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Nigeria, Seven Other Countries Get $1.96 million from ECOWAS to Tackle VVF

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Nigeria, Seven Other Countries Get $1.96 million from ECOWAS to Tackle VVF

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and seven other member countries of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have received $1.96 million from the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre to tackle cases of fistula disorder (Vesicovaginal fistula).

All the eight countries got $245,000 each. The other countries are Togo, Benin, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, and Liberia.

The presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries were one of the highlights at the 91st Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers held in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar revealed that the Council would deliberate on the Community budget for the 2024 fiscal year while lamenting the current economic challenges affecting the region’s Gross Domestic Product and revenue generation.

The Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that: “We must be mindful of the prevailing economic and financial challenges confronting our sub-region, such as inflation, high food prices, and currency devaluation, which have adversely affected our economies.”

He lamented that: “These challenges have impacted on our gross domestic product, revenue generation, and in particular our mobilization of the Community Levy, due to devaluation of some of our major currencies, particularly Cedi and Naira
against the US Dollar.”

Tuggar urged Council Ministers to support the recommendations of the Administration and Finance Committee on enhancing prudence, as well as the efforts of the President of the Commission and other Heads of the Institutions on blocking leakages to ensure judicious use of the meagre resources.

Also, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, decried that member states under sanctions have stopped remitting levies, adding that ECOWAS need enough financial resources to tackle the challenges bedeviling the region.

Touray said: “For some time now, the levy collection has been a challenge. The amount of 0.5% ECOWAS levy on imports from outside the Community has been collected by member states on behalf of ECOWAS.

“However, the deposit of these funds into the ECOWAS bank accounts at the country level and access to the funds have been a challenge. This has led to low resource mobilization.

“The situation is more critical now that our member states under sanctions have stopped remitting the levy. As the financial situation gets more difficult, the tasks for ECOWAS are growing.”

He however urged the Council of Ministers to “mobilise the levy fully to be able to implement our community work programme and keep up with the successes of ECOWAS.”

Nigeria, Seven Other Countries Get $1.96 million from ECOWAS to Tackle VVF

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Crime

12 bandits killed, 2 soldiers injured in clash in Katsina

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12 bandits killed, 2 soldiers injured in clash in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 12 bandits during a clash at Mabai village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 5:30 p.m., shortly after a peace accord meeting held at Kakumi village in Bakori LGA.

Sources said that the bandits, while passing in front of a military base at Mabai, engaged the troops in a gun duel, leading to the death of 12 of the assailants.

Two army personnel sustained serious injuries during the encounter and were referred to the Medical Centre in Katsina for treatment.

The sources said the situation in the area had since been brought under control, with intensive patrols and monitoring activities ongoing to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

12 bandits killed, 2 soldiers injured in clash in Katsina

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Military

Nigerian Journalist Recounts Her Eye-Opening Experience “As a Soldier” at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji

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Nigerian Journalist Recounts Her Eye-Opening Experience “As a Soldier” at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji

By: Zagazola Makama

A Nigerian journalist, Nokai Origin, has shared a captivating firsthand account of her transformative experience at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, during Exercise HASKE BIYU 2025, where she joined members of Course 47 in a month-long military immersion programme.

The exercise, designed to bridge civil-military understanding, offered participants an opportunity to experience life in uniform a rare glimpse into the discipline, precision, and mental toughness that define the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Recounting her experience, the journalist described it as “a journey of unlearning, learning, and relearning,” adding that she had little idea what awaited her when she set out for the prestigious military institution earlier in September.

“It was experiencing the military setup and routines, immersing in the tradition, drills, discipline, and conduct,” she said. “A time for some of us to get into the khaki and boots to feel and experience firsthand what our military personnel go through daily.”

One of the highlights of the exercise was a simulation tagged “A Day in the Life of a Soldier,” where participants were subjected to a series of physical and tactical challenges. Despite initial apprehension, the journalist rose to the occasion literally conquering the obstacle course and earning the Commander’s Medal for being the first female participant to ascend and descend the hurdles carrying a heavy military backpack.

“I wobbled at first when they placed the pack on me,” she laughed, “but it turned out to be the most outstanding part of the entire experience.”

Beyond the drills and physical exertion, she said the exercise provided deeper insight into the dedication and sacrifices of men and women in uniform. “I saw the military in a different light,” she noted. “It gave me a new understanding and appreciation for what they do to keep the country safe.”

Over the course of the programme, participants interacted with officers from across Nigeria and several African countries fostering bonds, friendships, and professional connections that transcended borders.

She expressed profound gratitude to the hierarchy of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the management of AFCSC for opening their doors to civilians, saying the experience has left her “forever inspired by the courage, commitment, and character of the military institution.”

Nigerian Journalist Recounts Her Eye-Opening Experience “As a Soldier” at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji

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International

Israeli Embassy Celebrates Release of 20 Hostages by Hamas

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Israeli Embassy Celebrates Release of 20 Hostages by Hamas

By: Michael Mike

The Embassy of Israel in Nigeria has celebrated the 20 Israeli hostages who have finally returned home after 738 days of being held hostage by Hamas.

The embassy in a statement on Monday by the Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Michael Freeman said “the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria joins the people of Israel, the global Jewish community, and all people of goodwill in celebrating the release of 20 Israeli hostages who have finally returned home after 738 harrowing days in captivity under the evil terror organization Hamas.

“This long-awaited moment is one of profound relief, national unity, and moral victory. It reminds the world of Israel’s enduring commitment to the sanctity of life and to the defense of its citizens against terror and tyranny.”

The statement added that: “From the beginning, Israel has made clear: Israel did not want this war and did not start it. The conflict began two years ago, on October 7th, 2023, a sacred Jewish holiday, when thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, committing acts of unimaginable cruelty — murdering, torturing, raping, and burning alive innocent Israelis in their homes and at a peaceful music festival.

“Since that day, Hamas has brought unimaginable suffering not only to Israel but to the people of Gaza, deliberately using civilians as human shields, hiding in and beneath mosques, schools, and hospitals, and turning homes into arsenals of terror. Their crimes have violated every moral, human, and legalprinciple.

“For two years, Israel has faced lies, distortions, and blood libels — false and immoral accusations of deliberate starvation and genocide — while defending its citizens and seeking the return of its kidnapped sons and daughters. Israel has acted with moral clarity, guided by international law, and motivated by a deep moral commitment to protect life, even as its enemies sought to pervert truth and justice.
Today, Israel celebrates the return of its people — and looks forward to the dawn of peace and stability in the region.”

Freeman said: “Today, we welcome home the 20 living hostages who have endured the unendurable. We give thanks for their survival, and we pray for their healing. We remember with broken hearts those who did not make it home, and we renew our commitment to bring back the bodies of the 28 remaining hostages who were murdered by Hamas.
 
“Israel did not seek this war. It was forced upon us by terror, hatred, and darkness. But after 738 days, we also see light — the light of freedom, the light of truth, and the light of hope.

“As Israel has always said, the release of the hostages will bring the end of the war.
The end of this war must bring an end to Hamas’s reign of terror, and open the door to a future of security, dignity, and coexistence — for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to President Donald J. Trump, whose steadfast leadership, moral clarity, and tireless diplomacy played an instrumental role in bringing our hostages home and in advancing peace in the Middle East. His friendship with Israel and his courage in standing with the Israeli people will never be forgotten.”

Israeli Embassy Celebrates Release of 20 Hostages by Hamas

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