SGF seeks to deepen relationship with British Govt

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume has sought to deepen bilateral relations with the British Government, especially in the area of security, agriculture, and infrastructural development. 

In a statement by Director of Information, Willie Bassey, Akume disclosed this when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery in his office.

According to the statement, Akume said it has become necessary for both countries to work together for mutual benefits due to the age-long colonial relationship between UK and Nigeria.

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“We want to make a difference in the lives of our people. We are not after money, we are after infrastructure, we are after food security, and we are after energy. We believe with your support we should go further than this. We also have 9 nine mandate areas. Honestly, by the time you support us, it’s mutual, you will be surprised that the relationship will soar to greater heights”.

Having congratulated the British High Commissioner to Nigeria on his new posting, he called on the British Government to assist the Federal Government to curb Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and farmers-herders clashes as they did during Nigeria’s civil war.

Senator Akume added that with the historical ties between the British Government and Nigeria, there is a need to deepen bilateral relationships to support Nigeria also in the area of education, provision of education, health, amongst others.

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Reacting, Montgomery congratulated Akume on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as commended the present administration for taking bold reforms in repositioning the economy, which has placed the country on a pedestal of sustainable economic growth.

He said that the essence of their visit was to get acquainted with the key priority areas of the Federal Government to enable the UK government to tailor its support in line with its needs. 

Montgomery noted that the UK Government, through the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office and Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (FCDO-PERL), will continue to collaborate with Nigeria with the ongoing programmes- the CDCU (Central Delivery Coordination Unit), Ministerial Retreat as well as the Community of Practice to Secretaries to the State Governments in the country. 

He pledged to consolidate the gains of the existing bilateral relations and make further inroads into other areas to promote and stabilize Nigeria’s democracy.