Nigeria’s ties with Niger, Chad yielding results, presidency affirms | The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

Commission acts as financial, technical partner on Lake Chad Basin
The Presidency, yesterday, expressed satisfaction at the current bilateral relations between Nigeria and its neighbours, affirming that such ties have helped to address, in particular, border insecurity, illegal arms importation and smuggling.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made the disclosure in Niamey, Niger, shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari named a major road in the state capital after her.

He noted that Buhari, upon taking office in 2015, initiated stronger dialogue with neighbors Niger, Benin, Chad and Cameroon, an approach, he said, has resulted in positive diplomatic relations of mutual interest to the two countries.

Garba said: “President Buhari has deep respect for our neighbors and he understands the essence of the neighborhood. Prior to this administration some of these countries complained that the Nigerian leadership was not even talking to them.

We have started talks with them and it is paying off. We are partnering with them on essential matters, particularly on security, combating smuggling and illegal arms imports. Hence, the partnership is complete.

According to aides, Buhari leaves behind a solid relationship with Nigeria’s neighbors built on a solid rock on May 29, 2023, and is expected to be built upon by his successor.

Justifying the naming of a street after Buhari, Shehu said the development shows Nigeria’s tremendous respect for its neighbours.

The President of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bajoun, who was accompanied by the Mayor of Niamey and other officials, took Buhari on a tour of the 3.8 kilometer boulevard, which is in line with the constitutional provisions of the country.

Buhari is in Niamey to join other leaders in the continent for the African Union (AU) summit on industrialization and economic diversification.

Meanwhile, the acting secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Alhaji Mamman Nuhu, has charged the commission’s technical and financial partners with coming up with recommendations to address the challenges faced by millions of people in the Lake Chad Basin.

He delivered the charge in Abuja, yesterday, at a meeting of experts, in his opening remarks in preparation for the 68th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), held in Abuja from 24 to 26 November.

He said the meeting of experts is important as it is the place where matters relating to the past, present and future activities of the Commission are discussed and recommendations are made for consideration by the Council of Ministers.

He said: “This year’s meeting is taking place against a backdrop of complex challenges caused by extreme poverty, economic instability and food insecurity. Climate change and variability are the main causes of extreme weather events, severe droughts, erratic rainfall, water scarcity, devastating floods, With environmental degradation, desertification etc. are acting as threat multipliers.

“You should boldly take the process forward with a firm commitment to deepen cooperation and integration in areas that are changing the development landscape of the region.”