HighlightTop Story

Samoa agreement will not harm Nigerian interests, FG assures

According to reports, the agreement allegedly includes provisions that require developing and underdeveloped countries to support the LGBTQ+ community's demands for recognition as a condition for receiving financial and other forms of assistance from wealthier nations.

420

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris has given assurances that President Bola Tinubu will not sign any international agreement that would harm Nigeria’s interests.

The minister issued a press statement on Thursday acknowledging that Nigeria had recently signed the Samoa Agreement, an international pact, at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.

Mohammed explained that this partnership agreement establishes a cooperation framework between the European Union and its member states, as well as the member states of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States.

According to reports, the agreement allegedly includes provisions that require developing and underdeveloped countries to support the LGBTQ+ community’s demands for recognition as a condition for receiving financial and other forms of assistance from wealthier nations.

The Samoa Agreement, named after the Pacific Island nation where it was signed, is gaining momentum despite facing opposition from numerous countries that uphold Islamic and Christian values, as well as those with culturally sensitive norms.

In response to the report, the minister said: “Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a statement of declaration, dated 26th June 2024, clarifying its understanding and context of the agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid.

“It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014.

“It is necessary to assure Nigerians that the Tinubu’s administration, being a rule-based government, will not enter into any international agreement that will be detrimental to the interests of the country and its citizens.

“In negotiating the agreement, our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS for the process.”

The minister disclosed that all 27 member states of the European Union and 47 out of the 79 member states of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States signed the agreement on November 15, 2018, in Apia, Samoa, following negotiations that started in 2018 on the fringes of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.

He said: “The agreement has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols, namely: Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols, with each regional protocol addressing the peculiar issues of the regions.

“The African Regional Protocol consists of two parts: the first is the framework for cooperation, while the second deals with areas of cooperation, containing inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development; human and social development; environment, natural resources management, and climate change; peace and security; human rights; democracy and governance; and migration and mobility.

“Nigeria signed the agreement on Friday, June 28, 2024. This was done after extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ).

“It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravened the 1999 Constitution as amended, or laws of Nigeria, and other extant laws.

“The Samoa Agreement is nothing but a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among OACPS member states at the international stage.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: For umpteenth time, national power grid collapses

Nigeria’s national power grid experienced another collapse on Tuesday, losing power generation...

CONUA to FG: Settle out withheld salaries, allowances, third-party deductions

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has called on the federal government...

Tinubu’s N200bln intervention fund seeks to eradicate poverty in Nigeria – Gov. Sani

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said that President Bola Tinubu...

Just in: FG reverses 18-year-old admission benchmark in tertiary institutions

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has abolished the 18-year admission...

Guardiola admits Manchester City’s struggle amid injury crisis

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that the club will struggle...

Pres.Tinubu Unveils Ambitious Plan to Revamp Nigeria’s Dilapidated Stadiums

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has outlined...

FG terminates Julius Berger’s N740bln Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day termination notice to...

Just in: 63-year-old Ekiti Chief Judge, Adeyeye, dies

Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, has passed away....

Equatorial Guinea govt introduces CCTV in offices amid sextape scandal

Following sextape scandals, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teddy Nguema, has announced plans...

Election Day Showdown: Harris and Trump Hold Duelling Rallies as Polls Reach Dead Heat

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rival rallies on Monday, the final...

$26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Gains Momentum

The federal government, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African...

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

N1.3trn fraud: EFCC arrests, grills ex-Delta Gov. Okowa

A former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been apprehended by the...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Polaris Bank wins “Best Mobile App” award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

For its commitment to digital innovation and excellence, Polaris Bank has again...

Updated: After six years of injustice, Nigeria’s ex-Chief Justice, Onnoghen, finally gets justice

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of...

Flood sacks 4 Anambra council areas as Soludo activates 27 IDP camps

By Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka Floods have devastated four local government areas in...