President Bola Tinubu on Friday in Abuja welcomed the intervention of the Finnish government in the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, emphasizing that his administration will not tolerate actions or rhetoric that threaten Nigeria’s unity.
The President made this statement while receiving the Letters of Credence from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, at the State House. He praised the Finnish authorities for their timely response, which helped preserve Nigeria’s integrity and prevent actions that could undermine peaceful coexistence.
During the ceremony, President Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the Algerian Ambassador, Mr. Hocine Mezoued.
Speaking to the Finnish envoy, President Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s commitment to unity and stability:
“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country through the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have endured turbulent times, and we do not condone terrorism.”
The President highlighted his background in activism while stressing the need for national cohesion:
“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. Development requires unity and cooperation. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.”
Reaffirming his commitment to the rule of law, Tinubu noted:
“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has kept me informed. I understand the significance of the rule of law—it safeguards our democratic values, morals, and national integrity. We must uphold it at all times.”
President Tinubu acknowledged Finland’s contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in ICT, agriculture, and education, and expressed appreciation for its humanitarian support in the North East.
In response, Ambassador Selin praised the President for his bold economic reforms and acknowledged Finland’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations:
“Simon Ekpa has been a barrier to our diplomatic ties. However, with the National Security Adviser’s cooperation and evidence, relations between our two countries are improving.”
She further commended Tinubu’s reforms, recognizing their difficulty but stressing their importance for Nigeria’s progress:
“Your ongoing reforms are challenging but essential. They are the only way forward for Nigeria’s prosperity.”
The ambassador also highlighted Finland’s experience in peace mediation and expressed interest in potential collaboration in the energy sector.
During his meeting with the EU Ambassador, President Tinubu reiterated that the European Union remains one of Nigeria’s key trading partners. He urged greater economic collaboration and support for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“We need assistance in digitizing and automating our processes to enhance service delivery. Nigeria has a vibrant, youthful population capable of driving economic growth.”
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Ambassador Mignot acknowledged Nigeria’s vast untapped potential and emphasized the importance of leveraging technology for development:
“We have a strong partnership built on shared values. There is great room for deeper cooperation.”
Nigeria-Algeria Partnership and Regional Development
President Tinubu also called for strengthened collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria, particularly in advancing the Trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project.
He emphasized the importance of African nations working together for mutual progress:
“Africa must lift itself. We are stronger together. We may face challenges or external skepticism, but our focus must be on our own progress and unity.”
Ambassador Mezoued reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in regional economic development and negotiations with multilateral institutions.
“On behalf of the government and people of Algeria, I bring our President’s greetings and express our shared political, economic, and social values. We remain dedicated to supporting regional growth and prosperity.”
Distinct News reports that diplomatic engagements reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international partnerships, safeguarding national security, and advancing economic and regional development. The discussions with Finland, the EU, and Algeria underscored the importance of collaboration in areas such as trade, energy, digitalization, and security.
