Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) and the African Union(AU) have been advised to create a mechanism for a unified response the the threat of terrorism and violent extremism ravaging the continent in order to tame the scourge.
Nigeria’s permanent representative to ECOWAS, Ambassador Musa Nuhu, gave the advice at the opening of the joint consultation meeting between the African Union (AU)’s peace and security council (PSC) and the ECOWAS mediation and security council (MSC) at the ambassadorial level on Wednesday in Abuja.
Nuhu, who is the chair, ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, emphasised the need for cooperation to address the security challenges troubling the West African region and the African continent as a whole.
He said, “The security landscape in Africa is a dynamic one, constantly presenting new complex threats. From terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes of government, these challenges demand a unified response that goes beyond our national boundaries and requires collective efforts.
“Therefore, these joint consultative engagements between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) serve as an important platform for forging such a collective response to mitigate these challenges, in tandem with the tenets of Article 16 of the PSC Protocol, to harmonize the activities of Regional mechanisms towards promoting peace, security and stability in Africa.
“Specifically, the nexus between the missions of the AU PSC and ECOWAS MSC is highly fundamental, as it underscores the interconnectedness of peace and security efforts at both the continental and regional levels.
“By aligning strategies and actions, this joint consultation can foster a deeper understanding of regional security dynamics, harmonize efforts aimed at preventive diplomacy and develop more effective conflict resolution strategies, thereby ensuring a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to regional peace and stability,” he said.
Nuhu also emphasised the need for the AU-REC’s dialogue to go beyond discussions on only Political Affairs, Peace and Security, saying “it should involve discussions on economic development, humanitarian intervention, social cohesion as well as infrastructural development which are the building blocks for good governance that would guarantee a peaceful and stable Africa.”
In her remarks, the permanent representative of The Gambia to the AU and chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, Jainaba Jagnesaid terrorist groups, violent extremists and coup plotters are gaining prominence in West Africa.
Jagne, who is a co-chair of the event, said: “Our continent is currently faced with the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government which has serious negative consequences for peace, security and stability in our communities.
NPC Takes Delivery Of Census Equipment From Local Manufacturer
National Population Commission (NPC) has taken delivery of assortments of data capturing equipment and accessories in Lagos ahead of the forthcoming census billed for November 2024.
They include personal digital assistants, power banks, SD cards and backpacks.
Speaking during a handover ceremony on Tuesday, the managing director of RLG Adulawo Limited, Mr. Tosin Ilesanmi, said the company was happy to fulfill the contract and justify local content inclusion in the process by delivering the required specifications and quality required by the commission.
He said, “Our pride is that the devices have been assembled by Nigerian youths, thereby creating jobs in the country. It is also important to mention that we ensured that we are delivering on time and according to specifications demanded by the National Population Commission.”
Ilesanmi noted that the equipment being delivered are reliable for rigorous exercises such as the census, even as he thanked the federal government, management of NITDA, NPC and CCMON for following through with Executive Order 003.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the company, Razaaque Animashaun, expressed optimism that the exceptional performance of the company will further encourage the government to continue to grow local capacity and reverse capital flight with such opportunities.
“Adulawo is one of the few local suppliers engaged by the commission to partner with it on provision of reliable data capturing equipment for use in the field. And today, we are honouring our commitment, securing that partnership with this delivery. We thank the commission for the faith in us and other local manufacturers,” Animashaun noted.
An official of the commission expressed satisfaction with the quality of equipment received from the company for the census.
The immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had slated the census for 2022 and shifted the timeline to 2023.
However, in a last-minute decision before exiting office, Buhari postponed the census indefinitely, leaving the task of announcing a new date to President Bola Tinubu.
