The government is optimistic that it can successfully spearhead the bank’s formation because of Nigeria’s range of resources such as growing foreign reserves, increasing earnings from crude oil, its major roles in the establishment of some pan-African financial institutions and national economic growth under the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS).

The pan-African bank is expected to provide fund for the region’s weak infrastructural platforms and strengthen the member-countries’ investment portfolios. Without any hitches in its formative stage, the bank to be known as the African Investment Bank, will begin operations in 2009 with its headquarters in Nigeria.

Other members of the committee are: the CBN Deputy Governor, (Financial Sector Surveillance), Mr. Tunde Lemo, who is its alternate chairman; the CBN Deputy Governor, (Operations), Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; and Prof. Sylvester Monye of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja.

Others are former President, Afrexim, Mr. Chris Edordu; Dr. Seyyid Abdulai, former Director General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC (Funds); Oba O. Fajana and Alhaji Aliko Dangote who is representing the private sector.

The rest are the Group Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu; the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Tayo Aderinokun; the Managing Director of Access Bank Group Plc, Mr. Aigboje-Imoukhuede and the Special Adviser to the CBN Governor, Mr. Chidozie Emenuga, who will serve as the committee’s secretary.

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced in Abuja that two sub-groups had been set up by its technical branch on GSM Roaming to address the core issues of interconnectivity of regional networks and tariff harmonisation that will facilitate the introduction of a region-wide roaming facility in West Africa by December 2006.

Observers have often deplored the prevailing situation in the sub-region whereby it is easier to put a call by GSM to countries in Europe or America than access a line in a country in West Africa, despite the proximity.

According to the ECOWAS Secretariat, the first group would make proposals for strengthening trans-border interconnectivity to ensure the free flow of intra-community calls through improvements in telecommunications infrastructure. The second is expected to review the proposals already adopted by GSM operators on tariff harmonisation and billing.

Interestingly, leaders of the African Union (AU), at their recently concluded meeting, also adopted the report on the implementation of the project for the creation of a unified telecommunications numbering space for Africa.

ECOWAS Secretariat said yesterday in Abuja that the two groups have already approved actions plans indicating critical activities to be undertaken towards the realisation of the project, which was originally approved during the January 12th, 2006 29th Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Niamey.

Meanwhile, the technical group has also proposed some measures for implementation under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) involving member states, telecommunications regulators in the sub-region and GSM operators that will enhance the creation of an environment conducive for the realisation of the project.

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The 2006 tournament has started brightly. No disrespect to Libya, but most neutrals were hoping for an Egyptian victory in Friday’s competition opener. That the Pharaohs delivered three goals without reply means there’s no danger of the locals losing interest, before things have really got going.

Spurs striker Mido strolled through the game, leading the line for an Egypt side untroubled by their modest Libyan opponents. Mohamed Aboutrika’s superb free-kick from distance represented the individual highlight of a job well done by the host nation at the Cairo International Stadium.

So much have been said about the Ivorian’s build-up to the African Cup of Nations, about the striking prowess of Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, and perhaps not enough about defensive stalwarts, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, the Arsenal pair. Their keeper, Jean-Jacques Tizie, who plays his club football for the Tunisian club Esperance was similarly excellent.

I will say this. I’m far from convinced the Ivorians should have been awarded their 36th minute penalty. I believe you will agree with me also. Moroccan defender Walid Regragui fouled Drogba outside the area for me. Yet no one of fair disposition can really argue with the end result. If this is a portent of things to come from the Ivory Coast, they won’t be far away when the medals are handed out.

An average African would fancy them to make an impact at the World Cup, were it not for the unforgiving group they’ve landed in. With the best will in the world, it’s hard to imagine the Elephants finishing above Argentina and Holland, not to mention Serbia & Montenegro.

But wait… the conclusion that Africa will be hard pressed to do itself justice in Germany is unavoidable. This view has been reinforced in the wake of dispiriting displays at the weekend by two African World Cup standard bearers, Angola and Togo. On the one hand, Angola’s 3-1 defeat by Cameroon was no surprise. The Palancas Negras won’t be the last team to succumb to Samuel Eto’o and his mates in Egypt. However, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that there’s insufficient quality within the squad, for World Cup progress to be likely.

Then we come to Togo, whose plight, following a tame 2-0 surrender to DR Congo, has worsened with news of a row between coach Stephen Keshi and star player Emmanuel Adebayor. No one is quite sure, at the time of writing, what precisely has caused this fight. Originally listed in Togo’s side on Saturday, Adebayor’s name was later removed. The recently signed Arsenal striker started on the bench, and only came on near the end of the match. Whoever is right and wrong in this mess is unclear. What can’t be contradicted, though, is that Togo rely extremely heavily on Adebayor. Without him, they’re rather ordinary.

At least there was better luck on Sunday in Alexandria, for another World Cup country, Tunisia, the defending champions. The 4-1 margin of victory might look emphatic, yet this was a remarkably even game for long periods. The Zambians scored first when James Chamanga took advantage of a misunderstanding between goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel and defender Hatem Trabelsi. However, Tunisia’s Brazilian born striker Francileudo dos Santos netted a fine hat-trick, while Riad Bouazizi also got on target.

South Africa’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Guinea merely underlines what many who follow Bafana Bafana closely have been saying for some time. This is a very poor side and no one can begrudge the more inventive Guineans their victory.

No doubt about the most eye-catching individual effort so far. That early honour goes to the incomparable Eto’o. After scoring three times against the Angolans, you wonder if it’s not far-fetched to picture the Cameroonian reaching double figures by competition’s end.

In my view, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and the host nation have all demonstrated that they have the capacity to go far the tournament. We’ll know more about Nigerian and Ghanaian credentials after their meeting – the African equivalent of England v Scotland – in Port Said on Monday.

If you’ve given the African Cup of Nations the old body swerve so far, do an about-turn. You won’t regret it.

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