President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria could not have afforded the luxury of looking the other way, and had to offer a helping hand when the country was recently struck by Cyclone Idai that devastated the country
The President, who spoke today, August 1, when he received the outgoing Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Nigeria, Lovemore Mazemo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said: “it was a major disaster, and it caused damage in billions of dollars. Nigeria, despite our own challenges, had to provide aid to ameliorate the situation.”
Expressing happiness that the outgoing Ambassador and his country appreciated Nigeria’s hand of fellowship in their hours of need, Buhari also recalled the role Nigeria played to secure the Independence of Zimbabwe from apartheid minority rule.
“We remain proud of what Nigeria did in those days.”
Responding, Ambassador Mazemo, who spent four-and-a-half years in Nigeria, said that he found a home here, “and a family among your wonderful people.”
He said that the assistance given by Nigeria after the cyclone “went a long way to relieve our people.”
He said that the relationship between the two countries had improved tremendously in recent years even as he congratulated President Buhari on the confidence reposed in him by his people who elect him twice. He commended the leadership he has provided for Africa in the war against corruption.
Earlier in the year, Cyclone Idai ravaged Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi, and is believed to be the costliest natural disaster in South-West Indian Ocean basin. Goods and properties estimated at two billion dollars were lost.
Also today, President Buhari commiserated with the Bayonga family, government and people of Taraba State over the transition of the Gara Donga, a traditional ruler, Danjuma Stephen Bayonga.
The President, who described the late 81-year-old first class traditional ruler and retired policeman as a person devoted to the improvement of the welfare of people in his domain, lamented that Nigeria has also “lost an advocate of peace.”
According to President Buhari, the Gara Donga as a businessman, founding member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and one of the respected leaders in old Gongola State before he went home following the creation of Taraba State, was “committed not only to the peace, unity and development of his domain and State, but also the entire country.”
The President enjoined the family of the royal father, friends, associates and the people of Taraba State to take solace in the knowledge that the monarch lived an exemplary life which deserved to be emulated.
