Why Nigeria Cannot Neglect Niger — Buhari

An assurance went out Monday from President Muhammadu Buhari to
the newly inaugurated President of Republic of Niger, Mohamed
Bazoum, who was in Nigeria on his first international visit: “We
will stabilize our region for the benefit of the two
countries.”

President Buhari said Nigerians and Nigeriens are people with
similar culture, language and ways of life, “and we also share
about 1,500 kilometres of land border, so we cannot ignore each
other.”

The President congratulated Bazoum on winning the recent
presidential election, and his successful inauguration into
office.

“You have been in the system for a long time. The only thing is
that you had never been President. Now you are one,” the host
President said, assuring that Nigeria would assist its close
neighbour in diverse ways as required.

On terrorism, as perpetrated by Boko Haram, President Buhari
observed that Republic of Niger also suffers high casualties,
vowing; “We will do all it takes to secure our two countries.”

President Buhari was thankful to the immediate past President,
Mahamadou Issoufou, for what he calls “his understanding and
sacrifices” to help stabilize the region, urging the successor to
maintain the institutions his predecessor had established.

President Bazoum said he was delighted to make Nigeria his first
port of call, noting that the two countries have common interests,
“and, therefore, a good relationship is very important.

”On security, he observed that the fact that some Nigerians flee
to Niger during terrorist attacks “shows that we need to cooperate,
and we will face our challenges together.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visiting
Nigerien leader, who is on two-day official visit to Nigeria, was
received by President Buhari at the forecourt of the villa at about
1.22p.m.

Among those who joined the president to welcome Bazoum are the
Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello and
some presidential aides.

The governors of Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, Kebbi and Zamfara states
were also at the villa to welcome Bazoum, who was sworn in for the
first five-year term as President of Niger Republic on April 2.

Bazoum’s inauguration marked the first successful transfer of
power from outgoing president to an elected Nigerien leader since
the country’s independence in 1960.

NAN reports that the two West African leaders went into closed
doors bilateral talks immediately after the brief welcoming
ceremony.

NAN gathered that Bazoum, 61, would also be hosted to a private
breaking of fast by President Buhari at about 6.50p.m

President Buhari had earlier received briefing from
Vice-President Osinbajo shortly before the arrival of the Nigerien
President.

The Nigerian leader had on Thursday returned to Abuja after
16-day medical check-up in the United Kingdom.

An assurance went out Monday from President Muhammadu Buhari to
the newly inaugurated President of Republic of Niger, Mohamed
Bazoum, who was in Nigeria on his first international visit: “We
will stabilize our region for the benefit of the two
countries.”

President Buhari said Nigerians and Nigeriens are people with
similar culture, language and ways of life, “and we also share
about 1,500 kilometres of land border, so we cannot ignore each
other.”

The President congratulated Bazoum on winning the recent
presidential election, and his successful inauguration into
office.

“You have been in the system for a long time. The only thing is
that you had never been President. Now you are one,” the host
President said, assuring that Nigeria would assist its close
neighbour in diverse ways as required.

On terrorism, as perpetrated by Boko Haram, President Buhari
observed that Republic of Niger also suffers high casualties,
vowing; “We will do all it takes to secure our two countries.”

President Buhari was thankful to the immediate past President,
Mahamadou Issoufou, for what he calls “his understanding and
sacrifices” to help stabilize the region, urging the successor to
maintain the institutions his predecessor had established.

President Bazoum said he was delighted to make Nigeria his first
port of call, noting that the two countries have common interests,
“and, therefore, a good relationship is very important.

”On security, he observed that the fact that some Nigerians flee
to Niger during terrorist attacks “shows that we need to cooperate,
and we will face our challenges together.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visiting
Nigerien leader, who is on two-day official visit to Nigeria, was
received by President Buhari at the forecourt of the villa at about
1.22p.m.

Among those who joined the president to welcome Bazoum are the
Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello and
some presidential aides.

The governors of Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, Kebbi and Zamfara states
were also at the villa to welcome Bazoum, who was sworn in for the
first five-year term as President of Niger Republic on April 2.

Bazoum’s inauguration marked the first successful transfer of
power from outgoing president to an elected Nigerien leader since
the country’s independence in 1960.

NAN reports that the two West African leaders went into closed
doors bilateral talks immediately after the brief welcoming
ceremony.

NAN gathered that Bazoum, 61, would also be hosted to a private
breaking of fast by President Buhari at about 6.50p.m

President Buhari had earlier received briefing from
Vice-President Osinbajo shortly before the arrival of the Nigerien
President.

The Nigerian leader had on Thursday returned to Abuja after
16-day medical check-up in the United Kingdom.