National News
SADC to Promote Innovation as Key to Unlocking Sustainable Economic Growth of Southern Africa

SADC to Promote Innovation as Key to Unlocking Sustainable Economic Growth of Southern Africa
By: Michael Mike
As the Southern African Development Community (SADC) begins life under the Chairmanship of President Emerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, the promotion of innovation to unlock opportunities for sustainable economic growth and development would be a watchword in the region
This would be a consolidating of the national peace, food and nutritional security, gender development, disaster risk management, and implementing the strategy and roadmap for industrialization which were the crux of the erstwhile chairman, President Joe Manuel Mrosso of Mozambique.
SADC consists of 17 members states that has a rich history of allignment dating back to 1980 when it was formed as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC).
It was in 1992, it evolved into the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a renewed commitment to promoting sustainable development, peace, and security in Southern Africa region.
Speaking at the 2024 SADC anniversary in Abuja at the weekend, the outgone Chair of SADC Group in Nigeria, Angola’s Ambassador Bamoquina Jose Zau who handed over to the Ambassador of Zimbabwe, Maxwel Ranga,
while noting that: “SADC has made significant progress in promoting economic growth, social justice, and human development, announced that the anniversary celebration marked the transfer of chairmanship from President Joe Manuel Mrosso of Mozambique to President Emerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.
He said: “We thank President Mrosso for his leadership and commitment to SADC during his tenure, and we welcome President Mnangagwa as he takes the reins to steer our organisation forward.”
“The theme of President Mrosso’s chairmanship was “Promoting Industrialization and Sustainable Economic Growth,” and he made significant strides in promoting human and financial capital development, which are critical drivers of sustainable industrialization.”
“His commitment to consolidating national peace, food and nutritional security, gender development, disaster risk management, and implementing the strategy and roadmap for industrialization will have a lasting impact on our region.”
“As we look to the future, President Mnangagwa’s chairmanship will focus on promoting innovation to unlock opportunities for sustainable economic growth and development.”
“This is a critical area of focus, as innovation has the potential to drive economic transformation, create jobs, and improve living standards.”
“We are also proud of the progress we have made in promoting peace and security in our region. The recent summit in Arusha, Tanzania, commended the peace process and mediation efforts between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and called on the two countries to cease all hostilities.
“We will continue to work towards achieving lasting peace and security in the region, particularly in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique.”
“As we celebrate this anniversary, we are reminded of the importance of our partnership with other regions and countries.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation we have received from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we look forward to strengthening our ties with other countries, including Russia.”
He added that: “We are proud of our achievements, but we recognize that there is still much work to be done. We must continue to work together to address the challenges facing our region, including poverty, inequality, and climate change.”
“We are committed to creating a better future for the people of Southern Africa. We will continue to work tirelessly to promote sustainable development, peace, and security in our region.”
Meanwhile, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria(VON) Jubrin Ndace, said the media plays a vital role in shaping Africa narratives, noting that Africans cannot expect the world to respect them if they don’t tell their own story.
He said: “We need to be intentional about creating a positive narrative about Africa and Africans. The Voice of Nigeria is a public platform established to consistently create a positive narrative about Nigeria and Nigerians, Africa and Africans.
“We broadcast in eight languages, including four indigenous languages and four international languages, to reach a broader audience.”
“As Director General, I’m committed to deepening our engagement with the international community.”
“I’m currently exploring opportunities to broadcast in Mandarin, courtesy of our partnership with the Chinese government. This collaboration will enable us to reach a vast audience in China and promote cultural exchange between our nations.”
“However, I believe that our efforts should go beyond broadcasting. We need to encourage travel within the African continent.
“We need to promote cultural exchange programs, educational initiatives, and economic partnerships that foster cooperation and understanding. We need to create opportunities for Africans to experience the beauty and diversity of our continent firsthand.”
“To achieve this, I propose that we establish a partnership between SADC countries and the Voice of Nigeria.
“We can work together to promote positive narratives about our continent, encourage travel, and foster cultural exchange. We can offer our platforms to journalists from SADC countries to share their stories, and vice versa.
“By working together, we can create a unified narrative that showcases the best of Africa. Let’s define ourselves by our strengths, our resilience, and our beauty.
“Let’s celebrate our diversity, our cultures, and our achievements. Let’s take control of our narrative and let the world respect us. We are not defined by our challenges; we are defined by our ability to overcome them.”
“I offer the Voice of Nigeria platform to all SADC countries willing to work with us to consistently tell positive stories about Africa.”
“Let’s unite in our efforts to promote a positive narrative about our continent. Let’s celebrate our common future and work towards a brighter tomorrow for all Africans.” He added.
Ends
National News
Nigerien Army Deserter Who Joined Boko Haram Surrenders in Diffa Region

Nigerien Army Deserter Who Joined Boko Haram Surrenders in Diffa Region
By: Our Reporter
A deserter from the Niger Republic Armed Forces who reportedly joined the terrorist group Boko Haram has surrendered to local authorities in Kindjandi, located in the Diffa Region of southeastern Niger Republic.
The individual, identified as Abba Ibrahim, had been serving with the Nigerien Armed Forces since 2022 before deserting his post in Bosso on March 8, 2025, according to military intelligence sources. He fled alongside a fellow soldier, Bandam Dala, and subsequently joined a Boko Haram faction active in the Lake Chad area.
Security sources disclosed that Ibrahim surrendered on April 21, 2025, arriving in Kindjandi on horseback with a rifle. He was accompanied by an unidentified young man whose details are yet to be confirmed.
Ibrahim was taken into custody by the Nigerien Armed Forces on the morning of April 22, 2025, and is currently undergoing debriefing and interrogation by military intelligence.
The Diffa Region has remained a hotspot for insurgent activity due to its proximity to Lake Chad and border areas with Nigeria, where Boko Haram and other extremist groups operate.
Nigerien Army Deserter Who Joined Boko Haram Surrenders in Diffa Region
National News
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch

ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
By: Michael Mike
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has commended the initiative by ECOWAS to extend an invitation to the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger for the official launch of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee in Accra.
The Network, in a press statement on Tuesday, said it supports the initiative by ECOWAS to ease tensions and foster diplomacy in a bid to sustain the common heritage, shared history, and longstanding socio-cultural ties of the peoples.
The statement read: “As ECOWAS opens its doors and extends an arm of friendship and collaboration to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the Network encourages the three countries to reciprocate the gesture, upholding the spirit of good neighbourliness and cross-border cooperation. Such
cooperation is necessary now more than ever, especially as we require a concerted effort to confront matters of common interest to the subregion, such as security and trade.
“WADEMOS maintains the position that the restoration of trust and confidence between
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, on the one hand, and ECOWAS, on the other hand,
remains critical to sustaining cooperation and enhancing the free movement of goods and people. Building trust and confidence, we believe, is also critical to effectively combat the growing threat of terrorism across the subregion.
“Considering the close ties that exist among the West African peoples, WADEMOS
continues to urge the three Sahelian countries to be reconciliatory in their engagements with ECOWAS.”
WADEMOS is an independent and non-partisan network of diverse national and transnational civil society organisations and civic groups working to promote and defend democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in the West Africa region.
It mobilizes, coordinates, and leverages the collective voice and power of civil society and other pro-democracy actors, resources, and opportunities within the West Africa region to advance its mission. The current membership of WADEMOS stands at 47 spread across West Africa.
The WADEMOS Secretariat is based in Accra, Ghana.
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
National News
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers

Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations of extortion involving officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The officers, according to a viral post, allegedly extorted ₦5.2 million from a group of young men traveling from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State to Akure, Ondo State.
The Minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Babatunde Alao, noted that any officer found guilty will face the full weight of the law.
He said: “We will not tolerate any form of misconduct from our security agencies.
“We are building a paramilitary that is disciplined, professional and serve Nigeria and Nigerians with all sense of diginity and patriotism.
“On this case, we will see that justice is upheld and ensure that security personnel serve with forthrightness,” he said.
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
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