Nigerian President Bola Tinubu says that Nigeria has secured French collaboration on military equipment and support following a lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.
Speaking during a meeting with governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos on Sunday where he observed the Eid-el-Fitr holidays after returning from his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria was prepared to leverage its goodwill and existing lines of credit to acquire necessary equipment and training for security forces in the fight against terrorism.
“I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support.
“I’m making frantic efforts to contact other nations. If we have to spend our goodwill and line of credit, we have those who are willing to support us with equipment and training,” he said.
He described insecurity as the next major challenge confronting his administration, emphasising the need for collective effort to achieve victory.
“The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face; it is the challenge of insecurity in this country.
“I’m making all the efforts to ensure that collectively we share the joy and be proud of victory over tyranny,” Tinubu said.
The President said that insecurity remained an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity, expressing confidence that governors were mindful of the challenge.
He said that one of the major discussions during his state visit to the UK centred on military equipment acquisition.
“One of the major discussions in the UK is equipment. I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” he stated.
At the meeting attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu also addressed economic concerns, acknowledging that the Middle East crisis would affect inflation and purchasing power in Nigeria.
“I know this Middle East crisis will elicit inflation, will affect our purchasing power.
“The labour union and others will be gathering to support them because of the effect of the Middle East War and prices at the pumps, resulting in transportation problems and food prices,” he stated.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the governors for responding to his invitation on short notice, describing their attendance as impressive and demonstrating sincerity, commitment, and the value of friendship and togetherness.
“I am very surprised at the short notice that this number is extremely impressive.
“It shows our sincerity, commitment and the value of friendship and togetherness. I thank every one of you for what we have been doing,” he said.
Tinubu also called on governors to focus on caring for the vulnerable in their states, stating that while they are all doing well, they can do better.
GIK/APA