Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
September 20, 2023

• President pledges Nigeria’s support for AU, OIC

President Bola Tinubu has sounded the need for Africa to focus on building peace and stability, saying this will be the continent’s path to growth and prosperity.

He also called on the African Union (AU) to move beyond some elements among member-states, whose vision of the continent he described as narrow and evil, explaining why his leadership will avoid confrontations at the moment.

President Tinubu, who is also the chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), expressed the opinion during a bilateral discussion with the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the AU, President Azali Assoumani, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

He explained that Africa needs stability across board to take advantage of the development and opportunities to prosper presented to it by current global developments, declaring that this is the continent’s era.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu also asserted that the AU is strategically positioned to secure consensus positions for the continent on economic and socio-political relations with the world, particularly with Nigeria’s backing.

Assoumani noted that the African Union seeks to complement Nigeria’s effort in securing peace and prosperity in Africa, rather than competing with it.

He said it’s the responsibility of the African leaders to confront those wrestling for power on the continent.

“We have told China and Russia that they have a responsibility to ensure that there is stability in these countries, as there will be no developmental partnership where there is a lack of stability in countries being impacted by coupists. We appreciate your stand on these matters,” the AU Chairperson said.

As President of the Union of Comoros, the AU Chairperson said Comoros seeks to learn from Nigeria’s experience concerning the steady improvement in diversity management, electoral officiating and economic growth over many years.

“We want to turn our country into an emerging economy and we need the experience of Nigeria as we seek your cooperation to conduct an election that will win us the respect of the international community and allow us to develop at the right speed and quality,” the Comoros President emphasised.

President Tinubu also welcomed the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha and reiterated that the Islamic world has a strategic role to play in the sustenance of peace and development in Africa and across the globe.

The leader of the 57-nation body of cooperation praised the Nigerian President for his active effort in bringing African states to a place of common understanding.

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