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Nigeria Insists West Africans Have the Duty of Safeguarding ECOWAS for Development of the Subregion
Nigeria Insists West Africans Have the Duty of Safeguarding ECOWAS for Development of the Subregion
…Says Our Businesses Cannot Scale if Our Markets Remain Fragmented
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has thrown her weight behind a strong regional bloc in West Africa, insisting that the task before the government and people of the area is to safeguard the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to drive the expansion of industries through farsighted integration policies and reforms that reinforce our economic sovereignty.
Speaking at the opening of the maiden West African Economic Summit (WAES), Nigeria’s
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while reflecting Nigeria’s commitment to fostering inclusive regional growth, said: “The task before us now is to safeguard our regional block and drive the expansion of our industries through farsighted integration policies, and reforms that reinforce our economic sovereignty.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the summit with the theme: “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region” was initiated by President Bola Tinubu to foster dialogue, build private sector partnerships and drive regional cooperation, in the bid to reposition West Africa as a globally competitive and unified economic bloc.
She said: “As West Africans, we share a deep-rooted demographic and economic history shaped by regional mobility and trade.
“Our common commodities and interconnected markets have long fostered an environment of free trade and cultural exchange.
“This legacy has forged a shared identity, one that drives collective progress and is strengthened through unified diplomacy.
“This gathering is Nigeria’s bold affirmation of the need for our region’s collective-will to deepen economic cooperation, unlock our immense trade and investment potential and craft future of shared prosperity for peoples of West Africa.”
According to her, West Africa’s industries have proven to be strong through significant achievements in banking, digital services, agriculture and extractives, saying more would be done to bolster economic integration in the region.
“This initiative reflects Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to inclusive region-wide collaboration, bringing together all West African countries irrespective of institutional alignments, to confront shared challenges and seize the opportunities that await us.
“Let this summit not be just another meeting but a turning point, a moment of collective resolve to translate potential into prosperity,” she said.
For her part, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said that
inter-African trade is not just an economic ambition of the summit, but pathway toward advancing competitive and connected markets across West Africa.
Oduwole, who delivered the keynote address during the summit said that the gathering proved readiness by the region to invest, shape its agenda and work collectively with purpose and clarity.”
She said: “The time for truly integrated West African marketplace is now. With a population of over 400 million people and a shared history of enterprise and resilience, West Africa holds enormous untapped potential. Yet, we must acknowledge a fundamental truth.
“Our businesses cannot scale if our markets remain fragmented. While acknowledging the modest gains of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and ECOWAS Common External Tariff, much is still desired to enhance regional trade among our countries.
“The vision of one market is not simply an ideal, it is a necessity. It means breaking down the tariff and non-tariff barriers that continue to choke the movement of goods, services and people,” Oduwole said.
She noted that inter-African trade accounted for not less than 20 per cent of Africa’s total trade, compared to 58 per cent in Asia and 67 per cent in Europe.
Also that trade among West Africa countries remain under 10 per cent, amidst shared borders, language clusters, decades of integration efforts and initiatives such as the ETLS and the ECOWAS Court.
Oduwole said: “Achieving one market requires harmonising product standards to unlock cross-border supply chains, aligning customs procedures to reduce delays and corruption, and investing in digital platforms for predictable and paperless trade processes.
“Today, West African businesses, especially MSMEs, still face high costs at the border, inconsistent duties and bureaucracy, especially on goods that do not qualify under the ETLS.
“Nigeria has been fully committed to ETLS and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, by working with member states and neighbors to accelerate implementation of preferential tariff regimes on the African continental free trade area.”
Nigeria Insists West Africans Have the Duty of Safeguarding ECOWAS for Development of the Subregion
US Says Latest Visa Decision Against Nigeria Unconnected to BRICS, Venezuelan Refugees
By: Michael Mike
The United States Mission has explained that recent reduction in visa validity for Nigerian nonimmigrant travellers is not tied to Nigeria’s position on BRICS nor the Venezuelan deportees.
US President Donald Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on “Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS”
Trump made the statement few days ago while BRICS leaders and associates
met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2025 summit.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar had on Thursday on one of the National Televisions during his reaction to recent stringent visa regime to Nigerian travellers by the American government noted that it may be as a result of non acceptance of Venezuelan deportees, insisting that the country has trouble of its own
Tuggar said: “We already have over 230 million people,” and cannot add to our headache.
The US Mission in Abuja while clarifying the latest visa validity decision on Friday noted that the decision was rather based on a global security and technical review.
The mission in a statement on Facebook also reaffirmed its commitment to bilateral cooperation with Nigeria and expressed willingness to work with Nigerian authorities to meet the necessary criteria.
The statement read: “The U.S. Mission Nigeria wishes to address misconceptions about the recent reduction in visa validity for most nonimmigrant U.S. visas in Nigeria and other countries. This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS.
“The reduction in validity is part of an ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard U.S. immigration systems.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Nigeria and remain committed to working closely with the Nigerian public and government officials to help them meet those criteria and benchmarks, thereby ensuring safe, lawful, and mutually beneficial travel between our nations.”
US Says Latest Visa Decision Against Nigeria Unconnected to BRICS, Venezuelan Refugees
Six community guards killed, others feared abducted in Zamfara bandit attack
By: Zagazola Makama
At least six members of the Community Protection Guards (CPG) in Zamfara State have been killed and others feared abducted following a deadly ambush by armed bandits in Bungudu Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Thursday as the CPG members were travelling from Bungudu to Yar Katsina in Kekun Waje District to condole with the family of one of their colleagues who was killed by suspected bandits a day earlier.
According to sources, the group was ambushed along the route by heavily armed attackers who opened fire on them, killing six CPG personnel on the spot.
The assailants also reportedly made away with several pump-action rifles belonging to the victims and one motorcycle.
Shortly after the incident troops of Operation FANSAR, were deployed to the scene. However, the attackers had already fled into the bush before their arrival.
The remains of the slain guards have been transported to Bungudu Town for burial rites, while efforts are underway to trace and rescue other victims suspected to have been abducted during the attack.
Six community guards killed, others feared abducted in Zamfara bandit attack
Suspected gunman dies after clash with police in Kogi, officer injured
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspect linked to unlawful possession of firearms has died following a violent clash between his gang and police operatives in Idah, Kogi State.
The incident began on July 8, when detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lokoja visited Aija area in Idah to arrest the suspect, simply identified as Enemi. Upon sighting the police, the suspect reportedly fled by jumping over the fence of his residence and had remained at large.
However, on July 10, fresh intelligence on his whereabouts prompted the Divisional Police Officer in Idah to mobilize a team of operatives, led by Inspector Ojumu Rokan, to effect his arrest.
While attempting to apprehend him, the team came under sudden attack from members of the suspect’s gang, who allegedly tried to disarm and mob the officers.
In the process, the suspect was shot in the leg while trying to escape, but was quickly whisked away from the scene by his accomplices.
During the confrontation, a police officer, PC Usman Kebiru of the Area Command, Idah, sustained multiple injuries after being attacked with machetes, cutlasses, and stones.
He was rushed to the General Hospital in Idah for treatment.
Subsequent reports reaching the division later confirmed that the injured suspect died at his family residence in Idah.
Security across the area has since been heightened, with all formations placed on red alert. Intensive patrols are ongoing to prevent further unrest and track down members of the fleeing gang.
Suspected gunman dies after clash with police in Kogi, officer injured
US Says Latest Visa Decision Against Nigeria Unconnected to BRICS, Venezuelan Refugees
Fulani youths attack brothers in Niger
One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities
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