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Tinubu attend AU summit in Ethiopia

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By Francesca Hageior

President Bola Tinubu will, on Thursday, depart Abuja for Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to participate in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government.

“The President will join other African leaders in high-level meetings on institutional reforms of the African Union; peace and security,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu to attend 37th AU summit in Addis Ababa.’

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Tinubu is expected to discuss specific thematic issues such as climate change and modalities of the AU’s participation and priorities in the G20.

This year’s summit is themed ‘‘Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.’’

On the sidelines of the session, Tinubu will also attend an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in his capacity as the Chairman of the regional body.

“He will be accompanied on the trip by some ministers and other top government officials, and he is expected to return to Abuja following the summit,” said Ngelale.

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Ethiopia is the fourth African state Tinubu is visiting since assuming the Presidency nine months ago.

It is also his 15th and 11th foreign destination and trip, respectively.

So far, he has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Berlin, Germany.

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Video: Economy is turning around, tough reforms yielding fruits — Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economy is on the path to recovery, noting that the difficult economic reforms implemented since he assumed office in May 2023 are beginning to yield positive results.

Speaking in Katsina over the weekend, the President said the country had passed through a tough phase but is now seeing the rewards of bold decisions taken in the national interest.

“Nigeria is a success. The economy is turning around, it has bent the corner. When we started, it was challenging. I almost ran away from watching the news or reading the newspaper.

“I just lost courage and stayed put on my decision, believing that the ability of a leader to take a decision at the right time is the hallmark of leadership,” Tinubu declared.

He added, “We took it, stayed with it, and it will be rewarding. It is already bearing fruits.”

Since taking office, Tinubu’s administration has implemented several reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, widely seen as necessary but initially painful for many Nigerians.

Watch video below:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJREV2PNvkM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

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HURIWA to Presidency: Face Nigeria’s Stark Poverty Realities, Stop attacking Adesina

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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has cautioned the Presidency against dismissing the honest economic critique offered by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), describing the official response as petty, misleading, and out of touch with the harsh realities millions of Nigerians currently endure.

HURIWA said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration appears to be living in denial over the deepening poverty ravaging the country, warning that politicising legitimate economic concerns is a dangerous path.

“The truth is painful, but it must be acknowledged,” HURIWA stated. “Nigerians today are choking, starving, and dying from poverty-induced hardships. Rather than reflect on this, the presidency chose to attack one of the most respected economists of Nigerian descent.”

Dr. Adesina, in a keynote at the 20th anniversary of Chapel Hill Denham, revealed that Nigeria’s GDP per capita has dropped from $1,847 in 1960 to just $824 in 2024, arguing that Nigerians are worse off now than at independence. He called for urgent reforms to transform Nigeria into a globally competitive economy by 2050.

In response, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disputed the figures, alleging that Adesina relied on inaccurate data and offered a narrow view of Nigeria’s economic evolution. Onanuga argued that Nigeria’s GDP per capita in 1960 was only $93 and not $1,847.

HURIWA rejected Onanuga’s rebuttal as politically motivated and intellectually dishonest.

“Instead of misrepresenting history with questionable statistics, the Presidency should pay attention to the World Bank’s recent April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief, which confirms the AfDB President’s claims,” the group said.

The World Bank report highlighted that 75.5% of rural Nigerians live below the poverty line, 41.3% of urban Nigerians are also living in poverty and Poverty is spatially unequal, with the North experiencing a 46.5% poverty rate compared to 13.5% in the South.

It added that, Structural weaknesses, over-reliance on oil, and insecurity are fueling this decline
HURIWA also noted that Nigeria’s currency once outperformed the dollar and pound sterling in the 1960s, but is now among the weakest globally — worsened by policy choices under President Tinubu, including the aggressive devaluation of the naira.

“Public infrastructure in the 1960s — schools, hospitals, roads — were better maintained. Citizens received scholarships, and employment opportunities were abundant. Today, banditry, terrorism, and mass unemployment have become defining features of life in Nigeria,” HURIWA said.

The group said it is baffled that rather than acknowledge these well-documented declines, the Presidency has chosen to attack the messenger.

“Dr. Adesina spoke truth to power — as any patriot would. It is disappointing that the response from the government is one of arrogance and denial,” HURIWA stated. “We urge President Tinubu to focus on solutions, not spin.”

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VeryDarkMan: NGO condemns arrest, maltreatment of activist

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The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, has condemned the manner in which Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan was arrested and maltreated by the EFCC.

In a statement issued and signed on Monday by its Director General, Dr
Nwambu Gabriel noted that:

“We are compelled to issue this press statement in response to the distressing reports surrounding the recent arrest of human rights activist Martins Ortse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The manner in which VDM was apprehended and treated is not only unacceptable but reflects a disturbing trend of impunity and abuse of power that undermines the human rights of Nigerian citizens.

VDM’s arrest, reportedly executed in a manner reminiscent of a military-style operation, stands as a stark violation of his basic human rights. Accounts of his treatment—being blindfolded, subjected to physical assault, and detained without adherence to lawful arrest procedures—are deeply troubling and invoke the principles enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws. These actions are not merely procedural errors; they represent a fundamental disregard for the rule of law and human dignity.

*Key Concerns:*

1. *Violations of Human Rights*: The treatment meted out to VDM—torture, humiliation, and unlawful detention—contradicts fundamental rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution, particularly the right to dignity, liberty, and fair hearing. Such actions are incompatible with both the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) and international legal standards.

2. *Lack of Justification for Arrest*: The EFCC has failed to provide any legal justification for the reported actions against VDM. It is essential to remember that no individual is to be punished without due process. If the EFCC has evidence of wrongdoing, they must adhere to legal protocols and ensure that VDM is charged in a court of law, affording him the opportunity for defense.

3. *Repercussions on Nigeria’s Global Image*: The actions of the EFCC in this case potentially disgrace Nigeria on an international level. Such behavior can undermine the country’s reputation and portray it as a place where dissent is met with repression rather than dialogue. The importance of upholding human rights cannot be overstated in preserving Nigeria’s standing in the community of nations.

In light of these grave concerns, we call upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take immediate action by:

1. *Releasing Martins Ortse (VeryDarkMan) forthwith* if there are no formal charges against him.
2. If charges exist, the EFCC must promptly charge him in a competent court, ensuring that all legal rights are upheld and that he receives just treatment in accordance with the law.
3. Ceasing all forms of intimidation and harassment against individuals who engage in constructive criticism or activism, as this undermines the democratic values that Nigeria purports to uphold.

The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness stands firmly against any form of dehumanization and violence perpetrated against citizens, particularly those exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly. We urge the EFCC to rectify the current situation, display accountability, and restore faith in the institutions meant to serve the Nigerian people.

Sincerely,

Nwambu Gabriel, Ph.D.,
Director General
Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness

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