President Muhammadu Buhari has re-emphasised the need for neighbouring countries to always protect each other’s interests, saying their mutual survival depends on each other.
The President spoke on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, while playing host to President Patrice Talon of Republic of Benin, who was on an official visit.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari said
“Good neighbourliness is very important in our lives. The survival of your neighbour is also your own, and we will continue to work with our neighbours in the light of this understanding.”
He recalled that on assumption of office for first term in 2015, one of the very first steps he took was to visit neighbouring countries – Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin – all towards forging a common understanding on crucial issues, including security, trade and development.
“And those are issues we must continue to engage on, for the good of our countries and the people. Whatever irritations that comes up must be removed,” President Buhari said.
President Talon disclosed that he was in Nigeria to show gratitude to President Buhari for the robust leadership he displays in Nigeria and Africa.
Noting that the challenges of 2020 were huge, he stressed that the same challenges may remain in 2021, “and our relationship as neighbours must, therefore, remain cordial.”