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Nigeria pays ECOWAS ₦85bn community levy, boosts regional cooperation
President Bola Tinubu has paid ₦85 billion, to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), representing 100% payment for levy owed by Nigeria. This translates in to $54 million.
Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission disclosed this as part of his reports at the ongoing 66th meeting of ECOWAS in Abuja.
He disclosed that the funds represents 100 percent of the 2023 and 2024 levy, up to July, this year, adding that this is the first time, such will be made in 19 years.
Touray, while addressing the Heads of State and other participants at the ongoing 66th Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads State and Government, at the State House, Abuja, said the money was paid Friday, December 13, 2024.
According to him, “Our community levy remittances continue to be slow, a number of countries have fallen behind in their commitment to levy remittances.
“The good news is that for the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has decided to pay 100 percent of its community levy up to 2023, Nigeria paid N85 billion naira and 54 million US dollars, representing 100 percent of the 2023 levy and the level of 2024 up to July 2024.
“The money was paid on Friday, December 13, 2024.
“This payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to the ECOWAS community.
At a more personal level, it underscores a mark of confidence in the ECOWAS that I have been privileged to led since 2022.
My colleagues and I are deeply grateful.”
On his part, President Tinubu said the strength of the commission is in the unity of members and ECOWAS was born out of a shared vision to create a community for citizens.
He said, “The world is confronted with challenges raging from crisis, from Sudan, Middle East and violent extremism and environmental challenges.
“Many of challenges have impacted our region and the reality underscores the reality of working together.”
President Bola Tinubu who presided over the meeting of the Ordinary Heads of States of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, as the Chairman
The President who was re- elected Chairman of ECOWAS on the 7th July, this year, had while meeting with the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, recently, assured that ECOWAS will tackle the region’s challenges, including prioritise the reintegration of Mali, Niger and Burkina Fasso, into the group.
The Nigerian leader assured that ECOWAS will resolve the regional crises through diplomacy, promising to reintegrate Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic back to the Union.
Recall that President Tinubu had been Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government since July, 2023, when he was first elected.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic had dropped their membership of ECOWAS following Coup that brought in military regimes into those nations.
Iran has carried out the execution of two individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to an official statement from the country’s judiciary.
Authorities said the two men were convicted on charges of espionage linked to Mossad, and were found guilty of working with what officials described as a hostile intelligence network operating within Iran.
According to the judiciary, the suspects had been under investigation for activities considered detrimental to national security.
Their death sentences were subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court prior to being enforced.
The executions were confirmed on April 20, 2026, although officials did not provide specific details regarding the exact time or location.
Iranian authorities stated that the case is part of ongoing efforts to counter and dismantle foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
There has been no independent confirmation of the allegations, and Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate response.
The incident reflects the persistent strain in relations between the two countries, with Iran frequently reporting the uncovering of alleged espionage networks tied to Israeli operatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.
President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.
The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.
The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.
A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.
The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.
President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South West Zone, has disowned a press conference purportedly held in Ibadan on Monday, which claimed that the zone had condemned the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, declared support for Governor Makinde of Oyo State and loyalty to a Turaki-led National Working Committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, described the event as the work of organised impostors who do not represent the party at any level.
“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said.
The statement said those behind the Ibadan gathering do not speak for the party, hold no mandate, and are not recognised by any organ of the PDP from ward to national level.
Oyeniyi further said the illegality of the group was very pronounced, noting that they do not even have a Zonal Vice Chairman, which is very significant for any structure claiming to speak for the PDP South West.
“These are the ones whose agenda was to destabilise the party but they failed. Looking at them, one could see that their group is now a psychiatric ward with no staff. Destabilising elements always end up as wanderers. Karma never forgets, and wickedness by default carries consequences too,” the statement read.
According to Oyeniyi, “these ones slung toboggan, and now the stones are expectedly raining on them, and their current noise and theatrics will not substitute for acceptance by party members or the public.”
The PDP South West said its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike remains unalloyed and also advised the impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through the proper channels, rather than constituting themselves into a nuisance, as no amount of media stunts or paid propaganda will confer any legitimacy on illegitimacy.
He urged the general public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the publication, stating that official communications of the PDP South West Zone would continue to come only through recognised party channels in the zone under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.
Iran executes two men over spying for Israel
Tinubu approves N15bn take off grant for new police academy
PDP South West Disowns Ibadan Press Conference, Calls Organisers Criminal Impostors
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