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ECOWAS tasks immigration officials on free movement

As the citizens of West Africa are being prepared for the introduction of the Shengen-type visa for the sub-region, top officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service were yesterday told to implement the protocol of free movement of persons and goods.

The inability of national governments and joint initiatives of the community to stamp out harassment and intimidation of citizens at the trade corridors of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is largely seen as the main impediment to economic integration as well as the desire to have an ECOWAS of peoples and not of states.

At a train-the-trainers workshop which started yesterday in Abuja, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Amb. Victor Gbeho, admitted lapses in the existing efforts.

“I am well informed of the hardship and intimidation of community citizens in the hands of security operatives in our common borders,” he stated.

But the commission president also stressed the need to “activate public participation” in the protocol implementation (Free Movement A/P1/5/79) and other relevant texts in seeking to accelerate the attainment of a borderless community.

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Copyright, Blaise APLOGAN, 2010,© Bienvenu sur Babilown

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Escape of Boko Haram Suspects: Army General docked

By Taye Obateru, Kingsley Omonobi & NDAHI MARAMA
Jos: The Nigerian Army yesterday arraigned one of its generals, Brigadier-General Muraina Raji, former Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi before a Special Court Martial over the escape of two suspected members of Islamic sect, Boko Haram from the Brigade’s detention facilities.

It was gathered that the detainees were arrested last year following an onslaught in Bauchi which led to loss of several lives and property.

Special Court Martial

Inaugurating the six-member Special Court Martial at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment yesterday, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Three Armoured Division of the army, Major-General Sunday Idoko said General Raji was indicted for complicity by a military investigation report, noting that the arraignment was in line with service regulations.

Lt General OA Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff.

He said the constitutional role of the military requires the highest standard of discipline and professionalism which no officer wishing to succeed as a professional could afford to...

 

 

 

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Copyright, Blaise APLOGAN, 2010,© Bienvenu sur Babilown 

Toute republication de cet article doit en mentionner et l’origine et l’auteur sous peine d’infraction

 

 

Ghana to support Ivorian refugees to return home

 Accra, Aug. 9, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday assured Ivorian refugees in Ghana of his continued support of his Ivorian counterpart to bring peace in Ivory Coast and ensure their safe return home.. He said he was in touch, and talking with Ivorian President Allasane Ouatara, to provide an atmosphere that would guarantee their safe return without any fear of harassment.
"My greatest wish is to ensure that each one of you will return home and pursue your areas of livelihood," President Mills said on Tuesday at the Castle, Osu, when a six-member delegation of the executive of the Ivorian Diasporian Refugees in Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him. The delegation, led by its President, Benott Kamena Brown, appealed to President Mills to, among other things, facilitate their return home and guarantee their security in Ghana....

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Copyright, Blaise APLOGAN, 2010,© Bienvenu sur Babilown 

Toute republication de cet article doit en mentionner et l’origine et l’auteur sous peine d’infraction