The British and the United States diplomats in Nigeria have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they are essential to the future prosperity of Nigeria.
The two envoys also asked the Nigerian government to continue on the part of dialogue in addressing issues raised by those behind the ongoing protest in the country.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, and his United States counterpart, Richard Mills, also commended the security agencies for avoiding lethal force in quelling the protest.
The duo spoke in Abuja during the briefing of the Diplomatic Corps by Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
Montgomery, commended the synergy of the policing agencies for avoiding lethal force, noting the commitment of the government to enable a peaceful process.
He said: “Before I ask my full question, I commend the synergy and policing agencies for avoiding lethal force. This is a big and complex situation and we have noted very clearly the commitment to enabling peaceful process and the commitment to policing proportionately.
“And I just wanted to put on record our appreciation of some of the handling. We have a lot of empathy for people facing significant hardship. The level of inflation is significant and I would endorse my colleagues’ question and interest in the dialogue and the peace building that needs to continue in Nigeria given the hardship that people face.
“But I also want to put on record that we fully support the big and important economic reforms that are going on in Nigeria at the moment, which we see as essential for the future prosperity of the country, and indeed the economic relationships of many of us here with this major power.”
For his part, Mills, also expressed sympathy for those who have suffered from the protest.
Mills, however, said the reforms were necessary and have the support of the US government.
He added: “I also want to take this platform just to express my Embassy’s condolences for the loss of life and suffering that Nigeria has seen over the past several days.
“And let me echo my British colleague’s comments that we understand the difficulty that the reforms President Tinubu and his administration have undertaken have imposed.
“We know that these reforms are necessary, and we have supported and worked with the administration as they have carried them out.”
Michael Olugbode
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