National News

37.8 million people in need of protection in Sahel – UN Women

Published

3 years ago

May 4, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

37.8 million people in need of protection in Sahel – UN Women

By: Michael Mike

More than 37.8 million people in the Sahel would need assistance and protection due to security challenges, political, socioeconomic, and environmental factors, the United Nations (UN) Women has said.

Possible solutions are expected to be discussed at ongoing meeting in Niamey, Niger where stakeholders would reflect on the theme: “Adapting the women, peace and security agenda to the changing context of the Sahel: rethinking and readjusting approaches”, and launch the project: “Leadership of women’s organizations for peace and security in the Sahel”. The meeting is under the aegis of the Ministry of Women’s Promotion and Child Protection and with funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Governments of the G5 Sahel countries, UN Women and its partners, civil society organisations, development partners and regional and international experts.

According to a statement by UN Women, the Sahel region faces numerous security challenges, compounded by political, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Extremist and terrorist armed groups as well as inter-communal conflicts have negative impacts on communities, forcing millions of people to move. By 2023 more than 37.8 million Sahelians will need assistance and protection.

The statement lamented that women and girls are often the first to be affected by these crises, increasing their vulnerability and marginalization in society. Yet, they are key players in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in the promotion of sustainable peace and development.

The statement added that: “It is within this framework that UN Women and its partners decided to organize this high-level regional meeting funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to discuss the issues and challenges facing women and girls in the Sahel region, but also to explore solutions for their effective participation in promoting peace and development.”

The statement further read that: “Niger is a land of welcome and opportunity and the laboratory of the Nexus. We are honored and happy to receive the delegations of the sister countries of the G5 Sahel and other countries for this colloquium coupled with the launch of the regional program on capacity building of civil society organizations in the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda financed by the Netherlands which we welcome”. It added that it is in these terms that Mrs. Allahoury Aminata Zourkaleini, Niger’s Minister of Women Promotion and Child Protection, denotes the satisfaction of the choice of Niger for the organisation of the three days meeting in Niamey.

She said the meeting will see the participation of government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners and regional and international experts. They will discuss themes such as strengthening the role of women in peace and security processes, the inclusion of women in the prevention of violent extremism and the reduction of inter-communal conflicts, as well as their participation in peace building and post-conflict reconstruction.

She noted that the meeting in Niamey is a unique opportunity for partners to discuss concrete solutions to strengthen the role of women in building peace and security in the Sahel region.

“We are convinced that the active contribution of women and girls is essential to achieving sustainable peace and ensuring a more stable and prosperous future for the Sahel region,” said Ms. Florence Raes, Regional Director a.i. of UN Women West and Central Africa.

The Ministry of Women’s Promotion and Child Protection, UN Women, the G5 Sahel and their partners call on all key actors to work together to create an enabling environment for the full participation of women and girls in the promotion of peace, security and development in the Sahel region and specially to accelerate the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

“Women and girls in Niger are disproportionately affected by crises and conflicts and the issue deserves special attention from the private sector, cooperation and partnership, States and civil society. It is also unanimous to recognize the potential that these women and girls have in the peace, security and development process in the Sahel region,” said Ms. Louise Aubin, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Niger.

The meeting will also mark the launch of the project “Leadership of Women’s Organizations for Peace and Security in the Sahel” funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding and security in the Sahel region, in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. The project will run for a period of 4 (four) years and aims to strengthen the capacity of women’s peace organizations. Women have great potential to contribute significantly to the stabilization of the region, but face several organisational, institutional and programmatic challenges.

Women’s civil response to the crisis is crucial to achieving sustainable peace in the region and will complement and strengthen the actions of other actors working for peace in the region.
The project is structured around three strategic areas: capacity building, movement building, coalition building and advocacy. Women’s organisations will be strengthened at the organisational, institutional and operational levels, as well as in program management and resource mobilization. They will also be connected and work in synergy within strong networks, movements and/or coalitions.

Joint advocacy plans will be created for national and regional peace actions. “The project will reach a total of 103 women’s organizations, with increased financial support for a core group of 18 organizations, including three regional and three national organizations in each of the five G5 Sahel countries. They will be selected in a transparent manner based on clear indicators related to their potential for high impact,” says Ms. Marie-Josee Kandanga Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action Advisor at UN Women.

The new approaches and recommendations resulting from the colloquium to be held in Niamey from May 3 to 5, 2023 will serve as a planning basis for the various actors supporting the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the region.

37.8 million people in need of protection in Sahel – UN Women

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

11 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

11 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy