By Augustine Ehikioya
The Force Commander of Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, has assured that Nigeria will continue to cooperate with her neighbours in order to reduce regional security challenges.
He gave the assurance during Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary celebration organised by the Defence section of Nigerian Embassy in N’Djamena, Chad.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Chief of Military Public Information, HQ MNJTF, N’djamena, Chad, Colonel Muhammad Dole, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
As the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) at the occasion, General Ibrahim said Nigeria is a friendly nation, “who advocates collective efforts in mitigating regional security challenges.”
He cited the cases of Liberia and Sierra Leone, where Nigeria mobilised resources and Member States of the West African region to combat rebellions and “ultimately facilitated the installation of democratic governments in those countries.”
According to him, good neighbourliness is a prerequisite for peace and stability, thus “Nigeria will continue to cooperate with her neighbours to defeat insurgency and restore normalcy in the Lake Chad region.”
Those, who attended the occasion included members of Nigerian community in Chad, Diplomats, representatives of Regional Organizations and Non Governmental Organizations as well as the citizens of the host country (Chad).
While appreciating the enormous support of the neighbours in the fight against terrorism, the SGOH used the occasion “to assured the strategic partners and donors to remain steadfast and increase the offensive tempo against insurgents and return the region to its glorious prosperous past.”
In his welcome address earlier, the Nigerian Defence Adviser to Chad, Colonel Hassan Bukar expressed appreciation to the friends and supporters of Nigeria “for identifying and cooperating with her in this surmountable trial times.”
Highlights of the event were cutting of Anniversary Cake, 3 hearty cheers and toast for Nigeria and exchange of souvenirs to deserving attendees.