President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said Friday in Abuja that he was very
confident that Nigerian troops will maintain the momentum they have built
up in ongoing operations against Boko Haram and rapidly recover more
occupied territory from the terrorist group.
Speaking at an audience with the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria,
Mr. Jacques Champagne De Labriolle, President Jonathan said that the
officers and men of the Nigerian Army he met on the frontlines in Borno
and Adamawa states yesterday were in very high spirits, well prepared and
determined to successfully complete their operations against Boko Haram.
“We have already recovered much territory and very soon our troops will
clear the terrorists out of other areas not presently under our control,’’
the President assured the French Ambassador.
Welcoming a congratulatory message from President Francois Hollande to
Nigeria for recent successes of its armed forces against Boko Haram,
President Jonathan restated Nigeria’s appreciation of France’s unwavering
support for Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.
President Jonathan particularly commended his French counterpart for
organising the Paris Summit of Heads of State of Nigeria, Benin Republic,
Cameroon, Niger and Chad in May 2014 to foster greater regional
cooperation against terrorism and insurgency.
The President pledged that beyond the ongoing military campaign in the
North East, Nigeria will continue to implement all agreements reached at
the summit to ensure lasting peace and security within its borders and in
neighbouring countries.
President Jonathan also seized the opportunity of the audience with Mr.
Labriolle to reassure the international community of his firm commitment
to free, fair and credible polls in Nigeria next month.
The President wished the outgoing ambassador well in his future endeavours
and urged him to always be a “good ambassador of Nigeria’’.
In his remarks, Ambassador Labriolle said that France was “confident in
the future of Nigeria and its ability to continue playing a huge role in
Africa and world affairs”.
The ambassador also expressed delight at improved trade and economic ties
between Nigeria and France in the last three years, noting that over 250
French companies are currently operating in Nigeria.