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Nigeria Seeks AUDA-NEPAD Backing to Unlock Economic Opportunities for Youth, Women
Nigeria Seeks AUDA-NEPAD Backing to Unlock Economic Opportunities for Youth, Women
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has intensified its push for greater continental development support, calling on the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to prioritise the country in the implementation of the African Demographic Dividend Programme and other strategic initiatives aimed at expanding economic opportunities for young people and women.
The appeal came as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, held talks with the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where African leaders reviewed progress on the continent’s development agenda and preparations for the upcoming African Union Summit.
Making Nigeria’s case, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that with more than 70 per cent of the country’s population made up of young people, there was an urgent need for increased investment in programmes that would harness the country’s demographic advantage and transform it into sustainable economic growth.
She urged AUDA-NEPAD to place Nigeria at the forefront of implementing the African Demographic Dividend Programme, arguing that such support would help create jobs, strengthen entrepreneurship, build resilient communities and promote inclusive development.
The minister also sought greater collaboration in women empowerment and private sector development, describing both sectors as indispensable to achieving broad-based economic transformation in Africa’s most populous nation.
According to her, stronger coordination between the AUDA-NEPAD Continental Secretariat and the Agency’s National Focal Office in Abuja would ensure more effective implementation of development projects and maximise their impact.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended AUDA-NEPAD for its interventions in human capital development, particularly the successful mobilisation of $100 million for the African Demographic Dividend Programme, which she described as a major milestone in advancing Africa’s development aspirations.
She also praised Bekele-Thomas for what she described as her visionary leadership in driving the implementation of flagship projects under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The minister further applauded the AUDA-NEPAD chief for mobilising significant resources through partnerships involving governments, development agencies, the private sector, philanthropic organisations and civil society groups across Africa.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s historic relationship with the continental agency, Odumegwu-Ojukwu recalled that the country was among the founding members of the former New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which later evolved into AUDA-NEPAD.
She pledged Nigeria’s continued support for the agency, including the country’s annual voluntary financial contributions to sustain its core programmes and development interventions.
Responding, Bekele-Thomas welcomed Nigeria’s renewed commitment to the agency and pledged AUDA-NEPAD’s continued support for the country’s development priorities.
“As Africa’s premier development agency, we are excited to deepen our collaboration with Nigeria, working together to create new economic opportunities, empower communities and translate the aspirations of Agenda 2063 into tangible benefits for the people,” she said.
The renewed engagement comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to tackle high youth unemployment, deepen women’s participation in the economy and leverage its demographic profile to drive long-term growth. Successive governments have identified youth development, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and private sector expansion as critical pillars for achieving inclusive economic development.
AUDA-NEPAD, the African Union’s technical implementation agency, plays a central role in coordinating development programmes across the continent, mobilising investments, strengthening institutional capacity and supporting member states in implementing the goals of Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term blueprint for transforming Africa into a prosperous, integrated and peaceful continent.
Nigeria’s renewed appeal is also expected to reinforce its leadership role within the African Union while positioning the country to benefit from continental initiatives designed to accelerate economic transformation, improve human capital development and create employment opportunities for millions of young Africans.
Nigeria Seeks AUDA-NEPAD Backing to Unlock Economic Opportunities for Youth, Women
News
Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned
Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major breakthroughs in ongoing offensive operations against armed criminal networks in Plateau State, neutralising two notorious terrorist leaders, critically wounding another and recovering six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.
The latest developments followed sustained military offensives at Dajin Madam in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State on November 8, 2026.

Security sources disclosed that HUMINT reports received at about 8:53 a.m. on November 9 indicated that the intensity of the military operation had resulted in the neutralisation of two suspected terrorist leaders identified as Haruna Balatoni and Black.
Another notorious figure, identified as Dogo Mai Kunkuru, was reportedly shot in the chest and left in a critical condition, with sources indicating that his chances of survival were slim.
In a significant development on November 10, the sustained military pressure reportedly compelled the terrorist network, through an intermediary identified as Ali-Kwara, to return six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.
The recovered weapons are currently in military custody.
In a related operation, troops of 173 Battalion deployed at Mansur rescued a kidnapped mother and her daughter and recovered 39 cattle.
The developments represent a significant disruption of the criminal network’s leadership, weapons stockpile and capacity to sustain operations in the Wase axis.
The recovery of the six rifles is particularly important as it restores weapons previously lost to the criminal network and provides an opportunity for further intelligence exploitation.
The latest successes underscore the impact of sustained offensive pressure, intelligence-driven operations and military presence in dismantling armed groups operating across Plateau State.
The reported deaths of the terrorist leaders and the condition of Dogo Mai Kunkuru are based on preliminary HUMINT assessments and remain subject to independent military confirmation
Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned
News
Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles
Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 114 Battalion (Reinforcement) have dislodged suspected terrorists from their hideouts during a fighting patrol in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The operation, conducted under Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), commenced at about 7:30 a.m. on November 8, 2026, with troops advancing towards Komodoro village, where they made contact with suspected terrorists.
Security sources said the criminals fled upon sighting the advancing troops, prompting the patrol team to extend its operation to Mashigin Kirya village within the same local government area.
At Mashigin Kirya, the troops encountered suspected terrorists believed to have been hibernating in the general area and engaged them, forcing the armed elements to retreat.
The troops subsequently recovered five motorcycles suspected to have been used by the criminal group for mobility and logistics.
To further disrupt the fleeing terrorists, the troops conducted a fire mission using an 81mm mortar along their withdrawal route.
The operation was ongoing as troops sustained pressure on suspected criminal hideouts and movement corridors in the area.
The development point to the military’s determination to deny armed groups safe havens and restrict their freedom of movement across Taraba State.
Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles
News
Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation
Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS), have launched an investigation into an attack on Fulani herdsmen in Obelagu Umuamba community, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, which left two herders and 16 cattle dead.
The incident came to light at about 11:00 a.m. on November 10, 2026, when a joint patrol team comprising troops of the 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion (Reinforcement), alongside police and DSS operatives, visited the community to assess the cause and extent of damage from the recent attack by suspected hoodlums.
On arrival, the security team discovered that two Fulani herdsmen and 16 cows had been killed, while two other persons sustained injuries.
Following the discovery, the troops convened a joint peace and security meeting involving community leaders, representatives of the Fulani herders, neighbourhood watch groups and other key stakeholders.
During the meeting, security officials cautioned all parties against taking the law into their hands, warning that reprisals could escalate tensions and further threaten peaceful coexistence.
The troops subsequently recovered the corpses and handed them over to the police for further investigation.
Meanwhile, security agencies have commenced efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack, including suspected local collaborators.
The intervention is aimed at preventing retaliatory violence, restoring confidence among residents and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
Authorities have urged both farming and herding communities to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and pursue grievances through lawful channels.
Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation
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