President Muhammadu Buhari has called for foreign assistance in the country’s mission to tackle insecurity.
Buhari further noted that the problem is not what a single country can effectively contain.
Buhari also commended the collective efforts of nations towards tackling security challenges across the globe, and within Nigeria, urging more collaboration to check terrorism, banditry, and insurgency.
Receiving Letters of Credence from Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador James Kingston Christoff and Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria, Juan Alfred Miranda Oritz, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President told the diplomats that successes in taming insecurity had been recorded through collaboration across borders, and more could be achieved.
This information was contained in a document signed by the president but released by his aide, Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina.
The statement reads in part: “The devastating effect of global insecurity, climate change, and the post-COVID-19 era has devastated global economies. Nations continue to struggle to recover from these multiple global challenges
“The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has undermined the progress countries have achieved in tackling food security in the last decade. While, the political instability in Libya continues to fuel terrorism in the Sahel, as well as scuttle democratic sustenance in both West and Central African regions.
“Nigeria is not left out of the equation, as we are fighting to rid our country of banditry, kidnapping, herder/farmer crisis, and insurgency. We are, however, making meaningful progress with the support of friendly countries like yours to sustain these fights until we overcome these challenges.”
At the regional level, Buhari said Nigeria had been working with other Member-States of ECOWAS and other regional blocs, to deal with the problems of terrorism, trans-border crimes, maritime crimes such as piracy and illegal fishing on our waters, illicit drug and human trafficking, banditry, as well as unconstitutional changes of government.
“I believe that matters of security have become the business of all nations as these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain. The world must, therefore, work closely together and Nigeria counts on your support in cementing the relations between our countries at both bilateral and multilateral levels to surmount these global threats to civilization,” Buhari said.
He urged diplomats to monitor political developments in the country, leading to the 2023 elections, but remain true to their professional ethics of non-interference.
Buhari noted that Nigeria was drawing closer to its national elections and candidates representing their parties at different levels were beginning to build consensus within their respective parties in preparations for the launching of campaigns across the country soon.
“As the drums of campaign begin to rise, I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections,” he said.
The President also advised the diplomats to focus on building on the successes of their predecessors.
He noted, “The tasks before you require you both to build on the successes of your predecessors and further make efforts in the expansion and advancement of the cordial bilateral relations and cooperation between Nigeria and your respective countries. These relations as you all know span across political, socio-economic, and cultural spheres that have over time benefitted our peoples.
“I am confident that, in carrying out your diplomatic responsibilities in the course of your tour of duties, you will spare time to appreciate the uniqueness and strength in our country’s cultural diversities, in terms of both human and natural resources, as well as the flora and fauna across the country.”
He said the cultural diversity of Nigeria “represents our pride as a nation and identity as a people,’’ while urging the diplomats to also build friendships and acquaintances in the course of their stay in the country.
In his remarks, on behalf of the ambassadors, the Canadian High Commissioner thanked the President for the ceremony of accepting the Letters of Credence.
“Today marks the formal beginning of our engagement with the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will work closely with ministers and officials to start a progressive relationship,” Christoff said.
*Nigeria security now a thing of grave concern –SGF
Similarly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, has lamented that insecurity was now a thing of concern since all Nigerians were affected by the challenge.
Mustapha said this when the President of the Nation Council of Women Society, NCWS, Lami Adamu Lau, led members of the Women in National Service, WINSERVE, Week Implementation Committee on a visit to his office in Abuja.
The SGF, therefore, urged Nigerians to show concern about the current security challenges in the country.
“I want to appeal to Nigerians to take the issue of security as everybody’s business, it’s not government business, and everyone has a role.
“Constitutionally, the government has the responsibility of providing for the security and wellbeing of the people, but the people have a role to play. Security is everybody’s business, and we should take it as such and it starts from the home,” he said.
*We’ve given security forces full freedom to deal with terrorists, bandits –Buhari
