Buhari restates pledge to protect rights in fight against insurgency
Seeks mutually-beneficial economic
relations with Europe
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari
yesterday reiterated his administration’s
assurance to the European Union (EU) to
protect the fundamental human rights of
persons in the war against Boko Haram
insurgents.
Addressing a special session of the
Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Buhari
said that his government shared the EU’s
commitment to peace and security,
respect for human rights, democracy and
good governance, equality and tolerance,
as ways of developing prosperous and
strong societies.
A statement by the President’s
spokesman, Femi Adesina, quoted the
President as advocating for what he
referred to as a mutually-beneficial
economic relations with Europe.
“On our part, we have updated our rules
of engagement in fighting terrorism and
pay very close attention during
operations to the treatment of captured
terrorists, civilians caught up in the
conflict and in general, safeguarding
property.
“Our aim is to use minimum force
necessary in our fight against terrorists,”
he stated, assuring members of the
Parliament and the European Union
Commission.
The President also spoke of Nigeria’s
concerns about the Economic
Partnership Agreement between the
European Union, African, Caribbean and
Pacific Group of States (ACP), collectively
endorsed by the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS).
He said Nigeria was yet to sign the
agreement because pertinent technical
issues raised by the Federal Government
have not been satisfactorily addressed.
“Giving due consideration to the
mismatch of the two regions (Europe-
ECOWAS) in terms of technology and
manufacturing experience, the
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
and Associated Trade Unions raised
concerns over the negative impact of the
agreement on Nigeria’s industrialisation
programme.
“Nigeria is working towards addressing
her own side of the issues and I
therefore urge our European Union
partners to also address our own
concerns to allow for an Economic
Partnership Agreement that is mutually
beneficial and can contribute to the
prosperity of our people, in the context
of our shared values and interest at
promoting cordial bilateral trade
relations,” President Buhari said.
The President also sought greater support
from the European Union for Nigeria’s
efforts to curb the theft of its crude oil
and corruption in its oil and gas sector.
“Nigeria is facing the challenges of oil-
theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger
Delta as well as recovery of illicit funds.
In this regard, we solicit the cooperation
of the European Parliament to support
the efforts aimed at stemming these
vices.
“Our attempt to restore security, curb
corruption and fight crime will result not
only in improving social stability in
Nigeria but will re-open the doors for
full economic relations with Europe and
the rest of the world.”
He assured the parliament that Nigeria
would collaborate with the European
Union to address illegal migration to
Europe.
“Our government is making concerted
efforts to address the push-factor that
propel migration, especially from
Nigeria, as both destination and transit
country.
“In this year’s budget, the government
has provided for over 500,000 graduate
employment in the teaching profession
alone. We are equally collaborating with
the states and local councils to
strengthen skills acquisition centres, in
order to train the teeming youth in
various vocational skills, so that they can
be self-employed, and eventually,
become employers of labour.
“Nigeria welcomes the outcome of the
Valletta EU-Africa Summit on Migration,
including the launching of 1.8 billion
Euros Emergency Trust Fund to address
the root causes of migration from Africa
to Europe.”
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