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ECOWAS: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso exit sparks security concern in Nigeria
Stakeholders have expressed deep concern over the recent withdrawal of Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), describing it as troubling and raising serious worries about Nigeria’s security. The move follows allegations of interference from Western powers, particularly the United States and Russia, with a significant presence of Wagner Brothers fighters in the region.
Reportedly, on Sunday, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing what they deemed as illegal and inhumane sanctions imposed on them due to coups in their respective countries. The three nations informed ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations about their withdrawal, citing concerns about ECOWAS deviating from its founding principles and being influenced by foreign powers.
Previously suspended from ECOWAS and facing heavy sanctions, the military leaders of these countries issued a joint statement emphasizing their sovereign decision to leave ECOWAS promptly. They criticized ECOWAS for allegedly betraying its founding principles, not assisting in the fight against terrorism, and imposing unjust sanctions. The military leaders also accused ECOWAS of failing to support them against jihadist threats that originated in Mali and spread to Burkina Faso and Niger.
The withdrawal occurred amidst France’s withdrawal from the Sahel region, leaving room for Russia’s increased military and political influence. Concerns are rising over the potential spread of conflicts to Gulf of Guinea states, including Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast.
While some stakeholders believe that Nigeria and the West African bloc stand to lose the most in this situation, others have criticized the inability of ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, to resolve the crisis. The 15-nation ECOWAS, established in 1975 to promote economic integration, has faced challenges in preventing coups and ensuring citizen benefits from natural resources.
ECOWAS, currently led by President Bola Tinubu, stated on Sunday that it had not received any formal notification of withdrawal from the three member states. The ECOWAS Commission asserted its commitment to restoring constitutional order in the withdrawing countries and maintaining a negotiated solution to their political crises.
However, the Nigerian government expressed sadness over the announcement, stating that ECOWAS has worked to promote peace and prosperity in the region. Nigeria emphasized its sincere efforts to resolve difficulties within the ECOWAS family and called for continued international support for the organization.
Several political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Shehu Sani, expressed concern over the security implications for Nigeria. Atiku called for a focus on national security interests amid the diplomatic challenges, while Sani highlighted the severity of the setback for West Africa, attributing it to the failure of diplomacy and dialogue.
Former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bolaji Akinyemi observed that ECOWAS has become a battleground between Russia and the USA, urging Nigeria to play a role in halting Russian intervention. He emphasized the complex nature of the situation and the need for diplomatic efforts to address the confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Dr. Michael Ugwueze, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nigeria, expressed serious concern about the development, emphasizing the potential impact on ECOWAS and the encouragement of military takeovers. He urged ECOWAS to reflect on the challenges to democracy within the region.
Private security manager Comrade Isaiah Adanu highlighted the risk of the Nigerian military taking inspiration from neighboring countries and advised prioritizing good governance to prevent unrest.
In summary, the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS has sparked concerns about regional stability, security, and the effectiveness of the organization in addressing political crises. The situation underscores the challenges faced by ECOWAS in promoting democracy and preventing military takeovers in member states.
Benson Upah, spokesperson for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has cautioned that Nigerians might eventually face petrol prices of N5,000 per litre.
In an interview with Weekend Trust, Upah criticized the recent increase in fuel pump prices and argued that it contradicts the agreement previously made between the NLC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He asserted that the Federal Government’s claims of restoring the fuel subsidy are untrue.
Upah remarked, “The subsidy was never reinstated as they have stated. So, what justifies the rise in pump prices from N650 to N1,500 or even N2,000?
“This situation suggests that we might not have seen the worst yet. There is a possibility that fuel prices could reach N5,000 per litre. We hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, it will be up to Nigerians to make the decision.”
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the receipt of a two million Naira bank draft from Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, a former student loan beneficiary.
This information was disclosed in a statement by Monalisa Dike from the Corporate Communications Department of NELFUND on Friday in Abuja.
Dike noted that Awomolo had received the loan during his undergraduate studies at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) from 1975 to 1977.
She mentioned that Awomolo had fully repaid the loan, showing his strong commitment to the country.
“The original loan amount was N1,000 for two academic sessions, which played a crucial role in his completion of the law degree.
“Although Awomolo had attempted to repay the loan several times over the years, he was only able to settle it now.
“In his letter to NELFUND’s Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Awomolo expressed his appreciation for the student loan opportunity provided by the Nigerian government,” Dike said.
She added that Awomolo praised the transparency and accountability NELFUND has shown in managing student loans.
Dike emphasized that Awomolo’s repayment highlights the enduring impact of President Bola Tinubu’s initiative and NELFUND’s continued importance in supporting Nigerian students.
She also mentioned that the repaid funds will be used to support the education of current students in need of loans.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a warning to the public about scammers pretending to represent the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme.
The NDDC also noted that registration for the scheme ended on August 31, 2024.
This information was released in a statement on Friday by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs at the commission, and shared with DAILY POST.
The statement reads, in part: “We have received reports of individuals receiving unsolicited messages claiming they have been selected for the NDDC Internship Scheme, which includes requests for personal information and an acceptance fee.
“The NDDC does not charge any fees for placing qualified youths in its internship programme. We want to make it clear that these fraudulent selection messages are not affiliated with the NDDC.
“Any official communication from us will only come through our verified websites and social media channels. If you receive a message like this, please ignore it and report it to the relevant authorities. Your safety and privacy are our top priorities.
“For genuine inquiries about our empowerment programs, please contact us directly through our official channels.”
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