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Nigeria’s corporate existence under threat — Lawan

Published

5 years ago

May 26, 2021

At the security summit organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan stated that Nigeria’s corporate existence is under threat.

In his remarks at the summit, Senate President Ahmed Lawan said that the incidences of kidnappings, banditry, and insurgency were threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria.

“Let me start by commending the leadership of the House for organizing this very special summit on national security. I want to say here that Nigeria is at crossroads today. The very essence of the existence of this country is under serious threat. What started as the insurgency in 2009 or so in the northwestern part of Yobe has now snowballed into a full-scale insurgency in the entire northeast. What was not known to us in the northwest is now today the home of banditry and kidnapping.

“The north-central as we all know is not safe. It suffers the clashes between the herders and our farmers. And the recent introduction in the southeast is another serious threat to the existence of this country. Where government institutions are targeted, our police and security agencies personnel are being killed on a daily basis. Our institutions, buildings are burnt. I believe that these are threats not only to those areas but to the entire nation. And our armed forces are doing their best.

“I must commend our armed forces and other security agencies for doing so much with the little we are able to give them. The National Assembly has always been on the side of giving the kind of support, either legislative or the kind of financial support that our armed forces and indeed all other security agencies require, even though we have our limits.

“The essence of this summit I am sure is to look for ways and means of improving the performance of our armed forces and other security agencies. This summit is essential because we are tested as a country. We are tested as a people. Criminals everywhere have found probably comfort in doing what they do. This is the time for the legislature and executive arm of government to come even closer in finding solutions. I want to take this opportunity to appeal and ask the executive arm of government to implement whatever would be the outcome of this summit.

There were previous summits by NASS. I recall we had a similar summit in the 8th Assembly and I believe that the legislative perspective is essential in finding solutions to the myriad of security issues affecting our country today.

I want to also appeal to all Nigerians for their continued support for the administration and for our armed forces and our security agencies. All hands must be on deck.

“A criminal has only one name and that is criminal. No criminal should have comfort in his ethnic enclave.

“Whoever, where that person is, once he is a criminal, he is simply a criminal and must be dealt with in the appropriate manner regardless of where he or she is coming from. It is also important that we provide resources more resources for our security agencies to enable them better tackle the criminal activities across the country.

“And our armed forces can do that. But the fact remains that we have not enabled them enough. Today in this country, there is no better investment than investing in the security of our people.

“We must ensure that we protect the lives and the property of our people. This is the essence of government. So while the NASS should work hard as it always does to provide more resources, I also want to say we must review procurement processes by the security agencies.

“While we are not going to open up how they do these things to the public, but as parliamentarians, those who approve the funding, we must understand how these procurement processes are undertaken.

“If the processes require that we change the way, we do that, because of inefficiencies, we should go ahead and do so. Because it is not enough to just put in more resources but how the resources are deployed with the economy, with prudence and efficiency.

“I want to once again appeal to us in the National Assembly. The security agencies we know are doing their best, but I think it is high time that we work with the executive arm of government to look at the architecture of our security system for better performance.

“And when I mention architecture, I also want to mention that all levels of government are responsible for securing the lives and property of Nigerians. The federal, state, and local governments. And of course, it is a well-known fact that the local governments do not function.

“The local government system does not function and that takes away a lot from our efforts at providing security for lives and property of people. And when I mention the local government system not functioning, our traditional rulers, who had played major roles in protecting us today have no function more or less. It is only when there are problems, we look for them.“

In the northern part of the country and I daresay all parts of Nigeria, our traditional rulers had played key roles in ensuring security in their domains. Why can’t we look at the possibility of providing an official function for them, even if it is in advisory capacity in the constitution.”

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Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo

Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed as Senior Strategic Adviser to the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), as the agency pushes forward the continent’s Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.

The appointment, announced on Monday, comes at a critical time as Africa CDC seeks to enhance health systems, boost domestic financing, expand local production of medical supplies, and strengthen Africa’s influence in global health governance. In this role, Osinbajo will provide strategic guidance on pandemic preparedness, sustainable healthcare financing, policy direction, and continental collaboration.

Director-General Jean Kaseya praised Osinbajo’s wealth of experience, highlighting his expertise at the intersection of governance, finance, law, and diplomacy. “At a time when Africa must act with greater authority on the future of health, his leadership will be invaluable,” Kaseya said. He added that Osinbajo’s appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising top African leadership in service of the continent’s health security and development.

Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

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Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

By Agency Report

Iran has outlined a set of strict preconditions for engaging in negotiations with the United States aimed at achieving a lasting peace, signalling a hardening of its stance amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.

According to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters, Tehran is insisting on an immediate halt to U.S. military strikes, alongside firm guarantees that such attacks will not be repeated, as a prerequisite for any talks.

The official also disclosed that Iran is demanding compensation for damages suffered during the conflict, underscoring the country’s position that any future negotiations must address the consequences of the ongoing war.

In a further indication of its firm posture, Iran has rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire, maintaining that only a comprehensive and permanent peace agreement would be acceptable.

Tehran is also pushing for new arrangements regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, including the right to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the vital global oil shipping route. The proposed fees, according to the official, would vary depending on the type of vessel, its cargo, and prevailing conditions.

The development comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts led by regional mediators, including Pakistan, to broker a ceasefire between the two sides. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 45-day truce has reportedly been put forward as a stepping stone toward broader negotiations, though Tehran has dismissed the idea as insufficient.

Tensions between the two countries remain high, with both sides holding firm to their positions. Analysts say Iran’s demands reflect a broader strategy to secure long-term guarantees and reshape the terms of engagement in the region, rather than accept short-term de-escalation measures.

With neither side showing signs of compromise, prospects for immediate negotiations appear uncertain, raising concerns about further escalation and its implications for global security and energy markets.

Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

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Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

Published

4 days ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping ₦3.3 trillion power sector bailout aimed at clearing long-standing debts and stabilising Nigeria’s struggling electricity industry.

The intervention, implemented under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, is designed to resolve liabilities accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025, following a comprehensive verification process.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed that the ₦3.3 trillion electricity debt settlement represents a full and final agreement to restore financial stability across the sector. He explained that the debts, largely driven by unpaid invoices, tariff shortfalls, and subsidy obligations, had significantly weakened liquidity in the power value chain.

Implementation of the power sector debt repayment plan has already commenced, with 15 generation companies signing settlement agreements worth about ₦2.3 trillion. The Federal Government has raised ₦501 billion so far to fund the initiative, out of which ₦223 billion has already been disbursed, while additional payments are ongoing.