Latest news with #MersoleMellejor
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
PH to open Migrant Workers Office in Abuja, Nigeria
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will open a Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Abuja, Nigeria to provide support and protection to an estimated 6,000 Filipinos in the West African nation. The DMW made the statement after Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, along with Philippine envoy to Nigeria Mersole Mellejor, met with Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and Labor Minister Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi to discuss enhanced labor cooperation, protection mechanisms, and future labor market opportunities. 'The establishment of the MWO in Abuja will not just provide immediate assistance and support to an estimated 6,000 Filipinos in Nigeria, but also to OFWs across 12 other West and Central African countries covered by the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja,' said the DMW in a statement. The department added that the establishment of an MWO in Abuja 'will facilitate faster response to labor concerns, provide legal and welfare assistance, and improve coordination with host governments and employers.' Tuggar highlighted opportunities for Filipino professionals in Nigeria's electrical, solar, and emerging industries, while, Dingyadi expressed support for the opening of a labor office at the Philippine embassy in Abuja, and assured to discuss a bilateral labor agreement soon. 'As Africa's most populous nation and largest crude oil and natural gas producer, Nigeria plays a significant role in global energy markets. Its oil wealth has fueled rapid growth in infrastructure, construction, and other industries, creating labor demand that could present new employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Filipino workers,' the DMW said. 'Additionally, the country's expanding agribusiness and services sectors offer further potential for bilateral cooperation in manpower deployment.' — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Philippine Ambassador Presents Letter of Credence as Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Philippine Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mr. Mersole J. Mellejor presented his Letter of Credence signed by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, designating him as Philippine Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, in a ceremony held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in the Nigerian capital Abuja on 16 June 2025. This is the first time that the Philippines has an accredited permanent representative to the ECOWAS since its establishment under the Treaty of Lagos in May 1975. While the Philippines is not an ECOWAS member, having a permanent representative is a welcome development allowing attendance in ECOWAS meetings/activities, which offer good networking opportunities and more visibility for the country in line with its thrust for a more focused engagement with Africa. ECOWAS was formed in 1975 originally by 15 countries in Western Africa: namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sénégal and Togo. Cabo Verde joined in 1977. Mauritania withdrew in December 2000 but subsequently signed an associate-membership agreement in August 2017. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew on 29 January 2025 following the establishment of military rule in these countries, which is deemed contrary to ECOWAS principles. At present, ECOWAS has 12 members. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.
