President Buhari receives souvenir from President Biya
President Muhammadu Buhari is back in Nigeria, after a fruitful two-day friendly and working visit to Cameroon. Speaking on Wednesday during the state dinner in his honour, President Buhari said:
“We recognize that none of us can succeed alone. In order to win this war we need the collective efforts of each one of us, standing together as a formidable force for good, to defeat and end these acts of terror against our people,’’Let me assure all of my relentless pursuit of all possible means to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity, protect the lives and property of our citizens as well as my commitment to continue to collaborate with Cameroon and our neighbours, within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.The President, who had earlier on his arrival on Wednesday held a closed-door session with his host, thanked President Biya for providing refuge to Nigerians who had fled their homes because of the insurgents.
“The Federal government of Nigeria is committed to respecting international norms to resolve this matter and to restore normalcy to all the affected areas as soon as possible,’’.
He also commended Cameroon for its support to Nigerian military and security personnel in the fight against terrorism and offered his condolences to the families of the victims of terror in both countries.
President Buhari used the occasion of his speech to announce Nigeria’s willingness to expand economic partnerships with Cameroon, through increased joint ventures in infrastructure development, transport and commerce, among others.
He welcomed the achievements so far recorded by the Nigeria-Cameroon Joint Commission and all the landmark agreements signed between both countries.
The President, who described the relations between both countries as excellent, recognized the roles played by past and present leaders and Nigerian citizens in sustaining friendly relations with Cameroon.
In his remarks, Biya while congratulating President Buhari for a successful inauguration into office said his electoral victory has provided an opportunity for him to preside over the “destiny of Nigeria.”
“Mr President, a dark cloud is looming over our countries even as we welcome you; we are facing the same threat, which may rock the foundation of our two nations.On Thursday both Presidents issued a communique at the conclusion of Buhari’s official visit to Cameroon, agreeing to work towards the demarcation of the land boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon before the end of 2015.
“This danger bears the name of Boko Haram, its atrocities and crimes are jeopardizing peace around Lake Chad and especially in our two countries.
“The number of dead and victims are rising, economic activities have been crippled in affected areas, the number of refugees and displaced persons are ever increasing.
“We cannot allow this cancer to spread, we must pool our resources and forces and share our experiences,’’.
President Biya, who reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment in the fight against terror, welcomed the “fresh push’’ on economic ties between both countries through easing of trade.
“I strongly believe in your readiness to work towards that goal and your visit to Cameroon as well as the discussions we have had have strengthened my conviction,’’
According to the communiqué, both leaders welcomed the progress made in the demarcation, which is being undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations.
"The two Heads of State took note of the satisfaction expressed by the United Nations Secretary-General in his most recent report on the work of the United Nations Office for West Africa from January to June 2015.
"This is with regards to progress made in the demarcation of the land boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria.
"They agreed to endorse the recommendation of the United Nations Secretary-General on the completion before the end of 2015, of the land border demarcation work, in order to concentrate on enhancing cross-border cooperation," the communiqué said.
According to the communiqué, Buhari and his host also endorsed the commitments made at the Extraordinary Summit of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic held in Abuja on June 12.
The two presidents also agreed to strengthen security collaboration along their common border under the auspices of the Nigeria-Cameroon Trans-Border Security Committee.
They said this would also be achieved within the framework of the implementation of the concept of strategic operations approved at the Abuja Summit.
They reaffirmed their determination to strengthen cooperation with other neighbouring countries for the rapid elimination of terrorism and other security threats.
They thanked the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States and other bilateral and multilateral partners for their active solidarity in the war against Boko Haram.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s Five-Year Investment Programme (2013-2017).
The programme seeks to save Lake Chad, restore its ecosystem and promote the socio-economic development of the people living within the basin.
The two Heads of State welcomed the first meeting yesterday in Yaounde of governors of contiguous states and regions on the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
They called for regular meetings by the governors to strengthen collaboration between the two countries.
- NAN,Paradigm.ng
1 comment:
oh my!the smiles on their faces.Cameroon is a very hospitable country.Looking forward to seeing what they discussed implemented.I am so impressed with the steps our president is taking to put an end to this book haram thing.For that alone,I say BRAVO!!
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