News
ECOWAS Advocates Stronger Protection of Child Rights

ECOWAS Advocates Stronger Protection of Child Rights
By: Michael Mike
The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has advocated for stronger protection of child rights in Nigeria and across the West Africa subregion.
This was the advocacy at a stakeholder interaction initiative to drive effort on strengthening delivery on child rights across the entire ECOWAS institution and the sub-region held in Lagos between 10-13 October, 2023.
The Lagos Retreat major thrust aimed at the Development and Validation of an ECOWAS Child Rights Inter-sectoral Strategic Plan and Methodological Guidelines for Mainstreaming Child Rights into ECOWAS Programming.
ECOWAS described the inter-sectoral strategic plan critical for the promotion and protection of Child Rights, including in relation to the rights of the child in a time of conflict, fragility and violence as an important move for different dimensions of Child Rights protection.

These dimensions include situations of emergency, children affected by armed conflict, child safeguarding, generally. Survival and development of the child also involves issues related to nutrition, education, human capital development, etcetera.
Programme Officer, Trafficking in Persons within the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Olatunde Olayemi, said it doesn’t have to be a non-international conflict such as a civil war but also in situations of fragility for example in a time of elections.
He said: “Elections, sometimes if mis-handled, breed violence which could also affect children. We have disasters such as mudslides, landslides, economic downturns and others issues such as COVID-19, Ebola.
“Also inclusive is the early warning system with regional and national level centers in member states to ensure they anticipate challenges challenges to the rights of children and respond in a timely and effective manner.”
The SDGs comprise 17 Goals and 169 targets to be delivered by 2030 of which 48 targets are directly relevant to children, while 47 are somewhat relevant. Goals One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six are of direct consequence to children, while Goals Eight, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen and Sixteen have targets directly or closely linked to the realisation of child rights’.
It may be recalled that the ECOWAS Commission has reviewed and adopted a new ECOWAS Child Policy and Plan of Action (2019-2030) covering not only child protection but survival, development and participation. This sets a new tone for programming for the entire Commission and will require better coordination between various Departments and Directorates of the Commission.
Despite the foregoing, ECOWAS identified clear weaknesses in the the integrated implementation of Child Rights instruments in the ECOWAS.
These gaps have been glaring within the context of issue and events including: (1) Weak integration of child rights in pandemic preparedness and response i.e. Ebola Virus Disease and COVID 19 pandemic etc.; as borne out in the reports by UNICEF and Save the Children (2.) Weak integration of child rights in Security Sector initiatives i.e. ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Plan of Action etc.; in relation to Children affected by Armed Conflicts, Preventing Violent Extremism and Countering Violent Extremism and well as Deradicalization etc. Also, a clear need to mainstream child protection into Peace and Security frameworks overall.
Drawing from the ECOWAS Human Rights List of Indicators, required from Member States, certain actions must be integrated into ECOWAS Programming on: Measures/legislations for preventing violence against women and girls; Security forces and gender policy versus traditional and native practices; availability of special laws against child trafficking child labour and prostitution.
To this effect, the Olayemi’s Division that leads on the Rights of the Child, under the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, headed by Dr. Sintikiti Tarfa Ugbe, which is a part of the Department of Human Development and Social Affairs, headed by the Commissioner, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, said the ECOWAS Child Rights Inter-sectoral Strategic Plan follows through with the broad mandate of its dedicated programme area.
ECOWAS Advocates Stronger Protection of Child Rights
News
Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has charged personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to continue to offer excellent services to its clients, declaring that efficient customer service is a right and not a privilege.
Comptroller General of the Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, gave the charge in Abuja when she declared open the 2025 SERVICOM Customer Service Week.

She assured that the Service is on an irreversible path of reform, modernization and improved transparency in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The CGIS noted that the week-long event, themed “Mission Possible” with the NIS sub-theme “Meeting and Exceeding Expectations”, was an opportunity for officers to recommit themselves to the principles of courtesy, timeliness and citizens-centered service delivery.
She said: “The Nigeria Immigration Service must not only meet expectations but exceed them. Every passport issued, every permit processed, every encounter at our borders is a test of our professionalism and integrity. We must continue to build public trust and prove that we are a Service that delivers”, the CGIS declared.
She noted that on assuming office in 2024, she raised concerns over negative practices that dented the Service’s image and challenged officers to “go back to the drawing board.”
Nandap said that directive resulted in far-reaching reforms, including the passport automation and contactless processing system, designed to minimize physical interaction and eliminate bottlenecks.
She highlighted that: “Others are the deployment of e-gates and body cameras at airports, enhancing border security while promoting transparency; Intensified sensitization campaigns across formations to combat corruption and entrench professionalism.
“These reforms are already paying off,” she noted, citing improved national ratings, commendations and awards recently received by the NIS at government performance review retreats.
Nandap however urged NIS personnel nationwide to use the 2025 Customer Service Week as an opportunity to recommit themselves to exceeding public expectations, charging officers to uphold the Service’s reputation at all times.
She added that: “This celebration is not for fanfare. It is a solemn call to renew our pledge of service and to institutionalize transparency, courtesy and excellence as our standard culture.”
Earlier, Special Assistant to the CGIS on SERVICOM and Reform Champion, Barr. Muhammad Awwal Abubakar, a deputy comptroller of immigration, described the Customer Service Week as “a call to reflection, action and renewal.”
He emphasized that the global theme “Mission Possible” challenges public institutions to see obstacles as opportunities for innovation rather than excuses for inefficiency.
“Customer service is not a privilege given by government institutions but a right owed to the people. Our duty is to ensure that every interaction with the NIS leaves citizens and travelers with confidence in our integrity and efficiency”, Abubakar said.
The 2025 NIS SERVICOM Customer Service Week will feature activities across commands and formations nationwide, highlighting innovation, best practices and the Service’s ongoing transformation agenda.
Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients
Crime
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.
Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.
They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”
“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.
He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.
“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.
However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.
Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
News
Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis
By: Zagazola Makama
Maj.-Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas (rtd), Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee on Insecurity in Plateau State, says the crisis in the state involves both indigenes and non-indigenes across all ethnic and religious divides.
Nicholas, a former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, made this known while reacting to reports that the committee’s findings had indicted Fulani herdsmen as the aggressors in the prolonged conflict.
He clarified that the committee’s report, submitted last month to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, did not attribute blame to any single ethnic group, stressing that the violence in Plateau was a multi-dimensional problem involving various communities.
“The committee was set up by the state government to make findings and recommendations, which have been submitted to the government. The document is still classified until a white paper is issued,” Nicholas said.
He explained that during the committee’s engagements with community leaders across the state, it became evident that all sides had suffered and contributed to the cycle of violence.
“I think people need to be corrected based on the statement that Fulani are the ones causing the problem. The report did not say that,” he stated.
“While we are clear, everybody — all the ethnic groups in Plateau — are in one way or another involved in the crisis. In some areas, fingers have been pointed at particular groups, but our findings show that every community has played a part,” Nicholas added.
He further noted that many of the attacks in the state were reprisals triggered by earlier assaults, which often led to further bloodshed and destruction of property.
Nicholas maintained that the committee’s recommendations, once made public, would help guide the government in addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering lasting peace in the state.
Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis
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