News
Nigeria, Seven Other Countries Get $1.96 million from ECOWAS to Tackle VVF
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
Four security personnel killed as security forces repel bandit attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A joint security team repelled an attack by armed bandits on Dogon Ruwa village in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zagazola report that the attack occurred on Tuesday, July 29, at about 2:20 p.m.
According to sources, the bandits stormed the village and began shooting sporadically, prompting a swift response from a combined troops of the Nigerian Army, police personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force stationed in the area.
The bandits were successfully repelled after a fierce gun battle. However, two soldiers and two members of the Civilian JTF lost their lives during the encounter. Additional reinforcements comprising from the troops of Operation Safe Heaven,were deployed to the area.
Security operatives are currently conducting a bush-combing operation around the village to track down the fleeing attackers.
Four security personnel killed as security forces repel bandit attack in Plateau
Troops foil banditry attack in Katsina, recover rustled cattle
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives have foiled a banditry and cattle rustling operation in Lambun Kyauta village, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, recovering a large herd of stolen cattle.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the attack occurred late on July 29 at about 10:30 p.m. when suspected armed bandits stormed the residence of a local herder, Alhaji Rabi’u, and rustled his livestock.
A team of security operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene. The operatives intercepted the attackers, leading to a fierce gun battle that forced the bandits to abandon the stolen cattle and flee into the bush.
The team later encountered a group of hunters during a follow-up search, resulting in another exchange of gunfire. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded.
Security has since been reinforced in the area, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further incursions.
Troops foil banditry attack in Katsina, recover rustled cattle
Bandits kill two farmers in Sokoto, flee to Niger republic
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits suspected to be members of the Lakurawa gang have killed two farmers during an attack on Ayama village in Balle District, Sokoto State.
Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred on July 29 at about 4:30 p.m. while the victims were working on their farmland on the outskirts of the village.
The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles and were armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire on the unsuspecting farmers, killing two men identified as Tukur Muhammed, 30, and Sa’ad Muhammed, 25, on the spot.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were mobilized to the scene and engaged the bandits in a gun duel.
The assailants, however, managed to flee across the border into the neighbouring Niger Republic.
The remains of the victims were evacuated to a hospital for documentation and burial.
Security patrols have since been intensified in the area to prevent further attacks.
Bandits kill two farmers in Sokoto, flee to Niger republic
DSS Releases Three Detainees Wrongfully Accused of Belonging to IPOB/ESN
Four security personnel killed as security forces repel bandit attack in Plateau
Troops foil banditry attack in Katsina, recover rustled cattle
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