President Buhari who said this on Monday during a bilateral meeting with UK prime minister Theresa May in London, remarked that eventhough the election date is drawing closer, his priority at the moment is to deliver on his administration’s three cardinal objectives of securing the country, reviving the economy and fighting corruption.
Recalling that Nigeria and Britain have a long history of cooperation on several fronts, President Buhari stated that it was a mistake for Nigeria to have stopped the teaching of history as a subject in schools, adding the country is returning the important subject to the curriculum.
He commended British companies such as Unilever, Cadbury, and many others, “who have stood with Nigeria through thick and thin.
President Buhari briefed Prime Minister May on the strides in agriculture, which he said has put Nigeria firmly on the road to food self-sufficiency as he told his host that Nigeria was making significant investment in education.
Climate change and environmental issues also came up for discussion, and President Buhari brought up the necessity of inter-basin water transfer from Congo Basin to Lake Chad.
According to him: “The Lake Chad is now about 10% of its original size, and it is perhaps one of the reasons Nigerian youths dare both the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean, to get to Europe, noting that if there is inter-basin water transfer, about 40 million people in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and other countries stand to benefit.
Prime Minister May, in her remarks, said Britain would continue to work with Nigeria in the areas of training and equipping the military.
She was particular about abduction of young schoolgirls by Boko Haram, noting that Britain would continue to give Nigeria needed assistance.
The Prime Minister said the Buhari administration has “been making good progress on the economy,” and urged it to maintain the focus, despite approaching elections, and increase in political activities.
Prime Minister May, who commended President Buhari for the much he has been doing on improving trade and business for Nigeria, noted that it was also time to boost intra-Commonwealth trade.