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Nigeria-Sierra Leone Renew Commitment to Stronger Bilateral and Regional Ties
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and Sierra Leone have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional integration following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Ayo Luther Ogbomode, to President Julius Maada Bio in Freetown.
The presentation took place at the State House, where the Nigerian envoy conveyed the goodwill message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to deepen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between both countries.
During the audience with President Bio, Ambassador Ogbomode extended President Tinubu’s warm greetings and best wishes to the Sierra Leonean leader.
She said, “Nigeria remains unwavering in its commitment to further strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship, cooperation and brotherhood that have historically united our two countries.”
The High Commissioner also congratulated President Bio on assuming the Chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, expressing confidence in his ability to steer the regional bloc towards greater unity and progress.
“Nigeria has every confidence in your leadership and believes that under your stewardship, ECOWAS will continue to advance regional integration, democratic governance, economic prosperity, peace and collective security across West Africa”, she stated.
Responding, President Bio thanked President Tinubu and the Nigerian government for their goodwill and continued support, while reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.
“Sierra Leone remains strongly committed to deepening bilateral relations with Nigeria, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, education, security cooperation, capacity building and regional integration”, he said.
President Bio described the relationship between the two countries as one built on a rich shared history, common values and mutual respect.
“Nigeria and Sierra Leone enjoy an excellent and enduring relationship founded on a shared history, common values and mutual respect”, he added.
Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, President Bio pledged to work closely with Nigeria in promoting regional peace, economic development and integration.
According to him, “As Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, I remain committed to working closely with Nigeria in advancing regional stability, economic development and the collective aspirations of the peoples of West Africa.”
The Sierra Leonean leader also paid tribute to Nigeria for its role during his country’s civil war, acknowledging the sacrifices made in restoring peace and stability.
“The people and Government of Sierra Leone continue to hold Nigeria in the highest regard and remain deeply appreciative of the solidarity, leadership and assistance rendered during a critical period in our national history”, he said.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation, promoting regional peace and reinforcing the longstanding partnership that has defined relations between Nigeria and Sierra Leone over the years.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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