News
ECOWAS Launches US$350 million Women Empowerment Project
ECOWAS Launches US$350 million Women Empowerment Project
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has launched the US$365 million Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) project, with Nigeria among the countries to benefit.
The regional initiative for sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and the Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) is a concerted response by the World Bank and the United Nations to the call for action made in 2013 by the Heads of State on the demographic challenges in the Sahel. The programme aims to address development challenges through the empowerment of women and girls in the region. initially targets five countries—Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo
It later extended beyond the Sahel to support other countries in sub-Saharan Africa with countries of Benin, Cameroon,, Côte d’Ivoire, , Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger.
Following its success with the empowerment of over two million girls since 2015, it is now broadened and renamed SWEDD+ project and Nigeria is brought in as one of the countries to benefit.
The initiative, presided over by Madame Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, aims to further address gender inequality and foster the economic and social empowerment of women and girls across the region.
The 365 million dollar SWEDD+ project, funded by the World Bank with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), while engaging regional institutions such as ECOWAS and the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS.
Highlighting its importance, Madame Tchintchibidja stated, “SWEDD+ is a call to action for countries to invest in reducing the vulnerabilities of adolescent girls and young women, enabling them to become active contributors to the economic and social development of their nations.The programme will expand interventions that have already made significant impacts in Education with over 1 million girls have stayed in school, supported by scholarships, meals, and transportation.”
She noted that more than 150,000 young women have gained access to job opportunities and skills training. With over
8,000 safe spaces and 5,000 male engagement clubs have fostered gender equality and tackled harmful norms.
She added that over a million new contraceptive users have been supported, with stock-out rates at health facilities reduced to 24%.
She however explained that the new phase of the programme introduces three transformative components: “Gender-transformative Interventions: Promoting education, skills-building, and economic opportunities for women and girls.
“Strengthened Health Services: Expanding access to reproductive, maternal, and adolescent health services and training more healthcare workers.
“Policy Advocacy: Strengthening institutional capacity for gender-sensitive policies and combating gender-based violence.
The event, attended by key stakeholders including ministers, development partners, and regional leaders, also served as a platform to assess SWEDD’s achievements and outline the roadmap for SWEDD+ implementation.
With SWEDD+ poised to expand its reach, the project symbolizes a renewed commitment to empowering women and girls, fostering their active participation in development, and paving the way for sustainable growth across Sub-Saharan Africa.
ECOWAS Launches US$350 million Women Empowerment Project
Crime
BREAKING NEWS: 3 killed And 3,000 displaced as Devastating Fire Sweeps Through Kalari Settlement in Konduga, Borno State
BREAKING NEWS: 3 killed And 3,000 displaced as Devastating Fire Sweeps Through Kalari Settlement in Konduga, Borno State
By: Zagazola Makama
A catastrophic fire has torn through the Kalari settlement in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, claiming three lives and displacing over 3,000 people. The blaze, which erupted at approximately 1:00 PM, engulfed three villages, reducing more than 1,500 thatched houses to ashes.
Zagazola Makama gathered that In response to the disaster, the military, along with the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF), mobilized swiftly to provide emergency assistance. Personnel from the 222 Battalion rendered first aid to the wounded and transported the injured to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital via Army ambulances.
The timely intervention of key local officials, including the Chairman of Konduga LGA, a Member of the House of Assembly, and the Commissioner for Environment, ensured immediate relief efforts for the affected families.
This incident comes on the heels of severe flooding that devastated Konduga LGA in September 2024, following the collapse of the Alau Dam. The flash floods from the dam’s collapse also affected Maiduguri and Jere LGAs, displacing an estimated 240,000 people. Many residents are still recovering from that catastrophe, and the latest fire disaster has further intensified the region’s humanitarian crisis.
An Official of SEMA, said the Borno State Government has made an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid to support the thousands affected by both the recent fire and previous flood disasters. Efforts are underway to provide shelter, food, and medical care to those impacted by these successive calamities.
BREAKING NEWS: 3 killed And 3,000 displaced as Devastating Fire Sweeps Through Kalari Settlement in Konduga, Borno State
Six Die in Taraba Boat Mishap, Nine Rescued
By: Zagazola Makama
A boat accident on the Jole River in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State has claimed six lives, while nine other passengers were rescued alive, the Taraba State Police Command has confirmed.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
According to police sources, the boat was conveying 15 people when it capsized midstream. Rescue efforts led to the recovery of nine survivors, while the bodies of six passengers were later pulled from the river.
The deceased have been identified as Dadi Mallam Dotti (30), Mubarak Abdu (21), Bappa Mallam Dotti (20), Adamu Yayagardi (30), and one Madugu (22), all from Badabdi, Funakaye LGA of Gombe State, of the Terawa ethnic group. The sixth victim was Umar Gambo (34), of Zaura Ward, Damban LGA, Bauchi State, of the Karakare ethnic group.
The boat driver is currently at large, and efforts are ongoing to locate him.
The police sources said that search and recovery operations were conducted in collaboration with local divers and community volunteers.
Six Die in Taraba Boat Mishap, Nine Rescued
Teenager Dies After Ritual Experiment by Native Doctor in Edo
By: Zagazola Makama
The Edo State Police Command has arrested two men in connection with the death of a 14-year-old boy, Okonkwo Obina Emmanuel, following a failed ritual performance in Iyamon Village, Illushi, Ubiaja.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported on April 2, 2025, by the deceased’s elder brother, Okonkwo Onyenbushi. According to the report, a self-acclaimed native doctor, Amechi Edozunor, in collaboration with one Kelvin Ugru, allegedly performed a charm ritual on the victim to make him “invulnerable to bottles.”
During the ritual, the suspects reportedly struck the boy’s head with a bottle in an attempt to prove the charm’s effectiveness, leading to a fatal head injury.
The victim was rushed to Wisdom Hospital and later referred to Ogbeide Hospital, where he died on April 5, 2025.
The sources said his remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while both suspects are currently in police custody pending further investigation.
Teenager Dies After Ritual Experiment by Native Doctor in Edo
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