President Muhammadu Buhari has given an explanation for why the neighboring Niger Republic, Chad, and Cameroon are the nations he initially traveled to as the head of Nigeria.
According to Vanguard, President Buhari remarked on May 23 that neighbors are crucial during the launching of the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) new corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Why nations need to win over their neighbors’ trust, Buhari
Speaking at the event, President Buhari said countries need to secure the confidence of their neighbours in order to have peace, The Sun added.
The outgoing president also reiterated that in any case, he will always find solace in the Niger Republic, the Punch also reported.
Buhari said:
“That is why when I became the President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because, based on personal and national issues, the neighbourhood is very important.“If you don’t secure the confidence and cooperation of your neighbours, you are in trouble, your children and grandchildren will be in trouble.”
He added:
“So it is very good that I established a relationship with my neighbours. I said these few things about my personal belief because I have only six more days to go. And I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible.‘’Thank goodness, I come from an area which is far away from Abuja. I said if anybody forces me, I have a good relationship with my neighbours, Niger people will defend me.”