National News
Sierra Leone Election: ECOWAS Deploys 95 Election Observers

Sierra Leone Election: ECOWAS Deploys 95 Election Observers
By: Michael Mike
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is deploying 95 Election Observers to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Sierra Leone holding on June 24.
A statement on Wednesday said: “The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has approved the deployment of 95 Election Observers (Long and Short-Term – LTOs/STOs) to observe the 24th of June Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Sierra Leone.”
According to the statement, this is in line with provisions of Articles 12 to 14 of the 2001 regional Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance on assistance to member States holding elections.
The statement also disclosed that ECOWAS has provided Sierra Leone with US$500,000 financial support for the elections.
The Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be led by Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, a former ECOWAS Commission President and ex-Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office in West Africa and the Sahel, with Ansumana Ceesay, former ECOWAS Representative in Liberia and Guinea-Bissau to serve as Deputy Head of Mission, the statement revealed.
The statement also disclosed that the Mission will be assisted by an ECOWAS Technical Team to be led by Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
The statement said: “The 15 LTOs, who depart for Freetown on 15th June, will be led by Serigne Mamadou Ka, Acting Head of the ECOWAS Election Assistance Division (EAD). The team comprises experts in election administration, gender, conflict management, security, legal and constitutional issues, and the media.
“From 20th June, the LTOs will be joined by 80 STOs drawn from the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives’ Committee, Member States, Foreign Affairs Ministries and Electoral Management Bodies, the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, Community institutions (Parliament and Court of Justice), Civil Society Organizations, the Media, and election observers.”
Thirteen candidates from 17 registered political parties are vying for the Sierra Leone presidency, including incumbent President Julius Maada Bio, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
The SLPP defeated the then ruling All People’s Congress (APC), in the last presidential election in 2018.
Some 135 Parliamentary and 493 Local Council seats will also be in contention on 24th June.
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) registered 3,374,258 voters for the 2023 elections out of an estimated population of 8.7 million.
Voting is expected to take place in 11,832 polling stations within 3,630 polling Centers across the 16 electoral districts nationwide from 7:00am to 5:00pm local time.
According to the statement, the deployment of the Election Observation Mission is a follow-up to the joint ECOWAS and African Union pre-election fact-finding Mission to Sierra Leone from 12th to 14th April 2023.
Sierra Leone Election: ECOWAS Deploys 95 Election Observers
National News
NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft have carried out a precision strike on a notorious bandit hideout in Kunti, within Sohon Gaya community of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Zagazola learnt that the operation followed credible intelligence reports of heightened bandit activities in the axis, with the criminals reportedly wielding sophisticated weapons, including assault rifles and heavy-calibre arms.
Sources confirmed that at about 1200hrs, two NAF helicopters were sighted conducting the successful strike on the location, which had been a source of terror to the surrounding communities.
In the aftermath of the air interdiction, friendly ground troops arrived the target area in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to secure the location, assess battle damage and mop up fleeing elements of the bandits.
The timely synergy between air and ground components ensured effective neutralisation of the threats while also restoring confidence among residents of Sohon Gaya community.
NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna
National News
Hilda Baci Concludes GWR Jollof Rice Attempt, Awaits Confirmation

Hilda Baci Concludes GWR Jollof Rice Attempt, Awaits Confirmation
By Halima Abdulkadiri
Celebrity chef Hilda Baci on Saturday successfully wrapped up her ambitious bid to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the largest pot of jollof rice.
The reports gathered that Baci cooked approximately 200 bags of rice in a massive 22,619-litre pot, which measured six metres in both width and height. The cooking process lasted about nine hours.
She now awaits official confirmation from Guinness World Records on whether her feat will be certified as a new world record.
National News
Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched

Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched
By: Michael Mike
A bold, data-driven, tech-enabled, and financially intelligent strategy designed to revolutionize women’s health across Nigeria has been launched.
The project RenewHER (Renew Health Equity and Reform) is a Presidential Women’s Health Transformation Initiative, led by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health (OSSAP-WH) and championed by Dr. Adanna Steinacker.
The launching was held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja on Thursday evening with the Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Tinubu.

At the Gala, the Women’s Health Digital Media and Communications Hub, a national advocacy and story telling platform was unveiled, which is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, spotlighting innovations, and driving conversations across six national priority areas: Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Adolescent Health and Menstrual Equity; Nutrition and Preventive Care; Healthcare Workforce and Access; and Coalition Building.
The evening also featured a Presidential Keynote Address, the premiere of the RenewHER campaign film, a cultural showcase, the Health Innovator Awards and a National Pledge Moment to mobilize long-term support for the initiative.
Speaking on the project, the SSA to the President on Women’s Health, Dr. Adanna Steinacker, said: “RenewHER is more than an initiative, it is a national call to action to redefine the future of women’s health and economic equity in Nigeria. Through the Women’s Health Nigeria Hub and Magazine, we a creating a movement that transforms policy, empowers communities, and inspires a new generation of champions for women’s health.”
Key strategic partners of the initiative include the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), and the Women in Healthcare Network (WIHCN), all supporting RenewHER to deliver measurable health outcomes, while creating economic opportunities for women through financial incentives, digital wallets, microgrants, skills training, and women-led health innovations.
Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched
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