News
ECOWAS on B.Faso, Mali, Niger, Advocates Deployment of Dialogue and Reconciliation
ECOWAS on B.Faso, Mali, Niger, Advocates Deployment of Dialogue and Reconciliation
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso who recently announced their withdrawal from the subregional bloc to have a rethink and follow the path of dialogue and reconciliation.
The Chairman of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar while insisting that the choice of the three countries would only hurt the people, when responding to questions at the end of the sub-region extra ordinary session of the Council.
Tuggar regretted that the decision of the three Sahelian countries under military rule would only add to increase hardship to their citizens, insisting that the path of
diplomacy and dialogue remains the only route out of the quagmire.
He said: “ECOWAS is for the citizens, that is why it is called the economic community. So there’s emphasis on community. And for that reason, ECOWAS maintains the path, the avenue of dialogue, of conciliation of diplomacy and that is what has further been reaffirmed here.
” And for us, is quite cognizant of the fact that this intention of the three countries namely Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to exit ECOWAS would bring more hardship and will do more harm to the common citizens of those three countries.
“That is not good, and that is why we continue to urge those three countries to remain and follow the path of dialogue and reconciliation. And ECOWAS is going to redouble its efforts towards diplomacy towards dialogue towards reconciliation”
Tuggar on the implication of the decisions of the three countries to the integration process, said it was just a hiccup to the integration process of the continent, stressing that: “It’s not enough to just think that because of this development, that’s it. It means integration has been derailed, far from it.
“This is just a minor hiccup. And we’re talking about 54 countries and even with this hiccup the integration has already started and ECOWAS gone further than a lot of other parts of Africa in terms of integration. So the number of citizens from the three countries living in the rest of ECOWAS (countries), even in this building (ECOWAS headquarters) the number of people from those countries that work in ECOWAS not to talk of the continuous movement of people. The seasonal migration which takes place across the region, these are all things that you cannot just undo overnight, so you know, it takes more than pronouncements.”
He added that: “ECOWAS continues to emphasise good governance, strengthening institutions, and one of the decisions taken here was on the issue of the ECOWAS standby force to combat terrorism, the need to put it, activated as quickly as possible. As you know, the issue of terrorism presents an existential threat to all the countries in the community, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. And it’s important to also bear in mind that ECOWAS in spite of the sanctions, has continued, during the course of this period, to render support in different forms to these countries when it comes to the issue of fighting terrorism.”
On his part, President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray while responding to the allegation that
ECOWAS has deviated from.the tenets of its founding fathers,said: “We have moved to ECOWAS of the people and people are asking for accountable governments, democratic governance. ECOWAS needs to reflect the aspirations of the people.
“ECOWAS is alive to the demands of the population. And I think we all agree, each and every one of us aspire to have accountable government, governments chosen by people.
“And this is why ECOWAS has revised its various instruments to reflect those demands and reflected the aspiration of the people.
” I don’t think it is the will of the people of ECOWAS to move away from democratic principles, to move away from transparency, to move away from popular participation in governance. This is what ECOWAS stands for. And we will continue to work with each and every member state of ECOWAS to promote those ideas.”
ECOWAS on B.Faso, Mali, Niger, Advocates Deployment of Dialogue and Reconciliation
Crime
Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Ibrahim Gurgun Daji Killed in Gusau
Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Ibrahim Gurgun Daji Killed in Gusau
By: Zagazola Makama
Kachalla Ibrahim Gurgun Daji, a notorious bandit leader, has been eliminated in Kwanar Nasiru, located east of Mada town in Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
Gurgun DAJI was reportedly suyanised by a rival faction on Sunday who left his body at the scene.
Zagazola Makama understands that Ibrahim Gurgun Daji was widely known for his criminal activities, including orchestrating violent attacks along the Kwatarkwashi-Mada road and other surrounding areas.
His base of operations was the Shangel village, situated east of Mada town. He was also notorious for purchasing kidnapped victims within Gusau, further entrenching his influence in the region’s criminal underworld.
In addition to his role in attacks, he was reported to have harbored other criminal figures, including Bello Taggoje, at his residence in Shangel village. Gurgun Daji was believed to have a large group of followers involved in various acts of banditry and terror across the area.
The death of Kachalla Ibrahim Gurgun Daji marks a significant development in the fight against banditry in Zamfara State, as he was considered a key figure in the region’s network of armed criminals.
Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Ibrahim Gurgun Daji Killed in Gusau
Military
ENHANCING NAF COMBAT POWER: CAS LEADS TECHNICAL TEAM TO ITALY FOR M-346 JET, AW-109 TREKKER HELI PROCUREMENT
ENHANCING NAF COMBAT POWER: CAS LEADS TECHNICAL TEAM TO ITALY FOR M-346 JET, AW-109 TREKKER HELI PROCUREMENT
By: Our Reporter
A team of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) experts, led by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, along with officials from the Ministries of Defence and Finance, recently participated in a Programme Management Review Meeting in Italy with Messrs Leonardo S.p.A.
The meeting aimed to finalise arrangements for the NAF’s acquisition of 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack (FGA) jets as well as an additional 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters to the 2 already procured by the NAF.
While in Italy, the CAS made a strategic stopover at the Leonardo Headquarters in Rome, where he engaged with top executives to consolidate a long-term partnership between the NAF and the company. He also inspected the first batch of 6 M-346 jets, noting that 3 are nearing completion, and evaluated key support systems required to boost the NAF’s operational readiness.
In the Review Meeting, the CAS received updates on the delivery schedules, confirming that the first 3 units of 24 M-346 aircraft to be built for Nigeria are expected by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026. Meanwhile, with 2 Trekkers already acquired, the additional 10 are expected by early 2026.
The CAS recommended the establishment of a Programme Management Office to oversee the collaboration and ensure smooth project implementation. He also stressed the need for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to provide long-term support, especially for the M-346 fleet.
As part of the visit, the Leonardo Aircraft Division put on an aerial display to showcase the performance of the M-346 and highlight its advanced features. Capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, the M-346 will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s air combat capabilities.
On its part, the AW-109 will bolster combat support roles such as Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), tactical airlift and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) amongst others.
The M-346 and Trekker acquisitions are key steps towards fleet renewal, in consonance with the CAS Command Philosophy to transform the NAF for greater agility and resilience, with emphasis on the optimization of force structure and establishment for enhanced operational effectiveness.
Ends
News
Statement from Dr Christos CHRISTOU, MSF International President
Statement from Dr Christos CHRISTOU, MSF International President
By: Our Reporter
When I heard about the flooding that hit Maiduguri, on the top of the extreme challenges people in the region have faced for decades, I wanted to shed light on the challenges impacting people. Coming to Nigeria, I have seen why the massive flooding in Maiduguri has gained some attention worldwide – the shocking scale has affected millions of people. But it is not the only region of Nigeria affected by flooding.
People in northern Nigeria have been through a lot – overwhelming levels of malnutrition, frequent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, lack of medical facilities and medical personnel; all of this has been compounded by continuous insecurity. People now have to seek temporary shelter in displacement camps once again, rebuild their homes once again, and try to figure out what’s left of their farmland.
Because this flooding happened at the end of the lean season, it has deprived farmers of even the illusory hope to harvest. During my visit to Maiduguri, I went to the hospitals and clinics where MSF works. We support the local healthcare system in tackling malaria and other diseases, as well as in providing access to maternity services.
Recently, we had to launch a cholera treatment centre, after a cholera outbreak was officially declared. All this has happened in the background of a catastrophic malnutrition crisis.
One of my colleagues, a Nigerian doctor who has been working with MSF for more than eight years, told me that this year is very different. Every year, he said, during this season, we see terrible numbers of malnourished children coming to the hospital in a severe condition. But this year, at a time when the peak is supposed to be over, the number of patients admitted to the hospital is not going down. Worse, the condition in which they arrive is even more severe than usual. Very often people don’t have access even to basic medical care where they live, and do not have enough money or available transport.
As a result, they reach to us too late. Now, many organisations which were providing support in Maiduguri and other parts of the north of Nigeria have had to reduce their budgets or even stop their operations. Will MSF, a non-governmental organisation relying on private donations, be able to help all who are in need? My colleague sounded really scared.
For the past few years, MSF has seen a significant increase in the number of admissions for malnutrition. The numbers in 2022 and 2023 were already critically high. But between January to August this year, we have seen a fifty-one per cent increase in admissions of children with severe malnutrition, compared to the same period last year. Over the first eight months of this year, we have treated 52,725 children with severe malnutrition, a life-threatening condition, across the whole of northern Nigeria.
On top of this, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles are recurrent in Nigeria, and one of the leading causes of death amongst children. Between January – August this year alone, we had already treated over 12,500 cases of measles. That’s nearly double the same period last year. Outbreaks of infectious diseases significantly increase mortality risks for children under the age of five.
Unvaccinated children in this age group are particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases, diseases which elevate the risk of acute malnutrition.
In addition, there is malaria. Nigeria has the highest rates of malaria in the world – accounting for nearly 27 per cent of the global malaria burden. This disease can be prevented and treated. Yet in most of the projects we see that our malaria wards are overwhelmed, and children continue to die from it.
We all clearly see that the scale of the humanitarian crises is devastating. We need to see intensified lifesaving care for malnutrition, with a focus on preventive programmes to act before children become critically ill. Enhancing vaccination coverage requires routine immunisation services, with sustained investment from the authorities to maintain basic health care, alongside catch-up campaigns that extend to children under five.
The humanitarian community faces a lot of challenges globally, with the magnitude of emergencies exceeding all imaginable quantities and scale. But in Nigeria thousands of families have just lost their crops. They already lack access to basic health care and have been struggling for survival for many years. The humanitarian community needs to act and to provide necessary support now. This is not the time to relent, this is not the time to stop. We have to help the people who need assistance now.
Statement from Dr Christos CHRISTOU, MSF International President
-
News7 months ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News7 months ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS8 months ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns8 months ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions8 months ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
National News7 months ago
Fraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama