By Mark Longyen

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, has lauded the efforts of the Inter-regional Coordination Centre (ICC), for its maritime security achievements in the Gulf of Guinea.

Touray made this known at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institution (HOI) of the ICC, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ICC was created in September 2014 by ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC).

It was created to serve as the Coordination Centre on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea following the 2013 Yaoundé Summit of ECOWAS, ECCAS and GGC Heads of State and Government.

Touray said: “Since the Political Declaration of our Heads of State, substantial progress has been made in our maritime community.

”This included the adoption of National Maritime Strategies and the deployment of critical maritime infrastructure that has improved maritime situational awareness.

“With regards to our MoU, some progress has been achieved by the governing body on inter-institutional coordination.

”The Coordination Centre receives funding, and its annual Work Plan and Budget are approved, including the operations of Maritime Operational Centres.”

Touray said that in view of the importance of ICC for global maritime security and safety, it also attracted the interest of many development partners.

The commission’s President listed them to include the G77++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, the European Union, the German Federal Government and the Chinese Government for their different support and assistance.

“Their assistance has contributed to our success in establishing the ECOWAS Regional Maritime Security Centre (CRESMAO) in Abidjan, with three Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres (MMCC) in Cotonou (Zone E), in Accra (Zone F), and in Praia (Zone G).

“Similarly, the ECCAS Maritime Security Architecture established a Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa (CRESMAC) in Pointe Noire, as well as Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres in Douala (Zone D) and in Luanda (Zone A).

“The establishment of maritime information sharing networks between ECOWAS and ECCAS have improved information sharing and situational awareness,” he said.

Touray also said that the Gulf of Guinea has continued to witness a downward trend in piracy and armed robbery attacks.

He added, “According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), actual and attempted piracy and sea robbery incidents saw a downturn trend from 31 in 2015, 18 in 2021 to 15 in 2022.

“Incidences of piracy and armed robbery further declined to 6 attacks in the first quarter of 2024 in the Gulf of Guinea. This is thanks to our institutional actions and collective responses.”

Touray, however, stated that in spite of such laudable progress, the ICC had serious challenges, which included non-recruitment of key staff, irregular funding, and breakdown of essential services.

He said that there was still a need for regular review of the progress and challenges on the level of implementation of the Declaration, stressing that it was important to take concrete steps to address the challenges.

“The Code of Conduct on the Prevention and Suppression of Acts of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa was supposed to be turned into a legally binding Agreement three years after its adoption in Yaoundé in 2013.

“Thus far, we have not achieved this after the 10th Year Anniversary of the Yaoundé process. It is therefore important that we critically appraise our institutional responses on the Code of Conduct,” he said.

Touray urged the ICC governing body, which comprises the Presidents of the Commissions of ECOWAS and ECCAS, and the Executive Secretary of the GGC, to review a new EU project, ‘Safe Seas’ for the region and the Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information Sharing (YARIS) tool.

He also called on member states to streamline development corporations and partnerships to ensure that ICC provided the necessary oversight to guide the Coordination Centre.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea Commission, Jose Abeso, said the region was still facing the challenges of maritime insecurity, stressing that the objective was to eliminate all forms of criminality in the domain.

He said that the law on criminal activities in the maritime sector in the Gulf of Guinea should be harmonized to act as effective detriments against committing such crimes.

“Our maritime domain is the next destination for the sustainable economic development of our countries.

”Our governments cannot or should not leave the running of institutions meant to patrol this area, to ensure that security and safety of activities is not left to third parties,” Abeso said.

Participants at the event included the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Gilberto Verissimo.

Others were the representative of the UN Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) and that of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Maureen Okon

A total of 14 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers from Nigeria have been contracted by universities in Uganda, following their meritorious services in the institutions.

The affected volunteers had served in the universities for the two-year TAC programme.

The Director-General (DG), Nigeria Technical Aid Corp (NTAC), Dr Buba Yabub, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja.

He spoke during a debriefing ceremony for 39 returning TAC volunteers who served in Uganda and Guinea Bissau.

He said that most countries were not willing to let go of the Nigerian volunteers because of the positive impact of the services they rendered to their host communities.

“This is why NTAC always send out the best. When we do our selection we always pick out the first 11 just like in football, because we really want to impact the lives of our sister countries,” he said.

The DG recalled that a volunteer who served earlier introduced a new department in the university he served and pioneered it successfully.

“Yes, anytime we receive volunteers we always hear the countries do not want you to return because Nigerians are very special, they are hardworking, discipline people, who put in their best wherever they find themselves.

“So nobody will like you to come back because of your quality,” he added.

He said, “When I visited Uganda, I said if they want to sign a new contract with you, it is welcome.

“I know about 12 to 14 volunteers in Uganda have signed a contract with that country with different universities and they are currently working there,’’ he added.

Buba said it was not a bad idea for Nigerians to seek greener pastures through legal employment abroad, but added that it should be done in a dignified manner.

“The last two batches that came back as I promised when we came back from Uganda, the first set, we facilitated their visas and supported them.

“In Nigeria we have a lot of manpower, that’s why you hear everywhere that there’s unemployment.

“So, if anybody is talking about fleeing the country a.k.a. “JAPA’’, it is not a bad thing, but we should do it well, so that when you go out there you will have dignity.”

The DG said one of NTAC’s new initiative going forward, would be to export Nigeria’s abundant manpower talents to other countries.

“There are countries that make their revenue through selling of their manpower, and the manpower we have in Nigeria is in abundance.

“So one of our new initiative that we will table going forward, is to see how we will harness our manpower and send out our experts to go out with dignity, with their families, and earn money for themselves and the country,’’ he said.

Speaking earlier, the teams lead volunteers from Uganda and Guinea Bissau applauded Nigerian government for the opportunities given to them.

Abubakar Abdulkarim, the team lead for Uganda TAC volunteers, said as senior professionals with high skills, they had contributed to the university system in that country.

“We have contributed immersely not only to the country alone, but to the entire East-Africa. Some of us graduated Masters students and Phd students.

“We are back home and we will continue to contribute our quota to the service of Nigeria as we have also developed and increased our knowledge through impacting others,’’ he said.

Dr Simon Achegbani, a Paediatrician and team lead for the TAC volunteers in Guinea Bissau, said that they offered selfless medical services to the people of that country.

“We faced some challenges starting from the weather that was extremely hot, and we did not have suitable accommodation that was well ventilated.

“Delay of our payment to meet our basic needs was also a challenge, but all in all, we are here and we thank the federal government, you sir, and Nigeria for this opportunity,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the debriefing was to enable NTAC to learn from the experiences of the TAC volunteers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Mark Longyen

The United States Government has pledged to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, as the country marks a decade of the mass abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, North-East, by terrorists.

This is contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the U.S. Embassy, Aishah Gambari, on Sunday in Abuja.

Gambari said the U.S. would also support Nigeria’s terrorism survivors and their families, saying that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership was built on a foundation of shared values and common goals. 

According to her, the U.S. will continue to support Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism, and to hold perpetrators of terrorist attacks accountable, as well as guarantee citizens’ safety and well-being.

“The partnership between the United States and Nigeria is built on a foundation of shared values and common goals.

“We will continue to work together to promote peace, security, and stability in the region, and to support initiatives that foster education, economic growth, and human rights. 

“As we mark one decade since this terrible act, we reaffirm our support for the survivors, their families, and all those affected by terrorism.

“The United States stands with Nigeria in its fight against extremism and its commitment to creating a safer, more prosperous future for all its people,” Gambari said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on April 14, 2014, Boko Haram terrorists stormed Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno at night, and abducted no fewer than 276 girls.

The girls were preparing for that year’s Senior West African School Certificate Examination, and 10 years since then, while some of them were found, about 89 others have yet to return.(NAN) www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

A Moroccan has been accused of knifing a pensioner to death in a UK street apparently in “revenge” for the Israel-Palestine conflict was turned down for asylum in Germany, his housemate told investigators.

Ahmed Alid, 45, attacked sleeping Christian convert Javed Nouri at their shared accommodation in Wharton Terrace, Hartlepool.

This happened day after the Hamas attacked last October, Teesside Crown Court has heard.

Nouri, 31, managed to fight him off in spite of being stabbed six times.

He said, Ahmed fled into the town centre where he fatally stabbed Terence Carney, 70, jurors have heard.

The prosecution has said he was to tell police he stabbed the two men in revenge for what he believed to be the killing of children by Israel.

Nouri, via a farsi interpreter, told police he had moved into the Home Office-approved accommodation around three months before the attack.

He said he realised “this man was extreme in his religion” and was a strict Muslim.

Nouri challenged him about why Alid came to the UK and not to a Muslim country if he did not like how people lived.

Nouri told the police: ”He told me his family is in Germany and they did not give me asylum there ‘that’s why I came here”.

He said ”I am waiting to get a decision for my asylum and to bring them over here.

”I responded that I pray for you so you can bring your family here because it is difficult to be away from your family.”

Nouri said Alid challenged the housemates over beer that had been left in the fridge, saying it should not be in the house.

He told police: “I realised he was an extreme Muslim, in his religion alcohol consumption is not good.”

Nouri said he saw Alid had started to routinely carry a knife and was scaring the other housemates.

He went to the housing bosses and told them of his concerns about Alid, particularly given that Nouri had “changed his religion”.

Nouri said he also contacted the Home Office with his worries about Alid.

He told detectives: “I told them that we are not safe here. He could attack us at any moment.”

Nouri said he told a friend from church about what was happening, and twice told police about what Alid was doing.

Housing bosses warned Alid he would lose his accommodation if his behaviour continued, Nouri said.

Nouri said he saw Alid one night in the shared kitchen watching coverage of the Hamas attacks on his phone.

”He was looking at the Hamas and Israel war and the fact that Hamas was killing Israelis and they are cutting children’s heads off and killing wives and shooting them,” Nouri said.

“He was sitting on the kitchen chair and checking the news on his mobile phone.

“He was laughing and every time they would kill somebody he would praise God.”

Nouri spoke to a housemate and asked: “How could somebody be happy with seeing humans getting killed?

He told police: “I was very upset from that night and I have seen something terrible and frightening in his eyes.”

Alid denied murdering Carney, attempted murder and two counts of assaulting detectives after he was arrested. The trial continues.(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

======

Edited by Cecilia Odey

Malian political parties and civil society groups on Thursday jointly rejected the ruling junta’s order to suspend political activities and vowed to mount a legal challenge to what one opposition politician called the “dictatorial” move.

The West African country has been under military rule since a coup in 2020.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks, leading major parties and other organisations jointly to call out the junta on March 31 for not scheduling elections within the promised time frame.

The authorities issued a decree on Wednesday suspending until further notice all activities by political parties and groups on the grounds of maintaining public order.

Joining forces again, the parties and civil society groups said they were astonished by the decision and called it a “serious violation of democratic freedoms”.

The signatories to the declaration said they rejected the decree and would challenge it in court and refuse to participate in any government activity, including ongoing national talks.

They “will resist and will triumph”, the declaration said.

Earlier on Thursday, the authorities doubled-down on the decree, ordering television, print, and other media in Mali to stop broadcasting or publishing reports on the activities of political parties and groups.

“This decree has surprised and shocked all republicans”, said Boubacar Toure, vice-president of the Rally for Mali (RPM) party of ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Toure said he thought the Constitutional Court should rule on the issue, but others called for more direct action.

In an online post titled “DICTATORIAL DRIFT”, senior opposition politician Housseini Guindo said it was time for “our people to resist this ignominy and initiate civil disobedience until the fall of the illegal and illegitimate regime”.

Mali’s current junta seized power in a second coup in 2021 and later promised to restore civilian rule by March 2024 following elections in February of this year.

However, the authorities said last September they would indefinitely postpone the February elections for technical reasons, deepening concerns about democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa, where there have been eight coups over the past four years.

“We call on Mali’s transition government to honour its commitments to its citizens and hold free and fair elections”, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Thursday, expressing deep concern about the suspension of political activities. (Reuters/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Fortune Abang

Mr Marco Fernandes, Research Fellow, Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Brazil, has called for more innovations and production of Electronic Vehicles (EVs) to advance Chinese technology.

Fernandes made this submission on Tuesday at an international symposium organised by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY).

He spoke against backdrop of the West’s use of its media to often malign China.

“One of the things I have been reading and following recently is the fact that European countries and the U.S. are afraid of competition with Chinese EVs, because they are better and cheaper.

“The buzzword now is overcapacity.’’

He said that China was accused of overproducing some goods mainly new EVs and renewable energy equipment and facing low domestic demand.

Fernandes said it was also alleged that China was used such approach to seek more foreign markets to sell its products at low prices.

“Is it true the prices of Chinese EVs are only low because the state subsidises these companies, harming the market mechanism to beat the competition in global market?

“This accusation is based on half-truths; yes, the Chinese state subsidises many of its companies; so do the U.S., Europe and many other countries around the world.

“It is part of the game of global competition; also innovation and high-productivity helps to lower prices of Chinese products.’’

The research fellow said with high-quality craftsmanship, innovative designs, and competitive pricing, companies like BYD, NIO, Xpeng, Hongqi, and Lynk and Co were winning patronage in many countries.

“Today, China’s auto exports have surged, reaching record high of 4.91 million vehicles in 2023, as the country’s automakers expanded their presence overseas.

“The massive growth was propelled by a surge in the exports of New Energy Vehicles (NEV), which soared 77.6 percent to more than 1.2 million units in the past year.

“The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) predicts China’s NEV sales will reach 11.5 million in 2024, while total auto exports are expected to hit 5.5 million units.

“While the collective West deems China’s ‘overcapacity’ a threat, it can be an opportunity for the Global South.’’

He revealed that after substantial Chinese investments in infrastructure through BRI, recent developments indicated higher level of cooperation between China and developing countries, saying Mexico and Brazil also received Chinese NEV factories.

“Numerous partnerships between Chinese state-owned and private companies with Global South countries have been established and most are related to local processing of high-demand minerals or production of electric vehicles.

“There are high expectations that regional initiatives like the BRI, expanded BRICS-10, and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation can leverage to strengthen this process, even though they face opposition from Western powers.

“We need to deepen this kind of cooperation,” Fernandes said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Mark Longyen

Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President and newly elected ECOWAS Parliament First Deputy Speaker, Sen. Barau Jibrin, has urged newly inaugurated members to collaborate towards achieving the bloc’s aims and objectives.

Jibrin, who is also the parliament’s Acting Speaker, made this known at the closing of the Inaugural Session of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, on Saturday evening in Abuja.

He charged them to work resolutely to produce concrete and valuable results for ECOWAS, having accepted the responsibility of becoming elected representatives of their respective countries’ parliaments, and inaugurated as ECOWAS legislators.

“As you well know, we have deliberately chosen to be on this front. So, let’s join forces beyond our differences to remain true to our commitments and make history with our term of office. Therefore, let us work resolutely to produce concrete and valuable results for ECOWAS.

“Our responsibilities are heavy, and we must be aware of them and remain totally faithful to our commitments. That’s why we need to work together with intelligence, rigour, and determination to meet the major challenges that lie ahead.

“As you can see, Honourable Members, the mission we have been assigned is enormous but very exciting because it involves putting ourselves at the service of the Community to ensure its prosperity and emergence,” Jibrin said.

According to the Nigerian Deputy Senate President, the 6th ECOWAS Legislature will be counting on the subregional bloc’s lawmakers’ efforts, contributions, and effective presence during parliament’s deliberations, going forward.

“Your passion, dedication, and commitment to achieving the objectives of the Parliament, will enable us to make ECOWAS an ECOWAS of peoples, where peace and prosperity reign for all.

“We are resolute in our mission to uphold peace and prosperity for the people of West Africa, and this Session has provided us with the platform to launch this noble endeavour,” Jibrin said.

The Acting ECOWAS Speaker noted that an integral part of the events that should have characterized the inaugural session of the Parliament was the election of a new Speaker.

He, however, expressed dismay that it did not happen due to the absence of Togolese lawmakers, who, by virtue of the Parliament’s Supplementary Act, should assume the speakership of the 6th Legislature.

Sen. Jibrin expressed solidarity with the Togo and pledged the Parliament’s full support in ensuring that the Togolese Representatives would be inaugurated soon to culminate in the election of a new Speaker.

While extolling the wisdom of the Sixth Legislature and the processes that led to the election of four Deputy Speakers, the lawmaker expressed satisfaction that the application of the Doctrine of Necessity was applied to restore order and uphold the sanctity of ECOWAS.

According to the Acting ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, the action taken by the Parliament marked the beginning of what would be a united Parliament that would be “speaking with one voice” in the interest of the Community.

He extended gratitude to the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Toure, among others, for keeping ECOWAS’ ship afloat.

“My heartfelt tribute, particularly to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Republic of Nigeria. His unwavering leadership and profound interest in the ECOWAS Parliament were very instrumental in securing a smooth inaugural session of its sixth legislature.

“May I express my sincere thanks to the Acting Secretary General of the Parliament, Mr Bertin SOME, and to all the staff members of the Parliament, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of our work,” Sen. Jibrin added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the Parliament’s sitting on Saturday was the consideration and adoption of the report of an Ad-hoc Selection Committee, which established fourteen Standing Committees.(NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Mark Longyen

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to consider electing its members directly through universal suffrage, instead of doing so through national parliaments.

The President made this known at the inauguration of the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS parliament on Thursday in Abuja.

He explained that doing so would give citizens of member states a say in who represented them.

He said: “The practice of directly electing public officers aligns with democratic principles that Nigeria upholds. This principle is also in line with the spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol on democracy and good governance.

“We believe this will ensure that citizens will have a direct say in their representation and the legitimacy and credibility it will provide.

“As a one-time legislator myself, I look forward to reviewing the proposal regarding this matter. We stand to support the direct elections into ECOWAS Parliament.”

The President assured members of the Sixth ECOWAS Parliament that Nigeria, as host of the community, would continue to support the Parliament to achieve its objectives.

Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a goodwill message, called for collaboration among ECOWAS executive, judicial and legislative arms, stressing that it was critical for effective, responsive, and transparent governance.

He urged the new members of Parliament to ensure that their positions on key issues were harmonised with the decisions of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

Tuggar said Parliament was crucial in the face of various challenges confronting ECOWAS; hence, the balance between executive, judicial and legislative arms was critical to address sub-regional peace, stability, security, and unity.

He said: “It is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our organisation.

“Collaboration between the Commission, Court and Parliament is essential to ensure the smooth implementation of policies and programmes that benefit our citizens.

“I encourage you to maintain constructive dialogue with other bodies and to align your efforts with the broader objectives of ECOWAS.”

He explained that consistency in ECOWAS collective stance would strengthen its voice on the international stage and prevent any perception of disunity within the organisation.

Tuggar said the Council of Ministers looked forward to more robust engagement and collaboration with the Parliament to amplify ECOWAS values and increase its visibility through people-oriented programmes and projects.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Toure, in his speech, warned that ECOWAS was currently facing the threat of disintegration, stressing that the subregion’s challenges were numerous and diverse.

He emphasised that disintegration would aggravate the subregion’s security challenges, culminate in political isolation, job cuts, as well as affect the movement of ECOWAS citizens under its protocols.

“ECOWAS is faced with the risk of integration following the threats by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger on January 29, 2024, of their intentions to quit the bloc.

“Considering the perceived consequences of their decisions, ECOWAS opened a dialogue and initiated other immediate measures, which included representatives from these three countries to join the dialogue to resolve the issues.

“The Commission, therefore, stands to work with the Parliament and all other stakeholders towards achieving success in line with the objectives of ECOWAS,” Toure said.

President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remark, described the inauguration of the 6th ECOWAS Legislature as the dawn of a new era in West Africa.

He said that the event was an opportunity for ECOWAS “to build bridges of unity instead of building Berlin Walls of isolation.”

“We should ensure free movement of goods and services within the Community and remove obstacles facing us,” the Senate President said.

Also speaking, former Speaker of the 5th Parliament, Sidie Tunis, called for the election of Members into the ECOWAS Parliament by direct universal suffrage, saying that the Parliament under him had already initiated the move.

While noting that it was customary for each legislature to set its own agenda, he passionately appealed that, henceforth, election of Members into the ECOWAS Parliament by direct universal suffrage be made top priority by the 6th Legislature.

“The 5th Legislature raised a lot of awareness about the matter, and I can only hope that the 6th Legislature will strengthen the fight for direct election, as it is a requirement for representative governance.

“I am confident that with the quality of membership you have, faithfully serving the interest of the peoples of the Community, success will be achieved in these regards,” Tunis said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, officially inaugurated 97 members into the 6th ECOWAS parliament. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru