Alhaji Usman Sariki, the Emir of Yashikira in Kwara, has called upon the Federal Government to institute a permanent joint commission between Nigeria and Benin. The emir made this appeal at a consultative and dialogue meeting organized by an advocacy group, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address challenges prevailing between the two countries.
“The establishment of [the commission] will give us the opportunity to fight our common enemy, which is banditry and smuggling. Today, we are all conscious that it is high time we cooperate for the development of these two countries, especially in trade and commerce.
“This cooperation needs the coming together of forces of all economic agents of the area, traditional rulers, and administrators, especially the local government chairmen. They need to come together to find a solution to our common problem.
“This problem is illicit trade along the border area. We need to cooperate to make sure that illegal products do not cross the border. We need to cooperate and make sure that our countries are living on what we are producing and that we are not smuggling products from other countries.
“We do not want the import of illegal goods, arms and ammunition across the border line and that is where traditional rulers come in. Traditional rulers are mobilised to make sure they cooperate with all the security agencies along the borderline within their areas to make sure everything goes normal for the development of their areas,” he said.
The emir highlighted how the establishment of this commission could aid in addressing the challenges faced by border communities.
Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the Controller of Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, expressed support for the proposal, emphasizing its potential to advance bilateral trade between the two countries. He envisioned numerous trade challenges being mitigated through this platform.
Olusegun Onilude, the chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, echoed the sentiment, underscoring the mutual benefits that would accrue to both nations through this initiative. Furthermore, he emphasized how the commission would help in resolving the issue of multiple checkpoints along the corridor.
Also contributing to the discourse, Oba Adekanmi Oyekan, the Alapa of Egun-Awori Kingdom, Badagry, Lagos State, underscored the familial ties between Nigeria and Benin Republic and stressed the potential of the commission to work for the mutual progress of both countries.
Ambassador Kayode Oguntuase, the chairman of the Nigeria National Steering Committee of the Proposed Nigeria-Benin Republic Permanent Joint Commission, emphasized the overdue nature of the call for the commission’s establishment. Oguntuase drew parallels with the Nigeria-Niger Republic Permanent Joint Commission, established as far back as 1973, suggesting a similar model for the current proposal.
“The commission will strive towards enhancing the two countries’ shared priorities, which, among others, include promoting socio-economic integration between the two countries and encouraging and increasing formal and legitimate trade and investment between them.
“It will also develop solid economic cooperation between Nigeria and Benin Republic, strengthen the fight against trans-border crimes and terrorism, and promote economic prosperity and security along the prosperous Lagos-Abidjan Corridor,” he elaborated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the meeting was attended by prominent figures including businessmen and women, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and stakeholders from both countries.
