Re-elected ECOWAS Chairman, Tinubu demands commitment, funding towards regional standby force

Interestingly, President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected for another one-year tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government.

Tinubu, whose first tenure is to elapse on July 9, 2024, was elected by a unanimous decision of fellow Heads of Government at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority held at the State House, Abuja, on Sunday.

In his acceptance speech, the President said, “I have accepted to continue to deliver on this service with the great men and women on this democratic journey, to serve our interest and build democratic values on the structure we inherited.”

Tinubu was elected Chairman of the Authority at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the regional bloc held last July in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau.

After his re-election, President Bola Tinubu called on ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.

The Nigerian leader stated this during the opening of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday, in Abuja.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu highlighted the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats in the region.

He said, “The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions. In addition to this, the Ministers of Finance and Defence met recently in Abuja to raise funds for activating the ECOWAS Standby Force to boost counter-terrorism efforts.

“Member countries are also displaying their commitment to combating insecurity by individually increasing their defence budgets in order to acquire necessary equipment and ensure preparedness.”

President Tinubu urged member states to commit more to providing the needed resources for securing the region.

“Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential. As we move to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasize that the success of this plan requires not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.

…Nigerian Army Aviation Corps will change the battle narratives decisively- Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has in a heartwarming display of solidarity and admiration, showered praises on the current crop of military leaders, headed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa for his foresight and leadership capacity in leading the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

General Buratai equally commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his exceptional leadership and commitment to upholding the legacies of his predecessors. Speaking on the sidelines of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration NADCEL 2024 in Jos, General Buratai commended the significant strides made in research, development, and innovations, expressing his satisfaction with the dedication of General Lagbaja and his team to maintaining the highest standards of discipline and operational capabilities.

“The Nigerian Army has continued to excel under the leadership of General Lagbaja, and I am impressed by the progress made in modernizing the force,” General Buratai said. “The troops’ sacrifices in defending our great nation are truly appreciated, and I urge them to remain steadfast in their duties.”

General Buratai also noted that the Nigerian Army has come full circle in defence capabilities. The Nigerian Army Aviation Corps will change the battle narratives decisively. Buratai specifically congratulated the gallant Nigerian Army pilots and other personnel of the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps who waited long for this day.
Officers and men of the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps are more than proud professionals he stated.

General Buratai’s endorsement is seen as a significant boost to the morale of the Nigerian Army, as it acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the current leadership and troops. His praise for General Lagbaja’s visionary leadership and the troops’ sacrifices attests to the Nigerian Army’s continued growth and excellence. General Buratai’s averred that the Nigerian Army is on the right track, and with the continued support of the government and the people, the military will remain a formidable force in the country’s security architecture. The Nigerian Army Day Celebration NADCEL 2024, which took place in Jos, the Plateau State capital was a grand event that showcased the military’s might and capabilities. The event featured a parade, military drills, and exhibitions of modern military equipment and technology.

Toyin Abraham arrests X user who wished her son death

According to reports, Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham, has reportedly arrested an X user who wished her son death.

The actress, who is facing intense criticism online following her support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general election, had engaged in a heated exchange with one X user identified as @Yarlo.

In the course of the heated exchange, the X user wished death on Toyin’s son. He wrote, “Your son go kpai soon.”

Toyin, in response, promised to use him as a scapegoat, to which the X user replied, “Use me as the first scapegoat.”

However, in a new development on Monday, another user who claimed to be very close to @Yarlo, alleged that the X user was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for cyberbullying Toyin Abraham.

Reaching out for help on behalf of the arrested X user, @Reedah wrote: “Hello I’m Reedah and Yarlo is my friend. Heard from his mother that he was arrested 4 days ago. I heard that the police came from Lagos to arrest him for cyber bullying Toyin Abraham. Pls any help you can render will deeply appreciate you.”