News
NBA seeks declaration of state of emergency on insecurity, economy by Tinubu govt
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the insecurity ravaging the nooks and crannies of the country at the moment.
According to NBA, this should be done in addition to ensuring the right investments in security in line with global trends in security without compromising our sovereignty.
The NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), made the call in Abuja on Wednesday, while addressing journalists on the state of the nation.
Maikyau said insecurity has left many Nigerians homeless and businesses destroyed, adding that citizens were losing confidence in the federal government to deal with the insecurity plaguing the country.
He said, “Some Nigerians have lost and many more are fast losing confidence in the ability of the Federal Government to deal with the security situation in Nigeria.
“At this time, when public confidence in the sincerity of the government in dealing with insecurity is at its lowest ebb, I strongly recommend a government and people engagement that will at the minimum, inform the people (to the extent that security protocol may allow) about what is being done to secure the nation. Alternatively, let there be clear indicators.
“I call on the President to show a demonstrable commitment to prioritize the security of the lives and properties of Nigerians as already committed by you.
“The government, through our Armed Forces and other security agencies, must ensure that no square inch of the Nigerian territory is left ungoverned; no part of Nigeria should be left under the control of criminal elements by whatever name so-called.
“The Federal Government must adopt a holistic approach to the issue of security while not overlooking the peculiarities of each region and design bespoke measures to deal with them accordingly.
“In this wise, the government must neither be “scared” nor “ashamed” to make the right investments in security, in line with global trends, without compromising our sovereignty.
“To this extent, we must declare a state of emergency on insecurity if we are to make any meaningful progress in this regard. It is time for the government to declare a state of emergency in the area of security and I urge you, Mr president not to waste time and spare no effort in this regard.”
He also lamented the dwindling of the economy as well as the nation’s currency.
“The Nigerian Economy is dwindling, the value of the Naira has been bastardized, prices of foodstuff have skyrocketed, and everything negative seems to be on the rise. The insecurity has equally impacted negatively on food sufficiency and food security as a nation.
“Those who rely on farming as their sole means of livelihood have been thrown into abject poverty because they no longer can go to their farms. While this administration may argue that it is only 7 months into office and is not the cause of present-day experience, the fact remains that it is this government that has the responsibility of stemming the negative tide.”
He urged the president to spell out his plans as well as efforts in revamping the nation’s economy.
Maikyau also called on the president to declare a state of emergency on the economy of the country and state deadlines for specific fundamental economic steps to be taken toward economic recovery.
He said, “Nigerians need to know, as we all are entitled to, in concrete terms, the plans this administration has for the revamping of our economy, it is the government/citizens’ engagement on the strategies for the recovery, reformation, and repositioning of the economy and all other sectors, that will give Nigerians hope to continue to persevere and remain resilient as we have always been.
“Not to do so, will cause a complete loss of confidence in the ability of this administration to truly deliver on the renewed hope agenda, and would be recorded as a monumental failure on the part of government.
“Government must, therefore, as a matter of urgency declare a state of emergency on Nigeria’s state of the economy and announce deadlines for specific fundamental economic steps to be taken towards economic recovery.
”This will enable all stakeholders to assess the performance of government with regards to promises it has made and becomes a basis to hold government accountable to the people.”
The NBA president also threatened to engage in a legal battle with the FG if the Enhanced Trade Investment agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is not reviewed.
He said, “We will fight it. We have the responsibility of protecting the legal space. I come from the village and I know what it means. Do you want those in the village who are struggling to make a living to still have competitors from the UK to take the little he has?
“There are already wholesome practices by few lawyers in this country who would come back to Nigeria and set up offices for English firms, continue to practice because they’ve been called to practice in Nigeria and that is completely unacceptable.
“I have my suspicions and nobody has allayed my suspicions over the deal. We will seek the judiciary interpretation of the propriety of that decision and we are entitled to do that. This is a matter that will go to court. There is no matter about it. We cannot be naive about these things anymore.”
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 66th birthday, describing her as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Kalu commended the First Lady for her service to the country, particularly her interventions aimed at empowering women, supporting families and vulnerable citizens, and investing in young Nigerians.
In a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said Senator Tinubu’s leadership had reflected compassion and brought what he described as a profoundly human face to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also praised her commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria, describing the initiative as symbolic of her vision for the future.
Kalu said: “Your Excellency, your life of service continues to demonstrate that leadership finds its highest expression in compassion. Through your interventions across the states of our federation, particularly your commitment to the empowerment of women, support for families and vulnerable citizens, and investment in the hopes and aspirations of young Nigerians, you have brought a profoundly human face to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Your remarkable commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria is especially symbolic of your vision for the future. A nation that invests in its libraries invests in the minds of its children”.
The Deputy Speaker further described Senator Tinubu as a source of inspiration to emerging leaders, praising her humility, quiet strength and graciousness in office.
“At 66, we celebrate not only the gift of your life, but the countless lives that have been enriched by your generosity of spirit and commitment to service,” Kalu said.
He prayed for continued strength, sound health and wisdom for the First Lady.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday, describing her as a “great mobiliser and unifier”.
In a congratulatory message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, on Saturday, Abbas described the First Lady as a dependable spouse, partner and ally to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Speaker commended her “indefatigable spirit” and high level of patriotism, saying she remained an inspiration to Nigerian women.
He also acknowledged her experience in public administration and women mobilisation, describing her as an experienced political, religious and woman leader.
Abbas praised her resilience in supporting not only the President but also the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting her influence at the grassroots and her efforts to complement the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Speaker wished the First Lady many more years in sound body and mind, while praying for the success of her husband in the forthcoming presidential election.
By Gloria Ikibah
Experts have warned that climate change is putting growing pressure on livelihoods, infrastructure and regional stability across West Africa, as lawmakers deliberate on the need for stronger adaptation measures and regional cooperation.
The warning was issued at the second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament and its second Parliamentary Seminar on Monday in Accra, Ghana, where experts examined the theme, “Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Rising Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region”.
The experts said rising temperatures, extreme weather, drought, unpredictable rainfall, flooding, rising sea levels and land degradation were placing increasing pressure on communities and critical infrastructure across the sub-region.
In a presentation on climate change in West Africa, including risk areas, vulnerabilities and implications for regional stability, the Senior Programme Officer, Climate Change and Ozone Directorate of Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority, Dr Derek Sarfo-Yiadom, said climate hazards were no longer distant threats.
“Climate hazards are with us,” he said, identifying extreme heat, drought, heavy and unpredictable rainfall, rising sea levels and other weather-related events as growing concerns.
Sarfo-Yiadom said climate hazards became disasters when communities exposed to them lacked the capacity to cope.
According to his presentation, seasonal temperatures in the region have risen by between one and three degrees Celsius since 1970, contributing to hotter heatwaves and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
He said changing rainfall patterns were also increasing the risk of flooding, while drought and heat were placing additional pressure on agriculture and livelihoods.
Farmers, low-income communities, coastal settlements and displaced populations were identified as particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
The presentation also highlighted threats to homes, irrigation systems, electricity supply, transport networks, ports, markets and public services.
Sarfo-Yiadom said the consequences of climate change extended beyond the environment, with social and economic implications for communities.
He warned that climate pressures can contribute to displacement and conflict, particularly in communities heavily dependent on agriculture and natural resources.
The expert called for increased investment in climate adaptation, flood-proof zoning and wider climate-risk mapping.
He also urged governments to ensure that early-warning systems reached vulnerable communities and that public authorities were held accountable for climate-related spending.
ECOWAS seeks stronger regional climate action
In another presentation focusing on the ECOWAS regulatory and institutional framework and the need to translate climate commitments into regional action, the Principal Officer, Climate Change and Climate Services at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Raoul Kouame, said the region needed to harmonise climate policies and standards.
He said member states should also be supported to implement their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
“The challenge is no longer just to define climate commitments,” he said.
Kouame identified institutional fragmentation, differences in national capacities and difficulties in accessing climate finance among the challenges affecting climate action across West Africa.
He called for stronger coordination between regional and national institutions, as well as greater sharing of experience among member states.
He also advocated mechanisms that would enable countries to develop national climate frameworks linked to regional structures.
According to him, regional cooperation should cover climate services, early-warning systems, forest and ecosystem protection, carbon markets and access to climate finance.
According to him, West African countries needed to strengthen their capacity to access available climate funds and develop innovative financing mechanisms to support implementation.
Kouame stressed that ECOWAS had an important role to play in providing regional solidarity and helping member states implement their climate commitments more effectively.
The ECOWAS Parliament has previously identified climate change and environmental protection among areas within its parliamentary responsibilities, including the harmonisation of policies and programmes among member states.
Climate risks cross national borders
A climate, water and meteorology expert with the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), Dr Abdou Ali, also called for greater regional cooperation in responding to climate and resource pressures.
His presentation examined drought, land degradation and food insecurity, with particular attention to the need for countries to share climate information, data, technical expertise and climate services.
Ali said regional cooperation was essential because climate risks did not stop at national borders.
He highlighted agriculture, coastal areas, biodiversity, disaster risk and human displacement as areas requiring coordinated adaptation measures.
He also emphasised the need to integrate climate action into policies covering agriculture, forestry, energy, transport, industrialisation and waste management.
The expert said regional strategies would require adequate financing, stronger institutions and effective implementation mechanisms to deliver results.
The presentations converged on the need for stronger climate adaptation measures across West Africa, with the experts stressing that responses should reflect the needs and livelihoods of affected communities to avoid creating new vulnerabilities.
The discussions come as West African countries face continued climate variability, with drought in the Sahel and flooding in Gulf of Guinea countries posing risks to food security, water resources, health systems and infrastructure. Regional institutions are increasingly emphasising early warning, data sharing and coordinated responses to climate-related disasters.
Parliamentarians at the Accra seminar are continuing deliberations on the expert presentations, with discussions expected to focus on practical measures that can strengthen climate resilience and address the links between environmental degradation, displacement and insecurity in the ECOWAS region.
Kalu hails Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Praises Support for Women, Vulnerable Nigerians
Abbas Hails Oluremi Tinubu @66, Praises Her as ‘Great Mobilise, Unifier’
Climate Change Threatens West Africa’s Livelihoods, Stability — Experts
-
News23 hours agoTeeJay Yusuf mourns Ex-Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris
-
News23 hours agoJust in: Former Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris reportedly dies in UK
-
Politics12 hours ago‘They Don’t Want Wike To Win’ – Fayose Reveals Five APC Governors Secretly Backing NDC
-
News12 hours agoUzodinma Wants To Become Senate President But Wike Is Not Supporting Anyone From Southeast – APC Chieftain Reveals
-
Sports12 hours agoLaLiga: Barcelona Reveal Plan For Messi’s Return
-
Metro12 hours agoWoman Hacks Her Husband To Death After Hearing His Plans For A Second Wife