News
AU Summit: Nigeria seeks combined maritime task force for Gulf of Guinea
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritise the establishment of a combined maritime task force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu who made the demand on Sunday at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos.
He conveyed Nigeria’s position as the AU considered the report on the AUPSC, focusing on peace and security in Africa, and the biennial report on the implementation of the Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa (2023-2024).
The statement was delivered on behalf of President Tinubu by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
“The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea.
“I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos,” he said.
Nigeria’s recommendation of a maritime task force comes on the same day that it signed an agreement with the AU to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for AU peace support operations, natural disaster support, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement.
Nigeria’s defence minister, Badaru Abubakar, signed the agreement. Under the agreement, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for the operations on a cost-recovery basis.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed, witnessed the agreement signing.
Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, signed for the AU.
President Tinubu expressed satisfaction that the AUPSC had already adopted the outcomes of a high–level meeting, including the decision to upgrade the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter–Terrorism Centre.
He also appreciated the Peace and Security Council’s decision to renew the mandate of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, addressing the twin challenges of terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad Region.
On Libya, the Nigerian leader expressed concern that the instability in the North African country has continued to worsen security challenges in the Sahel and called on the Assembly to back initiatives to restore law and order.
“The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he warned.
Tinubu highlighted the severe insecurity affecting countries grappling with democratic transition, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon.
“It would not be out of place to explore the possibility of extending the inherent benefits of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to support AU Peace Support Operations,” he said.
In doing so, he added that the AU must try to prevent the increasing incursion of extra-continental forces, including private military companies, into African security matters.
Tinubu welcomed the progress in operationalising the African Standby Force, reiterating Nigeria’s support.
He appealed to all AU member countries and delegations to show the necessary flexibility and allow the draft MoU on the operationalisation of the standby force to be adopted.
.
Tinubu also strongly supported an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), noting that it would provide fairer, more transparent credit assessments for African economies.
“An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” the President said.
Tinubu commended the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Finance for their visionary leadership in advancing an African framework for financing development among member states.
He noted that the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM) is crucial as the continent continues to face significant challenges, including rising borrowing costs, debt overhang, low domestic resource mobilisation, and limited access to long-term affordable financing.
“The establishment of the AFSM underscores the collective commitment of member states in addressing financial vulnerabilities and fostering economic resilience across the continent.
“This mechanism is envisioned to support member states in achieving their national development objectives, and it will also help create economic opportunities for citizens,” he said.
The Nigerian leader acknowledged the significant progress made at the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, held in November 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, which reached key decisions.
“The adoption of the AFSM by member states is expected to enhance financial stability, strengthen resilience against external shocks, and provide a more coordinated approach to managing financial risks across the continent,” he said.
News
Adeboye advised me to pay my wife full salary after resigning from her banking job-Bakare
Popular man of God Pastor Tunde Bakare has narrated how RCCG Senior Pastor Eunuch Adeboye advised him to pay his wife full salary after she quit her job.
Hear him:
“ Pastor Adeboye told me to be paying the full salary of my wife when she resigned from her bank job without telling me”.
“ When my wife told me she had resigned, I drove to my father-in -law’s house to report her but he told me that nothing concerns him with our marriage.
“I then drove straight to Redemption Camp to report her to Pastor Adeboye. I told him how my wife just resigned from her bank job without telling me and that I just started my chambers and we were just making it little by little and her salary would help us augment whatever I gave her.
“Pastor Adeboye’s response shocked me. He said, “ Wow,she did that on her own! Don’t u think that’s a great thing to do? She did it to focus attention on your child. If all women would do that Nigeria would be a better place. He then told me that apart from house allowance, I must be paying her the salary she earned at the bank since she resigned to start working in my house and taking care of the children.”
“I wasn’t happy with the counsel because I was scared of how I would cope as the sole breadwinner of the house. The Holy Spirit then took me to Isaiah 54:5 and showed me a Scripture I will never forget,” I,the Lord your God,your maker, I am your husband. The Holy Spirit then said if I am your husband, treat your wife the way you want me to treat you! “
“I was sober and I prayed.The next month instead of giving her 375 Naira, her salary in the bank, I gave her 500 Naira and I also gave another 500 Naira for house allowance. It has grown since then!”
* Culled from his autobiography, the last but definitely not the least*
News
SAD! One casualty, six injured as bus collides with truck on Ikorodu road
A terrible road crash at Majidun, inward Ogolonto, Ikorodu Road, has left one woman dead and six others grievously injured, the authorities have confirmed.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) revealed that the accident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus, registration number EPE 494 XM, and a stationary tipper truck.
In a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said that Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus, chartered to ferry passengers to a programme in Ogijo, suffered a sudden brake failure while reportedly speeding recklessly.
However, the driver lost control, slamming violently into the tipper truck parked at the roadside for diesel.
The violent collision claimed the life of an adult female passenger instantly.
Five women and one man sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Benic Special Hospital for emergency treatment. The deceased was taken to General Hospital, Ikorodu, for formal documentation.
The statement read, “The brutal impact resulted in the instantaneous death of an adult female passenger, while five female occupants and one male sustained severe and life-threatening injuries. While all 5 injured casualties were rushed to nearby Benic Special Hospital, the remains of the deceased were immediately transferred into the custody of security personnel who conveyed them to the General Hospital, Ikorodu, for urgent formal documentation.
“In a swift and highly coordinated response, LASTMA operatives pursued and apprehended the tipper truck driver who attempted to abscond upon witnessing the enormity of the tragedy. The driver of the commercial bus was likewise arrested. Both individuals were thereafter handed over to officers of the Ipakodo Police Division for comprehensive investigation.
“To re-establish order and ensure seamless vehicular movement toward Ikorodu Garage, LASTMA personnel efficiently removed the mangled remains of both vehicles from the roadway.
“The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, conveyed profound grief over the harrowing incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
According to the statement, “He prayed that Almighty God grants them the fortitude to endure the irreplaceable loss, and he wished the injured victims a swift and full recovery.
“Mr. Bakare-Oki further admonished motorists to exercise utmost restraint, vigilance, and discipline on the highways by avoiding excessive speed.
“He stressed that overspeeding drastically impairs a driver’s capacity to respond to sudden mechanical failures or unforeseen hazards, thereby magnifying the risk of catastrophic outcomes.
“Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s resolute commitment to the protection of lives and the promotion of safer motoring culture across Lagos State.
News
2027: Despite Ex-President Jonathan’s unusual silence, supporters storm PDP convention with posters(Photos)
Despite Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s unusual silence towards his 2027 presidential aspiration, many Peoples Democratic Party members who support former President Goodluck Jonathan’s political comeback were seen at the party’s current elective convention in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
With Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, projected as Goodluck Jonathan’s running mate, the supporters were seen raising flags.
According to an online newspaper there has been conjecture on Jonathan’s potential return to run for president in 2027.
Despite the former president’s silence on the subject, his allies attested to his purported preparedness to run in the much awaited election.
On Friday, posters of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde were seen at the convention site.
-
News20 hours agoBandits Kill Top APC Chieftain In Zamfara
-
News21 hours agoPolice arrest 21 secondary school students for alleged cultism
-
News21 hours agoWike, Saraki, Shettima meet at Fayose’s birthday in Lagos
-
News11 hours agoWhy I honoured Fayose on his birthday despite his many insults -Obasanjo
-
News21 hours agoPDP: Gov Mutfwang Faults Expulsion Of Wike, Fayose, Others
-
News20 hours agoASUU threatens nationwide strike, accuses FG of stalling 2009 agreement renegotiation
-
Sports8 hours agoPortugal goes to World Cup after slamming Armenia 9-1
-
News20 hours agoTaraba Gov Agbu Kefas set to join APC on Wednesday





You must be logged in to post a comment Login