The Federal Ministry of Overseas Affairs in Nigeria has acknowledged that there is no such thing as a ulterior undertone related to the nation’s funding agreements value over €300 million with France.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, Particular Assistant on Media and Communications Technique to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, made this recognized in a press release on Thursday.
He dismissed feedback attributed to Niger Republic’s navy President, Abdourahamane Tchiani, alleging that Nigeria sponsors terrorism by means of France, describing the claims as false, deceptive, and a figment of Tchiani’s creativeness.
No Ulterior Motives in Nigeria-France Agreements
Abdulkadir clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Paris, the place Nigeria and France signed agreements to spice up infrastructure improvement and meals safety.
- He added that Nigerian lenders, Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA), additionally expanded their operations into France throughout the go to.
- He emphasised that the agreements have been purely for the financial advantage of each nations, refuting claims that they have been tied to the institution of a French navy submit in Nigeria.
“The agreements embrace a €300 million funding plan to assist crucial infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, renewable vitality, and human capital improvement throughout Nigeria. Thus, the funds are usually not in trade for the institution of a navy submit,” he acknowledged.
- Abdulkadir additional famous that as a rustic in transition, Nigeria has signed improvement agreements with France, China, the USA, Japan, Russia, and different nations, stressing that bilateral financial relations and mutual assist are commonplace practices globally, together with for Niger Republic.
“We reiterate that there is no such thing as a ulterior undertone in Nigeria’s relationship with France,” he added.
- He additionally clarified that there are not any French troopers in Nigeria, nor any plans by the Nigerian authorities to determine a navy submit manned by French forces.
- Abdulkadir maintained that the connection between Nigeria and France stays cordial, guided by mutual respect, dignity, and non-interference in one another’s inner affairs.
What You Ought to Know
On Thursday, the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) defended Nigeria’s fame as a “beneficiant” and “magnanimous” nation inside the West African area.
- In a press release, ECOWAS refuted allegations of terrorism sponsorship made in opposition to Nigeria, expressing deep concern over the claims focusing on Nigeria and different member states.
“For years, Nigeria has supported peace and safety in a number of nations, not solely inside the West African subregion however throughout the African continent. The latest successes recorded by the Multinational Joint Job Pressure (MNJTF), led by Nigeria, exhibit the nation’s dedication to regional peace and safety.
“ECOWAS, due to this fact, refutes any suggestion that such a beneficiant and magnanimous nation would change into a state sponsor of terrorism,” the assertion learn.
- On the identical day, the Federal Authorities of Nigeria, by means of the Ministry of Data, reiterated its place, denying allegations of sabotaging Niger Republic’s financial pipeline and agriculture as claimed by Common Abdourahamane Tchiani.
- The federal government described the accusations as baseless and nonexistent.
- These developments come because the Authority of Heads of State and Authorities of ECOWAS, on December 16, 2024, gave Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months—ranging from January 29, 2025—to rethink their withdrawal from the regional physique.
- This resolution adopted official notifications from the military-led governments of the three nations concerning their intention to depart ECOWAS.
- A transitional interval, set to finish on July 29, 2025, has been established to permit the nations to rethink and doubtlessly rejoin the group.
Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Fee, disclosed this on the conclusion of the 66th Abnormal Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Authorities, held in Abuja.
He defined that the Authority acknowledged the notifications from the three nations and, in keeping with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the nations would formally stop to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025.
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