President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that his administration has made it a top priority to tackle the issue of insecurity in Nigeria, the West African sub-region and the Sahel.
Speaking on Thursday during a State Dinner in National Palace Ajuda, Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, the President said this would not have been possible without the regional as well as global partners of Nigeria.
According to him, the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-eastern part of Nigeria is being tackled through the efforts of government, as well as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) of member countries.
President Buhari also appreciated Portugal for the deployment of weapons and training of military personnel in ensuring peace in the sub-region.
He commended President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for deploying troops for peacekeeping in the Central African Republic, monitoring political developments and providing assistance to some countries in Africa, including Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde and Mozambique.
President Buhari, at the dinner attended by the President of the Portuguese National Assembly, Augusto Santos Silva, and Prime Minister Antonio Costa, expressed optimism that his State Visit would further strengthen the goodwill and collaboration between the two countries.
He noted that the establishment of a Joint Commission, which is one of the main priorities of the visit, would further promote the full realisation of the objectives of bilateral relations, achieving concrete, specific and viable projects and programmes for the benefit of citizens of the two countries.
The President emphasised the need to revive the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and finalise all pending bi-lateral agreements so as to boost economic activities and movement of people between the two countries.
President Buhari described Nigeria as one of the most attractive destinations for investment in Africa, adding that his administration is prioritising the building of a business-friendly environment.
He also commended his Portuguese counterpart for extending his country’s engagement with Africa and African issues beyond Lusophone countries.
