President Bola Tinubu and Equatorial Guinean President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has signed an agreement on Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project in Malabo.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale made this known in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, the agreement signed on Wednesday will further affirm the partnership for mutual development – and covers legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline, including its establishment and operation, transit of natural gas, ownership of the gas pipeline, as well as general principles.
President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, said that the signing of the agreement will open up new opportunities for gas exploration and employment.
He stated that the two leaders had discussed issues related to the creation of employment, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution mechanisms on the continent during a private meeting that preceded the signing of the agreement.
The President said: “Concerning Africa, conflicts and conflict resolution were discussed. We discussed various areas of conflicts and what we can do to promote peace.
“We talked about promotion of peace and stability in our countries, and growth and prosperity on our continent.
“In the same way that Europe and America have kept themselves and found a solution for their conflicts, we have to look at both inadequate capital, industrialization efforts, research and development programmes, and enlighten our people, navigate our way through problems.
“Instead of the crisis and conflicts that we see in the Republic of Congo, and others, we have to look inwards to solve problems ourselves.”
He disclosed that the discussion with the President of Equatorial Guinea also covered challenges of security, African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), and food security.
“We are all going for it. Within Africa and the African Union, we have resolved that we will work together to make sure that the solution to many of our problems in Africa comes from within.”
On his part, the President of Equatorial Guinea mentioned that bilateral relations with Nigeria over many years have been rewarding and emphasised the need to deepen cooperation across salient areas.
President Mbasogo noted that Africa’s vision of having a permanent seat in the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) is vital for the development of the continent, stressing that Equatorial Guinea will work with Nigeria to realize the objective.
He added that the signing of the agreement was strategic for Africa’s development.
The statement further disclosed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar of Nigeria, and Mr. Simeon Oyono Esono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea, also signed the agreement.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar and Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo were also present at the signing of the agreement.
Others are Minister of State, Petroleum, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim- Biu.
