President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that the global economy is unstable because Africa has fallen behind.
This was stated by President Obama on Friday in Paris, France, while receiving the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, following the Summit on New Global Financing Pact.
Tinubu, who stated that Nigeria would keep African countries at the center of its economic and foreign policy policies, assured that trade issues, security, and border controls would be mutually implemented.
The president stated that bilateral relations with African countries, particularly sub-regional relations, would be strengthened for mutual benefit in areas such as security, health, energy, education, and diplomacy.
We are ready to improve relations. Africa has been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” he said.
I believe in Africa. We have the necessity to grow the continent. The world’s economy is wobbling, and Africa has been left behind. On risk factors, Africa is always placed high, with higher interest rates on borrowing. We are always classified as high risk. We must work together for systematic recovery and growth, he added in a statement released by his spokesman, Dele Alake.
Tinubu described Nigeria’s relations with Benin as that of Siamese twins, joined at the hips, and supported by other friendly countries.
We must recognise the fact that we need each other. We are in a loop and no one should separate us, ” he stated, assuring that his administration will always be open and accessible to all neighbouring countries.
I just appointed someone who will work with you as Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, and he will be available for our common interest, the President also said.
The President of Benin said he was inspired with renewed hope for the sub-region and Africa at the inauguration of President Tinubu in Abuja, pledging to provide support on trade and security policy, especially at the borders.
We are prepared to work with you, Your Excellency, in implementing policies that will protect our economies at land and sea entries. Whatever is forbidden in Nigeria will also be forbidden in Benin, Talon added.
President Tinubu also had bilateral meetings with Swiss President, Alain Berset, and the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.