By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the international community that Nigeria is working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address insecurity in the West African region, as well as as well as to implement strategies to contain the avalanche of unconstitutional changes in government.
Buhari gave the assurance in Abuja on Thursday while receiving Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan, at Government House.
The president’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari called for countries’ cooperation and collaboration to overcome the challenges in West Africa.
The president invited friendly countries to “support efforts to address the problem of insecurity, the fight against corruption, the diversification of the economy and our efforts to promote good governance.”
As Nigerians prepare to elect another government in the general election on February 25, 2023, President Buhari has renewed his call on foreign government representatives not to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
“I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the confines of your profession while overseeing the preparation of the elections and the conduct of the general election itself.
“I wish them every success in their respective tours of duty, and at the same time, I encourage them to take time to enjoy the unique nature and culture available to them as they travel our country,” he said.
The President assured the ambassadors that Nigeria and their respective nations have highly friendly and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and collaboration, and commended the contributions made by their predecessors who worked diligently and with determination to advance these causes.
“Therefore, I am confident that your appointments are obviously deliberate to build on the successes of your immediate predecessors in order to advance our relationship to significant and enviable heights.
“As you assume your diplomatic responsibilities, I hope you will appreciate the political, socioeconomic and cultural diversities that are the hallmarks of the Nigerian nation.
“I encourage you to build friendships and take the time to fraternize across the country, including interacting with the public and private sectors in an attempt to explore areas of mutual benefit to your respective countries and Nigeria.
“Sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, local manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, transportation, and solid minerals are areas of particular interest to both us and foreign investors.
“This will allow us to collectively strive to resuscitate the economies of all our countries in the post-pandemic global recovery processes.”
President Buhari also acknowledged the support of the respective countries in his Administration’s campaign to address insecurity challenges such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, drug and human trafficking, as well as the threats posed by the challenges environmental effects derived from climate change in the lake. Chad region.
He reiterated that the different factors that explain these challenges go beyond the capacities of a single country to contain them effectively.
He stressed that security issues have become a business for all the nations of the world to work together on both bilateral and multilateral platforms and build consensus to overcome these challenges.
The Ambassadors who presented their Credentials are Nicolas Lang, Switzerland; Annika Hahn Englund, Sweden; Peter Ryan, Ireland; Kitiisak Klomchit, Thailand, Nicolas Nyouky, Senegal, and David Chaot from South Sudan.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Swiss Ambassador assured the Nigerian President that they will exercise “their functions as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with dedication, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and for the mutual benefit of our countries”.
Wishing Nigeria peaceful, free and fair elections, the ambassadors expressed their goodwill to the president in his remaining days in office.
“We are very aware of the importance of Nigeria for the well-being of the entire African continent, its role in international politics and its weight in the world economy.
“Each and every one of us is proud to represent his country and its interests in this great Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Lang said.
