News
Nigeria calls for establishment of ECOWAS agency for disability Affairs
Nigeria calls for establishment of ECOWAS agency for disability Affairs
…To Seal Offices Not Accessible to Persons With Disability
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria government has called for the establishment of the ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs (EADA)
This, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Abel Enitan said would ensure an all-inclusive region, where persons with disabilities in member states are not left
Enitan said this would add to help in the integration of all regional policies and strategies on disabilities.
The Permanent Secretary said this on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of a-two day maiden edition of meeting of ministers in charge of disability inclusion in West Africa. The meeting is meant to adopt the region’s action plan for the inclusion of disabilities.
He advises member states that are yet to ratify the relevant disability instruments to do so quickly.
He said: “In order to make an all-inclusive region for persons with disabilities in member states, Nigeria is calling for the establishment of the “ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs” EADA to integrate regional disability policies and strategies for rehabilitation and equal opportunity in the community, as well as provide a mechanism to protect, promote, support, and respect the actions of people with disabilities.
“This affirmative action must be viewed through the prism of human diversity, while ensuring that individuals with disabilities have as many opportunities as possible to participate in all levels of decision making in ECOWAS, in the spirit of “Nothing about us without us,” so that no one falls behind.”
The Permanent Secretary also stressed the importance of disability inclusion, which he said “remains a critical issue in the region, with millions of individuals experiencing barriers to empowerment initiatives and social protection, among others.”
He challenged the ECOWAS Commission to employ people with disability “as part of the Commission’s effort to prioritise inclusion.
He added that based on human right, “disability is a part of human diversity that must be respected and supported in all its forms, people with disability have the same right as everyone else in society.”
Speaking on what Nigeria has done to ensure inclusion, Enitan said Nigeria ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of people with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2007 and passed the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018 and subsequently approved the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, with the mandate to coordinate and implement activities that ensure the inclusion of persons with Disabilities into society in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, civil rights, and related matters, as outlined in the Act.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof Fatou Sow Sarr, on her part, stressed the vulnerability of people living with disabilities.
Sarr said the regional body has intensified efforts and is working with various bodies to initiate programmes to provide palliatives.
She also revealed that the Commission was currently implementing a pilot project in Togo and Nigeria which will provide assisting devices to children with disabilities.
This programme, she said, is expected to cover other member states in the future.
Meanwhile, public offices not accessible to people living with disabilities will be sealed, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special needs and equal opportunities, Mohammed Abba-Isa, has said.
Abba-Isa said that President Bola Tinubu is expected to launch the presidential Committee for accessibility this third quarter.
The Committee, according to him, has been saddled with the responsibility of implementing the country’s disability Act.
Abba-Isa said Ministries, Departments and Agencies that fails to restructure to accommodate easy accessibility for people with disability will be sealed as part of the implementation policy of disabikity inclusion.
The presidential aide noted that the grace period given to the offices had expired.
He spoke in Abuja at the opening of a two day maiden edition of meeting of ministers in charge of disability inclusion in West Africa. The meeting is meant to adopt the region’s action plan for the inclusion of disabilities.
He said, “Mr. President has mandated my office to make sure I implement the regional action plan.
“We are going to launch accessibility committee. We are going to engage with all the MDAs.
“We are going to launch a presidential taskfoce all because if you look at the moratorium or grace period given to all these buildings to modify or adjust has passed, the five years moratorium period.
“ So we are now in the implementation stage and Mr President has given us the mandate.
“ All these offices that did not comply we are going to seal them because we are at the implemetation stage. “
He stressed that Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
So we are liaising with the Ministry of Humanitarian and Povery Alleviation, other agencies and the National.Commission for Persons with Disability to set up the committee and Mr President will soo launch the committee.
He said the committee is going to checkmate all the charade against accessibility of public buildings by people with disabilities.
He however said it is going to be a gradual process since the Act was recently signed into law.
Citing the case of United States, Abba-Isa said despite 35 years of existence of the law, there are still some buildings that are not accessibile for people with disability.
Nigeria calls for establishment of ECOWAS agency for disability Affairs
News
EU Unveils Major Investment Drive in Nigeria with €290m Global Gateway Package and €50m Health Manufacturing Facility
EU Unveils Major Investment Drive in Nigeria with €290m Global Gateway Package and €50m Health Manufacturing Facility
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has announced a significant expansion of its strategic partnership with Nigeria, unveiling a €290 million investment package under its Global Gateway Strategy to support digital infrastructure, healthcare manufacturing, agricultural value chains and migration management.
The announcement was made during the Eighth Nigeria–EU Ministerial Dialogue held in Abuja and co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas.
European officials said the seven new investment operations demonstrate a renewed political commitment to deepen cooperation between both partners while supporting Nigeria’s development priorities.
“In the current geopolitical context, the European Union is keen to enhance its partnership with Nigeria,” Kallas said. “Bringing more EU investment to Nigeria, aligning with the Renewed Hope agenda for the Nigerian Federal Government is a key priority for both sides.”
The EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said the investments are designed to support long-term economic growth while strengthening critical sectors.
“Together with Nigeria, we are investing in the modernisation of the digital sector, a stronger health system and in the development of agriculture,” Síkela said. “These Global Gateway investments create quality infrastructure, sustainable jobs and long-term economic opportunities that benefit the Nigerian people while also creating new opportunities for Europe.”
The digital sector received the largest share of the investment package, with €131 million earmarked for improving connectivity, expanding digital services and strengthening digital skills.
Under the programme, the EU will support the rollout of approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable across Nigeria in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The project aims to deliver secure and affordable internet access to an estimated 33 million Nigerians who currently lack reliable connectivity.
It will also support the development of secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure and contribute to Nigeria’s technical talent development initiative aimed at training millions of digital professionals.
Alongside the broader investment package, the development arm of the European Investment Bank, EIB Global, signed a €50 million financing agreement with the Bank of Industry to boost healthcare manufacturing in Nigeria.
The facility will support local companies producing pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostic products and other medical devices through a dedicated credit line aimed at addressing financing gaps in the sector.
The agreement was announced in the presence of senior officials including the Bank of Industry’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olasupo Olusi, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot.
Olusi said the initiative represents a major step toward building Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing capacity.
“This partnership marks a pivotal step in Nigeria’s journey from being a major importer of essential health commodities to becoming a competitive producer within regional and global value chains,” he said.
“By mobilising long-term patient capital into local pharmaceutical, vaccine and diagnostics manufacturing, we are not only strengthening health security but also catalysing industrial growth, skills development and high-quality job creation.”
The initiative is financed under the Human Development Accelerator programme backed by the European Commission and implemented by the European Investment Bank in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Ambroise Fayolle, said the partnership demonstrates the EU’s commitment to strengthening health systems across Africa.
“By financing the development and local manufacture of essential medicinal and nutritional products, we enhance access to affordable, safe and high-quality treatments for diseases while improving the resilience of supply chains,” Fayolle said.
The EU investment package also includes €86 million to support agricultural development, particularly in Nigeria’s cocoa and dairy value chains.
The financing will provide easier access to credit for smallholder farmers and agribusiness companies through the Bank of Industry while supporting climate-smart agriculture policies and sustainable production.
Officials said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to expand dairy production and strengthen cocoa exports to European markets.
Another €16 million will support migration management programmes, including reintegration support for returning migrants and efforts to combat human trafficking networks.
The funding will provide social, economic and psychological assistance for voluntary returnees while strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to tackle smuggling and trafficking networks.
The latest commitments build on earlier EU investments in Nigeria in sectors including urban transportation in Lagos, renewable energy, democratic governance and programmes to combat gender-based violence.
With the new package, total Team Europe commitments to Nigeria since 2025 have reached €962.5 million.
Officials said the growing portfolio highlights the EU’s intention to deepen economic cooperation with Nigeria while promoting sustainable development, industrialisation and private sector growth.
The European Investment Bank alone has invested more than €2.3 billion in Nigeria since beginning operations in the country in 1978, supporting projects in infrastructure, climate resilience, innovation, agribusiness and small business financing.
European officials said the new investments are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to build resilient industries, create jobs and expand opportunities for regional trade across West Africa.
EU Unveils Major Investment Drive in Nigeria with €290m Global Gateway Package and €50m Health Manufacturing Facility
Ex-civilian joint task force member arrested for threatening family with rifle in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a former member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State for threatening a family member with a firearm.
According to sources, the arrest occurred at about 0700 hours on March 22 at Maraban Zallaki village, where the ex-CJTF member was found in possession of a locally made rifle and two live.
“The suspect was reportedly threatening to shoot a family member of his ex-wife when troops intervened,” the sources said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is mentally unstable.
He, along with the recovered firearm and ammunition, is currently in troops’ custody for further investigation and appropriate action.
Ex-civilian joint task force member arrested for threatening family with rifle in Plateau
Army arrests four suspects over attempted transformer vandalism
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Udo Ka have arrested four suspects in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State for attempting to vandalize a transformer at the SETRACO live camp in Amasiri.
According to source, at about 0650 hours on March 21, troops from 24 Special Engineering Regiment and 2 Works Battalion responded to a distress call from the camp’s Public Relations Officer about a suspected individual trying to tamper with a transformer.
“On arrival, troops confirmed that one suspect had been apprehended by camp security personnel while attempting to carry out the act,” the source said.
Preliminary interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of three additional accomplices and the recovery of a large quantity of copper wires, aluminum cables, batteries, cutting tools, and other equipment believed to be intended for theft or vandalism.
The suspects and recovered items are now in the custody of the troops for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
Army arrests four suspects over attempted transformer vandalism
EU Unveils Major Investment Drive in Nigeria with €290m Global Gateway Package and €50m Health Manufacturing Facility
Ex-civilian joint task force member arrested for threatening family with rifle in Plateau
Army arrests four suspects over attempted transformer vandalism
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