ABUJA – (State House Press Report) – President Muhammadu Buhari has on Monday October 29, 2018 in Abuja said that Nigeria’s democracy is steadily improving with deeper understanding of the culture and tenets among the people as well as strengthening of the institutions that guarantee free and fair elections.
He made the remark while receiving the Governor – General of Canada, Julie Payette (Rt. Hon) at the Presidential Villa. President Buhari envisioned the evolving strength of democracy in the country in his earlier bid whereby he contested for elections three times before winning at the fourth trial in 2015.
The Nigerian President told the Governor – General that Nigeria has been learning from the mistakes of those who practiced democracy for a longer period and by looking inward at its own peculiarities. Adding, he emphasized free and fair elections at all times.
While explaining that the bilateral relations with Canada will continue to improve considering the huge interest of the country in Nigeria and growing economic ties, with many Nigerians schooling and working in the country, President Buhari espoused that Canada played a brotherly role in helping displaced persons in the North East, following Boko Haram insurgency.
In her remarks at the visit, the Governor – General stressed that Nigeria and Canada enjoy a warm and strong partnership that has translated into ease of migration, large trade relations and cultural exchanges.
Julie Payette, who is an astronaut observed that it is important for nations to pool resources together to start exploring the benefits of space in providing solutions to some problems on earth. She later noted that the world would achieve more by de-emphasizing geographical differences and refocusing its energy on the commonality of humanity, pointing out that viewing from the space one can only see an earth without borders.
The Canadian Governor – General averred that her visit was about showcasing youth, innovation and technology, adding that Canada would like to partner with Nigeria in the ongoing diversification of the economy. She wished the country free and credible elections in 2019.
