Nigeria Unbans Twitter Operations

January 12, 2022

Nigeria’s Federal Government has finally lifted the suspension it placed on the operations of a social medium, the Twitter, with effect from tomorrow, January 13.

In a statement today, January 12, the

Chairman,Technical Committee on Nigeria-Twitter Engagement who doubles as Director-General of the

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said that the directive for the lifting of the suspension was given by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that the President’s approval was based on a memo written to him by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim.

According to him, in the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.

The statement read:

You may recall that on 5th June 2021, the FGN suspended the operation of Twitter through an announcement made by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed. Thereafter, the President constituted a seven-man Presidential Committee to engage Twitter Inc. Subsequently, in its wisdom, the Presidential Committee set a 20-member Technical Committee comprising all relevant government agencies. The Technical Committee engaged and worked directly with the Twitter team.

The immediate and remote cause of the suspension was the unceasing use of the platform by some unscrupulous elements for subversive purposes and criminal activities, propagating fake news, and polarising Nigerians along tribal and religious lines, among others. These issues bordering on National Security, Cohesion and the effects of the abuse of the Twitter platform forced the FGN to suspend the operation of Twitter to address the direct and collateral issues around its operations in Nigeria.

The new global reality is that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over the fabric of our society, social interaction and economic choices. These platforms can be used as either a tool or a weapon. Every nation is grappling with how to balance its usage efficiently. Without balancing, every citizen’s security, privacy, social well-being, and development are at stake. Therefore, our action is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardising the justified interests of the Company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful.

The process of resolving this impasse between the FGN and Twitter Inc. has helped lay a foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities. Twitter is a platform of choice for many Nigerians ranging from young innovators to public sector officials who find it helpful to engage their audience. Therefore, our engagement will help Twitter improve and develop more business models to cover a broader area in Nigeria. Furthermore, the FGN looks forward to providing a conducive environment for Twitter and other global tech companies to achieve their potential and be sustainably profitable in Nigeria.

While appreciating all Nigerians, especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse, the FGN is happy to say that the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable. Some of the gains include:

Ongoing economic and training opportunities as the Company continues to consider expanding its presence in Nigeria;

Getting a better understanding of how to use the Twitter platform effectively to improve businesses;

Revenue generation from the operation of Twitter in Nigeria;

Smooth and coordinated relationship between Nigerian Government and Twitter leading to mutual trust;

Reduction of cybercriminal activities such as terrorism, cyberstalking, hate speech, etc.; and

Working with Twitter and other global companies to build an acceptable code of conduct following the global best practice.

The FGN has asked Twitter to fulfil some conditions before restoring its services. These conditions addressed legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws. Twitter has agreed to meet all the conditions set by the FGN. Consequently, the FGN and Twitter have decided on an execution timeline, which has started this week. Our engagement with Twitter opens a new chapter in global digital diplomacy and sets a new operational template for Twitter to come back stronger for the benefit of Nigerians.

The following are the resolutions agreed with Twitter. Inc.:

Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. The legal entity will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The establishment of the entity is Twitter’s first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria.

Twitter has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. The Global Public Policy team is also directly available through a dedicated communication channel.

Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.

Twitter has agreed to enrol Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals. The Partner Support Portal provides a direct channel for government officials and Twitter staff to manage prohibited content that violates Twitter community rules. At the same time, the Law Enforcement Portal provides a channel for the law enforcement agencies to submit a report with a legal justification where it suspects that content violates Nigerian Laws. Taken together, these represent a comprehensive compliance apparatus.

Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built and work with the FGN and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries.

Therefore, the FGN lifts the suspension of the Twitter operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January 2022. We encourage all users of the Twitter platform to maintain ethical behaviour and refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous, and distasteful information on the platform. As patriotic citizens, we need to be mindful that anything illegal offline is also illegal online and that committing a crime using a Nigerian Internet Protocol (IP) is synonymous with committing a crime within our jurisdiction.

Considering Twitter’s influence on our democracy, our economy, and the very fabric of our corporate existence as a Nation, our priority is to adapt, not ban, Twitter. The FGN is committed to working with Twitter to do anything possible to help Nigerians align and navigate Twitter algorithmic design to realise its potentials while avoiding its perils.

In his approval, the President appreciates the Presidential Committee led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed, for the supervisory role and guidance given to the Technical Committee during the engagement. Similarly, the Presidential Committee commends the Technical Committee for a professional, robust and productive engagement with Twitter Inc. It also appreciates Government Regulatory Agencies and Internet Service Providers who implemented the FGN’s directives during the suspension.

AFCON: Super Eagles Fly Pass Egypt

Editorial staff

January 11, 2022

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0.

The defeat was in the opening game of Group D today, January 11 at the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s volley in the 30th minute helped the Nigeria defeat a rather spineless Egypt which fielded star player Mohamed Salah.

But for lack of composure in the final third, the Super Eagles should have won the game by a larger margin.

Standing on a spot, Iheanacho slotted home a delightful pass from Joe Aribo to give the Eagles a first-half lead. The scoreline remained the same until full time.

Twice in the game, referee Bakary Gassama changed the football for lack of quality.

Nigeria will play Sudan next on Saturday, January 15.

A win in that encounter will guarantee the Super Eagles entry into the next round.

Ebonyi Gov, Umahi Tells Buhari: I Want To Contest 2023 Presidency On APC Platform

Editorial staff

January 11, 2022

The Governor of Ebinyi State, Dave Umahi has met with President Muhammadu Buhari and informed him of his interest in contesting the Presidency of Nigeria in the next year, 2023 election.

Umahi, who answered Reporters’ questions shortly after a private meeting with the President at the Presidential villa, Abuja today, January 11, “I told Mr. President, that without prejudice to whatever will be the decision of the party, which we shall abide by, that if the party throws the ticket open or zoned it to southern part of Nigeria, that I believe that with what I have put in place in the past six years plus, that I will be running for Presidency, on the platform of APC.

“So, I told him and of course, he believes that whoever wants to run for president of this country must have to consult widely; go to all the leaders and that we must do everything to remove ethnicity and religion in our politics, so that this country can grow.”

On whether he had made his intention to run known to Ohaneze Ndigbo, the Ebony State Governor insisted that Ohaneze leadership should not play politics.

“Yes, they can speak for the interest of the south East, they can speak for fair treatment to south East as people, but as a matter of equity, justice and fairness, and leaving a level playing field for all the political parties and the aspirants. “They should not dabble into politics or whom to support or whom not to support. I think that they hear it just like they heard other political parties aspirants.

“We will also write them to notify them that yes, they have culpable sons and daughters that if God wills, that could do this job.”

The Governor said that he had chosen to first consult with President Buhari before going ahead to consult others across the Southeast and the country in general.

“I wouldn’t have done that without first come in to clear with Mr. President that there is this feeling in South East that have not been President and that people feel that those of our leaders in the various political parties should indicate interest to contest. And this is fair, this is important. But at the end of the day, it is God Almighty and the political parties that will decide.”

Umahi said that he is not going to contest the Presidency with anybody, but with himself, believing the saying by Samuel in the Holy Bible that by strength shall no man prevail, and power and might belongs to Go and that he chooses whomever he wills and he will do that in 2023.

Parts of the answers to the questions are reproduced here:

Q: Why are you here (in the Presidential villa)?

Ans: Thank you very much gentlemen of the press.

Recall that in September, I came to see Mr. President to invite him to Ebonyi state to commission some of our completed projects, and lay foundations stones for some of our ongoing projects, especially the Ebonyi State International Airport.

But while we were in Paris together, I asked him to defer the visit to the first quarter of 2022, which he graciously approved for me. So today, I came to re-invite him to commission numerous projects in Ebonyi State in South East for March 15, 2022. So, we are working on that.

I also briefed the President on the ongoing international airport of Ebonyi State of which I requested for his assistance, it’s taking due process. And I believe that Mr. President, if he finds merit in it, will definitely assist us to purchase airport equipment to enable us commission the airport about the end of May 2022.

Q: What is President Buhari going to see when he comes to Ebonyi State?

Ans: First and foremost, it is not fair to ask what he is coming to see because I’m sure you you know what Mr. President is coming to see.

We have completed 13 twin flyovers, each one going between 300 meter length to 500. We are doing the next flyovers. We have completed a mall that is not like any other mall in the entire West Africa. We’ve completed the best university in this country, which we tagged, University of Medical Sciences, with all the Center of Excellence in it.

You have the artificial bed there, the best eye center, the cancer center, the liver center, kidney transplant center, the heart surgery center. And so, the center is the best of its kind in the whole of Africa.

Mr. President, will also be commissioning very uncommon flyover complex, which he laid the foundation stone of. And this flyover is quite complex, and it’s called President Buhari’s flyover tunnel.

Mr. President will also see the first airport in West Africa whose runway is being constructed with concrete. Mr. President will also be seeing the three industrial clusters. Mr. President will be seeing the biggest international market in the West Africa. Mr. President will be seeing a lot of over 500 kilometers of completed eight inches concrete roads. Mr. President will be seeing a lot of agric projects in the state completed, fertilizer plants and so on and so forth.

Q: Your plateau state colleague told reporters that you were going to have a meeting on Sunday on party convention but it didn’t hold. Are the APC governors likely to meet as regards the party’s convention? Is the February date still realistic for holding the APC national convention?

Ans: I am not Mr. President who must have the final say on the date for convention. And I don’t believe that the governor you mentioned should have spoken for the party. Because if it is APC governors forum, we have a leader; the chairman who is His Excellency, the governor of Kebbi State. He wasn’t even aware of the meeting when I called him. And if it is the party administration, we have His Excellency, the governor of Yobe state. And I think these two would have been able to speak to the press, if we’re going to have such a meeting on Sunday. So I was not aware but I had to inquire from the chairman of APC Governors Forum who wasn’t also aware. So I’m not sure the meeting held.

“But I read in a newspaper sometimes when the party leadership came to brief Mr. President, and they told him February convention. Mr. President said yes. He is not a man that says yes and says no at the same time. He is a man of integrity. He is a man of his words. So I believe that if he ever said February that he is going to stick to that February. I am very sure of that but it is for him to speak or for the party leadership to speak. I speak for my state.

Q: What is Umahi Presidency bringing on board?

Ans: Yeah. God willing, and if it’s the wish of the people of this country, Umahi’s presidency, will be looking at the same thing we did in Ebonyi state. Before we came on board, we were a state written off: we had nothing to write home about infrastructure. But I must commend the first two civilian governors Dr. Sam Egwu and Chief Elechi, they did quite a lot, because they came in the midst of the dust of the nation, Ebonyi State. And so they had quite a lot of challenges.

So I can say that they laid the foundation upon which I started to build. And so there are a lot of things that we have done in Ebonyi.

We have the best government house. You can see anyway, we have the best EXCO chamber and the largest you cannot see anyway. And so we intend to replicate the same thing. And I believe that with the little resources we have and people have been asking us how did you do it? Or how do you do it? And it’s all about patriotism. It’s all about fear of God. It’s all about bringing in our experience to bear. I have been into construction since I graduated. So I have a lot to give in terms of how to run government as business because you have to have the heart to help the people and that’s what we’ve demonstrated in Ebonyi.

So, we want to treat the nation, if God permits, that what we’ve done becomes a microcosm of the macrocosm, of which we expect.

We also believe strongly that we’ll be able to continue with what Mr. President has done. One of the greatest problems we have in this country is ethnicity, religion and unpatriotic features of a lot of people. And I think that there is a need to engage starting from where Mr. President would have stopped.

Let me also add that as the chairman of South East governors forum, that I support a political solution to our insecurity problems in south East. And of course, I mentioned it to Mr. President.

You see, political solution does not terminate the judicial process. And if you know, Mr. President, very well, he has always said, and has always demonstrated that he wouldn’t interfere with any judiciary process, everybody knows him for that.

But you remember very well, that if agreement is reached between parties, you don’t expect Mr. President to be the negotiator, there are a lot of federal, government officials.

And so I believe strongly that as South East is proposing political solution, they should be able to engage the federal government.

After all, there’s always what is called out of court settlement, but it is for our people, and, our brother (Nnamdi) Kanu to be willing for us to truly engage so that we can find true peace in our region. Because, the activities there have destroyed, a lot of the economy of southeast a lot of lives have being lost. And when we were shouting it that it wasn’t going to benefit, because agitation shouldn’t have gone the way it did.

Today, the matter has gone beyond them. You know, every criminal: kidnapper, armed robber tend to claim IPOb and IPOB in turn is fighting them. But I think it is late. So we desire peace, we desire to save the lives of our people. And so we are willing to engage, to see that we have, you know, an amicable settlement. And you know, rebuild the economy of south East.

Q: What will be the starting point of your engagement?

Ans: You see the leaders of south East, of course, not all of them, they must be selected leaders, and there is already Ohaneze and Chief Mbazurike is already in the forefront, and we can find true peace in our region. They have always been briefing me and so I’ve joined them together without this governors. So that could be the starting point, and we will be able to know what we want; we we want peace. And so there are things we must give up in order to acquire that peace.

Because if we are not being fairly treated, and some people feel we are not being fairly treated, we should be able to, you know, constructively show to the federal government, the areas we think that we are not being fairly treated, not through hate speeches, not through violence. I don’t believe in these things, you know, because even in homes, in families, you know, the wife or husband or children, will still have one thing or the other against the family, but they should be able to discuss.

Q: Did you share your thoughts with the President. What really what his response, was he forthcoming?

Ans: If you listen to me very well, Mr. President has never been in disagreement for peace, or anything that will bring peace. But you must allow him for what he believes in and for his pedigree and integrity, not to interfere with the judiciary, but it is up to us because the byproduct of our discussion and negotiation is such that we can now go to the court and seek for out of court settlement, and whatever is the agreement becomes the settlement of the court.

So I believe strongly that a political solution, would be far better than the process which may last for very long time.

Why Nigeria Owes Chief Shonekan Lot Of Gratitude, By Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

January 11, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria owes Chief Earnest Shonekan, who died today, January 11 in Lagos, a lot of gratitude because he saved the country from disintegrating.
“With courageous wisdom, Chief Shonekan left his flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking.”
In a condolence message expressing profound sadness on the death of Shonekan, who he described as “a great statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government,” President Buhari said that Chief Shonekan demonstrated to all that his love for the country and commitment to its development, peace and unity transcend the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.
President Buhari emphasized that Nigeria owes a great debt to Chief Shonekan, saying that he was peacemaker, “who even at the twilight of his life time never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.”
The President said that the late Head of the interim government was an internationally respected statesman who had given his best to the country and the world up to the end of his life.
He expressed his deepest condolences to Chief Shonekan’s wife, Margaret, loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ogun State.
He prayed that the memory of the departed Head of Government will remain a blessing to Nigeria, wishing him perfect peace with Almighty God.
Chief Shonekan died today in Lagos at the age of 85.
He was the head of the interim government, put together by the former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida when he was relinquishing power on August 26, 1993.
Shonekan lasted in power up to November 17 of the same year when General Sani Abacha sacked him via a palace coup.

The Christianisation Of Nigeria By Buhari, By Fredrick Nwabufo

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

In the heat of the 2018 killings by criminals, I received a deluge of broadcast messages steeped in conspiracy theories of how the government was backing certain criminal groups in their festival of bloodletting. According to one of the well-noised fibs, the government was paving the way, through militias, for the occupation of Nigeria and for the domination of ethnic nationalities by the Fulani.

One notorious conspiracy theory claimed the killings were the surreptitious agenda of a powerful clique in government who were working at conquering territories and forcibly converting Nigerian locals to Islam. Another canard said the government was contriving how to take over lands of citizens and hand them over to the Fulani by stoking the crisis. Too many lies.

Doctored videos and photos rippled on social media purportedly showing the military dropping arms and supplies from helicopters to bandits. The criminals were alleged to be enjoying protection as ancillaries of the government.

Really, conspiracy theories in Nigeria come with the ethnic origin of the leadership of the day. The administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is Ijaw and from the south-south, was accused of sponsoring Boko Haram to depopulate the north. Murtala Nyako, former governor of Adamawa state, at a meeting with Susan Rice, former US national security advisor; US officials and some northern leaders, at the White House on March 8, 2014, said Jonathan was eternalising the Boko Haram crisis to whittle down the voting power of the north ahead of the 2015 elections.

Azubuike Ihejirika, former chief of army staff, who was the first army chief of Igbo extraction since the civil war of 1967-1970, was also accused of sponsoring Boko Haram as a way to exact vengeance for the perils the Igbo suffered in the war. He was alleged to be deploying arms and ammunition to the insurgents. Nigeria has always been fertile with conspiracy theories.

Since 2017, the Buhari administration has been accused of angling to Islamise and Fulanise Nigeria. In fact, the allegation was so intense that some Nigerians wrote to foreign bodies asking them to sanction the country. In September 2017, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) claimed the government’s issuance of N100 billion Sukuk bonds (an instrument of Islamic financing) was an attempt to pawn the country to Arab nations. According to the association, the government was accelerating the process of islamising the country.

Islamic financing is celebrated globally for its interest-free and equitable fundamentals, and has been advanced as a better financing alternative for developing countries. Ironically, the Sukuk funds over which CAN raised a hue and cry have been used to finance the construction of a road (Kolo-Otueke-Bayelsa Palm road) in former President Jonathan’s hometown. 44 other road projects have also been funded with Sukuk.

Instead of uniting against the bogey of kidnapping and banditry, Nigerians were divided – and some coloured the tragedies in ethnic complexions. Ethnic knights rose up, threatening the survival of the country. Nigeria was in chaos. Only the heavens know how the country escaped the plunge to certain doom.

And all of this for what? Politics? Because the president is of Fulani ethnic origin? I believe our predatory and pernicious politics was at the heart of the labelling and conspiracy theories. It is nearly seven years in the life of the Buhari administration and about a year to the next presidential election, but the conspiracy theories of Islamisation and Fulanisation appear to be vapourising. Perhaps because the government is inching towards the departure lounge and the ruses no longer serve any political purpose.

The Buhari administration is at its twilight, but Sunday is still a ‘’holy day’’ for Christians. The foundational Christian elements on which Nigeria is built are still the same – and Islamisation has not happened. There is no Fulanisation or Islamisation of the civil service, the military or anywhere. It has been all propaganda.

As I have always said, Nigeria is a Christianised country. This is largely due to British colonialism. Islam had made an in-road into northern Nigeria by the 11th century – before Uthman Dan Fodio’s Jihad of 1804, which was the climactic denouement. Borno was among the first disciples of Islam in the 11th century. There was a literate population, a well defined system of government and codified laws. But the British yanked off a prodigious part of this heritage, imposing its own systems which were fore-grounded in Christian values and practices.

We have become so used to our Christian ways that any blip of the obverse sends us, top gear, into panic and revulsion.

President Buhari has left the orthodoxies the way he met them – and by dint of that, I think he has contributed in the Christianisation of Nigeria.

By Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a writer and journalist. Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @FredrickNwabufo

Authority Battles Touts At Lagos, Abuja Airports: 90 Of Them Handed To Police

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a battle with touts who are engaged in all manner of illegal activities, especially at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Such activities, according to the authority, include fake Covid-19 test results, touting, unauthorised entry, trespass, illegal facilitation, forgery, loitering, theft, public nuisance, and arguments, amongst others.

The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu confirmed that 90 of such touts have so far been arrested and handed over to the Nigerian police.

According to her, the arrest is part of efforts to rid the nation’s airports of touting and extortion.

She said that out of the number arrested, 59 were handed over to the airport police command in Abuja for prosecution, while 30 were handed over to the police force in Lagos to do the same.

Mrs. Yakubu said that those arrested are staff of Patovilki Nigeria Limited, Lakewood Services, NAHCO Plc, and other airport staff.

“We are using this opportunity to warn those that do not have any legitimate business at the airports, as well as airport staff carrying out illegal duties to desist from such acts, as the Authority will not hesitate to arrest and hand over such individuals for prosecution,” FAAN Spokeswoman warned

But the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), has asked FAAN to disclose the identity of its staff arrested for illegal activities at the airports. A statement from the company’s management reacting to the arrest read: ”NAHCO is in support of the arrest of airport staff for touting and other vices. We commend the move. “NAHCO is a responsible player in the industry, as such, will not condone any form of illegality. We urge FAAN to always carry us along in this fight.

“The current move will in no small measure help our industry to grow as well as bring sanity to the airports. We will however engage FAAN, to provide us our personnel alleged to be involved, to enable us to activate our internal disciplinary process as we currently do not have any clue as to who is involved, when, and in what capacity.”

Army Kill ISWAP Fighters, Boko Haram Terrorists Out To Loot Armoury

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

In two different operations, the Nigerian army have killed scores of ISWAP fighters and Boko Haram terrorists at Kawuri and Kayamla, respectively in Borno State.

Both operations were carried out today, Januari 10, in the communities within Konduga local government areas of Borno State.

It was gathered that ISWAP terrorists had attempted to attack a military base at Kawuri to loot the armoury when the troops, after obtaining intelligence on their movement, ambushed and killed them with full force before the Nigerian aircraft shelled their fleeing gun trucks.

Meanwhile, with the support of the civilian JTF, troops of the 73 Battalion stationed in Jere also eliminated suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a looting spree after invading the Kayamla community.

The terrorists were ambushed while escaping with rustled cattle and other items they stole from the community.

Items recovered from the terrorists in the two operations included gun trucks, sophisticated weapons, ammunition and phones.

Source: PRNigeria

Osinbajo Commends ECOWAS For Standing Against Military Coups

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

Nigeria Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has commended the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) for standing against military coup d’etat in the sub-region.

Professor Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State Government in Accra, Ghana yesterday, January 9, said that there is a strong resolve by ECOWAS Member States to stand against coup d’états in the sub-region.

According to him, there is clear evidence that international community will no longer accept unconstitutional takeover of government with its latest stand against unconstitutional seizure of power.

He added that leaders of member States in the ECOWAS have shown strong resolve and commitment to issues of good governance and democracy in the sub-region.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the Summit, Professor Osinbajo said: “what is being done is unprecedented. In the years gone by, the African Union, then known as OAU and ECOWAS, never came down heavily on Coups de’tats; but there is evidence now that there is a very strong resolve that ECOWAS and, indeed, AU and the international community will not accept unconstitutional takeover of government.”

“It’s very evident that there is very strong resolve, which is why we are here today. We expect that the actions that will be taken will point the junta in Mali in the right direction.

“I think ECOWAS has shown that it has not lost its bite where there are concerns about issues of good governance and democratic enterprises in the sub-region, which is why sanctions against Guinea and Mali were imposed.”

Aside from Vice President Osinbajo and the Ghanaian President – who presided at the Summit, other West African leaders present at the Summit were Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal; George Weah of Liberia; Patrice Talon of Benin Republic; Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of Burkina Faso, and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.

Other Heads of State present include Umaro Embalò of the Republic of Guinea Bissau; Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic; Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, and the Vice President of The Gambia, Isatou Touray.

The session was also attended by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the ECOWAS Mediator for Mali; the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou; among other representatives of international organisations.

ECOWAS Cuts Off Mali’s Military Junta: Shuts Embassies, Closes Borders, Stops Business

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken far-reaching punitive measures against Mali on the basis of of the military government in that country.

At the Summit of the sub-regional body yesterday, January 9, in Accra, Ghana, ECOWAS agreed to impose additional sanctions on the military junta in Mali, withdraw all ECOWAS Ambassadors in the country and close land and air borders between ECOWAS Member States and Mali.

The body also imposed additional sanctions on the junta, including the following:

a) Withdrawal of all ECOWAS Ambassadors in Mali;
b) Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Mali;
c) Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Mali, with the exception of the following products: essential consumer goods; pharmaceutical products; medical supplies and equipment, including materials for the control of COVID-19 products, and electricity
d) Freeze of assets of the Republic of Mali in ECOWAS Central Banks;
e) Freeze of assets of the Malian State and the State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks
f) Suspension of Mali from all financial assistance and transactions from financial institutions.

After reviewing the situation in Mali at the Extraordinary Summit, the sub-regional leaders rejected the transition schedule proposed by the Malian military junta, saying: “the proposed chronogram for a transition is totally unacceptable”.

The communique also disclosed that the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government “instructs all Community institutions to take steps to implement these sanctions with immediate effect.”

It said that the sanctions will only be gradually lifted “after an acceptable and agreed transition chronogram is finalised and monitored-satisfactory progress is realised in the implementation of the chronogram for the elections.”

Regarding Guinea, ECOWAS noted that it remained concerned about the slow progress of the transition process four months after the coup.

According to the Communique issued at the end of the meeting: “The Authority regrets the absence of chronogram for the election and the non-setting up of the National Council of Transition (CNT). It also directs that a mission be fielded to Conakry to discuss the transition.”

Earlier in his remarks at the opening session of the Summit, Chairman of ECOWAS, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, praised the commitment and support of West African leaders to the progress and prosperity of the sub-region.

President Akufo-Addo recalled the efforts of the leaders in resolving the crisis in parts of the sub-region, adding: “as you did through the entire year of 2021, you continue to demonstrate your commitment to responding to urgent and critical evolving situations in the region.

“This is the 6th Extraordinary Summit since I assumed the chair of the Authority that Your Excellencies have participated in concerning the vexed issues of Mali and Guinea. It is a strong testimony to your leadership and concern to the progress of ECOWAS.”

BREAKING NEWS: Yes, I’m Contesting 2023 Presidency, Tinubu Opens Up

Greenbarge Reporters

January 10, 2022

The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally admitted that he will contest the next year 2023 Presidential election.

Tinubu, who answered reporters’ questions after a private audience with President Muhammadu Buhari today, January 10, at the Presidential villa, Abuja described his decision to contest the Presidential election next year as his “lifelong ambition.”

He said that one of the vital reasons he had audience with the President was to formally inform him (the president) of his intention.

Read below, the full text of the interview:

Q: May we know why you are here?

Ans: I will not answer that question when I not lost my citizenship. I came to see the President on general issues concerning Nigeria, including our political party, APC, security issues, the achievement and the New Year Agenda. That’s all I can tell you. The new strategy that we must have party Congresses and all that.

Q: President Buhari recently said he did not want to divulge his favorite for the APC 2023 presidential ticket. Nigerians will like to know; have you informed the President about your ambition?

Ans: I answer that with categorical yes. I’ve informed the President of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting. And I have no problem consulting. And I’ve not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people will I consult. You will soon hear. All you want to hear is the categorical declaration. You’ve gotten that truth from me that I have informed Mr. President of my ambition, and you don’t expect more answers than that.

Q: What was his response?

Ans. That’s our business. He is a Democrat. He didn’t ask me to stop. He didn’t ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition; it is a lifelong ambition. So, why do I expect him to say more than that? You are running a democratic dispensation, and you must adopt the principles and the values and the virtues of democracy. That’s it.

Q: We have seen a number of support groups, drumming up support for your ambition, that of Vice President Osinbajo and Governor of Kogi state too. What’s your perspective of this? How do you see a potential race between you and these other persons for the APC ticket?

Ans: I don’t want to discuss individuals now. I must discuss myself. I have the confidence, the vision, the capacity to rule, (to) build on the foundation of Mr. President and turn Nigeria better. I have done that with commitment and unyielding, you know, in Lagos State. You’ve seen that experience and the capacity to turn things around and that is what we are doing. You know, the confusion, the drift of the past brought about by the PDP is being corrected. And you can’t take away from that. As we are today, go back to the data on how many barrels of oil we were producing when we first came in and what it is today. At the time we came in, we could not even pay the counterpart funds to start our rail line. Today, you enjoy the comfort of having rail from Lagos to Ibadan; you have the Kaduna and you have the one for Kano State on the aggressive pipeline. You see excellent infrastructure. I just came from Azare and I have seen good roads. The carnage of dying on motor vehicles is reducing except you know, lack of compliance with a lot of Nigerian drivers and VIOs. Let us think back; let us be intellectually inquisitive as to the past and the present and what the future holds for Nigeria.

Q: Tinubu as Nigeria’s President, what do we hope to see?

Ans: You want my manifesto now? Not yet. Not yet.

Q: I would like you to speak on the direct primaries and the convention. And secondly, what would be your response to those that say, the cap of being a kingmaker fits you more than you throwing yourself into the ring, that you should remain a kingmaker.

Ans. First of all, the National Assembly and the president must be encouraged to review and review again. Whatever they come up with, electoral amendment is what we must comply with. There is no unlimited elasticity in what we face, because we have to plan and plan well, and be able to manage the time effectively. The great roadmap to success is ability of a leader to do what he must do at the right time that it should be done. So that to me, the electoral amendment point we will still look at that collectively. And it is our country. It’s our democracy. We had adopted it and we will push it rigorously.

About the cap of king maker. I’ve never seen the cap of a king maker before. That is the truth. And I’ve never seen where it is written in the rule book anywhere in any country, that a kingmaker cannot be a king unless you commit murder. So, whatever is your attribute is your own opinion. Me, I want to pursue my ambition without the title of a kingmaker. You can write your literature and your story based upon your own perception.

Convention, it is certain that we are going to get it.

Q: When, next month?

Ans: Oh, well. I’m not a spokesperson for the party. And the President is the leader of the party. So, expect convention, maybe if that’s added to your own anxiety, or the other party’s anxiety is good for us. We get it and we’ll get it done properly.

1...521522523...2,448 Page 522 of 2,448