President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said his administration will
restore confidence in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by fast-tracking
their voluntary return, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.
Receiving the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf
Abdelkader Salama at State House, President Buhari commended Egypt for
identifying with challenges confronting the country, especially the plight
of IDPs, which has remained a topmost priority for the Nigerian
Government.
“The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume
their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not
cultivated for over three years now.
“We will work to restore their confidence, and also work on
infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle,” President Buhari said.
The President noted that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt
was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional
and international issues.
In his remarks, Mr. Salama, who spent four years in Nigeria, said he was
the first foreign diplomat to travel by road from Maiduguri to Yobe State,
North Eastern Nigeria, last month.
He told the President he was proud to have made the journey through an
area once considered a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, following the
successes recorded by the Nigerian military fighting insurgents in the
region.
He described the people of Nigeria as “friendly and generous,” saying he
hoped to be back in the country again.
President Buhari also received the outgoing Ambassadors of Sahrawi Arab
Democratic Republic (SADR) and Tanzania.
During the audience with Ambassador Oubi Bachir of SADR, President Buhari
reiterated Nigeria’s support for Sahrawi people’s self-determination and
independence.
Ambassador Bachir’s duty tour to Nigeria spanned eight years during which
he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
On Tanzania, President Buhari told the High Commissioner Daniel Ole
Njoolay, that the east African country was fortunate to have a leader who
cared so much for the less privileged in the society.
The President said Tanzania was blessed with good land and gas, which
could be used for the good people of the country.
Ambassador Njoolay spent two years and eight months in the country.