UK to assist Nigeria in anti-terror security

LAGOS — British Prime Minister, David Cameron, said yesterday that Britain would support Nigeria in its anti-terrorism security after a string of deadly bombings across the country.

Cameron, who arrived Nigeria yesterday, said at a media conference with President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos: “We have agreed to forge today, a significant new partnership on counter-terrorism. Britain will help Nigeria establish the equivalent of our COBR.”

The British Prime Minister and President Jonathan  also expressed the need for a strong business relationship between Europe and Africa as part of effort to effectively tackle economic misfortune that has left many economies on edge worldwide.

Speaking at a lecture entitled,” Entrepreneur and Innovation” organised by the Pan-African University in Ajah area of Lagos, Cameron urged Africans to use trade, aid and political reform to make the most of what he called “Africa’s moment.”

Cameron, congratulating Jonathan on his victory in the recent general elections, described the exercise as the fairest in nearly two decades in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer despite the challenges.

President Jonathan, who was represented at the lecture by Gov. Fashola said the trans-Atlantic visit of the British Prime Minister amid tight schedules proved that the African continent would play a critical role in the future of the planet.

He said: “So much has happened in this decade. Our current realities vividly demonstrate that our prosperity or adversity on one side of the continent is answerable to consequences of prosperity and adversity on the other end of the globe.

“The visit by the Prime Minister is a proof of the statutory leadership and very clear understanding of its role in turning these challenges to opportunities and stimulate mutual cooperation between the two countries  in the areas of improved trade, infrastructural renewal, power, transportation, improved public health, promotion of global security, democracy and defence of citizenry rights, to mention but a few.”

Jonathan who acknowledged the business development and partnership orientation behind the visit saluted the representative of the British High commission in the country which he said had provided the support for the country needs for its international development plans.

“I do hope that the visit would be a symbolic reference point in the escalation of the revival of the relationship with mutual benefit to support both countries and their economy in a way the issue of poverty can be effectively tackled,” he added.