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Buhari to Bazoum: We’ll stabilise our region to the benefit of Niger, Nigeria

Ezekiel Johnson
Ezekiel Johnson
Buhari to Bazoum: We’ll stabilise our region to the benefit of Niger, Nigeria
Buhari and Bazoum addressing the press

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the newly inaugurated President of Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, that “We will stabilise our region for the benefit of the two countries.”

Bozoum was in Nigeria on his first international visit.

Buhari said Nigerians and Nigeriens were 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 sufferred 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 called “his understanding and sacrifices” to help stabilise 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 had common interests, “and, therefore, a good relationship is very important.”

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

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