By Egena Sunday Ode
President Bola Tinubu has urged the United Kingdom to lend a helping hand in the fight to combat terrorism in Nigeria in particular and the West African subregion in general.
He made the request Wednesday night while speaking at a royal banquet organised for him, his wife Oluremi and the Nigerian delegation on a two-day state visit to the UK.
The Nigerian delegation was earlier given a royal welcome at the Windsor Castle by the British Monarch, King Charles lll and Queen Camilla.
Tinubu underscored the fact that the burden of safeguarding the subregions from terrorists’ activities rests squarely on the shoulders of Nigeria, which necessitates the request for support by friend of the nation.
He said: “Our West African region faces complex terrorism challenges with roots in the Sahel. Nigeria carries an enormous responsibility to help safeguard regional stability. In confronting these threats, partnership with the United Kingdom remains essential and I look forward to my meeting with Prime Minister Kier Starmer tomorrow.”
The Nigerian leader declared, however, that the challenges notwithstanding, Nigeria approaches the future with hope and confidence.
“We are a nation of diverse and vibrant people, of young people dreaming big, of entrepreneurs with a global outlook, and of a hopeful people determined to realise their full potential,” he said.
President Tinubu, while expressing gratitude to his hosts for the warm reception, said he was confident that the friendship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom would continue to grow.
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