The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ECOWAS

  • Buhari: Nigeria, Benin to work closely on joint border facility  

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Seme pledged that Nigeria will work closely with the Republic of Benin to ensure the success of the newly inaugurated Seme-Krake joint border post between both countries.

    Speaking at the official handing over ceremony of the joint border post, President Buhari described the project, aimed at enhancing the free movement of persons and goods in the region, as “a symbol of integration that brings together the peoples of Nigeria and Benin.”

    Read Also:PDP queries Buhari’s alleged protection of Yusuf

    ”Indeed, the Seme-Krake joint border is one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording huge movement of persons, goods and services.

    ”Permit me therefore to congratulate my brother, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin on the successful completion of this magnificent project.

    ”As we all know, Nigeria and Benin share many things in common. Hence, the establishment of the Joint Border Post will certainly promote our brotherliness and emphasize our common interest, ” he said.

    On the benefits of the joint border post, which sits on 17 hectares of land, the President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that it would enhance trade facilitation by combining border clearance activities in a single location, increase cooperation and coordination of controls, in addition to fostering data and intelligence sharing between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    ”The Border Post is strategically important and lies on the Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra-Abidjan corridor, which accounts for about 70% of the entire transit traffic in the sub-region.

    ”The corridor is also part of the Trans-African Highway network.  This Joint Border Post with modern enabling facilities is a flagship project in ECOWAS and a good example of regional public assets with a spill-over range of benefits,’’ he said.

    He also expressed optimism that the facilities at the border post will improve the working conditions of border officials and make them more efficient and effective in carrying out their duties.

    He, therefore, urged border officials of both countries to ensure that their operations are carried out within the guiding principles of ECOWAS.

    ”I am aware that a Joint Committee with membership from Nigeria and Benin has been established for the coordination and management of this facility.  I would like to call on the members of the committee to note the complex task ahead of them.

    ”The committee must ensure that border officials are sensitized on the mode of operation of the Joint Border Post concept which is a big departure from the traditional mode of operation. I call on the ECOWAS Commission to continue to provide the needed support to this Committee, ”he said.

    Appreciating the financial commitment of the European Union Commission to the project and the contributions of the ECOWAS Commission towards its successful completion, President Buhari noted that inadequate transport infrastructure and inefficient services were some of the major bottlenecks to the attainment of socio-economic development and integration in the region.

    ”ECOWAS is a region where ports, roads, railways and airports still remain a constraint despite significant recent progress made.

    ”Nigeria has embarked on major investment programmes covering these sectors to improve the competitiveness of our economies and accelerate growth.  We are therefore delighted to welcome such initiatives aimed at boosting the economic integration of our member States in West Africa,’’ he said.

    In his capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Buhari also thanked the EU for supporting two other joint borders at Malanville (between Benin/Niger) and Noepe-Akanu (between Ghana/Togo).

     

  • Nigerian traders in Ghana petition Buhari over locked shops

    Delegations of National Association of Nigerian Traders in Ghana (NANTS) and Nigerian Union of Traders Association, Ghana (NUTAG) has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over the discrimination against Nigerian traders in Ghana. 

    The petition which was addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari was received by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in Abuja.

    Presenting the petition, Barr. Ken Ukaoha, NANTS President-General, said that the discrimination against Nigerian traders in Ghana dated back to 2007 when they were subjected to paying exorbitant taxes geared towards ruining their business.

    According to him, the Ghanaian authorities passed a law which compels all foreigners to have a minimum of $300,000 USD in 2007 and later increased it to $1 million USD in 2018 as minimum capital to start a business in Ghana.

    He noted that Nigerian traders were specifically targeted as over 400 shops belonging to Nigerians were locked up since July 27, 2018 till date despite their various appeals to the appropriate authorities.

    Ukaoha said under ECOWAS protocol which Ghana was a signatory, Nigerians should not be branded as foreigners but a community citizen as long as they are carrying ECOWAS passport.

    Regrettably, he said a Nigerian, Mrs Stella Upaleke, had committed suicide, because of the huge bank debts the closure had caused her and still in the mortuary in Ghana.

    He said despite the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari who took up the matter with his Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Akufo-Addo on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York, with a promise that the shops will be re-opened as Nigerians were not the target, the shops however, still remain closed. 

    Read Also: Buhari, APC governors meet in Aso Rock

    “The diplomatic relations between the two countries is being threatened with this Ghana behaviour as they are playing politics with means of livelihood of Nigerians in Ghana’’

    “We have over two million Ghanaians in Nigeria and Nigeria has been treating them well. We had petitioned the National Assembly and ECOWAS on this matter as law abiding citizen who didn’t want to take laws into our hands’’, he said.

    Corroborating, Chief Emeka Nnaji, President of NUTAG said that Nigerian goods worth billions of dollars are being locked up with sizeable number of it as perishable.

    “We are living in palpable fear in Ghana as they after our lives. We were beaten and tortured in Ashante region while incredible taxes imposed on us in order to cripple our businesses’’, he lamented.

    Responding,  Abike Dabiri-Erewa on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari commended them for the matured way the matter was handled and assured them of delivering the petition to the President.

    She was worried that despite the assurance of President Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana to President Muhammadu Buhari that the shops will be re-opened, and despite an instruction to reopen the shops on Sept 27, the shops still remain closed.

    ”Let me advise you to continue to be good ambassadors of Nigeria despite provocation. Don’t even think about retaliation as Ghanaians are our brothers.’’

    The Presidential aide, who commiserated with the family of the deceased Nigerian trader who committed suicide, led others to observe a-minute silence in honour of the deceased. .

  • FG to assist ECOWAS in implementing policies

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has said that the Federal Government has pledged to support the ECOWAS Commission in the implementation of its labour and employment programmes and policies in the Region.

    Speaking when he received the ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender Matters, Dr Siga Fatima Jagni in his office, the Minister said the Nigerian government will not shirk in its responsibility to the subregion, adding that the “government and people of Nigeria are an integral part of the ECOWAS, and we will not shirk our responsibilities in that direction”.

    While appreciating the efforts of the Commission in forging unity in the Region, Ngige pledged Nigeria’s continued support to the Commission in realizing its mandate. He assured that “Nigeria would support and adhere to all ECOWAS Labour Migration and Employment policies, and called for proper legalization of such policies, so that people would not be “short-changed and unduly harassed when they export their skills in the region”.

    On the election of President Muhammadu Buhari as the Chairman of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, the Minister said that the Region stood to gain immeasurably, stressing, “We have a President who has zero tolerance for corruption, with a lot of credibility. So, his appointment into the ECOWAS by his colleagues is a step in the right direction”.

    Read Also: ECOWAS to tackle insecurity in Sahel

    Speaking earlier, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender Matters, Dr Siga Fatima Jagne, said her visit was necessitated by the need to seek the support of the Minister for the implementation of labour and employment programmes and policies in the region.

    She further stated that her visit was also to specifically request the Ministry’s collaboration in organizing the forthcoming 2018 General Assembly of the Social Dialogue Forum/Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers in charge of Labour and Employment, with the theme: “Strengthening Social Dialogue for the Promotion of Decent Work in the ECOWAS region”, scheduled to hold in Abuja in December, 2018.

    Speaking further, she congratulated Nigeria on the election of President Muhammadu Buhari as the current ECOWAS Chair of Authority of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

    In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, said that Nigeria, as the centre of ECOWAS, would continue to play its leading role in the Region, particularly in economic development.

  • ‘ECOWAS agreement enables Nigerians to do business within the sub-region’

    Prof. Jonathan Aremu is a professor of International Economic Relations. In this interview with Alamin Ibrahim, the erstwhile acting Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, speaks on the ECOWAS position as far as protection of member countries operating within the sub-region. Excerpts:

    Why are Nigerian businesses coming under attack?

    It’s unfortunate that it is happening within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) especially Ghana that Nigerian businesses are being attacked in Ghana. It’s a mistake because Ghana has no right to do that because there are enough provisions with ECOWAS Economic Integration Agreement that should not allow that. The treaty allows members to move across the boarders and then the Protocol of Free Movement as well as that of Right of Business is entrenched in the ECOWAS activities. So what is there is that I think that the government of Ghana by passing that kind of legislation they are wrong. But what is important is that it is left to the aggrieved country which is Nigeria to take it up. And we have the chairman of ECOWAS Commission as President Muhammadu Buhari. It is President Buhari’s duty to be able to make sure that this thing stops because Ghana has no right to do that.

    What does ECOWAS Trade Agreement says about attack on foreign businesses?

    ECOWAS Trade Agreement does not make provision or allows you to attack anybody’s business and there are provisions within national law that allow foreigners to register a company so an ECOWAS citizen has the right to register in another ECOWAS member country. Foreign investors can register as well but they won’t enjoy what an ECOWAS citizen or corporate citizen would enjoy. So why they can impose that kind of condition on non-ECOWAS or corporate citizen they cannot impose it on Nigerians. To answer the question again about what does ECOWAS says on foreign business, each country allows foreign business to come in but you have to register under the Corporate Affairs Commission of the individual country.

    How does ECOWAS Trade Agreement protect businesses within the sub-region?

    ECOWAS businesses are protected under the Protocol or Right of Establishment. What it means is that you have the right to establish your business in other ECOWAS countries and they do this by obeying the law which is a protocol and that protocol is very old and it dates back to 1982.

    What is the way forward?

    Earlier on you asked a question with respect to operating businesses within Africa. Because we are both members of the African Union, you can register there but it is now left with the prerogative of those countries to be able to do whatever they want when you want to register. But Ghana cannot do that because under ECOWAS Right of Establishment they can do that. But let me tell you, for other African countries if Nigeria does not sign the African Continental Free Trade Area, then their businesses has no right to stay there, so they can send away Nigeria businesses. They can do that by either nationalising or they don’t even allow you to register or they subject you to the condition of foreign investor because under the African Continental Free Trade Area there is a Right of Establishment as well as Free Movement, which Nigeria has not signed. Until Nigeria signs it and rectifies it, our business does not qualify to go to other African countries. The way forward is for President Buhari to be able to say this must stop and make sure that this kind of thing does not recall. On a larger community and the continental level, let Nigeria sign the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement and ratify it before 22-member countries. After the ratification, Nigeria would have to go through the individual countries for us to become a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

  • ‘81,003 foreign nationals resident in Nigeria’

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday said it recorded 81,003 non-ECOWAS foreign nationals legally resident in the country as at Aug. 31.

    NIS Comptroller General, Mr Muhammad Babandede, made this known in a statement signed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Sunday James, in Abuja.

    A breakdown of the figure, according to Babandede, shows that 2,694 were Americans, 3,946 Britons, 17,995 Chinese, 31,660 Indians, 6,295 Lebanese and 1,295 Germans.

    He stated that there were 17,118 foreign nationals from 92 other countries resident in Nigeria.

    Babandede also disclosed that the NIS issued 82,084 Visas on Arrival (VoA) at six international airports and 7,570 Temporary Work Permits (TWPs) in the country within the period.

    Giving a breakdown of the TWP figure, he said 1,492 were issued to Indians, 1,171 to Chinese and 987 to Britons.

    He said 1,006 TWPs were issued to South Africans, 641 to Italians, 649 to Ukrainians and the remaining 1,624 to other foreign nationals.

    The NIS boss said that in line with its mandate as enshrined in Section 2 (a) – (f) of the Immigration Act 2015, the agency would henceforth be giving a quarterly report of migrants resident in Nigeria.

    He restated the the agency’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders in addition to effective discharge of its administrative and operational duties.

    In doing these, Babandede said the NIS would remain guided by international best practices and respect for the rights of migrants without compromising national security.(NAN)

  • World Peace Day: ECOWAS seeks effective implementation of security protocols

    ECOWAS yesterday called for the effective implementation of security protocols to achieve sustainable peace and progress in the sub-region.

    Col. Pale Ollo Alain, head of Peace Support Operations Division, spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to mark the International Day of Peace in Abuja.

    International Day of Peace is observed September 21, every year to strengthen ideals of peace.

    The theme for the 2018 celebration is “Right to Peace – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70’’.

    Alain said the call became imperative following the need to tackle cross-border threats, farmers-herders clashes, religious and ethnic conflicts in the sub-region.

    “To have sustainable peace, we must embrace dialogue, mutual cooperation and understanding, because no religion encourages violence.

    “None of the religions encourages violence but from religious issues, you will see violence.

    “Internationally, we have many measures that can help to avoid these violent activities; we have anti-terrorist strategy, Sahel strategy, but it is the implementation from our member-states that is lacking.

  • FOCAC : Buhari returns to Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night returned to Abuja after attending the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation ( FOCAC ) in Beijing.

    During the six-day visit to China, Buhari held bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of some agreements between Nigeria and China in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the economy.

    He also participated in the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese and African leaders and business representatives.

    At the FOCAC meeting, Buhari expressed the appreciation of ECOWAS member states for China’s increasing investment in the sub-region with the aim of building a prosperous and shared future.

    He noted that China was the largest investor in the sub-region in both private and public sectors, covering areas, such as infrastructure development in energy, agriculture, mining and healthcare.

    According to him, China also provides significant assistance in emergency humanitarian aid and response to climate change for Africa.

    Buhari at the FOCAC Round Table on Tuesday, attended by African leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping, said Nigeria’s partnership with China through FOCAC had resulted in the execution of vital infrastructure projects worth over five billion dollars.

    Read Also: FOCAC: Nigeria has benefited over $5b projects – Buhari

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who was part of the president’s entourage to China, reported that Buhari won the crucial support of Jinping, for Nigeria’s aspiration to build the 3050 Megawatts Mambilla hydro-power project.

    He revealed that Nigeria and China also signed the agreement of 328 million dollars for the Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase II (NICTIB II) project.

    The concessional loan agreement between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Kemi Adesoun and Wang Xiaotoa, Director-General, International Development Agency of China.

    The presidential aide disclosed that Nigeria and China also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR).

    In Beijing, Buhari also received assurances from the Joint Venture Partners handling the 3050 Megawatts Mambilla Hydro-power Plant of which arrangements had reached advance stage for the commencement of work early in 2019.

    Buhari received the assurance when he was briefed on time lines for the commencement of work at a meeting with Prof. Lyu Ze Xiang, the President of CGCC, the company handling the project.

    The president, at separate meetings with prospective Chinese investors on the sidelines of FOCAC, assured existing and prospective Chinese investors of high-level support for their investment plans in Nigeria.

    The president, at an interactive session with the Nigerian community in China on Saturday, had given assurance that as “a beneficiary of free and fair elections, I’m not afraid of a credible process in 2019.’’

    To this effect, the president reaffirmed his commitment to making sure that the 2019 polls would be free, fair and credible.

    Buhari pledged that Nigerians eligible to vote in the general elections would be allowed to freely elect candidates of their choices.

  • We respect rule of law, agreements, Buhari tells Merkel

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said his administration will always uphold the sanctity of the rule of law in governing the country.

    He also assured the visiting German Chancellor Angel Merkel that all agreements will be fully respected.

    President Buhari received the German Chancellor, who was accompanied by top government officials and a business delegation, at the Presidential Villa.

    In his remarks during a bilateral meeting, the President said unity and harmony in every society can only be preserved by observing the rule of law, and ensuring that agreements reached in good faith are followed through to the mutual benefit of countries.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also told Chancellor Merkel and members of her delegation that the rule of law embodies all the rightful mechanisms for conflict resolution, both within the country, and in dealing with all foreign partners.

    He assured that his administration remains focused on delivering a peaceful, economically viable and politically stable polity to all Nigerians.

    The President said Nigeria remained grateful to the German government for the fair treatment of migrants.

    He said Nigeria looks forward to improving its trade figures with Germany, which had taken strong interest in investing in the country and supporting the government in providing effective services in security, education and creation of jobs.

    Read Also: Buhari,  Angela Merkel meet in Aso Rock

    The President said his administration instituted reforms in the economy to make it more internationally attractive and business friendly for investors, noting that infrastructure development had been a priority, especially in power supply, road and rail constructions.

    The economy, he said, was already responding to the diversification reforms and the stimulus of the government as growth is now largely driven by the non-oil sector.

    The President said Nigeria was politically stable, urging German investors to take advantage of the friendly climate.

    “I enjoin you to invest in Nigeria because this is the best time to do so,’’ he added.

    President Buhari noted that the successful political transitions since 1999 were clear indications of the country’s stability and preparedness to welcome more investments that will bolster the economy.

    In her remarks at the meeting, Chancellor Merkel said Germany is prepared to further strengthen bilateral and business relations with Nigeria, which, according to her, controls 60 per cent of ECOWAS economy.

    She said the population growth and opportunities in the economy can always be explored to improve employment situation in the country.

    Chancellor Merkel said the three Memoranda of Understanding signed during the visit represent a starting point for a healthier and deeper partnership with Nigeria in areas of security, trade, immigration and education.

    The Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Volkswagen of South Africa for the manufacturing of Volkswagen vehicles in Nigeria, while Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Petkus Technologies GMBH for the supply of seed and grain processing machines.

    The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with German African Business Association on fostering trade and investment.

  • NIS rescues victim of human trafficking in Katsina

    For the second time in two weeks, the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, on Monday in Kongolam border in Katsina state, rescued Mrs. Adeoye Oluwaseyi, aged 23 years, from suspected human traffickers who were taking her to Niger republic

    The Katsina state controller of immigration, Mr Ajisafe Joshua Olusola, who briefed newsmen in Katsina, said the victim who is a Nigerian citizen from Omiamu Village in Akure, Ondo state, was lured by one Seun who is resident in Niger Republic, on the promise of providing job for her

    He said ’’Seun who is suspected to be the king –pin of the syndicate connected the victim with other members of the syndicate who were to facilitate her trip from her village to Niger republic’’

    ‘It was revealed that the victim is in possession of ECOWAS Travel Certificate No.232/338738 issued in Kano on 17th August,2018 and temporary voter’s card’’

    The Immigration boss further disclosed that the syndicate deliberately changed the name of the victim from Adeoye Oluseyi to Hadiza Bello and her home address from Omiamu village in Akure, Ondo state to Kofa Ruwa quarters in Dala Local government of Kano state.

    Read Also: NIS arrests suspected human trafficker in Katsina

    He said‘’ you may wish to know that the syndicate requested from the victim the sum of N50, 000 which according to the victim was sourced from her parents and sister. The money was paid into the bank account of one Afolabi Sakirat on 22 July, 2018’’

    He warned parents on the dangers of trafficking in persons which according to him, has become known in the international community as modern day slavery

    On the fate of the arrested trafficker, Mr Ajisafe said he will be handed over to the immigration service headquarters for further investigation and necessary action

    He assured that the service will continue to rid the country of the menace of human trafficking and irregular migration

  • Buhari mourns Kofi Annan

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Ghana over the passing of former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi Annan, in the early hours of Saturday 18th August, 2018.

    President Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, had called President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana from London.

    He told the Ghanaian President that all Nigerians and ECOWAS member countries share in the deep loss, considering the strategic influence of the former scribe in global affairs and his vision for the repositioning of the West Coast and Africa.

    As the first elected staff of the United Nations to lead the world organisation and first African to win the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the United Nations, the President noted that Annan’s humility, nobility and love for humanity set him apart for global greatness, achieving  recognition and commendation for the reform of the United Nations’ bureaucracy and multiple interventions to bring peace to the world.

    Read Also: Kofi Annan is dead

    He said Annan’s origin and home will always be traced to Ghana, but his exceptional leadership roles, humanitarian spirit and contributions to global peace and development will remain indelible in the history of the entire world, especially the efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa and launch of the UN Global Compact.

    The President also sent condolences to the wife of the diplomat, Nane Maria Annan and his family members, staff of the United Nations and the global organisations he was heading, like The Elders, which was founded by Nelson Mandela.

    Buhari prayed that the Almighty God will comfort his family and all his loved ones.