President Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Abuja, known as for strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and France to handle the prevailing risk of terrorism within the West African subregion
The President acknowledged this when he acquired the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, on the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In a farewell assembly with the Ambassador, President Tinubu recommended her dedication to enhancing relations between France and Nigeria whilst he urged the Ambassador to leverage her new position as Director for Africa within the French International Ministry to advocate the pressing must ”improve technical cooperation” between Nigeria and France to defeat terrorism terrorism and violent extremism.
”You may have been wonderful in selling bilateral relations between each international locations within the areas of economic system, commerce, schooling, arts, and tradition. Thanks for the exhausting work you’ve got completed in Nigeria and for President Macron to nominate you to a brand new place as Africa Director, it’s a testomony that you simply excelled in your task in our nation.
”You’ll at all times be welcomed in Nigeria. On regional safety, we wish you to remind Paris at each alternative that it’s essential to improve our technical cooperation in our joint efforts to defeat terrorism and counter violent extremism within the area,” he stated.
Reflecting on her tour of obligation in Nigeria, the outgoing French envoy, Blatmann shared notable achievements, highlighting France’s important investments and memorable improve in bilateral commerce.
Based on her, France is among the many prime overseas traders in Nigeria, with over $10 billion in funding inventory, and with bilateral commerce rising by 51 % in 2021 and 2022.
”We’re additionally one of many largest improvement companions with over 3 billion Euros invested over the past decade by AFD and PROPARCO. AFD now operates in 26 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
”Ever since I arrived right here in October 2021, it has been a collection of great discoveries and superb encounters. I’ll positively take away with me the power and creativity of this nation that may endlessly information me and gasoline my afro-optimism,” she stated.
Recognizing Nigeria’s pivotal position in regional safety and stability, the outgoing ambassador emphasised the shut collaboration between France, Nigeria, and different key companions in fostering sustainable worldwide peace, safety, and improvement.
