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ECOWAS Unity Will Drive Mining Investment Growth-MCO Director General
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) has emphasized that enhanced synergy within the ECOWAS region will significantly boost investment opportunities in the mining sector.
The Director-General of the MCO, Mr. Obadiah Nkom, made this known during a high-level visit by an ECOWAS delegation to the organisation on Friday in Abuja.
The delegation, led by Mr. William Baidoe-Ansah, Director of the ECOWAS Directorate of Mining and Geo-Extractives Development, comprised technical experts and national representatives. They were in Nigeria to finalise frameworks for a regional Geo-Extractive Observatory and Mining Cadastral System.
Nkom expressed optimism that regional collaboration would enable access to harmonised and verifiable data through Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms.
“The essence of the member states coming together is to ensure they have a platform that makes it easier for investors to come into the ECOWAS region and invest,” he said.
He described the visit as a welcome development, underscoring its significance in fostering regional growth and creating a more investor-friendly environment.
According to him, reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector — especially the transition to the Electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (EMC+) system in 2022 — reflect the country’s commitment to repositioning the sector and strengthening investor confidence.
Nkom noted that ongoing efforts to sanitise the mining industry, as championed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, have already yielded tangible results.
Mr. Baidoe-Ansah stated that the mission was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s progress as a benchmark for the regional cadastral system integration.
He noted that the initial feasibility study confirmed the viability of establishing a regional geo-extractive observatory.
“We have moved beyond theory. The first feasibility report confirmed the possibility of a regional geo-extractive observatory. This second phase is about ensuring that each member state meets the baseline operational standards before full integration,” he explained.
He further commended Nigeria’s EMC+ system, which he described as transparent, accessible, and a model worthy of emulation across the region.
Also speaking, Mr. Madu Hassan Fika, Chief Geologist at Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum, lauded the EMC+ as a model of digital excellence and transparency in West Africa’s extractive sector.
He said the proposed regional observatory and cadastral system would provide a one-stop shop for the entire region’s mining data and licensing framework.
Other delegates stressed the importance of harmonising operational standards across ECOWAS member states to enhance regional performance and boost investor confidence. They also praised Nigeria’s strides in digitising its mining sector operations.
News
Troops Arrest Foreign National, Collaborators, Terrorists Logistics Suppliers
Mariam Sanni
The Defence Headquarters has revealed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a Chinese national and several suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators of terrorist groups during coordinated operations in Borno and Yobe States.
This was made known by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who disclosed this in Abuja during the military’s weekly press briefing, said the arrests were made between June 5 and 7 in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno State and Geidam LGA of Yobe State
“ Between 6 – 10 June 2025, troops, in conjunction with security agencies and hybrid forces, conducted offensive operations in Gwoza, Ngala and Marte LGAs of Borno State as well as Bade and GujbaLGAs of Yobe State. During the operations, some terrorists were eliminated while one drug peddler was arrested. Also, 3 kidnapped victims were rescued.
“The troops also recovered arms and ammunition as well as IEDs/IED making materials, motorcycles, and vehicles amongst others. Terrorists’ camp and equipment were burnt insitu.
“Troops arrested 5 terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators and a Chinese nationale claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations conducted in Kukawa and Ngala LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State between 5 – 7June 2025. Amongst the items recovered were vehicle, motorcycle, mobile phones, Chinese International passport, while the sum of N10,000.00 was also recovered from them.
“Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Gwoza and Abadam LGAs of Borno State as well as Nangere LGA of Yobe State from 6 – 9 June 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons and ammunitions were recovered from them. their camp and equipment were burnt insitu.
He reassured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all through ongoing strategic operations across the country.
Major General Kangye emphasized that the military’s primary objective is to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians, while promoting a just and secure society.
He added that proactive measures, such as enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering, are being implemented to respond swiftly to evolving security challenges, neutralize threats and maintain national peace.
Providing update on recent military operations, Major General Kangye reported that in the South-South region, troops under Operation Delta Safe have intensified efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining, leading to the dismantling of illicit sites and the seizure of materials used in these activities.
In the Northwest, he highlighted the achievements of Operation Fasan Yama, where operations in Zamfara and Sokoto States led to the neutralization of threats, rescue of hostages, and recovery of equipment.
He however appealed for continued public support and cooperation, stressing that national security could only be engendered through collective effort.
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