ECOWAS & Borders: ECOWAS Commission officials met border communities at Akanu-Noepe (Ketu North, Volta Region) to explain the Free Movement protocol for people, goods and services along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, urging traders and travelers to use official channels while staying security-conscious. Kidnapping Relief: American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout, abducted from Niamey in October 2025, has been released and is now in U.S. custody in good health, with SIM International saying he will reunite with his family. Flood Adaptation: Niger State plans a “two abode” relocation approach for flood-prone riverine communities, offering upland homes and support—especially for women and children—after recent flash flooding in Minna. Startup Push: ECOWAS opened a $65,000 startup award for West African small businesses, aiming to fund and scale high-impact ventures across the region. Public Health (Niger): UNICEF and Niger State launched a campaign to help mothers and newborns fight preventable diseases through community mobilizers and better access to care. Culture & Identity: A week of debate continues around LGBTQ+ rights as Niger’s penal code criminalizes same-sex relationships, intensifying regional backlash.