Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign Affairs has lauded the ongoing bilateral engagement between Nigeria and the Benin Republic as a historical milestone poised to transform the region into a major trade hub.
This development was announced in a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The announcement followed a bilateral meeting held at the Segbana customs border post in Benin Republic, where Tuggar led a robust Nigerian delegation.
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The delegation included Dr Nasir Kaura, the governor of Kebbi State; Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs;
Dakorinama George, Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency, and Aliyu Mohammed, Director of Home Finance representing the Minister of Finance.
Representing Benin were Romauld Wadgani, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of cooperation, Shegun Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Adidjatou Zanouvi, Director General of Customs.
Tuggar highlighted the importance of this meeting in operationalizing the Kebbi-Segbana border, reflecting President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to enhancing economic ties between the two countries.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader 8-point agenda aimed at promoting economic growth and prosperity.
The bilateral meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a project implementation working group within short, medium, and long-term frameworks by reviving the Nigeria-Benin Joint Commission, which last convened in 2014 in Cotonou.
The re-establishment of the Permanent Joint Commission is expected to bolster ongoing governmental efforts to enhance bilateral economic relations.
In alignment with Nigeria’s 4 Ds foreign policy goals, Tuggar addressed the issue of border frictions, particularly the efforts to repatriate 700 Nigerians living in Segbana, Northern Benin Republic.
He emphasized the need for harmonious relationships along shared borders and advocated for mutually inclusive approaches to resolving conflicts between Nigerian and Beninese communities, ensuring a peaceful and sustainable solution to border clashes.
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