From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of France in Abuja, Jean-Francois Hasperue, has said that contrary to what some would have people believe, the overwhelming majority of African countries still consider France a reliable partner.
Hasperue stated this during the French National Day in Abuja amidst crisis of disintegration between France and its former allies, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.
Hasperue also said that since the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, France and Nigeria have had four French ministerial visits to Nigeria, including one by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in November last year.
“Contrary to what some would have people believe, the overwhelming majority of African countries still consider France to be a reliable partner, the same way France considers them to be reliable partners, with whom we build day by day a relation based on mutual respect and shared interest, on an equal footing,” Hasperue said.
Hasperue further said France considers Nigeria to be not only a reliable, but above all a strategic partner.
“Indeed, we have a lot in common. We are first united by shared values, embodied in democracy, the rule of law and freedom of expression.
“And we share this determination to protect these values from obscurantism and spoilers. For many years now, France has stood by Nigeria to support its fight against the scourge of terrorism and maritime piracy, notably through a military and security cooperation that has proved its value. The 4th High Defence Committee just happened last week in Paris, paving the way for broader exchanges in this field.
“What also unites us is this shared desire to do business together. Through strengthening our economic exchanges, we are strengthening a mutually beneficial relationship, that in the end serves our people. We are aware of the difficulties faced by a large part of the Nigerian population and we hope to be able to contribute to resolving them alongside Nigerian authorities and Nigeria’s partners,” Hasperue further said.
The French envoy added that for 15 years, France and Nigeria have been stepping up investment in the Nigerian Development Agenda, thanks to French Development Agency, with a global investment amounting to €3.3 Billion.
“Today, the partnership between Nigeria and France encompasses the fields of higher education, agriculture, environment, energy, sport and new technologies. I’m also thinking, of course, of our strong partnership in culture and artistic creation, for which Nigeria and France share a passion.
“Let me mention in this regard the I.DiCE project (Investment in Digital and Creative Entreprises), a 100 M€ AFD supported programme aiming at developing skills of young entrepreneurs in this sector.
“We are fully transparent; we work with the government, states governors, private companies, civil society activists, entrepreneurs and artists, to the benefit of Nigerian society as a whole and particularly the youth.
“A few days ago, I was at the North West Governors’ Forum on Security and Development. I was able to brief them on France’s concrete actions in the field of humanitarian aid, as well as our initiatives to invest more in northern Nigeria, particularly in agriculture, energy and access to markets.
“This evening I would also like to welcome our francophones friends, and in particular the group of French-speaking ambassadors. France will be hosting the next summit of the International Organisation of Francophony in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris this autumn. Although Nigeria is not a member of our organisation, President Tinubu has been invited to attend. This summit will focus in particular on French as a language of innovation and entrepreneurship. I believe it’s a message that resonates here in Nigeria.
“On the world stage, France and Nigeria share the same conviction that Africa must take its rightful place, and of course Nigeria’s economic p