By Ese Williams

President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has urged the media to play a bigger role in amplifying Africa’s voice, particularly by promoting positive narratives and showcasing the continent’s achievements.

Adesina made the call on Monday during a media breakfast to open the bank’s week-long 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

He emphasised the critical role journalists played in shaping the narrative about Africa’s development and informing both regional and global audiences.

“You are not just observers. You are amplifiers of Africa’s voice. You shape the narrative. You challenge us. You inform the world,” he said.

The meetings, which mark the final chapter of Adesina’s 10-year leadership, are expected to host over 5,000 delegates from 91 countries.

Participants include AfDB Governors, policy makers, private sector leaders, academics, civil society actors, and development partners.

Adesina said the meetings offer a platform for high-level policy dialogues and strategic conversations on pressing issues affecting the continent.

He listed some of them to include macroeconomic stability, domestic resource mobilisation, energy transitions, and food systems transformation.

The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2025 meetings are being held under the theme: “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.”

Key highlights of the sessions include the Presidential Dialogue, the launch of the African Economic Outlook, and in-depth thematic discussions aimed at mobilising capital and building stronger institutions.

Adesina urged the media to fully engage in the events, ask tough questions, and help tell the “real stories of transformation” happening across the continent.

The bank is expected to announce its new President by the conclusion of the meetings. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu will leave Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to celebrate, along with other leaders, the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said that the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee was flagged off in Accra in April.

The Lagos event will include reenacting the 1975 declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Victoria Island.

At the Eko Hotels and Suites, President Tinubu, the Chairman of ECOWAS, would highlight the economic bloc’s milestones.

The Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, is expected to review the bloc’s 50-year journey, which panellists at the NIIA would later analyse.

The only surviving Head of State, who signed the ECOWAS declaration, Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, will participate in all the ceremonies and deliver a speech at the Eko Hotels.

Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will deliver the welcome address.

While in Lagos, President Tinubu will, on Saturday, May 31, commission some projects of his administration.

Among them are Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road, the flag-off of Section II of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, and the 7th Axial Road.

The President will virtually commission Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and Yakasai-Zalli Road and flag off the Kano Northen By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.

President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

By Angela Atabo

The Pan-African Dialogue Institute (TPADI) has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare May 25th, which is Africa Day, a national public holiday.

The President of TPADI, Dr Effiong Udo, made the call at a news conference in Abuja.

Udo stated that recognising Africa Day would strengthen Nigeria’s connection to the rest of the continent.

The president added that such would also promote national pride in the country’s role as a leader in Pan-Africanism.

He explained Africa Day commemorates the founding date of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which later became the African Union (AU).

According to him, the day is a symbol of African liberation, unity, and collective responsibility for the development of the continent, and many African countries mark it ceremoniously except Nigeria.

“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare May 25 Africa Day as a national public holiday.

“We recommend that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, alongside Ministry of Education and Ministry of Tourism, take necessary steps.

“They should integrate Africa Day into our national consciousness with public awareness campaigns and school curricula.

“We also call on civil society organisations, universities, the creative industries, and the private sector within Nigeria and the diaspora to join hands with us in this campaign,” he said.

Udo added that if Nigerians could celebrate international days assigned to hepatitis, malaria, HIV and AIDS, among others, Africa Day should also be celebrated.

According to him, the day is more than a symbolic milestone but a call to historical consciousness, a living symbol of African liberation, unity, and collective responsibility for the development of our continent.

He said that recognising the need and urgency for Nigeria to take a leadership role in Pan-African discourse, the institute launched its inaugural international dialogue conference on Pan-Africanism.

“This year, we are excited to mark Africa Day with a focus on Nigeria, the giant of Africa.

“We feel Nigeria is incomplete unless it aligns with the vision of a united, self-determined, dignified and respected Africa.

“This sentiment underpins TPADI’s mission to reignite the fire of Pan-Africanism in our great country,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Peter Amine