TELL Magazine

President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday in Abuja, called for joint global efforts to tackle COVID-19 and the consequent dwindling effects on national economies which would require a global framework to resuscitate and ameliorate the burden on the people.

Femi Adesina, special adviser, media and publicity, said in a statement that Buhari spoke at a ceremony to receive Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Republic of Bulgaria, Yanko Yordanou, People’s Republic of China, Cui Jianchun, High Commissioner of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Tayyab Azan, ambassadors of Republic of Turkey, Hidayet Bayraktar and Ukraine, Valerii Kirdoda, at the State House.

“As you all settle down to your solemn duties to promote your respective national values and interests through your countries’ foreign policy on Nigeria, you should rest assured that the Federal Republic of Nigeria will engage you as we all strive to relate through effective cooperation and collaboration to enhance our collective interests,” said the President.

“As we are all aware, the pre-COVID-19 era was already faced with the challenge of attaining sustainable development. Some countries were even faced with additional challenges like securing their territorial integrity against violent non-state actors.

“The unprecedented crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has now caused far more serious setbacks to our quests for sustainable development, hence the need for international cooperation and collaboration to fight the disease, as no country is immune from its devastating effects on lives and livelihoods,’’ he said.

He noted the need for greater unity of purpose, and called for concerted efforts to address common challenges such as climate change, terrorism, insurgency, population growth, highlighting their catastrophic impacts and why the challenges should not be underestimated.

“These challenges underscore the need for the international community to work even more in concert with one another to collectively identify appropriate ways and manners to globally resolve these challenges,’’ Buhari said.

He noted that bilateral relations between Nigeria and each of the countries were most cordial, stressing that “We still need to enhance these fraternal ties between our nations.’’

He welcomed the ambassadors to Nigeria and urged them to build on the successes of their predecessors. He assured that the government would continue to support their mission in Nigeria.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to Abuja, Nigeria, marking the formal assumption of your diplomatic responsibilities to your various countries, following the presentation of Letters of Credence that has just been concluded. This age-long tradition and practice enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations marks the official commencement of your functions as Principal Representatives of your respective countries,” President Buhari stated.

Speaking on behalf of the envoys, Yanko Yordanou, ambassador of Bulgaria, expressed the goodwill of the Heads of States and deep gratitude for the reception on arrival in the country and the State House.

He expressed the desire of the countries to continue working with Nigeria, assuring that the partnerships at various levels would be of progress and prosperity.

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