News
ECOWAS defence chiefs meet on $2.6b budget for activation of regional standby force
ECOWAS defence chiefs meet on $2.6b budget for activation of regional standby force
By: Michael Mike
The Defence chiefs of countries in Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) on Thursday, converged in Abuja to deliberate on the proposed $2.607 billion budget for the activation of the subregion standby force.
The standby force is meant to contain terrorism and unconstitutional change of government with the region planning to raise a 5,000 standby force.
The region, alternatively proposed a budget of $481,459, 335 for 1,650 standby force, with the meeting organised to decide which plan to be implemented.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar disclosed this at the opening of the meeting of the region’s Minister of Defence and Finance on modalities for financing and equipping the deployment of ECOWAS counter-terrorism force.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alliou Touray said the move has become necessary as the region has become the epicentre of terrorism.
Speaking on the meeting, Nigeria’s Defence Minister said the gathering is driven by the urgent need to consider the financing
options in the memorandum to be presented by the ECOWAS Commission for deploying the proposed regional force.
He lamented that the region is threatened by insecurity and grave humanitarian challenges.
The Minister said the standby force arrangement has the backing of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and
Government.
He said: “Our gathering here today is driven by the urgent need to consider the financing
options in the memorandum to be presented by the ECOWAS Commission for deploying the proposed regional force.
“The financial implications of these proposals are significant.
“The overall estimated cost is $2,606,695,640 per year for a brigade of
5,000 men.The alternative proposal is for a brigade of 1,650 men, with an estimated annual cost of $481,459,335.These figures
underscore the gravity of the task before us and the necessity of a robust and sustainable resource mobilization strategy.
“lt is therefore imperative that we critically review the options considering.”
The Minister while explaining the current security situation in the region, said: “As you are all aware, our region is threatened by insecurity and grave humanitarian challenges. Terrorism and violent extremism have continued to threaten our collective existence.The cross-border free movement and activities of terrorist groups in the sub-region is deepening our internal security challenges.
“To address these challenges,the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and
Government at its 62nd Ordinary Session held in Abuja, on 4th December 2022 instructed the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to urgently study and propose the options, modalities, financial and technical means for the urgent operationalisation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, including a special kinetic operations to combat terrorism.
“As part of the implementation of these decisions,the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff met twice to deliberate and
come up with recommendations,which was subsequently presented to the 50th meeting of the Mediation and Security Council,at the
Ministerial level on 5h July 2023 in Bissau.
“I am delighted to welcome you all to Abuja for this crucial meeting of the Ministers of Finance and Defence, to deliberate on the modalities for financing and equipping the deployment of the ECOWAS counter-terrorism force.
On his part, Touray decried the damages caused to the region by terrorism, which include the large scale of Internally Displaced Persons, loss of territories and others.
He noted that: “A huge humanitarian crisis with millions of internally displaced persons and refugees.
“You will all recall that some member states have lost control of important parts of their territories to terrorist groups.
“According to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, the epicentre of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa into the sub-Saharan African region largely in the Sahel region.
“ The Sahel is the most affected region within the Sahara, accounting for over half of all deaths from terrorism and 26% of attacks in 2023.
“ Some of our member states have become countries with the highest impact from terrorism for the first time, with fatalities increasing by 68%. with fatalities increasing by six.
“ A quarter of all deaths from terrorist attacks occurring globally were in Burkina Faso, while Mali is ranked number three most impacted country.
“Taking due consideration of the transborder nature of the menace and the need to address it collectively and in line with the directive by the Authority on Peace and Security Matters, I would like to inform this August body that the invitation to this meeting was extended to all the 15 ECOWAS member states.
“All 15 ECOWAS member states have been invited to take part in this important meeting. And the reason is certainly the authorization and the approval given to the Commission’s proposal to this effect sometime in the future.
“ In the past, it was believed that we cannot fight terrorism alone or while others are not participating.
“That is why the Commission proposed to the Authority, through of course the Council of Ministers, that although countries might be under suspension, they should be allowed to take part in meetings relating to security as well as in sectoral matters.
“That is why we have invited all 15 member states to attend this important and crucial meeting. Honourable Ministers, we have an urgent task to mobilize the financial resources to fund our Regional Action Plan against terrorism.
“Therefore, in preparing for this very important meeting, The Commission has made available two documents to facilitate your deliberations.
“The first document is the report of the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff, containing their proposal towards the mobilization of the kinetic force to fight terrorism, which includes the logistics, personnel, and financial requirements of raising the force.
“ As for the agenda of this meeting, their proposal will be presented to you by the Chair of the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff.
“The Commission will present the second document, which is a memorandum proposing modalities for the mobilization of internal, financial, human, and material resources on a mandatory basis to support the deployment, and the development of the regional counterterrorism force as defined by the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff.
“Honourable Ministers, more than ever, we are at a pivotal moment in the history of our community to address insecurity and establish a more secure environment for economic growth and development of our community.”
ECOWAS defence chiefs meet on $2.6b budget for activation of regional standby force
Report in best interest of children, stakeholders urge journalists
Stakeholders in child rights protection have urged journalists to adhere to strict ethical guidelines that prioritise children’s safety, dignity, and welfare over the urgency of a story.
They made the call on Tuesday in Gombe during a two-day training on ethical journalism and child rights reporting for journalists in the North-East.
They called on journalists to avoid reports that harm or stigmatise children while covering related issues.
The training was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Mr Nansel Nimyel, a facilitator, said the training aimed not only to amplify children’s issues but ensure responsible and ethical coverage.
Nimyel said reporting on children must always prioritise their best interests and safeguard their dignity and welfare.
He noted that children and adolescents deserved adequate media attention in spite of limited coverage of their issues.
He urged journalists to move beyond reporting by considering how stories are framed and the potential consequences of exposure.
He said: “A central concern in ethical reporting is avoiding further harm to children.
“Many featured children are already vulnerable due to trauma from conflict, abuse, or social challenges such as bullying.
“In such contexts, insensitive reporting can worsen suffering, causing re-traumatisation, stigma, or long-term psychological harm.
“The journalist’s role extends beyond information dissemination to protecting the child’s dignity and welfare.”
Another facilitator, Dr Jide Johnson, stressed balancing public interest with child protection in all reports involving children.
Johnson urged journalists to act responsibly in ways that protect children’s dignity and future.
Sussan Akila, a Communication Specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund, urged prioritising children’s safety, well-being and development in reports.
Akila said journalists’ reports could either make survivors feel safe or expose them to further harm.
“It starts with the footage we capture of survivors within our communities affected by conflict.
“It also includes the photographs and headlines we use; they can either support or harm those affected,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at least 60 journalists participated in the training.
Report in best interest of children, stakeholders urge journalists
Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures
By: Michael Mike
Fresh concerns over the safety of schoolchildren in Nigeria have emerged following allegations of violence and bullying at Igbinedion Education Centre, prompting strong condemnation from ActionAid Nigeria, which warned of a deepening crisis in the country’s child protection system.
The organisation described the incident as a serious breach of children’s rights, saying it exposes widespread institutional weaknesses that allow abuse to persist within school environments.
Speaking in Abuja, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the case reflects more than isolated misconduct, pointing instead to systemic failures in monitoring, reporting, and accountability across the education sector.
He stressed that every child is entitled to protection from violence, in line with provisions of the Child Rights Act, warning that when abuse goes undetected or unresolved, it signals a breakdown in the duty of care expected from schools and relevant authorities.
According to him, the incident highlights the inability of existing safeguarding systems to identify early warning signs or prevent escalation, raising questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms in schools.
ActionAid noted that the situation at the school is only a reflection of a broader, largely hidden problem of bullying and school-related gender-based violence across Nigeria. It said many cases remain unreported due to fear, stigma, and the absence of trusted channels for victims to seek help.
The organisation also expressed concern over the circulation of videos linked to the incident, reportedly shared by students, describing it as evidence of failing internal reporting systems and a growing reliance on social media as a last resort for exposing abuse.
It criticised what it called a reactive approach to child protection, where authorities often respond only after incidents gain public attention, rather than through proactive monitoring and enforcement.
Calling for urgent reforms, ActionAid urged the Federal Ministry of Education and other regulatory bodies, including the Universal Basic Education Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, to strengthen implementation of safeguarding policies and establish effective reporting and tracking systems across schools.
The group also called on schools to introduce confidential reporting mechanisms, enforce strict disciplinary measures, and provide continuous training for staff on child protection, conflict management, and trauma-informed care.
Law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, were urged to ensure thorough investigation and prosecution of offenders, while parents were encouraged to support their children in speaking out against abuse.
ActionAid warned that unless urgent and coordinated steps are taken, cases of school-based violence could continue to escalate, putting the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian children at serious risk.
Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures
Plateau police arrest suspected bandit informant in Dengi-Kanam
By: Zagazola Makama
The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a suspected informant believed to have aided bandits responsible for a deadly ambush that killed three officers and eight soldiers of Operation Enduring Peace along Wanka Village in Kyaram District, Dengi-Kanam Local Government Area.
Police sources identified the suspect as Hashimu Adamu, the village head of Wanka Village. He is alleged to have provided intelligence to the bandits who terrorised the area.
The command said the suspect is currently undergoing interrogation, while investigations continue to apprehend the perpetrators of the ambush. Concerted efforts by security agencies remain ongoing to ensure the arrest of all involved in the attack.
Further updates on the investigation will be communicated, the police said.
Plateau police arrest suspected bandit informant in Dengi-Kanam
Report in best interest of children, stakeholders urge journalists
FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
