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EU Ambassador Advises ECOWAS to Take A Lesson from Brexit in Addressing Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Exit
EU Ambassador Advises ECOWAS to Take A Lesson from Brexit in Addressing Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Exit
By: Michael Mike
The Head of European Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador
Gautier Mignot has asked the West African regional bloc to learn from Brexit by evolving a new way of managing its relationship with the departing member countries, the Alliance of Sahel States (Alliance des Etats du Sahel) AES-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Mignot, while revealing that the EU was not in support of ECOWAS splitting, insisted that regionalism is the path to prosperity and stability.
The envoy gave the suggestion in Abuja on Monday during a media parley.
The envoy who described the decision by the three countries as regrettable, said: “It is a decision that we regret, because we support very much West African integration. We ourselves probably the most autonomous model of regional integration in the world, and we think that this is a path to prosperity, to unity, to stability in all regions of the world, and especially in West Africa. So splitting doesn’t seem to us a good idea.”
Mignot noting that it was not up to the EU to tell ECOWAS how to handle the situation, said the EU would readily avail itself by sharing its experience of how it went about the exit of the United Kingdom.
He said: “And of course, as in other issues, if we can get any help, we would be happy to share our experience, our expertise with ECOWAS. Indeed, we had the experience of a former member state which decided to exit the European Union. And how did we manage to have a possible smooth exit ? It was through negotiation and dialogue.
“It was not easy. It took some time, but finally we reached an agreement with the United Kingdom, an agreement on the modalities of the exit and an agreement on our new relationship with them. And now we have constant dialogue on also adjusting this new agreement and trying to see how to make our new relationship more efficient.
“So, you know, even if you leave regional integration mobilisation, geographically you remain neighbours and you have to find new ways of coexisting and cooperating.
“So we hope very much that ECOWAS and the European Union will be able to do that also.”
On the EU engagement with the three allied countries belonging to the AES, the envoy said, “First, we have to remind that the EU has maintained its humanitarian aid in these countries. And we have adapted our development cooperation, focussing on support to the population.
“Because we are concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel, the number of displaced people, refugees, and people in need of assistance, which is reaching unprecedented levels. And there is ongoing work in Brussels towards a renewed approach in the Sahel, for which, of course, dialogue and exchanges with partners in the region.”
The envoy, who only last week submitted his letter of credence to President Bola Tinubu, said he started dreaming of working in Nigeria during his first visit to the country ten years ago.
The envoy who was a former EU ambassador to Mexico, said: “I came here to Nigeria 10 years ago on a one-week mission to Abuja and Lagos, and I found it to be a fascinating country. I always thought how great it would be to come and work here in this country one day and this dream finally has come true.
“ So I’m very happy with that. I arrived here in Nigeria at the beginning of September, taking over from Ambassador Samuel Aissopi.I know you knew her very well. She was a very active ambassador. And again, I’m extremely happy to be here in Nigeria, the number one nation in Africa and a key player in the world.
“I already had the opportunity to discover some parts of the country, apart from the Federal capital, Lagos of course, but also the city, Calabar, and more recently Borno and the Adamawa states. And also, I discovered a bit of the Nigerian tribal culture, since the Calabar carnival last year.”
On his plan in Nigeria, he said he is here to improve EU-Nigeria partnership to positively impact on the people.
He stressed that the EU remains a constant and faithful and trusted partner that Nigeria can count on.
He said: “My mission is to bring the EU-Nigeria partnership to a higher level, with one goal: positively impact the Nigerian population. As I told the President, in uncertain times and in a fast-evolving, you need a constant and faithful partner on whom you know you can count: the EU is one for Nigeria.
“In turn we see Nigeria as a key partner and a major player in Africa and the world. New leaders are very much interested in Nigeria.
He also spoke about new initiatives that the EU wants to exploit in Nigeria, which include a better structured economic relation and dialogue to address and remove the issues that hamper more investment and trade, noting hat currently no agreement or dialogue framework between EU and Nigeria.
He however said the EU , through the Global Gateway investment agenda, will be focusing more on creating jobs and opportunities, especially for young people in Nigeria, building on Nigeria’s great sense of entrepreneurship, sectors like green economy, digital, agri-food and health: this is actually already an ongoing work.”
He also added that special attention would be paid to the North of the country where there are specific needs.
EU Ambassador Advises ECOWAS to Take A Lesson from Brexit in Addressing Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Exit
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), have neutralised a notorious bandit and recovered arms and ammunition during a raid on a hideout in Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted on Jan. 8 at Yolan Gboka–Yama Da Lahdi, following sustained efforts to track and arrest perpetrators of the Dec. 16, 2025 attack on illegal miners at Tosho community in Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
According to the sources, troops made contact with the bandits during the raid and engaged them in a firefight.
“One of the bandits was neutralised during the exchange of fire and was later identified as Sadiq Isah, while others fled the area,” the sources said.
The sources added that troops subsequently exploited the hideout and recovered two AK-47 rifles and 162 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition.
The recovered arms and ammunition are currently in military custody, while troops have commenced follow-up operations to intercept the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activities in the area.
Zagazola reports that Operation Enduring Peace is a joint security initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability across Plateau and neighbouring states.
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to strengthen intelligence gathering and operational readiness in the face of rising security threats across the country.
The call was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a ceremony to decorate 113 newly promoted NSCDC commandants. The minister, represented by the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin (Rtd), commended the Corps for its role in protecting critical national infrastructure, lives, and property.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for strategic intelligence mapping to counter emerging threats, particularly as the Corps now shoulders additional responsibilities for the protection of Very Important Personalities (VIPs), a role previously managed by the Nigeria Police Force.
He encouraged the newly promoted officers and all personnel to uphold the confidence placed in the service by President Bola Tinubu, noting that the merit-based promotions are designed to boost morale and enhance performance.
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Audi, urged the officers to mentor subordinates, embrace leadership responsibilities, and adhere strictly to merit-based postings. He warned against lobbying for preferred postings, affirming that performance and dedication would guide all administrative decisions.
Representing the promoted officers, Commandant Ekanem Ekpenyong pledged unwavering commitment to duty, promising to uphold integrity and the Corps’ Oath of Allegiance.
In a key highlight of the ceremony, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commandant. The event also featured goodwill messages from the Controller General of Corrections, the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, and representatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and the Department of State Services.
The ceremony underscored the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen the NSCDC and reinforce its role in Nigeria’s security architecture.
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
Zulum commissions remodelled ‘2nd chance school’ for vulnerable girls
.Disburses N1bn to SMEs in 5 LGAs
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday commissioned a fully remodelled “Second Chance School” for vulnerable girls and women in Biu Local Government Area.
The newly inaugurated facility is part of a strategic initiative designed to offer adult women, including those who missed formal education or dropped out of school due to prevailing challenges, a pathway to self-reliance.
The school’s curriculum is tailored towards providing comprehensive skills’ acquisition, critical digital knowledge and basic literacy, and numeracy training.
With the Biu centre now operational, Zulum’s administration has established three such schools across the state, with existing centres already operational in Maiduguri and Bama.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has disbursed N1 billion to small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across five local government areas in southern Borno.
The targeted LGAs include Biu, Hawul, Shani, Bayo and Kwaya-Kusar, with the funds intended to support entrepreneurs and enhance business sustainability.
Zulum explained that the direct injection of capital into the SME sector is essential for driving grassroots development and fostering self-reliance in the post-insurgency recovery phase.
In a related development aimed at tackling youth restiveness and promoting social stability, Governor Zulum has ordered immediate employment of 200 young individuals from the Biu Local Government Area.
After the inauguration, Zulum visited Biu Specialist Hospital where he announced the immediate and automatic employment of a number of dedicated volunteer health workers who have served tirelessly.
He also inspected the 100-unit teachers’ housing estate under construction in Biu town. The estate is part of the Borno State Government’s motivational strategy to attract and retain qualified teaching professionals in public schools.
Governor Zulum has also directed immediate commencement of rehabilitation work on the Borno State Hotel Annexe in Biu.
Zulum commissions remodelled ‘2nd chance school’ for vulnerable girls
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
Nigeria Urges Europe and Africa to Build Bridges, Not Walls
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
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