Connect with us

News

EU Ambassador Advises ECOWAS to Take A Lesson from Brexit in Addressing Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Exit

Published

on

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

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

Published

on

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.

Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.

Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.

The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

Continue Reading

News

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

Published

on

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.

The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.

Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.

The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.

“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.

However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.

“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”

In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.

“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.

The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

Continue Reading

News

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

Published

on

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

By: Michael Mike

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.

According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.

Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.

He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.

The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.

Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.

The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights