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By Nasir Kura
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja called for more commitment from the international community on redirecting water to the Lake Chad, warning that the about 40 million population in the region would pose adverse migration and security challenges to the world.
Receiving Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Philip Baker, at the Presidential Villa, the President said the tragedy of the shrinking Lake Chad would continue to fuel more illegal migrations, banditry and provide willing hands for terrorism since majority of the people have lost their means of livelihood.
“In 1920’s, an academic rightly predicted that except there’s a redirection of water to Lake Chad, it will dry up. Now whenever I go for any global meeting or visit a country, I will always draw the world’s attention to the adverse effect of climate change on the lake, and the resulting negative effects,’’ he said.
The President urged the Canadian government to support the on-going efforts to divert water from the Congo River to the lake.
“Canada has the capacity to help us. The lake is now less than ten per cent of its normal size. A redirection will help our people from getting into the Mediterranean Sea,’’ he said.
The President said Nigeria and Canada have good relations dating back to the early 60’s when Nigeria gained independence, commending the country for “its vast resource utilisation and solid political background.’’
In his remarks, the Canadian High Commissioner commended the President for providing leadership in the country, and championing the cause for the replenishing of the Lake Chad Basin, stressing that the Canadian Governor General, Julie Payette, had presented a picture taken from space of the vanishing lake to the President when she visited recently.
Baker said more than 11,000 Nigerians were studying in Canada, with many residing in the country, assuring that the President that majority of the students return to build and invest their knowledge in the development of Nigeria.
The Canadian High Commissioner said he would work towards improving relations between both countries on migration, education, entrepreneurship training, mining, renewable energy and Information Technology.
Receiving Letters of Credence from the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing, President Buhari said Nigeria remains grateful for the training support for the military in the North Eastern part of the country since it started fighting Boko Haram.
The President congratulated Campbell Laing on her posting to the country, pointing out that Nigeria appreciates its relations with the United Kingdom, and would continue to pursue mutual interest in trade and economic issues.
In her remarks, the British High Commissioner said the visits of the Prime Minister, Theresa May and Prince of Wales, Charles Philip Arthur George, to Nigeria last year were to further consolidate relations, and look forward to Nigeria’s support after Brexit.
Campbell Laing said Britain would continue to support Nigerian troops in the North East and the people that were affected by the insurgency, and assured the President that more attention would be given to non-oil trade exchange and strengthening of political ties.
The President, who also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Argentina to Nigeria, Maria Del Carmen Squeff, said the vast potentials in trade and agriculture for both countries could be further explored.
In her response, the Ambassador of Argentina said the countries must move beyond the level of signing agreements to ensuring that issues of trade, sports, investments and agriculture get practical follow up for mutual benefit.
She said Argentina and Nigeria also have a lot to share on movie productions, sports like football and Polo, and festivals.
