The Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom,
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, has described the article about Nigeria
published by London-based magazine, The Economist, as unfair.
The news magazine’s article titled, ‘Insurgency,
Secessionism and Banditry Threaten Nigeria,’ accused the regime of the
President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), of ineptitude, while
lambasting the Nigerian military over the insurgency in the country.
In a letter to the news magazine, the Nigerian envoy to the
UK stated that the issues confronting Nigeria have been long-standing, adding
that the regime of President Buhari is achieving tremendous results in tackling
them.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and
Publicity, Garba Shehu disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Your Picture Of
Nigeria Is Selective And Unfair To Your Readers, Nigerian Envoy To Uk Tells The
Economist Magazine.’
Shehu quoted Isola as saying, “The Economist is correct to
point out the multiple security and governance challenges that Nigeria
presently faces. But the picture that you present is selective and unfair to
your readers. The decay of agencies and institutions has gathered momentum for
decades. There is no quick or simple fix. It is unwise to pretend otherwise.”
Isola reminded the news magazine that President Buhari had
been elected twice in national elections and was indeed making progress by
working with international partners:
“There has been progress. Nigeria works closely with
partners in the Sahel region, Europe and the US on security and intelligence.
It is not an accident that the leadership of militant groups is weaker than it
has ever been. You highlight the need for police reform: this is a process that
President Buhari’s administration has led, including the disbandment of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). We are already working with the UK and
others on training and equipment.”
Shehu said the High Commissioner described Nigeria’s
COVID-19 response as well as the President’s battle to provide stable energy
for the country as noteworthy.
“Nigeria has led the region in a robust response to COVID-19
that has helped keep infection levels well below many parts of the world, while
also helping to mitigate the economic shocks from the global downturn for the
most vulnerable. President Buhari has also championed reforms to the energy
sector, the cradle for corruption, in the teeth of fierce resistance from the
old, business-as-usual brigade,” the envoy said.
Isola pointed out that progress being made by the
administration in agriculture, creative arts and technology sectors among
others does not sit well with corrupt-minded individuals in the country.
He said, “Nigeria is far from being the only country that
faces the challenge of trying to deliver overdue change in a political culture
that tilts towards special interests that are often selfish and short-term.
Optimism in sectors as diverse as agriculture, creative arts and technology
point to the opportunities that are already being realised. It will be a long
haul: a corrupt cabal will say we are not doing enough: what they mean is that
we have already done too much, in terms ending the impunity enjoyed by the few
and helping to enfranchise the many.”
He concluded that President Buhari is also working with
international partners to diminish problems associated with extremism and
climate change and leave the country more united.
“Nor indeed is this simply a Nigerian project. We are on the
frontline of the international struggle against violent extremism, climate
change and a host of other issues. These are common but complex challenges that
require common and complex solutions. President Buhari, like millions of
Nigerians, rejects the identity politics that has polarised so many other
countries. Our diversity is our strength,” he said.
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