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ECOWAS pledges support for liberia’s transformation agenda
ABUJA – ECOWAS has pledged its support for Liberia Government’s six year Agenda for Transformation (AFT) 2012-2017 and the National Framework Vision 2030 aimed at consolidating peace and stability and making Liberia a middle-income country by 2030.
The Special Representative of the ECOWAS Commission’s President to Liberia, Ambassador Tunde Ajisomo, made the pledge during a recent ceremony for the presentation of his credentials to Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia.
The envoy affirmed the thrust of ECOWAS’ strategic Vision 2020 aimed at deepening regional integration and transforming “our region from an ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of the People.”
He assured the Liberian leader that ECOWAS would continue to provide necessary assistance to the Government and People of Liberia, hence the re-opening of the Office of the Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission at Ambassadorial level.
The office, which was opened in 2004 was closed in 2010.
On behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Ajisomo congratulated the Liberian people on the country’s recent celebration of 10 years of sustained peace and stability, facilitated by ECOWAS.
In her response during the December 2013 ceremony, President Johnson-Sirleaf expressed her appreciation to the President of ECOWAS Commission His Excellency Kadré Desire Ouédraogo for re-opening the ECOWAS Office in Liberia and commended the regional organization for resolving conflicts and for its leadership role in crisis management in the region.
Assuring the envoy of the fullest support of the Government of Liberia in the discharge of his duties in country, she called on ECOWAS and other international partners to adopt an integrated approach in dealing with the challenges of human and drug trafficking and other organized cross-border crimes, including terrorism, illegal trade in small arms and light weapons.
She also called for the acceleration of regional infrastructural development.
Following the presentation, Ambassador Ajisomo hosted a well-attended reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps and friends of ECOWAS to mark the occasion and the re- opening of ECOWAS Office in Liberia.
He also paid courtesy calls on the Ministers of Finance, National Planning and Information Culture and Tourism as well as the Special Representatives of the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union, among others.
During the audiences, the envoy assured them of ECOWAS’ readiness to work closely with all relevant stakeholders in Liberia towards advancing ECOWAS integration projects in Liberia and in the sub-region.
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LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has alerted motorists to traffic delays along Ogunnusi Road towards Ojodu-Berger due to ongoing rehabilitation work.
LASTMA disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Sunday, stating that the road rehabilitation was being carried out by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC).
According to the agency, “The ongoing work is affecting traffic flow, with vehicles moving at a slower pace in both directions.”
ALSO READ: Chaos On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway As LASTMA Shuts Otedola Bridge
To ease the situation, LASTMA said a contraflow arrangement had been introduced for motorists travelling from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction.
“A contraflow arrangement is in place for vehicles coming from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction to facilitate the movement of traffic,” the agency stated.
LASTMA added that its personnel had been deployed to manage traffic and ensure the continuous movement of vehicles around the affected area.
“Our personnel are on ground managing the traffic situation and ensuring the continuous flow of vehicular movement,” the agency said.
The traffic management authority advised motorists to remain patient and exercise caution while the rehabilitation work continues.
“Motorists are advised to exercise patience and drive with caution while the rehabilitation work continues,” LASTMA stated.
NEWS
Dangote Investments are Catalysts for Africa’s Economic Growth – AFC
Leading economists, financial experts and industry stakeholders have described the Dangote Group’s investments as major drivers of industrialisation and economic transformation across Nigeria and Africa.
The experts cited the Group’s impact on job creation, import substitution, foreign exchange conservation and economic competitiveness.
They voiced their thoughts at the Lagos Economic Summit themed “The Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity,” where they urged governments to implement policies that strengthen local industries and accelerate economic diversification.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu, commended the Dangote Group’s sustained investments across Africa, describing them as critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
He noted that while recent economic reforms have improved foreign exchange stability, strengthened reserves and eased inflationary pressures, the focus must now shift to growth in industry, productivity and employment.
READ ALSO: NMDPRA Shares July Domestic Cooking Gas Supply Details
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, said industrialisation remains the most effective path to sustainable economic development.
He called for better alignment of trade and industrial policies, stressing that local manufacturers require strategic support to compete effectively and drive broader economic benefits.
Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said Africa’s growing population presents a significant industrial opportunity, noting that investments such as the Dangote Refinery are helping to retain capital within the continent while strengthening local production capacity.
In his keynote address, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria is gradually transitioning from a consumption-led economy to one driven by investment and production.
He added that sustained investments in productive sectors will continue to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve living standards.
Participants at the summit also advocated stronger credit infrastructure, improved national identification systems and increased investment in skills development to enhance the productivity and global competitiveness of Africa’s growing youth population.
Photo Caption: From Left – Chief Economist, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Hassan Mahmud; Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Chairman of Occasion/Special Guest of Honour, Samaila Zubairu; Key Note Speaker Session 1, Bismarck Rewane; during the Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity, Sponsored by Dangote Industry Limited in Lagos on Thursday 3, September 2026.
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VDM Fires Back at Police, Releases First ‘Evidence’ Over Kidnap Claims
Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has released what he described as his first piece of evidence after the Nigeria Police Force challenged him to substantiate his allegations that some police officers allegedly collaborate with kidnappers.
VDM released a video on his Instagram handle on Thursday, August 27, 2026, shortly after the police invited him to provide evidence supporting the claims he made at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.
SEE MORE: ‘Provide Evidence’ — Police React to VDM’s Explosive Kidnap Allegation
The activist captioned the video: “My evidence number 1.”
Recalled that VDM, who was a panellist at the NBA conference on Tuesday, had alleged that some police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.
According to him, the officers allegedly relay details about the identities and movements of travellers to criminal groups, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
The allegation triggered a response from the Nigeria Police Force, which denied the claim and challenged VDM to substantiate his allegations.
The police invitation came as the force sought evidence to support the serious claims made by the social media critic.
In response, VDM released the video, describing it as his “evidence number 1”, signalling that he may provide further material to support his allegations.
The development has continued to attract attention, with the controversy placing renewed focus on allegations of possible collaboration between security personnel and criminal groups involved in kidnapping and banditry.





