Full Text: What Tinubu Said At Chatham House In London

naijanews's logo

Naijanews Dec. 6, 2022 6:11 a.m.

Full Text: What Tinubu Said At Chatham House In London

“Indeed, there is more than a passing interest in Nigerian politics generally and the upcoming elections in particular for several reasons.” Addressing matters involving foreign policy and economic development in Nigeria and Africa at large, Tinubu said:“For one, as Africa’s most populous country and the continent’s largest economy, it is generally acknowledged that the fortunes of the African continent and, indeed, the Black race are tied directly to Nigeria’s health.

“Amidst the changes taking place in global order, the primary duty of leadership in Nigeria – and, I dare say, all of Africa – is how within a vision of national development that is transformative and a strategy of national security that is human-centred, foreign policy is crafted, shared to fit and feed national priorities of rebirth and accelerated progress.

“At the best of times, and with reference to its foreign policy orientation since independence in 1960, and since the end of its civil war in 1970, Nigeria has always crafted its domestic national security and economic development policies with some strategic foreign policy imperatives in mind.

“The challenges which have manifested themselves with regard to our national and regional development and security trajectories are very well-known to all of us here: radical extremist violence, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, human trafficking, trafficking in weapons, trafficking in drugs, climate change and resource driven conflicts etc.

“I am convinced, as I am sure most of us are, that the broad principles that enabled successive Nigerian governments to interface development and security, and establish an organic link between national security and economic development with regional peace and prosperity is both impeccable and remains relevant.

On the one hand, to prosper at home in peace and stability, Nigeria needs to uphold its national security, unity, territorial integrity, sovereign independence, and the safety and well-being of its people.” The APC presidential candidate identified security as one of the biggest challenges in the African country, noting that Nigeria as a country is committed to dealing with this challenges, especially if he is given the opportunity to lead.

“Providing these will be the areas of our focus so that the full potential of our agro-economy can be achieved, and we can reap the benefits in jobs, improved economic opportunities and increased prosperity.” He added:“Fixing the perennial riddle of energy supply is another priority.

“Being Text of an Address Delivered by His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Former Governor of Lagos State and Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress at Chatham House, London, on 05 December 2022.” Addressing The Protocols –“I would like to begin by expressing my delight at being here once again to share my thoughts with this distinguished audience.

In accepting adaptation and energy transition principles, including the treatment of gas as a transition fuel, we will work more on accelerated investment in gas production and we are committed to enhancing domestic and global energy security.” Drawing a conclusion in his speech, Tinubu assured that he and his colleagues are committed to ensuring a renewed Nigeria that will be responsible for driving prosperity and harmony in the country, including Africa and the world at large.

“Also the Nigerian elections of 2023 are coming up at a time when the country’s immediate geographical neighbourhood of West and Central Africa is undergoing serious political turmoil that has manifested itself in the incursion of the military to power in a number of countries.

Through a commitment to promoting human security, the country has attempted through successive governments to interface national security and economic development as two sides of the same coin – focusing equally on food sufficiency and sustainable development.

“As a first step, we must recalibrate domestic policy in order to revamp the foundation on which our quest to pursue human security rests.” Tinubu outlined further how he plans to curb the issue of poverty in Nigeria.

“The national elections which will take place in the first quarter of 2023 can be considered as especially significant in Nigeria’s quest for democratic consolidation.

“As a people, we are still counting the costs of the challenges which different armed and criminal groups are posing to national and regional development.

“This is the task to which my colleagues and I have committed ourselves as part of a broader project of leveraging our national assets and natural endowments to nurture and project a renewed Nigeria that will be a responsible and respected driver of prosperity and harmony in Africa and around the world.

“At another level, we must learn to make foreign policy work better for our domestic social, economic and political priorities.

He said:“At one level, this will mean pursuing renewed vigour of growth-promoting, employment-creating, and poverty-eradicating policies at home as outlined in my Renewed Hope 2023: Action Plan for a Better Nigeria that I recently released to the Nigerian public.

“The present administration has invested heavily in agriculture, providing loans and expanding the country’s total acreage of cultivated land.

“The last time I was here in 2013, it was to share my views on the nascent formation of Nigeria’s mega opposition party – the All Progressives Congress[APC].

“Mostly manifesting initially as national problems, these challenges evolved over time into trans-border and multinational challenges.

Tinubu said:“Furthermore, beyond what we do nationally, we must also become much bolder as Africans in our regional and continental integration and security efforts.

“Ballot security and election violence are areas where there is still cause for concern.

“To be fully secure at home, Nigeria has always believed it must be the brothers’ keeper.

“I am confident that the Nigerian people will go to the polls in a few short months and give me their mandate to lead and govern my beloved country.

“Roads, rail, access to ports, and storage infrastructure are what we require to radically transform the agriculture sector and increase its value to the nation.

“I will come, not with a long list of promises for the future, but with a plan for collaboration in the best interests of the country I love and have dedicated my life to..

Read Full Story

Weather Report

9.67

weather-icon

Thursday, March 28

Stay pulsed! Stay informed!