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Northwest Governors, Niger Republic counterpart seek review of ECOWAS Article on movement of persons, arms
Northwest Governors, Niger Republic counterpart seek review of ECOWAS Article on movement of persons, arms
Governors of the Northwest and their counterparts in the Niger Republic call for a review of the ECOWAS Article on the movement of persons and arms to tackle the lingering security challenges in the region.
This is contained in a communique read on Tuesday by the Secretary of Katsina State Government (SSG), Alhaji Muntari Lawal at the end of a multilateral security meeting held in the state.
The meeting had in attendance, Gov. Schiabou Aboubacar of Maradi Region, as the convener, governors of Katsina, Sokoto, and also the Deputy governors of Zamfara and Kebbi.
“In the light of the bilateral arrangement on pursuit of criminals up to 30km by security agents across each other’s border between Nigeria and Niger Republic, the meeting recommends appropriate review of the ECOWAS Article on the movement of persons and arms.
“Considering the significance of the role of traditional rulers, security management, the meeting recommends periodic meeting of selected traditional rulers from the affected states to share information and exchange ideas on security management,” he said.
Lawal said the meeting noted that substantial proportion of the citizens of these states partake in animal husbandry or rearing as vacation for their livelihood.
He added that over time, however, this trade has been infiltrated by criminal elements leading to the menace of cattle rustling, armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom and proliferation of small arms, light weapons and ammunition.
The Katsina SSG said that after extensive deliberations, and observations, the meeting supported the operation ‘Hadarin Daji’, being conducted by the Military, covering Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi.
“There is therefore the need for Defence Headquarters clearance to these sectors to meet and develop unified strategies to combat the common security challenges bedeviling the areas.
“Accordingly. the meeting further recommends the need for stakeholders meeting involving all the heads of Security Agencies in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and the Kebbi States and Maradi and Tahoua regions to be hosted by the Headquarters of operation Hadarin Daji and facilitated by the governors of the affected states.
“The meeting also recommends that in the event of an express directive for a clearance operation, once it is started, it should be coordinated by land and air, and should not stop until it reaches its final point.
“For efficient and credible intelligence information dissemination and security management inclusiveness, the affected state governments are recommended to see to the establishment of emergency call centers and community-based structures.”
He added that relatedly, synergy and cooperation between contiguous local governments should also be enhanced in order to further facilitate intelligence sharing.
Lawal said the meeting wants all emergency centres across the participating states and Maradi Region interconnected for broader intelligence sharing.
“The meeting also noted and frowned at the manner some media practitioners render information or news items to the general public, which invariably portray bandits and other criminals as heroes,” he said.
He said that consequently, the meeting recommends that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) should appraise the situation and reverse the trend, for the good of the people and the Nation.
“The meeting noted the overwhelming challenges being faced by security agencies and strongly appealed to the Nigerian and National Government of Niger Republic to deploy more resources to the security agencies manning this affected corridor.
“In order to ensure sustained and simultaneous operations accros the states, there is the need to provide adequate and sustained logistics like petrol, oil, labour, spare parts and rations;
“The meeting noted the rampant use of high-powered motorcycles such as Boxer’ by the bandits and strongly recommends the need to ban the importation of such motorcycles for a period of 24 months.
“The meeting further noted the negative perception of some people on military operations of this nature and recommends the need to educate the general public on the inevitability of collateral damage.
“The need is also recommended for continuous improvement of synergy between the Customs and Immigrations establishments of the affected four states and Maradi Region,” he said.
The SSG further said there is the need to enhance collaborative efforts between both countries, Nigeria and the Niger Republic to reduce arms and drug trafficking to the barest minimum.
He explained that for an all-inclusive effect, there is the need to include Kaduna and Niger States in any planned operation since they share common forests with the affected states.
“The meeting unanimously resolved the need for it to be held on rotational basis quarterly, and the next meeting agreed to hold in Zamfara State.
“Operational Secretariat of the meeting has been resolved to be temporarily domiciled at Katsina, Katsina State for the purposes of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of decisions/resolutions.
“The meeting then stressed the need for continued prayers by all and sundry for the Almighty Creator’s intercession to bring final succor to our people and the Nations of Niger and Nigeria,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol of Persons was instituted to enhance the economic development of West Africa’s citizens.
However, the regional body said studies have shown that the protocol has relatively aided transborder trafficking in persons, drugs, Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).
Northwest Governors, Niger Republic counterpart seek review of ECOWAS Article on movement of persons, arms
Zulum Bags NUJ’s 2024 Good Governance Award on Education
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has won the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ Good Governance Award 2024 on education.
At the event, which was tagged “NUJ Press Freedom and Governance Award”, 18 journalists and public servants who have distinguished themselves in their careers were honoured.
Presenting the award to Zulum, at an event held at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, on Saturday, the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, noted that the award was in recognition of Governor Zulum’s laudable achievements in the development of the educational sector and good governance he has provided for the people of Borno.
According to the NUJ President, Zulum has over the years, embarked on innovative intervention and aggressive investment in the education sector of Borno State
The statement said Zulum has since 2019 executed 124 projects in the education sector, including the construction of over 30 new mega schools and the rehabilitation of 1,087 classrooms in several schools across the state.
Zulum has recruited over 4,000 new teachers, deployed strategies to reduce out-of-school children from 2 million children to 800,000 in 2024 and has approved over N4 billion as scholarship for local and foreign education to Borno indigenes.
Responding after receiving the award, Zulum, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, expressed appreciation to the organisers for finding him worthy of the award.
He said: ” It is amazing to be rewarded for managing a crisis and rebuilding a state like Borno State, which is coming out of a decade-long violent insurgency. The Borno restoration project focuses on bold and sustained investment in all sectors of society.
“Press Freedom constitutes an important booster of the Building Borno Back and Better initiative. In Borno State, journalists are granted free space and access to information to carry out their duties and write stories that will enlighten society and influence public policy,” Zulum said.
The event was attended by the Governor of Benue State, Rev Hyacinth Alia, the Speaker of Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas was represented by Chairman House Committee on Information and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
Also present are Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission Abuja, Ms Gill Lever, DG VON; Mr Bernabas Gemade and Major Gen Lawrence Onoja.
Zulum Bags NUJ’s 2024 Good Governance Award on Education
Gaza: 155,000 Pregnant Women Struggling to Survive- Says Palestine Envoy
By: Michael Mike
Ambassador of Palestine to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh has drawn global attention to emerging humanitarian crisis in war torn Gaza, stating that around 155,000 pregnant women and new mothers are struggling to survive.
He said: “They are suffering from hunger and the diseases that stalk it, amid life-threatening shortages of food, water and medical care …. Only three maternity hospitals remain in the Gaza Strip, and they are overwhelmed with patients.
“Doctors and midwives … are struggling to provide adequate care to newborns.”
Addressing a press conference at the weekend on the situation in Gaza, Shawesh lamented that mass graves continued to be discovered on Gaza Strip, with the war currently leaving an estimated 37 million tons of debris and unexploded ordnance.
He decried that as it stands, the war is projected could take 14 years to clear the unexploded ordnance and rubble.
Shawesh said: “As of May 1, the number of Palestinian martyrs has reached 34,535, with 77,704 wounded, in addition to thousands of others who are still missing under the rubble or subjected to enforced disappearance in Israeli occupation detention centers.”
He alleged that “Palestinian detainees are subjected to harsh measures, receiving minimal sustenance such as a single slice of bread and a small amount of food to merely sustain their lives and prevent death, resulting in substantial weight loss and serious health consequences.”
“Around 155,000 pregnant women and new mothers are struggling to survive. They are suffering from hunger and the diseases that stalk it, amid life-threatening shortages of food, water and medical care …. Only three maternity hospitals remain in the Gaza Strip, and they are overwhelmed with patients.
He noted that: “The Palestinian Minister of Transport, Tariq Zourub, declared that the losses of the transportation sector in the Gaza Strip exceeded 3 billion dollars. The occupation destroyed about 945 km of roads and 55,000 vehicles, which is equivalent to 65% of the road network and 60% of the vehicles licensed in the strip.
Day after day, Israeli crimes in Gaza are revealed, and every day we witness a new chapter of genocidal crimes.”
He added that: “Recently, many mass graves were discovered in the Al-Shifa Medical Complex and the Nasser Medical Complex in the Gaza Strip, which contain hundreds of dead bodies.”
Gaza: 155,000 Pregnant Women Struggling to Survive- Says Palestine Envoy
Senator Lawan commends Tinubu on the salary increase for workers
By: Yahaya Wakili
President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON, Sardaunan Bade, commends President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for giving his approval to a salary increase of between 25 and 35 percent for civil servants on the six consolidated salary structures.
Senator Lawan disclosed this in a press statement signed by Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, FAI, FIMC, FCP, and Fsca Media Adviser to Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, which was shared with newsmen in Damaturu.
Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, in a statement to celebrate International Workers Day, also tasks the federal government with upholding the rights and dignity of workers.
The lawmaker who represents Yobe North Senatorial District further underscores the need for the government to work in solidarity with workers and prioritize their demands for fair treatment and equal opportunities.
The statement by the former Senate President reads, I join the millions of our workers in celebrating this year’s International Workers Day. This day is dedicated to honoring the contributions and achievements of working people everywhere and reflecting on the ongoing struggle for worker rights and justice.
The president of the 9th Senate revealed that, in the face of the prevalent economic challenges, it is more important than ever to stand in solidarity with our workers and support their demands for fair treatment and equal opportunities.
“On this International Workers Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of our workers and continue to work towards a future where they can thrive and succeed.
“Let me also seize the occasion to commend President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his approval of a salary increase for civil servants. By approving a pay raise, the president has shown how passionate he is about improving the well-being and livelihoods of our workers.
I applaud President Tinubu for recognizing the importance of fair compensation for civil servants and for taking proactive steps to address this issue. I believe that this decision will help to boost morale, motivation, and productivity amongst our workers, ultimately leading to better service delivery for the benefit of all citizens.
Senator Lawan commends Tinubu on the salary increase for workers
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