General
ECOWAS harmonising framework, policy for its standby force —Commissioner
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is working towards harmonising framework and policy documents for the management of logistics for its Standby Force (ESF).
The Standby Force constitutes the use of force as a last resort if diplomacy fails.
Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, made this known at a four-day workshop to review the documents, in Kano on Tuesday.
Musah, who was represented by Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director Peacekeeping and Regional Security, said that the documents spelled out the logistics requirements by the Troop Contributing Countries, ECOWAS, and other partners.
He explained that the workshop was organised to review and harmonise the documents to address emerging contemporary security challenges.
He recalled that the Commission had earlier recruited a consultant in 2019 to develop the policy and guiding documents for the management of ECOWAS Logistics Depots (ELDs).
He explained that the ESF logistics concept was created in 2005 to provide a platform for the coordination of all key logistics support and procedures for the ECOWAS Standby Force.
According to him, both documents were reviewed during internal expert workshops and are now ready for an independent expert validation.
“The documents are expected to be rich enough to address contemporary challenges and in tune with international best practices.”
The commissioner further said that the logistics concept also provided a conceptual understanding of sustained operations, considering that the dynamics of the contemporary security environment and peace support in the region had continued to evolve.
This, he said, underscores the need to adapt the original ESF logistics concept to accommodate emerging realities.
He added that to deploy the ESF efficiently, when necessary, ECOWAS had established a Multidimensional Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and a Humanitarian Logistics Depot in Senou, Mali.
Earlier, Dr. Sani Adamu, acting Head of ECOWAS Peace Support Operations, decried the challenges of peace keeping operations over the years.
He said that it was for this reason that ECOWAS decided to put in place an effective framework to enhance the ESF’s deployment capacity.
Adamu said that the overall objective of the workshop was to review and harmonise the policies in line with UN and AU standards of procedures.
He said that the participants would review the logistics concept, existing statutes, policies, and other strategic instruments relating to ESF’s objectives as an instrument for conflict prevention and management.
“It was also organised to update, harmonise, and finalise the policies on ECOWAS logistics bases, in line with AU and UN principles.
“It was also to review and adopt a standard organogram for the ELD, among others,” he explained.
A participant, Mr Francis Babatunde, said the two documents, if reviewed, would enhance the deployment capacity of ESF for strategic roles towards a formidable regional security framework.
NAN
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By Aminu Garko
Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 65th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, Senator Musa described the First Lady as “an Amazon and a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians.”
Sen.Musa praised Senator Tinubu’s life of impact, devotion to God, and service to the nation.
He celebrated her compassion, strength, and dedication to the welfare of women, children, and the less privileged, noting that she continues to inspire hope across Nigeria.
The Senator wished the First Lady many more years in good health, wisdom, and strength, expressing confidence that she will continue to support President Bola Tinubu and champion noble causes that will uplift the nation.
On behalf of the people of Niger East, I join in celebrating the First Lady’s special day and pray for her continued good health and well-being.
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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, says the Federal Government has committed over N12 billion to a solar power project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
Speaking at the flag-off of the project in Kano, Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, said the initiative would make the hospital independent of the national grid.
He explained that the project is part of the government’s plan to solarise all tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across the country, beginning with AKTH.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
“The Federal Government set aside N300 billion in the 2025 appropriation act, and very soon all our tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals, including those owned by states, will enjoy 24-hour solar power.
“This year alone, I have attracted projects worth over N26 billion to AKTH, which has never happened in its history,” he said.
Bichi added that similar projects were underway at Bayero University Kano, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital.
He also commended Tinubu for supporting the project, describing it as a milestone in healthcare service delivery.
In his remarks, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the initiative marked the translation of the Renewed Hope Agenda from vision to tangible action.
On his part, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, assured that the project would be delivered before December.
“This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We are targeting about 10,000 projects across the 36 states and the FCT to ensure 100 per cent solarisation of facilities,” Abdullahi said.
The Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. Abdulrahman Sheshe, said the hospital spends about N150 million monthly on electricity bills and an additional N30 million on diesel.
“With this intervention, the hospital will save more than 30 per cent of its expenses. This project could not have come at a better time, especially after the recent power dispute we had,” he said.
Before the flag-off, Bichi inspected the ongoing construction of a five-storey Accident, Emergency and Trauma Centre at the hospital, another project facilitated by the Federal Government.
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