News

Speaker ECOWAS Parliament Urges Member States to Fast-Track Free Movement Protocol Implementation

Published

4 months ago

August 26, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, has urged member states to speed up the implementation of the free movement protocol.

Speaker Ibrahima stated this at the opening of a delocalized meeting of the joint Committees on Trade, Customs and Free Movement/Social Affairs, Gender, Women Empowerment & Persons with Disabilities/Legal Affairs and Human Rights/Political Affairs, Peace Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), ta Banjul, The Gambia, with the theme: Parliament’s role in the implementation of the protocol on the free movement of persons, right of residence, and establishment in the ECOWAS region.

According to her, free movement is vital for ECOWAS regional integration and it supports economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional security, especially as it remains the promotion of cooperation and integration between its Member States, having adopted the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and the Right of Residence and Establishment in the Region on May 29, 1975.

The Speaker said that the full realisation of free movement in the ECOWAS area requires strong governance, based on mutual trust, shared responsibility and ownership of results. She therefore urged members of parliament to put in place mechanism that will ensure constant monitoring for effective implementation of the protocols and stressed the need for policy makers and stakeholders to unify their efforts to identify challenges and propose solutions that will maximize the benefits of free movement at the regional and national levels.

The objective she said will be achieved through the development of coordinated policies and actions.

She said: “The Protocol allows ECOWAS citizens to enter and move freely in Member States without a visa. They can settle and carry out economic activities, subject to obtaining an ECOWAS card or residence permit. These measures facilitate mobility and stimulate intra-regional trade within our space.

“Despite these advances, considerable challenges remain in the implementation of our own choices. In recent years, free movement within the Community has been severely tested by several factors.

“Weaknesses in the implementation mechanism, differences in national interests and infrastructure problems hinder the achievement of the Protocol’s objectives. You will agree with me that the full realisation of free movement in the ECOWAS area requires strong governance, based on mutual trust, shared responsibility and ownership of results.

“To achieve our objectives, it is imperative to put in place mechanisms that ensure constant monitoring for more effectiveness of our protocols.

“Undoubtedly, the institution best placed to carry out these audits and ensure this balance within the ECOWAS architecture is the ECOWAS Parliament. Unfortunately, the latter is still insufficiently involved in the implementation of the Protocol and its Additional Protocols. This limits its contribution to effective and complete integration.” She added.

The 4th Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Billay Tunkara called on the need for the committee to focus on issues that will promote fast implementation of the free movement protocols in the region.

Hon Tunkara who is also Head of the Gambia delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, said the meeting is an opportunity for the joint committee to review and renew the commitment on the ideals of ECOWAS and work collaboratively to the full realisation of the fundamental goals of integration.

He said: “We are reminded of the critical role that this body plays in shopping for our region and the continent at large.

“The theme of this meeting is in many ways fundamental of acting on totality of objectives of which ECOWAS as a body was established, therefore, the free movement of people and the rights to residence and idea of unhindered opportunity for the community of the region to be able to freely establish business across our borders, and not just principles and trying in our protocol, they are in the true objectives of ECOWAS. The very foundation of the unity, economic, integration and prosperity to seek for all of our citizens.

“I wish to prevail on all of us to assert roles in direction of shaping the ECOWAS to meet the very objectives for which it has been established and consequently discharge our duties to the great continent of our people”.

Tunkara therefore tasked MPs to approach the meeting with determination to create tangible outcomes that will benefit the lives of millions of citizen across the community.

News

Gunmen abduct Nigerian Professor, Demand N10m Ransom

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Professor John Ebeh, a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State.

The assailants are reportedly demanding a N10 million ransom for his release.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers invaded the professor’s residence in Agbeji, a suburb of Anyigba, in Dekina Local Government Area, at about 7 p.m. on Thursday.

According to a neighbor who identified himself as Akpai, “The hoodlums operated in a commando manner. It was swift. We noticed a car trailing him furiously; we took it as one of his friends or colleagues, not until we started hearing gunshots around his gate.”

A family source disclosed that the professor was abducted just as he was about to enter his compound.

“Professor Ebeh was almost at the gate of his house at Agbeji, on his way from the town when the incident happened.

“He had even given out a signal to his people to open the gate of his house when some people emerged suddenly from their hideout and started shooting sporadically.

“Amidst the confusion, someone drove in furiously and blocked his car.

“Some masked people alighted from the vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint.

“His abductors called the family on Friday night, demanding N10 million,” the source recounted.

University officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

However, one of Professor Ebeh’s colleagues expressed shock at the development, saying, “The kidnapping (of the professor) came to us as a shock. I have just visited his family to sympathize with them.”

News

Sad: Ondo SSG Is Dead

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, on Saturday died in an auto crash.

The SSG died in the crash which occurred while he was traveling from Akure, Ondo State capital, to Ibadan in Oyo State.

Confirming the incident, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, stated that Oluwatuyi was hospitalised before he gave up the ghost.

“Hon. Oluwatuyi was a dedicated public servant whose unwavering commitment to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation had a significant impact on Ondo State.

“Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared as they become available,” he added.

News

Mohamed Salah confirms this season as his last season at Liverpool

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, popularly known as Mohamed Salah, has confirmed that the 2024–2025 football season will be his last season donning the shirts of Liverpool.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Mo Salah revealed that he is eager to win this year’s English Premier League title for the Reds to sign off his eight-year stay with the Merseyside based club.

Salah reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph in the 2019-2020 season, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.

He reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.

“It’s probably because we didn’t celebrate the one we won in the way we wanted and also, coming back here too, it’s my last year in the club so you want to do something special for the city.

“We waited for that title for 30 years or so. So, to win it and it was the pandemic at that time, we didn’t really have time to celebrate it in the right way. It’s not a nice thing to do, so hopefully we can do it this year.”

“I really want to win the Premier League this season as it’s my last year at the club. I want to give something special to the City.” He said.

Mohamed Salah’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the current season. He explained that although his agent, Ramy Abbas, and Liverpool are yet to reach any conclusive decision regarding a contract renewal, he remains focused and is not distracted by the off-field uncertainty.

“We are far away from any progress so we just need to wait and see.

“The thing in my head is ‘OK, if it’s my last six months, or last year, what do you want to see in the future? Do you want to look back and say I was concerned about the contract or I was stressed’ or do you just want to say ‘OK, I had an unbelievable season’.

“That’s in my head now. All the time now. If I feel that kind of distraction, I remind myself ‘You want to look back and you had an unbelievable season’. So that’s what I want to do.” He explained.

He has been in electric form this term, scoring 17 goals in 18 league games, while also registering 13 assists. He has won 9 trophies with Liverpool which includes 1 EPL title, 1 FA Cup, 2 EFL Cups, 1 FA Community Shield, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 1 UEFA Super Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.com