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ECOWAS Expends Over $26 million on humanitarian activities between 2023-2024- Commissioner
ECOWAS Expends Over $26 million on humanitarian activities between 2023-2024- Commissioner
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said between 2023 and 2024 it splashed over $26 million on humanitarian activities in West Africa.
The regional political cum economic bloc said it also supported sport federations in the region with $100,000 each per year.
Addressing a press conference on Friday in Abuja, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr said the regional body startups in scientific innovation with the sum of $50,000 in the area of youth innovation.
Sarr said a total of $700,000 was used for the training of 30 young people from the region in Masters and PHD programmes.
She also revealed that countries under sanctions were not excluded from the humanitarian gesture of the regional body.
She stressed that ECOWAS puts significant resources into the humanitarian sector for displaced people, migration, floods and various forms of disaster:
She said, “Guinea under sanctions received nearly 600,000 dollars in January 2024, namely: 100,000 dollars for the fire at the oil depot and 499,390 dollars for the floods.”
For the displaced people within the region, Prof. Sarr said, “In 2023 for floods and nutrition out of a total of 8.5 million people affected, ECOWAS provided support to half of the victims, or 4 million people for an amount of $12.6 million.
“In 2024, ECOWAS has released 9 million dollars for internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as for the communities that welcome them (i.e. all 15 countries).
” ECOWAS has allocated $1 million for stabilization in Nigeria (victims of terrorism, displaced people, injured people, rehabilitation and strengthening community resilience).”
The Commissioner also revealed that “Out of a fund of 25 million dollars intended for the fight against terrorism (Nigeria, Burkina, Mali and Niger), ECOWAS has reserved 4 million dollars for humanitarian actions.”
She explained that ECOWAS places more emphasizes on prevention, adding “We have a disaster reduction strategy and tools such as the observation, monitoring and alert center which allows ECOWAS to monitor displaced populations and floods, to anticipate problems. and better manage crisis situations.”
On the programmes for the youth integration within the region she said that the commission intervention was in the area of Volunteers programs, Sport and Economic Integration
According to her “Since 2014, ECOWAS has posted 217 volunteers in the following countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Burkina, Benin.
“ECOWAS works to promote the spirit of volunteering among young people to give them opportunity for professional development, enhance their civic engagement and foster their conscience for community service.”
ECOWAS, she also said supported sports federation of each member states with $100,000 per year.
Sarr also listed other sporting activities and Union supported to include the Union of deaf sports associations, university sport development organizations. ECOWAS cycling tours Lagos- Accra 2010, Lagos Abidjan 2012.
“The Ecowas Game Event that included 5 to 6 sports disciplines were organized in 2009 and 2011,” she added.
She also said ECOWAS supported the Entrepreneurship project and youth mentoring Business incubation project.
She listed the area of training to include “Training in agrosylvopastoral farming from 2010-2018 at the Shanghai Center for 1,300 young people
“Training in refrigeration and air conditioning, auto mechanics in Burkina between 2014 and 2019 for 500 young people
“Training in building electricity in Mali for 500 young people.”
Prof. Sarr also revealed that ECOWAS initiated cooperation with the People’s Republic of China in 2023 to support young people, “Thus 12 entrepreneurship projects for young people in the sub-region received an awardcompetitors out of a total of 100 worldwide.”
In the area of Science Education, the ECOWAS Commissioner said the programs of the Directorate of Education, Science and Culture focus largely on young people, we can cite
“The academic mobility and professional integration program for young people within ECOWAS institutions, which from 2016 to 2024 enrolled 845 young people.
“The youth integration program in industries and the private sector in ECOWAS countries, which benefitted 180 young people between 2021 and 2022.”
Sarr added that: “Since 2019 ECOWAS has sent 42 young people for master’s degrees in diplomacy and international relations in Spain.
“Support for young people through prizes to the most successful startups in scientific innovation ($50,000).
“With PARI (Research and Innovation Support Program) from 2018 to 2024, it was possible to train more than 30 young people in Masters and PHD through funds donated to research consortia, for a total of $700,000.”
She also said the commission was supported the youths during film and art festivals, ad prizes were awarded to young artists.
For the ECOWAS Gender Center, Sarr said: “1,720 excellence scholarships were distributed from 2010 to 2022 to young girls from disadvantaged families.”
The Commissioner also revealed that there are plans to host ECOWAS Youth Forum in the coming month.
The forum, she said is “to take stock of the current situation, identify the changes and ruptures which have led to the general malaise observed in the sub- region.
“Consultations will be organized in member countries by bringing together young people concerned in their geographic, social and socio-professional diversity.”
The forum which will be extended by webinars to reach a larger number of people, television shows and radio debates, she said “will allow populations in each country to know that ECOWAS is looking into youth problems.
” At the end of the process, the ECOWAS meetings will be organized in a member country, allowing the regional organization to review its policy, strategy and roadmap accordingly.”
ECOWAS Expends Over $26 million on humanitarian activities between 2023-2024- Commissioner
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has unveiled Rayyan Microfinance Bank, headquartered in Maiduguri, the state capital on Sunday.
Rayyan Bank chaired by Dr Usman Shettima is an Ethically Compliant Digital Bank that offers non-interest financing which is an insignia of Islamic banking to rural communities.
With a commitment to ethical compliance practices, the bank also provides a comprehensive range of banking solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held in Forshams Event Centre, Maiduguri, Zulum emphasised that the bank is a critical tool for building resilience and fostering self-reliance among the people of Borno.
He highlighted its projected role in providing the financial backbone communities need to rebuild livelihoods affected by years of insurgency.
“Microfinance banks are crucial for driving financial inclusion, reducing poverty and promoting economic growth through providing accessible financial services such as small loans, savings accounts and insurance amongst others to low income individuals who don’t have access to traditional banking systems in Nigeria.
“I want to commend the vision and tenacity of the chairman and members of this very important bank, I also want to assure you that the government, under my leadership, will partner with you to promote the ideals of the non-interest banking system which is very important to our economy.” said Zulum
Demonstrating Borno State government’s confidence in the new institution, Zulum directed the State Ministry of Finance to immediately open an account with Rayyan Microfinance Bank.
Following the unveiling, the Governor formally presented the bank to the public, urging residents, cooperatives, and business owners to utilise its services to grow their businesses, support local enterprises, and contribute to the state’s economic resurgence.
The event featured keynote addresses and lectures by the academia, regulatory agencies, religious scholars, and other stakeholders, highlighting the potential of non-interest banking to promote ethical investments and foster inclusive economic growth.
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have neutralised a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Amadu, during a raid in Malafiya town, Atiku Ward of Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources said that Amadu was the leader of a criminal syndicate terrorising Malafiya and surrounding communities with crimes ranging from kidnapping and cattle rustling to armed robbery.
According to the sources, Amadu had been on the most-wanted lists of security agencies and was linked to several high-profile crimes in the area, including the killing of a businessman in September 2025 and an attempted abduction of a prominent local figure’s relative.
The sources said that following credible intelligence on the gang’s hideout, troops conducted a raid on Jan. 25, 2026, to apprehend the remaining criminal elements. During the operation, there was an exchange of fire between the troops and the suspects.
“In the course of the engagement, Amadu attempted to escape and was neutralised. A search of the scene led to the recovery of a locally made pistol,” the sources said.
The sources added that the general area has since been calm, while clearance and confidence-building patrols have been intensified to prevent a resurgence of criminal activities.
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
IBUAM: A New Chapter in University Education, Changing the Phase of the Aviation Industry
By: Balami Lazarus
The quest and search for knowledge by men is an unending process, a continuous tense as long as humans live here on the mother planet. Therefore, the quest and thirst for knowledge is like mwala in the Bura dialect, which simply means to dig continuously.
For some decades Nigerian educational space has experienced growth and progress in her university system. The emergence of universities to cater to the educational needs of the citizens is clear evidence that there are positive changes in the system. It has also brought improvements and innovations, walking like a giant with nobility robes in the gown of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom provided by the ivory tower.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic Management (IBUAM) is one university that was established recently in the bustling Centre of Excellence, Lagos. Registered and licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The aviation sector, I have observed, is what many lack understanding of. For some, it starts and ends with airports, aircraft, and pilots. But for Isaac David Balami, it begins with aeronautic and management knowledge provided by his university.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic Management (IBUAM) is the first of its kind in the aviation industry/educational landscape of our nation. IBUAM is beginning to change and impart on the aviation industry through academic courses offered at the university.
IBUAM disciplines are in aeronautics and management as its academic training. Its objective, therefore, is to train students in aeronautics, engineering, and aviation management and techniques. To further equip students with “skills in aviation operations and airline management.”
Some courses at IBUAM are aerospace engineering, mechatronics engineering, and aviation operations/airline management, among others.
Isaac David Balami is an aeronautic engineer, aviation expert, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Isaac has also distinguished himself in union leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
IBUAM: A New Chapter in University Education, Changing the Phase of the Aviation Industry
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
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