We’ll stabilise our region, Buhari promises Nigerien president
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, assured the newly inaugurated President of Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, of Nigeria’s commitment to stabilising the region.
President Buhari stated this when he received his Nigerien counterpart who was in Nigeria on his first international visit.
Buhari in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said, “We will stabilise our region for the benefit of the two countries.”
The President said Nigerians and Nigeriens share some cultural affinities and ways of life, “and we also share about 1,500 kilometres of land border, so we cannot ignore each other.”
Buhari, who congratulated Bazoum on winning the recent presidential election, and his successful inauguration into office, assured that Nigeria would assist its close neighbour in diverse ways as required.
“You have been in the system for a long time. The only thing is that you had never been President. Now you are one,” he said.
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.”
President Buhari, who thanked the immediate past President, Mahamadou Issoufou, for what he called “his understanding and sacrifices” to help stabilise the region, urged the successor to maintain the institutions his predecessor had established.
President Bazoum, who said he was delighted to make Nigeria his first port of call, noted 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.”
