By Uche Onyeali

Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Mallam Jibrin Ndace has promised that the organisation would partner the West African Action Network on Small Arms, WAANSA, in the fight against the proliferation of small arms in the sub-region.

Mallam Ndace made the pledge at an event to mark the 2024 United Nations Day of Peace, organised by West African Action Network on Small Arms, WAANSA, held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, at the weekend.

The director-general, who was represented by Mallam Aliyu Othman, noted that the issue of small arms and light weapons remains a great concern that requires immediate action.
He commended WAANSA and its partners for working towards peace in West Africa through its efforts to discourage illegal arms proliferation in the sub-region.

“It is commendable that WAANSA and other partners, CSOs and governments across the region have continued to work towards peace by facing the problems of small arms headon in the region.

“VON under the leadership of Mallam Ndace is ready to partner WAANSA to achieve its objectives in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in West Africa and beyond.

“VON broadcasts in eight languages to the world; English, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulfulde and Hausa, thereby providing the rare opportunity to WAANSA to mobilise and promote its key objectives of striving for human security.

“Partnering VON will provide access to the 16-member organisations of WAANSA to continue to unite against gun violence, counter the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, and control their negative consequences for the desired peace in the region, Africa and the world,” Ndace said.

In his welcome address, the Regional First Vice President of WAANSA, Martin Igwe appealed to President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to honour the chairman of the occasion, Sheik Abdullahi Lau, with a prestigious ECOWAS International Peace Award, because of his intervention in Niger Republic at the time of military takeover in that country.

Igwe, had in a letter written to President Tinubu earlier, noted that recognising Sheik Lau could motivate others to rise up for national and regional peace.

He also appealed to state and regional political actors to invest in education, women and youth empowerment and allow free and fair election.

Igwe urged politicians to work in unism towards eliminating threats of insecurity in the sub-region with proactive policies capable of changing the present ugly narratives.
While congratulating the awardees at the event, the regional vice president encouraged them to do more in their various endeavours, adding that “to whom more is given, more is expected.”

Highlights of the event were the recognition of some dignitaries, including Sheik Lau, Dr Jumai Amodu, Igbokwe Foundation, Dr Jumoke Eniola Aborode, for their efforts in peace building and humanitarian endeavours.

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