Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday assured the European Union (EU) that his administration was doing its best to protect the fundamental human rights of persons in the theatre of war against Boko Haram.
A statement issued in Abuja by the president’s, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said Buhari stated this while addressing a special session of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
The president said that his government shared the EU’s commitment to peace and security, respect for human rights, democracy and good governance, equality and tolerance as ways of developing prosperous and strong societies.
“For our part, we have updated our rules of engagement in fighting terrorism and pay very close attention during operations to the treatment of captured terrorists, civilians caught up in the conflict and in general, safeguarding property.
“Our aim is to use minimum force necessary in our fight against terrorists,’’ Buhari assured members of the parliament and the EU Commission.
The president also spoke of Nigeria’s concerns about the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States collectively endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States.
He said Nigeria had yet to sign the agreement because pertinent technical issues raised by the Federal Government had not been satisfactorily addressed.
“Giving due consideration to the mismatch of the two regions (Europe-ECOWAS) in terms of technology and manufacturing experience, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Associated Trade Unions raised concerns over the negative impact of the agreement on Nigeria’s industrialisation programme.
“Nigeria is working towards addressing her own side of the issues.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]“I, therefore, urge our European Union partners to also address our own concerns to allow for an Economic Partnership Agreement that is mutually beneficial and can contribute to the prosperity of our people, in the context of our shared values and interest at promoting cordial bilateral trade relations,’’ he said.
The president also sought greater support from the EU for Nigeria’s efforts to curb the theft of its crude oil and corruption in its oil and gas sector.
According to him, Nigeria is facing the challenges of oil-theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta as well as recovery of illicit funds.
The president, therefore, solicited the cooperation of the European Parliament to support the efforts aimed at stemming these vices.
“Our attempt to restore security, curb corruption and fight crime will result not only in improving social stability in Nigeria but will re-open the doors for full economic relations with Europe and the rest of the world.
“Those who wish to invest in our country have immense opportunities and we intend to guarantee the security of people and investments brought to Nigeria,’’ he said.
He assured the parliament that Nigeria would collaborate with EU to address illegal migration to Europe.
According to the president, Nigeria is making concerted efforts to address the push-factor that propels migration, especially from Nigeria, as both destination and transit country.
“In this year’s budget, the government has provided for over 500,000 graduate employments in the teaching profession alone.
“We are equally collaborating with the states and local governments, to strengthen skills acquisition centres in order to train the teeming youth in various vocational skills so that they can be self-employed, and eventually, become employers of labour.’’
Buhari also said that his administration was making efforts to diversify the economy and give impetus to agriculture and solid minerals exploitation to create wealth and jobs.
He said Nigeria welcomed the outcome of the Valletta EU-Africa Summit on Migration, including the launching of 1.8 billion euros Emergency Trust Fund to address the root causes of migration from Africa to Europe.
He said Nigeria would work with the countries of the Sahel and Central Africa to submit to the Board of the Emergency Trust Fund, its identified projects for funding in due course.
The president said Nigeria was the first African country to sign the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility on March 12, 2015.
He said the step was a demonstration of the positive spirit of Nigeria’s cooperation with the EU in the field of migration and development.
“It is in the light of this understanding that I wish to propose the reciprocal visa waivers for holders of Nigerian Diplomatic and Official Passports attending official Meetings and Conferences in Europe,’’ the president said. (NAN)
