President Bola Tinubu, speaking in Abuja on Friday, expressed his gratitude to the government of France for their forthcoming initiative to return $150 million siphoned from Nigeria during the tenure of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
President Bola Tinubu underscored the importance of preventing violence in Niger Republic by stating that the Economic Community of West African States is employing “appropriate back-channel strategies” to tackle the situation without bloodshed.
‘In addition to the recovery of another tranche of Abacha loot, the President acknowledged the signing of a €100m agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE programme — a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology and Creative Arts Industries,’ Ngelale revealed.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Friday titled ‘President Tinubu meets French presidential envoy as Nigeria prepares for the return of $150m Abacha loot.’
‘In addition to the recovery of another tranche of Abacha loot, the President acknowledged the signing of a €100m agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE programme — a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology and Creative Arts Industries,’ Ngelale revealed.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Technology, along with the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, inked the agreement earlier at Tafawa Balewa House, the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
President Tinubu lauded the progress in bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, citing that these developments were a direct consequence of his visit to Paris subsequent to his inauguration.
Pointing out the need for reinforced cooperation in political and economic spheres, he warmly greeted the deepening cooperation between the two nations in fields of shared interest, such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture.
Addressing the situation in Niger Republic, Tinubu, as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, highlighted Nigeria’s active monitoring of the events in the neighboring nation and the utilization of diplomatic channels to prevent any escalation of violence.
He remarked ‘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.’
On the situation in Niger, he affirmed that ‘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.’
President Tinubu stated that Nigeria is committed to rallying international collaborators in the resolute effort to attain a peaceful settlement to the situation in Niger Republic.
In the earlier address, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs conveyed the regards of President Emmanuel Macron and expressed France’s readiness to expand mutually advantageous cooperation with Nigeria across a range of sectors.
In the course of the conversation, she extended a formal invitation to President Bola Tinubu, urging his participation in the forthcoming Paris Peace Forum to be held on November 10 to 11, 2023.
In reference to the Abacha loot, the French Presidential Envoy emphasized that the repatriation was conducted following the completion of the required legal formalities.
‘It was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded. Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement,’ she said.
Ms. Colonna also commended President Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS, saying: ‘We support your efforts at ECOWAS. We are behind you because we believe that constitutional order is a treasure for all countries, and democracy must be a reality.’