President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Finnish government for its swift intervention in the case of Simon Ekpa, whose actions had posed threats to Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu made this statement on Friday in Abuja while receiving the Letters of Credence from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, at the State House.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasized that the Federal Government would not tolerate acts or statements capable of fostering division among Nigerians. He noted that the Finnish government’s timely action in arresting and detaining Simon Ekpa helped safeguard the nation’s integrity.
“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” President Tinubu said to the Finnish ambassador. “I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.”
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation for Finland’s ongoing cooperation, particularly in the areas of ICT, agriculture, and education, which he said would positively impact Nigeria’s development. He added, “Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the North East. I believe that we can work together.”
Ms. Sanna Selin, Finland’s Ambassador, praised President Tinubu for his courage in implementing reforms aimed at revitalizing the Nigerian economy. She also highlighted the progress in bilateral relations since Simon Ekpa’s detention.
“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the ambassador stated. “I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country. They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress.”
During the ceremony, President Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of Algeria, Mr. Hocine Mezoued.
The President acknowledged the EU as one of Nigeria’s key trading partners and urged the bloc to elevate the volume of transactions and strengthen their collaboration. “Nigeria needs support in digitalizing and automating operations and processes for rendering services,” Tinubu said, emphasizing the country’s youthful population as a driver of economic growth.
Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to deepening relations with Nigeria, saying, “We have a solid partnership based on our shared values. Nigeria holds many untapped potentials, and more can be realized through development cooperation and technology leveraging.”
In his meeting with the Algerian Ambassador, President Tinubu emphasized the need for African countries to work together on shared developmental goals, such as the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project. “We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We must lift Africa together,” he said.
Mezoued conveyed Algeria’s commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with Nigeria, noting that regional development projects like the gas pipeline would significantly impact the continent. “On behalf of the government and people of Algeria, I convey the greetings of our president and express our delight in our shared values,” Mezoued said.
