25th Anniversary Celebration: IPCR to Train 1 Million Youths in Conflict Management this Year

By: Michael Mike

As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has unveiled an ambituous plan to train a million Nigerian youths in basic conflict management.

The Director General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, made this announcement while hosting executive members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) on a courtesy visit.

He described the upcoming training as a significant milestone, saying: “This year, the Institute turns 25, and to commemorate this, my bold vision is to equip one million Nigerian youths with fundamental conflict management skills.

“The training will be digital and entirely free—participants only need internet access to log in, complete the courses, pass assessments, and receive certification.”

He added that this initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu by addressing key national concerns such as inclusion, security, and foreign policy under the 4D framework.

He equally said It aims to enhance the understanding of government policies related to conflict resolution among young Nigerians.

Highlighting the crucial role of the media in conflict resolution, Ochogwu said: “The media is central to our work. If you want to drive change in any society, the media’s role is indispensable.”

On his part, the Chairman of DICAN, Mr. Frederick Idehai expressed his association’s interest in partnering with the Institute.

He stressed DICAN’s broad representation, stating, “We are a network of over 60 journalists covering Nigeria’s diplomatic landscape, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, and the wider diplomatic community.

“Our members cut across print, electronic, online, and wire services, ensuring balanced and professional coverage of international affairs.”

Idehai also underscored the discipline and professionalism that define diplomatic correspondents, stating that: “Diplomacy requires decorum and expertise, and as journalists, we uphold these values in our reporting and engagements.”

25th Anniversary Celebration: IPCR to Train 1 Million Youths in Conflict Management this Year

Nigeria’s Border Expansive Not Porous, Says Leggjack

By: Michael Mike

A former Comptroller of Immigration, Solomon Leggjack has described Nigeria’s border as expensive, insisting that it is not porous and should not be seen as the cause of the nation’s security challenges.

Speaking at the official launch of his book, “Citizenship and Immigration Regulatory Framework in Nigeria”, Leggjack who noted that: “Nigeria has done very well to recognise her true Citizens by our various laws and by lmmigration administrative processes,” said: “Nigeria’s Border are not porous but expansive. It is not the major cause of our Country’s security challenges- stricto senso.”

He added that: “Kindly compare with Southern USA border with Mexico and the rate of breaches of her borders by irregular migrants, can you attribute it to Porous USA’s border. NO, because their border is Not porous BUT Expansive affording migrants who want to dodge Immigration procedures to exploit.”

He said: “The NIS management and the Hon Minister of lnterior are already doing much to address this by deployment of e-border management systems in sic with global migration management Systems.”

On his motivation for writing the book, Leggjack, said: “My motivation to write the book ranged from motivation by past superior bosses of mine who were intentional in encouraging and horning my writing skills to the need of sharing some knowledge of our very intricate job (as Immigration officers) to those we have left behind so as to reduce the dearth of such materials as well as difficulty in searching for such persons amongst the pool of retired officers.”

The book reviewer, respected academia, Adagogo Brown said: “I find this book highly enlightening and educative as a resource literature on the laws guiding cross-border movements, the management of immigration in Nigeria and other countries of the world. Because human beings generally, for several reasons, move from one country of the world to another, sometimes changing nationality, it becomes very important for them to know the rules guiding such movements.

“To be informed and properly guided on cross-border movements and citizenship, I recommend this book to international business men, companies that engage expatriate staff, students of law, international and diplomatic studies, state, and national assembly members, all staff of NIS and every literate person in the English language, who believes in the power of knowledge, especially understanding how human beings move around the world.”

Nigeria’s Border Expansive Not Porous, Says Leggjack

ECOWAS COURT AND UNHCR UNVEIL JOINT WORKPLAN FOR 2025

By: Michael Mike

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Abuja Office, on February 7, 2025, held a coordination meeting at the Headquarters of the Court in Abuja, Nigeria to finalise and adopt a joint workplan for 2025.

The Collaboration, rooted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2022, is aimed at strengthening key areas including refugee protection, statelessness, judicial capacity-building, human rights across the ECOWAS region.

The meeting opened with a review of the 2024 joint workplan, which allowed both institutions to evaluate its success and ensure it met their mutual goals. Following the assessment, the Court and the UNHCR presented and officially adopted the 2025 workplan, reinforcing their continued partnership in tackling the challenges faced by displaced persons and stateless individuals.

Key to the discussions were the proposed initiatives for the year, which include partnership coordination meetings, capacity-building initiatives, legal awareness campaigns, and joint advocacy activities. The adoption of the 2025 workplan reinforces the shared commitment of the ECOWAS Court and UNHCR to promoting access to justice and enhancing legal protections for vulnerable populations particularly displaced persons and stateless individuals in West Africa.

Highlights of the 2025 joint workplan include:

• Partnership Coordination Meetings: Regular bi-monthly meetings to monitor the implementation of joint activities and share updates on court cases relevant to UNHCR’s mandate.
• Statelessness Initiatives: Support for the implementation of international and regional instruments on statelessness, including a regional training course in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and an annual coordination meeting for statelessness focal points.
• Capacity Building and Sensitization: Joint awareness campaigns in ECOWAS Member States, training sessions for legal practitioners, and consultations on a moot court programme designed by the ECOWAS Court.
• Humanitarian Field Assessments: Fact-finding missions to refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps to gain firsthand insights into the humanitarian situation in the region.
• Judicial and Legal Framework Support: Information sessions for UNHCR country offices, NGOs, and partners on the mandate and procedures of the ECOWAS Court, as well as the development of a roster of lawyers for capacity building initiatives.
• Resource Support: Legal resources including donation of legal books to the ECOWAS Court Library and specialised training for Court staff on refugee and international humanitarian law.
  Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the Court, and Mr Hervé Kuate, UNHCR Senior Liaison Adviser, ECOWAS/ECCAS, both reaffirmed their commitment to working together to protect the rights of displaced persons and stateless individuals across West Africa.
  The adoption of the 2025 joint workplan marks another milestone in their shared mission to provide legal protection and assistance to vulnerable populations in the region. The meeting was attended by participants from various departments within the ECOWAS Court and UNHCR.
• ECOWAS COURT AND UNHCR UNVEIL JOINT WORKPLAN FOR 2025