Canada to assist Nigeria’s security agencies

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

Canada is to assist in enhancing the operational capabilities of Nigerian security services to enable them respond adequately to internal and regional security challenges.

This came as both countries agreed that effective political, economic, security and development cooperation among them would help to build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

They also committed themselves to promoting human rights for all, good governance and democratic development.

The resolutions came at an inaugural meeting of the Nigeria-Canada Bi-National Commission (BNC), which took place on Monday in Abuja.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru and the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird.

At the meeting, the two countries restated their commitment to work together on issues of common regional and global challenges, including counterterrorism, the Mali crisis and Commonwealth reform.

Both countries also reaffirmed the underlying principles of the commission and pledged that it would be the basis for constructing a lasting strategic partnership between the two federal and multicultural democracies.

While recognising that lasting security demands a multilevel approach, including development, education, democracy and human rights, both countries resolved to effectively cooperate, particularly on counterterrorism measures.

Equally, the two countries committed themselves to aim for the reduction and elimination of barriers to increased economic and commercial relations.

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