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Niger crisis: Tinubu, ECOWAS urged to stop empty threats

Published

3 years ago

September 26, 2023

President Bola Tinubu and other ECOWAS leaders should stop making empty threats while dealing with issues concerning the region, a former Minister of Education and former Ambassador to Germany, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, advised on Tuesday.

He also called on the Federal Government to be transparent and sincere in its approach in solving the incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Adeniran, a former member, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, stated these in an interview with journalists during the public presentation of two books written by him titled, “Some Thoughts on Education in Nigeria” and “Policy Making and International Security” published by Caltop Publications (Nigeria) Limited.

The ex-diplomat was reacting to the spate of coup d’etat spreading across the continent and planned military invasion of Niger by ECOWAS.
According to him, ECOWAS leaders must be proactive by thinking ahead, stressing the need for the regional leaders to be realistic.

He said, “Well, my advice to ECOWAS is that before situations arise, they should be proactive by thinking ahead and when they are thinking ahead, they should also be realistic. It doesn’t pay to make threats that are not credible. If you cannot fulfill, you do not make threats.

“One other thing that is important here is that ECOWAS should pay a lot of attention to good governance. They are shy. They are not ready to tell the various member countries the truth about what is going on.

“When there are certain shortcomings, where we do not have enough commitment to the welfare of the people, they should be bold and courageous enough to let those involved know because it is of collective interest to have stability, security and above all, to have development that will improve quality of life of citizens.

“Then, at the national level, my advice would be that each of the members should go back to the drawing board and have a dialogue with their various constituents, then come up with a constitution that will be able to drive development and improve the quality of life of citizens which will also enable them to govern effectively. By this, they won’t turn themselves into little emperors. What this means is that there is a need for our leaders to revisit their approaches to governance.”

Speaking on the incessant strikes by ASUU, Adeniran maintained that there was no problem that could not be solved if the parties involved in the negotiation process are sincere, transparent, and committed.

While responding to a question on how the government can end its protracted face-off with ASUU, the former Minister believed that education must be given the right attention, adding that both government and lecturers must see themselves as Nigerians and patriots first during negotiations.

He said, “The ASUU strike occupies a whole chapter in my book which goes into the genesis and what it will take to resolve the incessant and I believe is resolvable. There is no problem that cannot be solved, if we are sincere, transparent, and committed. I believe very much that once we regard education, give it as much attention as possible, support it adequately, and give education the right orientation in this country, we will be able to solve so many problems, even the security problems.

“I believe that we are going to solve this question of kidnapping, and banditry and some other things when we generally resolve and resort to building a genuine and true nation, whereby we cater for the needs of everybody.

“How do we really solve these strikes? I believe that so many agreements have been reached with the government on quite a number of issues. There is a need to sit down and revisit them. When the two parties are transparent and they are sincere, they will be able to solve the problems. There are certain agreements that have been reached even today, which have become difficult to implement. Let all these issues be discussed. One thing is we usually operate from adversarial positions and comments from time to time.

“During negotiations, parties look at one another, not as the same citizens and nations committed to the same goals but as opponents and enemies which is wrong. We should all put the interests of the country first.”

Adeniran said he wrote the books as part of his contribution to the development of Nigeria.

At the event, a former Military Governor of Bauchi and Kano states Maj-Gen Chris Garuba (retd), who wrote the foreword of one of the books ‘Policy Making and International Security’, said that the Security Council is arguably the most important of the six organs of the United Nations established under the UN Charter.

According to him, that is because international peace and security are the raison d’etre of the UN, considering that the organization itself was birthed in October 1945 after World War II to promote international peace and security.

He said, “In the execution of its mandate of maintaining international peace and security, the UN spends huge sums of money annually. In the current period of July 2022, to June 2023, an expenditure budget of a whopping $6.45bn was devoted to the 12 active peacekeeping missions around the globe.

“The UN is eminently aware that some situations that initially appear like internal security matters international soon security balloon into challenges. Enlightened nations also are aware that national (local/internal) security policies of countries would ultimately have implications on international security.

That is why nations keep an eye on what others are doing with their internal security,” Garuba said.

News

US based Catholic Priest commits suicide to avoid being sent back to Nigeria

Published

10 minutes ago

July 11, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

A Catholic priest from Nigeria who was on a pastoral mission to the United States of America has taken his own life after the expiration of his visa and following prevailing new visa policy of the USA.

Reverend Father Benjamin Okwy Madu (Father Ben) as he was fondly called by his parishioners, aged 54, took his own life Thursday evening, July 2, 2026 after he reportedly expressed unwillingness to go back to Nigeria because he had fallen in love with the community of Cape Ann, the city of North Shore including the parishioners.

Boston Archbishop Richard G. Henning sent a message to fellow priests confirming that Father Ben took his own life.

Local law enforcement and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office investigated the scene and noted that no foul play was suspected.

“Sincerely, it is not my wish to return home right now, but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end,” Father Ben wrote.

“My heart is broken, yet my joy remains. I will miss the home I found away from home… I will deeply miss the seaside, where I often drive to after Mass to call my family and hear about their Sundays.” he was reported to have posted a farewell message on the parish newsletter.

Father Ben, a 54-year-old Nigerian national from the Diocese of Abakaliki, had been serving as a beloved hospital chaplain and parish priest on the North Shore of Massachusetts since 2021.

His R-1 religious worker visa was expiring, and he was ordered to return to Nigeria. Just days before his death.

The Boston Globe reported that he had expressed deep fears about what would happen to him upon returning to Nigeria, where clergy frequently face severe perils, including violence and kidnapping

News

Two Infected Terrorists Executed As Cholera Outbreak Kills 9 ISWAP Fighters

Published

10 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

A cholera outbreak has reportedly killed at least nine fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the notorious Timbuktu Triangle, one of the group’s major strongholds in Borno State, according to intelligence sources.

The outbreak is said to have spread across several ISWAP enclaves, exposing worsening sanitary conditions and the dwindling availability of medical care within the insurgents’ camps.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X, citing intelligence sources familiar with the situation.

According to the sources, two other ISWAP fighters who contracted the highly infectious disease were allegedly executed by members of the group after efforts to treat them in Kimba village proved unsuccessful.

The incident is believed to reflect the increasingly difficult conditions inside the terrorist camps, where sustained military offensives have disrupted supply routes and severely limited access to medicines, healthcare and other essential resources.

Intelligence sources said the combination of poor hygiene, inadequate medical facilities and mounting operational pressure has left many of the insurgents vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

The sources further disclosed that military commanders have been advised to intensify efforts to intercept medical supplies and pharmaceutical products suspected of being destined for terrorist hideouts. Security officials believe cutting off access to healthcare supplies could further weaken ISWAP’s ability to treat injured or sick fighters and reduce the group’s operational capacity.

While the reports have not been independently verified, the development is seen as another indication of the mounting challenges facing the insurgent group as security forces continue sustained operations across the North-East.

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BREAKING: Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom

Published

11 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The pupils and teachers abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.

The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In a shared post on his verified X handle, Onanuga simply announced that the victims had been released by their abductors.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.

As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances leading to their freedom, had yet to be disclosed.

The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools; Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks.

During the attack, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.

Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.

The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.

The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.

The incident had triggered weeks of public anguish, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarking on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.

It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.

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‘N100,000 Is Not Enough’: Veterans, Serving Personnel Fault Soldiers’ Pay

Published

17 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

Reactions have trailed to trail the disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, that Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of N100,000 following recent welfare reforms by the Federal Government.

Veterans and serving personnel have described the amount as grossly inadequate in the face of Nigeria’s rising cost of living, while some accused the Federal Government of failing to implement a more substantial salary review promised months ago.

The criticism comes amid renewed concerns over troop welfare, military funding, and the effectiveness of efforts to boost morale among personnel battling insecurity across the country.

A retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, argued that the current salary falls far short of what is needed to meet basic living expenses.

“It is not enough at all. What is N100,000 in the current situation of the country? It cannot go far. They should do better. If soldiers are paid more, they will be more motivated and committed to their duties,” he said.

Another retired military officer, Sergeant Zaki Williams, questioned the accuracy of the figure disclosed by the minister and described the amount as inadequate for personnel who risk their lives in service to the nation.

“I doubt if they are even paying up to that amount now. Even if they are, it is too little. Any government paying a soldier N100,000 in today’s economy is not serious enough about the welfare of its troops,” he said.

Williams noted that soldiers face enormous challenges and deserve better remuneration and working conditions.

Also reacting, the Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, said the salary does not reflect the sacrifices made by military personnel.

“How can that be sufficient for someone putting his life on the line for the country? Consider the cost of food, housing, transportation, and children’s education. N100,000 is far from adequate for those responsible for protecting the nation’s peace and security,” he stated.

The reactions followed comments by the Minister of Defence during an interview with News Central, where he disclosed that the minimum monthly salary of soldiers had increased from N49,000 to N100,000 under the current administration.

According to the minister, the Federal Government has made deliberate efforts to improve troop welfare despite funding challenges facing the military.

“When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting N100,000,” he said.

Musa, however, acknowledged that the defence sector remains underfunded and requires greater financial support to effectively address the country’s security challenges.

The minister also advocated stricter penalties for kidnapping, including the possibility of introducing the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, arguing that stronger deterrents are necessary to curb the growing wave of abductions across the country.

The debate over soldiers’ welfare comes at a time when the military continues to confront multiple security threats, with stakeholders insisting that improved remuneration, better equipment, and enhanced welfare packages are critical to boosting morale and operational effectiveness.

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Nigerian Visa Applicants Now Required to Submit Applications Directly at Embassy, Consulates

Published

1 day ago

July 9, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that travellers in the United States seeking Nigerian visas must now submit their applications directly at Nigerian diplomatic missions following the termination of its contract with a third-party visa processing company.

The new directive, which takes immediate effect, ends the role previously played by Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services), which had been responsible for receiving and processing Nigerian visa applications through its centres across the United States.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said visa applicants are now required to submit their documents directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta until further notice.

The immigration service did not state the reason for ending its partnership with OIS Services.

However, Akinlabi assured applicants that adequate measures have been put in place at the embassy and consulates to ensure a smooth transition. He added that visa submission, processing and approval would continue without disruption.

He also urged prospective travellers to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States for updates on visa application procedures.