The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President of France

  • Get involved in politics, Macron tells Nigerian youths

    President of France, Emmanuel Macron has told Nigerian youths to be actively involved in the nation’s politics in order to change the narrative of the nation.

    Describing politics as important, the French president said only Nigerians could change their image and that of the nation before the comity of nations.

    Macron who was accompanied by governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state, threw the challenge during a visit to the Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, on Tuesday night at an event tagged “Celebrate African Culture”.

    He noted that the future of Africa and the task of making it great rested with Africans, stressing that the youths has a crucial role to play in the quest.

    “Africa needs a new generation of Africans to share the new narrative about Africa all over the world,” he said.

    Read Also:Why I chose to visit Afrika Shrine in Lagos – President Macron

    According to him, politics is important because it is a tool to change the society. He described the Afrika Shrine as an iconic place of strength, music, culture and the late Fela, as a politician who wanted change for the society.

    “I am very happy to be here. Let me remind you that this place — Shrine is a music place as well as politics, which is needed to change the society. So, I will say to the youths, politics is important, be involved,” he said.

    “The Shrine is a cultural hub, an iconic hub and it is very important for me first on a personal level, and that is why I want to say with a lot of humility that I recognize the importance of this place, I recognize the place of culture in this current environment.”

    Macron also announced the launch of the 2020 African Cultures Season in France. He said the event would help create a unique face for African culture in Europe.

    “I discovered Nigeria and a lot of my friends are here. I discovered Lagos and I discovered the shrine. This place is an iconic place and it is a place where the best of music is given. I have to say my main memories about this place are friends, proud people, proud of their culture, proud of their art and music. I have a very different view of Africa than a lot of other people in Europe,” he said.

    Macron stressed the need for Africa and Europe, especially France to build a new commonality, adding that “this new commonality is not based on what is important for Europeans but what is important for Africa, about their culture, how they build their culture and promote the culture and which places are important for them about their culture. Being here, I do recognize their culture and respect their views. This place is important for Africa and their culture and that is why I am here.”

    The African Cultural Season 2020 in France which will be hosted by his country he said, would be about promoting African culture in Europe, adding that the event was going to be for Africa and by African artistes.

    “It will include people with fashion, African movies, new generation of artistes will be coming from Africa and it will be organized by them to show Europe and France” the real culture of Africa.

    “The event will be financed by African leaders. It will not be sponsored by France or European businesses, but by African businesses, it is brand new. This season is a unique one and it will be the new face of Africa in Europe organize by Africans, providing what you like and what you have here,” he said.

    Earlier, Governor Ambode said the President’s visit was expected to signal the dawn of a new collaboration between France and Lagos state in the quest to make the state the culture and entertainment capital of Africa.

    Ambode said the event was also about celebrating African culture, which was a positive step for France as it sought to rebuild its relationship with Africa.

    There were also Art Exhibition, Fashion Show, display of Nollywood scenes, presentation of a painting of Fela to Macron by Governor Ambode as well as pencil frame artwork of Macron done by 11-old old Kareem Olamilekan drawn within two hours.

    Highpoints of the night include sterling performances by dance group, Footprints of David, music artistes, Yemi Alade, Charlotte Dipanda from Kenya and a scintillating performance by Femi Kuti to bring the event to a close.

    The event presented an opportunity for Macron and Ambode to interact with musicians, artists, fashion designers and film makers.

    The event had in attendance personalities which include Dr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra; Chief Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun; Prof. Wole Soyinka, Sen. Ben Bruce, among others.

     

  • Buhari holds talks with French leader, Macron Tuesday

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who returned to Abuja Monday night from AU Summit in Mauritania, is billed to hold bilateral talks with President Emmanuel Macron of France at presidential villa, Abuja, Tuesday at 4.00p.m.

    Macron would discuss issues bordering on security and terrorism with President Buhari.

    Macron had on Monday in Nouakchott during the closing ceremony of the AU Summit met with the Buhari.

    Read Also: Afrika Shrine: Macron to perform with Omotola, Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, others

    The French leader will after his engagement with Buhari visit the Afrika Shrine, a nightclub in Lagos founded by Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

    Social commentators believed that Macron would become the first “real president” to enter the club synonymous with marijuana smoke, sexy backup dancers and protest music.

    He is not a stranger to Nigeria. He trained as a senior civil servant at the French Embassy in Lagos in 2004, seven years after Fela died.

    Buhari on Monday night returned to Abuja after attending the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in Nouakchott.

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammed Bello, Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari and some government functionaries welcomed the President at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    NAN

  • Macron to address joint session of NASS in July

    Macron to address joint session of NASS in July

    A joint session of the National Assembly, is to be addressed by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, when he visits Nigeria in early July, Ambassador of France to Nigeria Mr. Denys Gauer, has said.

    Gauer spoke during a visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Yakubu Dogara, at the National Assembly Tuesday.

    President Macron has interest in the future and development of Nigeria, he said.

    According to him, Macron had worked in the French embassy in Abuja early in his career for six months some years ago and that whereas relations between the two countries in the last few years have centered on security, the French President hopes to use the visit to further deepen relations with Nigeria especially in areas such as youths, culture and creativity.

    Dogara in his response said that members of the Green Chamber and indeed the National Assembly will want to listen to the French President whom he described as “a man of our generation”.

    The Speaker further added: “He has brought a lot of youthful zest, dynamism charisma and appeal to French politics and we will want to yield the floor to him”

    Dogara while commending the French government for assisting Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, pledged to give expeditious passage to all bilateral agreements that will be signed between Nigeria and France during Mr. Macron’s visit.

  • Osinbajo congratulates France President – Elect

    Osinbajo congratulates France President – Elect

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his election as the next President of France.

    In a congratulatory letter to the President-elect, Prof. Osinbajo said he received the news of the election of the 39-year old Macron with satisfaction, noting that under successive governments, the relations between Nigeria and France had blossomed.

    The Acting President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, expressed the optimism that the incoming government will further strengthen the bond of friendship between both countries.

    Under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Osinbajo said that there has been a very close collaboration between Nigeria and France in the war against terror as he commended the role played by France in the successes so far recorded in the implementation of the regional initiative against terrorism.

    He observed that Macron’s election is a source of inspiration especially for the French people and portends a greater future in which the French Republic will continue to play its active role boosting relations with Europe, Africa and the rest of the world.

    The Acting President noted that the Buhari administration is looking forward to working closely with President-elect Macron to promote international cooperation, advance peace and security, consolidate mutual trade relations and strengthen economic partnership for the benefit of citizens of both countries.