News
ECOWAS STANDARDS MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE EXAMINES NEWREGIONAL STANDARDS FOR FORTIFIED FOODS
ECOWAS STANDARDS MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE EXAMINES NEW
REGIONAL STANDARDS FOR FORTIFIED FOODS
By: Michael Mike
On the 28th and 29th of July 2025, the Cape Verdean capital Praia is hosting a decisive session of the ECOWAS Technical Committee for Standards Management (TMC).
The aim: to review and validate revised regional standards for fortified foods, including iodized salt, fortified vegetable oils and fortified wheat flour.
This initiative, supported by UNICEF, is part
of the fight against persistent malnutrition in West Africa.
This technical session is part of the implementation of the Common Industrial Policy for West Africa (PICAO) and the Standards Harmonization Model (ECOSHAM). The ambition is clear: to
strengthen the regional normative framework in terms of nutritional security, by adopting up-to-date standards aligned with international standards and meeting the public health priorities of member states.
Alongside the work on food standards, the Committee also validated the new composition of the bureaux of the sectoral technical committees THC2 (food products), THC4 (buildings and
construction materials), THC8 (textiles and clothing) and THC9 (information and communication technologies), taking into account the withdrawal of certain AES countries.
In his opening speech, Mr. Lassané Kaboré, ECOWAS Director of Industry, emphasized the strategic impact of these harmonized standards: guaranteeing safe products for consumers while boosting the competitiveness of local industries.
He also announced the imminent launch of a process to develop standards for complementary foods for infants and young children, in partnership with UNICEF.
For his part, Mr. Siméon Nanama, UNICEF Regional Nutrition Advisor for West and Central Africa, reiterated the urgent need to take action against malnutrition, a real brake on development. He highlighted large-scale fortification as a sustainable solution, praised the exemplary partnership
between UNICEF and ECOWAS, and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the development of nutritional standards, particularly for young children.
Ms Ana Paula Spencer, President of the Institute for Quality Management and Intellectual Property (IGQPI), praised ECOWAS’s leading role in setting up a regional quality infrastructure, an
essential lever for fairer and safer trade.
ECOWAS STANDARDS MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE EXAMINES NEW
REGIONAL STANDARDS FOR FORTIFIED FOODS
Security forces foil kidnapping attempt at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have foiled an attempted kidnapping at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi, Bauchi State, in the early hours of Saturday, sources said.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:42 a.m. on March 15 when unidentified persons attempted to gain entry into the school premises through the fence near the staff quarters.
Security personnel on guard duty, supported by a patrol team, responded swiftly to the situation. On sighting the approaching officers, the suspected kidnappers abandoned their mission and fled the area.
The development caused brief panic within the school as students raised alarm and ran within the premises. However, no student was harmed or molested during the incident.
Police said the situation has been brought under control, while the school premises remain under close surveillance. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Security forces foil kidnapping attempt at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi
Man rescued by security forced after abduction in Fika, suspects flee
By: Zagazola Makama
A 35-year-old man, Haruna Abdul, was rescued unhurt after being abducted from his residence in Fali Village, Gashinge, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State, security sources confirmed on Monday.
The incident, which occurred on March 14, involved unknown assailants armed with bows, arrows, and matches, who reportedly invaded Abdul’s home and forcibly abducted him.
During the attempted transport of the victim to an undisclosed location, police and vigilante groups promptly pursued the kidnappers to Gubana in Fune LGA, Yobe State.
The kidnappers reportedly abandoned Abdul along with a seized motorcycle, described as kasere red in color without registration number, before fleeing into the bush.
The victim has since been reunited with his family, while authorities continue efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects for prosecution.
Man rescued by security forced after abduction in Fika, suspects flee
Stray bullet injures man in Tsafe following dispute involving military personnel
By: Zagazola Makama
A 38-year-old man sustained gunshot injuries in Tsafe Township, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, after a misunderstanding involving a military personnel attached to Operation FANSAN YANMA.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on March 14 in the Sahara area when the military personnel, who was in possession of a serviceable rifle, attempted to apprehend one of several youths from Sabon Fegi area.
According to sources , the youths resisted and overpowered the soldier, who reportedly fired his rifle to escape. A stray bullet hit a passerby, identified as Abdulrazak Abdullahi Kayode, in the stomach.
The injured man was initially taken to General Hospital Tsafe before being referred to Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, for further treatment.
Sources said the situation has been brought under control, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Residents have been urged to remain calm while authorities look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Stray bullet injures man in Tsafe following dispute involving military personnel
Security forces foil kidnapping attempt at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi
Man rescued by security forced after abduction in Fika, suspects flee
One killed as customs officers allegedly shoot driver in Osogbo
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
