Nigeria, 2 Other Countries Sign MOU In Birni Kebbi To Enhance  Cross-Border Cooperation

Nigeria,  Republic of Benin and Republic of Niger have signed an agreement to bolster cross-border cooperation among the three countries.

Governor Atiku Bagudu’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yahaya Sarki noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that the  agreement was signed on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi, during the validation  programme for the development of the Kado cross-border area.

The meeting  was according to the statement  attended by  delegations of the Federated State of Kebbi (Nigeria), Department of Alibori (Benin) and the Region of Dosso ( Niger).

The historic meeting was also attended by officials of the National Boundary Commission,   ECOWAS, other donors and technical partners like GIZ, among others.

Reading the resolution of the meeting, Dr Faruk Musa of  the National Boundary Commission of Nigeria  said  the agreement was aimed at building on the objectives of the multilateral cooperation existing among the three countries.

Musa further said that part of the resolutions was to strengthen the development of the area known as  ‘Kado- Kebbi, Alibori and Dosso’, with the support of inter-governmental   organizations and other partners.

‘They are also committed to making Kebbi, Aliboro and Dosso cross-border area as a shared development space.

This is with a view to promoting economic and social activities that would strengthen the coexistence and resilience of the population.

They are also committed to ensuring political support as well as local leadership in the implementation and  operations of the various initiatives’ he said.

Musa also stated that there would  be support to activities in favour of livestock mobility between and within different territorial entities of Kado.

‘ Act in favour of livestock access to shared natural resources in the Kado cross-border area.

Support the securing of pastoral spaces in accordance with the orientations of the national policies of our countries’ he added.

Musa also said the resolutions include the launch of an appeal seeking support of  technical and financial partners and inter-governmental organizations.

 This, he noted, was with a view to continuing the efforts to revitalize the Kado cross-border consultative framework.

‘Continue their support through the financing and effective implementation of Kado’s holistic integrated development programme validated today.

‘Build an alliance in favour of the controlled transformations of pastoralism by exploiting the comparative advantage of the different areas in Kado done on Dec. 1st, 2022, at Birnin Kebbi’ he submitted.

Speaking earlier, the chief host , Governor  Abubakar Atiku Bagudu had  acknowledged  the cordial relationship that had existed between the  three countries for decades.

He said the two regions of Dosso and Alibori in Niger and Benin republic have historical ties with Kebbi State. 

‘Kebbi borders Niger and Benin republics. The three cross border communities have been living together for many years. 

They  have intermarried, the people and their traditional rulers have transhuman and border relationship’ he said.

He added that all the relevant stakeholders had held useful discussions that were validated for the development of the three border regions.

The Governor also  outlined some of the numerous intervention of his administration to better the lives of Fulani people.

 ‘Kebbi has programmes that have touched  the lives of pastoralists. We provided nomadic schools, light, water in their settlements. We also sponsored Hotungo Festival to attract pastoralists from other African regions’ Bagudu said.

He, however noted that now that

 mutual relations have been formalized with a workable agreement signed by them  and pledged continued  support  to ensure  the success of the multilateral cooperation.

 Also speaking, Representative of ECOWAS, Mr Alain SY. Traore said  the international organization  was committed to  ensuring that the agreement was religiously implemented by providing both financial and technical supports.

He commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for providing an enabling environment  and support for the success of the cross border agreement on pastoralism and transhuman.

Earlier ,the Director- General of National Boundary Commission of Nigeria, Surveyor Adamu Adaji  had said the programme was apt owing to the security challenges arising from conflicts between herders and farmers across West Africa and the Sahel.

‘Pastoralism  had stood as the main source of livelihood for a large population in West Africa and it had  contributed  greatly to the economy of the region, hence the need to give top priority to the project’ he said.

He acknowledged the immeasurable contribution of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu towards the project.

Kebbi state Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries, Aminu Garba Dandiga in his welcome address said the meeting would  further cement the existing relationship  between the three countries .

He thanked Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for hosting the validation meeting and the previous ones held earlier in Kebbi State.

The Governor of Dosso, Niger Republic, Albachir Aboubakar and that of Alibori, Benin Republic in their  separate remarks all pledged their commitment to the implementation of the resolution  for the betterment of their people.

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu had on Wednesday night held a dinner in honour of  his guests and  showcased the rich culture  of the people of Kebbi State -Team@orientactualmags.com
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