Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State says the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS is an attestation of his sterling leadership qualities as the chairman of the bloc.

Abiodun, in a congratulatory message to the President on Sunday, said his re-election reflects the unwavering trust and confidence reposed in his leadership by the sub-region.

According to him, since his first election in 2023, President Tinubu has laid a solid framework for the future integration of the sub-region and as well fostered security among the people.

The governor eulogised the President for demonstrating spirit of statesmanship by the way he handled the violent change of government by three member states-Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

He noted that this had averted the crisis that could have engulfed the sub-region.

Under President Tinubu’s guidance, ECOWAS has made remarkable giant strides in fostering economic integration, promoting regional peace and security, and enhancing cooperation among member states.

“His dedication to advancing the interests of the West African region has been evident throughout his first tenure, and we are confident that his re-appointment will further accelerate the progress achieved thus far.

President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and strategic approach have been instrumental in addressing the challenges facing the region, including threat to democracy, occassioned by coup in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso and insecurity.

“His commitment to dialogue averted what could have amounted to war, which would have had dire consequences for the entire region,” he said.

He, therefore, called on member states to join hands with the president in advancing the objectives and values of ECOWAS.

President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

He was re-elected at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States and Government at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria.

President Tinubu, who accepted his re-election, appointed the President of Senegal to join in the mediation with Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.

Meanwhile, Tinubu urged members states of the region to fulfil their financial commitments to the regional body to effectively tackle security challenges.

President Tinubu, who gave the charge at the 65th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS, said substantial financial resources are crucial to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) and combat terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.

The Nigeria President, whose one-year tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority is expected to expire tomorrow, July 9, urged member states to honor their financial obligations to enable ECOWAS to meet the expectations and recommendations of its ministers of Defense and Finance.

He contended that fulfilling the commitments will help stabilize the region and counter insecurity, adding that by meeting their financial commitments, ECOWAS member states will demonstrate their dedication to regional security and cooperation, enabling the community to better address the security challenges facing West Africa.

According to him, “Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potentials, move to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasise that the success of this plan requires, not only strong political will, but also substantial financial resources.

“We must therefore ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our ministers of Defense and Finance in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region. Member states must make extra commitment on providing resources for stabilizing the region.

“To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage on the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledge as one of the best on the continent.

The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.

Your excellencies, dear heads of state, I urge those of you with time to visit the centre before your departure and assess first-hand on the facilities and the capabilities of NCTC”, President Tinubu said.

President Tinubu also urged ECOWAS member states to unite and develop innovative approaches to unlock the region’s economic potential and promote prosperity.

He acknowledged the economic hurdles hindering progress and stressed the need for partnerships, investment, and infrastructure development.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appointed a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Adekunle Omoyele, as the new Corps Commander for Osun Amotekun Corps.

Amotekun is a security network jointly formed by the governors of the six South West governors with the mandate to complement federal security agencies.

The spokesperson for the security outfit, Idowu Yusuff, in a statement on Thursday, said Omoyele was appointed as a replacement for the immediate past Corp Commander, Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, (retd.), who has completed his tenure.

Yusuff further said Omoyele had served as the Chief Security Officer to Adeleke, after his retirement from the Nigeria Police Force.

Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has appointed retired senior police officer, CSP Adekunle Omoyele, as the new Corps Commander of Osun Amotekun Corps.

“CSP Omoyele’s appointment comes after the expiration of the tenure of Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, the first Corps Commander of the security outfit.

“Omoyele was a former Chief Security Officer to the Executive Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke. He retired recently after meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years and was appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Special Adviser on Internal Security and Local Matters, now the Corps Commander of Osun Amotekun Corps,” Yusuff said

Omoyele’s appointment takes immediate effect, according to the statement by Yusuff.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) is set to host the 17th edition of the International Maritime Seminar for Judges under the chairmanship of Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

 

 

 

The forthcoming event, which is a must attend for stakeholders, will take place at the Abuja Continental Hotel (former Abuja Sheraton Hotel), Ladi Kwali Centre from Tuesday 9th – Thursday 11th July, 2024, from 9:00am – 5:00pm daily.

 

 

 

The objective of the seminar is to update the knowledge of participants Justices, Judges, In-house counsel, Legal practitioners, Captains of Industry etc. With the knowledge on contemporary issues and developments in International Maritime Law and Admiralty Practice, as it impacts Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.

 

 

 

According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Public Relations Unit, NSC, Rebecca Adamu, an array of eminent jurists, erudite scholars and seasoned Maritime/Legal practitioners from the judiciary and foreign experts will deliver papers aimed at addressing several burning and complex issues bedevilling the maritime industry such as: legal Issues in Nigerian Seaports Trade Facilitation; shipping in the Age of Innovation and Climate Change: The Role of Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Vessels and Decarbonisation.

 

Others ares; ADR as an Effective Tool in the Resolution of Maritime Disputes: Current Development and Matters Arising; admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules 2023 and Matters Arising – An Appellate Perspective to Admiralty Jurisdiction in Nigeria; Maritime Law in 2024.

 

 

 

The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, is the Special Guest of Honour. The the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is the Chief Host, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E Adegboyega Oyetola, will be the Host at the occasion.

 

 

 

Dignitaries expected at the occasion include the Chief Justices of The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, along with some Justices / Judges of their respective judiciaries.

 

 

 

Other participants at the seminar include Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Judges of the Federal and State High Courts, Legal Advisers, in-house Counsel, Legal and Maritime Practitioners as well as industry stakeholders.