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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 Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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