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Terrorism: Renew Social Contract With Citizens, UN Tells Nigeria, Others

Published

10 months ago

April 23, 2024

The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms Amina Mohammed, suggested that one of the ways to remove the engenders of terrorism on the continent is for Africa to work to rebuild its social contract with its citizens, and deliver good governance.

“Rebuilding the social contract is necessary for recovery. We must pay attention to women and girls who are greatly impacted by terrorism, including the youth. Providing support and healing for those impacted by terrorism is important,” she said while speaking at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja on Monday.

President Bola Tinubu, while speaking at the occasion, called for the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism centre that would tackle the spate of insecurity across the borders of African states.

He said the centre will serve as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building throughout Africa.

The president said Africa must take a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, not only through might, but by addressing the root causes of the scourge like marginalisation, poverty, inequality, and social injustice.

President Tinubu explained that while seeking to address the root causes of terrorism, Africa must also attack the roots that feed its evil branch like ransom and illegal mining, “as terrorism evolves and perfects ways to continuously finance, re-equip, and re-supply itself for its sinister mission.”

The president, who lamented the effect on the people, said, “Not only does it kidnap people; it kidnaps precious resources. Billions upon billions of dollars that legitimate governments should be using to sculpt better societies by providing education, healthcare, and food for its people now go to pay for weapons and response to mayhem.

“Look at the illegal mining that plagues so many of our nations today. Those who think illegal mining has no connection with financing terrorism are sorely mistaken. The international community has both the moral and legal obligation to help in this cause because it is external finance, not African money, that fuels these illegal operations. We shall be knocking on this door of the international community to answer this call for justice, peace, and fair play.

“Key to our collective efforts against terrorism is the urgent need for a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre.”

The president, however, added that the African region must strengthen existing counter-terrorism structures, such as the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) in Abuja, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) in Algiers, and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) in Addis Ababa.

He underscored the importance of a regional standby force that includes tackling terrorism as part of its mandate.

The president affirmed that Nigeria is committed to working with regional partners to strengthen arms control measures, enhance border security, and disrupt the illicit trafficking networks that fuel terrorism and organised crime, while urging firm and expeditious actions against prevailing insecurity on the continent.

In his welcome address, National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, stated that terrorism in Africa is driven by a number of factors, including organised crime, foreign terrorist financing and training, poverty, inequality, prolonged conflicts, among others.

He said Nigeria is dealing decisively with all the drivers of violent extremism, including economic and social enablers, while enhancing intelligence gathering through enhanced inter-agency collaboration and confidence building with citizens.

He also said Nigeria is strengthening its judiciary to effectively deal with cases of terrorism and has earmarked a fund to boost counter-terrorism efforts.

“We have resumed the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects across the country,” Ribadu said.

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Mr Vladimir Voronkov, commended Nigeria for its leadership in counter-terrorism in Africa and for hosting the meeting.

News

Transporter Frowns At PTD Strike, Says Union Will Force Govt To Use Rail As Mobility Alternative In Lifting Petroleum Products

Published

46 minutes ago

February 25, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A prominent transporter in Oyo State and convener of a pressure group, “Know Your Right”, Kehinde Adebeshin a.k.a “Baba Ibeji” has cautioned the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its Branch, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) not to force the government of Nigeria to see the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a preferred mobility alternative across the country for lifting Petroleum products.

This surprise call came in the wake of industrial action by the PTD in Lagos State to protest the “persistent harassment” of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers attached to the Task Force and LASTMA officials in Lagos State.

Although the strike has been called off by the Union’s leadership on Wednesday, February 25, 2025; however Adebeshin decried the ripple effects of the hardship the action of PTD had caused Nigerians since Saturday, February 22, 2024, he described the Union’s decision as an act of economic sabotage. He maintained that it was unfortunate and regrettable that the union flagrantly failed to comply with the existing Lagos e-call-up enforcement which was aimed at regulating truck activities and for maintaining orderliness in the already congested metropolis.

Adebeshin blamed PTD and its parent body, NUPENG’s overzealousness and highhandedness on leadership gap, incompetence, lack of tact and administrative indiscretion. He also expressed disappointment on the implications of the strike on Telecom operators who also raised an alarm over an impending service disruption within Lagos and Ogun states, as diesel supply to their service locations were blocked for three consecutive days when the strike was on.

Adebeshin’s statement on Tuesday reads in parts:

“For lack of tact, competence, administrative discretion, and leadership gaps in operations, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its Branch, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have openly given opportunity for the government of Nigeria to see the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a preferred mobility alternative across the country for lifting Petroleum products and put a total stop to transportation of products through the road.

“The Union must be able to properly measure situations critically before down tooling, unfortunately, NUPENG and PTD have created room for business owners and Nigerians as a whole to label them economic saboteurs who stand the risk of being invited by the DSS. The Union brazenly failed to do its background check whether trucks arrested by Lagos State Task Force and LASTMA officials have not flaunted the existing Lagos e-call-up regulations which was designed to regulate truck activities and for maintaining orderliness in the already congested metropolis. Standing as an encumbrance to the government’s well intentioned program and policy is an affront which should never be tolerated.

“The circular by the Lagos State government to all stakeholders to streamline and regulate truck activities along Lekki-Epe axis of the state, effective March 1, 2025 did not exempt NUPENG or PTD, therefore all violators would be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“NUPENG should note that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has already collaborated with APM Terminals (APMT) to kick start container traffic service on the standard gauge railway, connecting Lagos to the Moniya Freight Yard in Ibadan. This milestone can be replicated in the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry to enhance Petroleum products lifting and distribution activities, and providing a more efficient and convenient mode of transportation and ultimately help to reduce or put into a total halt, petrol tanker accidents which have claimed many lives and destroyed properties.

“It is good news to hear that NUPENG had eventually swallowed its pride by calling off the 3-day strike, they should engage more in peaceful dialogue with the government of Lagos State in the larger interest of Nigeria so as to foster symbiotic industrial harmony and prosperity. The Union should also try to fix the PTD leadership crisis in the nick of time and give room for people with vision, experience and positive direction to take charge of the PTD Branch and restore its old glory and dignity,” he said.

News

Sad! Midnight f!re engulfs Ladipo, Owode Onirin markets in Lagos

Published

1 hour ago

February 25, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A midnight inferno gutted Ladipo Market in Mushin and Owode Onirin Market along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, destroying goods worth millions of naira.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out at Ladipo Market around 1 a.m., ravaging several shops and warehouses filled with mechanical tools, vehicle spare parts, motorcycles, and household electrical appliances.

Fortunately, no casualties were recorded in either incident, as confirmed by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which successfully curtailed the fire by 6 a.m.

Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that emergency teams from Isolo, Bolade, and Alausa Fire Stations battled the flames at Ladipo Market. Despite challenges in accessing the affected areas, firefighters managed to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to adjoining properties and businesses.

Meanwhile, another fire erupted at Owode Onirin Market along Ikorodu Road, affecting several shops dealing in metallic materials. Firefighters from the Alausa and Ikorodu Fire Stations responded swiftly, bringing the situation under control by 5 a.m.

Adeseye reassured the public that investigations would determine the cause of both fires once firefighting operations reach the damping-down stage.

“Thankfully, no casualties were recorded in either incident. The causes of the fires will be ascertained as soon as firefighting operations progress to the next stage,” she stated.

News

US dumps UK, others from visa-free entry for 2025

Published

1 hour ago

February 25, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The United States, on Monday, released the list of eligible countries for its 2025 Visa Waiver Programme.

The United Kingdom was excluded from the programme but remains eligible under specific conditions.

The list also does not include any African countries, such as Nigeria, Ghana, or South Africa.

While most of the VWP list remains unchanged, the addition of Romania marks a significant update. The US has also focused on enhancing security checks and prioritising countries with strong diplomatic ties and border security standards.

According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs website, the Visa Waiver Programme allows most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.

The agency stated, “Travellers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor visa.”

The new Visa Waiver Programme for 2025 introduces policy updates on permit eligibility and revisions to the list of participating countries, as well as new travel policies.

This update simplifies visa-free entry into the United States for millions worldwide, making business, tourism, and transit travel more accessible.

The 2025 Visa Waiver Programme includes 40 countries whose citizens can now travel to the United States without a visa.

See the full list below:

1. Andorra,

2. Australia,

3. Austria,

4. Belgium,

5. Chile,

6. Czech Republic,

7. Croatia,

8. Denmark,

9. Estonia,