National News
Concerned ECOWAS Parliamentarians Call for Lifting of Sanctions on Niger
Concerned ECOWAS Parliamentarians Call for Lifting of Sanctions on Niger
By: Michael Mike
A call has been made for the lifting of the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Niger following the coup d’etat that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Head of State in ECOWAS had last July imposed sanctions on Niger Republic over the Bazoum ouster by some military officers led by erstwhile Presidential Guard Commander, General Abdourahamane Tchiani. This decision seems to be supported by many Western governments.
But on Wednesday at the opening of the 2nd Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament for 2023 in Abuja, a group of parliamentarians of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament concerned with the turn of affairs in the troubled country, appealed to the Heads of State and Government in the region to lift the sanctions imposed on the Niger Republic.
The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, who is also a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ali Ndume, while addressing journalists after the opening session of the parliament, said the sanctions were biting hard on the masses including Nigerians in the border states.
Ndume said: “Niger is bordering about eight states in Nigeria, namely Borno, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi. Since the closure of the border and the imposition of sanctions, poor people especially children and women have been exposed to untold hardship and no meaningful progress have been made in term of resolving this issue.
“We are, therefore, using this opportunity of the 2nd extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament to appeal to the ECOWAS Head of State to intensify the resolution of the political impasse in Niger by first lifting the sanctions and opening the closed border of Niger and Nigeria.
“Let me add by saying that this is a collective decision by some of us who are concerned about what is going on and the suffering our people are going through.”
He added that: “This also affects other non-border countries because Niger is a lead way for goods moving from Sokoto to Ghana, goods moving from Togo to Nigeria, and goods moving from several parts of the ECOWAS countries from the West down to the North.”
The lawmaker said they thought the sanctions were temporary and the issues would have been resolved, “but it’s getting to four or five months into the political impasse, the only thing we know that is happening is the increased suffering of the poor people of Niger and to some extent, Nigeria.”
The Senator representing Borno South in the upper chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly argued that the group was reechoing the position of the parliament, adding that the parliament had set up an ad-hoc committee, which he is a member of, to proffer solutions to the impasse in Niger.
He said the committee had submitted an interim report, noting that: “One of the resolutions which were endorsed by all the parliamentarians is the lifting of sanctions and the continuation of discussion on how to resolve the impasse. We are only reechoing the position of the ECOWAS parliament.”
Also speaking, Hon Abdullahi Balarabe Salame, from Sokoto, said his people were suffering from the sanctions on Republic of Niger.
He lamented that thousands of trailers loaded with food items to be transported to Niger were stranded at the order, lamenting that the food items were already decaying.
He said the border closure is also increasing insecurity in the region.
Meanwhile, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has called for concrete actions to safeguard democracy and to restore the region as the bastion of democracy in Africa.
Touray made the call in his address at the opening of the fifth Parliament’s second ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament of the year 2023.
Said the Republic of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea have all experienced coups recently, creating fears that democracy could be in danger in the region.
He said: “The resurgence of coup d’états has challenged us all in more ways than one and led us to reflect on what is not working in our process of consolidating democracy.
“As politicians, you are best suited to guide us on what we must do to tackle the root causes of all these unconstitutional changes of government.
“We count on your wisdom to help in safeguarding the rights of our people and for the preservation of peace, security, and stability, which are necessary for our socio-economic development and regional integration process,” he said while addressing the parliament.
The ECOWAS Commission president said, at the political level, ECOWAS was engaging in dialogue with the Member States in transition, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, in order to support them to return to normal constitutional order through the organization of free, transparent and inclusive elections.
“As far as the Republic of Niger is concerned, we adhere to the guidance of the current Chairman of ECOWAS to resolve this crisis through dialogue and negotiation.
“On the security front, the region continues to suffer from attacks by armed groups and terrorists who seriously threaten the territorial integrity of Mali and Burkina Faso, resulting in loss of life, material damage and millions of displaced persons and refugees.
“In this regard, we continue to provide multifaceted support to help these countries face these challenges, despite the sanctions,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr Sidie Mohammed Tunis, noted that the region’s prosperity and security are inextricably linked to its members shared responsibility to look out for one another.
He said: “Only a foolish neighbour goes to bed when his neighbour’s roof is on fire,” Tunis said. “In a region of interconnected threats and challenges, we can only address our issues effectively through broad, deep, and sustained cooperation among states.”
Tunis also called for greater self-reliance from ECOWAS member states. He said that the region cannot rely on outside help to solve its problems.
“We need to be more self-reliant,” Tunis said. “Each Member State must take on more responsibility for the development and advancement of the ECOWAS region.”
He noted that despite its numerous challenges, the ECOWAS region is on the right track, pointing to the recent successful presidential and legislative elections in the Republic of Liberia as a sign of progress.
He said: “The people of Liberia have shown us that democracy is possible in our region,” insisting that: “We can all learn from their example.”
Tunis also praised the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for its leadership in sustaining peace and security in the West African region.
Concerned ECOWAS Parliamentarians Call for Lifting of Sanctions on Niger
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
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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