By Mohammed Bello Doka
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu welcomed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal to the State House, emphasizing the need for a unified West African front to tackle the pressing issues of terrorism, human trafficking, banditry, and poverty.
In their meeting, President Tinubu stressed the importance of regional cooperation and the alignment of purpose among West African nations. He highlighted that democratic governance and constitutional order must be upheld, with critical institutions like the judiciary and the rule of law being respected to sustain democracy.
"West Africa must work together to defeat the hydra-headed problems of terrorism, banditry, human trafficking, and poverty," President Tinubu stated. He underscored the necessity of making the people the focal point of governance, as the true essence of democracy lies in serving the populace.
Reflecting on the historical cooperation between Nigeria and Senegal, President Tinubu described the two countries as brotherly nations with shared democratic values. He commended President Faye for his commitment to these values and invited him to collaborate with other regional leaders to promote democratic governance and economic development.
President Faye acknowledged the longstanding good relations between Nigeria and Senegal and called for the reactivation of the Nigeria-Senegal joint commission to enhance bilateral relations in diplomacy, trade, and other areas. He praised ECOWAS as a model of regional integration and expressed confidence in President Tinubu's ability to strengthen member state relations.
"United, we are stronger. Faced with common challenges, such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling, we need to show resolve to confront these challenges so that economically we can thrive and satisfy the wishes of our people," President Faye affirmed.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to democratic values and the rule of law, vowing to work together to ensure peace, security, and prosperity for the region.
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