Market News
Why we’re cooperating with France while other African countries are cutting ties – Nigerian Govt - DAILY POST
By
The Nigerian government has provided reasons for its cooperation with France at a time when most countries in west Africa are cutting ties with the former colonial power.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the explanation while responding to questions during the end of the year press briefing in Abuja on Monday.
Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, recently formalised a new cooperation agreement with France which it said was aimed at strengthening revenue systems, enhancing digital capacity, and improving cross-border tax compliance.
Also recently, French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed his country’s solidarity with Nigeria in addressing security challenges.
While disclosing details of a discussion with President Bola Tinubu, Macron said France would deepen its cooperation with Nigerian authorities and broaden its support for affected communities
But countries in the West African, especially the Francophone nations, appear to be ending their ties with their former colonial master.
Addressing the situation, the minister said “Nigeria is an open country”.
“Nigeria has partnerships with countries around the world and will continue to maintain and seek cooperation with all members of the international community in the interest of our security, growth, and overall prosperity,” he added.
Responding to further questions on the issue of death penalty for kidnappers, the minister said, “On the issue of the death penalty being opposed by the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, what I can say is that the Nigerian Government acts strictly within the law.
“The government will not do anything inconsistent with the laws of the Federation.
“If there is a need to adapt or modify these laws, the National Assembly is there to deliberate and decide. For now, Nigeria is a sovereign country governed by its laws, and all operators, including security agencies, act within those legal parameters.
“On the Safe Schools Initiative and mass abductions, we must remain optimistic. That is the optimism President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants Nigerians to share. We do not expect continuous mass abductions going forward. Government is working to ensure this does not continue.”
