Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Niger on Wednesday signed a communiqué aimed at reviving and strengthening cooperation between the two countries through the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC).
The communiqué was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, and his Nigerien counterpart, Mr Bakary Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad.
Tuggar made the announcement in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, following his working visit to Niamey, the capital of Niger.
He explained that the meeting focused on discussions to examine the challenges facing both countries and addressed major current issues at the sub-regional, regional, and international levels.
According to Tuggar, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of the economy and security.
The two ministers also deliberated on various issues of mutual interest aimed at fostering closer relations between the people and governments of Niger and Nigeria.
They emphasised the importance of continued joint efforts to counter terrorism along their shared border and agreed to maintain collaboration between their respective defence ministries.
The ministers also reviewed ongoing joint infrastructure projects, including the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi railway, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, the Trans-Saharan Highway, and the Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic project, as part of efforts to enhance regional integration.
Additionally, they agreed to expand cooperation across socio-political, economic, scientific, and cultural spheres, consolidate existing gains, and revitalise the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC).
A proposal was also made to establish a Joint Consultative Forum to facilitate dialogue among key stakeholders from both countries, addressing shared challenges and opportunities.
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