President Bola Tinubu expressed his appreciation on Friday for the Finnish government’s action in arresting Simon Ekpa, emphasizing that Nigeria will not tolerate actions or rhetoric that could sow division among its citizens.
The president’s comments followed a statement from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, who noted that Ekpa had been a hindrance to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
President Tinubu made his remarks during a meeting at the State House, where he received the Letters of Credence from Ambassador Selin, as well as from the ambassadors of the European Union and the People’s Republic of Algeria.
He commended the Finnish authorities for their swift intervention in preserving Nigeria’s integrity and preventing actions that could disrupt peace.
“Nigeria is indivisible,” President Tinubu asserted. “We have faced many challenges, and we will not tolerate terrorism. I am a product of activism, but not divisiveness. We need unity and collaboration to foster development. Our focus is on stability and cohesion to drive progress.”
He also emphasized the importance of the rule of law in maintaining democratic values, stating that it is crucial for safeguarding the country’s moral and democratic foundations.
“The National Security Adviser has kept me informed, and I understand the significance of the rule of law,” he added.
The Finnish Ambassador praised President Tinubu for his courage in implementing reforms aimed at benefiting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring future prosperity.
She acknowledged that Simon Ekpa’s actions had strained bilateral relations but affirmed that cooperation between Nigeria and Finland was progressing well.
“Finland has been involved in peace mediation, and there are numerous opportunities for cooperation, especially in energy,” Ambassador Selin said.
“I commend you for your ongoing reforms. While they are challenging, they are essential for Nigeria’s progress.”
In his meeting with the European Union Ambassador, President Tinubu highlighted the EU’s role as one of Nigeria’s key trading partners and called for efforts to increase trade volume and strengthen ties.
He also mentioned Nigeria’s need for assistance in digitizing and automating services to boost efficiency.
Ambassador Gautier Mignot recognized Nigeria’s untapped potential and emphasized the importance of development cooperation and leveraging technology to unlock that potential.
In his meeting with the Algerian Ambassador, President Tinubu underscored the importance of collaboration on projects like the Trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline, stating that Africa’s progress depends on lifting each other up.
“We must strengthen Africa together,” he said. “We have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves.”
The Algerian Ambassador expressed his country’s continued support for Nigeria, particularly in enhancing livelihoods across Africa through multilateral efforts, and conveyed greetings from the Algerian President.
He emphasized the impact of the Trans-Saharan pipeline and other regional development initiatives on the continent’s future.
