***Say appointee a true Nigerian, global citizen fit for the role

A coalition of civil society groups in Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Good Governance Advocacy Network (NGGAN) and 360 other organisations, have thrown their weight behind the appointment of Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The groups made the declaration at a world press conference in Abuja, describing the appointee as a true Nigerian and global citizen well-suited for the demanding diplomatic role.

It described Dr. Ibrahim’s selection as a strategic decision that reflects competence and aligns with Nigeria’s aspirations for stronger global engagement.

Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, Convener of the Coalition, stated that the gathering was convened “to affirm our confidence in his capacity to represent our country with distinction.”

He emphasised that the address was “not a rebuttal driven by sentiment, but a statement grounded in facts, perspective, and national interest.”

The Convener added: “The position of Permanent Representative to the United Nations is one of immense responsibility. It demands more than presence. It requires intellect, experience, negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of global systems.”

He noted that in Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria has a figure who embodies these qualities through his blend of enterprise, intellectual depth, and public service.

The statement added: “Dr. Ibrahim has built institutions across various sectors as a businessman, contributing to economic development and creating opportunities for Nigerians. His legislative experience includes serving as Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, where he actively participated in national policy discourse.

“He served on key Senate committees such as Appropriations, Finance, Gas, Education, NDDC, Capital Market, Diaspora and NGOs, Trade and Investment, Housing, and Niger Delta.

“Beyond national politics, Dr. Ibrahim served as Nigeria’s Representative in the ECOWAS Parliament and as an Executive Member of the Pan-African Parliament. These roles provided him with direct exposure to regional diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and continental policy coordination.”

The coalition highlighted his academic pursuits and intellectual contributions, describing him as a leader who combines practice with thought and experience with reflection.

The groups stressed that such experience equips Dr. Ibrahim with the insight required to operate effectively within the United Nations system, where diplomacy relies on negotiation, consensus building, and strategic engagement.

They affirmed that Nigeria requires representatives who can engage, interpret, and influence global discourse, and that Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim fits that profile.

Accoding to them, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to appoint Dr. Ibrahim reflects a commitment to selecting individuals based on competence, experience, and strategic value.

The coalition noted that the administration has prioritised reforms, institutional strengthening, and global repositioning, objectives that demand capable hands and informed minds.

Dr. Emmanuel Agabi stated: “Leadership is defined not only by policies but by the quality of individuals entrusted with responsibility.”

He added that the appointment “is a decision rooted in judgment. It is informed by an understanding of the demands of global representation. It is aligned with Nigeria’s aspiration to engage more effectively on the international stage.”

The coalition urged Nigerians to avoid premature conclusions that undermine institutional authority and called for a national discourse guided by balance, scrutiny, fairness, and recognition of merit.

It emphasised that strong democracies encourage criticism but also protect fairness and support decisions that serve long-term national interests.

The groups expressed confidence that Dr. Ibrahim’s experience, exposure, and intellectual depth position him to contribute meaningfully in the role.

They called for a culture that supports capable individuals and promotes national progress, while reaffirming the important role of civil society in providing responsible and objective scrutiny.

The civil society coalition urged all stakeholders to support leadership decisions that strengthen Nigeria’s voice in the international community and called on Nigerians to remain focused on unity, progress, and collective national development.

The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) has praised the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for his strategic leadership and efforts to consolidate developmental programmes within the agency, describing the result as a viable, accountable, and sustainable institution.

In a press release issued from Kaduna, the Director of Media and Stakeholder Engagement of CWAI, Mahmud Bello, said that since CG Olumode assumed leadership, the Federal Fire Service has recorded milestones never before seen in its history.
These include prompt payment of salaries, emoluments, and allowances; personnel promotions; improved fire policy doctrines and safety measures; enhanced advocacy and awareness campaigns; elevated staff morale and esprit de corps; seamless public-private partnerships with contractors and stakeholders; and robust inter-agency collaboration with sister disaster management agencies.

“The story at the Federal Fire Service has changed for the better — judging by personnel productivity and policy direction,” Bello stated, adding that many civil society organisations, faith-based groups, and stakeholders share this assessment.

CWAI noted that the present management has upgraded the fire academy, built institutional capacity, and carried out wide-ranging reforms. Personnel and officers now attend courses, seminars, and workshops domestically and internationally to improve manpower development skills. Most recently, Course 06 cadet officers passed out from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) training school.

The service has also launched a novel collaboration with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to run a Post-Graduate Diploma and Master’s Degree programme in disaster and risk management, described by CWAI as a source of pride for both institutions.

The Federal Fire Service has been building strategic partnerships with organisations including NEXIM Bank, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Atomic Energy Commission, and Transcorp PLC, among others. During a courtesy visit to NEXIM Bank, FFS management proposed integrating comprehensive fire safety frameworks into export-driven projects, with a focus on risk assessment, safety compliance, and emergency preparedness.

At the Atomic Energy Commission, the FFS leadership called for a robust, specialised fire and emergency response framework for nuclear-related incidents, to ensure that Nigeria’s growing atomic energy and research infrastructure remains safe.

Transcorp PLC received fire safety certification following successful emergency drills conducted jointly by Transcorp personnel and FFS officers. In engagements with the BUA Group under the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa (ASR Africa) initiative, the service sought private sector backing to close critical gaps in Nigeria’s fire emergency system. CG Olumode was direct in naming those gaps: inadequate fire station coverage, limited firefighting equipment, and insufficient emergency medical response capacities.

“Improving response time is not optional; it is essential to saving lives. Expanding fire station networks and strengthening emergency medical services must be treated as national priorities,” the CG said. He called for joint operational drills and simulation exercises, structured training programmes for fire personnel, and community-level fire safety sensitisation under a structured partnership with ASR Africa.

CWAI also commended CG Olumode’s immediate response to a major inferno at the Singa Market in Kano State, as well as responses to incidents in other states, describing his approach as a model of proactive national service. On-the-spot assessments carried out across the country were cited as evidence of administrative responsibility and operational diligence.

In its statement, CWAI expressed confidence in CG Adeyemi’s leadership style, open-door policy, discipline, strategic engagement with civil society and the media, and his fight against indiscipline among staff. Acknowledging the paucity of funds allocated to the service, the organisation called on relevant authorities to improve the FFS budgetary allocation, arguing that the present management is doing its utmost to reposition and rebrand the service. “CWAI passes a vote of confidence in the leadership for its consolidation process and anti-corruption stance,” the statement concluded.

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Board of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), has extended heartfelt Easter greetings to Christians in Nigeria and across the globe, encouraging them to embrace the season’s enduring lessons of sacrifice, renewal, and unity.

Dogara described Easter as the pinnacle of Christian celebration, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ — the foundation of Christian faith. He noted that the resurrection is a powerful symbol of triumph, showing that despair yields to hope, hatred to love, and division to unity.

“Easter is a season of victory through faith. It calls us to recommit ourselves to love, service, and unity,” Dogara said. He emphasized that the message of Easter is especially relevant in today’s world, where societies are confronted by divisions, conflicts, and uncertainty.

He added that Easter is not only a spiritual commemoration but also a call to action. “The resurrection of Christ challenges us to rise above bitterness, extend fellowship, and work together for peace and prosperity,” he stated.

Dogara further stressed that the values of sacrifice, redemption, and renewal — central to Easter — are also the values that build strong and resilient societies. He urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from the season to strengthen bonds of brotherhood, promote justice, and ensure inclusive progress.

On behalf of his family and the NCGC, Dogara wished all Christian faithful a joyous Easter celebration filled with peace, blessings, and renewed strength. He prayed that the season would inspire believers to live as beacons of hope and uphold the virtues of love and service.

Happy Easter!