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West Africa’s Insecurity, Food Challenges, Scientific Solutions to be Evolved
West Africa’s Insecurity, Food Challenges, Scientific Solutions to be Evolved
By: Michael Mike
Scientific solutions are to be evolve to solve challenges of insecurity, food shortage and other development issues currently affecting the West Africa.
This was the resolution at the the three- day Constitutive General Assembly of the West African Network of the National Academies of Sciences (WANNAS) in Abuja, where a Nigerian scientist, Professor Oyewale Tomori was elected as the Bureau chairman.
In an interview with journalists after his election, Tomori said the group’s main objective is to begin to bring scientific solutions to challenges of insecurity, food shortage and other development issues currently affecting the region.
While explaining the rational for priorities given to the sectors, Tomori said agriculture and security will help to improve the lives of the citizens and make them even more productive.
He said: “I think the areas of concern for us in Africa and West Africa in particular, the health area, the issue of food, agriculture, and even security and safety, those are the areas that science can come in.”
“That is why I am really glad that together, instead of doing it individually as an academy in our different countries we are working together, because our problems are common, our problems are the same, and therefore when we bring all talents in the region we will look at these problems and solve them.
“We will be working together as a region, learning from each other, some countries have solved their problems, others have not, we are going to work together as a region.”
Tomori had served as the regional Virologist for the World Health Organisation Africa Region from 1994 to 2004 before he was appointed as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Redeemers University in Ogun State, South West Nigeria, a tenure that ended in 2011.
Others elected as officials of the WANNAS Bureau were Senegal’s Professor Moctar Touré, as 1st Vice Chairman; while Ghana’s Professor Benjamin Ahunu, was elected 2nd Vice Chairman.
Professor Makalé Traoré of Guinea was elected 3rd Vice Chairman, Professor Crépin Bipene of Ivory Coast emerged as Bureau Secretary-General, Burkina Faso’s Prof. Pare Afsita, was elected as Treasurer.
The General Assembly also elected Professor Holo Théodore of Benin and Prof. Gumedzoé Mawuena of Togo as co-authors.
The General Assembly also established the headquarters of WANNAS in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
According to the adopted report of the WANNAS General Assembly at the end of its meeting, the West African scientists made various recommendations for ECOWAS.
These included the recommendation that ECOWAS should encourage collaboration among the National Academies of Sciences in ECOWAS member countries and facilitate the Roadmap’sWest Africa’s Insecurity, Food Challenges, Scientific Solutions to be Evolved
Scientific solutions are to be evolve to solve challenges of insecurity, food shortage and other development issues currently affecting the West Africa.
This was the resolution at the the three- day Constitutive General Assembly of the West African Network of the National Academies of Sciences (WANNAS) in Abuja, where a Nigerian scientist, Professor Oyewale Tomori was elected as the Bureau chairman.
In an interview with journalists after his election, Tomori said the group’s main objective is to begin to bring scientific solutions to challenges of insecurity, food shortage and other development issues currently affecting the region.
While explaining the rational for priorities given to the sectors, Tomori said agriculture and security will help to improve the lives of the citizens and make them even more productive.
He said: “I think the areas of concern for us in Africa and West Africa in particular, the health area, the issue of food, agriculture, and even security and safety, those are the areas that science can come in.”
“That is why I am really glad that together, instead of doing it individually as an academy in our different countries we are working together, because our problems are common, our problems are the same, and therefore when we bring all talents in the region we will look at these problems and solve them.
“We will be working together as a region, learning from each other, some countries have solved their problems, others have not, we are going to work together as a region.”
Tomori had served as the regional Virologist for the World Health Organisation Africa Region from 1994 to 2004 before he was appointed as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Redeemers University in Ogun State, South West Nigeria, a tenure that ended in 2011.
Others elected as officials of the WANNAS Bureau were Senegal’s Professor Moctar Touré, as 1st Vice Chairman; while Ghana’s Professor Benjamin Ahunu, was elected 2nd Vice Chairman.
Professor Makalé Traoré of Guinea was elected 3rd Vice Chairman, Professor Crépin Bipene of Ivory Coast emerged as Bureau Secretary-General, Burkina Faso’s Prof. Pare Afsita, was elected as Treasurer.
The General Assembly also elected Professor Holo Théodore of Benin and Prof. Gumedzoé Mawuena of Togo as co-authors.
The General Assembly also established the headquarters of WANNAS in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
According to the adopted report of the WANNAS General Assembly at the end of its meeting, the West African scientists made various recommendations for ECOWAS.
These included the recommendation that ECOWAS should encourage collaboration among the National Academies of Sciences in ECOWAS member countries and facilitate the Roadmap’s implementation by mobilising funding for WANNAS success. implementation by mobilising funding for WANNAS success.
West Africa’s Insecurity, Food Challenges, Scientific Solutions to be Evolved
Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully ambushed Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Marte–Dikwa axis of Borno, forcing them to flee and abandoning logistics items.
A military source said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday by a combined team of 50 Task Force Battalion/24 Task Force Brigade and 134 Special Forces Battalion, supported by volunteer forces.
The source disclosed that the troops, who had laid in wait at Momoh village along the Marte–Dikwa road, made contact with the insurgents moving on bicycles at about 12:45 a.m.
“On sighting the terrorists, the troops engaged them decisively, compelling them to retreat in disarray,” the source said.
He added that troops immediately carried out exploitation of the general area, leading to the recovery of eight bicycles believed to have been used by the insurgents for mobility, as well as some beverages suspected to be part of their logistics supply.
The Marte–Dikwa axis has remained a critical corridor in counter-insurgency operations, with sustained military pressure limiting the activities of insurgents in the area.
The source reaffirmed the commitment of troops to sustain aggressive operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety of communities across Borno.
Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno
Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Borno, killing several insurgents and recovering arms and ammunition.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday when terrorists advanced from multiple directions toward the base.
According to the source, troops who had taken ambush positions engaged the insurgents with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The troops demonstrated resilience and tactical superiority, effectively repelling the assault and immediately launching a counter-exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, inflicting further casualties on the fleeing insurgents,” the source said.
He confirmed that no personnel of the Nigerian military was killed during the encounter, although one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The source added that at least eight terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs, and a cache of ammunition.
“Blood trails were observed along the withdrawal routes, indicating that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.
He further disclosed that injured personnel from the encounter were currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility in Biu.
Zagazola gathered that additional bodies of fleeing terrorists were sighted along their escape corridors toward the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent enclave. We saw four more bodies,” said sources.
The military sources also revealed that abandoned weapons and casualties were observed in Garin Mallum and Garin Gajere, suggesting heavy losses suffered by the insurgents during the failed attack.
The military leadership urged to sustain the operational tempo, retain the initiative, and consolidate on the gains recorded against the insurgents.
Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is set to sharpen its policy direction in the global space ecosystem as Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited prepares to host the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Stephen Kwande, noting that the event will convene top government officials, regulators, and international stakeholders to shape the future of satellite governance and digital infrastructure.
Egerton-Idehen said the forum is coming at a critical time when countries around the world are strengthening their space capabilities as part of broader national development strategies.
According to her, satellite technology is increasingly linked to economic growth, national security, and digital connectivity, making strategic investments in space infrastructure a priority for many nations.
She explained that the conference is expected to attract high-level participation, including cabinet members, defence authorities, development finance institutions, and technology innovators from across Africa.
The NIGCOMSAT boss also highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in global space policy, pointing to her emergence as Vice Chair of the Global Satellite Operators Association as a sign of the country’s expanding role in international satellite governance.
She further cited ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the Kenya Space Agency as part of broader efforts to strengthen partnerships within Africa’s evolving space ecosystem.
Egerton-Idehen described the upcoming satellite week as both a reflection of Nigeria’s 20-year journey in satellite development and a strategic platform to define the country’s next phase in an increasingly competitive global space economy.
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno
Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
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