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ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion
ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on member states to mainstream gender into their trade policies to achieve the objectives of the African Continental Trade (AfCTA), noting that until women, who represents half of the subregion population is fully integrated, the much searched development may continue to be a mirage.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, made the plea at the opening of a regional meeting on trade and gender in Abuja on Tuesday.
She said that promoting inclusive subregional trade by empowering women in business was in line with regional approaches and guidelines, as well as international best practices.
Toure-Litse while describing international trade as a powerful driver for wealth creation and development, lamenting that however women representing about 50 per cent of the global workforce is presently facing barriers to participating in it.
She said: “Women-owned businesses often struggle to access export markets, and women workers are overrepresented in low-wage, low-skilled sectors.
“Trade policies frequently overlook gender-specific needs and perspectives, exacerbating existing inequalities.@
She said that addressing these disparities was crucial for promoting inclusive and equitable trade practices, unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs and workers, and ensuring that international trade benefited all.
She added that: “However, increased trade supported by discriminatory trade policies is acknowledged to be a catalyst for the possible widening of the inequality gap between men and women involved in trade.
“According to UN Women, it is estimated that 70 per cent of informal cross-border trade in Africa is conducted by women traders.
“I am pleased to note that ECOWAS has already developed several community texts and initiatives to promote gender-inclusive trade.
“These efforts align with our commitment to deepening regional integration and accelerating development through inclusive trade.”
She however urged participants drawn from ECOWAS member countries, to share their expertise and constructively discuss the issue of gender mainstreaming in trade to enrich the ECOWAS draft action plan on trade and gender.
Toure-Litse noted that: “A well-crafted action plan will definitely contribute to achieving the Vision 2050, AfCTA, the AU Agenda 2063 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.”
She said the entry into force of AfCFTA had culminated in great opportunities for increased intra-African trade, and solicited necessary steps for it to provide equal opportunities for men and women.
“In this regard, the regional AfCFTA implementation strategy aims to achieve objectives such as gender equality and structural transformation of state parties.
“Specifically, the strategy aims to contribute to positive gender and youth impact of AfCFTA through women and youth led-business activities, employment and social protection as well as informal cross-border traders,” she added.
Declaring the event opened, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said that mainstreaming gender in regional trade policies would lead to creating a prosperous and equitable trade.
Represented by the ministry’s Director, Special Duties, Dr Simon Ozomo, the minister said that gender trade mainstreaming was in line with the Federal Government’s trade facilitation policy.
ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade is expected to perform in London, on 15 August 2025.
The show is scheduled for Concord House, 23-27 Kemp Road, Dagenham, United Kingdom.
The praise concert which is organised by Bdot Music Empire and supported by Toxhann Concepts and events is Solagbade’s first outing in the UK.
The popular Sio cronny, is well known mostly among members of the Celestial Church of Christ and other denominations.
Apart from Sio, the legendary Celestial gospel artist has done other songs which include: Jehoval Alagbara, Ibamasepe and
idemija, among others.
Bdot Music Empire boss, Mr. Abidemi Adetunji said though it’s a gospel concert, it is however targeted at second and third generation Nigerians in the UK.
Adetunji said the essence is to ensure they are in touch with home even if they have not been to Nigeria before.
He said praising God in Nigeria tongue is something special in the UK.
This would be Solagbade’s first show in the UK and he is hoping that it would be the beginning of more to come.
He said: “ We would like Nigerians in the United Kingdom to know that Oluseyi Solagbade would be coming to the UK for his first ever UK edition of Oluseyi’s Christ Cafe.
He would be lighting the show alongside some other guests artist like Sammypee, Tiwalola shitu, Israel Ekundayo, Ebenezer Opalemo, Damilola (Dee’Reign), Tunde Stainless, MoShoba, Tosin Adisa and Danny Jazz.”
Adetunji pointed out that the idea behind the music concert is to celebrate the divine gift of music within the Celestial Church of Christ and to bring together believers for an evening of live music, worship, and spiritual reflection.”
Adetunji further said that the concert goes along with the Nigeria first agenda of President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria will be showcased all through.
“It is also part of promoting the culture. Praying and worshiping God in mother tongue,” he added.
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August
Airstrike Hits ISWAP Enclave in Tumbuma Baba, scores Nutrialised
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), conducted a successful Air Interdiction (AI) mission at a terrorists’ hideout in the Southern Tumbuns general area in the Lake Chad of Borno, killing scores of the terrorists.
Intelligent sources told Zagazola Makama that the precision air strike, which took place at about 2100 hours on 5 May 2025, targeted a major terrorists’ concentration camp located in the Tumbuma Baba axis of Lake Chad.
The sources said that the offensive was in continuation of a decisive Operation KALACHEN WUTA II, aimed at denying terrorists the freedom to execute large-scale attacks during the Eid el-Kabir period.
The sources said that Intelligence and Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) reports confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised during the strike, and key logistics under heavy foliage were destroyed.
The sources said that the strikes followed credible intelligence on planned coordinated attacks by the insurgents before, during, and after the Eid festivities. The mission was meticulously planned and executed to forestall such threats and sustain pressure on terrorist elements operating in the Lake Chad fringes.
“We observed significant secondary explosions, indicating the presence of arms and fuel storage. Multiple terrorists were seen fleeing the area, while several others were eliminated during the strike,” the source said.
The sources said efforts are ongoing to gather further feedback, as well as to assess the operational impact of the interdiction.
He added that preliminary signs suggest a high level of disarray and panic within the terrorists’ ranks, with reports of attempted regrouping under surveillance.
Airstrike Hits ISWAP Enclave in Tumbuma Baba, scores Nutrialised
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have executed a coordinated strike on a major terrorist enclave located at Maisani in the Timbuktu Triangle general area of Borno State, killing several ISWAP terrorists.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air interdiction mission conducted on May 4, 2025, at approximately 1800 hours, was informed by credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, targeted terrorists’ structures cleverly concealed and camouflaged under thick shrubs in the area.
The sources said that using advanced platforms, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted a focused Air Interdiction (AI) mission, resulting in the destruction of the identified enemy hideouts and the neutralisation of an unconfirmed number of insurgent fighters.
According to the sources, Post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) obtained from our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms confirmed that the airstrike achieved its intended objectives, dealing a significant blow to terrorists.
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August
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