Buhari Solicits UK’s Cooperation in War Against Corruption, Fugitives
BY GRACE ANYANWU, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that even though the war on corruption is slow and painstaking, the cooperation of the National Crime Agency of UK is still needed, particularly in the investigation of fugitives from Nigeria finding accommodation in the United Kingdom.
This is just as the President said things were a lot better in the war against insurgency, with the disabuse of the minds of the people on the true philosophy of Boko Haram, and the main challenge being in the area of resettling displaced people, which is being tackled frontally.
Buhari, who stated these while speaking with the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said; “We have a long history with the British military, and we are collaborating.”
President Buhari, who brought the UK Prime Minister up to speed with developments in Nigeria, reeling out gains in different areas of national endeavor, also said the country was focused and making progress on education, particularly that of the girl child.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020, in London, during which President Buhari told P.M Johnson of strides in agriculture, leading almost to self-sufficiency in rice and other grains, saving the country billions in foreign exchange, which are now deployed to other areas of development.
On Climate change, President Buhari said, was a challenge to Nigeria and neighbouring African countries, especially with the shrinkage of the Lake Chad to a minuscule of its original size.
In his remarks, P.M Johnson thanked President Buhari for being a regional leader who gives strong encouragement to the West, congratulating him on jobs being created through agriculture, and urging him to do more.
Johnson equally lauded the Nigerian President for what he calls the “social and economic benefits” that have accrued to the country since he emerged, and that the necessary hand of fellowship would be extended on the war against corruption, through the National Crime Agency.
The British P.M pledged to cooperate with Nigeria and other African countries in the inter-basin water transfer, which could solve the Lake Chad problem, and enhance security in the sub-region.
On the Commonwealth Free Trade Area, being espoused by President Buhari, the Prime Minister applauded the idea, and pledged a careful consideration.
He charged the Nigerian Leader to keep the national autonomy of his country intact, noting that in the future, Nigeria would not just be a continental but international power.
