President Muhammadu Buhari and Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group and President of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Abdul Samad Rabiu, at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum in Paris, France, yesterday.
• Why Twitter suspension tarries, by minister
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria is on the right path for multi-sectoral progress, stating that he revitalised the nation’s economy, built massive infrastructure and uplifted the living standards of the citizens.
He spoke yesterday in Paris at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum (NIPF), a high-level event, on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum.
The one-day programme was organised to bring together the Nigerian and French governments and private sectors to deeply discuss issues revolving around security, regional stability, trade and industrialisation.
It was also to attract investment to Nigeria, bridge existing infrastructure gaps, spotlight the nation’s immense trade and investment opportunities and reset false and distorted narratives about the country.
The President said his administration had boosted the economy by increasing investment in capacity building, health, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, climate change and food security.
His words: “Today, these actions are yielding self-employment, expanding our human resource pool and strengthening our national productivity for sustainable development.
“Recognising the importance of security to a nation’s risk profile, we re-assessed and updated our National Security Strategy in 2019.
“The implementation of this multi-sectoral strategy has contributed to the progress we have made in fighting insurgents and terrorists in the North East.
“Working closely with international partners, we are firmly addressing the root causes of crimes and taking measures to prevent and counter violent extremism.”
Buhari said the administration had incorporated the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model into the economic recovery plan,to attract private sector participation in the financing and operations of critical economic and social infrastructure.
He continued: “$1.5 trillion is the cumulative amount estimated to be spent within a period of 10 years from 2015. So far, we have made significant investments in railways, seaports, roads, renewable energy, housing and many others attractive to prospective investors.
“Institutions such as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the recently created Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria, run as independent world-class institutions to support and facilitate investments in the country.”
The President said the France-Nigeria bilateral relations were currently at their best, adding that the current administration had capitalised on the strong political and economic ties between both countries to deepen trade relations, thus retaining Nigeria as France’s biggest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
No fewer than 12 ministers participated in the event, while the private sector was led by President of the Nigeria-France Business Council, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
IN the meantime, the Federal Government has said the suspension of Twitter was yet to be lifted because the company had only met 10 of the 12 conditions given it. It, however, assured Nigerians that the matter would be resolved in due course.
The government clarified that the suspension had nothing to do with President Buhari. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, offered the explanations while responding to a question from a participant at the French forum
He said: “I want to categorically say that Twitter was not banned by Nigera, it was only suspended. Also, the suspension has nothing to do with President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The correspondences between us and Twitter have reached an advanced stage. I want to say that the correspondences and the exchanges have been fruitful.
“But, we have a few more issues to resolve. Out of about 12 conditions, Twitter has been able to meet 10. Very soon, all issues will be resolved in a way that it will be good for both our country and Twitter.”
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