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ECOWAS Launches €110 million Projects for Regional Peace and Stability

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ECOWAS Launches €110 million Projects for Regional Peace and Stability

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched four significant projects worth approximately €110 million, aimed at strengthening regional peace and stability, supporting institutional reforms, and promoting trade within the subregion.
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The projects which are funded by the European Union (€82.5 million), Germany (€26 million), and other partners are support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance Project (EPSG), this is to aid ECOWAS Commission in the Implementation of the AfCFTA /Trade in Services Programme,.

It is also to support ECOWAS Commission on Organisational Development / Institutional Support to ECOWAS Phase II and Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme.

ECOWAS Commission President, Alieu Touray on Tuesday said the projects seek to strengthen regional peace and stability, as well as support institutional reforms and trade within the community of ECOWAS.

He said: “The projects align with ECOWAS’ strategic orientations, including strengthening peace and security arrangements at regional and national levels, enhancing institutional effectiveness, and promoting sustainable trade.

“This initiative is crucial, considering ECOWAS’ Peace Fund requires approximately $300 million to implement its five-year strategic plan for peace initiatives in West Africa.”

Touray while providing updates on ECOWAS’ engagement with countries that have decided to leave the organisation, stated that the status quo will be maintained in areas such as trade and free movement until a new agreement is reached.

He said: “We have agreed until we come to a new agreement, we will maintain the status quo in all areas,”

He expressed gratitude to partners for their continued support and emphasized the need for accountability and joint decision-making in implementing these projects.

“With a focus on delivering concrete results, these projects hold considerable promise for the people of West Africa.” He added.

Earier in her remarks, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Annett Günther, stressed the importance of regional integration and cooperation in West Africa.

Günther stressed the strength of the European partnership with ECOWAS, as she stated that the launch marks more than the start of four new projects.

“It reflects our shared commitment to trade, peace and security and good governance in West Africa.”

She noted that the projects address different aspects of ECOWAS’ Vision 2050, which aims to build a citizen-centered community for peace and prosperity.

Günther highlighted the importance of these initiatives, saying, “Trade and services is a key driver of employment and innovation and a powerful lever for economic transformation. In addition, countries that trade with each other are less likely to experience war or internal conflicts.”

“Germany is committed to partner with ECOWAS and its member states in advancing our shared mission – a stable, democratic and prosperous West Africa.” She said.

Also the European Union Ambassador to ECOWAS and Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, noted that the projects are part of a single strategic vision, where peace, regional integration, and economic opportunities are mutually reinforcing.

Mignot highlighted the EU’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS’ efforts in building, a safer, more integrated, and more prosperous West African region.

He said, “The EU history illustrates that when countries are willing to come together, they are stronger, more resilient, more competitive, and more secure.”

“The projects launched today address both urgent needs and long-term goals, empowering the private sector, modernizing cross-border trade, and supporting regional responses to security challenges.”

Mignot expressed his gratitude to the ECOWAS management, the German and Spanish embassies, and implementing partners for their commitment to these projects.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of Mission, Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, Mrs. María Higón Velasco, reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to partnering with ECOWAS, highlighting the country’s long-standing cooperation program with the regional organization.

Velasco noted that the projects are designed to align with ECOWAS’ core priorities, stating, “These projects are designed to strengthen trade competitiveness, improve market access, foster regional integration, promote peace and security, and increase institutional capacity in West Africa, all of these being core priorities of ECOWAS as well.”

She highlighted the significance of the partnership between Spain and ECOWAS, which began over 20 years ago and has grown stronger over time.

“The Spanish government will provide €984,000 in funding for the institutional strengthening of the ECOWAS Commission, which will be co-financed by the European Union and Germany’s KfW Development Bank, amounting to a total of €7.4 million.

Velasco stressed the importance of this project, saying it is “rooted in the principles of aid effectiveness, as set out in the Accra Agenda for Action and the Busan Partnership.”

Velasco also highlighted the involvement of the Spanish institution, the Fiat Foundation, in the implementation of the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance project.

“This initiative aims to reinforce ECOWAS’ capacity to address disinformation and political violence in electoral processes, promoting innovative approaches and increasing bridges between regional institutions and civil society.”

“These projects represent more than just financial commitments. They display new opportunities to deepen cooperation and to bolster regional cohesion.

“They will create a stronger ECOWAS that will deliver greater good to respond effectively to the challenges of the present and build a brighter future for West African states, leaving no one behind.” She said.

ECOWAS Launches €110 million Projects for Regional Peace and Stability

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday, undertook a working visit to Diffa Region of Niger Republic on Wednesday.

The visit, which included a high-level security and economic delegation, focused on strengthening the existing collaboration between Nigerian and Nigerien forces in the ongoing fight against insurgency, particularly around the shores of Lake Chad.

Diffa is a community 17 km from Damasak town in northern Borno where thousands of Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are currently taking refuge.

Zulum was received by the Governor of Diffa, Brigadier General Mahamaduo Ibrahim Bagadoma, and other senior officials. The leaders held closed-door meetings centered on joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining the recent gains that have pushed insurgents out of many of their former strongholds.

Zulum outlined plan to leverage the improved security situation to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced farmers to the vast and fertile agricultural lands around Dutchi town within the Lake Chad basin.

Part of the Governor’s entourage are Engr Bukar Talba, a member of the House of Representatives, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and otheir senior government officials.

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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Army Troops neutralised bandit as stray bullet mistakenly hits students during gunfight in Benue

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Army Troops neutralised bandit as stray bullet mistakenly hits students during gunfight in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected bandit was neutralised by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke during a gun battle in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue, on Tuesday, but stray bullets mistakenly hit three students, killing one.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 3:20 p.m. while soldiers were returning from a routine patrol in the area.

The source said trouble started when the patrol team sighted some suspected bandits on a motorcycle carrying firearms.

“On sighting the troops, the hoodlums opened fire. The soldiers immediately engaged them in a gun duel. In the exchange of fire, one of the hoodlums was shot dead, while others escaped, abandoning their motorcycle.

“Unfortunately, three students of Government Science Secondary School, Jato-Aka, who were closing from school at the time, were hit by stray bullets. One female student was later confirmed dead by a doctor at NKST Hospital, Jato-Aka, while the other two were admitted and are responding to treatment,” the source explained.

The corpse of the neutralised bandit was also deposited at the NKST Hospital Mortuary.

Military sources confirmed the incident, stressing that the troops only acted in self-defence after being fired upon by the armed hoodlums.

He described the death of the student as an unfortunate accident, assuring that efforts would be made to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

Zagazola reports that news of the incident triggered a violent protest in Jato-Aka town, as angry youths took to the streets and set ablaze the office of the traditional ruler, Mue Ter.

The Police o confirmed the incident, saying personnel and operatives of the Police Mobile Force were deployed to the area to restore calm.

“The situation has been brought under control and normalcy has returned, but monitoring and patrols are ongoing to forestall further breakdown of law and order,”said the sources.

Meanwhile, authorities have appealed to residents of Jato-Aka to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations into the incident continue.

Army Troops neutralised bandit as stray bullet mistakenly hits students during gunfight in Benue

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Federal Commissioner PCC visits CP Borno on strategic synergy for better engagement

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Federal Commissioner PCC visits CP Borno on strategic synergy for better engagement

By: Our Reporter

The Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Borno State, Hon. Yusuf Adamu, has paid a courtesy visit to the Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP N. ABDULMAJID, to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions in addressing public complaints and enhancing community policing.

Hon. Adamu congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and thanked him for the immediate attention given to complaints. He said:

“The synergy between the Commission and the Police is vital. We urge the Command to continue to be proactive in handling cases, especially those related to drugs, which are fueling vices such as TikTok and other cybercrime in schools.”

He also urged the Police Command to work closely with community leaders, parents, schools, and religious institutions to address drug abuse among children and young adults. He further linked the PCC’s forthcoming 50th Anniversary to the importance of psychosocial support and thanked the Police Commissioner for assigning an officer to liaise with the PCC in the enforcement unit.

In his response, the Commissioner of Police commended the PCC for consistently referring prosecutable cases to the Police. He assured:

“The same cooperation I experienced with the Commission in my former command will be replicated in Borno. We shall continue to work hand in hand with stakeholders to ensure that complaints are addressed and cases within the PCC’s powers referred for effective investigation.”

He added that community policing had come to stay and would involve community leaders, market women, imams, and parents. He also called for regulation of social media misuse, while urging the PCC to intensify enlightenment of citizens.

The visit featured the signing of the visitors’ book, presentation of the PCC’s Act and mandate, and a group photograph.

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