From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, has shown his country’s willingness to become the 37th state of Nigeria, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama disclosed.
Speaking after a closed door meeting with Beninoise Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Aurélien Agbenonci, Onyeama said that the Beninoise President’s intention was expressed when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari a few weeks back.
In addition, the minister said President Buhari and his Beninoise counterpart will work to bring the issue of smuggling raising concerns between the two countries to an end.
Onyeama said: “The President of Benin said as far as they are concerned, they want (not just saying it like that) but in reality, Benin should be the 37th state of Nigeria.”
“We should really be one. They charged us to come together at ministerial level, to work out a framework for a sustainable relationship.”
Onyeama said, at the visit, both presidents discussed ways on how both countries can address smuggling, which has been a threat to Nigerian economy.
The New Diplomat understands that a preponderance of goods smuggled to Nigeria from across West Africa passes through Benin, which borders Nigeria to West.
Recall Nigeria recently opened its land borders after months of closure, citing smuggling and other nefarious activities by its neighbours.
