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Niger coup: ECOWAS seeks int’l community support as deadline expires Sunday
Niger coup: ECOWAS seeks int’l community support as deadline expires Sunday
The seven-day deadline given to the coup plotters in Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democratic rule will expire tomorrow (Sunday).
ECOWAS led by the Nigerian government is seeking the support of the international community to resolve the crisis in the country should the junta remain adamant.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Lamuwa, spoke on the support while briefing the diplomatic corps on the political situation in Niger on Friday.
He said there are concerns over the safety of President Mohamed Bazoum still being held by the military junta.
Last Sunday, in a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS chairperson, the bloc issued sanctions against Niger including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between member states and the country.
ECOWAS said it would take all necessary measures, including the use of force, if Bazoum was not reinstated within a week of the meeting.
Tinubu had written the National Assembly for backing on military intervention in Niger.
Lamuwa said the deployment of troops would be the last option in restoring democratic rule in Niger if diplomatic engagements with the junta fail, and asked the international community to continue to show solidarity with the bloc.
“The authority welcomes the immediate condemnation, by the international community, of the coup in Niger and sees this as a huge testimony to the preference for democracy and constitutional rule, vis-a-vis any other form of governance,” the former ambassador to Senegal said.
“Consequently, Nigeria and indeed, ECOWAS, call upon the international community to remain resolute on this stance and to continue to show solidarity to ECOWAS in affirming the superiority of democratic and constitutional rule over dictatorship.”
The diplomat said the recent developments in the neighbouring country, alongside Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea – all countries that have backed the coup in Niger – have raised serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in West Africa.
Lamuwa said there was concern that the success of the coup in Niger would significantly dampen ECOWAS’s reputation, but added that Tinubu remained committed to ensuring an amicable resolution of the situation was reached.
“The region holds that President Bazoum remains the legitimate president and head of state of the Republic of Niger, recognised and supported by ECOWAS, the AU and the international community and therefore rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from him, perhaps under duress,” he said.
Lamuwa added that a separate delegation led by Babagana Kingibe, a former secretary to the government of the federation, was mandated to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria on the matter.
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Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence
Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised concerns over the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly by youths in Nigeria and beyond.
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri and President of CBCN, expressed this during the CBCN maiden edition of the Communications Week (ComWEEK) Public Lecture in Abuja on Wednesday.
The event, themed ‘Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Evangelisation and Social Development,’ was part of the activities marking the 2024 ComWEEK of the CBCN, the 58th edition since the Pope established World Communication Day (WCD) in 1967.
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Ugorji emphasized, “Despite the enormous benefits, the development and deployment of AI digital technology must be approached with ethical rigour. We must strive for a balance that prioritizes human welfare alongside technological progress, mindful of the ethical and moral dilemmas, as well as risks such as job displacement, threat to peace in the world, spread of falsehood through propaganda, manipulation of the human person, and privacy concerns through advanced hacking and deepfakes.”
Speaking on the theme, Prof. Anthony Akinwale, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, highlighted that despite the fears associated with AI and other technologies, religion cannot ignore the accomplishments of science and technology.
Additionally, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, noted that Pope Francis’ position aligns with the consistent magisterium of the Church, emphasizing that all scientific progress is a gift of God to humanity, to be used for human well-being and the glory of God.
Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence
News
Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out
Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out
Suspected peasants have killed an invader and macheted three others, who allegedly encroached on the Okuama-Ewu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, to loot zinc, iron, rods and related scraps, barely 24 hours after the Nigerian Army pulled out of the embattled community.
Soldiers started withdrawing from the community, on Monday, and finally pulled out, on Wednesday, following negotiations between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Army authorities.
Vanguard learned that soon after, some youths from neighbouring villages, observing that soldiers had withdrawn from Okuama-Ewu, went to the community to scavenge for things to sell.
Meanwhile, the people of Akugbene community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state, have raised the alarm that one of the six persons attacked and macheted, by returnees of the embattled Okuama Community in Ughelli South was still missing.
They ambushed, macheted our people—Akugbene resident
A source from the neighbouring Akugbene Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state told Vanguard that they noticed soldiers leaving the Okuama-Ewu Community, on Tuesday. It explained that Okuama returnees ambushed and attacked four Akugbene indigenes with machetes.
His words: “As I talk to you, there is a problem: the Okuama returnees ambushed and butchered four indigenes of our community with machetes.
“They (Akugbene indigenes) were on their way to the Ezebiri Community along the footpath linking various communities on hearing that the road was free when the Okuama returnees ambushed them.
“One of them, who escaped to our community with machete cuts, narrated that the Okuama returnees pointed guns at them and attacked them, while on their way to Ezebiri.
“They attacked them with machetes, but he managed to escape while others were led towards the jetty in the community waterfront.
Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out
News
Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy
Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy
ABUJA—The two arms of the National Assembly, the Senate and House of Representatives, yesterday disagreed on the propriety of the 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
The disagreement came on a day Northern Elders Forum, NEF, a prominent socio-cultural organization representing the interests of the north, strongly condemned the apex bank’s decision to impose the levy on bank customers.
While the Senate said there was nothing wrong with the levy as both arms passed it into law the House of Representatives asked the CBN to suspend its implementation, following public outcry that has trailed it.
The Senate contended that the cybersecurity levy came into being through a collaborative effort that involved the National Assembly’s ICT and Cyber Security Committee and a transparent public hearing process, with contributions from various stakeholders.
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According to the Senate, both arms of the National Assembly unanimously passed it before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed it into law.
It also argued that the levy was not punitive, but aimed at protecting national security and the economy.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Umar Buba, APC Bauchi South, who addressed the controversy surrounding the proposed implementation of the cybersecurity levy by the CBN yesterday , said that the levy was provided for in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Senator Buba noted that the provisions of the cybersecurity levy had been in place since 2015 but were delayed due to unclear interpretations and applications.
He, however, clarified that the levy was not punitive as it had numerous exemptions to protect and relieve ordinary citizens, particularly the poor.
According to him, the exemptions include salary payments, intra-account transfers, loan disbursements and repayments, and other financial transactions.
Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy
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