Posted by On Thursday in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu urged the European Union (EU) and Nigeria to strengthen their cross-sectoral relationship based on democratic principles such as rule of law and freedom.
According to the President’s media adviser, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu made the remark while hosting a team from the European Union (EU) led by Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, the EU commissioner in charge of international partnerships.
At a separate event in Abuja earlier in the day, Nigeria and the EU signed eight finance agreements under the “EU Global Gateway in Nigeria.”
The President has stated, “Democracy is not an easy process, but we must fight for democracy and struggle for it to win at all times.”
Economic collaboration between the EU and Nigeria in the fields of digital education, traditional energy, renewable energy, and broadband access were all highlighted by Tinubu.
He informed the international guests that significant changes were being made to the Nigerian economy to make it possible to lift millions of people out of poverty.
Our population is young and ambitious, and we have what it takes to achieve. If we do it, democracy does it. If we win, freedom wins.
Together, we can only succeed if all of our partners pitch in. We’re excited to continue working together,” he stated.
Urpilainen praised Nigeria’s role as an important partner of the EU in her speech, noting the country’s impact on the political and economic landscape as well as the continent’s social scene.
The EU Commissioner stated that the EU has been striving to alter the traditional donor-recipient dynamic in its engagement with Africa during the past four years.
She mentioned the EU’s “Global Gateway” investment initiative as an illustration of their desire to form a cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit.
She mentioned that 300 billion Euros would be invested as part of this strategy, with 150 billion Euros specifically designated for Africa during last year’s AU-EU Summit in Brussels.
She expressed gratitude to Tinubu for Nigeria’s assistance in exporting essential energy goods to the United States during the current dispute with Russia.
In addition to mentioning that the oil and gas collaboration has room to grow, the EU Commissioner explained that Nigeria is a key partner country for the EU and that the “Global Gateway” plan was developed to speed up the green and digital transformations in EU partner nations.
Human capital, education, and research are also being funded, in addition to “critical infrastructure” like electricity and transportation networks and the internet.
Ms. Samuela Isopi, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, and Ms. Rita Laranjinha, Managing Director, Africa and European External Action Service (EEAS), were also a part of the EU team.
Ms. Maria Pilar Palmero Vaquero, Head of Unit for Western Africa, Directorate-General International Partnerships (DG INTPA), and Ms. Lora Borissova, Africa Advisor, EU Cabinet, were also present. (NAN)