Conakry to Host Pan-African Summit on Youth Reproductive Health as Leaders Confront Funding Crisis

By: Michael Mike

More than 500 policymakers, health experts, parliamentarians, youth leaders and civil society organisations from over 30 African countries will converge on Conakry, Guinea, in September for the 12th African Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ACSHR 2026), amid growing concerns over shrinking donor funding, humanitarian emergencies and mounting threats to the health and wellbeing of young people across the continent.

The four-day conference, scheduled for September 2 to 5, is expected to provide a continental platform for governments, development partners, researchers, United Nations agencies and youth advocates to chart a new course for improving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for Africa’s adolescents and young people.

The conference, themed “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Adolescents and Young People in Africa in the Face of Multifaceted Crises,” comes at a time when many African countries are struggling to sustain critical health interventions following significant reductions in international development assistance, while conflicts, climate change, disease outbreaks and economic instability continue to widen inequalities affecting young people.

Organisers said the meeting would bring together ministers, parliamentarians, public health institutions, researchers, international development agencies, women’s organisations, youth networks and community-based groups to develop practical strategies for protecting and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services despite the continent’s multiple challenges.

According to the organisers, discussions will centre on sustainable financing for reproductive health programmes, improving access to family planning and maternal healthcare, comprehensive sexuality education, menstrual health management, prevention of gender-based violence, and strengthening the participation of young people in designing policies that affect their lives.

Another major focus of the conference will be safeguarding sexual and reproductive rights against growing anti-rights movements and ensuring continuity of essential health services during humanitarian crises, including armed conflicts and climate-induced disasters that have displaced millions across Africa.

The organisers noted that declining external financing has placed enormous pressure on African governments to mobilise domestic resources and build resilient health systems capable of meeting the needs of one of the world’s youngest populations.

Africa is home to the fastest-growing youth population globally, making investments in adolescent health, education and empowerment critical to achieving the continent’s demographic dividend. Experts have consistently warned that without sustained investments in these areas, many countries risk higher maternal mortality, teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, school dropouts and rising unemployment among young people.

The Conakry conference is also expected to showcase innovative programmes from across Africa that have successfully expanded youth-friendly health services, strengthened community engagement and increased access to reproductive healthcare in difficult environments.

The African Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights has, for more than two decades, served as the continent’s premier platform for dialogue on sexual and reproductive health policy. Established under the auspices of the African Federation for Sexual Health and Rights, the conference rotates among African countries and brings together governments, academia, civil society and development partners to formulate evidence-based policies and strengthen regional collaboration.

Previous editions have focused on issues ranging from family wellbeing and demographic dividend to bodily autonomy, gender equality and universal access to reproductive healthcare, with recommendations helping to shape national and regional health policies.

With Africa facing unprecedented demographic growth alongside increasingly complex health, economic and humanitarian challenges, expectations are high that the Conakry summit will produce concrete commitments to strengthen domestic financing, reinforce regional cooperation and place young people at the centre of efforts to secure healthier, more inclusive and sustainable futures for the continent.

Conakry to Host Pan-African Summit on Youth Reproductive Health as Leaders Confront Funding Crisis

Police, Army Rescue 32 Kidnap Victims as Bandits Flee During Gun Battle in Sokoto

By Zagazola Makama

Police operatives in Sokoto State, supported by troops of the Nigerian Army, have rescued 32 kidnapped victims after a fierce gun battle with armed bandits in Maikujera village, Rabah Local Government Area of the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation followed a distress call received at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rabah Division, reporting the movement of a large group of heavily armed bandits around the remote community bordering Zamfara State.

The intelligence indicated that the gunmen were moving with several kidnapped victims and rustled livestock while shooting indiscriminately to intimidate residents.

Upon receiving the report, the DPO immediately mobilised tactical assets, including personnel from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Reaction Unit (VCRU), while coordinating with troops at a nearby Army Forward Operating Base (FOB).

Security forces swiftly established blocking positions along suspected escape routes to prevent the bandits from fleeing with their captives.

The combined team subsequently engaged the criminals in a prolonged exchange of gunfire, forcing the bandits to abandon both the kidnapped victims and the rustled livestock before escaping into the surrounding forest under sustained pressure from the security forces.

Following the encounter, security operatives conducted an extensive search of the bush and nearby communities to locate victims who had dispersed into the surrounding area while seeking safety.

The operation led to the successful rescue of 32 kidnapped victims, all of whom were recovered alive and without physical injuries.

The rescued victims comprised six adult males and 26 females, the majority of whom were children.

The victims were evacuated to a secure location where they are receiving medical attention and psychosocial support ahead of their reunification with their respective families.

However, Zagazola gathered that four residents were killed by the bandits during the initial attack on the community before the arrival of security personnel.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing bandits.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The latest operation illustrates the growing synergy between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army in responding to bandit attacks across communities in northwestern Nigeria, particularly along the Sokoto–Zamfara border, where criminal groups have continued to exploit difficult terrain to carry out kidnappings, cattle rustling and attacks on rural settlements.

Police, Army Rescue 32 Kidnap Victims as Bandits Flee During Gun Battle in Sokoto

COAS Approves Appointment of GOCs as Nigerian Army Establishes Four New Divisions — Army

By Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army has announced a major expansion of its force structure with the establishment of four additional divisions and the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the new formations, a move aimed at strengthening command and control, improving operational effectiveness and enhancing the military’s response to evolving security threats across the country.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the appointments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for the creation of the new divisions.

According to Anele, the newly established divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) to ensure seamless operationalisation and sustained force projection nationwide.

She said the development forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to strengthen its force structure, expand its operational footprint and improve its capacity to respond effectively to Nigeria’s dynamic security environment.

Anele said the Army had also undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its divisional Areas of Responsibility (AORs).

Under the new arrangement, she said 1 Division Kaduna would be responsible for Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan would oversee Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.

She added that 3 Division Jos would cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, while the newly established 5 Division Makurdi would assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

According to her, 6 Division Port Harcourt will continue to oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, while 7 Division Maiduguri will remain responsible for Borno and Yobe states.

She further stated that 8 Division Sokoto would retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, while the newly established 9 Division Ilorin would cover Kwara and Niger states.

Anele said the newly created 10 Division Jalingo would oversee security operations in the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states, while 81 Division Lagos would continue to cover Lagos and Ogun states.

She added that 82 Division Enugu would retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states, while the newly established 83 Division Benin, which will be activated later in the year, would oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

To provide leadership for the new formations, Anele said the COAS approved the appointment of seasoned senior officers as General Officers Commanding.

She said Major General Yakubu Yahaya had been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to Headquarters 9 Division Ilorin as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

She added that Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife had been redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division Jalingo as General Officer Commanding.

According to her, Major General Moses Gara had been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to Headquarters 5 Division Makurdi, where he would serve as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.

She also disclosed that Major General Auwalu Mahmuda had been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division Ibadan as General Officer Commanding.

Anele further announced the activation of three new brigades to reinforce the expanded force structure.

She said Brig.-Gen. A.O. Odubiyi had been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko, while Brig.-Gen. A.M. Haruna would command the newly activated 29 Brigade, Kainji.

She added that Brig.-Gen. R.M. Aminu had been appointed Commander of 10 Brigade, Lafia.

Quoting the Chief of Army Staff, Anele said Lt.-Gen. Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and charged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.

She said the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens and supporting the restoration of enduring peace and security across the nation.

Anele also quoted the COAS as expressing profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his steadfast support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.

“The establishment of the additional Divisions represents a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national defence architecture,” Anele quoted the Army Chief as saying.

She added that the COAS expressed confidence that the expanded force structure would significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, and increase the Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.

According to Anele, the expanded structure is also expected to bolster joint and multi-agency operations, reinforce national stability and contribute substantially to the restoration of lasting peace and security nationwide.

COAS Approves Appointment of GOCs as Nigerian Army Establishes Four New Divisions — Army