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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
News
How swift intervention by troops prevents mass murder as irate youths kill 7 in plateau

How swift intervention by troops prevents mass murder as irate youths kill 7 in plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Swift intervention by gallant troops of the Nigerian Army on Friday evening prevented what could have been a large-scale massacre after irate youths attacked innocent travellers in Mangun community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims peaceful citizens of Hausa extraction were en route Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area to attend a wedding ceremony when their 18-seater bus mistakenly veered off course into Mangun via the Panyam–Kerang–Mangun road at about 6:00 p.m. on June 20.
Instead of helping the confused travellers, the assailants driven by deadly assumptions descended on the bus, viciously attacking the occupants, killing seven on the spot, injuring 21 others, and setting the vehicle ablaze.
It was the urgent and decisive response by troops under Operation Lafiyan Jama’a that averted a massacre of unimaginable scale. The troops rushed to the scene, engaged in a rescue operation under high tension, and successfully evacuated the survivors to safety. The injured were administered emergency treatment before being taken to the General Hospital in Mangu.
Preliminary findings confirmed the travellers were unarmed civilians, peaceful Nigerians who had only lost their way on a journey of joy.
Zagazola in the strongest possible terms, condemns this senseless, barbaric, and bloodthirsty attack on innocent souls whose only “offence” was their identity and wrong turn into a volatile community. This was not self-defence. It was cold-blooded murder, and the perpetrators must be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
Enough of this ethnic profiling and mob justice that continues to claim the lives of Nigerians across the country. Plateau State has seen too much bloodshed, and this latest atrocity is a painful reminder that hate continues to fester where justice is denied.
We commend the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their timely, courageous, and life-saving response. But it must not end there. Security agencies, traditional leaders, and government authorities must rise above lip service and ensure that every single individual involved in this heinous act is brought to book. Silence or delay would only embolden future attackers.
As troops continue to dominate the general area to prevent escalation, the nation watches and waits, not just for peace to return, but for justice to prevail.
How swift intervention by troops prevents mass murder as irate youths kill 7 in plateau
News
Scores perish after suicide bomber explodes in Borno state

Scores perish after suicide bomber explodes in Borno state
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Scores of residents have perished in Borno state as a female suicide bomber carrying Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) exploded in front of a football viewing centre in Konduga council area of Borno state.
Reliable sources, told this reporter that the device exploded Friday at about 9pm at the tashan kifi, sabon gari entry point, of the headquarters of Konduga council area of Borno State.
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While another humanitarian source who also preferred anonymity said that as at 9pm Nigerian time friday night, 11 people were dead from the instant impact.
Another military source however posited that about 24 residents may have been sent to the great beyond as at first light of Saturday.
Many others were injured and subsequently rushed to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri about 37 km from the scene of the blast.
“As at the time of writing this report, security operatives had been deployed to the area as health workers were seen trying to offer help to non critically injured victims.” Said our source.
It’s over a year that a suicide bomber exploded any device in Maiduguri or Konduga council area.
Yesterday’s device however was reportedly carried and detonated by a female suicide bomber who also perished in the explosion.
About 30 others were said to have sustained severe injuries from the immediate impact of the explosion which is why figures may change as the situation develops.
No details have been provided by the military or the government as at the time of writing this report.
Scores perish after suicide bomber explodes in Borno state
News
Security forces rescue kidnapped 67-year-old man in bauchi, kill suspect

Security forces rescue kidnapped 67-year-old man in bauchi, kill suspect
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forced in Bauchi have rescued a 67-year-old man, Hardo Bappayo, who was kidnapped by armed men in Hardawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama gathered that Bappayo, a Fulani by tribe, was abducted from his home by eight armed gunmen at about 11:00 p.m. on June 19, 2025, in the presence of his family members.
Following a distress report, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a swift rescue operation and traced the kidnappers to their hideout at Binshiki Hills.
In the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspects was neutralised while others fled. Two locally made rifles were recovered at the scene.
The victim was rescued unhurt at about 9:30 a.m. the following day and is currently undergoing medical checks and debriefing.
Security forces rescue kidnapped 67-year-old man in bauchi, kill suspect
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