Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Maj. Gen. Richard Gyane has described violent extremism and terrorism (VET) as the biggest threat to the ECOWAS subregion, Africa and humanity.

Gyane stated this in Abuja during a chat with journalists during a mobile training course on women, youth, and VET, organized by KAIPTC on Wednesday.

The Commandant said that the security challenges in West Africa had informed KAIPTC’s decision to organize the capacity building for women and youth to build their resilience to tackle terrorism.

He said that the training, organized in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, would empower women and youth with the requisite knowledge about terrorists’ operations and build their resilience against VET threats.

Gyane said: “If you look at our subregion now, violent extremism is a big threat to us; If you look at the Sahel nations, most of these countries are virtually taken over by violent groups.

“If you look at Nigeria and the Boko Haram group, and the movement of these groups southwards, it is worrisome.

“Why are we particular about women and youth? They become vulnerable. These are the most vulnerable groups in our society, who are subject to radicalization by VETs.

“The aim is to engage these women and youth especially and let them understand the issues, the recruitment and all that about these groups who want to destroy our humanity within the subregion,” he said.

He noted that KAIPTC engages and empowers women and youth through its training programs because when people are empowered, it becomes difficult for VET groups, whose aim is to radicalize the people and take over their countries, to do so.

He however noted that no country could tackle VET alone, and stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders beyond the security space in order to curb VET’s surging scourge in West Africa and Africa at large.

Gyane said that, given the porous borders of ECOWAS countries, and the need for them to cooperate and share intelligence, ECOWAS member states should do everything possible to bring on board Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who are threatening to quit the bloc.

“It is not good for the subregion to have a divided front, and I think whatever we need to do to bring on board these countries, who want to separate themselves from the subregion, is very necessary.

“ECOWAS has done well in certain areas, especially the free movement of persons protocol and I think within the continent of Africa, ECOWAS has done so well.

“But I think we need to collaborate more beyond even the security space. I would want to see us one day using the same currency and all that.

“We should work more as one homogeneous subregion to ensure that people should be free to live and work wherever they are and do business.

“When we do that, it can help us to control violent extremism and terrorism,” Gyane added.

Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre

Zulum to Speak at UN Dialogue on Education Transformation in Africa

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum is among the dignitaries to speak at the 2024 Edition of the Africa Dialogue Series (ADS 2024), holding at the United Nations headquarters in New York, from May 6th to 24th, 2024.

According to a publication by the UN on its website, the programme titled “Africa Month” is to mobilise actions by leveraging science, technology and innovation to transform education in Africa. Governor Zulum, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Ms. Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Special Adviser on Africa, and many other stakeholders will be attending the dialogue.

This year’s dialogue series has the theme “Education through Science, Technology and Innovation toward the Africa We Want.” It will focus on obtaining a concerted Africa-centred policy shift needed to fast-track the transformation of the educational landscape on the continent.

The statement noted that the ADS 2024 will culminate with a High-level Policy Dialogue, including the participation of several ministers from African countries, Heads of Regional Economic Communities, young people, senior government and UN officials.

The statement added that the high-level segment will serve as a platform for in-depth exchanges, contributing policy recommendations to accelerate the continent’s progress toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mr. Faki Mahamat, will also participate in the High-level Policy Dialogue, and would be delivering closing messages to wrap up “Africa Month”.

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, will set the stage for the dialogue with their perspectives.

Zulum to Speak at UN Dialogue on Education Transformation in Africa

Former Deputy VC, UNN to Receive Honour from Japan

By: Michael Mike

The Government of Japan has announced the 2024 spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, with Prof James Chukwuma Ogbonna, the former Deputy Vice Chancellor at University of Nigeria, Nsukka being one of the recipients.

Ogbonna who is a former Professor of Microbiology at the same university, according to a statement, was nominated in recognition of his contributions to promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Nigeria in the field of agriculture. He would be given the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

The summary of Ogbonna’s contributions, according to the statement, include Inter-University Exchange Agreements: As Coordinator of Academic Cooperation, as he spearheaded agreements between several universities, including the University of Nigeria with Hokkaido University, Tsukuba University, and Osaka University, and facilitated student exchange programmes and research collaborations.

Ogbonna, also promoted human exchange: He actively facilitated the exchange of students and researchers between the two countries. His efforts led to 55 Nigerian students studying in Japan and several Japanese researchers conducting research in Nigeria, particularly in the field of agriculture.

The statement also said Ogbonna’s work established a valuable network of contacts between academics in both countries, paving the way for further collaboration and exchange in the future, noting that his dedication has significantly enhanced academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Nigeria.

Former Deputy VC, UNN to Receive Honour from Japan