President Bola Tinubu praised the Finnish government’s assistance in the arrest and custody of Simon Ekpa in abuja on Friday, stating that the government will not stand for remarks or acts that could cause division among its constituents.
This comes after Simon Ekpa has been impeding bilateral relations, according to Ms. Sanna Selin, the Finnish ambassador to Nigeria.
Speaking at the State House, President Tinubu accepted the Letters of Credence from Ms. Selin, the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria.
He praised the prompt measures taken by the Finnish government to protect the integrity of the country and stop a move that endangered peaceful coexistence.
Additionally, Ambassadors Hocine Mezoued of the People’s Republic of Algeria and Mr. Gautier Mignot of the European Union also presented President Tinubu with Letters of Credence.
According to a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said, “I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible.
“We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” President Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador.
“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.
“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals, and values. We must respect the rule of law.”
The President noted that the Ambassador’s priorities, including ICT, agriculture, and education, will directly impact the country’s development.
“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the Northeast. I believe that we can work together,” he added.
The president’s bravery in launching reforms that will boost the economy and guarantee future prosperity was praised by the Finnish envoy.
“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the ambassador noted.
“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country. They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress. It is essential for the country.
“Finland has been involved in peace mediation as well. We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream,” she stated.
President Tinubu told the European Union’s ambassador during a meeting that the EU is still one of Nigeria’s top trading partners and urged him to try to increase the number of transactions and fortify the relationship.
According to him, Nigeria requires assistance in digitizing and automating its operations and service delivery procedures.According to the president, Nigeria’s economy could sustain investments because of its young, energetic populace.
Nigeria has “many untapped potentials,” Mignot told President Tinubu, adding that more might be realized through technology leverage and development cooperation.
“We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he said.
In order to carry out the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project, President Tinubu urged Nigeria and Algeria to work together.
“We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. We must lift Africa together,” the President stated.
The Algerian ambassador said the trans-Sahara African Gas Pipeline project and other proposed regional development projects will significantly impact the continent.
“I would like to personally, on behalf of the government and people of Algeria, convey the greetings of our president and express my delight in our shared values politically, socially, and economically,” he continued.
Mezoued said Algeria would continue to support Nigeria in negotiating for improved livelihoods on the continent with multilateral institutions.