Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to promoting peace, security, and stability across the Gulf of Guinea. He gave this assurance while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), Jose Mba Abeso, and his delegation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Shettima, Nigeria will continue to play a leading role in advancing cooperation under the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy, which focuses on safeguarding Africa’s vast maritime resources. He stressed that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, has a responsibility to protect its interests in the region while ensuring collective security and development.
“On behalf of President Tinubu, I reaffirm Nigeria’s strong commitment to the objectives of the Gulf of Guinea Commission. Nobody can downplay its role in promoting cooperation, peace, and sustainable development,” Shettima said.
The Vice President also praised the Commission’s leadership, noting that issues raised by the delegation would receive attention from President Tinubu. He emphasized the government’s determination to make the Gulf of Guinea function more effectively for the benefit of member states.
On his part, Mr. Abeso urged Nigeria to continue championing reforms within the Commission, including expanding membership to all 19 coastal states in the Gulf. He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration to tackle maritime threats such as piracy and illegal trade. Abeso also called for engaging insurance companies to review the high costs charged on goods transported through the Gulf, which he argued would help boost regional trade and economic activities.
He commended Nigeria’s leading role in the creation of the Combined Maritime Taskforce, which has improved coordination of naval operations in the region. He encouraged President Tinubu to rally more political will from leaders across West and Central Africa to fully operationalize the taskforce for maximum impact.
Senior military and diplomatic officials, including Commodore M. S. Shettima of the Combined Maritime Taskforce, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde of the Defence Headquarters, Ambassador Obinna Agbugba of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Adebowale Badejo of the GGC, were present at the meeting.
The discussions underscored Nigeria’s central role in ensuring maritime safety and stability in the Gulf of Guinea, an area vital to regional trade, oil and gas, and global shipping routes. With billions of dollars’ worth of resources at stake, leaders expressed hope that renewed collaboration would strengthen economic integration and peace in the region.
Summary: Vice President Kashim Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s commitment under President Tinubu to champion reforms and security in the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria pledged to work with other coastal states under the GGC and AU’s maritime strategy, while stakeholders called for stronger cooperation to enhance trade, reduce insurance costs, and strengthen regional security.
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