National Telescope national telescope newspaper
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the Finnish government for its timely intervention in the case of Simon Ekpa, whose divisive actions and statements have posed a threat to Nigeria’s unity.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Friday, during the presentation of Letters of Credence by Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude to Finland for its role in safeguarding Nigeria’s national integrity and promoting peaceful coexistence.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended Finland’s actions, noting that such interventions were vital for protecting Nigeria’s unity in the face of actions that threatened national cohesion.
“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism. I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.”
The president also emphasised the importance of the rule of law in upholding Nigeria’s democratic principles, stating, “The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals, and values. We must respect the rule of law.”
Regarding the areas of focus in Nigeria-Finland relations, Tinubu highlighted sectors such as ICT, agriculture, and education, which he said would significantly contribute to Nigeria’s development. He also thanked Finland for its humanitarian support in the Northeast, noting the potential for further collaboration.
Ambassador Selin praised President Tinubu for his courage in driving reforms aimed at boosting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring long-term prosperity. “Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the national security adviser has been providing all the evidence,” Selin said. She further commended Nigeria for the ongoing reforms, acknowledging that while challenging, they were crucial for the country’s progress.
In a separate meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Gautier Mignot, President Tinubu highlighted the EU’s role as one of Nigeria’s top trading partners and called for efforts to increase the volume of trade and strengthen ties. He stressed the need for support in digitalising Nigeria’s operations and service delivery.
“The Nigerian economy can support investments, especially with its vibrant, youthful population,” Tinubu noted, while Mignot recognised Nigeria’s “many untapped potentials,” which could be fully realised through development cooperation and leveraging technology.
President Tinubu also met with the ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued, where they discussed the importance of collaboration on the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project. “We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. We must lift Africa together,” Tinubu said.
Mezoued expressed Algeria’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in advancing regional development and negotiating for better livelihoods across the continent.
With these diplomatic engagements, President Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that will drive national growth and stability while addressing key issues that threaten the country’s unity.
