The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Ghana as both countries intensify efforts to resolve the ownership dispute surrounding the River Park Estate along Airport Road, Lugbe, Abuja.

The assurance was given on Thursday when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received the Acting High Commissioner of Ghana in Abuja to discuss recent developments involving a commercial dispute between a Ghanaian investor and his Nigerian business partner.

The meeting focused on ensuring that the multi-billion-naira property dispute does not escalate into a diplomatic issue capable of affecting the cordial relations that have existed between both countries for decades.

Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Ahmed reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ghana and assured the Ghanaian delegation that the Federal Government would address the concerns through appropriate diplomatic and institutional channels.

He explained that although the matter appears to be commercial and legal in nature, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would carefully review the issues raised before forwarding its recommendations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for further action.

“The Ministry attaches great importance to issues affecting the welfare of citizens of friendly countries residing in Nigeria and will carefully examine the concerns presented,” Ahmed said.

He further assured the delegation that relevant government institutions would be engaged where necessary through established diplomatic channels to ensure the matter is handled responsibly.

The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law, stressing that the country remains dedicated to protecting legitimate investments while encouraging all parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue and lawful procedures.

Earlier, the Acting High Commissioner of Ghana thanked the Permanent Secretary for granting the delegation an audience at short notice, describing the meeting as another reflection of the strong diplomatic ties between both countries.

She explained that Ghana considered it important to engage the Nigerian government through official diplomatic channels to prevent the commercial disagreement from creating unnecessary public tension capable of affecting bilateral relations.

The envoy expressed concern over the safety and welfare of Ghanaian nationals connected with the investment, alleging that recent developments surrounding the ownership dispute had heightened tensions.

She appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate engagement with relevant Nigerian authorities and urged the government to ensure the protection of lives, property and investments while legal proceedings continue.

The Acting High Commissioner maintained that Ghana remains committed to resolving the matter peacefully and in accordance with the law, expressing confidence that both countries possess the diplomatic maturity required to prevent the dispute from affecting broader cooperation.

Responding, Ambassador Ahmed assured the delegation that Nigeria values its historic relationship with Ghana and remains committed to maintaining an environment that encourages investment, protects foreign nationals and promotes mutual trust among partner nations.

He added that the Ministry would continue working closely with the Ghana High Commission and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the dispute is managed in a manner that safeguards the interests of all parties without undermining the enduring friendship between Nigeria and Ghana.

The ownership dispute over River Park Estate has attracted significant public attention in recent months, with both governments now emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy and legal processes as the appropriate path toward a lasting resolution.

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The death toll from devastating floods in Côte d’Ivoire has risen sharply to 59, more than four times the figure announced earlier on Wednesday, as rescue teams continue searching for missing persons.

Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced the updated casualty figure after a cabinet meeting, describing this year’s flooding as “particularly high.”

He said search and rescue operations were ongoing, warning that the number of fatalities could increase as emergency responders reach more affected areas.

Coulibaly also urged residents to comply with government safety directives and evacuate communities identified as high-risk flood zones.

Earlier in the day, authorities had reported 12 deaths before the toll rose significantly following updated assessments.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Belmonde Dogo, said persistent rainfall that began on the night of June 27 triggered severe flooding and landslides across the commercial capital, Abidjan, and surrounding communities.

The floods caused extensive destruction, with roads submerged, vehicles swept away, and several neighbourhoods inundated, according to images and videos shared on social media.

The disaster comes as several West African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, battle severe flooding caused by heavy seasonal rainfall.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, Africa remains one of the regions most vulnerable to extreme weather events despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions.

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The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), alongside media stakeholders, civil society organisations, and human rights advocates, has raised concerns over increasing attacks on journalists and shrinking press freedom across West Africa.

The concerns were raised during the 2026 World Press Freedom Day event held in Abuja and organised by CJID in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and other development partners.

Speaking at the event themed, “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security,” participants warned that growing hostility toward journalists threatens democracy, accountability, human rights protection, and regional stability.

According to data released by CJID, no fewer than 1,877 attacks against journalists and media practitioners were documented across five West African countries between 1986 and 2026.

The report further revealed that 59 journalists lost their lives within the period, with Nigeria recording 28 deaths, the highest among the countries surveyed.

CJID also disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory recorded 175 attacks on journalists and media professionals, while 13 incidents have already been documented across West Africa in 2026 alone, including two cases from Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the event described the figures as disturbing, warning that persistent attacks on journalists continue to weaken democratic institutions and civic freedoms across the region.

Representing the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, government officials reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to democratic governance, media development, and protection of citizens’ rights.

The minister noted that journalism is undergoing rapid transformation due to artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and changing communication patterns, stressing the importance of responsible adaptation within the media industry.

According to him, the government remains open to constructive engagement with media organisations to strengthen democratic participation and promote peaceful coexistence.

“Through responsible journalism and commitment to democratic values, Nigeria can continue to build a more informed and peaceful society,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, represented at the programme, described press freedom as a fundamental pillar of democracy and sustainable peace.

He expressed concern over increasing reports of arbitrary arrests, cyber attacks, censorship, intimidation, digital surveillance, and institutional repression targeting journalists globally.

According to him, despite constitutional guarantees protecting freedom of expression in Nigeria, journalists still face harassment from security agencies, state actors, and other individuals.

“We continue to receive complaints relating to attacks on journalists, shrinking civic space, intimidation, and the suppression of critical reporting,” he said.

Ojukwu also criticised the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrimes Act to silence journalists and suppress dissenting opinions, warning that such actions undermine constitutional democracy and public trust.

He stressed that Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and press freedom, while Nigeria is equally bound by international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The programme also featured the official launch of the Press Attack Tracker (PAT West Africa), a regional platform designed to monitor and document attacks against journalists and media organisations.

CJID Executive Director, Akintunde Babatunde, said the platform would strengthen accountability, improve data collection, and support advocacy efforts aimed at protecting journalists operating in hostile environments.

The event further included a panel discussion on the role of investigative journalism in promoting accountability, human rights, and nation-building.

Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, urged journalists to remain committed to investigative reporting and continue exposing governance failures and human rights violations.

He also called for attacks on journalists to attract stronger national and international responses to ensure accountability for perpetrators.

Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at the NHRC, Fatimah Mohammed, encouraged journalists facing rights violations to seek redress through the commission.

Senior Programme Officer at AFRICMIL, Godwin Onyeacholem, blamed weak legal protections at state levels for the silence surrounding many cases of attacks against journalists.

The event also featured testimonies from journalists who had faced persecution while carrying out professional assignments.

One of the journalists, Matthew Ojoduma, narrated how he spent about nine months in detention in the Benin Republic after being accused of espionage during a documentary production trip across West Africa.

Ojoduma said security operatives allegedly detained him after discovering a mini drone and camera equipment in his possession.

He described the prison conditions as overcrowded and inhumane, alleging that detainees frequently collapsed due to poor living conditions.

According to him, he later used artificial intelligence tools to draft letters that eventually attracted intervention and contributed to his release.

The World Press Freedom Day programme also featured training sessions on trauma-informed and dignity-centred reporting for journalists covering conflict, violence, and human rights issues.

One of the sessions was facilitated by Managing Editor at HumAngle, Hauwa Shaggi Nuhu, who emphasised ethical storytelling and the protection of vulnerable individuals during reporting.

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Lawmakers in Benin Republic have approved a constitutional amendment extending the presidential term to seven years, renewable only once, ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The amendment passed in an overwhelming 90-19 vote, according to a statement from the national assembly.

Under the revised Article 42, the President of the Republic will now be elected by direct universal suffrage for a single seven-year term, renewable once.

The change also applies to mayors and municipal councillors.

The move comes as President Patrice Talon, who has been in office since 2016, approaches the end of his second term. Talon has publicly stated that he will not seek a third term.

Despite Benin Republic’s relative political stability in the West African region, authorities previously foiled a suspected coup attempt in September 2025.

Prosecutors reported that Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, allegedly handed over 1.5 billion CFA francs (about $2.5 million) to Djimon Tevoedjre, head of the republican guard.

Businessman Olivier Boko, a friend of Talon and prospective 2026 presidential candidate, was also implicated and arrested in Cotonou.

The amendment is seen as a significant step in political reforms ahead of next year’s elections, establishing clear term limits while maintaining stability in the country’s democratic framework.

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Following President Boakai’s brief remarks at the event, Trump turned to the visiting leader and asked, “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” The American president added, “Thank you, and such good English.”

President Boakai, a fluent English speaker and business graduate educated in Liberia, responded modestly, though his subdued tone and body language his face turned away from the press, suggested discomfort at the question.

Trump, seated among several Francophone West African leaders, continued with the commentary, remarking, “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”

Liberia, a country with deep historical ties to the United States, was founded in the 19th century by freed African Americans under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. Declaring independence in 1847, these settlers known as Americo-Liberians established a government that would dominate national politics for over a century.

Today, English remains the official language of Liberia and is used in government, education, and commerce. The nation is also home to a multitude of indigenous languages, including Kpelle the most widely spoken along with Mende and Kissi. President Boakai himself is literate in both Mende and Kissi, though he, like most Liberians, primarily communicates in English.

The exchange underscored cultural gaps and drew quiet criticism for its tone, highlighting the need for greater awareness in international diplomacy.

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The cuts occurred somewhere in Cote de’Ivoire and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal.

Cable companies – West African Cable System (WACS) and African Coast to Europe (ACE) in the West Coast route from Europe have experienced faults while SAT3 and MainOne have downtime.

Similar undersea cables providing traffic from Europe to the East Coast of Africa, like Seacom, Europe India Gateway (EIG), Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE1), are said to have been cut at some point around the Red Sea, resulting in degradation of services across on these routes.

In Nigeria and other West African countries, Internet access and speed have experienced disruptions in the networks of service providers in the affected countries.

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Operators of these cables have commenced repairs already, and services are gradually being restored.

They have promised to work round the clock to ensure that services are restored to the affected countries within the shortest possible time.

It is important to bring this information to the knowledge of corporate and individual consumers on these services.

Signed:
Reuben Muoka
Director, Public Affairs
March 14, 2024

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