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ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali

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ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali
…To Hold Summit on Future of the Community

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday announced plans to organise a summit: “the Future of the Community,” to strategize on life without exited member states- Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.

The exit of the three francophone countries, who have since formed Alliance of Sahel States,

Relations between the three countries and other members of ECOWAS got broken following the rejection of undemocratic change of government in the now AES states.

Already, the Committee on Administration and Finance of the commission has commenced a three day- mid-term evaluation of the sub-region’s implementation of the programmes and activities of the Community’s institutions.

The committee which is sitting in Abuja will also look at the difficult financial situation of the Community and the state of recruitment within the institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the 37th ordinary meeting of the CAF, on Sunday, the Vice President of the Commission, Madam Damtien Tchintchibidja, called for speedy reforms needed to adapt to the current reality of the withdrawal.

Tchintchibidja said: “Today’s meeting is part of a twofold dynamics: on the one hand, that of the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of ECOWAS and, on the other, that of the official withdrawal of three (3) of our Member States.

“One of the lessons learnt from the commemoration of our fiftieth anniversary and those learnt from the departure of the three (3) Member States is that it is essential and imperative for us to speed up the institutional, organisational, political and security reforms needed in order to adapt to the new realities. I therefore appeal to your sense of responsibility so that together we can undertake the necessary reforms.

“ It is in this spirit that I am pleased to announce the forthcoming organisation, in accordance with the decisions of the Heads of State and Government, of a Summit on the Future of the Community.”

She further said that “prior consultations will be organised, including with young people and women, to take into account all the needs for the future of the Community.”

Speaking on the importance of the CAF meeting, she said: “As you know, our organisation is currently going through an existential crisis and in such circumstances, we must sit down together, pose and examine the problems and challenges facing us without complacency and together redouble our efforts to find appropriate solutions.”

Tchintchibidja noted that ECOWAS is currently “ at a crossroads, and this calls for a strong capacity to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of integration and to project ourselves into the future,” stressing the need for the regional body to recognize the importance of unity.

She added that: “But beyond all that, we must be aware and recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity and fraternity. Indeed, moving forward together on the road to development, in peace and stability, is priceless.”

She also emphasized that “In many ways, this Golden Jubilee has been a time for collective reflection, introspection and assessment of our achievements, strengths and challenges. It has also enabled us to start looking to the future.”

She said: “I would like to remind you that ECOWAS is all of us: you here today, me, and all the citizens of our community space. It lives through our collective commitment, our solidarity, our fraternity and our shared desire to build a more prosperous and forward-looking region, hence the theme of our Golden Jubilee:‘Stronger together for a better future’

On his part, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee on Administration and Finance, Ambassador Olawale Awe called on ECOWAS to fastback the process of filling the gaps left behind by the three departed states.

ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali

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Zulum Condoles Residents of Malam Fatori over Recent Attack

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Zulum Condoles Residents of Malam Fatori over Recent Attack

… Announces Resettlement of Additional 3,000 families

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has commiserated with the people of Malam Fatori, Abadam local government area, over the recent attack by Boko Haram insurgents that claimed nine lives and left four others injured.

Addressing the people of the area, governor Zulum, whose condolence message was delivered by the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele, assured that government will continue to take adequate measures to ensure their safety and the protection of the town.

“We are here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who is out of the country on an official assignment to condole with the people of Malam Fatori over the recent unfortunate attack. He assured that Borno State government and the military will do everything possible to secure the town”, Zulum assured.

“Malam Fatori is one local government area that we are committed to ensuring its stability because of its strategic importance, urging the people to be more resilient and prayerful to avert future incidents,” he added.

While commending the military for their commitment and gallantry, the commissioner announced the deployment of excavators to dig trenches around the local government headquarters to fortify the town from further attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP groups.

“Let me warn against colluding with Boko Haram, as we will seek divine intervention from the Holy Quran, anyone found collaborating with the insurgents to bring harm or attack to the people of Malam Fatori will be cursed,”.

Hon. Mai Mele then presented cash support of N500,000 to each of the bereaved families and N250,000 to each of the four individuals undergoing treatment.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, has announced that Borno State government would soon resettle additional 3,000 households in Malam Fatori.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the sympathy visit, the commissioner said this will bring to 5,000, the total number of resettled families.

“Already, Borno State government had resettled 2,000 households, and government is planing to resettle another 3,000 households soon, making it 5,000 households,” Tar announced.

“Let me assure the people that the state government is poised to providing necessary security arrangements, providing the necessary resources and security to consolidate their stay in their homeland,”

Professor Tar called on the people to be resilient and prayerful, urging them to report any suspicious movements to relevant authorities.

Others in the delegation include the member representing the area in the State Assembly, Jamna Bong, permanent secretary Ministry of Information and Internal Security, Aminu Chamalwa, an elder of the area, Maina Mohammed Tar among others.

Zulum Condoles Residents of Malam Fatori over Recent Attack

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Gunmen kill five cows, abduct two children in Plateau

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Gunmen kill five cows, abduct two children in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected armed men have attacked a cattle tent in Wumat area of Tarangol District in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing five cows and abducting two children.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, according to a report made by the Ardo (Fulani leader) of the district.

The victims, identified as Shafiu Nuhu and Abba Nuhu, both sons of a herder named Nuhu Ibrahim, were taken away by the assailants after they invaded the tent and killed the livestock.

The fulani leaders expressed concern over the increasing frequency of such attacks and called for swift intervention to secure the release of the abducted children.

Security operatives later visited the scene and launched a manhunt for the attackers.

Plateau state has been the center of violence resulted from harder and farmers crises. The attacks against the harder communities were underreported and silenced, this is many cases resulting to deadly reprisal.

Gunmen kill five cows, abduct two children in Plateau

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Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community

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Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community

By: Zagazola Makama

A man, identified as Limam Muhammad Baba, has allegedly killed his biological father, Malam Baba Siti, during a domestic altercation.

The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, July 3, at about 10:15 p.m., in Uzum village, Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State, when an argument between the two escalated, leading Limam to strike his father on the head with a stick.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim collapsed immediately and lost consciousness.

Police sources say “The report was received at the Giade Divisional Police Headquarters at about 10:30 p.m. that the suspect used force on his biological father by striking him on the head with a stick, leading to the victim falling unconscious.

He added that a team of police operatives was immediately mobilised to the scene. The suspect was arrested, and the victim was taken to the General Hospital in Giade, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead on arrival.

The police sources said the body of the deceased was deposited at the hospital morgue while an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has commenced.

He assured that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community

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