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Nigeria, Benin Sign Integration Pact

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Nigeria, Benin Sign Integration Pact

In a historic move aimed at redefining regional integration in West Africa, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin on Saturday signed a landmark agreement to deepen bilateral cooperation and set a precedent for broader collaboration across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The signing ceremony, held during the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, was witnessed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and his Beninois counterpart, President Patrice Talon.

The agreement, officials say, will serve as a template for actionable economic and political integration in the sub-region.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signed on behalf of Nigeria.

Representing Benin were the Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Shegun Adjadi Bakari.

According to a statement by Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Talon, while speaking at the event, hailed the agreement as a bold step forward.

“President Tinubu and I have agreed on full integration between Benin and Nigeria. The responsibility now lies with our ministers to implement it. Benin and Nigeria are more than twins—we are the same people. Let us show the region that integration is possible,” he said.

Talon called for urgent reforms within ECOWAS, warning that the regional bloc was facing a crisis of credibility and functionality.

“ECOWAS is a perfect example of regional integration. Unfortunately, our ECOWAS is in crisis right now,” he declared.

He cited the failure of key regional infrastructure projects, including the West African Gas Pipeline, which he said had been rendered ineffective due to bureaucratic inertia.

“It is ridiculous. This failure of regional cooperation wastes resources and undermines integration,” Talon said, revealing that Benin was now importing gas from Qatar via a floating storage and regasification unit.

Similarly, he lamented the poor performance of the West African Power Pool.

“We invested heavily in this infrastructure. But it is not functioning as expected. Unless we act decisively, I’m not confident it ever will,” he added.

Turning his focus to logistical bottlenecks along the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, Talon criticised the persistent border harassment and delays that plague cross-border travel.

“The road exists. But a businessman should be able to travel from Lagos to Abidjan in hours—not days—without facing harassment at multiple checkpoints. That is not integration,” he stressed.

The Beninois leader warned that poverty remained the most potent threat to democracy and stability in the region.

“Poverty is the main threat to democracy, security, and stability. If we do not address poverty through integration, our values will remain hollow,” he said.

Invoking global trade tensions, Talon cited the United States’ protectionist shift under President Donald Trump as a wake-up call for African nations.

“The trade war should remind us that nations act in their interest, and so should we. At some point, we may even have to thank President Trump for that reminder,” he said.

Talon urged his fellow West African leaders to abandon lip service and take concrete steps to deliver economic opportunity for their people.

“If we cannot create wealth and opportunity, all our other values—democracy, liberty—cannot be sustained. Integration must be real. Integration must be delivered,” he concluded.

The summit, a precursor to the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government scheduled for Sunday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, featured remarks from several West African leaders and global officials.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai reaffirmed his country’s support for ECOWAS and regional bodies like the Mano River Union in reducing trade barriers and harmonising economic policies.

He commended President Tinubu, Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, for what he described as a “timely, strategic summit.”

“This summit offers a vital platform for reflection, coordination, and renewed commitment to the economic transformation of our subregion. While the challenges in the region are complex, they are not insurmountable”, Boakai said.

Read Also: FG denies abandoning Nigerians in Iran
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio called for a deeper, more strategic push for economic integration amid global uncertainty and domestic vulnerabilities.

“This potential must be unlocked through strategic integration, particularly amid rising public debt, climate vulnerability, food insecurity, and geopolitical uncertainty,” he said.

Bio emphasised the need for political will to drive regional trade initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Common External Tariff.

“Trade integration must start with a strong political commitment,” he noted.

He also expressed Sierra Leone’s support for a regional single currency to improve business confidence and reduce transaction costs.

“To deepen intra-regional competitiveness, we must accelerate progress toward monetary union. A single currency would reduce exchange rate costs, support price stability, and improve the business environment”, Bio said.

The summit also featured recorded messages from UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and World Trade Organisation Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Thenationonlineng.net

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BREAKING: KWAM 1 Writes Ogun Govt, Accuses Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Plot to Exclude Him From Awujale Selection

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Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM1, has written to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging that he is being deliberately sidelined from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

Ayinde, in a petition dated January 8, 2026, accused the Fusengbuwa ruling house next in line to produce the monarch of taking actions that allegedly violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State. He claimed the moves were designed to disenfranchise him from contesting for the revered throne.

The letter, written on his behalf by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, was addressed to Governor Abiodun and outlined what the Fuji star described as procedural irregularities in the selection process.

According to the petition, the contest for the Awujale stool has attracted over 60 aspirants, with Ayinde formally declaring his interest. However, the Fusengbuwa family has maintained that KWAM1 is not a member of the ruling house and is therefore ineligible to participate in the exercise.

Before writing to the governor, Ayinde had approached the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu Ode, seeking an interim injunction to restrain Governor Abiodun and six others from continuing with the selection process. The court, however, dismissed the application, ruling that it lacked merit. The musician later withdrew the suit without publicly stating his reasons.

In his latest letter, Ayinde disclosed that the Ijebu Ode Local Government, via a letter dated January 6, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, had approved the commencement of the selection process by the ruling house.

He expressed surprise that while members of the Fusengbuwa family were preparing for a general meeting, the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, allegedly issued a notice directing aspirants to collect nomination forms and appear before a screening committee.

The screening committee, according to Ayinde, is chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga. He further alleged that the directive fixed the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, while also stating that the process would be conducted by delegates to be selected at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026.

Ayinde argued that the sequence of events was confusing, contradictory, and contrary to established laws guiding traditional chieftaincy matters in Ogun State.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ogun State Government nor the Fusengbuwa ruling house had officially responded to the allegations.

Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Awujale succession process and provide updates as the story unfolds.

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“Do Not Test Trump’s Resolve”: US Issues Fresh Threat To Nigeria

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A United States Congressman, Rep. Riley M. Moore, has warned Nigeria not to take the resolve of President Donald Trump with levity, adding that the US president remained steadfast in his bid to protect Christians in Nigeria, while reiterating the false allegation that Christians have continued to face prosecution in the West African country.

Moore’s warning came days after the US president issued another military action in Nigeria, adding that he would not be carrying out a single operation in Nigeria if the alleged Christian persecution continues in the country.

The threat came days after the United States launched a military strike in Sokoto, targeting some terrorist hideouts in the country. The strike affected other states such as Niger and Kwara.

However, Trump, in an interview with The New York Times, published on Thursday, January 8, while responding to questions about a US military strike carried out in Nigeria on Christmas Day, said: “I’d love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” Trump said.

Moore took to social media to reiterate Trump’s second threat to the country and warned Nigeria against overlooking the threat. His warning did not sit well with many Nigerians, who took to the comment section of the post and expressed their views about his claim. Below are some of their comments:

Omolayo accused the US of bombing a Christian country, Venezuela, and stealing its oil: “What about Venezuela, which is 80% Christian? Trump doesn’t care about Christians, but I grudgingly welcome his presence in the northern part of Nigeria.”

Umar Yusuf Dayyabu knocked the US: “The same US that just finished bombing a Christian country (Venezuela) and is currently stealing their oil is now claiming to want to save Christians in Nigeria. The US only wants our natural resources, that’s it.”

Amadu Yahuza accused the Trump administration of imperialism: “Let’s be clear: if the U.S. is claiming to defend Christians in Nigeria but simultaneously tightens visa access for Nigerians broadly, including Christians, that is not solidarity, it’s hypocrisy. Trump’s statements about Nigerian Christians are political branding, while visa restrictions, federal actions, and international messaging are geopolitical moves.”

Garvy accused the lawmaker of turning a blind eye to the killing of Christians in the US: “I guess you were blind to Christians murdered right in front of your nose in Salt Lake City, and you were blind to that. Suppose their lives don’t matter, right?”

You can read more reactions on X here:

 

 

 

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Buhari’s Ex-Minister Pantami Breaks Silence Over Alleged Wedding Plan With Aisha Buhari

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False claims linking former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, with former First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, have been dismissed after an independent verification found the story to be entirely fabricated.

The rumour, which spread rapidly across Facebook and X, alleged that the two were planning a marriage and circulated alongside an image described online as a pre wedding photograph.

The post gained wide traction after several users pointed to Aisha Buhari’s completion of her Islamic mourning period following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2025.

Public figures also reshared the image, drawing thousands of comments and reactions and fuelling speculation among social media users.

A fact check carried out by PRNigeria found no credible evidence supporting the claim. Reviews of the verified social media accounts of both Pantami and Aisha Buhari showed no statements or references linked to any marriage plan. Searches across reputable news platforms also returned no matching reports.

Further forensic analysis subjected the viral photograph to InVid verification and artificial intelligence detection tools. The assessment confirmed that the image was digitally manipulated and generated through artificial means, with faces inserted into a wedding-themed template.

Pantami addressed the allegation directly in a phone conversation with PRNigeria.

“It is shocking that anyone would fabricate such a rumour. President Buhari is a father figure to us, and we regard his widow as a mother. The claim is baseless and impossible,” he said.

Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to the late president, also rejected the story on his Facebook page in Hausa.

“The story being circulated that Hajiya Aisha Buhari has agreed to marry Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami is an outright lie. There is absolutely no truth in it whatsoever,” Ahmad wrote.

Additional context emerged from a recently released biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Dr. Charles Omole and launched at the State House in December 2025. The book records Aisha Buhari as stating clearly that she has no intention of remarrying, citing family responsibilities and a desire for a quieter public life.

The former president died in London on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82. He married Aisha Buhari in 1989 and is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. Speculation around her personal life increased online after she completed the traditional mourning period in November 2025.

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