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ECOWAS Expends Over $26 million on humanitarian activities between 2023-2024- Commissioner
ECOWAS Expends Over $26 million on humanitarian activities between 2023-2024- Commissioner
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said between 2023 and 2024 it splashed over $26 million on humanitarian activities in West Africa.
The regional political cum economic bloc said it also supported sport federations in the region with $100,000 each per year.
Addressing a press conference on Friday in Abuja, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr said the regional body startups in scientific innovation with the sum of $50,000 in the area of youth innovation.
Sarr said a total of $700,000 was used for the training of 30 young people from the region in Masters and PHD programmes.
She also revealed that countries under sanctions were not excluded from the humanitarian gesture of the regional body.
She stressed that ECOWAS puts significant resources into the humanitarian sector for displaced people, migration, floods and various forms of disaster:
She said, “Guinea under sanctions received nearly 600,000 dollars in January 2024, namely: 100,000 dollars for the fire at the oil depot and 499,390 dollars for the floods.”
For the displaced people within the region, Prof. Sarr said, “In 2023 for floods and nutrition out of a total of 8.5 million people affected, ECOWAS provided support to half of the victims, or 4 million people for an amount of $12.6 million.
“In 2024, ECOWAS has released 9 million dollars for internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as for the communities that welcome them (i.e. all 15 countries).
” ECOWAS has allocated $1 million for stabilization in Nigeria (victims of terrorism, displaced people, injured people, rehabilitation and strengthening community resilience).”
The Commissioner also revealed that “Out of a fund of 25 million dollars intended for the fight against terrorism (Nigeria, Burkina, Mali and Niger), ECOWAS has reserved 4 million dollars for humanitarian actions.”
She explained that ECOWAS places more emphasizes on prevention, adding “We have a disaster reduction strategy and tools such as the observation, monitoring and alert center which allows ECOWAS to monitor displaced populations and floods, to anticipate problems. and better manage crisis situations.”
On the programmes for the youth integration within the region she said that the commission intervention was in the area of Volunteers programs, Sport and Economic Integration
According to her “Since 2014, ECOWAS has posted 217 volunteers in the following countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Burkina, Benin.
“ECOWAS works to promote the spirit of volunteering among young people to give them opportunity for professional development, enhance their civic engagement and foster their conscience for community service.”
ECOWAS, she also said supported sports federation of each member states with $100,000 per year.
Sarr also listed other sporting activities and Union supported to include the Union of deaf sports associations, university sport development organizations. ECOWAS cycling tours Lagos- Accra 2010, Lagos Abidjan 2012.
“The Ecowas Game Event that included 5 to 6 sports disciplines were organized in 2009 and 2011,” she added.
She also said ECOWAS supported the Entrepreneurship project and youth mentoring Business incubation project.
She listed the area of training to include “Training in agrosylvopastoral farming from 2010-2018 at the Shanghai Center for 1,300 young people
“Training in refrigeration and air conditioning, auto mechanics in Burkina between 2014 and 2019 for 500 young people
“Training in building electricity in Mali for 500 young people.”
Prof. Sarr also revealed that ECOWAS initiated cooperation with the People’s Republic of China in 2023 to support young people, “Thus 12 entrepreneurship projects for young people in the sub-region received an awardcompetitors out of a total of 100 worldwide.”
In the area of Science Education, the ECOWAS Commissioner said the programs of the Directorate of Education, Science and Culture focus largely on young people, we can cite
“The academic mobility and professional integration program for young people within ECOWAS institutions, which from 2016 to 2024 enrolled 845 young people.
“The youth integration program in industries and the private sector in ECOWAS countries, which benefitted 180 young people between 2021 and 2022.”
Sarr added that: “Since 2019 ECOWAS has sent 42 young people for master’s degrees in diplomacy and international relations in Spain.
“Support for young people through prizes to the most successful startups in scientific innovation ($50,000).
“With PARI (Research and Innovation Support Program) from 2018 to 2024, it was possible to train more than 30 young people in Masters and PHD through funds donated to research consortia, for a total of $700,000.”
She also said the commission was supported the youths during film and art festivals, ad prizes were awarded to young artists.
For the ECOWAS Gender Center, Sarr said: “1,720 excellence scholarships were distributed from 2010 to 2022 to young girls from disadvantaged families.”
The Commissioner also revealed that there are plans to host ECOWAS Youth Forum in the coming month.
The forum, she said is “to take stock of the current situation, identify the changes and ruptures which have led to the general malaise observed in the sub- region.
“Consultations will be organized in member countries by bringing together young people concerned in their geographic, social and socio-professional diversity.”
The forum which will be extended by webinars to reach a larger number of people, television shows and radio debates, she said “will allow populations in each country to know that ECOWAS is looking into youth problems.
” At the end of the process, the ECOWAS meetings will be organized in a member country, allowing the regional organization to review its policy, strategy and roadmap accordingly.”
ECOWAS Expends Over $26 million on humanitarian activities between 2023-2024- Commissioner
Army troops rescue 11 kidnapped victims in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army have rescued 11 kidnapped victims in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State following a coordinated operation along the Kaduna–Abuja road axis.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue was carried out late on Jan. 26 after troops deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Doka, after sighted armed terrorists moving with captives along a bush track between Gidan Duna and Amale in Kachia LGA.
According to the sources, the troops immediately mobilised and pursued the suspects.
“On sighting the approaching security vehicles and motorcycles, the terrorists abandoned the victims and fled into the surrounding bush.
The troops secured the victims and fired probing shots in the general area, but no further contact was made,” the sources said.
The sources added that a total of 11 victims were rescued, comprising five adult males, three females and three children.
The rescued persons reportedly told the troops that they were kidnapped from Gada Mallam Maman community in Kachia LGA on Oct. 26, 2025.
The victims were subsequently conveyed back to their community and reunited with their families.
Security operations and patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further attacks and track down the fleeing suspects, the sources said.
Army troops rescue 11 kidnapped victims in Kaduna
The Borno State Government to Repatriate over 3,000 Refugees from Cameroon after 11 Years
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has finalised arrangements for the voluntary repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon republic to their ancestral homes after 11 years.
This is in fulfillment of Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commitment to repatriate and resettle all Nigerian refugees from Borno who are sheltering in neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger republics.
The operation is being conducted with the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
Chairman Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation and member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, on Monday met with a Government delegation from Cameroon’s Far North Region and officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Minawao Refugee Camp in Maroua.
The purpose of the meeting was to finalise logistical and other arrangements to ensure the refugees’ safe and dignified return.
During a visit to the camp in December 2025, Governor Zulum assured refugees willing to return that they would do so in a safe and dignified manner, marking a new chapter for families displaced by insurgency over 11 years ago.
The refugees, predominantly from communities in central and southern Borno, fled to Cameroon more than 11 years ago during the peak of the insurgency, which devastated villages, displaced families, and disrupted socio-economic life across the North-East.
During their stay, Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian partners provided shelter, healthcare, education, and other essential services. Many refugees were also allocated farmland to support agricultural activities, reducing aid dependency and allowing them to sustain their families with dignity.
With improved security in several parts of Borno and ongoing state-led reconstruction efforts, many refugees have expressed their readiness to return home voluntarily.
The Borno State Government has already provided buses and other logistical support for the movement of the refugees while the National Commission for Refugees will oversee and coordinate the repatriation mission in collaboration with Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian agencies.
“This is the fourth phase, which began in 2020. The process is going on smoothly in accordance with the tripartite and technical working group agreements,” Engr. Wakilbe stated.
“His Excellency, Governor Zulum, was here on 8 December 2025 and made commitments. As soon as they return home, all commitments will be fulfilled,” he assured.
In a related development, Engineer Wakilbe led a high-level delegation to the office of the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari.
During their meeting, Governor Bakari commended the Borno State Government for sustaining the longstanding and cordial bilateral relationship, noting that cooperation between the two countries has been instrumental in ensuring the protection, welfare, and orderly return of displaced persons across the border.
End
Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three Nigerien soldiers were killed and 10 others injured on Sunday after an army patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bartchawal, Tillabéri Region, about 20 kilometres from the capital, Niamey.
Sources said that the incident occurred late in the day along the Niamey–Filingué road axis when the patrol was returning from routine operations in the area.
According to the sources, the IED detonated as the military convoy passed, killing three soldiers on the spot and injuring 10 others, who were evacuated to medical facilities in Niamey for treatment.
The attack was later claimed by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a jihadist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, in a statement released on Monday.
“This is the first attack claimed by JNIM in this area so close to the capital,” the sources noted.
They added that the Nigerien Armed Forces had reinforced security along the Niamey–Filingué corridor, with additional patrols and surveillance measures deployed to prevent further attacks and reassure residents.
Tillabéri Region, in western Niger, has in recent years faced persistent security challenges linked to insurgent activities spilling over from the tri-border area of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources
Army troops rescue 11 kidnapped victims in Kaduna
The Borno State Government to Repatriate over 3,000 Refugees from Cameroon after 11 Years
Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources
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