Worries Buhari shared with British PM May

Presidency has released details of President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, in London on Monday, saying that the Nigerian leader told his host he was not bothered by 2019 election, but by Nigeria’s security and economy.

In a statement disclosing details of the meeting and made available by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, he said that the three-pronged focus of the current administration, security, corruption fight and economy, resonated during Buhari, May bilateral meeting held at 10, Downing Street, London.

Buhari reportedly told May, “We campaigned on three major issues, to secure the country, revive the economy and fight corruption.

“We have elections next year, politicians are already preoccupied with the polls, but I am bothered more about security and the economy.”

Recalling that Nigeria and Britain have a long history of cooperation on several fronts, President Buhari said, “People ought to know how they arrived where they are, if they would move forward. It was a mistake for us to have stopped the teaching of history as a subject in schools, but we are returning it to the curriculum now.”

Read also: Buhari’s one of Nigeria’s ‘wicked’ leaders – Aisha

He commended British companies like Unilever, Cadbury, and many others, “who have stood with Nigeria through thick and thin. Even when we fought a Civil War, they never left.

“But like Oliver Twist, we ask for more investments. We are encouraging more British companies to come to Nigeria. We appreciate the support you have given in training and equipping our military, particularly in the war against insurgency, but we want to also continue to work with you on trade and investment.”

Prime Minister May, in her remarks, said Britain would continue to work with Nigeria in the areas of training and equipping the military.

She was particular about abduction of young schoolgirls by Boko Haram, noting that Britain would continue to give Nigeria the needed assistance.

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