Buhari commits to peer review, united Cameroun

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged Nigeria’s continued support for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in the country, owing to its importance to good governance and democracy.

He gave the assurance yesterday, in Abuja, during the launch of the second review country self-assessment report and flag-off of the validation of the report at the six geo-political zones of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Describing the exercise as “timely and handy”, the President explained that the current administration, with its change mantra, had overhauled, revitalised and institutionalised its machinery for the successful conduct of the review.

He recalled that Nigeria was first peer-reviewed in 2008 and since then has recorded tremendous success in the implementation of the National Programme of Action as recommended.

Buhari reiterated the commitment of his administration to the execution of the new National Programme of Action that would come up after the process.

His words: “Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the African continent over the next 50 years with a strong mandate on NEPAD and APRM.

“This is in an attempt to build on and seek the acceleration of the implementation of past and present continental initiatives for the growth and sustainable development of the African continent.

“This exercise will be a strong reference point in the nation’s history, a source of courage and positive drive for this initiative that is aimed at consolidating the strides of this current administration.

“In addition, this administration has been very supportive and will continue to support the APRM in Nigeria, knowing the importance of the process, which enhances transparency and good governance, strengthens our democracy, identifies and addresses critical challenges, as well as promotes all-inclusiveness.”

The President, therefore, urged all stakeholders to come up with more vital strategies, mechanisms and measures that would enable diligent implementation of the new National Programme of Action for accelerated economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria and Africa.

In her remarks, the National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Gloria Akobundu thanked Buhari for his transparency, courageous leadership and consistency in achieving the desired goal.

IN the meantime, President Buhari has pledged to ensure that the Republic of Cameroun remains an indivisible country, saying such was in the interest of Nigeria.

He spoke yesterday while receiving a Special Envoy from President Paul Biya of Cameroun, Felix Mbayu, at the State House, Abuja.

The President said Nigeria and Cameroun share historical ties and common borders, which make it imperative for the two nations to look out for each other’s well-being.

Submitting that the most populous black nation was aware of the separatist agitation by the Ambazonian Movement, Buhari asserted that it was in the interest of Nigeria “to ensure that Cameroun is stable, and we will be steadfast in our support for you.”

Mbayu, who is also Minister Delegate in Charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, said President Biya was happy with the role Nigeria is playing in Africa, noting that the two neighbours share not just borders and historical ties, “but also common challenges.”