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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
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Four persons have been killed and three others injured following an attack by unknown gunmen at an illegal mining site in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on May 2 at Mazat mining site, where the victims were reportedly engaged in unauthorised mining activities.
The sources disclosed that the assailants opened fire on the victims, killing four on the spot while three others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
According to the sources, the injured victims—two females and one male—were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and are currently receiving treatment.
They added that the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
The sources further noted that security operatives were mobilised to the scene, while additional deployments have been made to track down the perpetrators.
They reiterated that night mining activities remain prohibited in the state, stressing that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
Security Operatives Repel Attack in Benue Community Over Land Dispute
By Zagazola Makama
Security operatives have repelled an attack on Okpute Ainuette community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State following a renewed land dispute with a neighbouring community.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:15 a.m. on May 2 when armed men, suspected to be from a community in Obi Local Government Area, invaded the area.
The sources disclosed that operatives swiftly responded to a distress call and mobilised to the scene, where they engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
According to the sources, the assailants fled into nearby bushes after being overpowered by superior firepower.
They added that no casualty was recorded during the encounter.
The sources further said security teams have commenced combing operations in surrounding bushes to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
They noted that additional deployments have been made to reinforce ongoing operations in the area, with efforts focused on restoring calm and preventing further clashes between the communities.
Security Operatives Repel Attack in Benue Community Over Land Dispute
“Act Now or Lose the North”: KACRAN Issues Stark Warning as Insecurity Spirals Out of Control
By: Michael Mike
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has called on Northern leaders to set aside political differences and take decisive, collective action to address the worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions.
In a strongly worded press statement at the weekend signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, the association expressed deep concern over the prolonged crisis, which it said has led to the deaths of thousands of innocent citizens, the destruction of property worth trillions of naira, and the widespread rustling of livestock—the primary source of livelihood for millions of families.
KACRAN described the situation as both tragic and avoidable, warning that continued inaction could inflict irreversible economic and political damage on the region.
The association particularly highlighted a disturbing report by Amnesty International concerning an incident in Kwara State, where several pastoralists—including women and children—were allegedly detained at a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp. According to the report, more than 150 detainees reportedly died due to disease and poor living conditions.
KACRAN called for a full, transparent investigation into the incident and demanded the immediate release of innocent individuals still in detention.
Central to KACRAN’s message is the assertion that Northern Nigeria possesses the resources and leadership required to end insecurity if there is genuine commitment. The group pointed to the region’s pool of experienced leaders—including former Heads of State, military officers, traditional rulers, and business figures—as critical assets that must be mobilized.
“The solution lies with us,” the statement emphasized, urging Northern stakeholders to take ownership of the crisis rather than shifting blame.
While calling for regional responsibility, KACRAN acknowledged efforts by President Bola Tinubu noting key security appointments and significant budgetary allocations—reportedly exceeding ₦5 trillion—to the defence sector as evidence of federal commitment.
However, the group cautioned that relying solely on the Federal Government without complementary local action would delay meaningful progress.
KACRAN also underscored the importance of dialogue, citing relative peace achieved in areas such as Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State and parts of Katsina State as proof that collaborative engagement among leaders can yield results.
Despite the reported incident, the association praised the Kwara State Government for its efforts in livestock development, particularly the creation of a dedicated ministry. It said these initiatives demonstrate goodwill toward pastoral communities, while urging authorities to ensure justice and prevent future occurrences.
KACRAN stressed the enduring unity of Northern Nigeria, warning against allowing political divisions to undermine shared heritage and coexistence.
“The North must not allow politics to destroy a house we all inhabit,” the statement read, calling for urgent action to restore peace, mutual respect, and stability across the region.
The association expressed hope that its appeal would galvanize leaders into coordinated action capable of ending the cycle of violence and rebuilding trust among communities.
“Act Now or Lose the North”: KACRAN Issues Stark Warning as Insecurity Spirals Out of Control
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
Security Operatives Repel Attack in Benue Community Over Land Dispute
“Act Now or Lose the North”: KACRAN Issues Stark Warning as Insecurity Spirals Out of Control
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