National News
ECOWAS Calls for Return to Lagos Treaty for Political, Security Stability in West Africa
ECOWAS Calls for Return to Lagos Treaty for Political, Security Stability in West Africa
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for a return to the Lagos Treaty of 1975 which encourages inclusive governance system in order for the advancement of political and security stability in the member countries.
Vice President of ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidjaa made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, at the launch of the project; Citizens Participation for Accountable and Inclusive Democracy (C-PAID), organised by West
African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Tchintchibidjaa noted that, member states of the ECOWAS must remain focus in their collective endeavour in the areas of peace and stability as to achieve the set goal of the organisation.
She said the call had become imperative in view of the fact that despite the overall appreciable progress made, particularly in the field of political governance, the subregion had continued to face considerable security challenges.
She said: “The widespread public perception that national development plans and actions to improve socio-economic services through the provision of basic infrastructures and amenities such as healthcare, electricity, housing, employment, small scale business development and others are often perceived as elitist, exclusive and inadequate to serve the needs of communities.
“In other words, the state and the citizens do not view developmental needs from the same prism and often measure success or failure of policies and governance from different lenses.
“The recent trend of peaceful and violent demonstrations, call for a more in- depth discussion on the state and structure of inclusive governance in member states in line with the actualisation of the vision for a more stable, secure and citizen centered West Africa.
“Prevailing socio-economic challenges, manifesting through issues such as youth unemployment, has laid the foundation for new political and social movements by youth that challenge existing political establishments.
For his part, the Acting Resident Representative UNDP Nigeria, Mr. Lealem Dinku reiterated the role of internal politics in the role of insecurity in the region adding democracy entails the ability of government to deliver to it’s people the expected mandate.
Dinku said, “Public Governance does not stop at democracy, human rights, and lack of corruption. Rather, defined by the ability of a government to deliver to its citizens the right to access public goods and services also encompasses human development and sustainable and equitable socio-economic opportunities.
“There is no doubt that internal politics, regional power-plays, and bad governance has nurtured the acute insecurity in West Africa, Richly endowed with human and material resources, the region remains one of the most impoverished in the world for reasons linked mainly to absence of leadership and poor political and resource governance capacity.
“For the region to reap the dividends of good governance and democracy, citizens must be allowed to play a detrimental role in the decision-making processes. Engaging citizens in governance systems engenders transparency, improves accountability and public resource management, and bring about adequate policy outcomes, development, and the social well-being of citizens.
“The involvement of the citizenry in democratic governance systems, is also strategic as citizens are no longer just beneficiaries, instead act as implementers, practitioners and partners of policies and programs.
“It is not enough to work only on setting up democratic institutions and processes. These institutions and processes must be put to work creating opportunities for citizens to lead healthy and productive lives.
Speaking on the project initiative Executive Director WANEP, Chukwuemeka Eze said, the project is to leverage on the citizens opinions to monitor and criticize government’s performance for effectiveness.
Eze noted that, “the project launched is to leverage the opportunities of the digital space through crowdsourcing to mobilise citizens’ ideas, contributions, and opinions beyond borders to create a regional online community across West Africa, to monitor and critique government performance for the effectiveness of democratic institutions and practices.
“The project will specifically provide unique perspectives across various interest groups on the expectations of democratic governance as well as mechanisms for accountability and inclusivity of West Africa peoples to development and peace within the region.
ECOWAS Calls for Return to Lagos Treaty for Political, Security Stability in West Africa
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
By: Michael Mike
In a decisive step to reverse land degradation, 39 land restoration projects led by grassroots organisations have been awarded USD 395,000 through the inaugural Small Grants Programme of the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI), a flagship initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Drawn from 22 countries, the winning projects were selected for their innovation, impact and sustainability. Over 650 organisations from more than 100 countries applied for the award. The winners were selected following three rounds of review by separate UNCCD staff teams, with varied expertise in land management and restoration.
Awardees will receive between US$5,000 and US$15,000 to fund grassroots efforts that boost local economies, improve food and water security and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
The announcement was livestreamed at an event showcasing the grant winners.
The Small Grants Programme is an important tool for achieving the G20 GLI’s mission of reducing degraded land by 50 percent by 2040.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative,Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, said: “We are aware that these big numbers, cannot be achieved by small initiatives alone. Yet, we feel, it is important that tens of thousands of small actors, engaged in land restoration around the world, be supported, promoted and recognized,”
Special priority was given to organisations accredited to UNCCD and to projects empowering Indigenous Peoples, youth, women and the elderly.
The programme was set up in 2024 to support community-level non-profit organisations worldwide. According to a statement, by directly supporting civil society and grassroot actors, these grants will generate measurable progress across global aided restoration priorities, such as soil fertility enhancement, forest regeneration, sustainable agriculture, agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation.
The statement added that beyond reclaiming land, the projects are enhancing livelihoods, strengthening community climate resilience, and fostering social enterprise and eco-preneurship.
“When we do these small grants program, it is not just about the grant. It’s about the network which we create and the visibility it provides — both for those within it and those outside who can benefit from their knowledge and experience,” Thummarukudy added.
Three of the highest-scoring projects were showcased at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, to highlight their potential for scaling and replication across regions.
The statement also revealed that winners will also be showcased at select high-level events in the future, stating that the G20 GLI is committed to inclusive and continuous engagement, and is exploring future
collaboration opportunities for the applicants not selected in this round.
Stressing that “this is just the beginning, this will be an annual process, the next cohort is about to start,” Dr Thummarukudy invited community organisations doing land restoration to apply to join the network because both “big and small” [efforts] are important.
He noted that the second call for applications will open in 2025 with increased funding and expanded
support for grassroots restoration efforts worldwide.
Innovative community-led restoration initiatives are essential for creating green jobs, especially for youth and women..The awards provide support that can transform restoration into a catalyst for economic opportunity and sustainable environmental management.
Examples of selected 2024 grantees include: Legacy of War Foundation (Rwanda), which will restore six hectares of degraded soil while empowering 90 women as landowners of fully organic cooperative farms. By integrating climate-smart and artisanal farming methods, the project aims to improve soil fertility and agricultural resilience in post-conflict rural communities.
Up2Green Foundation (India) is restoring mangroves and riverbanks in Tamil Nadu, India. The project is reforesting 60 hectares and planting 15,000 fruit trees, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening coastal resilience for flood prevention, and training local communities in sustainable agroforestry practices.
Sustainability and Environmental Studies Endeavor (Nepal) is working to restore
ecological balance along the mythological Nagaraj Trail. By revitalizing degraded farms, wetlands and forests using nature-based solutions, the project promotes nature-inclusive agriculture and convivial conservation approaches.
The G20 Global Land Initiative was launched in 2020 under the Saudi G20 Presidency. Hosted by the UNCCD, its ambition is to reduce degraded land by 50 percent by 2040. By showcasing
land restoration, empowering civil society, engaging the private sector and building capacity, G20 GLI is driving restoration to scale and energizing a restoration economy. The Small Grants Programme is a key component of this vision, empowering civil society to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land management at scale.
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
National News
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
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