National News
AFD, ECOWAS Sign New €20m Deal To Boost Agriculture

AFD, ECOWAS Sign New €20m Deal To Boost Agriculture
By: Michael Mike
The French Development Agency (AFD) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have signed a new financial arrangement totaling €20 million to support the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) to tackle food crisis in the West Africa sub-region.
The agreement, which has two components, was signed by the President of the ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and the Director of the French Development Agency in Nigeria Mr. Xavier Muron in Abuja on Monday.
This financial arrangement is dedicated to the implementation of two projects, which include the € 11 million Support to the “Local Milk Regional Strategy” aimed at developing local dairy value chains in West Africa; and the €9 million Support to the West African Food Security Storage Strategy, both totalling € 20 million. This development has increased to €17 million the total amount of French support for this critical project.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, and the Ambassador of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Emmanuelle Blatmann.
President of the Commission Touray noted in a statement that the various technical and financial support provided by France to ECOWAS through the AFD has boosted ECOWAS in various areas, which include the “implementation of the ECOWAP, the creation and implementation of the regional energy market, the health sector, and the development of the activities of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).”
He lauded the support that the AFD Group has given over the past 10 years which amounts to a total of €135 million including €75 million in delegated European funds to implement regional projects and programs dealing with critical issues of vulnerabilities and crises affecting the region (food security, livestock and transhumance conflicts, Sanitary and phytosanitary surveillance climate smart Agriculture and sustainable agriculture).
“France has also put at our disposal strategic and technical support. Since 2018 France has played the role of a leader in mobilising support for our ECOWAP. And in this area a lot of support has been raised in favour of our agriculture,” he said.
In her reaction, the French Minister of State said “this support from the French Development Agency, AFD, is part of our collective efforts to strengthen the regional response to food security and nutrition challenges, as well as fostering economic and social development in the region.
“We are deeply convinced that there cannot be development without stability and also there cannot be stability without development. This is why France and the EU are fully committed to supporting regional institutions and in particular ECOWAS.
“Already 13 million people are in immediate need of food and nutrition to avert a crisis, which could rise to 42 million in the next two months if drastic measures are not taken to curb the situation. It has therefore become incumbent on us to tackle food and nutrition challenges.”
Commending the extent of the on-going partnership between AFD and ECOWAS, the Minister of State said that this support fully contributes to ECOWAP’s priority on food sovereignty. This is also in line with one of the priority objectives that France intends to support in Africa, as President of France Emmanuel Macron stated during the French Presidential Development Council on May 5 2023.
The project’s implementation will be performed by the ECOWAS Commission, through its Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF). The project activities will be carried out in the ECOWAS region extended to Chad, Mauritania and Cameroon.
AFD, ECOWAS Sign New €20m Deal To Boost Agriculture
National News
Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth
By: Michael Mike
Top policy influencers, business leaders, development partners, and women entrepreneurs from across Nigeria will gathered in Abuja as the Women Enterprise Alliance (WenA) is set to host its 5th Annual Conference
The conference, with the theme “Translating Policy into Practice: Cost-Reduction and Tax Reforms for Sustainable SME Growth,” is scheduled for Thursday, 16th October 2025, at the Diamond Hall, A-Class Event Centre, Wuse II, Abuja.
This year’s edition underscores WenA’s commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses, by addressing critical barriers such as high operational costs and complex tax regimes.
The event will feature key policy discussions, expert panels, and collaborative sessions designed to translate government policies into actionable strategies for sustainable business growth.
At the centre of this initiative is Her Excellency Aisha Babangida, Founder of WenA, whose leadership and advocacy for women’s economic empowerment have positioned her as a reference point in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial space.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Babangida stated, “At WenA, we believe that empowering SMEs, especially women-led enterprises, means empowering Nigeria’s future.
“This conference is not just a gathering; it is a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to translate policy into tangible, impactful change.”
Among the confirmed speakers are Ms Chayla Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship, who will deliver a keynote address on scaling SMEs through cost-reduction reforms, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who is expected to present critical fiscal reforms aimed at creating a more supportive tax environment for SMEs.
The conference will also feature a strategic policy roadmap presentation developed by WenA in partnership with UN Women. This document outlines practical recommendations to address the pressing challenges facing SMEs, particularly in taxation and regulatory compliance.
A high-level panel discussion will include insights from Dr Fausat Aleshinloye, Economist and Policy Analyst; Ifeoma Malo, CEO of Clean Tech Hub; Mrs Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo of SheVentures (FCMB); and representatives from Nigeria’s energy sector. The conversation will be moderated by Dr Dahiru Sani.
A dedicated session will focus on simplifying Nigeria’s tax regime, with emphasis on harmonisation, ease of compliance, and improved transparency to reduce the burden on small businesses. Participants will also benefit from extensive networking opportunities, with stakeholders from government, finance, energy, and development sectors expected to attend.
As part of recognising excellence in the SME ecosystem, the conference will celebrate standout entrepreneurs and initiatives. Awards will include the prestigious “Most Scalable Business in North-Central Nigeria” and certificates of excellence for innovation and community impact.
Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth
National News
GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting
By: Michael Mike
The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) has launched a new initiative, “PeaceCORE,” in Taraba State as part of
strategic effort to foster peacebuilding and strengthen conflict-sensitive journalism in some states in the North.
The programme aims to equip media professionals with the tools and knowledge to promote peaceful coexistence in conflict-prone communities.
The PeaceCORE project, formally titled “Strengthening Capacities for Conflict Transformation and Livelihood for Groups in Vulnerable Situations in Nigeria’s Central Zone,” is being implemented in Taraba, Kaduna, and Plateau states, and focuses on enhancing the capacity of government and civil society actors to manage conflict through sustainable dialogue, accurate information dissemination, and inclusive engagement.
As part of the initiative, GIZ hosted an intensive three-day training from October 6 to October 8, 2025, in Jalingo, bringing together 30 journalists from radio, television, print, and digital media platforms.
The training emphasized responsible and ethical reporting in times of conflict, and provided participants with hands-on experience using fact-checking tools while addressing the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in Nigeria’s volatile media landscape.
Facilitators at the workshop include: Silas Jonathan from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in Nigeria; Jérôme William Bationo, a conflict media specialist with MiCT in Germany; and Oluwole Oladipo Olurishe, a media development expert with GIZ.
The trio delivered sessions that blended theoretical frameworks with practical tools to enhance journalistic objectivity and sensitivity in reporting conflicts.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Taraba State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Mathew Eliud Jen, commended GIZ for its commitment to sustainable peace through media engagement. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to drive narratives that promote unity and discourage incitement.
“This training is a timely intervention. As journalists, we have the power to shape public perception. Let’s use our platforms to build peace, not stoke division,” Jen emphasized.
The PeaceCORE project is expected to roll out a series of media-for-peace initiatives across the state in the coming months, reinforcing GIZ’s broader objective of stabilizing conflict-affected regions through inclusive communication strategies and livelihood support.
With increasing political, ethnic, and resource-based tensions in parts of the country, stakeholders believe empowering thev media with conflict transformation tools is a crucial step toward lasting peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.
GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting
National News
AUDI LEADS NSCDC’S MORALE-BOOSTING VISIT TO EBONYI

AUDI LEADS NSCDC’S MORALE-BOOSTING VISIT TO EBONYI
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi in his continued strategic operational tour of the South East was in Ebonyi State, where he emphasized the Corps’ renewed focus on personnel welfare, grassroots security, and collaborative engagement with stakeholders.
Audi, who was warmly received by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, noted that his visit was to assess operational challenges, boost morale, and strengthen inter-agency cooperation for sustainable peace and development in the state.

During the courtesy visit at the Government House, Abakaliki, the Commandant General commended the Governor for his administration’s commitment to security and rural development, stating that the Corps remains steadfast in complementing the state government’s vision through intelligence-driven and community-oriented operations. He also requested the continued support of the State Government in the area of logistics and operational vehicles to further enhance the Corps’ capacity to respond effectively to security challenges.
“Security is the foundation upon which progress stands. Our officers in Ebonyi are dedicated, resilient, and ready to defend the people with integrity and professionalism. The NSCDC will continue to enhance its presence at the grassroots and protect critical infrastructure vital to the prosperity of the state,” Prof. Audi affirmed.
Nwifuru, in his remarks, lauded the NSCDC for its proactive contributions to peace and security across Ebonyi, describing the Corps as a dependable partner in maintaining law and order. He pledged the continued support of the State Government in providing logistics and operational resources to ensure that the Corps can deliver on its mandate effectively.
“Ebonyi, the Salt of the Nation, thrives on resilience, hard work, and unity. Our people are industrious and peace-loving, and we appreciate the NSCDC for its unwavering service to our communities,” the governor said.
After the courtesy call, the Commandant General proceeded to the NSCDC Ebonyi State Command Headquarters in Abakaliki, where he addressed officers and men of the Corps. He charged them to remain disciplined, committed, and proactive in their duties while upholding the highest standards of professionalism. Prof. Audi also reaffirmed his administration’s continuous efforts to improve welfare, training, and logistics to enhance operational efficiency.
The Commandant General was accompanied throughout the visit by the Ebonyi State Commandant, Francis Nnadi, and other senior officers.
The tour reflects the Corps’ ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, foster synergy with state actors, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s internal security architecture under Prof. Audi’s leadership.
AUDI LEADS NSCDC’S MORALE-BOOSTING VISIT TO EBONYI
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