President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR says Africa has been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy
He added that Nigeria will sustain its spotlight on African countries as the fulcrum of its policies on economy and foreign policy, assuring that trade issues, security and border controls will be mutually implemented.
Receiving the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, after the Summit on New Global Financing Pact, President Tinubu noted that bilateral relations with African countries, particularly at the regional level will be enhanced for shared benefits in areas of security, health, energy, education and diplomacy.
“We are ready to improve relations. Africa has been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” he said.
“I believe in Africa. We have the necessity to grow the continent. The world’s economy is wobbling, and Africa has been left behind. On risk factors, Africa is always placed high, with higher interest rates on borrowing. We are always classified as high risk. We must work together for systematic recovery and growth,” he added.
President Tinubu described Nigeria’s relations with the Benin Republic as that of Siamese twins, joined at the hips, and supported by other friendly countries.
“We must recognise the fact that we need each other. We are in a loop and no one should separate us,” he stated, assuring that his administration will always be open and accessible to all neighbouring countries.
“I just appointed someone who will work with you as Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, and he will be available for our common interest,” the President noted.
Renewed Hope
The President of Benin said he was inspired with renewed hope for the region and Africa at the inauguration of President Tinubu in Abuja, pledging to provide support on trade and security policy, especially at the borders.
“We are prepared to work with you, Your Excellency, in implementing policies that will protect our economies at land and sea entries. Whatever is forbidden in Nigeria will also be forbidden in Benin,” Talon added.
President Tinubu also had bilateral meetings with Swiss President, Alain Berset, and the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a bi-lateral meeting with the President of Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, on the sideline of the summit on A New Financing Pact in Paris, France, on Friday.#PBATInParis pic.twitter.com/keThZ5tVkn
— Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Media Centre (@ABATMediaCentre) June 23, 2023
The Nigerian Leader also met with the Chairman of the world’s largest polymer producing company, Sri Lohia.
He is the topmost global supplier of machinery for end-to-end solutions for plastic woven fabric industry used for packaging systems for both solid bulk materials and infrastructure applications.
PIAK
