OACPS: Nigeria Becomes Party To Revised Georgetown Agreement
Amb. Obinna Onowu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium/Head of
Delegation to the European Union and Organization of African, Caribbean
and Pacific States, (OACPS), on Wednesday deposited Nigeria’s Instrument
of Accession to the Revised Georgetown Agreement of the OACPS.
Nigeria now becomes a party to the Revised Georgetown Agreement.
The Organisation (OACPS) is a grouping of 79 African, Caribbean, and
Pacific Countries with a special relationship with the European Union.
Its main purpose is to support the sustainable development of its member
states through development cooperation – South-South, North-South, and
Triangular Partnerships.
Nigeria, a major contributor to the budget of OACPS, and the
organization recognizes the potential of the diaspora to promote
inclusive development and structural social change in OACPS Member
States hence the interest of both sides in the effective and sustainable
engagement of OACPS Diaspora.
In this connection, the OACPS has designated Hon (Dr) Abike
Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission
(NIDCOM) as the *Champion of Diaspora.
At the Summit of the OACPS in Luanda, Angola from 6th- 9th December
2022, Heads of State and Government endorsed Nigeria’s offer to host a
Centre of Excellence on Diaspora in Abuja.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is also collaborating with the
Secretariat of the OACPS to organize an International Conference on
Diaspora in Abuja this year. This meeting will bring stakeholders across
three continents to Abuja to share experiences on Diaspora engagement
issues.
The African Caribbean and Pacific States, ACP (now OACPS) was
established on 6th June 1975 under the instrument of the Georgetown
Agreement. The Agreement was revised on 1st April 2020 to effect the
transformation of ACP into the OACPS on 5th April 2020.
It could be recalled that the OACPS delegation facilitated by Amb Obinna
Onowu visited Nigeria and had far-reaching conversations with the
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM in Abuja.
Today, Nigeria becomes a Party to the Revised Georgetown Agreement.
