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ECOWAS @50: Media Remains Partner, Pillar of Democracy, Peace, Security-Touray

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ECOWAS @50: Media Remains Partner, Pillar of Democracy, Peace, Security-Touray
…Unveils 7-member jury for media award

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States has emphasized the important role the media has played in shaping the regional body in the last 50 years as it institutes a media excellence award to honour journalists.

This is as the regional body has unveiled a seven member jury for its maiden ECOWAS Journalistic Excellence Award.

ECOWAS was set up in May 1975 as an economic bloc to foster trade and free movement amongst member states, with the aim of improving the lives of its citizens.

It has lined up various activities to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebration and the media award, is one of such.

Speaking at the unveiling of the jury, Dr. Omar Touray said that the media remained a strong partner and pillar in the regional body’s journey towards promoting democracy and good governance, peace and security, regional integration, and overall development and welfare of the community citizens.

Touray who was represented by his Special Advisor, Economic & financial integration and partnerships, Mr. Mambury Njie, stressed that Journalists in West Africa are not merely chroniclers of events but educators, mentors, nation leaders.

He said: “Over the last 50 years, the media has remained a strong partner and pillar in our journey towards promoting democracy and good governance, peace and security, regional integration, and overall development and welfare of our community citizens.

“As we mark 50 years of ECOWAS, it is imperative for us to recognise and celebrate the journalists who have shaped our collective memory and those who have supported our challenges, championed our successes, and given voices to our aspirations.”

He added that: “The ECOWAS Media Excellence Award launched as part of our Golden Jubilee Celebration is more than a commission of journalistic achievement. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to fostering a free, dynamic, and responsible media landscape, one that promotes regional integration, democratic governance, peace, and development.

“Journalists in West Africa are not merely chroniclers of events, they are educators, mentors, and nation leaders.”
He noted that in this digital age, where apps often copy misinformation, “it is imperative that we recognise and celebrate those who report with integrity, accuracy, and courage.”

Touray also tasked members of the jury to uphold the highest standards of evaluation, guided by the principles of objectivity and impartiality.

He added that merit should be upheld while applying a rigorous assessment approach to each entry with fairness and consistency.
“These hours are not just accolades, they are part of a legacy we are building for the next 50 years in our community. And that legacy begins with your dedication to identifying and honouring the best of West African journalism,” he added.

The award, according to the Director of Communication, ECOWAS Commission, Joel Ahofodji is instituted as part of the regional body’s 50 anniversary programme.

The categories are print, television, radio, online and photography.

Ahofodji said it aimed at celebrating the media who have been reporting the affairs of the commission.

The jury is headed by Prof. Abdoulie Gassama, a Gambia veteran journalist and academia, is expected to review entries by the journalists and pick the eventual winners.

Other members of the jury are Dr. Adrienne Diop- Senegal; Paul Douakoutche- Benin Republic; Ms Filomena Silva- Cape Verde; Bamba Mafoumgbe- Cote d’Ivoire; Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal- Ghana; Mrs. Yemi Kolapo -Nigeria.

Ahofodji outlined the principles that should be followed in the selection process to include, the impact of the write ups, originality and quality.

He added that: “Our ambition is to make this event an annual activity that ECOWAS launches to build loyalty among the African media, but also and above all to encourage journalists to take an interest in its major achievements and its development programmes, which have a positive impact on the lives of the people of our member states.”

The Chairman of the jury, Prof. Gassama assured the commission that the team will do its utmost best to carry out its assignment.

He said: “We are tasked with recognising and celebrating those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity and commitment to their craft.

“We, as a seven-member jury, represent a diverse range of expertise and perspectives within the media landscape. This diversity is our strength, ensuring a comprehensive and fair assessment of the entries before us.”

ECOWAS @50: Media Remains Partner, Pillar of Democracy, Peace, Security-Touray

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One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities

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One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have attacked farming communities in Tashar Mangwaro and Dogon Ruwa villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing one farmer and abducting another.

The incident occurred on Thursday at about 6:32 p.m. while residents were working on their farmlands.

One of the victims, identified as Hamza Usman, 45, of Tashar Mangwaro, was shot by the assailants and later confirmed dead at the General Hospital, Dutsinma.

Another farmer, Tukur Nalanga, 53, from Dogon Ruwa Village, was abducted during the attack.

Security operatives responded promptly following a distress call and engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee the area. However, the gunmen escaped with the abducted victim before reinforcements arrived.

Efforts are currently ongoing to track the bandits

One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities

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Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.

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Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.

By: Michael Mike

The Lead Director, Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI ), Engr.. Kenneth Eze. has made four demand that will allow local government authority work effectively in Nigerià most especial complete Financial Autonomy through the expansion of the Federal Account Allocation Committee meetings to include LGA officials.

Eze also ask for political Autonomy by calling the on the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) to conduct all local government elections that will guranteed fairness,, other demans for the local authority include, asking the CBN to make it mandatory for LGA to have account with Bank and asking development partners to support the Open Government Partnership (OGP) at the local government level

The lead Director, stated this during The Local Open Governànce Initiative in Nigerià (LOGINAIJA) close out session and the presentation of Report for the pilot LGA.

Speak Out Africa Initiative is a non-governmental organization focused on empowering marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, through evidence-based advocacy, capacity building, and service delivery. Whose mission is to prioritizes gender equity, health advocacy, and social inclusion .

According to Eze, LOGINAIJA which aim to access the workings and the functionality of the Local Government Areas to make work was launch in April 2024 with the objective promoting Accountability at the local level, building capacity for the personnels and political office holders at the local level and the domestication of the freedom of Information Act at the grassroot “.

The LOGINaija project is a 12-month pilot initiative implemented by Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) to strengthen Open Government Partnership (OGP) adoption at Nigeria’s local government level. The project focuses on three pilot LGAs:

” This pilot phase was carried out in the selected three Local Government Areas in Nigerià, Gwagwalada Area Council in FCT, Umuahia North LGA in Abia State and the Ibadan NorthWest LGA of Oyo State which represent the Zones in the country and cut across political party lines and we are happy to announce that today’ this three LGA has perform creditably with functional Website, freedom of information desk officers in place and we have strenthening the capacity of both the executive and the legislative arms of the three Local Government. we expect to scale it up to 50 LGA in second phase of the project “.

“We in speak out Africa are thanking the Mac- Arthur Foundation that supported this project, and other partner for making this a reality.

The Executive Chairman, Umuahia North Local Government Area. Hon. Smart Iheoma, while appreciate all what has done by the speak out Africa Initiative to the LGA, said the problem we have as a nation is leadership, what we met on ground was not good but we have turn around every aspect of the LGA and the people are the beneficiary of this positive reforms, we are following the footsteps of His Excellency the Governor of Abia State which come c am e in with capacity to build the State and he is the best so far”. Iheoma said

Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.

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FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

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FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

** As VP Shettima demands urgent action to bridge nation’s skills gap

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for immediate and united action to close Nigeria’s widening skills gap, describing it as a national priority critical to economic transformation.

This is just as the federal government has hinted at a proposal for the review of existing skills training centres across several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to align their work and functions with national development goals.

The Vice President, who spoke on Thursday during the 6th meeting of the National Council on Skills (NCS) at the Presidential Villa, noted that the council’s mandate is to develop a strategic workforce capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving economic demands.

“What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. We have to make this country work. We need to fill in the skills gap,” he said.

VP Shettima pointed out that the council has a mission to strategically position Nigeria’s workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

“This council was established with a clear mandate to drive the strategic development of the skilled workforce that can contribute meaningfully to national growth and prosperity,” he added.

The Vice President described the session as an open forum where positions were aired and important decisions were taken, emphasising that stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and decisive leadership are essential to fixing Nigeria’s skills and employment crisis.

A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal for a National Skills Infrastructure Audit to create a centralised database of all training facilities, verify their functionality, and identify gaps or overlaps in infrastructure.

“The government’s policy trajectory is to strengthen human capital development for national growth and industry through skills development. However, unless the skills infrastructure across MDAs is optimised, this vision will remain unattainable,” the council noted.

The audit will also involve physical verification of centres and a detailed cataloguing of operational training facilities, ensuring alignment with national occupational standards and labour market needs.

Earlier, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa made a presentation on the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), an initiative aimed at training 10,000 artisans annually in high-demand construction trades.

The programme is designed to formalise Nigeria’s informal artisan sector by providing certification and onboarding qualified artisans onto a Digital Artisan Marketplace.

“The overall goal of NASAP is to establish a reliable and competent artisan workforce to drive the Ministry’s housing and infrastructure agenda while empowering Nigeria’s youth with employable skills,” the Minister said.

He noted that NASAP seeks to tackle youth unemployment while simultaneously addressing the skilled labour shortage in the construction sector, just as he said it is projected to have a significant impact on both job creation and long-term infrastructure development.

FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

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