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Reform or risk irrelevance – Tinubu tells UN and World leaders

Published

2 months ago

September 25, 2025

At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 24, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a stern warning, calling for urgent and sweeping reforms of the global body. He cautioned that without immediate restructuring, the UN risks becoming irrelevant, with global events increasingly taking place outside its sphere of influence.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu outlined four core demands, beginning with Nigeria’s call for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. He argued that the Council must reflect today’s geopolitical realities, not the post-World War II order.

“Nigeria must have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. This should take place as part of a wider process of institutional reform,” he stated. “The United Nations will recover its relevance only when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was.”

He emphasized Nigeria’s evolution from “a colony of 20 million people” to “a sovereign nation of over 236 million, projected to be the third most populous country in the world, with one of the youngest and most dynamic populations on earth.”

The President expressed deep frustration with the slow progress on critical issues like nuclear disarmament, Security Council reform, and fair access to trade and finance.

He criticized the UN’s “careful diplomatic language” which often masks inaction, stating, “When we speak of nuclear disarmament, the proliferation of small weapons, Security Council reform, fair access to trade and finance… we must recognize the truth. These are stains on our collective humanity.”

Highlighting ongoing suffering in conflict zones, President Tinubu noted that the slow pace of action has caused some nations to look away from the multilateral model. He remarked that key global events and influential voices were beginning to emerge outside the General Assembly hall.

On international conflicts, President Tinubu took a firm stance on the Palestinian issue, calling for a two-state solution as the most dignified path to lasting peace.

“The people of Palestine are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order. They are human beings, equal in worth, entitled to the same freedoms and dignities that the rest of us take for granted,” he asserted.

Regarding global financial governance, he proposed establishing an international judicial mechanism to oversee sovereign debt crises. He called this a “sort of International Court of Justice for money,” which would help developing nations escape economic dependency and move beyond the export of unprocessed goods. He stressed that debt relief should be pursued for peace and prosperity, not as charity.

President Tinubu also positioned Africa’s critical mineral wealth as vital to global stability. He urged investment in local processing and fair partnerships in Africa to diversify supply, reduce international tensions, and “shape the architecture for peace and prosperity.” He echoed the UN Secretary-General’s vision that “A.I. must stand for ‘Africa Included’,” calling for expanded access and dialogue to close wealth and knowledge gaps.

On the fight against terrorism, President Tinubu focused on the long-term, ideological battle: “Military tactics may win battles measured in months and years, but in wars that span generations, it is values and ideas that deliver the ultimate victory.”

He closed with a powerful appeal for renewed commitment to multilateralism and human rights. “Nigeria’s commitment to peace, to development, to unity, to multilateralism, and to the defence of human rights is beyond compromise. For none of us is safe until all of us are safe.”

“We must make real change, change that works, and change that is seen to work. If we fail, the direction of travel is already predictable.”

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.