The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described the relationship between Nigeria and France on the watch of President Bola Tinubu as a mutually beneficial one that will yield better dividends for Nigerians
This, according to the group, is why the President came away from his recent state visit with an immediate commitment of €300m on the development of critical infrastructure and the long-term sustenance of agriculture and food security in Nigeria
In a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG pointed out how the president is opening a new vista for Nigerian businesses in the European country while also securing investment commitments.
The statement read in part: “It is a fact that relations between African countries, including Nigeria and the West, used to be skewed against Africa. It was more of a relationship between colonizers and the colonized even several years after the end of colonization.
“But the 3-day visit by President Bola Tinubu to France has shown us how things could be different in a relationship of two equals.
“That the French government could roll out the drums and give President Tinubu the sort of reception reserved for leaders of major countries of the world is a pointer to the profile of Nigeria in the comity of nations.
“And even before President Tinubu’s arrival, it was instructive that he and Macron had, through a joint article, spoken of their readiness to collaborate as equals.
“This, for us, was a clear statement of intent on the eve of the visit, and this was further reinforced by what happened during the visit as well as its outcome.
“Like he usually does on state visits, President Tinubu again went with a group of Nigerian business leaders. Not surprisingly, there was a strategic engagement between Nigerian and French businessmen under the auspices of the France-Nigeria Business Council.
“Both countries’ officials came out of the bilateral meeting with a commitment ‘to work together on investment and development of critical infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, agricultural value chain, renewable energy, and human capital development.’
“Another big win for the country is that Zenith Bank formally inaugurated its operations in France while the UBA Group signed an agreement to commence banking operations in Paris.
“Also, a letter of Intent was signed with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) on ‘long-term support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu on energy access and transition, sustainable agriculture and food security by financing the improvement of agro-logistic hubs.’
“There is also an MOU signed between the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the French government to develop joint projects to promote and diversify the critical minerals value chain in the solid minerals sector of both countries.
“While we wait for the agreements sealed in the course of the visit to kick in, we make bold to say that Nigeria is not entering into a subservient relationship with France. Nothing happened in France that amounted to selling the country cheaply. The agreements are not different from the type that France will enter into with other European countries.
“We want to also put it on record that President Macron acknowledged President Tinubu’s state visit as one that has deepened bilateral relationships between the two countries.
TMSG added that President Tinubu will not enter into any agreement with any country that will put Nigeria and Nigerians at a disadvantage.
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