Buhari Eulogises Swiss Govt for Returning Nigeria’s Looted Funds

Buhari Eulogises Swiss Govt for Returning Nigeria’s Looted Funds

By Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed the gratitude of the federal government to the government and people of Switzerland for the returning stolen Nigerian funds, which he said would help in resuscitating the country’s economy.

Acknowledging the gesture when receiving Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr. George Steiner, at the Presidential Villa, the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, in a press statement said, President Buhari described the return of the stolen funds and interventions in the crisis in the North-east, as evidence of Swiss government’s commitment to the development of Nigeria.

“We are grateful to the Swiss government for allowing illegally stolen funds to be brought back to Nigeria,’’ he said.

The president noted that the facilitating roles the Swiss government had been playing in the North East, particularly in reaching out to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), had been most helpful, adding that bilateral relations between both countries will continue to be strengthened.

In his response, the Swiss Ambassador said his 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,’’ he added.

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 will require a diversion of River Ubangi in the Congo Basin.

The President said the diversion of River Ubangi will improve the livelihood of more than 40 million people who survive on Lake Chad Basin, urging the Belgian government to support the negotiation.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Belgium said his government will support an initiative that will improve the livelihood of people.

“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’’ he 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 that had existed between both countries for many years.

The Hungarian Ambassador said relations between both countries had been strong over many years, noting that he will work towards improving it, especially on economic issues and sports.

 

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