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Senator Lawan tasks defense chiefs with sustaining democracy in West Africa.

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Senator Lawan tasks defense chiefs with sustaining democracy in West Africa.

By: Yahaya Wakili

The President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON. Yobe North Senatorial District, has tasked the defense chiefs of the 12 countries that are currently members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to ensure the sustenance of democracy within the subregion.

Senator Lawan disclosed this in a press statement signed by Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, FAI, FIMC, FCP, and Fsca Media Adviser to Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON. Chairman, Senate Committee on Defense, which was made available to newsmen in Damaturu.

The Economic Community of West African States was previously constituted by 15 countries, which included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

However, in 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from the bloc, following their suspension from ECOWAS due to the military takeovers of their respective governments. Consequentially, the development reduced the number of ECOWAS member states to 12.

Speaking at the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staffs, which was held in Abuja on Wednesday at the Defense Headquarters, Senator Lawan commended the Defense Chiefs in attendance for ensuring the safety of member states.

He underscored the need for the respective parliaments to support ECOWAS through the approval and provision of resources needed to guarantee the security of countries in the West African subregion.

Senator Lawan, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Defense, further tasked the Defense Chiefs with working to ensure that democracy is returned to countries taken over by military regimes.

He said, “Let me state that we need to ensure that democracy continues to flourish in our subregion. We are challenged at this time by some of our countries that have gone out of democratic administrations; we must never get tired of doing whatever we need to do to ensure that democracy is returned to those countries.”

Senator Lawan, while thanking ECOWAS for re-electing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of the bloc at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, said that the National Assembly will continue to prioritize issues of security as well as give its full support to all institutions of ECOWAS within its borders to reciprocate the support extended to Nigeria by member states.

“We, the Nigerian parliament, as always, represent our people in the ECOWAS parliament and always place security on the front burner. We will always support the ECOWAS parliament on our part because we believe that our safety and security also depend on the resources available and approved by us for institutions like this.

“Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank ECOWAS as a body for giving a second mandate to our dear President, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for an additional year. We believe that it is because of the trust that ECOWAS countries have in the president that he has been given this.

“And, for us as a parliament in Nigeria, we will continue to support Mr. President and, indeed, all institutions of ECOWAS within our borders, to ensure this one year is done successfully,” Senator Lawan said.

Senator Lawan tasks defense chiefs with sustaining democracy in West Africa.

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COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS

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COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS

By: Our Reporter

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, has visited Borno State to engage with students, educators, and government officials, highlighting the benefits of the NELFUND initiative.

NELFUND, an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to provide all higher institution students with access to financial resources, enabling them to pursue their educational goals and aspirations at ease.

The Managing Director NELFUND Akintunde Sawyerr emphasized his commitment to revitalizing education in the country, stating that the loan programme is designed to also reduce unproductivity and unhappiness amongst Nigerians students, which often lead to broader societal issues.

Sawyerr explained The loan’s modalities, which include creating an online profile as a prerequisite for application, clarifying that the loan is interest-free and does not require a fixed repayment period, making it accessible and flexible for students.

Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, reiterated the state government’s commitment to facilitating student access to the loan, hence announced the establishment of a dedicated desk officer for NELFUND in the state Ali Sherriff to work in collaboration with the Special Adviser to governor Zulum on Higher Education and other educators.

This initiative, Wakilbe added will guide students throughout the application process and ensure they fully understand THE benefits of the loan, which he described as a low-risk grant and encouraged all eligible students to take advantage of the programme.

During the session, questions were raised seeking further clarification, where the Managing Director provided detailed responses, shedding more light on the programme and its benefits.

COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS

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STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

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STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

By: Our Reporter

The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, marked yet another significant milestone, as participants of the Strategic Leadership Programme Phase 11/2024 successfully graduated in a brief but colourful ceremony at Hall C, TY Buratai Block of the Centre.

The graduation ceremony followed an intensive five-day executive education course programme, conducted in collaboration with King’s College London, an initiative designed to enhance human resource capacity and deepen participants’ understanding of leadership in an evolving global environment.

The course brought together senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, government officials, retired senior military officers and professionals from the private sector, equipping them with critical insights into the contemporary complex and dynamic challenges and how to navigate through.

The Special Guest of Honour, Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede GSS mni was represented by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General SG Mohammed, who presented certificates to the participants, thus underscoring the programme’s importance in fostering strategic thinking and professional growth.

The event was further enriched by the esteemed presence of the Director General of NARC, Major General GA Wahab (Rtd), PhD, alongside some management staff the centre and consultants, distinguished members of academia from King’s College London, directors, resource persons, and senior officers, both serving and retired.

The ceremony, further highlighted the enduring partnership between NARC and King’s College London in advancing leadership excellence and human capital development in Nigeria.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

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MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT NIGERIAN ARMY RESOURCE CENTER TO LEARN THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT NIGERIAN ARMY RESOURCE CENTER TO LEARN THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

By: Our Reporter

On Thursday, 21st November 2024, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, welcomed students from Madonna University, Department of International Relations on an academic field trip designed to enhance their understanding of the practical dimensions of International Relations and Diplomacy. The visit formed a core part of the students’ academic programme, specifically their International Relations Study (IRS) 482 course, which integrates practical learning to bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications.

Major General GA Wahab (rtd) PhD, the Director General of NARC, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Impact of the Military on Nigeria’s External Relations.” He outlined the military’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy and international engagement, emphasising its role as a crucial pillar of national power. General Wahab further explained that a country’s foreign policy is deeply influenced by internal factors such as leadership, national security, public opinion, economic conditions, and social structures, as well as external factors, including international relations and global order. He stressed the importance of aligning internal stability with foreign policy goals to foster effective international diplomacy.

The interactive session allowed students to explore the military’s strategic role in Nigeria’s external engagements and its impact on global diplomacy. Accompanied by two faculty members, the students expressed appreciation for the hands-on learning opportunity, which deepened their understanding of how theoretical concepts translate into practical realities.

In his vote of thanks, the team leader, Dr Jude Odigbo, Head, international relations department, thanked the DG NARC for the warm reception, wonderful and enriching presentation and the collaboration between academia and strategic institutions like NARC. He highlighted the importance of such partnerships in developing graduates equipped with practical knowledge and leadership skills necessary for national development.

The field trip underscored the Nigerian Army Resource Centre’s commitment to fostering academic and professional collaboration while promoting awareness of the military’s multifaceted contributions to Nigeria’s development and diplomacy. This initiative serves as an exemplary model of how academic institutions and national establishments can work together to prepare future leaders.

Present at the occasion were Major General AS Ndalolo mni, the Executive Director Consult at NARC, Brigadier General SK Usman (rtd) mni and Lieutenant Tosin Taiwo.

MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT NIGERIAN ARMY RESOURCE CENTER TO LEARN THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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