…set to establish counter terrorism brigade to combat terrorists

A 3-day meeting of Chiefs of Defence Staff((CDS), from the Economic Countries of West African States(ECOWAS), has ended in Abuja with a promise to establish the ECOWAS Standby Force, ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Brigade, and the strategic rotation of peace support officers.

Chiefs of Defence Staff(CDS), General Christopher Musa, gave the assurance at the closing ceremony of the
43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of chiefs of Defence staff in Abuja.

Gen. Musa, who is also the chairman of ECOWAS committee of chiefs of Defence staff, said the three-day meeting deliberated on fostering security cooperation and forging a unified front against insecurity bedeviling the peace and stability of the region.

The CDS, while noting that the meeting identified some critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated their firm resolve towards addressing these threats, said the meeting also covered the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force, the consideration of an ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Brigade, and the strategic rotation of peace support officers.

The CDS, said, “As we wrap up the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff, I am delighted to note that this meeting has been most rewarding. Deliberations have been sincere and forthright, with our collective security being accorded the desired priority.

“In the course of our deliberations, we identified critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated our firm resolve towards addressing these threats. As expected, there were areas of concern between members, but more importantly, there was a firm resolve on the need for collective action.

“This is the spirit of this gathering, which is firmly rooted in a resolute commitment to meeting our primary obligation as members of the armed and defence forces of our respective countries, which is to defend and protect our peoples from harm and insecurities.”

He noted that over the past days, they have deliberated on critical security concerns in the West African subregion.
“Some of these areas include the review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorist Brigade, and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operation Divisions and the ECOWAS Standby Force.

“Others were the presentation on the outcome of the Governmental Experts Meeting on the ECOWAS Logistics Concept and Standing Operating Procedures for the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi. The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the report of the last ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting”.

“It is with great pleasure and honour that I stand before you all to deliver these closing remarks on the occasion of the closing of the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff. Our gathering over the past three days has been geared towards promoting regional security and cooperation within the ECOWAS Community and forging a common front in addressing our security challenges.

“I wish to thank the Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of States and Government, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for his leadership and support in making this meeting a reality. I also wish to thank the Minister of Defence for his presence and support for this meeting.

“I am indeed grateful to all the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff from Benin Republic, Cape Verde, La Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo who took time out of their busy schedules to grace this meeting. The task ahead of us is daunting, but with our collective resolve, we shall overcome”.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State held a closed-door meeting on Thursday.

The purpose of the meeting, which took place at the Ramat House in Bauchi State, could not be immediately ascertained.

However, the meeting between the LP and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts is believed to be connected to political permutations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Obi and Mohammed are expected to address journalists after the meeting.

Obi secured 6,101,533 votes to emerge third in the 2023 presidential election.

Since the presidential election, the former governor has held meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political heavyweights.

There have been calls for uniting the opposition ahead of the 2027 election.

As the controversy over the neglect of northern road projects in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration heightens, Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has emphasised that the northern zones account for 52 per cent of the projects.

He made the statement during an inspection of a segment of the 258-kilometre, three-lane carriageway (Section 2, Phase 2A: CH 120+000-CH 378+000) in Gulumbe, Kebbi State, which represents a significant portion of the 1,068-kilometre Super Highway.

Addressing a negative narrative circulating on social media, which he referred to as ‘darkening counsel without knowledge’ the minister reaffirmed that the four legacy road projects initiated by the president encompass all six geopolitical zones of the country.

“This is a true reflection of Mr. President’s stance that every region of this country matters, and no region should be left behind or shortchanged” he said

According to him, the idea for the coastal highway project, which runs from Lagos to Calabar, originated with the president during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, nearly 25 years ago, describing it as a dream come true for him.

In his address, the Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Nasir Idris expressed his gratitude to the president for his support and the numerous projects being executed in the state. He emphasised that the inspection underscores the administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and transportation as vital enablers of growth, as outlined in the eight-point Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo stated that the project ‘is a promise kept by the president and that the road must be completed’

“The president is passionate about the welfare of every Nigerian, regardless of their origin” he said

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, and former Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, remarked:
“As we all know, the world is no longer building infrastructure solely through government funding but exploring innovative financing models. The president, having invested in relationships, both in Nigeria and abroad, finds it easier to engage individuals and partners willing to contribute to funding these massive endeavours.”

In a statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Engineer Olufunsho Adebiyi, welcomed dignitaries to the project site and promised:
“By the time you are here again, you will see it at a different level.”

Also present during the inspection tour was a former Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Dakingari; Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mohammed Usman Ankwai; Senior Special Assistant (SSA-P) on Community Engagement for the North West Zone, Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai; Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Kebbi State, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engineer Abdullahi Umar Farouk; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Hitech Africa Construction Limited, Mr. Dany Abboud, and many others.ENDS