President Bola Tinubu don announce say Nigeria don secure French collaboration for military equipment and support to fight terrorism for the country. The President yarn this matter during meeting with governors for him Ikoyi residence for Lagos on Sunday, after im return from two-day state visit to United Kingdom.
Tinubu talk say im don hold lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, and France ready to support Nigeria with equipment and training for security forces. The President say im dey make frantic efforts to contact other nations, and Nigeria go use im goodwill and existing lines of credit to get wetin dem need.
“I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support. I’m making frantic efforts to contact other nations. If we have to spend our goodwill and line of credit, we have those who are willing to support us with equipment and training,” Tinubu tell the governors.
The President describe insecurity as the next major challenge wey im administration dey face, and im emphasize say na collective effort go make dem win. “The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face; it is the challenge of insecurity in this country. I’m making all the efforts to ensure that collectively we share the joy and be proud of victory over tyranny,” Tinubu add.
Tinubu stress say insecurity remain enemy of development, progress, and prosperity for Nigeria. Im talk say one of the major discussions during im state visit to UK center on military equipment acquisition, and im happy say France don agree to collaborate.
The meeting with governors wey Vice President Kashim Shettima attend, also address economic concerns. Tinubu acknowledge say Middle East crisis go affect inflation and purchasing power for Nigeria. “I know this Middle East crisis will elicit inflation, will affect our purchasing power. The labour union and others will be gathering to support them because of the effect of the Middle East War and prices at the pumps, resulting in transportation problems and food prices,” im explain.
Tinubu thank the governors for respond to im invitation with short notice, and im describe their attendance as impressive. Im talk say the show of solidarity demonstrate sincerity, commitment, and the value of friendship and togetherness.
The President also call on governors to focus on caring for vulnerable people for their states, and im extend condolences to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State over last Monday bombings for Maiduguri. Tinubu urge Zulum to return immediately to give message of sympathy and condolence to the people.
Tinubu reaffirm say im administration dey committed to invest in technology and equipment to defeat terrorism and other security threats across Nigeria. “We must defeat terrorism and all of these criminal acts. As our investment in technology and equipment, we must defeat them,” im declare.
Nigeria don dey battle multiple security challenges, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies for North-East, banditry for North-West and North-Central regions, separatist agitations for South-East, and kidnapping for various parts of the country.
France don historically maintain military cooperation with several West African countries and don dey involved in counter-terrorism operations for Sahel region, where terrorist groups don exploit security vacuums to expand their operations.
The meeting with governors come barely one week after Maiduguri bomb blasts wey kill 23 people and injure 108 others for coordinated suicide attacks. After the incident, President Tinubu don direct security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to take charge of security situation and approve additional equipment and operational support to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday visit victims wey dey receive treatment for University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Im assure Nigerians say beyond presidential directive to security chiefs, Federal Government dey invest more in equipment and logistics to boost fight against terrorism.
Tinubu disclosure follow im state visit to UK, where im hold discussions with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the visit, Nigeria and UK seal new export agreements and discuss deepening cooperation on security matters, with Tinubu emphasize say partnership with United Kingdom remain essential to confront terrorism challenges for West Africa.
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