Nigeria (Commonwealth Union)_ President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigeria’s neighbors to collaborate more closely with Nigeria to better confront the rising volatility and increasing challenges in West Africa and the Sahel. The Nigerian leader made these remarks at the launching event of the French translation of his biography, ‘Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’. The event was held in Niamey, the capital of the Republic of Niger.
The President stated: “My remarks will not be complete if I did not mention the escalating volatilities and multiplicity of threats across our region of West Africa and the Sahel. The ever-evolving nature of the threats we face underlines the need for enhanced coordination. There is no doubt that we have made incremental progress in our collective fight against terrorism and other trans-border crimes.” He added: “However, a lot remains to be done, especially in the face of renewed efforts by violent extremist groups to expand their operations and footholds in West Africa.”
The book launch event was attended by several prominent leaders, including President Mohamed Bazoum of the Niger Republic; President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau; the present Chairman of ECOWAS; General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Head of the Transition Military Council and President of Chad; and Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of the Niger Republic. Additionally, Buhari also opened a 3.8-kilometer-long and 160-meter-wide boulevard named after him by the government of the Niger Republic.
President Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to bilateral and multilateral measures with neighboring countries such as Niger, Chad, and Cameroon in order to achieve the goal of eradicating terrorism and trans-national crimes in the region. At the inauguration of the French edition of his biography, the President expressed his passionate desire that it would serve as a clarion call to rising African leaders and motivate them to always be led by the essential principles of hard work, honesty, and patriotism. He stated that the book’s lessons should inspire leaders to adhere to the rule of law and constitutional limits.
