President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, at the State House, Presidential Villa, met with the United Kingdom (UK) Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly.
Cleverly was accompanied to the State House by the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, Ms Kate Foster, Charles Hanen, Alice Mae Hopikin, and Ms Aneesa Islam.
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Briefing State House correspondents shortly after the meeting, Cleverly said, “We touched briefly on the situation in Niger. I made the point that the UK very much welcomes ECOWAS’ and his (Tinubu’s) indeed decisive action, his strong commitment to democracy, and the unambiguous message that violence is not the means to bring political change in any circumstance.
“And that the commitment to democracy in Nigeria and the region is unwavering. We wish to see peace and democracy restored in Niger.
“And we will, of course, continue to liaise with our strong friends in the region, membership of ECOWAS, of course, including Nigeria, as we seek to bring about stability, peace, and democracy to Niger.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cleverly, who will spend two days in Nigeria, is on a three-country visit where he is prioritising future-focussed, mutually-beneficial partnership.
A statement from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office disclosed that a number of funding would be unveiled during Cleverly’s visit to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more resilient to climate change.
It said that the funding would help more than four million people develop better farming practice and reduce harmful carbon emissions.
Cleverly’s meeting with Tinubu and the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu will focus on the UK-Nigeria partnership and key common priorities.
‘’It will also include how to increase bilateral trade and investment, economic development, regional issues and strengthened security cooperation.’’