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Update: Tinubu mobilizes standby force as he is reelected for a second term as ECOWAS Chairman
• Faye, Gnasingbe lead talks as Niger, Mali, B’Faso form Union of Sahel
Another chapter opened yesterday in the history of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as chairman of Heads of State and Government.
He was first elected in Guinea-Bissau on July 9 last year after just one month and a few days as Nigeria’s president.
President Tinubu immediately picked the gauntlet, promising to deepen democracy in the sub-region and push on for the formation of a standby force to enhance security in West Africa.
The unity of the 16-member body, which was threatened following the coup d’état in three member states, took a new turn.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, ruled by military juntas, formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) at the weekend.
The sub-regional body after yesterday’s 65th Ordinary Session meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, set up a team to hold talks with them.
The ECOWAS chairman said: “I have appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to please, become our Special Envoy to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, along with the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, to do round the clock work with our brothers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, and to coordinate with me and the ECOWAS Commission, where necessary.
“I have accepted to continue the service to the great members and the great minds that are committed to democratic values and our journey in the region.
“I will continue to serve our interest and build on democratic values and the structure that we inherited.”
President Tinubu urged the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.
He emphasised the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats in the region.
‘Redeem financial obligations’
President Tinubu urged member-states to fulfil their financial commitments so that the regional body could effectively tackle security challenges.
He said substantial financial resources are crucial to the take-off of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) to combat terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.
He said if member states honour their financial obligations, it would enable ECOWAS to meet the expectations and recommendations of its ministers of defence on regional security.
He said: “Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential.”
He said the move to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) was key to combating terrorism.
President Tinubu added: “I must emphasise that the success of this plan requires, not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.
“We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our ministers of Defence and Finance in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region.
“Member states must make extra commitment to providing resources for stabilising the region.
“To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.
“The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states to benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.
“Your Excellencies, dear heads of state, I urge you to visit the centre before your departure and assess first-hand the facilities and the capabilities of NCTC.”
President Tinubu also urged ECOWAS member states to unite and develop innovative approaches to unlock the region’s economic potential and promote prosperity.
He acknowledged the economic hurdles hindering progress and stressed the need for partnerships, investment, and infrastructure development.
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of a conducive business environment to stimulate growth and build resilience against external aggression.
He urged member states to comply with the protocol on community levies to ensure adequate resources for the organisation’s programmes, assuring of Nigeria’s commitment not to default on its finance commitments.
President Tinubu added: “I’m also fully aware of other challenges confronting our region, especially the economic hurdles that hinder our progress to elevate our people from poverty to prosperity.
“It is imperative that we unite as a community and develop innovative approaches to unleash our vast economic potential.
“We must continue to identify and develop partnerships that promote investment in key sectors and promote regional trade.
“Furthermore, we must invest in our infrastructure and cultivate a conducive business environment to empower our community to stimulate growth and build resilience against external shock.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said the region had proved that democracy is alive because of the successful transition in Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
He said: “We look forward to the consolidation of this trend in the region as we prepare for a major election in Ghana later this year.”
Touray warned that the region was still being confronted with multidimensional challenges, which seem to overshadow its modest achievements
He said: “Our region is still confronted with multiple interlocking threats, including existential works.
“These include climatic and man-made crises, leading to terrorism and violent extremism and food insecurity.
“Livelihoods continued to be threatened by illegal and unsustainable exploitation of our land, forest and marine resources.
“Governance deficit and marginalisation have strained social contracts, engendering bitter rivalries and unhealthy competition.
“To complicate the situation, our region has become the arena of geo-strategic and geo-political rivalries and the theatre of misinformation and disinformation that engenders mistrust among and within communities and undermine social cohesion.”
Touray said the Commission had commenced preparation for the 50th anniversary of the regional body.
The Commission would propose a Special Extra-ordinary Summit on the future of the Community, he added.
The President reminded them that the AU election will be held on February 25, next year.
President Tinubu said: “Our region continues to face significant security challenges, including terrorism, violence extremism and banditry.
“Currently West Africa holds the position of AU Commissioner for political affairs and security, a crucial role for our region.
“Therefore, I solicit our support for the candidacy of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye seeking re-election as the sole male candidate for this position for our region.”
AU: withdrawal not acceptable
The AU said the purported withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS is not acceptable.
AU said it believed in the unity of ECOWAS, adding that it would support efforts to ensure the region’s prosperity.
Moussa Faki, Chairperson of AU Commission, commended the efforts of ECOWAS in addressing insecurity in the region.
Faki, who was represented by Ambassador Adeoye, also described ECOWAS as a pace-setter in security and constitutional transition of government as exemplified in the recent elections in the region.
He said: “African Union is very proud of ECOWAS. We advocate and fully support the unity of ECOWAS. The withdrawal of the three countries is not acceptable to the African Union.”
Three countries form Union of Sahel
Military rulers in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger converged on the Nigerien capital of Niamey at the weekend to form a confederation of three Sahel states.
At their first summit since taking power in military coups, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso leaders adopted a joint statement for a treaty to set up the confederation.
“This summit marks a decisive step for the future of our common space.
“Together, we will consolidate the foundations of our true independence, a guarantee of true peace and sustainable development through the creation of the ‘Alliance of Sahel States’ Confederation’,” Capt. Ibrahim Traore, the leader of Burkina Faso, wrote on his X handle.
He added: “The AES (Alliance of Sahel States) is full of enormous natural potential which, if properly exploited, will guarantee a better future for the people of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.”
Ties between the three Sahel nations and ECOWAS had deteriorated after Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani took power from elected President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup in Niger in July.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened intervention which irritated the trio.
The three countries, with a combined population of 72 million, are affected by instability caused by militant groups.
The trio is expected to cooperate on security issues and form closer economic ties.
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Update : FG, States, LGs Share N1.894trn February Revenue from Federation Account
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N1.894 trillion among the three tiers of government as federation allocation for February 2026.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the distribution was made from a gross revenue of N2.230 trillion generated during the month.
From the amount shared, the Federal Government received N675.086 billion, the 36 states received N651.525 billion, while the 774 local government councils got N456.467 billion. Oil-producing states also received an additional N110.949 billion as derivation revenue, representing 13 per cent of mineral proceeds.
The statement further disclosed that N77.302 billion was paid to revenue-generating agencies as the cost of collection, while N259.078 billion was allocated for transfers, interventions and refunds.
The ministry explained that gross revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) for February stood at N668.450 billion, compared to N1.083 trillion distributed in the preceding month, indicating a decline of N414.710 billion.
From the VAT revenue, N26.738 billion was deducted as cost of collection, while N22.593 billion was set aside for transfers, interventions and refunds.
The remaining N619.119 billion was shared among the three tiers of government, with the Federal Government receiving N61.912 billion, the states N340.515 billion and local government councils N216.692 billion.
Similarly, the gross statutory revenue of N1.561 trillion recorded in February was lower than the N1.957 trillion received in the previous month, representing a decrease of N395.138 billion.
From the statutory revenue, N50.564 billion was deducted as cost of collection, while N236.485 billion was allocated for transfers, interventions and refunds.
The balance of N1.274 trillion was distributed as follows: the Federal Government received N613.174 billion, states got N311.010 billion, and local governments received N239.776 billion, while N110.949 billion was allocated as derivation revenue to oil-producing states.
New tax regime designed to boost growth, ease burden on Nigerians — Experts
The ministry noted that revenue from oil and gas royalty as well as excise duty recorded significant increases during the period.
However, it added that collections from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Stamp Duties (SDT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) declined substantially during the month under review.
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Contempt of Court: How Onwukwem and Associates Ended Up in Jail in Lagos
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In what looked like a syndicate, a Lagos Lanlord, Mr. Lawrence Onwukwem and his gang, who specialise in swindling innocent Nigerians through properties in their care, have run into trouble and earned jail terms for fraud and illegal eviction of a couple, Mr. Olusola Alabi and his wife, Mrs. Olufunmilola Alabi, who rented an apartment from them and were summarily frustrated.
Like a thief whose time of reckoning has come, Onwukwem, alongside his accomplice; Mr. Davies Ijele, Mr. Sodiq Kazeem, and Ms. Peace Igbo, who operates under Green Birch Tech Ltd, was recently jailed for six months each by a Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Eti-Osa for contempt of court.
The imprisonment of the defendants is due to the contemptuous order of the court. The court held them in contempt, which they displayed all through the court proceedings.
In the charges, marked MISC/MCE/07/2023, the court invoked Section 44(1)(a) of the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2011 as amended against the Defendants by convicting the Directors of the 1st Defendant (including the 2nd Defendant, Mr. Lawrence Onwukwem (Managing Director) and Mr. Isaiah Davies ljele) and one Sodiq Kazeem, the Estate Manager and one Ms. Chidinmma Igbo, all of the 1st Defendant, for forceful ejection of the Claimant/Applicant for the three (3) Bedroom flat and one (1) Room Boys Quarters with appurtenances situate, lying and being at Block A, Flat 3, No. 96B, Ladipo Omotosho Cole Street, Lekki I, Eti-Osa, Lagos State held by the Claimant/Applicant as a yearly tenant of the 1st Defendant/Respondent by unlawfully trespassing into the said Apartment, forcing the door open, and removing the Claimant’s furniture and electronics, beddings, refrigerator, air conditioners and gas cooker with gas cylinder, etc. and changing the keys to the entrance door, without any Lawful authority of any Order of any Court of competent jurisdiction, whilst the Claimant’s Suit No: MISC/MCE/07/2023: and the 1st Defendant/Respondent’s Suit No: MCE165/CIV/2024 were pending before the Court.
Delivering the judgement, the Chief Magistrate, Kikelomo Olaiya Doja-Ojo, on June 5, 2025, said that Lawrence Onwukwem, Hon. Davies Ijele, Mr Sodiq Kazeem and Ms Peace Chidinma Igbo, were to be sentenced to six months in correctional centre for continuously flaunting the order of the court while also mandated to pay the sum of N250,000 each to the court.
“The claimant is to be restored back to possession. All her belongings removed are to be returned to her immediately,” the CTC read.
Meanwhile, since the court judgement, the couple claimed that only Kazeem is already serving the jail term at Ikoyi Correctional Centre, while the other three have since gone into hiding.
Reacting to the judgement, the couple said that disputes arose following an alleged breach of the tenancy agreement by the landlord, prompting Mrs. Alabi to seek legal redress in court.
The couple said that while the tenancy matter was still pending in court, Mr. Onwukwem and his partners unlawfully broke into the apartment, removed their properties valued at N25million, and subsequently rented out the flat to another tenant.
When this reporter reached out to Mr Lawrence and Ijele for comments, their telephone lines were unreachable.
However, Igbo denied allegations that she was arrested and charged to court for failing to produce Mr Kazeem.
She refuted claims that she stood as surety for Kaeem , insisting that she never signed any legal documents in that capacity.
“They have spoilt my name and career. I don’t know how to reach them. They have issue with a particular person and why involving me instead of meeting those concerned directly. I know nothing about it,” she said.
“For the record, I didn’t sign in as a surety…I was working as a secretary and HR for the firm. I was not a lawyer in that instance. I was in law school in 2021”
She, however, acknowledged that steps have been taken to address the matter, including efforts to obtain a remand order.
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Breaking : UK Tightens Security With Road Closures, No-Fly Zones for Tinubu’s Visit
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Britain will impose airspace restrictions and deploy armed police officers in Windsor next week as President Bola Tinubu arrives for a state visit hosted by King Charles III.
Tinubu is expected to begin the visit in the company of his wife Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday, March 18, with a reception at Windsor Castle.
Thames Valley Police in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said it is working with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household and other security partners.
The force said airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle, which are in place permanently throughout the year, would be extended on Wednesday, March 18, to cover the period from 7am to 11.59pm.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit said the air restrictions formed part of a broader security operation for the visit.
“The air restrictions are just one part of our robust security operation for the state visit of Nigerian President Tinubu next week, with many measures you will see and others you will not..
“As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor and significant planning, and preparation has gone into this event,” Hall said.
He said the force would take a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions, warning that any breach would constitute a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest.
“We will be taking a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions; anyone who breaches them will be committing a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could be arrested.”
The police chief said officers with specialist capabilities, including search teams, the Mounted Section, road policing, and armed units, would be deployed across Windsor, alongside neighbourhood policing and Project Servator resources.
“We will also be deploying numerous police officers to Windsor with specialist capabilities, including our search teams, Mounted Section, Roads Policing and armed units, while our neighbourhood and Project Servator resources will also be on the ground engaging with the public,” he said.
The authorities will also deploy an extensive closed-circuit television network, hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, and other undisclosed security measures for the event.
Hall said, “We will also be using the extensive CCTV network in Windsor, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation barriers, and many other security measures that you may not be able to see to make sure the event runs safely.”
He urged members of the public to support the security operation by remaining vigilant.
“The public plays a critical role to support us so we encourage them to report any suspicious activity or anything that does not seem quite right by calling 101 or speaking to one of our officers. If there is an immediate threat or emergency, then call 999,” Hall added.
Road closures and parking restrictions will take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with possible temporary disruption to roads in and around Windsor during the visit.
Thames Valley Police said it was being supported by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the flight restrictions. Persons with legitimate reasons for drone flying were directed to email [email protected].
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