NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Economy/Business

Nigeria, EU deepen ties on solid minerals

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By Martha Agas

The European Union (EU) and Nigeria have indicated interest in boosting trade and investment in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

This follows a meeting on Tuesday, where EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, led a delegation to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, in Abuja.

At the meeting, Mr Mignot said the EU is eager to deepen trade and investment ties in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

He emphasised the EU’s commitment to forging trade relationships that are both fair and sustainable for all parties.

He added that he would consult member states and encourage European firms to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s mining sector.

The ambassador praised Nigeria’s mining reforms, especially those focused on value addition and enhanced security at mining locations nationwide.

He explained that the visit aimed to better understand Nigeria’s mining landscape and identify areas for collaboration and mutual benefit.

In response, Alake welcomed EU support in reforming Nigeria’s mining industry and making it more transparent and attractive to investors.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to engage EU states and investors to unlock the country’s mineral wealth for shared prosperity.

Alake said the strong EU-Nigeria relationship provides a solid foundation for concrete projects in the solid minerals sector.

He described Nigeria as a key source of critical minerals for the global energy transition, including high-grade lithium.

“We have lithium, cobalt, and copper in viable quantities. This year, we’re expanding exploration to uncover more reserves,” he stated.

He revealed that even limited exploration suggests over $700 billion in mineral deposits, representing vast investment potential.

To attract investors, Alake listed incentives including tax waivers on equipment, full profit repatriation, and improved security through dedicated mining marshals.

He added that streamlined licensing procedures are in place to ease operations for serious investors.

However, he stressed that local value addition is mandatory for securing a mining licence in Nigeria.

“Investors must plan for local processing. That’s how we generate jobs, transfer technology, and maximise economic benefits,” he said.

The minister also highlighted efforts to ensure mineral exports are traceable, curbing illegal mining and smuggling.

“With international cooperation, we can drastically reduce cases of stolen minerals ending up in unauthorised hands,” he explained.

He cited lithium smuggling as an example, warning it deprives Nigeria of full economic and technological value.

Alake noted that pre-shipment inspections have begun, and satellite monitoring from pit to port is underway to sanitise the sector. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Defence/Security

EU, Germany donate ICT equipment to National Defence College

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By Sumaila Ogbaj

The European Union (EU) and German Government have donated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to the National Defence College, Nigeria (NDC) to enhance defence and security education in West Africa.

The equipment was donated through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to boost activities of the NDC’s Centre for Strategic Research and Studies being designated as an ECOWAS Centre of Excellence.

The equipment include Newline 75″: TT-7522Z-UC 75″ Interactive Screen; Digital Simultaneous language Interpretation System; Digital IR Language Distribution System VIS; computers and printers among others.

In his remarks, the Commandant, NDC, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, said the equipment would help increase the college’s capacity and advance its renewed peace and security governance efforts.

Olotu said that the NDC, being the highest military institution in Nigeria and a designated centre of excellence, had continued to support professional training at a strategic level in West Africa, and also for the armed forces.

According to him, the NDC has been at the forefront of professional military education and training for senior military and civilian officers from Nigeria and other allied countries.

The commandant noted further that the college ensured that these officers acquired the strategic acumen necessary for both national and international security assignments at strategic levels.

He said that the donated state-of-the-art ICT equipment would play a pivotal role in modernising the college’s training capability.

Olotu added that the equipment would ensure that the staff are well-equipped to navigate today’s complex security challenges and continue to excel in their vital roles.

“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to innovation and the enduring strength of our college.

“And I must commend our strategic partners, the EU, the Government of Germany through GIZ, ECOWAS and other partners that have worked together collectively to bring this day to reality.

“Your commitment not only enhances our capacity to impart knowledge, but also empowers us to continue our mission in the field of research by providing quality solutions to our governments in the ECOWAS subregion.

“These quality solutions are to enable governments in the ECOWAS subregion to navigate the increasingly complex global security landscape,” he said.

The Head of Cooperation, German Embassy in Nigeria, Dr Karin Jansen, said the donation was a testament to their shared commitment to fostering peace, security and development in West Africa.

Jansen said the ICT tools would play a vital role in the new ECOWAS Peace, Security, and Governance Project, which focused on strengthening cooperation of ECOWAS Training Centres of Excellence, as well as strengthening their digitalisation.

According to her, those centres will now be better equipped to serve as hubs for policy coordination, planning and training in digital areas, including gender equality warning.

She added that the centres would also enable security sector reforms and governance, elections and democracy, human rights and compliance, and accountability framework for peace and board operations.

“These tools are well-positioned to address the evolving security challenges in the region and ensure that ECOWAS continues to lead in shaping peace and security strategies,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Reuben Alba, Acting Head of Cooperation, EU, said the donation was a long overdue milestone that would strengthen the capacity of professionals across the ECOWAS member states in promoting peace and security.

Alba said it was vital that institutions like the NDC kept adapting to meet both national, regional, but also global challenges.

According to him, the arrival of the tools shows their shared commitment to improve both the quality and impact of the education of both current and future leaders in the region.

“This equipment will contribute to identifying operational gaps and will also help you to strengthen commitment to improve both capacity and capabilities,” he said.

Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director, Peacekeeping and Regional Security, ECOWAS Commission, commended the German government and EU for their commitment to peace and security in West Africa.

He assured of ECOWAS commitment to executing all the projects being sponsored by their partners in promoting peace, security and development in the ECOWAS sub-region. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

General News

EU hails Made-in-Abia leather craftsmanship 

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Leather

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

The European Union (EU) has commended the craftsmanship of Made-in-Abia leather products, reinforcing the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading hub for leather production.

The Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Massimo De Luca, made this known during a one-day working visit to Aba.

De Luca said that the state’s leather industry held a lot of potential and talents for possible investments which should earn it  an international recognition.

He said that the union had ongoing collaborations with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and German Cooperation to enhance the global leather sector.

De Luca also said that these collaborations positioned the Union as a key partner in the global leather industrial development.

He revealed that these partnerships focus on quality standards, standardisation, and improved manufacturing practices,

He further said that UNIDO would  soon launch new projects to strengthen value chains, enhance product quality, and improve environmental manufacturing practices in the leather sector.

“It is an area the union keeps being active through a number of projects which are assigned big supports through UNIDO, the UN agency.

“The agency will soon start working in value chains, quality and improvement in manufacturing and environmental.

“It has always been my dream to visit Abia because I have heard so much about Aba shoes and the leather industry.

“The name Abia deserves all the attention and respect worldwide and this is what we need to fight for, Abia first and Abia products first,”he said.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem, reaffirmed Abia government’s commitment to boost the local  leather industry.

Inem said that the government would focus on assisting  artisan’s to improve their production quality and traders to expand their leather  obusinesses.

“The government is committed to giving traders all necessary support to help them produce better than they are now and to be more meaningfully engaged.

“Our goal is to assess the challenges you face so we can optimise your operations,” he said.

He further assured traders that the government, through the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agency, would draft a comprehensive support mechanism to address their needs.

“We have observed the environment and understand your concerns.

“We will take note of the deficiencies and come back with solutions that will enhance your trade, beyond improving the environment, we want to ensure that you produce better-quality goods,” he said.

Chief Inem also highlighted Gov Alex Otti’s commitment to partnering with the EU to uplift the leather sector in Aba.

He said that the visit by the EU delegation had  demonstrated the government and the union’s keen interest in the growth of the industry in the state.

Inem said that the state government’s intervention would boost Aba’s  leather industry, positioning it for competitiveness in both local and international markets.(NAN)

Edited by Maureen.atuonwu

Foreign

New EU Ambassador outlines plans for Nigeria

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Gautier Mignot, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has outlined the union’s plans to improve trade, strengthen investment and positively impact the youthful population of Nigeria.

Mignot made the plans known on Wednesday in Lagos at a media luncheon.

He said that the EU would want to partner closely with Nigerian authorities at all levels to know their expectations, strategies and needs.

Mignot also said that the EU would want to know the expectations of  civil societies and Nigerian youths.

He said that the EU was Nigeria’s largest trading and investment partner in 2023, with 28 per cent of its total trade at 35 billion euros.

He said that Nigeria benefitted 10.7 billion euros trade surplus form the EU.

“When it comes to investment, a key priority of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria also its strongest partner in the EU.

“Our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock accounts for about one third of Nigerian FDI, totalling  26.4 billion euros as at 2022.

“There are hundreds of EU companies present in Nigeria and they have strict compliance policies on anti-corruption, environment, labour  local legislation,” he said.

The ambassador said that he was commitment to bringing the EU-Nigeria partnership to a higher level, with the aim  of positively impacting the Nigerian population.

He said that given the current uncertain times and fast-evolving global environment, Nigeria needed constant and faithful partners to count on.

Mignot said that EU took Nigeria as a key partner in Africa and the world; hence, its mission to inform, propose and implement decisions to strengthen the partnership.

“We have a global and strong partnership based on shared values  such as democracy, rule of law and multilateralism.

“EU interest is to see Nigeria consolidate its role as an anchor of stability in Africa, and progress on its path towards a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future.

“We want to help in this endeavour, with  full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and with humility.

“There is a lack of visibility, and we have to combat disinformation and misperceptions, and the press has a very important role to play in this regard,” he said.

Mignot said  that under the partnership, there would be better structure for economic relations and dialogue to address issues hampering  investment and trade.

Mignot described EU’s Global Gateway Investment as a new strategy aimed at connecting people and accelerating green, digital and inclusive transition in partner-countries such as Nigeria.

According to him, this means leveraging and accelerating investment and to increasingly work in coordination with EU companies to bring concrete benefits to Nigerians.

He said the EU recognised the importance of accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation and maximising  opportunities for  value addition and job creation.

Mignot revealed that the EU cooperation budget for 2021-2027 amounted to 731 million euros in grants and it was complemented by other instruments.

“With the Global Gateway Investment Strategy, the EU works in sectors crucial for the transformation and diversification of the Nigerian economy such as energy, digital economy, agriculture and food security.

“The EU also invests in human development –  health, education and social protection – as well as in good governance, migration issues and fundamental rights.

“The EU is increasingly developing projects in the north of the country as a whole to respond to the specific development needs of this part of Nigeria.

“The EU is committed to further strengthening engagement in peace and security by responding better to Nigeria’s needs and expectations,” he said.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Foreign

EU cautiously optimistic on Syria engagement –Official

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By Maureen Okon

Irish foreign minister Simon Harris said on Monday that the European Union (EU) ‘is cautiously optimistic on Syria engagement’ but called for more deeper engagement to strengthen relations with the country.

Harris said this at a news conference held at the EU Headquarters in Brussels, the Belgian capital.

“It’s early days, but I think there are  signs of optimism. But it is important that we continue to engage.

“I don’t think it would be a good scenario if any other geopolitical actors and forces engage with Syria and for the European Union not to be in a position to intensively engage with them,“ he said.

In her remarks, Ms. Kaja Kallas, the Vice-President of the EU described Syria’s future as fragile but said that the bloc needed to take the right steps.

“But of course, we need to see the right steps as well. Right now, they’re saying all the right words, and they are doing also the right things.

“Therefore, we have this set step-for-step approach, and if they take the steps, then we are willing to take the steps as well,’’ she said.

On the war in Gaza, Harris said  President Donald Trump and his team are very much a party to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after the intensive work that was put in.

He conceded that the Trump administration put in a lot of effort to arrive at a ceasefire agreement in the days before his assumption of office for a return to the White House.

“I think that was important and there is no doubt that the intensive work invested by the Trump administration played a very significant role in helping to bring about a ceasefire –a ceasefire that has now seen a cessation of hostilities, the killing, and the bombings.

“Also, that has seen the flow and has seen hostages being released. It’s really important that the ceasefire is in place.

“It is also important, though, to acknowledge in that ceasefire agreement itself, it does talk about people being able to return, and therefore, I think it’s important that we’re consistent in the approach that we take.

“The priority, I think, needs to be on implementing to the letter, the ceasefire agreement,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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