The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • FG signs MoU with WIOCC to connect three million homes with internet services 

    FG signs MoU with WIOCC to connect three million homes with internet services 

    The federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) to connect three million Nigerian homes with internet facilities and services. 

    The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, signed on behalf of the government, while Mr Darren Bedford, WIOCC’s Group Chief Business Development Officer signed for his company. 

    The MoU which was signed at the Minister’s office in Abuja would ensure the connectivity of fibre optic cables to Nigerian homes, schools, hospitals and public offices to power internet services. 

    The project would cost WIOCC about 10 million dollars, while it would also provide opportunities for training of Nigerians and manufacturing of assessories, such as batteries locally. 

    Speaking with reporters at the event, the Minister said internet connectivity across Nigerian homes and offices would in a shortwhile crash the prices of data, calls and SMS, as Nigerians would have alternative platforms for internet connections across the country besides their phones. 

    Dr Tijani said the development was an integral part of the steps taken by the present administration to ensure that Nigeria attained the status of one trillion dollars economy within the next few years as government and the private sector invest in digital infrastructures aggressively. 

    The Minister said the project when delivered would allow Nigerians have a minimum connectivity of 25mbp at homes of downloads especially in cities, while people in rural areas would have a minimum of 10mbp downloads in their homes. 

    Tijani said: “This is a company that is already investing in Nigeria significantly. They obviously started through the submarine cable investment that they’ve made. But I think beyond that is the fact that they’re bringing something to the country that is long overdue for our people, which is fiber to home.

    “So imagine you need to use internet and this is the standard all over the world. You don’t have to necessarily wait to use it on your phone. The ability to use top quality, the best service that you can get that can be at par with anything you get anywhere in the world relies on you having access in that manner.

    “So our goal is to ensure that this will become mainstream, that it’s not only just for a few homes in highbrow estates or places like in certain part of Lagos. And they’re committing to connecting about 3 million homes in the next couple of years.”

    In his remarks, Mr Darren Bedford, the Group Chief Development Officer for WIOCC, said the MOU signed with the Federal Government  is expected to take internet direct to homes, hospitals and schools among others. 

    He said the investments would cost his company about 10 million dollars at the initial stage as more states, local governments and institutions would be covered. 

    Bedford said already over 40,000 homes and some institutions have been connected with the fibre infrastructures for internet services, but regretted that WIOCC is facing challenges of Right of Way (RoW) and insecurity in some states. 

    Bedford said: “I think this project is going to have a big impact due to the fact that most of Nigeria is unconnected at the moment. So, the majority of businesses and people in their homes have to rely on mobile internet.

    Read Also: TUC hails FG, govs for reaching agreement on tax reform bills 

    “They don’t have access to true high-speed broadband. You know, they can’t play in the international digital economy, and I think this is the first step to create this environment and to bring this to the Nigerian people. So, we have a target of 3 million homes.

    “We’ve got an initial target of 3 million homes. The reason for that is you have to start somewhere. If you start with your ambitions too high, they generally fail.

    “So, we’ve set our ambitions at a reasonable target, and during the course of the rollout for those 3 million homes, we’ll re-evaluate, and then we’ll decide of is it 3 million, 10 million, is it 30 million, but we’ve done a realistic initial plan that we think is achievable,

  • FG won’t allow more than 60% telecoms tariff hike, says Tijani

    FG won’t allow more than 60% telecoms tariff hike, says Tijani

    The federal government will not allow the proposed telecommunications tariff hike to be more than 60 per cent, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has said.

    Tijani gave the assurance yesterday on Channels Television, Politics Today.

    For some years now, the telecoms companies have been asking for an increase in tariff, citing rising operational costs, inflation and naira devaluation among others.

    According to Tijani, the government acknowledged that a tariff increase in the telecom sector is due, but said that the government cannot grant the 100 per cent the companies are demanding.

    Asked if there is a percentage threshold for the impending tariff increase, the Minister said, “I think it should not be more than anywhere between 30 to 60 per cent.”

    He said that even though the companies are insisting that a 100 per cent increase is what is needed to stabilise the sector, the government knows that such a level of increase will be harmful to the people.

    “We have already made it clear that we are not going to approve 100 per cent. These companies are asking for 100 per cent, stating clearly that this is what they believe they need to get.

    “But what we are looking at in terms of the sector is that if this is the sector that is responsible for driving growth in our country, it will be harmful to our people to allow MNO to increase by 100 per cent,” Tijani said.

    Read Also: Tijani Babangida recalls fatal accident that claimed his son’s, younger brother’s lives

    The Minister noted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is still working on the tariff increase and is yet to arrive at a particular figure.

    According to him, it is necessary to look at the numbers, the implication any increase will have on the people and the sustainability of the sector for proper balancing.

    Tijani said that for mobile network operators to improve their service to the required standard, there is a need for them to keep improving their equipment.

  • FG congratulates Lebanon President-elect Joseph Aoun

    FG congratulates Lebanon President-elect Joseph Aoun

    The Federal Government has congratulated Lebanon President elect, Joseph Aoun.

    Aoun secured 99 votes from the 128-seat parliament to win the presidency, breaking a deadlock that has left the country without a Head of State since October 2022.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja in a statement said Nigeria is looking forward to further strengthen relations with Lebanon. 

    The statement by  Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, acting spokesperson, reads: “Nigeria looks forward to further strengthening our historic, strong, and vibrant relationship for the benefit of all our people. 

    “Lebanon’s parliament has elected the country’s army chief as president, ending a power vacuum that has lasted more than two years.”

    Joseph Aoun’s candidacy for the mainly ceremonial role – which is reserved for a Maronite Christian under a sectarian power-sharing system – was backed by several key political parties, as well as the US, France and Saudi Arabia.

    A rival preferred by Hezbollah, the powerful Shia Muslim militia and political party supported by Iran, withdrew on Wednesday and endorsed the commander.

    His election comes six weeks after Lebanon agreed a ceasefire to end a war between Israel and

    Hezbollah, which left the group significantly weakened and devastated areas where it holds sway.

    The Lebanese army, which Aoun had led since 2017, was not involved in the conflict and has a key role under the ceasefire deal. It is required to deploy soldiers in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw and to ensure Hezbollah ends its armed presence there by 26 January.

    In a speech to lawmakers following his election on Thursday, Aoun declared that “a new phase in Lebanon’s history” had begun.

    The 60-year-old pledged to work during his six-year term to ensure that the Lebanese state had “the exclusive right to bear arms” – a reference to Hezbollah, which had built a force considered more powerful than the army to resist Israel before their 13-month conflict, in violation of a UN Security Council resolution that ended their last war in 2006.

    Aoun said one of his main priorities was repairing the destruction caused by “Israeli aggression” in southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs and the eastern Bekaa Valley during the war, which the World Bank estimates will cost $8.5bn (£6.9bn).

    He also promised to push through the political and economic reforms widely seen as necessary in a country that has been affected by multiple crises.

    Besides the Hezbollah-Israel conflict, they include a six-year-long economic depression that is one of the worst recorded in modern times, and the 2020 Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people

  • FG, U.S. sign agreement on repatriation of $52.88m corruption proceeds

    FG, U.S. sign agreement on repatriation of $52.88m corruption proceeds

    The Federal Government and the U.S. Government have signed agreement for the repatriation of not less than 52.88 million dollars forfeited corruption proceeds to Nigeria.

    Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja,

    Ebienfa stated that the agreement was signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.

    He further stated that  signing of the agreement marked significant shared investment in Nigeria’s development and strengthened  partnership between the nations.

    According to him the Federal Government of Nigeria and the U.S. Government are pleased to announce an agreement to promptly repatriate approximately 52.88 million dollars in forfeited corruption proceeds.

    “These funds were forfeited to the U.S. as part of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice.

    “This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S to combat corruption and recover misappropriated assets.

    “Also, through court proceedings ending in 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s International Corruption Unit, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation successfully forfeited various high-value assets.

    “These include the super yacht Galactica Star and prime real estate in California and New York.”

    He  explained that the forfeited assets were illegally acquired through funds linked to money laundering and conspiracy to bribe former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    He further stated that Nigerian authorities played a vital role by providing substantial assistance to the U.S. investigation.

    “Both nations emphasise the importance of responsible and effective use of these funds, incorporating mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.

    “Under the agreement signed today, the recovered funds will be used to finance electrification projects in Nigeria and international efforts to combat terrorism.

    “The U.S. government remains steadfast in its commitment to combating corruption and money laundering.

    “Similarly, the Federal Government of Nigeria remains dedicated to promoting accountability and good governance, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in the fight against corruption.

    “Both governments reiterate their commitment to transparency and the responsible use of recovered assets to benefit the Nigerian people.”

    (NAN) 

  • FG threatens southeast, south-south road contractors with job termination

    FG threatens southeast, south-south road contractors with job termination

    The Federal Government has emphasised its resolve to terminate contracts that fail to meet stipulated obligations, underscoring the importance of adhering to project timelines. 

    This warning comes in response to undue delays by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (JBN), Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), Arab Contractors Nigeria Ltd, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), Setraco Nigeria Ltd and Rock Result Nigeria Ltd on several ongoing road projects in the South East and South South geopolitical zones, as discovered by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during his project inspections.

    The minister also addressed misconceptions about the alleged abandonment of four legacy roads by the federal government, clarifying the administration’s expectation to commission at least four road projects between February and May this year. 

    Highlighting delays in some ongoing projects, the Minister warned of decisive action, saying, “The Ministry will not tolerate delays.

    “Any contractor who does not meet his contractual obligations will face consequences, cumulating into a 14-day Notice of Termination of Contract.

    “Despite the challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to the completion of inherited projects as well as the four Legacy Projects he initiated.

    “The President has not abandoned these projects. It is the contractors, who have delayed the work. This year, we will be stricter in ensuring that projects are completed on course”.

    According to a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Thursday, the minister, however, guaranteed that the Ministry will continue to closely monitor all ongoing projects, ensuring that they align with President Tinubu’s vision for accelerated national growth and development.

    Furthermore, the Minister instructed Federal Controllers of Works to present at least four completed projects each for commissioning between February and May 20 this year, adding that, “The expectation is that every Controller delivers on his mandates, according to specifications and time allotted. There is no room for further delays”.

    While calling for greater teamwork from all stakeholders in the management and delivery of road and bridge projects, Umahi said, “We all need to work together – government, contractors, and the general public towards ensuring that deadlines are met.

    “No contractor should collect government funds and fail to deliver on their promises. Henceforth, we will be more observant and take necessary actions towards ensuring the successful completion of these projects”.

    At Section III (Umuahia-Aba) of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, where the inspection began on Tuesday, though the Minister applauded Arab Contractors Nig Ltd. on the quality of work, he nonetheless instructed them to deploy in two more sites to speed up the construction and, most importantly, meet the set dateline.

    While on Section IV (Aba-Port Harcourt) of the same alignment handled by CCECC, Umahi expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work, noting that they have only been able to access N7b out of the N21b provided for the project, last year.

    Consequently, he instructed the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State to issue a warning to the contractor, promising to terminate it, if there are no improvements in the tempo of work.

    The Minister inspected the Bodo-Bonny Road project, a vital part of the South-South zone’s infrastructure development featuring a two-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 meters, and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island. 

    Expressing dissatisfaction with the progress, the Minister urged JBN to intensify their deployment of personnel, materials, and equipment, even as they had worked through the Yuletide period. 

    During his visit on Wednesday to Section III (Eleme Junction-Onne Junction) of the East-West Road project, the Minister directed RCC to allocate more resources to accelerate the pace of work or risk re-scoping and re-award of the contract while reminding the contractor of the April 2025 deadline to deliver a section of the dual carriageway.

    At the multiple box culverts on the East-West Road handled by Rock Result Nig. Ltd, the Minister commended the work’s standard but criticized its slow progress. 

    Noting that the contract, initially scheduled for completion in November 2024 and extended to December, remains unfinished, he set a final deadline of January 2025, warning that failure to meet it would result in revocation. 

    Read Also: FG, ECOWAS commiserate with Bauchi flood victims, provides $200,000 relief funds

    Umahi, impressed with the quality of work on Section II-II (Ahoada-Kaiama) by Setraco Nig. Ltd, directed the contractor to expedite progress by deploying additional resources. 

    He emphasised the April 2025 delivery date as non-negotiable and instructed the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) for the 2.3-kilometer flood-affected area where box culverts are being constructed. 

    Umahi emphasized the administration’s prioritization of roads and bridges under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Revolution, urging contractors to improve their performance or risk exclusion

    Setraco’s Project Manager, Isaa Michel, thanked the Minister for the inspection and feedback, vowing to accelerate the work to meet the deadline.

  • FG reaffirms commitment to launch National Air Carrier, revamp airports

    FG reaffirms commitment to launch National Air Carrier, revamp airports

    The federal government has assured Nigerians that a new national air carrier will soon commence operations.

    This announcement was made by the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abubakar Kana, during a handover ceremony organized by the ministry.

    Kana emphasized that establishing a national air carrier is one of his key objectives. 

    He also pledged to revitalize airports across the country, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the aviation sector.

    Speaking at the event, Kana, who previously served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, expressed his commitment to working closely with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to achieve these goals.

    “I will provide unreserved support to the Minister in the actualization of Nigeria’s national carrier and in upgrading airports across the nation to international standards,” Kana stated.

    Highlighting the need for collaboration, he added, “Resources are scarce; we need to embrace the private sector to support Nigeria’s aviation industry.” Kana also urged all agencies within the ministry to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting his belief in innovative approaches to development.

    The outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, expressed gratitude to the ministry and Nigerians for the opportunity to contribute to national development.

    Read Also: FG commissions state-of-the-art 20-bed healthcare centre in Lagos

    “Civil service is continuous,” Meribole said, assuring that his departure from the service would not hinder the ministry’s progress.

    He encouraged the staff to maintain the spirit of collaboration and teamwork they had shown during his tenure, extending it to the new Permanent Secretary.

    “No man is perfect, but I have always wished to leave a place better than how I met it, and I believe I have done that,” he remarked.

    Meribole also praised the administrative skills of Minister Keyamo and urged aviation stakeholders to remain committed to making Nigeria’s aviation sector the best in Africa.

  • New Coronavirus: Nigeria not at risk, FG insists

    New Coronavirus: Nigeria not at risk, FG insists

    The federal government has reassured the public of its preparedness to address any potential outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country. 

    The government emphasized that necessary precautionary measures have been put in place, with continuous improvements to health infrastructure. 

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, reassured Nigerians not to panic, emphasizing that the virus is not novel while urging the public to prioritize hygiene, especially as the season linked to the virus begins.

    This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO), in a report on Tuesday, was quoted by a foreign newspaper stating that HMPV does not currently pose a threat to public health.

    Saying that the HMPV is not new to Nigeria , Salako noted that it has been identified as a cause of lower respiratory tract and severe acute respiratory infections especially among children, older adults and individuals with weak immune systems.

    Salako, who spoke with The Nation on Monday assured that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the relevant agencies of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare especially the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Port Health Services has scaled up its surveillance activities.

    “This is to ensure that the entry of the respiratory infection suspected to be caused by the HMPV being seen at a higher rate in some parts of China is prevented. 

    “Measures, including quarantine and collection of samples from people entering our country from China have been put in place to detect any carrier of HMPV. 

    “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria has significantly ramped up its ability to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks as validated by the last Joint External Evaluation conducted in 2023,” he said.

    However, The Washington Post, quoted Anadolu Agency, EFE that reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) clarified on Tuesday that the rising circulation of respiratory viruses, HMPV, in China aligns with typical winter patterns, with no emergency declarations amid growing attention to the matter,

    A common respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, has been spreading in some countries in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan, Scientific American reported.

    Read Also: FG commissions state-of-the-art 20-bed healthcare centre in Lagos

    An uptick of a routine virus in China ignited dire headlines and social media posts, but public health experts caution that the human metapneumovirus cases are part of the typical ebb and flow of respiratory virus seasons and are no reason to be alarmed.

    Similarly, The New York Times on Monday claimed that the WHO has not expressed concern, stating, “Dr. Margaret Harris, a spokeswoman for the organization, cited weekly reports from the Chinese authorities that showed a predictable rise in cases.

    “As expected for this time of year, the Northern Hemisphere winter, there is a month-over-month increase of acute respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza, R.S.V. and human metapneumovirus,” she said by email. 

  • FG commissions state-of-the-art 20-bed healthcare centre in Lagos

    FG commissions state-of-the-art 20-bed healthcare centre in Lagos

    In a landmark achievement for healthcare delivery in Lagos State, the federal government has inaugurated a modern 20-bed Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Oreta Community, Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikorodu. 

    The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is a major step forward in achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria.

    The facility, commissioned by Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, boasts cutting-edge features, including a labour room, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), maternity and behavioural health rooms, patient wards, and a consultant’s office. 

    According to a statement issued by Special Assistant to the SSAP-SDG, Desmond Utomwen, the amenities are strategically designed to cater to the healthcare needs of the local population, with a particular emphasis on maternal and child health.

    During the commissioning, Princess Orelope-Adefulire highlighted the project’s significance as a cornerstone of the Federal Government’s commitment to SDG Goal 3: good health and well-being.

    “This healthcare center is a tangible expression of our dedication to providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to Nigerians, especially at the grassroots. It’s a beacon of hope for the people of Oreta and its surrounding communities,” she stated.

    She also revealed plans for future enhancements, including immunization units, antenatal and postnatal care services, and gynecology facilities. Additional infrastructure, such as doctors’ quarters and improved security features, were also announced to ensure the center’s sustainability.

    Builder Olusesan Daini, Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, commended the federal government and Princess Orelope-Adefulire for their intervention, describing the project as a “game-changer” for over 51 Community Development Associations in the region.

    “This healthcare center is not just a facility; it is a lifeline for families in Oreta and beyond,” he remarked.

    His Royal Majesty Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, and Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun of the Lagos State House of Assembly, also lauded the initiative, emphasizing its transformative potential.

    “This project exemplifies the power of collaboration between government and community leaders in meeting the needs of our people,” Oba Kasali noted.

    The facility is part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes nationwide. 

    Read Also: Lagos pays N443m death benefits to relatives of workers

    Its successful completion is a testament to the government’s dedication to sustainable development and the well-being of its citizens.

    As the people of Oreta celebrate this milestone, Princess Orelope-Adefulire urged them to protect and maintain the facility for future generations.

    “This center belongs to all of us. Together, let us ensure it continues to serve as a legacy of health and hope,” she concluded.

    The commissioning ceremony drew stakeholders from various sectors, symbolizing a shared commitment to progress and collaboration.

  • Estimated billing system: FG to distribute two million prepaid meters by Q1 2025

    Estimated billing system: FG to distribute two million prepaid meters by Q1 2025

    The federal government has announced plans to purchase and distribute two million prepaid meters to Nigerians before the end of the first quarter of 2025. 

    The initiative is part of broader measures to address issues surrounding estimated billing in the country.

    Expressing its disapproval of the estimated billing practice by Distribution Companies (Discos), the government revealed that the distribution of these two million meters is part of a larger plan to provide ten million prepaid meters nationwide over the next five years.

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this during a sideline interview at the recent commissioning of the Mobile Power Substations in Oyo and Ogun states. 

    He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring an uninterrupted power supply across the country, but this goal requires the cooperation of consumers.

    Adelabu said: “An Estimated Billing System is ripping off consumers; hence the reason the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, is purchasing ten million prepaid meters to be distributed across the country.

    “Out of these figures, two million prepaid meters will be distributed before the end of the first quarter of 2025.

    “While the Federal Government is doing everything to make the country habitable for the people, customers should desist from their notion of bypassing connections.

    “Also, people should refrain from vandalising and stealing electricity cables. The government, aside from spending fortunes to replace stolen equipment, is also affecting power supply nationwide.”

    On the rising cost of power supply, the Minister argued that it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone but assured the people that the government is doing everything to ease the burden through renewable energy.

    “The Renewable Energy initiative of the Federal Government aims to alleviate the burden of the rising cost of energy.

    “The rising cost of energy is taking a toll not only on households but also on our institutions of learning.

    “The government has concluded a plan to deploy an Alternative Renewable Energy Grid and Solar Energy Grid to universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutes nationwide,” he added.

  • Nigeria remains committed to foster stability in West Africa – FG

    Nigeria remains committed to foster stability in West Africa – FG

    Nigeria remains committed to fostering stability in the West African sub-region, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said on Thursday. 

    Idris maintained that Nigeria will continue to lead in the efforts towards containing terrorism in the region. 

    The Minister’s explanation stem from a recent viral video,  where the Republic of Niger military junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani alleged that Nigeria alongside some other foreign countries are sponsoring the new terrorist group, Lakurawa to destabilise his country. 

    Idris said rather than making such a wild allegation, Tchiani should pursue constructuve dialogue and collaboration. 

    He said, “Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges. We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling baseless accusations.”

    The Minister, in a personally signed statement strongly rejected the allegations, saying the claims existed only in his imagination. 

    He added that the Economic Community of West African States, under the leadership of  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is keeping the doors to re-engaging Niger Republic open despite the political situation in the country.

    He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country. Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger.

    “Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country. 

    “Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack Niger Republic. Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic. We reiterate our full support to senior Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger, and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region.

    “Indeed, Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership. 

    “The accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both unfounded and counterproductive. Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted. 

    “The claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless. Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond. 

    “Recently, the Nigerian military launched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, Code Named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out. How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harbouring the same group within its borders? These accusations lack credible evidence and seem to be part of a broader attempt to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges.

    “The public is urged to disregard these false allegations. Those making such claims, particularly the Military Leader in Niger Republic, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them. Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic is both disingenuous and doomed to fail.

    “In conclusion, President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings.”