President Bola Tinubu on Thursday emphasised the need to bolster cross-sectoral ties between Nigeria and the European Union on foundational values such as democracy, the rule of law and freedom.
“If we succeed, democracy succeeds. If we succeed, freedom succeeds. We need all of our partners’ hands on deck to sail together. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships, “Tinubu told the six-person delegation led by the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms Jutta Urpilainen, whom he received at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.”
The President welcomed the signing of eight financing agreements between Nigeria and the EU, under the “EU Global Gateway in Nigeria,” at a separate event earlier in Abuja.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled ‘President Tinubu calls for strengthening of Nigeria-EU relations; receives EU energy and int’l partnership delegation.’
“Democracy is not an easy process, but we must fight for democracy and struggle for it to win at all times,” the President said.
President Tinubu, who emphasized the importance of economic cooperation with the EU in the areas of digital education, traditional energy, renewable energy, and broadband access, equally told the visiting delegation that Nigeria’s economy was going through several long-lasting reforms to render it capable of pulling millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“We have a young and vibrant population, and we are determined to succeed. If we succeed, democracy succeeds. If we succeed, freedom succeeds,” he noted.
In her remarks, Urpilainen commended Nigeria for its pivotal role as a key partner of the EU, not only in politics and economics but also in shaping the social landscape across the African continent.
She explained that since 2019, the EU has been working to transform the nature of its relationship with Africa by shifting away from the traditional donor-recipient dynamic.
The EU Commissioner said the union seeks to establish an equal and mutually beneficial partnership through the “Global Gateway” investment programme as a flagship example.
She noted that this strategy, agreed at the AU-EU Summit in Brussels last year, sets a goal of €300bn in investments, with €150bn allocated to Africa.
Thanking President Tinubu for the important role Nigeria played in supplying key energy products during its standoff with Russia in recent times, the EU Commissioner noted that the oil & gas partnership can be expanded while adding that the “Global Gateway” strategy is designed to expedite the green and digital transformations in EU partner countries, with Nigeria standing as one of its most strategic.
She said ”We are investing in critical infrastructure such as energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure, as well as in human capital, education, and research.”
Other members of the EU delegation include the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, Managing Director of the Africa and European External Action Service, Ms Rita Laranjinha; Africa Advisor, Cabinet of EU, Ms Lora Borissova; and the Head of Unit for Western Africa, Directorate-General International Partnerships, Ms Maria Vaquero.
Earlier, the President signed the Instrument of Ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, which was adopted by the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 29, 2018.
A statement signed by Mr Ngelale read “I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, do hereby formally declare that the Federal Republic of Nigeria accepts the aforementioned Protocol and undertakes to faithfully perform and carry out the stipulations therein contained;
“In witness whereof, I, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, have set my hand and Seal of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on this Instrument of Ratification at Abuja on this 19th day of October in the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.”
