NIGERIA. Abuja: President Mohammadu Buhari has called on the international community to support combating terrorism, banditry, and all forms of insurgency in Nigeria.
Buhari announced this in Abuja while receiving Letters of Credence from Canadian High Commissioner, Ambassador James Christoff, and Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Oritz.
The Nigerian president, who believes in working together to combat insecurity, stated that success has been achieved through collaboration and that he strives for more.
“The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has undermined the progress countries have made in addressing food security over the last decade.” At the same time, Libya’s political instability fuels terrorism in the Sahel and undermines democratic sustenance in both West and Central Africa. Nigeria is not left out of the equation, as we fight to rid our country of banditry, kidnapping, herder/farmer conflict, and insurgency,” Buhari stated.
On the other hand, Buhari stated that his government has recently been working with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other regional bodies to address transborder crime issues such as insecurity, drug and human trafficking, banditry, and terrorism.
To overcome these global threats to civilization, the world must collaborate closely, and Nigeria relies on your help in strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations between our countries.
Buhari directs diplomats to continue monitoring the country’s political development as the 2023 election approaches to provide professional advice in the run-up to the election.
“The task ahead of you requires you to build on the successes of your predecessors while also making additional efforts to expand and advance Nigeria’s and your respective countries’ cordial bilateral relations and cooperation.”
As you are all aware, these relationships span political, socioeconomic, and cultural spheres that have benefited our peoples over time, said Buhari.
The Canadian High Commissioner thanked the president for the ceremony of accepting the Letters of Credence in his remarks on behalf of the ambassadors.
Today marks the official start of our collaboration with the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Christoff stated, “we will work closely with ministers and officials to begin a progressive relationship.”
The impact of insecurity on Nigeria’s economy
According to various sources, the country’s rising violence has cost Nigeria 11% of its GDP, or N119 billion. Similarly, according to TownTalk Solutions data, projects worth N12 trillion were abandoned across Nigeria due to insecurity and other challenges.
Similarly, the Institute for Economics and Peace’s global peace index for 2021 ranked Nigeria 146th out of 163 countries with a score of 2.712, while the country was ranked 39th out of 44 Sub-Saharan African countries examined in the region.
Furthermore, according to BudgitIT data, the federal government allocated N1.78 trillion for security expenses in 2020, an 83.7 per cent increase from the N969 billion allocated in 2015.
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