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Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament Assures Democratic Norms Will Be Enforced

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Despite the current challenges, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Sidi Mohamed Tunis, has assured citizens of the region that democratic norms and good governance will be entrenched in the region.

Dr. Tunis expressed his optimism during the closing ceremony of the ECOWAS Parliament’s First Extraordinary Session for the year 2022 in Monrovia, Liberia.

The Speaker of the Community Parliament expressed his confidence that the Extraordinary Session’s outcome, as well as the impact of the deliberations and recommendations, will have a positive impact on the region.

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‘We will continue to intensify our search for democratic rule, which remains the bedrock for political inclusion and good governance,’ Tunis said, “while emphasizing that all hope is not lost, and as we like to say, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

He reiterated that the mantra of the 5th legislature is still direct election of members to the ECOWAS Parliament.

‘This year, we will intensify our efforts by intensifying deliberation and discussions to ensure that this august task is completed, as this will be the hallmark of quality representation that will undoubtedly be purposeful and accountable to the citizens of the sub-region.’

On behalf of the Parliament, the ECOWAS Parliament Speaker expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President George Weah and the people of Liberia for agreeing to host the Session.

“This act of generosity and warmth that we witnessed in the last few days once again demonstrates that Liberians are naturally loving and hospitable people.” We regard this as an act of honor, and we are grateful for the gesture.”

Dr. Tunis also thanked Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan, the former President of Nigeria and current Mediator on the Crisis in Mali, and Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the former Executive Secretary of the ECOWAS Commission and current Mediator on the Crisis in Guinea, for attending the August gathering and sharing their perspectives on the political situation in the region.

He expressed the hope that the quality of the presentations and debate at the Session will have a significant impact on the region’s future.

‘In the last few days, we have extensively discussed and analyzed the political situation in the subregion in light of the incessant coups d’états in some Member States, as provided for in the supplementary Act.’

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“I applaud their selfless deliberations and insightful discussion, as well as their conclusions.”

“I am confident that the outcomes of our discussions and recommendations will be positive in our sub-region.”

The Speaker also thanked the resource people, moderators, and interpreters, as well as the staff and all of the participants, for their invaluable contributions to the Session’s success.

Confusion in Ondo community as bird with cipher ring falls from sky

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A large bird, identified as an eagle, fell from the sky in Badore, in Iju Odo, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, causing confusion.

Residents in the area were alarmed by the incident, which they described as strange because the bird had a cipher ring on one of its legs.

The cipher ring’s inscription was written in a Chinese-like script, with a white and black-plumed bird.

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While some residents thought it was a Yoruba spiritual bird known as “Awodi” or “Udi,” which could be a witchcraft bird, others thought it had likely moved from another country.

Following a futile attempt to read the inscriptions, a local, Mr. Ojuola Emi, claimed that most Chinese people prefer to put signs and names on their pets, and that the bird could have escaped from its country or owner to Iju Odo.

Mrs. Taiwo Orimisan, on the other hand, believed it was a spiritual bird whose activity had been interrupted, causing it to mysteriously fall from the sky.

Police react after 13 people burnt to death in Kwara auto crash

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The Kwara State Police Command has expressed condolences to the families of 13 people who were burned beyond recognition in an auto accident.

The accident occurred on Saturday in Lasoju, Kwara State, along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway.

According to reports, a Hummer bus traveling from Lagos was driving against traffic and collided head-on with a truck.

According to a statement released by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Ajayi Okasanmi, the accident involved a fully loaded commercial Hummer bus bound for Katsina, Katsina State, and an articulated vehicle carrying cement.

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“He went on to say that 13 passengers on the commercial bus were burned beyond recognition and that six others who were seriously injured are being treated at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Ilorin,” he said.

“Due to the state of the dead bodies, public health officials and the families of the victims requested from the police command that the victims be released to them for mass burial,” according to the PPRO.

As a result, he advised motorists to always obey traffic signs and to avoid speeding at all times.

Saudi Arabia executes 81 men for terrorism, while others sentenced to death

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Saudi Arabia executed 81 men, including seven Yemenis and one Syrian, over the weekend.

According to the state news agency SPA, they were found guilty of charges bordering on terrorism and holding “deviant beliefs.”

According to the authorities, the accused were given lawyers and were guaranteed their full rights throughout the legal process.

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According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, the convicts committed a variety of crimes, including murdering innocent men, women, and children.

“These individuals have also committed crimes such as pledging allegiance to foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS (Islamic State), al-Qaida, and the Houthis,” it continued.

37 Saudi nationals were found guilty of attempting to assassinate security officers, with police stations and convoys as their targets.

Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, as well as the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, have been widely condemned. The crown prince was indicted by the US.

Restrictive laws on politics, religion, and the death penalty implementation, which affects defendants arrested when they were minors, have also been criticized.

However, the country denies allegations of human rights violations, claiming that punitive measures are in accordance with the law and are necessary to protect national security.

The most recent executions in the kingdom surpassed the 67 reported in all of 2021 and the 27 in all of 2020.

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Saudi Arabia is led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with his son Mohammed bin Salman as a co-leader (MBS).

Terrorism and corruption are not tolerated in the Arab country, which has stepped up its crackdown in recent years.

PDP demands certificate of return, alleging massive crackdown on members in Umahi

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On Sunday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue certificate of return to its nominated candidates for Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State as soon as possible.

A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State to vacate his seat after defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, last week, according to reports.

The PDP immediately obeyed the ruling by submitting new names to the INEC for Governor and Deputy Governor.

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Hon Iduma Enwo Igariwey was nominated as a replacement for Governor Umahi, and Fred Udeogu was nominated as a replacement for the deputy governor.

Hon. Tochukwu Okorie, Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State, called on the INEC to issue certificates of return to the two nominees at a press conference in Enugu.

Okorie, who described Umahi as a former governor, accused him of planning a massive crackdown on PDP members in the state.

“By operation of law, Governor Umahi, his deputy, and the 16 legislators effectively resigned their positions, perhaps in pursuit of loftier political objectives,” the PDP Chairman said.

“The fight to free the state from tyranny and oppression has only just begun,” he said, adding that “we must all brace up to face the evil and narcissistic elements in the land head on.”

While condemning Governor Umahi’s reaction to the decision, Okorie stated that the people of Ebonyi “have long moved on and cannot be taken on board his deceptive rollercoaster.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, our great party’s National Leadership has long followed the court’s ruling by submitting Rt Hon Enwo Iduma Idhariwey and Chief Fred Udogu to the Independent National Electoral Commission as replacements for Umahi and his deputy.” We also made certain that the court’s judgment and other records were forwarded to the Commission.

“What is now standing between the inauguration of the new administration of their Excellencies the Governor and Deputy Governor designate and the issuance of their Certificates of Return in accordance with the court’s ruling is INEC to issue them with their Certificates of Return.” In this regard, we urge the Commission to act quickly.

“We urge NdiEbonyi to remain calm in the face of continued brazen provocation and to continue to dismiss the lawless crew’s deception.” They’ll be forgotten in no time. Ex-governor Umahi has not been granted a stay of execution of the court’s declaratory orders, nor has he successfully appealed the decision, according to NdiEbonyi.

“All he’s done is apply for a stay of execution and file a notice of appeal, neither of which can prevent the execution from taking place.” Likewise, various court papers issued by some state high courts cannot and do not confer any imprimatur of a stay of execution.”

He warned Ebonyians “and all security agencies” that “a long-planned plot of physically eliminating leaders and known opposition voices of the Ebonyi PDP has begun.”

“Last night, in what appears to be the start of that evil plot, Comrade Abia Onyike’s residence was attacked, leaving horror marks,” he said.

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“This happened just a day after he appeared on a live television program to condemn Umahi’s disgraceful attack on the judiciary. We have no idea who will be next. Our leaders’ lives are now in the hands of Umahi, who should be held accountable if anything goes wrong with any of them, because we are not about to abandon the mission.”

Buhari, Malami, others knocked for prosecuting Nnamdi Kanu while ignoring bandit kingpin, Bello Turji

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On Sunday, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) accused security agents and the Federal Government of being dishonest in the country’s fight against banditry and insurgency.

HURIWA also accused security officials of turning a blind eye to Fulani terrorists bringing sophisticated weapons into Nigeria via the North West, which they use to terrorize Nigerians.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the rights group said it was hypocritical of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to continue persecuting Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, while allowing notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji to terrorize residents of the North-West zone.

Turji, emboldened by the fact that security agents have repeatedly failed to apprehend him, recently gave a full-fledged interview to a national daily, detailing his criminality and numerous deadly assaults on innocent Nigerians, according to the group.

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HURIWA slammed the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, for doing nothing after the terrorist was granted a live interview, but the same NBC nearly revoked Channels television’s license for interviewing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful.

HURIWA claims that the current administration is full of hypocrisy.

“It is unthinkable that Fulani bandits and terrorists continue to wreak havoc on Nigerians while security agents flex muscle to victimize a self-determination agitator in the person of Kanu,” HURIWA’s Onwubiko said.

“While terrorism is a global crime, self-determination is protected by the constitution and Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” HURIWA explained.

“Armed Fulani herdsmen continue to pose a threat across the country, and they are having a field day because security agents are distracted.” The fact that not a single armed Fulani herdsman responsible for hundreds of deaths has been apprehended, prosecuted, or punished until now emphasizes this point.

“Where are the 400 Bureau De Change operators who have been charged with financing terrorism?” Has Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, published or prosecuted their names for over a year?

“It is ironic, however, that the same minister who has been illegally prosecuting Kanu for over eight months since the IPOB leader was kidnapped in Kenya has continued to demonize the IPOB leader in the media.”

“President Buhari, Malami, and security personnel must be patriotic enough to apprehend Bello Turji and his gang. What justification do our security agents have for failing to apprehend Turji if a reporter without arms can find him?

“Because of his tribe, a criminal who should be sent to prison now gives television interviews like a celebrity.” It’s a sad situation.

“It is regrettable that security agents have failed to apprehend any of the Fulani herdsmen who have invaded some communities in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, forcibly displacing autochthonous dwellers in order to plan permanent settlement.” FULANI herdsmen are killing Nigerians across the country, but the federal government is doing nothing to stop them.

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“The President and all heads of internal security agencies, who are all Fulani and Moslem northerners, should take responsibility for allowing Fulani herdsmen to amass weapons of mass destruction at the expense of the country’s armed forces.”

“The National Assembly should conduct an honest, patriotic, transparent, and open investigation to resolve this major threat that could jeopardize the conduct of the 2023 elections.”

President Buhari celebrates WAEC’s 70th anniversary

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On the occasion of the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) 70th anniversary, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his joy.

From March 14 to March 18, WAEC will hold its 70th annual council meeting in Abuja.

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“The president affirmed that as a proud founding member of the foremost examination board for the people of West Africa, Nigeria values the shared commitment with other members of the Council,” Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman, said in Abuja on Sunday.

Nigeria, he says, will work with other partners to fulfill the Council’s mandate of maintaining high educational standards that prepare the next generation to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

“For the past 70 years, WAEC has brought English-speaking West Africans together to encourage academic and moral excellence through qualitative and reliable educational assessment,” the president added.

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“The Nigerian leader urged delegates to the council meeting to remember and stand firmly by WAEC’s core values of excellence, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and transparency.” As stated by Adesina.
He went on to say that he believed WAEC would continue to thrive as a world-class examination body as member countries recovered from a difficult year marked by the COVID-19 and conflicts in some countries.

Former Zambian President, Banda, Dies At 85

Rupiah Banda, the former President of Zambia, died of colon cancer at the age of 85.

From 2008 to 2011, Zambia was led by Banda, the country’s fourth president.

When President Levy Mwanawasa suffered a stroke and died in 2008, he was vice-president.

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He went on to win subsequent elections after taking office.
In 2011, Banda was defeated by Michael Sata in the presidential election. He received a lot of praise at the time for accepting defeat rather than contesting the outcome.

“His life of service to our country, and to our continent, represents the highest form of patriotism,” President Hakainde Hichilema said in a statement.

War: Russia’s Demands For Cease-Fire Are Unacceptable – Ukraine

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Ukraine has vowed not to accept what it calls “unacceptable” conditions imposed by Russia as the only way to end hostilities in the country.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said his country has little hope for a negotiated settlement.

“Diplomacy has little place in Putin’s mind,” he told a US policy forum.

“We have to keep the diplomatic channel open,” while also being aware of “Russian attempts to publicly manipulate this track.”

“We’re talking, but Russia continues to make demands that we can’t accept.” “We will not make any concessions on Ukraine’s existential issues,” he stated.

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Putin appeared to be “determined to achieve his objectives in Ukraine,” a French official told CNN earlier. This came after French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone.

The Minister, on the other hand, made it clear that removing Russian President Vladimir Putin from office would be sufficient to end the conflict.

He was pessimistic about the war’s consequences, predicting that it would turn Ukrainians against Russia. “Generations will not forgive them,” he said.

Police Rescue Lady Accused Of Killing Husband With Excessive Sex

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Police in Aguleri, Anambra East local council, rescued a middle-aged woman who was paraded naked in the streets for allegedly causing her husband’s death through excessive sex.

According to a statement from the police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the officers swung into action after seeing a video of the incident.

The deceased was supposed to bury his mother next month, according to a narrator in the video speaking in the native Aguleri dialect, but his wife killed him with excessive sex.

The deceased was discovered on a bed, dressed as if dead.
People chanted derogatory songs and abused the lady as she was paraded around Aguleri.

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However, the PPRO stated in a statement that one suspect has been arrested for the heinous act, and that the police are studying the video in order to identify and apprehend other suspects.

“Anambra State Police Operatives have today 12/3/2022 at about 12:07 pm rescued a female victim from an angry mob in Aguleri,” according to the statement.

The rescue came as a result of a viral video showing a woman being publicly molested and assaulted for allegedly causing the death of her late husband.

According to additional information, the deceased had already been buried before the video went viral. The victim was rescued and is now receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

“While describing the act as barbaric, Commissioner of Police CP Echeng Echeng stated that one suspect is already in custody and ordered an immediate review of the video with the goal of identifying the suspects, arresting them, and bringing them to justice.”

“He also urged members of the public to refrain from sharing the video in order to preserve the woman’s dignity.”

“Please keep us updated on the progress.”