By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
NIGERIA HAS officially ratified the Samoa Agreement, marking a significant milestone in international cooperation, according to a statement posted on X handle.
The agreement, signed on 28 June 2024 at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, solidifies a comprehensive partnership between the European Union and OACPS member states.
Initiated during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in 2018, negotiations culminated in a cohesive pact aimed at bolstering collaboration across three distinct regional protocols: Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU.
These protocols, encompassing 103 detailed articles, establish a robust framework addressing regional-specific challenges and priorities.
The African Regional Protocol, delineated into a Framework for Cooperation and Areas of Cooperation, outlines critical sectors including sustainable economic growth, human development, environmental conservation, peace and security, governance, and migration.
Intense Consultations
Ahead of Nigeria’s endorsement, extensive scrutiny and consultations led by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Federal Ministry of Justice, had ensured alignment with national laws. Clarifying its stance, Nigeria issued a Statement of Declaration on 26 June 2024, reaffirming compliance with domestic legislation, including statutes prohibiting same-sex relationships enacted in 2014.
In a statement underlining the administration’s commitment to national interests, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized that the Samoa Agreement signifies a pivotal legal mechanism facilitating sustainable development, climate resilience, investment promotion, and enhanced global cooperation among OACPS member states.
Idris also notes that the ratified Samoa Agreement reflects Nigeria’s dedication to upholding international standards while safeguarding its sovereignty and citizens’ welfare under the rule-based governance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
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