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ECOWAS chair warns U.S action could undermine trade, diplomacy in West Africa
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has strongly criticised proposed U.S. visa restrictions targeting West African nations, warning that the policy could severely disrupt trade, diplomacy, and regional development.
Speaking during the opening of the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja on Wednesday, Tuggar expressed concern that the restrictions—reportedly affecting all ECOWAS member states—could diminish the U.S strategic influence in a region rich in economic and security potential.
“It would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass,” Tuggar stated.
“We are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. But visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to those deals.”
He further described the move as both economically shortsighted and diplomatically damaging, pointing out that ECOWAS nations are home to critical minerals essential to the global economy.
“We possess critical minerals and rare earths like Samarium from Monazite, found in my home state of Bauchi,” Tuggar said. “We in this part of the world have been participants in international trade even before the modern state system.”
Tuggar called on Washington to reconsider its stance and embrace a partnership model rooted in mutual benefit. He emphasized that ECOWAS is open for business but won’t wait indefinitely.
“The opportunity is there for the U.S. to partner with us on shared prosperity,” he added. “The real question is: who’s willing to take it? We welcome partners who enable smooth engagement, including the free movement of officials, entrepreneurs, and experts who close the deals that matter.”
The proposed visa restrictions reportedly stem from concerns outlined in a U.S. State Department memo, which cites poor civil documentation, weak identity verification, and limited cooperation with U.S. immigration processes.
Countries mentioned include Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Liberia, all expected to meet updated requirements within 60 days or face travel bans.
News
Man in shock after lady he lodged with in a hotel in Abuja flees with his car and other valuables
A Nigerian man is currently in shock after a young lady identified as Precious Chinyere , whom he took to a hotel in the Asokoro area in the FCT for a romantic getaway allegedly fled with his car and other personal belongings on Thursday, February 5,
The distraught man and Precious had visited the hotel and opted for a short time stay. Things took a different in the evening when the man noticed Precious had left the hotel room without notifying him and took along with her some of his personal belongings including phones and laptop and also his car.
The victim immediately reported the incident to the police.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh, told LIB that the matter is currently being investigated and that efforts are being made to apprehend the suspect.
The United States Mission in Nigeria has condemned the k!lling of more than 200 civilians in recent attacks on communities in Kwara State.
Recall that terrorists launched de@dly attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday night, k!lling unsuspecting citizens.
It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the villages, opened fire on residents and burned homes.
According to reports, the de@th toll from the unfortunate incident hit 200 on Thursday night.
Reacting, the US Mission Nigeria condemned the k!lling via a post on its official X handle.
The post reads, “The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the de@th toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence.
“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice.”
News
“I’ll never settle for a barber, yahoo boy or a poor man” — nail tech’s list of men she says she can’t marry sparks reactions online
A Nigerian nail technician has set social media talking after openly listing the kind of men she says she can never settle for.
In a now-viral post, she stated clearly that she refuses to “settle for less” and went on to mention professions and traits she considers a no-go area.
According to her, she can never settle for a barber, an aza man, a yahoo boy, a mechanic, an actor, a laundry man, a hype man, or a plumber. She also added that she wouldn’t marry a man with a high body count or a poor man.
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