‎TICAD

‎By Muhyideen Jimoh

‎President Bola Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their success in fighting insurgency and criminality, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity through stronger governance and economic reforms.

‎Speaking at the Peace and Stability plenary of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), Tinubu highlighted the critical role of national stability in development.

‎This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, in Yokohama, Japan.

‎‎Tinubu described the armed forces’ growing momentum as a foundation for long-term development, while emphasising Nigeria’s strength in inclusivity, diversity, and the rule of law.

‎Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in his opening remarks underscored the need for mutual understanding, local solutions, and global collaboration for Africa’s growth.

‎‎He unveiled Japan’s priority areas: private sector-led sustainable development, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration across the continent.

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‎Ishiba announced a new economic partnership with the African Development Bank to deliver up to $5.5 billion, using JICA’s private sector investment finance as a springboard.

‎Tinubu also noted ongoing investment in infrastructure, institutional reform, and partnerships with civil society and global allies as crucial to uplifting Nigerians’ quality of life.

‎”Nigeria’s brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as government, are courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes,” the President said.

‎Tinubu stressed that peace and stability are essential to Africa’s development, warning that many conflicts still persist despite isolated progress.‎

‎He cited recent peace agreements in the Congo as a sign that new mediation approaches, tied to economic opportunities, can succeed.

‎”We should be under no illusions about the scale of our task. But neither should we underestimate the successes we have had. In the past, competition for resources has weakened states and triggered conflict.”

‎”Now, we see mediators directly linking outcomes to investment in Congo. It is working and underlines the need for fresh thinking in everything we do to deliver peace and stability.”

‎”Nigeria understands this process well. We believe inclusivity and diversity under the rule of law are our strengths. We have argued for this vision, and we have fought for it. We are still fighting for it today.”

‎”We have learned that our brave armed forces can win many battles. But we can do justice to their heroism and sacrifice only when we, as governments, display the courage to be tough, not only on terror, but on the causes of terror.”

‎The president called for a shift from foreign aid dependency to market-driven cooperation and meaningful global partnerships.

‎He also urged Japan to support long-overdue reforms in the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to amplify Africa’s voice.

‎”It is the view of Nigeria that Africa’s quest for fair and equitable representation in the UN Security Council is a just and fair demand.”

‎”Indeed, Africa deserves two seats in the Permanent Category, with all its prerogatives and privileges, including the Right of Veto. Africa also deserves additional seats in the non–permanent seat category of the Security Council, as encapsulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.”

‎Tinubu highlighted the potential of information and technology as tools for global trust, urging international cooperation to harness tech for peace, not division.

‎Prime Minister Ishiba during plenary reiterated the importance of locally-rooted development strategies shaped through mutual understanding and co-creation.

‎”Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa.”

‎”So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa.”

‎He appealed for Africa’s support as Japan faces a population crisis and shrinking agricultural land, threatening future growth.

‎”In 75 years from now, the population of Japan would have been halved. In the local communities, the population continues to decline; this is one big challenge Japan is facing. All agricultural land is being reduced, another major challenge for Japan.”

‎‎He praised Africa’s demographic advantage and urged the continent to harness it through industrialisation and job creation.

‎”There is another potential in Africa; there is so much growing young population in Africa, but for the power of young people in Africa to flourish, you need to create a manufacturing industry and create employment, and that, I believe, is very important.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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