The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari, globalisation and regionalism

    The  fact  that the first official  visit of Nigeria’s  new president was to neighboring Niger Republic and  Chad generated  the   topic  of today. We  will  look at this  topic in the context of the anti – corruption reputation that President  Muhammadu  Buhari brings  to his high  office and  the pointed contents  of  his Inaugural  speech that referred to our cherished ancestors as Nigerians as well as to  the  laudable  achievements of Nigeria’s  first  set  of  political  leaders  at  Independence  in 1960. These  issues hook into the ongoing corruption scandal at FIFA leading to the election and resignation  of FIFA ‘s  President  Sepp  Blatter  and  the denial  by   S Africa that  it paid a  $ 10m  bribe  to  FIFA  to  host  the 2010  World  Cup  in that nation.

    It  is important  and  necessary  to read  meanings and  draw  inferences  and  insinuations on the actions and  inactions  of new leaders as they  assume office and  claim  power especially  after  winning elections and  President   Muhammadu  Buhari who  won Nigeria’s  much  anticipated 2015  presidential  elections   cannot  be an  exception. Events  that happened  globally  and locally at his emergence  as  Nigeria’s  new  president   cast  a shadow on what to expect as his reaction to them, in  line with his perceived orientation and track  record  as well as the  expectations of  the electorate  that put  him  in power.

    It  is our contention here that the visits to  Niger and Chad showed  clearly the importance  that the new president attaches to the issue  of security and  Boko Haram  as this is the area  of  Nigeria bordering the two nations and  this  is where Boko  Haram has  been operating with  impunity  for  some time. The  fact that the Nigerian president has directed the  military to move its operational  headquarters to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and the nagging target of Boko Haram’s incessant bomb blasts  again showed the  concern  of the new president as well as the direction of Nigeria’s  foreign policy on regional  security in the global  fight against terrorism generally and Boko  Haram in particular.

    Given  the new president’s  antecedents  and military background this must  have been a carefully  calculated,  orchestrated move  and military strategy involving  near  humiliating  albeit pragmatic  considerations. The  saying that if the mountain does not move to Muhammed, then Muhammed  must move to the mountain could very well  have been  applied for this visit and  it could not have  been an easy decision to pay  the two visits so  quickly. This  is because the Nigerian  visitor  and   president  was a general in the Nigerian army  that  of recent  made the armies  of the two neighboring  nations shake and quaver at the mere mention of its name, not to talk  of its approach in the entire Sahel  bordering the Sahara desert  or even the entire  ECOWAS  region. That  reputation of the invincibility of the Nigerian  army during his time must  have weighed heavily  on the mind of the Nigerian president as  he contemplated going to Chad  and  Niger for help on Boko  Haram but  he swallowed his pride,  ate the humble pie and allowed  regionalism  to overshadow  nationalism in  the pursuit  of both national  and regional  security.  That  surely  is a step in the right  direction.

    While  one  may  describe  the visit as a pragmatic  and realistic  approach one  should  also look at the way the same president used nationalism to garner  support  for his crusade against  the many  ills he must  confront  successfully and as soon  as possible if he is not to lose his honeymoon with Nigerians in the shortest possible time. While  acknowledging that he knew where  the shoe pinched Nigerians  in his Inaugural  speech especially  on lack  of electricity, fuel  scarcity, youth  unemployment, and insecurity, the president reminded  Nigerians that they were  offsprings of great rulers who ruled empires that the Europeans carved out into the present African  nations. He  recalled  our great leaders at Independence and literally  challenged that if those leaders  could lead that well  in their time there is no reason why Nigerians should lose  confidence that all will be well  during his tenure. To  me that is using our history and pedigree positively to galvanise Nigerians into a type of positive nationalism that Nigeria as a nation expects every  Nigerian  to  do  his duty.  That   again to me is the rationale for his quoting Shakespeare’s  Julius Caesar  that there  is a tide  in the affairs of men. To that I add another Shakespearean injunction  this time  from  Henry  the  Fifth  on the eve  of the Battle  at  Agincourt where the English  troops faced overwhelming odds as they were outnumbered  by the French  but yet were able  to achieve  a famous and historical  victory. Henry  the Fifth rallied  his troops by saying that  ‘when  the blast  of war blows  in our ears then  imitate  the action  of the tiger’. He  urged his troops  on by saying –‘Now  attest that those whom  ye called  fathers did  beget you’.  ‘Be copy  now  to men of lesser blood  and teach them  how  to war.‘  What  I am saying in  essence  is that Buhari’s Inaugural speech  was a call to arms for all Nigerians to play their part in helping him  to  confront the cancers of unemployment, power failure and fuel scarcity by playing their part as bona fide and well bred Nigerians with an illustrious past  and  history –just  like  Henry the fifth did and rallied  his troops to victory even when vastly  outnumbered  by the French  army at the Battle of  Agincourt  ages  ago.

    However  in  the regionalism or  regional diplomacy   that the new Nigerian  president has embarked on,  he must  be prepared for  meeting  a new  French interest different from the one that the English defeated at  Agincourt. In  fact the scenario is different  nowadays  in the way  the British and the French are reacting  to the Boko  Haram terror  in our midst or terrorism in  Africa  generally. While  France has been active militarily  in Africa  driving out   the Tuaregs  and saving the sovereignty  of  Mali  and  having military bases in Chad and Niger,  the  British  have  been luke warm in helping Nigeria on  Boko  Haram. In  fact  the rise of negative nationalism and xenophobia  in Europe  has rubbed  off on Britain and that explains why David  Cameron had to stay at home to campaign and that has paid off  in the victory of the Tories in the May general  elections in Britain. The  brutal truth  however  is that  France  has stood  by its former  colonies in providing military support against Islamist  terrorism  generally in  Africa while Britain  has  diplomatically  looked  the other way because  it feared a political  backlash  at  home where it is crippled  by the policy of multiculturalism which  does  not allow its leaders to  play a leading role as before in world  politics today. Which, considering Britain’s  diplomatic  and  military  pedigree,  is a  great shame  indeed.

    Lastly the eventual  resignation of FIFA’s President  Sepp  Blatter after his earlier  controversial election as  Fifa’s  president exemplify  the  inherent nature and  qualities  of today’s  topic. President  Buhari has a no nonsense, zero tolerance  reputation  for corruption  and  Nigeria is a member nation  of FIFA, which  is a global  organization enjoying the goodwill of soccer which is the most popular sport seen all over the world,  thanks  to the emergence  of   globalization and  the breakdown  of trade and national barriers  through communication  and  information technology. But  Fifa  under Blatter presents a unique  case of using multiple and organized nationalism in one  body to  thwart  the efforts of those involved in the global  effort to eradicate  the cancer  of  corruption  in society. At  FIFA  according  to the US  investigators officials take bribes  to enable FIFA stage  its  competitions in some nations. If  that is the case that should stop. The  fact  that FIFA  under Blatter has  done a lot for sports  development in African  and Asian  member  nations does  not make corruption  right at  Fifa. Indeed  it turns FIFA  into  a type of modern day  robber baron or Robin  Hood. Thievery or  robbing the rich to pay the poor has never been a sustainable  moral  platform  in any age  or time. It  is  certainly in order to suspect  the British  or the Americans of sour grapes in losing their World  Cup  hosting bids to Russia  and  Quatar and hoping  to use charges  of  corruption against FIFA  under Blatter to have them  back. That  too is a  form of corruption that should  be examined and condemned if found to be so. That however  does not make it right for Asian and African  nations to turn  a blind  eye  to  charges of corruption in Fifa  under  Blatter  because  of his official  magnanimity and largesse  to  the  soccer  federations  in Asia  and  Africa.

    Certainly  two  wrongs do not make a  right and the globalized  effort to contain and create zero tolerance  to corruption should be sustained and not  circumscribed because  of FIFA’s  current president’s generosity which  has feet  of clay in terms of transparency and probity. Anyway  in  Nigeria’s  case there is no need to warn  anybody as the new  president  has said that he belongs  to every  body and  belongs  nobody and his  reputation on zero tolerance on corruption has preceded him into office and  Nigeria  is a member  of FIFA.  A  word  is  surely  enough for the wise.

  • Buhari must probe crimes by Boko Haram, army – U.N

    Buhari must probe crimes by Boko Haram, army – U.N

    The United Nations’ top human rights official on Friday asked President Muhammadu Buhari   to investigate reports of horrifying crimes by Boko Haram terrorists and alleged abuses by the military.

    Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein said he had seen allegations of mass executions, rape and amputations of children by Boko Haram – a day after two blasts killed more than 30 people in Maiduguri and Yola.

    Amnesty International had accused the armed forces of mistreating people detained on suspicion of belonging to the group, he added.

    “Civilians in northeast Nigeria have been living through horrifying acts of cruelty and violence by Boko Haram. These include wanton killings, summary executions, forced participation in military operations – including the use of children to detonate bombs, forced labour, forced marriage and sexual violence, including rape,” Zeid said in a statement.

    President Buhari said in reaction to the Amnesty allegation that the matter would be investigated.

    The Defence Headquarters in a separate reaction dismissed the allegations as blackmail.

    Zeid, citing eyewitness testimony gathered by his office on atrocities committed by Boko Haram, said: “We have reports of children who were suspected of theft and had their hands amputated, of a man stoned to death on accusations of fornication, mass executions of captives whose hands and legs were bound and who were dumped into rivers and wells.”

    At least 1,000 people, “possibly many more,” were brutally killed by Boko Haram in Mararaba Madagali in Adamawa State in late 2014, the statement said.

    Other witnesses described how insurgents asked villagers in Kwajafa in Borno state in April to gather to hear them preach.

    “When the villagers gathered, the insurgents opened fire. The U.N Human Rights Office has also received a video recording of an execution, allegedly of a girl who refused to convert to Islam.”

    Zeid, referring to “extremely worrying reports” that had emerged about the conduct of Nigerian armed forces, said one man testified about his ordeal when he was mistaken for a Boko Haram member and detained by the military in Yola in Adamawa.

    “The man said he spent five days without food or water, as detainees drank the urine of others to quench their thirst. He claimed that there was an average of five deaths per day in the facility,” he said.

     

  • Buhari has no hand in impeachment crisis – Fayose

    Buhari has no hand in impeachment crisis – Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has absolved President Muhammadu Buhari of complicity in the long-drawn impeachment crisis in the state.

    Fayose claimed that security report available to him revealed that Buhari was never part of the plot to impeach him from office.

    The governor made the revelation on Friday during the inauguration of the Fifth House of Assembly with a warning to the new lawmakers to avoid what he called “mindless power struggle” with the Executive.

    Apparently referring to the crisis of confidence between him and the immediate past Assembly which was dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, Fayose described the last power struggle as “crude and barbaric.”

    All the 26 members of the Ekiti Assembly were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the April 11 House of Assembly elections.

    The lawmaker representing Moba 1, Kola Oluwawole, emerged the new Speaker, while his counterpart from Ekiti West 1, Segun Adewumi, was elected Deputy Speaker.

    Other principal officers are – Tunji Akinyele (Oye 2), House Leader and Sunday Akinniyi (Ikere 2) as Chief Whip.

    Fayose explained that he was at a loss why the APC legislators in the immediate past Assembly insisted on impeaching him when Buhari who is their leader had declared that he has no enemy to fight.

    He said: “Available security reports showed that Buhari had no hands in the impeachment plot against me.

    “The President had said that he had no enemy to fight. He said he has put the past behind him and why are the APC lawmakers still bent on impeaching me? What is there own in this matter?”

    Despite attempts made to impeach him, Fayose, however, pledged to pay all the entitlements of the 19 APC lawmakers and their seven PDP counterparts in the spirit of oneness and unity.

    Fayose , who promised to work with the new Assembly to bring the state out of the wood, however,  warned the new Speaker against being over ambitious like the other former occupants of the seat.

  • Issues facing President Buhari, by Brookings scholars

    Issues facing President Buhari, by Brookings scholars

    Just last week, President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated at the Eagle Square, Abuja, as part of a historically peaceful and democratic transition of power in sub-Saharan Africa’s most populous nation. And this new president has his work cut out for him: slowing growth, low oil prices, and subsequent declining government revenues are threatening its economy, which is the biggest in the region. In addition, the Boko Haram insurgency still rages on in the north, though Nigeria and its neighbours have made recent strides in fighting the group.

    To address these challenges, President Buhari has already offered a blueprint for his administration: Shortly before his inauguration, he released his 100-day plan, what he calls “My Covenant with Nigerians,” in which he states commitments to supporting agriculture, stamping out corruption, tackling insecurity, and boosting health, among many other objectives.

      But to what extent is his plan achievable? What are the realistic expectations for the Buhari administration? What are the biggest obstacles in his way? And, as Brookings Africa Growth Initiative Non-resident Senior Fellow Richard Joseph put it, with this peaceful transition, has Nigeria’s hope for democratic development been renewed?

    Next Monday, the Africa Growth Initiative (AGI) is convening a panel of Nigeria experts to discuss these (and other) opportunities and challenges President Buhari is facing at a public Brookings event entitled: “Nigeria in transition: Prospects and challenges for the new government.”

    In the build up to this event, AGI scholars and colleagues have produced a number of briefs on the economic, political, and security developments in the country over the past few years. Here is a recap of some of this work:

    Oil and Nigeria’s economy

    Nigeria’s economy depends heavily on oil. In fact, crude oil accounts for over 70 per cent of its government revenue — so, the past year’s major decline in oil prices has hit the country hard. In a piece on the consequences of falling oil prices on the continent, Amadou Sy discusses how these dropping commodity prices caused the naira to depreciate, making it even harder for the country to service its debt. In times of low prices, many experts, like AGI’s Non-resident Senior Fellow Vera Songwe, recommend that policymakers take advantage of the opportunity and remove fuel subsidies.

    The subsidy system, along with strikes by fuel marketers and unions, has also been blamed for the oil scarcities and widespread power outages just last week. These are not the only problems related to oil: Inquiries over accusations of embezzlement of $20 billion from crude oil sales have been taking place for months.

    Nigeria’s political transitions

    The first quarter of the year saw Nigeria’s most closely fought election in its history. Nigerian politics are particularly complex, as AGI’s Foresight Africa 2015 explored: Religious, geographic, ethnic, and security issues, among others, create a multi-faceted political landscape. The recent emergence of President Buhari’s new political party — the All Progressives Congress (APC) — through a merger of disparate parties created a true competitor for the former ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). According to AGI Senior Fellow Mwangi Kimenyi, the results of this election were a “surprise” to many — and not necessarily in that Buhari was the winner. For example, unlike many Nigerian watchers’ predictions, there were relatively few incidences of violence, even though the six-week postponement of the elections made many nervous. Also, and, perhaps most importantly, Buhari’s rival, former President Goodluck Jonathan, defied recent trends in the region and quickly respected the election results and agreed to step down.

    For more information not only on historical political transitions since the end of colonialism, but those of other sub-Saharan countries too, check out AGI’s new interactive the “African Leadership Transitions Tracker.”

    Security and Boko Haram

    President Buhari, a former military leader, still faces an uphill battle in the fight against Boko Haram, whose frequent attacks remain a consistent threat to peace and security, especially in the north of the country. While Nigeria and its neighbours Cameroon, Niger, Benin and Chad have made in-roads into Boko Haram territory, the group continues to perpetuate kidnappings, bombings, and other violence.

    In the wake of the 2014 kidnapping of some schoolgirls in Chibok, Bornu State, and as Western forces and actors contemplated heightened involvement in the region, Richard Joseph, highlighted key issues for policymakers as they consider their choices and strategies. At the same time, and as part of a wider AGI study on the impact of conflict on agriculture in West Africa, AGI posted a series of blogs examining the origins, goals, and potential trajectory of the continuing conflict with Boko Haram.

  • Reps approve Buhari’s 15 Special Advisers

    Reps approve Buhari’s 15 Special Advisers

    The House of Representatives yesterday approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint 15 Special Advisers.

    The motion for the approval was moved by the House Leader   Mulikat Akande-Adeola.

    In the motion titled: “ Appointment, renumeration, etc of Special Advisers to the President pursuant to section 151 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended,” the leader noted that Section enables the President to appoint any person as Special Adviser to assist him in the discharge of his function.

    She stated: “That Section 151 (2) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to, either by law or by resolution, prescribe the number of such Special Advisers, their renumeration and allowances,” adding that  the President has requested the National Assembly to approve 15 Special Advisers to assist him in the performance of his functions.

    Akande-Adeola noted that the National Assembly had previously approved renumeration  and allowances for the Special Advisers of former President.

    She urged the House “approve 15 Special Advisers for the President who shall to be paid renumeration and allowances enjoyed by previous holders of the office.”

    The motion was passed without any debate after acting Speaker Emeka Ihedioha called for a voice vote.

  • Buhari: Corps members should join anti-corruption crusade

    Buhari: Corps members should join anti-corruption crusade

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged  National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to join the war against corruption.

    The President spoke yesterday at the swearing-in of 2015 Batch ‘A’, Stream II Corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Buhari, represented by Governor Udom Emmanuel, urged the Corps members, who are the first under his administration, to support the government’s efforts to make the nation greater.

    He said: “My dear compatriots, the time has come for us as responsible citizens to come to terms with the prevailing realities in our national life. Without doubt, the current situation in our country calls for unity, commitment and hard work to help its development.”

    The President said his administration would soon unveil a comprehensive National Youth Empowerment Programme anchored on the model provided by the scheme.

    He said the goal is to comprehensively address youth employment, insecurity and other social vices prevalent among youths.

    The President noted that as a globally recognised scheme, the role of corps members as change agents in it would be properly harnessed for the benefit of Nigerians.

    He urged the Corps members to contribute to the nation’s development.

    Buhari urged them to take advantage of the youth empowerment schemes provided by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for their sustenance.

    According to him, the government will soon redirect and steer the course of the nation on the path of sustainable progress and development.

  • Lawyer writes Conduct Bureau over Buhari’s assets declaration form

    Lawyer writes Conduct Bureau over Buhari’s assets declaration form

    An Abuja lawyer, Mr. Akintola Makinde, has urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to make the assets declaration forms of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo available for inspection within seven days.

    Makinde made the demand in a June 3 letter, which has been acknowledged by the bureau.

    The lawyer said he made the application pursuant to sections 1, 3 and 4 of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act and  Sections 3(a) and (d) and 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, LFN 2004.

    To support his application, Makinde also cited paragraphs 3(c) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule and 11(1) of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended

    The letter reads: “You will recall that one of the cardinal points in the manifestos of their excellencies,  the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, in the build-up to the elections was a head-on fight against corruption. You will also recall that at several fora, they promised to make the declaration of their assets public upon assumption of office.

    “I was, however, met with shock and utmost disappointment when on May 30,  the Head of Presidential Buhari’s media team, Mallam Garba Shehu, addressed the media that the duo had declared their assets, alas refusing to state details of the declaration that was in no way a public declaration promise.

    “This development, to concerned Nigerians like myself, is a regrettable setback for the fight against corruption and entrenchment of accountability in public office virtues, which the duo rode on to the attainment of victory at the recently concluded polls.

    “It, therefore, behooves me as a legal practitioner who is under a lawful obligation to ensure the engendering of an egalitarian society, where integrity is held supreme; to ensure that  things are rightly put. This will forestall a further breakdown of sanity in the already ravaged system.

    “It is on the above circumstances that I invoke the provisions of the law, cited above, to humbly request your good office to make the certified true copies of the declarations of the above public officers available for my inspection within seven days of the receipt of this application, in accordance with the law.

    “I undertake to pay all necessary administrative charges and to comply with all conditions prescribed by the law in course of the exercise.”

  • Youth rally in Anambra for Buhari

    Youth rally in Anambra for Buhari

    It looked like a carefully thought-out plan. Youths from across the country under the organisation, All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) have opened their Awka, Anambra State, zonal office, saying their intention was to help President Muhammadu Buhari run the country well.

    All the youth leaders in the country from all the zones were in attendance.

    The spacious office is located beside the Anambra State teaching hospital, close to the popular Arroma Junction.

    Though, the National Leader of the group, Alhaji Ismaila Ahmed was absent, its National Secretary, Obi Mac Oscar, a lawyer, and the National field Director, Alhaji Alwan Hassan were present.

    The Southeast Coordinator of the (APYF), Nze Ozoemena Unegbu, told the crowd that the aim of the gathering was not to open the office alone, but to reposition to help the incoming administration led by Muhammadu Buhari to lead the country to glory.

    Unegbu, further said that within the next few days, local government and ward cordinators of the group would be inaugurated throughout the entire Southeast for the journey ahead.

    The youths were not alone in the project, some of the elders in the capital city like Ozo Anaekwe and Ozo Omile, charged the youths to be diligent in their good plans for the new administration.

    For the National Secretary of the youth group, Obi Mac-Oscar, the pressure group is not like others in the country who according to him, are like parasites to politicians and office holders, adding that their aim is to direct the incoming government on certain reforms and policies.

    He said, “What happened during the presidential election in the country especially, in the Southeast was not the true reflection of the entire exercise, we are now ready to go”

    “APYF is like a watch dog for the All Progressive Congress (APC) party, we have to call the leaders to order anytime they want to derail in making sure that the incoming government will not derail like the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan”

    “What killed the outgoing administration are the corrupt tendencies of its leaders, who are greedy, selfish and full of deceit” Oscar said.

    The group has its slogan as “take part, to take change, while every state coordinator out of the 36 states including the federal capital territory addressed the audience, all spoke in the same Direction of their national leaders.

    However, he commended the leaders in Anambra state and the south east for setting the paces by getting a comfortable environment for the youth to direct their affairs.

    Speaking with the Nation, National field Director of the group, Alhaji Alwan Hassan, said that throughout the country from the high lands of the north to the plain lands of the south, the gods of positive change and good governance will shine on the great country with the coming of Buhari.

    “As we gradually transit today into a new government, remember that our work as young people starts now, remember that it was not only enough to take part in the political process before and during elections, but, we must make sure that the promises made during the campaigns are kept”

    He said that their work will be in association with the Buhari government to move Nigeria forward by regaining its lost glory since the past 16 years.

  • Nigeria, Chad renew commitment on Boko Haram

    Nigeria, Chad renew commitment on Boko Haram

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chadian counterpart, President Idriss Deby Itno, on Thursday in N’Djamena reaffirmed the commitment of the countries to greater cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram.

    According to a communiqué issued at the end of President Buhari’s one-day official visit to Chad, both leaders agreed on the need to quickly make the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) fully operational to effectively combat terrorism in Nigeria’s Northeast and “everywhere” that Boko Haram operates.

    According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, the two leaders called on the international community to provide the Lake Chad Basin Commission and neigbouring countries with all necessary support to combat terrorism and insurgency

    It reads: “Both Heads of State agreed that the war on Boko Haram should be supported by emergency development initiatives in areas affected by this insurgency group.

    “This will help to overcome the harmful effects faced by local populations.”

    President Buhari commended the gallantry of Chadian soldiers who were involved in operations against Boko Haram and consoled the families of the comrades killed in action.

    While in the Chadian capital, President Buhari also held a closed-door meeting with Major-Gen. Tukur Buratai of Nigeria, who was recently appointed Force Commander of the MNJTF, with headquarters in N’Djamena.

     

  • Buhari seeks more action against Boko Haram

    Buhari seeks more action against Boko Haram

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday called on member-countries of the Lake Chad Commission to redouble their efforts to intensify the operations of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) established to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He spoke during bilateral talks between Nigeria and Chad in N’djamena, Chad.

    Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mal. Garba Shehu, noted that the security of Nigeria and her neighbours were intrinsically linked and that it is very essential that they cooperate on security issues in a robust and sustained manner.

    The President also said he is quite certain that when it is fully deployed and functional, the MNJTF, which comprises troops from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon will be able to secure and stabilize all the areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He reaffirmed his conviction that with greater cooperation among Nigeria and neighbouring countries, the Boko Haram insurgency will be brought to an end very soon.

    His remarks came on the heels of Wednesday’s appointment of Major-General Tukur Buratai of Nigeria as the Force Commander of the reorganised MNJTF, which also has Benin Republic as honorary member.

    Buhari thanked Chad for her invaluable support in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.

    He said: “Your troops have stood shoulder to shoulder and fought gallantly with ours in the fight against the forces of evil.

    “This is a remarkable show of good neighbourliness, which we must reinforce in the years ahead,’’ he told President Idriss Deby Itno.

    President Buhari, who is on his first visit to Chad, after assuming office on Friday, expressed concern that the insurgency has taken a huge toll on citizens of both countries, many of whom  have been forced to flee their homes.

    He said the harrowing images of displaced citizens of both countries, in search of safety and succour, must spur their governments and others in the sub-region to do more “to restore their dignity and give them the relief they need.”

    On the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Chad, Buhari noted that both countries were bound by “nature,” adding that they must therefore work together to find lasting solutions to issues of border management, migration and movement of goods and services.

    The President, who had earlier thanked President Deby for attending his inauguration ceremony on May 29 in Abuja, said that he would return to Nigeria with the assurance that Nigeria and Chad are poised to intensify their cooperation.

    In his remarks, President Deby commended Buhari for his “wise decision’’ to relocate the Nigerian Military Command center from Abuja to Maiduguri.

    The Chadian President said the decision, which was announced in President Buhari’s inaugural address, was a right step towards restoring peace and security to states affected by terrorism, and the sub-region.

    He assured President Buhari that Chad will continue to work with Nigeria to achieve lasting peace and security in the sub-region, given their historic, cultural and economic ties.