President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday has assured President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic that he will continue to push for stability in the region for the benefit of Nigeria and its neighbours.
President Buhari disclosed this when he played host to the newly inaugurated President of the Republic of Niger, who made his first international visit to Nigeria since becoming President.
He said some Nigerians and Nigeriens are people with similar culture, language and ways of life, “and we also share about 1,500 kilometres of land border, so we cannot ignore each other.”
Speaking further, President Buhari congratulated Bazoum on winning the recent presidential election, and his successful inauguration into office.
“You have been in the system for a long time. The only thing is that you had never been President. Now you are one,” the host President said, assuring that Nigeria would assist its close neighbour in diverse ways as required.
On terrorism, as perpetrated by Boko Haram, President Buhari observed that Republic of Niger also suffers high casualties, vowing; “We will do all it takes to secure our two countries.”
Moreover, President Buhari was thankful to the immediate past President, Mahamadou Issoufou, for what he calls “his understanding and sacrifices” in the region, urging the successor to maintain the institutions his predecessor had established.
In his words, President Bazoum said he was delighted to make Nigeria his first port of call, noting that the two countries have common interests, “and, therefore, a good relationship is very important.
On security, he observed that the fact that some Nigerians flee to Niger during terrorist attacks “shows that we need to cooperate, and we will face our challenges together.”
