PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has observed that the greatest investment Europe and America can make in Africa now is helping the continent accomplish inter-basin water transfer to recharge the Lake Chad.
The President spoke at State House, Abuja, on Friday, while hosting the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat.
According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, in Abuja, President Buhari noted that the Lake Chad, which provided a means of livelihood to several millions of people in four countries – Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria – has now been reduced to ten per cent of its original size, due to the impact of climate change.
The statement quoted Buhari as saying: “People who depended on the Lake for fishing, farming, animal husbandry, and many others, have been thrown into dire straits. That is one of the reasons youths now dare the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to seek greener pastures in Europe. But helping to recharge Lake Chad will help a great deal in curbing irregular migration.”
While noting that the size of Nigeria and resources available place a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders, President Buhari pledged that the country would continue to fulfil its obligations to the African Union.
“At all international fora, we emphasize the matter of Lake Chad. We also talk about the influx of small arms from the Sahel, which worsens the security situation between herders and stagnant farmers. We will keep the issues on the front burners,” the President emphasized.
Mr Mahamat lauded President Buhari, saying his leadership was good for Nigeria, for AU, and for Africa in general.
He added that the next AU Summit would look into the reform of the AU Commission, positioning the AU and Africa in the world, Single Air Transport Market, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and other issues.
Saying Nigeria has played major roles towards peace in countries like Guinea Bissau, Togo, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and many others, the AU Commission chairman submitted:
“Nigeria is the engine of Africa politically, economically, and in the area of peace and security. Without her, Agenda 2063 cannot be accomplished. We depend on the elder to reach our destination in good shape. Nigeria is worthy of being followed. We rely on your wisdom to fulfil the task before us.”
Also receiving representatives of Trade Associations from the 36 states and the FCT led by the National Coordinator, Prince Paul Ikonne, President Buhari pledged reaffirmed that his administration will sustain the delivery of quality infrastructure across the country for investments and businesses to thrive.
He said that he will continue to do his best to ensure that the country is safe and secure for everybody.
The President welcomed the group’s appreciation of government’s efforts in providing and improving critical infrastructure, especially roads and railways, to ensure ease in movement of goods and services.
‘‘These efforts are part of our campaign slogans on security, the economy and the fight against corruption; and on security, it is common-sense that unless the country is secured it cannot be governed.
‘‘The best people to comment on the achievements of this administration in terms of security are people who come from the North East where they used to share their local governments with Boko Haram, get ambushed and dispossessed.
‘‘Today, we are all witnesses to the commendable efforts of government on security,’’ the President said.
President Buhari also took note of some major observations by the traders including illegal seizure of good by agents of governments, harmonisation of taxes and charges, and the need for timely completion of rail networks connecting ‘‘South to North, North to the East and East to the West.’’
In his remarks, Ikonne praised the Buhari administration for instituting policies that are friendly and encouraging to traders, artisans and farmers.
The National Coordinator declared the Association’s support for the fight against corruption, saying ‘‘Mr, President, we must applaud your courage to fight corruption which is restoring Nigeria’s reputation within and outside the country. This, indeed, is an outstanding achievement and we are proud of you.’’
Austin RuffDiamond
I am bemused, no indeed maybe amused by the recent certificate saga of the President of the federal republic of NIGERIA. the amusing part is that, the President thinks we NIGERIANS are collective fools, or that we are so high in his “occult like” persona, that we don’t have a free mind to make sound judgement anymore. imagine that as a candidate in the 2015 elections, the “Buhari wave”, that swept through the entire country was so much that people even said that, even if it’s a NEPA bill that he has to present as a certificate, that they are still ready to support his candidature. and indeed the President said then that his certificate was currently deposed then, with the military. and maybe then, he wasn’t the commander in chief, so he had no powers to ask the military to release his credentials to him. (I am just alluding though). But isn’t it amusing, that, after ascending the lofty thrown of the Nigerian presidency, the President on seeking reelection, still had to swear an affidavit, that his credentials his still been deposed with the military. how poetic, how beautiful it sounds in the ears of “mumu” NIGERIANS like the President would wish to see us as. But why am I bemused? I am bemused because, in a country of over 190million citizens, no one is virtuous enough according to the “Buharist” to ascend the lofty thrown of the Nigerian presidency. only our very own “incorruptible” Mohammadu Buhari. And as this controversy continues. be prepared to hear very idiotic and stupid argument coming from the apologist of Buhari. they will try to trivialise the issue and make light of it. as grievous and provoking as an issue like this is, the so fickle minded supporters of this “uneducated” President, will come out to expose their parochial mindset, they will come out to make open their ignorance, they will publicly display their lack of intellectual substance, by spewing garbage from their mouth. how can an “uneducated” President effectively govern a complex country like ours. are you surprised about the slump of our economy? are you surprised about the lack of investment in education by this government? a person that has no meaningful education can never see any reason to invest in education. no wonder they saw as rubbish talk and even had to openly criticise Mr Bill Gate. when he advised them to invest in education.