Encomium
About 30 million people are adversely affected by a shrunken Lake Chad, which is now just about ten per cent of its original size, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
The President spoke Saturday at State House, Abuja, while hosting the President of Chad, Marshal Idris Deby Itno, who paid him a one-day official visit.
“It is imperative that there be water transfer to the Lake Chad from the Congo Basin, so that the people can resume their normal lives,” President Buhari said.
He added that with inter-basin water transfer, farming, fishing, animal husbandry would resume, and curtail irregular migration of youths, who now dare the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to get into Europe, seeking greener pastures.
“I’ve been engaging with the relevant stakeholders in Africa and beyond, on why we need to recharge Lake Chad. Nigeria will benefit more, but it is also advantageous to everyone,’’ President Buhari added.
He appreciated Chad for its role in curbing insurgency in the region, particularly the Boko Haram challenge.
“We appreciate what you are doing on security. When I first came to office in 2015, I came to see you, as well as leaders of other neighbouring countries, because it makes sense to be in the good books of our neighbours.”
President Buhari wished Marshal Itno well in the general elections coming up in his country in April.
The Chadian leader thanked President Buhari for receiving him, saying, “We are neighbours facing similar challenges.”
He added that he was also around to explore other bilateral issues, in addition to security.
On the recharge of Lake Chad, he counseled the Nigerian President to consider convening an international summit to move the idea forward.
President Muhammadu Buhari receives The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I President Muhammadu Buhari and The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I President Muhammadu Buhari and The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari and The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I L-R; The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno, President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and NSA Maj Gen Babagana Mongonu Rtd during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I L-R; The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno, President Muhammadu Buhari, SCOP, Amb Lawal Kazaure, SGF Mr. Boss Mustapha, Minister of Interior, Ruaf Aregbsola, Minister of FCT Mal Muhammad Musa Bello, NSA Maj Gen Babagana Mongonu, Director General Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Rifai Abubakar during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I L-R; The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno signs the Visitors book as President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama look on during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari Introduces The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of FCT, Mal Muhammad Musa Bello, NSA MaJ Gen Babagana Mongonu Rtd and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I L-R; The Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno, President Muhammadu Buhari, SCOP, Amb Lawal Kazaure, SGF Mr. Boss Mustapha, Minister of Interior, Ruaf Aregbsola, Minister of FCT Mal Muhammad Musa Bello, NSA Maj Gen Babagana Mongonu, Director General Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Rifai Abubakar during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari bid farewell to the Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno and his delegation. With them is the SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari bid farewell to the Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno and his delegation. With them is the SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno and his delegation during an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno and his delegation, Chadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Amine Abba-Sidick and Son of President Deby Itno and others during on an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I R-L; President Muhammadu buhari Introduces the Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno to Director General of NIA Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Permanent Secretary State House, Alhaji Tijjani Idris Umar and others during on an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 202I President Muhammadu buhari receives the Chadian President H.E Idriss Deby Itno on an official visit to State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 27 TH 2021
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
