Togolese Public Health Expert Takes Charge of West Africa’s Health Agency

By: Michael Mike

The West African Health Organisation (WAHO), the specialised health institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has entered a new leadership era with the assumption of office of Togolese public health expert, Professor Palokinam Pitché, as its Director-General.

Professor Pitché formally took over the leadership of the regional health body on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, with a mandate to strengthen health cooperation and support efforts to improve the wellbeing of populations across the ECOWAS region.

His emergence places a seasoned physician, public health specialist, academic and health-programme administrator at the helm of an institution responsible for promoting regional cooperation on health matters.

The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government had approved Pitché’s appointment for the 2026–2030 mandate at its 69th Ordinary Session in Lungi, Sierra Leone, in July. The final communiqué of the summit specifically listed Dr Palokinam Pitche of Togo as the new Director-General of WAHO.

Pitché comes to the regional position with more than 25 years of experience spanning public health administration, health-programme management, health-system strengthening and professional training.

Before his appointment, he served as National Coordinator of Togo’s National AIDS Control Programme between 2007 and 2012. In 2012, he became head of the Permanent Secretariat of Togo’s National Council for the Fight against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections, a multisectoral structure attached to the Togolese Presidency.

His experience extends beyond Togo. Since 1996, he has undertaken consultancy assignments for major international health and development institutions, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNAIDS, USAID, WAHO, UNDP and UNFPA.

His assignments have included the development of health policies and strategic plans, resource mobilisation and efforts to harmonise HIV treatment protocols and postgraduate training curricula across ECOWAS countries.

The new WAHO chief is also a career academic.

A Professor of Dermatology and Venereology under CAMES since 2007, Pitché obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Lomé and became an Associate Professor of Medicine in 2002.

His specialised training has covered dermatology and venereology, epidemiology, HIV, parasitology and tropical medicine, as well as immunology, vaccinology and biotechnology applied to infectious diseases. His training and professional development included institutions such as Université Paris-Sud, Johns Hopkins/CDC and the WHO in Geneva.

He has taught at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Lomé since 1997 and has also served as head of the Dermatology and Venereology Department at CHU Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé since 2015.

His academic record is equally substantial. He is credited with more than 250 scientific publications and four books, particularly in the fields of dermatology, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and sexual health.

Pitché assumes the WAHO leadership at a time when health security remains a major regional concern, with West African countries continuing to face infectious diseases, public-health emergencies and the need for stronger and more coordinated health systems.

His extensive experience working across governments, international organisations, development partners and community institutions could therefore prove significant as WAHO seeks to deepen regional health cooperation.

His appointment is also part of a broader renewal of ECOWAS institutions for the 2026–2030 cycle. Alongside Pitché’s appointment, the regional bloc approved new leadership for several key institutions, including the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

For WAHO, however, the immediate challenge is translating Pitché’s extensive technical and managerial experience into stronger regional coordination and measurable improvements in health outcomes.

With a career that combines clinical medicine, public health administration, academia, international consultancy and scientific research, the Togolese professor takes charge of WAHO with a profile closely aligned with the complex demands of West Africa’s health landscape.

His four-year tenure is expected to place renewed emphasis on strengthening regional health systems and advancing cooperation among ECOWAS member states in pursuit of better health outcomes for their populations.

Togolese Public Health Expert Takes Charge of West Africa’s Health Agency

Massive Passport Intervention Launched for Nigerians in UK

By: Michael Mike

In a major effort to alleviate long-standing delays and streamline consular services for citizens living abroad, the Federal Government of Nigeria has deployed a special Passport Intervention Team to four major regions across the United Kingdom.

The initiative, directed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, followed strategic consultations between the Nigeria Immigration Service, the High Commission of Nigeria, and local UK diaspora representatives.

The mobile team aims to make passport acquisition and renewal significantly easier for thousands of resident Nigerians, bringing official processing operations directly to regional hubs.

Under the scheduled arrangement, operations will kick off simultaneously in London and Manchester, running from September 7 to September 19. London applicants will be served at Layali Lounge along Bramley Road, while those in Manchester can access services at Nigerian House on Platt Lane.

The intervention will then shift to Scotland and Wales from September 21 to September 26, with venues established at the Hilton Convention Centre on Smithfield Road in Aberdeen and Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Officials emphasized that while the physical venues will handle biometric capture and application resolutions, all prospective applicants must first complete their registrations and financial transactions online through the official portal at passport.immigration.gov.ng.

The service confirmed that no physical cash payments or unregistered walk-ins will be permitted at any of the intervention centres.

This UK outreach comes as part of a broader reform strategy by the Ministry of Interior aimed at modernizing passport issuance, reducing processing backlogs, and ending the frustration often faced by Nigerians in the diaspora when attempting to renew critical travel documents.

Massive Passport Intervention Launched for Nigerians in UK

Troops arrest five suspects, intercept logistics allegedly meant for terrorists in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Battalion (Motorised) have arrested five suspects and intercepted suspected logistics allegedly intended for terrorist couriers and vendors during a targeted operation in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 5:35 p.m. on Aug. 28 in Ladari and Gamboru Garage areas of Gamboru-Ngala.

During the operation, troops arrested Ali Dala, 35, in Ladari.

Four other suspects Babagana Amarja, 41; Garba Mohammed, 37; Abdullahi Mohammed, 53; and Mado Ali, 39 were arrested at Gamboru Garage.

The troops also confiscated several vehicles and logistics items suspected to have been intended for delivery to terrorist couriers and vendors operating within Gamboru and adjoining communities.

The vehicles included a white Volkswagen Golf 3 wagon with registration number A877 DKW, a black Golf 3 wagon with registration number ACA 787 AAC, a red Golf 3 wagon with registration number GAS 35, and a brown Vendon saloon car with registration number KBG 14 XA.

Other items recovered included eight jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a sack containing assorted medicines concealed inside a sack of charcoal.

The suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of 3 Battalion for further investigation and necessary action.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by troops to disrupt terrorist logistics and supply networks across the theatre.

The general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.

Troops arrest five suspects, intercept logistics allegedly meant for terrorists in Borno