News
Inclusion of Vulnerable, Marginalized Groups in Decision Making Key to Ending Crisis in West Africa- Tunis
Inclusion of Vulnerable, Marginalized Groups in Decision Making Key to Ending Crisis in West Africa- Tunis
By: Michael Mike
The rising crisis in West Africa, which include military coups and insecurity, inequality has been identified as one of the major factors causing the upsurge.
Even as supporting the participation of people from vulnerable and marginalized groups in the decision-making and democratic processes of the societies
has been recognized to be the key to continued peace, security and sustainable development.
Speaking at the opening of the delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee of the ECOWAS Parliament, bringing together the Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and the Committee on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment holding in Monrovia, Liberia, the Speaker of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Rt Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis acknowledged that every meeting of the Parliament is an opportunity to analyze and make proposals to better understand and control political, economic, and social developments in West Africa.
Tunis, while noting that the meeting will focus on one of the priorities of ECOWAS Vision 2050, which is to promote good governance and consolidate irreversible peace, security, as well as development in the region, however said: “As we all know, inequality has been one of the bases or causes of subversive acts in our region.
“The marginalization of vulnerable groups from important decision-making processes, particularly ethnic or religious minorities, women and young people, provides fertile ground for conflict of violent extremism.”
He said: “We must convince ourselves that supporting the participation of people from vulnerable and marginalized groups in the decision-making and democratic processes of our societies is imperative for peace, security and sustainable development.”
The Speaker added that: “Political inclusivity has the advantage of enabling all points of view to be expressed and taken into consideration, and of enhancing the representation of every segment of the population, including women and young people.”
He revealed that the delocalized meeting, which is being held on the theme: “Enhancing political inclusivity in the participatory governance process: a mechanism for promoting peace and security “, was part of activities designed by the ECOWAS Parliament to continually demonstrate its openness to the citizens of the region, stressing that it also provides an opportunity to share experiences and collaborate with national institutions in the pursuit of the integration objectives of ECOWAS.
Liberia’s Vice President, Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor lamented that political inclusivity is still far from being achieved, insisting that going by a few statistics as indicated by a January 2023 UN Women Facts and Figures report, women on the continent particularly and globally in general are still yet to be accorded the acceptable number in distribution of political offices.
She noted that inclusive political processes are crucial to sustaining peace and conflict prevention; establishing and strengthening political processes aimed at improving the participation and political influence of citizens; making governments and institutions more accountable and transparent, and building a stronger and more inclusive social contract between government and the people for greater access to opportunities, amongst other issues.
Taylor said though much has been done over the past 30 years to bring to the front burner the issue of equal participation of both genders, but the fact remains that even at the ECOWAS Parliament where the mandatory acceptable standard is a minimum 30% representation from each member state ; current statistics indicated that out of 115 members only 21 members are females, a mere 18.26%.
She argued quoting an unknown author that: “A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is also not less…” She asked the parliamentarians that “as you navigate the discussions on the way forward towards greater peace and security in our sub-region, I crave your indulgence to proffer policy prescriptions which compel our National Governments to take affirmative actions for the inclusion of women at all levels in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of governments.”
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, in his speech, noted that the disconnect between the government and its citizens is a contributing factor to the volatility and threats to democracy in the sub-region.
Touray, who was represented by Mrs Josephine Nkrumah, Permanent Representative of the ECOWAS Commission to Liberia, urged members of the ECOWAS Parliament to consider the role of civic engagements as a key strategy to building a more inclusive society.
He said that the ECOWAS Parliament’s delocalized meeting was apt and the Commission awaits recommendations from the meeting that would act as the springboard for both Parliament and Commission to ensure inclusivity of all ECOWAS citizens in the democratic process of the sub region.
Touray said: “The seeming disconnects between the governed and those who govern have contributed in part to the volatility of the sub-region leading to discontent in our communities.
“It is pertinent that in other to have effective inclusiveness and participatory government processes, our citizens must be engaged, involved and discerning.
“We look forward to a collaborative effort to building a more inclusive society in our governance processes for peace and security which are prerequisite to our economic and social integration as a sub region.”
Inclusion of Vulnerable, Marginalized Groups in Decision Making Key to Ending Crisis in West Africa- Tunis
NTAC DG Commends CIFCFIN for Giant Strides on 2nd Founders’ Day
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has commended the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) for its remarkable achievements since its establishment, describing the Institute’s progress as “giant strides”.
The commendation was made during CIFCFIN’s 2nd Founders’ Day celebration, which took place,Thursday,in Abuja,and also featured the induction of new members, professional practitioners, and Fellows of the Institute; in addition to a few Awards to some deserving individuals.
The event,which was chaired by Hon. Justice Moore Abraham Aseimo of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,had in attendance several dignitaries,including the CIFCIN Founder and Pioneer President,
Dr. Iliyasu Buba Gashinbaki;Alh. Mairiga Aliyu Katuga,Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as Dr. Isa Egah Salifu, Registrar/CEO and Secretary to the Council of CIFCFIN.
Others included the
former EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu; representative of the Development Bank of Nigeria;representative of the Inspector General of Police as well as the representative of the Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC),among many other senior officials of Government and stakeholders of the Institute.
In his remarks,Rt.Hon. Buba expressed pride in the milestones attained by CIFCFIN, noting that the Institute’s growth reflects a strong commitment to professionalism in forensics and fraud investigation,both of which are critical to Nigeria’s fight against corruption and economic crime.
Among those honoured at the event were the NTAC DG,whose role as the sponsor of the Bill for the establishment of the Institute was applauded by all.
The ceremony concluded with an official photo session with the Institute’s leadership and invited guests.
End
Christian Genocide: Information Minister Asks CSOs to Correct Misinformation About Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has appealed to Civil Society Organisations to help correct the misrepresentations of Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom.
The Minister made the appeal at the 25th Anniversary of ActionAid in Abuja.
He said there is an urgent need for CSOs in the country to counter the narratives by applying evidence-based insights into the Nigerian situation.
Idris while addressing the misconceptions about Nigeria abroad, insisted that the country is not a violator of religious freedom and reaffirmed that such freedoms are clearly guaranteed in the constitution.
The minister who acknowledged security challenges even as he emphasized that government efforts are yielding progress, cautioned against narratives that mischaracterise Nigeria and strain its relations with its partners, particularly the United States.
He admitted lthe government’s responsibility to protect citizens, especially children, stating that “our children must be safe in their schools, safe in their communities, and safe in their homes” and highlighted President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national emergency on security.
He revealed that the emergency measures include new recruitment into security agencies, support for state-level security outfits, and a push for legislative action towards establishing state police.
He described the declaration as a turning point in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
He called on CSOs to deepen their support for open governance, media freedom, digital literacy, and community development, and affirmed that ActionAid’s contributions in these areas remain “complementary and invaluable” to national progress.
The Minister who was the Chairman of ActionAid Nigeria 25 years anniversary celebration commended AAN for its action, service, and transformative work across the country.
He said, “For a quarter of a century, ActionAid has taken development to the frontlines, empowering women and girls, strengthening education, improving healthcare, advocating for governance reforms, supporting communities during crises, and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable.”
He noted that ActionAid must be praised for its innumerable responses to challenging humanitarian situations and grassroots empowerment work that have shaped policy and community development in profound and measurable ways in Nigeria. “Today, we gather to honour this legacy and to look toward the next chapter.”
The Minister said: “I am equally pleased to unveil the ActionAid building prototype, a strong signal of organisational growth and long-term presence in Nigeria. This forward-looking investment reflects ActionAid’s commitment to deepening its contribution to our nation over the next 25 years and beyond. These milestones deserve our collective applause.”
In his remarks, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the struggle of AAN in the last 25 years is to help contain poverty, a struggle he said has not been of convenience but of conviction.
He said: “25 years ago, ActionAid Nigeria began with a simple but radical proposition that poverty is not natural.
And that exclusion is not a condition to be managed by the system. But we have to dismantle it. The true development does not happen when charity is displaced.
“Charity may be rights, give things, that’s charity. But when power is shifted from privilege to the marginalised, from silence to participation, from oppression to agency, our journey has never been one of convenience, it has been one of conviction.
“We have chosen to take sides with women denied their rights, with youth denied their voices, and with communities denied access to opportunities they deserve.
“Because we know that to end poverty, we must confront the structural injustice that creates it. “So for the past 25 years, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with people living in poverty and exclusion. Not as saviours, we don’t see ourselves as saviours, but as allies who are working together.”
Christian Genocide: Information Minister Asks CSOs to Correct Misinformation About Nigeria
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi: VP Shettima Charges Young Scholars To Preserve His Message Of Tolerance
By: Michael Mike
Says nation has lost one of the last great titans of Islamic scholarship
Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged emerging Islamic scholars across Nigeria and Africa to preserve and propagate the enduring message of tolerance, dialogue, and inclusivity exemplified by the late renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.
He specifically said that the late Tijjaniyya leader’s commitment to dialogue and inclusivity represents the true heritage of Islam that must guide future generations.
The Vice President gave the charge on Friday after attending the burial ceremony of the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi in Bauchi, Bauchi State, where he described the passage of the cleric as a monumental loss not only to Nigeria but to the global Muslim Ummah.
“This nation has lost a colossus—an institution and one of the last great titans of Islamic scholarship. We call on our emerging scholars to embrace the path of dialogue, moderation, accommodation, and inclusivity, because this is the true heritage of Islam—not fanaticism, not extremism,” VP Shetimma said.
Praying for the repose of the late cleric’s soul, the Vice President said, “May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannatul Firdaus. May Allah grant his family and millions of followers the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Also speaking at the burial, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, described Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as a towering figure whose legacy transformed Islamic education and uplifted countless families.
“He made remarkable contributions to development and established a strong tradition of Qur’anic research and scholarship. He mentored so many people. We have lost a father, a guardian, a teacher, and a colossus,” the governor said.
Similarly, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, described the day as deeply sorrowful, not only for the family of the cleric but for all Nigerians and the entire Muslim Ummah across the world.
Yusuf said Sheikh Bauchi was widely known as an exceptional Islamic scholar who taught Qur’an and Hadith to hundreds of millions of people, especially his family and members of the Tijjaniyya order.
“May God grant his soul eternal rest and give the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.
Also speaking, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar, expressed gratitude to God for the cleric’s life, describing it as well spent. He said the late scholar would be remembered as a distinguished scholar and leader.
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi: VP Shettima Charges Young Scholars To Preserve His Message Of Tolerance
NTAC DG Commends CIFCFIN for Giant Strides on 2nd Founders’ Day
Christian Genocide: Information Minister Asks CSOs to Correct Misinformation About Nigeria
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi: VP Shettima Charges Young Scholars To Preserve His Message Of Tolerance
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
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
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
News7 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
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
