Nigeria Commits to Sustainable Development of Gulf of Guinea – Tinubu
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the sustainable development of the Gulf of Guinea, President Bola Tinubu has said.
According to the President, “the Gulf of Guinea has become the main transit hub and facilitator for Africa’s economic growth… with vast oil and natural gas reserves supplying about 10% of global energy demand.”
The President, who was represented by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, at the 2024 Symposium of the Heads of Navies and Coast Guards of the Gulf of Guinea, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in achieving maritime security and sustainable development in the region.
The symposium with the theme “Maritime Security and Sustainable Development in the Gulf of Guinea”, is hosted by Nigerian Navy in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the French Navy.
“It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to foster international cooperation to tackle these challenges and promote sustainable development of our maritime resources,” President Tinubu said.
The President also commended the Nigerian Navy for its commitment to maritime security, saying “I pledge my administration’s continuous support for all other laudable objectives of the Nigerian Navy, as well as initiatives that will promote security within the Gulf of Guinea.”
Read Also:
He urged all stakeholders to leverage the symposium as a springboard for transformative action, fostering international cooperation on maritime security, and propelling the Gulf of Guinea towards sustainable development in Africa.
Tinubu noted that the Gulf of Guinea is endowed with vast economic potentials, including marine biotechnology, offshore renewable energy, deep sea mining, and marine tourism.
“These sectors present unparalleled opportunities for advancing our blue economies, generating employment and contributing to poverty alleviation within the region and Africa at large,” he said.
However, the President acknowledged that the region’s maritime domain is confronted with various challenges, including illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling, and environmental degradation.
“These threats not only undermine the security and stability of our seas, but also impede the realization of the full economic potentials of the region,” he said.
To address these challenges, the President called for collective action and international cooperation, saying “we can effectively combat illegal activities at sea, protect our maritime ecosystem, and unlock the immense economic opportunities our oceans and waterways offer.”
He commended the Nigerian Navy for its efforts in securing the Niger Delta and promoting maritime security in the region.
“I acknowledge the lead role you are playing in the increase of crude oil production and security in the Niger Delta,” he said.
By PRNigeria
