Tinubu calls for stronger cooperation with France on terrorism

President Bola Tinubu on Friday called for stronger cooperation with France on the prevailing threat of terrorism in the country.

He made the call during a farewell meeting with the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, at the State House, Abuja.

He commended the envoy for her dedication to stronger relations between France and Nigeria.

Tinubu urged Blatmann to leverage her new role as Director for Africa to advocate the need to upgrade technical cooperation between Nigeria and France to defeat terrorism and violent extremism.

The president said: “You have been excellent in promoting bilateral relations between both countries in the areas of economy, trade, education, arts, and culture.

“Thank you for the hard work you have done in Nigeria and for President Macron to appoint you to a new position as Africa Director, it is a testament that you excelled in your assignment in our country.

“You will always be welcomed in Nigeria. On regional security, we want you to remind Paris at every opportunity that it is necessary to upgrade our technical cooperation in our joint efforts to defeat terrorism and counter violent extremism in the region.”

READ ALSO: Tinubu leaves France for London on ‘short private trip’

Blatmann, who recalled her experience on duty, shared notable achievements and highlighted France’s significant investments and remarkable increase in bilateral trade.

She said France is among the top foreign investors in Nigeria with over $10 billion in investment stock and bilateral trade increasing by 51 percent in 2021 and 2022.

“We are also one of the biggest development partners with over 3 billion Euros invested over the last decade by AFD and PROPARCO. AFD now operates in 26 of Nigeria’s 36 states.

“Ever since I arrived here in October 2021, it has been a series of wonderful discoveries and amazing encounters. I will take away with me the energy and creativity of this country that will forever guide me and fuel my afro-optimism,” the envoy added.

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