NEWS
Address Economic Challenges, Strengthen Weak Institutions to Guarantee Democracy – Shettima, Bawumia
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The Vice President of Nigeria, kashim Shettima and former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Monday said that addressing economic challenges and strengthening weak institutions across Africa would guarantee lasting democracy.
The leaders said this at a National conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference was: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathways to Good Governance and Political Integrity”.
It was organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).
Shettima, who was represented by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, his Special Adviser on Political issues, said that democracy suffer setback in many parts of Africa due to endemic poverty levels and insecurity.
He assured Nigerians that the government was acutely aware of many concerns over its direction and goals, particularly given the difficulties which some of its policies inevitably generate.
“We are involved in correcting many defects in our economy and approaches to securing the citizen.
“We have been honest to admit that this transition from a broken past and a promising future will not be without a price, and we will remain focused on easing the pain and ensuring that we do not take our eyes off the goals,” she said.
The vice-president said that the government will listen and adjust its policies where necessary.
“We will account our stewardship in all manners challenging our democratic systems demands.
“I am convinced that we will reap the benefits of our current, unavoidable difficulties,” he said.
According to Shettma, Nigeria’s democracy must mean a lot more than asking Nigerians to line up every four years to elect leaders.
“It must mean, in practical terms, that leaders commit to the demands of elected leadership in very transparent manners.
“The best leaders are people who exercise power only to promote the interests of their people.
“These interests include making laws that are consistent with the economic welfare and security of the citizen,” he said .
The former Ghanaian Vice-President, Bawumia said that in spite of the imperfections of democracy, it remained the preferred form of governance.
Bamuwai said that the increasing fragility of democracy in Africa was a cause for concern, adding that eight coups took place in Africa between 2020 and 2023.
He said that the right of the citizenry to choose leaders in a free and transparent manner was sacrosanct and remained one of the most vital anchors of a true democratic dispensation.
According to him, while the culture of peacefully choosing leaders is being entrenched, the institutions are becoming weak and endangered.
“Weak institutions, partisanship, nepotism, self-interest ,corruption, basterdisation of institutions, dictatorship hunger and unemployment are major killers of democracy, and eaders must work to address them.
“The best democracy is the one that delivers public goods and services effectively and efficiently and creates opportunities for citizens whilst making conscious efforts to leave no one behind.
Also speaking, Mr Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of Labour party in the 2023 election called on citizens to get involved in the democratic process because whatever happens in democracy affects them.
Obi said that his 2027 ambition would be about discussing how to secure Nigeria and about the interest of the common person in Nigeria.
He called on citizens to discourage money politics.
“We must remove money from politics, otherwise, we will be encouraging stealing public money for next election,” he said.
Earlier, the Founding Executive Director,Centre LSD, Dr Otive Igbuzor, said that the conference was aimed at addressing the complexities and setbacks Nigeria’s democratic system was currently facing.
Igbuzor said that the aim was to find solutions to restore and strengthen the system.
He listed the challenges to include: electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, and weakened governance structures to pervasive corruption and a concerning erosion of public trust.
“The realities faced by Nigerians today often reflect disillusionment rather than hope.
“The goal of this conference, therefore, is to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay out a road map toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability,” he said. NAN
NEWS
Rangers Sack Manager Phillipe Clement after St. Mirren Defeat
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Rangers Football Club have parted ways with manager Philippe Clement following Saturday’s 2-0 home Scottish Premiership defeat by St Mirren.
The decision to sack the 50-year-old Belgian comes one year and four months after he took the job, with Rangers 13 points adrift of rivals Celtic in the standings.
“Rangers would like to put on record their sincere thanks to Philippe for his hard work and dedication during his spell in charge.
“A further update from the club will follow in due course,” the Glasgow club said in a short statement on Sunday.
Clement has guided Rangers to the Europa League last 16, where they face Fenerbahce next month.
They were however knocked out of the Scottish Cup by second-tier Queen’s Park this month and lost the League Cup final to Celtic on penalties in December.
(Reuters/NAN)NEWS
Ecobank, Code 14 Partner to Teach Coding
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Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of Ecobank Group, has partnered with Code 14 Labs to expand access to coding education for children across Nigeria.
Mr Austene Osokpor, Head of Corporate Communications at Ecobank, announced the partnership in a statement on Sunday.
The initiative leverages Code 14 Labs’ interactive coding workbooks, including “Andrew Teaches”, and its teacher network to offer affordable annual training and proficiency certification to students.
As part of the collaboration, Ecobank will utilise its extensive operational network across Africa to provide nationwide and pan-African access to coding education.
Code 14 Labs will contribute its educational technology and trusted community, ensuring high-quality teaching that delivers tangible learning outcomes for students and reassurance for parents.
At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, Adeola Ogunyemi, Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, said the partnership reflects the bank’s commitment to bridging the digital gap.
She highlighted how the initiative aligns with Ecobank’s mission to equip children with essential skills for success in an increasingly digital world.
Ogunyemi was represented by Victor Yalokwu, Head of Consumer Products and Segments.
“At Ecobank, we recognise that financial literacy and digital education are closely linked. This belief led to the creation of MyFirst Account, a product for children under 16.
“It encourages smart financial habits from an early age. By introducing students to coding through Code 14’s mobile app, we nurture problem-solving, creativity, and digital confidence,” Ogunyemi said.
Otaru Daudu, Executive Director of Research and Technology at Code 14 Labs, praised the partnership.
Daudu expressed confidence that, with additional partners, they will achieve their goal of training 50,000 learners to proficiency level.
He added that students will gain proficiency in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), essential programming languages for global internet communication.
“Code 14 Labs is committed to scaling critical education components through technology-driven inclusion,” Daudu said.
Parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children are encouraged to open a savings product designed for those under 16. (NAN)
NEWS
APC Calls Osun LG Election by Adeleke “Illegal”
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the Local Government election conducted last Saturday by Gov.
Ademola Adeleke of Osun and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), labelling it illegal and unconstitutional.Mr Felix Morka, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, issued the statement on Sunday in Abuja, describing the election as being in defiance of court rulings.
“In blatant disregard for the rule of law and a valid judgment of the Court of Appeal, Gov.
Adeleke 0conducted the election on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025,” Morka said.He recalled that the Court of Appeal ruling of February 10 reinstated Local Government officials dismissed by Adeleke’s executive order, with the decision striking down a Federal High Court ruling from November 2022.
According to Morka, the Court of Appeal’s judgment nullified the previous ruling and reinstated the officials until the end of their term in October 2025.
He further criticised Adeleke’s actions in appointing illegal caretaker committees, violating Section 7(1) of the Constitution, and argued that the APC showed restraint and respect for the court’s decision.
Morka questioned why Adeleke, who swore to uphold the Constitution, failed to abide by a valid court order and termed the election a “sham” that wasted public funds and risked inciting violence.
He stressed that the governor must respect the law and the rights of the Osun people, calling on local government workers to peacefully continue their duties under the judicially reinstated officials.
Morka also urged security agencies to remain vigilant to prevent further unrest and called for the Federal Government to ensure that only democratically elected and judicially certified officials received local government funds in Osun.(NAN)