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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 Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Safe Haven have intervened in a reported farm destruction incident in Lamingo village, Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:10 a.m. on May 3 when troops of Sector 1 (Sub-Sector 12), Lamingo, responded to a distress report of cattle grazing within the compound of one Mrs. Shittu Yakubu.
The sources disclosed that upon arrival, the troops intercepted the cattle, while the herder fled the scene on sighting security personnel.
According to the sources, the owner of the cattle, identified as Alhaji Mamuda Ibrahim, has since been contacted to facilitate an amicable resolution of the incident.
They added that the situation was brought under control without further escalation.
The sources noted that efforts are ongoing to strengthen community engagement and prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the area.
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi After Pursuit of Abductors
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued five kidnapped victims following a swift response to a kidnap incident along the Okpella–Okene Road in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 12:43 a.m. on May 3 by troops of 195 Battalion (Reinforced) deployed at Forward Operating Base Okpella.
The sources disclosed that the troops, while on night patrol, responded to a distress call indicating that a vehicle had been attacked and its occupants abducted.
According to the sources, the troops immediately pursued the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding bush.
They added that five victims were successfully rescued during the operation, while two of them sustained injuries.
The injured victims were evacuated to the ENAW Dialysis Centre for medical attention, while others were stabilised.
The sources noted that follow-up operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activities along the axis.
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi After Pursuit of Abductors
Where Justice Mark Chidiebere Crossed the Line
By Zagazola Makama
The recent arrest and handover of Justice Mark Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, to the Department of Security Services has sparked predictable debates about free speech, accountability, and the limits of online activism. But beneath the noise lies a more serious issue one that goes beyond blogging and into the sensitive terrain of national security.
From available details, the turning point was not mere criticism of the military. Democracies tolerate, and even benefit from, scrutiny of their institutions. The red line appears to have been crossed when private conversations between the blogger and serving soldiers suggested alignment around “change of government.” In any country, that phrase, especially when involving active-duty personnel is not taken lightly. No professional military, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, would ignore such signals once credible evidence emerges.
The Nigerian Army’s response, therefore, should be viewed through that lens. This is an institution that has, in recent months, remained alert to internal and external threats, including failed attempts by rogue elements to destabilise the system. When a civilian is perceived rightly or wrongly to be encouraging disaffection or coercing soldiers within the ranks, it triggers an entirely different category of concern. At that point, it is no longer about opinion, it becomes a question of discipline, cohesion, and national stability.
This is where many content creators must draw a hard lesson. The digital space is not a vacuum. Conversations especially with uniformed personnel carry consequences. Amplifying unverified allegations, engaging soldiers in sensitive political discussions, or projecting narratives that could be interpreted as incitement can quickly move from advocacy into dangerous territory. The line is not always visible, but it is very real.
There is also the broader issue of responsibility. Too often, fragments of internal grievances are pushed into the public domain without context or verification, feeding a cycle where the military is portrayed only through its shortcomings. While criticism is legitimate, a pattern of reckless amplification erodes public confidence and, more importantly, can embolden hostile actors who thrive on internal discord.
If indeed the conversations attributed to Justice Mark Chidiebere reflect attempts to influence serving soldiers toward political ends, then the response by authorities was not just expected; it was inevitable.
What we must all know is that freedom of expression does not extend to actions that could undermine the stability of the state. In an era where a single message can travel faster than any bullet, knowing where the line is and choosing not to cross it has never been more important.
Where Justice Mark Chidiebere Crossed the Line
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi After Pursuit of Abductors
Where Justice Mark Chidiebere Crossed the Line
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