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Democracy Backslide And The Future Of ECOWAS Post Exit Of Three Nations – Lifestyle Nigeria

This Tuesday, in Abuja, the Save Democracy Group – West Africa (SDG-WA) and the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (TAS) held a policy dialogue. They expressed alarm about the shortcomings of democracy, especially in West Africa, the sub-region where the majority of Black people live, as seen by the military’s increasing reentry into governance. The departure of three founding members of ECOWAS served as the impetus for the shared policy dialogue under reference.

The partnering NGOs said that they will establish a West African Democracy Observatory (WADO) to track the sub-region’s political and governance health by keeping an eye out for warning signs and pursuing remedies before it is too late.

The conclusions reached by TAS and SDG-WA indicate that the fundamental reason democracy is failing in West Africa is poverty and underdevelopment, issues that democracy, as it has been practiced, has not been able to address, leaving the sub-region restive and offering some justification for the return of military forces.

Truly, since 2020, the military has toppled numerous African countries, including Burkina Faso, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Gabon. Serious coup threats also occurred in Sierra Leone and one other country more recently, for which Sierra Leone’s former president is currently living in exile in Nigeria.

Political developments in the sub-region of late have been worrisome, which provided the reason for the formation of SDG-WA as a mediating and interventionist body. The ECOWAS was recently served with notice of the intention to leave the subregional organisation by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, and it was a big blow to the fledgling subregional body.

Remember that the founding goal of the previously 15-nation regional economic bloc in the year 1975 was among other things – “to promote cooperation and integration… to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability.” Despite its initial economic goal, the union has gained political clout and is increasingly useful in resolving disputes among its constituents, as evidenced by the most recent instance in Sierra Leone, where a coup was almost executed a few weeks ago.

The three are leaving because of what they considered to be cruel, illegal, and unlawful sanctions and accusing ECOWAS of abandoning Pan-Africanism and the principles of the founding fathers. The three nations released a statement saying, “ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure.”

Initially, these nations were placed under provisional suspension by ECOWAS in retaliation for their respective military takeovers. However, the suspension of each nation did not stop the other’s forces from carrying out their coup and may not do so in the future if certain remedial actions are not taken.

Related Topics:Backslide democracy ECOWAS Exit Future lifestyle Nations Nigeria Post

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Barcelona show interest in Mason Greenwood

On loan Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood scored two goals and registered one assist to help Getafe to a 3-1 away win over Almeria on Saturday afternoon furthering speculations of the gaze on him by Barcelona.

The 22-year-old has now reached 10 goals across all competitions this campaign whilst also conjuring up 6 assists in a total of 30 appearances.

He opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a precise finish before Almeria leveled matters just 4 minutes before the half time whistle through forward Choco Lozano. Greenwood stepped up again to give his side the lead for the second time in the game as he scored just three minutes after the restart.

The English man then turned provider yet again this season as he set up veteran and club legend Jaime Mata to put the game beyond reasonable doubt.

Greenwood has been more than impressive since moving to Spain on loan, and despite his personal controversy with his partner he has been able to overcome the criticism and adversity.

Manchester United have announced that they are yet to make a decision on the forward’s future as they will be looking to accept any bids for him next summer.

Barcelona are one team who are after the signature of Mason Greenwood as they are reportedly set to offer him the club’s prestigious number 10 Jersey, worn by legends Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho to mention a few.

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Nigerian Couple Buys A House 2 And Half Years Of Moving To UK (Photos)

One month of being a home owner in the uk
2.5 years of moving into the UK and now we have our own house

When we decided that we are both going to start our lives as newlyweds in the UK and travelled four days after our wedding, one question that kept popping up from my family and friends was ‘why’?

Infact, My dad asked me, you have a good job here in Nigeria, you have a successful business too and your husband has a thriving job..why are you leaving all this for the unknown? I tried to put on a bold face and explained that we were doing this because this is what we wanted but a tiny bit of my heart was scared, what if it doesn’t work out? What if all the scary abroad stories are true, what If we fail, what if…? I was sincerely afraid at some point.

Packing your entire life into two suitcases and moving was the scariest thing I had ever done, and each time I bring up these fears to my fiancee [now husband], he would just constantly remind me of God’s promises. He kept emphazing that God is in this journey with us and we will not fail. One important prayer we kept praying before travelling was that “God will go ahead of us and make all crooked places straight ” and God did just that.

God has blessed us beyond imagination since we moved into the uk and he has enlarged our coats. I still wake up every morning in our beautiful 3 bedroom semi- detached house and it all feels like a dream.

…But dreams always come true and God did it!

My advice to you: Set the bar incredibly high for yourself today. Aim for the mountains, aim for the moon. Maybe you will not reach your original desired outcome. Maybe you will find yourself in a position you never imagined.
But you will never know until you try.

Your dreams are valid. Keep aiming for the stars.

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“I Gathered My Entire Ajo, Paid Portable N1.5m To Appear In My Music Update”- Upcoming Singer Cries Out

Lifestyle Nigeria gathered that A Update of an emerging musician known as Chadreek criticizing controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable Zazu, is trending online.

The budding musician spoke about how he got N1.5 million in donations to pay Portable to feature in his song Update.

He alleged, however, that only hours after paying the money, the Zeh Nation head, who just hauled Zinoleesky, stated that his charge had raised to N3.5 million as he requested an extract of N2 million.

Dissatisfied with Portable’s actions, Chadreek sought a refund, claiming he was told that any money that entered his (Portable) account was nonrefundable.

The upcoming singer further claimed Portable has been threatening his life. “Nigerians please come and help me I Gathered My Entire Ajo Contribution Money and Paid Portable N1.5Million to appear in My Music Update, Just few hours after Portable Collected the Money he said his Ad Rate has Gone Up that he now Chargers N3.5Million that I should send extra N2Million, I told him to refund my money and he said that any money that enters his Account can’t be refunded, before I knew what was happening Portable carried Axe and started chasing me” Upcoming Artiste Chadreek said in the Update

SEE Update, including Chadreek’s chat with Portable, below: