Niger coup: Wagner taking advantage of instability – Antony Blinken

By

-

August 8, 2023

Russia’s Wagner mercenary group is “taking advantage” of instability in Niger, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told the BBC.

The country has been ruled by a junta following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum nearly two weeks ago.

Mr Blinken said he did not think Russia or Wagner instigated Niger’s coup.

However, the US was worried about the group “possibly manifesting itself” in parts of the Sahel region, he told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme

“I think what happened, and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia or by Wagner, but… they tried to take advantage of it.

“Every single place that this Wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed,” said Mr Blinken.

“Insecurity has gone up, not down”.

He added that there was a “repeat of what’s happened in other countries, where they brought nothing but bad things in their wake”.

Both the US and France operate military bases in Niger as part of operations to disrupt jihadist groups operating in the wider region. Niger became the main base for French troops after they were told to leave Mali following a coup there.

Wagner is believed to have thousands of fighters in countries including the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali, where it has lucrative business interests but also bolsters Russia’s diplomatic and economic relations.

The group’s fighters have been accused of widespread human rights abuses in several African countries.

Despite this, there has been speculation Niger’s army has asked Wagner for assistance as the country faces the possibility of military intervention.

Mr Bazoum, who is currently being detained, has also spoken of his concerns about Wagner’s influence in Africa.

It is currently unclear if Wagner fighters have entered the country but the prominent Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel Grey Zone said on Monday that some 1,500 of its fighters had recently been sent to Africa.

It did not specify where on the continent they had allegedly been deployed.

Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin has urged the junta to “give us a call” in a voice message uploaded to Telegram on Tuesday.

“We are always on the side of the good, on the side of justice, and on the side of those who fight for their sovereignty and for the rights of their people,” he said.

Niger Coup: Why Military Junta won’t meet ECOWAS delegation

By

Mana Balagbogbo

-

August 8, 2023

0

Leaders of Niger’s ruling military junta say they can’t accept a high-level diplomatic visit because there’d be a risk to the visitors’ security.

Delegates from the regional grouping Ecowas, the African Union and the United Nations had been due to fly in today.

But the coup leaders told Ecowas that sanctions and the threat of invasion from the bloc had created public anger, so the delegation couldn’t be hosted with calm and in security.

They added that Niger’s land and air borders were closed.

Reports from the capital Niamey say many people have greeted the coup as a breath of fresh air, even though the toppled President, Mohamed Bazoum, was democratically elected.

Washington has warned there’s a danger Russian Wagner mercenaries will take advantage of Niger’s coup.

Scottish Education staff vote to strike in 10 council areas

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

-

August 8, 2023

0

Scottish Staff working in education in 10 Scottish councils have voted for strike action over pay.

Unite union has confirmed that its council members will take targeted industrial action when schools resume after the summer break.

Council body Cosla said the strong offer raised the local government living wage by 99p to £11.84 per hour.

The development follows talks with Cosla last week where no improved pay offer was put on the table.

The current 5% offer for 2023 was rejected by 84% in a consultative ballot held by Unite in May. The current rate of broader inflation (RPI) stands at 10.7%.

Unite has also called for First Minister Humza Yousaf to intervene directly in the pay dispute following what it describes as a collapse in negotiations.

The trade union has repeatedly criticised Cosla for failing to approach the Scottish government to financially support a fairer pay offer for council workers, saying that both bodies are in danger of repeating the same mistakes of last summer’s pay dispute.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said the message for both the Scottish government and Cosla is loud and clear.

US diplomat meets Niger coup leaders but sees no headway

By

Mana Balagbogbo

-

August 8, 2023

0

US diplomat met Niger’s military leaders on Monday to press to reverse a coup but reported no headway a day after an ultimatum from the West African bloc ECOWAS was ignored.

Victoria Nuland, a veteran envoy and acting deputy secretary of state, said she met for more than two hours with military chiefs who ousted democratically elected Western ally Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. Nuland’s trip, conducted in secrecy until she left, came after the expiration of a deadline set by ECOWAS to reinstate Bazoum by midnight (2300 GMT) on Sunday or risk military intervention.

The 15-nation bloc is reconvening for its own diplomatic push on the crisis with a summit Thursday in Nigerian capital Abuja.

A source close to ECOWAS said an immediate military intervention to restore Bazoum was not envisaged at this stage, adding that the path to dialogue still appeared open.

Speaking to reporters before her departure, Nuland described her talks as “extremely frank and at times quite difficult”.

She said she offered the coup leaders “a number of options” to exit the crisis and restore the relationship with the United States, which like other Western nations has suspended aid.

“I would not say that we were in any way taken up on that offer,” she said.

She added that the coup leaders did not respond to her requests to meet Niger’s self-proclaimed new leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, or the detained elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, although US officials have been in touch with Bazoum by telephone.

Nuland said she met Brigadier General Moussa Salaou Barmou, who has been named the new military chief of staff and who has worked closely in the past with the United States, which along with former colonial power France has based anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel out of Niger.Nuland said she warned Niger against following neighbouring Mali in bringing in Russia’s Wagner mercenaries. “The people who have taken this action here understand very well the risks to their sovereignty when Wagner is invited in,” said Nuland, who is known for her hawkish stance on Russia.

Unilorin VC Urges Students Not To Migrate Illegally

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

-

August 8, 2023

0

University of Ilorin, Wahab Olasupo Egbewole has advised students of the institution to seek only legal means of travelling out of Nigeria should they wish to do so.

Egbewole gave the piece of advice while addressing participants at the orientation programme organized by the Kwara state chapter of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association held at the university’s main auditorium.

The Vice-Chancellor, who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho noted that there are different routes to go abroad and counselled the participants to travel only on their own terms.

He also cautioned potential emigrants against being tempted by the millions of Naira made in Europe and America, saying that they should remember that they do not spend Naira in those countries as he congratulated participants for being part of the eye-opening event.

Speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, Raymond Ogunade, emphasized the importance of hard work, added that all the people who had been on one US government programme or the other are hardworking people.

He counselled against procrastination and advised participants to note that they should consider and include the interest of their sponsors while writing their proposals.

The Managing Director of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin, who is also an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Ilorin, Adeniyi Saheed Aremu likened the Fulbright experience to an international youth service corps and urged applicants to note that their proposals are like marketing tools with which they are marketing themselves and also noted that participants are the ambassadors of their countries and respective families.

He added that participating in the US government-assisted programmes opens doors for more opportunities because Americans always keep in touch.

The Acting Director of the Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), University of Ilorin, Abdulkareem Oloyede, who was represented by O. Atolani of the Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, advised participants to always seek for information because information is power.

He emphasized the advantages of foreign programmes and advised participants to always bring the knowledge back home for the development of Nigeria.

Deputy Speaker debunks report on Southeast leaders not happy

By

Mana Balagbogbo

-

August 8, 2023

2

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has debunked a report displayed on social media, stating that the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast are not at home with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of ministerial nominees from the zone. According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu in Abuja, the report published by an online platform however did not name the so-called leaders.

“Ordinarily, such a report should not be dignified with a rebuttal as it is not worth anyone’s time. But for purposes of clarity and emphasis, Moreso, to protect the sanity of the reading public, the office of the deputy speaker is hereby emphatically stating the report is not only a deluge of garbage, unfounded narratives and falsehood at its apogee but also the figment of the overheated imagination of the people and the medium that published it.

“For starters, masking the so-called leaders puts paid to the fickleness of the report. It’s also unfathomable that the discredited online medium could not live up to the simple journalistic ethos of lending credence to their own report by crediting such a serious publication to identifiable names and faces. Taking to such uncanny fabrication so unabashedly made can only be seen and regarded as a hatchet job which runs at variance with the professional ethics of journalism.

“We hold the profession in high esteem and would therefore appeal that those who intend to cast aspersions on its nobler intentions be held accountable by the relevant authorities and hierarchies.

“We pontificate here that the APC leaders in the southeast are all well-known and are not in the record of possessing any infantile dispositions as to mask their faces when baring their mind on weighty issues of national significance.

President Tinubu Inaugurates Committee on Fiscal Policy, Tax Reforms

By

Mana Balagbogbo

-

August 8, 2023

0

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms with a charge to transform the tax system to support sustainable development and achieve a minimum of 18% tax to GDP ratio within the next three years.

The committee which has one year span is established to address the broad fiscal challenges facing the Nigerian economy through fiscal governance, tax reforms and growth facilitation.

President Tinubu said the committee has as its objective the advancement of viable and cost-effective solutions to issues such as multiplicity of tax collection agencies, the high cost of revenue administration, and the lack of effective coordination between fiscal and other economic policies across all levels of government.

The chairman of the committee, Taiwo Oyedele said if the country is to achieve the needed growth, aside from other necessities, there is the need to create a conducive environment to attract private and foreign investment through a comprehensive approach and coordinated strategy.

He further hinted the committee will evolve ways of mobilizing more tax revenue without necessarily increasing tax burdens. Speaking after the inauguration, the representative of the World Bank said the agenda of the committee is key to helping Nigeria achieve inclusive growth with more economic opportunities and better services for Nigerians. Members of the committee were drawn from the private and public sectors and ministries; departments and relevant agencies are further charged to cooperate fully with the committee towards achieving their mandates.

NFF Constitutes Standing And Ad Hoc Committees

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 8, 2023

0

Nigeria Football Federation has constituted its standing and ad hoc committees. Please find attached the names of chairmen, vice chairmen and members of the 17 standing committees and three ad hoc committees.

The judicial committees had been constituted earlier.

NFF STANDING AND AD-HOC COMMITTEES

1. Finance Committee:
i. Mr Timothy Heman – Chairman
ii. Hon Margaret Icheen – Vice Chairman
iii. Alh A C Ladan
iv. Ado Garba
v. Auwalu Musa
vi. Mr. Greg Abang
vii. Gandi Bala Bodinga

2. Internal Audit Committee:
i. Alh Garba Mohammed – Chairman
ii. Alh Yahuza Maihaja – Vice Chairman
iii. Hon. Ifanawopo Sola
iv. Chairman Akwa Ibom F.A
v. Haliru Alhassan Samaila
vi. Hashimu Yusuf
vii. Amadu Malami

3. Organising Committee:
i. Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu – Chairman
ii. Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye – Vice Chairman
iii. Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha
iv. Calistus Ebare
v. Hon. Geofrey Gaya Vi. Mrs Dilichukwu Vii. Abba Muktar
4. Technical Committee:
i. Alh Sharif Rabiu Inuwa- Chairman
ii. Chief Felix Anyansi – Vice Chairman
iii. Hon Aminu Balele Kurfi
iv. Zanna Mohammed Mala
v. Victor Ikpeba
vi. Felix Awolabi
vii. Yinka Olagbemiro

5. Legal Committee: –
i. Barr Tony Ogwu – Chairman
Ii. Barr.Isaac Danladi – Vice Chairman
iii. Barr Paul Edeh
iv. Barr Abayomi Omoyinmi
v. Labaran M. Gusau

6. Women’s Football Committee:
i. Madam Aisha Falode – Chairperson
ii. Madam Nkechi Obi – Vice Chairperson
iii. Thelma Agara
iv. Hauwa Lawan
v. Mrs Margaret Aku
vi. Mrs Sabina Amemonophena
vii. Mr Harry Awurumbe

7. Youth Football Committee:
i. Alh Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Chairman
ii. Hon Silas Agara – Vice Chairman
iii. Victor Okechukwu Apago
iv. Hon Dele Ologun
v. Mr Aku Thompson Oladimeji
vi. Hon. Bala Usman Chamo Vii. Sen. Moses Cleopas
8. Futsal / Beach Soccer Committee:
i. Hon Nse Essien – Chairman
ii. Ahmed Yusuf – Vice Chairman
iii. Aminu Mohammed Inuwa
iv. Chairman Plateau FA
v. Hon Fuad Oki
vi. Richard Jideaka Vii. Yabagi A Baba

9. Medical Committee:
i. Dr Abdulkadir Muazu – Chairman
ii. Director Sports Medicine – Vice Chairman
iii. Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe
iv. Dr. Sa’adu Dan Isah
v. Dr. Peter Singabele
vi. Dr. Suleman Ohida
READ MORE:Arsenal reject Monaco bid for Balogun insists on €58m
10. Players Status Committee:
i. Mr Otumba Dele Ajayi – Chairman
ii. Mr Timothy Heman – Vice Chairman
iii. Mr Patrick Pascal MON
iv. Chikuelu Ileonsi
v. Mal Audu Sabo
vi. Austin Popo
Vii. Mr. Jude Odera Anyadufu
11. Committee for Ethics and Fair Play:
i. Alh Mainasara Illo – Chairman
ii. Chief Fanny Amu – Vice Chairman
iii. Dr Tijjani Yusuf
iv. Maccido Garba
v. ACG Bello Jibo
vi. Ibrahim Danbatta
vii. Harrison Ocular

12. Media Committee:
i. Madam Aisha Falode – Chairperson
ii. George Aluo – Vice Chairman
iii. Gabriel Aborowa
iv. Lirwanu Malikawa Garu
v. Mr Godwin Enakhena
vi. Alh Shu’aibu Mungadi Vii. Frank Ilaboya
13. Football Committee:
i. Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu – Chairman
ii. Alh Babagana Kalli – Vice Chairman
iii. NPFL
iv. NNL
v. NLO
vi. NWL
vii. Technical Dept
14. Strategic Studies Committee:
i. Alh Ahmed Yusuf – Chairman
ii. Alh Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Vice Chairman
iii. Mal Ahmed Magaji
iv. Barr. Christopher Green
v. Sen. Obinna Ogba
vi. Akegun Yomi Seriki
vii. Mohammed Salisu Rabiu

15. Marketing, Sponsorship Committee:
i. Sharif Rabiu Inuwa – Chairman
ii. Hon Nse Essien – Vice Chairman
iii. Edafe Eseoghene
iv. Alh Bature Musa
v. Chief Olapade
vi. Chika Ikenga
Vii. High Chief Emeka Iyama

16. Protocol and Ceremonial Committee:
i. Hon Margaret Icheen – Chairperson
ii. Alh Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Vice Chairman
iii. Mal Bakura Abubakar
iv. Obioma Onyeghala
v. Habibu Abdu Fagge
vi. Alhaji Usman Ibrahim Pate
vii. Mojeed Adegbindi

17. Security Committee:
i. Alh Babagana Kalli – Chairman
ii. Hon Nse Essien – Vice Chairman
iii. Emma Nunu
iv. Adebayo Anthony Adeyinka
v. Datti Umar Yusuf
Vi. AIG Wilson Inalegwu (Rtd)
vii. Brig. Gen. Stanley N. Eze

AD-HOC COMMITTEES.
1. Technical Study Group Committee:
i. Coach Ladan Bosso – Chairman
ii. Coach James Adesina – Vice Chairman
iii. Coach Manu Garba
iv. Ibrahim Gwadabe
v. Tijjani Babangida
vi. Mutiu Adepoju
vii. Edema Fuludu
viii. Abdul Sule
Ix. Hamisu Mohammed

2. Facilities Committee:
I. Otunba Dele Ajayi – Chairman
ii. Babagana Kalli – Vice Chairman
iii. Chairman Nasarawa FA
iv. Oluwole Oloworemo
v. Garba Musa Zuru
vi. Mr Amanze Uchegbulam
vii. Mr Tony Rafua
viii. Mr Joe Amend
ix. Mr. Eddy Ukim
x. Hon Joseph Joshua Xi. Dotun Cocker
Xii. Mr. Amah M. Mbah

3. ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE
I. Ahmed Yusuf Fresh – Chairman
II. Timothy Heman – Vice Chairman
III. Abdulganiyu Majekodunmi
IV. Babagana Kalli
V. Madam Margaret Icheen

Niger coup leaders vow to resist external pressure

By

Mana Balagbogbo

-

August 8, 2023

0

The Niger coup leaders on Tuesday, vowed to resist external pressure to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum after ECOWAS imposed sanctions and Western allies suspended aid.

The seventh power grab in West and Central Africa in three years has attracted global attention, partly due to Niger’s pivotal role in a war with Islamist militants. It is also because of its uranium and oil reserves that gives it economic and strategic importance for the United States, Europe, China and Russia.

West African countries and global powers hope for a window of opportunity for mediation with Niger’s coup leaders, before a Thursday summit that could agree on military intervention to restore democracy.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has scheduled the summit to discuss its standoff with the Niger junta, which seized power on July 26 and ignored an Aug. 6 deadline to stand down.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told French radio station RFI that “there’s no doubt that diplomacy is the best way to resolve this situation.”

The United States is backing the regional bloc’s efforts to restore constitutional order, he said. He declined to comment on the future of some 1,100 U.S. troops in Niger.

In a sign of the United States’ interest in the country, U.S. acting deputy secretary of state Victoria Nuland flew to Niamey on Monday.

She held “frank and difficult” talks with senior junta officials but said they did not take up U.S. suggestions for restoring democratic order.

The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has taken a harder stance on the Niger coup than it did on other recent government overthrows. Its credibility is at stake because it had said that coups would no longer be tolerated.

Any use of force by ECOWAS would risk further destabilizing one of the world’s poorest regions, making such an intervention unlikely, according to risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

“The bloc understands that a military intervention would be very costly, with no guarantee of success over the long term, and with a significant risk of escalation into a regional war,” its Africa analyst, Ben Hunter, said in a note.

“It is fundamentally not in the interests of regional states.”

The bloc also sent a delegation to Niger last week to try to negotiate with the junta, but a source in the entourage said their efforts were rebuffed.

Africans Salute Brave Falcons After W’Cup Exit

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 8, 2023

0

In a display of unwavering support and admiration, Africans across the continent took to social media to hail the Super Falcons, despite their disappointing exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Monday.

Nigeria beat co-hosts Australia 3-2 and held Canada and Ireland 0-0 respectively to reach the last 16 courtesy of a well-deserved second-place finish in Group B that was tagged ‘Group of Death’.

However, their remarkable journey hit a roadblock on Monday in a gripping last-16 encounter against England.

The Falcons were the much better side on the night in Brisbane, but England maintained their composure to go through on penalties, winning 4-2 to seal their spot in the last eight after 120 minutes of explosive box-to-box football which produced no goals.

oining hands in admiration, Africans commended the bravery of the Nigerian girls.

“I must commend the effort by our Super Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Your brilliant performance did not go unnoticed despite the final outcome. You made Nigeria proud on the global stage!”, President Bola Tinubu stated in a tweet.

Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, acknowledged the dedication and fighting spirit of the Falcons, urging them to hold their heads high. “Regardless of today’s result, your dedication and fighting spirit were never in doubt. Hold your heads up, and keep making the country proud, our Super Falcons!” he wrote.

Ghanaian journalist Gary Al-Smith said he was deeply hurt by the Falcon’s exit from the tournament.

“This Nigeria loss is hurting far more than it should and I don’t know why,” he said.

Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh added, “I am totally heartbroken but at the same time so proud of our “Extra Super” Falcons today. In spite of all the hardship & at times inhuman mistreatment, they have put Nigeria back up in world Football. God bless them all!!”

Collins Okinyo, a Kenyan football journalist, stated, “Very unfortunate for Super Falcons losing on penalties. They have been awesome in the tournament. The Super Falcons loss has hurt they were fantastic they were almost there.”

Nigerian singer and songwriter Charley Boy also hailed Randy Waldrum’s side.

“I congratulate the Super Falcons today on their wonderful performance at the World Cup. England may have won by penalty shootouts, but our ladies were no push over. Over try worry una, una do well. Much love from here. My people let’s show dem Love.”, he wrote.

Another Ghanaian journalist Juliet Bawuah added, ”A very good tournament for the Super Falcons. Didn’t end how we all wanted, but they proudly exit with too many positives. This is a very dedicated and committed group of players, and they made the continent proud by how much of themselves they gave. An inspiration for the women’s game in Africa. Keep your heads up, Ladies,” she wrote.

Cameroonian sports journalist Giovanni Wanneh praised the Falcons, saying, ”They were impressive.”

Guinean journalist Tanou Diallo lamented the Falcons missed chances. “Touching the crossbar three times was a misfortune for the ladies. They deserved to go through,” he said.

Senegalese Maryama Cisse stated, “Hail to Nigeria’s Super Falcons for making Africa proud.”

A South African on Twitter with the username, @msemosa stated that Africa was proud of the Nigerians.
“Great football by the Super Falcons of Nigeria. They were denied thrice by the goalposts to defeat England. Africa is proud of you.”

A Ghanaian football fan Thomas Mensah also expressed his pride in the girls, “Heads up, Super Falcons. Africa is proud of you.”