Nigeria committed to democratic principles, Buhari assures Int’l community

President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured the international community of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthen democratic principles and sustain the fight against terrorism and violent crimes. buhari2 The president gave the reassurance in Abuja on Sunday in a broadcast to mark his administration’s First Year in office. He expressed the readiness of Nigeria to sustain its partnership in combating cyber crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment. “Abroad, we want to assure our neighbours, friends and development partners that Nigeria is firmly committed to democratic principles. “We are ready partners in combating terrorism, cyber crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment. “Following on the Paris Agreement, COP 21, we are fully committed to halting and reversing desertification. “Elsewhere, we will intensify efforts to tackle erosion, ocean surge, flooding and oil spillage which I referred to earlier by implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report,’’ he said. The president particularly extended Nigeria’s appreciation to the international community notably France, the U.S., UK and China for their quick response in helping to tackle the recent Ebola outbreak in the West African sub-region. “We also acknowledge the humanity shown by the Italian and German governments in the treatment of boat people, many fleeing from our sub-region because of lack of economic opportunity. “We thank all our partners especially several countries in the EU. “We appreciate the valuable work that the UN agencies, particularly UNICEF, ICRC, the World Food Programme, have been doing. “We must also appreciate the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund and Educate A Child of Qatar for the excellent work in our health, education and other sectors,’’ he added.