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Council of European Union’s Africa Working Group Begins 4-day Visit to Nigeria
Council of European Union’s Africa Working Group Begins 4-day Visit to Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Members of the Council of European Union’s Africa Working Party (COAFR) have arrived in Abuja to begin a four-day working visit to the country.
During the visit taking place from 26-29 February 2024, the COAFR members will engage with Nigerian authorities, government agencies, civil society groups, regional and international organisations and private sector actors in Abuja and in Lagos.
According to a statement on Sunday by the European Union in Nigeria, the Africa Working Party (COAFR) is mandated with the supervision and management of EU external policy towards the 46 countries of the sub-Saharan Africa, the African Union and other sub-regional organisations, including ECOWAS.
The Africa Working Party (COAFR) is composed of representatives of all 27 EU Member States, chaired by a permanent member of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and assisted by representatives of the Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council. It works under the auspices of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), itself composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and/or development of the 27 Member States of the European Union.
The statement said in Abuja, the visiting COAFR members will meet with key Federal Government ministries and agencies starting from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, among others.
They will also have an interactive session with the ECOWAS Commission on regional developments and integration processes.
In Lagos, the COAFR is expected to meet with the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Consuls General of EU Member States, and the leadership of the European Business Chamber (EuroCham) Nigeria.
They will also visit several EU-funded projects in the state featuring digital and innovation, critical infrastructure and connectivity and migration. Deliberations during the meetings will centre on further boosting EU-Nigeria partnership.
The Africa Working Party’s (COAFR) visits to African countries aim at promoting direct contact, mutual information exchange and feedback between the political and foreign policy organs of the European Union and their African counterparts. They play an important role on taking stock of state and non-state actors views, perspectives, aspirations and expectations regarding their partnership with the European Union, its closest neighbour and its sister continent.
The team will commence a similar visit to the neighbouring Republic of Benin at the end of its current mission in Nigeria.
According to the statement, this is the group’s first-ever working visit to Nigeria, noting that in addition to the representatives of 17 EU Member States also officials from EU institutions, are expected to be in the team.
The statement further revealed that this year’s working visit will be the eleventh visit of the COAFR to the African continent, and the third visit to West Africa – following earlier visits to Senegal and Burkina Faso (2015) and Ivory Coast and Ghana (2019).
It said more than ever before, several top EU officials have visited Nigeria in recent years and months, underlining the importance the EU accords its partnership with the country.
Last October, the EU’s Commissioner for International Partnership, Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, her counterpart for Energy, Ms. Kadri Simson, led other top officials to participate in the EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue Meeting held Abuja. The Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Ms Helena Konig, and the Managing Director, Africa at the EEAS, Ms. Rita Laranjinha, were also in the country shortly before then, following the visits in 2022 of European Commission’s Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager in February 2022, EU and Member States Maritime Security Coordinators in April 2022 and senior officials of the European Commission in charge of Energy and Home Affairs.
is mandated with the supervision and management of EU external policy towards the 46 countries of the sub-Saharan Africa, the African Union and other sub-regional organisations, including ECOWAS.
The Africa Working Party (COAFR) is composed of representatives of all 27 EU Member States, chaired by a permanent member of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and assisted by representatives of the Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council. It works under the auspices of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), itself composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and/or development of the 27 Member States of the European Union.
In Abuja, the visiting COAFR members will meet with key Federal Government ministries and agencies starting from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, among others. They will also have an interactive session with the ECOWAS Commission on regional developments and integration processes.
In Lagos, the COAFR is expected to meet with the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Consuls General of EU Member States, and the leadership of the European Business Chamber (EuroCham) Nigeria.
They will also visit several EU-funded projects in the state featuring digital and innovation, critical infrastructure and connectivity and migration. Deliberations during the meetings will centre on further boosting EU-Nigeria partnership.
The Africa Working Party’s (COAFR) visits to African countries aim at promoting direct contact, mutual information exchange and feedback between the political and foreign policy organs of the European Union and their African counterparts. They play an important role on taking stock of state and non-state actors views, perspectives, aspirations and expectations regarding their partnership with the European Union, its closest neighbour and its sister continent. The team will commence a similar visit to the neighbouring Republic of Benin at the end of its current mission in Nigeria.
This is the group’s first-ever working visit to Nigeria. In addition to the representatives of 17 EU Member States also officials from EU institutions, are expected to be in the team. This year’s working visit will be the eleventh visit of the COAFR to the African continent, and the third visit to West Africa – following earlier visits to Senegal and Burkina Faso (2015) and Ivory Coast and Ghana (2019).
More than ever before, several top EU officials have visited Nigeria in recent years and months, underlining the importance the EU accords its partnership with the country. Last October, the EU’s Commissioner for International Partnership, Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, her counterpart for Energy, Ms. Kadri Simson, led other top officials to participate in the EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue Meeting held Abuja. The Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Ms Helena Konig, and the Managing Director, Africa at the EEAS, Ms. Rita Laranjinha, were also in the country shortly before then, following the visits in 2022 of European Commission’s Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager in February 2022, EU and Member States Maritime Security Coordinators in April 2022 and senior officials of the European Commission in charge of Energy and Home Affairs.
Council of European Union’s Africa Working Group Begins 4-day Visit to Nigeria
Scores killed in Boko Haram/ISWAP renewed
clashes in Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forest
By: Zagazola Makama
Scores of fighters were reportedly killed in a week-long surge of violent infighting between rival factions of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) across the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the renewed hostilities erupted on Jan. 3, following a coordinated ISWAP raid led by two commanders, identified as Jundullah and Ibn Hataf, targeting camps loyal to the Boko Haram faction around the Ali Ngulde axis of the Mandara Mountains.
The offensive, according to the sources, was met with stiff resistance as Boko Haram elements mounted a counter-ambush under the coordination of a field commander known as Abu-Rijal, also called Ba-Sulhu. Dozens of ISWAP fighters were reportedly killed in the encounter, while many captured alive, with weapons seized by the defending faction.
Footage that resurfaced during the week and said to have been obtained by Zagazola Makama, showed captured ISWAP fighters being executed before other combatants, amid claims of victory by the Boko Haram faction.
While the video reflects the brutality that has characterised inter-group rivalries in the forested enclaves of the Lake Chad in Borno State. Heavy weapons including AK-47 rifles, a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG), an anti-aircraft gun and assorted ammunition, were
recovered during the initial clashes.
However, the balance of power appeared to shift days later. On Jan. 6, ISWAP fighters were said to have launched a retaliatory assault on a Boko Haram stronghold in the Sabil Huda axis, triggering a prolonged exchange of heavy gunfire that lasted several hours.
Sources said ISWAP forces eventually overran the position, killing at least 12 Boko Haram fighters and seizing additional weapons.
The aftermath of the fighting reportedly forced the relocation of Boko Haram families, women and children from contested camps to perceived safe havens around the Yale General axis.
Night operations were also said to have been conducted to track fleeing fighters, though no further confirmed engagements were recorded as of Wednesday.
The renewed clashes are consistent with a long-running rivalry rooted in ideological differences, leadership disputes and competition over territory, resources and fighters. Both factions, according to sources, are re-arming and repositioning for possible further attacks.
Scores killed in Boko Haram/ISWAP renewed
clashes in Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forest
Zulum begins construction of 2 mega schools in Hawul
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commenced the construction of two new mega schools in Hawul Local Government Area on Wednesday.
A 48-classroom High Islamic College is located in Shafa. It will operate under the accredited curriculum of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), designed to provide a holistic and modern Islamic education.
Zulum explained that the construction of High Islamic Colleges is part of his campaign promise, which will blend formal education with the study of authentic Islamic knowledge and allow learners to study digital knowledge, numeracy, literacy, and vocational skills.
The second mega school project launched by the Governor is situated in Marama and is aimed at expanding access to quality educational facilities across the LGAs by the Zulum administration.
During his visit, Governor Zulum also announced a plan for the recruitment of additional teachers, stating, “I am happy to lay the foundation of a mega school in Marama town. We are going to support you in all ramifications. In line with my campaign promises to deliver and transform the education sector, this government will construct a befitting two-storey building with 36 classrooms, in addition to other facilities.
“Due to a shortage of teachers, we must recruit competent teachers who are indigenes of Marama to teach in this school,” Zulum stated.
Zulum was assisted with the foundation-laying by the Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe.
Similarly, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, also in Hawul Local Government Area, a facility that was rehabilitated and donated by the State Government to fast-track the take-off of the hospital.
Governor Zulum also commissioned projects executed by Hawul Local Government, including a shopping complex and market stalls.
The Governor was accompanied by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South); former Deputy Governors, Usman Mamman Durkwa and Ali Abubakar Jatau; Hon. Bukar Talba (House of Representatives); the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abdullahi Musa Askira; members of the State Assembly; commissioners; local government chairmen; and other stakeholders from Southern Borno.
End
BORNO MECHANICS’ ASSOCIATION APPOINTS PCC COMMISSIONER AS PATRON
By: Our Reporter
The Borno State Motorcycle, Tricycle and Generator Mechanics Association has paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Borno State Hon. Yusuf Adamu in his Office, during which he was formally appointed as the Patron of the Association.
The visit provided an opportunity for a robust and interactive engagement between the leadership of the Association and the Honourable Federal Commissioner. In his remarks, the Commissioner expressed appreciation for the visit and the confidence reposed in him by the Association. He used the occasion to urge members to, with immediate effect, take advantage of the Mechanic Village allocated to them by the Borno State Government by relocating their operations accordingly. He emphasized that the initiative was aimed at enhancing orderliness, professionalism, and safety within the sector.
The Honourable Federal Commissioner further admonished the Association to remain law-abiding and loyal to constituted authority, stressing that peace and progress can only thrive in an atmosphere of respect for the rule of law. He also charged members to uphold the principles of justice, equity, and fair play in the discharge of their duties, and to desist from any form of sharp practices, particularly cheating unsuspecting members of the public.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, the leader of the Association expressed profound gratitude to the Honourable Federal Commissioner for his warm reception, fatherly advice, and willingness to serve as their Patron. He assured the Commissioner that the Association would adhere strictly to his counsel, particularly on relocating to the Mechanic Village and maintaining high ethical standards in their operations.
The courtesy visit was rounded off with special prayers for peace, progress, and prosperity for the Patron, the Public Complaints Commission, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The event concluded with the taking of group photographs to commemorate the occasion.
BORNO MECHANICS’ ASSOCIATION APPOINTS PCC COMMISSIONER AS PATRON
Scores killed in Boko Haram/ISWAP renewedclashes in Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forest
Zulum begins construction of 2 mega schools in Hawul
BORNO MECHANICS’ ASSOCIATION APPOINTS PCC COMMISSIONER AS PATRON
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