On Friday in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu commended France for returning $150 million that General Sani Abacha, the previous head of state, had stolen from Nigeria.
The President announced the recovery of an Nigeria is set to receive another $150m Abacha lootadditional portion of the Abacha loot, as well as the signing of a €100 million agreement between Nigeria and France to support the Federal Government's i-DICE program, which encourages investment in the creative arts and information and communications technology (ICT).
At a previous event held at Tafawa Balewa House, the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs signed the agreement.
President Tinubu commended the improvement in the two countries' mutual relations, pointing out that this development came about as a result of his trip to Paris following his inauguration.
"I appreciate the excellent news about the Abacha loot returning. We are grateful for your efficient assistance in getting Nigeria's money back. It will be prudently employed in achieving our development goals, the President informed Catherine Colonna, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, who made the announcement.
The President highlighted the increasing cooperation between the two nations in areas of common interest, such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture, while highlighting the need to strengthen cooperation on both political and economic fronts. As Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu discussed the situation in the Niger Republic and stated that Nigeria is keeping an eye on events there and is looking into diplomatic options in an effort to prevent violence.
“Leadership is about responding to the needs of the people; their cries, and their frustrations. Nigeria shares a border with Niger across the expanse of seven Nigerian states, and most of these states are very populated. Therefore, I need to guide ECOWAS carefully and steadily so that we manage our anger carefully.
’We have a colleague and a democratically-elected leader, President Bazoum, being used as a human shield. If we are not careful, he and his family can be endangered.
‘’I am deploying all appropriate back-channel strategies to avoid bloodshed in Niger Republic. We recognize the wishes of our people; they do not want war, but that does not mean we can not take bold and decisive action,” the President affirmed.
According to President Tinubu, Nigeria will keep energizing allies abroad in the resolute quest of a diplomatic settlement to the Niger Republic crisis.
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