The president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.), said in Abuja on Thursday that problems that affect one African country also affect others, especially security.
He also said that there can be no development without peace as the two complement each other.
According to a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari spoke at the State House, Abuja, while granting an audience to the Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development, Dr. Sid Ould Tah.
The statement is titled ‘The nexus between peace and development by President Buhari when he receives the DG Arab Bank for economic development’.
Buhari observed that problems that affect one nation also affect others, and “this has been clearly demonstrated in our fight against the tyranny of terrorists who have spread throughout the West African sub-region and are beginning to emerge in our countries. brothers in some parts of East and Central Africa.”
He described the work of the Arab Bank for Economic Development as “very critical and indeed an important catalyst and tool in achieving our overall goal as leaders on the continent.”
Praising the bank for its investment in Nigeria, the president cited progress in the agricultural sector with regard to food safety systems, capacity building and integrated infrastructure projects.
He said that the key focus of his regime had been security, the economy and the fight against corruption.
According to him, all three are essential “to achieve our overall goal of development not only as a country, but more importantly as a continent.”
The president noted that the focus on agriculture and infrastructure enabled Nigeria to be resilient during the last two global economic and public health crises.
Therefore, he urged the Arab Bank for Economic Development to review the amount of capital it can inject into various economies, “as this would make a bigger impact as we look at the various issues our economies would face.”
Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum, who spoke with the bank at its headquarters, thanked the president for ensuring improved security in the northeast.
He said: “Now we get subsidies for livestock, gum arabic production, infrastructure, and I think Nigeria will still have more opportunities from the Arab Bank for Economic Development.”
Dr. Ould Tah congratulated Buhari on his peacebuilding award at the just-concluded Africa Peace Conference in Mauritania, saying it testifies to his efforts to promote friendship in Nigeria and Africa.
Ould Tah said the bank has a strong relationship with Nigeria and would love to do more in the areas of wheat farming, gum arabic, veterinary support services, and women and youth development, among others.
