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ECOWAS Commission to organize workshop for adoption of ECOWAS Maritime Procedures Manual

By Emmanuel Daudu

Abuja, 20th November 2023 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, under the SWAIMS project, is set to organize a pivotal workshop aimed at advancing the adoption and promulgation of the Manual of Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures for ECOWAS Maritime Centres. This significant event will take place in Abuja from 20th to 21st November 2023.

According to a press statement signed by Mr. Kouadio Serge, Programme Officer IT and Communication, ECOWAS on Sunday, disclosed that the workshop will bring together esteemed participants including the Heads of ECOWAS Maritime Centres CRESMAO, MMCCs Zones E, F, and G, representatives from the Regional Security Division of ECOWAS, and the Heads of Operations and Administrative and Finance from CRESMAO and the MMCCs.

The primary focus of the workshop is to achieve the following expected results:

Adoption of the final version of the Manual of Procedures for the ECOWAS Maritime Centres.

Submission of the Manual of Procedures to the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, for promulgation and ultimate implementation in the ECOWAS Maritime Centres.

Speaking about the upcoming workshop, Dr. Axel Klein,Team Leader of the SWAIMS project expressed, “This workshop serves as a critical milestone in enhancing the operational efficiency and effectiveness of ECOWAS Maritime Centres. It underscores our commitment to promoting maritime security and safety in the ECOWAS region.”

The ECOWAS Commission remains resolute in its dedication to developing and implementing best practices for the ECOWAS Maritime Centres, in alignment with the overarching goals of the SWAIMS project.

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About SWAIMS Project:

The Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria, and Niger Delta suffer from major and regular maritime insecurity that range from piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping to illegal oil bunkering, trafficking, and smuggling.

The Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) programme is a multi-country intervention, covering member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the European Union-West Africa regional Indicative Programme—Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, as well as Mauritania with a specific focus on coastal countries.

Sample Activities
Strengthen integrated maritime governance, policies, laws and systems to support maritime security.

Assess the impact of illicit financial circuits generated by maritime crime.

Strengthen regional operational training.

Improve coordination with the private sector and participation of civil society in fighting maritime insecurity.

Sample Results
Supported the preparation of the background material for the grant to ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), and the preparation of the background material for the grants to Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM), Interregional Maritime Security Institute (ISMI), and to the Regional Maritime University (RMU).

Formulated a civil society organisation (CSO) engagement strategy to provide a framework for the programme activities that involve civil society.

To tackle the impact of COVID-19 organized via videoconferences national webinars on raising awareness of CSOs in Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea Bissau, and Togo to promote wider engagement of the civil society in maritime security.

Launched the international tender procedure for supply of equipment to ECOWAS Maritime Centers and ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Center.

Formulated a private sector strategy, supported the development of an Alert Bulletin, and organized a webinar to launch the strategy and foster the engagement of the private sector in maritime.

Established a functional project management unit to coordinate the implementation of the different components of the project and to ensure monitoring and timely reporting on project activities and results by the implementing partners (UNODC, CILCL, ARSTM, ISMI, RMU, GIABA).

Acted as the Secretariat to the first Steering Committee, coordinated visibility actions, and liaised with other EU-funded projects in the Gulf of Guinea to ensure coherence of action.

Conducted a detailed survey of maritime security stakeholders, delineating roles, and responsibilities in each member state.

Assessed the legal framework and existing legislation governing maritime crime.

Contributed to the drafting of model manuals and work packages for developing integrated maritime policy and the planned maritime security workshops.

Submitted a draft juridical report itemizing the legislation relating to maritime crime in ECOWAS member states.

Nigerian Army Mourn Former Chief Of Army Staff Major General Chris Alli

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Nigerian Army (NA), on the passing of former COAS, Major General Mohammed Chris Alli (Rtd).The former Army Chief succumbed to a brief illness in the early hours of today, Sunday 19 November, 2023 at the Military Hospital, Lagos.

Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu
Director Army Public Relations, in a press release he signed on the
19 November 2023 disclosed that Major General Alli (rtd), a revered senior officer, served the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation with honour and dedication in various capacities, leaving enduring prints on the sands of time. His commitment and zeal to duty manifested evidently, as he rose through the ranks to become the Director Military Intelligence (DMI), amongst several other key appointments in the Nigerian Army, climaxing his military career as the 9th COAS in November 1993, until his meritorious retirement from active service in August 1994.

Born on 25 December 1944, in Koton Karfe, Kogi State. Gen Chris Alli’s sojourn in the NA began on 20 October 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course. He served diligently in various capacities, cutting across Staff, Instructional and Command. Gen Alli was at a time, the Military Administrator of Plateau State.

The COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on receiving the disheartening news of his demise, has profoundly expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Late former COAS, praying for the repose of his soul and the strength and solace for the family in this difficult time.

Police Recruitment: 547, 774 Applications Received; 358, 900 Successful; 190,741 Rejected

By Emmanuel Daudu

…Anambra With 1664 Applicants Maintains Its Last Position

Five hundred and seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy four (547,774) applications for recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force have so far been received in the Police Recruitment portal which closes next Sunday, November 26, 2023 which will be exactly the 6weeks mandatory requirement for such exercise by the Federal Character Commission. The Portal was opened on the 15th of October 2023, five weeks ago.

According to a press release signed by Ikechukwu Ani
Head, Press and Public Relations on Sunday, 19th 2023, out of the 547,774 applicants, 358,900 were successfull and have qualified for the next round of the recruitment process which includes the physical, credentials, medicals and strict background checks of the applicants.

A total of 84,606 applicants were rejected for over age. Applicants are expected to be between the ages of 18 and 25.

Kaduna State maintained its first position as the state with the highest number of applicants with 40,272 with Anambra Still stuck in the last position with 1664. Adamawa State is second with 36,398 applications, Bornu State third with 32,048. Benue State with 31,122 is fourth, Katsina state with 30,202 is 5th, Bauchi State with 30,604 is 6th while Kano with 30,004 is 7th.

Ebonyi State with 2132 applications is next to Anambra from the rear, followed by Lagos State with 2324 applicants. Bayelsa state is 4th from the rear with 2651 while Abia has 2796 and 5th from the rear.

Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police expressed his satisfaction with the number of applications already received. He observed that it is obvious that Nigerian youths have decided to show incredible interest in pursuing a career in the Nigeria Police, a development he said augurs well for the “new Police we are building”.

He appealed once again to the youths of the South-East to change its indifference to Police work, insisting that embracing anti-government criminal gangs will not lead them anywhere.

He advised that they should be concerned on what becomes of the region in the future as no development can thrive in a terror ravaged communities.

He noted that the Commission will do its best to ensure that the recruitment is strictly based on defined criteria with merit and justice prevalent throughout the processes.

Humanitarian Minister Flags Off Construction Of 40 Modern Toilets For Persons With Disabilities In Yangoji, Abuja Communities

By Emmanuel Daudu

Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu has flagged off the construction of 40 units of modern toilets for Alheri Leprosy Colony in Yangoji Kwali Area Council, of the federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA, in a press release on Friday stated that the flag-off was in fulfillment of the Promise made to the community in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said President Tinubu has a special interest in making persons living with disabilities and was committed to ensuring that they play critical roles in society.

Edu who was represented by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Olanrewaju described the President as a man ready to sacrifice all for the well-being of the disabilities community, stating that the President does not in any way see them as persons with disabilities but “persons with special abilities”.

She stressed that the days of total neglect of the disabled community in Nigeria were gone for good.The Minister reiterated President Tinubu’s resolve to make persons with disabilities part of society.

Dr. Edu assured the PWD community that the Ministry has approved 10 percent of all social interventions programmes for persons with disabilities as beneficiaries, saying with this, it was obvious the PLWDs are part of the society and should not suffer discrimination of any kind.

“Your positive journey has just begun today, you are bonafide citizens of the country, do not allow anyone to dampen your spirit, be assured that you are part of us, and you won’t be discriminated against, the president is concerned about you, I’m passionate about your well-being”, Minister said.

According to Dr Edu, she was eager to see the project completed and commissioned in a record time.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. James David Lalu assured that the project would be completed in two months and asked the contractor to put all machinery in place to ensure the project was completed in time.

He thanked President Tinubu for fulfilling the promise he made to Alheri Leprosy Colony during the electioneering campaign, saying the Alheri community and persons with disabilities contributed to his emergence.

The Executive Secretary said with the help of Dr . Edu as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, he was sure that the Alheri Leprosy Colony and other people with special needs would no longer be neglected, describing the Minister as one who shows much regard to those with disabilities and ready to resuscitate all the rehabilitation centers in Nigeria.

He also thanked the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyosom Ezenwo Wike for providing a conducive environment for the Alheri community and emphasized that the project would be replicated in all the Leprosy Centres across the country.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Disabilities, Alhaji Muhammed Abah Isah described the occasion as remarkable and said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu was paying needed attention to persons with disabilities.

Isah emphasized that President Tinubu has no agenda of leaving people with special needs behind and frowned at the stigmatization of the disabled community by some members of the society.

He appealed to Nigerians to always see PLWDs as those who need care and regard them as assets and not liabilities to the country.

On his part, the representative of the FCT Minister, Ibrahim Aminu Masari, said Yangoji remains part of FCT and must not be abandoned.

Masari, who is the Mandate Secretary of Social Development, said FCT under Nyesom Wike would not fail to include the community in the developmental agenda and applauded Dr Betta Edu for such laudable projects.

He advised the community to see the project as their own and to ensure adequate protection from vandals

Other speakers at the event include the Director Social Welfar FCT, Dr Sani Umar, Head of Alheri community Alhaji Dikko Dogo among others who commended President Tinubu and the Minister for fulfilling the Promise made, through the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Child Support Scheme Platform Does Not Exist, Link is Fake- Betta Edu

By Emmanuel Daudu

The attention of the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has been drawn to a circulating bogus child support scheme with the title “FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ₦50,000 CHILD SUPPORT FUND FOR ALL NIGERIAN PARENTS IS ONGOING”

According to a press release signed by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA on Sunday, the said scheme and the accompanying link are fake as they did not emanate from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

All social intervention schemes of the Ministry are well documented, in the public domain, and are brought to the notice of Nigerians through proper, channels.

The so-called “Child Support Scheme” is fake and is not and Can never be any of the Ministry’s schemes.

The general public is hereby alerted that undesirable elements whose sole agenda is to mislead and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians are behind the fake scheme advertisement and the link.

While security agents have swung into action to unmask the unpatriotic elements behind the intended scam, Nigerians are advised to ignore the link to avoid being defrauded of their hard-earned money.

More Gains As Air Strikes Neutralize Terrorists In Kaduna

By Emmanuel Daudu

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) have sustained air strikes against terrorists operating in the Northwest and North central Region of the Country leading to the decimation of several terrorist elements at Tsauni Doka at Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The strikes became necessary following credible intelligence revealed the presence of terrorist kingpin known as Boderi and his foot soldiers at Tsauni Doka. Subsequently, air strikes were carried out on the location in the early hours of 16 November 2023, with devastating consequences on the terrorists. Similar strikes with positive outcomes were also carried out at a location about 500 metres east of Boderi’s hideout, believed to be the hiding place of Boderi’s brother, Nasiru. Both strikes were termed very successful as several terrorists were neutralized and their motorcycles destroyed.

According to a press release signed by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force on Sunday, Boderi and his brother Nasiru, alongside their cohorts, have been blamed for several attacks and abductions along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road as well as in several communities in Niger and Kaduna States.

Troops neutralize 50 terrorists, arrests 122

By Emmanuel Daudu

Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations has disclosed that the operations of the last one week, resulted in 50 neutralized terrorists with 122 of them arrested. “Troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 182 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of One Hundred Twenty Eight Million Sixty Six Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Naira (N128,066,825.00) only.

He made the disclosure during a Press Release On Ongoing Military Operations By The Armed Forces Of Nigeria As At 17 November 2023 on Friday.

According to him, the military continues to target the leadership and chain of command of the terrorist, insurgents and extremist undermining the security of citizens in the country. The ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations is making the country safer each passing day that these evil forces are decimated. The armed forces is on course with it’s operations ,which are yielding encouraging results.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 66 assorted weapons and 11,474 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one conqueror APC, one GPMG, one NSVT gun, one GT3 rifle, 25 AK47 rifles, 4 pump action gun, 2 locally made AK47 rifles, 3 locally made gun, one locally made revolver gun, 4 locally fabricated pistols and 4 long dane gun, 2 locally made hand grenades, one bandolier.

“Others are: 574 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 640 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 150 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 5 rounds of 9mm ammo, 10,520 live cartridges, 5 vehicles, 27 mobile phones, 12 motorcycle, 3 boafeng radios, one Motorolla HHR, 3 bicycles, one solar panel, one solar charger controller, one radio receiver and the sum of N75,909,290.00 amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 242 dugout pits, 49 boats, 78 storage tanks, one tricycle, 21 vehicles, 104 cooking ovens, 3 pumping machine, 7 outboard engine and 49 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 151,850 litres of stolen crude oil, 48,630 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,125 litres of DPK.

“The armed forces will continue to apply strong military pressure such as has been witnessed in the week. The terrorist and their cohorts would continue to suffer heavy casualities. It is in their interest to surrender as being done in the NE of the country to avoid eventual destruction”.

Crisis in NUPENG deepens as Tanker drivers protest across the country

Petrol tanker drivers may pull out of. Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG if the National President Williams Akporeha and General secretary Afoloabi olawale did not PTDresign forthwith from their seats.

Comrades Gbenga Olawale and Adekunle Rufai of Ibadan Depot Petroleum Tanker Drivers PTD Ibadan Depot who spoke to Nigeria Pilot in Abuja said they began protest across the country as drivers with leaves in front of their trucks, warning NUPENG and police against interference and incessant harressment of thier leaders

According to them Williams lacks competence to lead the union because he is not a member of NUPENG

They alleged that Williams, was a cook in an oil company from the formal sector, and was sacked from the company while holding the office of the National treasurer of NUPENG.

They further alleged that he was later drafted into petrol station workers of NUPENG (PSW) to enable him to contest election as NUPENG president which according to them is a total departure from the NUPENG Constitution because Williams is not a worker or a pump attendant on record, as at the time he was verifying for the president position.

To this effect they said he lacks the capacity to be president of NUPENG.

They further alleged that he has planted all his surrogates to collect all revenue of the union and use for themselves

They therefore have decided to stand with lucky osusan and Dayyab Garaga who have laid their life’s to ensure that they are liberated .

Crown Varsity VC Congratulates Liberian President-elect, H.E, Joseph .N. Boakai

UNESCO Laureate, and Vice-Chancellor, Crown University International Chartered Inc., USA which its teaching and research hospital campus is located at Santa Cruz Province in Argentina, South America with official partners constituent campuses at government regulated universities worldwide and online operation, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu has congratulated the Ex-Liberia Vice President, His Excellency Sir Joseph Nyumah Boakai on his election victory to had emerged as President-elect of Liberia.

In a congratulatory message signed by UNESCO Laureate, World Acclaimed Distinguished Professor Sir Bashiru Aremu, which was made available to some group of Journalists in Asaba, Delta State capital by the VC’s Executive Assistant on Media, Publicity and Communication Matters, Comrade Sir Bieni Victor Emenike today being on Saturday, November 19, 2023, Prof Aremu described H.E, Sir Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s Presidential election victory as well deserved one and a victory for all Liberians, Africa and the rest of the world.

You could recall that June 25, 2019 at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State during one of the African Leaders, Professors summit on SDGs, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, who is UNESCO Laureate, Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA, and World Grand President, International Chartered World Learned Society (ICWLS) conferred an award of excellence to former Vice President of Liberia, now President-elect of Liberia, Joseph Nyumah Boakai as he bagged global golden awards as the “Most Notable & Outstanding Leader of the 21st Century. Also, on June 22, 2020, UNESCO Laureate & Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc. (CUICI), USA conferred another University awards to him as the Institution’s Pro Chancellor & Chairman Board of Trustees.

UNESCO Laureate, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu who described Sir Joseph Nyumah Boakai as a great African Leader with vast knowledge in education, Agriculture, Leadership, administration, social sciences, community and civic space development, consultancy services and other critical economic sectors. His Royal Highness HRH Duke of the Kingdom of Atlantis In Singapore, Prof Aremu while congratulating him on his election victory, while thanking Liberians for given him the needed maximum support to coast to victory . Prof Aremu, a world distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Information Communication Technology then used medium to thank the leadership of Liberia’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) to had conducted a free and fair elections.

The statement by Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu reads in parts: “His Excellency Sir, I celebrate you! What a great news to learn of your victory at Presidential polls in Liberia!! I , UNESCO Laureate, World Acclaimed Distinguished Professor Sir Bashiru Aremu is very happy that you have won the election. Your new position is a call to highest National Service. We believe that you will perform excellently. I must commend President George Weah for accepting defeat, exemplified the spirit of sportsmanship and accepted to work with you for the good of all Liberians”.

“We look forward to watching your successful administration as one family of Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc, USA with its teaching and research hospital campus is located at Santa Cruz Province in Argentina South America with official partners constituents Campuses at government regulated universities world wide and online operation. As you prepare to take over the mantle of leadership as new President, i wish you a successful administration, very long life, good health wisdom and guidance, Fear of God and future success, Amen!”.

“I, UNESCO Laureate, World Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Information Communication Technology, hereby congratulates you once again on this your well deserved victory at the Liberia Presidential election to emerge the President-elect of a great country that symbolises freedom. You have served Liberians, humanity, Africans and the world at large in various capacities. Your skills, expertise and wealth of experience are priceless. No doubt, I believe and can vouch for you that, you will give Liberians a visionary leadership worthy of emulation and lead them to a greater heights. Yours in sincerely UNESCO Laureate World Acclaimed Distinguished Professor Sir Bashiru Aremu The Vice Chancellor Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA”.

Ismaila Hussaini bags CONYSSA award, calls for youth resilience

By Success Dauda

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Al-QADR International Limited, Ismaila Hussaini
has on Friday bagged a National award under the algae of the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Safety and Security Affairs, CONYSSA as the ICON of SECURITY AMBASSADOR

While making the award presentation in Abuja, the Director General of CONYSSA, Amb. Ade Mario Emmanuel disclosed that Mr.Ismaila Hussaini’s recognition is based on his role in giving direction to the younger generation and being an inspiration to the youth at Large.
“Your impact in community service, advancement of humanity, and peace you preach, is an encouragement to the younger generation. Your social activities have brought to your state and other parts of the country into the limelight.

While reacting to the award, Ismaila Hussaini encouraged Nigerian youth and the Coalition of the Nigerian Youth on Safety and Security Affairs to be resilient, focused, and hungry in achieving greater heights.
“You guys are doing great, however, we need to engage our youth. When you live in a society like ours and leave the youth redundant, you literally stand a chance to continuously fight crime, that’s why we need reorientation and create useful platforms to be used as channels to engage the youth.

“However, I am so proud of myself as a Nigerian and the younger generation. You guys are intelligent and resilient. An average Nigerian youth want to be successful in every endeavor they find themselves irrespective of the part of the world they are in. That’s what describes a Nigerian.

“Despite we understand that the government and the society at large are not creating enough enabling environment and creating a wide range of orientation and reorientation to let people see the potentials in themselves, especially the youth, I still admonish the younger generation to be resilient because Nigeria is a great nation and as citizens, we are all image makers of the country and it should be known by who we are, what we do, our contribution to global development and our roles in the security of lives and property.

While calling on the federal government to create windows of engagement to bridge the gap between the youth and the government, he tasked the Tunubu-led administration to make security a priority stressing that Nigeria’s ability to attract international investments is determined by the stability of the economy security-wise.
“Like I mentioned earlier, security is everyone’s business. You are responsible for your own immediate security by extension, your community and the environment. When we are involved in security then we can all be proud of ourselves. We can go to bed with our two eyes closed.

“Recapping my statement, I want to personally beg all of you and encourage you all to keep up the good work.
I tell you for free for me, security is everyone’s business and the agenda that drives the inspiration of what you guys are doing should be beckoned on national interest.

“You people have dedicated your time towards this agenda, and then, we cannot speak less of you, other than to encourage you all”.

Similarly, the organization’s public relations officer, Emmanuel Daudu, while speaking on the organization, has this to say, “COALITION OF NIGERIA YOUTH ON SECURITY & SAFETY AFFAIRS is a robust and pragmatic interventionist initiative of young leaders from various organizational backgrounds, majorly para-military and community based youth organizations.

“Our VISION is to build a complementary and effective youth super-structure to collaborate with the security outfits of Nigeria to combat the rising security challenges across the country, while achieving improved security of lives and properties in all communities of the Nation. And in achieving the aforementioned, we have a MISSION of sensitizing the Nigeria Youth towards placing greater focus on and owing up Security Matters as a major community responsibility, and bridging the widening relationship gap between the youths and the nation’s security architecture. Our major GOAL is to reduce crime among the Nigerians”.