Pope Leo XIV has made a strong and emotional appeal for global peace, condemning the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza while urging world leaders to end the violence and prioritise humanitarian efforts.

During his first-ever Regina Coeli address on Sunday, the new pontiff appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace and spoke to thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square, as well as millions watching across the globe.

Echoing the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, Pope Leo declared: “In today’s dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal… I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!”

He began his message by referencing one of the deadliest periods in human history — the Second World War — which ended 80 years ago on 8 May.

He described it as an “immense tragedy” that caused the deaths of over 60 million people, using the historical moment to highlight the urgent need to prevent another global catastrophe.

Pope Leo XIV turned his attention to the modern theatres of war, starting with Ukraine, where the prolonged war with Russia has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.

I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said.

He urged that “every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible.”

The Northern Governors’ Forum and the traditional rulers’ council in the region have reiterated their support for the creation of state police, with a call on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off.

This was part of their resolutions at their joint meeting held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna State on Saturday.

In a communiqué read by the chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, at the end of the meeting, the northern governors resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to work out modalities of how to increase support to the federal security forces.

They also resolved to strengthen peculiar local initiatives in combating all forms of security challenges by setting up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on their joint borders.

While they acknowledged the critical role of nonpartisan cooperation, collaboration, and peer review in effectively addressing the numerous developmental challenges confronting the northern region and the nation at large, the governors commended President Bola Tinubu for his sustained commitment to addressing the security challenges and infrastructural deficits in northern Nigeria.

Speaking earlier in his opening remark, Governor Yahaya stressed the need for collective action to drive the region’s development and tackle insecurity, just as he condemned the recent attacks and killings in Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states.

He therefore urged the Federal Government to review its security strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the federal, state, and local security architectures.

According to the Northern Governors’ Forum, the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in the northeast and violent killings in the north-central regions were major concerns that require immediate attention.

“We must work together to address the security challenges facing our region. It’s imperative that we enhance our security measures to protect our citizens and ensure their safety,” he said.

He commended President Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s security while noting the need for more effective strategies.

Governor Yahaya also expressed concern over the state of infrastructure in northern Nigeria, citing neglected projects such as the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and the Kano-Maiduguri expressway.

The Kebbi governor advocated innovative financing options like public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds to bridge the infrastructure gap.

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor and chief host of the meeting, Uba Sani, commended Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to addressing infrastructural deficits in the north.

Sani praised Tinubu’s initiative to complete the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway project.

“Mr President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the Northern people and took decisive action,” the governor said.

He noted that the road connected the Federal Capital Territory to 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East zones, serving as a vital link between the south and north.

The governor emphasised the need for a roadmap to address security, peace, governance, and development issues in northern Nigeria.

“We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results,” he stressed, urging the development of an implementation and funding strategy to drive progress.

While welcoming his colleagues and traditional rulers to the meeting, he commended the chairman of the Gombe governor and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for their leadership.

“We have made progress on many fronts. But challenges remain. I urge us to hasten the development of a roadmap to address issues of security, peace, governance, and development in northern Nigeria. Additionally, we must follow up on the roadmap with an implementation and funding strategy. We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results.

“I must not conclude this welcome address without commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to addressing the infrastructural deficits in northern Nigeria. One of Mr President’s key interventions in our region is the long-abandoned Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway. The road connects the Federal Capital Territory to about 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East Zones.

“It serves as a vital link for travellers moving between the southern and northern parts of Nigeria. Mr President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the northern people and took decisive action. We owe Mr President a debt of gratitude,” he said.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the alleged criminal diversion of the $3.4 billion loan obtained from International Monetary Fund (IMF) by Nigeria to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

He made the call in a statement he signed on behalf of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) on Sunday.

Falana also called on the IMF Board to probe alleged deliberate refusal of its Management to ensure that the emergency funds were “used for their intended purposes.”

He further urged the IMF to suspend the collection of the scheduled charges, including net charges, basic interest and administrative fees, amounting to SDR 125.99 million (N275.28 billion) pending the conclusion of its investigation.

Last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that Nigeria had fully repaid the $3.4 billion COVID-19 financial support it got under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI).

Although Nigeria’s principal balance stands at zero, but scheduled charges, including net charges, basic interest and administrative fees, amount to SDR 125.99 million. At the current exchange rate, this translates to approximately N275.28 billion.

“It is pertinent to recall that in the wake of the COVID-19 in 2030, Nigeria requested emergency assistance of about US$3.4 billion—equivalent to 100 percent of its quota from the International Monetary Fund to shore up the country’s economy and help businesses weather the storm of a deadly pandemic that disrupted global markets and plunged the world into a recession.

“At the meeting of the IMF Executive Board held on April 28, 2020, the financial support of $3.4 billion was approved to provide critical support to shore up Nigeria’s heath care sector, and shield jobs and businesses from the shock of the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, the loan was designed to help alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sharp fall in oil prices and also help limit the decline in international reserves.