₦airaland Forum

In a recent and alarming development, a Nigeria Air Force (NAF) helicopter crash-landed and exploded at the NAF Base in Port Harcourt. The incident, which occurred at approximately 7:50 am on Friday, has raised concerns and questions about the safety of military air operations.

News Verified received reports from a source who resides near the NAF Base. According to the witness, they heard a thunderous sound, followed by a thick flame emerging from the base. The source expressed uncertainty about potential casualties, stating, “I don’t know if there are casualties because I can’t go close to the scene for now. But I heard a blast twice.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, the NAF has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. This lack of communication leaves the public in suspense and raises concerns about the transparency of information related to military activities.

As we await further details on this distressing event, News Verified will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. The safety of military personnel and the circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash remain key areas of interest.

Stay tuned for more information on this developing story.

https://thisweekng.com/naf-helicopter-crash-and-explosion-at-naf-base-port-harcourt/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29rF5juissI
The Israeli military, having fought repeatedly with several neighbours for the better part of its existence, is made up of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF, also known by Hebrew acronym Tzahal), Israel Naval Force (IN) and Israel Air Force (IAF). Service is compulsory for most Jewish and Druze citizens starting at 18 years old.
Israel has 176,500 personnel on active service, made up of 133,000 in the army, which includes 107,000 conscripts. The navy has 9,500 sailors on active duty and there are 34,000 in the air force, as well as a total reserve force of 565,000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG0l5PCwK9M

Although initially appearing impressive on the surface, a closer examination of Chinese airpower reveals a predominant tendency towards a 'copy-and-paste' approach when it comes to many of its frontline fighting components. The majority of these entries have their origins in Soviet, Russian, French, Israeli, or American designs, with only a limited number of genuinely homegrown products to showcase. While their overall quality and effectiveness in actual combat remain largely unproven, the Chinese military does possess significant quantities of these assets, ready to deploy in the event of a full-scale conflict. The modernization of Chinese air power has been made possible primarily through contributions from the former Soviet Empire, as well as modern-day Russia, and more recently, France. The Chinese Air Force, Army Aviation, and Naval Aviation forces are all detailed in the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO2I7foab4I

The 31 NATO Member states as of April 2023 are: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland (inducted 2023), France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The inclusion of Finland now bolsters NATO manpower, armored vehicle strength, artillery firepower, total naval assets available, and labor force while also expanding the NATO border along Russia's Western flank - allowing for additional temporary and permanent staging areas in the event of all-out war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8-O-TXzk08

In the ever-evolving landscape of global geopolitics, it is imperative to stay informed about the military capabilities of nations around the world. In 2023, our comprehensive analysis delves deep into the military powers of Nigeria and Gabon, shedding light on their respective strengths, weaknesses, and strategic assets.

Nigeria, often referred to as the "Giant of Africa," boasts one of the most formidable military forces on the continent. With a diverse array of land, air, and naval assets, Nigeria has been a regional powerhouse for decades. Its Army, equipped with modern tanks and artillery, is a substantial ground force. Additionally, the Nigerian Air Force boasts a variety of aircraft, including fighter jets and transport planes, making it a force to be reckoned with in the skies. When it comes to naval power, Nigeria's fleet includes frigates and patrol vessels that secure its vast coastline.

On the other hand, Gabon, a smaller African nation, maintains a more modest military presence. Although not as extensive as Nigeria's, Gabon's military is well-structured and strategically positioned. Gabon's Armed Forces focus on securing its territorial waters, with a capable naval force and a commitment to maritime security. The Gabonese Air Force maintains a fleet of aircraft for reconnaissance and transport. While Gabon's military might not be as vast as Nigeria's, its focused capabilities make it a notable player in the region.

When comparing the two nations' military powers, it is essential to consider factors beyond hardware. Training, readiness, and adaptability play pivotal roles in a military's effectiveness. Moreover, geopolitical alliances and regional dynamics can also influence a nation's military strategy and posture.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has confirmed that September 6 has been chosen as the date to deliver the ruling on the petitions challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview with Channels Television on Monday, the Court of Appeal Registrar, Umar Bangari, confirmed that the much-anticipated verdict is expected to be delivered on Wednesday, September 6th.

Speaking further, Bangari disclosed that the court proceedings will be open to live broadcast by interested television stations.

Bangari stated that everything has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free delivery of the judgment in the three petitions.

He added that adequate security has been put in place and that only the invited members of political parties and the general public would be allowed into the courtroom to avoid congestion and security breaches.

Recall that the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as well as their presidential candidates, had petitioned the tribunal seeking to nullify the election of President Tinubu the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2023 presidential election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It would be recalled that after adopting the final written addresses of the parties involved in the suit, the five-man tribunal headed by Justice Haruna Simon Tsamani reserved judgment and said a date to deliver the verdict would be communicated to concerned parties and their lawyers.

News Verified, however, reports that the Tribunal must deliver judgment on the petition on or before September 17, as the constitution gives a provision of a maximum of 180 days for the panel to conclude its job.


https://thisweekng.com/presidential-tribunal-confirms-date-to-deliver-final-judgement-allows-live-broadcast/

Getting people who wish to know educated, if you don't want to be just ignore, no one prays for war, but Russia and Ukraine never knew they will be at war

Hikana:
Are you praying for war ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9IlEpmsD0Q

The Warpower series of sites take a unique, 'by-the-numbers', quick-reference approach to the current (2023) military capabilities of the United States. The country is consistently ranked as the TOP global military power according to the defense aggregate GlobalFirepower (GFP), the nation showcasing a deep military budget and cutting-edge technology to satisfy local requirements. America continues its place atop the major global players of the world, outpacing the military might of Russia, China, and India by some margin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ojfAT-IMQ

The ranking considers factors including the amount of military equipment and troops each country has, as well as their financial standing, geography, and available resources, information which may be imperfect. Notably, the ranking only evaluates militaries from a conventional standpoint, overlooking a country's capacity for nuclear strike.

It purportedly uses more than 60 factors to generate a PowerIndex score, with a score closer to zero indicating a more powerful military. (Global Firepower doesn't explain exactly how the factors are weighed against each other or the workings of their "in-house formula."

Watch the video above rundown of the 25 top militaries, per this ranking, with some information on each nation.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Chief Olawale Edun has said the last time Nigeria’s economy looked stable was about a decade ago.

He made this statement during his maiden press conference as Minister of Finance where he outlined President Bola Tinubu’s vision, agenda and strategy for the economy.

He said, “I think as we all know, we are not where we should be. The economy is barely growing above the rate of population growth.

“But it was not always so, and I think in trying to look at the way forward, if we now have a situation of slow growth, double-digit inflation, weak/depreciating exchange rate, as well as security concerns that are resulting in an economy that is not growing and not taking Nigerians out of poverty.

“If we think back to the last time when the economy was stable- when it was growing, when inflation was low, and the interest rate was affordable, that period was about a decade ago. Growth was about 6% in 2013 and 2014.”
Private sector to drive the economy

Speaking further, Mr. Edun noted that the prevailing circumstances that necessitated the economic growth of the 2010s were not present today hence the government has to allow private funding for certain problems.

He specifically mentioned FDIs and domestic investment by Nigerians as ways in which the private sector can contribute to President Tinubu’s strategy of economic recovery.

He said the President’s antecedents of deploying private investment in areas such as infrastructure, power, waste management etc. during his time as Governor of Lagos serves as a pointer towards the plan of the current administration.

Speaking on the key priority areas President Tinubu will focus on, the finance minister said,

“The key priorities are to improve the lives of Nigerians by providing food security by ending poverty.

“His plan for the economy is economic growth, job creation, access to capital- particularly consumer credit that makes goods affordable to the average Nigerian.

“Utilising our human resources- our vast, capable human resources, by focusing on inclusivity-women, youth and making all have the opportunity to contribute to prosperity and likewise focusing on security, rule of law and corruption. He intends to create a fairer, safer playing field for all”

Commenting on how the President hopes to measure performance, Mr Edun said objective measure of performance will be used, he made reference to inclusivity when he said “In the area of inclusivity, we will measure literacy rate, out-of-school children and see how successful the trend in reducing out-of-school children, rule of law, anti-corruption etc likewise other metrics will be used to check how well the administration is doing”

He further mentioned that the key to achieving President Tinubu’s agenda is increasing revenues so that there is enough funding from the government to carry out its expenditure.

In his words, “On the one hand is by increasing tax revenue not by increasing taxes but by bringing greater efficiency and to maximise the revenue.

There will be an emphasis on efficiency in government expenditure and effective debt management so that borrowing has linked to it, the effective debt management”

“Overall, the President is going to provide a better life for all by encouraging investment that improves productivity, grows the economy and thereby creates jobs and reduces poverty”


https://thisweekng.com/the-last-time-nigerias-economy-was-stable-was-about-a-decade-ago-wale-edun/

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has suspended airports’ concession and national carrier.

Daily Trust reports that both airports concession and national were major projects under the aviation roadmap implemented by the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But speaking during a tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, his first tour of the busiest airport in Nigeria since his appointment, Keyamo said the concession and national carrier would be on hold until further notice

The two projects became controversial following their approval a few days before the expiration of the former government.

Barely a week to the end of the last administration, the Federal Government announced that it has successfully concessioned the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The then Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, James Odaudu, stated that the concessioning was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He disclosed that the Corporacion American Airport Consortium emerged as the preferred bidder, which comprises the Corporation American Airports, Mota Engil Africa, and Mota Engil Nigeria.

Furthermore, the Corporacion American Airport Consortium will make upfront payments of $7 million for NAIA and $1.5 million for MAKIA.

Also, Nigeria Air was equally mired in controversy following what was said to be a shadow launch on May 26, just 72 hours to the end of the administration.

The launch came as a shock to many observers and players in the sector as the airline christened Nigeria Air was yet to receive the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to commence commercial operation.

At the time of the controversial launch, the order of the Federal High Court in Lagos stopping the take-off of the national carrier following a suit filed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) was and is still subsisting.

The minister also disclosed that the old terminal of the airport would be shut on October 1 for total repair.

He directed foreign airlines to relocate to the new terminal latest by October 1 when the old terminal would be shut down for total rehabilitation.

Source Daily Trust

https://thisweekng.com/just-in-keyamo-halts-nigeria-air-project-reverses-concession-of-airports/

After the coup in Gabon, revolutionaries uncovered suitcases and bags full of various banknotes in the ousted President, Ali Bongo’s family home.

They were found in Yann Ngulu’s house, the Chief of Staff of Nourredine Bongo and the eldest son of the deposed President.

In the video making the rounds on X app (formerly Twitter) posted on Wednesday, the bags could be seen filled with bundles of CFA francs, dollars and Euros.

A group of top Gabonese military officers on Wednesday appeared on television to announce that they had taken over power in the country following President Ali Bongo’s re-election after spending 14 years in power.

His father, Omar Bongo, was in power for 42 years. The Bongo family have been in power for a total of 56 years which led to the coup and has since caused outrage online.

https://thisweekng.com/bags-of-money-uncovered-at-ousted-president-bongos-family-residence-after-coup-video/

President Bola Tinubu will address world leaders in his first outing to the 78th Session of the high-level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, September 19.

News Verified learnt that the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) will open on Tuesday, September 5, with the inauguration of a new President, Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago, who will take on the mantle for the next 12 months.

The theme of the high-level General Debate scheduled to be held from September 19 to 29 will be rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity, Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.

According to the speakers’ list from the office of the General Assembly President, the Nigerian President would be the fifth African leader to speak on day one of the gathering and the 14th speaker out of 20 leaders slated to talk on the first day.

Tinubu would deliver his statement around 6 pm (11 pm Nigerian time) to the world leaders during the afternoon session.

The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the 10th speaker, will be the first African leader to speak in the morning session of the Assembly.

Five African leaders are expected to address the gathering in the Afternoon session.

The President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, will be the first African leader to speak at the afternoon session, followed by the Moroccan leader, Aziz Akhannouch and Mozambique President, Filipe Nyusi.

The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, will be the fourth African speaker to address the gathering and the last leader on the first day.

The President of Brazil, Luiz da Sliva, would be the first world leader to present his address to the 78th session as is tradition, followed by the U.S. President, Joe Biden, the traditional second speaker, being the host country.

https://thisweekng.com/president-tinubu-to-address-world-leaders-at-un-general-assembly-september-19/

The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame has approved the retirement of 95 military generals and senior officers as well as 930 junior soldiers.

This move is coming against the backdrop of the recent coups in Niger Republic and Gabon.

The development was announced in a statement published on the Rwanda Defense Force’s official website on Wednesday.

Top on the list of retirees is General James Kabarebe, the country’s former Minister of Defence and Chief of Defense Staff.

Until his retirement, General Kabarebe served as the special advisor to the president on security.

Local media reports that some of those retired had attained the retirement age of 65 while others were indicted in some misconduct.

Prior to their retirement, the Rwandan president promoted several lieutenant colonels to the rank of colonels and brigade commanders.

Although the statement did not categorically state the reasons behind the retirement of over 600 military officers, the president had in previous weeks addressed opinion leaders on the need to keep the country united.

“Our history has been an example of how destructive division can be. We have also seen that it is our unity that has led to our country’s transformation. We have people who lost their family members, others who have family members who are perpetrators, everyone has suffered the consequences of division. The only solution to this is unity. We cannot accept to return to the destructive practice of division. That would be self destruction.” President Kagame said.


https://thisweekng.com/rwanda-president-retires-over-1000-military-officers-amidst-coups-in-africa/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gimWAqpEmMo?si=odT-oIkH_ztpzgiw

How Watermelon, Ginger and Pineapple will help you last longer in bed with your partner

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dele Momodu, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial team.

Momodu said Tinubu’s ministerial list was worst than his predecessor, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s team.

This was as he disclosed that some of Tinubu’s ministers are unknown unlike what was obtainable in the past.

He disclosed this while featuring on the latest edition of a Podcast, Mic On.

Momodu noted that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai was an original version of himself when he was a minister under PDP.

According to Momodu: “Every leader has what it takes to be a good resident if he has good advisers and listens to them. It’s just like a journalist without corrections, he will always carry fake news.

“For any leader to succeed, he must look at his team and what I’m seeing now is worst than Buhari’s team.

“What I expected was a star-studded cabinet, I like to recall myself with sweet memories of Ibrahim Babangida’s cabinet in those days.

“We remember them till today, most of the people appointed now, I don’t know them. Under Babangida, I remember Akinyele, Bolaji Akinyemi, Bolasodun Ajibola, Tai Solarin, Wole Soyinka.

“You can’t say that today, somebody is on her way to screen you remove her, that’s disgraceful, it means you didn’t do your due diligence before appointing people.

“In the days of Okonjo-Iweala, Ezekesili, Nubu Ribadu, original El-Rufai when he was a minister under PDP was original El-Rufai.”


https://thisweekng.com/tinubus-ministerial-list-worse-than-buharis-dele-momodu/

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amazed many when he declined a ministerial nomination from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and soon left the country.

Well-regarded for his achievements in both the private and public sectors, El-Rufai was among the initial 28 of 48 nominees President Tinubu selected for ministerial roles in July.

He was slated to head the new Ministry of Power and Energy, given the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

During his vetting, El-Rufai confirmed his dedication to improving the country’s electricity supply, asserting, “I will do my best.”

Despite his reputation, Sunday Karimi, a representative for Kogi West, raised security concerns against El-Rufai during the screening.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio suggested such petitions be set aside for the time. Yet, the Senate later paused El-Rufai’s confirmation, along with two others, due to security clearance issues.

The news created mixed feelings, with sources telling Premium Times that the embarrassment was why El-Rufai had informed the president that he was withdrawing his ministerial interest.

The president then asked for 24 hours grace to review the petitions and the SSS report to the Senate to enable him to reach a decision.

As of Friday, there are reports that El-Rufai had left the country for Egypt after making his position clear to President Tinubu.

A source who spoke with Daily Trust on the development said, “Even after he made the decision to withdraw, he held meetings with local meter manufacturers and other stakeholders in the power and energy sector, where he urged them to work with whoever would come in as minister.”

The platform claimed that more facts have emerged on why El-Rufa was confirmed because of the petition against him.

Sources claimed that power play and gang-up against El-Rufai came from various angles, including the presidency.

It was noted that the petition and alleged security concerns were a mere ruse cooked up by some powerful persons to frustrate the former governor’s chances.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Some very powerful Nigerians, it appears, are not comfortable with the kind of reforms El-Rufai was bringing to the power and energy sector.

“Every reform attracts some form of resistance, and so, what El-Rufai did as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was possible because he had the tenacity to do it but also because he had the support of his principal, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. People still tried to stand in the way of the reforms but because there was political will, it was done.”

Other sources that spoke with the platform said El-Rufai decided to withdraw his ministerial appointment because of the ‘body’ language of the president.

It was noted that El-Rufai on Tuesday led some members of the team he had assembled to the Villa on Wednesday, where they made a presentation.

However, a source close to the former governor revealed that El-Rufai had made his decision to withdraw his ministerial appointment even before the meeting with the president.

A source said, “What happened on Monday couldn’t have happened except there was some nod and wink from the place where the nomination came from.”

He said for someone who never asked for an appointment, El-Rufai was unfairly treated.

Another source, “He never begged for it. In fact, he was begged to come and work for them, and when he finally agreed, they subjected him to what happened on Monday.

“Some very powerful people are not comfortable with him and the president is now part of it. Why will the State Security Service (SSS) clear people with corruption cases; some nationally and even internationally and then fail to clear El-Rufai? It is political and it is unfortunate that the president would allow himself to be part of this.”

It was also noted that El-Rufai had planned to obtain his doctorate at the time of his nomination. Those close to him said he would carry on with his studies.

A source said, “If you nominate someone and you later change your mind, you decide that the kind of things he is likely to do, you may not be able to support him, then you should invite him and say look. I think we should find a different way of working together. Maybe he should not take a full-time role.”


https://thisweekng.com/minister-power-play-forced-el-rufai-out-sources/

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday said the Nigerian Military has no plan to take over the government in Nigeria.

This is as it revealed that there have been some recent calls from some quarters for the military to intervene in the country’s democracy.

However, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau in a statement on Friday assured that the armed forces of Nigeria would not execute any coup as the military is better under democracy.

He further described the call on the military to interfere in Nigeria’s democracy as highly unpatriotic and wicked.

Gusau pledged the loyalty of the nation’s military under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa to President Bola Tinubu, adding that they would not be distracted from their constitutional duties.

The full statement reads: “The Defence Headquarters frown at a report being circulated online about welfare issues in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The report’s call on the military to interfere in our democracy is highly unpatriotic, wicked, and an attempt to distract the Armed Forces of Nigeria from performing its constitutional responsibilities.

“While the leadership of the AFN gives priority to welfare of its personnel however, we detest any attempt by any individual or group to instigate the law-abiding Armed Forces of Nigeria to embark on any unconstitutional change of government in our country.

“We wish to state unequivocally that the military is happy and better under democracy and will not get involved in any act to sabotage the hard-earned democracy in our country.

“The AFN under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa is determined to ensure complete subordination of the Armed Forces to constitutional authority under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will not be distracted from its roles that are well defined in the 1999 constitution (as amended).

“Thank you for your usual cooperation.”


https://thisweekng.com/defence-headquarters-speaks-on-military-coup-in-nigeria/

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he is no longer interested in serving in his administration as a minister.

We understands that the former governor jetted out of the country after withdrawing his interest in ministerial appointment.

Recall that El-Rufai was one of only three ministerial nominations that were withheld when the list of 48 nominees was considered last week. Others whose nomination did not receive Senate approval are Abubakar Danladi of Taraba and Stella Okotete of Delta.

The senators, however, cleared 45 candidates, including Nyesom Wike, Bello Matawalle, Gboyega Oyetola, and Abubakar Bagudu, amongst others.

A source told Daily Trust that El-Rufai was off to Europe, but will be in Egypt first.

Premium Times also quoted presidency sources as saying El-Rufai told President Tinubu that he was no longer interested in becoming a minister, but would continue to contribute his quota to the development of Nigeria as a private citizen.

“He also told the president that he needed time to focus on his doctorate programme at a university in The Netherlands,” the online newspaper quoted another source to have said.


https://thisweekng.com/i-am-no-longer-interested-el-rufai-tells-president-tinubu-jets-out-of-nigeria/

Governors of the Southeast have said that the spate of kidnappings and killings in the region cannot be linked to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The governors however said that anybody who has evidence linking the IPOB leader to the killings should come up with them.

Rising from a prolonged meeting in Enugu Thursday, chairman of the Southeast governors forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma said that the perpetrators of the insecurity in the region and their sponsors were criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators.

“Therefore, upon arrest, they should be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land,” he said.

He said that the forum has firmly resolved to fight insecurity decisively in the region individually and collectively, in partnership with the federal government and other Stakeholders.

The forum also commended the security agencies for their cooperation thus far while also encouraging them not to relent in their efforts to deal with insecurity in the region.

It further resolved to hold the security and economic summit on a date to be announced soon.

The meeting, which is the first since the May 29 inauguration, had all five governors including Enugu State, Peter Mbah; Anambra, Charles Soludo; Imo, Hope Uzodinma; Abia, Alex Oti and Ebonyi, Francis Nwifuru, in attendance.


https://thisweekng.com/southeast-governors-demand-evidence-linking-insecurity-to-nnamdi-kanu/

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, addressed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government over the military coup in Niger Republic.

NEWS VERIFIED reports that Tinubu, who is the Chairperson of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, addressed the leaders of the regional body at an Extraordinary summit held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Below is the full speech of President Tinubu at the meeting.

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government;

Your Excellency, the President of the ECOWAS Commission;

Your Excellency, President of the African Union Commission;

Your Excellency, President of the UEMOA Commission;

The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in West Africa and the Sahel; and Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Let me commence by welcoming you all to the Second (2nd) Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger within the space of ten days. Your presence here, despite the short notice, demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our esteemed community to finding a lasting solution to the political situation in the Republic of Niger.

2. Today, we gather with a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation. During that initial meeting, we voiced our solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President, H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military takeover and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. As you may recall, we called on the junta to rescind its decision to topple a legitimate government. We proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger. Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome. We have also made diligent efforts, through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation. One of the facilitators, former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would update us on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.

4. Similarly, as part of coherent diplomatic initiatives, Special Envoys were dispatched to non-ECOWAS nations, particularly Libya and Algeria. During these engagements, the Envoy designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of Libya. This discourse resulted in an unequivocal expression of support for the resolutions adopted by ECOWAS aimed at restoring constitutional governance in Niger. In Algeria, the Envoy was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the President of the country. These initiatives are aimed at presenting a cohesive and united stance regarding the ongoing circumstances in Niger, thus showing a collaborative and concerted approach among African nations.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. Following the resolution of our previous Extraordinary Summit to initiate a meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee was duly held from 2nd to 4th August 2023. The outcome of that meeting, as well as a Memorandum by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on current socio-political developments in Niger, will be presented during this Summit. These will offer critical insights that will inform our collective decision-making process at this meeting.

6. Today’s Summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since our last gathering. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress. Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.

Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach. We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.

7. More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region. By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.

Esteemed Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. I am confident that this 2nd ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger will be a defining moment in our journey towards a stronger, more resilient, and integrated West Africa. Let us seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our fellow Africans as we strive to build a future defined by peace, progress, and prosperity.

9. In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to each of you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust that our deliberations will be productive and fruitful, leading us to find an amicable solution to the political crisis in Niger. As we continue to work together in solidarity and harmony, we can ensure a prosperous future for the entire West African region.

10. With these remarks, I hereby declare this Extraordinary Summit open.

Thank you all for your attention.


https://thisweekng.com/full-text-tinubus-opening-speech-at-second-ecowas-summit-on-niger-coup/

Three Nigerian students were removed from the enrollment list at Swansea University, UK, for paying fees late.

The students, Omolade Olaitan, Emmanuel Okohoboh, and Paulette Ojogun, paid their school fees a few hours later than expected

According to Legit.ng, they have explained to the school that their school fees came late as a result of the cash crunch that hit Nigeria earlier in 2023.

Swansea University, UK, has, however, turned deaf ears and held on to the N3.8 million (4000 pounds) school fees while asking the students to pack their bags and go home.

Swansea University ask three Nigerian students to return home[i][/i]

The deadline for the payment of fees was March 27, 2023. Omolade Olaitan, one of the students, paid her fees on March 29.

She said: “On the 29th (March) I got an email from income tuition. They confirmed my payment and they told me that because the payment didn’t come in before the deadline, they can no longer allow me to enrol and that I should pack my bags and go back to my home country.”

Student who sold parcels of land to travel to UK faces deportation for late payment of fees at Swansea University

Another student, Emmanuel Okohoboh, who got admission to start a masters degree in Business Management, is also facing deportation.

Emmanuel said two parcels of land were sold to raise his fees. His words:

“They are not fair, they are not compassionate, they are showing no signs of empathy. I had to sell my dad’s land and a piece of my own personal land to get the resources to come to Swansea University to study. Coming here and going through this situation has been mentally draining and frustrating for me.”

Paulette Ojogun, another student enrolled for a marketing management degree, also paid her fees after the deadline.
She cried profusely in a video seen on the website of ITV. Paulette lamented:

“I am happy that I am here, I am happy that I am studying, so why would you take that away from me because my school fees came in late? I’ve explained everything to them, I sent emails, and they still would not give me a listening ear.”


https://thisweekng.com/go-back-to-nigeria-3-nigerian-students-in-uk-face-deportation-for-paying-their-school-fees-hours-late/

Grammy award-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, has made a mockery of President Bola Tinubu over the proposed military invasion of the Niger Republic following a coup in the country.

News Verified recalls that President Tinubu recently wrote to the Senate seeking its support for military intervention against the military junta in the Niger Republic, but the request was declined.

Reacting via an Instagram live session, Burna Boy questioned how the war would be possible when the country is still battling with the hike in fuel prices.

The ‘Stand Tall’ crooner urged Tinubu to concentrate on tackling the current issues of fuel hikes following his sudden removal of subsidy.

Speaking in Pidgin English, Burna Boy said, “Wettin dey sub na? Dem say na War we wan enter like this o [laughs]. Fuel never dey you wan go fight war.

“How you wan reach the battlefield? You go use…. Wettin dem dey use that generator now do? Gas generator. E shock me. Wahala no dey ever tire Nigeria”


https://thisweekng.com/fuel-never-dey-you-wan-go-fight-war-burna-boy-mocks-president-tinubu-video/

Sweden advanced to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finals after a narrow penalty shootout win over 2019 champions USWNT on Sunday (7 August) in Melbourne.

Either side failed to find the back of the net in 90 minutes, and after 30 minutes of extra time the scoreline was still goalless.

It was the USWNT who consistently looked most likely to score, but a solid defensive display from Sweden saw the world champions forced into the first extra time and penalty shootout of the tournament.

Goalkeeper Zećira Mušović kept Sweden in the game as she pulled off a number of incredible saves throughout normal and extra time, denying the USWNT in the process.

After five penalties, the sides were drawn having scored three shots each.

Sudden death saw both Sweden and USWNT score a goal a piece, before Kelley O’Hara hit the post.

Sweden’s Lina Hurtig then took her shot, and although USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher got a hand to it, goal line technology revealed that the ball had crossed the line, awarding Sweden the all-important win.

The loss results in USWNT earliest exit ever from a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sweden will now face Japan in the quarter finals on Friday (11 August) in Auckland.


https://thisweekng.com/fifawc-sweden-progress-to-quarter-finals-with-dramatic-penalty-shoot-out-win-over-uswnt/

Popular news anchor, Rufai Oseni has reacted to the apology of a ministerial nominee from Ogun State, Bosun Tijani.

Recalls that Tijani during his ministerial screening had apologised to senators for calling them “morons” in a 2021 Twitter post.

Tijani who is the CEO and co-founder of CcHub, appeared before the senate for screening as a minister.

During the screening, Simon Nwadkon, the senate minority leader, read out a Twitter post credited to Tijani, in which the nominee described senators as “morons”.

In the Twitter post published in 2021, Tijani faulted the mode of screening and confirmation of political appointees by the senate.

Tijani ,while replying to the Senate’s allegation had asked for forgiveness and revealed that he made the post out of frustration.

“So I want to profusely apologise to everyone in this hall, including anyone, anywhere in Nigeria that may have been offended by everything I said.

“I begged that in the process of accepting my apology, you look at the undertone of everything I have said. I did not say it to spite. I said it out of frustration and love. Please accept my sincere apologies,” he said.

Reacting to Tijani’s apology, Oseni wondered why the senators were focused on a tweet from the past instead of questioning the competency of the nominee.

Speaking via Twitter he wrote, “Same senate that refused to review petitions against El-Rufai are so excited about Bosun Tijani’s tweet. Rather than ask the man questions on how to develop technology and give us substance,it was about how to make him apologize for his convictions!“

https://thisweekng.com/rufai-oseni-reacts-as-bosun-tijani-apologises-to-senate-over-tweet/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwsgLxqsCKA
Dr Bosun Tijani has given an unreserved apology for his tweets on the floor of the senate, says he is absolutely sorry.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has accepted his apology and he has taken a bow. Can we all learn the lesson and move on now?

The security committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), made up of Military Chiefs from various countries, announced on Friday their decision to prioritize diplomacy in handling the ongoing political turmoil in Niger.

The decision came after a two-day meeting involving Chiefs of Defence Staff from Togo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Cote’Divoire, Cabo Verde and the Republic of Benin.

Notably, representatives from Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Burkina Faso were absent.

Presided over by Gen. Christopher Musa, President of ECOWAS Military Chiefs, the meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen diplomatic efforts and prioritize dialogue and negotiation in resolving the crisis in Niger, as stated by Gen. Musa during a press briefing.

Musa said, “It has been an honour to preside over this extraordinary meeting on the situation of the recent coup in the Niger Republic as the President of this honourable committee of the CDS of ECOWAS States.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your insightful contributions, thoughtful deliberations, and unwavering commitment to the cause of peace and stability in our region.

“Throughout our discussions, we have collectively recognized the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a well-coordinated response. The deliberations have been marked by a spirit of unity, cooperation and determination to address the challenges at hand.

“We have examined the immediate implications of the coup on the Niger Republic and its potential ripple effects across the ECOWAS region. We have also deliberated on the broader implications for democracy, peace, and stability in West Africa.

“I am pleased to note that our discussions have yielded valuable insights and actionable recommendations. We have acknowledged the need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses political, security, and diplomatic dimensions.

“It is imperative that we translate our deliberations into concrete actions that can effectively address the crisis and prevent a recurrence in the future.

“Firstly, we must emphasize the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. The coup in the Niger Republic represents a blatant disregard for these fundamental principles that underpin our regional integration and stability. We must unequivocally condemn such actions and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to democracy.

“Secondly, we must strengthen our regional security architecture and enhance our collective response to security challenges. The coup in the Niger Republic has highlighted the fragility of our region and the need for a robust and proactive security framework.

“We must enhance intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and capacity-building initiatives among our defence and security forces to effectively combat threats to our collective security and enhance interoperability.

“Thirdly, we must intensify our diplomatic efforts to engage with all relevant stakeholders. Dialogue and negotiation should be at the forefront of our approach to resolving the crisis in the Republic of Niger.

“We must engage with the transitional authorities, civil society organizations, and other key actors to foster an inclusive and peaceful transition process.”

ECOWAS made it clear that they’re committed to preventing unconstitutional power changes in the region.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah remarked that the recent trend of successful and unsuccessful military coups, estimated to be eight to nine in the last three years, has put the region’s democratic stability at risk.

Musah stressed the urgency of addressing this situation, mentioning that all ECOWAS member states were governed by democratically elected presidents just three years ago, but the threat of military takeovers has increased lately.

He reminded that the defence chiefs’ meeting was guided by the Protocol relating to the mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacekeeping and security, which was adopted in 1999 and universally accepted by all member states in 2001.

Musah said, “Respected chiefs of defence staff of our region, this is a clarion call to you. This is a test of the will of our militaries to demonstrate that we have a democratically minded military whose responsibility is the protection of the state.

“So the diplomacy is being given a chance to succeed and like we said, the military option is the very last on the table. And if we can avoid that, a peaceful resolution is our preferred option but we have to prepare for all eventualities.

“The time has come again for ECOWAS to show that we are a rules-based organisation, we are rule-based countries; we cannot allow the rule by the Ballot Box to be replaced by the rule of Kalashnikovs.”


https://thisweekng.com/details-of-ecowas-military-chiefs-meeting-on-niger-coup-emerge/

President Tinubu Vows To Remove All Obstacles Across The Entire Electric Power Sector Value Chain

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, declared that despite the nation’s current rate of energy supply, his administration is poised to address all the obstacles militating against stable electricity supply in the country.

He said his administration will bring solutions to the multifarious challenges across the electric power sector value chain which will significantly relieve longstanding problems of suppressed demand and improve the steadiness of peak supply for Nigerians, affirming that improved energy generation and distribution is an imperative for accelerated national growth.

President Tinubu spoke at the ground breaking ceremony of the new 350MW Gwagwalada Independent Thermal Power Plant (Phase 1) where he urged the NNPC and its partners to deliver the landmark project within the promised three years completion timeline,insisting that, “three years must be three years.”

“Although the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is currently characterized by huge supply-gap deficits owing to dilapidated power infrastructure and poor distributions networks, amongst others, this administration is poised to address every power value chain challenge that will significantly relieve the suppressed demand, enhance generation, and improve national peak growth & sustainability far above the hitherto abysmal and unacceptable 5,300MW for over 200 million Nigerians,” the President declared.

President Tinubu noted that a swift improvement in the stability and quantum of energy supply will enhance national economic development, which remains a cardinal priority of his administration.

“During my electioneering campaign, I made a commitment to Nigerians on providing stable electricity. This is to be achieved by ensuring that we use all available energy sources to boost power generation beyond the current installed capacity of 12,000 megawatts, strengthening the integrity of our transmission infrastructure and ensuring that all distribution bottlenecks are removed. We can not form the productive and industrialised economy we need in order to conclusively tackle poverty, and create thousands of high paying manufacturing jobs for our teeming young people, whose creativity and talent we must harness for national development, without reliable electricity,” the president stated.

President Tinubu affirmed that adequate energy, broadly, and electricity, specifically, is to be treated as the topmost national economic imperative, if Nigeria must develop and maximise her human and natural resources, stating that “to accelerate our economic growth, we must work hard to remove every obstacle that has slowed down our progress. I have often said that electricity is the greatest human invention of the last 1,000 years.

“We cannot advance and join the rest of the developed world if we remain stuck with our current electricity supply situation and unable to supply the energy our country requires to power a doubling of the size of our Gross Domestic Product within the next decade.”

The President expressed his excitement that the landmark project was commencing at the onset of his administration.

“The groundbreaking for the Gwagwalada thermal power plant (Phase 1) is highly significant to the nation, as it marks the first bold step and the beginning of the administration’s concerted efforts to entrench a strong and virile energy foundation for uninterrupted power supply to boost the economy and accelerate industrial growth.

The Gwagwalada 350MW (Phase 1) project is part of an incremental 3,600MW cumulative power project that is based on market-driven designs along the Abuja, Kaduna and Kano (AKK) gas pipeline corridors, which will further underpin the project’s economic viability while generating multiple foreign direct investments (FDIs) for the nation,” President Tinubu further stated.

The President promised to harness the nation’s gas resources, assuring that “this administration will latch onto the global declaration of gas as a ‘transition fuel’ and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to enhance investments in the oil and gas sector to fully harness the more than 200 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves which are expected to deepen domestic gas utilization through improved power generation, establishment of gas-based industries, petrochemical firms, as well as liquified/compressed natural gas (auto-gas) development to catalyze sustainable economic development while creating millions of jobs for the teeming Nigerian populace.”

President Tinubu pledged his administration’s commitment to addressing the power challenges and gas utilisation with a clear focus on advancing the diversification of its energy mix.

“Nigeria will continue to vigorously pursue the implementation of other low-Carbon energy options as part of a larger mix, such as Solar, Hydro, Wind, Thermal and biofuels (for both on grid and off-grid power systems) to help shore-up our national energy supply to meet the growing domestic demands and ensure that adequate energy penetrates the homes of our people with a view to improving the standard of living of our people in the rural areas,” the President assured.

While commending the NNPCL for leveraging on the established AKK Gas pipeline through this laudable project, President Tinubu charged the NNPCL to ensure the prompt and early completion of the project saying, “while planning this project, the prudent use of resources has been given top priority, as by this endeavor, Nigeria will strategically underpin the commerciality of the multi-billion dollar AKK gas pipeline, even as we evolve a competitive low-power tariff structure and revitalize numerous industries that will create millions of direct and indirect jobs.”

“I would like to commend the efforts of the NNPC Ltd, alongside GE and CMEC, for this business partnership initiative and I hereby charge the team to ensure that this three year project is successfully implemented on the agreed scope, time, and budget,” the President charged.

President Tinubu further applauded the NNPCL for its proactive initiative in this direction, saying “the recent strategic partnership between the NNPC Ltd and NIPCO Gas Limited to deploy Compressed Natural Gas stations across the country is another excellent example.

The landmark collaboration will expand Nigeria’s CNG infrastructure, improve access to CNG, and accelerate the adoption of a cheaper and cleaner alternative fuel for buses, cars, and kekenapep nationwide.”

According to the President, “under this NNPC-NIPCO partnership, 35 state-of-the-art CNG stations will be constructed nationwide, including three Mother stations. Once fully operational, the stations will have the ability to service 200,000 vehicles daily,” he emphasized.

Similarly, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari, stated that the NNPC Ltd will leverage on the nation’s endowment of gas resources to power the nation’s industrial growth and stimulate ubiquitous job creation, adding that, through the project, the NNPC Ltd would be providing a huge boost to the national grid.

Kyari assured the President that NNPC Ltd will continue to execute power projects to enhance energy security, noting that several of such have already been completed. These, according to the NNPCL Group CEO, include the 50MW Maiduguri Power Plant, and the 900MW and 1,300MW power plants in Kaduna and Kano, respectively.

The colourful event was witnessed by many dignitaries and senior government officials, including the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor of Nasarawa State, represented by his Deputy, Royal Fathers, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, among others.

Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
August 4, 2023.

https://thisweekng.com/president-tinubu-vows-to-remove-all-obstacles-across-the-entire-electric-power-sector-value-chain/

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has described the new ministerial nominees of President Bola Tinubu as excellent choices.

Naija News reported that Tinubu on Wednesday transmitted an additional 19 list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Reacting in a post via his Twitter handle on Thursday, Fani-Kayode congratulated all the nominees who were both on the first and second list and wished them the best in their service to the nation.

The former minister asked Nigerians to pray for the ministerial nominees to succeed in their endeavours as they make difficult choices for the nation and assist President Bola Tinubu.

He wrote: “Congratulations to all those in both the first and second Ministerial lists of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT).

“They are all excellent choices and I wish them the very best in their service to our great nation.

“I was a Minister 16 years ago and I know how taxing and challenging it can be.

“We must remember them in our prayers and ask God to guide them in all their endeavours as they make difficult choices for our nation and assist Mr. President.

“God will use them to take our great nation to a higher level.”

Following the release of the first batch of the ministerial list by the Senate, Fani-Kayode has been a subject of mockery on social media.

The ex-minister was also excluded from the supplementary list, and he is yet to secure any appointment from the current administration, considering his role during the presidential campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC).


https://thisweekng.com/fani-kayode-reacts-to-tinubus-new-ministerial-nominees/