President Muhammadu Buhari holds a discussion on Nigeria–British relations with Prime Minister, Theresa May today at 10, Downing Street, London. The president said he’s more concerned about the security and economy as the country prepare for the 2019 elections.
“We campaigned on three major issues, to secure the country, revive the economy and fight corruption,” said the President. “We have elections next year, politicians are already preoccupied with the polls, but I am bothered more about security and the economy,” he stressed.
He commended British companies that stood with Nigeria through “thick and thin” even when “we fought a Civil War, they never left.”
“But like Oliver Twist, we ask for more investments. We are encouraging more British companies to come to Nigeria. We appreciate the support you have given in training and equipping our military, particularly in the war against insurgency, but we want to also continue to work with you on trade and investment.”
President Buhari also briefed Prime Minister May on the strides in agriculture, education, climate change and environmental issues.
“I am very pleased with the successes in agriculture,” he said. “We have cut rice importation by about 90%, made lots of savings of foreign exchange, and generated employment. People had rushed to the cities to get oil money, at the expense of farming. But luckily, they are now going back to the farms. Even professionals are going back to the land. We are making steady progress on the road to food security.”
VIDEO: Prime Minister @theresa_may welcoming President @MBuhari to 10 Downing Street. #PMBinUK pic.twitter.com/lWv97URs72
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) April 16, 2018
“Good grounding in education is good,” May said, adding that: “It is important to equip young people for today’s world. It is also a good bastion and defence against modern slavery. The issue of the environment and climate change is very important, because of its impact on many countries in the Commonwealth. Stability at home is important, to curb illegal migration.”
The Prime Minister May, in her remarks, said Britain would continue to work with Nigeria in the areas of training and equipping the military.
Buhari is in the United Kingdom prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for April 18 to 20, 2018. The Nigerian President will be meeting U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss fighting terrorism and economic growth at the White House on April 30.
Photo Credit: Getty
