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Marking 50 Years of ECOWAS, Tinubu Urges Regional Leaders to Prioritise Youth, Development

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…call for stronger commitment to stability, opportunity, unity

By Gloria Ikibah

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on West African leaders to deepen their focus on addressing the pressing challenges of poverty and youth unemployment across the region.

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President Tinubu who was represented by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during the ECOWAS 50th anniversary celebration in Accra, Ghana, emphasised the urgent need for investment in education, innovation, and skill-building, especially among young people.

He described ECOWAS as the product of a bold and visionary effort by West African pioneers who came together on May 28, 1975, to lay the foundation for regional cooperation. Fifty years on, he noted, the community had grown in strength and unity, weathering challenges and celebrating shared victories.

Tinubu also commended Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama for his steady leadership and enduring commitment to the ideals of regional integration, describing him as a source of encouragement and strength to the bloc.

Reflecting on the path ahead, President Tinubu stressed the importance of nurturing peace, fostering inclusion, and building a more resilient and opportunity-driven future for the people of West Africa.

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He said: “Under your stewardship, Ghana remains a beacon of democratic governance, economic progress, and regional solidarity. Your efforts in championing the upliftment of our dear region through diplomacy, collaboration, and transformative policies deserve our most profound appreciation and admiration”.
The President who also commended the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of the ECOWAS Commission staff, noted that their professionalism, commitment, and collaborative spirit were instrumental in making the day’s event a resounding success.
He further highlighted the achievements of the subregional organization in past especially in peacekeeping and promoting democratic governance.
The speech reads in part: “Five decades ago, our founding fathers from 15 nations envisioned regional economic integration, cooperation, and shared prosperity. From the ashes of colonialism and the turbulence of post-independence struggles, they forged ECOWAS—a beacon of hope for our people. Their dream was not merely to dissolve borders but to build bridges of trade, cultural exchange, and mutual progress.
“From the original Treaty of Lagos in 1975 to this momentous gathering here in Accra, ECOWAS has remained a pillar of integration and a beacon of hope for over 400 million citizens across our region.
“Remarkably, our journey over the past five decades has not been without challenges. We have faced political instability, economic hardship, infrastructural deficits, and security threats. But we remain undaunted.
“We shall not relent in our commitment to a united, peaceful, purposeful, and prosperous West Africa.
“Your Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,
“Today, we celebrate numerous remarkable achievements that distinguish ECOWAS as the most successful regional economic community on the African continent. We have established one of Africa’s most vibrant free trade areas in five decades, fostering intra-regional commerce and lifting millions from poverty.
“We have championed peace through ECOMOG’s valiant efforts, mediating conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
“We have introduced the ECOWAS passport, symbolising our commitment to free movement.
“We have also advanced democratic norms, standing firm against tyranny and supporting transitions to constitutional governance.
“However, the journey toward a truly united and prosperous region is far from over. We must confront the hard truths of our present reality.
“Despite our shared vision, too many of our citizens still live in poverty, too many of our children lack access to quality education, and too many of our youth remain unemployed, disillusioned, or forced to seek opportunities abroad.
“Our region continues to grapple with new and evolving threats — violent extremism, climate change and food insecurity. The wave of unconstitutional changes in our region seriously threatens the democratic gains we have painstakingly built.
“As the current Chair of ECOWAS, I reaffirm Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles that bind us: democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and regional solidarity. These are not just ideals; they are the foundations for peace, development, and the dignity of our people.
“In this new chapter, we must reimagine ECOWAS as not just a Community of States but a Community of People.
“We must place our young, dynamic, creative, and resilient people at the centre of our agenda. We must invest in education, innovation, and skills development to unleash the full potential of Africa’s future. We must seek to expand the frontiers of democracy. We must limit the forays of unconstitutional rule into the democratic space. We must always seek peace towards achieving the collaborations needed for development.
“We must also deepen our economic cooperation, support intra-regional trade, and ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) becomes a vehicle for genuine transformation. A prosperous West Africa is good for Africa and the world.
“In deepening our integration, we must accelerate the realisation of a single currency and strengthen infrastructure corridors to connect markets and minds.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
“Let us use this Jubilee as a moment of renewal. Let us rededicate ourselves to the spirit of Pan-Africanism that inspired our founders. Let us build an ECOWAS that is more resilient, more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs of our people.
“This moment calls for a renewed commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among Member States. It is a time to strengthen the bonds that tie us together through shared values, collective responsibility, and a common vision for a prosperous region.
“In hopes of reconciliation and reintegration, we must remain open and willing to engage in sustained, constructive dialogue with our estranged brothers, those Member States currently outside our fold.
“At the same time, there is an urgent need to implement bold, comprehensive reforms that will enhance our institutions’ effectiveness, relevance, and credibility to meet the challenges of today and the future.
“By embracing these imperatives, the organisation can better respond to its people’s evolving needs and advance sustainable development, stability, and prosperity across the region”, he stated.
President therefore called for unity  as he declared that “a tree does not stand alone in the forest, hence the need for unity of purpose and collaboration.
“Our strength lies in our unity. As a proud member, Nigeria pledges to collaborate with every nation—large or small—to build an ECOWAS that is resilient to confront the challenges of our time.
“May the next 50 years be etched in history as an era when West Africa rose—united, prosperous, and unstoppable,” he stated.
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IGP Launches Safe School Squad In Bauchi

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The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, launched a new police-led school protection squad under the Safe School Initiative.

Egbetokun said the unit is part of the national strategy to fortify educational institutions against rising security threats.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, performed the unveiling on behalf of the IGP and stressed the urgent need for coordinated security measures to safeguard students, staff, and school infrastructure across the country.

Shogunle, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum on school security, said Nigeria has increasingly battled threats such as kidnapping, homicide, and the destruction of school property.

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He explained that these challenges have forced many schools to shut down, thereby worsening the problem of out-of-school children and affecting surrounding communities.

He cited the 2021 National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, revealing that “more than 600 teachers were killed in attacks, while more than 19,000 were displaced between 2012 and 2016”.

Shogunle said, “Today’s event, Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities, aligns with the national plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria.

“The plan has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers and non-teaching staff from attacks in all parts of Nigeria and was designed to achieve measurable outcomes such as reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving Nigeria’s rating in the human capital index in the long run.”

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Bauchi State Police Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu also addressed participants at the forum. He confirmed that Nigeria has recorded a disturbing increase in kidnappings, banditry, and attacks targeting students and school staff.

He said these incidents have disrupted learning and spread fear among parents, pupils, and the broader society.

Aliyu revealed, “It was in response to the development that the Nigerian Police collaborated with the federal and state governments and various stakeholders to develop the safe school programme aimed at creating a safe school environment that allows children to pursue their education, free from the spectre of violence or fear.”

He continued, “The Safe School Program is a comprehensive initiative that involves multiple stakeholders and agencies working in unison to prevent attacks, respond effectively in emergencies, and support communities and schools affected by violence.

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“The Safe School Squad will be guided by a comprehensive policy framework that delineates its mandate, functions, and operational protocols.”

Aliyu noted that the unit would collaborate with schools, local communities, and relevant bodies to detect and respond to threats swiftly.

He added that the formation of the squad signifies a major leap in the police force’s dedication to school safety.

“This squad will be rigorously trained and dedicated to tirelessly preventing attacks and effectively addressing emergencies as they arise,” he said.

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He emphasised that “The Safe School Program transcends a mere police initiative; it is a collaborative effort necessitating the engagement of all stakeholders. We earnestly encourage parents, educators, students, and the wider community to support this initiative and join hands with us in ensuring that our schools remain sanctuaries for learning.”

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Viral Video: Aiyedatiwa reenters classroom, educate pupils in Ondo school

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A recent viral video has captured Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, returning to his roots as a teacher, engaging with students at an unnamed school.

The video, which was shared on the Governor’s official Facebook page, shows him writing the word “Drugs” on the board and interacting with the pupils during a lesson.

The Governor encouraged the students to name three forms of drugs, prompting active participation from the class.

The video, which quickly gained traction online, was accompanied by the caption, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” This gesture comes shortly after the Governor’s approval in March 2025 for the recruitment of 1,100 primary school teachers across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State, part of a broader initiative to improve the state’s education system.

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Governor Aiyedatiwa has been vocal about his commitment to educational reform. In his message accompanying the video, he highlighted recent efforts to enhance education in the state, including the distribution of textbooks, Android tablets, and sports equipment to public schools. “This initiative, funded through the 2023/2024 UBEC/SUBEB intervention, underscores our unwavering commitment to quality education for every child, regardless of background,” the Governor said.

Further updates on the state’s educational progress included the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms in over 100 schools, the distribution of more than 75,000 textbooks and digital learning resources, and the recruitment and training of over 2,100 new teachers. Additionally, Aiyedatiwa emphasized his administration’s support for extracurricular activities, such as sports, as an essential part of students’ development.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s return to the classroom serves as a reminder of his dedication to education and the future of Ondo State’s children. As part of his continued efforts to advance education, he said, “With every book, tablet, and sports kit, we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.”

Watch video below: https://web.facebook.com/reel/563785076763901

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Four children injured, one loses hand in Borno IED explosion

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An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, injuring five children, one of whom suffered the traumatic loss of a hand.

The incident occurred on Thursday, May 8, 2025, around 2:25pm near a culvert along the access road leading to a construction site at the New Mafa Central Mosque.

According to preliminary findings, the children accidentally triggered the hidden IED, which had been concealed in block holes at the site.

The victims, identified as Abdullahi Umar, Musa Mele, Fatima Abatcha, Abba Kawu Muhammed, and Khalid Alhaji Bukar, all residents of Mafa town, sustained varying degrees of injuries from the blast.

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A coordinated emergency response was launched by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, officers from the Mafa Police Division, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The area was secured, and a thorough search for secondary devices was conducted. Fragments of the IED, crafted using tin containers, were recovered and safely neutralized.

Four of the injured children were transferred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for advanced medical care, while the fifth, who sustained minor injuries, was treated and discharged from Mafa General Hospital.

In the aftermath, the EOD-CBRN team launched an Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) campaign to sensitize children and residents in Mafa on the dangers of unexploded devices, an ongoing threat in communities still recovering from years of insurgency.

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