News
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
News
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army’s 33 Artillery Brigade have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts in Dajin Madam Forest, straddling Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, destroying several camps and neutralising two armed criminals during successive encounters.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation commenced at about 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, with troops advancing into the forest in a coordinated offensive against criminal elements operating within the area.
During the operation, the troops successfully cleared several terrorist camps across five identified locations within the forest, denying the criminals access to their established hideouts and support infrastructure.
The troops subsequently destroyed and burnt the terrorists’ life-support structures, including facilities believed to have sustained their presence and operations in the forest.
The offensive gathered momentum at about 3:41 p.m. when troops made contact with the armed bandits at another location within the forest.
The soldiers engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
Evidence of the effectiveness of the engagement was indicated by bloodstains observed along the bandits’ withdrawal routes, suggesting that some of the fleeing criminals might have sustained gunshot injuries.
Undeterred, the troops continued exploiting the general area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition, communication equipment, mobility assets and other logistics.
Items recovered included 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT ammunition links, two motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two communication radios and four mobile phones.
The troops also recovered three woodland and desert camouflage uniforms, two Keystone camouflage uniforms and other sundry items believed to be associated with the activities of the criminal group.
In a further demonstration of sustained combat pressure, the troops made another contact with the fleeing bandits at about 6:30 p.m. during a pursuit operation.
The soldiers engaged the criminals, neutralising two bandits close to Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area.
Two additional motorcycles were also recovered during the encounter.
Following the successful engagements, the troops moved to a harbour position at Kukawa, where they continued to maintain their operational presence in the area.
The operation represents a significant offensive against armed criminal networks using the Dajin Madam Forest corridor as a hideout, with the destruction of their camps, recovery of ammunition and logistics, and the neutralisation of two bandits further disrupting their operational capabilities.
The sustained advance by the troops also illustrated the Nigerian Army’s determination to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in the forests linking Kanam and Wase, while maintaining pressure on fleeing elements.
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
News
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
By: Zagazola Makama
An inspection team from the ECOWAS Force Headquarters and Army Headquarters has assessed the operational readiness of Nigeria’s ECOWAS standby force at Naquora Barracks in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Brig.-Gen. Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, visited the barracks on Nov. 7, 2026, to evaluate the troops’ preparedness for possible deployment.
The team received briefings on troop readiness, training and administrative matters, and witnessed demonstrations on roadblock operations and crowd dispersal.
Massaquoi commended the troops for their performance and urged them to sustain high standards of professionalism, discipline and physical fitness.
The inspection visit ended without any incident.
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
News
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt and rescued a gunshot-wounded victim along the Rafin Sanyi axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 6 OPEP, deployed at Sopp, responded to a distress report at about 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026, after suspected kidnappers blocked the road in the area.
The swift intervention of the troops reportedly forced the criminals to flee before they could carry out their operation.
The troops subsequently combed the area and rescued one occupant of a Sharon vehicle who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The victim was evacuated to the Nigerian Army Medical Outpost at Tigi, where he received first aid treatment.
Troops have continued to dominate the general area through fighting patrols to prevent the criminals from regrouping and forestall further attacks.
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
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