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.
Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s spokesman in a statement, said he was speaking 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”.
The Nigerian leader had earlier inaugurated a 3.8kilometers and 160m wide Boulevard named after him by the Government of Niger Republic.
Buhari said: ‘‘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.
‘‘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 crimes.
‘‘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,’’
The book launch was attended by President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau as well as the current Chairman of ECOWAS, Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Head of the Transition Military Council and President of Chad.
Former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, also witnessed the launch of the book.
According to Buhari, ending terrorism and trans-border crimes in the region is achievable,
He, therefore, 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 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.
‘‘No wonder our people are able to coexist peacefully across our shared border, which spans over 1500 kilometres, and we remain the best of brothers and neighbours.
‘‘It gives me great pleasure to note that President Bazoum has taken active steps to consolidate those fraternal bonds since assuming leadership in April last year.
‘‘Mr President has undoubtedly championed the expansion of frontiers of cooperation between our two countries.
“He has fostered an environment of mutual trust, further underscoring the importance that Niger attaches to the strategic nature of our relations.
‘‘It is within this context that I find it auspicious that Mr. President dedicated time and resources to translate into the French language, a book chronicling my modest life,’’ he said.
Buhari also commended former Issoufou for initiating the 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.
Buhari expressed 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).
At the occasion, the president of Niger decorated four Nigerians for their roles in fostering excellent bilateral relations between both countries.
They were 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, an APC chieftain.
Meanwhile, the Presidency, on Thursday, said the naming of a road after Buhari in Niger Republic was an indication of the tremendous respect which Nigeria’s neighbours have towards him.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, disclosed this in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, shortly after Buhari inaugurated a major road named after him.
Shehu said President of Niger Republic, Mohammed Bazoun, accompanied by the Mayor of Niamey and other officials, took Buhari on a tour of the 3.8 kilometer boulevard inaugurated in line with the country’s constitutional provisions.
The presidential aide quoted Buhari as expressing satisfaction with the existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and its neigbours.
Buhari expressed the belief that such ties had helped tremendously, especially in the areas of tackling border insecurity, illegal arms import, and smuggling.
Shehu said Buhari had on assumption of office in 2015, opened up strong dialogue with neighbouring Niger, Benin, Chad, and Cameroon, an approach, which had resulted in positive diplomatic ties of mutual interest to both countries.
”President Buhari has strong respect for our neigbours, and he understands the essence of good neigbourliness.
”Before this administration, some of these countries complained that they were not even being talked to by Nigerian leadership. We have opened up dialogue with them and it is paying off.
”We are partnering with them on essential matters, especially on security, tackling smuggling, and importation of illegal weapons, so the partnership is complete,” Shehu added.
The presidential aide believed that Bubari would be leaving behind on May 29, 2023, a solid relationship, built on a solid rock with Nigeria’s neighbours and expected to be built upon by his successor.
The Nigerian leader is in Niamey to join other leaders in the continent for the African Union (AU) summit on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification.
