Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-nations.

The development comes as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement.

According to an official statement by the trio, the levy was agreed on Friday and will take effect immediately.

It will affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but will not include humanitarian aid, the statement said.

It will “finance the activities” of the bloc, it said, without giving details.

The move ends free trade across West Africa, whose states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana to the south.

The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security agreement following their exit from ECOWAS bloc.

Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.

Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.

In retaliation, ECOWAS had imposed economic, political and financial sanctions on the three in a bid to force them to return to constitutional order, to little effect.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-nations.

The development comes as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement.

According to an official statement by the trio, the levy was agreed on Friday and will take effect immediately.

It will affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but will not include humanitarian aid, the statement said.

It will “finance the activities” of the bloc, it said, without giving details.

The move ends free trade across West Africa, whose states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana to the south.

The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security agreement following their exit from ECOWAS bloc.

Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.

Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.

In retaliation, ECOWAS had imposed economic, political and financial sanctions on the three in a bid to force them to return to constitutional order, to little effect.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A non governmental organization, green and gold multiple purpose cooperative at the weekend in Abuja celebrated it’s 10th anniversary, with a pledge to continue to work towards a world where women are empowered,valued and respected.

Just as the national president of the national council of women societies (NCWS), Princess Edna Azura has charged Nigerian women to have a collective voice in their quest to achieve better opportunities for women in the country.

Princess Edna Azura, who was special guest of honour at the multiple purpose cooperative 10th anniversary commended the society for it’s resilience and focus in improving the state of their members who are majorly women.

She praised their developmental initiatives which have helped empowered many women and assured them of continuous support from women umbrella organization.

In her words:” l am very proud of what you have done as a group, you have been steadfast, resilience and focused and your existence for the last ten years is a clear confirmation that you have grown and ready to move to the next level of journey.Please continue the good work.”

Earlier in her address,the president of the green and gold multiple purpose cooperative society, Mrs Rahab Abbas said ” today,we gather to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to a brighter future.

” Over the past decade, our cooperative has grown from a small group of women with shared vision to a thriving organization that has empowered women. We have worked tirelessly to promote economic independence, social justice, and women’s rights.” She added

On the achievements of the group over the years, Mrs Rahab Abbas stated, ” through our cooperative, we have provided training, financial assistance, and support to women, enabling them to start and grow their own businesses. We have also advocated for policies and programs that benefit women.

” Our impact extends beyond economic empowerment.We have created a safe space for women to share their experiences, support one another, and build last relationships.” Abass also observes

In his speech the chairman of the occasion, Dr Ogah Inalegwu, expressed excitement to see a group of women who have chosen against
all odds to carve a niche and break fallow grounds in their quest for a better life,
not just for only themselves but for others as well.

According to him l am privileged to have known the group right from it’s formative days and am
proud to state without doubts that am impressed on your milestone.

“Today serves as an opportunity for me to speak to a group of very enlightened
women, with a heart accommodative to learn. I will not forgo the opportunity to
share practical discussions and a charge to push you even further in my desire to
see you grow.”

“It is believed that the illiterate of the 21st century are not the people who are
unable to read and write, but the one who are unable to unlearn what they have
learnt, and re-learn what is needed for the present situation.”

“If a woman is empowered then a nation is liberated, so I beseech and challenge
you to kindly have it in mind that to be empowered, there is a need to be
financially liberated, to be liberated financial then multiple streams of income
becomes the basic language.
My question then becomes what can you, yes you do to earn additional income?
I want this answers personalized and implemented, I have had reason to push a
couple of people, women inclusive to start and sustain income generating
steams, I want to pledge my desire in any way I can to members of the group or
invitees to be available on personal grounds if contacted.
I won’t want to take all your precious time, even if you can’t remember
anything I said today, please just take home these words ‘To be a good person
and help others you need to be financially free and one empowered woman
equals a prosperous nation’.” He further noted

As part of the program was a N10 million naira fundraising appeal empowerment scheme to support more women .