President Bola Tinubu on Friday in Abuja applauded the intervention of the Finnish government with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, saying the government will not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.
This comes as the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, has stated that Simon Ekpa has hampered bilateral relations.
Tinubu remarked after receiving Letters of Credence from Ms. Selin, the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, at State House.
He praised the Finnish authorities for their early intervention, which preserved the country’s integrity and minimised an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu also received letters of credence from the European Union Ambassador, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the People’s Republic of Algeria Ambassador, Hocine Mezoued.
Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, was quoted as saying, “I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible.
“We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” President Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador.
“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.
“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals, and values. We must respect the rule of law.”
The President pointed out that the Ambassador’s priorities, which include ICT, agriculture, and education, will have a direct impact on the country’s development.
“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the Northeast. I believe that we can work together,” he added.
The Finnish envoy praised the president for his daring in launching economic changes that will assure future prosperity.
“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the national security adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the ambassador noted.
“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country. They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress. It is essential for the country.
“Finland has been involved in peace mediation as well. We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream,” she stated.
During a meeting with the EU ambassador, President Tinubu emphasised that the EU is one of Nigeria’s top trading partners.
He urged the envoy to increase transaction volume and strengthen ties. Tinubu also stated that Nigeria requires assistance in digitising and automating operations and processes for service delivery.
The President stated the Nigerian economy could support investments with its lively, youthful population. Mignot told President Tinubu that Nigeria had “many untapped potentials,” adding that more might be realised through development collaboration and technology leveraging.
“We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he said.
Tinubu urged collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project.
“We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. We must lift Africa together,” the President said.
The Algerian ambassador stated that the trans-Sahara African Gas Pipeline project and other proposed regional development projects will significantly impact the continent.
“I would like to personally, on behalf of the government and people of Algeria, convey the greetings of our president and express my delight in our shared values politically, socially, and economically,” he added.
Mezoued stated that Algeria would continue to support Nigeria in negotiating for improved livelihoods on the continent with multilateral institutions.
