Buhari lauds Switzerland on repatriation of stolen assets

Tasks Belgium, Hungary on ties with Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the government of Switzerland for its support in repatriation of stolen assets to Nigeria.

Buhari, while receiving letters of credence from the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr. George Steiner, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday said the return of the stolen funds and interventions in the crisis in the North East indicated the Swiss government’s commitment to the development of Nigeria.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, yesterday, Buhari noted that the facilitating roles the Swiss government had been playing in the North East, particularly in reaching out to internally displaced persons, had been most helpful. He said the bilateral relations between both countries would continue to be strengthened.

The Swiss ambassador said his home government would always be disposed to supporting Nigeria in ensuring peace in the country, especially in the North East.

“We have strong and solid relations with Nigeria. It’s an honour and privilege for us to contribute to issues of importance in the country.’’

Steiner told President Buhari that the Swiss government looked forward to having stronger relations on economic issues with Nigeria that would be mutually beneficial. He said the ongoing reforms in the country had sent the signals to investors.

President Buhari, who also received letters of credence from the Ambassador of Belgium, Dr. Daniel Dargent, said feasibility studies to revamp the Lake Chad Basin would require a diversion of River Ubangi in the Congo Basin.

According to him, the diversion will improve the livelihood of more than 40 million people who survive on Lake Chad Basin. Buhari urged the Belgian government to support the negotiation.

“We are in a global world and we need to start evolving more on issues that directly touch lives, especially in supporting Nigeria which will one day become a permanent member of the Security Council,’’ Dargent said.

While receiving his letters of credence, President Buhari congratulated the Ambassador of Hungary, Dr. Sandor Gyorgy Beer, on his posting to Nigeria, urging him to sustain the healthy relations between both countries for many years.

Beer said Nigeria and Hungary already had a strong pedigree in sports, especially in football, that could be improved, promising to work towards more exchanges between both countries by setting up a football academy in Nigeria that will promote matches, trainings and skills development.