By Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
Last updated Oct 29, 2023
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has emphasized the need for Africa to uphold democracy, the rule of law, and freedom for its people. He believes that in order to achieve this, the continent must actively fight for democracy.
During a bilateral-political discussion with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s determination to change the prevailing narrative and usher in a transformative government in the country. He highlighted the significant progress Nigeria has made in reducing insecurity and expressed the country’s willingness to collaborate with Germany on education, power, mineral resources, and other available opportunities.
“Nigeria is still in its infancy, but we are resolute in changing the prevailing narrative and bringing about a transformative government in the country,” President Tinubu stated.
President Tinubu called for support from the German government in the area of security, emphasizing that democracy must always prevail for the continent to fulfill the expectations of the African dream. He expressed optimism that with continued efforts in combating terrorism, Nigeria will make further advancements in this regard.
Speaking on the Sahel region of Africa, President Tinubu highlighted ongoing diplomatic engagements in managing the coup situations in Guinea and Niger Republic. He reiterated the importance of Germany’s support in the security domain and expressed Nigeria’s continued need for their expertise.
President Tinubu commended the German government for their previous contributions towards enhancing the Nigerian Police’s efficiency in law enforcement through training. He welcomed Chancellor Scholz’s visit, describing it as necessary and expressed confidence in Germany’s understanding of the various challenges faced in the Sahel region.
Germany’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law was emphasized by Chancellor Scholz. He emphasized the importance of a better future for the people and pledged Germany’s continued support and collaboration, particularly in the economic sphere, leveraging Nigeria’s economic potential.
Chancellor Scholz also highlighted the need for partnership with Nigeria in the field of hydrogen, stressing the importance of producing essential goods for the people while protecting the environment.
Scholz applauded President Tinubu’s leadership qualities in the West Africa sub-region and conveyed Germany’s readiness to partner with ECOWAS to strengthen democracy in sub-Saharan Africa. He acknowledged the detrimental impact of recent coups in the region, citing the example of Niger, where a democratically elected president was overthrown, causing damage to the country and posing security concerns.
“In addressing these challenges and collaborating to understand your perspectives as a regional leader, we can contribute significantly to the region’s security,” Chancellor Scholz added.
President Tinubu’s call for the defense of democracy in Africa is a timely reminder of the collective responsibility to uphold democratic values across the continent. With the support of international partners like Germany, there is hope for a future where democracy, the rule of law, and freedom are firmly rooted in the African narrative.
