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Home » Featured » Nigeria under World leaders’ attention at centenary Nigeria under World leaders’ attention at centenary MAP OF NIGERIA Nigeria under World leaders’ attention at centenary

Posted by Sylvester on Friday, February 28, 2014 0

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Nigeria came under World leaders’ focus yesterday during the activities marking the country’s centenary celebration.

 Next year’s election which they expect to be credible and the state of insecurity in the Northeast attracted the most attention.

The United Kingdom, the European Commission, France and Germany advised Nigerians on the way forward.

French President Francois Hollande promised to support Nigeria in its battle against Boko Haram, adding that France would always be ready to help combat extremism in defence of democracy.

He said: “Your struggle is also our struggle,” Hollande told delegates at a security conference in Abuja ahead of Nigeria’s unification centenary celebrations.

“We will always stand ready not only to provide our political support but our help every time you need it because the struggle against terrorism is also the struggle for democracy.”

“Africa has a great future. It’s the continent of tomorrow,” he said but warned that such promise could be “impeded by insecurity”.

He vowed to double French overseas development aid to the continent within the next five years.

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who received a standing ovation for his remarks on the state of insecurity in Nigeria, pleaded with Nigerians to reconcile their differences peacefully in order keep the country as a strong and unified power house of black Africa.

He said: “There is no country in the world that is comprised of one region, one religion and one ethnic group. The beauty of Nigeria and any country for that matter, lies in her cultural, religious, regional and diversity. Our diversity should be a source of strength, unity and pride and not division, weakness and violence.

“If religion is anything to go by, we as Muslims and Christians should understand that in the ultimate kingdom of Allah, that is heaven, only the Almighty Allah would decide who enters heaven.

“The people of the Gambia and black Africa in general look up to all Nigerians to maintain and strengthen the unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria as Africa’s most populous Nation and Black Africa’s power house. Nigerians should understand that a divided Nigeria can only mean catastrophe for the entire black race. Please preserve the unity and peace of Nigeria and remember that Nigeria is bigger than any regional, ethnic or cultural considerations or interest”.

Representative of Germany, Amb. Egon Kochanke, urged the Jonathhan administration to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

President of the European Union Commission, Jose Barrosso, noted that the EU was a product of war, conflict and disunity as he declared that the Union stands with Nigeria as it battles terrorism.

He noted that bad governance and corruption are among the factors fuelling conflict in any society.

Foreign Office Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, who represented Prime Minister David Cameron at the conference said: “By virtue of her scale and energy, Nigeria could lead the way. Next February’s elections will be a vital milestone – Nigeria’s fifth consecutive Presidential election under civilian rule.”

“Mr President, you have committed yourself to ensuring that the elections are free and fair. I am confident Nigerians will accept nothing less. And in doing so, you and your government could be a role model for many other African governments.”

He added: “I am always struck by Nigeria’s youth and vitality. I believe strongly that your country, and the countries represented here today, should be viewed through the lens of promise and ambition. I want to take this opportunity to focus on the great future ahead of Nigeria and its African counterparts face.”

“It is a future that is closely linked to the achievement of prosperity, stability and democracy. And I believe that, as is the case in Europe, it is the choices African leaders make in these three areas that will determine Africa’s future.

“Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, said on Independence Day in 1960 that Nigeria’s relations with the UK were “always as friends.” That is as true now as 54 years ago.

“Our relationship is rooted in our joint history; in the large and important Nigerian community in the UK; the deep and expanding trade relationship; and our countless educational, sporting and cultural connections.

“So it is exciting to recognize, as we stand at the dawn of a new century for Nigeria, that the future brings with it extraordinary possibilities for your country, and for many African nations.

“In 1914, the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates and Lagos, brought together peoples, territory and resources that had never before considered themselves as having mutual interests. That brought challenges- and perhaps still does.

“But Nigeria’s diversity has brought the Country strength, resilience and a multitude of talent. It has growing international influence as a peacekeeper, as a leader in the African Union and on the UN Security Council. The Country has become the driving economic and political force of its region.

“In Nigeria, we remain the largest investor, we are making strides to meet our ambition to double bilateral trade from £8billion this week.