President Muhammadu Buhari has told the Republic of South Sudan to be confident in Nigeria for any assistance.
In his address on Tuesday during a bilateral meeting in Addis Ababa with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, the Nigerian number one political leader assured the African counterpart that the ‘giant of Africa’ is always willing to extend a helping hand towards political and economic stability.
According to Buhari, so long as the country remains unstable, the proliferation of arms and light weapons in the Sahel region would persist.
The President reiterates that Nigeria is ready to give all it can to bring long-term stability and prosperity to the continent.
Naija News reports that the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘We will always extend a helping hand to South Sudan, President Buhari says’.
Buhari said, ‘‘Nigeria will contribute its quota as much as possible to the development of South Sudan. Take us into confidence and ask us what we can do.”
Stressing the need for cooperation among developing countries, Buhari said with investments in education, improved economy, and healthcare, things will surely improve. On the situation in Guinea and Mali, he reiterated that African leaders must support efforts geared towards the return of democracy in the countries.
President Kirr, who acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, appreciated the country’s effort in the liberation struggle of South Sudan. He further expressed his gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, for assisting in the education of many South Sudanese girls in the country.
‘‘In West Africa, ECOWAS intervenes immediately whenever a country has a problem. That should be adopted in East and Central Africa,’’ Kirr said.
Tracknews Online reports that President Buhari and President Kirr were among several African leaders that attended the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia for a second five-year term in office.
