Nigeria, ECOWAS member states implementing strategies to stop coups in Africa – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria and ECOWAS member states are implementing strategies to halt coups in the region.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke on Thursday while receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan at the State House.

He called for cooperation and collaboration from the countries to overcome challenges in West Africa.

President Buhari invited friendly countries to “support efforts to address the problem of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance.”

“As Nigerians prepare to elect another government at the general elections on 25th February 2023, President Buhari renewed his call to foreign government representatives not to meddle in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

“I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections.

“I wish you all success in your respective tours of duty and, at the same time, encourage you to take time to enjoy the unique nature and culture at your disposal as you travel across our country,” he said.

The President told the Ambassadors that Nigeria no doubt enjoys very cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and cooperation with their respective countries, commending the roles of their predecessors who demonstrated diligence and commitment to advance these causes.

“I am therefore confident that your appointments are deliberate in building on the successes of your immediate predecessors to advance our relations to significant and enviable heights.

“As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, I hope you will appreciate the political, socio-economic and cultural diversities that are the Nigerian nation’s hallmarks.

“I encourage you to build friendships and take time to mingle across the length and breadth of the country, including interfacing with both the public and private sectors to explore areas of mutual benefit to your respective countries and Nigeria.

“Sectors such as Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure, Local Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Agribusiness, Transportation, and Solid Minerals are mainly of interest to us and foreign investors alike.

“This will enable us to collectively strive to resuscitate all our countries’ economies in the post-pandemic global recovery processes.”

The Ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credence are Nicolas Lang, Switzerland; Annika Hahn Englund, Sweden; Peter Ryan, Ireland; Kitiisak Klomchit, Thailand; Nicolas Nyouky, Senegal and David Chaot of South Sudan.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Ambassador of Switzerland assured the Nigerian President that they would exercise “their functions as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with dedication, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and for the mutual benefit of our countries.”

“Wishing Nigeria peaceful, free and fair elections, the Ambassadors extended their goodwill to the President on his remaining days in office.

“We are keenly aware of the importance of Nigeria to the wellbeing of the entire African continent, its role in international politics and its weight in the world economy.

“Every one of us is proud to represent his or her country and its interests in this great Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ambassador Lang said.