…As president bags national honour of Benin Republic
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) will defeat theBoko Haram insurgency by the end of this year.
Buhari gave this assurance yesterday in Cotonou, the capital of Benin Republic, at a gala lunch held in his honour by the President Boni Yayi.
President Buhari was on a one-day visit to Cotonou as the special guest of honour at the 55th Independence National Day of Benin Republic.
He commended Yayi for increasing the number of Benin troops to 800 for the Multinational Joint Task Force, describing it as a great sacrifice.
“And I assure you that we will defeat Boko Haram by the end of this year”, President Buhari told his host.
He said he was completely overwhelmed by the honour of inviting him for the independence anniversary and by bestowing the national honor of the Republic of Benin on him. The president noted that even when he was a military head of state, Nigeria had always learnt to live peacefully with neighbouring countries.
He said: “I am impressed by your concern and critical approaches by increasing your contributions to the multinational task force of the Lake Chad Commission. This is a great sacrifice on the part of the Benin Republic.
“Even in my first coming into office under a different arrangement, we have learnt to live in peace with our neighbors. Within the week I was sworn in, I went to Niger, Chad. I was supposed to go to Cameroon but I was summoned by the G7 leaders to brief them about the security situation in Nigeria concerning Boko Haram which declared allegiance to ISIS which gives it international dimension”.
Buhari noted that he was impressed by the display of personnel and equipment earlier yesterday at the military parade during the independence anniversary of Benin Republic, saying it convinced him about the country’s commitment to security.
Earlier, Yayi had pledged that Benin Republic would send about 800 troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force as part of its contributions to the fight against terrorism.
Yayi asked President Buhari not to think that he was alone in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, assuring him of his (Yayi’) government’s support.
Assuring that his country would collaborate with Nigeria in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, Yayi stated: “Your Excellency, I am by your side. You are not alone. We are ready to send about 800men.”
Yayi described the Republic of Benin as the 37th state of Nigeria and Buharias a man of integrity.
He also emphasised that President Buhari was genuinely concerned about the integration of the subregion.
He also emphasised that President Buhari was genuinely concerned about the integration of the subregion.
The hosting president also stressed the need for the customs services of both countries to meet and discuss issues on economy.
He said: “You are a man of integrity. The integration of the subregion is your concern. Your coming here brings our two countries together. Our customs services should meet about economy. Benin is the 37th state of Nigeria.”
Source: DailyTrust
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