The vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that concerted action by countries around the world is crucial towards tackling terrorism in the Sahel region, as well as the challenges posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP in Africa.
Prof. Osinbajo made this call when he received a delegation of Egyptian parliament led by its speaker, Dr. Ali Abdel-Aal Sayed Hamad.
Also on the entourage was the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Assem Hanafy Elseify.
Osinbajo, who welcomed the delegation on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, noted that Egypt and Nigeria have enjoyed very good relations over the years.
“Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, we’ve always had friendly relations and cooperation with the Republic of Egypt. We know that this very friendly and brotherly relations will continue,” he said.
On insecurity in Africa, the vice president urged for more concerted global action to prevent similar escalating situations in some parts of the Middle East as related to ISIS.
“We would want to urge that Egypt joins us in calling upon the world, the international community, to immediately see the need for a concerted action against Boko Haram, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), and terrorist groups operating in the Sahel, in particular.
“We think that it is time for that kind of concerted action in the Sahel. And with such concerted action, we believe that we can prevent a situation as seen in some parts of the Middle East where damage to lives and livelihoods was done by ISIS,” he said.
Osinbajo also charged world not look away and hope that the problem would disappear.
“Just as was done in Iraq, where the world powers came together to drive out ISIS, that is the sort of cooperation that we should have now to ensure that we’re able to deal with terrorism, especially terrorism in the Sahel,” he said.
Besides, he said Nigeria would continue to join hands with Egypt in promoting religious tolerance and tackling extreme poverty and challenges to social inclusion.
Furthermore, he said Nigeria “is open to Egypt for more investments, especially in the agri-business, agro-allied value chain, and also in light manufacturing and other such areas.”
He equally noted that Nigerian companies, particularly in the financial sector and industrial investments, were willing to do business in Egypt if given the opportunity.
Earlier, Hamad had said that Egypt shares the same view with Nigeria that concerted efforts is needed to combat terrorism in the Sahel region.
“Egypt and Nigeria are two big nations in Africa in terms of population and capabilities. We also pledge to put our expertise to foster and strengthen economic relations, especially in the economic and energy sector,” he said.
Besides, Hamad pledged the full support of the Egyptian government for the candidacy of Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, who is running for a second term as president of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The speaker also delivered a personal message from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to President Buhari, inviting him for the Africa Investment Forum and the inaugural Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Egypt in November and December respectively.
