President Muhammadu Buhari has
pointed out that the greatest investment Europe and America can make in Africa
now was helping the continent accomplish inter-basin water transfer to recharge
the Lake Chad.
The President spoke at State
House, Abuja, on Friday, while hosting the Chairman of the African Union
Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The details of the meeting were
made available by Buhari’s Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Femi Adesina.
President Buhari noted that the
Lake Chad, which provided a means of livelihood to several millions of people
in four countries – Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria – has now been reduced to
ten per cent of its original size, due to the impact of climate change.
The President said, “People who
depended on the Lake for fishing, farming, animal husbandry, and many others,
have been thrown into dire straits. That is one of the reasons youths now dare
the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to seek greener pastures in
Europe. But helping to recharge Lake Chad will help a great deal in curbing
irregular migration.
He noted that the size of Nigeria
and resources available place a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders, and
pledged that the country would continue to fulfil its obligations to the
African Union.
“At all international fora, we
emphasize the matter of Lake Chad. We also talk about the influx of small arms
from the Sahel, which worsens the security situation between herders and
stagnant farmers. We will keep the issues on the front burners,” the President
emphasized.
For his part, Mahamat lauded
President Buhari, saying his leadership was good for Nigeria, for AU, and for
Africa in general.
He added that the next AU Summit
would look into the reform of the AU Commission, positioning the AU and Africa
in the world, Single Air Transport Market, the Africa Continental Free Trade
Area, and other issues.
He said that Nigeria has played
major roles towards peace in countries like Guinea Bissau, Togo, Liberia, Mali,
Sierra Leone, and many others.
He added, “Nigeria is the engine
of Africa politically, economically, and in the area of peace and security.
Without her, Agenda 2063 cannot be accomplished.
“We depend on the elder to reach
our destination in good shape. Nigeria is worthy of being followed. We rely on
your wisdom to fulfil the task before us.”
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