Simon Ekpa,Â
President Bola Tinubu has praised the Finnish government for its role in the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, saying his administration will not condone actions that threaten Nigeria’s unity and peace.
Tinubu made the remarks when he received the Letters of Credence from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, at the State House in Abuja on Friday.
The President expressed gratitude for the Finnish authorities’ swift response, which he said helped protect the nation’s integrity and prevent actions that could have harmed the country’s peaceful coexistence.
“I must thank you for your role in safeguarding human rights with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have faced difficult times, and we must not promote terrorism,” President Tinubu stated, highlighting the need for national cohesion.
He reaffirmed his commitment to stability and cooperation to foster national development.
The President emphasized the importance of the rule of law in maintaining Nigeria’s democratic values, adding that the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, had kept him well informed on the issue.
During the ceremony, Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.
He acknowledged the EU as a key trading partner and expressed a desire to further strengthen economic ties, urging the Ambassador to support efforts to enhance digitalization and automation in Nigeria’s public services.
The Finnish Ambassador praised President Tinubu for his bold economic reforms and noted that bilateral relations between Finland and Nigeria had improved, particularly in light of the Ekpa case, which had strained relations in the past.
President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s ongoing reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity, thanking Finland for its humanitarian support in the Northeast and expressing hope for continued cooperation.
