“My administration is open to our African neighbours” – Tinubu

The details of the meeting between President Bola Tinubu, and his Benin Republic counterpart, Patrice Talon, have emerged.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said, his administration is open to the neighbouring African Countries.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Paris Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris, France on Friday, Tinubu was quoted to have told his Beninoise counterpart that his administration was ready to improve Nigeria’s relationship with other African countries.

In a statement by Mr. Dele Alake, Special Adviser on Special Communications and Strategy to the President, said, Tinubu promised to sustain the spotlight on African countries as the fulcrum of its policies on the economy and foreign policy.
In the statement which was made available to journalists on Saturday, said, President Tinubu insisted on African countries coming together for a systematic recovery of the continent.

He said President Tinubu has told the Beninoise President to work with the newly appointed Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi in the interest of both countries.
He said: “We must recognise the fact that we need each other. We are in a loop and no one should separate us.

He added: “We are ready to improve relations. Africa has been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

“I believe in Africa. We have the necessity to grow the continent. The world’s economy is wobbling, and Africa has been left behind.
“On risk factors, Africa is always placed high, with higher interest rates on borrowing.

“We are always classified as high risk. We must work together for systematic recovery and growth.”

On his part, the Beninoise president said he is ready to work with Tinubu’s administration in implementing policies that will protect the economies of both nations.

He said: “We are prepared to work with you. Your excellency, in implementing policies that will protect our economies at land and sea entries. Whatever is forbidden in Nigeria will also be forbidden in Benin.”