By Bashir Aliyu
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promote and strengthen democracy in Africa despite the setback caused by military coups in some African countries.
The minister stated this in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi on Saturday, 12th October.
Honourable Maitama Tuggar told the Daily Review Newspaper that ECOWAS would continue to grow stronger despite the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, saying even if the estranged member state formally quit the community, they would still continue to be bound by certain institutions of the ECOWAS.
“We are still in talks with the countries because they know that it is in their best interests to continue to trade and cooperate with our institutions which have been robust for decades.” He said.
The minister also said the Tinubu administration is unwavering in its commitment to promoting democracy in Africa despite the unconstitutional change of governments in the Sahel.
Honourable Yusuf Maitama Tuggar also said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs would continue to engage in diplomatic efforts end the civil war in Sudan which has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in decades.
He said there are millions of people who share cultural and historical ties with Nigeria, and Nigeria has engaged in back-channel diplomacy to resolve the country’s civil war which has already displaced millions of people.
Finally, the minister assured Nigerians that the Tinubu economic reforms are meant to fight corruption, make Nigeria’s economy more resilient and attractive to Foreign Direct Investment.
“The Federal Government will continue to invest in sectors that would provide jobs and economic benefits to all Nigerians.” The minister said.