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Speaker Ibrahima Calls For Bold Reforms Amid Mounting Pressures

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Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, has caused that peace across West Africa cannot be taken for granted, calling on the leaders to confront rising insecurity, democratic fragility and economic strain with urgency and unity.

Speaker Ibrahima stated this in her welcome address at the opening of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament for 2026 in Abuja on Monday,  said the region must remain steadfast in defending democratic values while responding to growing internal and external pressures.

She reaffirmed democracy as the bedrock of the regional bloc, even as she acknowledged emerging threats.

“Developments within our region reaffirm the view that democracy remains the unshakeable foundation of our Community,” Ibrahim stated.

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At the same time, she urged caution and responsibility, particularly in politically fragile states.

“Beyond this conviction, Honourable colleagues, we must remain vigilant. In this regard, I call on the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to demonstrate responsibility by restoring constitutional order in that sister country,” she said.

Speaker Ibrahima also condemned recent violence in the region, expressing solidarity with affected nations.

She painted a broader picture of a world in turmoil, warning that global conflicts are compounding economic hardship across West Africa.

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“The Parliament places high value on stability and peace within our West African sub-region. Accordingly, it condemns the terrorist attacks carried out on 25 April 2026 in several localities in the Republic of Mali and expresses its solidarity with the Malian people.

“We are meeting at a time when the international environment is marked by tensions and violent conflicts in the Middle East, in Europe, and on our own continent.

“These crises, with their troubling energy implications, are also driving inflationary pressures, particularly on foodstuffs and agricultural inputs, thereby seriously affecting our already fragile economies,” she said.

She further highlighted the region’s exposure to terrorism, piracy, cross-border crime and climate change, describing them as persistent threats requiring coordinated action.

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Against this backdrop, Ibrahim stressed that lasting peace demands deliberate effort and cooperation.

“Faced with the multiplication of flashpoints, no region is immune. The message must be clear: peace cannot be decreed — it must be patiently built through dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect. The ECOWAS Parliament must echo this imperative to our Member States and partners,” she said.

Looking ahead, she pointed to the upcoming ECOWAS Future Summit in Lomé as a critical opportunity to reshape the bloc’s direction.

She emphasised the Parliament’s central role in that process, describing it as a key platform for democratic legitimacy and accountability.

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“This summit aims to accelerate the implementation of Vision 2050 in light of current challenges. It will provide an opportunity to reposition our Community by defining how regional integration — at the heart of our ambition — can be achieved, strengthened and adapted to new realities.

“We must contribute meaningfully to this broader reflection on the future of our regional integration process. Our session must therefore produce bold resolutions and informed opinions commensurate with the challenges before us,” she said.

Highlighting recent parliamentary activities, Ibrahim said engagements across the region had focused on employment, social protection, and fiscal oversight, including discussions on digital skills, the plight of street children, and budget implementation.

Ibrahim outlined key priorities for the session, including reviewing community legislation, assessing implementation of regional programmes, and engaging with civil society and development partners.

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She also highlighted upcoming discussions on artificial intelligence, tax policy harmonisation, and women’s economic empowerment, particularly in trade and export opportunities.
“The task before us is immense, but our determination is unwavering.

“Let us make this session a decisive turning point in our efforts to strengthen our democracies and fulfil the promise of effective, visible regional integration for our peoples.”
Declaring the session open, Ibrahim called for unity and bold action,” she said.

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See Black Market Dollar to Naira exchange rate today 3rd September 2026

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The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 3rd September 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.

NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.

The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.

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What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 3rd September 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1403 and buy at ₦1395 on Thursday, 3rd September, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1405
Buying Rate ₦1395
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1335
Lowest Rate ₦1326

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Sad! Pastor, wife found dead after domestic fight

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A Celestial Church of Christ evangelist, Abidemi Odukoya, and his wife, Adenike, have reportedly died in separate circumstances following an alleged domestic altercation at their residence in the Akinode/Ibogun community, Ogun State.

It was learnt that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 25, after the couple allegedly engaged in a domestic dispute that escalated into a physical confrontation.

The altercation reportedly left Adenike unconscious and injured, while her husband allegedly fled the residence.

A former Chairman of the Community Development Association, Adejimi Olawumi, said in a video shared by Arole TV on Wednesday that he was alerted by residents’ cries for help and subsequently found the woman lying in a pool of blood.

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Olawumi said, “It was around 1am when I heard my neighbours shouting, ‘thief, thief.’ On my way out, I saw Daniel. I asked him what happened, and he said it was his mum and dad. Then I went to call my neighbours to come out.

“Immediately, we got inside the house and saw the wife in a pool of blood. At that time, there were no vehicles to take her to the hospital.

“The son said he did not see what happened between his mum and dad because he was in the other room. So, we started calling people together.”

Olawumi said members of the CDA subsequently noticed that Odukoya was missing and began searching for him.

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According to him, they later learnt that the cleric had been hit by a vehicle in the Ifo area of the state.

He said, “When we saw that we did not see the husband, everyone in the CDA came out to look for him everywhere. We called our area chairman to tell him about the incident.

“Later, we heard that Mr Abidemi had been hit by a car in Ifo. The police took him to the hospital, and we confirmed that he was the one. The CDA then started working on how to bring his remains home.

“We have never heard or seen something like this happen before. We only know that they fight sometimes and settle it among themselves.”

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Meanwhile, the late evangelist’s younger sister, in a video circulating online, claimed that the couple had been involved in repeated disagreements before their deaths.

She said the couple had visited her around April following an earlier altercation, adding that the matter was eventually resolved at a police station.

She said, “I have been hearing that they have been fighting for a while now. Around April, they came to my house. He explained everything about how he and his wife fought, and that it was at the police station they settled it.

“I only told them to be patient with each other because it is not right for a husband and wife to fight against each other. They had been fighting for a very long time, and people helped them settle it. And now we just heard that the husband and wife are dead.”

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The woman said the family was informed of the incident after one of the siblings received a phone call, adding that arrangements were subsequently made for the remains of the deceased.

The wife was reportedly buried on the day of the incident, while Odukoya was buried on Wednesday, September 2.

In separate footage seen by PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, some clerics were seen performing burial rites over the remains of the evangelist at an undisclosed location.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths, however, remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

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When contacted on Wednesday, the deputy spokesman for the state police command, Opeyemi Oluborode, confirmed the incident.

“The police is investigating the incident,” he added. (The PUNCH)

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Borno Commissioner backpedals over ‘finger-cutting’ threat as police begin probe

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Borno State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Saina Buba, has retracted his controversial remark threatening to cut off the finger of anyone who pointed at government officials.

Buba had, while speaking at the City Boy Movement Empowerment Programme in Maiduguri, earlier in the week, threatened opponents of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He had reportedly declared that citizens who voted for the ruling party would be fed with honey, while those who refused to support them would face physical punishment by caning.

The aggressive rhetoric sparked sharp criticism from various quarters, with civil society groups and political observers warning that the comments threatened public safety, violated democratic norms, and endangered dissenting voices in the state.

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Critics argued that such language from a serving public official was unbecoming and posed a direct threat to multi-party democracy.

But the commissioner held a press briefing where he said he had no apology for his comment on the ground that there was no opposition in Borno and no one could fairly accuse him of threatening opponents.

After the briefing, the widespread anger continued, with critics blaming authorities and saying the man showed no remorse.

On Tuesday, the police high command said it had launched a critical probe into the inciting comments made by Buba and two other APC chieftains.

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Fielding questions from Defence Correspondents at a joint security briefing in Abuja, on Tuesday, the force spokesman, Anietie Iniedu, described the inciting comments particularly in relation to the electoral process, as “a criminal offence”.

He said, “On the issue of the Senator in Osun State, the Council Chairman in FCT and the Borno Commissioner’s inciting comments, I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State.

“The law is very clear when it comes to inciting. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.”

Hours after the comment of the police spokesman, Buba issued a statement to address the controversy.

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He expressed regret over the uproar his comments caused and offered an unreserved apology to the people of Borno State.

He said, “In recent days, a comment I made during the empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri has generated considerable concern within the public space.

“I wish to state, unequivocally, that my remark was never intended to harm or violate the fundamental rights of the people of our dear state to freedom of choice and association, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

While noting that he had previously attempted to clarify that the remark was not meant to be taken literally, the commissioner acknowledged the gravity of ongoing public concern, prompting him to issue a formal retraction

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Buba added, “I had earlier provided clarification that the comment was not intended to be taken in its literal sense.

“However, in view of the concern it has continued to generate, I am using this medium to retract my earlier statement formally and to apologise to the entire people of Borno State and beyond for any offence it may have caused.

“Let me state in categorical terms that my comment does not in any way represent the ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of His Excellency, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

“This administration does not in any way undermine the rights of our citizenry. Rather, the party and the administration continue to uphold and respect every segment of our society, particularly our youth, who have remained steadfast supporters of both the party and the Zulum administration.

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“Governor Zulum and the APC have consistently demonstrated a true democratic spirit over the past seven years, and this commitment will remain unwavering to the very end of his tenure.”

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