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ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival 2024: Nigeria to Host Major Event Promoting Food Security and Economic Growth
ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival 2024: Nigeria to Host Major Event Promoting Food Security and Economic Growth....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is gearing up to host its highly anticipated Food and Cultural Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, from October 6 to 11, 2024. The event, which aims to tackle critical issues such as food security, poverty alleviation, and hunger eradication across the 16 ECOWAS member countries, is set to attract global attention and participation.
Promoting Food Security and Economic Benefits
According to Ambassador Felix Ihonre, Director-General of the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, the upcoming event will bring together key stakeholders from various sectors to address the security challenges that have hindered agricultural production in Nigeria and other West African nations. This initiative is vital for ensuring that the region can move towards achieving zero hunger and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Ihonre emphasized the significant economic benefits that Nigeria stands to gain as the host country. “Nigerians will benefit immensely from this festival,” Ihonre said during the Preparatory Inter-Ministerial/Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja. He highlighted that local businesses, including food vendors, hotels, transport services, and other sectors, would see increased activity and revenue during the festival period.
A Historic Opportunity for Nigeria
The timing of this festival is particularly opportune, as Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission. This dual role positions Nigeria to maximize the benefits of hosting the event, further solidifying its leadership role within the region. “With President Tinubu at the helm of ECOWAS, this festival offers Nigeria a unique opportunity to showcase its hospitality and economic potential,” Ihonre noted.
A Celebration of African Heritage and Unity
The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival will feature a wide range of activities designed to celebrate African culture and heritage while promoting peace and development. These activities include a golf tournament, a vibrant train carnival, a Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant, and forums for local government leaders and youth. The festival’s theme, “Celebrating African Cultural Heritage for Peace and Development,” underscores the importance of a stable and peaceful environment for agricultural and economic progress.
Ihonre stressed that development is impossible in a climate of conflict and insecurity. He highlighted the critical role that Nigeria’s security agencies, such as the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, will play in ensuring the safety of participants and the success of the event.
Looking Beyond the Festival
The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival is not just a one-time event but part of a broader strategy to ignite a food and cultural revolution in West Africa. The festival will be followed by various projects and activities aimed at strengthening food security and cultural ties across the region. These initiatives are expected to have a lasting impact, contributing to the long-term development goals of the ECOWAS member states.
Mr. Oladunjoye Musiliu, Director of International Organizations and Political Economy Affairs at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, urged all relevant stakeholders to collaborate effectively to ensure the success of the festival. He emphasized that this event could serve as a catalyst for positive change across the region, fostering unity and progress.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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