Seeks partnership with Turkey on security challenges
BY ROTIMI DUROJAIYE
On his 79th birthday, today in Istanbul, Turkey, President Muhammadu Buhari, once again pledged that he will put in his best for Nigeria until the last day when, in 2023 he hands over to a successor and return to his farm to tender crops and livestock.
“I look forward to the year 2023 when I finish, to go home to take charge of my farm. Between now and that time, I will do the best that is possible to advance the interest of the nation and its people, and carry out my duties as prescribed by the Constitution,” he said.
His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said in a statement, that Buhari had cut a birthday cake moulded in national colours, green-white-green to start the day.
He said the President went straight to chair a planning meeting with officials in his delegation and thereafter drove to the Dolmabahce Palace for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Recep Erdogan.
In response to the tribute on the occasion on behalf of the ministers and the rest of the delegation rendered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, President Buhari said he will put in his best for Nigeria until the last day when, in 2023 he hands over to a successor and returns to his farm to tender crops and livestock.
“I thought that being away from Abuja I will escape these things. The Guards Brigade had written to tell me what they wanted to do on this day. Now here you are doing this far away from home.
“I look forward to the year 2023 when I finish, to go home to take charge of my farm. Between now and that time, I will do the best that is possible to advance the interest of the nation and its people, and carry out my duties as prescribed by the Constitution,” he said.
As he stepped out of his suite moving to the meeting room, President Buhari met a surprise lineup of the Nigerian delegation with a cake decorated in Nigeria’s national colours.
The group broke into a chorus, as they began chanting “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs who spoke on behalf of the delegation and the Ambassador of Nigeria to Turkey, Ismail Yusuf Abba, congratulated the President on the good work he is doing for the country, and wished him a happy birthday, many healthy years ahead and the energy to give his best to the nation.
Onyeama noted in particular that the President continues to have a good run with his health, getting better and more active with time.
Meanwhile, in furtherance of sustained efforts at keeping Nigerians safer, President Buhari said Nigeria will partner with the Republic of Turkey in dealing with the current security challenges facing the nation.
Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his Turkish counterpart shortly before the official commencement of the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul, President Buhari acknowledged that Turkey had garnered a lot of experience dealing with security challenges of various kinds and Nigeria will latch onto that experience.
President Buhari said, “Turkey has practical experience dealing with challenges over the years and Nigeria stands to gain from that.”
Giving assurances that the relationship between the two states will continue to grow for the mutual benefits of both countries, President Buhari said he was pleased with the Turkish offer of support in the area of security and peace in Nigeria.
“I wish to express my appreciation for the special invitation for this meeting and to express my happiness with your offer of assistance in dealing with the challenges facing us.
‘‘I await the reports of officials and the ministers as they hold meetings with their counterparts. I assure you that I will endorse all their positive recommendations,” President Buhari assured Erdogan.
Earlier, the Turkish leader said that he was happy to receive President Buhari shortly after he paid an official visit to Nigeria.
“Turkey understands the challenges facing Nigeria and its needs, and we are ready to assist you to meet those needs especially in the area of defence.
‘‘I am happy Nigeria is stepping up cooperation with other nations in areas of defence and health, and we are ready to cooperate with you on these areas and more,” said President Erdogan.
Turkey, which has growing recognition in the world as a military power and had successes to show in Iraq, Syria, Libya and lately Azerbaijan said it welcomed the Nigerian government’s decision to buy naval ships from their shipyard, noting that discussions are ongoing on how to strengthen the capacity of the Defence Industries Corporation in Kaduna in line with an agreement signed during President Erdogan’s last state visit.
Buhari, a Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, was born to a Fulani family on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State.
He is a retired Nigerian Army Major General and has served as military head of state in Nigeria between 1983 and 1985, after taking power in a military coup d’état.
Buhari ran for president of Nigeria in 2003, 2007, and 2011.
In December 2014, he emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2015 general election.
Buhari won the election, defeating incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
This was the first time in the history of Nigeria that an incumbent president lost a general election.
He was sworn in on May 29, 2015.
In February 2019, Buhari was re-elected, defeating his closest rival former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by over three million votes.
