Abuja-Kano train hostage negotiator, Tukur Mamu, arrested in Egypt – Newstrends
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Abuja-Kano train hostage negotiator, Tukur Mamu, arrested in Egypt

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Malam Tukur Mamu, initial negotiator for the release of the abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers kidnapped on March 28, 2022, has been arrested in Egypt.

Mamu, who is publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, was arrested at the Cairo Airport on his way to Saudi Arabia.

He personally confirmed his arrest to journalists on Wednesday, saying, “I am on my way to Madina Saudi Arabia when they stopped me at Cairo Airport under the Nigerian government order.

“Nothing was found in my possession. So I am sure the DSS officials are waiting for me at the Kano airport. I don’t have anything to hide and like I said I am not afraid of them (DSS).

“I swear to God I am not afraid of them. I just want the world to know of what is happening.”

No official statement on Mamu’s arrest from the Nigerian government yet.

Mamu commenced negotiations with the terrorists, who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train and abducted many of the passengers, leading to the release of over 20 of the passengers.

He later withdrew from the voluntary task of negotiations, citing threat to his personal safety.

Mamu however became a medium of communication between the terrorists and the government on one hand and families of the kidnap victims on the other hand, which also yielded some positive results.

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Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

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President Biola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama

Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has assured Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama, that he can count on Nigeria’s support.

The remark was made on Tuesday during Mahama’s inauguration ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra.

He noted that Ghana has answered the question of whether Africa is capable of democratic and productive endeavors, and that it is time for Africa’s critics to stop asking the continent to prove itself.

The Nigerian president emphasized the importance of African unity and cooperation, adding that the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is a guiding spirit for African progress. Tinubu urged African nations to avoid conflict and choose peaceful dialogue to resolve differences while resisting external forces that seek to divide them.
Addressing Mahama, Tinubu said, “My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you.”

Tinubu’s remarks read:

It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.

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We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.

The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.

While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.

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The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.

May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.

Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.

Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.

President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.

I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.

May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.

God bless Ghana and its Beloved People.

God bless Nigeria and its Beloved People

God bless ECOWAS

God bless our Beloved Africa.

I thank you for your kind attention.

Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

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Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President

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Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President 

John Mahama has taken the oath of office as Ghana’s new president in a ceremony attended by world leaders.

He said in his inaugural address that he was prepared for the job, adding that the time had come to reset the country.

He was sworn in at Black Star Square in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, on Tuesday.

The new President took over from Nana Akufo-Ado who succeeded him in 2017. Before Mahama’s swearing-in, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was inaugurated as the country’s first female vice president.
The Chief Justice of Ghana Gertrude Torkornoo administered the oath of office at the event.

“Today should mark the opportunity to reset our country,” the 66-year-old new President said.

Wearing the West African country’s national dress, Mahama spoke to a jubilant crowd decked in the green, red, black, and white hues of his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.


Some of those present are Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.

Others are Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea as well as former leaders.

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Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech

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Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech

 

President of Ghana, John Mahama, on Tuesday made a slip calling President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria Ghana’s president.

This happened while the new Ghana’s President was giving his inauguration speech.

“Your excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana,” Mahama said while acknowledging dignitaries at the event.

This immediately sparked huge reactions on social media including users of the X platform.

For instance, Albert Forson

@kwameforson14, wrote:

“John Mahama announces his co president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana.

“He’ll be ruling hand in hand with him.”

Another commentator, Shady Bunny🇬🇭🐇🔰@BYKAdanko, stated, “Mahama just called Tinubu president of the Federal Republic of Ghana….we’re doomed.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong support for Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra on 7th January 2025, Tinubu conveyed his solidarity and expressed his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two neighbouring nations.

Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu shared a heartfelt message of brotherhood with President Mahama.

“My dear brother, I am here to walk with you. You know you can count on my support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you,” Tinubu said.

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