SCHEMING FOR POWER ...

The Ministers of member countries of the Community of Sahel-Saharan State (CEN-CAD), have called for the immediate establishment of a regional Counter Terrorism Centre to collectively curb the growing terrorist activities.

Chaired by the Nigerian Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), the security leaders raised concerns over the upsurge and expansion of activities within the region.

The ministers made the call in a communique issued yesterday at the end of the 7th Meeting of Minister in Charge of Defence of CEN-SAD Member States, tagged : "Abuja Declaration".

They noted that the opening of the Counter-terrorism unit was with a view to accelerate cooperation in the various areas related to fight against terrorism.

The meeting also pledged to launch joint military maneuvers by CEN-SAD member countries to strengthen the response and action capabilities of the various defence and security forces.

The ministers disclosed that there was a need to intensify bilateral, multilateral and subregional security and military cooperation among member countries.

"We are committed to support all regional initiative in the fight against terrorism (Multi Joint Task Force, G5 Sahel, FLG, etc.) with a view to eradicating terrorists activities and thus enabling development actions in favour of the populations, and exchange the African Union Peace and Security Council to take into consideration CEN-SAD's efforts in this field," the declaration stated.

CEN-SAD is a sub-regional organisation established in Tripoli, Libya on February 4, 1998, following a summit of Heads of State of Libya, Niger, Mali,Sudan and Chad. She said the organisation which rotates the hosting rights amongst its Arabic, Francophone and Anglophone member-countries has since increased to 28 all-African member-states.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mrs. Nuratu Batagarawa, had at a pre-event briefing noted that each Conference focuses on one among a wide ranging of issues, L-R: Member, APC National Campaign Council for Ekiti State, Senator Seye Adetunbi; former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr Segun Oni; All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye; at the palace of Onifaki of Ifaki, ahead of the flag off of APC campaign tour of Ido-Osi Local Government Area

such as Agriculture, Education, Environment and Interior matters, while the choice of the focal area determines the Ministries/

Departments of member-countries whose heads will constitute the participants.

To this end, she said the just

concluded conference hosted by Nigeria was for the Ministers of Defence of member-states, focusing on Defence and Security issues,

with its theme being "Consolidating the Achievements of the Fight Against Terrorism through Solidarity Development Actions".