An advocacy group peopled by Nigerians and Beninese has called for the establishment of a Nigeria- Benin Permanent Joint Commission.
The main objective, according to Ambassador Oguntuase Kayode, Chairman Nigeria National Steering Committee of the proposed Nigeria-Benin Joint Commission, is to foster enduring and robust strategic relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, Ambassador Kayode said that the advocacy group will host a bilateral meeting with its Beninese counterpart in Badagry, Nigeria, between November 15 and 16, 2023, to fine-tune areas of cooperation further.
The bilateral meeting, he said, is also to raise awareness and advocate for the necessity of establishing the proposed permanent joint commission of the two countries.
The joint commission, when established, will create the needed synergy and collaboration among the private economic stakeholders who are already yearning for a framework to enhance and deepen the ties of fraternity and friendship as well as support socio-cultural and economic integration between the two countries, he submitted.
He described the joint commission as a bilateral cooperation mechanism meant to ensure various bilateral cooperation agreements concluded between the two countries are effectively and efficiently implemented.
According to him, the importance of both countries to their existential realities cannot be over-emphasized, adding that “it is significant to note that Nigeria and Benin share about 778 kilometres of land and maritime borders covering six states in Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Niger and Kebbi) and five provinces in Benin Republic (Atlantic/Littoral, Queme/Plateau, Zou, Collins and Borgu).
“Given their closeness and proximity, there are huge socio-cultural cum economic interactions between the two countries. Indeed, the common borders and ethno-cultural affinities between the two countries have boosted and enhanced trans-border trade and other socio-cultural engagements among the people of both countries.
“The Commission will also strive towards enhancing and advancing the two countries and shared priorities which among others include ‘promoting socio-economic integration of the two countries, encourage and increase formal and legitimate trade and investments between the countries; develop a solid economic cooperation between Nigeria and Benin through the Co-Prosperity, Alliance Zone (COPAZ), strengthen the fight against trans border crimes and terrorism and promote the economic prosperity and security of the prosperous Lagos-Abidjan corridor.”
“The joint commission,” he said, “will also set up structures and mechanisms for Consultation, Collaboration and Consensus among the Chambers of Commerce and other economic stakeholders/actors, formulating the required statues to strengthen the relations in trade, economy, investment, energy, culture, human resources, science & technology, information technology, innovation, education, security and defence.”
The bilateral meeting will discuss critical issues like promoting cross-border socio-economic integration, challenges of cross-border security and the convention in establishing such a commission, among others.
The bilateral meeting, he assured, will draw in participants from the top government officials, economic stakeholders, technocrats, traditional rulers, community leaders, border security personnel and diplomats, as well as civil society organizations and the media that operate along the border corridors of the six Nigerian states and five Beninese provinces sharing borders.
Ambassador Kayode recalled that the advocacy group, formed in 2021, has been having consultative meetings with key government bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Import and Export Promotion Council and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).