President Bola Tinubu on Friday commended the intervention of the Finish government with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, a controversial pro-Biafra agitator.
Mr Tinubu spoke when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanna Selin, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president said the Nigerian government would not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.
He also commended the Finnish authorities for their timely intervention, safeguarding the nation’s integrity and mitigating an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.
“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible.
“We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” Mr Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador.
“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.
“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals and values.
“We must respect the rule of law,” the president said.
Similarly, Mr Tinubu received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.
The president noted that the ambassador’s priorities, including information and communications technology, agriculture and education, would directly impact the country’s development.
“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the North-east.
“I believe that we can work together,” he added.
What the Finish ambassador told Tinubu
Responding, the ambassador of Finland extolled the president for his courage in initiating reforms that would benefit the economy and ensure prosperity in the future.
“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations.
“The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now.
“The National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the ambassador noted, adding that Finland has also been involved in a peaceful mediation.
“We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream,” she stated.
(NAN)
