Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, signed six agreements to enhance bilateral relations between them.
The signing of the agreements on trade, finance and judicial matters was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Attayar signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, while the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah signed the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection with the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs.
The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.
At a reception after the signing of the agreements, President Buhari reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and restoring Nigeria’s dignity in the comity of nations.
The President also urged all Islamic countries to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and denounce the atrocities of Boko Haram as un-Islamic and against the teachings of the Holy Prophet.
In his remarks, Crown Prince Zayed Al Nahyan said that the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE will be strengthened by President Buhari’s visit and the signing of the agreements.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has advised telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria not to place their desire for huge profits above the security needs of the country.
Speaking at an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian Community in Abu Dhabi, President Buhari said that the war against terrorism can only be won with collective effort and a commitment by all stakeholders to work in unison to halt the scourge.
The President said that the registration of all mobile phone users without exception will help the security agencies to pre-empt terrorist attacks, adding that telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria must adhere to the rules and guidelines of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
He assured the gathering that his administration will deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, vandalisation of pipelines and insecurity in the Niger Delta.
He told them that Nigerian Armed Forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram even as he said that the activities of oil thieves and vandals will soon be brought to an end.
“The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will re-organise and deal with them.”
President Buhari assured Nigerians at the interactive session that his administration’s war against corruption will continue to be vigorously pursued, pledging that more persons who have abused the public trust will be exposed and brought to justice soon.
He stressed that his government is committed to re-establishing former standards of accountability and probity in the management of public funds which were jettisoned under past administrations.
The President appealed for more patience and understanding from Nigerians as his administration takes steps to safeguard the economy from the shock of falling oil prices.
“In the face of our new economic reality of dwindling oil prices, there are a number of things we can really do without to preserve our economy.
“We must develop the capacity to feed ourselves and we should be spending our resources on real development projects, not luxuries.” [myad]
