Highlights of Buhari’s Engagements in France

20 May Highlights of Buhari’s Engagements in France

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on European countries and global financial institutions to consider reducing the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on African economies by restructuring debt portfolios and opting for complete reliefs.

Buhari made the call in Paris, while speaking at the Financing Africa Summit held at Grande Palais Ephemere, on Tuesday.

The president said the effect of the pandemic should also be reduced by releasing vaccines to the continent, which is still behind in protecting majority of its citizens.

He said the fall in commodity prices as COVID-19 took a toll on the global economy further slowed growth in some countries and strained health facilities.

“It is in this vein that we solicit the support of the French government with its influence in the European Union to lend its voice to the efforts being made to mobilize additional resources for developing economies most especially Africa in order to strengthen the quantum of investments to our economies. This financial support should also be extended to the private sector,” he said.

The President asked the European Union to encourage fair and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines in less developed countries, and promote the establishment of manufacturing facilities.

According to him, many African countries were already experiencing debt distress and the Debt Service Suspension by France and G-20 does not go far enough.

On the Paris Agreement for Climate Change, Buhari said that African countries would need financial support for green energy investment and COP-26 and Nigeria will refocus on gas while adopting a Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative.

….Restates commitment to fair elections

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the government’s commitment to free and fair elections will be followed through in every future election.

He spoke on Wednesday in an interactive session with some Nigerians in Paris, noting that results from elections since he assumed office had been a mixed bag, with the people’s choice playing out. He pledged to keep the template that had brought more credibility to the electoral process.

President Buhari, in a statement issued by his spokesman,  Garba Shehu, said he had watched Nigerians spend long hours in campaigns listening to candidates since 2003, 2007, 2011, when he contested elections and lost, and 2015 and 2019 presidential elections, which he won.

“Nigerians deserve respect. I have suffered before, so, I know what it means. My duty is to serve Nigeria and Nigerians with all my heart. I assure that in spite of the ill-luck, with drop-in resources, we will do our best,’’ he added.

Speaking on the economy, he said investments had been channelled into the agricultural sector, with visible results, explaining that the policy on border closure to neighbouring countries was to protect the economy and improve security.

On security, President Buhari said all the service chiefs were changed in order to inject new energy and ideas into protecting the country, adding that the security chiefs were also given clear targets and time lines.

“We will educate people to develop our country. Our greatest resources are our people and educating them is a priority,’’ the President added.