Nigeria ratifies MOU with U.K. on security The government also ratified the implementation of a bilateral agreement with Niger Republic. The Nigerian Government ratified the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to promote peace and security, trade and investment, and migration. This is despite an impending U.K. policy that will see Nigerians pay about N750, 000 naira before they are granted entry to the U.K. The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said this to journalists after the weekly meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation, FEC, meeting which was chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan. Mr. Maku said the ratification is part of ongoing efforts to stem the spate of terrorism in parts of the country. He, however, did not address the migration part of the agreement. He also disclosed that the government also ratified the implementation of an agreement with the Republic of Niger which was signed in October 2012. Both countries had agreed that the over 930 miles border between Nigeria and Niger will be patrolled by the two countries. The Northern Nigerian states that share a border with Niger Republic include Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi. The Minister of Information said after thorough analysis and deliberations of the memo submitted by the Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada, FEC ratified the bilateral agreements. He said both agreements are aimed at military cooperation. In a working document made available to journalists, FEC stated that the defence cooperation with Niger was specifically, “aimed at providing mutual military support, security of their common borders, intervention assistance, military assistance, exchange of intelligence on internal and external security, joint military exercise and operations.” “The MoU on bilateral military cooperation between Nigeria and UK is aimed at establishing a bilateral military cooperation within the framework of our competent authorities as defined in the national legislation”. It added that the agreement also entails sharing of experiences, information and training, in addition to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, as well as cooperation in terms of logistic supply. The Minister of State Defence, Ms. Obada, told journalists during a separate briefing that the declaration of the State of Emergency in three North-East States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe within the last three months had yielded huge gains especially as regards curbing the spate of terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram. She assured that all the insurgents that have been apprehended will soon be prosecuted. “It has halted the threat to Nigeria’s unity. As you know the unity of this country is paramount and Mr. President as the leader of this country has ensured that the unity of this country is preserved and protected. If you will recall, you heard that the insurgency were already hoisting their flags all over some of the areas especially Bornu,” she said. She commended the military and other security forces for what she termed their “professionalism”.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 05:41:07 +0000
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