President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday described the security and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Benin Republic as “very beneficial to both countries” and would serve as a model to others.
Buhari spoke when he received the outgoing Ambassador of Benin Republic to Nigeria, Mr Mouftaou Laleye, at the State House, Abuja.
A statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, quoted the President as promising to improve the relations between both countries ,
Buhari was pleased with the people-to-people integration between Nigeria and Benin, adding that his administration would continue to pursue and promote friendly relations with neighbouring countries.
“I don’t take neighbourliness lightly; to promote mutual interests, both strategic and tactical; you have no option but to cultivate good relations with your neighbours.
“Our countries and our two peoples have no alternative but to remain close,’’ the President said.
President Buhari commended the outgoing ambassador for working hard to improve relations between the two countries in the past eight years.
He described the ambassador’s long period of service in Nigeria as a mark of the confidence reposed on him by his country’s leaders.
In his remarks, Amb. Laleye said that he succeeded in his mission in Nigeria because of the strong support he got from the country’s past and present leaders.
He commended President Buhari for stabilising relations between Nigeria and Benin, a relationship he described as brotherly.(NAN)