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Nigeria, Benin To Deepen Ties Ahead Of ECOWAS Summit
Ahead of the next ordinary summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) scheduled for December 10, 2023, Nigeria and neighbouring Benin Republic have resolved to deepen economic collaboration.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu made this commitment on Wednesday when he received his Beninoise counterpart, Patrice Talon, at the State House, Abuja.
“We will support all of our private sector interests to facilitate prosperity in both of our important countries. We are together,” Tinubu told Talon, who was in Abuja to seek Nigeria’s support in improving trade relations.
He said, “Cooperation is imperative for economic prosperity in West Africa, noting that a lack of synergy between Nigeria and the Benin Republic has been an encumbrance to mutual development,” read a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu receives President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, says cooperation imperative for economic prosperity in West Africa.’
Tinubu described Nigeria and Benin Republic as conjoined twins held together at the hip, saying both countries share a lot in common.
“We are one. No other nation like ours should be worried. What is affecting us is a lack of synergy. We have not developed the necessary economic synergy that will develop our two nations. We must have common economic principles and priorities.
“The economic programme you are developing through inter-ministerial collaboration is welcomed by me. I appreciate the urgency of your approach, and we welcome this. Leadership is sometimes defined by urgent action.
“Thank you for your quality leadership. We are together. I am not a backward-looking person. I look forward. This is how I avoid missing steps,” the President said.
President Talon described the relationship between his country and Nigeria as crucial.
He said Benin Republic seeks stronger trade ties with Nigeria, emphasising the free movement of people and goods between both countries.
The country has begun implementing a national development plan which includes enhanced integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic, Talon revealed.
He explained: “Our development plan includes taking into account what investments are required in Benin to enhance our integration with Nigeria in trade terms.
“It is true that many agreements have been signed to push our integration forward, but they have not been implemented.
“At the level of ECOWAS, we embrace free movement and integration, and at the African level, AfCFTA envisages this; so, we need to move urgently to make this a reality.”
He said ECOWAS’ investment programme must be revised to reflect all factors of the Nigerian economy.
This would be done by setting up an inter-ministerial technical committee that will jointly prepare a draft document for the legislatures of West African states.
“I am ready to sign an executive order to appoint members of the council to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors,” Talon affirmed.
He told Tinubu that while there have been bilateral difficulties on the issue of smuggling, leaders “will work hard to coordinate and ensure that your interests are protected as we integrate our economies. I want us to make history together.”
Talon is visiting Tinubu at the State House for the second time in nearly six months.
On July 26, 2023, the Béninois leader was in Abuja to discuss emerging issues in the West African sub-region.
He had discussed with Tinubu, who serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, on efforts to restore a democratic dispensation in Mail, Guinea Bissau and Burkina Faso, which had fallen to Coups d’etat in the last two years. Both leaders also discussed the Niger coup.
In a statement dated November 29, the Presidency of Côte d’Ivoire announced that the “next ordinary summit” of ECOWAS “will take place on December 10 in Abuja”, the Nigerian capital.
This followed a meeting in Abidjan between Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and the President of the ECOWAS commission, Omar Touray.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.