Africa
Buhari Seeks Enhanced Coordination To Combat ‘Multiplicity Of Threats’ In West Africa
Buhari has sought enhanced coordination to combat what he described as a “multiplicity of threats” in West Africa.
Eko Hot Blog reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has called for greater cooperation among neighbouring countries with Nigeria to better combat escalating volatilities and multiplicity of threats across West Africa and the Sahel.
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The president made the call on Thursday in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, at the launch of the French version of his biography, Muhammadu Buhari: the Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria, after inaugurating a 3.8km long and 160m wide Boulevard named after him by the Government of Niger Republic.
‘‘My remarks will not be complete if I did not mention the escalating volatilities and multiplicity of threats across our region of West Africa and the Sahel,” he said at the book launch attended by President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau as well as the current Chairman of ECOWAS, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Head of the Transition Military Council and President of Chad, and former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou.
‘‘The ever-evolving nature of the threats we face underlines the need for enhanced coordination. There is no doubt that we have made incremental progress in our collective fight against terrorism and other trans-border crime.
‘‘However, a lot remains to be done, especially in the face of renewed efforts by violent extremist groups to expand their operations and footholds in West Africa.”
Expressing the belief that ending terrorism and trans-border crimes in the region is achievable, Buhari reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to bilateral as well as multilateral initiatives, with neighbouring partners such as Niger, Chad and Cameroun, toward realising this objective.
On the launch of the French version of his biography, the president said it was his fervent hope that it ‘‘would serve as a clarion call to emerging leaders across Africa, and inspire them to always be guided by the core values of hard work, integrity and patriotism.’’
He added that the lessons from the book should spur leaders to also work in accordance with the rule of law and constitutional constraints.
The Nigerian leader thanked President Bazoum for the honour bestowed on six Nigerians in August of this year, in recognition of their roles in strengthening the bonds between the two nations.
He described the relationship between Nigeria and Niger as a true one, characterised by shared history, values and tradition.
Buhari also commended former President Issoufou for initiating the Boulevard project and the incumbent for seeing to its completion and launching it.
‘‘There is no greater honour than when one’s life is considered worthy of emulation.
‘‘Your kindness translated through this gesture, is a further testament to the affinity that exists between our two peoples since time immemorial,’’ he said, expressing deep appreciation to the Nigerien president ‘‘for the enviable honour’’ bestowed on him in a profound way.
The book reviewer was Prof Abdallah Adamu, former Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), according to a statement by Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
At the occasion, the President of Niger decorated four Nigerians for their roles in fostering excellent bilateral relations between both countries.
They are Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources (OER), Sayyu Dantata, Chief Executive Officer, MRS Holdings Limited and Aliyu Farouk, APC chieftain.
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Buhari is in Niger Republic for a summit of the African Union (AU), which will hold on Friday.
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