News
United States in Four Years Trains 215 CSOs and BMOs, Supports Over 1,000 Organisations in Policy Reforms
United States in Four Years Trains 215 CSOs and BMOs, Supports Over 1,000 Organisations in Policy Reforms
By: Michael Mike
Over the past four years, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has improved the organisational and advocacy capacities of local civil society organisations (CSOs) and business membership organisations (BMOs) in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
USAID, through the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) activity in Nigeria, trained 215 CSOs and BMOs and supported more than 1,000 organisations to drive policy reforms addressing development challenges: poverty, education, healthcare, corruption, service delivery, citizen participation in governance, and gender equality.
At the SCALE closeout event on Wednesday, USAID Nigeria Peace, Democracy and Governance Office Director, Angela Martin said: “USAID remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and democratic society.”
USAID supported its CSO partners through training, mentoring, and coaching, enhancing their sustainability. This support led to over $8.4 million in grants won by SCALE partners from donor agencies, improving their resource diversification.
Launched in October 2020 and implemented by Palladium, the SCALE activity achieved more than 81 policy actions across sectors at federal, state, and local levels.
Other achievements include: Support for a nationwide CSO self-regulation consultation, resulting in a CSO self-regulation council. This initiative identified six regulatory frameworks, addressing issues of corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing. Over 400 organizations have adopted these frameworks; Integration of perspectives from women, youth, and people with disabilities into civic space dialogues with the government; Engagement with security agencies, traditional, religious, and community leaders to address trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and child marriage. The project supported local efforts to identify and report cases, leading to 28 investigated trafficking cases; and launch of four postgraduate programmes on organisational development and advocacy at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
According to a statement, the SCALE activity’s achievements aim to guide future initiatives for strengthening civil society and development in Nigeria.
United States in Four Years Trains 215 CSOs and BMOs, Supports Over 1,000 Organisations in Policy Reforms
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued two kidnapped victims in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:50 a.m. on April 15 when troops deployed at Kyado responded to a distress call on kidnapping activities in the area.
According to the sources, the troops swiftly moved to the scene, prompting the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee.
The sources added that the troops successfully rescued the two victims and reunited them with their families.
Security operations have been intensified in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further incidents.
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have arrested the second-in-command to a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, alongside his wife in Gombe State following an intelligence-led tracking operation across multiple locations.
Sources said the suspects, identified as Bala, popularly known as “Pakapaka,” and his wife, Zulaha Bala, were intercepted after fleeing from Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State.
According to the sources, the arrests were the result of sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking by security operatives targeting fleeing members of the criminal network.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine their level of involvement in the group’s activities and possible connections with other cells operating within and outside the region.
In a related development, troops conducted follow-up patrols around Bayar village in the Duguri axis after intelligence indicated that the main bandit kingpin had fled into the area.
However, no contact was made during the search operation.
Security sources said troops have continued to dominate the general area with sustained patrols aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of movement and disrupting their operational networks across Plateau, Taraba, and adjoining states.
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops conducting ongoing clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated offensives across forested areas linking Plateau and Taraba States.
A military source said the operations, carried out on April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with an Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tactical team.
According to the source, the operations were conducted in the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest axis, spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba States.
The source said the sustained offensive led to the recovery of 12 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during the pressure mounted by troops.
The victims were subsequently taken into custody for profiling before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons facility in Fukuk.
Troops also recovered a Dane gun, a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank during the operation.
Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
Troops arrest suspected ammunition racketeer in Cross River
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
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