By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says the bloc is now an emerging tourist destination.

Anthony Elumelu, ECOWAS acting Director, Private Sector Investment, communicated this in an interview with newsmen after a strategic meeting between ECOWAS officials and private sector tourism stakeholders on Saturday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high level dialogue culminated in the signing of agreements to implement a comprehensive regional tourism framework and a communique to that effect.

Elumelu said with the consensus reached between both sides, they had created an enabling environment for member states to implement a robust tourism confederation across West Africa, which would attract tourists globally.

“It is very important for you to know that from the ECOWAS perspective, I mean the commission, our job is to create an enabling environment for member states to churn out legal instruments, adopt them and also implement.

“There are assignments for the ECOWAS Commission; there are also assignments for member states; they need to take ownership, they need to sensitise through advocacy, capacity building and also funding by the private sector, and on the side of the government, tax moratorium, power supply.

“These are all the things that we are here to talk about; and I think we have achieved a level of consensus; we have an association now that will drive this and also key into what they call ECOWAS Business Council; so with these, I think we are moving forward as a tourist destination.

“Tourism is not an internal matter; you need global attraction to have ECOWAS as a tourist destination country; so these are the things and I am positive that in the next few years we will be talking about a robust regional tourism sector,” he said.

Elumelu described ECOWAS as a “partial severance of sovereignty into a collective basket,” stressing that most member states were dependent on tourism, which is capital intensive and high income earner.

According to him, the beauty of it is the enabling text–even the flagship protocol, which also creates room for tourism to thrive– the protocol of free movement of persons, which also gives you the right to stay, enter, stay and establish businesses.

He said it was worthy of note that the bloc had signed into the continental free trade.

“Tourism is a key element in terms of that because it is one of the highest earners.

“I think, like I just mentioned, if we implement the text that we have signed, and with this association, there will be coherence; let us be positive,” he said.

Also speaking, ECOWAS Programme Officer for Tourism, Stella Drabo, said that security was key for tourism to thrive, stressing that people moved a lot when they felt safe and secure.

She said that West Africa’s security challenges occasioned by terrorism and violent extremism was not a hindrance to tourism because in many parts of the world, where tourism was thriving, they were experiencing worse security issues.

“You know, if we go through the report that has been published by the World Tourism Organisation about tourism and security all over the world, they made a very, very detailed research; we are safe to move and travel; we are visiting each other.

“For sure, we have to continue improving on the security level;  in terms of infrastructure as well, having good roads to allow me to drive my family car from Lagos to Cotonou, from Cotonou to Niamey, from Niamey to Ouagadougou, from Ouagadougou to Cote D’Ivoire and to Monrovia, Liberia.

“And today it is something we are very proud of as ECOWAS Commission, because we can now say ECOWAS is now a tourist destination because we have the private sector; we have the regional body, ECOWAS, with our private sector being the ones operating on ground.

“We have everything in place; so, now the train is complete; we will now double and even triple the horsepower to go further and further,” Drabo said.

President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Nkereuwem Onung, also expressed belief that ECOWAS was emerging as a tourist haven with the tourism private sector agreeing to work with the Commission to implement regional tourism policies.

He said that people would henceforth be able to have multi destinations in terms of tourism with ECOWAS increasingly becoming a tourist haven. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Sarafina Christopher

Mr Zhang Yi, the Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to support Nigeria’s development through strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and infrastructure investments.

Zhang stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a Seminar on Promoting Harmony Through Mutual Learning organised by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with China Alumni Association and the University of Abuja.

He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two countries in key sectors such as energy, transportation, and telecommunications to drive economic growth and mutual opportunities.

He underlined the significance of embracing harmony as a fundamental driving force for national advancement and drew parallels between China’s path to economic success and the role of embracing diversity while emphasising harmony in China’s developmental journey.

Zhang said that harmony, as defined by the Longman Dictionary, referred to people living or working together without conflict or discord.

He emphasised the significance of fostering harmony in various aspects of the society, ranging from individuals and nature, families, and society, to nations and civilizations, and in governance and development.

“We believe that promoting harmony among different ethnic groups, ensuring political stability, and investing in infrastructure were vital steps required to unlock Nigeria’s full potential and foster sustainable development.

“It is crucial to create a world characterised by peaceful human development through fostering friendships and cultural exchanges as bridges between China and Nigeria,” Zhang said.

Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, the Head of the Political Science and International Relations of the University of Abuja, said that the seminar was held at a critical juncture for Nigeria, facing challenges like insecurity, economic difficulties, and social unrest.

Ibrahim, also the Director of Contemporary Africa-China Research in Nigeria, highlighted the significance of championing harmony as a beacon of hope and advancement for Nigeria.

“For harmonious coexistence to thrive, it requires genuine political will and collaboration,” Ibrahim said.

He also expressed optimism regarding the integration of harmony into Nigeria’s development agenda, foreseeing its potential to bridge divides, promote inclusivity, and pave the way for a brighter future.

Ibrahim called upon all stakeholders to collaborate toward a shared vision of prosperity and stability for the nation. (NAN)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the private tourism sector and other stakeholders have unveiled strategic initiatives aimed at creating a robust regional tourism confederation across the bloc.

The decision is contained in a communique issued following a 3-day high level strategic dialogue between ECOWAS, West African private sector tourism stakeholders and experts in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the communique, the meeting recommended that the private tourism sector should formulate a request for funding for the activities of ECOTOUR 19-29 Country Operational Units to the ECOWAS Commission.

It also recommended that the private tourism sector should generate funds from Technical and Financial Partners (TFPs) with a view to implementing a robust and sustainable regional tourism for economic growth.

The communique also urged the private tourism sector to identify and seek the support of technical and financial partners (TFPs) to support the private tourism sector.

It further recommended that the private tourism sector should initiate and sign a partnership agreement between it and the ECOWAS Commission.

The communique also recommended that ECOWAS Member States should provide national classification commissions and structures in charge of resource regulation.

It also urged them to organise awareness-raising sessions for industry stakeholders on the new regulations.

The communique also recommended that the ECOWAS Commission should organise capacity building sessions for national classification commissions and regulatory structures.

It also recommended that Member States should establish harmonised tourism satellite accounts, as well as transmit and make available the new regulations for their individual countries.

The communique also recommended that the ECOWAS Commission should conduct a mid-term evaluation of ECOTOUR 19-29.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was signed by Mrs Ruth Ndam, Director, Hospitality and Travel Trade, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.

Others are Mr Boka Georges, President, Hotel Ranking Commission of Côte d’Ivoire, and Mr Massa Cande, Director General of Tourism of Guinea Bissau. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Maureen Okon

Ms. Samuela Isopi, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and the ECOWAS on Wednesday, identified global partnership as an ingredient for successful peace-building and the fight against terrorism.

The envoy expressed the thoughts in Abuja, at the Road to Schuman Security and Defence Forum 2024, organised by the EU, in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The event had the theme, “Reducing Vulnerabilities Through Partnerships- a Stakeholders’ Engagement’’ on regional defence and security perspectives.

Isopi said, “We live in a single security theatre, where crises and conflicts travel at the speed of light and what emerges locally becomes global with far-reaching effects.”

She quoted Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative Vice President (HRVP) as saying at one time that “No country or institution, acting alone, can address challenges such as the weakening of multilateralism.

“The return of power in politics across the world, the renewed assertiveness of authoritarian regimes, and the mix of conventional and hybrid threats that we are facing ”

The envoy added that ‘’ this is why the EU has launched the Schuman forum and invited under the leadership of the EU HRVP, Josep Borrell and the 27 member states, and over 60 partner countries and international organisations in Brussels from May 28 to May 29.

“The Schuman forum will have three objectives which are to listen to our partners on peace, security, and defence issues.

“To jointly assess the threats and challenges we face, and to explore ways for deeper cooperation,’’ she said.

According to her, the EU is Africa’s leading partner in peace and security.

Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, said the forum was organised to engender effective partnership in the changing security dynamics.

Ribadu who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator for NCT, said “the event is noting the crucial situation of our country, Nigeria, with the multi-faceted security challenges confronting it.

“ Therefore, the employment of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches toward enhancing national responses to these emergent security threats in the country.

“This becomes a critical objective which we must pursue to enhance national development, not only in the country but the ECOWAS sub-region as a whole.

“The scourge of terrorism is a menace which affects Nigeria and other countries around the globe,’’ he said.

Speaking also at the same event, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, represented by Dr Ibrahim Kanami, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, described terrorism as a global challenge to national security.

He added that the collaboration with the EU and Nigeria would surmount the security threats such as Boko Haram and its likes in the near future.

Badaru also said that the world is a global village and this is a time for the world to come together to address the scourge.

“But now, Nigeria is faced with these security challenges with different issues surrounding the causes of the rising challenges. But our dream and desire is for Africa to be a united force as the EU bloc,’’ he said.

He emphasised that job creation can create lasting peace and is key to curbing most of the security challenges faced in Africa. (NAN) (www.nan.ng)

(Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Emmanuel Yashim)

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says strategic alignment and collaboration with the private tourism sector are crucial in creating a robust regional tourism confederation across West Africa.

ECOWAS Commissioner, Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massaudje Toure-Liste, stated this at an ECOWAS strategic meeting with officials and stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday.

The event was aimed at aligning stakeholder strategies to foster their collaboration.

Toure-Liste, who was represented by the acting Director, Private Sector, Anthony Elumelu, said the meeting’s focus was to advance sustainable regional tourism, economic growth and preservation of natural and cultural heritage.

“This meeting draws inspiration from the ECOTOUR 19-29 Action Plan, adopted by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, envisioned to serve as our road map for promoting responsible tourism.

“To ensure effective implementation, we have established a regional monitoring and control mechanism that involves the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, public institutions, private stakeholders and local communities.

“To this end, our technical meeting today centers around drafting the operational modalities for two critical tools.

”They are the ECOTOUR 19-29 monitoring and evaluation mechanism and the ETAR. These mechanisms will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of regional tourism,” she said.

The commissioner explained that the ECOTOUR 19-29 Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism would involve developing operational guidelines and appointing dedicated members or focal points to oversee its implementation.

 “Toure-Liste said, ”Let us embrace this opportunity to shape the future of tourism in our region. Together, we can create a sustainable, vibrant, and culturally rich environment that benefits all.”

Also speaking, Folorunsho Coker, the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), said domesticating the policy was crucial to its success, adding that the common goal was to grow tourism across ECOWAS.

The  NTDC boss also said that collaboration among all the stakeholders was critical at the moment, stressing that it was the season to collaborate, and not to compete.

“So, the domestication of this policy is very important to its success. We have a common goal. Our goal is to grow tourism across ECOWAS. Once that is identified as our goal, the commonality of our goal makes us pliable, to collaborate.

“It is the season to do joint marketing campaigns, not individual campaigns, from our hotels to our airlines, to our tourism assets across the ecosystem.

”It is in the spirit of collaboration that we will grow our Pan African tourism,” he said.

Coker also emphasized the importance of human capital requirements in modern day tourism, and called for training and the deployment of technology in order to achieve the desired success.

He urged African journalists to refrain from sensational reportage and instead embrace developmental journalism, adding that sensationalism was harmful to tourism.

“Development journalism allows the positive to be echoed. If we put a negative in, they (foreigners) will amplify it for us.

”So, let us restrain from what is sensational and simply focus on what builds our tourism here,” Coker added.

ECOWAS Programme Officer, Tourism, Madame Stella Drabo, said the major challenge facing the policy was the need for a single regional body for the private sector, which would work “hand-in-hand and one-on-one with the ECOWAS Commission.”(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Mark Longyen

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria has unveiled 56 distinguished young Nigerians selected for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mandela Washington Fellowship is a programme of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by global education and development group, IREX.

The prospective fellows will travel to the U.S. as part of the 10th Anniversary of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the U.S. embassy spokesperson, Aishah Gambari, said on Friday.

They will travel to 28 U.S. cities from June 19 to Aug.1, and engage with U.S. leaders in the business, government, and nonprofit sectors at a summit in Washington D.C.

Gambari added that, after the summit, three of the fellows would participate in a four-week Professional Development Experience programme at a U.S. organisation before returning to Nigeria.

According to her, the fellowship offers a comprehensive programme that includes academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities, and is a testament to the U.S. enduring commitment to invest in Africa’s future.

She said the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, David Greene, had welcomed the beneficiaries and emphasised the rigorous selection process and their ability to lead and inspire others.

He highlighted the fellows’ diverse achievements and encouraged them to share their culture in the United States and use the fellowship to expand their influence in Nigeria.

“The Chargé d’Affaires expressed appreciation to the Public Diplomacy team and the State Department for their efforts in identifying future leaders and reminded the fellows of the importance of sharing their knowledge upon return to their communities.

“He said that since the fellowship’s inception 10 years ago in 2014, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has had the privilege of supporting 569 young Nigerian leaders through the programme.

“The envoy said the U.S. Mission in Nigeria eagerly anticipates the Mandela Washington Fellowship’s continued success and its positive impact in shaping Africa’s future, as the cornerstone of the U.S. Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), she added. (NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Mark Longyen

The United States government has lauded Nigeria’s monetary policies, being conducive for businesses to thrive, as well as strengthening and positioning the nation’s economy for overall growth.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, State Department, Joy Basu, made this known at a digital news conference with participating journalists.

Basu said that the U.S. was committed to fostering its collaboration with Nigeria to tackle myriad pressing issues and obstacles, which Nigeria, being Africa’s largest economy, was facing.

The envoy said her country was working closely with the U.S. Treasury, Nigerian authorities and African central banks towards ensuring public and private sector economic restoration, stability and prosperity across Africa.

Speaking against the backdrop of the recently concluded 16th U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, Basu said the U.S. was also working on curbing Africa’s security, infrastructure and energy challenges.

“We just came back from a meeting in Abuja, which was between the Secretaries of State and the United States is committed to being a good partner of prospect.

“We have made commitments to work on the security situation, infrastructure and energy, which is a common challenge not only in Nigeria but in some other countries in the continent.

“We have made concrete commitments to work on an enabling business environment in Nigeria and to make sure that American companies that are investing in Nigeria are having a transparent experience.

“We are working closely with our U.S. treasury, and with the central banks of African countries, particularly Nigeria and the World Bank, to restore the economy, help the people and ensure public and private companies to thrive,” she said.

Reta Lewis, President, U.S. Export-Import Bank, in her remarks, highlighted U.S. efforts towards bolstering trade and investment across Africa, and emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in fostering stronger U.S.-Africa partnerships.

She disclosed that the U.S. government had earmarked $900 billion for the construction of solar power plants in Africa, being the largest renewable energy project and transaction this year.

Lewis announced that Eximbank had approved over 1.6 billion dollars for the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa and signed MoUs with six African governments and institutions.

She added that the U.S. government signed 1.3 billion dollars MoUs with Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation and Nigeria’s Bank of Industry, saying such interventions aimed to stimulate competition and foster economic growth.

“We are prepared to work with African countries and stakeholders from these MoUs to partner and foster competition, 88.5 per cent of the transactions that Exim does on a yearly basis is in small businesses.

“We feel small businesses are going to be part of the work we do, not only in the U.S. but in Africa,” she said.

Lewis urged participating journalists to always highlight the positive strides being made by U.S. to support businesses and bolster economic growth in Africa against the backdrop of the continent’s prevailing challenges.

Also speaking, Alice Albright, CEO, Millennium Challenge Corporation, said that out of 17 billion dollars, which the U.S. had invested in Africa, about 10 billion dollars was allocated to infrastructure projects.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Maureen Okon

A delegation from Zambia on Thursday visited the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Abuja to study its approach in engaging with Nigerians in the diaspora and how that affects the economy of the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team, led by Zambia’s Assistant Labour Commissioner, Ms. Mukamasole Kasanda, was also accompanied by some officials of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

She said that the aim was to leverage the experience of Nigeria to strengthen Zambia’s diaspora engagement.

The official applauded NiDCOM for its efforts in the last few years, and said Zambia would learn from its experience.

“We are looking at establishing a migration resort center and in the last two days, this has been our homework.

“Your Constitution now allows for dual citizenship and it is a plus, we also worked on our constitution recently and one of the issues we looked at was to ensure that there was dual citizenship.

“We must commend you in ensuring that you lobby enough to have a law on Diaspora because it is very difficult to operate without a law, usually you have a lot of resistance from the general public and even within government itself,’’ she said.

Responding, NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, represented by the Secretary of the commission, Dr Sule Bassi said Nigeria has a population of over 200 million out of which about 20 million Nigerians are in the diaspora contributing to their host communities’ GDP and that of Nigeria.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave the visiting delegation from Zambia an account of what Nigerians in the diaspora meant to the world and their country of origin.

“Nigerians in Diaspora are a huge global economy drivers in different fields that they find themselves, which are healthcare, sports, entertainment, entrepreneurship amongst other.

“They remit 20 billion dollars yearly to the Nigeria economy.”

According to her, former U.S President Barack Obama once said when you remove Nigerians from the American healthcare system the medical field will collapse.

“We have eight Nigerians in the U.S Congress and also a Nigeria has established an Agege Bread Bakery in Canada.

“This is just a few of what the diaspora are doing and that is how important Nigerians are to their host communities,’’ she said.

The chairman, however, said that the commission was still grappling with the problem of harmonising the Diaspora and the home front for a stronger nation.

Also, speaking, IOM Regional Project Coordinator, Mr Sunday Omoyeni, said that when migration was effectively managed, it can create avenues for development.

According to him, leveraging on diaspora engagement is born out of the desire of Zambian government to exploit the migration dynamics.

“In Zambia, we have intra-regional migration which happens within the region compared to Nigeria where we have more of Nigerians who migrate outside the region.

“I think the region as a whole has come to the realisation of the need for them to leverage the migration dynamics for the development of the country.

“This also align with the principles of IOM in terms of ensuring that migration is beneficial.

“Migration is not just about problems, when migration is effectively managed it can create an avenue for development,’’ he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Mark Longyen

Dr Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), says stakeholders’ collaboration, partnerships and networking, is crucial towards mitigating the prevailing violent extremism and terrorism in West Africa.

Ochogwu stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a women and youth training program organised by Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Accra, on Thursday, in Abuja.

He said all stakeholders must work collaboratively in partnership with institutions like ECOWAS and community-based organisations, while networking at the national and sub-national levels, to curb violent extremism and terrorism.

According to him, this is why the IPCR, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs parastatal, is partnering KAIPTC in the training program, while also collaborating with security agencies, the media and civil society.

“There is what we call collaboration, partnership and networking. The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre has been a great ally, particularly in terms of providing the training component and we, IPCR, on the other side, in knowledge production.

“So, we’ve been joint partners in this process of preventing and countering violent extremism, not only within Nigeria but within the West African sub region and at the global level. There is a global action against terrorism and transnational organised crime and all that.

“What we are seeing here is the soft side, in terms of the non-kinetic approach, of how to engage, in preventing and countering violent extremism. There is also the military side in countering violent extremism and all that.

“So it’s a cocktail, a mix of these approaches with the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, knowledge production and training, that enables us to mitigate the advances of violent extremist groups and criminal groups within the sub region,” he said.

Ochogwu said there was also a national action plan and framework on preventing and countering violent extremism, adding that IPCR had been trying to open it up and follow the implementation and policy framework for prevention and countering of violent extremism.

He said that the institute had also been working with partners, like the Office of the National Security Adviser, the  security services, and relevant soft agencies, stressing that there was a need to constantly mainstream and amplify it.

“We can’t work in silos to achieve results. We must work collaboratively on networking at the national level, and even at the sub-national level with other actors, as well as community-based organisations, for us to be able to nip some of these excesses in the bud.

“And that is what we are doing at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, to ensure that it is an all of government and all of society approach on how we are able to deal with these issues, as government alone cannot do it, society alone cannot do it.

“So you need the cooperation and collaboration between the government, that is, state and non-state actors for us to be able to achieve this. Also, there is a critical role too, for the media as the fourth estate of the realm, for them to be in this battle, and I’m happy that you guys are part of it, in terms of coverage,” he said.

The IPCR boss emphasised that in preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism within the ECOWAS sub region, and also globally, no individual, country, or institution could do it alone, except through a cross partnership.

“You can see Kofi Annan (KAIPTC) based in Ghana, is here in Nigeria, providing knowledge in this particular area, in terms of the triggering of NGOs and civil society, particularly the vulnerable groups, that is, women and youth.

“So, it’s something we need to cascade and escalate across the sub-region, because it is not okay for one particular side to have a knowledge and the other side doesn’t have a knowledge.

“So be it Anglophone, Francophone or Russophone, all of us need to be on board in terms of preventing and countering violent extremism within the sub region,” Ochogwu added(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Halima Sheji

By Mark Longyen

The Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Accra, Ghana, Maj.-Gen. Richard Gyane, says violent extremism and terrorism (VET) is the biggest threat to the ECOWAS subregion, Africa and humanity.

Gyane stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a mobile training course on women, youth, and VET, organised by KAIPTC on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Commandant said that the security challenges in West Africa had informed KAIPTC’s decision to organise the capacity building for women and youth to build their resilience to tackle terrorism.

He said that the training, organized in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, would empower women and youth with the requisite knowledge about terrorists’ operations and build their resilience against VET threats.

“If you look at our subregion now, violent extremism is a big threat to us; If you look at the Sahel nations, most of these countries are virtually taken over by violent groups.

“If you look at Nigeria and the Boko Haram group, and the movement of these groups southwards, it is worrisome.

“Why are we particular about women and youth? They become vulnerable. These are the most vulnerable groups in our society, who are subject to radicalization by VETs.

“The aim is to engage these women and youth especially and let them understand the issues, the recruitment and all that about these groups who want to destroy our humanity within the subregion,” he said.

According to Gyane, KAIPTC engages and empowers women and youth through its training programs because when people are empowered, it becomes difficult for VET groups, whose aim is to radicalise the people and take over their countries, to do so.

He noted that no country could tackle VET alone, and stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders beyond the security space in order to curb VET’s surging scourge in West Africa and Africa at large.

Gyane said that, given the porous borders of ECOWAS countries, and the need for them to cooperate and share intelligence, ECOWAS member states should do everything possible to bring on board Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who are threatening to quit the bloc.

“It is not good for the subregion to have a divided front, and I think whatever we need to do to bring on board these countries, who want to separate themselves from the subregion, is very necessary.

“ECOWAS has done well in certain areas, especially the free movement of persons protocol and I think within the continent of Africa, ECOWAS has done so well.

“But I think we need to collaborate more beyond even the security space. I would want to see us one day using the same currency and all that.

“We should work more as one homogeneous subregion to ensure that people should be free to live and work wherever they are and do business.

“When we do that, it can help us to control violent extremism and terrorism,” Gyane added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Mani