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Project to Strengthen the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the North-Eastern States Officially Launched

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Project to Strengthen the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the North-Eastern States Officially Launched

Project to Strengthen the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the North-Eastern States Officially Launched

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office Nigeria (CONIG) with its partners, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the United States Embassy and U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) have officially launched a three-year project to strengthen capacities of selected correctional felicities in the North East.

The project: ‘Strengthening the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the North-Eastern States’, which is funded by INL, is aimed at assisting the NCoS in building sustainable capacities in selected main facilities in the North East to ensure safe, secure and humane custody, taking particular account of the special situation of pre-trial detainees and the need to enhance the provision of rehabilitation and/or social reintegration support for all prisoners.

Also in light of its geographical focus, the project will encompass detainees and prisoners held for an (alleged) association with Boko Haram and include tailored interventions for this particular category. 

A statement by the UNODC on Wednesday read that: “By doing so, the project will build on the extensive experience and tools which UNODC has developed over decades to assist countries in managing their prisons systems in line with international standards and norms.  

The statement noted that: “With 71% of an overall prison population of 71,584 being inmates who are awaiting trial and the reported rise in violent crime across Nigeria, the intervention is timely.”

According to the statement, “Building sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration capacities of the NCoS, including with regards to the management of VEPs, will ultimately ensure that inmates are treated in line with their human dignity, and can support themselves self-sufficiently upon release, thereby reducing recidivism and the risk of Boko Haram and professional criminals of recruiting new followers from amongst the (former) prison population.”

Also Read: First Lady advocates peace-building as tool for food…

The statement added that: “Genuine efforts have already been made by the Nigerian Government and the NCoS to meet the Nelson Mandela Rules, particularly through the passage of and early efforts to implement the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019. With the support of the Presidential Committee on Corrections Reforms and Decongestion as well as state Attorneys General and Chief Judges, the NCoS was able to successfully present the cases of roughly 3,000 inmates for release in a bid to decongest the prisons in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic.”

Also the statement read that: “The service, under the leadership of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa has strengthened partnerships with international partners such as the UNODC with the aim of adopting best global practices in a way that only sharing ideas and experiences can. 

Nababa, in his welcome address at the official launching, stated that it was his ‘firm belief that, like every other intervention the NCoS has enjoyed from both UNODC and INL, this project will go along way in aiding significant value to the operations and administration of the Correctional Service.”

The statement noted that the project aligned with the 2021 United Nations Common Position on Incarceration which at the global level aims at shifting policies towards prevention and non-custodial measures; improving prison conditions and strengthening prison management, and advancing the rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders.

The statement said in Nigeria, UNODC seeks to translate these broad objectives into concrete actions aimed at improving the welfare, rehabilitations and reintegration of prisoners

Project to Strengthen the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the North-Eastern States Officially Launched

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2027: VP Shettima’s Aide lauds North East Youths, others for endorsing Tinubu/Shettima for second term

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2027: VP Shettima’s Aide lauds North East Youths, others for endorsing Tinubu/Shettima for second term

By Inusa Salihu

The Personal Assistant Domestic (Northeast), office of the Vice -President Kashim Shettima, Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, has expressed gratitude to the teaming youths, mostly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the North East who endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima to run for the second term on the same ticket come 2027 general elections.

He also applauded Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State who is the Chairman North East Governors’ Forum, his counterparts from Yobe and Gombe state, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya and Mai Mala Buni, as well as other party stalwarts and thousands of supporters who also threw their weight behind Tinubu/Shettima -led administration.

The endorsement were made on Sunday in Gombe state during the North East APC Consultative Meeting.

Meanwhile, there was a chaos witnessed at the meeting after Comrade Mustapha Salihu, National Vice Chairman of the ruling APC in the North-East, failed to mention the name of Vice-President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

But briefing Journalists shortly after the meeting, Comrade Mahmud said, “the unanimous decision taken by all stakeholders to ensure Tinubu/Shettima fly another same ticket come 2027, would ensure continuity of good governance with inclusivity, progress and development of Nigeria at all levels.

“As you can see the large turn out of people, all the entire Youths, the three Governors, Women groups and stakeholders have unanimously gave their support come 2027.

“Let me use this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all and sundry for not just coming out enmasse to witness this meeting, but to also join millions of Nigerians who are clamouring for Tinubu/Shettima ticket for second term.

“I want to assure the APC family and all other Nigerians from other political parties to continue give their maximum support and cooperation to the present administration which is poised to put smile on the faces of the downtrodden”. He said.

According to Mahmud, President Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima have in their short term of leadership, transformed Nigeria with their renewed hope agenda, adding that, the education, health, agriculture, women/youths empowerment and other sectors have witnessed positive boost.

He specifically thanked Governor Zulum for his continued support to the present administration led by President Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima.

Mahmud then call on Nigerians to continue pray for peace, as there is no development without peace.

Earlier in his speech at the occasion, Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum noted that, in the last two years the Tinubu-Shettima led government has done a lot in areas of health, education, youth and women empowerment, revenue generation and has better lives of citizens.

He called upon all and sundry to rally behind a ticket that promises unity, progress and hope for the country.

Likewise, the Deputy National Chairman of the APC (North) Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno state also endorsed Tinubu/Shettima ticket while delivering his remarks.

But in another development, chaos were witnessed at the meeting after Comrade Mustapha Salihu, National Vice Chairman of the ruling in the North-East, failed to mention the name of Vice-President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

Also, the National Chairman of the Party, Umar Ganduje did not mention the name of Kashim Shettima, as he only endorsed Tinubu, a situation that led to the meeting ended abruptly.

2027: VP Shettima’s Aide lauds North East Youths, others for endorsing Tinubu/Shettima for second term

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Terrorism: ONSA-NCTC, PAVE Network Move to Strengthen Local Ownership, Capacity for PCVE in Nigeria

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Terrorism: ONSA-NCTC, PAVE Network Move to Strengthen Local Ownership, Capacity for PCVE in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

In a bid to deepen the domestication and implementation of the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PF-NAP) across Nigeria, the PCVE Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub (KIRH) is hosting a Training of Trainers (ToT) in Kano and Sokoto States.

Mr. Ade Atambi of PAVE Network in a statement on Sunday, said the the four-day training programme, scheduled to take place from June 16 to June 21, 2025, aims to empower stakeholders with the tools, frameworks, and strategic capacities required for sustained, community-based, and evidence-driven PCVE programming.

According to the statement participants include officials from relevant state ministries, departments, and agencies, local government administrators, state house of assembly members, security agencies, community and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and state PAVE network representatives.

The statement, read in part: “The simultaneous training in Kano and Sokoto States is part of ongoing efforts to promote peace and community resilience in the North West region. The PCVE KIRH, an initiative of the PAVE Network, is working in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser – National Counter Terrorism Centre (ONSA-NCTC) and other strategic partners, with support from ActionAid Nigeria and funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

“The training programme will feature interactive technical sessions, panel discussions, and practical planning exercises, led by seasoned facilitators and subject matter experts. The event is expected to provide a platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration, cross-state learning, and mobilization for sustainable peace and community resilience.”

Atambi also urged media professionals to attend and cover the opening sessions and select panel discussions by obtaining appropriate accreditation.

He said the PCVE KIRH is committed to serving as a national knowledge and learning hub, facilitating critical reflection, technical support, and policy innovation, and promoting the domestication of the PF-NAP at state and local government levels.

Terrorism: ONSA-NCTC, PAVE Network Move to Strengthen Local Ownership, Capacity for PCVE in Nigeria

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ABU Wins Inaugural ECOWAS Moot Court Competition

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ABU Wins Inaugural ECOWAS Moot Court Competition

By: Michael Mike

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaira has emerged the winner of the inaugural Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Moot Court Competition.

The competition which had competing for the top prize of N5 million, eight universities, had as first runners up University of Jos carting home N3 million.

Organized by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the competition which came to an end at the weekend, also had law undergraduates from American University, Yola; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Igbinedion University, Okada; Lagos State University, Ojo; Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, and University of Uyo, Uyo.

The Moot Court Competition, marking a significant step toward deepening youth
engagement in regional integration and justice, was held under the theme “Promoting Regional Integration and Human Rights through Judicial Processes in West Africa,”

In his closing remarks, the Honourable President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Goncalves, described the event as a “historic milestone” for the ECOWAS Court and a “beacon of hope” for the next generation of legal professionals in West Africa. Applauding the eloquence, analytical acumen, and professionalism displayed by the participants.

He congratulated all the universities represented, declaring that “every team is a winner” for its invaluable contributions.

Justice Goncalves also announced that, following the overwhelming success of the
maiden edition, the Moot Court Competition will become an annual flagship
programme of the Court, with plans to expand participation to universities across all ECOWAS Member States.

“By creating platforms such as this, the Court not only demystifies its work but also plants the seeds of a more robust legal culture—one that upholds justice, human rights, regional cooperation, and the rule of law,” he stated.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Honourable Vice-President of the Court, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, lauded the competition as a powerful blend of vision and execution. He commended the students for their dedication and decorum and acknowledged the essential roles played by judges, academic mentors, ECOWAS institutions, and development partners.

“Whether or not you won today,” he told the
participants, “you have all emerged as ambassadors of law and justice in the ECOWAS region.”

ABU Wins Inaugural ECOWAS Moot Court Competition

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