Tag: Nuclear Security Summit

Buhari Congratulates President Issoufou Of Niger On His Re-Election

Mahamadou Issoufou President Niger Republic
President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic on his recent re-election.

A statement by Mr Femi Adesina, a spokesman for President Buhari, said the President extended his best wishes to President Issoufou and the people of Niger Republic after the peaceful elections.

“It bodes well for the progress of the country,” he said.

President Buhari also acknowledged an invitation to attend President Issoufou’s swearing-in for a new term in office, but regretted that he would be unable to attend due to his ongoing participation in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC.

Wishing President Issoufou a successful new term in office, President Buhari expressed the hope that peace and progress would continue to prevail in Nigeria and Niger Republic.

US, Nigeria Partner To Tackle Security, Economy, Corruption Threats

US, Nigeria, Security, Economy, CorruptionThe United States (US) and Nigeria have agreed to establish groups, focused on strengthening security cooperation, the economy and tackling corruption, after a day-long dialogue at the State Department.

In a joint statement, the countries said the groups would come up with a paper work within a month to finalise the goals.

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, is meeting the US Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, Thursday on the sidelines of a two-day nuclear security summit in Washington DC, comprising of leaders from at least 50 countries.

Mr Kerry and Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, held meetings and acknowledged the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria’s northeast and neighboring countries, as well as tough economic times caused by the fall in oil prices.

According to the US Secretary of State, the United States is committed to helping Nigeria tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

He warned that security forces must avoid human rights abuses, even as they step up the fight against the dreaded terrorists. He also commended the efforts to end insurgency.

“Under President Buhari, Nigeria has been involved in the fight against Boko Haram and it has reduced Boko Haram’s capacity to launch full-scale attacks,” Mr Kerry said.

The US Secretary of State added that in recent months, US military trainers have been helping Nigeria’s security forces to improve information sharing tactics, as well as train and equip two infantry battalions.

Buhari To Reaffirm Nigeria’s Right To Use Nuclear Energy For Development

Muhammadu Buhari On Nuclear Energy President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja for Washington DC on Wednesday, to reaffirm Nigeria’s right to use nuclear energy for development.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said in a statement on Tuesday that the Commander-in-Chief would join President Barack Obama and about 60 other world leaders and heads of international organisations at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit which opens at the United States’ capital on Thursday.

At plenary sessions of the summit which is dedicated to reinforcing international commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, President Buhari would insist that while Nigeria continues to sustain that commitment, world powers must respect the right of other countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development purposes.

The President would also reaffirm Nigeria’s stance that international efforts to ensure greater security of nuclear materials should maintain a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the indisputable right of Nigeria and other countries to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development.

“It will be recalled that at a meeting with him in Abuja earlier this month, President Buhari told the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr Yukiya Amano, that the Federal Government will welcome greater support from the agency for Nigeria’s aspiration to begin the generation of electricity with nuclear energy.

“While in Washington DC for the Nuclear Security Summit, the President and his delegation which includes Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd.) and the Director-General of Nigeria’s Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Professor Lawrence Anikwe Dim, will also hold bilateral meetings with other participating Heads of Government and high-ranking United States Government officials,” the statement read.

President Buhari would depart Washington DC for Abuja on Sunday.