News
Akpabio Tasks ECOWAS Parliament to Renew Pledge to Build United West Africa
From Lateef Taiwo
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio has urged the Parliamentarians of the West African regional block ECOWAS to renew their pledge to build a united West Africa.
Akpabio made the call in his Keynote address titled: “One Region, One Dream: Advancing the Promise of West Africa,” which he delivered at the opening of the 2025 First Session of the ECOWAS Parliament which held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Akpabio who is Chairman of Nigeria’s National Assembly told the regional lawmakers to seize the opportunity of their gathering in Abuja “to renew our pledge to build a united West Africa where our economies thrive, our cultures flourish, and our children inherit a legacy of peace, prosperity, and unshakable unity.
“ECOWAS was never meant to be a concept it was meant to be a clarion call to every West African – that our journey to greatness has just begun, and together, we can write a new chapter in the history of our beloved region.
“As we gather here in Abuja, the beating heart of our great region, we must remind ourselves of the foundational vision of ECOWAS – a vision of a united, economically robust, and politically stable West Africa.
“It was this dream that inspired our founding fathers to create a community where the barriers of borders would dissolve into corridors of collaboration, where our economic strength would fuel prosperity for all, and where our political unity would stand as a bulwark against external interference.
“Today, as we face the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world, this vision remains as critical as ever. Yet, we must also confront the hard truths of our present reality.
“For despite the undeniable strides we have made, significant challenges persist – challenges that demand our immediate attention and decisive action.
“One such challenge is the quest for economic stability in our region. The strength of any economic community lies in its ability to foster trade, attract investment, and create prosperity for its people.
“However, currency volatility, inflation, economic disparities, and the pressures of global financial markets continue to hinder the full realization of our collective potential.
“The promise of a unified regional currency, a cornerstone of our economic ambitions, holds great potential for simplifying trade, reducing transaction costs, and enhancing the global competitiveness of our businesses.
“Yet, we must be clear-eyed about the path to achieving this – it demands fiscal discipline, monetary coordination, robust financial infrastructure, and mutual economic trust.
“We must be bold in our economic reforms, willing to break free from outdated, fragmented approaches and embrace a truly integrated financial system that reflects the realities of our interconnected economies.
“Moreover, we must strengthen our intra-regional trade and prioritize industrialization, for without this, a common currency alone will not solve our economic challenges.
“We need a regional economy that not only consumes but also creates and competes on the global stage. This means supporting small and medium enterprises, investing in modern infrastructure, and leveraging our abundant natural resources to create jobs and wealth for our people.
“Furthermore, economic stability cannot flourish without political stability. The recent security challenges facing parts of our region, including terrorism, insurgency, political unrest, and organized crime, threaten the very fabric of our collective aspirations.
“We must remain vigilant in defending our democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in every corner of our region.
“Our governments must work closely with our regional security apparatus to counter these threats, but we must also address the root causes of instability – unemployment, inequality, tribalism, and lack of education – for it is often in the shadows of despair that extremism takes root.
“We must invest in our youth, create opportunities for our people, and build societies where hope thrives, not fear.”
Speaking on the Role of ECOWAS in a changing world, Akpabio said ECOWAS must strengthen its voice in international forums, champion the interests of our people, and demand fair treatment in global trade, finance, and climate negotiations.
Akpabio also called for Unity and Collaboration among member-nations stressing that “we must rekindle the spirit of unity and solidarity that has always defined us as a people.
“Let us resolve to speak with one voice on the global stage, to stand together against external economic pressures, and to chart a course for our region that prioritizes the welfare of our people above all else.
He urged the regional body to work tirelessly towards the realization of its collective vision of a West Africa that is strong, secure, and united.
In her opening address, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima from the Togolese Republic said ECOWAS Parliament, after 25 years of existence and inspite of its being relatively young, had continued to expand its influence on the West African politics.
She said the Silver Jubilee of ECOWAS Parliament scheduled for November should be a reminder that integration is not inevitable destiny but a daily choice “that we must constantly cultivate and re-invent.
News
Hon. Hafiz Kawu Calls for Unity, Highlights Tinubu and Governor Yusuf’s Achievements in Kano
Hon. Hafiz Kawu, Honourable Commissioner at PENCOM, has urged APC supporters and faithfuls in Kano State to rally behind the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Speaking live during a radio program in Kano, Hon. Kawu OON, MNI delivered a compelling message of reconciliation and renewed commitment to the ruling party’s vision for development.
In his remarks, Hon. Kawu emphasized the importance of President Tinubu’s administration to Kano’s progress, pointing to several landmark projects that have reshaped the state’s infrastructure and economic outlook. He cited the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway reconstruction and the dualization of the Kano–Kongolom Road as evidence of federal commitment to easing transportation and boosting trade. He also highlighted the modernization of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the approval of the Kano Light Rail project as transformative investments in transportation.
Hon. Kawu further pointed to the AKK Gas Pipeline as a strategic investment that will power industries, create jobs, and strengthen Kano’s role as a commercial hub. He noted that the appointments of Kano indigenes into key federal positions demonstrate the President’s recognition of Kano’s strategic importance in national politics.
Turning to state-level initiatives, Hon. Kawu praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s urban renewal and rural connectivity projects, including the construction of the Dan Agundi Interchange, the Tal’udu Cloverleaf Overpass, and the revival of 5KM roads across 44 local governments. He described these projects as complementary to federal efforts, ensuring that both urban and rural communities benefit from development.
Addressing internal party divisions, Hon. Kawu noted: “This is the time to set aside differences and return to the fold. The projects we see today are only the beginning of greater things to come under APC leadership. Unity is the key to victory, and victory is the key to sustaining development.”
His live radio broadcast blended detailed references to federal achievements under President Tinubu with state-level initiatives under Governor Yusuf, leaving listeners with a clear message: Kano’s future is tied to APC’s success, and every supporter has a role to play in securing that future.
As the broadcast concluded, Hon. Kawu emphasized that cohesion across the APC structure remains the decisive factor in the political contest ahead. He stressed that only a united APC — working seamlessly from the grassroots to the national stage — can secure victories across all levels of governance and sustain the momentum of development. His words positioned unity not as a plea, but as a strategic imperative for the party’s continued dominance and for the progress of Kano and Nigeria at large.
News
Nigeria Is Not a Muslim Country — Rev Dachomo Counters Sheikh Jingir
The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has rejected comments by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
Jingir had reportedly made the remarks during a programme in Kano State over the weekend while expressing support for the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim political arrangement.
The cleric argued that Muslims constitute the majority in Nigeria and should therefore have the opportunity to lead the country. He also reportedly referred to Christians as infidels and suggested that Christians who were unhappy with the arrangement could leave the country.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Dachomo strongly opposed the comments, insisting that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation and “is not and can never be a Muslim country.”
The COCIN chairman cautioned Jingir and other religious leaders against making statements capable of deepening religious divisions or creating hostility between Christians and Muslims.
Dachomo argued that political leadership should not be determined by religious numerical strength but by competence, justice, good governance and the ability to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.
“Nigeria is a multi-religious country in which Muslims and Christians have historically participated in the political process and contributed to the development of the nation,” he said.
He urged religious leaders to exercise caution when commenting on political matters, particularly issues capable of affecting relations between religious communities.
According to him, linking political leadership to religious majority could create the impression that one faith has greater ownership of Nigeria than another.
“I urge religious leaders to be mindful of their public statements, particularly when discussing politics and issues capable of affecting relations between different religious communities,” Dachomo added.
News
Muslim-Muslim ticket: No regret over my statement – Sheikh Jingir
Islamic cleric and leader of the Izala Scholars Council, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has stood his ground over his Muslim-Muslim ticket comments and description of Christians as “infidels.”
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Jingir said he had no regrets over his recent declaration of support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, despite the criticism trailing the statement.
He said his position was not politically motivated or intended to campaign for President Bola Tinubu, but was based on what he described as his responsibility as a Muslim.
According to the Islamic cleric, he would continue to support and encourage Muslims to back a Muslim-Muslim ticket, regardless of the criticism his position might attract.
“I have no regrets. I will continue to support and encourage the Muslim-Muslim ticket. What they say will not stop me. They started it; at a point, we suffered in their hands,” he alleged.
DAILY POST recalls that Jingir, during a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, declared his support for the Muslim-Muslim arrangement and urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength in the country.
He further stated that, as a Muslim preacher, he had the right to advocate a political arrangement that was consistent with his religious convictions.
The cleric also challenged claims that Christians or other religious groups constituted a larger proportion of Nigeria’s population than Muslims.
His remarks have continued to generate reactions, with some commentators describing them as divisive, while others have defended his right to express his religious and political views.
-
Uncategorized6 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines11 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News12 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion7 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology5 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines10 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader
