ECOWAS, UEMOA meets, validates cooperation strategy in Senegal

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Workshop on the Cooperation Strategy for Convergence between ECOWAS and UEMOA (2024– 2033)

The Technical Validation Workshop of the Draft Cooperation Strategy for Convergence between ECOWAS and WAEMU (2024 – 2033) took place from 27 – 31 March 2023 in Dakar, Republic of Senegal.

The validation workshop was attended by Directors and technical staff of both the ECOWAS Commission and WAEMU Commission and consultants that supported the development of the strategy.

The workshop was declared open by Prof. Filipa Michel Sawadogo, the Commissioner responsible for Regional Market and Cooperation at the WAEMU Commission while the technical session was co-chaired by the Director of External Relations at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jerome BOA and the Director of International Cooperation at the WAEMU Commission, Mr. Rabiou Albert Boura.

The delegation of the ECOWAS Commission at the workshop comprised of the Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), Dr. Simeon KOFFI; the Director of Customs and Taxation, Mr. Salifou TIEMTORE; the Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, Mr. Albert SIAW-BOATENG and the Special Advisor to the President of the Commission on Economic and Financial Integration and Partnership, Mr. Mambury NJIE. Also in attendance were Commission officials from Directorate of External Relations and the Office of the Vice President.

The cooperation strategy for convergence builds on the existing legal texts and instruments put in place by both ECOWAS and WAEMU to strengthen the cooperation and partnership between the two (2) regional integration institutions. It is aimed at identifying strategies for the effective harmonization or unification of legal and regulatory texts as well as joint management of Community programmes and projects.

The strategy document includes a diagnostic section which examines the achievements and challenges of the existing cooperation between the two (2) institutions within the convergence framework. It also contains recommendations for revitalizing the convergence process under the following key strategic areas: (i) Effective functioning of the Joint Technical Secretariat set up to oversee the cooperation; (ii) Development of

common positions on key issues; (iii) Improving the visibility and perception of the convergence process both at the level of Institutions and Member States; and (iv)Improving the governance of the convergence process through high level leadership. Finally, the strategy elaborates an action plan for implementing its recommendations. 

The successful implementation of the strategy is expected to result in the following benefits for the region: (i) effective utilization of human, financial and technical resources; (ii) reduction in the enactment of conflicting texts; (iii) non-duplication of Community policies, programmes and projects; (iv) articulation of common  West Africa position at international fora; and (iv) realization of economies of scale for the benefits of the population and economic operators in West Africa, which will help West Africa to fully implement its regional integration agenda.

KENYA NAVY JUNIOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS GRADUATE

The Commander Kenya Navy Fleet (KNF) Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, on 30 March 2023 presided over the graduation ceremony of Junior Leadership Command (JLC) course at the Kenya Naval Training College (KNTC) in Mtongwe, Mombasa.

In his speech during the graduation ceremony, Brigadier Kiswaa congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the course affirming that it is the first and most crucial step in training for leadership responsibilities.

“The JLC course is the first and most crucial step in training for leadership responsibilities. I therefore urge you to consistently apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired here to improve your work places and your efficiency in the performance of your duties as well as providing sound leadership skills at your level,” said Brigadier Kiswaa.

The Chief Instructor KNTC, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Waweru congratulated the graduates and urged them be good ambassadors of the College in their respective Units and Formations.

“I urge you to be good ambassadors of the College in your respective Units and Formations. Embrace the KAIZEN principle of step by step continuous improvement to make yourselves better leaders. Leaders who do not wait for things to happen but cause things to happen,” said Lt Col Waweru.

The aim of the JLC course is to improve and equip Junior Non-commissioned Officers with knowledge and skills in Leadership, Command and Management necessary to meet challenges they face in their areas of deployment in the Kenya Navy and Kenya Defence Forces at large.

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COMMANDER KENYA ARMY VISIT INDIA’S NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY

Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Peter Njiru on 30 March 2023 paid a visit to India’s National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune where he was received by the Commandant Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar. The Commander and his entourage were taken through comprehensive briefs covering the institution’s mandate and later they were taken through an extensive tour of the training facilities.

Lieutenant General Njiru also held talks with his host on key areas of collaboration especially on matters training. He further thanked the institution for offering training opportunities to cadets from Kenya which is critical in sharing of knowledge and doctrine.

The Commander also had the opportunity of interacting with the Kenyan cadets training in the institution, where he urged them work hard and maintain discipline as they are Kenya’s ambassadors in the institution.

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Features: Our Rights, by Dr Waheed Musah

drwaheedmusah@gmail.com

Religion, Slavery, Discrimination, War, Corruption, and Injustices on a national and international level has already caused damage in Africa.

Terrorism fueled by some local and international leaders in Africa has already dispersed much blood on the soil. Every country in the world has democratic constitutional rights that protect the country flags to the death of the country; why can African citizens not be covered on Earth?

The ability for one to impose or force one’s belief on another is also against human rights. Culture plays a vital role in the context of Human rights. There is nothing universal about any rights whiles we have countries with their constitutional objective. It is hypocrisy. To disrespect the will of others or invade their natural rights and cultural beliefs.

It is time for Africans also to promote their beliefs as a Universal law and African doctrine. Africa is losing her values and morals as a result of mental slavery. We must protect and defend our heritage as a treasure of wealth, health and glory.

Africa has been taken for granted for far too long, we, the new generations of Africans, must protect our identity as a resource to reconnect with our ancestors and glory.

A new Africa is Africa that studies African education to solve the African problems and develop Africa we are hoping for.

It is time our leaders reestablish our diplomatic strength and presence as a seal for global equality.

Before we can talk very well about human rights, we must first look at human equality, national equality, and global equality, where every human is respected and treated well where they found their selves; nations are treated equally; that is a human right, where every human being is treated with dignity and mutual respect with equal opportunities.

The United Nations has failed the human race; if we look at human equality in every nation, blacks have been the only human race in history who are still fighting for their rights, freedom, and justice in every country on Earth as human beings, and the only human race till suffering in foreign lands, what is human right if lives are not protected.

The suffering of the continent of Africa is a result of slavery, non-Afrocentric education, and exploitation of African resources, which the world is benefiting from without direct impact on the people. This war is staged and funded by some foreign investors to continue to sustain the division of Africa. These Selfish and greedy African politicians are working with Invaders to keep invading the peace and riches of Africa.

The African rights to wealth, ownership, development, peace, unity and happiness against poverty, diseases and instabilities are fundamental to our socioeconomic and political rights.

We need freedom and absolute freedom now.

This is our right.

Troops Of Op Whirl Punch Neutralised Terrorists, Recover Arms And Ammunitions In Kaduna State

By Maryam Aminu

Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in conjunction with Defence Headquarters Special Forces on 1 April 2023 conducted clearance operations to terrorist’ enclaves at  BAGOMA, REMA, BILUGAI, DAGARA, SABON LAYI, GAGUMI, KATAKAKI, and RANDAGI villages all in BIRNIN GWARI  Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Troops made contact with terrorists at KAKANGI and KATAKAKI villages and engaged the terrorist with superior firepower. Troops neutralized eleven (11) terrorists while others fled.

According to Major General Musa Danmadami, Director
Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters in a press release signed on the
2 April 2023, troops exploited the general area and recovered two (2) AK 47 rifles, two (2) AK 47 magazines, fifty-seven (57) rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, seven (7) matches, and six (6) motorcycles among other sundry items.

The military high command commends troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities.

Kenya Forces: SPITFIRE STARLETS READY TO GO

Moi Air Base (MAB) women football team also known as Spitfire Starlets, on 30th March 2023 were handed over the Base’s flag by the Commanding Officer (CO) incharge of sports Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Kahindi at Moi Air Base (MAB) Headquarters, giving them the mandate to represent the Base at Chief of Defence Force (CDF) women’s football tournament.

The much anticipated tournament will run for 3 weeks, starting 3rd April 2023 at 81 Tank Battalion grounds in Nakuru and will consist of teams drawn from Kenya Defence Force (KDF) Formations.

Spitfire Starlets’ focus is achieving better results as compared to the previous tournament where they were runners up. The team’s coach, Senior Sergeant George Zenga affirmed to the CO sports that they were ready for the assignment.

The team which is managed by Warrant Officer Class 2 Nahashon Owino and captained by Corporal Gladys Wangeshi, commenced their training early this year

Lt Col Kahindi while addressing the team expressed confidence and satisfaction that the training undertaken by the team was sufficient for them to win the tournament.

“I want you to believe in yourselves, have the spirit of working together and when playing have the confidence to win. Do your best and remember you have all the support needed, I wish you all the best,” said the CO sports.

Also present during the event were MAB Commanding Officers, Officers and Service members.

Top European University Appoints UNESCO Laureate Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu as Chief Adviser

……..As GEPEA Univesity VC Awards UNESCO Laureate As Chief Adviser, Member Int’l Advisory Committee & Life Fellow

……GEPEA University Leadership Tasks Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu On Advice Towards Best Global Practices In Int’l Quality Education.

Prof Dr Rejaul Abadin, FCMAN, FGEPEA, The President & Chancellor of Global Educational & Professional Excellence Academy (GEPEA), an accredited top European International apex University for Higher Education, GEPEA, has awarded Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, UNESCO Laureate and Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA with its teaching hospital campus located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, South America, and other partners campuses at government regulated Universities worldwide and online operation as “Honorary Chief Adviser, Member Int’l Advisory Committee & Life Fellow of GEPEA University.

UNESCO Laureate, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu made this disclosure in a press statement duly signed by him today being March 30, 2023, which was made available to some group of Journalists in Asaba Delta State capital by UNESCO Laureate’s Executive Assistance On Media, Publicity and Communication Matters, Comrade Sir Bieni Victor Emenike as Aremu commends GEPEA University authority on global recognition.

GEPEA provides extremely exceptional, distinguished continuing higher education and prestigious awards via open access to all adult individuals located around the world. From its central Europe office cloud campus to the student’s doorstep via distance learning or offline training for academic & professional diplomas, degrees, awards, honors, trainings, certifications internationally.

The President & Chancellor, GEPEA University, Prof Dr. Abedin alongside the Secretary/Registrar, GEPEA University, Ms Tamanna Suria Miss had in the letter of awards to UNESCO Laureate, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu as “Honorary Chief Adviser, Member of Jury, Int’l Advisory Committee & Fellowship Life Member” stated: H.E, UNESCO Laureate, Respected Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, GEPEA International Committee is highly pleased to nominate you for the prestigious position of Honorary Chief Adviser (International Advisory Committee, GEPEA University, Europe) and Awarded Fellowship (FGEPEA) status, Life Membership Award. The FGEPEA status is freely entitled to use right after your name. Once again, GEPEA international Board is highly cheerful to have you on GEPEA Board/Committee. Hope your innovative idea, modern strategies, profound knowledge- guidelines, dedication, and professionalism will help us to achieve its goal and fulfill its mission and vision successfully in the forthcoming days.Have a wonderful time always!”

According to UNESCO Laureate, upon presentation of the Honorary awards, GEPEA University authority had stated: “Be it known that UNESCO Laureate, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, FGEPEA having complied with all the requirements of the University is hereby nominated the Chief Adviser h.c and awarded Fellowship Life Member, FGEPEA, status entitled to use after name. And entitled to all honors, rights and privileges thereunto appertaining in witness thereof this degree duly signed has been issued, presented on this day being March 28, 2023”.

The management of GEPEA University is governed under CAE 85420 ( Ensino Superior, i.e Higher Education). GEPEA which specializes in Univesity and Polytechnics Education; vocational and professional education for all categories of students globally. The global higher education had tasked Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu on professional advice towards best global practices in International quality education.

The statement by UNESCO Laureate reads in parts: “I must commend GEPEA University authority for this great honor, global recognition as awarded to me earlier this week. By the special grace of God, I, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu promises to do my best, give the needed support, provide the needed advice, expertise with decades of experience for the good image of GEPEA University. Also contributes towards the promotion of global best practices for Int’l quality education, Professional Excellence as Chief Adviser, Member of advisory Council, Jury Board of this reputable, top European GEPEA University”.

“I also commend the founding fathers of GEPEA University, other awardees, Members of Jury Board on their Successful awards, appointments. No doubt, Global Educational & Professional Excellence Academy, GEPEA University, Europe was established in line with the global Education cultures supported by United Nations Articles 26 (1) and UNESCO.that everyone has right to education, that elementary education shall be compulsory, technical and professional education shall be made available available and higher education shall be made accessible to all”.

“Global Educational & Professional Excellence Academy (GEPEA University), Europe believes that honor is an indispensable part of how to create a global c Community, promote innovative research, scientific findings, rigid work and dedication of all such talented individuals. GEPEA Europe core values includes amongst others are: Excellence, Academic freedom, integrity, curiosity, innovation, mutual respect, personal accountability professional image”.

Modern Policing: Coalition Of Civil Society Organizations Honours IGP

Applauds Unprecedented Improvement of NPF in Human Rights, Discipline, Welfare, Infrastructural Transformation

According to CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, mnipr, mipra, Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters,
Abuja in a press release he signed on Friday, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, was on Thursday 30th March, 2023 at the IGP Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, honoured by the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance with the well-deserved award of Grand Defender of Democracy in recognition of his giant strides since assuming leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Coalition which comprises leaders of 37 Pro-Democracy and Civil Society Organizations, conferred the honour on the IGP during a solidarity visit to the Louis Edet House. They applauded the effective leadership qualities of the IGP which has led to an unprecedented improvement in the Nigeria Police Force, particularly with regard to human rights compliance, discipline, welfare, infrastructural transformation, decent, and secure electoral process in Nigeria.

In his reaction, the leader of the delegation, Comrade Femi Lawson, expressed satisfaction with recent policing strategies, improved human relations, and sterling leadership qualities of the IGP in particular.

The Inspector-General of Police while acknowledging the Coalition for the honour, appreciated their respective efforts targeted at deepening democracy within the country. He further reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to continuous improvement of security networking and the general safety of the country.

NASEME GETS NEW COMMANDANT AS GENERAL ADERETI ASSUMES DUTY

The Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NASEME) Auchi has witnessed a new dawn as Major General Adeyinka Adereti took over the mantle of leadership as the 36th Commandant of the Institution today thursday 30 March 2023.

In his farewell speech, the outgone Commandant, Major General Edet congratulated the new Commandant on his appointment while wishing him a successful tour of duty. Major General Edet further applauded officers and men of the institution for the support and enthusiasm displayed during his tour of duty and urged for similar support and loyalty extended to the new commandant to ensure that the vision of the institution is sustained.

In his remarks , the new Commandant, Major General Adereti who was a former Deputy Commandant of the Institution, lauded his predecessor for his foresight and achievements in the area of personnel management and infrastructural facelift amongst others. He pledged to build upon his legacies in taking the institution to greater heights. He further urged the officers and personnel to be proactive and continue to maintain high level of discipline.

NEUTRALIZE VESTIGES OF TERRORISTS IN THE NE – Gen Irabor Charges Troops of OPHK, Pays Operational visit to the NE Theatre

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General LEO Irabor on Thursday, 30th March, 2023 expressed his confidence in the combat readiness and operational posture of OPHK especially in the ongoing Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East region of Nigeria.

The CDS who was at the NE Theatre on an operational visit was visibly impressed by the steady successes recorded by own troops in the Theatre. Additionally, the Defence Chief was briefed on the Operational activities of the Theatre by the Theatre Commander, Maj Gen IS Ali as well as intelligence brief by the Theatre Intelligence Coordinator, Brig Gen OM Azuikpe.

Speaking during the visit, Gen Irabor commended the efforts of the Theatre Commander and the entire officers and men of OPHK in restoring adequate peace and normalcy to the NE.

While assuring them of his continuous support and provision of requisite platforms needed for their operations, he charged them to remain resolute and committed in neutralizing the marauding terrorist elements of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province.

Before departure, the CDS and his team visited recuperating troops undergoing treatment at 7 Div Medical Services and Hospital where he encouraged and empathized with troops and assured them of a guaranteed and improved welfare scheme designed for them and their families.

Other highpoints of the visit include his interaction with Soldiers and Airmen of OPHK, presentation of souvenirs, signing of visitors book and group photograph.