LAGOS – President Alpha Conde of the Republic of Guinea on Tuesday arrived in Nigeria ahead of the inauguration of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari on May 29.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Conde arrived the Presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 12.30 p.m.
Conde, while speaking with newsmen after a private meeting with National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Tinubu in Lagos, said that the election in Nigeria was a victory for Africa.
“I want to use the opportunity to thank the people of Nigeria for their courage with Nigeria being the biggest black African country.
“We are here to thank the people of Nigeria for the outcome of the elections.
“We must also thank the leadership of the parties for their conduct during the elections.
“We also congratulate President Jonathan for accepting defeat just like President Abdoul Douf of Senegal when he lost the elections,” Condé said.
“Before the elections in Nigeria, there was anxiety, fear and uncertainty over the faith of the country.
“It was the belief across the world that the country would disintegrate,” he said.
Condé commended Nigeria for the progress made so far in the fight against terrorism.
He described Buhari as a straight forward person adding that his victory would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
“I believe this will culminate in a strong relationship with Nigeria.
“Like in the past, at the same time the relationship will offer opportunities to Nigerian businessmen and those in Guinea,” Condé said.
Conde said his government had taken far-reaching steps to stamp out corruption and had undertaken an ambitious mining reform
programme to restore credibility in the process of securing mining licences.
Tinubu, in his remarks, said he was honoured to host President Conde and to give him a slight taste of Lagos state.
“For him to come here and share in our joy for a democratic election and for electing a good leader raising the hope of many Nigerians, it is a great joy for us,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu described Condé as an African and Pan Africanist committed to the development of Africa.
“He is committed to democratic values and norms. Without that commitment he wouldn’t have been here, he could have stayed back home to enjoy his home country.
“For him to come, we appreciate that,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu said that Africa must evolve its home grown strategy to build its own economy.
“We must form that synergy amongst African countries to develop the continent, address trade issues, address the conflict
of fundamentalism, address the areas where we have problems like militancy and insurgency.
“Africa should not continue to be a giant with elephantiasis in the economy, we can compete with rest of the world if we get our acts together.
“Africans are all over the world competing professionally in every sphere of life, it is lack of good leadership, political stability that had hindered us in the past.
“Now we have that leader, we have those leaders and they are working together to share ideas and share common visions.
“We will rescue Africa from destitution, poverty and ignorance and that is all that we are working hard for,” Tinubu said.
NAN reports that also present at the meeting were former APC interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, Lagos state governor-elect, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Condé’s entourage.
Ambode in a brief remarks said that Lagos State and Guinea would enjoy good business relationship in the next four years.
“We are willing and ready to open Lagos for greater business.
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We assure the President and people of Guinea that the next four years will open a window to greater trade and commerce between Lagos and Guinea.
We are willing to open investment offices in Lagos and also in the West Coast to make sure we take advantage of the commerce
between the two countries,” Ambode said. (NAN)
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