2023: Nigeria will continue to guarantee freedom of expression, Buhari tells diplomats
President Muhammadu Buhari assured Tuesday in Abuja that citizens' participation in democracy will continue to be fostered through freedom of expression and vigorous political discourse, calling for respect for differing cultures and opinions and for the defense of the unity of the country.
Receiving credentials from ambassadors and high commissioners of six countries at State House, the president told diplomats that Nigeria's strength lies in its diversity, and that the continued differences in positions point more to a strong democratic culture.
The Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the Republic of India, Gangadharan Balasubramanian; Germany, Annett Gunther; Sudan, Mohamed Abdelmannan; Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gerengbo Pascalin; The State of Palestine, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Willem Plomp, presented their credentials to President Buhari.
"As you settle into your diplomatic responsibilities, you will realize how diverse Nigeria is. We are not only multi-ethnic and religious but also multi-cultural. We enjoy unfettered freedom of expression and engage in strong political speeches.Sometimes the nature of these speeches tends to give the impression that we are constantly pitted against each other.
"The reality is that there is so much that unites us than the few areas of our differences. I have no doubt in my mind that you will soon appreciate our uniqueness and even our resilience as a people, as well as our diversity which is our strength,” he said.
President Buhari urged diplomats to build on the existing good relations that their predecessors had established by being more proactive in engagements.
"Today's occasion, in which you have presented your credentials to me, officially marks the commencement of your representative duties as Ambassadors/High Commissioners of your countries. respective in Nigeria.
"You represent some of the most important countries on the planet and some of our important business, political and cultural partners.
"The bilateral relationship that exists between each of your countries and the Federal Republic of Nigeria is warm and very cordial, and the cooperation and collaboration between us in several areas, such as socio-economic, political, security, educational and cultural spheres'', noted the president.
ALSO READ: Buhari returns to Abuja after his exit at UNGA 77
As preparations for the 2023 general elections continue, President Buhari said: "I am very optimistic that we will conduct a good transition process from which a new group of political leaders will emerge freely. .''< /p>
"You are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria, at a very interesting political time as Nigeria's national elections are scheduled for February 2023. I wish to state again, as I did a few days ago at the General Assembly that we remain committed to free and fair elections,” he added.
The President called for more collective action to address some of the challenges facing countries, noting that climate, economic and security issues can only be solved through shared vision, skills and effort.
"We are living in unprecedented difficult global times. At the beginning of 2020, much of the world was forced to shut down due to COVID-19. The catastrophic impact of the pandemic was felt in all our country, not only in terms of the tragic loss of millions of lives, but also the massive loss of livelihoods and the resulting economic recession.
"Even as we recover, the war in Ukraine has had a negative impact on the global economy. In the meantime, we face the urgency of taking collective action to stop the devastating consequences of climate change that are happening every day in some parts of the world.
"The various factors driving these challenges are beyond the ability of any single country to contain them effectively on its own. Hence the need for all of us to work closely together to build consensus to overcome them and also to minimize tensions and confrontations between us,” he said.
President Buhari said Nigeria remains firmly committed to multilateralism.
“For us in Nigeria, we continue to make steady progress, despite the daunting challenges of insecurity, in the fight against...
President Muhammadu Buhari assured Tuesday in Abuja that citizens' participation in democracy will continue to be fostered through freedom of expression and vigorous political discourse, calling for respect for differing cultures and opinions and for the defense of the unity of the country.
Receiving credentials from ambassadors and high commissioners of six countries at State House, the president told diplomats that Nigeria's strength lies in its diversity, and that the continued differences in positions point more to a strong democratic culture.
The Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the Republic of India, Gangadharan Balasubramanian; Germany, Annett Gunther; Sudan, Mohamed Abdelmannan; Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gerengbo Pascalin; The State of Palestine, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Willem Plomp, presented their credentials to President Buhari.
"As you settle into your diplomatic responsibilities, you will realize how diverse Nigeria is. We are not only multi-ethnic and religious but also multi-cultural. We enjoy unfettered freedom of expression and engage in strong political speeches.Sometimes the nature of these speeches tends to give the impression that we are constantly pitted against each other.
"The reality is that there is so much that unites us than the few areas of our differences. I have no doubt in my mind that you will soon appreciate our uniqueness and even our resilience as a people, as well as our diversity which is our strength,” he said.
President Buhari urged diplomats to build on the existing good relations that their predecessors had established by being more proactive in engagements.
"Today's occasion, in which you have presented your credentials to me, officially marks the commencement of your representative duties as Ambassadors/High Commissioners of your countries. respective in Nigeria.
"You represent some of the most important countries on the planet and some of our important business, political and cultural partners.
"The bilateral relationship that exists between each of your countries and the Federal Republic of Nigeria is warm and very cordial, and the cooperation and collaboration between us in several areas, such as socio-economic, political, security, educational and cultural spheres'', noted the president.
ALSO READ: Buhari returns to Abuja after his exit at UNGA 77
As preparations for the 2023 general elections continue, President Buhari said: "I am very optimistic that we will conduct a good transition process from which a new group of political leaders will emerge freely. .''< /p>
"You are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria, at a very interesting political time as Nigeria's national elections are scheduled for February 2023. I wish to state again, as I did a few days ago at the General Assembly that we remain committed to free and fair elections,” he added.
The President called for more collective action to address some of the challenges facing countries, noting that climate, economic and security issues can only be solved through shared vision, skills and effort.
"We are living in unprecedented difficult global times. At the beginning of 2020, much of the world was forced to shut down due to COVID-19. The catastrophic impact of the pandemic was felt in all our country, not only in terms of the tragic loss of millions of lives, but also the massive loss of livelihoods and the resulting economic recession.
"Even as we recover, the war in Ukraine has had a negative impact on the global economy. In the meantime, we face the urgency of taking collective action to stop the devastating consequences of climate change that are happening every day in some parts of the world.
"The various factors driving these challenges are beyond the ability of any single country to contain them effectively on its own. Hence the need for all of us to work closely together to build consensus to overcome them and also to minimize tensions and confrontations between us,” he said.
President Buhari said Nigeria remains firmly committed to multilateralism.
“For us in Nigeria, we continue to make steady progress, despite the daunting challenges of insecurity, in the fight against...
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