan.

The statement added that the Ibadan traditional ruler noted that there must be synergy between the traditional institution and the police before the war against the land grabbing could be successful.

It said the traditional ruler maintained that the commitment of his reign to the total eradication of land grabbing could not be compromised, hence his request for all hands to be on deck.

“I’m passionate about ensuring that the unwholesome tag of Ibadan being notorious for land grabbing be permanently removed.

” Let everybody desirous of owing land in Ibadan be free to do so without let or hindrance.

“A code of conduct is already in place that any of my Baales or Mogajis found getting involved in shady land deal would be removed and I seek for your cooperation as law enforcement agent,” Olubadan said.

The statement said that he commended the leadership of the police command for the efforts made so far to track down the culprits behind the recent killing of a newly inducted nurse, whose corpse was found at Oke-Sapati junction, Yemetu in Ibadan.

He charged the police authority not to relent until the truth about the incident manifests and the offenders face the wrath of the law.

The statement said in his remark, Hamzat assured Olubadan of his command’s commitment to work with the traditional institution as being requested.

It added that the CP recalled that the same issue of land grabbing was part of his discussions with the state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde during his visit to him.

According to the statement, the CP said the governor had assured him that his administration is working to strengthen the law against the land grabbing.

“This, to us in the command is cheering and enabling, when we have in place an enabling law that empowers us to work optimally, we will be motivated.

“So, with the new law coming as promised by the governor, I can assure our revered father that your wish for a city free of land grabbing menace is almost in place,” he said.(NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Rotary Club has urged government, cooperate organisations and influential individuals to intensify efforts at reducing the number of out-of-school children the country.

The President, Rotary Club of Abuja Central Business District (CBD), Mrs Aisha Ali, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during her investiture as the 7th President of the club in Abuja.

She also urged spirited Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist in creating means of livelihood for the people, especially at this challenging moment.

“Government alone can not do it. We have to come together and do what is called crowd funding to give hope to those at the grassroots and lonely places, who cannot repay our gesture.

“We need to ensure that every child goes to school, because education is the right of every child.

“We should carry everybody along because when these children are not in school they can later create problem for the society.

“If God has blessed you, try to bring at least a child off the street back to school,” she said.

Earlier in her acceptance speech, Ali who is the 7th president of the club, pledged that the club would continue to prioritise humanitarian services and projects that would impact positively on the people.

“In line with our new year theme of the club: “Create Hope in the World” which began on July 1, the board members and I have come up with some selected projects to be executed.

“As a matter of priority the completion of the building of a block of classrooms at LEA Primary School at Gidan Gimba, Uke, Nasarawa State, which the club started last year.

“This will provide a conducive learning environment for pupils of the community.

“We also intend to strengthen our support to our Rotary Club at Command Secondary School, Mogadishu Baracks, Abuja among others,” she said.

Ali commended all the past presidents and leaders of the club for their contributions towards the development of the organisation.

The immediate past President of the Club, Maxwell Amuchie, while congratulating the new leadership urged it to develop personal conviction and courage in the pursuit of its set goals.

According to him, without the power of personal conviction and courage, it would be difficult to accomplish any set goal.

He said that the club under his leadership was able to carry out series of humanitarian services, including a toilet facilities donated to a school in Gidan Gimba.

“With that singular act, we were able to stop open defecation in the primary school which was without toilet facilities for both the teachers and the students.

“We also started the construction of a block of two classrooms with the head teacher office,” he said.

The Guess Speaker, Dr Betty Olutunde, in her presentation titled: “Creating Hope in the World Through Humanity” urged members of the club to continue to leave a life of selfless service to help others.

Olutunde, the Founder of Betneely Charity Foundation, who was represented by Mrs Glory Johnson, urged Rotarians to continue to uphold the tents and principles of the club to make the world a better place.

She advised them not to be selfish but always think and look out for the welfare of others.

“I have never seen a tree that eats its own fruits, rather when the fruits come out, every other person comes to take from that tree. That is what Rotary stands for.

“Let us continue to think about those out there without access to clean water or healthcare facilities,” she said.

NAN reports that highlights of the Investiture programme included fund raising and presentation of awards of excellence to persons who distinguished themselves in humanitarian services.

The awardees include the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu with the Award of Excellence for Prudence Leadership; Olutunde with outstanding Humanitarian Service and Women Empowerment.

Also the Award of Excellence in Humanitarian Service was conferred on King Odeh Adah, an entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Ochacho group.

The Director-General of National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari, was also presented an Award of Excellence for Outstanding Leadership, while Award of Professional Excellence in Journalism Service was conferred on Adewunmi Ayobami, the Executive Director, News, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

Other recipients of the club Awards of Excellence and Humanitarian Services include the former Governor of Nasarawa State, Sen. Tanko Al-Makura; the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Governorship candidate in Kogi, Muritala Ajaka, and the immediate past president of the club, Amuchie.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria