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Tag: ECOWAS

  • 55 athletes jostle for honours in ECOWAS African Tournament

    55 athletes jostle for honours in ECOWAS African Tournament

    Fifty-five athletes from 11 countries will compete for top honors in the ECOWAS African Traditional Wrestling Tournament in Abuja, with each nation fielding five wrestlers and four technical officials.

    The Federal Government also commended the ECOWAS as it officially declared open the 13th edition of the tournament, held in celebration of the regional body’s 50th anniversary.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasized the tournament’s significance.

    He highlighted that it marks ECOWAS’ golden jubilee which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to use sports as a tool for peace, unity, and economic development across the region.

    Dikko said: “We are particularly honored that this prestigious event is taking place under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose vision has continued to drive unity, economic growth, and the advancement of sports as a means of fostering regional cohesion. This tournament is a testament to our collective commitment to promoting cultural ties and strengthening the bonds that unite us.”

    He emphasised that African cultural heritage serves as a unifying force, with traditional wrestling being an essential part of that legacy.

    He said: “Traditional wrestling is more than just a sport; it is a cherished cultural heritage passed down through generations. It embodies the spirit of resilience, strength, and discipline that defines our great continent.”

    Dikko commended ECOWAS and the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria for their dedication to organizing the tournament, affirming that the National Sports Commission remains committed to leveraging sports for youth empowerment, regional integration, and economic growth in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He stressed the need to develop a robust sports economy that harnesses the economic potential of the industry. Encouraging young athletes to seize the opportunity, he urged them to showcase their talents, create wealth, and build relationships that will inspire future generations.

    In his remarks, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade, reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to sports as a unifying force for ECOWAS.

    He said: “Mr. President is devoted to the unity and solidarity of the ECOWAS sub-region and strongly believes that sports serve as a major unifier to strengthen and enhance that bond.”

    Olapade urged the visiting athletes and officials to experience Nigerian hospitality, assuring them of a memorable tournament.

    He added, “We are committed to hosting a world-class event where every competitor will have a fair chance to excel and leave with lasting memories of their time in Nigeria.”

    Also speaking, the Director of the Economic Youth and Sports Development Center (EYSDC), Ambassador Francis Chuks Njoaguani, described African wrestling as a powerful tool for fostering intercultural exchanges, reducing social tensions, combating violent extremism, and promoting sustainable development.

    He said: “The primary objective of the tournament is to break down cultural barriers that hinder collective progress and to work together in building a strong, united, and inclusive region.

    “The tournament is expected to bring together wrestlers from across the ECOWAS region, fostering not just competition but also unity and cultural appreciation.”

  • ECOWAS calls for action against Lassa fever

    ECOWAS calls for action against Lassa fever

    The Economic Community of West African States, through its specialised health institution, the West African Health Organisation has urged researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to contribute to strengthening regional health security against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.

    WAHO made the call on Friday in a statement while announcing the second Lassa Fever International Conference which will hold in September 2025, in Côte d’Ivoire.

    The conference with the theme, “Beyond borders: Strengthening regional cooperation to combat Lassa Fever and emerging infectious diseases,” is aimed at advancing sustainable preparedness and regional coordination for Lassa fever through enhanced research and development capacity, improved outbreak management systems, and multisectoral collaboration.

    Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa, with Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea among the most affected countries. Since its discovery, the disease has exposed critical weaknesses in the region’s health systems.

    So far in 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 506 Lassa fever cases out of the 2,492 suspected cases, and 95 deaths.

    WAHO noted that despite being classified as a priority disease by the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever outbreaks follow a recurring pattern of temporary containment followed by fresh outbreaks, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable preparedness that focuses not only on response but also on research, coordination, and stronger health systems.

    “Building on the foundation laid during the first edition hosted by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in Abuja in 2019, the 2025 edition will bring together policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and key stakeholders to foster regional coordination, share scientific progress, including promising Lassa vaccine candidates entering clinical trials, and shape a more sustainable and collaborative approach to Lassa fever prevention and control across West Africa.

    “No single country can address challenges posed by Lassa fever and emerging infectious diseases alone, as globalisation, faster travel, and frequent cross-border movements have significantly increased the spread of infectious diseases across borders. Countries can significantly improve their response speed and effectiveness by sharing data, resources, and expertise. This collaborative approach will reduce Lassa fever’s impact, and enhance regional health security,” it stated.

    According to the Director General of WAHO, Dr Melchior AÏSSI, “Lassa fever remains a persistent threat to our populations, severely impacting our lives, health, and economic systems. Endemic in several West African countries, it causes between 100,000 and 300,000 infections each year, with around 5,000 deaths. Recent predictions indicate that factors such as climate change could put up to 600 million people at risk of contracting Lassa fever. This projection underlines the need for increased vigilance and preparedness.”

    Lassa Disease Programme Lead at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Dr Katrin Ramsauer said, “The world has made great progress in recent years in the fight against Lassa fever. This upcoming conference is an important moment for scientists and global health experts to come together, under WAHO’s leadership, to both share new knowledge about the disease and spot the remaining research gaps where we need to act. Their discussions
    will help shape the Lassa fever research agenda in years to come which is set to have a direct impact on our future response to Lassa fever outbreaks – now becoming larger and more frequent as climate change and population growth in the region continue.”

    It noted that the conference will feature diverse sessions, including plenary discussions led by regional and international health leaders and key partners to explore financing
    mechanisms, cross-border and multisectoral coordination, panel discussions on vaccine research, community surveillance, and parallel sessions that offer deep dives into
    operational research, and environmental topics.

  • ECOWAS: Exit of Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali disrupting security frameworks – Air Chief

    ECOWAS: Exit of Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali disrupting security frameworks – Air Chief

    Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has disrupted existing security frameworks in the sub-region.

    He added that plans by Chad to pull out of the Multinational Joint Task Force would affect the ability of the joint security force to conduct operations.

    Air Marshal Abubakar, who stated this at a review meeting with Field Commanders in Abuja, said terror groups’ use of drones carrying locally fabricated grenades in a kamikaze role to attack troops in Damboa last year indicates the growing efforts of terrorists to proliferate drone attack technology.

    He emphasised that it had become critical to implement a comprehensive and integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system to safeguard troops and air assets.

    Recall that on January 29, 2025, ECOWAS recognised the exit of three of its former members, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic upon the expiration of a one-year notice period.

    However, in “the spirit of regional solidarity,” ECOWAS asked its member countries to still recognise the national passports of the three exiting countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.

    Their departure from the bloc has fractured the region and is leaving the ECOWAS grouping with an uncertain future.

    The three countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an “immediate” withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organisation’s excessive dependence on France in particular.

    Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.

  • NITDA, ECOWAS Empower West African Youth Through Cybersecurity Hackathon

    NITDA, ECOWAS Empower West African Youth Through Cybersecurity Hackathon

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have joined forces to equip young people across West Africa with the skills and knowledge necessary to protect the region’s cyberspace. This collaboration was highlighted during a regional Cybersecurity Hackathon held in Abuja, showcasing the talent and potential of youth from 12 West African countries.

    The event, which is part of ongoing efforts to combat the rising threat of cybercrime in the region, identified and nurtured cybersecurity experts capable of defending critical institutions. The hackathon attracted 1,500 teams, including 139 teams led by female captains, and featured a 30-hour competition where young tech enthusiasts demonstrated their skills.

    Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, represented by Oladejo Olawumi, stressed the importance of harnessing the creativity of youth to address cybersecurity challenges, stating, “By harnessing the energy and creativity of our youth, we can effectively fight cybercrime and prevent them from engaging in criminal activities.”

    On his part, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the urgency of protecting the region’s cyberspace and highlighted the collaboration between ECOWAS, NITDA, governments, the private sector, and academia in making the event a success.

    “As technology continues to evolve, mere vigilance is no longer enough. To stay ahead of emerging threats, we must foster adaptability, creativity, and collaboration across borders,” Touray said.

    The competition saw TeamERROR from Nigeria win third place, receiving $6,000 and laptops, while the M3V7R team from Benin Republic came second with $8,000 and laptops. The first prize went to Shell X Roots from Cote d’Ivoire, who won $10,000 and laptops. The event also recognized Hannah Bangoura from Sierra Leone as the Best Female Participant, underscoring the growing influence of women in West Africa’s cybersecurity sector.

    In addition to the competition, the event provided training programs sponsored by donors and partners to further enhance the participants’ skills. The hackathon coincided with the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, aiming to educate the public about current cyber threats and how to stay safe.