A deal would enable Britain to practice the free trade it has long preached and represent recognition by a G7 economy of the benefits of African unity, writes President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria
Two years after the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, my country Nigeria and her African partners seek a new settlement with Britain: one based on cooperation in fairer – and freer – trade.
The UK and Nigeria share a deep and special partnership. We are champions for peace and security in Africa. We are custodians of the Commonwealth. Yet in recent years our relationship, particularly on trade, has been defined by Britain’s membership of the European Union.
It meant being part of attempts to cajole individual African nations into lopsided European bilateral economic partnership agreements. Nigeria rejected such a deal in 2018, as it sought only to prioritise beneficial terms for raw commodities export to Europe while erecting high tariff barriers to goods manufactured and processed in Africa – stunting job creation. Lack of employment is a key cause of mass migration from Africa to Europe, perversely caused by the very trade policies intended for Europe’s protection.
Now, all this can be changed. Last September, history was made with the UK becoming the first country in the world to sign a memorandum with the African Union’s 54-country Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This should lead to a UK-African union free trade deal. It would be one made with parity, considering Africa’s $3tn combined GDP is equivalent to that of the United Kingdom, the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Given that the Commonwealth’s 19 African members collectively produce over half the African continent’s GDP, a UK-Africa deal would, concurrently, cause a revitalisation of intra-Commonwealth trade and with it the club itself – a stated British foreign policy aim. This could be further enhanced should we take advantage of the fact those 19 nations’ national laws are built on the principles of English jurisprudence: a common platform from which to better align regulations on investment and certification.
A deal would enable Britain to practice the free trade it has long preached. It would represent recognition by a G7 economy of the benefits of African unity; that job creation and manufacturing in Africa can be an advantage and not a threat to the western world. And it would inject momentum into a renewed Commonwealth, after decades during which the organisation’s potential for economic cooperation was in abeyance while its most influential founding member was bound to European trade policies and unable to act alone. A Commonwealth rebuilt around trade would help replenish this underused club of friends.
But before we reach ahead of ourselves, we must remember that though the purpose of trade deals should be mutual prosperity, favorable terms can be rejected because little attention has been made to persuade public opinion. On both sides, there will be those concerned over competition and terms of trade.
To carry our citizens with us we must start by agreeing on the most favorable trading terms for those products each other does not produce. Fresh and processed foodstuffs, for instance, which cannot be grown in the UK should be prioritised with favorable or no tariffs.
For British companies seeking opportunities in Africa, there should be incentives for sectors heavy in job creation. Here there are millions of highly-skilled, English-speaking but underemployed young people. They are eager to work but without the opportunities that foreign investment can bring to create jobs and build businesses.
This great market is Britain’s opportunity. But, of course, some see it as a threat to where jobs can only be lost and from where immigrants come. They view engagement as a partially open door that will only become wider – unless borders become walls, and Britain a fortress.
That is a mistake. Those who rail against “economic migrants” must realise few people anywhere wish to leave their communities to live in foreign lands. Most would rather stay at home. But the way to help them stay there is not by force, or walls, or racism: it is investment and jobs where they live.
And those jobs will be needed to produce the goods and services demanded by Africa’s growing middle class, whose number is predicted to be close to one billion by 2050. They will not be cheaper replacements for employment lost in Britain or elsewhere: rather extra jobs, created by expanding opportunities in a growing African economy.
Those who come from Britain seeking opportunities will be welcomed by an expanding and worldly-wise middle class wishing to experience the best of British culture, products, and expertise – from television and creative industries to iconic cars and education services.
Being the first mover amongst the G7 to seek a trade deal with Africa, the UK is positioning itself to secure the very best of terms and stands able to revive intra-Commonwealth trade, replenish its relations with the fastest growing market in the world, tackle the causes of economic migration – and create jobs and wealth that boost rather than threaten those at home.
Muhammadu Buhari is President of the Federal. Republic of Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a word of sympathy to the parents of the 5-year old schoolgirl, Hanifa Abubakar, who was allegedly kidnapped and subsequently killed by her teacher, Abdulkadir Tanko.
In a sympathy message to the parents today, January 21, the President expressed the nation’s condolences to the family.Hanifa’sbody was discovered today in a shallow grave in Kano after near two months of fruitless search.
The President said: “when breakthroughs like this happen, people will talk differently of law enforcement.”
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the little school girl and called on the parents to bear the sad loss with courage and fortitude in God.
The President urged the Police and Ministry of Justice to uphold the integrity of the detective work that busted the case by preparing well and presenting a good case that will earn the respect of the court.
He particularly praised the work of the police and the secret service in unraveling the mystery behind the disappearance of the girl and the arrest of her teacher and his other accomplices suspected of the child’s kidnap and murder.
File photo: Pope Francis talks to journalists during a press conference (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis has expressed concerns over the growing cases of sexual abuses traced to members of the Church even as he called for a strict application of the Canon Law to combat the abuse.
“The Church, with the help of God, is pushing forward with the commitment to do justice to the victims of abuse by our members by applying with special attention and rigour the Canon Law provided.”
The Pope made the comments today, January 21 at the Apostolic Palace while receiving representatives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican authority that deals with abuse.
Francis said to recent reforms which make it easier to hold abusers in the Church accountable.
“This alone cannot be enough to curb the phenomenon, but it is an important step toward restoring justice, making amends for the scandal and changing a perpetrator,’’ the 85-year-old pontiff said.
The Holy See spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, had, yesterday, spoke of the Vatican’s “sense of shame and remorse for the abuse committed by some of its clergy against minors’’ and said that the report would be looked at in detail.
The Kano State Government has ordered the immediate closure of a private school, Noble Kids Academy, in Nassarawa Local Government Area of the state, where a teacher in the school, Abdulmalik Mohammed Tanko allegedly kidnapped, killed and buried a pupil, Hanifa Abubakar.
The five-year-old Hanifa was kidnapped late last year and one of those involved in the operation was her teacher, Abdulmalik.
The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N6million but went ahead to kill her after receiving the money.
“On investigation, Abdulmalik confessed that the victim, Hanifa was his student at a private school in Kwanar Dakata, Nassarawa LGA, Kano State.”
He further told police that he kidnapped Hanifa and took her to his house where he contacted her relatives and demanded a ransom of Six Million Naira (N6,000,000).”
The Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, Haruna Kiyawa, paraded the suspects today, January 21.
Abdulmalik said in Hausa language that on the 18 Decembe, 2021, having realised that the victim recognized him, he poisoned her to death.
He said that he invited one Hashim Isyaku, who was also paraded, and together, they buried the remains of Hanifa in a shallow grave within the private school premises located at Kwanar ‘Yan Gana, Tudun Murtala Quarters, Nassarawa LGA, Kano State.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has expressed the determination to achieve 100 percent automation of all its tax administration processes with the aim of blocking revenue leakages, revolutionizing revenue generation in Nigeria.
The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Muhammad Nami, who spoke as the Special Guest at the Pedabo 2022 Annual Public-Private Sector Engagement yesterday, January 20, said that by virtue of the amendment to Section 25 of the FIRS (Establishment) Act in the 2021 Finance Act, any person who fails to grant the Service access to its information technology systems to connect to its automated tax administration solution is liable to penalties under the law.
“We will seek to achieve 100% automation of all our tax administration processes, which will block revenue leakages and revolutionize revenue generation in the country.
“We expect your full cooperation in this regard, considering that by the amendment to Section 25 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act in the 2021 Finance Act (through Section 18 of the 2021 Finance Act), any person who fails to grant the Service access to its information technology systems to connect to its automated tax administration solution is liable to penalties under the law.”
Muhammad Nami said that in the year 2021, the Service had leveraged on the amendments to its Establishment Act to embark on “a major infrastructure overhaul, focusing on the deployment of technology for the automation of its processes and procedures,” thereby deploying its home-grown integrated tax administration system, TaxPro Max.
He said that in 2022, the Service will give priority to the collection of taxes from the digital economy, and that it will deploy technological tools in assessing entities that fall within the Significant Economic Presence (SEP) threshold and relevant turnover generated from Nigeria.
“With the amendment of Section 10 of the VAT Act by the Finance Act 2021, we will implement the published Guidelines on the Simplified Compliance Regime on VAT for Non-Resident Suppliers, to collect VAT on digital supply of services and intangibles to Nigeria.
“The Service has deployed a digital service interface, the Digital Economic Compliance (DEC) Tool, to facilitate the implementation of the Regime. The implementation of the DEC Tools will also assist the Service in determining entities that fall within the SEP threshold and relevant turnover generated from Nigeria. This tool will go live shortly.”
He said that the Service will focus on compliance and enforcement strategies in 2022, “by leveraging on intelligence, strategic data mining and analysis, to enhance audit and investigation functions and implementing the penalty regimes in accordance with the laws. The Service is poised to ensure prosecution of recalcitrant taxpayers in 2022.”
Muhammad Nami called on taxpayers, consultants, collection agents and other stakeholders in the tax system to partner with the FIRS in 2022 to make taxation and tax revenue collection a pivot for economic growth and national development, adding: “no society can grow without its citizens paying their taxes.”
When preparation unites with expectations and opportunity – results happen. For every feat, there must be diligent preparation and effort. Nothing takes shape in disarray, grumbling and victim complex. We, the Igbo, cannot sit by the Rivers of Babylon and lament our way to the presidency. We cannot have what we are not ready or prepared for.
If work had been put in by Igbo political leaders in the past six years — forging alliances and mobilising consciences — the right atmosphere would have been created for the zoning of the presidency to the south-east by the foremost political parties in 2023. The mood today says otherwise. The Igbo are not prepared for the presidency — even though deserving of it.
I met with some of these leaders years ago. I shared my concerns about the self-relegation of the Igbo in national politics and suggested ways of generating a high-voltage flow for the realisation of the ever-elusive aspiration of presidency by the Igbo. I was discouraged by them. Well, I later found out their reason. Their interest was survivalist, and not about the Igbo.
These same people cry ‘’the Igbo are marginalised and Buhari is Fulanising Nigeria’’, but will work hysterically for another Fulani in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge as president. The fact is if any of the political parties happens to cede the presidential ticket to the south-east, these Igbo political elite will still tarry with the same presidential aspirant from the north-east. That is, survivalist politics — which negates the interest of the whole for that of the individual.
This brings me to the question. What did the PDP do to deserve the loyalty of the Igbo? What did the PDP do for the Igbo in 16 years when the party was in power? The Igbo have trudged with the PDP through thorns and thistles, yet have nothing to show for their years of blind loyalty. Absolutely nothing! I challenge anyone to list the infrastructural achievements of the PDP federal government in the south-east in 16 years.
I have searched frantically, but found nothing. The much-vaunted upgrading of Enugu airport to international standards under the PDP government was a hoax. The airport was only converted from a motor park to an aviation igloo. The Buhari administration later had to shut down the airport for repairs owing to the treacherous runway. The second Niger Bridge was only in the works on paper. But today, the bridge is nearing completion under an APC government that the Igbo do not fancy. Onitsha-Enugu expressway is also nearing completion as well as other projects by the federal government in the south-east.
What did the PDP do to deserve the loyalty of the Igbo?
It is really mindboggling trying to situate the reason for the Igbo’s love affair with the PDP. Some Igbo politicians today are racketing for inland ports in the south-east. They went on the accustomed refrain of nepotism when a dry port was established in Kaduna by the Buhari administration. But these people were in government years ago – for 16 years — what did they do for the south-east? Nothing!
The Igbo keep tailing the PDP through its floundering and wobbles. Even within the party, the south-east is henpecked. Yet, the Igbo sustain the romance.
As I said in the column: ‘In 2003, south-east voted for Obasanjo against Ojukwu – why’, the Igbo’s love for the PDP even conquered Odumegwu Ojukwu. In the 2003 presidential election in which Ojukwu, the famed Igbo leader, vied, the south-east voted tremendously for his rival – Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP. In fact, Ojukwu’s ‘’Igbo party’’, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) could not even win governorship elections in the south-east except in Anambra — the late politician’s native home.
In Anambra, Obasanjo had 466,866 votes which represent 54 percent of the entire count while Ojukwu had 279,378 – 34 percent of the total tally. In Abia, Obasanjo had 386,748 votes (51.7 percent) while Ojukwu had 260,899 votes (34.9 percent). In Ebonyi, Obasanjo had 752,823 votes (94.5 percent) but Ojukwu polled only 20,525 votes (02.6 percent) within the same range as Muhammadu Buhari who had 16,308 votes in the state.
In Enugu, Obasanjo had 897,721 votes (79.7 percent) while Ojukwu had 177,050 votes (15.7 percent). And in Imo, Obasanjo polled 656,861 votes (64.6 percent), but Ojukwu had 281,114 votes (27.7 percent). The late Igbo leader’s second attempt in 2007 was also unsuccessful.
Obasanjo trounced Ojukwu on his own turf. How intriguing? Today and like in the past, the Igbo elite consort with the PDP for their own survival – and not for the advancement of the Igbo. The beneficiaries of the PDP years were the elite who had sizeable representations in government. The south-east’s liaison with the PDP subsists, yet no commensurate dividends in terms of economic and infrastructural development for the region.
The south-east regaining its place means it must look beyond a solitary party. It must put itself in the thick of things. And to sit at the table, it must wrest itself from the enchantment of the PDP. It must forge new alliances – a new political and social concordat.
I ask again, what did the PDP do to deserve the loyalty of the Igbo?
By Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has expressed the determination to achieve 100 percent automation of all its tax administration processes with the aim of blocking revenue leakages, revolutionizing revenue generation in Nigeria.
The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Muhammad Nami, who spoke as the Special Guest at the Pedabo 2022 Annual Public Private Sector Engagement yesterday, January 20, said that by virtue of the amendment to Section 25 of the FIRS (Establishment) Act in the 2021 Finance Act, any person who fails to grant the Service access to its information technology systems to connect to its automated tax administration solution is liable to penalties under the law.
“We will seek to achieve 100% automation of all our tax administration processes, which will block revenue leakages and revolutionize revenue generation in the country.
“We expect your full cooperation in this regard, considering that by the amendment to Section 25 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act in the 2021 Finance Act (through Section 18 of the 2021 Finance Act), any person who fails to grant the Service access to its information technology systems to connect to its automated tax administration solution is liable to penalties under the law.”
Muhammad Nami said that in the year 2021, the Service had leveraged on the amendments to its Establishment Act to embark on “a major infrastructure overhaul, focusing on the deployment of technology for the automation of its processes and procedures,” thereby deploying its home-grown integrated tax administration system, TaxPro Max.
He said that in 2022, the Service will give priority to the collection of taxes from the digital economy, and that it will deploy technological tools in assessing entities that fall within the Significant Economic Presence (SEP) threshold and relevant turnover generated from Nigeria.
“With the amendment of Section 10 of the VAT Act by the Finance Act 2021, we will implement the published Guidelines on the Simplified Compliance Regime on VAT for Non-Resident Suppliers, to collect VAT on digital supply of services and intangibles to Nigeria.
“The Service has deployed a digital service interface, the Digital Economic Compliance (DEC) Tool, to facilitate the implementation of the Regime. The implementation of the DEC Tools will also assist the Service in determining entities that fall within the SEP threshold and relevant turnover generated from Nigeria. This tool will go live shortly.”
He said that the Service will focus on compliance and enforcement strategies in 2022, “by leveraging on intelligence, strategic data mining and analysis, to enhance audit and investigation functions and implementing the penalty regimes in accordance with the laws. The Service is poised to ensure prosecution of recalcitrant taxpayers in 2022.”
Muhammad Nami called on taxpayers, consultants, collection agents and other stakeholders in the tax system to partner with the FIRS in 2022 to make taxation and tax revenue collection a pivot for economic growth and national development, adding: “no society can grow without its citizens paying their taxes.”
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of Newsdiaryonline, Danlami Nmodu has announced the arrival of Modus Operandum into the Online newspaper family for strategic insight analysis. Unveiling the new platform, Nmodu said that it will be dedicated to analysis of insightful opinions, reviews and reports on issues of public interest. The publisher, who is a member of the National Institute, mni, said that he has chosen to float this additional platform to give back to society the benefits of his training at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies NIPSS, Kuru Jos. “After reflecting on the investment in me, I believe I needed to float this platform for insightful analysis of national issues.Hopefully Modus Operandum will emerge as a leading platform contributing towards policy reports and the policy briefs that may be relevant to public administration in Nigeria. “Essentially, Modus Operandum will for now remain accessible to the public. Nmodu, who is currently the Deputy President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers GOCOP, said that Modus Operandum will not be driven by the daily routine of breaking news, like the sister Newsdiaryonline that will continue to be active and strong on news and others. According to him the new platform will remain relevant, throwing penetrating insight into relevant contemporary issues. Nmodu explained that area of interest will be on health, public policy, election and democracy issues, anti corruption matters, defence, security and diplomatic issues among other. “Analysis from Modus Operandum staff and renowned contributors will be served on regular basis,” the publisher hinted.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has announced the approval of the sum of N56.2 billion by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the construction of road and park respectively in Abuja.
Malam Muhamad Musa Bello who spoke to newsmen at the end the meeting of the Council yesterday, January 19, said that the projects are for the full scope development of the FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road) from Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction (Stage 1), at the cost of N54,946,909,160.04 and the construction of access road and car Park for the Abuja Light Rail Gbazango Station (Lot 7) at the sum of N1,291,568,845.33.
Providing insight into the two projects, the Minister said that the construction of the road from Kuje to Airport Expressway becomes necessary because the existing 2-lane single carriage way road is grossly inadequate to carry the current traffic as it is in a deplorable condition requiring frequent rehabilitation.
He said that when fully constructed, the road will open up for development of the parts of Phase V of the Federal Capital City, as well as open up the Kuje Satellite Town, while connecting the Airport Expressway to the future Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) in line with the Abuja Master Plan.
The Minister said that the project will also decongest the vehicular traffic originating from the Federal Capital City (FCC) to Kuje and provide free traffic flow along the route as well as provide an alternative route to Gwagwalada road.
He said that the nine kilometer road with a spur to Kyami district, is one of the key regional roads of the FCT from the North to the South, planned to link other future Federal Roads to the FCT and other parts of the Country.
On the access road and car Park for the Abuja Light Rail Gbazango Station, the Minister said the public attraction to the completed Gbazango Train Station in the area has necessitated need to provide immediate access to-and-from the train station and to further enhance maximum functionality Abuja Rail Mass Transit System (ARMTS) of the Federal Capital City (FCC) due to commenced operation.
“The project, when completed, will help to create access for physical development to be realized and will reduce traffic pressure being experienced on the existing roads within the area
It will also link up with the Outer Northern Expressway-ONEX (Murtala Muhammed Expressway).”
He added that the facility will improve the security situation in the area, create job opportunities as well as the enhancement of socio-economic activities of the FCT.
The Gbazango Station located within Gbazango area of Kubwa Satellite Town is planned to start from the existing Arab Road and connect the train station through a service facility corridor in Gbazango and Kubwa areas.
Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has made it clear that though he is ready for the campaigns and capable to lead the country but that he is not desperate to become President.
Fielding questions from reporters at the National Assembly yesterday, January 19, Orji Kalu, who is the Senate Chief Whip said that the Presidential contest will be the collective decision of Nigerians and the zoning arrangement of the Political parties, particularly his party, the ruling All Progressive’s Congress (APC).
The former Governor stressed that the Southeast region is overdue to Produce the next President of the country, adding that there are two zones that are yet to produce the President, which are the Southeast and Northeast geo Political zones.
Orji Kalu said that his recent visit to President Muhammadu Buhari was a usual one and that their relationship has spanned many years before he became President.
He said that their discussions were centred on national issues with regards to security, electoral laws and the welfare of the country.
“This is not the first time I’m going to see the President. People usually go in the afternoon but I went in the night to avoid the press.
“I go there regularly. It’s a family affair and I went there to discuss national issues with regards to security, well being of our country and the issue of the electoral law and the discussion was very fruitful.
When asked if he informed the President of his Presidential Ambition, he said: “has the party zoned the ticket to the Southeast? It’s only when the party zone is officially to the South. I have said before that there are only two zones that have not been President: the Southeast and the Northeast. Once it’s zoned to the Southeast I have the capacity and the capability I will roll out my campaign and rock like a hurricane.
“It’s overdue for an Igboman to become a Nigerian President, I believe the Southeast should produce the next President and it’s going to happen.”
Orji Kalu slammed other Presidential aspirants in the APC who had gone to inform President Buhari about their intentions, saying that they are not serious people.
He said that those who are already pushing are not being fair to the feelings of Nigerians.
“They are not serious. A serious minded person will like to be fair to Nigeria, to be fair to the society and be fair to the atmosphere because this party is not owned by me or by you the press people. It is only APC people that can decide where the party ticket will go to,If they zone it to the Southeast I have all it takes to make a good President.”
The Abia North Senator said that he would pursue his Presidential Ambition with other geopolitical zones of the Nation, saying that he will commence Nationwide consultation at the right time.
Responding to questions on the APC’s February 26th convention, Orji Kalu expressed optimism that the exercise will be peaceful, adding that the outcome will make Nigerians proud.
When asked about President Buhari’s body language to the contentious electoral act and 2023, Orji Kalu said: “his body language is where other Nigerians are. His body language is for Nigeria and Nigerians.”
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President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a word of sympathy to the parents of the 5-year old schoolgirl, Hanifa Abubakar, who was allegedly kidnapped and subsequently killed by her teacher, Abdulkadir Tanko.
The Kano State Government has ordered the immediate closure of a private school, Noble Kids Academy, in Nassarawa Local Government Area of the state, where a teacher in the school, Abdulmalik Mohammed Tanko allegedly kidnapped, killed and buried a pupil, Hanifa Abubakar.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has announced the approval of the sum of N56.2 billion by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the construction of road and park respectively in Abuja.
A UK-Africa Trade Deal Will Boost Commonwealth – Post Brexit, Create Jobs, By Muhammadu Buhari
Two years after the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, my country Nigeria and her African partners seek a new settlement with Britain: one based on cooperation in fairer – and freer – trade.
The UK and Nigeria share a deep and special partnership. We are champions for peace and security in Africa. We are custodians of the Commonwealth. Yet in recent years our relationship, particularly on trade, has been defined by Britain’s membership of the European Union.
It meant being part of attempts to cajole individual African nations into lopsided European bilateral economic partnership agreements. Nigeria rejected such a deal in 2018, as it sought only to prioritise beneficial terms for raw commodities export to Europe while erecting high tariff barriers to goods manufactured and processed in Africa – stunting job creation. Lack of employment is a key cause of mass migration from Africa to Europe, perversely caused by the very trade policies intended for Europe’s protection.
Now, all this can be changed. Last September, history was made with the UK becoming the first country in the world to sign a memorandum with the African Union’s 54-country Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This should lead to a UK-African union free trade deal. It would be one made with parity, considering Africa’s $3tn combined GDP is equivalent to that of the United Kingdom, the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Given that the Commonwealth’s 19 African members collectively produce over half the African continent’s GDP, a UK-Africa deal would, concurrently, cause a revitalisation of intra-Commonwealth trade and with it the club itself – a stated British foreign policy aim. This could be further enhanced should we take advantage of the fact those 19 nations’ national laws are built on the principles of English jurisprudence: a common platform from which to better align regulations on investment and certification.
A deal would enable Britain to practice the free trade it has long preached. It would represent recognition by a G7 economy of the benefits of African unity; that job creation and manufacturing in Africa can be an advantage and not a threat to the western world. And it would inject momentum into a renewed Commonwealth, after decades during which the organisation’s potential for economic cooperation was in abeyance while its most influential founding member was bound to European trade policies and unable to act alone. A Commonwealth rebuilt around trade would help replenish this underused club of friends.
But before we reach ahead of ourselves, we must remember that though the purpose of trade deals should be mutual prosperity, favorable terms can be rejected because little attention has been made to persuade public opinion. On both sides, there will be those concerned over competition and terms of trade.
To carry our citizens with us we must start by agreeing on the most favorable trading terms for those products each other does not produce. Fresh and processed foodstuffs, for instance, which cannot be grown in the UK should be prioritised with favorable or no tariffs.
For British companies seeking opportunities in Africa, there should be incentives for sectors heavy in job creation. Here there are millions of highly-skilled, English-speaking but underemployed young people. They are eager to work but without the opportunities that foreign investment can bring to create jobs and build businesses.
This great market is Britain’s opportunity. But, of course, some see it as a threat to where jobs can only be lost and from where immigrants come. They view engagement as a partially open door that will only become wider – unless borders become walls, and Britain a fortress.
That is a mistake. Those who rail against “economic migrants” must realise few people anywhere wish to leave their communities to live in foreign lands. Most would rather stay at home. But the way to help them stay there is not by force, or walls, or racism: it is investment and jobs where they live.
And those jobs will be needed to produce the goods and services demanded by Africa’s growing middle class, whose number is predicted to be close to one billion by 2050. They will not be cheaper replacements for employment lost in Britain or elsewhere: rather extra jobs, created by expanding opportunities in a growing African economy.
Those who come from Britain seeking opportunities will be welcomed by an expanding and worldly-wise middle class wishing to experience the best of British culture, products, and expertise – from television and creative industries to iconic cars and education services.
Being the first mover amongst the G7 to seek a trade deal with Africa, the UK is positioning itself to secure the very best of terms and stands able to revive intra-Commonwealth trade, replenish its relations with the fastest growing market in the world, tackle the causes of economic migration – and create jobs and wealth that boost rather than threaten those at home.
Muhammadu Buhari is President of the Federal. Republic of Nigeria
First published by the
Independent of London.