Nigeria

ECOWAS Emergency Summit Convenes Amid Niger Coup Crisis
Africa, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Emergency Summit Convenes Amid Niger Coup Crisis

Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are set to gather for an emergency summit on Thursday to address the ongoing crisis sparked by the military coup in Niger. The coup, which took place two weeks ago, led to the toppling of President Mohamed Bazoum's government. While ECOWAS seeks a diplomatic solution to the situation, it has not ruled out the possibility of using force to resolve the crisis. The emergency summit, scheduled to be held in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, is expected to yield significant decisions aimed at restoring democratic governance in Niger, according to a statement released by the 15-nation organization on Tuesday. The summit comes after the military leaders in Niger defied an ultimatum given by ECOWAS to reinstate President Bazoum within...
Cooking Gas to Increase in Price Next Week – Marketers
Cost of Living, Economy, News, Nigeria, Petroleum

Cooking Gas to Increase in Price Next Week – Marketers

Gas users in Nigeria are facing the grim prospect of higher prices in the coming weeks, as marketers have hinted at an impending price hike. The President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Olatunbosun Oladapo, revealed that a confluence of factors, including rising international prices, high tax rates, vessel prices, forex scarcity, and naira devaluation, is pushing gas prices higher. Olatunbosun Oladapo, in a recent statement, cautioned gas users to brace themselves for the impact of price increases, which he stated would take effect as early as next week. He pointed out that international gas prices have surged, resulting in higher costs for importation. The increased prices of vessels, coupled with the scarcity of foreign exchange and the devaluation ...
UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup
Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal

UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup

The United Kingdom has declared its support for the position taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the military coup in Niger Republic, which resulted in the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup plotters have been given a seven-day ultimatum by ECOWAS Heads of State to restore President Bazoum to power or face military action. UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, conveyed the UK's stance after an audience with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He commended ECOWAS' decisive action, strong commitment to democracy, and the unambiguous message that violence is not an acceptable means to bring about political change. Cleverly recognized President Bazoum as the legitimate leader and expressed the UK's unwavering commitment...
ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Convene Extraordinary Meeting to Address Niger Coup
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Convene Extraordinary Meeting to Address Niger Coup

The Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabim Musa, led his counterparts from 10 ECOWAS countries in an extraordinary meeting to address the recent coup d'état in the Republic of Niger. During the meeting, held in Abuja, General Musa emphasized the need for a united response from the military in the region to restore democratic governance in Niger. The coup, which took place on July 26, 2023, has raised serious concerns among ECOWAS member states, prompting an emergency session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government. The extraordinary meeting of defence chiefs was convened to strategize on the collective mission of restoring democracy in Niger and preserving humanitarian principles across the region. See Also: UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup ...
NLC Suspends Nationwide Protests Against Removal of Fuel Subsidy
Cost of Living, Labour, News, Nigeria, Petroleum

NLC Suspends Nationwide Protests Against Removal of Fuel Subsidy

The Organised Labour has suspended its proposed nationwide strike and protests against the removal of fuel subsidy, not up to 24 hours after it had embarked on the mass action. The decision was announced by the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, during an interview with Arise News on Thursday morning. The Labour leaders, who had previously met with President Bola Tinubu, stated that they extracted commitments from the government to address some of the issues raised during the meeting, and these commitments were to be implemented immediately. Based on this development, the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) decided to suspend the strike action. The initial plan for nationwide protests and the strike action came after the Nigeria Labour Congress had met ...
Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Sierra Leone

Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting

A meeting of defence chiefs from ECOWAS nations held today at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, but the gathering is conspicuously missing the presence of some key countries. Defence Chiefs from Mali, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Guinea were noticeably absent from the meeting, while representatives from several other nations are in attendance. Present at the meeting are Defence Chiefs from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, The Gambia, Cote D’Ivoire, and Cape Verde. The meeting is being presided over by General Christopher Musa, the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff. The meeting has been convened in response to the recent military coup in Niger Republic, where the Commander of Niger's Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, toppled the ...
NLC: Government Response Will Determine Duration of Protest
Cost of Living, Economy, Human Rights, Labour, News, Nigeria

NLC: Government Response Will Determine Duration of Protest

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made it clear that the duration of the ongoing protest will be determined by the response of the government to their demands, and not by the use of force. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this disclosure during an interview with Channels TV at Unity Fountain in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday. The NLC launched its protest on Wednesday morning in various states of the federation, including the FCT, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo, among others, against what they deem as "anti-people" policies. Ajaero emphasized that the NLC will decide whether the protest continues for today, tomorrow, or longer, based on the response received from the government. He stressed that it is not in the interest of the...
BREAKING NEWS: NLC Confirms Nationwide Mass Protest to Proceed Tomorrow
Cost of Living, Human Rights, Labour, News, Nigeria, Press Statement

BREAKING NEWS: NLC Confirms Nationwide Mass Protest to Proceed Tomorrow

In a recent statement, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that the nationwide mass protest, scheduled for tomorrow, August 2, 2023, will proceed as planned. This comes after a meeting with the federal government where the NLC sought to address the demands of the Nigerian workers and people. NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, reaffirmed that the outcome of the meeting with the government had not altered the course set by the NLC as the custodians of the interests and desires of the Nigerian workers and people. Ajaero urged all Nigerians to disregard any efforts by "fifth columnists" who are working against the wishes of the people. Instead, he called on everyone to gather in their respective states and locations across the nation to give vent to this collective resolve. ...
Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali

The junta-led governments of Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint warning on Monday, stating that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be regarded as a "declaration of war" against their two countries. This came in response to threats made by West African leaders, backed by Western partners, to use "force" to reinstate the democratically elected Bazoum and impose financial sanctions on the putschists. The governments of Burkina Faso and Mali emphasized the potential disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, warning that such action could destabilize the entire region. They also rejected the application of "illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions" against the people and authorities of Niger. At an emergency summ...
National Assembly Salaries Can’t Meet Constituents’ Demands – Akpabio
Legislature, News, Nigeria

National Assembly Salaries Can’t Meet Constituents’ Demands – Akpabio

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday, expressed concerns about the inadequacy of salaries received by members of the National Assembly, stating that they are not enough to cater to the demands from their constituents. Akpabio made this statement during a debate on a motion sponsored by Abdulraman Kawu Suleiman, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) representing Kano South. The motion focused on the impending strike planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the need to avert it. Akpabio acknowledged the enormous hardships brought about by the removal of petroleum subsidy, but urged the people to exercise patience with the government as steps are being taken to alleviate their suffering. He emphasized that lawmakers' earnings are meager compared to the volu...