Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has brokered a resolution to the impasse over Nigerian onion trucks detained in Ghana, ending a dispute that threatened regional agricultural trade and prompted fresh calls for lasting reforms.

The Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/WCA), which confirmed the development on Friday, said the intervention enabled the affected trucks to finally offload their consignments at Kotoku Market in Accra, preventing heavy financial losses for exporters.

While welcoming the breakthrough, the association warned that unless structural issues affecting cross-border trade are addressed, similar crises will continue to disrupt the regional onion market.

‘We are pleased to confirm that the affected trucks have now been allowed to offload their consignments. This intervention prevented further losses to exporters and demonstrated ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting regional trade, dialogue and cooperation among member states,’ ORO President, Alhaji Aliyu Isa Maitasamu, said in a statement.

He commended the ECOWAS Commission for its swift response, describing the action as a strong demonstration of the regional body’s commitment to protecting the free movement of goods within West Africa.

The association also acknowledged the contributions of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry; the Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissions; the ECOWAS Trade Directorate; and other government officials, diplomats and private sector stakeholders whose engagements helped resolve the matter.

However, ORO stressed that the resolution is only a temporary fix.

‘The intervention addresses only the immediate situation involving the affected trucks. The underlying issues that have repeatedly disrupted the movement of onions within the region remain unresolved and require a sustainable, long-term solution,’ Maitasamu said.

To forestall future disputes, the association called on ECOWAS to convene a regional stakeholders’ meeting involving the governments of Ghana, Nigeria and the Niger Republic, onion producers, traders and relevant institutions to develop a common framework for onion trade across the sub-region.

According to ORO, the proposed framework should align with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, while providing harmonised quality standards, transparent trading rules, improved market access, efficient payment systems and effective dispute resolution mechanisms.

Maitasamu said such a framework would strengthen regional integration, improve food security, boost investor confidence and enhance the competitiveness of the onion value chain across West and Central Africa.

‘We reaffirm our commitment to constructive dialogue and stand ready to work with ECOWAS, member states and all stakeholders to develop practical and lasting solutions that advance regional cooperation and shared prosperity,’ he added.

The release of the trucks followed concerns raised by ORO over the detention of Nigerian onion consignments in Ghana, a development the association warned was disrupting regional trade, exposing exporters to huge losses and undermining the spirit of economic integration championed by ECOWAS.

Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture.

The creation of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, announced last Thursday, is expected to improve military coordination and response time.

According to the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the approval ‘underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.’

The federal lawmaker, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, suggested that, in addition to the creation of four new military divisions, President Tinubu should make provisions for the procurement of at least five attack helicopters for each of the six geopolitical zones across the country.

‘President Tinubu has said the increase in the number of military divisions from eight to 12 is to improve military coordination and response time.

‘I want to add that each of the divisions should have a Special Task Force Brigade equipped with Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles (MRAPs), Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), and attack helicopters.

‘Let each geopolitical zone have at least five attack helicopters for rapid response to any emergency security situation to provide adequate cover for ground troops.

‘For effectiveness, the Federal Government must also give consideration to what I call TEAM: Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation.

‘It is heartwarming to hear that President Tinubu has equally approved the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel.

‘But it is not the number that really matters; it is TEAM.

‘They need to be well remunerated. The morale of those in operation is very low. Apart from training and the adequate procurement of modern arms and ammunition, I urge the present administration to consider an urgent review of their remuneration.

‘The Federal Government should increase the remuneration of the Army and other security agencies.

‘Their basic salary should not be less than the naira equivalent of $300.

‘Even if we have to borrow, let Mr President borrow to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.’

The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly further commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies on the front line for sustaining attacks on insurgents, which he noted are yielding visible results in the North-East and other regions.

Ndume also applauded the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, especially the 82 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, for their recent rescue of more than 100 abductees, in addition to the 360 people earlier rescued from terrorist captivity.

Former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said he could be arrested for speaking about what he described as the Nigeria’s worsening condition.

Al-Mustapha made the remark on Saturday while speaking at the third memorial conference held in honour of the late General Hassan Usman Katsina in Kaduna.

He expressed concern over the state of the nation, insisting that both Northern Nigeria and the country at large were facing deep-rooted challenges.

According to him, ‘[From] every child on the street to the elites, [we] know that the state of Nigeria is in a sorry state. The state of the North is totally hopeless. Speaking the truth to the situation is meant for patriots.’

The former military intelligence officer also criticised the poor attendance of northern governors at the conference, noting that the theme, ‘From Sacrifice to Strategy,’ should have drawn greater participation from leaders in the region.

Questioning their commitment to addressing the North’s challenges, he said, ‘They don’t have the thinking, they don’t have the sacrifice, they don’t also have strategy for the country.’

Al-Mustapha further accused political officeholders of failing to grasp the true meaning of leadership, arguing that the nation’s governance structure had deteriorated.

He stated, ‘The system is rotten; those who are in leadership positions don’t even understand what leadership is all about.’

He concluded by declaring his readiness to bear any consequences for speaking openly about the country’s situation, maintaining that telling the truth remained a duty of every patriot.

The rainy season is one of the best periods to start snail farming in Nigeria. High humidity, cooler temperatures and moist soil create ideal conditions for snails to feed, grow and reproduce.

Although no farming venture can guarantee zero losses, following proven management practices can greatly reduce risks and improve productivity. Snail farming is also attractive because it requires relatively little land, affordable feeding and modest startup capital compared with many other livestock businesses.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights the key steps to building a successful snail farming business during the rainy season.

Choose the right snail species

Success begins with selecting the right species. In Nigeria, the most commonly reared species are Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina. These giant African land snails are well adapted to the local climate, grow to large sizes and enjoy strong demand in the market.

Build a suitable snail house

A good snail pen protects the animals from predators and provides the right environment for growth. The pen should be cool, shaded and well ventilated. The soil should be loose and rich in organic matter to allow snails to burrow and lay eggs.

The enclosure should also prevent entry by ants, rats, snakes, frogs and lizards, which are common predators. Regular cleaning and proper drainage help maintain a healthy environment.

Take advantage of the rainy season

Rainy weather naturally provides the moisture snails need to survive. Snail breeding activities increase during the rainy season because moisture encourages feeding, mating and egg laying. This makes the season an ideal time for beginners to establish a snail farm.

However, farmers should ensure that the pen does not become waterlogged, as excessive water can destroy eggs and create unhealthy conditions.

Feed snails properly

Snails thrive on a variety of readily available fruits and vegetables. Suitable feeds include pawpaw leaves, cocoyam leaves, pumpkin leaves, cabbage, cucumber, watermelon, banana and ripe pawpaw.

Calcium is also essential for healthy shell development and can be supplied through approved calcium supplements or natural sources.

Control moisture without flooding

Snails need moisture, but too much water can be harmful. Light watering during dry periods helps to maintain humidity, while proper drainage prevents flooding during heavy rainfall. Maintaining the right moisture level improves feeding and reduces stress.

Protect the snails from predators

Predators account for many avoidable losses in snail farming. Inspect the pen regularly for ants, rats, birds, frogs, termites and reptiles. Repair damaged sections of the enclosure immediately and keep the surrounding area clean to discourage pests.Simple preventive measures can significantly improve survival rates.

Avoid overcrowding

Keeping too many snails in a small enclosure reduces growth and increases competition for food. Adequate spacing allows snails to move freely, feed properly and reproduce under less stressful conditions. Farmers should also separate breeding snails from young ones where necessary.

Elder statesman and Convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Professor Ango Abdullahi, has lamented that the North has lost its values and leadership direction, warning that for the region to return to its former path, it must retrace its values to those upheld by past leaders.

Speaking at the third edition of the Late Gen Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference held at Arewa House, Kaduna, with the theme, ‘From Sacrifice to Strategy: Rekindling Gen Hassan Usman Katsina’s Vision for a Prosperous Northern Nigeria’, Prof Ango said the North had departed from the values inherited from its parents and pioneer leaders.

He insisted that the region’s decline was rooted in moral and leadership failure rather than a lack of physical development.

‘The North has lost its values. You may not want to hear this, but that is the case today. If we had not lost the values we inherited from our parents and our pioneer leaders, the North would not be where it is today,’ he said.

According to him, although cities across the North had witnessed physical expansion, the virtues of discipline, honesty, sacrifice and selfless leadership that once shaped the region had gradually disappeared.

‘The North is in a pathetic situation. For me, that is the only reason why the North has stagnated. Don’t worry about the buildings you see. The basic issue concerning where the North finds itself today is the loss of our values,’ he stated.

He urged Northern leaders to draw lessons from the life of the late Gen Hassan Katsina, whom he described as one of the generation that upheld integrity, accountability and service to society.

‘If we can go back to those values, particularly by remembering those who inherited them and practised them, there is no doubt in my mind that the North would have been different today,’ Abdullahi added.

In his keynote address, Prof Usman Bugaje also painted a grim picture of the state of the North, saying the region had suffered decades of economic decline, insecurity and institutional collapse because it had drifted away from the leadership ideals of men like Gen Hassan Katsina.

‘The troubles of the North are many and varied. Food production is going down daily, hundreds of thousands are being displaced from their homes, the economy has been shrinking, poverty has nearly tripled, education and healthcare have collapsed, and our human capital has been depleted,’ he said.

He added that insecurity had continued to cripple agriculture, commerce and social life across the region.

‘It is indeed time to ask how much of the North still remains. Or better still, how much of the sanity of the elite, especially those in government, still remains? Today, who is there to go to? Where are the General Hassans to complain to? Where exactly is the leadership? Where is the direction?’ he asked.

Bugaje criticised what he described as the complacency of sections of the Northern elite, saying many preferred lamenting the region’s problems without offering practical solutions.

‘It has become the pastime of the elite to sit in the comfort of their homes and say that the North is in trouble. Some even scream that the North is finished. These comments only betray the complacency or even the complicity of the Northern elite,’ he said.

Recalling a personal encounter with the late Gen Hassan Katsina, Bugaje narrated how the former military governor stood by him after the then American ambassador complained about an article he had written criticising Western imperialism.

‘The American ambassador came all the way to Kaduna to complain about the article. General Hassan read it himself and called me. Instead of asking me to stop, he told me to write more of such articles. That was the kind of leader they were. When they knew what was being done was right, they encouraged it,’ he recalled.

Bugaje said leaders of Hassan Katsina’s generation combined modern education with deeply rooted Northern values, describing them as contented, community-oriented, disciplined and committed to justice.

‘General Hassan’s generation had an infusion of a high dose of our value system. We saw it in their contentment, commitment to their communities, respect for rules and procedures, modesty and decorum, and their vision of a prosperous North where every Northerner became his brother’s keeper,’ he said.

He urged today’s leaders to return to those principles if the North was to overcome its growing social, economic and security challenges.

The annual memorial conference was organised to honour the legacy of the late Gen Hassan Usman Katsina and promote discussions on leadership, governance and the future of Northern Nigeria.

At least 16 people were killed in Ukrainian and Russian strikes on Saturday, as both sides intensified attacks in the fifth summer of the war, while diplomatic efforts remained deadlocked.

Ukrainian drones also targeted a Siberian oil refinery and the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, escalating strikes deep inside Russia – attacks Kyiv says are aimed at weakening Russia’s war effort and forcing the Kremlin to negotiate.

The deaths – in Russian-occupied Ukraine, north-eastern Ukraine and Russian border villages – came as the United Nations warned that civilians had been dying in larger numbers recently in the nearly four-and-a-half-year war.

US-led talks aimed at ending the fighting are at a deadlock, with Washington focused on the Middle East and Moscow intent on seizing the whole of eastern Ukraine.

Russian occupation authorities in southern Ukraine said a Ukrainian strike on an Azov Sea village killed eight people, including two children.

Yevgeny Balitsky, the Moscow-installed head of the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, said Kyiv had struck ‘tourist camps’ in the seaside village of Kyrylivka.

Balitsky said the strike also wounded 14 people in Kyrylivka, which was seized by Russia in the first days of its offensive.

Kyiv has not yet commented on the strike.

Kyiv, meanwhile, said a Russian drone strike on the private courier service Nova Poshta in the north-eastern city of Sumy killed three drivers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was a ‘double-tap’ drone strike.

Two more people were killed in southern Ukraine, Kyiv said, as Moscow reported two villagers killed in border areas and one more person in the occupied part of Ukraine’s Kherson region.

Far from the battlefield, Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Siberia’s Tyumen region, more than 1,000 miles east of Moscow, in one of their furthest hits so far.

Ukraine’s strikes deep inside Russia have caused fuel shortages and disrupted ordinary life in Russia more than at any point during the four-and-a-half-year war.

The governor of the Tyumen region, Alexander Moor, said a Ukrainian drone fell ‘on the territory’ of an oil refinery, causing a fire.

Moscow said Ukraine had launched more than 300 drones into Russian territory, including at regions far from the border.

Zelensky announced that Kyiv had also struck a factory in Kirov – hundreds of kilometres east of Moscow – for the second day in a row, a day after a deadly strike there.

‘Once again, a plant in Kirov was struck – the one supplying components for the weapons Russia uses to attack our people,’ Zelensky said.

Kirov Governor Alexander Sokolov earlier declared three days of mourning in the region, which had so far not been affected by Ukraine’s strikes.

Sokolov said the final death toll from Friday’s strike was five, not six, after a man believed to be dead was found alive.

He called the dead ‘heroes of the labour front’, saying the strike would only ‘unite us against the enemy’ and that Russia was fighting ‘the collective West’.

Further west, in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, Russian online retail giant Wildberries – hit by Ukrainian strikes this week – said it had evacuated its staff.

Yekaterinburg is one of Russia’s biggest cities and lies just before Siberia.

Wildberries said it had ‘suspended’ work at its ‘logistics facility’ in the city after a ‘timely evacuation’. It said its facility was not damaged.

Ukrainian drones have hit Wildberries warehouses around Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Crimea and southern Russia this week, causing fires and business losses.

The head of the Sverdlovsk region, of which Yekaterinburg is the capital, Denis Pasler, confirmed that the city had been attacked.

Pasler said there were no casualties and that the drones had caused a fire in a car park.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not comment on Saturday’s attacks.

Ukraine says its retaliatory strikes are fair retribution for Russia’s daily barrages on Ukrainian cities for more than four years.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has denied the imposition of Mogaji on Olufadejin compound, Alekuso, Ibadan, as alleged by a section of the family.

A section of the family, in a statement signed by Elder Dauda Adesina has appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to forestall any attempt by any individual or group to impose a preferred candidate as the family’s Mogaji (compound head), contrary to established customs.

The section alleged that the family has uncovered plans to install Mr. Fatai Omosanjo Amzat as the Mogaji of the Olufadejin family despite what it described as an unresolved family selection process.

The position became vacant following the death of the immediate past Mogaji, the late Seriki Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, who passed away, on Friday, April 4, 2025.

According to the statement, ‘Two members of the family, Mr. Akeem Adeojo and Mr. Fatai Omosanjo Amzat, contested for the vacant stool during a selection exercise supervised by the Mogaji Committee.

‘The family claimed that Akeem Adeojo emerged victorious in the first ballot but that the outcome was challenged by Amzat, leading to a second election which reportedly ended in a tie.

‘Rather than conduct another round of voting to break the deadlock, the family alleged that one of its elders, Lateef Busari popularly called Engineer, canvassed support for Amzat and allegedly vowed to use his personal relationship with the Olubadan to secure his emergence.’

The statement further alleged that members were surprised to discover that Amzat’s name had been allegedly included among the list of compound heads scheduled for installation by the Olubadan.

‘What happened is this: the selection of a Mogaji is an internal family affair. We had two contestants, Akeem Adeojo and Fatai Omosanjo Amzat.

‘In the first election, Akeem defeated Amzat, but he rejected the result. A second election ended in a draw.

‘Instead of conducting a third election, one of our elders insisted that Amzat should emerge and even promised to use his personal relationship with the Olubadan to influence the process.

‘To our amazement, the Olubadan later listed Fatai Omosanjo Amzat among the compound heads to be installed.

‘We expected our revered monarch to invite the contestants and family members for dialogue instead of imposing a candidate on us,’ the statement read.

The family argued that the imposition of a Mogaji runs contrary to the customs and traditions of Ibadanland, where families are expected to freely choose their compound heads before the Olubadan ratifies the selection.

It, therefore, appealed to Oba Ladoja to withdraw Amzat’s name from the proposed installation list in the interest of peace and age long custom of Ibadanland in the selection process of Mogaji.

‘We respectfully appeal to our revered monarch, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to remove the name of Fatai Omosanjo Amzat from the list of proposed Mogajis to avoid creating a crisis within the Olufadegin.

However, the monarch, in a statement by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, explained that Mogaji in Ibadan belongs to every family.

‘But the question of screening Mogaji ultimately belongs to the Olubadan, or anyone His Imperial Majesty so designates.

‘Alekuso, the Olufadeji family compound falls within the confines of the Ibadan Southwest Traditional Council. And that was why their case was handled by the Traditional council under the acting chairmanship of Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.

‘The Traditional Council set up a Committee to look into applications before it,and affirmed that two candidates contested the Mogaji Olufadeju title.

It was further submitted that the family consists of sections. In Ibadan, the section that vacates the title does not often produce successor to the title where other eligible sections of the same family contest the title.

‘It is for reason of fairness, justice, and equity that Ibadan customs and tradition are so wired. If you look at different families such as Olubadan Olakulehin, Olubadan Lekan Balogun families and many other families in Ibadan, mogaji title is not an exclusive preserve of any section. It belongs to all sections of a bonafide family.No more, no less. This is our tradition.

The spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, has called for a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Osun State, describing the August 15 poll as a crucial test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Olajengbesi made the remarks on Friday in Abuja during a press briefing following an advocacy visit to the Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah Centre, where he appealed to domestic and international stakeholders to closely monitor the election.

He said the Osun governorship election would serve as a major assessment of the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and other institutions responsible for safeguarding the electoral process.

‘The coming election in Osun State is important to Nigeria and important to the world. It is a major test of the integrity of INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, and our institutions to determine whether we are prepared to conduct free, fair, and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections,’ he said.

Olajengbesi urged the international community, civil society organisations, and election observers to pay close attention to the conduct of the poll to ensure that the will of the people prevails.

He alleged that the police command in Osun State had become compromised and accused the state Commissioner of Police of acting in a partisan manner. According to him, the campaign council had submitted a fresh complaint to the British High Commission over its concerns.

He also said the council had previously petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, alleging insecurity and politically motivated violence in the state.

‘People are being killed every day in Osun State,’ Olajengbesi alleged, calling on the police authorities to remain neutral and guarantee the safety of voters throughout the election period.

He stressed that eligible voters must be allowed to freely elect the candidate of their choice without intimidation or interference.

Also speaking at the briefing, a representative of the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers, Mr Olufemi Franklin, described the forthcoming election as a litmus test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions and electoral stakeholders.

He said the government derives its legitimacy from the people and insisted that every eligible voter must be provided with a safe environment to exercise their franchise.

‘The forthcoming election in Osun State is a litmus test that must assess the credibility and integrity of all stakeholders,’ he said, urging INEC to remain impartial and the Inspector-General of Police to discharge his constitutional responsibilities professionally.

Franklin added that the election would provide an indication of Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections and called on the media to continue holding public institutions accountable through objective and fearless reporting.

The advocacy visit formed part of the Imole Campaign Council’s engagement with stakeholders ahead of the August 15 governorship election, which the council said should reflect the genuine choice of the people of Osun State.

Yes. Cutting down on your alcohol intake is good for your health. After about a week, you’ll have better mental clarity. You’ll remember things faster and string sentences together with a greater command of articulacy. After two weeks, you’ll have a more stable mood. No more sky-highs and valley lows.

Just pure contentment. Intermittent stresses might leave you craving a drink…but you just need to hold on just a bit longer. After three weeks, you’ll have noticeably higher energy levels and you’ll actually feel like exercising. You’ll start to crave and enjoy healthy foods.

The money you normally would have spent on alcohol you’ll want to put towards more productive activities. After a month, you’ll look in the mirror and see clearer skin, brighter eyes and more vitality. People will tell you that you look younger and ask you what you’re doing. You’ll still miss drinking a bit, though. After two months, you won’t really miss alcohol that much at all. You’ll feel more social and enjoy long walks and creative activities with friends instead of slamming down drinks at the bar with them.

After three months, you’ll have lost a noticeable amount of puppy fat around your waistline and you’ll be feeling calm, energised and fully motivated to fulfil your greatest potential! It’s worth taking a break from alcohol to get your life on track. Even if you don’t decide to cut it out permanently, the break can help you develop a healthier relationship with alcohol in general.

The South-West Zonal Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Adesuyi Daramola, has urged young people across Osun State to unite behind the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, describing the August 15, 2026, governorship election as a defining moment for the state’s future.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Daramola called on youths to take ownership of the electoral process by supporting the APC candidate, whom he described as a competent, experienced and forward-looking leader with the capacity to accelerate development and expand opportunities for young people.

He said the forthcoming election presents an opportunity for Osun youths to shape the state’s future by electing a government that prioritises job creation, entrepreneurship, education, digital innovation and infrastructure development.

According to him, Oyebamiji possesses the vision, administrative competence and leadership qualities required to reposition Osun State for sustainable economic growth and improved welfare for its people.

‘The future belongs to young people, and this election is about deciding the kind of Osun we want to build together. Bola Oyebamiji represents a new chapter of purposeful leadership that will unlock greater opportunities for our generation,’ Daramola said.

He urged first-time voters and other eligible youths to turn out in large numbers on election day, stressing that every vote would count in determining the direction of the state over the next four years.

The APC youth leader said the party remains committed to youth inclusion, empowerment and human capital development, adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu has continued to create platforms for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Daramola also called for peaceful, issue-based campaigns, urging political actors and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the election.

‘Our strength lies in our unity, discipline and commitment to democratic values. I encourage every young person to reject violence, embrace peace and come out massively on August 15 to vote for Bola Oyebamiji and the APC.

‘Together, we can usher in a government that will deepen development, create opportunities and secure a brighter future for every resident of Osun State,’ he added.