ECOWAS May Deploy AI in Counter-Terrorism, Peace Operations

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is not ruling out the deployment of technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its counter-terrorism and peace operations within the West African region.

The Chairman of the Governmental experts’ validation meeting on logistics concept and logistics deport policies of the ECOWAS standby force, Air Commodore Sampson Eyekosi, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the meeting in Abuja on Friday.

The meeting was ahead of the commissioning of the recently completed ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

Eyekosi, on the resolutions of the meeting, which comprised top military personnel and government officials from all ECOWAS member states, said they would be forwarded to the authorities for ratification in March.

He said top on the list was the introduction of technologies to the operations of the standby force.

He said: “We want to leverage on technology and fight against terrorism, insurgency and other threats we see, even climate change. We need technology such as artificial intelligence, drones, and other forms of technology.

“We need to harness them as much as possible, working as a whole of the community, bringing our expertise, early warning, humanitarian issues, youth and women, everybody having a part to play so that we can ensure peace and security.”

He also disclosed that local sourcing of military hardware was also top on the list of issues raised, noting that the body would need to look inward for the supply of most of the needed military equipment needed for counter terrorism and peace operations.

The Chairman also said the issue of funding was a top priority, adding that the meeting encouraged the ECOWAS to look at other sources of funding, including the private sector.

ECOWAS May Deploy AI in Counter-Terrorism, Peace Operations

Humanitarian Assistance: EU Donates US$12 million through WFP to Northeast

By: Michael Mike

European Union (EU) gave €11 million (US$ 12 million) in 2024 to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to help feed hungry families and provide support services in the conflict-affected northeast of Nigeria.

A statement on Friday by WFP, said: “In a period of urgent need, the EU’s support enabled the provision of comprehensive food security support to people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. Food assistance comprised €6.5 million of the EU contribution.

The statement explained that WFP used these funds to provide life-saving food assistance and nutrition support to 1.4 million vulnerable people living in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in the northeast region, noting that: “In these states, persistent conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and reduced household purchasing power continue to undermine people’s possibility to feed themselves. The number of hungry people in the northeast is projected to rise to 5 million at the peak of this year’s lean season.”

The WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, David Stevenson said:
“The EU remains one of the largest contributors to WFP operations in Nigeria and we are very grateful for their support”, he added that: “We thank the EU, the Nigerian government authorities and all our other partners who work with us to reach the most vulnerable people in the northeast and provide them with life-saving food assistance.”

According to the statement, the EU’s contribution, channeled through the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO), also supported the provision of UN Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) to enhance humanitarian access in northeast Nigeria. UNHAS, managed by WFP, provides the humanitarian community with vital common services to reach and operate in areas of humanitarian crisis in the region.

The WFP said: “Thanks to partners such as the EU, UNHAS achieved remarkable results in 2024, transporting over 28,500 passengers and airlifting some 416 metric tons of humanitarian cargo. UNHAS also chartered an additional helicopter and opened a new route (Maiduguri-Damaturu) to enhance access in the northeast. The EU provided €4.6 million to UNHAS, 20% of total UNHAS contributions in 2024.”

“As our largest partner in Nigeria, ECHO plays a strategic role in our responding to the crisis. During unprecedented floods in 2024, UNHAS was able to reach locations that were impossible to access by road. UNHAS stepped in to deliver medical equipment, nutrition assistance and other humanitarian supplies to the most hard-to-reach locations and to the most vulnerable people,” said UNHAS Nigeria, Denys Saltanov, Chief.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

While the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) financed by the European Union and its Member States, is the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid, using relief assistance as an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

Humanitarian Assistance: EU Donates US$12 million through WFP to Northeast

Dabiri-Erewa: Diaspora Involvement Key to Nigeria’s Sports Development

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that Nigeria’s sports sector will experience significant growth if its diaspora potential is fully harnessed.

She highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, expertise, skills, and investment from Nigerians abroad in driving sports development in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa made this known in Lagos while welcoming Super Bowl champion Morotoluwa Ojomo to a warm reception by NiDCOM officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

Ojomo, a Nigerian-born American football star, returned to his home country following his remarkable achievement as a member of the victorious Philadelphia team in the Super Bowl.

Ojomo, a proud native of Lagosmoved to the United States in 2009 has carved a niche for himself in American football first at the collegiate level where he excelled at Texas in college before advancing to the professional league.

His homecoming was led by his father, Pastor Ololade Ojomo, accompanied by a dedicated team of supporters.

Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM celebrates Ojomo’s outstanding feat, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to recognizing and engaging Nigerians in the diaspora who continue to bring pride to the nation.

She noted that Ojomo’s success is a reward to the resilience, hard work, and excellence that define Nigerians Globally.

Dabiri-Erewa added that NiDCOM remains dedicated to fostering stronger ties between Nigeria and its diaspora, ensuring that their contributions to national development are recognised.

Dabiri-Erewa: Diaspora Involvement Key to Nigeria’s Sports Development