Buhari Gives Legal Backing To Nigeria’s Membership Of ICO

Posted by Eric Ojo Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Friday, August 20th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the International Coffee Agreement to give legal backing to Nigeria’s membership of the International Coffee Organization (ICO).

The ratification by the President is sequel to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of Nigeria’s membership of the ICO.

The ICO was set up in 1963 in London, under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) due to the economic importance of coffee. It administers the International Coffee Agreement (ICA), an important instrument for development cooperation.

Meanwhile, the International Coffee Council is the highest authority of the organization and is composed of representatives of each Member Government. It meets in March and September to discuss coffee matters, approve strategic documents and consider the recommendations of advisory bodies and committees

The FEC meeting had drawn a conclusion on the agreement on October 21, 2020, with emphasis on Conclusion 10 which approved the preparation of the Instrument of Ratification of Nigeria’s membership of the global body and International Coffee Agreement of 2007.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said in a statement on Thursday that the 2007 Agreement will strengthen the ICO’s role as a forum for intergovernmental consultations, facilitate international trade through increased transparency and access to relevant information, and promote a sustainable coffee economy for the benefit of all stakeholders and particularly of small-scale farmers in coffee producing countries.

He noted that the agreement is an important instrument for development cooperation and will provide the legal framework for core activities undertaken by the Organization in the future.

“The Instrument of Ratification was prepared by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami”, he further explained.