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ECOWAS Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Youth Unemployment in West Africa

Published

3 weeks ago

June 20, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

A Nigerian representative at the ECOWAS Parliament has expressed concern over the growing rate of youth unemployment in West Africa, and warned that it could affect the region’s overall stability if not urgently addressed.

Hon. Paschal Agbodike made the remarks on Tuesday during a parliamentary session in Monrovia, following a presentation by Liberian Senator Amara Konneh on how effective the ECOWAS Investment Policy has been so far.

According to Agbodike, the data shared during the session highlighted the serious scale of joblessness among young people in the region. He stressed that unemployment in one country, like Liberia, doesn’t stay contained—it spills into neighbouring nations such as Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

“Our young people are leaving because they don’t see enough job opportunities,” he said, warning that if left unchecked, the situation could lead to broader social problems.

Agbodike assured that the parliament is taking the matter seriously and is looking into legislative options that could help create more jobs across the region. He said lawmakers are working toward practical solutions that can bring lasting change.

The ECOWAS Investment Policy is aimed at attracting more investment into the region to boost growth and employment. But despite the region’s large population and rich resources, foreign investment hasn’t yet delivered the level of job creation many had hoped for. Unemployment across West Africa is currently estimated at nearly 25%, well above the global average of around 6%.

Lawmakers are expected to continue discussions in the coming days, focusing on ways to turn policy in

to real opportunities for the region’s growing youth population.

News

Malnutrition Cost Nigeria $1.5bn Yearly- Rep Okafor

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as Nigeria rank 2nd globally

By Gloria Ikibah

Chairman House Committee on Food and Nutrition, Rep. Chike Okafor, has said that malnutrition in the Nigeria cost the nation about 1.5 billion dollars annually.

Re. Okafor who stated this at the ongoing National summit on nutrition and food security on Wednesday in Abuja, said the summit was organised to profer solutions to halt the growing concerns about the effect of malnutrition and lack of adequate food on Nigerians.

He added that beyond the health effects of malnutrition and lack of food which include Stunting, low birth weight, Anaemia in children, adolescent girls and women, there is a considerable cost economically.

According to him, the cost of inaction on these parameters on the Nigeria’s economy is aggregated to about 12.2% of the Country’s Gross National Income, about $56b, based on data from Nutrition International and the World Bank.

He said: “Food insecurity has been aggravated by post-harvest loss, estimated at $2b by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), yearly, this colossal loss alone is more than the Nutrition budget of the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Education and Women Affairs put together.

“This continued loss is not only unacceptable, but unsustainable given the austere times in which we currently live. On the above premise my committee is working with those in the 36 states of the federation to do things differently.

“First of all, we are undertaking strategic capacity building sessions to have a better understanding of the root and dynamics of current nutrition and food security challenges in Nigeria. A wise man once said that once you are not informed, you are deformed.

“We are hoping that the capacity building sessions are institutionalized in partnership with the National Institute of Democratic and Legislative Studies, with support from our ever helpful development partners.

“This will put us in a better pedestal to provide strategic oversight to all nutrition and food related interventions and implementing partners, including but not limited to the UN family, the World Bank, International and National NGOs, and of course the government at Federal, State and Local Government levels. By so doing, we will not only have more money for nutrition, but also more nutrition for the available money”.

In her remarks, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Anwukah said Nigeria currently ranks second on the global scale of malnutrition and the first on the African continent.

Anwukah who spoke on the topic: “Strengthening Nutrition Co-ordination in Nigeria through the N-774 Initiative”, explained that Nigeria signed up on the N-774 initiative as a way of addressing malnutrition right from the grassroot level, adding that the initiative has been endorsed by the National Council on Food security and the Nigerian Governors Forum.

News

Ghanaian Photographer Buried in Camera-Designed Casket as Tribute to His Passion

Published

4 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Ghanaian photographer has captured worldwide attention after being buried in a casket designed in the shape of a camera — a symbolic tribute to his lifelong dedication to photography.

The unique burial was revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user @eddie_wrt, who shared a video of the poignant ceremony.

In the footage, pallbearers are seen carrying the camera-shaped coffin to the gravesite, honoring the late photographer in a deeply personal and creative way.

The video quickly went viral, sparking emotional reactions online as users praised the powerful tribute and shared messages of admiration.

See some reactions below:

@Wee3ny3: “Don’t try to die now wait make this generation finish before you do.”

@AmanorJulious: “Diogo Jota make lucky say he no be Ghanaian like no be small football boot.”

@evils_only: “Eiiiiii Ghana oooooooh nooooooo. Who even brought this style.”

News

Deadline for Hajj 2026 registration extended by 48hrs

Published

4 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The deadline for Hajj 2026 registration has been extended by two 48hours.

According to Spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Haromy Muhammad Umar Butt, the registration will now continue by Friday through designated banks and the Ministry’s online portal.

He said this decision was made in response to requests from intending pilgrims to keep the registration process open until Friday. He said so far, 313,000 individuals have completed their registration for next year’s Hajj. The expenses and other terms and conditions for Hajj 2026 will be issued separately in accordance with the official Hajj policy.