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ECOWAS in fresh moves to bring back heady B’Faso, Mali, Niger
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced a fresh move of reproachment geared towards bringing back runaway members in the Sahel region, namely, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, who dumped the 59-year-old body last year over irreconcilable differences.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, newly elected President of Senegal and Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, his Togolese counterpart, are to lead the fresh initiatives to bring the countries, which exited the sub-regional bloc in 2023 over the tough stance taken against them over the military coups that took place in their countries, as ECOWAS insisted on restoration of civil rule.
The development is coming on the heels of the re-election of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria as Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government (AEHSG), on Tuesday, at its 65th Ordinary Session on Sunday in Abuja, “following the decision of the leaders to ensure continuity and consistency in meeting targets on security, reconciliation, and development.”
Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesman, said Tinubu, who was first elected to the position in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023, in accepting the extension of his role, had pledged to focus on consolidating the values of democracy and upholding the interest of the regional body, which would clock 50 years in 2025.
Part of his statement, read: “The Chairman of ECOWAS appointed the President of Senegal, His Excellency, Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the President of Togo, His Excellency, Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, as Special Envoys to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic.
“I have appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to please become our Special Envoy to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, along with the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, to do around the clock work with our brothers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, and to coordinate with me and the ECOWAS Commission, where necessary.
“I have accepted to continue the service to the great members and the great minds that are committed to democratic values and our journey in the region. I will continue to serve our interest and build on democratic values and the structure that we inherited. Thank you very much.’’
The statement, recalled how Tinubu had earlier called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community, while emphasising the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats in the region.
**U.S. President issues stark ultimatum, warns of possible armed action against Islamic militants
United States President Donald Trump has issued a severe warning to the Nigerian government, threatening to halt all American aid and potentially launch military operations in the country if attacks on Christians continue.
In a statement released Saturday night on Truth Social, Trump delivered an ultimatum that escalates tensions between both countries, threatening direct U.S. military intervention in Africa’s most populous nation.
READ ALSO: Tinubu fires back at Trump, says Nigeria rejects religious persecution
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump declared.
The American leader indicated he has already directed military officials to begin preparations for potential action in Nigeria.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” he stated.
Trump concluded his statement with an urgent warning to Nigerian authorities.
“WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!” he said.
The threat comes just one day after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution, a move that drew swift condemnation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his Friday response, President Tinubu rejected the characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant, stating that the country “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
The Nigerian president emphasized that his administration has been actively engaging with both Christian and Muslim leaders since 2023 while addressing security challenges affecting citizens of all faiths across the country.
Trump’s latest statement marks a dramatic escalation in rhetoric and raises serious questions about U.S.-Nigeria relations and the potential for American military involvement in West Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has revealed major financial relief measures and workforce expansion plans aimed at resolving persistent grievances among healthcare workers, especially those in the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
In a Thursday statement, Minister of State for Health Dr. Iziaq Salako revealed that President Bola Tinubu had authorized accelerated payment of outstanding dues to health sector employees, including NARD members.
According to him, as of Thursday, October 30, an additional ₦21.3 billion had been transferred to the IPPIS account, and payment to beneficiaries had commenced.
READ ALSO: Resident doctors declare indefinite nationwide strike over unmet demands
He added that another ₦11.995 billion is being processed for release within 72 hours to settle other outstanding arrears, including the accoutrement allowance.
Dr. Salako explained that these payments are being made in line with the approved salary structure for the health sector.
The Federal Government has additionally issued special waivers permitting large-scale hiring of healthcare workers across federal tertiary institutions to combat the effects of brain drain and excessive work hours.
He noted that this recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality healthcare services to citizens.
Regarding continued discussions, Dr. Salako stated that collective bargaining sessions are ongoing with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)—NARD’s parent body—alongside the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Dr. Salako emphasized that these interventions reflect the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of health workers, ensuring industrial harmony, and upholding the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
These developments follow NARD’s October 26 announcement of plans to begin an indefinite nationwide strike from November 1, 2025.
Disclosing this in a statement, NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, said the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.
The decision was reached after a five-hour National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.
“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action,” the statement reads in part.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a response to US President Donald Trump, asserting that Nigeria rejects religious persecution.
The statement came after Trump’s Friday announcement re-categorizing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Trump alleged that Nigerian Christians face existential danger and promised American protection.
READ ALSO: Trump raises alarm over killings in Nigeria, declares country “of particular concern”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump said in a social media post on Friday.
President Tinubu replied on Saturday through social media, underscoring Nigeria’s dedication to religious freedom.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” he said.
“Since 2023, our administration has actively engaged with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across all faiths and regions.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into account the consistent and sincere efforts of our government to safeguard freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians.
“Religious freedom and tolerance are core tenets of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
“Our constitution guarantees the protection of citizens of all faiths, and our administration remains committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation in protecting communities of all religions.”
Trump threatens military action in Nigeria over killing of christians
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