National News
ECOWAS Needs Immediate Reforms to Tackle Multiple Crises- Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima

ECOWAS Needs Immediate Reforms to Tackle Multiple Crises- Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima
By: Michael Mike
The Speaker of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima has advocated for the speedy reforms of some procedures and laws that guide the operations of regional bloc in order to tackle the myriad of crises that is presently beset the region.
The Speaker made the call in Lome, Togo on Tuesday in her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Third Extra-Ordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar of the regional legislature.
Ibrahima, who stated that one of the main areas of focus for the session is budgetary provisions to finance efforts to address the problems within the sub region, decried that “our region is ravaged by floods, terrorism, violent extremism and irregular migration that have affected thousands of our citizens. ECOWAS of 50 years must speed up reforms to consolidate the principles of democracy and good governance to drive the vision of the founding fathers.”
The Speaker while commending the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe for his ceaseless support for regional integration and women empowerment. noted that her ascension to the speakership of the regional legislature as the first female to do so was a testament to the Togolese leader’s promotion of female competences at all levels.
The Speaker added that the session will afford the regional legislature the opportunity to consider and adopt its budget of 2025-2027 to give it a clear cut financial roadmap to come out with “pragmatic measures” to address these challenges for the peace, stability, solidarity and progress of West Africa.
The session will also examine the level of implementation of the Parliament’s 2023 budget as well as the mid-term budget for the 2024 financial year to ensure that it aligns with the region’s development goals.
The regional parliament will then hold a symposium tagged “Empowering Women through Financial Inclusion”, that will be organized by the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) to unlock opportunities for women through financial services and promote economic empowerment.
In his good will message, the President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, said it is imperative to strengthen infrastructure and investment priorities in West Africa to unlock the opportunities in the region and make the economies of member countries more competitive even as he called for equitable distribution of economic opportunities for all citizens.
Represented by the Director, Department of Research and Strategic Planning MacDonald Goanue, the EBID president said the ECOWAS Parliament is a vital institution to facilitate dialogue, promote peace and stability towards achieving the objectives of the region. He pointed out the need for ECOWAS institutions to prioritize regional cooperation to boost investments and ensure equitable distribution of the benefits.
He said “West Africa must ensure that the benefits of investments are equitably distributed among its citizens and together we can realize the vision of the bloc for its citizens.”
The Togolese Minister of Human Rights, Citizenship Training and Relations with the Institutions of the Republic of Togo, Barrister Pacome Yawovi Missiame Amenyo Adjourouvi, decried the human rights situation in the region. He said the human rights have been undermined by repressive governments which have suppressed freedom of speech and protests against harsh government policies.
He noted that human rights protection will guarantee peace and greater opportunities for the citizens to thrive saying “we must play essential role to promote and protect human rights in West Africa”. He said further that the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right and gender equality will bring the regional bloc near to its cherished objectives.
The Speaker of the Togolese National Assembly, Sevon-Tepe Kodjo Adedze, who declared the session open on Tuesday in Lome, said the region must intensify its developmental strides with “budgetary provisions for a better Community,” stressing that the ‘ECOWAS vision 2050’ must consider social inclusion, economic integration, peace, stability , harmony and prosperity as espoused by the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe.
ECOWAS Needs Immediate Reforms to Tackle Multiple Crises- Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima
National News
Nigeria Partners UNICEF To Train 20m Youth In Digital Skills By 2030

Nigeria Partners UNICEF To Train 20m Youth In Digital Skills By 2030
** As VP Shettima chairs Generation Unlimited board
By: Our Reporter
The Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed its strategic partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to train and empower 20 million young Nigerians with digital skills by 2030.
This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima has accepted to chair the board of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a public-private-youth partnership platform constituted to help young Nigerians between the ages of 10 and 24 transition from learning to earning through digital connectivity.

Speaking during a meeting with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall; UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, and Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, at the President Villa, Abuja on Monday, Senator Shettima warned that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, currently estimated at over 230 million with an average age of 17, presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
“It is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA). This platform provides a vista of opportunities for our young people. Beyond rhetoric, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward,” the Vice President said.
The GenU 9JA initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive development, digital innovation, and youth empowerment as tools for national transformation.
VP Shettima stressed that Nigeria is not seeking handouts but sustainable, equitable partnerships.
“We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship—one based on respect and shared interests. This is why I’m very passionate about the digital initiative. Beyond leadership in our enlightened self-interest, if we want to live in this part of the world, we have to involve them, we have to empower them,” he said.
The VP described the initiative as a beautiful programme that would enable the Nigerian youths trade their skills in the global market, saying “from earning to learning is a beautiful initiative and more than any other platform, the digital space gives us the easiest window to get the youth engaged effortlessly.
“They can trade their skills in the global market. I know of a lot of young Nigerians who are working for global firms from the comfort of their homes,” he added.
Earlier, UN Resident Coordinator, Fall, praised Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the GenU platform is central to addressing youth unemployment, educational inequality, and digital exclusion.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youth-focused initiatives—skills, digital access, and employment—are critical. And GenU is helping to drive those priorities,” Fall said.
Also, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Khan, added that GenU 9JA is one of UNICEF’s most successful global youth empowerment programmes, with Nigeria showcased as a model.
“We’ve seen incredible results from Nigeria. Few countries globally have recorded the level of youth impact that GenU 9JA has achieved,” she said.
According to Khan, the programme is built on three pillars: digital connectivity, pathways from learning to earning, and youth engagement and empowerment—all designed to prepare Nigerian youth for today’s job market.
On her part, UNICEF Lagos Chief, Celine Lafoucriere, noted that since its launch in 2022, GenU 9JA has impacted over 10 million young people, with 1,500 job linkages already secured.
“To reach our target of 20 million youth by 2030, we must now strengthen coordination among partners and align even more closely with national policy,” Lafoucriere said.
End
National News
OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT

OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT
By: Michael Mike
Stakeholders at the just concluded four-day strategic Obafemi Awolowo University Council Management Retreat have resolved to work together and use their respective expertise towards the development of the institution.
Rising from the retreat held from May 28 to May 31, 2025 at Ede, Osun state, the Stakeholders used the opportunity to restrategise on challenges and opportunities confronting the 63 years old institution.
The retreat tagged: “Towards A Better Working Relationship Between Council and Management” had Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan as the keynote speaker.

Other stakeholders in attendance include Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Pro-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Bamire, OAU Vice Chancellor, his DVC Administration, Prof. O.M.A. Daramola and newly elected Great Ife Alumni Association President, Barrister Leye Bunmi Falode.
Others in attendance were Prof. M. Olubola Babalola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development and all other principal officers of the University which include the Registrar, Librarian and the Bursar.
All the registered unions like ASUU, CONUA, Students Union Government among other stakeholders at the institution were equally in attendance during the retreat.
In his goodwill message, Barrister Falode used the opportunity to unveil the Alumni 14-point agenda which include giving priority to the needs of the University as the Federal Government allocation alone cannot sustain it.
He also said that working together with all stakeholders in a rancour-free atmosphere is what they need to achieve all the set goals of the Alumni for the university.
Falode, who was sworn in as Global President on Saturday May 24, however, urged all stakeholders to work in harmony with the management and Council of the Institutions towards making it a true centre of academic excellence.
OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT
National News
ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment

ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment
By: Michael Mike
The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves on Monday emphasised the critical need for transparent financial management and strategic institutional reform as the Court navigates a defining moment in its administrative evolution.
Speaking at the 17th Administration and Budget Retreat of the Court, the President said the retreat was not merely a routine institutional exercise, but one that requires renewed commitment, clear vision, and adaptive leadership.
“This is not just another meeting,” he said. “It is a decisive moment that will shape the future of the Court. The complex administrative and financial environment we are operating in, demands not only compliance but also innovation, resilience, and courage.”
Gonçalves stressed the importance of building a more efficient and accountable institutional framework. He called for a renewed sense of purpose among departments, urging managers and staff to embrace transparency and creativity in tackling challenges.
“The Court must reflect a strong strategic direction and realign its priorities to match regional realities. We cannot afford to be passive. We must act decisively to redefine our priorities, streamline our procedures, and reinforce our core mission”.
Highlighting the economic challenges facing the West African region, the President underscored the need for efficient use of financial resources and ensure that all initiatives, are results-oriented, impactful, and aligned with the Court’s long-term vision.
He emphasised that the Court must serve as a model of integrity, foresight, and adaptability: “We are not only managing numbers; we are shaping the future of regional justice. Our financial and administrative actions must match the responsibility we carry as custodian of community law.
The President called for the consolidation of strategic plans into concrete, measurable reforms and encouraged collaboration across departments to foster a professional and inclusive working environment, one that motivates, empowers, and attracts talent.
The Director of Administration and Finance of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Chief Dr. William Deiyan Towah who made a presentation on the «Objectives and Expectations of the Retreat,” emphasised the importance of strategic reflection, data-driven planning, and institutional renewal. He urged participants to go beyond routine planning and embrace a future-ready approach that prioritises impact, sustainability, and risk management.
“This is not just about doing our best,” he stated. “It is about ensuring our efforts are effective, sustainable, and align with the Court’s evolving realities.”


Participants at the retreat include directors, heads of divisions and units, administrative and finance staff and other key staff of the Court.
ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment
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