According to President Muhammadu Buhari, a single country cannot hope to prevail in the fight against terrorism on its own.The President applauded international cooperation in addressing security issues around the world while receiving letters of credence from the newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador James Kingston Christoff, and Mexican Ambassador Juan Alfred Miranda Oritz.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President addressed the returning diplomats and emphasised that more could be done to reduce insecurity notwithstanding the accomplishments that have been seen via cross-border cooperation.
At the regional level, according to Buhari, Nigeria has been collaborating with other ECOWAS members and other regional groups to combat issues like terrorism, transnational crime, maritime crimes like piracy and illegal fishing in our waters, illegal drug and human trafficking, banditry, as well as illegitimate political coups.
“I believe that matters of security have become the business of all nations as these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain. The world must, therefore, work closely together and Nigeria counts on your support in cementing the relations between our countries, at both bilateral and multilateral levels, to surmount these global threats to civilization,’’ he said.
“The devastating effect of global insecurity, climate change and the post COVID-19 era has devastated global economies. Nations continue to struggle to recover from these multiple global challenges.
“The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has undermined the progress countries have achieved in tackling food security in the last decade. While, the political instability in Libya continues to fuel terrorism in the Sahel, as well as scuttle democratic sustenance in both West and Central African regions.
“Nigeria is not left out of the equation, as we are fighting to rid our country of banditry, kidnapping, herder/farmer crisis and insurgency. We are, however, making meaningful progress with the support of friendly countries like yours to sustain these fights until we overcome these challenges,’’ he added
The President advised diplomats to keep an eye on political developments leading up to the elections in 2023 while upholding their commitment to non-interference in official matters.
Buhari stated that as Nigeria's national elections drew nearer, candidates were starting to forge alliances within their separate parties in anticipation of the impending start of campaigns around the nation.
“As the drums of campaign begin to rise, I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections,” he said.
The President also advised the diplomats to focus on building on the successes of their predecessors.