President Bola Tinubu has handed over the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.

The handover ceremony took place at the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority in Abuja, Nigeria.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in the region’s continued path toward peace, stability, and prosperity, emphasizing the need for leaders to remain committed to the evolving needs of West African citizens.

During his tenure, President Tinubu noted the complex political and security challenges the region faced.

He called on leaders to deepen cooperation, uphold diplomatic principles, and foster inclusive growth that leaves no one behind.

President Tinubu commended the ECOWAS Commission and community institutions for their dedication and professionalism in supporting the Authority’s work.

In his remarks, President Bio outlined four key priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy, revitalizing regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration, and building institutional credibility.

He pledged to lead a renewed, people-centred, and action-oriented ECOWAS in the face of unprecedented challenges and opportunities for the West African region.

President Bio acknowledged the complexities of the current moment, citing terrorism, illicit arms flow, political instability, and transnational crime as major threats to the region.

He emphasized the need for ECOWAS to reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people.

The Netherlands has officially returned 119 ancient sculptures stolen from the former Nigerian kingdom of Benin over 120 years ago during the colonial era.

The artefacts, known as the Benin Bronzes, are a significant part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, described the artefacts as “embodiments of the spirit and identity of the people from which they were taken from.”

The return of the Benin Bronzes is part of a growing trend of Western governments returning items taken during imperialism.

Germany has also agreed to return over 1,000 additional pieces.

The artefacts will be shared between the National Museum in Lagos and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, the traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Benin in southern Nigeria.

The Benin Bronzes, which include metal and ivory sculptures dating back to the 16th to 18th centuries, were stolen in 1897 when British forces ransacked the Benin kingdom.

Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums worldwide in 2022, and this return is a significant step towards restitution.

Iran has launched a missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar, in response to recent US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities.

The attack, which was confirmed by the Iranian Armed Forces, is seen as a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries.

According to reports, six missiles were launched towards the Al Udeid airbase, which is the largest US military installation in the Middle East and serves as the forward headquarters of Central Command.

Qatar’s airspace was temporarily closed, and US and UK citizens were advised to shelter in place.

Iranian state-run news also reported that US military installations in Iraq were targeted by ballistic missiles.

US President Donald Trump is attending a National Security Council meeting to discuss the situation, after earlier floating the idea of regime change in Iran.

The White House described Trump’s comments as “simply raising a question”.

Trump had previously warned that any retaliation by Iran would be “met by force far greater”.

Meanwhile, Israel has claimed to be targeting Tehran with “unprecedented force”, including attacks on access routes to the Fordow nuclear site and Evin prison.

The situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, with diplomatic solutions being sought to mitigate the crisis.

Qatar has condemned the attack on the US airbase, calling it a “flagrant violation” and reserving the right to respond directly.

The country’s defence systems intercepted incoming missiles, and no casualties have been reported so far.